Dragon News - 11.19.21
Principal's Message
This past Wednesday was Silver Platter Day at ISB. This is a tradition that I’ve come to love in my short time here. Seniors had just completed their Extended Essays, which are in-depth independent research papers on a topic of their choice that they’ve been working on since last March. They put on graduation gowns, placed a copy of their Extended Essay onto a silver platter (or an old aluminum pie plate), and momentarily interrupted their advisor’s class to present the paper. Often they were sharing small gifts or cards of appreciation with their advisor as well. The students then have to give a short speech to the class explaining their topic and what they found out. It is powerful modeling when an 8th grade band class hears from a 12th grade student how Duke Ellington’s influences show up in his seminal work Mood Indigo. Juniors in biology recognize the relevance of biological research when they are hearing from a senior about the impacts of microplastics on coral reef health.
Related to this, choir classes gave in-house concerts Wednesday and Thursday. Students from other classes came down to our stage area and listened and cheered on their classmates who performed a series of pieces, some classical and some modern.
What Silver Platter Day and choir concerts have in common is that in both cases students are making their learning visible to the larger community, and in both cases they were met with applause and affirmation. This takes both vulnerability and courage. It also shows our broader student body the possibility of what they can do. Embracing intellectual rigor and encouraging compassion are part of our mission. Being academic risk-takers and inquirers are part of the values we embrace as an IB World School. Both of the aforementioned events illustrate perfectly who we are and who we hope each student will become.
Andrew Gilford
Principal
Upcoming Events
Friday, November 19 - High School Fall Dance, 7:00-10:00 pm
Monday, November 22 - Staff Development Day, No Students (NEW)
Tuesday, November 23 - Schools Closed (NEW)
Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26 - Thanksgiving, No School
Monday, November 29 - Regular school day - Red A Day (NEW)
Parking Lot Safety
Thank you to all parents who are modeling safe and courteous driving for our students in the parking lot. We have had a couple of instances where parents have not stopped and remained stopped until all pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk. Please keep student safety in mind when entering the parking lot, drive at slow speeds, respect crosswalks, and only use the designated drop off zones shown in this map.
ISB Activism Club - Blood Drive
Help ISB's Activism Club raise donation funds by donating blood between November 14-28 at any local Bloodworks NW Donor Center or Pop-Up. Make your appointment today and commit to saving lives!
- Step 1: Make a donation appointment today! Search for locations online at www.schedude.bloodworksnw.org or call 800-398-7888 to find a location near you.
- Step 2: On the day of your donation, let the registrar know that you are donating on behalf of The ISB Activism Club by providing this code: 8i64B.
- Bonus: Blood donation can count for CAS!
Pop Up Donor Centers are being conducted in accordance with social distancing guidelines. Parent permission form is required for donors ages 16 and 17. Photo ID with first and last name is required to donate. Appointments and face masks are required.
For more information, visit www.bloodworksnw.org/coronavirus
'Tis the Season to Donate
The ISB National Honor Society’s annual holiday drive is coming up! This year, the Season of Caring and Houselessness committees will be working together to collect nonperishable food, new or lightly used clothing, and hygiene and personal care items. The food
items will be donated to local families and the clothing and hygiene items will be donated to Rose Haven Shelter.
Starting on December 6, you can drop off donations, before, during, or after school, in the boxes at the tables that will be in the hallway outside the Cafeteria. There will be separate boxes for food, clothing, and hygiene items. December 18, the last day of school before winter break, is the last day to drop off donations.
Good Food Items to Donate:
Canned foods
- Soup
- Fruit and vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Stew
- Fish
- Beans
- Tuna
Pasta
Rice
Whole grain cereal
Food Items Not to Donate:
Anything that needs to be refrigerated
Anything perishable
Expired food
Leftovers or homemade items
Food with damaged packaging or anything that is not prepackaged
Unhealthy foods
Good Clothing and Hygiene Items to Donate:
Shampoo and Conditioner
Deodorant
Hair brushes
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Feminine hygiene items (pads, tampons, etc.)
New or lightly used clothing
Clothing and Hygiene Items Not to Donate:
Used or damaged hygiene products
Damaged clothing
Any contributions you can make are appreciated!
THPRD Track & Field Registration
Track & Field registration opens on December 4. The season starts on February 24 and runs through May 5. Middle schoolers can sign up by visiting: http://www.thprd.org/facilities/recreation/cedar-hills/middle-school-programs
Meal Benefits
All BSD students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch at school for the entire 2021-2022 without applying. If you have received an approval letter for the 2021-2022 school year, you do not need to apply. If you have not received an approval letter and you wish to be considered for other benefits, such as electronic device coverage, athletic fees, testing fees, you must apply for Meal Benefits. Go to www.schoolcafe.com to apply online, or pick up a paper application in the front office.
Culture Corner
Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, and Thanksgiving 2021 occurs on Thursday, November 25. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving
November 28 - December 6, 2021 - Hanukkah
The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.
CONTACT AND FOLLOW US
International School of Beaverton
IB World School - MYP & DP
Andrew Gilford - Principal
Email: isb_communications@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/schools/isb/
Location: 17770 SW Blanton St, Beaverton, OR, United States
Phone: (503) 356-3690
Facebook: facebook.com/isbdragons
Twitter: @isb_dragons
The Beaverton School District prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any basis protected by law, including but not limited to, an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, familial status, economic status, veteran status, or because of a perceived or actual association with any other persons within these protected classes.