ADVANC-ED INFORMATION [Part 3]

As mentioned in previous editions of the NIS News, our Accreditation was formally approved by The AdvancED Global Council and ratified by the AdvancED Commission in June 2017. NIS has received and studied our ‘Report of

the External Review Team. This detailed report identified:

Powerful Practices – These are defined by Advanc-ED as “A Powerful Practice describes something the institution does really well, a notable achievement. Powerful Practices are supported by evidence, include a rationale stating why the practice is worthy of noting, and must be linked to the Indicators” It is essential that we as a school continue to develop these areas. Such practices serve as critical leverage points necessary to guide, support and ensure continuous improvement.

Opportunities for Improvement

There are areas where the institution is meeting the expectations for accreditation, but could consider as areas to develop.

Improvement Priorities

There are areas where the institution must improve their commitment and develop significantly within a two year time frame. These elements are re-evaluated by AdvancED after the two year period.

Our Powerful Practices

a) Leadership and staff foster a culture of shared values and beliefs that creates a sense of belonging and a positive learning environment. {Indicators 1.2 and 2.4}

b) The Board of Trustees and school leadership create, revise and implement policies that ensure operational effectiveness {Indicators 2.1 and 2.2}

Opportunities for Improvement

a) Enhance the criteria of the school’s supervision and evaluation tools to improve teaching and learning {Indicators 2.6 and 3.5}

b) Provide and support meaningful roles for stakeholders in a collaborative process to enhance the educational environment. {Indicators 2.5 and 5.5}

Improvement Priorities

a) Create and implement channels for media and information resources to increase student development of 21st Century Learning Skills {Indicator 4.4}

IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE, AND OUR OWN

FINDINGS, NIS HAS ALREADY SET UP A

‘SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE’ WHO

REGULARLY MEET TO CREATE STRATEGIC

PLANS FOR THE SCHOOL TO IMPROVE OR

DEVELOP IN THE ABOVE AREAS.

2017 - 2018

EDITION 3

NEW BOYS’ STUDENT COUNSELLOR?

We are delighted to announce that Mrs. Nada will be taking over in the capacity of Boys’ Student Counsellor for all Grade 4 – 12 students. Mrs. Nada will also be continuing to teacher her IGCSE / Senior English classes. She has a wealth of educational experience, including seven years of service at NIS. Resultantly, she has an excellent knowledge of our students, policies and procedures. Mrs. Nada is currently enrolled at the Southeastern

Oklahoma State University, in the United States of America, where she is currently studying a Master of Counselling and School Administration.

NIS WEBSITE

The NIS website is our main communication tool. We would strongly urge all parents to look at the website each day in order to ensure that you are aware of all matters pertaining to the operation of

the school. THIS IS IMPORTANT.

Examples of important information on the

NIS Website.

SCHOOL VACATIONS

SYLLABUS DISTRIBUTIONS

PROJECTS (G4 – 8)

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

2017– 2018 G4 – 8 PROJECTS

The TERM 1 Projects for all G4 – 8 students ARE NOW on the NIS Website. The project is an essential element of our report card grading

system. All G4 – 8 students should familiarize themselves with the requirements of these projects.

SHOW MAY HOMEWORK {G1-12}

All homework assignments for every academic subject will be posted via the Show My Homework portal. If your child cannot access this portal for any reason they should see their respective Form Teacher, Class Teacher or section Supervisor

immediately. All parents in KG1 & KG2 should check the Homework Diary every day when your child returns home from school. This is the major communication tool between home and school.

In the event that you have any technical problems with the use of S.M.H.W please could you contact Mr. Ansir – 5233338 Ext 61.

SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

The NIS Calendar offers three formal opportunities to meet with teachers. As these days are on weekends the school will be closed the following Sunday. The dates for the 2017 – 2018 academic year are as follows

SATURDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2017

SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY 2018

SATURDAY 21ST APRIL 2018

Unless there is an urgent reason, such as a very low test score, we advise that parents should refrain from requesting personal

meetings with teachers early in the school year. Children need time to adjust to new surroundings and teachers need time to get to

know new children.

STANDARDIZED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING A standardized test is any form of test that requires all test takers to answer the same questions, or a selection of questions from common bank of questions, in the same way, and that is scored in a “standard” or consistent manner, which makes it possible to compare the relative performance of individual students or groups of students. Schools undertake these tests periodically throughout the year as they are regarded as the most accurate mechanism for judging student achievement and progress from KG2 – G8. Consequently, please be advised that these sessions will be taking place as follows

PRIMARY {KG2 – G3} – WKS 4, 12, 20 and 28

G4 – 8 {Boys and Girls} – WKS 4, 17 and 27

These grades are used for internally monitoring student progress. They are not reported to parents. However, if the data reveals a serious

problem we will contact you.

