Extra Edition
E A R J Ne w s l e t t e r
Issue # 01
Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro
www.earj.com.br
Gávea: 55 21 2125-9000
Barra 55 21 2495-2485
Macaé 55 22 2763-7320
Date: August 5, 2011
Your Weekly Link to School News & Events!
Message from the
Headmaster
Headline News
Laura Lynn Barros
In Memoriam
Dear Parents, Staff, & Students,
Welcome back for the 2011-12 school year! We all look forward to
the students returning on Monday and to a great year. With the
increase in enrollment we have added several classes and new staff,
however we still have waiting lists as we can not accommodate all
the families and still maintain reasonable class sizes with
appropriate teaching staff. Fortunately we have received almost all
of our new school materials and we have new curriculum programs
for both science and social studies for grades K-9 which will be
implemented this year. For the Middle and Upper school social
studies classes we will be piloting a new interactive technologybased program which should be very exciting. In addition we have
made other modifications in other disciplines and continue to make
physical improvements throughout all the campuses. We welcome our new staff to EARJ
and BrazilIn and will introduce them in the next issues of Extra Editions.
In closing, I look forward to another exciting year as the school continues to grow with the
construction of the new campus in Barra and as we make further improvements in Gávea
and Macaé.
Sincerely,
Robert Werner, Headmaster
By Caren Addis
The art gallery in the corridor near the Snack Shack usually exhibits photographs,
painting and sculpture created by students in their art classes. While we are waiting for
students to prepare their projects for exhibition later in the semester, we got very lucky!
Acia Stern (Arthur and Thomas' mother) has lent us many of her beautiful works for a
very special exhibit. Acia was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
where she graduated in Industrial and Graphic Design. In 2000, Acia moved to New York
where she pursued her interest in Fine Arts, studying painting for three years at the
School of Visual Arts and Art Students League of New
York. She teaches art classes in her Studio and at Morro
Feliz ONG in Favela da Rocinha.
The exhibit is stunning and well worth a trip to EA!
For information on her work, previous exhibits and/or art
lessons, click on: www.aciastern.com.
1
Art Gallery
Exhibition
Headmaster’s Message
Art Gallery Exhibition
Table of Contents:
2
News from the
Lower School
Media Center
College Corner
3
Athletic News
4-5
Setor Brasileiro
6-7
Announcements
8-9
Menu
10
Calendar of Events
From Our
School Divisions
11-13
Page 2
Extra Edition
Laura Lynn Barros
In Memoriam
Laura Lynn Barros, who many of us knew
as a dear colleague, parent and friend,
tragically passed away at the end of
July.
Laura held a number of
appointments during her 15 years at
Escola
Americana:
first
as
the
Headmaster's secretary, then expat
coordinator and then development officer.
She is fondly remembered for her
kindness and vibrancy, as well as her
tireless advocacy for EARJ.
She was
responsible for most of the key
publications, including Panther Pause
and Extra Edition. She was intimately
involved in the opening and marketing of
the current Barra campus in Jardim
Oceanico and oversaw the capital
campaign to build the Museon. Our
community also benefitted from Laura’s
firm belief in environmental responsibility.
She spearheaded the effort to begin the recycling program at EARJ and assisted educational
programs promoting environmental endeavors throughout the school. Our hearts go out to
Laura's daughter, Manuela, Class of 2009.
News from the Lower School Media Center
By Beth Freitas
News from the Lower School Media Center: Milk Campaign: Our weekly milk drive for
creches ASPA, Tio João, Maria Maria and Alegria da Crianças started and we thank the families
who already sent milk cans to our project. A letter with detailed information was sent to the
new students this week. Thank you for your generosity!
DestinationImagination
By Ana Melo
Welcome
to
another
Destination
Imagination
season!
Soon you will be receiving
more detailed information about this after-school program. Students who would like to
participate will need to sign-up for the Instant Challenge Workshops which will start on
Tuesday, August16th. For the third year, our teams will travel to São Paulo for the Tournament
in March of 2012. As happens in the USA and in many schools around the world, we would like
to count on parents to volunteer as team managers. The number of teams will depend heavily
on the number of volunteers. If you would be interested in volunteering or would like to know
more about the program, please contact Ms. Ana Melo – [email protected] or 2125-9071.
Page 3
Extra Edition
College Corner
Kristine Werner, College Counselor
Common App 2011-12 application now online!
Seniors, may start completing the Common
Application already as the new one was posted as of
August 1 at www.commonapp.org. They should
complete the basic data, start their essays, and
see Mrs. Werner when questions arise.
SAT and ACT Registration
SAT sign-up deadline online is Sept. 9 to take the
Oct. 1 test. Go to www.collegeboard.org
ACT sign-up deadline online is Sept. 16 to take the
Oct. 22 test. Go to www.actstudent.org
All seats get full VERY fast - so Seniors should sign
up right away!
University Visitors Expected:

Aug. 25 - University of Notre Dame

Aug. 26 - Univ. of British Columbia

Aug. 30 - Austrailian College Fair at the Sheraton, 3-9 pm.

