Dear Parents,
The first week of school has gone extremely well and we are pleased with how smoothly all our new students have settled in and the classes have got underway. Primary Clubs and Secondary CAS and Sports activities start tomorrow (Monday). I hope we will see many parents of primary children at the primary parents’ meeting on Wednesday at 6pm in room 16. I also know that our M1 students are looking forward to the Camp Craft trip next Saturday and Sunday. I hope to see many parents at the Parent Association picnic next Sunday at TPC – see details below.
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ISM Sports – Home of the Leopards
We are very excited to begin our sports season on Monday August 18th. I have attached here the list of sports that are on offer this semester. There may be a couple of adjustments to the schedule over the next week, so students are asked to check the sports board regularly. Students have already completed their on-line signups, and coaches are preparing for their first training sessions.
Here is a reminder of the rules regarding our sports teams at ISM.
All students must sign up for at least 1 sports club/team per semester.
Students must attend their sport every practice, otherwise a detention will be given. If students are unable to attend due to illness, they must themselves find the coach before practice begins, and let them know. If students are unable to practise due to injury, they should still attend. They can participate in other ways such as refereeing, or helping out.
Sports run from 4:30-6:00pm from Monday to Thursday. Some sports train at other or additional times. Students must come on time. Three lates to practice will also equal a detention. If students are participating in a CAS that runs late, he/she may need to make a different sporting commitment.
Students should come for sports dressed in appropriate sports clothing that is needed for that sport. For example, Football – shin guards, cleats. Basketball – shoes with good ankle support.
Students who are selected to represent the ISM team in games, competitions and tournaments must be prepared to be committed for the entire season; both in time and with financial commitments. Students will only be selected for teams if they attend practice regularly, are at the appropriate skill level, and are in the appropriate age group.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding sports at ISM.
Yours in sport,
Marika Farrell
Plese note that Secondary CAS activities and Primary Clubs also begin this Monday.
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Primary Parents’ Meeting
We look forward to seeing all our parents at this information evening on Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm. We will start in Room 16 for a general session, followed by time in the classroom with your child’s teacher.
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Parent Association Picnic
On Sunday, 24th August, the ISM Parents’ Association is hosting a picnic lunch for all parents and teachers at Riverside House in TPC. The house has a pool and large grounds so there are plenty of opportunities for children to play or swim (please bring costumes). Food will be provided and drinks will be on sale. We hope that many parents living in Moshi or Arusha, as well as many teachers, will be able to join the PA for this welcoming event at the start of the school year. Lunch tickets will be available from Reception in school this week. Please see the attached flier for more details.
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M1 Campcraft
By now all M1 students should have received in their email a sign-up for the upcoming Camp-Craft trip to Marangu Hotel. M1 students will camp and be introduced to camp skills and Outdoor Pursuits (OP) elements. The trip will take place from Saturday 23 August to Sunday 24 August. All students should meet at the OP store at 9:30 AM on Saturday and will return to ISM by 12:00 noon on Sunday.
Please be sure that the students are well-prepared and packed. All students have received a packing list and should pack minimally as they will carry all of their own gear. Be sure to double check the packing list as students are not allowed to bring denim, electronic items, nor canned drinks.
Many items are available to be loaned to students through the OP store. There is a returnable deposit of 10,000 Tsh to borrow any equipment. The cost of the trip is 35,000 Tsh for Day students and 23,000 Tsh for Boarding students. This can be paid in cash via the accounts office or by MPesa to 0767 534766. Credit card payments are also possible online through www.ismoshi.org/paypal. Non-Tanzanian students will not be required to show residence permits for this trip.
If you have any questions, please email Isaac Foya, OP Coordinator, at
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Outdoor Pursuits
Secondary students who wish to join any of the Outdoor Pursuits trips this semester, should sign up for these now at www.ismoshi.org/op. The details of the various trips were described in last week’s newsletter available online at www.ismoshi.org/moshinews/140808/. Costs are shown below.
