We are working hard to keep our calendar up to date on our website. You can find the calendar at https://ipsksa.com/ and scroll down to the bottom of the first page to find our activities calendar.
The International Baccalaureate is sending (virtually) a team of people to visit our PYP on October 24-26. Our staff will be spending many hours meeting with them, answering questions, and telling our visitors about our school. We will also have some parents talking with the IB guests. Wish us well, this is our 5 year review visit.
Our last day of school this month is October 27th and then we have a one week break as a mid term break. Our students return to school on Sunday, November 6th. I am sure your children won’t let you forget this!
The traffic flow seems to be moving better now that people are starting to understand how it works. There are just a few last problems to work on:
All students in your vehicle should be dropped off at the same gate, whichever one you chose. They can walk through the school grounds together. We do not want cars from gate 2 heading to gate 1, it increases traffic and slows everything down. Pick which gate you want, drop your whole car load off in one place. Have students prepared to exit vehicles quickly, drivers should not get out of the vehicle.
Through lane-the lane that is closest to the middle island of the road is a through lane, there should be no stopping in that lane at all. Some parents are using that lane to get past the line, then cutting to the right to try and park, and they are holding that whole lane up. We are working to not have that happen.
No students walking all the way across the street, even with their parents. Too dangerous!
Every Tuesday in our entire school year is an early release day, school is done by 1:30, without exception. Please make arrangements to pick your children up on time, we will often have students that are left for well over an hour at school on early release days.
Many parents have talked to many of our staff about their concern over no lockers. When I talk with them, what is really clear is that they are concerned about heavy backpacks.
There is currently not a plan to buy lockers. Many schools do not have lockers or are even refusing to use them due to problems with them. While students new to lockers are happy to get them, before much time they are not using them or they are not taking care of them.
The real issue is heavy backpacks. The principals and I have been talking with the teachers about how to lighten the load for students. Can text books stay at school, do students really need 5 subject notebooks for one class, and can that notebook be left in the classroom are all questions that are being asked. Another issue we have to look at carefully is whether we are really a one to one computer school and making that change with everything we do in the classroom, or do we just enjoy having students have one additional tool with them each day, their computer.
Chromebooks will help this to some extent, they are small and lighter than most laptops. Students who are not required to buy these are still welcome to buy them through our programs, they are a great tool.
IPS is an IB World school, as such we strive to instill a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. These capabilities and responsibilities are identified as Learner Profile attributes, these attributes imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.
This school year IPS has made a commitment to reinforcing Learner Profile attributes through the Homeroom program on the middle and high school levels. Each month we will focus homeroom activities and lessons on specific attributes and recognize student successful understandings in a monthly assembly. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Learner Profile and ask your child what each of the attributes means to them as we progress through the school year.
September-Caring: They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
October-Communicators: They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
November-Principled: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
December-Reflective: They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development
January-Thinkers: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
February- Inquirer: They develop natural curiosity, and skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence.
March-Open-Minded: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
April-Knowledgeable: They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
May- Balanced: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and other
June-Risk Takers: They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
