HARARE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL NEWS & EVENTS

We are off to a good start for the School Year
I am pleased to report that we are off to a good start for the school year. Classes have begun and our students are filling the classes to a record high enrollment for HIS. We’ll know the complete numbers in a couple of weeks when all have arrived in person. This week our after-school activities program starts, along with the various sports teams and musical groups. We will be holding Open House for the sections of the school as per the calendar above. Preparations are underway for our Explore Zimbabwe program, complete with parent and student orientations in the coming weeks. The week of Explore Zimbabwe will take place September 20 – 27th. Please see articles in the newsletter regarding these activities. Our students have plenty to be excited about at the start of this year. We wish them well in their studies and chosen activities.

I am also pleased to report that the construction project to build new Early Childhood classrooms is well underway and on target for its completion date in mid-October.

I conclude with a brief reminder of our rules regarding traffic safety that we published in the first newsletter. Kindly review these with your children, as the teachers have also done, and go over them with any drivers assigned to transport children to HIS. In particular, keep in mind that the traffic lane on the left is reserved for cars making brief stops to drop off or pick up students at curb side. Please refrain from parking for the long term in this left lane. Use the right lane and designated parking places for longer term parking. Please remind students to use the sidewalks and crosswalks for safety’s sake. I much appreciate all the efforts you are making to help us provide secure and safe traffic on our campus.

Now that after-school activities have begun, we ask that you provide to pick up your children directly after their activities, tutorials, work in the computer lab or library. Children not engaged in supervised activities should not be left late on the school grounds. In the past we have had instances of students remaining on campus until sunset. Kindly make arrangements to pick up your children at the appropriate times by familiarizing yourselves with their after-school activities schedules.

Explore Zimbabwe is Back!
The school is already buzzing with excitement about our upcoming Explore Zimbabwe programs. I know of very few schools in the world that offer such an ambitious series of experiential programs targeting so many different grade levels simultaneously. From approximately September 19-25 (trip days vary slightly) our middle and high school students will be out climbing mountains, conducting service projects, sailing catamarans, and participating in myriad other activities while learning to appreciate the rich cultural and geographic heritage of Zimbabwe. These trips are designed to help our students push beyond their normal boundaries and encourage them to rise to new challenges. Tennyson wrote, “I am part of all that I have met;/ Yet all experience is an arch where through / Gleams that untraveled world, whose margin fades / For ever and for ever when I move.” In the same way, I am confident that these trips will forever expand the horizons of our students and will serve as touchstone experiences for many years to come. The Explore Zimbabwe trips truly capture the essence of Harare International School’s mission of helping young people to become world citizens “through educational programs that are relevant, challenging, and engaging.”

To provide some perspective on the logistics of the program, let me throw out some impressive numbers. This year we will send about forty faculty members and about 270 students in grades 4-12 to ten different locations around Zimbabwe to experience ten distinctly different educational experiences. Imagine the logistics of arranging busses, food, lodging, and all of the other various and sundry details of such a massive undertaking. This is only possible because of the tireless efforts of our Explore Zimbabwe Program Coordinator, Carol Madziva, and the individual trip coordinators. I thank them for their tremendous dedication.

Carol will soon be sending home a variety of forms that will need to be filled out on behalf of your traveling son or daughter. To assist Carol and the trip coordinators in their work, please ensure that you have submitted all of the required forms no later than September 3. Because the trips are approaching fast, it is vital that we get the paperwork organized as quickly as possible. Also, please ensure that Carol and the trip coordinators are fully aware of any of your child’s health concerns.

Please see the additional information elsewhere in this newsletter. If you have any concerns or questions about Explore Zimbabwe, please do not hesitate to contact Carol at cmadziva@his.ac.zw.

