November+30,+2009+(vol+1;+issue+15)

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=Pearl of the Week= = A cutting word is worse than a bowstring, a cut may heal, but the cut of the tongue does not. =

-African Proverb
=**Humour Me**= == = =

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Mark Your Calendars

 * November 30**: LODAT Meeting 2:00
 * December 1:** World HIV/AIDS Day/Free Dress Day
 * December 1:** Moshi Parents Evening 6:00
 * December 2:** Secondary School Parent Network 7:15
 * December 3:** Collaborative Planning Time
 * December 3-5:** IST Faculty Play- All in the Timing
 * December 4:** Friday Briefing 11:45
 * December 4**: Secondary School Music Concert 7:00
 * December 5:** SAT Exams 7:00 AM
 * December 5**: Kili Selection Walk Pugu Hills
 * December 7:** Committee Meetings (MYP Steering, Facilities and Grounds, Scheduling Committee)
 * December 8:** Proofread reports with buddy
 * December 9:** Independence Day/No school
 * December 10:** Principal's Coffee 7:30 AM
 * December 11:** Friday Briefing 11:45
 * December 11-14:** Moshi Tournament

=** Have a Look... **=

Reinforcing Effort
Although research on learning tends to focus on instructional strategies related to subject matter, students' beliefs and attitudes have a significant effect on their success or failure in school. Students growing up amid challenges can develop an attitude that "failure is just around the corner," no matter what. Research makes clear the connection between effort and achievement—believing you can often makes it so. This research shares recommendations and techniques that encompass student recognition, beliefs, and attitudes about learning. Click here to see some key research findings and strategies to reinforce effort.

=Twiga Talk=
 * **Orders-** Thank you for submitting overseas orders. I will submit orders to Mercy and she will begin the process of assigning them numbers and submitting them to ISS. She will also establish contact with non-ISS companies in the UK (Equip My School) and Australia in order to execute those "special orders". We will do a Novel Idea order along with a local stationery order sometime in the Spring. Information will be forthcoming.
 * We have a LODAT meeting scheduled on Monday afternoon in B4 from 2:00-3:00. If you do not have a laptop, don't forget to print out the attachments.
 * **Looking Ahead-** Please keep in mind that your reports with narratives are due on **Friday, December 11th.** If you have any questions about the reporting process, please refer to the documents that Liz sent out or you may see Liz. Thank you for your attention to this.
 * As pointed out in Friday's briefing, we have been having a lot of problems with our Microsoft Exchange Server that hosts our email. This server has proven to be very difficult to maintain particularly in this part of the world. Over the holiday, we will begin the process of migrating our email accounts and data to Google Apps. On **Thursday, January 14**, the Tech guys will facilitate an in-service to help us use google apps (email and calendars) just before the migration is finalized. More information about this transition is forthcoming.

=Kudos To.. =


 * SS faculty for issuing Mid-Term Effort Review to inform students and their parents of an unsatisfactory level of effort in class.
 * SS HoD's, budget holders, and faculty for completing overseas orders.
 * Jen and Ilana for organizing the Student Council "Vampire Evening" and to Natalie for making a "guest appearance".
 * SS faculty for posting project due dates and internal assessment dates on the Assessment Calendar.