Tehdeed
Monthly Highlights and Innovative Learning across the ISG District!
The transliteration of the Arabic word Tehdeed refers to the weekly highlights that ISG’s school leaders share concerning recent academic and extra-curricular activities.
ISG District Office wishes to share this information with you so that we may collectively celebrate the great work being done in each of our schools. At the end of each month, ISG District will post a summary of past activities at our schools.
Tehdeed is helping us tell the ISG story! Enjoy!
Tehdeed: January 2010
Summary
During the month of January, school leaders discussed climate change, parental involvement, final exams and illustrated the talent existing within our student body via the success of extra-curricular activities and special campus events.
For more information on current news, visit our ISG News/Events or follow the links to the main websites of our member schools in the lower left of the ISG Homepage www.isgdh.org
DISTRICT-WIDE NEWS
Discussing Problems in Leadership: In mid-January, ISG District served as a catalyst for effective educational leadership. Participants, consisting of 38 educators from ISG, AIS-R, Saudi Aramco, and IPS, listened to a panel discussion concerning "Problems in Leadership." The panel, comprised of assistant principals, principals, superintendents, and corporate business leaders, discussed leadership and management with respect to their individual roles and responsibilities.
Over the course of the next several weeks, students will develop an understanding of management and leadership, and their effective application in schools. The panel discussion is part of a required course for completion of a Masters Degree and/or certification in Educational Leadership. Through the course, educators will discuss leadership problems, explore issues of communication and tie it all together in the context of being an effective principal.
Mark your calendars for the graduation ceremony scheduled at 11 a.m. on May 20, 2010 to honor, value and celebrate the success of our educational leaders when they complete their training in educational leadership.
Board of Trustees Approves Application for a Possible IB Programme at ISG:
On January 25, 2010, the ISG Board of Trustees unanimously approved the decision to seek applicant status for the implementation of an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for the ISG Dhahran campus.
If approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization, ISG has proposed the creation of Dhahran Baccalaureate Centre (under the auspices of Dhahran High School) to be tentatively commencing in August 2011. More information to be forthcoming, once IBO has approved ISG for IBO Applicant Status.
ISG PARTNERING SCHOOLS
Dhahran British Grammar School (DBGS) – from Ian Jones, Headteacher
- DBGS year three students held a parent assembly telling them all they had learnt about the Romans.
- Auditions got underway for the ever popular "Dhahrans Got Talent" competition, scheduled for February 2010.
- DBGS fast track year eleven maths students sat their final exams six months early last November and the results are fantastic. Ian Jones congratulated the students as it “… reflects the hard work put in by them and the maths dept.”
- The DBGS cross country team took part in the annual championships hosted by Aramco.
Dhahran High School (DHS) – from David Dorn, Principal
The end of January marked the end of the first semester and the completion of final exams. Classes were busy reviewing, preparing and readying themselves for their semester final exam. A maximum of two exams per day were spread over the five day school week.
Sunday, January 31st, ushered in Dhahran High School’s second semester; and the last semester at DHS for the Class of 2010. Graduation is just a few months away! A 2010 Graduation Planning Committee organized by DHS Counselor Mrs. Sandy Stapp, comprised of senior students, DHS faculty and administration will facilitate a "student planned" graduation ceremony.
DHS seniors, who have applied for "early acceptance" for their top university choices, have begun to hear about their application status. To date DHS students have been accepted to Stanford, Georgetown, Purdue, Rutgers, University of Wisconsin ... just to name a few. Principal Dorn says “Hats off to our seniors, DHS Guidance Counselor Sandy Stapp and DHS Registrar Diala Hielou for their strong efforts and commitment to obtaining a quality post-DHS education experience! Life is good at DHS!"
Throughout exam week, student activities were in abundance. Events for the month of January include:
- Mireille Daaboul's business class ran a "mini-business" project during a lunch period where they marketed and sold items.
- The National Honor Society met under the faculty guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Carreon to develop, promote and implement a fund raising/humanitarian project to assist earthquake devastated Haiti.
- After months of negotiations with DHS administration, DHS Student Council held an assembly to unveil DHS's revised Dress Code via a "Fashion Show". The event was coupled with an Ice Cream Social for the student body to celebrate the end of 1st semester. The student council, under the faculty leadership of Robert Smith, has been involved in dress code revision and a "make-over" of the DOME.
ISG Jubail – from Mark Wootton, Headteacher/Site Administrator
January marked the receipt of the long-awaited building permission from the Royal Commision. ISG Jubail is now out to bid on major building projects that will see a new classroom block; a purpose built creche and Pre-reception facility; a two room ICT suite and a drivers' room emerge. A new sports Hall will follow.
The expansion of facilities is helping ISG Jubail deliver a better quality of education. As a result of the artificial turf areas already installed, and other work to begin in March, the campus is taking on a completely new and improved look.
