/Newsletter_2012-2-29

I S K VO I C E M o n t h l y

N e w s

L e t t e r

F e b r u a r y

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E d i t i o n

February 2012 - Volume 7, Edition 5

I n t e r n a t i o n a l

S c h o o l

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K r a k o w

International School of Krakow Lusina ul. sw. Floriana 57

30-698 Krakow, Poland

Phone: +48 12 270 1409 - Email: director@iskonline.org

Academic Scholarship Program

Now accepting applications for : 1 full tuition and 3 half tuition scholarships for students entering grades 9 & 10

Scholarship Eligibility • • • • • • •

Polish citizenship Academic achievement Participation in extra-curricular activities Last two years’ school records in good standing English (reading/writing) and Math proficiency test Two letters of recommendation Interview

Apply Now For more information or application: Please go to our website www.iskonline.org or Email: director@iskonline.org Call: +48 12 270 1409

ISK VOICE February 2012, Volume 7, Edition 5

6 Ski Camp Academic Scholarship Program................... 2 MathCounts Competition in Vilnus.............. 4

8 Knowledge Bowl

Parent Teacher Association News................ 5 Ski Camp 2012................................................. 6 ISK Hosts the Knowledge Bowl Contest..... 8 100 Days of School....................................... 10 Trip to the Etnographic Museum............... 12

16 Literacy Week

Literacy Week Fun........................................ 16 Poetry Corner................................................ 18 Brick-By-Brick Fundraiser............................. 20 Middle School Choir Festival...................... 22

22 Choir Festival 3

D

a t M h

Reall n t s!

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for Mr. Lipinski.

I think it is worth pointing out that the schools taking part in this competition with us (International School of Helsinki, American International School of Vilnius, Pechersk

y Co u

elayed flights and freezing temperatures in Lithuania did nothing to dull the brain activity of our Middle School mathematicians. Our two teams of four competed enthusiastically over two days in CEESA’s 2012 MathCounts competition at the American International School of Vilnius. This consisted of a mixture of individual and team events: tackling short questions and longer problems, pencils skimming across paper, furrowed brows beaded with sweat, calculating (without calculators) against the clock, our brave mathletes performed admirably. Much of the mathematical content was aimed at grade 8 students, and was a huge challenge for the younger competitors. In spite of this, they performed valiantly and brilliantly: ISK’s three grade 6 students (Hyo-Rye, Staś and Robert), three grade 7s (Penelope, Scott and Wolf) and two grade 8s (Gabriel and Peter) between them took 2nd and 5th positions in the team event. In addition, Penelope’s, Peter’s and Scott’s individual performances were strong enough for them to qualify for the tough and exciting Countdown Round which threw the overall Top Ten mathematical ‘gladiators’ against each other in a series of ‘brain-to-brain combat’ situations. Scott gained 5th place, Penelope 4th and Peter 1st! (For anyone who is interested, we will stage a similar competition during our ISK Pi Day celebrations). Socially, we had a good time, too! Students learned some nifty Lithuanian folk dance moves during an evening of culture, and after all their mental exertions got some much-needed physical exercise at a fun ‘Olympic Games’, while Mr. Lipinski and Ms. Panetta enjoyed meeting teachers from the other International schools and shopping in arctic conditions for the perfect souvenir

School International, American School of Latvia, International School of Belgrade) were all chosen because of their similarly small population size. Even in such company, ISK was the smallest school to compete and this makes our students’ achievements all the more worthy of note.

Well done all!

Ewa Panetta, MS Math Teacher

PTA News: As of 1 January 2012 the new Steering Committee of the ISK PTA took over the responsibility of organizing events, donations, and fundraising for the school wide PTA. The Steering Committee members are: Magda Figas – President Heidi DiFazzo – Co-Vice President Alex Dudhia – Co-Vice President Ida Novotna - Treasurer Anita Strachota - Secretary BJ Kent – Communications Coordinator Mamie Heard – School Director Malgosia Gonet-Mroczka – School Administrative member Along with our monthly coffee morning meetings, here are some of the things we have done so far this year: In January: We supported our Middle and High School students during the exam week by supplying them with a basket full of healthy snacks. They enjoyed the mandarin oranges, bananas and dried fruits and nuts almost as much as they enjoyed having Mr. Lutley walk around with the basket asking them all how they did on their exams.

