RMIB News
RMHS IB / Magnet Programme Coordinator Notes May 2019
IB Learner Profile of the Month is Principled
IB and AP Testing
As I write to you today, we are half-way through IB and AP testing season, and all is going well. Students have been showing up for their exams on time and have worked diligently during examination sessions.. I hope that the experience has been satisfying to both new and experienced test-takers and that students felt well prepared for their assessments. We are pleased to let you know that a representative from the IBO came in to observe a testing session and we received perfect marks, testimony to the hard work of Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Day, and Mr. Jelen.
9th Grade Magnet English
Our ninth grade magnet students had the opportunity to read and analyze National Book Award winner Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X and discuss the work not only in their English classes, but also with ninth graders across academic programs at RM. Many magnet tenth graders completed and submitted their Middle Years Programme Personal Projects in mid-May; students who still need to submit projects need to do so on ManageBac and then email Ms. Clarkson directly at Molly_A_Clarkson @mcpsmd.org to let her know they’re there.
Upcoming
Summer enrichment assignments will come out soon for your various courses! In addition, juniors are reminded that it would be beneficial to continue working on extended essays over the summer and to start writing personal essays for college applications.
For students considering applying to an overseas university for their undergraduate education, please come to the Career Center on Tuesday, May 28 during lunch to hear RM alum Shirley Wang talk about the application process. Dr. Wang is a clinical psychologist and an assistant professor at Queen Mary University of London. As the Director of Teaching and Learning, she helps shape and run the undergraduate program and can answer students’ questions about applying to college overseas.
I have also invited Jordan Kanarek from Collegewise to talk about writing college essays that make an impression on admissions counselors. He’s a dynamic speaker, and he knows what he’s talking about. He will be speaking in the RM auditorium on June 4, from 7:30 - 8:30. I will also be offering a workshop about writing the college essay on July 30. Students can register for a 10:00 to 12:00 session or a 1:00 to 3:00 session. All are welcome to attend but space is limited; a sign-up sheet will be posted on the RM web page shortly.
Finally, I encourage students to submit personal essays over the summer via Kaizena, an app that gives me access to students’ college essay drafts and the ability to provide immediate oral or written feedback. Students will need to go to go to app.kaizena.com, click sign up, choose 'Student', and enter the code: 52n95. I am offering four extended essay sessions at RM over the summer, precise location in the RM building to be announced. The dates are July 9, July 26, August 13, and August 15, and all sessions will run from 10:00 - 2:00. Students can come and work on their extended essays and receive feedback on their drafts.
IB DP Senior Celebration for the Class of 2019
Class of 2019 DP students and their families are invited to the IB DP Senior Celebration on May 29th at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. We will have a distinguished speaker, presentations about the content areas from the students’ perspectives, refreshments, the awarding of the medallions, and the annual IB Awards. It’s always a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the graduating class as they gather together one last time to celebrate the friendships they’ve forged and the academic endeavors they have shared. We hope all seniors and their families can make it.
Diploma Programme Coordinator, Nancy_S_Shay@mcpsmd.org
As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the Diploma Programme.