In addition to the structural developments underway, Mark Wootton highlighted several other key academic and extra-curricular activities:
- On the evening of January 26th, over 200 parents, students and staff enjoyed some high energy talent during another hugely successful "Jubail Idol' lip sync event. Mark Wootton recognized a job “well done to Suzie Rampling and her team of staff and students who worked hard to make this fund raiser a big event."
- Mark Wootton highlighted the exciting approach of the delivery of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) thematic curriculum at ISG Jubail with the launch of two new units of work: Mock earth quakes and a role played trip to Egypt (by air). Staff and students alike are responding well to the challenge of making learning great fun - as the IPC says it should be!
- The Rock Band from the 7-8th grade elective class demonstrated their latest work with three more 'classics' from the days when music was guitar, bass, drums and keyboards - and vocalists sang live and unaided. Mr. & Mrs. Harvey and Mr. Peasley continue to see this group of learners develop their talents and there was even some brass to pad out the accompaniment this time around.
Dhahran Elementary Middle School – from Jana Barnhouse, Principal
DEMS is growing! Twelve new students joined the school since January 9th. Total enrollment is 394, and several more are scheduled to be assessed for acceptance.
The end of January found teachers extremely busy as they completed quarterly grades and overseas orders. The final Thursday of the month was a scheduled work day full of teacher presentations, AFG work and SERCO professional development.
Highlights from the month of January provide something of interest for everyone at DEMS!:
- During the week of January 16th, teachers opened the second session of after school activities with a total of 15 activities ranging from soccer to knitting. Elementary and middle school students attended after school activities and were excited about the new offerings.
- The annual DEMS walk-a-thon and hotdog day on January 17th with wonderful weather, an invigorating walk and tasty hotdogs! This year students walked to earn money for three charities; The Saudi Cancer Foundation, The Qatif Charitable Society and the Mid-America Transplant Association.
- Middle schoolers and teachers continue participating in Mr. Vento's lunchtime wellness walks three days a week.
- The middle school study trip to London slated for the second week of March appears to be a go with more than 20 students expressing interest.
- During the week of January 23rd, three PTG parents organized a very successful coffee morning where moms (and dads!) attended an informal gathering and had an opportunity to meet other parents and to be entertained by Mrs. Shcherba's 3D music class.
Yanbu International School (YIS) – from Paul Thompson, Principal
A storm on Monday, January 18th, “brought a lot of damage and some deaths in the Middle East. In his Tehdeed updates to ISG Superintendent Norma Hudson, Paul Thompson helps the entire ISG educational community connect with recent climatic challenges on the other side of the Kingdom.“
As Paul Thompson explains: “As near as Tabuk and Um Luj there was serious flooding that led to some people being stranded in their cars and others requiring rescue from their rooftops. We appreciate clear, sunny skies more than ever now.
Global warming and climate change are making themselves evident in new weather experiences and possibly new weather patterns. We were all saddened by the tragic flooding, damage, injuries and loss of life in Jeddah in November. The heavy rains there awakened a new awareness about the danger the weather may pose in our usually dry environs. Yanbu experienced heavy rains in December during the break that left one wing of our school flooded ankle-deep for a few days. Many trees fell, including one right in front of the main entrance to school.
Due to a weather alert and the possibility of heavy rains, strong winds and potential flooding in Yanbu, the Royal Commission Education Department and the KSA Civil Defense ordered YIS and all Saudi schools in the region to evacuate.”
YIS was “lucky to receive only a few light drops of rain,” along with as Paul explains “… an opportunity to practice procedures that may be called upon again ...” In a debriefing following the evacuation, staff and parents developed several improvements to the emergency response process. Overall consensus, however, was that YIS “… responded efficiently, and effectively with lots of care and good communicatio. The staff is to be commended for their professionalism and extra efforts in a situation that called for a spontaneous response . . . in the middle of a lunch period, no less.”
In other school-related news:
- YIS Counselor, Mr. Lasater, is working with staff, parents and students to improve student performance on standardized tests and to help ISG students prepare for life beyond YIS. Recent presentations help students consider their plans for university/college, learn about application and testing requirements. Discussions have also focused on the correlation of student grades and student performance on other standardized tests, to help the YIS educational community understand the importance of external assessment and the challenges faced by small schools to increase the level of rigor in our high school courses.
- Parents are excited to hear of our progress with AFG and some of them have committed to participating in finalizing our objective development in partnership with teachers and students. Paul Thompson explains that YIS parents are “… both realistic and optimistic about our prospects for academic improvement, and they understand the importance of good communication with the home and home support for maximum student development.”
At Y.I.S., as throughout the District, parents, educators and students work together … so our students can achieve their academic dreams.
Tehdeed - January 2010 PDF Format
Archives
Tehdeed - Nov. 18, 2009 PDF Format