In February 2012: We helped out with the High School Knowledge Bowl by donating gifts to the all the Chaperones that came along with the students from the other schools.

We also organized a Bake Sale for the Friday and Saturday of the Competition. Thanks to those that supported the event with the fantastic treats and their time selling items at the table.

Congratulations to all of the Knowledge Bowl participants!

Please take a look at the calendar on the ISK website for the dates of our upcoming coffee mornings. It is a great way to meet other families of ISK as well as get involved in the PTA. Upcoming Events: Coffee Morning: 16 April at 8:45am in the Multi-Purpose Room at ISK Mother’s Day Flower Sales: The week of 21 May ***Volunteer’s Needed**** Teacher Appreciation Luncheon: Date to be determined ****Volunteer’s Needed*** Summer Jamboree: Sunday 27 May at 12:00-15:00 at ISK ***Volunteer’s needed*** If you would like to volunteer for one of the above listed events please email us at pta@iskonline.org .

March Events Calendar Mar. 6th - World Maths Day Mar. 8th - World Spelling Day Mar. 14th - PI Day Mar. 16th - IS Vienna “Tolerance Tour” visit.

Mar. 19th - Teacher in-service day Mar. 27th - Science Fair - MS & HS Mar. 28th - Science Fair - Elementary Mar. 29th - Apr. 12st - MS Knowledge Bowl - Kiev

Did you know ISK has a Facebook page?? If you ‘LIKE’ the International School of Krakow on Facebook, you will get all of the up-to-date information on what is happening at the school! It is a great way to stay informed of school activities.

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2012 Ski Camp Cortina D’ampezzo, Italy

On February 17th, ISK set out to Cortina D’ampezzo, one of the most famous skiing sites in Italy, for the 2012 Ski Camp.

We were all surprised when we found out we would be travelling with Polish students from different high schools. After 17 never-ending hours, we finally reached our long-awaited destination. We were immediately greeted with exquisite, deliziosa pizza. Afterwards, Coach Adam and Miss Kinga took us on a 40 minute hike through the forest all the way to the center of town. The track was great since we got to see beautiful frozen lakes and inhale the fresh cool air. In town there was absolutely no one, although one could have thought the exact opposite since the 20 of us made noise for 100. Let’s just say we had a really fun time!

We skied through February 19th to the 24th on four different mountains. The fact that we didn’t always ski on the same slope was great! Some people could try incredible jumps (sometimes followed by a small fall) in the snow park, others could experience the adrenaline on a black slope or simply enjoy the day by skiing normally with the group. The sun was a very pleasant surprise as none of us thought that it would be so warm, we wouldn’t have to use hand warmers!

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Improving our skiing was of course one of the aims of ski camp, although there were so many other fun activities and unexpected occurrences that made this trip unforgettable. The live music was one of the highlights of our trip, as we thought all it was going to be was sitting on the couch listening to music but it was actually much more fun. The guests were choreographing dances to the music and made everybody get off their seats and dance! Even the people in the restaurant were dancing along. It was a memorable night. Another activity that we enjoyed was the BINGO night. This wasn’t just the traditional bingo where the people who have all the numbers get the luck, this was the other way around! Everybody stood up, and as the reader called out a number and you had it, you lost and had to sit down. The last person standing was the winner! It was quite fun since this time the unluckiest people won posters, candies or other souvenirs.

I’m sure everyone would agree that this was an amazing trip full of lasting memories. It was one of the greatest ski camps ever and we are already counting the days till the next one!

by Daiana A. Grade 9 & Natalia H. Grade 7

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ISK was proud to host its 4th successful CEESA

ceesa

High School Knowledge bowl @ ISK

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event when the 2012 CEESA High School Knowledge Bowl came to town from February 9th to the 12th. 37 students from 6 CEESA schools came for the competition. Mr. Zajdel was in charge of organizing the event and we had great support from 16 different ISK families who hosted visiting students in their homes for the weekend. Mr. Elkei served as the coach for the two ISK teams that participated and also organized the competition itself. Several ISK teachers and parents volunteered to serve as readers for the competition and many Middle and High School students volunteered to be timers and score keepers, making it a true ISK community event.

