Inspiration
Welcome Back Edition August 2016 | Newsletter | International School of Prague
ISP Newsletter August 2016
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From the Director It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to new and returning families to the 2016-2017 school year at the International School of Prague. We are well aware that there is an enormous amount of information for students and families to absorb at the beginning of the year, especially if you are new to a school. Publications such as the Parent Handbook contain key information about how the school functions and will help you and your children get the most out of ISP. Other important means of communication are ParentContact (which you will receive via email), our website (www.isp.cz) and our intranet, Schoolnet (http:// web.isp.cz), which can be accessed with the username, isp, and the password, falcons. In addition, there will be many opportunities to attend social gatherings or informative workshops throughout the year. We encourage parents to participate in the rich life of our school. As we strive to improve how we communicate, I’m excited to announce that the school has embarked on a comprehensive communications overhaul. Over the course of this year, parents will be able to access more information about ISP and your children through one central website. Stay tuned for further information throughout the year. ISP’s Mission Statement is to ‘Inspire Learners for Life’. Our Mission is posted throughout the school, in the parent handbook and on our website. The ISP Mission is more than just words on a page - it encapsulates our school’s purpose, vision and values. All ISP community members (teachers, students, parents, staff, oard members and administrators) are expected to support and model our values: compassion, integrity, respect and intercultural understanding. The ISP Mission is the standard to which we measure ourselves in all aspects of life at ISP. ISP is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). As we begin this new school year our school will embark on the reaccreditation process. This will therefore be a year of self reflection and learning for the entire school community. Please see below our new strategy, ISP2020, which will be integrated into the reaccreditation process and will be the basis of our work over the next few years.
Unleash Our Collective Potential So That Our School Is Greater Than The Sum of its Parts • We create change that’s bigger than we are. • Personal relevance, individual progress and real-world experiences are at the heart of our learning. • Curiosity drives what and how we learn. • How we learn is coherent and connected throughout our school. • Everyone in our community takes active steps to learn with and from each other. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s experience at ISP, or any other issue, I urge you to “go to the source” and speak with the person directly responsible. Whether it is your child’s teacher, the principal, another administrator or the Director, we are all here to ensure that ISP continues to be the best school in the region and one of the most highly regarded international schools in the world.
Dr. Arnie Bieber ISP Director
ISP Newsletter August 2016
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New Parent Orientation All new ISP parents are requested to attend an orientation meeting on August 16 at 09:00, in the Theater. The purpose of this important meeting is to: — Meet the School Administrators — Understand the areas of responsibility within the school — Receive an overview of the year’s important projects, events and activitities — Learn how you can take an active role in the life of the school — Hear about the SCA (School Community Association) and its plans for the year.
Communication is key
Effective communication is vital in our international community. We regularly send information through: — ParentContact (a daily email) — Friday Folders (Elementary School) — Facebook — ISP Website (www.isp.cz) — Teacher Websites — School Net (http://web.isp.cz) — SMS Emergency Contact System
The “ParentContact” email is an important source of daily information. If you find that you are not receiving this email after School starts, please send a message to klimova@isp.cz as soon as possible.
Time away from school
The school provides ample holidays and time away from school. We trust that the school calendar will be respected and that extra holiday time (early departure, late return, extra trips during school) will not be planned.
Child Care
Child care is available in the Theater Foyer during the orientation meeting.
Identity Badges
All staff and parents are required to wear their ISP photo identity badges while on campus. You will need your badge to enter locked doors. To obtain your identity badge, see the receptionist. Until you receive your badge and pin number, you are requested to wear a visitor’s badge, which can be obtained from the Reception desk. ISP security guards and staff will ask you to show your badge.
Special Note Regarding Student Drop Off
For those parents who use the rear entrance of the school to drop off their children, please be considerate of our neighbors in the vicinity Please only park in designated parking spaces; under no circumstances should anyone drive onto the sidewalk or block driveways (even if only “dashing in for a minute”). Thank you for helping to maintain our good relations with the community.
Transportation Services
Please be aware that ISP does not provide daily transportation. Agreements reached with transportation companies are between parents and the company.
