Dolphin Dispatch INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PANAMA
November 25, 2016
ISSUE 15
Dear Parents, November is a busy month at ISP and we value all of the special occasions and celebrations that occur during this joyous time. It was unfortunate this week when Hurricane Otto fell on some of the important dates already set aside for Mes de la Patria. We believe it is important to not let the celebration of our host country and community slip away so we have come up with an alternate schedule in order to accommodate all stakeholders in our community. We have decided to make Wednesday November 30 a full day for all of our MS/HS students grade 6-12, with a schedule that runs as follows: 8:00-10:15- Elementary Celebration in the PAC 10:45-12:30- High School Celebration in the PAC 1:00-2:45- Middle School Celebration in the PAC Please note that this will be a NORMAL half-day for Elementary students (i.e. ending at 12pm) and we ask that if you plan on taking your child with you after the show at 10:15, you must contact the elementary office by Tuesday November 29, 2:00pm so we can make appropriate transportation decisions. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding, and while we acknowledge this may be an inconvenience for some, it is the best solution for our community as we deal with circumstances out of our control. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s division principal, and Feliz Mes de la Patria! Thank you for your cooperation and understanding, ISP Administration
IN THIS ISSUE:
Holiday Shop
Mes de la Patria
MOVEMBER at ISP
Donations for Panamanian Red Cross
ES,MS, HS News & Events
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Visual and Performing Arts: AUDITIIONS FOR MADAGASCAR JR!
Athletics and After School
Issue 15
Dear ISP Community, For those of you interested in helping out and giving back, we will be accepting donations at ISP to be delivered to the Panamanian Red Cross Donation and Distribution Center in Albrook. We will be collecting donations tomorrow outside the CAS High School Office and will take the first load to Albrook at the end of the day tomorrow Friday November 25th. If you are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross please contact Mrs. Bernal in the HS. You can also deliver donations of the following items to the Red Cross Donation Center located at the Panamanian Red Cross Offices in Albrook. Here is a link to the location https://www.google.com/…/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xc454ea20a743… You can also donate very helpful funds online by clicking this link https:// www.ammado.com/community/ottopanama ITEMS TO BE DONATED: - Milk in tetrapack - Pampers for children, all sizes - Water (PLEASE DO NOT DONATE EXPIRED FOOD OR USED CLOTHES, BLANKETS OR TOWELS, THE NEED IS FOR THE ABOVE MENTIONED PRIORITY ITEMS) Thank you for your cooperation, ISP Marketing and Communication Office ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Parent Teacher Association: Holiday fest
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Parent Teacher Association: Holiday fest
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
ISP GIVING BACK AND RAISING AWARNESS FOR MOVEMBER
Movember at ISP Update Students and teachers have been working hard to spread the message of what the Movember Foundation is all about in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Men's Health. Through donation boxes and mustache sticker sales, the campaign has raised over $800 USD over the past two weeks alone! What is Movember? Movember is a movement for men's health. For 30 days in the month formerly known as November, Men around the world grow their moustaches to rally to support the cause, get people talking and raise funds for men’s health projects, such as, cancer & mental health issues. ISP's Movember team, los Hombres del Bigote, believes that knowledge is power and conversations save lives.
Why should you care? With early detection, many/all of these health issues are treatable and curable. Think about the men that you care about in your life: Brother, Father, Friend, etc. When was the last time that they visited their doctor for a check up?
Help raise awareness and donate vital funds towards men's cancer & mental health research. Please visit our donation page at http://mobro.co/loshombresdelbigote for more information about how you can help.
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
Elementary School Becky Jobes, PhD—Elementary Principal—bjobes@isp.edu.pa Mes de la Patria presentations for 2nd-5th grade—now scheduled for Wednesday, November 30 Our Spanish department invites you to come and enjoy the dances, songs, and other performance of our 2nd-5th grade students. Our new schedule is below, and both performances will be in the Performing Arts Center. Ojue! 2nd and 4th grade—7:45AM-8:45AM 3rd and 5th grade—9AM-10AM Please note: on this date the elementary will run its normal schedule, with dismissal of all students at noon.
Holiday concert-Friday, December 2 We are excited to be showcasing all of our students talents, grades PK4-5th. Please come and join us to view your child’s performance and then take the opportunity to visit the PTA Holiday Shop that will be in the MS/HS gym. 8:00am- PK4 8:45am- Kindergarten & Grade 1 9:50am- Grade 4 & Grade 5 11:25am- Grade 2 & Grade 3
FANLYC Toy Drive The elementary office is starting to pile up with presents for children who belong to the FANLYC organization. I want to thank my ES parent community for brightening the lives of these children who have been afflicted with cancer and leukemia.
