The International School

Dear Friends,

It was a pleasure to be back in the states once again for Thanksgiving, and I hope your holiday was as peaceful and enjoyable as ours was. I was also thankful to see that tap water again became drinkable yesterday evening (after flushing out the pipes awhile). Early this morning, we let all the taps here at school run for awhile.

Before the holiday, we had a wonderful visit from Author Shelley Gill, and our thanks go to Librarian Tamara Fornell and the English department for organizing such a terrific event. We hope to have a video of the event available in ITK soon.

We are finishing preparations for the PYP authorization visit which will take place this Thursday and Friday, December 3^rd and 4^th. We have worked hard to fully implement the PYP and so now what remains is to talk frankly with the visitors and to be ourselves in everyday implementation. Please see below in ITK for Kelsey Cleveland’s summary of our fantastic Special Appeal results which will help our students and teachers considerably with their PYP work. Thank you again to all who contributed.

I extend heartfelt thanks to the 194 families who took the time to respond to the Middle School Survey, which was so deftly put together by Linda Bonder. We are also surveying the families of graduates (we have had 34 responses so far). We will be conducting phone interviews and possibly focus groups for families with students in upper grades, and then we will do a careful SWOT (Strengths/ Weaknesses/ Opportunities/ Threats) analysis and a financial analysis with the Board to determine our future direction.

Unbelievably, only three weeks remain until the winter holiday. After the long March of the autumn, it is good to see the holiday spirit starting to surface, although this has reminded me to be sure and review snow day procedures. Included in this week’s ITK will be a review of the process.

If I don’t see you at traffic duty, have a great week.

Alfonso
Aorsini@intlschool.org
503-226-2496 x109

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The International School has a lot to be thankful for this season. We are grateful to our generous community for
supporting the special appeal. Thanks to you we will exceed our $60,000 goal as we have already received over $57,000 and have another $3,000 in pledged matching gifts.

Here is how the money received for the special appeal will be allocated to support a vibrant learning experience for our students:

• Books: $18,000
• Learning Resources: $6,000
• Technology: $36,000 (43 MacBook laptops, Mac mini server, carts for laptops, and a wireless upgrade)

Thank you!!

Kelsey Cleveland, Development Director, 503-226-2496 x107, dev@intlschool.org

There is so much going on these days at the TIS Library Media Center. Here is a sampling from Wednesday, Nov 25:

Please sign up by e-mailing coach Robert at robertb@intlschool.org:

• Kids to play
• Parents to coach teams at each grade leve
• Parents to referee game

What: OISO Basketball Tournament
(OISO: Organization of International Schools in Oregon

• First Grade   4 v 4     Kindergarten players may play with 1st grade.
• Second/Third grade   4 v 4
• Fourth/ Fifth   5 v 5.

Where: French American International School
8500 NW Johnson St, Portland, 97229-6780
503-292-7776

When: Saturday, Dec 12, 9:45 to 2:30. Please arrive not later than 9:45

Who: All First through Fifth Grade students. The FAIS school no longer has their smaller gym, therefor they can no longer have the kindergarten teams like in years past.

Schools involved: The International School, Portland French School, French American International School, and German School of Portland.

Robert A. Briglia
Director/Instructor Physical Education
robertb@intlschool.org

It’s that time of the year! Winter is almost here. Let’s take time to review the school’s policy on inclement weather so we are prepared for whatever the season brings.

“In the event of snow, ice, or other difficult travel conditions, The International School closures will be announced on National Public Radio (91.5 FM), KATU channel TV news room (503) 231-4263 and on our website (Parent Resources section with link to www.newsbridge.net/The_International_School). On a delayed school day, there will be no early care (before school care). At times, school may be open but travel in your neighborhood may be dangerous. Please make safety your first priority.”
(TIS Parent Handbook, p. 32)

We will be having all shows of the Winter Festival professionally recorded for your re-viewing & sharing pleasure. All three shows will be put on one DVD – what a great gift! The final DVDs won’t be ready before the holidays, but your child can probably create a really cute card telling Grandma that “A DVD of my Winter Festival performance will arrive in January”!

DVDs are $25  if bought by December 10. Simply bring your cash or check (made out to TIS) to any TIS receptionist. Early sales will help our videographer plan, so prices go up on Dec 11. Winter Festival i s December 14; all orders must be received and paid in full by December 15.

Linda Bonder, Marketing & Communications Director, LBonder@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x104

Come out to the Christmas Tree Farm with other TIS families on Saturday, December 5 between 10 AM-12PM to enjoy some hot cocoa and pick out your own tree for cutting! Trees cost $65. The farm is owned by a former TIS family, and is located in Estacada, Oregon at 22541 Stormer Road.
Please email Jennifer Farmer at jennisan@mac.com if interested. All proceeds go to the school.

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony (MYS) is extending a special offer to 1st – 5th grade students and their families, as well as all TIS teachers/assistants/staff.  A limited number of complementary tickets will be available for this Friday night’s performance: Friday, December 4, 2009, 7:30pm – Winter Celebration.

To get your free tickets, just go to the front desk in Stearns Hall starting Tuesday.

For more information on the MYS and on this performance, please see http://www.playmys.org/tickets.html.

Many thanks the MYS Development & Marketing Manager who is a TIS parent!

• I posted 23 photos on Facebook in the album "A day at the TIS Library" http://bit.ly/8iAdZy #
• Come to "Winter Festival" Monday, December 14 from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm. All TIS classes will perform for our Winter… http://bit.ly/8Zxae7 #

Currents Film Festival starts on Dec 4 at the Portland Art Museum’s NW Film Center.  There’s one special event in the series that the NW Film folks want to draw your attention to. On Sunday, December 6, at 4:30, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Portland-Sapporo sister city relationship, we’re showing an anime shorts program.   The artistry of the animation is really beautiful, and the visuals would interest tweens and teens.  After the program, there will be a post-film reception with FREE food and drink. The reception is hosted by the Portland Sapporo Sister City Association, and there will be representatives from the Sapporo International Short Film Festival in attendance, so it should be a great event. For more information, see http://www.nwfilm.org/screenings/22/211/