Week Without Walls American Community School – Beirut

2015

Why?

Week Without Walls is an extension of the ACS Mission Statement:

“ACS empowers students to solve problems with creativity and integrity, to lead well-balanced lives, and to serve Lebanon and the world community with understanding and compassion.”

ACS-Beirut

students

exploring the

historic site of

Bhaktapur, Nepal 2014

“ . . . students solving problems with creativity and integrity, . . “

ACS-Beirut

students

taking time to

pose for a

picture with

an elephant in

South Africa

2014

“ . . . to lead well-balanced lives, “

ACS-Beirut

student

tending a farm

at a local

school in

Nepal 2014

“ . . . to serve Lebanon and the world community with understanding and

compassion.”

Week Without Walls - 2015

Changes for 2015: ◦ WWW is a Graduation Requirement

◦ Smaller course sizes of 20 or less will better engage each student and maximize the experience

◦ More local and low cost options for families

◦ Sign-up period earlier in the year allowing more time to prepare for each course

WWW – 2015 - Timeline

October 22 ◦ Student Advisory planned to inform and answer questions

October 23

◦ Parent Meeting planned to inform and answer questions UPPER SCHOOL LIBRARY at 6:00p

October 27

◦ Sign up period begins ◦ First come, first serve with a receipt from the ACS Cashiers if needed

November 27

◦ Students meet with course teachers to begin planning the WWW 2015

May 4-8

◦ High School Week Without Walls (may include the wkd before and after)

Beirut 2015

Bridges to Ability - Sesobel

Local Course information: ◦ ACS students will visit the institution and work in small

groups (2-3 students) with children with different mental and physical disabilities.

Activity information: ◦ Based on the student group ◦ Developed over the next 6 months ◦ Creative and Activity based with interactions with the

children that are served by Sesobel

Costs: Free Instructors: Mrs. Bou Rached Hage and TBD

Beautify Beirut

Local Course information: ◦ ACS Students will work with local businesses and

community members to help to beautify a part of Beirut ◦ Historic Building, a Beautiful Beach, or a Local Park ◦ Students interests to merge personal interests with

community service.

Activity information: ◦ Creativity, Relationship, and Activity based ◦ Developed over the next 6 months

Costs: Free Instructors: TBD

Beirut Internship

Local Course information: ◦ ACS Students will work with local businesses and

community members to find internship ◦ Student driven professional connections ◦ ACS student will build their community network, learn

important career skills, and get a small glimpse into their future profession

Activity information: ◦ Relationship based ◦ Developed over the next 6 months

Costs: Free Instructors: Mrs. Assir and TBD

Eat Well , Live Well - Beirut

Local Course information: ◦ Students will be involved in researching healthy foods and eating

habits as well as problems related to unhealthy eating. ◦ Collaborate on turning normal recipes into healthier ones ◦ Researching local markets for substitute ingredients while

preserving taste. ◦ Visit Diet Centers, interview nutritionists and dieticians and create

an awareness campaign/presentation/movie for the community.

Activity information:

◦ Creative and Activity based – Creating and delivering food for needy households or organizations

◦ Developed over the next 6 months

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $100

◦ Food, supplies, and transportation

Instructors: Mrs. Maaliki & Mrs. Suleiman

Lebanon 2015

Camping and Lebanese History in Arabic - Deir El Qamar

Local Course information: ◦ Students will present a reflection on the main founder of

modern Lebanon in Arabic

◦ Camping in Deir EL Qamar for 5 days, 4 nights

◦ Hiking to archeological sites

Activity information: ◦ Creativity and Activity based – Camping and hiking

◦ Developed over the next 6 months

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $250

◦ Food, supplies, and transportation

◦ Instructors: Mr. Saidoun, Mrs. Ariss, and Mrs. El Zoghbi

Untold Stories: Oral History and Memory - Lebanon

Local Course information: ◦ Students will investigate histories from different areas of

Lebanon through oral history ◦ In Naqoura, in Beirut, and in other locations around the

country students will collect stories and will preparation of an exhibition on the different memories and histories of Lebanon

Activity information: ◦ Creativity and Relationship based ◦ Developed over the next 6 months

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $500

◦ Transportation, housing, other ◦ Instructors: Ms. Jones, Ms. Mock, and Mrs. Zein

Hiking and Writing - Bcharri

Local Course information: ◦ A 3 day excursion to Bcharri where students will find

locations to creatively write short stories or poems while staying in hotels after hiking and exploring the Gibran Museum, the Cedar Forest, the sky slopes, the Kadisha Valley, and Bekaa Kafra the highest village in Lebanon

◦ Return to ACS to finish their poems or short stories and reading them to Elementary school students.

