The Owl 12/5/2023
You’re Invited to Celebrate Read in Your PJs Day with us!
It’s an ISP tradition! On the last day before Winter Break, students at International School of Portland roll out of bed and straight to their classroom – pajamas and all! Our Annual Read In Your Pajamas Day is a student favorite. It’s a celebration of reading for the joy of reading.
All students can come to school in their PJs on December 15th to participate. Packing a set of regular clothes is recommended.
First through Fifth Grade Parents and other caregivers are invited to join us during your child’s English class. PreK through Kindergarten families can join us in their Homerooms! Bring a favorite book, wear your pajamas too, and spend some time reading to kids or being read to! Super simple, super wonderful. Background checks are not required to participate in class celebrations with your child.
Read in Your PJs Day – 1st – 5th Grades: Times and locations for parents/caregivers to join us will be confirmed by your child’s English Teacher
Read In Your PJs Day for PreK, LowK, Kinder: Times and locations for parents/caregivers to join us will be confirmed by your child’s Homeroom Teacher
Speaking of Reading, come check out our Early Childhood Book Fair!
It is time for our annual EC book fair! The Fair runs through Friday
What better way to celebrate the coming chilly winter months than by nestling together as a family with a pile of good books? Come visit the Scholastic Book Fair and stock up on some good books for the winter! There will be a variety of books in English and Spanish.
Inside the ISP Library
Hours are from 2:50 to 3:45 except on Wednesday 1:45-2:45
Accepted forms of payment include cash, check, credit card and eWallet.
The profits are used to buy books for the library and classroom literature sets.
If you aren’t able to come to our in-person fair, our Online Book Fair runs December 4-17. You will find a great selection of books along with free shipping on book orders over $25! Visit our Book Fair from the link here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/internationalschool
Have You Answered our Quick Parent Survey yet?
You should have gotten an email last week from Maria or Jason that asks for your participation in a very short survey. It is a simple two-minute survey per student in your family. It’s a simple way for you to let us know what we are doing well and where we can improve. The feedback from this survey helps us to shape our activities and priorities, both school-wide and in specific areas.
It will take no more than a few moments of your time. The more people that participate, the more actionable and valuable the feedback will be to the school.
**We would like EVERY parent in a household to complete it.**
Please check your email for an email from Jason or Maria with the subject “Your ISP parent feedback is requested”
Thank you very much for your input!
Space Available in Global Kids!
Space is Available in Global Kids Programming!
WINTER BREAK CAMP
The Global Kids Extended Day program has openings during its Winter Break Alternative Days, from December 18th-21st! Global Kids Alternative Days run from 8:00-3:30 during breaks and no-school days. Enroll on our website today!
WINTER AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLUBS: ENROLLMENT OPENS NEXT WEEK!
Our After-School Enrichment Clubs are gearing up for their second trimester! These clubs are inspired and led by the teachers and staff here at ISP, who are excited to share their hobbies, interests, and skills with our students outside of the classroom! Join us after school from 3:30-4:45 to code and create in Lego Robotics, act, write, and perform in Theater, learn yoga, and play fun games! For more information, including schedule and club offerings for Winter term, see the Global Kids page. Registration for Winter Enrichment Clubs opens on December 11th on Campsite.
Please reach to Global Kids with any questions about enrollment or our program: globalkids@intlschool.org
December Learner Profile Attribute: Open-Minded
The ten International Baccalaureate Learner Profile traits are school values, and are means by which to support healthy social and emotional development. Our faculty focuses upon one of them each month as means.
For December, our faculty are focusing on being “Open-Minded”
Profile Overview: We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
In other words…
We all have our own unique perspective or point of view.
I can celebrate different perspectives- other ideas, values, cultures, and traditions.
Understanding differences helps me learn and grow.
Our librarians, Amy and Tomoyo, have recommended books about being Open-Minded. They are available for checkout at the ISP Library!
Wanted: Loose Parts for Play!
ISP believes that the best way for children to explore their world, understand their emotions, make sense of their ideas, and develop their problem-solving ability is by engaging in intrinsically motivated self-directed play. “Loose parts” are items that can be transported, manipulated, and transformed. These seemingly ordinary items are the perfect asset for children engaging in play. Loose parts are essential to our program to nurture children’s development and interests.
We are asking our families and community members to look through the list of loose parts and donate them to our Early Childhood program.
What is needed right now:
Screws (flat tip)
Bolts
Napkin rings
Wooden pegs
Wooden beads
Spools
Cardboard tubes
Buttons of all sizes and colors.
You can drop them off at the Stearns Hall building.
We appreciate your support in nurturing your child’s development through creativity and connection.
– Maria Abad, Head of Early Childhood
Share your dreams for ISP!
Students, parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty and staff!
We are so excited to be counting down to this year’s Annual Auction & Gala: Footsteps to the Future. And we want to hear from you … the ISP community!
What do you envision for the bright future of ISP? What are your hopes and dreams for our vibrant community?
We are compiling a video to be shared at the Gala and within our community and want to hear your thoughts on the future of ISP via a short video. Videos are due by Monday, December 11th.
Simply record a short message answering one of these prompts:
My wish for ISP’s future is…
In the future, I hope ISP…
Once complete, upload or email your video and then hang tight, fast forward, and look out for the completed reel at the event on January 27th, 2024.
Email your video to Dev.Admin@intlschool.org or upload it directly here: https://driveuploader.com/upload/1rNSlBl81y/
The ISP of today is nothing short of amazing … and the tomorrow for ISP holds the potential of even more bright possibilities. We are looking forward – to growth; to community; to what the ISP of the future holds.
Detailed Instructions: Please take your video in landscape orientation and (if possible) set your video settings to 4K resolution and either 30fps or 60fps. On an iPhone those settings are in the top corner of the frame when in Camera > Video mode
Global Gala Special Appeal: Support our Teachers!
Footsteps to the Future: Global Gala Update
Announcing the Special Appeal!
ISP teachers are the heart of our children’s experience at school. An investment in our teachers is an investment in our children. It is critical that throughout a teacher’s career they can grow, innovate, and be inspired by new ideas. The combination of IB PYP and immersion education is unique to our school and supporting teachers’ practice in this combination builds ISP’s unique offering and our success. This year’s special appeal will be all about providing critical support for our incredible teachers.
Get ready to show your support for our teachers and buy your Global Gala tickets today!
ISP Global Gala: Footsteps to the Future
January 27, 2024
The Loft on 8th Avenue
www.intlschool.org/globalgala
Contribute to the ISP Community while shopping at Fred Meyer!
Did you know that ISP is listed as one of the nonprofit organizations you can contribute to via the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program? By shopping at Fred Meyer and using your rewards card linked to ISP, Fred Meyer will make a gift to the organization based on your annual spending. See how you can set up your rewards card here.
Via a web browser:
1. Simply log into your account (or create a login if you never have done so before)
2. Go to “My Account”
3. Click on Community Rewards
4. Search for the International School by name or by Organization Number: HY878
5. Select ISP as your community beneficiary and use your rewards card when you shop
Via the Fred Meyer App:
1. Simply log into your account
2. Click on the three bars on the upper left
3. Click “Rewards”
4. Click “Community Rewards.”
5. Search for the International School by name or by Organization Number: HY878
6. Select ISP as your community beneficiary and use your rewards card when you shop