Sept. 2 - Education USA College Fair at EARJ in the Tartan, 1:40-3:00 pm with
50 universities coming.
Parents and and interested students of grades 9-12 are always welcome.
PSAT for grades 10, 11
The PSAT will be administered at EARJ on Wednesday, October 10. Unfortunately, it
is a holiday but that is the official date. We will give it to the first 100 students from
grades 11 and 10 that sign up for it.
Why take it? It is a practice for the SAT and serves as a useful college advising tool for
the student and myself. In addition, a strong performance raises the interest of good
colleges in the student and outstanding results lead to possible scholarships for U.S.
citizens. Finally, the PSAT allows all students to hone their standardized test-taking
skills - for example, students who excel on PSAT tend to perform well on vestibular.
Extra Edition
Page 4
Athletic News
Neíse Abreu, Athletic Director
Greetings from Physical Education &
Athletic Department
THE HOME OF THE PANTHERS
ATTENTION MIDDLE and UPPER SCHOOL
STUDENTS ATHLETES
STOP BY THE PE & ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT TO PICK UP
FORMS AND SIGN UP FOR THE SPORTS OF YOUR CHOICE.
REMEMBER: YOU CAN ONLY
PAPERWORK IS COMPLETED.
PRACTICE
ONCE
THE
Basketball and Soccer practices will start on August 8 or 9,
depending upon the sport.
Middle School Athletics and Upper School students up to 14 years of age
1st semester:

Boys Basketball: Mondays/Fridays (coach Bernardo Pedro)

Girls Basketball: Tuesdays/Thursdays (coach Vitor Boccardo)

Boys Soccer: Mondays/Wednesdays (coaches Gustavo Quintão & Fábio Figueiredo)

Girls Soccer: Tuesdays/Thursdays (coaches Marcelo Cecchi & Ricardo Marques)
Practice times:

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays: 15:40 to 17:10

Wednesdays: 15:10 to 16:40

Fridays: 15:10 to 16:40

Upper School Athletics – 15 to 19 years of age
1st semester:

Boys Basketball: Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays (coaches Marcos Mendes & Vitor
Boccardo)

Girls Basketball: Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays (coach Marcos Mendes)

Boys Soccer: Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays (coach Gustavo Dias)

Girls Soccer: Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays (coaches Marcelo Cecchi & Samuel
Wold)
Practice times:

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays: 15:40 to 17:40

Wednesdays: 15:10 to 17:00

Fridays: 15:10 to 16:40 or 16:40 to 18:10
Please make sure to arrange transportation after sports practices.
Extra Edition
Page 5
Athletic News
Neíse Abreu, Athletic Director
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Congratulations to our 13 and 14 students participated in the USA CUP Soccer
Tournament which included 670 teams (composed of students ranging from 11 to 19
years of age). We are CHAMPIONS of the USA CUP 2011 (see photo below). We played
seven matches, against USA (two teams), Cayman Islands, Bermudas, Denmark, Puerto
Rico and Japan. Our team did a great job. More important than the gold was their
excellent attitude, sports ethics, outstanding conduct and self control. As their coach, I
am very proud of them. If you have a chance greet them next week. They are: Roberto
Breitman, Jung Woo Moon, David Saade, Pedro Curvello, Bruno Ferneda, Clelio Alves,
Henrique Bulus, Guilherme Barbosa, Eduardo Alves, Luis Felipe Gros, Kenji Flores and
Markus Lund.
For more details click on http://rioselectearj.blogspot.com/
HAVE A GREAT SEASON!
NEÍSE ABREU - ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Tel: 2125-9111/9222-0829
[email protected]
Extra Edition
Page 6
Setor Brasileiro
Therezinha Fittipaldi, Brazilian Director
Publicada em 23/06/2011 às 10h44m in
Leonardo Cazes ([email protected])
Quais são as notícias que podem ser temas de questões da
prova do Enem 2011?
“Você já deve estar até cansado de ouvir dos seus professores:
no ano do vestibular, é preciso acompanhar o noticiário, seja
em jornais, revistas, televisão ou internet. E eles estão certos.
O Enem é uma prova que exige do aluno bastante
interpretação de textos, gráficos, tabelas e charges. Logo,
quanto mais o estudante estiver por dentro do que está
rolando no Brasil e no mundo, mais facilidade terá para
identificar o que está sendo pedido em cada questão.
Conversamos com professores e fizemos uma lista dos temas
mais quentes do momento. Agora, é meter a cara e estudar!
CHUVAS NA SERRA: - As chuvas que castigaram a região
serrana do Rio no verão podem aparecer no Enem. A prova
privilegia temas ligados à urbanização e ao meio ambiente. O
impacto da ocupação desordenada de encostas e a erosão do
solo estão ligados à tragédia.
COPA E OLIMPÍADAS: - Ninguém fala de outra coisa: qual será o legado da Copa do Mundo de
2014 e das Olimpíadas de 2016? O tema pode estar presente em diversas disciplinas. Na
matemática, cálculos de geometria plana, como a área de um estádio, ou volume, para saber a
quantidade de cimento a ser usada em uma obra, podem ser exigidos. Na geografia é possível
tratar de investimentos em infraestrutura nas cidades-sede da Copa, crescimento do turismo e
necessidade de qualificação de mão de obra para os eventos.
ACIDENTE NUCLEAR: - O terremoto no Japão e a consequente tragédia na usina de
Fukushima comoveram o mundo e têm chance de cair no exame. Na parte de Ciências Naturais
e suas Tecnologias, a abordagem deve envolver o que provocou o acidente e as medidas tomadas
para minimizar a tragédia, assim como os efeitos da radiação e a contaminação da água e do
solo. Até mesmo em história o assunto pode estar presente, principalmente relacionado à
Segunda Guerra Mundial, durante a qual os Estados Unidos jogaram duas bombas atômicas
nas cidades de Hiroshima e Nagasaki, e ao poder de recuperação japonês após os ataques.
MEIO AMBIENTE: - No ano que vem será realizada no Rio de Janeiro a conferência sobre o
clima Rio 20. Nela, serão discutidas novas metas de redução de emissão de gases causadores do
efeito estufa, entre outras medidas. Além disso, o Código Florestal, aprovado na Câmara dos
Deputados e em discussão no Senado, provoca polêmica com suas propostas de mudança na
legislação para crimes ambientais, exploração em áreas de preservação permanente, entre
outras. Os dois temas podem ser abordados nos âmbitos da química, da biologia e da geografia.
Questões sobre energias limpas, combustíveis renováveis, créditos de carbono e também os
ciclos da natureza podem aparecer.
Não deixe de visitar a página do Setor Brasileiro: http://www.earj.com.br/setor-brasileiro
Extra Edition
Page 7
Setor Brasileiro
Therezinha Fittipaldi, Brazilian Director
MUNDO ÁRABE: - Este ano, o mundo viu explodirem diversas revoltas nos países árabes, no
norte da África e no Oriente Médio. Esses eventos podem ser ponto de partida para a cobrança
de conteúdos relacionados ao imperialismo, influência americana na região, regimes totalitários
e até mesmo disputas ligadas à religião. O assassinato do líder da al-Qaeda Osama Bin Laden
pelos EUA pode trazer também perguntas sobre terrorismo e as guerras do Iraque e do
Afeganistão.”
VULCÃO CHILENO:- Um vulcão no Chile provocou a maior confusão na América do Sul, com
reflexos até na Austrália e na Nova Zelândia. Na química, questões relacionadas à composição
do magma, os gases emitidos e os impactos disso no solo e nos sistemas hídricos podem cair. O
vulcão também pode ser o gancho para falar de fenômenos naturais também na parte de Ciências Humanas e suas Tecnologias.
DITADURA MILITAR: - A eleição da presidente Dilma Rousseff, uma ex-militante de esquerda
que viveu na clandestinidade e foi presa durante a ditadura militar, gerou grande expectativa,
principalmente em relação à abertura de arquivos do período. Somado a isso, há grande mobilização pela aprovação do fim do sigilo secreto de documentos do governo e a criação de uma comissão da verdade para investigar os crimes ocorridos naquela época. Ou seja, assunto quente
e atual.
ANO DA QUÍMICA:- Em 2011 são comemorados o Ano Internacional da Química, os 100 anos
de Marie Curie, pioneira nas pesquisas sobre radioatividade, e também os 100 anos do modelo
atômico de Rutherford. Olho vivo nesses temas.