Activity information:

◦ Creativity and Activity based ◦ Developed over the next 6 months

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $500

◦ Transportation, housing, other ◦ Instructors: TBD

Archeology Explored and Experienced

Local Course information: ◦ Five full days for 8 HS students to learn about the rich

remains of history in Lebanon in an archeological context ◦ Students will work with ACS faculty and AUB archeologists

to receive instruction on skills and techniques of excavation ◦ Trips to ancient Beirut sites, a tour of National Museum,

KfarAbida, Byblos, and possibly Baalbek will highlight the experience

Activity information: ◦ Creativity and Activity based – Excavating a dig ◦ Developed over the next 6 months

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $500

◦ Transportation, meals, other ◦ Instructors: Mrs. Clark and TBD

Berlin 2015

Berlin; A City Defeated, Divided, and Reunited

International Course Information: ◦ This course is a 5 night, 6 day exploration of the historical

city of Berlin. ◦ Students will discover the city while learning about its

unique experiences and central role in 20th century history ◦ Focusing on Nazi Germany, WW2 and the Cold War ◦ Youth hostels and public transport will be utilized

Activity information:

◦ Creativity, Relationship and Activity based – Walking tours ◦ Developed over the next 6 months

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $2000

◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more ◦ Instructors: Mrs. Saoud and TBD

Bali 2015

Building and Culture in Bali

International Course Information : ◦ Students will build bathrooms for disabled people in Bali

◦ Cultural tour of this amazing place, local cooking classes, and snorkeling

◦ Understand the local culture, as well as participate in a service learning project that will help a country that has little help for their disabled children

Activity information: ◦ Creativity, Relationship and Activity based

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $3000 ◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more

◦ Instructors: Mr. Feia and Mrs. Naughton

Surf & Turf in Bali

International Course Information : ◦ This course is a physically challenging, active

experience ◦ Experiential activities and community service will

highlight the course

Activity information: ◦ Activity based – Adventure activity ◦ Developed over the next 6 months

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $3000

◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more ◦ Instructors: Mr. Trozzi and TBD

England 2015

The Business of Football - Liverpool

International Course Information : ◦ Business skills, challenges, motivational techniques, and

communication skills will be examined through the Liverpool Football Club and the London School of Business

◦ Visiting the training facilities, speaking with club representatives, and possibly two live game day experiences

Activity information: ◦ Creativity, Relationship and Activity based

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $3000 ◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more ◦ Instructors: Mr. Naughton and TBD

A Visit With Shakespeare

International Course Information : ◦ Students experience the famous Globe Theatre,

workshops on productions, Stratford-on-Avon, and a top end theatre production in London

◦ A literary focus will deepen your understanding of one of the most important dramatists in history

Activity information:

◦ Creativity, Relationship and Activity based

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $3000 ◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more ◦ Instructors: Mr. McLean and Mrs. Larson

Italy 2015

Beyond the Da Vinci Code; Where Math, Art and History Intersect

International Course Information : ◦ Students will walk into the Pantheon, take a train across

the Italian peninsula, and witness some of the most amazing sites of the Italian Renaissance all while looking through the lenses of Art, Math, and History

◦ Cultural, Art, and Math immersion in Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice

Activity information:

◦ Creativity, Relationship and Activity based

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $3000 ◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more ◦ Instructors: Mrs. McKone and Mr. Abdallah

Cambodia 2015

Ankor What? - Cambodian Service Learning

International Course Information : ◦ Students will focus on developing community and

meaningful cultural participation through a completed project at a local Cambodian school or farm

◦ Visiting the Killing Well Memorial, participating in rice farming and paper making, touring the country side via Soksa bike, washing in the Phnom Khieu waterfall, and experiencing a sunset at Angkor Wat will highlight the trip

Activity information: ◦ Creativity, Relationship and Activity based

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $3000 ◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more ◦ Instructors: Mrs. Bade and TBD

Bangladesh 2015

Habitat for Humanity - Bangladesh

International Course Information : ◦ Build a family home with the support of Habitat for

Humanity in Bangladesh ◦ The work will be tough but the reward will be immensely

fulfilling as you see the family move into their new home.

◦ Local tours and excursions included

Activity information: ◦ Creativity, Relationship and Activity based

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $3000 ◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more ◦ Instructors: Mr. Davis, Mrs. Keurvorst, and Mr. Peet

Greece 2015

Theory of Knossos – Greece By Boat

International Course Information : ◦ Students will learn how the geography and history of

Greece have contributed to western civilization through a tour of the islands, major sites, and cities

◦ Philosophy, arts, and culture on the islands of Crete, Santorini, Rhodes, and Mykonos and a day on top of the Acropolis will highlight the trip

Activity information:

◦ Creativity, Relationship and Activity based

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $3000 ◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more ◦ Instructors: Mr. Lewis and TBD

France 2015

French Language and Conservation - France

International Course Information : ◦ This WWW course will allow a student total French

language immersion ◦ Experiential sports and nature conservation will be

developed by the students with their interests

Activity information:

◦ Creativity, Relationship and Activity based

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $2000 ◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more ◦ Instructors: Mr. Becharra and Mrs. Landry

Guadalupe 2015

Language Immersion and Service Learning - French Caribbean

International Course Information : ◦ Students will experience five days of language

immersion, service projects, and adventure activities in the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe

◦ Cultural exchanges, recreational activities, games with neighborhood kids, and dinners with local families all in French will highlight this course

Activity information:

◦ Creativity, Relationship and Activity based

Costs: Maximum estimated costs $4000 ◦ Transportation, housing, meals, tickets, more ◦ Instructors: Ms. Accawi and TBD