ISP Leadership Team
ISP ADMINISTRATION 2016/2017 Dr. Arnie Bieber
Simona Jiraskova
Sheldon Bradshaw
Nena Vukotic
Mark Frankel
Clive Watkins
Dr. Cindy Gause-Vega
Veronika Vodickova
Andrea Koudelkova
Lenka Gery
Zuzana Linkova
Tony McLaughlin
Jimena Zalba
Teresa Belisle
Natalie Kvackova
Eliska Sevcikova
Joe Monks
Andrea Bartosova
Danielle Fredericks
Sandra Malinova
Petr Draxler
Kristina Limova
Barry Freckmann
Director
Executive Secretary Elementary School Principal ES Secretary
ES Associate Principal ECC Secretary
Middle School Principal
Matt Smith
MS Associate Principal
MS Secretary
Upper School Principal US Secretary
US Counseling Secretary
Director of IT
Director of Advacement Associate Dir. of Advancement
Communications Manager
Director of Learning Research Admissions Manager Activities/Athletics Director Activities/Athletics Associate Activities/Athletics Assistant
Admissions Associate HR Director
Finance&Operations Director
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Elementary School News
Important Dates:. TUESDAY, August 23 13:00 - 14:30 PK and KG Back to School Afternoon WEDNESDAY, August 24 Hopes and Dreams Conferences THURSDAY, September 1 at 18:00 Grade 3 – 5 Parent Evening WEDNESDAY, September 7 at 08:15 Parent Coffee Morning, ES Theatre THURSDAY, September 8 at 18:00 Grade 1 and Grade 2 Parent Evening
Dear Elementary Parents, As the beginning of the school year approaches we would like to extend a warm welcome to all new and returning families to ISP. We hope that you are all enjoying time with family and friends, having fun and relaxing. All teachers and staff are busy preparing a rich and challenging environment for our students, one in which your children will feel safe, happy and able to learn.
We know parents are integral to this process. We will keep you informed throughout the year and frequently ask for your input and perspectives. Please come to us with any questions or concerns that may arise!
Hopes and Dreams Conferences We will be inviting you early and often to actively participate in your child’s education. Our first invitation to you is to meet with your children’s teachers in “Hopes and Dreams Conferences” on August 24. All Elementary classes PK3 – Grade 5 will be dismissed at 12 noon on this day. These special conferences are intended for parents to share with the classroom teacher their hopes and dreams for their child this year. Each conference will be scheduled for 10 minutes. In the first Friday Folder on August 19 you will receive your scheduled time and a short form to jot down notes of what you would like to share with
the teacher. Our goal in holding these conferences very early in the school year is to learn from you about your children. As the year progresses we will continue to communicate with you via newsletters, notes, email, class websites, meetings, and conferences. The Hopes and Dreams Conferences are only the first step in what we trust will be our on-going collaboration with you.
SCA Elementary School Parent Coffees Another way of participating in your child’s education at ISP is to attend the SCA Elementary School Parent Coffees. This year we have scheduled five morning coffees at 08:15. Once again we are in the process of identifying topics of interest that can focus our conversations and contribute to our shared understanding of the children in our care. Our first Parent Coffee Morning will be on Wednesday, September 7 at 08:15 in the ES Theater.
ISP Newsletter August 2016
Please make note of the following as you prepare for the start of school:
Class Lists
Class lists will be posted on the windows near ISP‘s main entrance at 15:00 on Monday, August 15. The teachers and administration have put careful thought into the best possible configuration of classes so children’s social, emotional and learning needs can be met. Be sure to make note of your child’s placement for 2016-2017. Please call or stop by the school with any questions or concerns.
NEW ES TEACHERS AND STAFF We are very pleased to welcome the following new teachers and staff to ISP Elementary this year:
Jimena Zalba - ES Associate Principal John Simon Esteller - Grade 5 Alyssa Kolowrat - EAL Grade 5 Veronika Kordova - Fleishmannova - German
First Day of School
On the morning of Wednesday, August 17, students will be allowed to enter their classrooms no earlier than 07:50.
Therefore, students should arrive between 07:50 and 07:55. School officially starts at 08:00. (Please wait in the Elementary reception area or the cafeteria if you are early.) On the first few school days, staff members will be in the hallways to direct children and their parents to the appropriate classrooms. Children from PK3 through grade 2 should be escorted to their classroom by parents. Students in grades 3 to 5 may come into the building by themselves. At dismissal time, an adult should pick up children in PK3 through grade 2 outside their classroom door that opens to the outside of the building. Students in grades 3 through 5 should be met in a prearranged location. You will be receiving a form in the first Friday Folder to let the school know what arrangements have been made concerning future meeting points. (Please see section on after-school supervision.) PK3 and PK4 students will be on a special schedule until August 29. Children in Kindergarten will be dismissed at 12:00 until Wednesday, August 24. ISP will be offering an after school
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care program for PK3, PK4, and Kindergarten. You will receive details of dates and times for the special schedules and after care program if your child is in one of the PK classes or kindergarten. Children in grades 1 – 5 will be dismissed at 14:45.