Trip
Tanzanians
Non-Tanzanians
(Prices in TSh)
Boarders
Day Students
Boarders
Day Students
Campcraft
23,000
35,000
23,000
35,000
Mandara Hut
82,000
94,000
196,000
208,000
Pare Mountains
90,000
102,000
90,000
102,000
Usambara Mountains
182,000
230,000
182,000
230,000
Base of Mawenzi
193,000
229,000
434,000
470,000
Rongai Route
250,000
286,000
450,000
486,000
Uhuru Peak
318,000
366,000
624,000
672,000
Note that the above charges for non-Tanzanians are for students who have a residence permit. Please scan and email your child’s residence permit to
so that we can print this and your child can carry it on the trip.
Payment for OP trips can be made in cash to our accounts office, via an ISM bank account (please email us details when payment is made), via MPesa to 0767-534766, or online at www.ismoshi.org/paypal.
If you have any questions, please email Isaac Foya, OP Coordinator, at
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PA Fundraising – 3rd October
Friday, 3rd October is the last day of classes in this first quarter. Please reserve the date in your diary as the Moshi Parents’ Association is planning a big fundraising event for the day. We hope that many families from Dar and elsewhere will also be able to join us for this event before taking their children home for the break. More details will be published in due course, but please keep the date free!
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Who Do I Contact?
Often it is not clear who you should contact if you have a question or a concern. I hope this guide may help you.
Area
Name/Title
Contact Details
Boarding: An issue about your child
His/her boarding parent
Please exchange contact information with his/her boarding parent
Boarding: A wider concern
Rosemary Bango – Head of Boarding
0689 772346 or
Primary: Your child’s education
His/her class teacher
All teachers can be contacted by email using an address in the form firstname+lastname@ed.ismoshi.com
PYP Curriculum Matters
Kate Schermbrucker – PYP Coordinator
Primary: A wider concern
Totty Aris – Deputy Head of Campus
0762 326385 or
Primary Clubs
Totty Aris
Secondary: Your child’s education
His/her tutor or subject teacher
All teachers can be contacted by email using an address in the form firstname+lastname@ed.ismoshi.com
Secondary: A wider concern
Totty Aris – Deputy Head of Campus
0762 326385 or
IB Diploma Matters
Rick Fitzpatrick – Diploma Coordinator
MYP Matters
Marika Farrell – MYP Coordinator
CAS Activities
Ingrid Chavez – CAS Coordinator
Sports Activities
Marika Farrell – Sports Coordinator
Outdoor Pursuits
Isaac Foya – OP Coordinator
Routine Accounts queries
Accounts Office
Special Fee Arrangements
Keiron White – Head of Campus
0767 534766 or
Policy issues concerning the whole school (not specific to your child or to the Moshi Campus)
Bob Horton – Director
Any other matters
Keiron White – Head of Campus
0767 534766 or
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Lockers
Most day students will like to have a locker in school in which to keep their belongings. Lockers will be available to all day students and keys will be issued by the receptionist. We ask for a TSh 5000/- deposit for the locker key which will be returned once the key is returned. We strongly encourage day students to keep their belongings in a locker and not to leave valuable items lying around in school. Whilst we will do all we can to prevent items from disappearing, we cannot be responsible for personal items which are lost.
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School Lunch
Day students are welcome to bring a packed lunch to eat in school, or to buy food at the school shop (using cash), or to eat a full lunch in the school dining hall. Any day student wishing to eat lunch in the dining hall should purchase a meal ticket from reception at a cost of TSh 5000/-. Parents or students can buy one ticket or many and use them whenever they wish. The menu for meals is posted outside the dining hall.
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Music at ISM
Greetings from the music room! My name is Susan Kellerman and I am excited to be the new music teacher here at ISM. The students and I have had a great week getting to know each other and setting the stage for the semester and year to come. In addition to talking about general expectations during class, all PYP and MYP students should understand what it means to use a “singing body”, as we will be singing every day in class. DP students have gotten straight into things, working on elements of music theory and ear training. Great enthusiasm was demonstrated throughout the week, so it is sure to be a great year!
