SCHOOL FACILITIES

The American School of Asunción is located on an attractive campus of 4 hectares in a pleasant residential area of the city. There are separate elementary, middle school, and high school sections, each with air-conditioned classrooms.

School Cantina

Hot meals are provided through a privately contracted food service. Students may purchase their meals from the cantina or bring their own lunches. Snacks may also be purchased by students in grades 2 - 12 during recess and lunch breaks. Kinder 5 and grade 1 students must bring their snacks from home. All students are expected clean up after themselves whether they eat in the cantina or outside. Students who bring lunches from home must bring them in the morning, and leave them on the shelves provided inside the cantina. Students will return lunch containers to the shelves in the cantina after lunch, and may pick them up at the end of the day.

Lunches for students with special diet requirements may be delivered to students at mid-day only when this has been authorized by the area principal. Without special permission lunches may not be delivered to students at mid-day.

Computer Labs

There are two main computer laboratories (one for elementary and one for secondary), a science department mini-computer lab, and a computer center in the library, and a lab for teacher-use. All have internet access. In order to use the student-designated computers, all students must have singed ASA's “Acceptable Use” policy statement that outlines the conditions and responsibilities for all users.

Technology Guidelines

ASA employs computers and the Internet as essential tools to support its users in their school- and work-related duties. The scope of these tools offers extensive exposure to all forms of information and ideas and as such, stands unmatched in terms of productivity potential and professional growth opportunity.

Given this, it is important that the guidelines described in this document be followed to maximize the positive potential of technology among ASA's users and minimize its potential for misuse. Work-related duties on all computers take precedence over personal use, and personal use shall not limit or restrict any user's work-related duties or responsibilities including one's own. Chatting via the Internet for personal reasons is not permitted.

The hierarchy of computer rights outlined below is intended to appropriately prioritize work duties given the need for users' personal use.

On student computers (those in the Secondary Lab, Library, Science Lab, and Primary Lab) the following hierarchy applies. This list is from the highest to lowest priority:

1. ASA students in a class scheduled by their teacher.

2. ASA students with formal teacher permission (i.e. they have a note from their teacher) to do class-related work.

3. ASA students doing class-related work on their own.

4. ASA staff doing school-related work.

5. ASA students doing non-class related work (e.g. CECAM, bake sale, student government, Intercolegiales, etc.)

6. ASA guests doing work (examples of guests: visiting professors, TIE Care representatives, teachers and students from other schools).

7. ASA students doing personal activities.

8. ASA staff doing personal activities

9. ASA guests doing personal activities.

On staff computers (those in Teacher Work Room and the Primary Teacher Work Area) the following hierarchy applies. This list is from the highest to lowest priority. Only ASA staff and adult ASA guests may use these machines:

1. ASA staff doing school-related work.

2. Guests doing work.

3. ASA staff doing personal activities.

4. Guests doing personal activities

Historically, on both the staff and student computers, the aforementioned rights apply themselves naturally with little conflict among users due to the professional poise that generally characterizes ASA staff, and the common sense attitude that pervades campus. However, if the occasion arises that all computers in an area are being used and your technology priorities are greater than that of one or more users, feel free to inform a user (with not-as-great a need as outlined above--preferably with the lowest priority) and expect them to relinquish their computer immediately.

If, in the rare case that these guidelines are insufficient and the issue of who has the greater need is not resolvable between the parties involved, consult the person in charge of the computer area (e.g. a lab teacher) or an administrator.

Please be aware as well that if any user chooses to multi-task personal activities with their school- or work-related activities, this will be considered solely personal use and thusly diminish their rank the in hierarchy of computer rights on both the teacher and the student machines.

Library and Media Center

Our library currently has approximately 15,000 volumes in English and Spanish. The library is open from 7:30 AM to 5:00PM for students to use with a class or for independent study.


Students in K4 – first grade may check out one book in Spanish and one book in English each week, older students may check out two books in each language. The lending period is two weeks, and all students must return all materials before report cards are issued at each semester. Library materials are also available for parents to check out before or after school hours.

Gymnasium and Sports Facilities

The school’s sports facilities are composed of an indoor wood-floored gymnasium, outdoor basketball courts, a soccer field, an athletic administrative office, weight room, boys and girls locker rooms, playgrounds and an elementary recreational field that also serves as a softball diamond. Permission to use these facilities should be addressed in writing to the Director General with at least one week’s notice. All these installations are lit for night-time use. Due to their high demand, students and parents can expect that practices and games will be scheduled at night. Except for properly uniformed athletes and coaches, in order to maintain the condition of the facility, no individuals are allowed on either the soccer field or gym floor.

Infirmary

ASA employs a full-time nurse who is on campus from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM on school days. The nurse is the only person in the school authorized to administer medication. Parents should, therefore, give any medication that their child needs during the school day to the school nurse with the proper instructions.

In the event of student illness or accident, the nurse will administer the appropriate first aid. Students must advise their classroom teacher before going to the nurse and carry with them the appropriate hall passes and permission slips. Once a diagnosis of the problem is made, if further attention is required, the nurse will inform the administration and/or parents. When necessary, the student will be sent home, or the school's contracted ambulance service called. Students fit to return to the classroom will be sent back by the nurse at the appropriate time. Note: Students with communicable conditions such as head lice, conjunctivitis, impetigo, etc. will be sent home and must remain home until the condition has been treated and is no longer contagious.