Head’s Corner
June 2, 2008
School Technology To Be Much Different in ’08-‘09
Plans for TIS technology changes reached satisfying closure - for this school year - with a decision last week to purchase new Apple Computers for all classrooms. The decision to switch to Apple, a major change with long-term effects, was made after discussion and input from a variety of sources.
The decision was the culmination of an active year for the Technology Committee that resulted in a number of school “firsts:”
- Earlier in the year, 10 PCs were purchased of which 5 were designated for the Library–Media Center;
- the school’s first Technology Survey provided solid data about technology needs;
- school databases were researched and the first School-Purpose-Design database was selected for teacher, Admissions Office, Development Office, Marketing, and Administrative use;
- school telephones and switchboard were updated to provide intra-school telephone service to all buildings.
During the late winter, an investigation was launched to determine the relative merits of the PC and Apple platforms in the TIS classrooms. Last Wednesday, as part of the investigation, three Apple representatives provided a demonstration for teachers, staff, and Tech Committee members. Teachers loved the iMacs.
Apple Computers turn out to be the best choice for TIS. They are user (child) friendly. The company has an entire division dedicated to developing technology for schools. Teacher training is part of the purchase. Computers will arrive loaded with software, and $4,500 worth of Apple Service (which we’re getting for free) is part of the deal.
A $9,681 discount made Apple highly competitive. Affordable financing makes it possible for TIS to place the maximum number of computers in the classrooms by August 2008 by deferring partial payments to the ’09-’10 and ’10-’11 budgets. Finally, the new computers are compatible with TIS’ server, new database, Windows, and Outlook.
The Apple Equity option enables a school that owns its own equipment to trade in that equipment for credit toward new systems or for cash. Apple’s Trade-In Program provides for responsible equipment disposal. Many schools have used this program to recover past years’ budget dollars to pay for a portion of their next systems deployment.
One or more iMac computers will be set up in every classroom before the August arrival of teachers. A half-day Teacher Training Session will be scheduled during Pre-Service Training so teachers will be iMac users immediately before the start of the school year.
Tech Committee Co-Chairs Scott Urbatsch and Jim Abeles deserve special thanks for leadership. Hugh Mackworth and Rob Timmons provided vision and financial advice. “Thank you” to the others on the Technology Committee who got the projects rolling early in the school year. And, “Thank you” to everyone who contributed so generously to the 2007 Auction Special Appeal that provided funds for school technology and library-media center.
Limited Space Begs Caution
During Friday’s Talent Show, the fender of a teacher’s car, facing downhill on the south side of Sherman Street, was pushed against the wheel. Presumably the offending vehicle was backing out of a parking spot on the north side of the street. No note was left, and, I imagine, the driver of a large vehicle may not have realized s/he had made contact with another car. Please be extra careful on Sherman Street - if you drive a large vehicle, please park on Water Ave instead of Sherman Street.
Summer Projects Start Next Week
TIS Facilities Manager Frank Bojanowski has scheduled 22 projects over the summer and the list is still growing. The bigger projects are:
- Classrooms with real walls on the top floor of the Main Building
- Improved security throughout the campus
- Relocate Main Building entrance, offices, and Reception Desk to the ground floor
- A new Portico to the Main Building student secure area
- New floor coverings in Modular 2
- New floor in the gym
- Window shades on Stearns Hall east windows
- Increased English instructional space on the Mezzanine
- A new, large home for the library on the Mezzanine
- Classrooms, playground, and security at the new building, 2717 SW Corbett St.
As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Phil Sylla
Head of School
psylla@intlschool.org
503-226-2496 x109
Head’s Corner
May 27, 2008
TIS EARNS FULL ACCREDITATION
Celebration is in order. The school has been awarded Full Accreditation status by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. This is a landmark event, the first time the school has been fully accredited.
In the first paragraph of the “Findings” section of The Evaluation Report, Dr. Richard Darst, NAAS Executive Secretary for Oregon, wrote, “The Response Team recommends moving the school from provisional accreditation to full accreditation. Overall, the Response Team found the school to be substantially in compliance with all 8 Northwest Association of Accredited Schools standards. The school recognizes there are areas where additional attention is needed, and the school is working towards compliance in all areas.”
Earning Full Accreditation Status is the culmination of several years work on the part of the teachers, administration, and Board of Directors. Accreditation is a distinction, but it is also a process. The process, one of self-improvement, does not end with achieving Full Accreditation, but continues throughout the life of the school.
On April 30, Dr. Darst, leading a Response Team of four educators, visited the school to 1) validate the completion and accuracy of the school’s self-study; 2) verify that the school meets the NAAS standards; 3) facilitate development and implementation of an effective school improvement plan; and 4) provide commendations and recommendations to enhance the school’s quality.
Copies of the NAAS Evaluation Report as well as copies of the TIS Periodic Self-Study will be available at the Board of Directors Annual Meeting next week. Both are also posted on the school’s web site.
SWITCHED TO ECO-CLEANING MATERIALS
Alex Franchek, TIS custodian and manager of A&J Janitorial, now uses only non-toxic ecologically safe cleaning agents.
