On Friday August 27th, the 5th grade class received initial training as peer mediators or “peacemakers”. ISL Social Skill Support specialist Art Evidon and 5th grade teacher Sky Salveson conducted the one day initial training.
The Peer Mediation (Peacemaker) program provides 5th grade students with human relations training, conflict management information and communication skills. These skills are then applied to help students in conflict solve their own problems.
On Wednesday, September 8th cyber safety expert Larry Magid will be giving a presentation to all ISL MYP students as well as interested parents on how to stay safe while online. The presentation will be held in the "Forum" from 14h00-15h30.
Mr. Magid is a a technology journalist and an Internet safety advocate. He serves as on-air technology analyst for CBS News, is co-director of ConnectSafely.org and founder of SafeKids.com. He also writes columns that appear on CNET News, CBSNews.com, Huffington Post and the San Jose Mercury News.
ISL offers two day reading course, “Reading in the International School.”
The International School of Latvia hosted its first graduate level class from August 5-8. Led by Dr. Susan Lowell, an adjunct faculty member from the University of Buffalo (SUNY) and an employee of the Office of Overseas Schools, USA. In all 22 teachers attended the two day reading course, “Reading in the International School.” and four teachers decided to study the entire four days and received credit for the graduate level course.
During the weekend, Dr. Lowell spent thirty hours reviewing with our teachers the research regarding the teaching of reading and introducing the keys to teaching reading. Additionally she discussed methods to help students with reading problems including Dyslexia. Many of these learning problems exist in children with average and even above average IQ.
In conjunction with this workshop ISL has started a new reading initiative for the 2010-11 school year. A research based reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, handwriting, and spelling) program has been purchased for the lower grades as well as materials needed to service the older struggling reader. Another benefit is that our new learning resource teacher, Mr. Myrle Wasko, is fully trained in utilizing these materials. To see pictures of this event click here.
Reading is the passport to the world, and we hope that through this new knowledge this workshop has provided as well as our new reading program we will be able to open that world to your children.
Last May the ISL community completed a two year Self Study process that culminated in a visit by eight representatives from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council on International Schools (CIS). During the visit the visting team evaluated our Self Study report, inspected the safety operations of the school, and interviewed numerous members of the ISL community.
Recently CIS released their findings and we are proud to announce that ISL is once again been fully accredited.
In it's report CIS made the following commendations on the operations of ISL:
The School community on creating a strong Mission Statement which commands the respect and loyalty of all concerned.
The Board of Trustees and the finance team for the responsible management of the School’s financial affairs.
The School staff for its motivation and dedication in providing a positive, supportive and clean learning environment for ISL students.
The Board and the Director for their ardour in aggressively moving forward to acquire a new facility.
The PTO for their dedication and commitment to the School.
To celebrate this accomplishment, a plaque and certificate will be awarded to ISL. This ceremony will take place at a date and time to be determined. This report further validates that ISL is a world class school providing a world class education!
Once again ISL has recruited a new class of very talented and knowledgeable teachers to replace those staff members who have departed. Click here to read some brief biographical information on the new teachers for the 2010-11 school year.
On Monday, August 16, 2010 we will be hosting new student orientation sessions. We would welcome the opportunity to share with you about the PYP and MYP programmes and to answer your questions. ISL encourages parents to attend all activities, sports competitions and special events. We also encourage parents to volunteer to help in the classroom, in coaching sports, and with school social events. We have an active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and are proud to say that the energetic support of the school by the parents makes an enormous difference to the quality of education at ISL. Our PTO will be present during this event and would be excited to have the opportunity to meet you as well. The day’s events are as follows:
10:00 am All new children in the Primary Years Program (Pre-school through
Grade 5) will have the opportunity to visit their classroom and stay with their new teacher for an hour. In Grades 1-5 students will be given an informal pre-assessment assignment while parents go to their scheduled meeting.
10:15 am Parent meeting in the ISL library for all parents of PYP students. Refreshments will be provided.
11:30 am All new children and parents in the Middle Years Program (Grades 6-10) will be given an overview of the program in the library. Refreshments will be provided.
International School of Latvia Viestura iela 6a, LV 2010, Jurmala, Latvia (+371) 6775 5146 Fax: (+371) 6775 5009 Copyright 2008
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