CENSO 2010:- O Enem adora um gráfico e uma tabela. Com os dados do último censo divulgados no início do ano, é bem provável que haja questões ligadas à população, com uso desses
recursos.
ENEM
MEC
define
certificado do
pelo Enem
regras
para
Ensino Médio
O Ministério da Educação
publicou portaria na edição de 28
de julho de 2011,
no Diário
oficial da União para regular a
obtenção de certificado de
conclusão do Ensino Médio pelo
Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio
(Enem). De acordo com a medida,
o estudante deverá ter 18 anos
até a data da prova, marcada para
os dias 22 e 23 de outubro de
2011.
Além disso, o aluno deverá atingir
no mínimo 400 pontos em cada
uma das provas objetivas - são
quatro áreas: linguagens, códigos e
suas tecnologias, ciências da
natureza e suas tecnologia,
ciências humanas e suas
tecnologias e matemática e suas
tecnologias. A nota mínima na
redação será de 500 pontos.
O estudante não precisa ter
estudado em escola pública
para garantir a certificação. O
processo de emissão dos
certificados
é
de
responsabilidade
das
secretarias estaduais de
educação e dos institutos
federais de educação, ciência e
tecnologia, que receberão as
notas e dados dos interessados.
Vestibular
UFF (Universidade Federal Fluminense)
Inscricões de 04/08 a 05/09/11
Provas: 15/11 e 18/12/11
Valor: R$ 115,00
Faculdade de Medicina de Petrópolis
Inscrições a partir de setembro/2011
Prova dia 09/10/2011
Não deixe de visitar a página do Setor Brasileiro: http://www.earj.com.br/setor-brasileiro
Extra Edition
Page 8
Announcements
Extra Edition
Page 9
Announcements
The Parent Teacher Association
cordially invites new families to a
Welcome Breakfast
Tuesday, August 9 at 8:15 am
in Room MuseOn
Come meet new and “old” Escola Americana families and
learn about the PTA and the many volunteer
opportunities. The monthly PTA meeting will begin right
after the breakfast.
We are looking forward to having the opportunity to chat
with you in this very relaxed setting.
Jennifer Dowek,
81530357,
[email protected], ex-EA
mother has an apartment for rent:
Edificio Praia Guinle-São Conrado,
10th floor, 260 square meters, three
suites with closets, unfurnished,
varanda, maids room, 24 hoursecurity, squash court, gym center,
three garage spaces + a visitors space.
Extra Edition
Page 10
Menu for Next Week — Gávea
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
PROTEÍN 1
Chicken
medallions
Beef steak rolled
around a carrot
Beef crepe
Fried fish
Pizza
PROTEÍN 2
Grilled steak
strips
Beef and
onions
Grilled chicken
SIDE DISH
Spaghetti
Mashed potatos
Carrot au
gratin
Rice with
broccolis
French fries
LIGHT
OPTION
Grilled beets
Sautéed spinach
Sautéed chick
peas
Sautéed light
green vegetable
(Chuchu)
Sautéed
watercress
DESSERT
Caramel/
Doce de leite
Chocolate
pudding
Coconut sweet
Banana
compote
Chocolate cake
and ice cream
Grilled chicken
Chicken cubes
with tomato sauce
* Menu subject to last minute changes
Calendar of Events
SCHOOL-WIDE
August 9: PTA Welcome Breakfast in the MuseOn, 8:15 am
LOWER SCHOOL
August 17: Open House
MIDDLE SCHOOL
UPPER SCHOOL
August 12: Via Sapientia meeting August 17: MS Open House
for Parents
August 17: MS Open House
August 22—24: 9th, 10th & 11th
grades, individual pictures taken
August 29: 6th Grade, Individual August 25: College Visit:
University of Notre Dame , 12:30
and class pictures taken
-1:20pm
August 30: 7th Grade Individual
and class pictures taken
August 26: College Visit:
University of British Columbia Stewart Lampe, Homeroom
August 31: 8th Grade Individual
and class pictures taken
For more information visit our page at http://www.earj.com.br/events
Extra Edition
Page 11
From Our School Divisions
Ms. Cristiana Jurgensen, Lower School
Dear EARJ Community,
Hello! I am excited to begin the 2011-2012 school year here at
EARJ. I am certain that this year will be full of HANDS ON/
MINDS ON learning in the Lower School.
For those of you who do not know me (we have over 100 new
Lower School students this year!)… I started teaching 16 years
ago in Pre-Kindergarten in Portland, Oregon in the United
States. I taught in the elementary grades before moving into
administration positions. My husband, Ryder and I (with our
two children Koa and Nai’a) have lived in Salvador, Bahia,
Lagos, Nigeria and Qatar. Please come up and introduce
yourself if you see me on campus or make an appointment to
visit my new office which is located together with the Middle
School Office in Block 5, one floor up from the Little Shop and
the Student Canteen.
Help me in welcoming new LS staff members who have recently
joined us: Samantha Schall, a Pre School Teacher, Grace
Heim, a 5th grade teacher, Julie Buck, a ESL teacher, Monica
Tinoco, a Kindergarten teacher and our assistants: Ana Claudia Carvalho (3rd grade), Ana
Luisa Moura (2nd grade), Eduarda McDowell (Preschool) and Annamaria Bakx (Kindergarten).
Each school year brings opportunities and challenges. I am looking forward to fostering a
partnership between the students, parents, teachers and administration so that we can create
a wonderful place of learning and growth for all EARJ students.
I look forward to having a chance to meet and talk with each one of you individually so we can
get to know each other.
It is going to be a great year!
Dr. Cristiana Jurgensen
Lower School Principal
Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro
Page 12
Extra Edition
From Our School Divisions
Isabel Baltazar, Barra
Welcome to the 2011/2012 School Year!
We are very happy to welcome all our returning students and
families.
We also extend a warm welcome to our new students and families
joining our Barra campus this semester.
Congratulations to the Barra teachers, assistants and support
staff for working hard during the break to get our campus ready
for the new school year. The children looked very happy and
comfortable in their new classrooms and truly enjoyed our new
cafeteria space. The new preschool children are exploring their
different environment and adapting smoothly.

