Walk and Bike to School Day is Wednesday, October 8
September 29, 2008
Join the TIS Bike Brigade –
Meet at Salmon Street Fountain at 7:45 AM on Wednesday, October 8.
Want to form a walking group? Think of a good spot to meet others and walk in to school. Walkers can also meet at Salmon Street Fountain with the bikers but may want to meet a little earlier.
Why walk or bike to school?
1. To enhance kids’ health
Walking or biking to and from school is an excellent way to add physical activity into every day. Kids need at least sixty minutes of physical activity every day to keep them healthy – and many kids in Oregon just don’t get enough! Walking and biking to school can help improve strength and endurance, decrease anxiety and stress, and help maintain weight. Positive experiences like walking and biking to school will pave the way for being physically active throughout life.
2. To improve the community’s health
Walking and biking to school reduces traffic pollution and congestion. It can also encourage parents to walk and bike to school with their kids.
3. To create permanent, safe walking and biking routes
Well-maintained routes designed for walking and biking calms traffic and reduces collisions. Walking and biking to school helps create driver awareness in school zones which increases safety for all!
4. To improve neighborhood livability
Studies show that more people walking and biking in a neighborhood makes people feel better about their neighborhood. It helps make public streets lively and friendly, encourages community interaction, and attracts people to commercial and recreational areas.
For more information – please contact Jessica Duke – jessica@urbatsch.com
Anyone can join the walk or bike in and there is no need to register, but if you think you will join the group, please let Jessica know!
English Literacy Program Curriculum
September 29, 2008
If you weren’t able to make it to English Curriculum Night last week, please stop by one of the reception areas (Main, Stearns or Corbett) to pick up the handout - it’s a booklet outlining the English curriculum Oregon State Standards by grade, reading & writing ability continuums, and tips to help your child’s literacy skills progress along the continuums (in any language). All this information is also available on the TIS web site - look for the English Literacy Program link under the Parent Resources menu. English program newsletters will also be available from this page.
We will host an English Literacy Program information session specifically for preschool parents in the spring.
If you ever have questions or concerns about your child’s English progress, please contact his/her English teacher. Teacher photos & contact information are in the front section of your school directory.
English teachers:
Lara Fowdy: laraf@intlschool.org
Britt Prince: brittp@intlschool.org
Teresa Wirshing: teresaw@intlschool.org
Kristie Weldon: kweldon@intlschool.org
Sally Foster
September 24, 2008
October 6 - 17
Sally Foster is our annual fundraiser featuring gift wrap and gift products. Look for details in your child’s folder and on the school website soon.
- Half of all money spent on Sally Foster products goes directly to TIS.
This money goes to help pay for Capstone Academic Trips abroad, the trips taken by all 5th grade classes to a country of their adopted culture.
Contact: Susan Marcus, obanmarcus@comcast.net
Help make another sell-out auction!
September 22, 2008
Dear TIS families,
It is our hope that you are already aware of The International School’s upcoming auction, which will be held November 8th at Montgomery Park. This auction is the school’s largest fundraiser, contributing to the school’s operating budget, as well as to the financial aid that 25% of our students receive.
Last year’s auction raised over $220,000 and we are hoping to match, if not exceed that amount this year. This is a TIS community event and we simply cannot put it on without your help. We are asking that each TIS family procure an item for the auction. This item is something that you can provide or have donated. Here are a few examples:
- If you own a vacation home, consider donating it for a week or weekend.
- If you are a season ticket holder for a theatre or sporting event, consider donating 2 tickets.
- If you frequent a restaurant, salon, or shop, ask the owner or manager to donate a gift card.
The list goes on and on. No item is too big or too small. We need your help to make this a successful auction and all will be appreciated. Please click here for the donation form , and click here for a letter to help solicit donations. Once you have procured your item, please leave it in one of the “Auction” bins in Stearns Hall across from the receptionist’s desk or in the main office.
Another way to contribute to the auction is through sponsorship. Through sponsorship we hope to meet our catering and other event costs, so the entire amount of money earned will go directly to the school and the benefit of our children. There are various different levels of sponsorship and it is a great way for a company to get some advertising, as well as a tax write-off. Please click here for a Sponsorship Form.
Please visit the Auction section of the TIS website or email kate@northrimpdx.com with any questions. We believe that with your help and support this year’s auction will be a huge success. Please take this opportunity to contribute to this important TIS event.
