1 NIS Bulletin WEEKLY NEWSLETTER No.488 18/04/2014 Spring Fun Day Contact Information Nanjing International School, Xue Heng Lu 8, Xian Lin College and University Town, Qi Xia District, Nanjing, P.R. China, 210023 www.nanjing-school.com Tel: +86 25 8589 9111 Email: [email protected]3 Way Conferences PTA Autumn Festival K2 Assembly Content International or Global 01~02 School Closes Time For Wednesday 02 Note about Bulletin Downloading 02 Information for Leaving Families 03 Invitational 3-Way Conferences 04 Parent Feedback on Conferences 05~06 Library News 07 Last Call for the Hosts for ACAMIS 08 SSL EAST-WEST Meet 09~10 Community Activities 11~13 Arts in the Community 14 Art Auction 15 Accidental Theater Company Presents 16 PTA News 17 PTA Minutes 18 Weekly Menu 19 Big Thank You from Eurest 20 Spring Garden Party 21 Swing Into Spring 22 Pfrang Gala 23~24 Hopeful Hearts 25 International or global? On Wednesday I was part of a panel of four Heads of School, along with colleagues from United Nations International School, New York; American School of The Hague and Bonn International School. We are all past Fellows at the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. We were invited to lead a session about international schools and the factors that distinguish our schools from national schools, both government and independent schools. Our audience were graduate students at Columbia University preparing themselves for teaching or leadership positions. We touched upon and explored teacher opportunities, professional development, community in international contexts, student experience, family experience, relationship with host culture and transitions. The level of interest and depth of discussion made for a very worthwhile afternoon. During the conversations and PYP Inter House Skipping Challenge Our thoughts are with our Korean Community following the recent ferry disaster off Jeju Island. On behalf of NIS accept our deepest condolence.
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NIS
Bul
letin
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
No.488
18/04/2014
Spring Fun Day
Contact InformationNanjing International School, Xue Heng Lu 8, Xian Lin College and University Town, Qi Xia District, Nanjing, P.R. China, 210023www.nanjing-school.comTel: +86 25 8589 9111 Email: [email protected]
3 Way Conferences
PTA Autumn Festival
K2 Assembly
Content
International or Global!! ! ! ! 01~02 School Closes Time For Wednesday! ! 02Note about Bulletin Downloading ! ! ! 02Information for Leaving Families ! ! ! 03Invitational 3-Way Conferences!! ! ! 04Parent Feedback on Conferences! ! 05~06Library News!! ! ! ! ! ! ! 07Last Call for the Hosts!for ACAMIS! ! ! 08SSL EAST-WEST Meet! ! ! ! 09~10Community Activities 11~13Arts in the Community!! ! ! ! ! 14Art Auction! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 15Accidental Theater Company Presents! ! 16PTA News 17PTA Minutes 18Weekly Menu!! ! ! ! ! ! ! 19Big Thank You from Eurest!! ! ! ! 20Spring Garden Party 21Swing Into Spring!! ! ! ! ! ! 22Pfrang Gala 23~24Hopeful Hearts 25
International or global?
On Wednesday I was part of a panel of four Heads of School, along with colleagues from United Nations International School, New York; American School of The Hague and Bonn International School. We are all past Fellows at the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. We were invited to lead a session about international schools and the factors that distinguish our schools from national schools, both government and independent schools. Our audience were graduate students at Columbia University preparing themselves for teaching or leadership positions.
We touched upon and explored teacher opportunities, professional development, community in international contexts, student experience, family experience, relationship with host culture and transitions. The level of interest and depth of discussion made for a very worthwhile afternoon. During the conversations and
PYP Inter House Skipping Challenge
Our thoughts are with our Korean Community following the recent ferry disaster off Jeju Island. On behalf of NIS accept our deepest condolence.
