27 SEPTEMBER 2016
VOLUME 7 ISSUE 3
ISG Jubail School Administration Newsletter
JAGUAR
JUNCTION 2016-2017
Principal’s Corner
In this Issue
Dear ISG Jubail Community,
Important Announcements
2
MAP Testing
3
Technology Update
3
KG2-G3 Family Reading Night
4
2016 Volleyball Schedule
4
Me to We Club News - WE DAY
5
KG1 Saudi National Day Celebration
6
It is great to be able to greet you today regarding all things Jubail. We hope to have a smooth run throughout the next few months where deep learning can take place in the classrooms. I enjoyed our parent Back to School Nights, and hope you were able to attend; we had record numbers of parents in attendance for these two nights. Thank you for taking an active role in your child/ren’s education. Over the course of the past few weeks I have been reading about the merits of play based educational systems in the early years and revisiting Early Childhood brain research. I have linked an article here from The Guardian about Finnish schools and their approach to teaching aspects of human interaction and respect through open, play-based activities in their pre-school programs (by pre-school I mean prior to age 7 according to their systems). I have learned that these consistent methods have been practiced for generations in Scandinavian schools; and it seems to be working. The article is linked here. Why is it that so many countries have not yet figured this out, and what is it that needs to happen to find a balance between academic readiness, socialization, communication and self actualization? At ISG Jubail we have worked hard to strike an appropriate balance for this in building our Early Childhood
program. We will continue to find ways to embed this into the curriculum from KG 2 and above. We continue to strengthen our understandings of Early Childhood education and what effective and preferred practices are. We refine this by finding an equal and appropriate calibration of academic skills combined social-based, exploratory educational plans. We will continue to seek to develop our understanding and methods in this very important area of our school. NUTS BOLTS: Please note that Parent Teacher Conferences are just around the corner and we are looking forward to having as many parents attend as possible. If your child is in Grade 1 - 5 this will be a good time to sit and discuss your child’s progress in all areas of their schooling. This will also be a time for teachers to identify MAP results and identify targets for each student according to MAP projections. The individualized testing data will allow students and teachers to set goals specific to their areas of need. Please embrace MS/HS Spirit Week sponsored by Student Council. It is a good celebration of spirit and we hope to have a wonderful and colorful week ahead of us. Warm regards, Dan Mock, Principal Follow me on Twitter
Quick Notes September 27: MS/ HS Parent Morning Coffee @ 10:00 AM September 29: U16 Volleyball Boys & Girls @ DHS September 29: U19 Volleyball Boys & Girls @ Jubail October 2-6: MS/HS Spirit Week October 5: PTO Meeting @ 8:00 AM October 5: KG2-G3 Family Reading Night @ 6:00 PM October 6: HS Fall Formal October 7: Table Tennis @ DHS Events Calendar
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Important Announcements MS/HS Parent Morning Coffee We invite you all to attend a MS/HS Parent Morning Coffee on Wednesday, September 28th. The main topics of the meeting will be IB Diploma Program and Teaching/Learning in grades 6-12. The meeting will be held from 10 until 11 a.m. in the conference room located down the admin hallway. Please don't forget to sign in at the reception.
Semester 1 High School Exam Schedule
Please note that exam dates/times are fixed and will not be modified to accommodate travel plans plan accordingly.
Teachers will clearly and regularly outline the exam structure: what content and knowledge needs to be known, how students will be asked to transfer this knowledge to specific contexts, and how students will be expected to communicate their learning.
Teachers will distribute a review sheet to students before Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016. At least one full class period will be devoted to reviewing specifically for the exam Exams will be structured in such a way that no advantage will be gained by taking the exam before or after other students.
See your teachers for the specifics of each exam.
MS & HS Student Council News During the Spirit Week on October 2-6, students in grades 6-12 will have to dress up according to the dress code each day: Sunday Costume day Monday Twin day Tuesday Black and Gold day Wednesday Traditional day Thursday PJ day For HS students only (grades 9-12): The Fall Formal is on Thursday at ISG Jubail beginning at 5:00 p.m.
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Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®)
Beverly
GIACOBBE
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, Beverly Giacobbe Larson. I am ISG Jubail's new Instructional Coach. My job includes many facets; however, one important role is the administration and analysis of our school’s Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®) tests. I wanted to drop a note to inform you that the Fall MAP® tests are now complete. Teachers are using the data collected to work with your child(ren) to set appropriate goals to promote growth this school year. We will be holding informational sessions during Parent Teacher Conferences to share information regarding next steps in using MAP® data. Please contact me via email (giaco.b.05@isg.edu.sa) with any MAP® questions and concerns you may have. Beverly Giacobbe, Instructional Coach
Technology Update I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Technology Coordinator, Mrs. Nancy Gorneau. I am fortunate to be working with a great team who is continuing to build solid technology systems and implement curriculum that meets the needs of Nancy all your children. GORNEAU This year we have added a 1:1 Chromebook program in Grade 4 making grades 4-12 a 1:1 learning environment. Students in grades 6-12 are bringing their own laptops to school. We have noticed some of the devices have broken screens, missing keys, insufficient battery life, outdated operating systems and students do not have a local admin account to install needed applications (NWEA Map Lockdown Browser). We strongly suggest that you refer to the Minimum Student Laptop Specifications and update your child’s laptops so they can succeed at school. Students in Grades 3-12 use Google Classroom where teachers can post assignments, quickly see who has or hasn't completed the assigned work, and provide direct, real-time feedback and grades. Teachers in PK-5 use ClassDojo as their communication platform and Skyward is our reporting platform that can be accessed by both students and parents.
