Dragon Tales ISD News - Friday, January 22, 2016

The Newsletter of the International School at Dundee

Friday, January 22, 2016

Look What's Happening at ISD!
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Jan. 25 Superintendent to read to Kindergarten classes 9:00-10:30AM News Team 3:15-4:15PM ISD Magnet School Information Session 7:00PM	26 Grade 3 Orchestra (Violins Only) 7:45AM Chorus Part 1 7:55AM ISD Magnet School Information Session (snowdate) 7:00PM	27 Fluoride Rinse High Tech/High Touch Visits Grade 4 Audubon Visits Grade 1 9:00AM-12NOON	28 Advanced Orchestra 7:45AM Be Safe Day Stop. Think. Act Wear Green Classical Cafe	29 Chorus Part 2 7:55AM Pajama Day CT Science Center Visits Grade 4 Family Movie Night 6-8:00PM Gym
Feb. 1 News Team 3:15-4:15PM	2 Grade 3 Orchestra (Violas, Cello, Bass) 7:45AM Chorus Part 1 7:55AM	3 Fluoride Rinse	4 Advanced Orchestra 7:45AM Lockdown Drill #2 9:30AM	5 Chorus Part 2 7:55AM CT Science Center Visits Grade 5 Magnet School Applications Deadline

Dear ISD Parents/Guardians,

When the new calendar year begins, it also marks the beginning of our annual reading incentive campaign. The goal is to have students read the number of books that reflects the number of the calendar year during the month of January. We are moving steadily toward our goal of reading 2016 books. We are at 1770 as of this date. Both Mrs. Madoff and Mrs. Robbins oversee this annual campaign, in which they do a wonderful job at generating excitement throughout the school. Even our grade five news team is promoting it through the ISDy program.

This year, we are asking students to record the title of books electronically, through our school website, (see the link). Typically, we surpass the annual number, so I am hoping this year is no different. Please remind your children to record the information or provide assistance to them, if needed. Of course, they should all be reading (or read to, if they are kindergartners). Thank you for your support.

This week marks the beginning of the Greenwich Distinguished Teacher Award contest. This is a contest the district holds every year when teachers can be nominated by parents, colleagues, community members, etc. to receive the award. Six teachers are chosen by a large committee of people, from varied aspects of the community, who read through the applications and follow a prescribed process for making their recommendations. I would encourage you to think about nominating a teacher you feel worthy of the recognition. There are requirements for the candidates to be considered. Applications are on the front counter in the office. Please contact me if you are thinking of initiating the process as I would be very happy to support your endeavor.

The application period for magnet schools for the 16-17 school year is currently in process and will end Friday, Feb. 5th. This week I held one of two information sessions. A second one is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 25th in the evening. If you know of someone who may be interested in applying to our school, you may want to remind them of the session, which begins at 7 pm.

The ALP (Advanced Learning Program) identification process for the 16-17 school year will begin next month. Please look for more details and upcoming dates in this issue.

Next Friday, Jan. 29th is Movie Night. This annual event draws many students who really enjoy sitting in the gymnasium with their family to watch a movie. There are also refreshments such as, pizza and popcorn. Most students wear their pajamas. In fact, I have designated next Friday, 1/29, as Pajama Day at school. Please note it, as the students (and some adults) love to wear their pajamas to school.

Lastly, in closing, I want parents to remind their children to eat their lunch in its entirety, before buying snacks. As I walk around the tables during the lunch periods, I am dismayed at how much food gets thrown out, especially on the days, snacks are offered for purchase. Having a nutritious lunch is necessary to fuel a full afternoon of learning

Sincerely,

Terry Ricci

ISD Principal

A ROOM WITH A "BOO"

ISD Movie Night

WHEN: Friday, January 29

FEATURING: Hotel Transylvania 2

LOCATION: ISD Gymnasium

6-6:30pm Pizza & Snacks

6:30-8pm Showtime

Bring your own water bottle and blanket.

We will provide water refills, pizza, popcorn, snacks

All free to our ISD community

thanks to the PTA!

Questions? Please e-mail

Melissa Cates: melissacates@gmail.com or

Sarah Leahey: sklefko@yahoo.com.

BE SAFE - STOP. THINK. ACT.

ALP TESTING

Students in grades 2-5 whose teachers have nominated them to be tested for possible placement in ALP classes for the 2016-2017 school year will be notified by mail. Letters will be sent on Wednesday, February 10, 2016. Any parent of a 2nd-5th grader whose child is not nominated by his/her teacher but who wishes their child to be tested must submit a Parent Nomination Form by the end of the school day on Friday, February 26th. No exceptions will be made, so please make every effort to turn forms in ahead of the deadline. Parent Nomination Forms will be available on the Greenwich Public Schools website or in the school office after the winter vacation. Detailed testing schedules will be distributed once nominations are complete.

Not sure if you should nominate your child for ALP testing?

Please join us for an information session about ALP Identification process at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 18th [snow date Friday, Feb. 19th] in the ISD Cafe. ALP Teachers Ms. Craig and Mrs. Feinberg, along with Mrs. Ricci, will explain the procedures for nomination and testing and will answer any questions you might have in deciding whether or not to request testing for your child. We hope to see you there!

Can't attend? Or still want to know more?