We are aware that there have been a few problems downloading the Bulletin in its new format. Please bear with us as we try to solve this .Your patience is much appreciated.
the discussions at the Council of International Schools’ board meetings there are two words that keep cropping up that clearly need better clarification. the words are ‘international’ and ‘global’.
I have my own views on the difference, but I have become increasingly aware that many people in the worlds of education and business use these terms interchangeably. During the next school year I feel it is incumbent upon us as a community to seek greater clarity as we use the term ‘international mindedness’ in our mission. It is seen as a positive disposition that is quite distinct to being global. It is essential that as we look to our future we understand this term as a community. I look forward to those discussions. I also look forward to learning more as I may have become somewhat entrenched in my own definition. Why not have a chat at dinner and see what you and your children think?
Please NoteSchool closes at 12:50 on Wednesday 23rd due to 3-Way Conferences: Buses will leave accordingly. There are no student lunches that day, although the Cafe will be open.
This is a time of year when some families will be moving on from Nanjing, either returning to their home countries or embarking on their next overseas posting. To assist our planning for the coming year please read and follow the exit procedure below. This information may have a direct impact on new families wishing to enter the school. We understand that some parents are still unsure, but if you know kindly let us know as soon as possible.
Exit Procedure1.As soon as you know you are leaving please email: [email protected]
school.com indicating your intention to leave and requesting any documentation that you may require.
2.Collect a clearance form from Reception or the Admission’s Office3.Clearance forms must to be completed by the parent and student; in the PYP the
Homeroom teacher will assist with this, in the MYP and DP this is the student’s responsibility.
4.On the last day of school the transcripts will only be released on receipt of a completed clearance form.
Thank you for your cooperation and if you have any queries please let us know.
There will be no lessons on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 23 as there will be Invitational 3 Way Conferences.
Please note that there will be no lunch on this day and students should be picked up at 12:50pm.
What is a 3-Way Conference?
The 3 way conference is a meeting between the student, parent and teacher to discuss learning progress.
If you would like to request Korean translation for a conference, please contact Rachel by 10:00 am Monday, April 21 at [email protected]
Who will be invited for these 3-Way Conferences?
1) If your child is new to the school and you have not yet had a 3 Way Conference with your child’s teachers.
2) In MYP students who earned a 2 in any subject in the Semester 1 reports.3) In DP at the teacher’s discretion.4) If your child’s teacher feels there is a specific need to discuss their learning progress.
When will I receive an invitation?
If you are invited to a conference, you were contacted by e-mail by relevant teachers by Tuesday April 15.
If I do not receive an invite can I still request a conference?
Yes. If you do not receive an invitation for these conferences, but would like to see a particular teacher to discuss your child's progress please sign up on Veracross at an available time slot at: https://portals.veracross.com/nis/parent/conferences
However, it is easiest (and most reliable) to access the link from the top of the Parent Portal Homepage.
Sincerely,
Derek Pinchbeck Arden Tyoschin Juan SaavedraHead of Primary Years" Head of Middle Years" Diploma Coordinator
3. The Student-led Conferences increased students' ownership of their learning.
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Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
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912
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19
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03
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1311
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1510
98% attendance!1. My child actively and confidently led me through demonstrations / discussions.
2. The Student-Led Conferences provided greater interaction between my child and me compared to a traditional 3-way conference.
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8－9 7 6 5 4 3
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There was a very positive vibe in the school during Student Led Conferences. Students spoke confidently about their learning and led their parents through an
understanding of their learning journey. Thank you!
5. We visited ___ different subject classes:
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101520
Significant insight Some new insights Nothing surprising or insightful
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4. I better understood my child’s learning progress through the demonstrations and discussions.