Sincerely,
Kate Schweitzer & Mark Jones
Auction Co-chairs
kate@northrimpdx.com
Organic Fresh Fingers Trial ENDS FRIDAY
September 22, 2008
IMPORTANT LUNCH UPDATE
The Organic Fresh Fingers Trial ENDS this Friday, September 26. All families participating in the Organic Fresh Fingers Lunches will receive an e-mail invitation to participate in an on-line survey. The survey results will be used to determine if TIS will continue the Organic Fresh Fingers Lunches.
PLEASE NOTE - Beginning the week of September 29, all TIS families will need to pack lunches on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until further notice. We hope to determine if TIS will continue with Organic Fresh Fingers by mid-October. We will let parents know if there will be an option for ordering for the entire year. If we continue with Organic Fresh Fingers, we will follow the TIS Cycle Menu.
Please direct questions and comments on the Organic Fresh Fingers Program to TIS Parent Jessica Duke jessica@urbatsch.com
Here is a message from Organic Fresh Fingers about children and healthy food -
We’re all increasingly aware of the importance of getting our kids to eat healthy. Kids who eat healthy do better in school, are more awake and alert and are more likely to proceed along normal developmental paths. Equally important, kids who learn to eat healthy at a young age develop the habits that they’ll need to stay healthy all throughout their lives. But knowing that our kids need to eat healthy and actually getting kids to eat healthy are two different things.
Having a two-year-old of myself, I understand that it is not always easy to get kids to eat healthy foods. It takes time for kids to become accustomed to low fat, low sodium, diverse tastes and textures. The kids trying the Organic Fresh Fingers meals may not be accustomed to the new foods, but with a little patience and education about the importance of proper nutrition, we can help them develop lifelong healthy eating habits.
As always, we remain open to your child’s feedback and willing to make adjustments to assist in the transition. Please ask your kids what they like and dislike in the Organic Fresh Fingers lunch. By getting the kids involved, we can help them to eat and even enjoy balanced meals.
Evann Remington – Organic Fresh Fingers, Inc.
The International School Menu Rotation
|
Week 1 |
LUNCH |
|
TUESDAY |
3 Bean Chili Fruit (Market Availability) |
|
THURSDAY |
Asian Style Brown Rice |
|
FRIDAY |
Hummus Wrap |
|
WEEK 2 |
LUNCH |
|
TUESDAY |
Red Pepper Quiche |
|
THURSDAY |
Chili Mac |
|
FRIDAY |
Roasted Vegetable Pita |
|
WEEK 3 |
LUNCH |
|
TUESDAY |
Hummus Pizza |
|
THURSDAY |
Spaghetti with Lentil Sauce |
|
FRIDAY |
Mock Chicken Salad |
|
WEEK 4 |
LUNCH |
|
TUESDAY |
Basmati and Wild Rice Stir Fry |
|
THURSDAY |
Cheesy Mac |
|
FRIDAY |
Vegetable Wrap |
|
WEEK 5 |
LUNCH |
|
TUESDAY |
Quinoa with Turkey |
|
THURSDAY |
Fiesta Bowtie Pasta |
|
FRIDAY |
Egg Salad in Pita Pocket |
|
WEEK 6 |
LUNCH |
|
TUESDAY |
Black Bean Burgers |
|
THURSDAY |
Chicken Potstickers |
|
FRIDAY |
Garden Bruschetta |
English Curriculum Night - this Thursday
September 22, 2008
All parents are encouraged to attend English Curriculum Night to understand the TIS English program and expectations at the different grade levels.
This Thursday, September 25 in the TIS gym. The sessions will be focused as follows:
Kinder-2nd: 6-6:50pm
(English instruction begins in 1st grade, but we would like kindergarten families to be oriented to the program. Preschool families are welcome as well.)
3rd-5th grades: 7-7:50pm
(Preschool and kindergarten families are welcome to stay for this session.)
Childcare will be provided.
Head’s Update
September 22, 2008
Curriculum evenings
Last week we hosted two evenings of curriculum information sessions for parents of Japanese, Spanish, and Chinese track students. Faculty presenters were very pleased with such high parent turn-out. Thanks to everyone for your participation. If you were not able to attend, please see your child’s teacher to get the information that was presented.
We look forward to seeing parents again at the English curriculum evening on Thursday this week.
Auction
Our auction committee continues to work steadily on the details of this important event. Co-chairs Kate Schweitzer and Mark Jones need parental support in the form of auction items. Please read carefully the auction communications from Kate and Mark. They rely upon the on-going support from everyone in this school community. In addition to the obvious fund raising goals, the auction represents a great community builder and is a lot of fun!
Corbett
We have installed new curb barriers at Corbett in the parking spaces provided. These curbs serve as a safety measure by keeping vehicular traffic well back of the pedestrian sidewalk. The barriers also prevent vehicles from rolling up onto the sidewalk inadvertently.