IMPORTANT: Please Pick Up Your Children Promptly
It is important to note that H.I.S. does not offer any supervision for students after their scheduled activities have ended. After -school activities begin on Monday, August 23rd. Please make sure that you (or your drivers) know when your son or daughter’s scheduled activities end every day and collect them promptly. Please do not depend on your child to use a school telephone to call for a pick-up; our telephone resources remain VERY limited at the moment.

Green Tips!
If your child eats regularly from the Tuck Shop, supply him/her with a lidded container (and plastic fork), so as to avoid the use of Styrofoam.

Traffic Safety Rules
Instructions for Drivers and Walkers
At the beginning of the school year, I am circulating this reminder of traffic safety rules and practices that should be followed by all for the safety of everyone at HIS. I especially ask that chauffeurs and drivers who have been hired to transport students to school be informed and that you go over the contents with them clearly. In the past we have had “near miss” situations, which we want to avoid completely. These occasions have taken place when drivers were talking on a cell phone, driving in a hurry through the drop-off area, or not paying attention to the school guards’ instructions. We must take every precaution to prevent potential accidents. This will take active, attentive driving, even as it also requires those on foot to look both ways as they enter crosswalks. The school guards and administrators will be watching over traffic in the coming weeks to further enforce these safety rules.

I ask that parents and classroom teachers go over these rules and practices with your children, the better to train them to be vigilant. Vehicle drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists all use our streets, please take your part in preventing accidents.

1. Drive slowly, carefully and watchfully at all times. Do not exceed our speed limit of 15 kilometers per hour.
2. Please refrain from using your cell phone while driving on campus.
3. Do not speed up once you exit the drop-off and pick-up areas.
4. Follow the direction of the crossing guards and any school personnel overseeing traffic. Stop when you are signaled to
stop.
5. When exiting from cars, children should get out on the sidewalk side of the car, and not the traffic side.
6. Adults should retrieve bags from the back cargo of cars rather than allow smaller children at the rear end of the car. The
cars are often pulling in behind each other, and children are placed at risk because cars tend to pull in close.
7. Students and all pedestrians should use the sidewalks on the periphery of the parking areas. They should not cross into
the lanes and open spaces. They should walk over to the nearest zebra crossing and use that designated area to cross
under the supervision of the guards.
8. Students and all pedestrians should cross only at the zebra crossings.
9. Drivers need to watch carefully for children and adults who ride bicycles to school.
10. Bicyclists should also take safety precautions by entering traffic at zebra crossings to avoid darting out between cars
where your visibility might be hampered.
11. Parents who wish to see a teacher, or walk their children to class, should park in the parking area to the right of the
drop-off area. Please do not park in the drop-off lane to the left, as this will back up traffic.

From the Board
Our first order of business and likely the most important responsibility that your Board will do this term is to choose a new director for HIS. We are pleased to report that we have narrowed down our list of viable candidates from 26 to 11. Despite our varied backgrounds, there was strong consensus in our decision making process. Last week we conducted telephone interviews with all 11 candidates. Given the technological challenges faced here in Zimbabwe, we are grateful for the support we received from the school’s excellent infrastructure. However, we are aware that our use of Skype to conduct these interviews was an inconvenience to students and faculty as bandwidth was temporarily reduced. Please rest assured that the outcome was well worth it: these in-depth discussions added significantly to our qualitative insight of each candidate. In the next few weeks we will have narrowed the field to the top 3 or 4 candidates whom we will invite to our campus, most probably during the first two weeks of September. Stay tuned!! As this is where your participation is key, we will enlist faculty, staff, parents and students throughout the final interview process. Your insights, opinions and evaluations will be greatly appreciated as we work through this process together.

If you have any questions or thoughts, please email us on board@his.ac.zw.

