ACS Welcomes You - American Community School at Beirut

ACS Welcomes You
A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y S C H O O L AT B E I R U T
Volume 3 Issue 1; March 23, 2015
Welcome to our first issue of the welcoming committee newsletter. In these newsletters, we will try to answer
most of your questions, at least those that might apply to all of you. For individual concerns please contact
your “buddy.” The school will be providing you with his/her name soon.
From Our Headmaster
Welcome to the newest members of the ACS faculty. We are very excited to have
you join us. This photo was taken a few weeks ago and shows my wife and I
snowshoeing in Hamana, about 1000 meters above Beirut, and only 45 minutes
away with no traffic. We have had a lot of snow in Lebanon this winter, but in
Beirut, despite a few cold and rainy days, the average temperature has still
hovered in the 60s, and we promise you many warm sunny days, as well as the
opportunity for some skiing and hiking in the mountains.
We are having a great year at school and the welcoming committee that will plan
your transition to ACS has just started meeting. Within the next month the first new
building at ACS in the past 60 years will be complete and we will start moving in
in April. That building will house our 4 sections of fifth grade, 3 music rooms, 2
language classrooms, 16 faculty apartments, and the Head's apartment as well.
Hamilton Clark and Ceci
You will get updates from time to time, but know that we are very excited about
you joining us, and we will organize a great welcome for you in August.
From Our Deputy Headmaster
I would like to welcome you to ACS at Beirut. The ACS community is a wonderful
mix of people that are committed to working together to provide our students a
rich educational experience. Lebanon and Beirut have a great deal to offer in the
fine arts, delicious cuisines from around the world, the outdoors and history that is
over 5000 years old. I look forward to meeting you in August.
Karim Abu Haydar
Important
 We need your photo and a short introductory paragraph for our next issue.

Please note that entry to Lebanon is not granted to people with passports showing
Israeli visas or stamps. If this applies to you, please get a new passport immediately.

Your first paycheck will be available on the last working day of September.

Arrival date at Beirut should be around August 17 - 18, 2015.
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Keep this issue! You will be met by someone from the welcoming committee and your
principal in the greeting area after you pick up your baggage and go through customs.
Our pictures are in the issue.
ACS Welcomes You
Meet Your Principal
Hello to everyone joining the ACS community this summer and I hope you are
looking forward to the road ahead. I am eagerly anticipating my second year as
the new high school principal and continuing the work we engaged in this year with
our outstanding group of teachers and students. Beirut continues to be an exciting
post with great weather, restaurants, and travel opportunities—having worked in
Cairo and Abu Dhabi, this has been a great change for us. I am lucky to have a
wonderful family with me as well; Kim, who teaches PE in the early years and
middle school sections, and our daughters Reagan & Katelyn who will both be in
Bright Beginnings next year. We call Las Vegas home so if you happen to be
visiting "Sin City" this summer, let us know.
Robert Evans - HS Principal
Welcome to ACS! I am excited to have you join our middle school faculty this year. You
are joining a vibrant, dedicated group of middle school educators who are studentfocused and have a deep understanding and appreciation for the many development
challenges the middle school child experiences. The Middle School is a warm, caring and
challenging place for our students. As such, students feel safe here and generally like
coming to school.
This is my fifth year at ACS, and I am finishing up my first as the Middle School
Principal. I previously was a middle school principal at an independent school in Atlanta,
GA, for five years, after serving there the previous 10 as a teacher and assistant
principal. I have had 24 years in education- nine as a full-time classroom teacher and 12
as an administrator; although, I have continued to teach at least one class while serving as
principal throughout my career. Outside of the walls of ACS, I enjoy yoga, running,
Phil Wendel - MS Principal
biking, hiking, playing basketball and all the flavors of Lebanese culture.
Welcome to ACS Beirut! This has been my first year at ACS, as the Elementary
School Principal, and I’m delighted that you are joining our community. I’m here
with my husband, Donn, who is in private business, and with our cocker spaniel,
Schooner. We have a family home in Portland, Oregon, where we plan to spend
our summer holiday. Our daughter, Katie, mostly grew up overseas and is now in
her second year of college in the US. I count myself as one of the fortunate ones to
have lived and worked in many places around the world, including Singapore, New
Delhi, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Jakarta, and now Beirut. This first year, we’ve really
enjoyed exploring both the city and the countryside. Lebanon has a lot to offer!