After School Supervision
Please remember that an adult should supervise Elementary School students at all times and in all places on campus after the 14:45 dismissal. Students may stay at school if they are participating in an after school activity or if working in the library. Once an activity ends, usually at 15:45, the students must go home. No Elementary student is allowed to stay at school unsupervised, whether in school or on the playground. Grade 3 through 5 students may work in the library until 17:00, but they must be in the library, not elsewhere in the building. We looking forward to collaborating with you in the coming school year! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Cindy Vega or Mrs. Jimena Zalba.
Dr. Cindy Gause-Vega ES Principal Jimena Zalba ES Associate Principal
ISP Newsletter August 2016
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Middle School News
Important Dates: TUESDAY, August 23 MS Sports begin THURSDAY, August 25 18:00 - 19:30 MS Parent Evening MONDAY, Aug 29- FRIDAY, Sep 2 Grade 7 & 8 Class Trips THURSDAY, Sep 1 - FRIDAY Sep 2 Grade 6 Class Trip WEDNESDAY, September 14 at 08.15 MS Parent Coffee Meeting FRIDAY, September 16 at 18:00 MS Dance
Dear Middle School Families, Welcome back to a new year! I hope you had a relaxing holiday and are ready for an action packed year ahead in Middle School! I’d like to extend a special welcome to those of you who are new to our community. You will find ISP to be a warm and friendly place. I am very proud of our Middle School program. We have a highly qualified and dedicated team of teachers who are committed to engaging, inspiring and empowering all learners. As an extension of our academic program, we offer learning opportunities through special Stretch Days, where students
are given opportunities for in depth/ interdisciplinary learning; to find and solve problems and meet challenges. One of the highlights of the beginning of the year is the class trips. These trips provide students with team building opportunities so they can build relationships, bond as a grade level and have fun with their classmates and teachers. Your child will learn about these trips in more detail in the first weeks of school. In addition to the above dates, if you are a new family you should already know that on Tuesday, August 16 there will be an Orientation morning for new students and parents, when we will aim to make you feel at home in your new school.
ISP Newsletter  August 2016 
On Thursday August 25 at 18.00 we invite all parents to attend the MS Parent Evening so you can get to know our teachers and the program for the 2016-17 school year. The Middle School Student and Parent Handbook for 20162017 will be shared with you at the beginning of school in August.
Our Middle School Team looks forward to working in partnership with you to create the best possible educational experience for your child. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Danielle Fredericks Middle School Principal
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NEW MS TEACHERS AND STAFF We are very pleased to welcome the following new teachers and staff to ISP Middle School (MS) this year:
Matt Smith - MS Associate Principal Gabriela Brauchli - EAL Teacher
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Upper School News Important Dates: TUESDAY, August 16 Orientation Program for New Students and Parents (see below) WEDNESDAY, August 17 First Day of Classes THURSDAY, August 18 at 08:15, Elementary Theatre Actvities Information Parent Meeting (Please attend the meeting) MONDAY, August 22 at 08:00 Laptop Orientation for Grade 9 (students only) TUESDAY, August 23 at 18:30, Theatre IB & University Meeting for Grade 11 Parents THURSDAY, August 25 at 18:30, Theatre Grade 12 IB and UK/European University Evening for Parents & Students, (Note: IB information will be the same at Sept 6 Grade 12 meeting) MONDAY - FRIDAY, August 29 - Sept 2 Week Without Walls Program (Some trips begin on the 28th and/or end on the 3rd, so please check the dates) TUESDAY, September 6 at 18:30, Theatre Grade 12 IB and US/Other University Evening for Parents & Students THURSDAY, September 8 at 18:00, Theatre Upper School Parent Evening
Welcome from the Upper School Principal Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year at ISP! I am delighted to have the chance to work with all of you and with your sons and daughters. School opens on Wednesday, August 17, and all Upper School students should report to the Theater at 08:00. From there, we will disperse to morning advisory and class meetings. All necessary textbooks will be provided in the actual classes.
Orientation
To help ease the transition to ISP for our new students and parents, we have scheduled an Orientation Program on Tuesday, August 16. All new to ISP students and their parents should arrive at 08:30 for a short Laptop Program and Week Without Walls Orientation. At 9:30, all new parents are asked to join Dr. Bieber and other school personnel in the Theater. Also at 9:30, all new Upper School students will meet with the school Counselors and our Student Ambassadors. Entering students will have the opportunity to learn about day-to-day life at ISP, take a tour of the
NEW US TEACHERS We are very pleased to welcome the following new teachers to the Upper School!
