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The Newsletter of the International School at Dundee
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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March 3
7:45am Adv. Orch.
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4
7:45am Beg. Orch.
Chorus Part 1
9:30am-1pm
K Field Trip
Stamford Museum
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5
7:45am Adv. Orch.
8:30am-2pm Gr. 4 to Guggenheim
World Read Aloud Day, at Lunch
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6
Chorus Part 2
Band Lessons
5pm Deadline for Distinguished Teacher Nominations
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7:45am Band
Band Lessons
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10
7:45am Adv. Orch.
9:30am
Bus Safety Drill
Wellness Week
(thru 3/14)
Spring Afters Registration Begins (thru 3/15)
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11
7:45am Beg. Orch.
Chorus Part 1
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12
7:45am Adv. Orch.
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13
9am Gr.5 Parent Exhibition Meeting, Media Center
Chorus Part 2
Band Lessons
Classical Café
6:30pm GHS Jazz Ensemble, ISD Media Center
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14
7:45am Band
Band Lessons
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Dear ISD Parents,
Some parents were able to attend either one or both information sessions held at ISD this week. On Wednesday night we had two school psychologists from the Greenwich Public Schools speak about bullying. The husband-wife team of Fabien and Alina Boie has a tremendous amount of knowledge and information about the topic and shared a little of that expertise with the audience. Some aspects of their presentation included the definition of bullying, different types of bullying behavior, characteristics of bullies and how to prevent bullying behavior. The presentation was just a snapshot of what they know, but they are planning a district-wide session in the fall, so if you are interested in hearing more, please be on the look out for the date as to when it will be scheduled.
The evening session was followed up by a morning information session the next day by writing consultant, Mr. Donato D'Albis. Mr. D. spent the week at ISD working with students in the third, fourth and fifth grades on the writing process, with a focus on the expository writing genre. The information session included many tips and advice on how to motivate students to write. He, too, is extremely knowledgeable and spoke of his many life experiences related to the skill of writing.
As we bid adieu to February (thank goodness, although there may be a weather issue on Monday), more focus and attention are being turned to the SBAC test, which our third, fourth and fifth graders will take this spring. The test will be taken entirely on the computer so we are preparing for that method of testing, including conducting a "stress/speed" test to assess the school's bandwith and network capabilities. All the schools are conducting such a test as just one way to ensure we are prepared and there will be no surprises when the actual testing period begins. A testing schedule will be made available to parents, once it is finalized. Remember, this year's administration is a field test, essentially, a test to test the test. We will not receive individual student or school results. There is much more information on the GPS website regarding the SBAC. Click "Curriculum," then "GPS and the Common Core" and "GPS and the SBAC" should pop up. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Terry Ricci
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NEWS
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TRAVEL THE WORLD SOCIAL IS APRIL 5:
TWO HOST FAMILIES ARE STILL NEEDED
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Saturday April 5 is our annual Travel the World Social. We are looking for two more families to host this fun evening for parents and teachers at ISD.
Thank you to our families whom have graciously offered their homes and time.
Host House 1: Louise & Chris McKenna - Italian
Host House 2: Liz & Maz Keegan - Menu TBD
Host House 3: NEED International Meal
Host House 4: NEED Dessert
Thank you Suzanne Sullivan, Sarah Zeegan, Debra Hess (House 1) and Mallikah Singh for offering to co-host!
(Mallika Singh has offered to cook Indian if someone is willing to host.)
Please contact Ann-Caroline van der Ham to see you how you can help or if you have questions/suggestions.
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 ISD Family Skate Night 2014
Sunday, March 9
4:30 - 6 p.m.
Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink
Greenwich, CT
The rink is reserved for ISD families only. Thanks to the PTA, there is no cost to attend! Rental skates are available for $4/pair if needed. We hope to see you on the ice!
As a reminder, all children should wear a helmet while on the ice. Parents are responsible for supervising children on and off the ice at the event.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR ISD'S BEACH PARTY: JUNE 1
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 Back by popular demand! ISD's Community Beach Party Sunday, June 1 from 3pm to 6pm Food, Live Music, Games, and Activities We are looking for volunteers to help with auction and raffle items. No item is too small or big (restaurants, sporting events, toys, tickets to events, etc.) If you have an item(s) or can assist in reaching out to vendors please contact: Kysa Englund
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FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CHALLENGE
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 Once again the children will participate in the Fruit and Vegetable Challenge the week of March 10-14. During this week the children have the opportunity to sample fresh fruits and veggies during their lunch periods. At the end of the week, after recording all the fresh produce the children have consumed, a prize will be awarded. This is a great way to remind the students how yummy fresh fruits and veggies are and their many health benefits. See the flyers below for more information and a log to fill out at home. Please sign up HERE to help during a lunch wave.
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Just a couple of reminders to help in assuring students do not have to miss any more school days than necessary:
Lice: Upon return from a school break is the time when this issue usually presents itself. Please continue to check children for the presence of lice/nits on a daily basis as part of the regular home routine. Also, please let me know if you have treated your child for lice/nits.
Colds and flu: Flu season isn't over and school nurses are still conducting flu tracking for the Department of Health. Please continue to monitor children for any cold symptoms that are not improving. Parents may want to consider calling their child's pediatrician to verify if a child's symptoms are severe enough to warrant a visit to the doctor's office. Please continue to encourage consistent hand washing and covering up coughs and sneezes, which do help cut down on the spread of germs. If your child is not feeling well, or has a simple cold/runny nose, please consider keeping him or her home until your child is feeling well enough to learn/participate in the classroom instruction.
