TIBS provides numerous scholarships and innovative teaching/training grants to deserving students and teachers each year. |
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TIBS 2020 eNewsletter, Fall Edition
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Dear TIBS community,
Welcome to the 2020 Fall eNewsletter.
We know that the 2020-2021 school year has been a difficult one, and that all schools have been affected by the challenges of teaching and learning during a global pandemic. We also know from our conversations with you and the information submitted for use in the enewsletter that you are making things work in spite of the many hardships. We applaud and admire your efforts.
We know you are looking forward to the upcoming winter holiday break, as this year, more than ever, you are all in need of a well-deserved rest.
This edition of the newsletter will show some action projects taking place across programs around the state. It will also feature some of the ways that schools are adapting instruction to virtual learning.
We are grateful for your continued support, and we truly appreciate your efforts to provide the students in your schools with the best possible educational opportunities in spite of the difficulties involved. Don't forget to keep us updated with your stories, photos, and videos! Send them any time, as it will be time for the Spring eNewsletter before we know it.
We wish all of you happy holidays and a restful winter break.
Best regards,
Karen Phillips, TIBS Executive Director
Courtney Smith, TIBS Associate Executive Director
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- What We've Been Up To / What's Coming Up
- Recently Authorized Schools
- 2020/2021 Board Members
- Announcement Regarding the Global Conference
- Spotlight on IB World Schools
- Virtual Learning in Texas IB World Schools
- Information About a Scholarship Program
- Announcements
- Contact Us
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What We’ve Been Up To:
- Longview District Workshops
August 10 & 11: 238 trained (PYP/MYP)
October 2 & 3: 288 trained (PYP/MYP/DP/CP)
- TAGT giftED20—Virtual (December 3-5)
What’s Coming Up:
- Uplift Education Virtual PYP Training—Dallas (January 4 & 5)
- TIBS Spring Meeting & Seminar—Virtual (Late Feb—dates TBA)
- TASB Winter Governance Camp, Galveston (March 3-6)
- SXSWedu Online (March 9-11)
- TAGT Leadership Conference—Virtual (June 8-11)
- TIBS College Fair—Virtual
- July 2021 Austin Workshops (July 25-31)
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Congratulations to our newly authorized schools in Texas! We understand the level of commitment involved in just getting authorized, and we are very proud of all of your hard work. If you are not on this list and have been authorized, please let us know.
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Frisco High School(DP)—Frisco ISD
- Lycee International de Houston (DP)—Houston
- Patterson Dual Language Literature Magnet School (PYP)—Houston
- Sharpstown International School (MYP)—Houston
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Thomas Jefferson High School (MYP)—San Antonio
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Linda Buie (At Large)--Longview ISD
Seby Meloni (At Large)--Houston ISD
Penny Tschirhart (At Large)--San Antonio ISD
Stephanie Childress (DP)--Round Rock ISD
Margaret Davis (DP)--Alcuin School
Toby Klameth (MYP)--Lubbock ISD
Jennifer Love (MYP)--San Antonio ISD
Kelly McBride (PYP)--International School of Texas(Austin)
Ashley Swindle (PYP)--Leander ISD
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2021 IB Global Conference
IB will make a decision in the spring as to whether in 2021 Global Conference will be in person or virtual.
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Culturlingua Project
Jefferson High School
Our Jefferson IB and LAVA (Leadership and Visual Arts) students are currently working with students in Palestine and Algeria to collaborate, discuss, and help tackle some current world issues. I wanted to share some pictures of our first interactive session.
There were some great discussions taking place, and international-mindedness was flowing, with our students here in San Antonio getting some exposure to culture with students in the Middle East and North Africa.
We are very excited to be a part of this project and look forward to our future meetings. Thank you to Carlyn Fryberger, Randi Rasco, and Liz Ozuna for making this happen!
Submitted by Chris Stanley, Associate Principal, Jefferson High School, San Antonio ISD
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IB Student's Campaign for Poll Workers Making a Difference
Alcuin School student Sydney Watson waged a vigorous campaign on social media to recruit students to work the polls on Election Day 2020.
The Dallas election board expected about 1,000 student volunteers, but with Sydney's help, over 1800 students were recruited to help in a year when many older poll workers did not want to take the health risk of reporting for duty at the polls. Sydney reached out to a cartoonist from The New Yorker magazine for assistance with the graphics for her campaign.
Follow the link below to watch the local NBC affiliate's story in which Sydney is featured.
