Promoting intercultural awareness and respect is a key part of our mission as an IB world school. The fourth grade just had a first hand experience in this by visiting the Islamic center in Sunnyvale. Students asked questions about the religion, the traditions and the values and learned that leading a peaceful life through tolerance and respect is the goal of the teaching done at the center. Many parents including myself had signed up to accompany the children and all of us gained a new perspective of what this religion is all about. This highlights once again that knowledge and open- mindedness are key aspects for students and adults to help create a more peaceful world.  With this in mind the fourth grade teachers are asking our Hindi school community members, if anybody would be willing to speak to our students about their believes, traditions and values. Please contact me at msilver@gais.org

Third Language Option Moves to Middle School

A lot of work has been going on this year in the development of the International Middle School which will be launched in August of 2011.  In conjunction with this general curriculum overhaul the GAIS Board approved a proposal from the Education Committee to move the 3rd language option of French or Spanish from Grade 5 to Grade 6.  Having the 3^rd language start in Grade 5 was standard in the German Gymnasium some years ago.  This has since changed and now the start point varies from Grade 5 to Grade 6 depending on the Land.  The rationale for making this move at GAIS is to give our students a solid foundation in the school's two languages before adding on a 3rd.  To this end, the three lessons gained from dropping the 3rd language in Grade 5 would be replaced with German, English and Math.  Moving the third language to Middle School also makes sense within the organizational structure on the International Baccalaureate as the 3^rd language fits in much better with the MYP than the PYP.

This shift would not result in any changes in the overall curriculum for each subject as the number of hours for the third language starting in Grades 6-8 would be increased from 3 to 4 per week.  Thus the total number of hours would remain intact as would the scope of the program. This new alignment will not only help our students get a solid bilingual foundation before entering the MS but makes sense for new students joining our International Middle School who would not have had a foreign language option in the Elementary School. Indeed, our research shows that our new policy on foreign language instruction is in line with other International Schools, both locally and abroad.  If you have any questions please feel free to address them to me or to Dominic Liechti, our Director of Academic Programs.  

During the vacation I had the pleasure to volunteer in an evaluation visit of an IB School in Canada. It was my role to interview students, teachers, administrators, board members and parents as well as to observe the classrooms. In the end I had to write a report outlining the commendations and recommendations for the school to guide them in their further development. It was the same process we underwent last year, except we had the Head of the IB America evaluate us, which raised the stress level another nudge. While an exhausting process, it allowed me to gain an insight into how other schools implement the PYP. Looking at IB schools worldwide you always find many similarities. For example the school was very proud to demonstrate the use of the action cycle for behavioral issues, not knowing that it was a document our school had developed. However it is the differences that allow us to gain meaningful perspectives.  Taking ideas home from such an experience is an important way for us to continue the improvement of our school and allows us to gain a growing appreciation for the accomplishments of our school. So be assured, there is indeed something exceptional about our school, as we implement the program at a very high level. 

Our first unit of the school year is coming to closure. During the last few weeks, the Preschoolers have explored families, how they are similar and different from each other, why they are important and what roles families play in the child's life. The children talked about their own families and compared theirs to others. They compared pictures and with the help of graphs were able to compare the number of family members for each child. They brought pictures to show their families and talked about activities they like doing together. As "homework" they explored facts about their family life together. Many family members such as uncles, aunts, grandparents and siblings visited the classes and shared pictures, showed maps and flags to illustrate where they were from, shared hobbies and customs from their culture, talked about their traditions and so much more. Through these activities, we were able to focus on the attitudes of respect, cooperation and tolerance and the children learned that all families are different and special in their own way. Another highlight during the unit was our traditional game night, which was very well attended by about 100 family members, enjoying an evening of fun and games.

Lessons will be suspended Monday, November 1st for the parent teacher conference day. Parents are invited to make appointments to speak with their classroom teacher which will take place in the home room. Special teachers such as English and Music are also on hand to meet with parents. We have used the Jumbla program for booking appointments electronically and apologize for any glitches that some parents have encountered. Kindly advise the office if you will not be able to make your scheduled appointment so that the teachers can be advised.

Bridey Baring is now Bridey Jasprizza :o))

Our Grade 5-8 English teacher and Department Head now has a new name. Miss Bridey Baring has now become Mrs. Bridey Jasprizza. How did she achieve this grammatical magic in the realm of Proper Nouns is easy.  She married Luke. However, to make things a bit more complicated and exciting she married Luke in Brisbane, Australia on October 10, 2010. So in the future when someone will inevitably ask what did you do on 10.10.10, she will not be stumped for an answer.  The GAIS community sincerely wishes Bridey all the best in her new life as a MRS.

Share the GAIS Newsletter

This year we started using Constant Contact for our newsletter. The software has a great feature which is a 'forward' button that you find at the bottom of the newsletter.  Please share the newsletter with all your friends and relatives by clicking the forward button and sending it on.

Halloween

With the month of October comes the anticipated excitement of Halloween.  We will celebrate this on Friday, October 29^th.  While each class will have individual programs but there will be a Grade 1-6 haunted house organized by the student council (SMV) and the Middle School students.  This will take place right after lunch.  Please note that the school day is regular and that students are prohibited from bringing in costumes which have blood, weapons or masks. Teachers will provide more information on other class activities.

Please do not block the two parking spaces reserved for the afternoon teachers. The spots can be used in the morning but should be available by 1:30 PM to assure that the teachers can arrive on time and won't have to go to the end of the parking lot in the dark when they go home in the evening. Thank you for your cooperation.

October 23 looks like a day of parties for the GAIS community.  Don't forget the Oktoberfest at the Courthouse Square in downtown Redwood City from noon onward. There will be food and music, and fun activities for kids. Come and stop by the GAIS booth. The celebration continues with the "Night of Fright" party and fundraiser at the Faultline Brewing Company in Sunnyvale. Please send in your RSVP's if you haven't done so already.

Professor and Family Seek Home Near Stanford

A German family of four (2 children) from Zurich, Switzerland, would like to rent a sabbatical home near Stanford University and/or GAIS at Menlo Park, from January 1 - April 30, 2011 (4 months).  They would like a fully furnished house, condo or large apartment with a minimum of 2 bedrooms preferably in the Menlo Park area. The children will visit GAIS from January to April, 2010 (3rd and 4th grade). If you know of any leads please contact: Martin Loessner at: martin.loessner@ethz.ch