The Informer - the International School of Stavanger

The Informer
Published by IS S as a Community Newsletter
December 10, 2004
Tel.: 51 55 43 00
From the Director:
Volume No. XXVII, No. 8
scheduling the crossover teachers who
teach in two or three divisions of the
school. Our accreditation self-study
report, the accreditation team report and
parent requests have all fuelled some of
the suggestions which will now be put
into place for the next school year.
Many, many, many thanks to the committee that has been working on this and
everyone else who has had any connection to this project.
I’ll start this edition of the Informer
out with sincere congratulations being
sent to several high school athletes.
Eleventh grader Einar Hart made it
right up to the finals of the Master’s Cup
Tennis tournament for 16 year olds
which was played in Oslo last weekend.
Einar lost in a close match in the finals.
Congratulations on your silver medal
finish, Einar!
Another ISS athlete who traveled over
to Oslo the same time for a weekend of
athletic training was senior Alex
Hanssen. One of the best sprinters in
the country, Alex was invited to join in
with other elite track athletes for a
weekend of special training. Well done,
Alex!
We are moving closer to full installation of our program of becoming a
“cashless cafeteria.” If you have been in
the school lately, you may have seen
that the employees are now wearing
international flag lanyards with photo
ID badges. The ID badges for the students have been completed and will be
distributed when we return from school
in January. The staff members have
received theirs first so they can help us
by trying out the system to eliminate any
ripples that need to be smoothed out
before we pass out the student cards.
At their December meeting, the ISS
Board approved the Middle School
Scheduling Project that a faculty committee has been working on since
September. More details will be shared
throughout the upcoming months, but
basically what this means is that from
August 2005, all middle school students
will have additional opportunities to
study another foreign language and a
broader access to music and art. An
added benefit is that the time schedules
during the day will be adjusted so that
there will be more similarity when some
classes will start in the primary, middle
and high school which will allow us to
be more effective and efficient when
Through the month of January, we
will be moving to a cashless society in
the cafeteria. Here is how it works.
Employees and students will give
money to Mrs. Anne Brit Fox or another
main office staff member, which will be
credited to their ID card. The swipe card
will be used to make purchases at the
cafeteria. The minimum amount that
can be placed on a card is NOK 500.
(But frankly, we hope you will put more
1
The Informer
December 10, 2004
From the Director.......
December 10, 2004
The Informer
From the Director.......
than that on the card, at least after you
have tried out the system, so that Anne
Brit does not have to continually be
doing transactions for you or your children.) From February 1, Jean Pierre will
not be accepting cash from any student
or employee. If you put more money on
the card than your child ends up using
between now and the end of the school
year or when your family transfers if
that date is before the end of the school
year, the unused money will be refunded to you in full. When you, or your
child, give Anne Brit the amount of
money to be placed on the card, a letter
will be given with the password for your
family to go on your online account and
see how much money is remaining on
the card, and how the money has been
used—in other words, what has been
purchased with the card. Checking the
balance will also allow you to keep tabs
on when to send in another amount of
money when the balance gets low.
active recesses multiple times each day
will have a different system--their teachers will keep track of their cards for
them.
I referred to our new system as a
“cashless cafeteria”, but it won’t be
totally cashless. Parents and guests will
still use cash, but our new system will
greatly reduce the amount of cash moving through the cafeteria.
In response to a question—hot drinks
such as coffee and tea/hot chocolate are
only free to employees. Parents and
guests should be paying for these items,
so we thank you for remembering to do
so.
We are looking forward to a smooth
transition into our new system. Many
other schools and businesses use similar
systems and we expect that very soon it
will be part of the normal routine here.
We know that we have to be patient as
we put the new system in place and we
ask the same of you. A special thanks
goes to Mrs. Pat Paustian, who has been
of essential assistance throughout the
last year as we have studied, and are
now implementing the new system.
Bon appetite!
Primary school students will have
help from their teachers in keeping track
of their cards, in similar ways to what is
already done. Older students will have
to take good care of their cards and
should a card be lost, they should advise
the office immediately. There will be a
small fee to replace a lost card. The
older students will all be given one of
the beautiful international flag lanyards
to help them keep track of their cards.
