Dear Host Families, AFSers and Liaisons:

The Post Arrival Orientation is approaching quickly! It will be on Saturday, September 8, at the First Congregational Church, 10840 Beinhorn Rd. Houston 77024. 

This is the same location where we held the Host Family Training this summer.  I recommend looking it up on Mapquest.com for better directions than I could give you!

All AFS Students are to bring a dish from their home country to share with everyone at the Pot Luck lunch-Don’t Forget!

This Orientation is mandatory for all AFS students. Please arrive before 10:00 for registration.  We will start the sessions promptly at 10:00. Student sessions run until 3:00.

We have a special treat for Host Parents from 10:00 to 11:15, Herb Agen, a local family therapist, will talk about Cultural Parenting.  He was very well received by last year’s host parents.  The last forty five minutes of the Host Family session will be run by Sara Kavanaugh.  Please be sure to bring your Host Family Manuals!

Liaison training will be held from 10:00-12:00 for our new liaisons. 

All liaisons are welcome to join their student and host family for lunch from 12:00-1:00.  This is a wonderful way to get to know everyone in a relaxed atmosphere.

For Host Families who have not yet gone through Host Family Orientation (yes, there are a few of you!), or those who just want to repeat the experience, a Host Family Orientation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00.  Even though your student has already arrived, AFS requires all families to attend this Orientation.  I promise, it will be helpful!

Sessions are also available for host siblings all day.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  My new email address is txskimom@comcast.net.

I look forward to meeting all of our West Side Chapter students!

Julia Rudin