September+14,+2009+(vol+1;+issue+5)



=**Pearl of the Week**= If a man speaks his mind in a forest and no woman is there to hear him, is he wrong? -Sir Ken Robinson

=Humour Me= = =

Mark Your Calendars
**September 14: **Committee Meetings (MYP Steering and IST Graduation Requirements)  **September 16** : Professional Development Committee Meeting 3:00  **September 16:** Parent Open House 7:00  **September 16-25:** Kiswahili Oral Exams  **September 17:** UK University Fair 7:30-9:30  **September 18:** Friday Briefing 11:50 (Humanities)  **September 18:** Gr 10 Personal Project First Draft is due **September 21-21:** Eid ul Fitr Holiday **September 23** : SS Faculty Meeting 2:00-2:30 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**September 24:** Board Meeting 5:00 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**September 25-26:** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Board Retreat
 * September 15**: New teacher check-in 2:00
 * September 16:** Dept. Meetings 2:00

Have a Look...
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Professional development used to be defined as going to a conference or workshop. Now it is so much more and with information sources and forums such as blogs, twitter, and on-line courses, professional development is becoming more accessible, and there is more opportunity to embed PD within our work at school.

[|Click here] to view an article that has appeared in the latest edition of //IB World// entitled Professional Development: Brushing Up.

Twiga Talk
<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">
 * Regardless of where Eid falls, IST will not be open on September 21-22.
 * Apart from IB professional development, if you would like to propose to attend a workshop this year, please plan to attend Professional Development Committee meeting on Wednesday at 3:00 to present your proposal.
 * Landscaping around the Science building is scheduled to begin over the next couple of weeks. Please note that a couple of trees that are deemed unsafe will be removed; however several trees and plantings indigenous to Tanzania will be planted to improve the outdoor environment around the Science building and the Secondary School housing.
 * Over the next couple of weeks, the re-furbishment of B block will begin. Upstairs classrooms are first on the agenda. We will be in touch regarding temporary relocation of classrooms.
 * Liz, Andy, and I continue to enjoy our "Classroom Walk-Throughs", and we are developing a better understanding of student learning and the curricular and instructional decisions you are taking to engage students in their learning. You may click here to view the Classroom Walk-Through Protocol.
 * Open House is scheduled on **Wednesday, September 16th from 7:00-8:30**. We will begin with introductions at 7:00 PM in the MPH. If you have not already done so, you may click here to review the memo.
 * On September 23, I have scheduled a 30 minute faculty meeting (2:00-2:30) to introduce some modifications to the Secondary School Teacher Assessment Process. The modifications are designed to make the process more meaningful and manageable to all involved. You may review the process by clicking on Teacher Assessment Process located in the navigation bar.

Kudos To...

 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">Natalie and supporting faculty members for leading a Grade 10 Geography Field Study at Coco Beach.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">Nora and supporting faculty members for leading a Grade 11-12 Arts Trip to Bagomoyo
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">Steve M. and Claudia for presenting ways in which the MYP and IBDP will prepare students for an uncertain future at the Principal’s Coffee.
 * Steve T. for facilitating the opening of the DISL (local sport league) on Saturday. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">
 * Steve M. for producing a quality IB Diploma Report to present to the Board.
 * Jeff and members of the Science Dept for hosting a rooftop BBQ in honor of the new Science building.