The Board of Trustees is responsible for establishing and safeguarding the mission of The International School. Its work includes short and long-term planning and budget review and approval. We work closely with the Head of School, and through the Head, with the administrative team.

We are fortunate at TIS to have many talented volunteers on our Board. Most of our Trustees also are current or alumni parents of TIS students. The Trustees share a deep affection and enthusiasm for TIS and its mission. TIS is a unique and incredibly dynamic school, and we take very seriously our responsibility to it.

I look forward to the opportunity to meet you this year. We encourage parent involvement in the board, such as through subcommittee work and attendance at our quarterly meetings. Look to future ITK articles for more information about the Board and its endeavors. In the meantime, best wishes for a smooth start to the school year.

Scott Kerman, Board of Trustees President, board@Intlschool.org

Opportunity by Sept 30: Guidestar.com is a resource to all non-profits in the country. If we get at least 10 positive reviews (4 or 5 stars) by September 30, 2010, TIS will receive exposure to potential donors and supporters via the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Education Nonprofits List. Click here to post a review on Guidestar.com

Then copy and paste your review to these other sites – and don’t forget to track your volunteer hours. Thank you!!

Superpages.com

DexKnows

Yellowpages.com (please ignore the video – it’s unauthorized, I’m trying to have it removed)

Greatschools.net

UrbanMamas

Kidzlist.com

Portland CitySearch

The Savvy Source – a web site for preschool parents

Portland Business Directory – preschools

Portland Oregon Business Directory – elementary schools

Linda Bonder, Marketing & Communications Director, lbonder@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x104

Please contact Andrea with questions at andrea.paluso@gmail.com.

Answer: They will all be performing at The International School’s 20th Anniversary celebration! Please join us at this FREE event – Sunday September 19 from 3-6pm on the TIS campus.

Please RSVP to twenty@intlschool.org.

Linda Bonder, Marketing & Communication Director, LBonder@intlschool.org, 503-477-5231.

I promised to give Linda Bonder this ITK update this morning but I am completing it at 8:00 this evening. It was that kind of day. Fortunately Linda was also completely absorbed in overseeing delivery of supplies and student orders to clasrooms as well as a host of other concerns! (Thanks, Linda!) The teachers and aides all started back today and after brief breakfast greetings they were all hard at work setting up classrooms. It is a joy to see how excited people are and how earnestly they work at trying to make everything just right. We were all duly exahusted when we left school this evening but sometimes good old physical labour does us a lot of good. Teachers will be sending you class lists very shortly, though I would not be surprised if more than a few took a nap on their keyboards this evening.

Tomorrow we start exercising our brains in earnest, grappling with the intricacies of inquiry teaching and learning in the PYP. Teresa and Maria and I have dutifully done a lot of summer reading on teaching in the PYP and especially inquiry math and science – we are distilling as much as we can to share with colleagues during this week and throughout the year

A few important reminders

Registration - it’s critical that every family complete both the on-line & mail-in (walk-in for new families) registration at intlschool.org/register. Completing this process will allow children to go on field trips, receive school supplies, and, for kinder-5th graders, take out books from the library and use school computers as supervised by their teachers.

The registration process also allows parents to order lunches, make donations and tell us about any expertise they wish to share with the school. This last piece is very dear to my educator’s heart. Last year our classrooms were visited and our students enlightened by so many wonderful parents and grandparents and friends of our families – US attorneys to physicians to scientists to dancers, and on and on. Visits from and communication with real life experts surely enhance student learning.

Enrollment as I have suggested previously is very strong at 430 and still counting (one year ago we were around 390!). My Dow Jones of admissions activity is my daily look at Jan’s desk. It remains a delightful morass of correspondence, applications, and admission packets that are still being requested. Good work, Jan. Thanks to increased numbers and the astute financial oversight of Jan’s neighbor Rob Timmons, we will indeed be able to offer the faculty raises we aimed for last spring. Another big step up the mountain.