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Instrument Lessons and Exams
We do offer individual music instrument lessons to many students in school in addition to the regular music classes and musical group activities. Students who wish to study a music instrument should see Ms Susan Kellerman, our Music teacher. Lessons will cost TSh 16,000/-per half hour and parents will be billed for these after your child has registered.
On 15th October (during the October break), we will be holding music theory examinations in school. These exams are set by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and are available from beginners level (called Grade 1) to the demanding Grade 8 exam. Registration must be completed by Thursday, 21st August at the latest. If you would like your child to register for these exams, please contact Susan Kellerman on
. There will be more theory exams held in March which will hopefully be on a more convenient date.
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The ISM Library
Students are encouraged to use the library for reading & research!
Students from EC to P3/4 must have a library bag in order to borrow a book. They are allowed to borrow 2 books and 2 DVDs. DVDs cannot be borrowed during the library sessions, they need to come at lunch/break time or after school.
Students from P5/6 to D2 are allowed to borrow 4 books, 2 DVDs and 2 magazines.
The borrowing time is 2 weeks with 2 renewals.
Students are not permitted to borrow if they have an overdue book.
Overdue books
Teachers/Tutors are sent a reminder once a week of any student that has an overdue book. The teacher will inform the student that the book is overdue and that they to to return it asap. If not returned on time, the library charges a fine of 100Tsh per day for any overdue item which can reach a max of 1000Tsh. Reports are not issued to students who have not returned their books at the end of each semester until the matter is resolved.
If a book is lost or damaged then the student will need to pay the replacement cost for the book which includes the publisher’s price of the book + $20(admin charges).
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D2: ACT Tests
ACT tests (intended for D2 students applying to universities in the USA) will be held in school on Saturday, 13th September. Most D2 students who needed to, took these tests last semester. If any D2 student wishes to register to re-sit the test next month, they must let me know immediately so that payment arrangements can be sorted out quickly.
Keiron White
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Identity Cards
We will start issuing free identity cards to secondary students and boarders next week. Students whose cards have expired, or new students will receive a free ID card. Students who have lost previously issued cards may obtain a new one at a cost of TSh 10,000/-.
Parents of ISM students may use the school swimming pool and some other facilities free of charge when these are not being used for school activities. From this month, any parent who wishes to use these facilities must carry a school ID card. ID cards are available from the administrative assistant, Haika Simon, whose office is immediately outside the Head of Campus’ office and who can be contacted by email on
. To obtain an ID card for a parent, please email a photo (passport style with head and shoulders only) to Haika together with your name, nationality, and the name(s) of your child(ren). You will also need to see Haika in person (office hours 7:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) to arrange payment of the TSh 10,000/- fee. The ID card will be valid until your child leaves school or until 2016, whichever is earlier. Children under 11 years old will not need to have an ID card.
Other Moshi residents may use some school facilities if they are specifically recommended by an ISM family. They will be charged a fee for the use of the facilities and will also need to obtain an ID card. ISM families are asked NOT to bring guests to use school facilities, unless they have been properly registered, charged and issued with an ID card.
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Laptops and Calculators
D1: Calculators: This is a reminder that all students joining D1 must have a graphic display calculator. The school teaches using the TI-84 Plus calculator and this is the model that we strongly recommend. If your child has not net obtained one, they may purchase a calculator in school at a cost of TSh 246,000 or US$ 148 – this is the cost price to the school including import duty and VAT. Payment for the calculator can be made in cash to our accounts office, via an ISM bank account (please email us details when payment is made), via MPesa to 0767-534766, or online at www.ismoshi.org/paypal. Please contact me, Keiron White, on
if you have any questions.
M5 to D2: Laptops: All students in M5, D1 and D2 are required to bring laptops to school to use in class.
Students in other secondary classes may also bring laptops, but this is not a requirement. Computers are available in the IT Centre for M1-M4 students to use.