Diann Osterlund - ES Principal
Welcome to the Early Years Division at ACS! You’ll be a great addition to a team
whose members are very professional, dynamic and passionate about children and
their learning, and I trust that you are, too. Together we will embark on a learning
journey as we dialogue and communicate to build relationships with children,
parents and colleagues. This journey will be joyful as it reflects the Early Years
vision, “Nothing without Joy” for everyone. I look forward to meeting you in
August!
Sawsan Yaseen - EY Principal
ACS Welcomes You
Finances & Your First Pay Check
YOUR SHIPPING ALLOWANCE WILL BE
THE ONLY MONEY
YOU WILL RECEIVE
BEFORE PAY DAY.
YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR
FIRST PAYCHECK
ON THE LAST
WORKING DAY
OF SEPTEMBER.
When you arrive in Beirut you will receive a shipping allowance which will vary in
amount depending on your status (single, family, etc.). This is the only money you will
receive before pay day at the end of September, on the last working day of the
month. You are entitled to ask for an advance in salary from the Business Office.
Please feel free to do so. Shipping allowances do not go very far. Beirut can be an
expensive city and getting your apartment set up, getting cleaning products,
groceries and other essentials you need when moving into a new home, and just
general living for the almost two months without a pay heck is very expensive. As of
last year, most singles need a minimum of $1500 USD in addition to their shipping
allowance to get through until their first pay day. In Lebanon both USD and
Lebanese pounds are accepted in all places and I would suggest that you bring
enough cash with you to help you get by until the end of September and again
contact the business office if you need an advance. It is expected that you may
need to do this.
Travel Arrangements
As you all already know, Jocelyne will be
handling your travel arrangements along with
her assistant Ghada Temsah.
Here are reminders of what was in your welcome
email letter:
Travel arrangements:
You may choose to do your own travel
reservation and you will be reimbursed in your
September pay OR we will book and pay for
your ticket.
If we are booking your ticket, please advise us
Raouche or Pigeon Rock
of your departure city (home city) and specify
your airport name Jocelyne
Reservation guidelines:
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Arrival date at Beirut should be around August 17 - 18, 2015. Keep in mind that orientation
begins August 19, 2015.
We will advise you about your flight information and will arrange for a member of our
welcoming committee to meet you at the airport.
If you will be traveling with a spouse/dependent I will need a copy of their passport.
If you are traveling with a pet, let me know ASAP so I can choose an airline that is pet friendly..
ACS Welcomes You
Shipping
We recommend that you bring your belongings with you on the airplane as extra luggage. Please check with
the airline in regards to luggage allowance before departure. However, if you must ship your belongings, we
recommend the following shipping companies:
CIEL, please contact Mr. Fadi Marchi at Tel: 00961- 4- 522149 Mobile: 00961-3-687450
fadi.marchi@ciel.me
COMPASS LOGISTICS, please contact Mr. Mario Nassif at Mobile: 00961-3-355152 mario@compasslog.com
CARGO MASTER LINE, please contact Mr. Jack Abou Zeid at Tel : 00961-1-561000 jacques@groupage.com
NATIONAL SHIPPING CO., please contact Ms. Mirielle Sfeir at Tel: 00961-1-560986 Ext: 314
m.sfeir@radec-lb.com
LEVANTINE, please contact Mr. Wael Daher at Tel: 00961 -1 368170. info@levantine.com
Beirut Cargo Center (BCC), please contact Mr. Jad Daccache at Tel: 00961- 1 48 22 11 Ext.
118; Jad.Daccache@bcclogistics.com.
Beirut International Movers (BIM), please contact Ms. Georgette Bejjani, at Tel: 00961-1 49 55 00 Ext.
107; info@beirutmovers.com
General Transportation Services SAL – GTS, please contact Mr. Nabil Ghantous at Tel: +961 1 585 777 (10
lines) Ext. 208 nabilghantous@gts.com.lb
Whether you ship with one of the above mentioned company or any other shipping agency, we urge you
to insist on a written quotation / invoice describing clearly the services and related charges you are getting, this
is the best way to avoid surprises later.
