Dolphin Dispatch INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PANAMA
April 7, 2017
ISSUE 29
HELP SHAPE ISP’S FUTURE: Board Elections 2017 Dear ISP Parents, Earlier this week you received an email on behalf of the Board of Directors regarding the start of the Board Elections Process. Each ISP Family received an email with details about the announcement and key dates moving forward. If you haven’t already please review the letter and the attached forms to run for one of the two elected positions available or to nominate someone to the for an appointed position on the Board of Directors. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us and stay tuned for more updates. The ISP Board of Directors is comprised of 5 elected and 4 nominated members, and each member serves a three year term. This year we will select (2) new elected members and (1) appointed member. To successfully deliver on our ambitious Strategic Plan, the ISP Board of Directors needs members that possess the skills, energy, passion and commitment as well as having the time needed to work on this and many other challenges. What does the Board do? As a non-profit school, ISP is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board hires the Director, and the Director reports to the Board, but otherwise the Board is not involved in operational details of ISP. Rather Board responsibilities center on higher-level strategic planning and decision-making to ensure that ISP advances its goals of provide a world-class education to our students, preparing them for success in continued educational endeavors and positive roles in society. In essence Board members are tasked with holding the Director accountable that ISP accomplishes the goals and objectives laid out in our strategic plan, and modifies or expands the plan as appropriate in consultation with the Director. 2 Elected Member positions open: There are (2) three-year term positions up for election this year. A candidacy form for any ISP parent wishing to run for election is attached to this e-mail for your convenience. Completed forms must be submitted to Ariadne Fong, Executive Secretary at ISP (afong@isp.edu.pa) no later than 4:00 pm, Friday April 28, 2017. Meet the candidates for elected positions:
There will be a Meet the Candidates session on Monday May 8, 2017 at 4:00 pm in the school’s cafetorium. During this session members of the ISP community will have an opportunity to hear speeches from each of the candidates for elected positions. These speeches will be filmed and then uploaded to the online voting platform to ensure all of our community have access to viewing the videos.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Preschool News & Events
High School News & Events
Elementary News & Events
PTA Announcements
Middle School News & Events
Cafeteria Menu, Nutrition tips and Calendar
BOARD ELECTIONS 2017 MADAGASCAR
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
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Board Elections 2017 HELP SHAPE ISP’S FUTURE Candidates submitting forms for elected positions are reminded to follow the guidelines for campaigning provided below:
Candidate’s communication about their candidacy to an elected position during the voting period will be limited to the Meet the Candidates video and bio to be uploaded to the online voting platform. Candidates must refrain from sending mass emails to class or parent lists, chat group messages, or phone calls, or sharing the videos via social media.
Conduct of the candidates to elected positions during the voting period should be aligned with ISP's principles.
1 Appointed Member The vacant appointed position will be evaluated by the Appointed Position Nominations Committee. This committee, led by the Board Member overseeing the elections process, also includes representation from the PTA, will review all nominations and make a selection. We have attached a nominations form to this e-mail for your convenience. If you are aware of a suitable nominee please complete the attached form and submit it to Ariadne Fong, Executive Secretary at ISP (afong@isp.edu.pa ) no later than 4:00 pm Friday April 28, 2017. The candidates will then be interviewed by the nominations committee and final decision of the appointed member will be taken by the Board. Please note that you may not nominate yourself. The Board Elections electronic voting will be open from Thursday, May 15, 2017 until May 25, 2017 at 4:00 pm. ISP parents wishing to vote in person may do so on May 25, 2017 from 2:45-3 pm in the ISP Cafetorium More information and reminders regarding the meet the candidates session, and voting procedures, including “evoting” will follow closer to the date of voting. It is vital that we have a slate of excellent candidates for both the elected and appointed positions (please note that all board proceedings are in English). We encourage you to run for election and submit nominations. This is a unique opportunity to contribute your skills and expertise to make ISP’s future even brighter. Please consider running for the ISP Board! Sincerely, Gerardo Rios, President ISP Board of Directors
School Year 2016-2017 Board of Directors Gerardo Rios, President
Jorge Saa, Treasurer,
Soo Young Yoon
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Elizabeth Heurtematte, Vice President
Lydia Young, Secretary
Augusto Knudsen
Sara Shahidi
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
Sarah Tatum
William Wcislo
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Visual & Performing Arts Adam Herzig, Visual and Performing Arts Director—aherzig@isp.edu.pa
CONGRATULATIONS CAST & CREW OF MADAGASCAR! MADAGASCAR MATH: 44 Elementary Cast Members + 21Elementary Crew + 6 Middle & High School Students +6 teachers+ 78 hours or rehearsal +17 songs+ 4 performances =
1 BRILLIANT ELEMENTARY MUSICAL THANK YOU ISP!
Check out all of the pictures from MADAGASCAR clicking here
GLOBAL TRADITIONS IN MUSIC COMING SOON!