Obviously, there will be times, (during
PE and some classes), where it wouldn't
be safe for them to wear the lanyards
around their necks. For the same reason, our younger students who enjoy
Once again, the Parent Association is
the recipient of the grateful thanks of the
ISS staff for the wonderful holiday
sweets table that they are providing for
us on December 10. What a wonderful
way to welcome the season!
During the days leading up to the
2
break, I will undoubtedly be seeing
many parents at the multiple gatherings
that are scheduled. Whether it is to
attend the Winter Concert, the juletrefest, a basketball game or one of the
many other activities, know that you are
very welcome here at ISS. Over the last
days we have been delighted with such
activities as the visits of Sinterklaas,
Santa Claus and Santa Lucia. On
Monday we were delighted with the
wonderful piano recital that our primary
school pianists presented.
NB! Please note:
To assist in the transition from our
existing system to the “cashless cafete ria” system, as of Wednesday 5
January, 2005 new lunch cards will no
longer be available for purchase from
Mrs Fox in reception.
And if you are one of the many in our
community who like to give books as
gifts, may I make a suggestion for you to
consider.
Rogaland’s Beautiful
Buildings in Wood:
Culture and
Tradition, is a beautiful new book available in both English and Norwegian that
has been published just in the last week
by local author Hans Eyvind Næss.
Hans Eyvind Næss has many connections to ISS. Not only was he our graduation speaker several years ago, but he
is also the father of ISS teacher, Hans
Christian Næss. You can see this beautiful book in local bookshops, or by
stopping by Liv Høie’s office as there
will be copies there as well.
Existing lunch cards will of course be
usable.
And as you travel throughout the
world during the holidays or stay close
to home, we wish you the very best for a
wonderful, happy and healthy holiday.
All the best,
Dr. Linda Duevel
[email protected]
3
The Informer
December 10, 2004
News from the High School Counselor...
The Counseling Office would like to
wish the best of luck to those students
called to interviews in the UK for
Oxford/Cambridge and Medicine. This
year there were three students in our
graduating class who secured interviews
at Oxford, as well as one each at
Cambridge
and
Manchester
Universities.
alert, thereby helping you to perform at
an optimum level. In fact, the stress
response is only a problem if it happens
too frequently, lasts too long, or strikes
with disabling force.
Though there are various approaches
to stress reduction, D. Hamilton’s A
Guide for Maximum Success and
Minimum Stress nicely summaries
some useful coping strategies that may
be of assistance as you enter this challenging time of the school year.
Ask the Counselor…
A junior deep in the revision for
exams process exclaims: “There is so
much to learn and I just can’t cope!
How will I make it through next week?”
General Exam Stress-Busting Tips:
• Believe in yourself. If you prepare
for the exams properly you should do
fine, meaning that there is no need to
worry excessively.
• Don't try to be perfect. It's great to
succeed and reach for the stars. But
keep things in balance. If you think
that "anything less than A+ means
I've failed" then you are creating
mountains of unnecessary stress for
yourself. Aim to do your best but recognize that none of us can be perfect
all of the time.
• Take steps to overcome problems.
If you find you don't understand
some of your course material, getting
stressed out won't help. Instead, take
action to address the problem directly by seeing your teacher, counselor,
or seeking help from a classmate.
• Don't keep things bottled up.
Confiding in someone you trust and
who will be supportive is a great way
of alleviating stress and worry.
• Keep things in perspective. The
Dear Overly Stressed Test-taker:
Take a deep breath. Count backwards
from 100 by 7s… now read this:
The ISS High School exams period
will run from Friday, 10 December to
Wednesday, 15 December. Students’
anticipation of this demanding time of
year can lead to feelings of angst – or
what is commonly known as exam
stress or test-taking anxiety. Exam stress
is the mentally or emotionally disruptive condition that occurs in response to
the test-taking situation. This state of
extreme distress is capable of affecting
physical health, usually characterized
by increased heart rate, a rise in blood
pressure, muscular tension, irritability,
and depression (Stress Management for
Life). Luckily for students, there is a lot
that can be done to help cope with
stressful feelings. A starting point in the
quest to manage stress is accepting the
fact that a bit of stress can be a good
thing. ‘Good stress’ keeps your body
4
The Informer
December 10, 004
News from the High School Counselor...
exams might seem like the most crucial thing right now, but in the grand
scheme of things they are only a
small part.
Tips for the exam itself:
• Avoid panic. It's natural to feel some
exam nerves prior to starting the
exam, but getting excessively nervous is counterproductive as you will
not be able to think as clearly.