The weekend’s festivities got underway with a freezing cold scavenger hunt in the Krakow Main Square. This gave the visiting students an opportunity to see and learn something about our beautiful city. The first day of competition followed and the night was capped off by a light supper in Kazimierz and an interactive workshop of traditional Jewish music and dance. Saturday saw the competition become serious as teams fought for the honor of bringing home a trophy. In the end, students from the International School of Belgrade took home the first place trophy. A good time was had by all and the weekend culminated in a pizza party and disco on Saturday night.

by Mr. Elkei

Student Perspective

ISK was proud to host the High School Knowledge Bowl this year. Multiple teams from seven international schools came to Krakow for the event. Although neither of the two teams entered top 3 in the overall classification, both performed well and proudly represented the school. As a member of one of these teams, I must say I was impressed by our performance. We competed head to head with much older students. I would like to point out that many teams were composed only of 11th and 12th graders. Because of this, our team was probably the youngest of all. This was not important in the competition, however, as we were able to win multiple games on the first day due to great cooperation, vast knowledge and a successful tactic. Some of the factors which promoted us in the first day however, were not as successful in the second, and we were eliminated, but very pleasant memories prevailed.

As a sort of reward for all the nerves lost in the competition, there was pizza served...

All in all, the knowledge bowl was a great organizational success. All the hard work that the people in charge put into making this event pass very smoothly, was clearly visible. As I mentioned earlier, no trophies were won, but I am pretty sure that none of the participants feels ashamed of his/her attendance. With a bit more luck, we could get much higher in the overall classification, and who knows maybe even earn a trophy for the school. Oh well, we can try next year, more matured and determined...

by Mateusz M. Grade 9

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G

rade 0 hit a milestone recently. We celebrated our 100th Day of School on February 13th, 2012.

The day included a visit from Zero the Hero and his friend… another Zero! He has come every 10th day to help us learn about groups of tens and how to count to 100 by 1’s, 5’s and 10’s. In honor of the 100th day, Grade 0 students were asked to wear a t-shirt with a 100 things glued or sewed. The day also included several “100” activities, games, projects and 100 pieces of snack. They enjoyed sharing what they brought in with their peers and practiced counting to 100 by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s using what their peers had chosen to share. We also worked together in groups to create a 100-cheerios necklaces and wore them proudly.

The children had fun and explored various math centers

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and activities about the number one hundred. They used Legos, puzzles, pattern blocks, estimation station and created 100 Day glasses. Their favorite center was the lolly station.

The children tally marked each time they licked a lolly pop, some students got to lick their lolly pops more than 100 times!

At the end of our celebration, all the lower elementary school joined us in tally marking and in eating 100 pancakes!

They were delicious.What a great celebration we had for how hard we have worked and how smart we are after 100 days of school.

We would like to thank all of the parents who helped us by donating their time volunteering in the event or by sending in items. Thank you for your support and making this event a succes.

Rebecca McKinnan

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THE FIELD TRIP TO THE ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM Article and Layout by

Witek Zaraska

Grade 5

During February 2, 2012, the fifth and second grade classes went on a field trip to the Ethnographic Museum of Krakow. Both classes where taken to a replica of a Polish house from XVIIIs and were told about the legend of Mr. Twardowski. Mr. Twardowski is a man that had a contract with the devil and if the devil gave Mr. Twardowski magic powers, the devil would be granted Mr. Twardowski’s soul. But the devil was supposed to take away Mr. Twardoski’s soul in Rome and Mr. Twardowski didn’t plan to go there. Well the devil got angry because Mr. Twardowski got to keep his soul for a long time so he tricked Mr. Twardowski into going to a bar called Rome. The devil started to take Mr. Twardowski to Hell, but on their way Mr. Twardowski slipped away and fell on the moon, and he is still there’ till this day. After listening to the legend the class was taken to

a workshop where everybody was supposed to paint a little wooden toy of Mr. Twardowski. As well as the kids, the teachers also enjoyed painting the wooden toys! After everybody was finished painting the toys, Grade five and two returned to school and luckily, they didn’t miss recess.