Shannon Brauchli
Marchel Germann
James Gary
Lisa Langhaug
Shingai Mutasa
Dharmesh Patel
Paul Townsend

HIS Interactive Satellite Map
Check out the latest adittion to the HIS site at www.his-zim.com/campus/campus_map.html

Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year!
As I walk past classrooms I see busy, engaged students already on their way to learning new material, working with new friends, and developing the attributes that are so crucial to the HIS philosophy. These attributes, or the Learner Profile, are students who are: Inquirers, Thinkers, Communicators, Knowledgeable, Risk Takers, Principled, Caring, Open Minded, Well Balance, Reflective, Self-Directed and Responsible. We have high expectations, and our students will rise to the occasion! As a new or returning family to HIS I am sure the beginning of school always brings a level of excitement, curiosity, and a little anxiousness. Rest assured that the excellent faculty and staff at HIS are here to provide your children with an exceptional learning experience and I am pleased to be a part of the journey!

ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, August 26, 1:00-3:00 P.M.
Students will be dismissed at 12:00 noon to go home. All parents are invited to our Open House sessions to meet the teachers and learn about the curricular program their child will follow this year.
General Session: 1:00-1:40, HIS Theatre
Classroom Presentations:1:50-2:15
Classroom Presentations (Repeat): 2:25-2:50

Instrumental and Vocal Program
The Instrumental and Vocal Program is a feature of our school of which we are very proud. We strongly believe that learning an instrument will enrich your child’s education: there is much evidence that the process is of real educational value and can promote the student’s success in other areas beyond music – and of course the acquisition of this skill can provide a source of lifelong pleasure.

Tuition is available on:
Piano: 3rd grade upwards
Saxophone / Clarinet / Flute / Trumpet: 3rd grade upwards
Trombone: 4th grade upwards
Violin: EC2 upwards (please contact Mrs Ivy-Decker Jones in Grade 2 directly)
Cello: 4th grade upwards
Guitar: 4th grade upwards
Acoustic Guitar / Electric Guitar / Bass Guitar: 4th grade upwards
Drumkit: 5th grade upwards
Marimbas: 2nd grade upwards

Application forms for all those wishing to take instrumental or vocal tuition are available from the Music Office in the Performing Arts Center. Remember that all students who were receiving tuition last school year and wish to continue need to return an application. Please come and have a chat with me (or send me an email rwhaley@his.ac.zw) if you would like to know more about the music program or if your child is unsure what instrument to learn. Once your child has started lessons, please make sure you communicate any questions or concerns to me as soon as possible so we can provide your child with the best possible musical education. Please return completed forms to the Music Department by Friday 20 August. Music lessons start on Monday 30 August.

Gentle Reminder—After-School Supervision
The school provides after-school supervision until 3:00 for elementary children who have a sibling involved in an after-school activity. It is essential that children be picked up on time. Please assist us by adhering to this procedure established to promote safety for our children.

What Is Fabulous Friday?
Each Friday the elementary school meets in the school theatre at 1:20 P.M. for our Fabulous Friday Assembly to celebrate and close our week of school. On a regular basis, we recognize birthdays, sing our Fabulous Friday song, and talk about items of importance to our elementary students. We also share learning through class presentations, shared activities, and sometimes invited guests. Parents are always welcome to join us. In fact, on alternate weeks starting February 20, parents are now invited to come at 1:00 P.M. to spend a short time with the elementary principal for brief discussions on child development, current educational issues, or parenting topics. Occasionally, our school week will end on a Thursday, and in that case unless notified otherwise, we will end the week with a Terrific Thursday Assembly.

MS/HS Open House – September 2 – STUDENTS DISMISSED AT NOON
Please join us for our Middle and High School Open House on Thursday, September 2, starting at 1:00pm in the theater. After some introductory remarks and refreshments, you will be able to visit each of your child’s teachers for a brief presentation about their course topics and expectations. Please note that this is a time for you to meet teachers and get an overview of our academic program, rather than to conference about your child’s specific needs. Conferences can be scheduled directly with the teacher for another time. The classroom visits will end at approximately 4:00pm. From 4:15-4:45, there will be presentations about each Explore Zimbabwe trip hosted by the various trip coordinators. Classes will be held in the morning on September 2, but students will be dismissed at noon; please arrange to collect thempromptly. There will be no after-school activities for middle and high school students.

