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Student ArticlesThe Dean Who Makes a Difference By Thunayan Al-Ghanim When Ms. Andrea Baker first arrived at our school one year ago, many students didn%u2019t know what to expect. A Dean of Students can sound serious, but Ms. Andrea quickly showed everyone that she was more than just a rule enforcer. She brought a warm, welcoming energy that made even the shyest students feel comfortable walking into her office. In my interview with her, Ms. Andrea explained that her main goal has always been to create a positive and supportive environment where students can succeed both academically and personally. %u201cI don%u2019t just want students to follow the rules,%u201d she said with a smile. %u201cI want them to understand why the rules exist %u2014 to help them grow and feel safe.%u201d Over the past two years, she has introduced several programs to strengthen the school community, such as weekly mentorship meetings and leadership workshops. Many students say she%u2019s helped them find their voice and confidence. Teachers also appreciate how she listens to their ideas and helps bridge the gap between staff and students.The New Grading System in Kuwait: Change for the Future of ABS SchoolBy Mishal Alsabah Kuwait%u2019s Ministry of Education has recently introduced a new grading system that aims to make evaluation fairer and more modern. Many teachers believe that the system focuses more on students%u2019 understanding rather than memorization. For this story, I interviewed Ms. Roaa, the high school vice principal at ABS, who has been working at the school for more than two years. She explained that the new grading system is designed to help students develop real learning skills instead of just studying for exams. %u201cBefore, grades were mostly about tests,%u201d Ms. Roaa said. %u201cNow, participation, projects, and effort are also part of the final grade.%u201d Ms. Roaa also mentioned that this change encourages students to take responsibility for their learning. However, some students still find it difficult to adjust because it is very different from the old system. %u201cIt takes time to get used to,%u201d she added, %u201cbut it%u2019s helping students learn in a more balanced way.%u201d Many parents are also learning to understand the new system. Teachers believe that over time, the new grading method will make education in Kuwait stronger and closer to international standards. This new grading system shows Kuwait%u2019s effort to modernize its education and prepare students for a better future. Even though the change is challenging, it is a positive step toward improving learning in schools across the country. Modern systems that ABS has recently implemented like IXL allow students to work at their own rate to achieve mastery level %u2013 up to 100% %u2013 instead of getting clipped off and stopped with lower percentages. Mental Health Among Teenagers By Fawzeyah Al-Aradah Many teenagers today are struggling with their mental health. Students often feel stressed or sad because of school, family, or social media. At ABS, teachers and students say it is important to talk about these feelings instead of hiding them. An anonymous student at ABS shared her story. She said, \A variety of articles of varying length %u2013 all from students in Mr. Lee Foulkes%u2019 7th & 8th period Journalism classes.other days I just feel lost. There is so much pressure to do well in school and be liked by everyone. It can be really hard.\teenagers do not talk about their feelings because they are afraid people will judge them. \tired, people just tell me to get over it. But sometimes you just want someone to listen,\Teachers at ABS are trying to make school a more caring place. One teacher said, \go through a lot every day. Even a small talk can help them feel better and less alone.\School counselors also tell students 12 ABS Times - 2025/2026