Upcoming Events
February
1-2 Feb: AST MUN Conference
3-7 Feb: Counseling Week
3-7 Feb: NHS Candygrams for Sale (Secondary and MS Only)
7 Feb, 4-7pm: Secondary Valentine's Day Dance
7 Feb: Spirit Wear Day & Sale
8 Feb: Staff Professional Development
11 Feb, 8:30am: PSG Monthly Meeting
13 Feb, 1-7pm: Student Led Conferences (Noon Dismissal from School)
14 Feb, 11:30-2pm: PSG Bakesale
17-21 Feb: Literacy Week
24-28 Feb: NHS Writing Contest
24 Feb: Quintile 4 Begins
28 Feb, 4-6pm: NHS Practical Olympics
⚽️🏋🏻♀️ Upcoming ATHLETIC EVENTS 🏃🏾♀️🏀
20-22 Feb: CABC Basketball Tournament
Boys Basketball: Varsity Team Workout Mondays
Girls Basketball: Practices Tuesdays & Thursdays
Badminton: Monday after school practices
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club: Tuesdays & Thursdays, Secondary Boys
News & Information
Message from the Director
Dear Parents, Students, and Staff,
This year, we are thrilled to celebrate a truly remarkable milestone: 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of our school! Since opening our doors in 2005, our community has grown and thrived, guided by a shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and the success of every student.
Over the next 12 months, we will honor this special occasion with a series of events and activities designed to celebrate where we have been, who we are, and where we are going. Together, we will reflect on two decades of achievements, showcase the vibrant and diverse community we have built, and dream boldly about the future.
Thank you for being an essential part of our story. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or joined us more recently, your contributions have made our school the extraordinary place it is today.
Let’s make this anniversary year one to remember!
Joshua Garrett
Director
Parent Luncheon: A Success!
We went to Saksaul restaurant last week with our PSG parents! 🤩 We tried some delicious local cuisine while having a great time. 🍽️💫 Big thanks to everyone who joined! Can't wait for our next Parent Social.
Other Announcements
Week Without Walls✈️
Dear Parents,
We are excited to announce the upcoming Week Without Walls, taking place from May 24th to May 30th, 2025, for our middle school and secondary students! This unique opportunity allows students to engage in valuable educational and cultural experiences. This year, we are offering two incredible trips to choose from:
Trip 1: Italy (Florence and Venice) Open to Secondary Students Only
Students interested in Italy will spend six days exploring the rich art and culture of Florence and Venice. Highlights include:
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Viewing masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci.
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Exploring the enchanting "Floating City" of Venice.
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Participating in a hands-on glass molding experience on Murano Island.
Cost: $2,500 USD
Payments are divided into four installments, with the first payment of $500 due by February 7th.
Trip 2: Almaty (Cultural Immersion) Open to both Middle School and Secondary Students
Students traveling to Almaty will experience the beauty and culture of Kazakhstan. Highlights include:
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Enjoying traditional Kazakh music.
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Visiting Shimbulak Mountain for stunning views.
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Exploring the breathtaking Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lake.
Cost: 628,270 KZT
Payments are divided into four installments, with the first payment of 60,000 KZT due by February 7th.
Local Activities in Astana
For students not participating in the Italy or Almaty trips, we will organize exciting and meaningful activities in and around Astana during the Week Without Walls.
🌏Sign Up Now✈️
If you would like your child to participate in either the Italy or Almaty trip, please sign up using the provided link below by Friday, January 31st. Families selecting one of the trips will receive a follow-up email next week with instructions on submitting the first payment.
Sign-up Link: Week Without Walls Sign-up Form
Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out: thomas-givens@astana.qsi.org
Yearbook Pre-sales: Discount Pricing Available!
Special pricing available until March 31st!
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18,000 tenge for the first book you order
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15,000 tenge for additional sibling book orders
After March 31st, the cost will become our regular price of 20,000 tenge.
All money must be received by March 31st, or the orders will be deleted.
How to purchase:
1. Fill out this yearbook order form for as many copies as you would like to purchase: Yearbook 24-25 Order Form
2. Send in the appropriate amount of tenge to your homeroom teacher. Please note we can only accept cash payments in exact amounts. Teachers cannot make change! If you buy more than one yearbook now, it will be 18k + 15k for each additional book!
3. The yearbook staff will collect the money from the teacher and send you an email receipt when it has been received.
Questions about yearbook purchases can be emailed to: astmedia@astana.qsi.org
And remember.... the yearbook will be over 120 full color pages full of memories to last a lifetime! You don't want to miss out!
Literacy Week, February 17th-21st!
Dear QSI Astana Community,
Literacy Week this year falls on the week of February 17th to the 21st. We have many fun events planned, and we are inviting parents, teachers, and staff to participate in a special event called Stories Around the World!
This event has become a yearly tradition during Literacy Week and students love it!
To participate in this event, you will bring in a story in a language other than English and read it to a group of students. When choosing a book, it's best if the reading time is around 5 minutes. Your time slots would be flexible to match your availability. The best time for you to come in and read would be between 8:30am and 10:45am, so if you're able to come during that time frame, that's fantastic.
If this sounds like something you would enjoy, please fill out this form to sign up: Stories Around the World | Sign Up Form
If you have further questions, please let me know: jeanette-smith@astana.qsi.org
10 Book Reading Challenge
Speaking of literacy and the love of reading... join us for the 10 Book Reading Challenge from Jan 31st-March 31st! Simply sign up by writing your name on the sheets posted around the school.... and grab a good book! (Try the school library OR the new Little Free Libraries!!)
Kazakhstan's First Ever Little Free Library!
We’re thrilled to announce that our school has officially registered the first-ever Little Free Library in Kazakhstan! Little Free Libraries are free book-sharing areas that inspire a love of reading and build community. They are part of a global network, connecting readers and fostering a culture of literacy everywhere. Check out the global map of LFLs and see if you can find ours! https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/
We now have two Little Free Libraries on campus:
📚 The Great Hall Library – stocked with books for students ages 3 through middle school.
📚 The Den Library (Secondary Lounge) – for our secondary students, offering age-appropriate reads.
The Little Free Library works on a "take a book, share a book" philosophy. That means you are welcome to take a book home and keep it as long as you like—it’s yours! If you’re ready to share, you can bring it back or donate another book to keep the shelves full for everyone to enjoy. Let’s build a culture of reading together—one book at a time!
NHS CandyGrams for Sale (MS & Sec)
From the Counseling Dept
February Career Awareness
In an effort to increase career awareness for our students, each month will have a theme and each class their own career within that theme. Teachers will have resources and I would love to have some guest speakers talk to the kids about their job. If we need to find translation we can also do that. If you know of anyone that would be willing to speak students, please fill out this form and I will follow up with you: February Career Awareness Sign Up Sheet
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