Middle School Tutorial
We have begun our mandatory Middle School Tutorial program, which runs Monday through Thursday from 2:05-2:45. This program requires that all students report to a designated teacher each day after class. Teachers will then conduct enrichment for some or all of their students, depending on student needs. Although some students may be released beforehand, it is best if you please plan to collect your son or daughter after 2:45. If you need to collect him or her earlier than 2:45, please notify me in writing at rmenard@his.ac.zw.

Student Dress Code Reminder
As the weather gets warmer, I would like to remind students and parents of the H.I.S. student dress code described on page 33 of the Student/Parent Handbook, copied below. Please remind your son or daughter to abide by our dress code:

“There is no uniform for students of the Harare International School. However, students are expected to dress appropriately and comfortably for an active day. Students should be neat and clean and dressed with propriety and good taste, respecting the values and standards of people of our host country, and reflect well on the school and the international community.

In this day and age, what is appropriate and tasteful seems to vary from person to person and culture to culture. However, there are some general guidelines which must be followed:

Students should not wear short shorts, tops with spaghetti straps (so thin as to reveal underwear straps), crop tops that reveal the midriff, mini skirts that are mid-thigh or shorter, T-shirts that bear inappropriate messages, cut off garments or garments with holes in them, flip-flops or high heeled/platform shoes (students are particularly urged to wear closed shoes on science laboratory days as they may handle potentially hazardous or hot materials).

Students must be in proper dress and footwear for physical education. Sandals are not adequate.

Please remember that Harare International School is a college preparatory school and students should dress accordingly so as to serve as “ambassadors” of the School.”

Middle School Tutorial Program
H.I.S. offers a tutorial program from 2:15-2:45 on every day except Tuesdays.  This is a time when all teachers are available in their classrooms to provide extra help to their students.  We have found that this excellent opportunity has not been used well by many of our Middle School students.  In order to encourage students to use the tutorial program to their advantage, we will be instituting some new guidelines for Middle School students.  As of January 26th, all Middle School students who remain on campus after the end of the school day at 2:15 will be expected to be at a tutorial or be with their advisor until 2:45.  This will provide 30 extra minutes each day where students can get extra help from one of their teachers or begin their homework in a quiet environment before beginning their after-school activities at 2:50.  Please note that students who need to be collected at 2:15 will be excused from tutorial for the day.  It is our sincere hope that this will help our Middle School students improve their time management skills and strive for greater academic achievement.  Please encourage your son or daughter to think carefully about which tutorials would be most beneficial to attend.

MS/HS Open House – September 2 – STUDENTS DISMISSED AT NOON
Please join us for our Middle and High School Open House on Thursday, September 2, starting at 1:00pm in the theater. After some introductory remarks and refreshments, you will be able to visit each of your child’s teachers for a brief presentation about their course topics and expectations. Please note that this is a time for you to meet teachers and get an overview of our academic program, rather than to conference about your child’s specific needs. Conferences can be scheduled directly with the teacher for another time. The classroom visits will end at approximately 4:00pm. From 4:15-4:45, there will be presentations about each Explore Zimbabwe trip hosted by the various trip coordinators. Classes will be held in the morning on September 2, but students will be dismissed at noon; please arrange to collect thempromptly. There will be no after-school activities for middle and high school students.

Design Technology
We are proud to announce a new course in the high school this year. Design Technology will be team-taught by Maciej Sudra and Al Briesemeister and combines computer programming, web design, game design, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and robotics. This exciting and engaging project-based course primarily targets tenth graders who are interested in learning more about computer science and engineering.

IB News:
Welcome back to the new school year, everyone! We have many new developments in the IB program I’d like to highlight.

