Corrales International School Newsletter
March 3, 2013
In This Issue
PTA News
IB Learner Profile
Uniform Policy Changes
GC Meeting
Evaluation of Head of School
Club News
MYP Tutoring Schedule
Quick Links
  
  
  
  
  
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MARCH HOT LUNCH

 

Click HERE for your copy.  Meals are $3.00 per meal and include the hot lunch item, salad bar and milk or water.

If you need financial assistance with lunch, please contact Dr. Diaz.

PTA NEWS
Did you know that field trips, after school clubs, before testing snacks, positive parenting workshops, book fair, jogathon and tons of other great events are all coordinated by the PTA? We need you!! We know everyone can't make it to the meetings and some people may be confused about how to get involved. We are searching for one representative from each class to agree to communicate PTA info to other parents. Please contact Megan Walsh to get involved. This responsibility will fulfill the required three hours of volunteer time per family. Email [email protected] or call 505-934-4875.


Free Nurtured Heart
 
Please join this workshop on Monday, March 4 at 5:30. Childcare provided.
  


International Baccalaureate

Learner Profile

 

http://blogs.ibo.org/ibtv/2009/05/18/ib-learner-profile/

 

What are these "Learner Profile" qualities?

Inquirers-I am curious and know how to discover answers to many of my questions . I love to learn!

 

Thinkers-I use my thinking skills to make good choices and solve problems.

Communicators-I understand and share ideas in more than one language.

 

Risk Takers-I try new things, love to explore, and confidently share my experiences.

 

Knowledgeable-I explore big ideas that are important. I know and can do a lot of important things.

 

Principled-I am fair and honest. I can make good decisions about what is right and wrong for me.

 

Caring-I am concerned about other people's needs and feelings. I believe it is important to help others.

 

Open-Minded-I am comfortable with differences. I welcome and respect other people's points of views and ways of doing things.

 

Balanced-To be healthy, it is important for me to balance the needs of my mind and body.

 

Reflective-I think about and discuss my learning, skills, and products.

PYP: Primary Years Program (K-5)

http://blogs.ibo.org/ibtv/2010/05/28/education-for-a-better-world-the-ib-primary-years-programme/

 

MYP: Middle Years Program (6-10)

http://blogs.ibo.org/ibtv/2010/05/28/education-for-a-better-world-the-ib-middle-years-programme/

 

Dear CIS Families:

This week is our last week before Spring Break, March 11-15. When we return, our students in grades 3rd - 8th, and 10th will begin state testing with the New Mexico Standards Based Assessment (NMSBA).  The testing dates will be March 19th - April 3rd.  Students in grades 6th - 10th  need to be at school by 7:50 during to ensure testing can start on time.   

 

In order to follow the state mandated SBA testing schedule, two Wednesdays in March will be full days.  Please mark these dates on your calendar.

 

Wednesday March 20- FULL DAY

Friday, March 22- Early Dismissal

Wednesday March 27- FULL DAY

Friday March 29- No School - Vernal Holiday

 

If you have a student in grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th, it is essential that you do not schedule any appointments for them during our testing schedule.  Below are some testing tips for you to keep in mind to support your child.

 

Test Taking Tips for Parents

  • It is important for your child to stay relaxed for the test.
  • Let your child relax for a few hours before bedtime. Try to avoid stressful situations for your child.
  • Encourage your child to do well but don't pressure him/her. You may stress him/her out.
  • Keep a positive attitude about tests. Plan on celebrating the beginning and end of the testing period.
  • Talk positively about the test with your child it will help relieve stress about test taking.
  • Mark down test days on your calendar so you and your child are both aware of testing dates.
  • Make sure that your child gets enough sleep on the night before the test.
  • Make sure that your child gets up early enough so that he/she will be on time to school.
  • Ensure that your child eats a healthy breakfast and avoid heavy foods that may make him/her groggy and avoid high sugar foods that may make him/her hyper.
  • Praise/reward your child for doing their best on the test.

