Dragon News - 11.05.21
Principal's Message
Starting in 2021, US News and World Report began to do rankings for elementary and middle schools across the country. International School of Beaverton is currently ranked #2 in the state of Oregon. This is certainly a source of pride for our students, staff, families, and the district as a whole. You can view the details here. While this speaks to the persistence and hard work of our students, the commitment of our staff, and the support of our families, I don’t believe rankings like this tell the whole story.
I don’t know the formula used to determine rankings, but I do know what is missing from the formula: A sixth grader who picked up a trumpet for the first time two months ago can now play without giving her parents a headache. Another sixth grader gave a poetry recital in his English class, and was able to choose from a haiku, a limerick, and a sonnet that he had written to read aloud to his class. A 7th grader erupted in joy when she found out she could check a book out of the library longer than usual because of the upcoming break. An 8th grader paused in his basketball game at recess, noticed another student on the side watching, and invited him to join.
Rankings can tell us a lot, but they are only the outline of who we are. I don’t know how you rank intercultural respect or how you measure whether we have compassionate world citizens, but I do know that who we aspire to be is something far larger and far deeper than what is often reported in school assessments and school rankings.
ISB Mission: Our goal at ISB is to encourage students to learn through an international lens as thoughtful, compassionate world citizens. We actively embrace intellectual rigor, intercultural respect, service to our local and world communities, and the promise of a peaceful world.
Andrew Gilford
Principal
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, November 9 - High School Open House for Grade 8 Parents deciding whether to keep their students at ISB
Thursday, November 11 - Veterans Day, No School
Friday, November 12 - Grading Day, No Students
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)
Student COVID Testing
If you opted in for the free student COVID testing, please read these instructions carefully:
Test Kit Pick up - test kits will be distributed during lunches on Tuesday, November 16. Please remind your student to pick up their test kit to take home.
Test Kit Drop Off - test kits must be returned to school on Wednesday, November 17, OHSU will pick them up starting at 10:00 AM. Have your student drop his/her test kit off in the large white cooler in the foyer as soon as they arrive to school. We will not be collecting them from the classrooms.
The test kit will include instructions on how to take the saliva sample as well as a sheet of labels for you to keep at home and use every week to identify your student’s test kit. Please keep these labels in a safe place.
Updating Personal Information
High School Open House
If you are the parent of a Grade 8 student and you are still deciding whether to keep your child at ISB for high school, feel free to join us for the Open House on November 9, 6:00 - 7:30. It will be streamed live on YouTube. Families who stay do not need to reenter the lottery, but may find the information shared useful in making a decision.
Academic Supports During the School Day
If your student is struggling or needing extra support in any classes, know that there are a variety of ways to get support here at school.
Make an appointment to meet with their teacher during lunch or after school.
Get a pass to visit a teacher’s class during Access Tutorial (AT) every Thursday.
Go to the cafeteria on Thursday during Access Tutorial to meet with an honor society junior or senior. There are tables set up for math, English, science, and each of the world languages.
Answer the Call for ISB and BEF
The Beaverton Education Foundation's annual fundraiser is happening now! ISB's chapter of National Honor Society is once again partnering with BEF to help them raise funds to support programs and materials at all 54 Beaverton schools, including ISB. 12 students gave their time on Thursday, November 4th, to make calls on behalf of BEF, but our fundraising window is open through November 19th. If you are able, please consider a donation in any amount to support this wonderful organization that has been serving Beaverton students for 33 years. Click here to learn more and contribute.
Daylight Savings Reminder
Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 7th at 2:00 a.m. when our clocks "fall back" an hour and we gain an hour of sleep.
Travel Safely
With fewer hours of daylight this time of year, all road users should be extra alert to see others. Here are some suggestions to help everyone stay safe on the road:
- Wear bright reflective clothing when walking or rolling.
- Be alert! Keep eyes and ears open, especially while crossing the street.
- Don’t assume people driving will see you. Make eye contact before crossing in front of vehicles.
- Put away your phone. Do not text and drive – it’s against the law, carries steep fines and is unsafe for all road users. If you're on foot and crossing the street, look up from the screen and pay attention to your surroundings.
- Cyclists should make sure to have lights and wear helmets – it is the law, and it helps people see you and keep you safe.
- Slow down. Drivers should use extra caution and slow down in the dark and rain. Always be alert for people on foot or bike at intersections, crosswalks (marked and unmarked), bike lanes and in school zones.
Culture Corner
November 4, 2021 - Diwali: Festival of Lights
Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians and is celebrated over 5 days.
Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. For instance, in Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C.; in Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was freed from imprisonment. Buddhists in India celebrate Diwali as well. Hindus interpret the Diwali story based upon where they live. But there's one common theme no matter where people celebrate: the victory of good over evil.
Source: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/pages/article/diwali
Many other holidays are coming up. If you are interested in researching and submitting a brief explanation of one of the following, that would be much appreciated:
Hanukkah
Las Posadas
Christmas (and its diversity of manifestations/celebrations)
Kwanzaa
Bodhi Day
Chinese New Year
Reach out to Maritza Grasty (maritza_grasty@beaverton.k12.or.us) if interested.
CONTACT AND FOLLOW US
International School of Beaverton
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.