Missoula International School Messenger Spring 2012 by Missoula International School

Missoula International School Spring 2012

Messenger

innovaci贸n sin limites

SALSA BALL 2012 RISES TO THE CHALLENGE! Thanks to all of you- 48 parent volunteers, 11 musicians, 107 businesses, 20 paper lanterns, 1000 poker chips, 3 Havana Girls, 238 Salsa Ball supporters and one Legacy Challenge- we raised over $38,000! We are now over 90% of our 2011-2012 $250,000 goal to build a legacy of educational excellence for generations of MIS students. A complete list of gifts to MIS will be published in the Fall 2012 Annual Report. Thank you for making MIS aware of any corrections.

AUCTION DONATIONS

SPONSORS American Mortgage, A Division of Network Funding, LP Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., P.C. Bernice’s Bakery Boyle, Deveny & Meyer, P.C. Dr. Brott and Associates O.D.P.C. First Security Bank Fomento Good Food Store Mann Mortgage Click on the Merrill Lynch Missoula Veterinary Clinic sponsor links Noteworthy Paper and Press Twin Cranes Dental Group

at left.

SALSA BALL SUPPORTERS Bruce Anderson Cindy and Ray Aten Natalie and Christian Baker Sou Mayahi-Barrett and John Barrett Lisa and Ross Baumes Susan and Carter Beck Jen and Nate Biehl Stacy Ohrt-Billingslea and Kevin Billingslea Laura Reed and Anthony Boote Jenifer and Christopher Caldwell Kristy Pilgrim and Keegan Eisenstadt Breanne and Ed Ender Gini Aten Erving and Rich Erving Nicole and Aaron Feist Caryn Miske and Craig Fitch Betty Garnaas Renée and Mark Garnaas Susan and Steve Grissom Elizabeth and Stan Howard Mary Jenni MC and Tom Jenni Waldina Jensen Gillian and Jeff Kessler Roseann and Mort Kessler Courtney Babcock and Miles Key Gita Saedi Kiely and Jason Kiely Kay Grissom-Kiely and Daniel Kiely Elizabeth Dove and Bill Kinderwater Jennifer Leutzinger and Glenn Kreisel Caroline and Willis Kurtz Heidi Brott and Dan Larsen Julie Lennox Andy Lennox Shirley and Terry Lindquist Christine and Marco Littig Sarah Lupfer

Joann and Tom Magee Jennifer and Jeremie Marrow Karen McElroy Nerissa Koehn and John Miller Jeanne and Paul Moseley Emily and Simone Musco Mary Nellis Kelly Noe Lauri Lindquist and C. Brian North Manolita and Christopher O’Connor Sarah Borge and Christian Orrego Julie Osborn and Scott Pankratz Alice and Shawn Paul Sandra and Mark Paul Al and Selma Putnum Erin and Michael Reed Angie Jackson and Sherry Reid Emily and Chris Richardson Paulette and Thomas Ritman Julie and Pete Salinas Lois and Lance Schelvan Melisa and Luke Schelvan Danielle and Adam Sebastian Beth and Charles Seitz Amber and Colin Sherrill Shannon Maloney Size and Mike Size Andi Hoelzel and Ian Smith Patricia Cano and Colin Sorenson Nicole and Mitch Stimac Margo and Nat Sturgis Mary and Will Surber Becky Thomas Michelle and Carl Thornblade Laura and Anuj Timblo Christina and Jeff Twohig Amie Thurber and Lauren Varney

The Badlander Christian Baker Bernice’s Bakery Myra Baumes Big Sky Brewing Co. Biga Pizza Black Coffee Roasting Co. Boom Swagger Buffalo Wild Wings Caffe Dolce Canvas Studios, Sarah Schafer Caras Nursery and Landscape Adriana and Fernando Cardozo Carmike Cinemas Children’s Museum City Brew Coffee Clear Water Therapy Amy Ratzlaf and Sneed B. Collard III Cowgirl Salon Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Daily’s Premium Meats Dazzlers Car Wash DDC Downtown Dance Collective The Depot Dillard’s Janet Duncan Eye of the Beholder Famous Dave’s Food and Fun Freestone Climbing Gym Fundamentals of Learning Fuddruckers Jenny Gómez Great Harvest Bread The Green Light Grizzly Athletics Grizzly Bare Waxing Higgins Hallmark Home ReSource The Huckleberry People Hunter Bay Coffee Jakers Bar and Grill James Bar Kumon Learning Center La Bella Vita Le Petit Outre Lewis and Clark Adventures Christine and Marco Littig Julie and Michael Vetter Kristen and Peter Von Doersten Emilie O’Donnell and Tony Ward Nancy Winslow and Doug Webber Kim West Harriet Westenfelder Lori and Karl Westenfelder Brenda and Glenn Wheeler Michele Wheeler