Parent Coffee on Transitions—Wednesday, November 30th at 10:30AM (NEW TIME) Our parent coffee about supporting students as they transition to new schools and countries will be held on Wednesday, November 30th at 10:30AM. If you are coming for the Mes de la Patria celebration, please stay to meet with our counselors and learn more about the stages of transition and ways you can support your child.
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
Elementary School Becky Jobes, PhD—Elementary Principal—bjobes@isp.edu.pa “A Colorful Christmas Toy Drive” Dear ISP Families, This holiday season, a time of sharing, our school will again host a “Toy-a-Thon” to benefit the children at FANLYC. This gift donation will replace the classic class gift exchange between our students during this season. As many of you already know, FANLYC is an organization that covers the cost of cancer treatment for over 900 children all over Panama. FANLYC organizes a Christmas party for the children they serve as part of the social-emotional support their foundation provides. This year this party will take place Sunday, December 11th and at this event, each FANLYC child receives at least five presents. Sadly, for some of these children, this might be their last Christmas and others have been through very hard and painful times; therefore FANLYC wants them to have a wonderful Christmas and nice gifts to remember. Here at ISP we want to contribute to this cause by having each ISP student in the Elementary School bring a new toy to share with a FANLYC friend. We emphasize that the gift must be new and NOT WRAPPED. We are asking for your participation by purchasing and sending to school an unwrapped gift that will be shared with a FANLYC child. The recommended gift value is $15-$20 for the age group assigned to your child’s grade level. If your child is a boy, send a boy gift. If your child is a girl, send a girl gift. PK3/4= age 4-6 years K= age 6-8 years
1st grade= age 8-10 years 2nd grade= age 10-12 years 3rd grade= age 12-14 years 4th grade = age 9-11 years 5th grade= any age group We will be collecting donations starting Monday, Nov. 21st until Friday, December 2nd. With your support we would like to build a huge “Toy Mountain” in the Elementary School as a gift from the ISP community to these brave children. The Student Representative Council will be delivering these gifts to the FANLYC house the week of December 5th. You can find more information at www.fanlyc.org.pa. FANLYC calls people who help them “Little Stars” (Estrellitas) and they have a song that goes “Come little star, like you I want to shine” So let’s all be “estrellitas”. Sincerely,
FANLYC Committee, Kindergarten Team, and the Student Representative
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
Middle School Vickie Swann Middle School Principal vswann@isp.edu.pa
Dear Parents, End of term is quickly approaching! There are many exciting opportunities for learning on the horizon. We’d like to share important information about final exams and performance assessments. In Middle School, final exams are December 1 - 7 and count for 10% of each student's overall grade in Science, Math, Social Studies, Panamanian Studies (8thgrade only), English, and Spanish. During exam week, students attend school from 7:30 - 12:00 and buses are provided each day. Students will take no more than 2 exams per day. December 7 is set aside for make-up exams. Only students needing to make-up exams will attend school on this day - there will be no regular classes for students to attend. Please make arrangements accordingly. After final exams, students have performance assessments. These are collaborative and cross-curricular, making it essential and enriching for students to attend classes for the remainder of the semester. These assessments are culminating activities that assess big ideas and essential questions addressed throughout the semester. Assignments will be completed in class with minimal homework assigned. Due to the structure of the week, we will run a regular schedule on Wednesday, December 14 (departure at 2:40, buses provided). Buses will be provided. It is imperative that students attend classes through December 15. We recognize that this is a busy time of year and special circumstances may arise, but we do ask that every effort is made to ensure your child is in attendance for the remainder of the semester. If you have special circumstances, these need to be communicated directly to an administrator ( vswann@isp.edu.pa ) to discuss how we can work together to ensure your child's success. December 16 will be an end-ofyear wrap-up and celebration. Following you will find important details for upcoming semester exams and performance assessments. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Middle School Office at your convenience. We look forward to working together as a community to ensure a successful end of term!
Date Exam 1 Exam 2
December 1
December 2
December 5
December 6
Block A
Block E
Block C
Block H
Block B
Block F
Block D
Block G
December 7 Make Up Exams Make Up Exams
December 1 – 7: Students will attend school from 7:30 – 12:00 Wednesday, December 7 – Students only attend if they have missed a regular scheduled exam. If they have taken all exams, they should not come to school. December 9 – 15: Students will attend classes from 7:30 – 2:40 (including Wednesday, December 14) to participate in culminating performance assessments. Attendance is compulsory. If a student misses, it will be up to the student to make arrangements with teachers for an alternative assessment and will receive an Incomplete in the missed course(s) until completed. All missed assignments must be completed no later than January 26. December 16: End of year wrap-up in advisory and tribe celebrations.