In addition to our ISD-specific session, Mrs. O'Regan, the district's ALP Department Facilitator, will be holding informational meetings about the ALP Placement process according to the following schedule:

Thursday, February 18, 2016, 1:00 PM at Byram Shubert Library
Tuesday, February 23, 2016, 6:30 PM at the Board of Education Building
Thursday, February 23, 2016, 9:00 AM at Cos Cob Library

IB FAQs

Dear ISD Parents:

For your reading interest, I will be posting a series of Frequently Asked Questions about the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in our ISD DragonTales each week. Please feel free to send me an email whenever you have thoughts or questions about the International Baccaluareate Primary Years Programme at ISD.

Jeannine Madoff

IB PYP Coordinator

Library Media Specialist

jeannine_madoff@greenwich.k12.ct.us

IB FAQs

What are the essential elements of the PYP?

All IB PYP schools are guided by the following five essential elements:

The knowledge content is organized under the transdisciplinary themes. Each school decides which specific topics to study under each theme
The learning skills aim to help students become independent, well-functioning, self-motivated learners.
The learning attitudes aim to develop a lifelong love of learning and nurture a child's curiosity and confidence.
The action component emphasizes the need to connect the student with his or her own potential and responsibility for using what was learned.
The rigorous guidelines for classroom practices to match the educational philosophy and values of the IB are communicated through professional development and a school's internal reflection process.

Do IB teachers receive special training?

All PYP teachers receive professional development in IB's approaches to teaching and approaches to learning from certified IB workshop leaders. This is a requirement for IB World Schools implementing the PYP. At ISD, our experienced teaching staff has participated in scores of IB professional development workshops. This year we have 6 teachers attending 3-day IB workshops. Five will travel to Boston in March and one will be attending a workshop in Florida in April. Our school is also a member of the Guild of IB Schools, a regional consortium of the IB schools in the northeast. Recently, Mrs. Ricci and I attended their annual conference in New Jersey and had the opportunity to share our experiences with and learn from other IB leaders.

NEWS FROM THE ART ROOM

Dear Parents,

Happy 2016!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. It has been great to see your children back in the Art Room and hear all of the fun experiences they have had over the break. Here are some updates...

Art Star Certificates: At the beginning of the year I was awarding Art Star stickers to students who were showing outstanding effort, ideas and more in the Art Room. The response has been incredible but I thought it important for you as parents to have to opportunity to know each time your child has earned this recognition. From now through the year, if a child exceptionally represents one of our IB Learner Profile Traits and or School Norms, s/he will be awarded an Art Star certificate. Students can take it home and share it with parents. Their names go on a special Art Star board and their teachers are informed.

Artsonia: The new Artsonia calendar is up outside the Art Room. Please sign up for a spot. It is an easy way to volunteer and get a peek at what the kids are working on.

Winter Activities: Now that winter is settling in, if you are in need of activities to do with your children, below are listings of fun, interesting museums and galleries in the area.

Michael Thron, son of ISD staff member Marsha Thron, is showing his art at the Greenwich Art Society Gallery. The address is 299 Greenwich Avenue, hours are Mon-Fri 10-5pm, Sat-Sun 12-4pm. Admission is free!

Aldrich Museum Ridgefield, CT

Old, Odd and Oval: Artworks by Ruth Root

Now until April 15

Flynn Gallery at the Greenwich Library

Mariella Bisson, Stowe the First Snow

Great American Landscapes

until January 27

A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON...

Kindergarten: We are focusing on self-portraits. Thinking about the kinds of lines and shapes that can be used to create them. Students are taking a close look at their own features and how these can be drawn and painted.

First Grade: We are mixing hot and cold colors to create a background painting that will be the basis of a shadow collage.

Second Grade: Students have been introduced to the life and artwork of Pablo Picasso, specifically his Rose and Blue periods. They are exploring how color can be used to reflect an emotion in the creation of a portrait.

Third Grade: We are examining a variety of artworks in history including the prehistoric images on the caves at Lascaux and primate symbols used by Native Americans to convey messages.

Fourth Grade: The students are being introduced to a number of Surrealist artists including Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali. Using techniques these artists developed, such word games, students will have the opportunity to create their own surrealist artworks.

Fifth Grade: We are exploring architecture and styles and designs throughout history. Students will be asked to create their own dream houses.

As always please feel free to contact me with any questions, and thank you for your support and interest!

All the Best,

Mrs. Buddy

Art Teacher

PARENTS JUST WANT TO

HAVE FUN

This year's Parent Social will be a Cocktail Party at

Innis Arden Golf Club

Starting at 7:30pm on

Saturday, March 5th.

Book your Sitters Now!!

Invitations Coming Soon

Please note - silent auction items from the Beach Party will be moved to Parent Social this year. Our ISD Fundraising team will provide more details soon.

ISD RECYCLES!

Time to get rid of those batteries!

ISD's Having a Battery Drive

Friday, January 29th

Students and/or parents may bring used batteries to school. There will be a collection box located across the hall from the main office. There will also be collection box at MOVIE NIGHT.

Please note this collection will ONLY be for the DAY & NiGHT of January 29th.

EARTH DOME

All students had the opportunity to visit the

'Earth Dome'

on Thursday, January 14

as part of Science Month at ISD.