Notification calls to the school when a child is out ill should include information re: the symptoms exhibited and if combined with a fever (temperature taken with a thermometer and 100 degrees or over).
Food allergies: Again I am requesting that parents not bring in Lindy's brand Italian ice for school birthday celebrations. This brand of ice was reported to be "not nut safe" because of equipment used in making it is shared in making their nuts/peanuts food products. This is stated also on their labeling. Please help us in ensuring all students (and those with severe allergies to nuts, eggs, milk products) are safe during school birthday/special occasion celebrations.
Third grade physical exam forms: Written reminders were mailed out to those parents who have yet to submit the forms. Physical exam forms of 14 students are now pending. I wish to thank those parents who have already submitted the forms that were due since the January 10 "Dragon Tales" reminder.
Thank you for your attention to all of the above,
Carmen M. Claudio-Albarran, RN
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THE ALP STUDENT ID PROCESS HAS BEGUN
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We have begun the process of identifying students in grades two-five for placement in 2014-2015 Advanced Learning Program. This multi-step process begins with a screening of students in math and language arts.
Parents of children who have been recommended for the evaluation phase will be notified by March 10. Parents must sign and return a consent form allowing their student to continue in the evaluation process by March 18.
Parent Nominations
Children may also be nominated for additional testing by their parents. The Parent Nomination Form will be available at your school office and on the ALP website after March 10 and must be returned to your school office by March 18.
Informational Meetings will be held:
- Wednesday, March 5 at 9:30am at the Byram Library
- Thursday, March 13 at 6:30pm at the Board of Education Building
- Monday, March 17 at 1pm at the Cos Cob Library
You may also contact Bonnie O'Regan, Program Facilitator at the ALP office (625-7462, 625-7422).
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 For the 2013-2014 school year, one of ISD's strategic improvement plan goals was to provide parents with positive communication about their child according to his or her academic or social-emotional learning experiences. This goal was created by the Safe School Climate Committee upon their review of the Safe School Climate Survey and the Harris Survey at the beginning of this school year.
In the near future a survey will be administered to the parent community regarding this goal. We will use the results from this survey to direct our planning and ongoing implementation of this goal. Please be on the lookout for it in the weeks to come.
Thank you,
Eugene Matejek, Assistant Principal
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GHS JAZZ ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE MARCH 13
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The Greenwich High School Jazz Ensemble, led by Mr. John Yoon, will be performing once again for our elementary students. This year's event will be held at the ISD Media Center on Thursday, March 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The event is FREE and open to all Greenwich elementary school students and their families. Mark your calendars!
In addition to performing, Mr. Yoon and the members of the jazz ensemble will take questions from students in the audience. This event is a great way for your child to experience, up close and personal, the musical opportunities available to them in just a few years here in Greenwich.
We hope to see you there!
Best,
M. Strange
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THANK YOU
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On Wednesday night the PTA hosted the "Understanding Bullying and Bullying Prevention" presentation. Thank you to our guest speakers Alina and Fabian A. Boie, both of whom are GPS School Psychologists, for making this presentation and for all the insights they gave us into the traits of bullying, what to look for, and what parents can do to help their children.
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CLASSICAL CAFE
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The next
Classical Café
You are welcome to join your child during his/her lunch and enjoy a musical performance.
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REMAINING DATES FOR WINTER AFTERS
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Mondays - March 3, 10, 17, 24 (Golf, Kids in the Kitchen, Chess, Crafts)
Tuesdays - March 4, 11 (Dodgeball, Mini Sports, Kids in the Kitchen, Yoga, Physics)
Wednesdays - March 5, 12, 19 (Wake Up and Run, Garage Band, Kids in the Kitchen, All Star Sports Scrimmaging)
Thursdays - March 6, 13 (Yoga, Basketball, Farm to Table)
Fridays - March 7, 14 (Soccer, So You Think You Can Dance)
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JOIN THE PTA NOMINATING COMMITTEE
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The Nominating Committee will work this spring to recruit volunteers for the 2014-2015 PTA initiatives.
PTA VP Volunteers,
(203) 637-7089.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
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"BARNUM"
St. Catherine's Church Feb. 28; Mar. 1, 2; 7-9
Click for info and tickets.
"TUNING IN TO
MUSIC NIGHT"
March 3
7-9pm
Asiana
130 East Putnam Ave.
The proceeds from this Greenwich Alliance for Education fundraiser help provide free instrumental music lessons to a diverse cross section of Greenwich Public School students who otherwise would not have this opportunity. Click here for more information and to register for the event.
GHS JAZZ ENSEMBLE
March 13
6:30-8 p.m.
ISD Media Center
Free
SBAC QUESTIONS?
March 19
12-2pm
BoE, Havemeyer Bldg.,
Staff Development Rm.
Irene Parisi and Ellen Flanagan will be conducting an SBAC workshop that is open to all parents. No RSVP or registration is needed.
"OUR TOWN GOVERNMENT"
April 1
7-9 p.m.
Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room
Come for an overview of Greenwich government functions. See the flyer at the end of this email for further information.
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Quick Links
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Community Info. |
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Contact Information | | |
The International School at Dundee
55 Florence Road
Riverside, CT 06878
Office: 203-637-3800
OGRCC Child Care: 203-637-3659 |
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DRAGON TALES
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Deadline for Submission: Thursday by 10am
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