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Creativity: A Vital Skill for the 21st Century

Submitted on Fri, 10/12/2012 - 10:20

“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.” -Edward de Bono, physician, inventor, and pioneer of “lateral thinking.”

It is all too easy to lose our appreciation of creativity as children move through their school years. The early days of drawings, art projects, storytelling, singing, and dancing that are so important to human development and learning can easily be pushed aside in favor of other learning: "correct" writing, mathematics, sciences, and humanities.

Quarter 1 Reports and Grades

Submitted on Fri, 10/12/2012 - 09:58

Quarter 1 ends next week on 17 October and the reports will be available for the Parent Teacher Conferences on 1 and 2 November. The purpose of ICS reports is to communicate student effort and achievement according to ICS standards to parents. The Quarter 1 report is a progress report based on student learning so far this semester. It reports on effort and achievement separately. The Quarter 1 report should be viewed not as a summative grade but as a snapshot of the student’s current level of achievement.

US University Admissions Presentation

Submitted on Fri, 10/05/2012 - 13:54

The Office of Overseas Schools at the US State Department is hosting a visit at ICS from a seasoned US University admissions official. Diane McKoy, Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Columbia University in New York City will visit ICS on 15 and 16 October. Ms. McKoy will represent all US colleges during her visit to ICS and she will provide valuable information about the admissions process.

Advisory Program in the Middle and High School

Submitted on Fri, 10/05/2012 - 13:53

As many of you are aware, ICS provides a morning advisory program for grades 6 through 10. The advisory program was originally created to:

Mistakes and Learning

Submitted on Fri, 10/05/2012 - 13:51

As we approach the end of the first grading period, students often forget the importance of making mistakes in order to learn. In sports, in music, in drama, in the classroom, and in so many contexts. . .we learn best by trying, and then getting feedback from a coach, peer, book, or video on that try. Making mistakes the first few times is absolutely essential, in order to make progress toward goals.

The most important thing to remember is that students are in school to learn and grow.

IBDP News 25 September

Submitted on Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:15

IBDP Year One: Upcoming: IBDP Year One Parent Meeting and Potluck Dinner on Tuesday 16 October, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. The evening will feature a chance for IBDP Year One parents to meet one another and communicate about various aspects of the program, presentations and updates from the IBDP Coordinator, and of course a potluck dinner. More information will be coming home with students.

High School Service Learning/Community Service Wednesdays

Submitted on Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:07

High school activities just launched Wednesday Service Days, during which high school students, parent volunteers and ICS teaching assistants go to three established programs in Addis to work with the community: Our Father’s Kitchen, Mother Theresa Orphanage and the Burn Care Unit at the Korean Hospital.

HS News from the Principal

Submitted on Wed, 09/26/2012 - 08:06

As the weather changes and Meskel approaches, we find ourselves near the end of Quarter 1. We hope you will read on about the Grade 12 CAS trip just past, and also about the many upcoming university information events. Our first ISSEA sports tournament trips are also coming up in early November.

IBDP News 20 September

Submitted on Fri, 09/21/2012 - 12:52

IBDP Year One: IB Year One students were treated to a one-hour session with IBDP consultants Richard Hood and Mary Gauthier this week. The pair of educators took some time from their work with high school teachers to lead our students in an exploration of skills and mindsets necessary for success in the IBDP.

Notes from the Principal

Submitted on Fri, 09/21/2012 - 12:51

Another busy week in the high school!

Our senior class returned from their CAS Retreat in Wolisso on Saturday (photos and more details will follow in next week’s Yezare Samint).

Monday’s “Virtual Learning Day” was a success for students and teachers alike; thank you to families for supporting your high school student’s independent learning on that day. You can read more about our teachers’ “High Challenge, High Support” work in the IBDP Coordinator News.