Principal's Letter For January 2026

Dear ACIS families and friends, as we enter Term 3 of the ‘25-26 academic year, I would like to warmly welcome you and your families to 2026. I hope the holiday break provided time for rest, reflection, and meaningful moments, and that our students have returned refreshed and ready for the term ahead.

The beginning of a new year is also an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made as a school community and to look ahead with purpose.

During Term 1, our primary focus was strengthening consistency and alignment across the school. We refined leadership practices, routines, and expectations to ensure the school operates with clarity and purpose. While much of this work took place behind the scenes, it reinforced a clear and consistent learning environment - one that allows students to thrive and teachers to focus on high-quality teaching and learning.

In Term 2, we built upon this foundation by strengthening teaching and learning across the school. Academic practices were refined, expectations were clarified, and classroom instruction was aligned to ensure learning experiences were engaging, purposeful, and consistent across grade levels. This work supports a strong daily learning experience for students and reinforces our commitment to high academic standards.

As we move into Term 3, our focus is on strengthening school culture and student belonging. This term is about clearly expressing who we are as a school through our shared values, daily interactions, and community traditions. A positive school culture is built through consistency, care, and connection, and it plays an essential role in supporting both academic growth and student well-being.

This term also coincides with our upcoming WASC accreditation visit, a regular part of maintaining high standards at accredited international schools. The visit provides an opportunity to reflect on our practices and to affirm our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement in teaching, learning, and student well-being.

To support this work, we are continuing the implementation of our SPARK and Character Counts programs through our House Teams. These initiatives are designed to build school pride, strengthen relationships across grade levels, and ensure that every student feels known, supported, and connected to the ACIS community.

We are grateful for the continued partnership and trust of our families. When students, parents, and staff work together, we create the strongest possible environment for learning and growth. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement with our school! I am confident that Term 3 will be a meaningful and positive chapter for our students and for ACIS as a whole.

Wishing you and your children a strong and successful start to the term.

Timothy Traser (Mr. T)

Principal

Americana Chinese International School