Do not include CDs, DVDs, Video tapes, or prescription or over-the-counter drugs in your shipment . Include such
items in your travel luggage. Please note that a door-to-door service does not include Lebanese custom duties
charges if any.
Clearing a shipment through Lebanese Customs could take up to three weeks from the time it arrives to Beirut.
You have to be present in Beirut for the shipment to clear; the shipping/clearing agent will need your passport
to do the job. We recommend you ship your belongings three weeks before your departure if you are shipping
by air, eight weeks before departure if you are shipping by sea, so it may arrive to Beirut around the same
time you do. In any case, consult with your shipping agent on when to ship and ask him questions about custom
duties (based on your packing list he should be able to tell you what is subject to custom duties and what is not)
and give you an approximate figure of your custom bill and your total bill for shipping and clearing charges.
(From past experience, custom duties on personal effects were not significant, but it all depends on what you
are bringing in).
WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU BRING YOUR BELONGINGS WITH YOU ON THE AIRPLANE AS EXTRA
LUGGAGE. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE AIRLINE IN REGARDS TO LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE BEFORE DEPARTURE.
DO NOT INCLUDE CDs, DVDs OR PRESCRIPTION OR OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS IN YOUR SHIPMENT.
INCLUDE SUCH ITEMS IN YOUR TRAVEL LUGGAGE.
ACS Welcomes You
Your Mail
Whenever you are settled in Lebanon, you may forward
your mail to either of the following addresses, as it is
not advisable to have it delivered to your flat.
American Community School at Beirut
PO Box 11- 8129
Riad el-Solh, Beirut, 1107-2260 Lebanon
This will get delivered to our PO Box; we do empty the PO
Box 2 to 3 times a week.
OR
If you'd rather have it delivered to the school's post office
station, simply use
Kaak Seller on the Corniche
American Community School at Beirut,
67 Nigeria Street, Jal al-Bahr, Ras Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon 2035-8003
You may use the ACS NY office address for important mail
such as bank statements, financial statements etc. Only small
(5"x 9”) light weight (up to 2 oz) envelops are forwarded
weekly via courier to Beirut. Bulk mail, parcels, catalogues,
pamphlets, etc. will not be forwarded.
American Community School
3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza 8th floor
New York, New York 10017
Early 20th Century Beirut house: These are
disappearing.
CATS and Other PETS
To give you a clear picture of Lebanon, we have to include a
picture of a cat. This particular cat, Bela, belongs to the school and
yes she has been spayed and has all her shots. She makes her
home outside of the day care area.
Cats are everywhere. We hope you like them; if not, they will most
likely stay out of your way. Many of the buildings do not allow
pets so if you are planning on bringing an animal or adopting one
please make sure your building is pet friendly. Also, contact
Jocelyne so that she can choose the most pet friendly airline for
you.
ACS Welcomes You
Pre-Work Visa/Work permit/residency requirements
The process of
granting the work
and residence
permit will take
approximately
10 weeks.
During this time
your passport will
not be in your
possession.
Do not make
travel plans to
leave the
country during
this period of
time.
Entry to Lebanon
is not granted to
people with
passports
showing Israeli
visas or stamps.
This information is for those of you who are ACS Foreign hires after your arrival to
Beirut.
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Make sure the visa is a work
Upon your arrival at the Beirut Airport,
visa and not a tourist visa
people with a work visa will get a work visa
and have $35 dollars in cash
entry stamp on their passport. The work visa
ready at the Visa desk.
stamp fee is approximately US $35 and
must be paid in cash. During orientation you
will be reimbursed the $35.
School personnel are not allowed beyond the greeting area of the airport but a
school representative will await your arrival outside of the baggage pick-up area
and will verify that a work visa stamp is complete on your passport.
Please look for a sign that reads ACS and your name on it.
Based on the work visa stamp on your passport, the process of granting your work
and residence permit will take approximately 10 weeks after your first entry into
Lebanon. During this time you cannot make travel plans to leave the country.