Madeleine Cox - English Sandra Fleischhansova - Teaching Assistant Karin Karafotas - German Jennifer Michalsky - Social Studies
school and ask any questions they may have. Then, students and counselors will board a bus for a recreational bowling party and lunch. Students will return to school between 14:00 and 14:30 to be picked up by parents. Please note that students do not need any money with them for this trip as ISP covers all costs.
Upper School Petr Mares 1-to-1 Laptop Program. As an Upper School family, you are required to purchase an ISP-approved 13” Apple
ISP Newsletter  August 2016 
Macbook laptop computer as a necessary tool within our academic program. This will allow your child to have access to his or her laptop during holidays and in the summer, as well as during the school year. Parents may purchase such a laptop at a special rate from an ISP designated special retailer 24U should they so choose. ISP provides a full suite of academic software applications that supplement the core curriculum of Upper School students at no extra cost. GRADE 9 STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BRING THEIR LAPTOPS TO SCHOOL UNTIL MONDAY, AUGUST 22, WHEN THEY SHOULD BRING THEM TO SCHOOL FULLY CHARGED. On this day, Grade 9 students will attend a day-long special orientation program, which guides them through the set-up of these machines and the installation of the licensed software. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Perry, Upper School Digital Learning Facilitator at eperry@isp.cz.
Week Without Walls (WWW)
WWW is just around the corner! During the week of August 29 - September 2, students will be traveling to a variety of exciting destinations, participating in challenging activities and extending the classroom walls to the rest of the world. Some trips leave a day earlier and some return a day later, so please check the dates at http://weekwithoutwalls2016.weebly.com/ On August 19, students will meet in WWW groups during the day, when any additional forms will be distributed. On August 26, students will again meet in WWW groups to go over final details. Please note that all forms are due by Thursday, August 25. We hope that students are as excited about these trips as we are. If there are any questions about the WWW program, please see Sandra Malinova in the Activities Office, or email her at smalinova@isp.cz.
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Attendance
Please contact either of the US Secretaries by 09:00 if your child is ill, and is not coming to school: Ms. Veronika Vodickova (220 384 222) or Ms. Zuzka Linkova (220 384 227). Regular school attendance is essential to the progress and achievement of the student. In the case of planned absences, parents should notify the principal at least TWO weeks prior to the absence. Notification allows for better planning on the part of student and teacher. Make sure to read all the sections of the Parent Handbook, as well as the Student Handbook that will be brought home on the first day of school. And please note that our policy on excessive absences has been revised. Again, you an find all relevant information in both the Parent and Student handbooks.
Mark Frankel Upper School Principal
ISP Newsletter August 2016
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IT Update and Information Welcome to our new and returning families!
The Petr Mares 1-to-1 Laptop Programs
We are entering into our eighth and ninth years of our 1-to-1 laptop environment in the Upper and Middle schools, and these tools continue to be integrated in meaningful ways to enhance student learning. While the Upper School laptops are all studentowned, the Middle School laptops are currently leased. As our lease expires at the end of this year, we will be looking for parent and student feedback on the programme and how ISP can move forward strategically. The programmes are managed by our Digital Learning Facilitators, Liz Perry (US) and Lyle Bobyk (MS).
Mobile Technology in the Elementary School
In the Elementary School, our 1-to-1 program begins in Grade 2, with iPads used up to Grade 4 and laptops in Grade 5. Kindergarten and Grade 1 each have a cart of iPads for shared use. This will allow students and teachers to use technology authentically and as required by the learning in the classroom. Additionally, we have been expanding our technology integration
into other areas, with students being exposed at different grades to 3D printing, robotics, electronics, science data logging, digital microscopes, “green screen“ video work and a variety of other rich technology uses. The programme is managed by our Elementary Digital Learning Facilitator, Damianne President.
Connecting with Families
One piece of feedback we heard from parents is that more sessions related to technology would be appreciated. Our plan is to offer more regular parent workshops around technology at ISP, parenting in a digital age, and finding balance between our online and offline lives. Please watch the Parent Contact emails for further details.
Sharing our Learning
We continue to work throughout the school in a variety of online platforms that allow all students and faculty to share their class work and personal reflections. As mentioned in Dr. Bieber’s welcome, over the course of this year parents will be able to access more information about ISP and your children through one central website. We are also working towards changes in online systems for the classrooms to make the digital lives of our students far easier to manage.
Digital Citizenship
The IT and Library departments will continue to work closely with faculty, counselors and school Principals to educate students on Digital Citizenship and living healthy, balanced lives in a connected world. This programme is integrated in the laptop orientation programs, homeroom classes, advisory and other special assemblies throughout the year.
