August+24,+2009

**Twiga Time**

**Pearl of the Week** The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. -Alvin Toffler

**Humour Me**

**Take a Look...** The latest IB World edition focuses on the technology revolution that is currently taking place among IB schools throughout the world. Below is a link to an article that consists of a series of anecdotes about students and teachers using Web 2.0 tools to enhance teaching and learning. Such anecdotes provide incentive for IST to provide a level of classroom access, so we can too begin to take advantage of the tools out there to promote collaboration and enhance teaching and learning. Click below…
 * [|School 2.0] **

**Mark Your Calendars** **August 24:** Kiswahili Mock Orals begin **August 24:** LODAT 2:00 **Twiga Talk** **Helpful PD Connections** [|Click here]
 * August 24:** Afterschool Activities begin 2:00
 * August 25:** Gr. 10 Personal Project Supervisor Workshop
 * August 25:** Gr. 11 Community Service Fair
 * August 26:** Gr. 10 Beach Day
 * August 26:** Collaborative Planning Time 2:00
 * August 27:** Gr. 9 Beach Day
 * August 27: Secondary School Parent Open House is cancelled.**
 * August 28:** MYP Community and Service Fair
 * August 31:** Friday Briefing 11:50
 * August 31:** Community Service Begins 2:00
 * August 31:** Committee Work 2:00
 * September 1:** Grade 8 Beach Day
 * September 2:** Student Council Retreat
 * September 2:** Team Meetings 2:00
 * September 3:** Gr. 7 Beach Day
 * September 4:** Friday Briefing 11:50
 * September 4:** Gr. 6 Beach Day
 * The Secondary School continues to have about 40 students absent per day due to H1N1 symptoms, diagnosis, or other illnesses. We have received five more confirmed cases on Friday- 3 students and 2 members of faculty. IST clinic is projecting more cases of the flu and a higher rate of absenteeism. Parents continue to call for homework. Consequently, there continues to be a need to establish efficient on-line communication (Moodle) between school and home.
 * LODAT will review IST Homework Guidelines, along with the relationship between Moodle and the Secondary School On-line Assessment Calendar on Monday. Tom will provide clarification early this week.
 * Our Friday briefings will be scheduled during the first part of lunch at 11:50 sharp in the staffroom. The Secondary School office will provide cut-up fruit on a weekly basis, and departments will rotate weekly and provide just biscuits/cakes- nothing fancy. The hope is to complete the briefing by 12:00 noon. Tom will put out a Dept rotation early this week. Thank you.
 *  H1N1 has altered our Monday and Wednesday rotation. Tom will put out a revised Term One rotation early this week.
 * Tardiness continues to be an issue with some of our students, particularly in Gr 11-12. Steve M., Steve T., Liz, Andy, and Tom are currently crafting guidelines consisting of consequences for students who exceed a certain amount of tardies per term. We hope to publish these guidelines by the end of this week and inform students and parents accordingly.

**Kudos To...**
 * Daryl for organizing a very successful IB1 Orientation Programme for students new to the IST community and to Steve M, Joe, Jenni, Rebeka, Ilana, and Viv for contributing to a very extensive 5 day programme.
 * Steve M. for organizing a very successful IB1 Induction for all Grade 11 students and to Steve T, John G. Natalie, Glen, and Daryl for contributing to the programme.
 * Team leaders for planning up and coming Beach Days!
 * HoD's for your commitment to work with colleagues in order to post assessment tasks and homework for each course taught on Moodle.
 * Faculty for making adjustments in your work and time management to integrate the use of Moodle into your practice.