Submitted by Margaret Davis, DP Coordinator, Alcuin School, Dallas
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Mustang in Action
During this unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic of 2020, everyone can benefit from a story that will warm one’s heart. Our very own Las Colinas Elementary Mustang, Clark Bandemer, is taking action again to help others in need. “He connects to the Learner Profile, Caring, because he is sensitive and cares about the needs and feelings of others around him,” said one of his teachers, Mrs. Wood. Last year he raised $1,000 for the American Heart Association. This year he is taking action again to help the Make-A-Wish-Foundation for his birthday wish. He raised $150 and gave the entire amount to help another person’s wish come true. When interviewed Clark said, “I love to make kids happy, especially sick kids who can’t celebrate their birthdays. I also like to honor my sister who is now an angel.” He made the $150 donation in her memory. Clark is one amazing boy with a beautiful heart, and we are thankful that he is part of the LCE family.
Submitted by Allison Elliott, PYP Coordinator, Las Colinas Elementary School, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
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R.E. Good Elementary Celebrates International Mindedness with Hispanic Heritage Parade
Horns beeped as families arrived in beautifully decorated vehicles on a Friday afternoon to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! On the morning of the parade, eager traditional students arrived at school wearing colorful costumes from Mexico, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Columbia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, and other Spanish speaking countries around the globe. Distance learners wore costumes at home and were just as excited for this celebration!
Students asked questions surrounding Hispanic Heritage Month and were open-minded when their class researched different Spanish speaking countries, both traditionally and virtually, across the entire school. By conducting primary source interviews through Google Meets and in person, students and teachers learned about their own school community and how it connects to Hispanic Heritage Month. Some of their understandings are as follows: “I am very proud to be bilingual and multicultural!” “I am very proud of my Salvadoran culture.” “Being a bilingual student influenced me to become a teacher. It is through that experience that I knew I wanted to become a teacher and teach kids who are like me.” “I moved to the United States when I was nine years old. My dream was to become a teacher when I grew up.” “I celebrate my Mexican heritage by being the instructor of our Good Elementary Folklórico Dance Group and by teaching students about their potential as future multilingual, global leaders.” Community connections discovered through Hispanic Heritage Month continue to bring people together.
Submitted by Allison Elliott, PYP Coordinator, Good Elementary, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
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Windsor Park Elementary
The school year has certainly been challenging; yet, our educators have gone above and beyond the call of duty, and we are all extremely proud of the successful learning that is taking place during this pandemic. Planner end results reflect the uniqueness of this school year. Utilizing Zoom and Canvas as forms of communication have allowed freedom with learning situations that were restricted before. Our students continue to support their community by making monetary donations to the Coastal Bend Food Bank and have raised over $1,800!
Our third grade students held their City Hall debates; reviewing their research for and against a desalination plant for Corpus Christi. Our campus and distance learning students acted in the roles of citizens, Council Members, City Manager, and the Mayor. Our City of Corpus Christi Mayor, Mr. Joe McComb, stopped by to support our students. (See picture above.)
Submitted by Duvesa Sanchez, PYP Coordinator, Windsor Park Elementary, Corpus Christi ISD
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Happenings at J. L. Everhart Elementary School
Texas IB Schools and our East Texas Advanced Academies leadership have provided us tremendous support throughout the pandemic. At J. L. Everhart Elementary (JLE), we have successfully brought student awareness to the Learner Profile (in person and virtually) – with opportunities to “shout out” (Jaguar Paws, student incentive program) or highlight others for their accomplishments and gain a sense of awareness of how their actions make a difference within our learning community and society. Maintaining the IB program standards and practices has come with ease, as we have focused on “caring” and many other attributes of the Learner Profile during these difficult times when we don’t want to be too hard on ourselves or others. We are open to learning new things and sharing the knowledge throughout our learning community. Our motto is “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!”
Our learning community is providing meaningful opportunities for our learners to see examples, create purposeful, student generated work, and, lastly, to give back. Our students have participated in a food drive for families impacted by Hurricane Harvey, campus wide Breast Cancer Walk-a-thon, and Unity Day (anti-bullying campaign). We honored our staff veterans with a special certificate on Veteran's Day. Within our community, we promote student agency, and student voices resonate throughout our campus – many quotes on how the student exemplifies a specific Learner Profile attribute displayed in the hallways (Fall Into IB With JLE and IB Board of Excellence) and the creation of their personal Learner Profile.
In order for our students to learn, our staff leads the learning by navigating the obstacles of remote learning – technology difficulties with TEAMWORK. Utilizing the Learner Profile to encompass the needed knowledge and skills to be successful, our TEAMWORK allows us to be great!
