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ICSA Today
learning and leading in a collaborative culture
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Schools are to be apolitical. Schools can be considered a last bastion where true discussion of politics can take place precisely because we are apolitical.
The recent election results have saddened many people. The results have also angered but they have elated yet others. We all have our reasons for being on one side or the other or yet even somewhere in between.
ICSA maintains an attitude of presuming positive intentions however difficult that may be. We will hope that the new American president will make the best decisions for the country as we understand that in many cases, decisions made for America often have effects on parts of the world if not the entire world.
As children's characters are formed mostly by their parents, our children echo our political views. No matter how kind you are at home about the world and its leaders, your children will hear negative political banter out in their world. Personally, I am thankful that my children have not been exposed to the aggressive political ads and billboards. However, I choose not to avoid it all as it gives an opportunity for my wife and I to enforce our family values. As w
e talk a lot about
kindness
, respect, and
empathy
,
it would never occur to my children to say something unkind about anyone.
I encourage you, for your children's benefit, to provide a balanced perspective, present your views as your own, and to encourage your children to express their own views. I would also ask you vote on issues in your own home as this real-life role playing instills a closer sense of the effects of winning and losing a vote. Perhaps this weekend, you can have your children vote on their two favorite foods (for me it would be poulet choukouya and pizza!)...and at the same time, reinforce your own family values while instilling a sense of the positive for the future.
Enjoy your weekend,
Peter Zeitoun
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UPCOMING DATES
NOVEMBER
10-13: WAISAL Swim Meet-Lagos
11: No School for Students - Parent Teacher Conferences (7:30 - 15:30)
14: IB Info Sessions (8:00am & 6:00pm)
15: No School/National Peace Day
17: LS Picture Day
18: US Picture Day
18: PTO Quiz night
24-25: Thanksgiving (No School)
28: After School Activities 2 Begin
30: Counselor Corner w/Parents
DECEMBER
2: Lower School and Upper School Winter Concert
6: PTO meeting (3:15pm)
7: Parent-to-Parent Talk (8:00am)
8: Upper School STEM Fair #1
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It's not too early to find out about our capstone program! So come on out to the first IB Information Session for Parents and Students in Grades 9 and 10 this Monday, November 14. For the convenience of parents, we will hold two information sessions for the IB Diploma Programme.
Morning session- 8:00am - 9:00am.
Evening session- 6:00pm – 7:00pm
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WAISAL Swim Team Heads to Nigeria
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We had a very exciting event take place on Thursday at ICSA. Thirteen students lead by their coach, Crissy O’Malley and Athletic Director, Carlos Sandoval got on a bus and headed to the airport. They will be competing in the WAISAL swim meet in Lagos Nigeria this weekend. They have worked extremely hard this fall training three or more times a week.
This is such a great opportunity for our students to be able to take part in. They will learn many lessons this weekend and participate in an incredible experience that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to their return Sunday, with no doubt a variety of stories to tell their families. they have already won. If they come back with any medals, even better.
Good luck, Panthers!!
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Report cards were sent to families this week. Unfortunately, we are still having some technical difficulties with RenWeb, but in the end everyone received their child’s report cards. I appreciate your patience as we continue our search for a student information system that will meet our needs better than RenWeb.
Quarter 2 report cards will include literacy grades, as I explained in an earlier parent communication.
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Give me a P - A - N - T - H - E - R -S
ICSA’s Swim Team is off to Lagos to compete in the WAISAL Swim Tournament. The Lower School held a pep rally to send our team off with high spirits. Go PANTHERS!
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- Attendance - students are marked tardy if they arrive to class after 8:00 AM.
- You will receive an automated email via RenWeb on days your child is marked absent or tardy.
- Dismissal is at 3:00PM. Please be on time.
- Gate Passes - Passes must be requested via e-mail. No passes will be distributed via a telephone call. Email [email protected]
William Seward, Lower School Principal, [email protected]
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Lunch Bunch
Great news! Our lunch bunch sessions are back! Lunch Bunches are a small group sessions designed to boost student's self-esteem, social skills, and increase their peer relations. Lunch bunches also help reiterate teacher's classroom expectations. Every student will have the opportunity to participate and eat lunch with me. The sessions will be planned according to each group's specific need.
The group topics will include but not limited: Good Listening Habits, Good Manners, Organization-Study Skills, Conflict Resolution, Anger Management, Accepting Responsibility, Self-esteem-Understanding & Accepting Self, Friendships, and Rising Stars.
I will choose a group topic and together each grade level teacher will decide which students need to attend the group. If you have any questions or concern, please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to meeting with each student.
Ms. Charlotte Fomengia, Lower School Counselor
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ICSA to Host WAISAL Soccer
Later this spring ICSA will host the WAISAL soccer tournament. This is a tremendous responsibility and opportunity for ICSA. The members of the swim team will be staying with host families in Lagos. This spring we will be calling on families to serve as hosts to these soccer players from various schools. We ask you to consider hosting players to help make their stay in Abidjan memorable. Once we return from the holidays we will be focusing on all of the details regarding the tournament. There will be many opportunities for families to be involved in this event. We will keep you posted and look forward to the tournament this spring.
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Parent Conferences
I would like to thank all of the parents that took the time to come in and meet with the teachers this week during conferences. It is always great to have the opportunity to meet with parents and discuss student progress. If for some reason you were not able to attend please know that you can always email the teachers and ask those questions that you may not have been able to ask. Our teachers are always available and we encourage parents to contact us if you have any needs.
Jim O’Malley,
Upper School Principal
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Harmattan
The harmattan is a warm, dry wind that blows out of the southern Sahara and is frequently laden with large quantities of sand and dust.
www.britannica.com
This wind typically runs late November to mid-March. It is cold early morning and hot at midday.
Harmattan affects the skin, eyes and respiratory system. Conditions like these will be on the rise: coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, pneumonia and those with asthma may have frequent attack because of dust particles in the air.
Use cream or shea butter continuously throughout the season as a way of keeping your skin healthy and moist to avoid cracks. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the inside of your nostrils to prevent drying of the mucous membranes. Try to cover your mouth and nose from the dust when outdoors.
Beatrice Morris, Nurse
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QUIZ NIGHT November 18, 7:00-10:00 PM
Join the fun!!! Tickets sales continue Monday after school.
5000 CFA entrance fee, 1000 CFA raffle tickets.
Other Upcoming PTO Activities:
11/22 8:00 AM Parent-to-Parent Talk "How to Help Children with Learning Challenges". Presenter Sharyoya Ham **Back by popular demand**
12/6 3:15 PM General PTO Meeting. All parents, teachers, and administrators welcome.
12/7 8:00 AM Parent-to-Parent Talk "Healthy Food Habits, Healthy Life", presenter Joana Lopes
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