Safety and Security Committee
Parent Dale Biencourt is sharing his knowledge, expertise, and time as he chairs a committee focused on addressing the school’s safety and security policies. The recommendations of this committee will enhance the school’s overal risk management strategies in a number of areas. Thank you, Dale, and each of the members of this committee. We are making important progress in this key area of school operations.
Non-emergency police contact
Parents who arrive early in the morning at the Main building may know that various people use the fields nearby to spend their evenings and are sometimes still present at 7:00 AM. We have met with the Portland Police regarding the issue of keeping our school areas safe and clear for families as they enter the buildings and grounds.
The police have asked that we call their non-emergency number (503.823.3333) to report the presence of such individuals. The police have responded promptly to our calls each time. Parents can assist us with this issue by calling the same number when they see such individuals in our area.
Tree removal
We have one remaining large tree that must be removed near the upper playground. Two arborists confirmed for us that the tree is diseased and must come down. While many of us will be saddened to see the loss of the tree, the risk to people below makes the decision obvious. Until the removal process is complete, we have marked the area with yellow tape as out of bounds.
Construction materials
In response to a parental concern about the nature of construction materials the school is using for our newest projects, I referred the question to our Facilities Manager, Frank Bojanowski, for the correct information. Frank’s background is extensive in these matters.
I am pleased to report that the materials and adhesives used in the remodel of the school do not contain any VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), aromatic or otherwise, such as would off-gas. Frank reports, too, that a variety of agencies and certifying labs oversee much of the material industry. With today’s controls over construction techniques, the industry is monitored closely.
The only synthetic materials used in the classrooms are the paint, which is water based, and the carpet. The carpet satisfies not only the fire code but is also approved for hospital use.
The air system we use provides for fifteen complete interior air changes each hour using fresh air. We are participants in the EPA Indoor Air Quality program, implementing their guidelines for full certification.
Stephan Grasmuck
Head of School
503-226-2496 x109
SGrasmuck@intlschool.org
Picture Day!
September 22, 2008
Picture Days will be held this week: Wednesday, September 24 for PK-K and Thursday, September 25 for 1st-5th. Order forms for photo packages are available from your child’s teacher. If you plan to purchase photos, these forms should be filled out and returned to the teacher by picture day. Photos will be ready and returned to the school by October 13th.
Lauren Hostetler
Stearns Hall Receptionist & Marketing Assistant
LaurenH@intlschool.org
503-226-2496 x121
SquareGator update: after school science curriculum
September 22, 2008
Hello SQUAREGATOR Families,
It is a new school year full of new opportunity and new things to learn. Here at SquareGator, learning doesn’t have to end when the school bell rings. We are growing right along with your children and this year we are expanding our program to include an all new science curriculum.
There will be rockets and strange goo, bubbly liquids and lightning from fingertips. Our talented and creative staff eagerly awaits your children to join our team of discovery. We are going to set off into the unknown, uncover the mysteries of the natural world and expand our knowledge and scientific skills. We will learn what it means to be a scientist and discover the tools and methods of science. Our team of discovery will teach and inspire our kids to explore together and through our independent learning centers, we will encourage them to make their own discoveries.
Our journey will begin by exploring our own senses and what they tell us (and what they don’t tell us) about the world around us. Our path will then wind us past the workings of everyday machines, the nature of the earth beneath our feet, the world under the waves and in our rivers, the plants, bugs and animals we see every day (and some we don’t), all that we see in the sky and beyond. Throw in some cleverly disguised physics, chemistry, and biology with songs, games and activities, full of good humor and teamwork and we are sure to have lots fun along the way.
Hope to see you on the trail of discovery!
Becky Llanes
Owner & Operator
SquareGator, Inc.
Phone: (503) 351-4563
Fax: (503) 227-3916
Email: SquareGator@gmail.com
All-School Photo: Tomorrow!
September 22, 2008
We have scheduled an all-school photo for this Tuesday (Sept. 23) at 9:30 in the morning. The photo will include all students, teachers, and staff. All teachers (including those in our Corbett building) will walk their classes to the lawn in front of the main building for the photo. If you arrive late on this day, please bring your child directly to the front lawn and see that they join their class/teacher. If your child does not usually attend school on Tuesdays and you would like them to be in the photo, please feel free to stop by. Our rain date will be the following Tuesday (9/30) at the same time.
Lauren Hostetler
Stearns Hall Receptionist & Marketing Assistant
503-226-2496 x121
LaurenH@intlschool.org