We have an exciting opportunity coming to ISG Campus in November. CODE AVENGERS, a company out of New Zealand, is coming to lead two 3-day epic coding camps. The camps are day camps and will run from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the designated days below: November 4- 6 - Code Camp for Grades 6-12 November 10-12 - Code Camp for Grades 3-5 The camps will consist of tutorials for a variety of coding languages, team building activities, and coding challenges. In an age where technology is changing so fast, coding is a way for your child / teenager to be a part of the evolution. Space is limited so be sure to register early! Cost: Payment received before October 2: 1 child: 1325 SAR 2 or more children: 1275 per child Payment received after October 2: 1 child: 1375 SAR 2 or more children: 1325 SAR per child Please Note: Your child / teenager is not officially registered until payment has been made. Please plan accordingly. If you have any questions at all, please contact Sandra Paetkau at paetk.s.02@isg.edu.sa. Thank you so much, and Happy Coding! Nancy Gorneau, Technology Coordinator gorne.n.05@isg.edu.sa
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Family Reading Night The library is hosting Family Reading Night with our elementary school teachers (KG2-3rd grade) on October 5th from 6:00-7:30. The Family Reading Night will be opened to students in KG23rd grade. The schedule of events are as follows: 6:00-6:15 p.m. MPR -> KG2-1st grade (How do I read with my child skit with Mrs. Stott, Mrs. Mock and Miss Kottman) Library -> 2nd-3rd grade (Storytime with Miss Weir) 6:20-6:35 p.m. MPR -> 2nd-3rd grade (How do I read with my child skit with Mrs. Stott, Mrs. Mock and Miss Kottman) Library -> KG2-3rd grade (Storytime with Miss Weir) 6:40-6:55 p.m. Snack break 7:00-7:20 p.m. Quiet reading time for families As with all events that includes family, we are kindly requesting that all guests be respectful of the presenters by. . . talking on the phone outside talking to neighbors after the presentation is over taking a child outside of the room that might need your individual attention taking care of school property and putting things back where they belong We thank you in advance for adhering to these requests. Phelia Weir, Librarian
ISG Jubail Volleyball Schedule 2016 September 29, Thursday October 13, Thursday October 14, Friday October 20-21, Thu-Fri October 27-28, Thu-Fri November 4, Friday November 24-25, Thu-Fri
Girls U16 & 19 vs Dammam (Home) @ 4 pm Boys U16 & 19 vs Dammam (Away) @ 4 pm Girls U16 & 19 vs DHS (Away) @ 4 pm Boys U16 & 19 vs DHS (Home) @ 4 pm Girls U16 & 19 Jamboree (Home) @ 9 am Boys U16 & 19 Jamboree (DHS) @ 9 am Girls U16 SAIKAC tournament @ Abqaiq Boys U16 SAIKAC tournament @ RT Girls U19 SAIKAC tournament @ KAUST (depart on Weds, Oct 26) Boys U19 SAIKAC tournament @ DHS Girls U14 Jamboree (DEMS) @ 9 am Boys U14 Jamboree (Dammam) @ 9 am Girls U14 SAIKAC tournament @ DH Aramco Boys U14 SAIKAC tournament @ Jubail
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Me 2 We Club Update
Most of you must be asking yourselves what is WE DAY? WE DAY is a day to celebrate all that the WE community has done for the world to make a difference. And that WE community includes all our school - YOU! That is why the Me 2 We club has been working on the WE DAY assembly which will take place this October 4 in the MPR from 1:45 - 2:45 for KG2 - G5 students. At WE DAY we want to thank ISG school students, staff and parents for all your support. Since 2012, we have raised $15,000 thanks to YOU! The past events that we have planned are: Halloween for Hunger and canned food drive for Saudi Arabia; Saudi Clothing Drive; Fall Fundraiser 4 Kenya; Kicking 4 Kenya; Candy Grams 4 Kenya; Bake Sales; Movie Nights; Holiday Craft Sale; KES 4 Kenya (we bought beds and a new water tank for a girls boarding school); and more‌ WE DAY is also our chance to talk about how we can change problems at our school and outside of ISG and how we can see our compassion continue to grow this year! We will talk about our school needs and the needs outside of ISG. Then, in the next few weeks, the ISG community will vote on the issues that are important to them, and choose a country and pillar (clean water, health care, school etc.) to support this year. All ES students are asked to wear the YELLOW school shirts or the NEW ME 2 WE Roar For Change shirts on OCTOBER 4. Starting Thursday, September 29, until Tuesday, October 4, outside the MPR, the ME 2 WE club will be selling our new t-shirts for charity! For only 50 SAR you can show your support. This money will go toward supporting WE Charity and will by things such as baby chicks, a goat, school supplies, farm animal bundles, education for a child, healthy lunches, clean water, new schools and so much more! More information to follow! Written by Fabiola Olivera, Gr 4 Me to We Club Member
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KG1 Saudi National Day Celebration In KG1 we have been talking about families, which includes an awareness and appreciation of an individual’s own culture and others cultures. It was a great opportunity to learn about our host country and on Wednesday 21 September, all KG1 classes celebrated Saudi National Day with a few center activities in the classroom. We had a special visit from Ms. Fadilah who works here at ISG Jubail. She took the time to teach the students how to say ‘welcome’ and ‘thank you’ in Arabic and show the children examples of local dress as well as everyday items like dates and an Arabic coffee pot. Each student was given the opportunity to dress up in local clothing and taste some of the food on offer. A successful day for our littlest learners and a beginning in gathering knowledge about our host country. Cabbie Rein, KG1 Teacher