Library
As always, ISP’s library is a central point of the school. Parents, students and staff all have access to a wide range of resources, including books (print, audio and e-books), research databases, family games and DVD’s, and creative resources for all ages. Our extremely popular Library Creative Maker Space is entering its second year and is always looking for volunteers to help support our students. Everyone in the ISP community is encouraged to stop by and see what your library has to offer! The IT & Library Department looks forward to supporting you and your child this year. We wish you and your family a successful year at ISP.
Sheldon Bradshaw Director of Information Technology
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ISP Learning Research and Development Welcome to Learning@ISP, where we are all lifelong learners striving to collaboratively meet our Mission through strategic research and development of student, faculty, staff, and parent learning.
Student Learning
ISP has an articulated, mission-driven PK-12 curriculum, rooted in inquiry where learners are involved in posing and investigating questions. Our learning program offers students the key understandings and skills reflective of how the disciplines are used in the real world. The development of these competencies enable our students to be successful at ISP, and in their future educational and professional pursuits. For more details, please visit our community portal (http://schoolnet.isp. cz/index.php/curriculum).
Professional learning:
Throughout the year, faculty and staff are involved in learning both here at ISP and off site. On site learning includes workshops with external experts, inquiry groups, professional learning days, retreats for targeted groups, faculty meetings and internal sharing of expertise. This year our main focus will be targeting our ISP2020 Strategic Projects and our 2017 NEASC and CIS accreditation. In addition to on-site professional learning, we encourage and support attendance at targeted workshops and conferences here at ISP, online, in Europe and around the world. This year ISP will be hosting the following events: •
November 3-5: Reggio-Inspired Learning led by early Childhood experts from the region and sponsored by CEESA. Dec 11-12: Jane Goodall, environmentalist February 24-26: IBICUS IB Diploma Program workshops
Our curriculum research and development is based on the following premises:
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● The curriculum development process is ongoing and forward looking. ● Student learning evidence drives curriculum evaluation. ● Transfer is the primary learning goal.
Parent learning:
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Throughout the year, we invite you to participate in workshops, presentations and discussions about what, why, and
Activities and Athletics Greetings from the Activities office and welcome to the 2016-17 school year at ISP. Our role in the Activities office is to coordinate the school’s extensive offering of after school programs. There are ranging opportunities available to your child and we encourage them to be involved as much as possible.
We hold a meeting to provide you with more information about Activities at ISP: • Thursday August 18th @8.15am in the ES Theatre This meeting is relevant for parents with children in any school section and we urge you to attend. If you have any questions please drop into school to see me; or email me at jmonks@isp.cz
More details can be found on the student life section of our school website:
Wishing you and your family a wonderful year at ISP.
http://www.isp.cz/page.cfm?p=493
Joe Monks Activities Director
how we learn here at ISP. Please look for dates, times and details in the ISP Parent Contact. We offer the following opportunities for parent learning: • Parent Coffees: These presentations and discussions target sectional specific and age related issues in the Elementary, Middle, and Upper sections of our school. • Informational sessions regarding specific learning areas: This year we will be holding targeted workshops in the areas of Modern Language, Mathematics, and Science. • Edge in Education: In these thoughtprovoking sessions, organized in collaboration with the SCA, we engage in discussions around current and future trends in education. This year’s theme we will continue with our focus on creative and critical thinking, key competencies outlined in our Mission. These sessions will be facilitated by visiting experts. Please feel free to make an appointment or drop in to discuss further our learning program here at ISP.
Teresa Belisle (tbelisle@isp.cz) Director of Learning Research and Development
ISP Newsletter August 2016
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... and don’t miss PE Kit (t-shirt and shorts) Sale All students in Grades 3-8 are required to wear ISP Physical Education kit, which includes an ISP t-shirt and shorts. T-Shirts are 100 czk and shorts are 400 czk. These will be on sale in the reception during New Family Orientation (August 16) and from 07:30 – 08:30 on August 17 and 18.
Information Fair & Welcome Picnic Welcome to ISP! - Make sure to mark Saturday, August 27, on your calendar. The Annual ISP Information Fair and Welcome Picnic is a greatly important event at the outset of our ISP school year. The 2016-17 event takes place on Saturday August 27, and will be held from 11:00 to 14:00. The event begins at 11am with the Information Fair, which is followed by the picnic and live music at noon. The food service at ISP will sell barbeque, salads, ice cream and drinks. The fair is an excellent opportunity for new and returning families to meet and make new friends. Everyone will have an opportunity to meet the new staff members on an informal basis. You will also have the opportunity to meet with many businesses and services here in Prague, including: medical centers, banks, activities for children, movers, technology, sport centers, hairdressers, restaurants, and many other appealing services.