Back to Business

Hello, Friends.

International Friends staff met last week and we are looking forward to starting classes after Labor Day. This year we are beginning on Zoom with after Labor Day. I am learning the new sign up system, but will be posting a link in the next update (and emails).

As we are coming out of the pandemic, we are finding that we have many new resources (like Zoom) and Friends all around the world. Settling into a niche that works for you is important to us. Please tell us what you like about our correspondence as well as our class offering or what you would like to see. We have sister sites American English Quick Start. What do you want to know? What do you need to know? Email Carolyn.

New COVID Guidance From the CDC

Studies show that 95% of people in American have some level of immunity against COVID. The new strains present a lower risk of death or severe illness than the earlier strains. If you are exposed, you do not need to quarantine, but wear a mask for 10 days and test on day five. If you do test positive, isolate for five days and if your symptoms have improved and you no longer have symptoms, you can come out of isolation, but should wear a mask for the next five days (until day 10). If you test negative on two tests, you can discontinue wearing the mask. These new guidelines allow schools to remain in session and reduce disruptions to daily living.

The Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

• The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

• This amendment states that private parties cannot bring suit against a state where they are not citizens. The history and legal cases informing this amendment are critical and extends to foreign governments. The history and decisions within this amendment are interesting and apt in today's environment.

• American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:30 PM EDT, Zoom

• We call "listening" to someone signing "reading". Less than one in twenty people in the United States are deaf or hard of hearing. We are practicing using YouTubes and conversation with each other. 

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM EDT, Zoom

Our friends had a lot to share about the United States and Indiana. Everyone is wrapping up their breaks and are getting back to school.

apt: appropriate

commenced: initiated

discontinue: stop

equity: legal equity does not equate to legal fairness or justness, but to a particular body of rules that originated through a special system of the courts.