Loopy Knit Crochet Loose Caboose Magic Meadow Sweet Herbs Caryn Miske MISMO Gymnastics Missoula Bicycle Works Missoula Country Club Missoula Osprey’s Missoula Valley Recycling Momentum Athletic Training Ted Muhs Mustard Seed Mo Neff Jesse Newman Blake Nicolazzo Kim Olson Outback Steakhouse Pet Smart Pink Grizzly Play Gr8 Golf Real Deals Home Décor Rockin’ Rudy’s Rustic Charm Salinas and McElroy Families Lance Schelvan Secure Fence Selvedge Studios Feather Sherman Sorella’s Salon and Day Spa Summit Beverage Swan Woods Target Tear it Up, LLC Ten Spoon Vineyard and Winery Sean Kelley’s Stone of Accord The Trail Head Tom Jenni’s Reel Montana V-Tec W Chiropractic Walking Stick Toys Whippersnappers Wholistic Chiropractic Wilma Theater YMCA Your Garden Coach, Kari Brittain

THANK YOU!

CLICK HERE to watch, “The Challenge and The Choice” video presented at Salsa Ball 2012.

Missoula International School MESSENGER• Spring 2012

• TABLE OF CONTENTS • Innovation Without Limits Rob Fleming, President, Board of Trustees

4 Photography...A New Perspective on Life Isabella Salinas and Lorraine Gardner

OUT IN TOWN Visiting the MAM Avery Fleming, Otis Peterson, and Georgia Littig

Bernice’s Bakery Visit

Board of Trustees 2011-2012

Innovative K/1 News

Rob Fleming

Avery Fleming, Otis Peterson, and Georgia Littig

Samples of recent PYP Unit of Inquiry

Classroom Connections

Middle School Spanish presentation blends modern art, language, theater and history

Aztec Dance

by Itzel Yarger, 3/4 Preschool Teacher Samples of Aztec, Incan, and Mayan Displays by 4th/5th grade multiage students MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER STAFF

Otis Peterson Georgia Littig Avery Fleming Lorraine Gardner Isabella Salinas

THANK YOU Emily Musco and Caroline Kurtz, Student Newspaper Elective Instructors

COVER PHOTO: “The Tree,” by Owen McCubbin Photo taken during the middle school student photography elective, taught by Elizabeth McCubbin and Adrienne Keith.

President

Doug Webber Vice President

Norm Williamson Treasurer

Amber Sherrill Secretary

Kristen Von Doersten PA Council Representative

Ray Aten Betsy Maier Martha Cheney Kay Grissom-Kiely Sandra Simmons

curiosity creativity connection curiosidad creativitad conexión Julie Lennox, Head of School Jeff Kessler, Assistant Head of School Joann Magee, Office Manager Gary Cram, Director of Finance Bethany O’Connell, Director of Development Kristi Havlik, Administrative Assistant Layout and design by Bethany O’Connell

This issue of the Messenger highlights “Innovation without limits.” Spend just one day at Missoula International School and your mind will be buzzing with possibility as inventive ideas get bounced around playfully in each classroom. You might find students learning about ancient cultures through collaborative playwriting, or creating a new holiday to celebrate Rock Stars, or producing a full-scale performing arts production for the entire MIS community. To nourish ideas and inspire student-led action, rather than dictating information from above, is at the heart of the teaching philosophy at MIS. Every day, in many ways, MIS students find inspiration to think about and see their learning in new and innovative ways. Striving to become a lifelong learner, and innovator, MIS Board President and middle school parent Rob Fleming reflects on his recent source of inspiration at the national conference for the National Association of Independent Schools. Enjoy planting a few seeds of possibility as your new ideas take root and blossom this spring.

