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Wi sh La Lo ing st v Ev ing e, er Ha Joy yon pp & e ine ss

ISSUE 47 VOLUME 6 DECEMBER 2016

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About ISK The International School of Kenya (ISK) is a private, non-profit PreK-Grade 12 school created in 1976 through a joint partnership between the governments of the United States and Canada. Nestled on 40 acres of a former coffee plantation, ISK serves the educational needs of both expatriate and Kenyan students who seek a challenging international curriculum which leads to the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma program.

ISK’s internationally focused curriculum has helped Kenya become a magnet for foreign business investment and a desired posting for those working for the continuing development of East Africa. Expatriate families consider Kenya a quality career opportunity, in part due to the quality education they find at ISK. Likewise, Kenyan families who want an international, culturally diverse education for their children see ISK as the school of choice.

ISK has over 915 students from more than 60 countries. Graduates earn an ISK North American accredited diploma and approximately 70 percent of ISK graduates earn the IB Diploma, enabling them to study at some of the most respected and competitive colleges and universities in the world. ISK students form a supportive, spirited and diverse community, which enables new students to adapt easily to campus life. Interacting in such a welcoming crosscultural milieu, ISK students celebrate the unique and wonderful differences and similarities of people from around the world.

The value of respect for each other and for Kenya is evident at ISK, as is a commitment to giving back to the community. Our scholarship program for Kenyan students, together with a broad and dedicated service-learning program which serves our local and national community, have shaped our school values since 1967 and continue today.

In keeping with ISK’s strategic mission and vision, we are dedicated to empowering each student to create solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. Therefore, we have embarked on a multimillion dollar facility and program expansion project to provide students and faculty with the programs, tools and facilities necessary for success. Once completed, ISK will be able to accommodate 1,200 students with expanded programs and facilities.

EDITORIAL TEAM Lynn Wells Pamela Pappas Janet Muasya DESIGN & PRODUCTION Mario Zamfir - SchoolBrand.com Copyright © 2016 The Link Copyright © 2016 ISK. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Trademarks: The Link, ISK and their associated logos are trademarks of the International School of Kenya. All other names, logos, and trademarks of other companies shown in this publication are the property of their respective owners.

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4 6 10 12 15 Director Letter

ES Report

MS Report

HS Report

TLC

‘What is the message we should communicate about ISK to new families?’ In other words, we wanted to explore with a range of stakeholders what is ISK’s approach to education.

I would like to say a special thank you for your support of student learning this semester.

Wishing everyone very Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

After a long semester of hard work, our students have earned a well-deserved rest, and we wish our families a wonderful three-week break over the upcoming holiday period.

Learning never stops at ISK

Read more on page 4

Read more on page 6

Read more on page 10

Read more on page 15

Read more on page 12

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For New ISK Families, What Is the Message to Communicate?

At the December 1st Director’s Parent Tea more that 40 parents, teachers and students joined in a focused discussion to help answer the question ‘What is the message we should communicate about ISK to new families?’ In other words, we wanted to explore with a range of stakeholders what is ISK’s approach to education.

The goal is to ultimately develop better information we can communicate about the philosophy and practices of our school and how it may differ from other international schools worldwide, schools in Nairobi, or host country schools. We

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want to make sure new families feel well informed and confident they understand ISK’s approach to education before they join our community.

As the morning evolved, it was exciting

to listen to all parties answer the focused questions in mixed groups. The first question was ‘What does learning look like at ISK?’ Some of the ideas generated from this question were that ‘learning is adapted to meet individual

needs’ and ‘learning is interactive, self-driven, thought provoking, and collaborative’. It was mentioned that ISK ‘promotes self-reflection for students to consider challenges and how to improve’.

The second question related more to the home-school partnership and communication. An idea that seemed to be common across the groups was that ‘at each level, students are encouraged to be responsible and share information at home’. In general, it was thought that ‘communication agreements are clear and work well’. One suggestion for improvement was to place video clips of students talking about ISK on the school website to help new families understand the type of educational program ISK provides its students.

Finally, the participants explored how students build authentic relations through learning. Many commented that ‘through service learning, you form relationships with peers while doing service and learning as well as interacting with others from Kenya’.

Also, ‘students are able to connect with

each other and teachers through school or sports/activities and make meaningful connections’. One theme that seemed to run throughout the discussions was that ISK students are comfortable making friends with fellow students (and others) from different backgrounds.