• The quickest and most effective way
of eliminating feelings of stress and
panic is to close your eyes and take
several long, slow deep breaths.
Breathing in this way calms your
whole
nervous
system.
Simultaneously you could give yourself some mental pep-talk by mentally repeating "I am calm and relaxed"
or "I know I will do fine".
• If your mind goes blank, don't panic!
Panicking will just make it harder to
recall information. Instead, focus on
slow, deep breathing for about one
minute. If you still can't remember
the information then move on to
another question and return to this
question later.
• After the exam don't spend endless
time criticizing yourself for where
you think you went wrong. Often our
own self assessment is far too harsh.
Congratulate yourself for the things
you did right, learn from the bits
where you know you could have
done better, and then move on.
Tips for the study/test preparation period:
• Leave plenty of time to study so that
you don't get into a situation of having to do last minute cramming. This
approach will help to boost your confidence and reduce any pre-exam
stress as you know you have prepared well.
• Develop a timetable so that you can
track and monitor your progress.
Make sure you allow time for fun and
relaxation so that you avoid burning
out. As soon as you notice your mind
is losing concentration, take a short
break. You will then come back to
your studies refreshed.
• Experiment with several alternative
study techniques so that the time
spent is more fun and your motivation is high.
• Don't drink too much coffee, tea and
carbonated drinks; the caffeine will
'hype' you and make your thinking
less clear. Eat healthily and regularly;
your brain will benefit from the nutrients.
• Regular moderate exercise will boost
your energy, clear your mind and
reduce any feelings of stress.
• Try out some yoga, tai chi or relaxation techniques. They will help to
keep you feeling calm and balanced,
improve your concentration levels
and help you to sleep better.
Much Success!
Rick Cameron, PhD
High School Counselor
[email protected]
5
The Informer
December 10, 2004
News from the Exams Coordinator
The Informer
December 10, 2004
News from the Nurse
CHOCOLATE
Cough Cure
It is the season for coughs and colds,
and luckily for us with a sweet tooth,
scientists have come up with a cough
cure to warm our hearts.
A dose of chocolate is the answer.
“Theobromine, an ingredient in
cocoa, is nearly a third more effective in
stopping persistent coughs than the cur rent best remedy, codeine” says
researcher Professor Peter Barnes, from
Imperial College London. ”Coughing is
a medical condition which affects most
people at some point in their lives, yet
no effective treatment exists,” he said.
“While persistent coughing is not
necessarily harmful it can have a major
impact on quality of life, and this dis covery could be a huge step forward in
treating this problem.”
Theobromine works by suppressing
the nerve activity which is responsible
for causing coughing. Unlike other
cough medicine theobromine causes no
side effects to the cardiovascular or
central nervous systems.
So enjoy your Christmas this year
even if you do get a nasty tickle.
Happy Holidays
From the nurse
6
7
The Informer
December 10, 2004
High School/Middle School News
HS News and Events
office.
Many thanks to StuCo, their advisors,
Ms. Hanson and Mr. Henderson, and
parents responsible for the wonderful
Winter Formal enjoyed by so many
High School students last Saturday. It is
always a memorable event with everyone dressed up in their finery and enjoying each others’ company. Thanks to
everyone who made the dance such a
success!
11th and 12th graders, currently on
the Junior/Senior privilege list, will continue to have Open Campus. 12th grade
students will be attending school during
the semester exams but with an alternate
schedule that provides for learning
activities that will benefit them at this
stage of the school year. The IB mock
exams will begin shortly after school
reopens and the focus on summative
assessment will shift to the seniors in
the New Year.
Congratulations to the talented students performing in our winter concert
on Thursday evening. Under the skillful
direction of Mr. Fields, wonderful seasonal instrumental and choral music
raised the spirits and warmed the hearts
of the audience.
After all that hard work and studying
it’s time for fun! The final day for High
School will be one to enjoy with the
whole school division going bowling.
We have exclusive use of the 14 lane
Åsen bowling lanes on Thursday morning. The arrangements include shoes in
the price and students should bring 20
kroner for this activity. Dr. Tugwell will
be collecting monies for this event. He
will collect from 9th and 10th grade students during the Study blocks on Friday
and Monday. 11th and 12th grade students should also give their 20 kroner to
Dr. Tugwell no later than Wednesday,
December 15th.