INFORMATION EVENINGS At NIS we believe in giving parents as much information as possible about the education we offer at the school. Therefore, we are pleased to announce the following ‘information evenings’ which we encourage parents to attend. The evening are as follows

EVENT DAY / DATE STAFF MEMBERS

Primary Information (G1 – 3 Parents)

Tuesday 3rd October, 2017

Mrs. Jayne Mr. Mark W

New Parents (All parents new to NIS)

Wednesday 4th October, 2017

Mr. Wajeeh (Plus SLT)

ELC Information (All KG1 Parents)

Monday 9th October, 2017

Miss Prue Mrs. Jayne

ELC Information (All KG2 Parents)

Tuesday 10th October, 2017

Miss. Prue Mrs. Jayne

ALL PRESENTATIONS WILL START AT 6:30pm and will take place

in the Multi – Purpose Room in Building 5 Boys’ Section.

SCHOOL EXAMINATION WEEKS (G4-12)

At NIS we take preparation for examinations very seriously. Therefore, we endeavor to train our students for the rigorous CIE examinations at IGCSE / AS and A level. This preparation means three sets of formal examinations per year. These take place

a) END OF TERM 1 – G4 – 10 - Wks 14 – 15 (10th – 21st December)

b) END OF TERM 2 – G4 – 12 - Wks 25 – 26 (5th – 22ND March)

c) END OF TERM 3 – G4 – 9 - Wks 32 – 33 (6th – 15TH May)

SCHOOL FEE PAYMENT DATES

Parents are reminded that if you opted to pay the school fees in termly instalments the due dates are as follows

FEE PAYMENT TERM 1 = 10th September, 2017

FEE PAYMENT TERM 2 = 7th January, 2018

FEE PAYMENT TERM 3 = 1st April, 2018

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL PARENTS IN ADVANCE IN ANTICIPATION THAT YOU WILL STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE

ABOVE PAYMENT DATES.

You can pay in cash, by online bank transfer or using your bank card. Please see the accountants for details.

TERM 1 FEES ARE NOW DUE FROM ALL PARENTS.

PARENTAL COMPLAINTS

In the event that your child encounters a problem at school, please follow the procedures and policies which are outlined in the NIS Parent Handbook. This can be located on the NIS Website. Please use the following link to access.

http://www.nadaschool.edu.sa/pare

nts/handbook01.html

.

NIS – ‘NUTS & NUT PRODUCTS’

NIS has at least one child with a severe nut allergy. This allergic reaction is so pronounced that the allergy can be triggered simply by touch and smell.

This allergy is potentially life threatening for the concerned student. Therefore, we must insist that all parents refrain from sending nuts or products containing nuts to school.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

It is a requirement of the school that all NIS students come to school every day in full uniform. This means the minimum of a school shirt, school tie and school trousers for all children. On days when the students have PE, school PE kit should be worn.

CHILDREN WHO HAVE UNIFORM MUST WEAR IT IMMEDIATELY.

CHILDREN WITHOUT UNIFORM MUST ORDER IMMEDIATELY.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT SURVEY

During the first week of school a parental involvement survey was sent to all parents by Mr. Khattab. We would be grateful if you could ask your child for this letter and

complete it. Please send your returns directly to Mr. Khattab, before the due date. Unfortunately, submissions made after this date may not be considered.

The final date for submissions is 10th

October 2017.

G9-12 AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES

Our after school classes program has started for seniors in G9-12. Please be advised that these classes are compulsory and students should be attending every session. All classes will run until 4:00pm on the respective days. Please make sure that your child attends and that transport to home is arranged accordingly.

UNWANTED ITEMS – Mobile Phones

Almost all mobile phones are now equipped with a camera. Having cameras and taking pictures in school is strictly prohibited in KSA and by the Ministry of Education. Unless, directly requested by a teacher,

as part of a lesson, any use of mobile phones or devices that can act as mobile phones, is strictly prohibited. Children who wish to speak to parents can only do so from the Student Counsellor’s or Primary Supervisor’s office (after taking permission).

Phones should not be heard, seen or used at all during the school day, including after school classes.

STUDENTS CAUGHT USING MOBILES, TAKING

PHOTOS WITH MOBILES OR DISTURBING CLASS

WITH MOBILES WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE

SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL.

UNWANTED ITEMS – MARKER PENS

The above types of pen that cannot be washed off using soap and water have no place in school as students use them for improper purposes. Please leave

these items at home.