Of course, ISK is always working to continuously improve, but it is important that we all understand the type of education ISK strives to provide its students. With such a diverse community it seems doubly important that this aspect of ISK is as clear as possible to all. My take away from this meeting was how well the students communicated to the adults in the room, their thoughts about their school and the ‘holistic approach ISK takes to student development’. They were proud of ISK, mentioning that ‘an integral part of ISK is the value of human kindness’.

PEACE FOR THE NEW YEAR AND YOUR FAMILY With a holiday season break upon us, many ISK families are traveling to visit family or will have family visiting them

here in Kenya. Our ISK community has supportive, familial relationships as well.

There is not a day that goes by where I do not see the ISK community demonstrate close, supportive interactions. All are working together for the best of the community and the school. The one key piece of evidence in all this, even despite differences, which all communities have, is the way the school community comes together for the best interest of ISK, particularly our students. For this we should all be grateful; grateful we have a community that cares about each and every one of its members, whether they are students, teachers, parents or staff.

With this in mind, I would like to wish you and your family all the best for the upcoming holiday season and peace for the New Year. May all your wishes for your family come true in the New Year.

Peace, David G. Henry Director

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Patricia Salleh Matta Elementary School Principal

REPORT

Thank you and Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday I would like to say a special thank you for your support of student learning this semester. Not only that, but you have also helped out in so many other ways in the classrooms, at special events, on field trips and school wide activities.

School-home has to be a strong partnership to enable all our students be the best they can be. On behalf of us all here in the Elementary School, I thank you.

To our six families leaving us at the end of the semester, we say farewell and safe onward journey. We are looking forward to welcoming many families in the New Year and I look forward to seeing you all back with us on Tuesday, 10 January 2017 for a full day of school.

I wish you all a very safe, relaxing and enjoyable three weeks.

Asante sana.

Patricia Salleh Matta Elementary School Principal

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GIFT GIVING

PRIDE and Peer Helpers worked very hard to sort out all the amazing gifts that students brought in, so that they would be ready for distribution to various Children’s Homes.

The excitement in the room as the students counted the gifts and placed them in boxes based on the number of children in the Children’s Garden Home, Shangilia Children’s Home, Rafiki Children’s Home and Zaidi ya Dreams Home was unmistakable.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of sorting and packing, a collective laugh rang out when one of the students stated how he was was having a really fabulous time because he felt like one of Santa’s little helpers and all that was missing was a velvet suit and some pointy ears.

PEER HELPERS

Peer Helpers distributed the gifts they sorted and counted to children from Rafiki Children’s Home, which is located in Limuru.

Seventeen children from Rafiki Children’s Home came to ISK, and the Peer Helpers got to meet and chat with a former Rafiki Children’s Home resident who has just finished his degree at Kenyatta University and is currently helping out and working at the Home before he makes his way to the United States to start his aviation course. That was a moving moment for all.

Mr. Kanja (the Administrator of this fabulous home that is very well run) said asanteni sana for the gifts, which were very warmly received by the children who came on behalf of the others at the Home.

The Peer Helpers could not stop talking about the huge smiles on their faces. We look forward to a continuing partnership with Rafiki Children’s Home. Peer Helpers and PRIDE students will continue distributing the gifts to the other Children’s Homes next week and I am happy to report to you and to your students that every gift that came in found a “home.”

Thank You

We would like to say shukran, asanteni sana and thank you to all and the students for everything that was done to help make this first Holiday Gift Giving Drive such a success and for effectively putting a huge smile on a local child’s face.

Warm regards, Karen, Patricia & the ES PTO

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

Craig Baker Middle School Principal

REPORT

! s n o i t a l u t Congra

ou and thank y s n o ti la tu ra l Cong Iddle Schoo M d te n le ta to all the e direction th r e d n u , o h musicians w tertained us n e , n o ls il W of Mr. concert. l fu r e d n o w with a g at ISK! in n e v e l a ic g It was a ma

ne very o y r e v e g in Wish ays and a Happy Holid Year!

Happy New

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HIGH SCHOOL

Rob Blanchard High School Principal

REPORT

Thank you to high school families for your engagement and support this semester. Hopefully you have felt well informed about your high school child’s education, staying connected to teachers through conferencing and direct communication, attending parent events such as our Teas, enjoying community celebrations such as our 40th anniversary and high school play, and using key tech tools such as Moodle and PowerSchool.

After a long semester of hard work, our students have earned a welldeserved rest, and we wish our families a wonderful three-week break over the upcoming holiday period.