Let me also just highlight a few important dates to write in on your calendars:
PTO meeting: Wed Sept 15, 6:30pm
Curriculum Night – Spanish Track: Wed Sept 22, 6-8pm
Curriculum Night – Japanese & Chinese Track: Thursday Sept 23, 6-8pm
Curriculum Night – English program: Thursday, Sept 30, 6-8pm

Please remember that Square Gator is off this week as we are busy working all over campus, even finishing up the final painting and cleaning. Summer camp does not give us much time to get ready, but the rush is well worth the fact that we again broke summer camp enrollment records. Kudos to Pilar, Lauren and the whole summer camp staff.
Please tell your children we are so excited to see them again and that it won’t be long now. Meanwhile take good care and enjoy your time together.

Warm regards,
Alfonso
Head of School, AOrsini@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x109

Thank you to Regence for agreeing to serve as a Platinum sponsor of this year’s auction!

Do you love to grill?
We need 13 volunteers to work a one hour shift at the grill. In addition, we need to borrow four grills.

Do you love the smell of popcorn?
We need five volunteers to work a one hour shift serving popcorn.

Do you love games?
We will need game leaders. Number of volunteers and duties to be determined.

Bouncy house monitor: We need 2 volunteers to work 1 hour shifts monitoring the bouncy house.

To volunteer (or lend your grill) please contact Kelsey Cleveland at kcleveland@intlschool.org or at 503-265-8635.

Battle of the Books is an outstanding statewide program where students read fantastic books, gain confidence, make new friends, and have fun while developing valuable literacy skills as they compete against other Oregon tweens!  Click here for details about the after school program. Check out this web page for more information about Battle of the Books:  http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/3rd-5th+Books+2010-2011

Tamara Beecroft-Fornell, Librarian, 502-226-2496 x102, library@intlschool.org

Please join your TIS family for a celebration of
The International School’s 20th Anniversary Celebration
Catch up with friends at a street party on the TIS campus
Enjoy kids activities, alumni reunion area, music, cake, entertainers and fun for all!
Celebrate the past, enhance the present, imagine the future!

Cost: free
RSVP to twenty@intlschool.org, AND
Tweet that you’re coming at twitter.com/intlschool20

I have to especially commend Linda and Maria for their work on the class schedules this year. As enrollment moves higher it becomes increasingly difficult to fit everything and everyone in, but through sheer ingenuity they have managed the following for students to meet with our specialist teachers:

3rd-5th graders will have:

• Art 2 times per week,
• PE 2 times per week
• Music 1 time per week
• Library scheduled through English class
• Assembly on Tuesday mornings

1st & 2nd graders will have:

• Art 3 times in 2 weeks
• PE 3 times in 2 weeks
• Music 3 times in 2 weeks
• Library scheduled through English class
• And yes, assembly on Monday afternoons!

LowK (4 year olds) and kindergarteners will have:

• Art once per week
• PE once per week
• Music once per week
• Library once per week (with their teacher)

PreK (3 year olds) will have:

• Art once per week
• PE once per week
• Library approximately twice per month (with their teacher)

I am particularly happy about this addition of Grade 1-2 assembly because these gatherings help create community; they provide an opportunity to share learning or listen to a guest presenter; they allow students to show how learning is becoming action in community projects, fundraisers, or correspondence with the Mayor; and most importantly they offer students an opportunity to be risk takers, public communicators, and leaders.

While we have had a good number of responses to host interns from abroad, someone suggested wisely that more people might participate if the term of stay were shorter. If you would be more inclined to host an overseas teaching intern for say four or 6 months, please let me know that too.

Finally, I’d like to leave you with a nice chart I came across in a book called Comprehension and Collaboration: Inquiry Circles in Action (Harvey and Daniels,Heinemann, 2009) It nicely distinguishes what happens in classrooms using an inquiry approach as compared to those which used the traditional factory model or the “coverage approach.” It is a good reminder to us all of why we have implemented the IB PYP at TIS.

