A Fond Farewell to Ms. Santha

Santha Nair has given 36 years of dedicated service to the ASD Elementary Library. Her warm smile, gentle manner and kind nature have touched the hearts of hundreds of students, teachers and parents. 

From reading with students to helping find the perfect book to repairing our most loved books to perfectly setting up for each and every class, Santha's passion and commitment for her work shine through every day.

She will be dearly missed and the library won't be the same without her. We wish her all the best on her new adventure in India.

One School, One Book, One Hero: Salva Dut's Visit to ASD

Excitement was in the air on campus on Thursday, June 4. Salva Dut's visit marked an occasion to celebrate as a school. The hero whose story touched the lives of our community actually visited ASD. Our students, teachers and parents were brought together by the story of Salva's journey in A Long Walk to Water.

Salva spent his morning with the Elementary School, presenting to three groups about his work and life mission to bring clean water to the people of South Sudan, transforming lives one well at a time. Salva shared his work with Water for South Sudan and graciously answered many questions about his life. Salva's encouraged our students not to take what they have for granted. He urged them to continue to use their good fortune to help those in need. His message to work for peace and to help others was heard by our community of learners.

Representatives from the ES Student Council and Student Librarians gave a presentation to show Salva the work that was done in the Elementary School with reading A Long Walk to Water and planning for our ES Water Walk. Salva thanked the ASD students and community for their contributions to the Iron Giraffe Challenge and for changing the lives of people in South Sudan.

Middle School students from clubs SEENAH and GAIA also had the opportunity to present their work in raising funds and awareness through the Water Walk at DUCE in January. Salva then addressed the entire Middle School in an assembly where he received a standing ovation.

We ended our day with Salva, with a community celebration. Families were invited to a talk and reception with Salva. Once again, he generously answered all questions, shook hands and took photos with everyone who attended.

Salva is an example for us all. He is a person who lives by core values and who is dedicated to the pursuit of his dreams. He is a person that is changing the world for the better. Salva's visit marked a full circle for ASD's experience of One School, One Book. First the reading of a remarkable book as a community. Then the opportunity to work with Linda Sue Park who lit a spark in us as readers. And finally, the honor of meeting Salva, the hero himself. Salva's story, his work, his visit to ASD will be with us for a lifetime.