THESE PERMANENT MARKER PRODUCTS ARE BANNED FROM SCHOOL. PERIODICALLY, WE WILL BE CHECKING THE PENCIL CASES OF STUDENTS. ANY STUDENT FOUND WITH THIS PRODUCT IN SCHOOL WILL BE SUBJECTED TO IMMEDIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

UNWANTED ITEMS – CORRECTOR FLUID

During the Summer the cleaning staff were asked to clean the furniture. They reported that some furniture has been damaged by students writing on chairs / tables with corrector fluid. Once dried this substance is almost impossible to remove.

THIS PRODUCT {IN PEN FORM AND BOTTLE WITH BRUSH FORM} IS BANNED FROM SCHOOL. PERIODICALLY, WE WILL BE CHECKING THE PENCIL CASES OF STUDENTS.

ANY STUDENT FOUND WITH THIS PRODUCT IN SCHOOL WILL BE SUBJECTED TO IMMEDIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

POT NOODLES / NOODLES

WE DO NOT ALLOW ANY FOOD TO BE

BROUGHT TO SCHOOL THAT

REQUIRES THE ADDITION OF HOT

WATER, SUCH AS NOODLES. IN

PREVIOUS YEARS, AFTER A SERIES

OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING HOT

WATER, THE DECISION WAS MADE

NOT TO ALLOW THESE ITEMS AT

SCHOOL. PARENTS ARE REQUESTED

TO PROVIDE CHILDREN HEALTHY FOOD FOR SCHOOL SUCH

AS FRUIT, PASTA, BREAD ETC.

MR. MARK’S MATHS CHALLENGE!!!

THE BONUS MERIT COMPETITION

SEPTEMBER - Primary {G1-3}

OCTOBER - Primary {G1-3}

THE BONUS MERIT COMPETITION

SEPTEMBER - {G4-10}

OCTOBER - {G4-10}

MR. TONY’S MERIT CHALLENGE – WHO

AM I?

“I was found in 1922 after many years of hiding. My mummy revealed that I was about 17 when I died and it was likely that I inherited the throne at the age of eight or nine. I was a famous young ruler, with an even more famous gold mask!”

You should write the name of the person, your name and class on a piece of paper and place it in the box outside Mr. Tony’s Office. The

winners will be drawn from the box each week and will be in the newsletter. As a prize each winner will be given FOUR MERITS

FROM Mr. Tony.

WHO AM I?

MR. TONY’S MERIT CHALLENGE – THE

WINNERS FROM LAST WEEK

The winners were drawn at random from all the students who provided the correct answer.

The winner for the Boys’ Section is Ahmed Ayman {G6B}

The winner for the Girls’ Section is Rou’a Ben Taous {G4G}

THE NIS CODE OF CONDUCT

“In schools with good standards of behaviour, there is a balance between the use of rewards and sanctions,” (Steer, 2005, p.18)

The School seeks to create an environment in which teaching and learning can take place. The principles underlying this Student Behaviour Policy are based on respect.

Respect for self

Respect for others

Respect for the environment

STUDENTS SHOULD:

Behave in a sensible and appropriate manner

Be in the correct place at the correct time

Do their best with all school work

STUDENTS SHOULD:

Allow others to learn and teachers to teach

Treat everybody with consideration, respect and good manners

Respect the right of others to hold their beliefs and opinions

Keep to the school dress code

Help to prevent all forms of bullying

Behave with the health and safety of others in mind

Behave honestly, helpfully and responsibly

STUDENTS SHOULD:

Treat their own property and the property of others with care

Treat the school buildings, contents and grounds with care

Steer, A (2005), “Learning behavior: The Report of The Practitioners’ Group on School Behavior and Discipline”. DfEE

Students who fail to adhere to the above will be punished in accordance with school policy

CURRENCY CONVERSIONS – Math G9

Grade 9 Girls were learning about money conversion and its applications in real life during their math lessons. Students did an interesting activity in pairs on converting money between U.S. Dollars and Hong Kong Dollars. They first identified 1 U.S. Dollar is how much Hong Kong Dollars and vice versa. They were asked to make a table of values for converting U.S. Dollars to Hong Kong Dollar and then to graph it. They did the same procedure with converting Hong Kong Dollars to U.S. Dollars. They were asked to analyze their results. Finally, they did critical thinking by comparing which country it is better to buy the items in. Students discussed their findings and opinions between the other groups.

In this activity students did the comparing, analyzing, evaluating as part of the 21st century skills.

WORD BUILDING – G3 BOYS!