I miss the teachers and you and I really miss your children.

See you soon,

Alfonso
Dr. Alfonso Orsini, Head of School, AOrsini@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x109

The Handshaking Ceremony will take place one week later than usual, Friday September 17. This will avoid the conflict with Rosh Hashanah and give the little ones a little more time to acclimate to school before the ceremony.

The Handshaking Ceremony is a long held TIS tradition started by former Head Bruce Bayliss. All faculty and staff line up and every student in the school passes down the line, all greeting one another in our various languages. The student line starts with the little ones and progresses to the older ones, with curious and shy greetings turning to welcome back hugs and laughter as teachers greet their former students and then one another.

Parent participation is not required, though it is a beautiful little ceremony if you can come by to watch. We do need a couple of parent volunteers for each class – please let your teacher know if you can help.

LowK – 5th grade at Sherman Street starting at 9am
PreK at Arthur Street in the playground starting around 10:30.

Linda Bonder, Marketing & Communications Director, LBonder@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x104

You’ll love your carpool buddy!

SE Portland.  Eastmoreland, near Reed College.
We have two kids at TIS- in kindergarten.  We are looking for a family to carpool with any days, mornings and afternoons. Contact Christi at christisperry@gmail.com

Scappoose or St Helens
Looking for someone to carpool with from along Highway 30 preferably from the Scappoose or St Helens area.  Contact Shelia at swseidl@gmail.com or call 503 781 5194.  Thanks.

Forest Heights Neighborhood
Am looking for a regular carpool partner (or 2). I have twins in 2nd grade Spanish and can take two more children in my car. Contact Heather at heather.gaitan@yahoo.com.

Very near PCC Sylvania
If I drive then I can take one extra adult and one child with or without car seat both ways.
If we ride with you we would generally only need a ride home in the afternoon/evening. Two kids (one carseat) and one adult. Catriona, cmccrack@pacifier.com, 503-208-2184 home, 503-910-9034 cell

North Portland, near Lombard & MLK
Would like to arrange 2 days of driving, 2 days of drop-off, including both to and from school. Considering before school care with SquareGator but not yet decided. Any carpool arrangements will help determine my work schedule as we enter the 2010/2011 school year. Call Renée @ 503-459-7430.

NE 17th and Knott
We have 3 children at TIS. We are looking for a family w/whom we can carpool to school in the mornings only. Phoebe Trubowitz, phoebetrubowitz@gmail.com, C:503-939-7323

West Slope/Raleigh Hills (97225)
Looking for carpool partner, contact Ann at acassin641@aol.com (Spanish 4th grade)

SE 72nd Ave, on the east side of Mt. Tabor (97215)
Often we leave early to drop off older sister at St. Mary’s HS We have room for 1 kid on the way there and 2 on the way back. Amy & Cliff, 503.232.3167 (Spanish 2nd grade)

NE Hancock St, Portland OR 97212
Looking to carpool. Wendie, wmartin@enthusiastmediagroup.com, c: 206-427-1652

20th Anniversary Celebration:

Do you love to grill?
Then we need your help to grill and serve hotdogs. We need 16 volunteers to work shifts, and we need to borrow four grills.

Do you love the smell of popcorn?
Then we need your help to make and serve popcorn – we need six volunteers to each work a one hour shift.

Do you love games?
We will need game leaders. Number of volunteers and duties to be determined.

Bouncy house monitor: We need 3 volunteers to each work a 1 hour shift.

To volunteer (or lend your grill) for the 20th anniversary celebration,
please contact Kelsey Cleveland at kcleveland@intlschool.org or call
503-226-2496 x107. Thank you!

Another project this summer was a complete redesign of the way we purchase classroom items such as craft materials, supplies, books, and other hands-on learning resources. You have already seen the new supply fee which has streamlined purchasing for class-specific items. You may also remember that $6000 in Special Appeal proceeds was designated for learning resources – we carefully spent those funds over the summer together with $3500 in Special Appeal matching funds we have received.