Please remember that High School
students will be dismissed at 12.00 and
there will be no buses until the end of
the school day at 3.15.
Time moves on and the semester
exams for 9th, 10th and 11th grade
begin on Friday, December 10th. All
students have the exam schedule but
here is a reminder of the guidelines for
9th and 10th grade students during the
examination period:
1.Grade 9 and 10 students in school
must be either in an examination or
study hall.
2.Grade 9 and 10 students with no
morning examination must arrive at
school in time for their afternoon
exam.
3. Grade 9 and 10 students with morning examinations and no afternoon
examination must have a note to leave
school and sign out in the high school
Dates for your High School calendar
Semester Examinations for 9th, 10th
and 11th grades:
10th & 13th - 15th December
8
The Informer
December 10, 004
High School/Middle School News
High School Activity 1/2day:
16th December
entire MS will go ice skating. Thursday,
December 16th is a full day of school
for MS and the schedule for that day is
as follows:
8.30 – 9.00 . . . .Meet in grade levels
9.00 . . . . . . . . . .Board buses for Åsen bowling
9.30 – 11.30 . . .Bowling activity
11.30 . . . . . . . . .Board buses for return to school
12.00. . . . . . . . .Students dismissed
8:30-9:20 . . . . . .Extended Homeroom.
9:20 . . . . . . . . . .Board buses for Ishallen.
10:00 -12:00 . . .Ice Skating Activity.
12:00 . . . . . . . . .Board buses and return to
school for early lunch.
13:05-14:10 . . . .Regular scheduled classes.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .6th grade – Band,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .7th grade – Party,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .8th grade - PE
14:10-15:15 . . . .Regular scheduled classes.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .6th grade – Party,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .7th grade – PE,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .8th grade – Party
Last day of school: 16th December
Christmas Vacation:
17 December, 2004 - 4 January 2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
School opens: 5th January, 2005
HS IB Mocks: 7th -18th January
End of Quarter 2, Semester 1: 14th January
HS THIMUN: 23rd – 29th January
New Parents Orientation: 25th January
HS ISTA London: 26th January
Buses, entrance fee and ice skating for
students are free, but if your child needs
to hire skates, the cost will be 25kr (this
money is being collected by homeroom
teachers). Students who have their own
skates must remember to bring them to
school on the 16th!
I take this opportunity to wish you all
a peaceful and relaxing holiday and all
the best for the New Year.
Jayne Lund
High School and Middle School principal
[email protected]
MS Door Decoration Competition
This annual competition is now
underway and our middle school homerooms are busy decorating their classroom doors in a creative and imaginative way. There will be lots of house
points awarded to the winning homerooms!! Judging takes place on
Wednesday, December 15th during
homeroom time.
MS News and Events
Welcome to the final chapter of middle school news for 2004!
As we are in the busy run-down to the
holidays it is important to remember
that the middle school will be continuing with re g u l a r scheduled classes
until December 16th. On the 16th, the
MS Dance – Frosty Friday
Once again another very successful
9
The Informer
December 10, 2004
High School/Middle School News
middle school dance was held on
Friday, December 3rd. The students all
arrived beautifully dressed and extremely
excited
about
the
event.
Congratulations to the middle school
students for their enthusiastic enjoyment of the evening and for eagerly trying out their rock ‘n’ roll/swing dance
skills that they had recently learned in
PE!
Important Dates for your Calendar
December 15th: HR Door Decoration
(Judging)
December 16th: Last Day of School
January 5th: Back to School
January 14th: End of Q2/Semester 1
January 20th-23rd:
MS Conference (ELMLE) – Warsaw.
January 26th:
MS Recognition Ceremony – 9am
Of course the dance would not have
been such a success without the help of
a several people. Many thanks to our
MS Student Council: Kirsten Peacock,
Charlotte Moore, Laura McTavish and
Hans Christiansen and their faculty
sponsor Mrs Cilla Hines. To our MS
parent liaisons: Mrs Sabra Edwards and
Mrs Rucha Vaidya (and all the parent
helpers)for their enthusiastic help. To
Mr Keereman (also known as DJK!) for
being an excellent DJ and finally, to the
faculty chaperones: Mrs Rianne
Hettema, Ms Jayne Lund, Ms Veronica
Cosgriff and Dr’s Len and Linda
Duevel.