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Museum Work Shop

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Painting Wooden toys

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A link for every book that was read during the week

Literacy Week

Drop everything and read time! January 30th - February 3rd ISK celebrated literacy week by having 15 minutes of reading everyday called DEAR time. The bell rang at any random time signalizing that it was time to read. To end the week, we all gathered in the cafeteria to spend the last 15 minutes of reading together and hearing poems from Mr. Lucas and Mrs. Panetta. Throughout the week, we filled out forms of all the books and poems we read and made a huge chain out of those forms and on the last day enveloped Ms. Heard in it!

Every morning of the week, thr elementary school had guest readers which included: Ms. Heard, Ms. Becky, Ms. Less and many more! Middle School and High School participated in ISKafe at the Massolit bookstore. It was a nice evening of listening to original poems and pieces from famous poets. Even though literacy week ended, we should still remember to read everyday! ~ Natalia H. Grade 7

Be a Poem 16

D.E.A.R

G uest Readers

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Scott’s cookies

Grade Eight Poetry

A Seed A seedCarried by it’s parachute Is a seed no more.

Yet, it is a free bird, blown away by a delicate breath.

It passes over lush, colorful gardens, swooping over think green fields.

Drifting between iridescent clouds Radiating under the sun.

It gains confidence as it flies to its destination Where destiny, perhaps, has chosen it to grow.

I walk in the door and right as I do Something comes up and strikes me right on the nose Its odor is like chocolate and sweet I propose My brother’s making cookies, delicious, wooho!

He protects them with his life, a guard of his creation.

I must be patient, and wait until he leaves To shovel the driveway, The snow to the backyard he heaves And I take one of his morsels from its precise cooling formation.

It has just come out of the oven and it is still warm It crumbles in my fingers and the chocolate melts apart He arranges every chocolate chip because to him this is an art.

The cookie is lightly browned and in perfect circular form.

Dogs eat Cats and cats eat mice.

White Sharks like to eat dolphins.

Being dangerous, who wins?

Fox likes to eat chickens, the caracal likes to catch turtledoves and bustards.

These animals are hard on each other!

It smells like milk chocolate and looks like it has lots Enough to drown a small child indulging in one of his treats Competing with Grandma’s all over the world he cannot be beaten The smell of his cookie now makes me see dots But then I walk into the kitchen and see the mess he’s made With pots and pans all over the place and the counter covered in crumbs It seems like a tornado swept through or someone was playing the drums Or maybe this is a war zone that has just suffered an air raid.

Rabbit Holes Are For Alice I fell down a well, Not a rabbit hole for that would be silly, But I fell anyways.

The water I spy is nowhere in sight, I look back up to see the ice Covering the wellIt breaks.

It goes past me hitting the water, Breaking into pieces, Don’t ask me why it fell, for that would be SIlly, as silly as falling down a rabbit hole.

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Pink Point Shoes I put them on, tie them tightly around my ankle and tuck the remains deep and secure I get up and turn swiftly without making the slightest sound like a bird in flight I twirl and twist and never stop

DEADline

By Daniel Hobbs

DeadlineÍs coming, I donÍt need you?

I can f inish it all, That work IÍll f inish it all alone Who you?

Yes Me! Silly child, IÍll Show You! If you can!

DeadlineÍs comingI donÍt need you!

The thrill never ends the sudden feel of blissfulness overwhelms me it looks so simple, yet so distressing like barely kissing the floor like delicately kissing a rose, listen to the sounds lock all the doors Glide, breath, believe and live what can’t be repeated twice

IÍll f inish it It Íll show you, Then you besilent monst er.

Bet t er st art working CHILD I have been!

You wonÍt make it , Yes I will!

Wit hout me you canÍt I donÍt Need you!

DeadlineÍs coming, I donÍt Need You? I canÍt f inish it . monst er was right . how. why. why. you need my help.

No I donÍt ! if you f ail you lose I wonÍt f ail! youÍve lost already NO I HAVENÍT so long I be here, You have!

No I donÍt believe you!

DeadlineÍs here, I was wrong. monst er, I needed you.

Of course you did.

Untitled My vision is blurred my tongue is heavy my voice is wrong, off in some way What’s wrong with me?