In addition, during Teacher Inquiry Week (before students return), each group of grade level teachers will receive a budget of $6000 to $7000 to buy shared resources that directly support the PYP units of inquiry. These funds are allocated from tuition instead of being budgeted separately by individual teachers without an overall agreement on the types of expenditures that are most essential. The grade level teams will be purchasing all books, CDs and DVDs through the library, and we will have an inventory system for everything.

Overall you will see greater focus on creative student learning and classroom resources, with fewer elaborate holiday lunches and material reward systems for students. (Click here for an article by Alfie Kohn about why rewards, even gold stars, are not the best for students.) (Teachers can still budget for two parties per year at $5 per student per party.) Our priority is students- that means paying their teachers well and giving them the resources they need to teach well.

On teacher assignments. We will be working on them this week and then reviewing them with faculty – you’ll get them by e-mail the week before classes begin.

Okay, there is a lot more going on – I’ll have more for you next week. And if you look at Alfie’s website there are some good free podcasts and video-casts.

Take care and love to the kids,
Alfonso

Room parents (all year, new or returning families). Room parents are organizers and liaisons between the teachers, parents, TIS Administration and the rest of the PTO. Being a room parent allows you to have an active role in your child’s education, it’s a great way to get to know the other parents in your class and it’s easy to fulfill your volunteer hour commitment.  The duties include but are not limited to: organizing volunteers for classroom activities including field trips, festivals and auction projects and distributing important classroom information to parents. Please contact PTO President Kathy Guilfoyle at pto@intlschool.org.

She brought just a few clothes with her. (I asked what was in the two giant suitcases, and she said, “Presents.”) So, one of the fun things we’ve done in the last few days is go shopping for clothes for a teenager. Who knew that such a simple task could change my point of view? Before, when I walked by XXI Forever, I wondered who would wear such clothes. Now, I find myself thinking, “Elaine would look cute in that!” Elaine brought her own money for these items. Also, she has health insurance through YFU, and a booklet that lists her immunizations. Registering for High School so far has been easy because of how prepared she is, under the guidance of her parents and the help of YFU. Even in the short time since we agreed to be a host family, YFU has given us support, in the form of a local YFU representative whom we can contact any time, an online orientation that gives clear guidance on how we can help Elaine quickly become a part of our family, rather than a guest, and where we can turn if we need help working out issues we encounter in the next year.

I have found that Elaine and I have similar tastes in food, and so it had been fun cooking with her. (She chooses not to use as much butter and cheese as me, though.) She has been so friendly and warm in this time we have spent together. As we register her for the local high school, I am excited for the friends she will make, and the adventures in the year ahead.
Colette Rabdau
Mom of 5th Grade Chinese Student, and more!
503-641-9110

Forest Heights Neighborhood
Am looking for a regular carpool partner (or 2). I have twins in 2nd grade Spanish and can take two more children in my car. Contact Heather at heather.gaitan@yahoo.com.

NE 18th and Thompson
We can drop off kids in the morning and we’re looking for a family to bring our child home in the afternoons. Thanks, Julia, juliaplowman@mac.com, 503 805 8900.

Very near PCC Sylvania
If I drive then I can take one extra adult and one child with or without car seat both ways.
If we ride with you we would generally only need a ride home in the afternoon/evening. Two kids (one carseat) and one adult. Catriona, cmccrack@pacifier.com, 503-208-2184 home, 503-910-9034 cell

North Portland, near Lombard & MLK
Would like to arrange 2 days of driving, 2 days of drop-off, including both to and from school. Considering before school care with SquareGator but not yet decided. Any carpool arrangements will help determine my work schedule as we enter the 2010/2011 school year. Call Renée @ 503-459-7430.

