November+9,+2009+(vol+1;+issue+11)

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=**Pearl of the Week**= Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. -James Baldwin  = = =**Humour Me**= = =

**Mark Your Calendars**

 * November 9-10:** Parent Conferences 7:00-3:00
 * November 11:** Team Meeting
 * November 12:** Principal's Coffee 7:30 AM
 * November 13**: Friday Briefing (Student Services)
 * November 14**: TOEFL Exams
 * November 16-20:** Grade 6 ESP
 * November 16:** Gr. 10 First Draft of PP due
 * November 16:** Committee Meetings (MYP Steering, Facilities and Grounds, Steering)
 * November 18**: Collaborative Planning Time (2:00)
 * November 18:** Board Open Forum and EGM in SS Library (7:00)
 * November 23-24**: Mid-Term Effort Review issued

= Have a Look...This is important!!! =

Click here to have a look at the latest edition of the 2010-2011 Calendar.


You will notice that there is significant difference in days allocated to Terms 1 and 2 (82 days) and Terms 3 and 4 (98 days). This difference is more significant than this year, and I know that we are all feeling pretty crunched for time in Terms 1+2.

I am planning on re-adjusting the end of Term 2 from Friday, December 17th to Friday, January 21. I am also planning on re-adjustisting Term 3 from Friday, March 18th to Friday, April 1st. Parent-Teacher Conferences would be moved to after the holiday on Friday, April 15th.

This change would have the most impact on Semester classes. I have already touched base with Joe and Nora. Please let me know if you have any significant objections to this change by the end of the day on Wednesday, November 11th.

Thank you for your attention.

=**Twiga Talk**=
 * You may click here to view materials that may be helpful as you prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences.
 * Liz, Andy, and I are really enjoying our Teacher Assessment/Goal Setting meetings and believe we are developing a better understanding of the work that you do with your students and colleagues. If you have not already done so, please schedule a 15-20 minute meeting with your assigned administrator to discuss either your SMART Goal (Track C) or your Summative Evaluation Plan (Track A or B). Please complete the necessary form in preparation for the meeting. Liz, Andy, and I look forward to learning more about your work with students and colleagues and how we can support you.
 * **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 on **Monday, November 24th.**
 * **A Reminder:** Copies (in pink) 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.
 * If you have had some interesting travels and would like to post them on IST's very own Travel Wiki, please click here . If you have questions about how to post, please see Ilana in the library. Thank you for your contributions.

=**Kudos To.. **=


 * Steve Turner, Steve Fogz, and Jarrod Dale for a successful ISSEA trip to Nairobi.
 * Jill and the Grade 6 Team for facilitating the snorkeling practice on Bongoyo Island.