Head’s Corner
May 12, 2008
TRAFFIC AND PARKING
Meeting for the first time on Wednesday, May 7, the Traffic and Parking Committee quickly came to the conclusion that everyone knows there are traffic and parking problems, but nobody knows a solution that fits the whole school. The committee is searching for a solution that will bring safety to all children and satisfaction to most, if not all, parents. Want to take part in formulating a great plan? The committee is looking for diverse membership. Potential members should send a message to Lynda Wannamaker lynda@wannamaker-consulting.com and include information about where you usually park, car pool, children’s ages, and the building(s) your family uses this year.
SCHOOL ACCREDITATION
On Wednesday, April 30, The International School was examined by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. This important event may result in The International School’s first full accreditation certificate.
The 8:30 to 4:30 school evaluation ended with a verbal report from Dr. Richard Darst, Oregon Director of NAAS and leader of the Visiting Team. He spoke to the TIS Head, Principal, and Lead Teachers. When the full report arrives, we will find out whether TIS has been awarded full accreditation status or been given an additional year of provisional status during which to prepare for a second Accreditation Visit.
Tara O’Neill, Pat Maquire, and Kathy Kaiser, school administrators from private, charter, and public schools, made up the rest of the Visiting Team. They toured the school and grounds; spoke with administrators, teachers, students, and parents; reviewed faculty surveys on the effectiveness of the TIS education program; attended classes; reviewed profiles of the student body, graduates, and teachers; sat in on an Administrative Staff Meeting; inquired about school finances and Board Governance; and took a close look at The International School’s plans for improvement.
In the verbal report, Dr. Darst gave The International School eight commendations and six recommendations.
Commendations:
- A very unique, interesting, and challenging program.
- A passionate and hardworking staff.
- All appearances indicate The International School is moving forward in the right direction.
- Students are ready and willing scholars.
- In both the written Self Study and verbally, The International School’s responses are refreshingly honest in describing school strengths and challenges.
- The Head of School is closely in touch, highly supportive of the staff, and aware of school needs.
- The day care programs before and after school are a benefit to parents.
- Great use of limited facilities. Clean, well lit, and inviting classrooms.
Recommendations:
- More and better written policies and procedures
- Provide training and resources to help teachers fill “specialist” roles. TIS classroom teachers fulfill guidance counselor, special education teacher, and remedial teacher roles. These are roles filled by specialists in larger schools.
- Improve Staff Development. Provide more staff development opportunities.
- Use the data generated in the Self Study to further develop specific, targeted, measurable goals.
- Move quickly forward to create facilities that better meet student and instructional needs.
- Improve instructional leadership. This will be challenging because of the unique nature of the school and the diversity of teachers in three tracks.
Prior to the visit, the school prepared a comprehensive Self-Study and sent it to the Visiting Team so they would be familiar with the school’s profile, beliefs, mission, and student learning expectations. TIS teachers participated in eight surveys evaluating TIS’ fulfillment of NAAS standards. Chapter Four of the Self-Study is made up of 13 Actions Plans for School Improvement. If you would like to read the Self-Study, please contact Phil Sylla.
In a follow-up email message this week, Dr. Darst wrote, “The team was clear in their perspective that you have a unique program and one that appears to be serving students overall well. I am currently working on the report and it should be back to you in a couple of weeks.”
Phil Sylla
Head of School
psylla@intlschool.org
Head’s Corner: 2008-04-14
April 14, 2008
This year for the first time, the school is bidding for Full Accreditation status with the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. TIS has been provisionally accredited since 2003.
On April 30, Dr. Dick Darst, NAAS Oregon State Executive Secretary, will visit the school with a team of educators, known as the “Response Team.” The purpose of the Response Team’s visit is to assess The International School’s readiness for Full Accreditation.
• The school must demonstrate readiness in several ways:
• Fulfillment of The International School Mission Statement
• Expectations for Student Learning
• Student accomplishments
• Teacher qualifications
• Meeting NAAS’ Eight Standards
• Plans for continuing improvement of student performance
A Self-Study document presenting evidence-based school evaluation materials will be sent to the Response Team before their visit. The Self-Study is a comprehensive look at the school as it exists today as well as its plans for the future.
The Self-Study document will be reviewed and up-dated annually. It becomes the basis for school planning. Copies will be available for interested parents.
Phil Sylla
Head of School
Head’s Corner: 2008-04-08
April 8, 2008
The view from the top of Caruthers Street is dramatically different now that the old apartment building is gone. The Cobb Structure, garden, Main Building, and Modular III have jumped into view as well as (on a clear day) Mt. Hood in the distance.
Now, it’s easy to imagine the unified campus – from Caruthers to Grant Streets with Naito Blvd on the west - envisioned in the Strategic Plan. On the next sunny day, why not hike to a good vantage point and look for yourself? Walk west up Caruthers Street (turn right at the Music Room end of Stearn’s Hall), south from the Main Building along Naito, or from Sherman Street, up the knoll to the Cobb Structure.
Apply your imagination to campus planning. What’s the best configuration for The International School Pre-School, Elementary School, Middle School Campus? What facilities do you see in our future? The Campus Master Plan Committee welcomes suggestions.
Immense credit for the rapid and safe removal of the fire-destroyed apartment building goes to Board Vice President Kim Marcus.