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School Fees
The first instalment of the school fees for this school year was due to have been received by us on 1st July 2014. If you have not yet made arrangements for payment, your fees will now have been surcharged by 10% for late payment. Please do make arrangements to make all necessary payments as quickly as possible to avoid your child being excluded from school.
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Ebola Virus
Information concerning the Ebola Virus epidemic in West Africa was sent to parents yesterday. If you did not receive this, please let me know so that it can be re-sent. There are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Tanzania or East Africa.
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Diploma News
Both D1 and D2 students appear to be off to a good start to the school year.
This week D2 students were again reminded of the imminent deadline for the full 4,000-word draft of their Extended Essay (EE) – it is Wednesday August 27th. Since first learning of the EE guidelines in January students have researched and written their EE. After receiving suggestions from their EE Supervisor on their draft, the final version of the EE is due on Monday September 29th.
D1s participated in an engaging two-day orientation program that provided them a sense of all the DP Courses on offer, a chance to bond as classmates and an opportunity to figure out all of the components of the holistic program ISM offers. Three highlights of the D1 orientation may have been Monday evening’s informal hour-long sharing of advice from D2 students and recent graduates. All D1s also greatly enjoyed our field trip off campus to an agribusiness north of the school campus and Tuesday evening’s “Defining Success: My Work, My World, My View” roundtable discussion.
This week the DP Coordinator also met with D1 students regarding the ISM Diploma Retention Policy that was established several years ago. “Full diploma” students take six DP classes (include three higher level classes and three standard level classes). Each must obtain a minimum of 24 points in the official end-of-D2-year IB May exams. Included in the total of twenty-four points are three possible bonus points drawn from the TOK and the EE. Given that the “full diploma” status is not the ‘right fit’ for all and, in the interests of the well being of each young person, the ‘ISM Diploma Retention Policy’ guidelines articulate the minimum acceptable benchmark total number of points that students need to obtain in order to continue as “full Diploma” students. These scores are the bare minimum, are well below the desirable level of achievement for a full diploma student and are calculated by taking the sum of the grades in all six Diploma classes. The guidelines state that D1 students must reach a total of twenty points by the end of the first quarter from their six classes and ten points in total in their higher-level (HL) classes. By the end of the second quarter, the D1 student must reach twenty-two points total and eleven points in the HL classes. At the end of the D1 year, each student must obtain twenty-four points total and 12 points in their DP HL classes. We also advise – though it is not in the Diploma Retention Policy – that during the D2 year students who fall below 22 points total and 10 points on their HL classes seriously consider moving off the full diploma course-load. Each D1 student by the end of this coming week will have signed an agreement that they understand and will follow the Diploma Retention policy. Similarly, each D1 student (as D2 students did last year) will sign the Academic Honesty Policy whereby they agreed to follow the guidelines on always being honest in academic work.
D1 students met with the DP Coordinator (who is also their D1 Life Skills teacher) to discuss their individual course programs. Students were advised that we should aim to finalize the schedules by 1 September.
A number of ISM DP students will be taking on-line DP courses through our partner Pamoja Education. We are looking forward to another year cooperating with this well-organized IB “school without walls” as our students team up with experienced DP teachers in the study of DP Psychology SL or DP ab initio (means “Beginner” in Latin) Spanish or DP ab initio Mandarin. Learn more at www.pamojaeducation.com.
In terms of lesson content in Diploma History, (www.ismoshi.org/dip32), this week the D2 students worked on the ‘Summary of Evidence’ section of their 2,000-word historical investigation known as the History internal assessment (IA). A focused research question, relevant and detailed evidence and effective source analysis among other things will play a role in determining if they can get a top grade. A model we are using is the History IA of a class of 2014 student whose History IA examined received the highest mark possible – a 7 – and it was entitled “To what extent was the Maji Maji rebellion in German East Africa in 1905-1907 a reaction to the alien and strict rule of the Germans”. Meanwhile, besides getting an overview of the course, D1 students have grappled with the questions (and responded to them verbally and in writing with evidence): 1. Can we have certainty in History? and 2. In History do we study the past or the records of the past? Before too long both D1s and D2s will get on to focused study on the IB DP History topic ‘Arab-Israeli Conflict – 1945-1979′ using an array of sources including www.ismoshi.org/dip33 and the text – www.ismoshi.org/dip34 among others.