I wish you all an enjoyable (and relaxing!) holiday and warmest wishes for
2005.
The Informer
December 10, 004
High School/Middle School News
ISS Swimming Team 2004
Carol Murray
MS Coordinator
[email protected]
The SWIMMING SEASON is about to START AGAIN!
EVERYONE
AND HIGH SCHOOL is welcome to join
the ISS swimming team.
This year the NECIS swimming tournament is
IN
MIDDLE
in Luxemburg, April 23rd - 24th
and you can participate if you wish.
Practices:
Swimming pool at Randaberg: Tuesday's and Friday's from 15.30 to 17.00.
The first training session is on Tuesday, February 1st.
MS/HS Concert – Thursday, December 9th.
Warm congratulations to the MS and
HS students who participated in the
recent concert. It was great to see the
musical talent of so many students and
the music certainly helped to get into the
festive spirit! Congratulations to Mr.
Mark Fields for all his hard work and
organization in preparing for this concert.
I would like to invite all swimmers to an information meeting on
CAFETERIA
AT
FRIDAY JANUARY 7TH:
12.30 FOR MS AND 13.00
FOR
HS.
Mrs. Rianne Hettema
Coach
10
11
The Informer
December 10, 2004
Primary School News
It seems like we were just saying “Hello”
to the new school year, but now our winter
break is fast approaching. Before the end of
the calendar year, there are and have been a
lot of extra activities and experiences. The
daily schedule is indeed very busy, but our
students do enjoy and benefit from these
different learning experiences.
with the animals, played in the hay, met the
Norwegian Julenissen and got to taste a bit
of Norway with rice pudding (julegrøt).
The teachers and I also had a lot of fun,
especially playing in the hay with the students. Students in grades 3-5 will repeat this
experience on Thursday, December 16.
December 14th is our Santa Lucia celebration. Some of our Primary School students will be dressed in white, carrying candles and singing the traditional Lucia song.
The procession will visit all elementary
classes and tasty buns will be shared.
On December 3rd, our Dutch students
presented a traditional uniquely Dutch
“Sinterklaas Feast” where Sinterklaas and
his helpers came to ISS. It was very interesting for our non-Dutch students to see
and experience another country’s celebration. I was excited to be able to meet
Sinterklaas, and promised him that I would
definitely practice my Dutch this coming
year.
On Wednesday, December 15 our
Norwegian Department will lead the primary school in a Juletrefest at 10:00 in the
cafeteria. Our students will sing traditional
Norwegian Christmas songs while holding
hands and walking around the Christmas
tree. This is a wonderful celebration and I
extend an invitation to parents to come and
join us.
Tuesday, December 7, Santa Claus visited ISS. The Parent Association took pictures of every primary school student.
These pictures will be coming home soon.
A big thank you to Santa and his elves for
visiting us during this busy season.
The second quarter and first semester
will end January 14th with report cards
going home on January 21st.
Also on Tuesday our First grade students
went to the Slåtthaug Sykehjem to sing
Christmas carols and deliver cookies they
had made. Another big “thank you” to JP
Duc for helping our students make and decorate these cookies. AND, of course, a
thank you to our students and teachers for
sharing the joy of this season with
Norway’s senior citizens.
I wish everyone Happy Holidays and
hope the holiday season gives you an
opportunity to spend time with your family,
and to take time for a little rest and relaxation. I look forward to an exciting secondhalf of this school year. Don’t forget –
school resumes on January 5, 2005!!!
The students in Kindergarten, First and
Second grades enjoyed Soma Farm Friday
(Dec 10). They had hands-on experience
Dr. Linda Zielinski
Primary School Principal
[email protected]
12
The Informer
December 10, 2004
From the Norwegian Department
Soma farm
December 10th and 16th
Lucia means light, and
Scandinavians treasure it especially during the darkest months
of the year. Legend has it Lucia
was a young woman in Italy
who was martyred for her faith
and love for the poor during the
3rd Century. She is celebrated
throughout Scandinavia with a light procession. We will celebrate in the morning of December 14th.
Coinciding with Santa Lucia is the
old, norse LUSSI NATT. Norwegians
used to believe the darkest night of the
year to be between the 12th and the 13th
of December. Evil spirits were about
and people stayed indoors. Baking was
to be done prior to this evening.