The boys of 3A had fun building words this week. The objective of the lesson was to build words consisting of consonants and vowels. Thereafter, they would build longer words using digraphs. This was a perfect activity for learners to apply what they have learnt. Lastly, learners were given the opportunity to build words of their own. This also proved to be a lot of fun.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES {NEW}

SUNDAY{NEW}

TUESDAY {NEW}

THURSDAY{NEW}

CLUB TEACHERS STUDENTS

Science and Environment Mrs. Fiona 4-7

Games and Movies Mrs. Yasmine 1-3

Perspective Drawing Mr. Tony 4-9

NIS Multimedia Mr. Sherif 4-9

Table Tennis Mrs. Zaheera 4-9

Soccer Mr. Syed 1-3

Soccer &volleyball Mrs. Myrna 6-9

Soccer Mr. Nazar 4-9

Culinary Mrs. Maria 2-9

CLUB TEACHERS STUDENTS

Art and Crafts Mrs. Darlene 1-9

Archery Mr. Mark H 7-9

Board games Mrs. Zuleigah 1-3

Scrap Booking Miss. Reyanah 3-6

French club Mrs. Rim 1-3

Basketball Mr. Wajeeh 6-9

Science Magazine Mrs. Aziza 6-8

Healthy food club Mrs. Ghada 1-4

CLUB TEACHERS STUDENTS

Cricket Mr Pieter 4-9

Math club Mr. Mostafa 6-9

Debate club Mrs. Nada 7-9

Tae-Bo classes Miss. Kim 4-9

Spanish club Mrs. Sara 4-9

Yoga Miss. Muneera 1-3

Jewellery Design Mrs. Eman 4-9

English choir Mr. Hassan 4-9

Speech and Drama Miss. Preshantham 3-6

Piano Recital Mrs. Bushra 1-3

All sports club Mr. Khattab 4-9

ART WITH THE BIG GIRLS – G1 GIRLS!

All Grade 1 students have enjoyed their promotion to the Art Room. Each child has begun the year learning about the colour wheel and have been actively involved by mixing secondary colours from primary colours. This is an exercise which never fails to grab each student’s attention as they perform what seems like a “magic” trick! Besides being great fun, this is a foundational learning exercise which the students will continually make use of throughout the year. The art class continues to be a place of learning that supports and builds skills needed throughout the school day.

Many thanks to all the parents for making sure that their child has the necessary art supplies which have been posted onto the NIS website.

CONCRETE MATERIALS HELP US!

This week G1GB are learning new addition strategies in Mathematics using colored connecting blocks They really enjoyed this activity using a concrete material that helped them to understand real mathematical problems.

21st CENTURY SKILLS ACTIVITY

In line with the school’s focus on 21st century skills, which we are implementing throughout the NIS curriculum, this year the MATHEMATICS CLUB is taking a different approach. We are introducing the GO KART project which will urge the students to use and develop their creativity skills. Planning, designing, hand craft work, artistic work, imagination and many other skills will be developed during these sessions. Building a GO KART is a project that will give students a real-life application for their mathematics lessons as well as other practical life skills. The Mathematics Club (GO KART) is for the students in grades 7, 8 and 9. We will meet every Thursday, as part of the after school activities. Please see Mr. Mostafa for more details and to sign up, as places are limited.

AUTHENTIC LEARNING

Last week we had a great fun learning about colours and numbers. The children did many activities like colouring, cutting and pasting. In addition, the children enjoyed playing indoors and outdoors. They settled very well. We hope that everyone will have a great academic year and so much fun in the months ahead.

CARDBOARD CHALLENGE – ELC

In Week 4 the ELC students will be participating in the annual Cardboard Challenge. This is a challenge for children to create and build using cardboard, recycled materials and imagination.

There are many benefits for the students who participate in the Cardboard Challenge. It

engages children in creative play

fosters creativity, resourcefulness, perseverance and teamwork

gives children an opportunity to explore their interests and passions, and make things that have an impact on others

provides a platform for communities to actively foster and celebrate child creativity

increases global happiness and makes for a happier, more playful world

is FUN!

In order to complete this challenge, we ask that you please provide any of the cardboard and recycled items:

Used cardboard boxes (all sizes)

Cereal boxes

Shoe boxes

Empty plastic containers

Egg cartons

Empty bottles and bottle caps

Paper towel and toilet paper tubes

Old fabric, old pillowcases, old sheets

We would kindly request that any items

that are sent to school are clean and washed

where applicable.

ELC STARS OF THE WEEK

PreKG KG1A KG1B KG1C KG2A KG2B KG2C KG2D

Mariam Haleema

Fadi Motaz Alishba Noman

Aariz Aleksei Amna Anas Rahaf Hany Reem Assad