I’m not myself I don’t feel the same What’s wrong with me? do you know?

Maybe You’re the source of my confusion maybe, butmaybe, I don’t know my mind feels slow oh no- I’m fading help me!

Please! just do something don’t sit there!

Move!

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brick-by B

rick-by-Brick has been a huge success so far! In addition to raising 3200 zł through the Evening of Fun! and RISK, we have cultivated a powerful sense of community between students, teachers, and administrators and responsibility among all.

Volunteers ranging from grades 6-12 enthusiastically contributed by creatively designing posters to advertise events, showing off their culinary skills while preparing food for events, leading engaging games and activities, designing Mr. Lucas’ “Lady Gaga” costume, and carefully counting coins. This was an excellent opportunity for students to work alongside teachers and peers with whom they would not normally have the chance to work.

During the assembly on Wednesday, February 15th, students roared with laughter as our top RISK winners fulfilled their promises. Mr. Lutley cut his hair and styled it into a spiky mohawk. Mr. Lucas dressed as Lady Gaga, a costume designed by his 6th grade students, and then strutted his stuff while ‘Paparazzi’ played in the background. Mr. Brzezowski really let his hair down as he showed his feminine side in a fashionable, flowered, orange dress, and Mr. Elkei actually wore his clothes upside down! As a special surprise for the students, many of the other RISK volunteers decided to fulfill their promises too. Ms. Ma-

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y-brick tusik celebrated a belated Valentine’s Day by dressing as Cupid, Mr. Peariso painted his nails a lovely shade of pink, Coach Adam juggled a soccer ball 20 times as the crowd counted along, Mrs. Lutley dressed in her pajamas, and to top it all off, Mr. Panetta and Ms. Oswald braced themselves as lines of students carefully aimed pies to throw! Smiles spread from ear to ear across every face at ISK that afternoon and we can definitely say that a good time was had by all!

In the coming weeks, the elementary students will complete the final fundraiser for Brick-by-Brick with a ReadA-Thon. Also during this time, Coach Adam and Ms. Oswald will visit Mr. Nowak to gather details and make arrangements for the delivery of bricks.

We look forward to sharing more news as it comes. Please stay tuned for upcoming events and information!

Susan Oswald, Grade 1 Teacher Adam Zajdel, PE Teacher 21

Middle School Choir Festival in Warsaw

L

ast month (February), Ms. Sarah Wadiak, our ISK Middle School Choir conductor, with the assistance of Mr. Michael Glenn, brought our MS Choir to Warsaw where they were joined together with choirs from 11 other international schools. Some of these (CEESA) schools came from Kiev, Moscow, Helsinki, Istanbul, Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia, Prague, Belgrade, and Warsaw where they built a single choir of 113 kids!

Together, they sang a beautiful 13 song performance at the American School of Warsaw which was also found live on the Internet for families and friends to watch from afar!

The performance included the following songs: Iko, Iko; April Rain Song; Sailing Homeward; In Flanders Fields; Kyrie Eleison; Electricity; Pink Panther; Blackbird; Mi Vida, Mi Cancion; Don’t Worry, Be Happy; Cripple Creek; Furaha!; Journey in Peace. In total, ISK provided 9 angelic voices to this immense choir. Our singing stars were Dominik, Enrique, Hyo Rye, Magda, Penelope, Peter, Scott, Sophie and Staś. In addition to learning their parts in the choir, students also auditioned for solos in the performance. Of 113 kids, both Magda and Peter were

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chosen to sing solos! What an honor for them and for our school! We must also congratulate all of the music teachers who took part in the training and preparations, In particular, we must honour the conductors, Dr. Morgan Jones (Kiev) and Ms. Caroline Maiava (Prague) who were loved by all the students for their passion, dedication and sense of humor. Kirsten Tharalsen from American School of Warsaw was the host teacher for the event. What an incredible opportunity for our kids at ISK! This event was not a competition, a race, or a test of strength. This event was a true collaboration of kids from 11 of the best international schools in Central and Eastern Europe. Kids merely shared their talents, their passion for music, their friendship, and from it, they made a brilliant performance that will be remembered for years to come.

Mike Glenn

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