Last Saturday, April 12th the Shanghai Swim League East-West Meet was held at Shanghai American School, Puxi. Unfortunately due to our NIS school holidays many of our swimmers were unable to attend but 9 swimmers from Silver, Bronze and Transition squads travelled to Shanghai with their parents to represent us. It was a fun meet and everyone enjoyed it - including the parents. There were heat winner ribbons won, PBs swum and a school record broken. There was the sibling relay of Cedric, Yannik, Mariette and Francesca who placed 5th; Emily, Aubrey, Summer Rose and India came third in the 9-10 girls relay; India, Mariette and Matilda placed in the top 6 of at least one or more of their events and also placed in the top 10 overall in their age groups. All 9 of these swimmers should be proud of their swims because we certainly were!!
CONGRATULATIONS to Summer Rose, India, Aubrey, Francesca, Mariette, Yannik, Cedric, Emily and Matilda.
A ‘stinging attack upon the black arts of…manipulation and mendacity’ (The Evening Standard), ‘a sharp and hilarious satire’ (Methuen Publishing ), ‘wring(ing) wild laughter out of insidious corruption’ (The Guardian); by Dario Fo, a Nobel prizewinning writer ‘with a popular, comic touch’ (The Evening Standard): a ‘madcap farce packing a comedy-coated punch’ (The Purple Duck).
Don’t miss the (last) show of the year! (Suitable for Grade 8 and upwards.)
2. ACAMIS HOSTS NEEDED Danny Clarke: Next week from April 24-27th 6 schools: 102 boys and girls will come to NIS and take part in the ACAMIS Football tournament. We have beds for 100 students, but more are still needed. Please get in touch with Danny Clarke if you can help in any way.
3. Pfrang Gala Dinner Jenny McLellan: Dinner is Saturday May 17th. Tickets for sale now see Sandra Fuchs (Community and Service Coordinator) or Jenny McLellan.
4. Nanjing Football World Cup: PTA will again this year sponsor the China Team.
5. DP Exam Lunch days: PTA will help provide drinks for 2 lunches for G 11
and G 12. An email will be sent out the DP parents requesting help with this potluck. Please see Alicia Quiros if you would like to help.
6. Spring Fun Day May 3rd: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED STILL -again this
year we are trying to organize the events so that each country takes on an event, until now very few have come forward....if you would be able to help please contact Janine Kummer on: [email protected]. It is great day and we have a great number of kids taking part (last year about 800), so we really need helpers.
7. PYP Athletics Day: All Day May 6th, parent volunteers needed please contact Jacqui Weatherly on [email protected] if you would like to help
8. PTA Structure: A change in the PTA Structure has been suggested. An email will be sent out explaining the new PTA Structure.
Big Thank You from EurestEurest would like to thank everyone for joining in Korean Day on April 15!!! We would like to make a special thanks to our Korean Mums who helped cook, serve and make this day a great success!!!
Please stay connected for our next promotion in May —Italian Food Promotion!!!
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!!!!!!!!!!!Education a Gift for Life!!
Pfrang Gala!!On Saturday May 17th 2014 from 7p.m. the Pfrang Association will be hosting the 14th Annual Pfrang Gala at Nanjing International School. This event is one of the highlights of the expatriate social calendar in Nanjing and attracts over 300 people for an evening of fun and fundraising. !!All the money raised on the night allows the Pfrang Association to provide scholarships to cover the 6 year High School education of needy students in rural Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. Since its founding 14 years ago the Pfrang Association has provided more than 700 students the!opportunity to go to school. The Gala plays a vital role in allowing us to provide the lifelong gift of education to children who would other wise be denied the educational opportunities so many of us take for granted.!!It will be an amazing night for the community to come together to eat great food, dance to great live music and support a great cause. !!Thanks to our sponsors there are some incredible raffle prizes available including an iPhone donated by China Mobile and a return flight to Hong Kong donated by Dragon Air. If you or your company would like to donate further prizes or sponsor any aspect of the event please contact the Pfrang Association.!!Tickets are available in school from Sandra Fuchs in her office on the second floor of the Centre.!!Come along, bring all your friends and have a great night for a great cause.!!For more information contact: [email protected]!