To students and families departing ISK, we wish you a smooth and safe onward journey – please keep in touch and let us know if there’s anything you need from the school when you arrive at your destination.

Robert Blanchard, Ed.D. High School Principal

The office automatically prepares paper reports only for students leaving ISK at the end of the semester; these hard copy reports and transcripts for students leaving ISK at this time will be available on December 16th at 11:30am. If you are not a departing family but would like to a hard copy record of the semester one grades, you can either print it yourself or email Ruth Onyango (rutho@isk.ac.ke) who will prepare a paper report by January 13th.

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SEMESTER ONE GRADES: All High School students and parents can access final Semester One grades in PowerSchool on Friday 16th December.

To access your student’s cumulative academic and habits of learning grades, simply log into into the PowerSchool Parent Portal, go to the left side Navigation panel, and click on the Report Card Icon.

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Ensure that the correct School Year and Reporting Term are selected as below and click on Submit.

DATES FOR DIARIES: Dec. 16, 2016 Last Day of First Semester. Friday December 16 (Noon dismissal) Dec. 23 - Jan 2 HS Office Closed from December December 23 to January 2 (re-opens Monday, January 3rd) Jan. 10, 2017 High school classes resume for Semester Two at 8:20 am on Tuesday, January 10th

HS OFFICE HOURS OVER HOLIDAY PERIOD: The last day the high school office will be open this semester is Thursday, December 22nd; thereafter no high school office staff will be available during the holiday period until the office re-opens on Tuesday January 3rd.

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Jodi Lake Director of Teaching and Learning

Happy Holidays from the Teaching & Learning Center!

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The learning never stops in the TLC! We look forward to seeing you all in 2017!

Here is a look back at our learning:

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Will Moore Athletics Director

CELEBRATING MS & U15 TRACK & FIELD ”I hated every minute of training, but I said, don’t quit.

Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”

– Muhammad Ali

At the start of the season, many of the Middle School track athletes must have thought of the first part of the quote above. Conditioning was tough and some just wanted to get on to their events and not do all the intensive runs that we did at the beginning. Some quit after the first few days, but as the practices continued, other students started seeing the results of the training and joined the team as well. We started with about 30 students but soon the numbers increased.

Despite having less training space and practice times this year, students were still eager to learn new skills and improve their fitness levels and times. They even agreed to start morning practice at 6:30am so as to have more time for warm up and skill development.

It was hard for them to see the results as they did not have the proper grounds and track for them to see the changes and we did not have any early season meets.

However, with the improved mile and Pacer test scores in their PE classes, they were more encouraged and they began to set higher targets.

Although they did not know

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the following quote by Steve Young, they were actually practicing it.

U13 Girls / 1500m - 1st Place for Anna Thomle – New Meet Record

The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” – Steve Young

Girls Javelin - 1st place for Arianna Padamshi

Their persistence and hard work finally paid off in the few meets we attended at the end of the season. ISK definitely left a mark in those events and we had many commenting on the good runners and athletes we had.

U15 AND U19 BGE SUPER 8 The meet occurred while many of our track athletes were competing in the league football and basketball games. We had some younger students compete in the older category and still had success winning many of the races. The Super 8 meet does not award individual events and points are calculated with time ranges.

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S U13 CROSS COUNTRY MEET U13 Girls team - 1st Place in the overall category - Tamia Lionell-Kakuli, Eleanor Gelsinger, Etta Pierce and Antonia Alfaro U13 Boys Team - 3rd Place in the overall category - Jack Steel, Noam Guyard-Suengas, Sebastian Elder, Zayn Deen

*The team only competed in the 800m and 1500m track events and the field events.

The U15 team got 4th place and the U19 team won 3rd place.

Jack Steel - 1st Place in the U13 boys’ 3.5km race. (He beat the next athlete by over 1 minute).

U13 BGE SUPER 8 Despite the fact that the meet coincided with a football and basketball tournament, ISK had great success. The Girls were 2nd in their age category and the Boys finished 3rd.

U13 BRAEBURN KASARANI EVENT* U13 Boys / 1500m - 1st Place for Jack Steel – New Meet Record

U15 AND U19 BRAEBURN KASARANI Our final event of the season was the main U15 and U19 track and field events. This

event had a mix of middle and high school students, some who had not competed this season. Several ISK students won medals and set new meet and school records.

Marcel Awori Received a trophy for MVP U15 Boys category and Molly Bailey received the U19 Girls’ MVP. To top off a great meet, ISK received the “Spirit of the Championship award.” The comment by one of the organizers as Tarzana went to receive the trophy summed it all up for me. “Your team deserved it. They were so polite and courteous, not only to us but to other athletes as well. Win or lose, when they came to ask questions or report scores, they were very respectful and nice.”

