TIBS provides numerous scholarships and innovative teaching/training grants to deserving students and teachers each year.
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TIBS 2024 eNewsletter, Fall Edition | |
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Dear TIBS Community,
Welcome to the 2024 Fall eNewsletter.
We hope that your 2024-25 school year is going well. We continue to recognize the difficulty of implementing the IB standards and practices in all of the programmes. We applaud your dedication and hard work to provide what is needed for every individual student. What a monumental task! We salute you!
We enjoyed seeing some of you in Georgetown in mid-November. We know you are looking forward to the upcoming winter holiday break.
This edition of the newsletter includes information about roundtables and our service project from the November meeting. You will also find several articles sharing great ideas that are working in other schools. We hope you will find the ideas helpful.
Thanks to those of you who made the time to share articles for our eNewsletter. 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
- 2024/2025 Board Members
- College Fair Update
- Information about Roundtables, Grants, and Scholarships
- Success Stories from our Schools
- Announcements
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Contact Us
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What We’ve Been Up To:
Summer IB Workshops
DFW (June 12 & 13): 76 trained
Longview (June 24 & 25): 56 trained
Austin (July 22-27): 613 trained
Houston (July 30 & 31): 210 trained
TAGT—San Antonio (December 4-6)
What’s Coming Up:
-TIBS Spring Meeting —Virtual (late Feb/early March)
-TAGT Leadership Conference—Houston (March 30-April 1)
-TIBS College Fair—Hurst (April 3)
-IB Global Conference—New Orleans (July 15-17)
-TIBS Austin Workshops (July 20-26)
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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.
- Austin Academy for Excellence (MYP)—Garland
- Bryker Woods Elementary (PYP)—Austin
- Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls (PYP)—San Antonio
- Roy Cisneros Leadership School for Boys (PYP)—San Antonio
- The Clariden School (DP)—Southlake
- Uplift Ascend High School (DP)—Ft. Worth
- Uplift Elevate Preparatory (DP)—Ft. Worth
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Dario Ganic (At Large)--Uplift Education
Seby Meloni (At Large)--Houston ISD
Anthony Watson (At Large)--Round Rock ISD
Dr. Te T'aime Burks Green (DP)--Uplift Education
Christin Key (DP)--Round Rock ISD
Jennifer Love Cunningham (MYP)--San Antonio ISD
Sharnell Nelms (MYP)--Aldine ISD
Elizabeth Hall (PYP)--Round Rock ISD
Ashley Swindle (PYP)--International School ofTexas (Austin)
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College Fair 2025 will be an in-person event. It will be held on April 3rd at the Hurst Conference Center. Registration for students will begin on February 17th. Look for an email with more details about student registration.
The virtual college fair will continue in 2025. The fair is available to IB students and at www.texasibcollegefair.com .
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IB Global Conference
Join the IB community at the Global Conference of 2025, held in Washington D. C. on July 15-17.
Details to follow.
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Fall Meeting Action Project
MARIANNA NAKATO
10 years old
Dreams of becoming a teacher
Brief History:
Mariana’s father died of malaria, and her mother has not been able to support the family. Marianna’s aunt and grandmother did help pay for her school fees for a while, but they have not been able to continue to do so. Both Marianna and her twin sister Abriyana are part of the We Help Two sponsorship program in Uganda.
The cost of sponsoring her is $550 for 1 year. We are happy to report that participants at our Fall Coordinator/Administrator meeting contributed enough money to sponsor her tuition for this year! Thanks to all of you who contributed. We appreciate your generosity.
https://www.wehelptwo.com
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PYP and MYP Roundtable Opportunity
Calling all IB educators!
Giddy on up! We invite you to join us in San Antonio at Woodlawn Hills Elementary on Saturday, February 8, 2025 for a South Central Texas PYP and MYP Roundtable. This event is free!
Below you will find links to the flyer, registration, and call for presentation proposals. Hope to see you there!