As they and we too often are so ‘connected’ in today’s world – this article is relevant to all of us: www.ismoshi.org/dip35.
Feel free to contact me regarding any issues that bear on your son or daughter’s experience as an ISM DP student.
Rick Fitzpatrick – DP Coordinator
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Middle School News
Thank you to the parents who were able to join us for the Introduction to the MYP last Wednesday evening. If you were unable to attend, please take a read through the MYP Handbook, found on the ISM website. If ever you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to drop in, or send me an email.
The IB Learner Profile
At ISM, we encourage and motivate every member of our community to be holistic and incorporate all areas of the Learner Profile into their lives. We recognise and celebrate when our MYP students excel in these areas, not only with academics; but in boarding, CAS, sports, and Outdoor Pursuits as well. Please also try to use these in your home!
Inquirers: We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
Knowledgeable: We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Thinkers: We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators: We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
Principled: We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Open-Minded: We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring: We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
Reflective: We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
Risk-Takers: We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
Balanced: We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives – intellectual, physical, and emotional – to achieve well-being for others and ourselves. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Regards,
Marika Farrell
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Primary Notelets
Clubs
Thank you to all the parents that submitted their children’s club choices through the online form. Clubs will start on Monday 18 August until Tuesday 30 Sep. We will then organise the clubs for quarter 2. If you would like to run a club in quarter 2 Oct-Dec, please email
. Clubs will finish promptly at 3pm, please ensure your child is picked up.
Birthdays
A reminder that although we like to celebrate our students’ birthdays through recognition in our primary gathering as well as class, we do not encourage big celebrations that eat into curriculum time. If you wish to send in a cake/cupcakes then that would be fine, please ensure you email or speak to the teacher 24 hours beforehand, any cake will be distributed during break-time.
Please do not send in sweets or party bags. Invitations to parties should be handled sensitively as children who are not invited can feel very left out.
No hat – no play & drinking water
From next week children who do not have a hat will not be allowed to play on the playground outside. Please ensure your child also has their own water bottle and does not share this bottle with others as it spreads germs. They can fill up their bottles at the school fountains.
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Early Childhood
It has been a busy and happy first week in EC. All the new children as well as returning children settled into the class extremely well and it has been a remarkably calm week, getting to know each other and the routines of the classroom. Many thanks to Ms Stephanie, a new middle school parent for baking delicious cookies with the class on Friday. The children loved the experience and we hope to welcome Ms Stephanie into our classroom on a regular basis!
Please check your communication book for a personal note about your child and the class timetable letting you know when PE and Library are. I will let you know when swimming starts, but until then we will have a regular PE lesson on Friday as well as Tuesday. Please make sure your child is wearing a House T-shirt, comfortable shorts or trousers (preferably not jeans) and PE shoes on these days. Boots, sandals, crocs or flip flops are not appropriate footwear for PE.
Unit of Inquiry
Next week we will start our first unit of inquiry under the transdisciplinary theme of ‘Who we are’. Our central idea is “We are alike and different in many ways”.
The lines of inquiry are as follows:
The nature of the individual
Personal preferences
Personal progress and development
We will start by reading the book ‘Map of me’ by Sara Fanelli to tune into thinking about ourselves and what makes us who we are. The children will make their own ‘Map of my family’ to help us understand what the terms ‘alike’ and ‘different’ mean.
Please could you send your child in with a favourite toy on Tuesday 19th August, prepared to say a few words about why it is their favourite. We will also talk about our favourite colours and make a graph to show this information. I will use the story “Chidi Only likes Blue”, an African Book of colours to help us with our discussion about why we like certain colours and what they remind us of.