Arrival Time: 7:50 a.m.

Dismissal: 3:25 (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays) 2:50
(Wednesdays and Fridays)
Please be punctual and follow the drop off and pick up
procedures in the morning and afternoon to ensure the safety of the children and facilitate the
flow of traffic. Thank you for contributing to a smooth and safe transition.
Barra PTA New Parents Breakfast: All parents are cordially invited to the first Barra PTA
meeting when we will officially welcome all our new families.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, August 18th, at 8:15 a.m. Join us for a get-together
breakfast!
Barra Open House Dates: Please mark your agendas and join us for the first semester Open
Houses . This is always a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet the teachers, greet other
parents and visit the classroom.

Monday, August 15th: 3rd Grade

Friday, August 19th: Kindergarten

Monday, August 22nd: 1st Grade

Wednesday, August 24th: 2nd Grade

Tuesday, August 30th: Preschool
Extra Edition
Page 13
From Our School Divisions
Luke Walbridge, Middle School
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the new families and welcome back to the returning
families. I hope your holiday has been all that you hoped it would
be. We are all excited about the beginning of another school year!
Mark your calendar, there will be informational meetings for
parents about the Via Sapientia trips on August 12. The 6th grade
meeting will be at 8:00 am. The 8 grade meeting will be at 8:40
am. and the 7th grade meeting will be at 9:30 am. This will be
your best opportunity to learn about the trips that are scheduled
for the week of November 7 to the 11. The teacher leader and the
tour operator will be making the presentations.
Open House is scheduled for the afternoon of August 17. This is a
great opportunity to put a face to the name of your child’s
teachers and learn about their plans for the school year. We hope
you will be able to attend.
Supply lists are available on the Middle School section of the web
site.
Kind Regards,
Luke Walbridge
Middle School Principal
From Our School Divisions
Erich Heise, Upper School
We are pleased to welcome 25 new students from around the
world and five new teachers to the Upper School this year. Mr.
Scott Berthiaume and Mrs. Becky Berthiaume join our math
department following extensive teaching experience in the
United States. Mr. Christian Prendergast and Ms. Christine
Smith, our new English teachers, each have teaching
experience in the United States and overseas. Ms. Ursula
Rodriguez, who will be teaching in our science department, is
coming home to Rio de Janeiro after teaching at Chapel School
in São Paulo.
The first week of school has gone extremely well in the Upper
School. Teachers and students are getting to know one
another and are adjusting to their class schedules. Athletic
team sign-ups began on Thursday, and practices begin next
week. Student Council (STUCO) had its first official meeting of
the new school year on the first day of school, and other clubs
and activities are getting organized. STUCO will host a back-to
-school barbecue for students and staff on Monday, August 8,
during lunch.
All of us in the Upper School are committed to achieving excellence in teaching and learning and
preparing our students for a meaningful and productive life in the 21st century. We are truly
thankful for the support we receive from parents, our partners in education, and we welcome the
opportunity to answer your questions or concerns. We look forward to another great school year
at EARJ.