The Eagle Beat
September 17, 2021
September:
13-Oct. 22: MAP Testing
October
2: SAT Exam
5: 9:30 PSG meeting at BIS
4-6: School photos; schedule coming next week
6: College Night for S1-S4 Students and Parents
12: Virtual Parent Coffee 9:30: MAP
14-15: Half day for students, dismissal at 12:00; Parent-Teacher Conferences
16: PSAT
18-22: Fall Break
From Mrs. Elmira’s Russian class
All students are back from summer holidays. Some of them have just started learning Russian this academic year, while others continue improving their Russian language skills, and exploring Russian culture, and traditions. Students of the Russian class are full of ideas for doing interesting projects that they are going to present to their classmates.
Secondary and middle school students have already started working on their projects about the culture and traditions of different countries. 9YOC students are studying Russian fairy tales and reading a lot of Russian books. 7YOC students have finished learning the Russian alphabet and began writing words and simple sentences. All students successfully participate in the wide variety of activities and are always ready to have fun in class!
BIS Re-accreditation year
BIS is accredited by Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA). Accreditation is very important to our school as it validates our educational program and diplomas. QSI has been approved for a new type of accreditation by MSA, called System Accreditation. This means that the whole organization has been accredited by MSA, but each individual school must also meet the rigorous MSA standards. This year is our re-accreditation year and we are working on a self-study. We need your input! Please complete the survey below and tell us how things are going and how we can improve.
Please complete this survey in its entirety. The SurveyMonkey survey is completely anonymous and does not provide any tracking information on who or when people complete this survey.
If there are sections that do not apply to you, you may skip those questions, but please read each section over and provide comments whenever appropriate. The screenshot shows how to access the Azeri translation.
Success Orientations
Many think of school in terms of ‘Academics.’ QSI feels it is equally important that the often hidden part of the curriculum is a vital part of the entire QSI school experience. QSI calls these the Success Orientations.
Success for All is the motto of Quality Schools International. This is more than just a slogan. Research indicates, and our experience confirms, that successful people have developed personal orientations that lead to success.
Personal habits, the ability to interact successfully with others, reliability, responsibility, diligent work habits, promptness, keeping your word, kindness, and other factors in this realm are at least as important as the knowledge one learns and the competencies one gains. Success in these orientations rests first and foremost in the home; however, the success orientations are actively encouraged and taught in virtually all areas of the QSI school curriculum with the view of making them a vital part of one’s life pattern. The role of QSI is to reinforce these efforts of the home.
Success Orientation behaviors are evaluated independently from academic assessments. They are given solely on the basis of student performance in the specified outcomes. The seven Success Orientations (SO's) are:
- Responsibility
- Trustworthiness
- Kindness and Politeness
- Group Interaction
- Independent Endeavor
- Concern for Others
- Aesthetic Appreciation
Each month BIS focuses on one Success Orientation and celebrates with an end of the month assembly. Classes do presentations about the month's SO focus and children who have exhibited extraordinary achievement are recognized.
BIS Registration with Ministry of Education
School Registration
BIS is currently in the process of obtaining full registration with the Azerbaijani Ministry of Education. The school started this process almost two years ago, but due to COVID and the closures of many of the relevant offices, we were only able to complete the preliminary stages of registering the school. We have now been approved to move forward with the formal registration process.
Why are we seeking registration? Over the past few years, QSI has made a push to ensure that all schools in the organization are registered with the local government. It is also becoming increasingly difficult to operate in Baku without registration. Registration will have benefits for BIS, including visas for foreign teachers, and support and assistance from the Ministry of Education.
What is the process? There are three key components for the registration process. Firstly, all QSI curriculum and Azeri language, geography, and history curriculum must be approved by the Ministry of Education. Secondly, all teachers' certifications must be validated by the Ministry of Education. Lastly, the facilities must be approved for all aspects of student life.
What changes might you see at school? We will be working with the Ministry of Education on Azeri language, history, and geography courses, which are expected to be offered to local students only. As we get more information about the curriculum requirements, we will inform the community. Additionally, the school cannot operate the cafeteria under a school license, so it will be contracted out to an independent company in the coming months. Vagif will be staying on to help with the transition.
Regulations about the registration process change from time to time, but BIS is working with the QSI legal team and a local law firm to ensure the registration process is handled professionally and in compliance with all local laws.
Saturday Soccer
Last chance to sign up for Saturday Soccer!
8, 9 and 10 year olds are in a pod and practice together. 9:00-10:00
6 and 7 year olds are in a pod and practice together. 10:00-11:00
4 and 5 year olds are in a pod and practice together. 11:00-12:00
11 and 12 year olds are in a pod and practice together 12:00-1:00
The cost of participation is listed below:
• $ 100 per term.
• $ 250 per year if paid in full by September 30th.
Please let me know if you have questions or concerns in respect of this message. You can contact me on my email address: john-otanwa@baku.qsi.org.
BIS School Calendar for 2021-22
Lunch Menu for Sept. 20-24
Parent Support Group (PSG)
How do I stay informed about PSG?
PSG has a WhatsApp group that all parents are welcome to join. This group is used to communicate information as well as gather feedback throughout the year.
Please use the link below or the QR code to join the group.
Want to stay connected with BIS?
BIS WhatsApp Group
This group will be used strictly to communicate general information from BIS to parents. Announcements, updates, reminders, and the weekly newsletter will be sent via this group.
The group is set up as a one-way communication tool, so participants only receive messages but can not respond in the group. This allows BIS to communicate information without the distraction of numerous responses.
To join the BIS WhatsApp group, use the link below or the QR code.
Baku International School
Email: baku@qsi.org
Website: baku.qsi.org
Location: Darnagul Qasabasi Str. Ajami Nakchivani Block 3097 (1.94 mi) Baku, Azerbaijan AZ1108
Phone: +994 12 440 6616
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qsi.baku