“

To accomplish great things we must dream as well as act. – Anatole France

”

Innovation Without Limits Rob Fleming, Board President

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the National

Bill Gates, to give him the freedom to expand his vision and continue to reach beyond the classroom. Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Conference in The other story taught a lesson in the need to Seattle with the MIS Leadership Team: Vice President of give teachers the freedom for innovation. John Hunter’s the Board Doug Webber, Head of School Julie Lennox and superintendent made a bold move in the late 1970’s when Assistant Head of School Jeff Kessler. It was remarkable he hired the young African American teacher fresh out of to take our small team and join the ranks of over 4,000 school to teach the new gifted program in a predominately attendees from independent schools across the country. white area of Virginia. Mr. Hunter was proud and The theme of the conference was excited, but at the same time, very “Innovation.” From the keynote address nervous. He finally plucked up the by Bill Gates to the conclusion by Amy courage to ask, “What do I do? I’ve Chua, author of, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Imagine how different the never taught the gifted program!” Mother, two full days of informative world might be today if His boss turned to him and said, workshops and inspirational speakers “Well, what do you want to do?” teachers hadn’t gotten out expanded our view of education today. Given the freedom to figure it out, of the way of Bill Gates, The conference not only affirmed Mr. Hunter developed the World the innovative path our small school to give him the freedom Peace Game over thirty years ago is forging, but filled our minds with to expand his vision and and today it is the subject of a endless ideas and possibilities. powerful new documentary film, continue to reach beyond Independent schools across the “World Peace and Other Fourth the classroom. country shared how they are addressing Grade Achievements.” I strongly tough topics such as diversity, bullying, encourage you to view the trailer, economic recession, financial aid, it’s simply amazing. strategic planning, sustainability, fundraising, and a vast array The conference was an incredible experience. It of legal issues. We also reviewed strategies for strengthening delivered the powerful message of independent learning board and administrative leadership. Through workshops and how to embrace change and innovation as tools to on global service, leading through change, and infusing take us into tomorrow. As the President of NAIS Pat technology into the classroom, we learned practical lessons Bassett said, “Being out of the mainstream allows us to from peers and professionals around the United States. be an incubator of new ideas.” I cannot think of a more The practical information we gathered was perfect way to summarize what we learned in Seattle. incredibly valuable, but my biggest inspiration came from MIS, both by virtue of its more remote geographical two stories, shared by the computer mogul Bill Gates and location and a focus on developing critical thought, the reflections of a humble public school teacher named John demonstrates every day how being out of the mainstream Hunter. Gates was being questioned by the headmaster of provides the ideal environment for hatching originality his alma mater at Lakeside School who asked what made and dreaming big. his independent school education so special at a time in his life where learning was so crucial. He said simply, “You just got out of my way.” Imagine how different the world CLICK HERE to link to the conference speakers! might be today if teachers hadn’t gotten out of the way of

MESSENGER BEAT MIS Student Newspaper

Tour Eiffel Lorraine Gardner 6th grade

PHOTOGRAPHY

A New Perspective on Life

By Isabella Salinas and Lorraine Gardner MIS middle school students Elan West Badminton, Lorraine Gardner, Gabriella Stokstad, and Owen McCubbin took a photography class for their elective last semester. Middle School parent Elizabeth McCubbin and Adrienne Keith of Optimystical Studios taught the fourteen week course. The students learned many different things in the class, such as how to edit pictures using technology and different techniques for taking a picture. We present some of their photographs and what they had to say about them.

Basket of Leaves Gabriella Stokstad 6th grade

Daisy Lorraine Gardner 6th grade Lorraine Gardner learned about editing photos and the different types of pictures you can take. She made cool effects on her photos. For instance, when she was in Paris she took this photo, Eiffel Tower, because it is a famous and beautiful structure. Lorraine said, “For the Eiffel Tower picture I thought that adding this effect would make it different and interesting.” When she returned home she took a picture of a daisy. “I took this picture because it reminded me of summer and being happy,” she said.

Dead Leaves Gabriella Stokstad 6th grade Gabriella took this photo, Basket of Leaves, because she thought that the angle was interesting and she likes taking pictures of leaves. She learned many different photography concepts in this class such as the rule of thirds and about contrast and perspective. She thought the shot was pretty in Dead Leaves and she knew exactly the way she wanted to edit it. She wanted to work with it in black and white. When she was taking this picture she learned many different editing tecniques. Overall, Gabriella learned a lot while having a fun time in this class.

Creepy House Elan West-Badminton 6th grade

Light Post Owen McCubbin 6th grade

Once when Owen McCubbin was taking a walk he stopped to take a picture of a light post. McCubbin took this picture because at the time the sun was aligned with the post and he thought that looked cool. He took another picture of a tree (See cover photo.) “I took this picture because I really like climbing trees,” he said. During this elective McCubbin learned that photography isn’t just taking a picture when you see something that interests you, it’s taking pictures that you love. He also learned that photography is a combination of art and technology.

