February is "Spirit Month" in MS/HS and Student Council has been busy preparing exciting themed dress-up days and fun competitions. These competitions are designed to test our students' teamwork, problem solving, and of course, spirit! How fast can you put on a frozen t-shirt? How good are you at making and eating a sandwich blindfolded? Can you guide somebody through an obstacle course with only your voice?

Sixth graders recently collaborated with the second graders to publish fiction stories. As part of their narrative writing  projects, sixth grade students visited second graders, found out their interests, and wrote stories based on the interviews. Upon completion, they read their stories interactively to the second graders.

For the ICS Annual Author Visit, a celebration of reading and writing, children's author Toni Buzzeo will spend the week of 30 January through 3 February working with students and teachers, sharing her experiences as a writer. Please contact librarian Martha Langille for details.

The graduating senior class of 2012 along with their advisors journeyed to Debre Zeit this past weekend. The purpose of the retreat this year is primarily for the grade 12 students to bond with each other, and for students to receive helpful information and coping skills for the remainder of their final semester, as well as beyond high school, whether university life, gap years, or a job.

The ICS Corporate Toastmasters Club celebrated its 5th anniversary on 12 January. More than sixty guests from here and other toastmaster clubs in Addis were part of the celebration. Dr. Alula Pankhrust gave the keynote speech, and the ICS Director and the club president also spoke. Four club members competed in a speech contest, delivering fantastic speeches.