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
Middle School Vickie Swann Middle School Principal vswann@isp.edu.pa
Holiday Donations: During November and December, our Middle School kids will be asked to show their caring nature by donating as follows:
$5 for the Holiday Shop Raffle Baskets
$5 for our Dolphins
Toy for a child in Guna Yala
If you choose to participate, you are welcome to begin sending the money and toy to your child's Advisor at any time. Basket and Dolphin donations are due November 22 and Toys can be delivered until December 16. Please send toys unwrapped.
End-Of-Term Assessments: Semester Exams are scheduled for December 1 - 7 and culminating Performance Assessments are scheduled for December 9 - 15. It is imperative that students are on campus and prepared for these end-of-term assessments. We thank you in advance for your support in ensuring their attendance until throughout this term.
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
High School Eric Monson High School Principal emonson@isp.edu.pa
KEY DATES for the NEXT FIVE WEEKS November 28 Public Holiday, No School November 29 10th Grade Parent/Student Meeting – Topic Pathways and Choices for Students entering Grades 11 and 12 November 30 MES DE LA PATRIA CELEBRATION 10:45-12:30- High School Celebration in the PAC
December 8 December 9 – 15 December 16
Public Holiday, No School Final Exams (8:30 – 10:30 and 12:30 – 2:30 each day) Half Day and Last Day of First Semester
ZUBATHOIN FOR FANLYC The FANLYC 4 All team is proud to announce its very first Zumbathon at ISP! On the upcoming December 6th, from 3:00 - 4:15, students, parents and teachers will be able to dance at the rhythm of zumba in order to raise funds for the FANLYC organization. Our 'adopted' kid, Jose Angel, would be greatly benefited from all money collected. In addition, this is a great opportunity for the ISP community to come together and engage in some healthy physical activity in order to provide stress relief and fun! The Zumbathon will be hosted at the HS/MS gym and the cost for admission is $3.00! An experienced Zumba instructor will dictate the course and goodies and beverages will be provided! We hope to see you all there!
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
High School Eric Monson High School Principal emonson@isp.edu.pa
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
Visual & Performing Arts Adam Herzig, Visual and Performing Arts Director—aherzig@isp.edu.pa
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the Cast, Crew and Orchestra of West Side Story! Over 1100 people form our community attended the show and we are all so proud of their hard work! Come take a look at the West Side Story Art exhibit at the PAC PTA Gallery and Foyer. Students from the Painting and Drawing I| Electives put forth their best effort to complement Mr. Herzig's and the student’s vision of Skateboard culture, and the two gangs represented in West Side Story. An original play by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein (1957).
AUDUTIOINS FOR OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MUSICAL MADAGASCAR JR. ! Students in Grades 2-5 are invited to audition for the Elementary Musical, Madagascar, Jr. Please click here to go to our website so that you can view and download tracks and our audition packet. Break a leg!
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
Athletics: #GOISPDOLPHINS! Peter Smyth, Athletic Director—psmyth@isp.edu.pa
Largest rugby event in Panama hosted at ISP! On Saturday ISP hosted a wonderful day of rugby at ISP. Activities started early with the foundation bringing in over 300 children from around the city and surrounding areas to participate in the fun. Our own ISP team played in the afternoon putting in impressive performances against a combined MET/ Lycee Francais school and also a team from Chorrera. The National Panama side rounded out the days events playing on the full field against a local 'Barbarians' team.
Zink Girls fest Saturday saw the first ever Zink Girls fest take place at ISP. The festival of activities out on by the media gurus Zink allowed girls teams from both public and private schools to get together and play against each other. Basketball, Volleyball and soccer were the sports on display. Our very own ISP Dolphins played in the Volleyball competition. Coach Javier was excited to see the girls play after weeks of practice in the Volleyball ASA. Things are certainly looking good for this years AASCA campaign.
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
Athletics: #GOISPDOLPHINS! Peter Smyth, Athletic Director—psmyth@isp.edu.pa
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION SPANISH & ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE PROGRAM FOR PARENTS
ISP PTA WELCOME COMMITTEE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND: SPANISH & ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE WORKSHOPS Every Wednesday 8-10am in the Performing Arts Center Gallery
Support and personal contact for new ISP families to help them with their transition.
Conferences , Parent forums, trips and cultural events.
Language Conversation Groups guided by native speakers in English and Spanish.
Country representative liaisons to help make connections among PTA, Faculty, Staff and Families.
Join us! Registrations pta@isp.edu.pa 50762694472 Graciela Bareiro Skype: Graciela.bareiro1
CHECK OUT THESE PICTURES FROM OUR TRIP TO THE BIOMUSEO!
WANT TO KNOW WHAT”S COOKING AT THE ISP CAFETERIA CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE MENU’S & NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.isp.edu.pa/Cafeteria FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS PLEASE CONTACT:
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
ispcommunication@isp.edu.pa
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Issue 15