Throwback to an old childhood friend: Winnie the Pooh

This most-cherished bear is famous for visiting his "thotful spot" to think, think, think when he needed to come up with his best ideas. And while he may have just been a tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff, he was on to something. There are times in our lives that we need to stop and focus on the thought process. Perhaps it's a difficult lesson or concept we are trying to grasp from class. Maybe it's an opportunity to lay all of the options out on the proverbial table in order to make the best decision possible when it really matters. Or anything in between, really. IB students are challenged to exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

This month we have focused on being IB thinkers, which might seem odd since we also took a week away from school to spend time with family and relax and, for most of us, not think about the things we think about on a regular basis while in school. But do we ever really turn off the thinker part of what makes us who we are? Most IB students don't. And many of us have simply shifted our thinking to less academic and more empathetic and compassionate thoughts, giving thanks for what we have and sharing what we can with those who don't.

Maybe this month you've been thinking about the next step on your IB journey. Our IB seniors have sent in some college applications and are waiting to hear about early decision. IB juniors are starting to think about which university campuses to tour and what CAS project they might complete. Those in pre-IB might already be considering which IB subjects they'd like to pursue next year or the year after, and now is a great time to be thinking about that!

Winnie the Pooh learned just as much about how to get out of sticky situations as he did about friendship during his time in the Hundred Acre Wood, and he recognized the importance of taking time to think, even if the answers to the questions or the solutions to the problems didn't come quickly or easily. He understood the thinking process was something worth enduring. Perhaps he was more than just a willy nilly silly ol' bear after all.

College Connection: IB students contribute to discussions in a meaningful way. They do not shy away from challenging questions and, once they know the answer, follow up by asking “why?”

www.ibo.org

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right. This inspirational quip is one that our own Dr. Cruz must have applied in his classroom over the years, as "he is always inspiring his students to think about the material to find answers to questions that may not even be in the textbooks." He is responsible for both IB Physics and IB Business here, in addition to sponsoring Academic Team, Debate, and Robotics. Add to his resume, Dr. Cruz is a pastor, and he served in the Air Force and worked for NASA. Not too many teachers in the area can claim that! While his students may find his thought-process "peculiar" at times, they love that he "recognizes the importance of one's own thinking" and gives them myriad opportunities to think outside the box. And "for Dr. Cruz, it's almost as if the box doesn't exist. That's how his mind works. He's able to look at somethings from so many angles in order to grasp unique concepts." When you're "well-versed in almost everything" ... it's all part of the process.

Congratulations to the following IB students who were recognized by their classroom teachers for being Balanced on our campus during the month of October! Way to go, Vanguard IB Family!

• Gauthum A
• Harrison K
• Jaliyah F
• Kate R
• Makayla O
• Raina K
• Savannah B