Submitted by Faith Newhouse, PYP Coordinator, J.L. Everhart Elementary, Longview ISD
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Kindness Projects at
Woodlawn Academy
Our Woodlawn Academy ACE special education teacher, Brian DeRouen, has chosen to spread joy during this challenging year. He engages his 10 classroom students and the Woodlawn community to participate in monthly service projects, or as he simply calls it, Kindness Projects.
His students most recently participated with Turkey Trot San Antonio Food Bank donations. In November, Brian DeRouen’s class set out to raise $250 for the San Antonio Food Bank. The San Antonio Food Bank serve 58,000 individuals a week, and every $1 provides 7 meals for someone in need. Together, Mr. DeRouen’s ACE class and his individual donation pages surpassed their goals and raised $465! A reminder that the kindness one caring person shares can have exponential impact and brighten our uncertain world.
Submitted by Ana Femath, PYP Coordinator, Woodlawn Academy,
San Antonio ISD
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Kramer IB Ambassadors
Make-A-Wish Fundraiser
The Kramer IB Ambassadors, in partnership with Hillcrest IB Continuum schools in Dallas ISD and the Make-A-Wish North Texas Foundation raised funds to grant a wish for a child in north Texas. These student leaders talked to community leaders, staff members, family members, and fellow students about Make-A-Wish and raised awareness of their cause. Kramer’s school goal of $2,500 has almost been met after only two weeks of fundraising! The Kramer ambassadors are shown here, celebrating all the names of donators on our Wish Wall at the school.
Submitted by Kim West, PYP Coordinator, Arthur Kramer IB World School, Dallas ISD
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Longview High School CAS Project
Simple Bare Necessities
Recent studies reveal 87% of all Longview Independent School District students qualify for free or reduced lunch prices. LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox points out, “A child should never have to worry about whether or not they’re going to be able to eat a good breakfast or lunch. Too many of our students face challenges outside the classroom that impede their ability to succeed inside the classroom. We can’t expect our students to focus on learning if they’re hungry and don’t know where their next meal is coming from.” With only 13% not eligible, it is a safe conclusion that the other 87% face additional poverty related problems. Most importantly, personal hygiene essentials cry out to be addressed such as shampoo, deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, dental, fold-up toothbrushes, breath strips, mouth wash, sanitary napkins, first-aid kits and more.
Longview High School junior Arya Germanwala noted these needs. She founded a non-profit organization called Simple Bare Necessities, aiming to provide these basic care commodities to LISD students. Arya states, “Simple Bare Necessities is boldly taking the initiative to eliminate unneeded inequities in our community, empowering all students to prosper in a safe and healthy environment.” Simple Bare Necessities wants to ease the burden of poverty and bullying. She directs Simple Bare Necessities to work to hurdle all gaps preventing students from feeling sufficiently self-confident to succeed academically. It provides a “sense of security, dignity and self-worth so essential to the future success of our children and country.”
The Science Daily reports, “The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified social, educational, and healthcare disparities. Pediatricians at John Hopkins report the hardest hit are “children from low-income households who are experiencing major disruptions in already inconsistent routines and less-than adequate resources critical to learning, nutrition, and social development.”
For Arya Germanwala, serving others is a learned habit. She said her grandmother, Manju Germanwala, has been volunteering and helping people as long as she can remember. Arya has distributed over 500 hygiene bags to low-income students in LISD and is continuously working to provide for low income families.
Submitted by Linda Buie, Dean of Instruction/Head of School, Longview High School, Longview ISD. With thanks to Joycelyne Fadojutimi.
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Happenings at East Texas Montessori Prep Academy
At East Texas Montessori Prep Academy, to show “Caring” and compassion for employees who experienced long-term illness, students and staff created videos to express how much we love and miss them, and to send best wishes. (See videos)
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, East Texas Montessori Prep Academy celebrated a different country each week. The country was recognized during morning announcements and disclosed in the Campus Bulletin. Discussion in the classroom included:
· Name of Country
· Capital
· Flag
· President
· Currency
· Population
· Official Language
· Description of the Country
Many families created a poster with their child that represented different individuals of the Hispanic Culture and Community.
Students and teachers dressed to host a Show and Tell to represent any Hispanic culture and/or family member. A slide show was displayed in the front office for parents and community visitors to view.