Today we find the Lucia tradition in
homes and schools around Norway. At
ISS, children from 2nd grade will be
dressed in white, carry candles and sing
the traditional Lucia song. The procession will visit all primary classes
.
The ISS primary students
will
visit
a
Norwegian
farm
on
Friday, the 10th
of
December (Kg thro u g h
2nd grade) and Thursday,
the 16th of December
(3rd through 5th grade).
The children will get to greet and
cuddle piglets, chicks,
mice and bunnies as well
as take a look at other
farm animals.
They will also jump in
the hay and meet the
Norwegian Santa Claus,
Julenissen. Rice porridge, julegrøt, will be served.
Please dress the children in warm
clothing! The barn can be very cold in
December! The school will cover part
of the expenses, but each child will need
to bring NOK 60, - and give this to the
classroom teacher.
Juletrefest
We look forward to an exciting day!
Wednesday, December15th we will once
again gather the children and teachers in
Primary School to celebrate the
Norwegian juletrefest tradition.
This is a time of caroling around the
Christmas tree, and the community is
welcome to join us at 10:00 am in the
Valhall cafeteria.
We will practice for the event during
Norwegian classes. The juletrefest will
last about 40 minutes
.
Anne Lise Riedel,
Jenny Hjertvik,
Randi ØglændSandved,
Liz Bannister
13
The Informer
December 10, 2004
International Friendship Group
See you all
at the Craft Fayre
on Sunday, 12th, at 13:00
The RAY SPEEDY MAGIC SHOW
is at 14:00.
The Grand Auction
is at 15:00.
There are many lovely
things to choose!
*WELCOME*
2005 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Gingerbread Castle
Raffle
Who's going to take home the unique
castle built by Ania Wnuk and Rosanne
Mulder? Raffle squares are on sale during lunch recesses until the 14th of
December.
*Kr.10 buys three squares*
The houses made by Kg. and 1st grade
will also be in the raffle! The draw will
take place during the Juletrefest on
the morning of the 15th December.
The proceeds are for Leger uten
Grenser.
*Good luck*
*Help the Rainforest* The first
activity planned by IFG and YEPA will
be on the 21st January in the Lovelace
Theatre and will be to raise funds for
Rainforest Concern. We are planning
to resurrect the very popular COFFEE
HOUSES which used to be eagerly
awaited bi-annual events for students at
the school. We are looking for students
and/or faculty to get together and create
an evening of entertainment - the more
varied the better.
We are not looking for perfect performances. In fact, those that 'go wrong'
are often the most successful and popular.
What can you do that's just a little bit
different? Start thinking N O W and
sign up soon. This is open to ALL students and staff.
Fill in and return to IFG c/o Mrs.
Kemp in the main office before the 11th
of January please.
COFFEE HOUSE
The CHRISTMAS STOCKING
Appeal
for Leger uten Grenser will continue
until the 16th of December. All PS
classrooms, MS homerooms and HS
English classes have collection socks in
place. MS students will earn one house
point for each ten kroner collected. (ten
kroner treats one child who is suffering
with
malaria)
14
Friday 21st January 2005
19:00 in the Lovelace Theatre
Name......................................................
Grade.....................................................
The Informer
December 10,2004
International Friendship Group
The students and advisors in IFG,
YEPA and SWEC wish to thank
everyone who has supported our events
this year. Our web site will be updated
in January so you will be able to check
up on just how successful we have been.
Meanwhile we wish you all a safe and
happy holiday season. and, when the
New Year comes - Cheers! Slainte
Mhor! Skal! A votre sante! Yung
sing! Proost! Kippis! Skaal! Zum
wohl! A la sature! Cin cin! Kampai!
Chukbae! Uz veselibu! I sueikata!
Salud! Kia ora! Mabuhay! Na
z d rowie!
Noroc!
Na Zdorovje!
Gesondheid!
Seiradewa!
Skål!
S e refe!
Iechyd da!
Op uw
Gezondheid! Gom bui! Fee sihetak!
Eis igian! L'chaim! Choc-tee! Djam!
Chia!
On the Environmental
Side of Things...
Here's a reminder about all
the recycling opportunitiesfor
the general community which
we have available at ISS.
1. Empty drinks bottles and cans. IFG
take them to the recycling depot and
the money is given to charity.
