EAGLE TRACTS
CORNERSTONE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
Bonne Année!!! FROM OUR FRENCH TEAM
Dear Parents,
Happy and Prosperous New Year 2022!
Akwaaba!
I am happy to welcome you to the second semester/term of the 2021-2022 school year. The events and happenings in the previous year have shaped our life experience and informed our expectations for the new year.
As a community inspired by a vision for a better world, we strive at ceasing every given opportunity to make a difference in the world. The interruptions in our normal lives occasioned by the pandemic have caused significant changes in our operation, but have however opened us to many opportunities. I am confident that we have become more creative in all our ways and continue to learn.
This semester/term promises to be a more engaging one for both elementary and middle school students. The planned learning engagements, events and extra curricular activities are expected to challenge and spur us on to greater achievements.
I look forward to a more agentic learning community this semester/term where students take more responsibility for themselves, their belongings and the environment around them.
When we demonstrate more responsibility, we show that we are ready to take ownership of our actions.Our community is strengthened through the responsible actions we take.
While this semester/term unfolds, I am hopeful that both parents and school will keep working together in maintaining our high standards and challenging ourselves to achieve more.
I entreat all members of the school community to be reflective as we begin a new year. The Learner Profile attribute, 'Reflective' teaches us to think and take responsible actions accordingly.
I wish you the best.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Vani Joseph
Principal
We are thankful to the Parent Teacher Association of Cornerstone International Academy (PTACIA) for initiating this drive. As a community inspired by the IB Learner Profile attribute 'Caring', we find fulfilment in spreading the love that Christmas brings. It is our hope that, this gesture by our students and parents will inspire others to give towards a worthy cause in the society. Your donation has reached out to the following orphanges.
- Agape Children's Home, Aburi, Accra
- Hopeway Ministries Residential Home, Haatso, Accra
- Nyamedua Residential Home, Ashley Botwe, Accra
OUR CULTURE, OUR LIVES
DID YOU KNOW?
1. Ice cream was once called “cream ice.
2. The wind is silent until it blows against something.
3. Abraham Lincoln was a professional wrestler long before he became the 16th President of the United States.
4. Peanuts aren't nuts! (They're legumes.)
5. Carrots weren't always orange: they were once exclusively purple.
6. One million Earths could fit inside the sun!
7. Shrimps have their hearts in their heads.
8. A fox uses its tail to communicate with other foxes.
9. Your nose and ears never stop growing.
10. The strawberry is the only fruit that bears seeds on the outside.
See if you can find the 7 differences between these two pictures
National Farmers' Day was commemorated at C.I.A. to appreciate and pay respect to the importance of the farming and fishing industries and their tremendous contribution to the socio-economic growth of Ghana.
BEING AWARE OF YOUR COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS
Cognitive distortions are ways that our mind tricks us into believing something that is not true (Grohol, 2016). These inaccurate concepts and thinking patterns are frequently utilized to encourage negative emotions or thinking. They are recurring patterns of irrational negative thinking and are seen basically as logical errors.
For instance, a person might tell himself or herself; “I always fail when I try to do something new; I therefore, fail at everything I try”. This is an example of “black or white” (or polarized) thinking. The person is only seeing things in absolutes and refuses to understand that failure at one activity does not mean you will fail at everything. Close to polarized distorted thinking is overgeneralisation where an individual comes to a general conclusion based on a single incident that happened.
In certain instances, children can be harsh on themselves as well. They can get locked in negative thought patterns which can make them feel unhappy, nervous, and disturbed. Children sometimes believe that one terrible thing equals all bad things. For example, a child may believe that if they do not have flawless grades, they are a bad student. Mind reading is another typical cognitive distortion in children. A child may believe that they know what other people are thinking. "I am sure they think I am lazy!" or "I am sure my teacher does not like me," for example. It is also common for children to interpret events as evidence that something is wrong with them. They may believe they are to blame for events that they did not initiate. "My parents are getting divorced because I cause too many problems," for example.
Learning to recognize cognitive distortions can help children and adults to think more positively and feel more confident about themselves. Negative thinking can be actively refuted to be gradually replaced by more rational and balanced thinking. In the case of children, they should be encouraged to share their thoughts so they could be guided with their thought processes.
Reference
Grohol, J. M. (2016). “15 Common Distorted Thinking”. PsychCentral. Archived from the original on 2009-07-07
Mr. Samuel Panti
School Counselor
THE OPPORTUNITY
It was a stormy night. The winds howled, the trees rustled and the rains came down in big fat drops. The house was dark and silent except for the pitter-patter of the rains. “What cozy weather!” Nana Yaw thought. He started to count sheep; 1 sheep, 2 sheep, ...
“It is our last unit celebration with today being the biggest celebration ever! I cannot wait!”, squealed Eyram. “Unit celebration??? Oh NO!”, cried Nana Yaw. He had totally forgotten about it. He was so occupied during the weekend that he forgot to finish his project. He remembered his facilitator telling them to write the date in their journals as a reminder. He promised to do it but instead left for recess.
Mr. Selby, his homeroom facilitator will be so disappointed. “If only I had written it down just like he suggested.” He groaned. They had been learning about the 'Seven Habits of Happy Kids' in school and he remember the third habit because his dad was quite particular about it. “Get your priorities straight” dad would say anytime his big sister came ranting for a new item. He has always wondered why his dad used to say that but now, he understood. “Poor me! I really wanted to get that award”, he sobbed.
“Gather around, take your projects, it is time for our exhibition”, Mr. Selby announced.
“I…I couldn’t do my project, Mr. Selby,” he sheepishly said. “Nana Yaw, we spoke about this. What is the third habit of the Seven Habits of Happy Kids?”, Mr. Selby asked. “Put first things first (work first, then play)”, he answered. “I am sorry for not doing my project.” “That is alright. Unfortunately, I cannot add you to the exhibition team. I know how much you were looking forward to it, but you had to submit your project”, Mr. Selby said. “I understand Mr. Selby.” Then Nana Yaw sobbed.
“Next time I will finish what I am supposed to do. I will be a balanced person. I will finish my work on time.” He said to himself.
“NANA YAW! NANA YAW! Wake up! It is 9 o’clock. We are going to the beach today.” His sister screamed. Nana Yaw woke up groggily. “Beach? Oh, today is Saturday. So, it was just a dream! I have another chance. Yes!”, he jumped up. His sister stared at him strangely for a minute and walked away to prepare.
“Daddy, can you help me with my project when we get back?” Nana Yaw asked. “Sure”, Dad replied. “Thank you, daddy,”, Nana Yaw said as he wrote something in his little jotter. What are you doing Nana?” Dad peered over his shoulders. “I am writing a note to myself. This is my last chance and I have to do it right.”
Ms. Doreen Darkwaa Kontor- Manu
Fifth Grade-Yuri GagarinGET IN TOUCH
Email: correspondence@mail.cia.edu.gh
Website: https://www.cia.edu.gh
Location: No.2. Harare Street, Off Mensah Wood Avenue, East Legon, Accra-Ghana
Phone: 0265055439 0202068221
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cia.pyp.5/
Twitter: @CIA_Ghana