#comingsoon April 46: Madagascar, Jr.- The elementary musical will delight audiences of all ages and include an Elementary Art presentation in the PAC Lobby. May 6: ArtsFest- With a “World” theme, ArtsFest will feature collaborative art, music, film, theater, and dance performances and workshops May 17-19: High School/Middle School Play, “Mirrors” an original work devised by the actors under the leadership of Mr. Arturo Wong
June 9: Elementary Middle and High School band had a special open rehearsal for parents Music Concerts, Music Around the World. and staff on Tuesday. This is the first time the bands have played as a combined group and the sound gave us goosebumps. They performed a All events take place Korean Rhapsody, which is part if ISP Arts' Global Traditions unit this in the P&G semester. Amazing work, #middleschoolband and #highschoolband #thereisnoplacelikeisp Watch ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
the video here
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Performing Arts Center
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THROWBACK TIME MACHINE ISP at EL SHOW DE LA UNA
Our ISP Alumni sure are special. Look what someone posted on our International School of Panama Alumni Facebook this week: "Back in 1996 ISP Students and faculty were part of a special program on Panamanian National Television called "El Show de la Una". Students and administrators talk about ISP, student council, graphic design class, the IB, Creativity Action and Service, and a special musical performance at the end. Amazing to look back and see how far we have come and how much we have grown. Looking back it is pretty amazing to see all ISP had to offer for its students, always in the pursuit of educational excellence." Special thanks to the Evans brothers for posting the video! and Jean Paul Belanger for sharing! From then until now #thereisnoplacelikeisp #onceadolphinalwaysadolphin #wearemany #weareone #wearedolphins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0F2NClTQ2A
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Preschool Becky Jobes, PhD—Elementary Principal—agdp@isp.edu.pa
Coming soon……
PK 3 and 4 Art Show!
Nature inspired art is coming your way! Our artists have gathered natural material from the ground to create their masterpieces. Can you guess what we’re creating? Our artists are planning and designing wonderful art masterpieces! Can you guess what we’re creating?
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
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Elementary School Becky Jobes, PhD—Elementary Principal—bjobes@isp.edu.pa TRANSITIONING TO MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT COFFEE: A special thank you to the 46 parents that were able to join us for the recent "Transitioning to Middle School" Parent Coffee. We really enjoyed making initial introductions and value the feedback you provided about the session. The presentation is available for viewing by clicking this link : https://youtu.be/uKvR9y2tgL0 . We will be hosting additional sessions this school year and next, so be sure to check the weekly Dolphin Dispatch and the grade 5 blog often.
As part of our conversation, we spoke about the need to complete course selections. In grade 6, all classes are automatically selected with one exception - Beginning French. We do offer an on-site, yearlong course, with Advanced French being an option for students in grade 7. If you decide that your child would like to participate in French, this will take the place of rotating wheels - Math Extension, Robotics, Creative Writing, and Global Issues. Unfortunately, our schedule does not accommodate taking both French and Wheels. A few points to consider when deciding what is best for your child: Is your child proficient in English? Is your child proficient in Spanish? Does your child express an interest in learning an additional language?
Is your child willing to commit to a yearlong language program? If you answered YES to all of these questions, French may be the best path for your child. Again, please realize that this language course will take the place of Wheel courses. Your child's teacher will be sending a letter home this week asking you to indicate interest in Beginning French. Please take a moment to speak with your child, answer and process the mentioned questions. Forms were due today, so please send those along with your child after the break to ensure scheduling for courses can be completed shortly. If you have additional questions, the Middle School team is more than willing to assist you with this process. You may reach us at 293-3030. Again, thank you for your support and attendance. We look forward to working alongside you in assisting your child with their transition to Middle School - it's sure to be an amazing adventure! Kind regards, MS Admin Team Vickie Swann, Principal Nash Adamson, Assistant Principal Jennifer Restrepo, Counselor ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Elementary School Becky Jobes, PhD—Elementary Principal—bjobes@isp.edu.pa
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Middle School Vickie Swann Middle School Principal vswann@isp.edu.pa Finish Strong! Dear Middle School Dolphins, When we return from Spring Break we will have exactly 43 days left of school, and we would love to see all of you for all 43 of them! It is critical that we, as a community, finish the year strongly. We have an event-filled 43 days ahead of us, so please do review the Save the Date announcement included in each Dolphin Dispatch. Further details regarding many of these events will communicated moving forward.
In addition to these special events, each and every day of classes is essential for student progress. In particular, the final days of the semester are essential for solidifying understandings, preparing for performance assessments and exams, and ensuring a positive transition to your next grade. We in the Middle School Office look forward to collaborating with you throughout this exciting final stretch and are here to support your families every step along the way. Thank you in advance for your support and let's Finish Strong!
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Issue 29
Middle School Vickie Swann Middle School Principal vswann@isp.edu.pa
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AFTER SCHOOL at ISP: #GOISPDOLPHINS! Peter Smyth, Athletic Director—psmyth@isp.edu.pa
UPCOMING GAMES:
CHECK OUT OUR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITES PICTURES ! STEM / Academics | SPORTS | VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
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PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION ISP WELCOME TO PANAMA INTERCULTURAL PROGRAM
WHO WE ARE: We are a group of ISP parents who offer orientation and information to families regarding relocation, the local language, improve your Spanish, as well as understanding and navigating Panamanian Culture. WHEN DO WE MEET ? Every Thursdays 8am– 10am in Performing Arts Center Lobby. Join us for some fun, sharing with other as we experience life in Panama together. We are looking for Parent and Teacher volunteers for our program. If you are interested please contact. Graciela Bareiro +50762694472 nexosinitiative@gmail.com
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:
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ispcommunication@isp.edu.pa
#thereisnoplacelikeisp www.isp.edu.pa
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