Elan took this picture of Kristen because she wanted to photograph people from the school and try to capture the personality of the person standing in front of the camera. She learned from this picture about color quality of good photos and bad photos. She took Creepy House because she thought the house looked very cool and when she edited it (sharpened it) she thought it had a nice effect. Something she learned about this picture is that if you sharpen the picture too much it will become blurry.

Kristen Elan West-Badminton 6th grade

MESSENGER BEAT MIS Student Newspaper

Out In Town

by Avery Fleming, Otis Peterson, and Georgia Littig

MIS photography and newspaper elective students visited

the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Missoula Art Museum in January. The museum had approximately one hundred and fifty inspiring black and white photographs on display. Students enjoyed a full tour of the Adams exhibit by Education Director Renee Taft. Each student chose one photograph that they felt was most interesting or inspiring. Avery Fleming chose Oak Tree, Sunset City because the contrast and lighting are very beautiful. Georgia Littig chose the photo, Dog Wood, Yosemite National Park California, 1938. She chose this photo because she felt the essence of Ansel’s love of nature. Otis Peterson decided on, Eggs in a Bowl, 1930. Peterson chose this photo because he was drawn to its emptiness. Ansel Adams was born on February 20, 1902. His top two interests were piano and photography but he had to choose between the two. Ansel started taking photos at age sixteen with a black and white camera that his parents gave him. He took his first photographs at Yosemite National Park. Adams expressed his hopes and dreams by putting all of his time into what he loved. He died April 22, 1984 of heart failure aggravated by cancer.

•

At Bernice’s Bakery on January 12, 2012, Otis Peterson, sixth grade, interviewed Kyle, Bernice’s manager. While Kyle busily flattened dough, he explained that he enjoys his job because the 33-year-old bakery has great employees and always serves “baked deliciousness.” “I swear,” says employee Aaron Curtis, “there are days when I literally talk to 100 people.” Hungry customers continue to file in. Loyal Bernice’s customer Kelly Goss reveals that her favorite item is the caramel roll. After our interview, we celebrated with scrumptious cinnamon rolls while watching the customers eye the cupcakes. Then Kyle said, reading everyone’s thoughts, “Bernice’s future must go up and onward!”

•

K/1 multiage students were inspired to complete their recent unit on celebrations around the world by designing an entirely new holiday and writing a front page newspaper article about it. K/1 multiage is taught by Roció Muhs, Jenny Gomez and John Kratz

• CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS •

Recent Middle School Spanish Presentation Blends Modern Art, Language, Theater and History

Middle School Spanish is taught by Karim del Pozo

Students wrote Spanish essays about their research on Aztec legends, the murals of Diego Rivera, and their own murals depicting recent historic events. CLICK HERE to see highlights from the presentation. Elan: El grado sexto escribió un ensayo y escribió una obra sobre los aztecas. La obra trata sobre la leyenda de como los dos volcanes Iztaccihuatl y Popocatépetl recibieron su nombre. La obra trata sobre una joven dama llamada Iztaccihutl que se enamora de un guerrero llamado Popocatépetl pero un guerrero malvado quiere ser el emperador y casarse con la doncella. También el sexto grado ha escrito de ensayo sobre los aztecas y su historia. Hemos trabajado muy duro en esto esperamos que les guste. Avery: Nuestra clase empezó la unidad de México en febrero. Nosotros estudiamos un poco de los aztecas y los mayas además leímos y escribimos sobre leyendas de México. Aprendimos mucho de la vida de Diego Rivera. Estudiamos a Rivera porque él es un artista famoso de México. Diego nació en 1886 en México. Él fue uno de los muralistas importantes de México. Él fue a Europa a estudiar arte. Cuando regreso José Vasconcelos le dice que él necesita pintar para el pueblo de México. Diego pinta sobre cosas que pasan o pasaron en México. El pintó en el Palacio Nacional y en el Rockefeller Center. Él se casó con Frida Kahlo y ella es una artista también. Diego pinto toda su vida hasta 1957 cuando murió. Ariella: Estamos haciendo un mural con tres eventos. Los eventos que escogí fueron el tsunami en Japón, el 11 de septiembre, y los derrames de petróleo en el golfo de México. Ava: El ataque en las torres gemelas afectó mucho la seguridad en aeropuertos y empezó la guerra con Iraq. Escogí este evento porque es un gran evento en la historia de los Estados