In spite of the hardship that many are facing in today’s world during the pandemic, East Texas Montessori Prep Academy students and staff partnered with Community in Schools by participating in the Food Drive for Community Outreach. Canned goods and various non-perishable items were donated during the month of November to support those who were in need. It is indeed an honor to be able to share in the support of our community during this special time of the year.
Submitted by Brenda Daniels, PYP Coordinator, East Texas Montessori Prep Academy, Longview ISD
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Imagine International Academy of North Texas - PYP
Last spring when our remote instruction began, one of the things we quickly realized was that we needed to provide our learners some opportunities for balance as a part of their learning engagements. We brainstormed ideas for how we could incorporate this into their daily and weekly learning. We established a daily “Play to Learn” time for our K-5 students. We gave students the agency to choose something they would like to play, but it had to be a screen/tech free choice. We reminded them that as they would Play to Learn each day, they were developing and gaining many IB skills, including things like creativity, communication, self-management, social, physical, cognitive, and emotional skills.
In addition, we established “Balanced Wednesdays.” Learners were given the agency to choose how they would plan their day. If they needed to complete unfinished assignments, or if their family had needs, they could spend Wednesdays working to help meet family goals. For those that were ready for something different, we published an Inquiry Choice Board each Wednesday. We worked to connect our choice options to different elements of the PYP, from Key Concepts, to Approaches to Learning, and to the Learner Profile. We liked this idea so much our grade level teams are now working to make Inquiry Choice Boards that align with each of their six transdisciplinary units. While the current learning situation remains a significant challenge, we are proud of the creative work our PYP teachers are doing to keep inquiry and agency alive in the PYP!
Submitted by Kim Wood, PYP Coordinator, Imagine International Academy
of North Texas
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Making Virtual Learning Work
Meridian MYP
Even through simultaneous face-to-face and distance teaching, Meridian teachers continue to uphold the inquiry and student choice that is emphasized in the IB programmes. In the MYP, seventh grade science teacher Jennifer Reihman uses Pear Deck, BrainPop, and Flipgrid as digital tools to formatively assess student understanding of the human cardiovascular system. Students brainstormed prior knowledge, researched the answers to their personal questions, then shared the answers via their own BrainPop animated videos.
In a Spanish Language Acquisition unit on traditions and celebrations, Tania Shebaro employed a choice board to review and also provide extension activities. It covered all modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal, presentational) as well as all four MYP Language Acquisition objectives all related to celebrations. Once they completed their choices, students constructed homemade pinatas with materials they could find at home or that they brought to class!
Submitted by Kristen Machczynski, MYP Coordinator, Meridian World School
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Engagement in Virtual Learning at Briarmeadow Charter School
Teaching engaging, challenging, relevant and significant lessons virtually to first graders isn’t easy! Even easier is focusing on what can’t happen virtually instead of what can. The first-grade teachers at Briarmeadow Charter School did just the opposite! Instead of focusing what couldn’t be, they recreated their planners to be relevant to the times, hosting family cultural presentations that were made more powerful because they took place in the students’ homes. Student engagement and family participation were at levels never before seen in classroom settings – leading to heightened engagement from typically reluctant students. The home setting allowed cultural insight that the classroom simply couldn’t replicate and led to a teacher reflection that asked how virtual participation could be included in the future instead of returning to the way things have been. Watch videos below:
Submitted by Saundra Mouton, PYP Coordinator, Briarmeadow Charter School,
Houston ISD
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2021 Davidson Fellows $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 Scholarships
The Davidson Institute for Talent Development offers high-achieving young people across the country the opportunity to be named a 2021 Davidson Fellow, an honor accompanied by a $50,000, $25,000 or $10,000 scholarship in recognition of a significant piece of work in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Music, Literature, Philosophy or Outside the Box. Applicants must submit an original piece of work that is recognized as significant by experts in the field and that has the potential to make a positive contribution to society. The scholarship may be used at any accredited college or university. The deadline to apply is March 10, 2021.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Spring Seminar will be virtual in late February or early March. Watch email for more specific information.
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Registration for TIBS Austin workshops (Session 1, July 25-28 and Session 2, July 28-31 will open on March 1st on the TIBS website. Remember: the IB organization and Kent State University have partnered to offer graduate credit for PYP, MYP, and DP training. Click here to find out more!
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IB College Fair 2020 will be on virtual again in 2021. See the 2020 College Fair at www.texasibcollegefair.com. Watch email for an updated 2021 version on the same website.
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We'd love to hear from you with any questions or concerns.
If you have feedback on the newsletter, please contact Judy Chapman.
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