South Central Texas PYP and MYP Roundtable flyer
Register early for a chance to win a prize!
Register Here
Want to present the amazing work you're doing? Submit a proposal below.
Submit Proposal Here
Questions? You can contact the following individuals:
Lupita Alvarado - gbermudez1@saisd.net
Cari Richter - crichter1@saisd.net
Thank you!
Submitted by Danielle Courchesne, MYP Coordinator, Fenwick Academy,
San Antonio ISD
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TIBS Sponsored Central Texas Roundtable
On Saturday, November 16, 100 IB educators from 26 schools across Texas joined together for the first IB continuum roundtable held in Central Texas. The Roundtable was hosted by Meridian School in Round Rock. Participants were able to engage in sessions that spanned the continuum, exploring how knowledge, action, or research skills build across all 3 programs. That was followed by opportunities to attend breakout sessions designed to strengthen practices within individual programs and job-alike collaboration sessions for sharing strengths and challenges within a specific role. A generous grant from TIBS allowed participants to attend for free and enjoy breakfast, snacks, and door prizes!
Submitted by Leah Lieurance, PYP Coordinator, Meridian World School
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Roundtable, Grants and Scholarship Applications
Texas IB Schools provides numerous scholarships and innovative teaching/training grants to deserving students and teachers each year.
Grants to provide Roundtables such as those mentioned above are also awarded each year. In addition, TIBS awards six $1,000 grants for innovative teaching ideas to those from member schools. Also, six diploma candidate seniors from member schools will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
Look for applications and due dates on the website and in an email from Courtney Smith.
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Recognition for KIPP
University Prep, May 2024
We are excited to announce that our IB program was recognized and promoted on IB USA website to showcase our focus on IB for all at KIPP University Prep High School: “As an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme School we will provide the highest level of university preparatory education to students within an underserved community in San Antonio, Texas.
Because we believe that education can change lives, we will ensure that 100% of our students are provided with access to this programme. At KIPP University Prep we will deliver a world class education to these students, enabling them to open doors to educational and career success. Once they step through these doors, they will become the architects and leaders that address the global challenges of today and the future… By offering open access to the IB Diploma Programme we are blazing a new trail for students traditionally denied world class educational opportunities.”
Please check out the video at www.ibo.org/usa to hear from our students and staff about how this program supports our Trailblazers!
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You can also see our school featured on the IB Texas website showcasing our approach to leadership for an IB for all program https://ibo.org/welcome-to-the-ib-in-the-united-states-of-america/texas/. We are so proud of our students and staff and are excited to join the IB to collaborate with other schools in the upcoming year on their IB for all adoption!
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Submitted by Jonathan Villegas-Caine, Assistant School Leader-DP Coordinator, KIPP University Prep
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Parade of Nations at Las Palmas
On Friday, May 17th , the leaders at Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls once again captivated the community with a vibrant and energizing display of cultural richness during its much-anticipated annual Parade of Nations. The event speaks to the school's commitment to fostering global awareness and leadership as showcased by the research that all the students from Kinder through 7th grade engage in. Each class at Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls (LPLS) took part in a journey into a chosen country. Leaders delved into the history, customs, and traditions of their respective country. Throughout the unit of study, students were able to reflect on the commonalities that exist between their culture and the culture of others. The culmination of their inquiries was on full display as the school presented a global tapestry of diversity in a festive parade and incredible dance performances.
The highlight of the Parade of Nations was the captivating procession where leaders wore traditional attire from their chosen country. Many students also proudly showcased their knowledge by showing off different artifacts from their individual research projects. From the intricate details of Japanese kimonos to the vibrant hues of Indian sarees and the festive colors of the Mexican folclórico dresses, each student worked to represent the culture of their respective nation.
After students paraded through the streets nearest the campus, the celebration continued with a beautiful display of dances. LPLS leaders took center stage before families and community members as they performed traditional dances from their chosen countries. The rhythm of the music, the sway of the dancer’s moves, and the energy of the audience made for a memorable celebration!