NE 17th and Knott
We have 3 children at TIS. We are looking for a family w/whom we can carpool to school in the mornings only. Phoebe Trubowitz, phoebetrubowitz@gmail.com, C:503-939-7323

West Slope/Raleigh Hills (97225)
Looking for carpool partner, contact Ann at acassin641@aol.com (Spanish 4th grade)

SE 72nd Ave, on the east side of Mt. Tabor (97215)
Often we leave early to drop off older sister at St. Mary’s HS We have room for 1 kid on the way there and 2 on the way back. Amy & Cliff, 503.232.3167 (Spanish 2nd grade)

NE Hancock St, Portland OR 97212
Looking to carpool. Wendie, wmartin@enthusiastmediagroup.com, c: 206-427-1652

Linda Bonder, Marketing & Communications Director, lbonder@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x104

Click this “Donate Now” button to donate securely on-line through Network for Good, or
Click here for the 2010-2011 Pledge form. Thank you!

Kelsey Cleveland, Development Director, KCleveland@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x107

It is good to be back in the office. It occurs to me that I nervously began my first post teaching university undergrads 34 years ago, so this will be year 35. I am just as excited, apprehensive and attuned to possibilities as I was that first year. My colleagues and I are fortunate in our choice of profession. In education we have the luxury of having a new beginning every year for which we can put into effect all that we have learned in the previous years.

New teachers this year
While I was in China we learned that Carol Olson, our music teacher, would not be returning next year as she has chosen to pursue other opportunities. We thank Ms Olson for her years of service to the school and wish her all the best in her next steps.

While still in China, I sifted through around 40 music teacher resumes that Jhoanna had forwarded to me. I began a long string of interviews the day I returned. I am happy to report that we have hired Mr. Peter Musselman to take over the music program. Peter, as I was told by his references at Oregon Episcopal School, is beloved by parents, students and colleagues for his openness, creativity and obvious passion for music. With an MFA in Music, Peter is proficient in french horn, guitar, piano, and electronic music.

We have also hired Mr. Gilberto Rios- Garcia to teach one of the Spanish Kindergarten classes. Mr. Rios-Garcia began his career as a teacher and Principal in Guatemala, and since moving to the States he has worked at Chiquitos, at David Hill Elementary School, and at the OC Development Center. We were struck by his warmth, humor and passion for teaching and are excited that he will be joining us.

For third grade Spanish we are fortunate to have found Ms. Norma Torres Alonso. Ms. Torres Alonso began her career in her native Cuba in 1992. In addition to having been a primary classroom teacher, she did post graduate studies in Speech language pathology and Special Education. Since moving to the States, she has worked at the Portland Early Learning Project and in a Montessori School. We are confident that with her knowledge and experience, she will be a great asset to TIS.

Security update
In other news, Rob Timmons has arranged for a new card access pad for the southeast door of Stearns Hall to help the “curb-side pick-up and drop-off” staff. He has also arranged for new “door ajar” sensors on all external doors that have card pads, and a new on-line alarm monitoring system. Rob is also working with a TIS parent to explore a security camera system. Furthermore, based on excellent advice from parents Rick and Cindy Jones, we are advertising for an off-duty EMT to be here on an ongoing basis to help with campus security and to do first response for any injuries.

Facilities update
On the facilities front, Frank and Michael have been working on or overseeing a number of campus projects. As a result of the creation of a new classroom behind the library, all offices will be moved out of that area. Development Director Kelsey Cleveland and Marketing and Communications Director Linda Bonder will move down to the Pre-K Building at Arthur Street, and Jhoanna Co will be a new neighbor to Lauren at Stearns Hall. Frank and Michael have been involved in too many other projects to mention here, but they will be evident when you return.

I must include a big thanks to Linda Bonder and parent Pete Wright for the elegant and clear redesign of the TIS website. Linda, Kelsey and board members and parents have also been working on plans for our 20th anniversary celebration this September 19th from 3 to 6pm, so mark your calendars!

URGENT REMINDER: Please let me know immediately if you would be willing to host a teaching intern from Spain or China or possibly Japan!!!!