What more could coaches ask of a team?

Congratulations to the MS Track and Field Lions!

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HIGHLIGHTS: U15 Girls 1500m 1st Place // Anna Thomle New Meet Record!

U15 Boys 200m 1st place // Tarzana Kamanga-Drybak New Meet and School Record

U15 Girls 200m 3rd Place // Talya De Cleene

U15 Boys 400m 1st Place // Marcel Awori New Meet and School Record

U15 Girls’ 4x100m 3rd place // Eva Scharer, Keshia Keene, Alice Currey and Talya De Cleene U15 Girls’ 4x400m 3rd place // Etta Pierce, Keshia Keene, Zahra Aziz and Anna Thomle U15 Boys 100m 1st place // Tarzana Kamanga-Drybak New Meet and School Record

U15 Boys high jump 1st Place // Marcel Awori New Meet and School Record U15 Boys 800m 2nd place // Jai Shah U15 Boys 4x400m 1st place // Avik Patel, Jai Shah, Max Thomle, Marcel Awori New School Record

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SPORTS FACILITIES USE NOTICE Upper Field: Closed from Dec. 16, 2016 to Jan. 9, 2017 for maintenance

Swimming Pool: Closed on Dec. 23, 2016 and opens on Jan. 3, 2017

The facilities will be closed as follows during the December Holiday break.

Tennis Courts: Closed on December 23, 2016 and opens on January 3, 2017

Fitness Room: Closed on Dec. 16, 2016. Opens on Jan. 10, 2017

Lower Field: Closed until further notice

”I hated every minute of training, but I said, don’t quit.

Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”

– Muhammad Ali

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2016

BOBONG INTERCULTURAL TRIP This year, a huge group of both tenth and eleventh graders ventured out to the Bobong Ranch in Northern Kenya for our annual intercultural trip. It was truly a great bonding experience in which we were able to learn many life skills and enjoy being one with nature, while also spending time with locals, diving in deeper to our Kenyan identities and learning more about different cultures. This trip was not too energy draining, and was a splendid opportunity to relax and take a moment to breathe before diving in to IB for all of us eleventh graders!

On our first morning, we visited a local school where we were able to teach some of the kids and paint some of the buildings before playing and spending time with the children during their break time. Many of us taught maths or English classes, teaching the children about addition and subtraction of decimals, and rules of grammar. It was amazing!

The next day we rode camels for about one hour to a village where we spent time dancing with the locals, learning their traditional songs, and teaching them some of our own dances.

We then went into one of their houses and learnt about how they build them, and the roles

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of men, women and children in their society.

This was an amazing way for us to learn and understand the variety of traditions and ways of life in this world.

Each night, a different group had the opportunity to cook dinner for everyone.

This took a lot of teamwork and coordination, trying to assign jobs to everyone and finding a way for everyone to contribute without being disorganized. On the very last night, we had a cooking competition, in which we split into several different groups of 5-6 people. These few hours were very intense with people rushing around to make starters, main meals (which had to include a vegetarian option) and dessert! I think everyone enjoyed cooking and learnt a lot about their skills in the kitchen.

On the last two nights, we had the opportunity to sleep outside, under the stars – it was just absolutely beautiful and peaceful. It was an amazing experience being able to fall asleep with the stars, and rise with the sun.

Overall, our trip included a lot of camels, cooking, swimming in lakes, eating and most importantly, bonding. Thanks to Mrs. Nefdt, Ms, Kagwa and Mr. Ndungu for an amazing trip!

KENYA SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION AND CARE FOR ANIMALS (KSPCA) KSPCA was founded in 1901 when some ladies saw how the oxen in the area were being treated. KSPCA is the only animal organization in Kenya that deals with the protection of domestic animals. They are also the only charitable animal welfare organization in Kenya. It was officially begun in Mombasa and has expanded branches throughout Kenya. When KSPCA first started, the Kenyan society was mainly worried about controlling rabies in stray animals.

KSPCA has bought a plot in Karen; this is where the Headquarters is to this day.

KSPCA has expanded so much. They currently have two inspectors that studied in the UK with RSPCA, the Donkey Sanctuary and the Humane Slaughter Society.