2. Used stamps and telephone cards sent to TUBFRIM to benefit children
with special physical needs.
www.tubfrim.no
3. Used spectacles - sent to Vision Aid
Overseas to be processed and then
sent off to developing countries.
www.vao.org.uk
4. Used toner cartridges - sent to Action
Aid to benefit the needy in developing countries.
www.actionaid.org
NEW! In 2005 we will
also be collecting used mobile
phones. These will be recycled to help the rainforest!
The recycling of as few as 15 mobile
phones can enable Rainforest Concern
to purchase and protect one acre of the
world's most biodiverse rainforest, as
well as all the plants and animals that it
contains. Check our notice board in
January for more information.
Act..........................................................
www.rainforestconcern.org
15
The Informer
December 10, 2004
SPECIAL DAYS in January
1st: New Year's Day. The New Year is a time for a fresh start and for making New
Year's Resolutions. (Resolve to keep yours this year!)
6th: Epiphany: This is the time when Christians celebrate the visit of the Wise Men
to the infant Jesus. Epiphany is the twelfth and in many countries the last day of
Christmas. In the UK it is said to be unlucky to leave Christmas cards and decorations out after this date. In Norway, some people 'dance Christmas out' on this
evening.
8th: World Literacy Day: 'Illiteracy is both a cause and consequence of poverty and
underdevelopment. Literacy provides a means by which people and communities
can attain greater control over their destinies. Literacy is a basic human right. It is
an essential element in the struggle for justice, human dignity and equality.' (World
Literacy of Canada)
13th: This is the 20th day of Christmas in Norway - the very last day to clear everything away. People used to sweep the house with a 'sopelime' - a broom, probably
made with birch twigs.
The Informer
December 10, 2004
Parents Association News
The Reading Incentive Program would like to congratulate the
CRAWLERS--Mrs. McCullough's 3A and Mr. Williams' 4A! With the most minutes read the students and teachers were treated to a Pizza party and ice cream at
lunchtime on Wednesday, December 8th. WAY TO READ!
The following students were the top readers in each of their classes:
Preschool: . . . .Rohit Amaravadi
PreKinder: . . .Fredrik Naess
Kindergarten A: Gabe Bryant
1A: . . . . . . . .Anja Minsaas
1B: . . . . . . . .Frida Hjellvik
2A: . . . . . . . .Sinaid MacKay
3A: . . . . . . . .Robert East
3B: . . . . . . . .Christine Brannon
4A: . . . . . . . .Kirsten Mackenzie
4B: . . . . . . . .Alastair MacKay
5A: . . . . . . . .Echo Li
5B: . . . . . . . .Stephen Wong
21st: Id -ul-Adha: This is the time when Muslims remember the story of Ibrahim
from the Qur'an, their holy book.
Over the four week challenge these students read more minutes than anyone else
in their class.
25th: 'Burns' Night': Robert Burns, Scotland's National Bard, was born in 1759 and
celebrations in his memory are held all over the world on this night. These are
known as Burns' Suppers and the custom was started by close friends of Burns as a
tribute to him after his death.
Everyone who took part in the Parent Association sponsored Fall Reading
Incentive program has received a personalized bookmark from Wilbur, our
Reading Mascot.
26th: Australia Day - commemorating the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip and the
First Fleet at Sydney Cove on 26th January, 1788
Thank you to the students, their parents, and the teachers fro supporting this program. Thank you to J.P. and his staff for the pizza party and to Suzanne Gross and
Maureen Jones who, as last year's Reading Incentive coordinators, offered us useful advice!
Looking forward to an equally successful springtime incentive program and
Happy Reading!
Dawn Elsborg
&
Seona Mackenzie
Reading Incentive Coordinators 2004-2005
16
17
The Informer
December 10, 2004
Classified ADs
December 10, 2004
The Informer
Classified ADs
Looking for Christmas gifts for your children?
Educational computer games for Mac and PC . . . . . . . . . . . . .kr 100 - 200.
Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advanced games . . . . . . . . .kr. 150 - 250.
Aschehougs Juniorleksikon (2 volumes), new - in plastic . . . .kr 500(orig. price kr. 795).
Children’s videos and books, from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .kr. 10 - 50.
Call Gail Sætre for more information: 51 58 43 35
VACCINATION
Same day service
Travel Health™ nurse
Our professional staff gives you
updated travel information on
health hazards.