I need to get back to preparing for faculty inquiry week, which begins August 30th. I know you will have plenty to read with all of the back to school forms and instructions and handbooks, but if you have a moment, take a look at this article on what we can learn from other countries about language instruction. Seems we have learned a lot at TIS and that we can learn even more.

Take care and more soon,

Alfonso
Dr. Alfonso Orsini, Head of School, AOrsini@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x109

Tuesday Sept 7, 8:30-10:30am, returning families. Help direct PreK, LowK and new kinder families to see their classrooms and meet their teachers. Contact PTO President Kathy Guilfoyle at pto@intlschool.org.

Wednesday, Sept 8, 7:30-8:45am, returning families. Help answer questions and direct families to the appropriate classrooms on the first day of school. We’ll also have coffee and pastries on hand for everyone. Contact PTO President Kathy Guilfoyle at pto@intlschool.org.

Room parents (all year, new or returning families). Room parents are organizers and liaisons between the teachers, parents, TIS Administration and the rest of the PTO. Being a room parent allows you to have an active role in your child’s education, it’s a great way to get to know the other parents in your class and it’s easy to fulfill your volunteer hour commitment.  The duties include but are not limited to: organizing volunteers for classroom activities including field trips, festivals and auction projects and distributing important classroom information to parents. Please contact PTO President Kathy Guilfoyle at pto@intlschool.org.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/02/summer-must-read-for-kids-any-book/?th&emc=th

Remember, students must read 10 books (3 in their track language) for the Read All Summer Challenge. Students are to read books of their choice but if you need ideas, Reading Rockets has some excellent book lists. Go to http://www.readingrockets.org/articles/books/c1191

Challenge forms must be turned in to the librarian in September for certificates and prizes.

Tamara Beecroft-Fornell, Librarian, library@intlschool.org, 502-226-2496 ext. 102

1. At Arthur Street PreK (3 year old) campus at noon
2. On the main campus starting at 3:15

If your child is in Square Gator, please make sure to sign a release with the SquareGator staff so your child can have popsicles with the rest of the kids. Looking forward to seeing you on the playground!

Kathy Guilfoyle, PTO President, pto@intlschool.org

Fortunately, the Center for Health and Environmental Justice just released its 3rd-annual PVC-Free School Supplies Guide! Check it out for suggestions of products that are known to be safe.

Linda Bonder, Marketing & Communications Director, lbonder@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x104

Maria Abad, Principal, MAbad@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x122

Join us as we focus on children’s health and offer talks and information on nutrition, sports injuries, acne, obesity and more from naturopathic and Chinese medicine perspectives. This FREE event is open to the public and includes clinic tours, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the doctors. More details here.

NCNM Clinic, 3025 SW Corbett Avenue, Portland, OR 97201, 503.552.1551, www.ncnm.edu

To find a TIS carpool buddy: Send a note to ITKEditor@intlschool.org with your name, contact information, where you live and any specifics about the carpool arrangement you are hoping to find. We’ll post it in the ITK Classifieds!

To find Trimet routes to school, try  Google Transit: This free online tool displays the best Tri-Met bus and MAXX routes for your trip.  It also shows the next three departure times, other nearby bus routes, walking maps, and other useful information.  Simply go to google.com/transit and enter your location, destination and time of arrival or departure.

byCycle.org: Another free online site, this great gadget produces the best bike route between two points.   You can even ask for the “safer” route to avoid major intersections.  Go to http://bycycle.org/regions/portlandor and begin biking around Portland even more.

In school news, Kelsey has done a definitive tally of the year’s fundraising and we broke records thanks to all of you. Maria and Teresa are still reviewing Spanish teacher candidates and resumes and with Maria’s rekindled connection to Spain (the people who brought us Ferran and then took him back!) we are looking at a much broader field of candidates. Frank is overseeing much facilities work on campus including the upgrade of some door alarms, the new classroom in the Main Building, the relocation of the loud HVAC unit in Stearns Hall, the closing of the top of Maria’s office so she can actually speak privately to people, and so on! Thanks, Frank and Michael! Summer school is booming and humming along, thanks to Pilar, Lauren, Sharon, and all the teachers and aides.

