November+16,+2009

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=Pearl of the Week=  "Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils." -- (Louis) Hector Berlioz = = =Humour Me= = =

Mark Your Calendars

 * November 16-20:** Grade 6 ESP
 * November 16:** Gr. 10 First Draft of PP due
 * November 16:** Committee Meetings (MYP Steering, Facilities and Grounds, Scheduling)
 * November 18**: Collaborative Planning Time (2:00)
 * November 18:** Board Open Forum and EGM in B4 (7:00)
 * November 20**: Friday Briefing (Creative Arts)
 * November 23:** School Holiday
 * November 24-25**: Mid-Term Effort Review issued
 * November 25:** Department Meetings- Ordering (2:00)
 * November 25:** Overseas orders are due
 * November 25:** Board Meeting 5:30
 * November 27:** Friday Briefing (Humanities)

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

A Commencement Speech written by Michael Thompson- the same guy who published the article //The Fear Equation//. The message embedded in this article is "Stop Shopping and Start Adopting" or "Adopt a Life". The article addresses what it means to be a parent, a teacher, a friend and a mentor. It is quite insightful...click here to have a look.

=Twiga Talk=
 * **Reminder:** If you are planning to stay next year, please turn in two signed copies of your contract to me. Juliana is on leave for the week. If you are not sure about your plans next year, please see me (if you have not already done so). Thank you.
 * **Cover, Cover, and More Cover!** We have a Grade 6 ESP, two PD workshops/conferences, and off-site Gr 12 science coursework. Many teachers will be out. Please be mindful of the cover roster that Andy sent out yesterday. Please follow the Cover Expectations that Andy sent out last week. You can access the expectations by clicking here . Thank you for your support.
 * This next six few weeks are packed full. Please use the on-line assessment calendar to post in-class assessment dates and project due dates. We want to try to minimize the chances of students having more than two major in-class assessments or long-term projects due on the same day. As Rebeka suggested during the briefing, you may wish to consult with your students as well before you make final decisions about dates. Thank you for your attention to this. Please click here to access the On-Line Assessment Calendar.
 * It is order time! Please continue having conversations with your HoD about ordering resources for next year and begin to consult vendor websites and fill out the templates posted on the school network under Orders 2010-2011. Please consult your HoD and/or review the instructions by clicking here . Overseas orders are due to be posted in your Dept folder on the network by the end of the day after your Dept meeting on ** Wednesday, November 25 ** ! (The due date has been extended) Thank you for your attention to this important process.
 * We will issue Mid-Term Effort Review slips to students next week on November 24-25. Copies go to the appropriate Team Leader and Principal. Carbonized booklets can be found in your box. More instructions about the procedure are forthcoming.
 * **A Reminder:** Copies (in orange now) of Student-to-Teacher Feedback instruments are located in the Staff Room. Please take as many as you need to administer to students in two classes. You may click here to review administration guidelines and expectations. We would like to conclude the administration of Student-to-Teacher feedback instruments by **Friday, November 20th.** Thank you for your commitment to use this instrument to acquire feedback from your students.

=Kudos To.. =


 * Olga for organizing and directing a quality music programme and to Josh for his support.
 * Daryl for hosting and organizing a College/University Fair (should have appeared in last week's Twiga Times)
 * Hilda and Claudia for supporting students as they completed their Language B Kiswahili exams.
 * Jill and the Gr. 6 Team for their collective effort to organize a quality Grade 6 ESP Trip to Zanzibar.
 * the entire Secondary School faculty for your collective effort to facilitate quality Parent-Teacher Conferences.
 * Steve T, Bahati, and Kaskella for launching the Saturday morning recreational programme.