Medical tests will be completed with the assistance the School Nurse & The Expat/
Ministry Affairs Coordinator.
Photos will be taken at school with the assistance of The Expat/Ministry Affairs
Coordinator.
Other legal documents will be provided by the school.
Your passport and all other original documents will be attached to the residency
application, submitted and retained by the security office. for a period of time.
Visa/residency requirements for accompanying dependents and wives.
In Lebanon, men may sponsor their non-working wives and
children but women cannot sponsor non-working husbands
They can sponsor their children.
Visa/residency requirements for dependents and nonworking wives are as follows:

US, Canadian and European citizens are some of the
nationalities who are offered a free tourist visa upon
arrival at the Beirut Airport.

An accompanying nonworking wife and/or child(ren)
will apply for a yearly residency after residency has
been granted to the husband/father.
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To apply for their residency, dependents are required
to go in person to the security office.

The original marriage certificate is required for
granting the residency of a non-working wife and the
original birth certificate is required to obtain the
residency for accompanying children.
Potter at Souq al Tayeb
ACS Welcomes You
Meet Your ACS Welcoming Committee
Starting at the beginning of each New Year, the Welcoming Committee starts to meet to plan for your
arrival in Beirut and at ACS. We want to make sure your transition to living and working in Lebanon is a
wonderful experience. We are also anxious to meet all of you too! If you could e-mail a photo and a blurb
about yourself by the 1st of April (for our next newsletter) it would be appreciated. You can e-mail them to
jdiabbitar@acs.edu.lb.
Karim
I am Karim Abu-Haydar and would like to welcome you to ACS at Beirut. Beirut
and Lebanon have a great deal to offer. I enjoy attending the various locally
developed theater productions, and a variety of music performances such as the ElBustan and Beit-El-Dine concert series. The outdoors is another wonderful outlet
when in Lebanon.
Nada
My name is Nada Aoun; I’m from Lebanon. I am the Expat/Ministry Affaires/
Personnel Coordinator at ACS. I have worked at ACS since 1984 handling several
jobs including visas, work and residence permits for all foreign hire and their
dependents. Commitment towards my job and colleagues is my priority. I enjoy
sightseeing and have visited several countries but I have never seen a country like
Lebanon. This country combines endless opportunities of fun, beach, nature and
outdoor activities and an unforgettable time awaits you.
Jocelyne
My name is Jocelyne Diab Bitar, I am the HR & I have been at ACS for three years
now. I will be facilitating your transition to Beirut & ACS. Looking forward to meeting
you all in August.
Bienvenidos! Welcome to beautiful Beirut future ACS’ers! You are in for a wonderful
adventure this coming school year. Beirut is a unique mélange of incredible opportunities
that you will undoubtedly get to experience. You can look forward to enjoying delicious
Lebanese cuisine, fantastic restaurants, cozy pubs, an energetic nightlife, numerous cultural
activities, a vibrant local music scene and much, much more. All of this is set against Beirut’s
gorgeous scenic backdrop of stunning mountains, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea and the
richness of the culture that is only known in this part of the world. My name is Aisia
Casanova and I am originally from the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. I spent a long
stretch of time in Spain where I have a home and where I return when I vacation. This is my
first year in Lebanon and at ACS as an Early Years teacher. When I am not working with
my wonderful colleagues, I mostly enjoy being at home or out with friends. I also love
jogging on the Corniche (seaside promenade), lifting weights, reading, singing and
collaborating with other musicians.
Aisia
ACS Welcomes You
Charbel
Hi, my name is Charbel Daou. I am Lebanese and the Maintenance Supervisor. I
look forward to meeting all of you here in Lebanon and ACS.
Hello, my name is Nada – it means the morning dew in Arabic though in Spanish it
means “nothing”. I have been a school nurse for the past 20 years. I am part of the
school’s disaster team and coordinator of the First Aid class for HS students. I am a
member of several international school nurses’ associations and I represent ACS in
several international conferences. I love to travel and I plan lots of trips inside and
outside Lebanon throughout the year for the ACS community. We’ve been to
Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic,
Russia, and our next one is Spain. I love animals and I have a 7 year old Himalayan
cat who thinks he is a natural born tiger. Art is another passion and I have my own
designs of hand-made masks and mosaic pieces. It is very exciting to be part of this
group to welcome you into our ACS family.
