THE AISB TIMES
February 20, 2024 EDITION
EDUCATOR QUOTE
The Director's Message
Exciting News from School!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am thrilled to share some truly remarkable news with all of you. It is with immense pride and joy that I announce several extraordinary achievements that our school has recently attained. These accomplishments are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty, and the entire school community.
First and foremost, I am delighted to inform you that like in the past five years, our school has again achieved a remarkable 100% university acceptance rate for our graduating seniors this year. This is a testament to the exceptional quality of education and guidance that our students have received, as well as their own hard work and determination. It is a true reflection of the high standards of academic excellence that we uphold at AISB.
In addition to this wonderful news, it is my pleasure to share that our school has been honored with a prestigious global excellence award. This recognition serves as a testament to the commitment of our entire school community to provide an outstanding educational experience that prepares our students for success in an increasingly globalized world. This achievement reflects the dedication and passion of our students, teachers, staff, and parents.
Furthermore, I am humbled and honored to share that I have been awarded an Honoris Causa Doctorate Degree from the Maryland State University in Transformational Leadership in recognition of my contributions to the field of education. This recognition would not have been possible without the unwavering support and collaboration of our entire school community. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as the principal of such an exceptional institution.
Last but certainly not least, I am happy to announce that our school has achieved candidacy for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. This is a significant milestone that reflects our commitment to providing a rigorous, internationally-recognized education that fosters the development of well-rounded, globally-minded students.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the collective efforts of our dedicated Board of Trustees, students, passionate educators, supportive parents, and the entire school community. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for contributing to our school's ongoing success.
As we celebrate these wonderful achievements, let us continue to work together to uphold the values of excellence, integrity, and community that define our school.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to sharing more exciting news and successes with you in the future.
Warm regards,
Dr. Laura Viban
Congratulations to the class of 2024!
Below are universities our students have received this year's acceptances from.
World School Summit Awards
AISB is now an IB Diploma Program Candidate School!
Congratulations AISB!
We recently received the good news from the IB office granting us the IBDP Candidacy status. Our current 10th graders will be the first batch of students to begin the IBDP program next year. Please take note that we shall continue to run both the IB and the US Diploma programs concurrently. AISB is therefore an IB full continuum school running the PYP, MYP & DP programs, the first in the country.
AISB's Participation in the Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) Conferences
Future Leaders Program in New York & HMUN in Boston
We are pleased to share with you a recap of the recent enriching experiences our students had during their Future Leaders Program (FLP) to New York City, as well as their participation in the Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) in Boston.
The field trip to New York City was an exceptional opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in the cultural and historical landmarks that make the city so iconic. From visiting the Statue of Liberty to exploring Central Park, Times Square, and Brooklyn Graffiti Tours, our students gained valuable insights into American history and culture. They also had the chance to visit important landmarks such as the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, where they paid their respects and learned about the significance of this tragic event in our nation's history.
In addition to the New York City trip, our students also had the honor of representing our school at the Harvard Model United Nations in Boston. This experience provided them with a unique platform to engage in diplomatic simulations and debates on global issues. They collaborated with students from around the world, honing their public speaking, negotiation, and critical thinking skills. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and the exemplary manner in which they represented our school.
Both of these experiences have undoubtedly broadened our students' perspectives and enriched their educational journey. We believe that these opportunities have not only contributed to their academic growth but have also fostered a greater sense of global awareness and cultural appreciation.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the students for their exemplary behavior and enthusiasm throughout these trips. We also want to express our appreciation to the the teachers and chaperones who accompanied and guided the students, ensuring that these experiences were both educational and enjoyable. Our sincere gratitude goes to the parents for the huge financial sacrifices they made and for trusting us with their kids.
We look forward to continuing to provide our students with such invaluable learning opportunities in the future.
For more photos, visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/aisbrazza
AISB at the 2024 AAIE Conference in New York
This Year's Theme
Black History Month at AISB: African History Month
This year, we merged the Congo Week event with Black History Month to make the African History Month. Our theme is: The Impact of Africa on the World. The Black History Month goes beyond the African countries by touching the communities of people of African descent in the African Diaspora around the world. In this light, we have planned presentations that highlight the wide-ranging contributions that these communities have made to the world--communities in Latin America, the United States, European countries, the Caribbean, etc., in addition to the African mainland. By approaching Black History Month/Congo Week in this way, we hope to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse tapestry of black history and its influence on the world.
A Black History Month / Congo Week Fact:
THE SAPEUR TRADITION: FROM AFRICA TO THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES (Ms. Vania)
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Did you know that traditions that look similar to the Congolese sapeur strut (or walk) existed in the southern United States? Two of those traditions are known as the cakewalk and the Second Line.
The cakewalk was practiced by enslaved people of African descent in the southern parts of the United States usually during festive gatherings. The participants would dress up in fine clothing or pretend to be dressed in fine clothing and prance down an imaginary runway looking like the elite of their society. This gif is an example of what you might find at one of these cakewalks.
The Second Line is the part of a Mardi Gras procession in New Orleans, Louisiana in which the participants get dressed up in very expressive clothing and strut or dance down the street to music (often live) playing. Here is a video of one such procession.
This year's Black History Month / Congo Week Presentation will take place on Thursday, February 22nd from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
It will be followed @ 3:00 pm by a buffet showcasing the wealth of culinary delights from across the African Diaspora (found in Africa, the US and Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and Asia!).
Please encourage your family to come and celebrate with us!
To Learn More About BHM, See Resources Below
"I have standards that I don't plan on lowering for anybody...including myself!"
- Zendaya, American actress and singer
Click the photo below to learn the history behind BHM
Two Sets of Resources for Teaching Black History Month 👇🏽
Black Artists & Musicians of Past & Present
"Sometimes it takes years to become an overnight success"
- Prince, American singer, songwriter, producer & actor
Artists Who Move Us
Find the artist whose work speaks to you, and learn more about them!
Got the Music in You?
Learn about the most influential Black musicians.
Musicians Speak Out!
Here's a list of contemporary musicians speaking truth to power.
Social Justice Practices in Your Classroom
"Know that you can start late, look different, be uncertain and still succeed."
- Misty Copeland, first African American Female Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre
Valentine's Day is a great time to get students thinking critically about a complex human emotion. © Shutterstock.com/TFPhoto I have to admit that my reaction to Valentine's Day is often expressed in one word: ugh. But completely ignoring a holiday that is clearly here to stay isn't much of an option.
launchedutopia.org
Fun activities & no hurt feelings
Click the photo above, or here, for a blog post FILLED with great Valentine's Day activities that value every child and center kindness.
Watch These Cute and Funny Kids' Movies on Valentine's Day With Your Family
Valentine's Day gets a lot of attention from adults-but it's so easy for kids to get in on the fun, too. What's not to love about eating yummy candy, making fun crafts, and getting lots of sweet cards? The holiday is meant for all ages to celebrate!
launchthepioneerwoman.com
School Lunch Menu
Sincerely,
Dr. Laura Viban
Ed.D in Educational Leadership & Management
Director
American International School of Brazzaville