The two interns from China are definitely coming so we definitely need two families willing to provide room and board and transport to and from school (unless there is public transport available). A couple of people had expressed possible interest earlier in the year when I first broached the idea, but now it is for real. If you are willing to provide a room, and meals, and transport to and from school, please write to me. I believe the Spanish intern with the same requirements is also still a strong possiblity so please contact me if you are willing to host an intern or if you have further questions. Both Chinese young women have recently graduated from the Teachers College in Suzhou.

Well that’s the new for now. Hope you are all thriving and enjoying the fresh air.

Warm regards,

Alfonso
Head of School, AOrsini@intlschool.org

Summer work has been continuing. At our administrative retreat we worked on a lot of initiatives, especially related to safety, security and logistics. I am pleased to announce that Coach Rob WILL be returning. He had been considering an industry post and had said goodbyes to students in case it did work out. It did not turn out to be what he was seeking. We have also hired Ms Yu Yen Lee to be one of the second grade Chinese teachers for next year. Yu Yen is a well known and beloved teacher at TIS who taught here for five years and then after a year away came back to teach grade 3 for Shirleen in the second half of this school year. We are still interviewing candidates for the two openings in Spanish for Kindergarten and grade 3.

This summer we are also constructing a new classroom behind the library where there have previously been offices. Linda Bonder and Kelsey Cleveland will be moving down to the Arthur (Corbett) Street Campus. Jhoanna will move down next to Lauren at Stearns Hall. Frank Bojanowski will maintain a desk adjacent to the librarian.

You may have read in the local papers that the design we had submitted for another modular (for emergency) has finally been approved by the various bureaus, commissions, commissariats and prefectures of our fair city. That is a modular we will hopefully not build. Indeed, as you recall, by the end of this summer the Board’s goal is to definitively decide whether to try another site or develop the site we have here. Thus far we have considered 89 sites in the City. Virtually none of them have met our criteria for size, acreage, location, layout, and price.

As you read this I am probably on a plane to China. However, once I arrive, in addition to summer reading, I’ll be working on handbooks and policies and will check email daily. Don’t hesitate to drop me a note if you have a question.

This is probably a good time to thank you again for all of your support and your positive contributions this past year. It has been a good year, a year of hard work for all of us but also a year of many rewards. The greatest reward is of course the chance to interact with your delightful kids each day. We have accomplished a lot together this year and we will accomplish a lot more next year, but we are working on the icing on what is already a very substantial cake.

Okay, onward and upward,
And more soon,
Alfonso
Head of School, AOrsini@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x109

The teacher line-up for the 2010-2011 school year is now posted on the web site:  www.intlschool.org/about-tis/faculty-staff. The teacher assistants will be assigned next month. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Maria Abad, Principal, MAbad@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x122

As many of you had promised me, the summer begins in earnest (weather-wise) after July 5^th.

On the staffing front, I am happy to announce that we have hired a new art teacher, Ms Julie Jansen. Ms Jansen is  completing her MA degree in Art Education this summer, and she has over 10 years of experience. Most recently she worked for two years at Munich International School, at which she developed a strong understanding of the IB Primary Years Program and worked collaboratively with classroom teachers.  I am sure she will be an excellent addition to TIS. We are still interviewing for the open Chinese and Spanish posts and will have more news on that as it happens.

State test results have come in and they are as one would expect, very solid. I don’t have the time right now to make up fancy graphs so I will just report the following:

Reading

Math

Science (tested only in 5th grade)

We will look and see what we can learn and we will keep teaching our kids all the wonderful concepts, skills and attitudes that a state test will never recognize. Jhoanna will soon send home your child’s individual results.

I will be leaving for China next Monday, but I will be sure to keep in touch and be your far-flung correspondent. In the meantime, enjoy the sun!

Alfonso
AOrsini@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x109