Nada
Dania
Hello! my name is Dania Karame, I have been working at ACS for the past 14 years as
the Middle School Academic Support Specialist. I am Lebanese, originally from the north
of Lebanon, but have been living in Beirut for a while. I love traveling and getting
acquainted with different cultures. I am looking forward to meeting you all and welcome
to ACS.
Greetings! I am Midge Livingston and I am the MS Librarian /IT
Integrationist. I am finishing my 2nd year here at ACS and looking forward
to many more! I live here with my husband, Tim and our two daughters (as
well as our two cats!). Tim and I work at ACS and our daughters attend
the school. We are from just north of Seattle and this is our first overseas
adventure. We enjoy being part of our neighborhood community, walking
along the Corniche, traveling around Lebanon, reading, playing games
and experiencing the food of this wonderful place. If you have any
questions I am happy to help! Also, feel free to take a look at our blog:
http://timandmidge.blogspot.com
Midge and Family
ACS Welcomes You
Haitham
Marhaba, I'm Haitham Marroush and I'm on the IT Team (Networks and Support
Specialist). I've been at ACS for 14 years now.
I'm Lebanese, from Beirut, and I have lived in the ACS neighborhood for 23
years. I am looking forward to meeting you and sharing with you the interesting
history, culture and happenings in Beirut.
Becky with Ryan
My name is Becky Naughton and this is my first international teaching job,
and the end of my second year at ACS. I teach high school history, grade
11 IB and grade 10 World History. I also coach volleyball and track. My
husband is Ryan, and he is the athletic director here at ACS. We originally
came from Chicago. Beirut has been great for hiking and also for being a
vegetarian, along with running along the corniche. If you have any
questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Andrea
Welcome! My name is Andrea Norman. Most of the time, you will find me in the
Upper School (6-12) Library but I often visit the library in the Lower School. I come
from Vermont and have worked overseas for 23 fun-filled years. I love to travel,
garden and explore Lebanon. I love it here! The people are open, friendly and
they want to share their country. The neighborhoods are just that, neighborhoods,
and you feel as if you belong. I hope you will love it as much as I do. See you in
August.
Talar
Greetings from Beirut, my name is Talar Partiyan, I have been working at ACS for
the past 14 years. I am currently teaching middle school science. I am a mother of 2
boys in grade 9 and grade 5. In my free time I ride my motorcycle and explore
parts of Lebanon with the local H.O.G.® Lebanon Chapter. I hope to meet you all
soon in person!
ACS Welcomes You
Tom
My name is Tom Pederson and I have been a HS math teacher at ACS since 2005. I
have been teaching in overseas schools for 25 years. My favorite things here are my
Lebanese colleagues, hikes and drives in the mountains, and hummus. Minnesota is my
home in the States.
Iman
Hi :) I’m Iman Saad, I’m Lebanese, and this is my 3rd year at ACS as a teaching
assistant. I worked 2 years in grade 1 and this is my first year in grade 3. I can’t
see myself working in any other school in Lebanon. The ACS community is warm
and friendly. Mix that with a hospitable country and delicious food, and you’ll get
a dynamic and exciting time here. I also enjoy helping out with the high school and
middle school cross country and track and field. I enjoy a good book at home as
well as going out. If there is anything you need or any question you have, don’t
hesitate to e-mail me or stop by my classroom. Welcome to ACS!
Jesse
Hello! I’m Jesse, the Atelierista (Artist-in-Residence) here at ACS. Born in Adana,
Turkey, and raised throughout Europe and nearly every region of the United States,
I feel more at home on transportation than anywhere else. Before Beirut I lived in
Hong Kong, where I helped start up an Art and Design University's abroad campus. I
am inspired and driven by art in all its forms, and I have a hilariously similar-looking
ruby Cavalier spaniel named Eli. I love road trips, dancing, mo-town, and playing
cards. Welcome to Beirut. You’re going to love it here!
Man'oushe with zatar and jibneh on
the sage