Maths Focus
As part of our maths inquiry we will be investigating how tall we are using our big blocks to measure with. We’ll start a growth chart to enable us to see how we grow through the year. Children will also be working on number sense through songs, puzzles and games. This will be differentiated to suit the needs of individual children. I am still assessing the new children in their number sense.
Language Focus
Our work on phonemic awareness will begin using our Letterland Scheme. I will talk more about this scheme at our meeting on Wednesday. Over the next three to four weeks I intend to introduce all the letter symbols and their sounds to the new children and EC1 children. I will also continue to assess language skills to plan differentiated activities for groups of children. EC2 children will be working on identifying middle sounds in CVC words.
Have a wonderful week
Annalee
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P1/2 Preview
Information for Parents
What a great first week! I have enjoyed getting to know the children and seeing them work and play together. I was able to start to see what the children know so I can work with each of them at their level. I am happy to see that we have very bright, very motivated children here at ISM.
Language focus for the week
We will start to focus on handwriting this week. The P1 students will be working on letter sounds and reading short words. The P2 students will be doing a lot of reading and working on blends. I will be starting reading groups this week. Homework and spelling will not start for one more week.
Maths focus for the week
P1 students will work on number recognition and solving simple adding problems. P2 students will work on ways to make 10.
Unit of Inquiry
Our first Unit of Inquiry is “My Family”. We will learn about what makes a family, and what makes families different around the world. We will study family traditions and holidays.
What to bring to school:
Children need a hat for playtime and a healthful snack every day. Starting this week, children will not be allowed to play outside unless they have a hat. Thank you for sending one for your child.
Timetable:
Monday
Library (we will choose new books)
Wednesday
PE (wear PE shoes and a house T shirt)
Thursday
PE (wear PE shoes and a house T shirt)
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P3 Preview
Information for Parents
During the past week we have been busy learning about each other and settling into our new school year. We discussed our holidays and families, our likes and what is special to each of us. We thought about commonalities between us and used string to model a web of connections that join us together.
Language focus for the week
We will be reading recounts and anecdotal texts, identifying their features. We will be also focusing on sentence construction and revising basic punctuation.
Mathematics focus for the week
We will practise counting on and back in 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, and 100s; and will be identifying and continuing number sequences and patterns.
Unit of Inquiry
We will be tuning in to our first Unit of Inquiry.
Central Idea: Each of us is a unique combination of our nature, environment and experience.
What to bring to school
Hat
Water-bottle
Homework, Reading and Communication book (everyday please).
Timetable
Monday: PE
Thursday: Swimming and Library
Ms Sarah
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P4/5 Preview
Information for Parents
We have had an excellent first week in P4/5. We have played many games to get to know each other and to learn to work together. We have started tuning in to our first unit of inquiry. Our central idea is: The Earth’s physical geography has an impact on human interactions and settlements. This falls under the Transdisciplinary theme: Where we are in Place and Time.
Language focus for the week
We will continue to look at the genres of books that we read. Next week we will work on sequencing the events in a story using a comic strip format.
Maths focus for the week
We will continue to develop our sense of place value. This week students will work on comparing and ordering numbers. We will also practise writing numbers in standard, word, and expanded form.
Unit of Inquiry
This week will be spent tuning in and finding out the prior knowledge that students have about the central idea. Students will be creating different types of thinking maps.
What to bring to school: – A hat for playtime and a healthful snack.
Timetable:
Tuesday
PE (wear PE shoes and a house T shirt)
Wednesday
6:00pm Parent meeting to learn about the PYP and classroom routines
Thursday
Swimming (bring swim costume, towel, flip flops)
Library (we will choose new books)
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P5/6 Preview
It has been wonderful to meet the new P5/6 students (and some of their parents). The class is made up of a wide range of personalities and I know we are going to have fun and learn lots this year. This week we spent time getting to know each ot