Unidos y cambió muchas vidas. En mi mural el desastre de 9/11 está representado con una imagen de las torres gemelas ardiendo en llamas. Luke: La guerra de Vietnam ocurrió en Vietnam desde 1965 hasta 1975. Los soldados de la U.S.A. y los soldados de Vietnam fueron involucrados. También las familias de los soldados y civiles de Vietnam fueron involucradas. Este evento influenció la humanidad porque fue una guerra larga y muchos murieron. También, los Estados Unidos perdió la guerra. Muchos de las personas involucradas son ancianos, como mi abuelo que peleó en la guerra. Molly: Huracán Katrina fue un horrible ciclón que golpeó a Florida, Las Bahamas, Alabama, Luisiana y Misisipi que ocurrió en 2005. La tormenta fue peligrosa en Luisiana especialmente en la ciudad Nueva Orleans. Hay vientos hasta 240 km/h. El viento no fue tan fuerte en Florida, Los Bahamas, Alabama y Misisipi pero si en Nueva Orleans (Luisiana). Las personas en Nueva Orleans perdieron las casas y coches porque la tormenta los destruyó. Este evento afectó la humanidad porque Nueva Orleans era un lugar de cultura para el mundo. Dónal: El tsunami ocurrió en marzo de 2011. Ocurrió en el golfo de Japón y afectó a todas las personas que viven en el Japón. Este destruyó casas, coches, robots, etc. Muchos murieron o fueron, heridos o no tenían una casa o comida. El tsunami representa un desastre que la humanidad atravesó.

Missoula International School inspires principled global citizens and lifelong learners through a challenging bilingual education from preschool to eighth grade.

• CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS •

Aztec Dance

Itzel Yarger, 3/4 preschool teacher

started practicing Aztec dance in my little town of Nepantla in Central Mexico, where dancing is an important part of traditional gatherings like weddings, town celebrations and religious ceremonies. Aztec dance is a living heritage because there is no guide book. You learn the dances from your family, teachers, or friends. Therefore, it is a heritage transmitted to generations, from one living human to another living human until is preserved for hundreds of years. Through dance we are connected not only to our culture but to our ancestors. The Concheros dance spans hundreds of years of practice in Central Mexico. It is always performed with live music using the Aztec drum, “hue huetl” and the sound Dancers can dance all day long, stopping only to eat. Aztec from the ayoyotes, which are tied to the dancers’ ankles. dancing is filled with symbolism, teaching today’s youth about Another characteristic of this dance is that it is a community the past by preserving ancient wisdom as a living art. performance. Dancers gather in circles to dance together. Click Here to learn the basics

of Aztec Dance with Itzel on Youtube.

4th/5th grade multiage students created large murals depicting different aspects of ancient Aztec, Incan, and Mayan culutres during a recent PYP (Primary Years Program) unit on ancient to modern connections. 4th/5th grade Multiage teachers are Ted Muhs and Jessica Eirkson

SPRING EVENTS

MIS families explored the sights, sounds, and tastes of the world at the UM International Culture and Food Festival on March 25th.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it! Being Bi-lingual makes you smarter, according to a recent New York Times article. Read about the latest studies by CLICKING HERE.

TALENT SHOWCASE AT THE VARIETY SHOW On March 30th the first MIS Variety Show presented the talents of MIS K-8th grade students. This event was the final presentation for the middle school elective class, Theater Production, taught by Stacy CLICK HERE to watch Ohrt-Billingslea. Variety Show highlights!

! EVENTS AROUND MISSOULA:

Up g n i om

small school, BIG ideas

•Kyi-Yo Pow Wow at the University of Montana Native American Center, April 20-21st •International Wildlife Film Festival and Wild Walk Parade, May 6th in the Caras Park Pavilion

EARTH DAY *This is a Family School Day for MIS

April 21st 10am-1pm Work with students on fun projects and river cleanup. 5th GRADE PYP Wednesday May 23rd Students present collaborative presentations in English and Spanish on topics from pine beetles to exotic species.

8th GRADE MEXICO TRIP April 29- May 6th In cooperation with Ecology Project International.

FIELD DAY Friday, May 25th A day of fun outdoor activities for MIS students. Get your MIS beach towels at the Spirit Shop Sale!

6th and 7th GRADE TETON SCIENCE SCHOOL TRIP April 30- May 5th In cooperation with the Teton Science School.

8th GRADE GRADUATION END OF YEAR PROGRAM Friday, June 1st Join us in honoring our eighth grade graduates at our all school final presentation.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR UPCOMING SUMMER PROGRAMS: http://www.mismt.org/missoula-summer-school.html Missoula International School 1100 Harrison Street Missoula, MT 59802 406.542.9924 www.mismt.org