Warmest Regards,

Dr. Elsy Diaz

Head Administrator



Why do students have to take the test?

The SBA serves several purposes:

  • The state-mandated, standardized test is used to assess whether students meet grade-specific state standards.
  • The SBA will serve as the high school exit exam for the first time this year. Students in the class of 2013 and beyond will have to pass the reading, math and science sections of the high school SBA by the end of their senior year in order to obtain a high school diploma.
  • The state's new A-F school grading system relies heavily on SBA results
 

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

LEARNER PROFILE

Reflective

 

Students who are REFLECTIVE know their strengths and weaknesses. They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and consider their personal strengths and weaknesses in a constructive manner.

How can parents help to develop students who are Reflective at home?

  • Spend time looking at work samples and journals. Ask them to talk about what they have learned and how they could apply that knowledge to the real world. Do they see areas that could be improved? Do they have areas that they feel confident in?
  • Spend some time reviewing your child's report card with them. They should have the opportunity to look at this document and consider it as well. Discuss it with them and truly consider their thoughts on their strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Consider the goals that your child could set for the next term. Make a list not only of the goals, but of specific actions that can be taken to achieve these goals. You might want to list action that your child will take independently as well as action parents will take to support them. For example, if one of the goals your child sets for herself is to improve her writing, her action might be to keep a journal and write in it for at least 10 minutes each night. As a parent, you might decide that the two of you will participate in shared writing, for 30 minutes each week and produce a book of narratives together.

Uniform Policy Changes
The Governing Council will be considering adoption of the following Draft Dress Code Policy (please click on the link) at Governing Council Meeting on March 20th.   These are recommendations from the School Advisory Committee and Student Council.     
Governing Council Meeting Rescheduled
Please note that the next regularly scheduled GC meeting on March 13, 2013 has been canceled and rescheduled for March 20, 2013 (the following Wednesday). This meeting will be held at the Corrales Library at 84 W. La Entrada Corrales, N.M. at 5pm. 
Evaluation of Head of School
Dear CIS Families

 

The Governing Council has begun its 2012-2013 evaluation of Dr. Elsy Diaz, our Head of School. Observations and reflections from parents regarding the performance of the Head of School of Corrales international School are a valuable component of a successful school.

 

The evaluation considers five areas of performance: Instructional leadership, Communication, Professional Development, Operations Management, and Responsibility in the Secondary school. While parents may feel most familiar with the Communication component, feel free to respond to any area.

 

Members of the Governing Council and Dr. Diaz appreciate your comments. Please send your responses to Kaaren Allen, chair of the Governing Council Evaluation Committee, by March 15 using email ([email protected]) or postal service (PO 896; Corrales, NM 87048).

 

Thank you so much!

Kaaren Allen, Chair of Evaluation Committee

Club News

Lego Club--Brian Wiley, aka Mr.Lego, must cancel the MYP session of Lego Club.  There will be no Lego Club for the rest of the school year.  If you see Mr. Lego in the halls, please thank him for the many hours over the last few years he has dedicated to CIS and our kids!

 

Challenge Club--Maestra Gaby has canceled Challenge Club until March 26th. 

 

MYP Tutoring Schedule Spring 2013

 

There is NO tutoring during lunch, or on Wednesdays.

 

Monday

 

Carrillo

rm 13

English

SBA prep

 

Bujanda

rm 10

Math / Science

Luna

Comp Lab

 

Johnson

rm 11

Math / Science

Tuesday

Groff / Luna

rm 12

 

 

Bujanda

rm 10

Math / Science

 

Robinson

Comp Lab

 

Johnson

rm 11

Math / Science

 Wed

None

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

Thursday

Lukes

rm 14

Humanities

 

 

Robinson

Comp Lab

Johnson

rm 10

Math / Science

Friday

 

 

 

 

Johnson

rm 10

Math / Science

 

 


Don't forget that all CIS parents/guardians have agreed to volunteer a minimum of 3 hours to better CIS!