1. Welcome to our new IB teachers: Mr. John Danaher (IB Biology & Environmental Systems), Mr. Mahlon Lang (IB Math HL & IB Economics), and Mr. Joshua Giddens (IB History). All our new IB teachers attended IB sponsored trainings over the June / July holiday, and are off to wonderful starts with their classes. We are thrilled to have them as part of our diploma team!

2. IB Full Diploma Seniors: Hopefully our full diploma seniors spent considerable time on their extended essays over the June / July holiday. The revised annotated outlines of these essays are due August 27 to their supervisors, and the complete rough drafts are due to supervisors on September 30. The extended essay should represent 40 hours of the student’s individual work, so strong time management skills are essential. All our diploma students are also enrolled in an Extended Essay Support / TOK 2 class. This class is meant to provide students with additional help with regard to best methodology for conducting research, paper formatting, and the like. Most of the work for completion of the extended essays, however, falls squarely with the student.

3. IB Full Diploma Juniors: Welcome to what will be a rigorous, exciting, and challenging program! I look forward to talking more with students about the program during our IB retreat on Thursday, August 19, from 3 pm to 4:30 p.m. Please encourage your children to take advantage of our small class sizes and to seek out their teachers for extra help whenever they need it. It’s much better to stay on top of one’s work rather than catch up on it. Juniors can expect at least three hours of homework a night if enrolled as a full diploma student. It’s a tough program, but one through which students grow personally and intellectually. Parents: when your child is doing school work beware of computer time masquerading as homework time when it’s really time spent on Facebook.

4. Parents of Tenth Grade Students: Please note that I will be hosting my annual informational night on the IB program in October of this year rather than in January. This is a mandatory meeting for all tenth grade students and their parents. At the meeting I will provide an overview of the IB program and explain in details the options available to your son or daughter for the final two years of high school. Please watch the bulletin for an announcement closer to the date regarding the day and time of the meeting.

5. Introducing Managebac IB On-line System: This year I will be setting up a pilot of a program called Managebac. Managebac is a program that allows students to track IB deadlines and requirements all in one convenient online location. It also allows us to create a link from our website to the “bulletin board” page of the program where parents can see important upcoming IB deadlines and events. The academic year 2010-11 will be a pilot phase as we continue to upgrade our internet connection to facilitate reliable use of the program, and our goal is to fully integrate Managebac for the 2011-12 school year.

I look forward to an exciting year together! As always, when I am not teaching classes, you can find me in the IB office located in the little peach cottage across from the high school lab, just as you enter the main Pendennis gate on your left. If you have any queries you’d like answered via email, write to tmaguire@his.ac.zw.

Creativity, Action, and Service (C.A.S.) Promotion and Graduation Requirements
H.I.S. has a profound commitment to education beyond the classroom walls. We aim to graduate students that are not only scholars, but who are also artists, athletes, and activists. To that end, the Board of Directors instituted a new set of promotion and graduation requirements in August. These requirements are modeled after the International Baccalaureate (IB) C.A.S. requirements. The “Creativity” requirement refers primarily to artistic pursuits. “Action” relates to athletics and physical activities. Finally, the “Service” requirement encourages students to provide assistance to others.

Over the course of the school year, ninth and tenth graders are required to provide documentation for participation in twenty hours in EACH of the C.A.S. areas. Eleventh and twelfth graders are required to document fifty hours in EACH category. Although, Mr. Wilkinson tracks student progress, it is up to the individual student to ensure that she/he participates in a sufficient number of activities to meet the minimum requirements. I urge you to discuss this with your high school son or daughter and to ensure that progress is being made toward completion of the C.A.S. requirement. If adequate progress is not being made, please instruct your child to come up with a plan to meet this standard. Students who have not met the minimum requirement will not be promoted to the next grade. Seniors who do not complete the C.A.S. requirements will be unable to earn a diploma. High school graduation and promotion requirements can be found on page 60 of the Student/Parent Handbook. Please feel free to contact Mrs. Rail with questions.