They visit local butchers and make sure all the butchers slaughter the animals in the proper way. KSPCA now has a total of twenty-three staff members. They firmly

believes that they’re work is to rescue and rehabilitate the harmed animals all over Kenya. They also sensitize communities, schools and other institutions about the correct way to handle the animals and execute the source of the problem.

In this gorgeous developing country, these animals rely on the donations of the people. These animals also rely on the help of the people, who save them from the painful environment in which they came. KSPCA also works closely with school groups, but somewhat lacks a proper facility to educate the students correctly. But, KSPCA believes that it’s important for youth to know how to take care and love an animal compassionately.

When it comes to doing animals right, there will always be along ways to go.

KSPCA runs Spay/Neuter Campaigns all the time. They feel that the overpopulation of dogs and cats can easily

be controlled without there lives being taken. KSPCA also runs animal shelters.

The animal shelters give a temporary home to the abandoned and abused animals in the area. It is a safe environment for these animals until they find an owner to take them in as apart of their family. But, KSPCA has a policy for aged, unhealthy or can’t be rehomed animals. These animals are euthanized in a humane manor.

KSPCA has introduced the humane slaughter of livestock in Kenya. This program promotes the use of captive bolt pistols. The captive bolt pistols are sold to the abattoirs. Then, the KSPCA inspectors teach the butchers how to properly use the pistols and humanly kill the animals. KSPCA also do investigation and rescues on animals. They get about 600 calls per year. This includes reports of abuse and abandonment. They also

advise owners on proper pet care.

Education and advocacy is another program KSPCA acts upon. This is a program ISK is in. KSPCA targets schools and encourages visits to the shelter to teach at a young age the importance of animal welfare. I’m proud of being affiliated with KSPCA through the ISK service learning program.

It’s important to take care of the pets in our own households. Getting them spayed or neutered, vaccinations and sterilization are all big aspects of being a good owner. But, it’s also important to realize that there are several animals in Kenya and all over the world. Not all of these animals have a warm bed to sleep on or a food bowl to eat out of every night. These animals need help and KSPCA is here and ready!

Lidia Tschetter, Gr 12

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Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season from the Advancement Office Team!

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Holiday Messages from the Library DID YOU KNOW THAT THE LIBRARY IS OPEN DURING PART OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY? Holiday Opening Times: The library will be OPEN: Saturday, Dec 17th – Thursday, Dec 22nd And from Tuesday, January 3rd onwards The library will be CLOSED: Friday, Dec 23rd through Monday, Jan 2nd Holiday Hours: Saturday 8:00am - 12:00pm Weekday 8:00am - 4:00pm Closed for lunch from 1:00pm - 2:00pm

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DID YOU KNOW THAT THE LIBRARY HAS ONLINE RESOURCES THAT CAN BE ACCESSED ANYWHERE, ANYTIME? Take advantage of the offerings on the Library’s Research Page. These include e-books, as well as encyclopedias and databases for research, and there are options for all age groups. For pleasure reading, Tumblebooks has a selection of picture books and Follettshelf has novels for older students.

LIBRARY RESEARCH PAGE

Username: (isklibrary) Password: (library)

STUDENTS’ CANTEEN This has been an amazing year for the canteen. We have had new introductions on the menu catering to the needs of the ISK community. This has included gluten free options and more variety at the Early Bird Breakfast joint.

We’ve had a tremendous increase in the number of students on the hot lunch program with over 60% of the elementary students on the program, a testimony of the great service and food that the canteen team has put forward. We’ve also seen an increase in the number of high school students, middle school students, parents and staff who’ve signed up for the card system.

If you would like to sign up your child for next semester, whether in elementary, middle or high school, please fill in this form.

On behalf of the canteen staff we would like to say thank you for the feedback you’ve given us. We have enjoyed serving you and look forward to a new and better semester. We wish you a happy, fulfilled and refreshing holiday!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Nancy Mwithi Customer Service Representative Email: nmwithi@isk.ac.ke Office line: 0733 639 343

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Miss Nelson is Missing!

You won’t want to miss this wild romp of a comedy, featuring 10 of ISK’s craziest teachers in the roles of ridiculous students! The whole family will love this spoof on school days, so save the date and plan to bring everyone in the family. This is the best live comedy in Nairobi, so don’t miss it!

WHEN: Saturday January 28th at 6.00pm Sunday January 29th at 3.00pm WHERE: ISK Theatre Tickets will be on sale from 10th January and will cost 300 KES. Proceeds will be going to a charity to support young performers in Kenya.

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Accredited fully by the Middle States Association of Schools in the United States and the Council of International Schools in Europe.

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