Principal Muñoz expressed her pride in the students' efforts, emphasizing the importance of understanding and appreciating cultural diversity in today's interconnected world. The Parade of Nations is more than a showcase of costumes and dances; it is a celebration of our leaders and our growing global community. Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls succeeded in not only educating young minds but also in fostering a spirit of respect, understanding, and appreciation for the diverse world in which we live.
Submitted by Genevie C. Rodriguez-Quinones, PYP Coordinator, Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls, Edgewood ISD
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Uplift Heights Healthcare Institute: Empowering Students Through
Service Learning
This past October, students from Uplift Heights Healthcare Institute participated in a service project as part of their MYP Individuals & Societies curriculum on humanitarian supply chains. They packed over 1,100 hygiene kits for "Texans On Mission," an organization that sent volunteers and supplies to support victims of Hurricane Milton.
This project is a powerful example of how students apply their learning to real-world service, demonstrating the global and local impact of an IB education. Uplift Heights Healthcare Institute, an IB World School in West Dallas, is a unique collaboration between Uplift Education and Baylor Scott & White Health. The school offers students a top-tier IB education while preparing them for healthcare careers in fields of biomedical science, nursing, healthcare therapeutics, and healthcare operations. Students gain valuable hands-on experience, working closely with both their teachers and Baylor Scott & White Health staff. Students even have opportunities to visit BSWH facilities to observe professionals in action.
Submitted by Dario Ganic, Director of IB Programming and Coordination,
Uplift Education
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House System
at Foster Middle School
We would like to report that several Foster Middle School teachers recently attended professional development at Ron Clark Academy to implement the House System on our campus for the 2024-2025 school year. The teachers were very excited and immediately started planning House implementation for our campus.
The House System aligns with IB in that it focuses on:
- Student Leadership
- Service Learning
- Approaches to Learning and Teaching (Communication, Research, Self-management, Critical Thinking, & Social Skills)
- IB Learner Profiles
Our goals with the House System implementation include:
- Enhance Student Engagement
- Improve School Culture & Climate
- Improve Academic Achievement
- Build Character Development
We are very excited to implement the House System at Foster Middle School to bring excitement while ensuring that every student and adult feels accepted and connected.
Submitted by Mary Taylor, Head of School, Foster Middle School,
Longview ISD
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Retreat Days at
Fenwick Academy
Fenwick kicked off the year with grades 5 and 8 retreat days. These retreat days were focused on their culminating projects: Exhibition and Community Project. 5th-grade retreat took place on Friday, November 1, 2024, and 8th-grade retreat took place on Friday, September 27, 2024.
Throughout the day, students participated in a series of engaging, hands-on sessions, carefully designed to support and guide them in their exhibition process. The retreat provided them with opportunities to collaborate, reflect, and build foundational skills necessary for their upcoming projects. From brainstorming ideas to exploring key concepts of research, creativity, and community engagement, each session allowed our students to explore their passions and deepen their understanding of the issues they are passionate about.
As they rotated through various workshops, they had the chance to hear from teachers and peers as they engaged in group discussions, and practiced skills like inquiry, time management, and research. It was a day of reflection, growth, and inspiration as they took their first steps towards their final projects.
The energy and enthusiasm from our students were truly contagious. They are already showing their commitment to making meaningful contributions to their communities and the world beyond. This is just the beginning, and we can't wait to see where this journey takes them! We are proud of all of our learners and look forward to watching them continue to grow and shine throughout their exhibition journey. Here's to a year of discovery, action, and achievement!
Submitted by Jenna Hixon, PYP Coordinator, Fenwick Academy,
San Antonio ISD
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
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Registration for TIBS Austin workshops (Session 1, July 21-23 and Session 2, July 24-26) will open on February 1st on the TIBS website. Sessions will be in person. 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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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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