51 93 86 80
Sana Reisemedisin a.s
Nordbøgaten 6, centre of Stavanger
www.sana-reisemedisin.no
Wanted!!!
Is there ANYONE out there
who can teach my 13 year old daughter
how to play the chanter/bagpipes.
Please contact Georgie Hansen
on 51 52 96 21 or mob. 99336940
CROSS CULTURE - An English Radio Program Focus on the Family is presented every Saturday morning at 10.00 on FM radio 100,5. This program is
broadcast by Nytt Liv Media in Stavanger. A repeat of this program is aired on
Wednesday evening at 10.00. For more information contact Lucy Olsen 51 55 56 55.
18
19
The Informer
December 10, 2004
Classified ADs
The Informer
December 10, 2004
Editor’s Page
The future issue dates for the 2004-05 school year’s Informers are:
In 2005: 14.01, 28.01, 11.02, 04.03, 18.03, 15.04, 29.04, 13.05, and finally 27.05.2005.
Deadline is always theTuesday 3 days before, at noon.
The Informer is issued every two weeks, which amounts to 16-18 editions per school year.
To have CLASSIFIED ADS published in the Informer, you can reach me in one of the the
following ways: by e-mail:[email protected], by phone: 51554322, by fax: 51554301
or just pass by the school with your advertisement on a diskette.
The editor reserves the right to edit ads to fit the space requested by you.
Prices:
Companies
Private persons ISS Teachers/Students
Full page:
NOK 1200,NOK 600,NOK 300,Half page
NOK 800,NOK 400,NOK 200,Third of a page NOK 600,NOK 300,NOK 150,Quarter page:
NOK 400,NOK 200,NOK 100,Eight of a page
NOK 200,NOK 100,NOK 50,Families with children at ISS receive a free copy sent home in their youngest child’s backpack, or - in the case of high schoolers - sent home by mail. Others wishing to subscribe
may do so for the annual subscription rate of NOK 250,-. If you are a subscriber and wish to
continue your subscription, an invoice will be sent to your address in the fall of 2004.
NB! If you do not receive your Informer, please check that your family name is clearly
marked on your letter box, or else the postman might return the newsletter to ISS.NB!
The Informer is also issued on the ISS web-page: www.isstavanger.no .
Go to “News” and then to “Informer”
Liv Nærland Høie, Editor
MISTRAL SINGERS
will perform at the Craft Fayre on Sunday 12th December.
We will thereafter have a vacation until the New Year.
Rehearsals will resume Wednesday 2nd February, 2005 at 7:30 pm
in the Band Room at ISS. Any interested singers are very welcome to join us
then. Thank you to our valiant singers in Mistral this year. Compliments of the
season! and welcome back in February after a well deserved rest.
Enquiries can be directed to
Veronica Cosgriff: [email protected]
20
21
The Informer
December 10, 2004
The Chef can be contacted at # 51 55 43 53 or [email protected]
Lunch Menu
13/12, 2004 - 14/1, 2005
In addition to the daily HOT MEAL for lunch, the
cafeteria serves a “soup of the day” and a vegetarian option.
M
T
W
T
13.12
14.12
15.12
16.12
Hot Meal
Tagliatelle à la Carbonara
Fish gratin with Coleslaw salad
Norwegian Christmas plate w/Ribbe and Pinnekjøtt
Risengrynsgrøt & caroling around the Christmas tree with the cafeteria staff
W 05.01
T 06.01
F 07 .01
Pizza
Tacos and rice
Fish and chips
M
T
W
T
F
Bacon pancakes
Lamb stew Provençale with roasted potatoes
Chop Suey of beef
Moussaka, Greek salad and pita .
Sea food lasagna and salad .
10.01
11.01
12.01
13.01
14.01
The Informer
For Informer deadlines - see Editor’s page! December 10, 2004
Absence call in line for students: 51 55 43 03
Important
Dates
2004-2005 School Year
December
10
Grades K - 2 go to Soma Farm
10,13-15 Semester Examinations for 9th, 10th and 11th grades
11
ACT, ISS test center, 08:00
12
Art & Crafts Fayre, ISS foyer, 13:00 - 16:00
14
Santa Lucia Procession at school, 09:00
15
Juletrefest, Valhall Cafeteria, 10:00
16
Grades 3-5 go to Soma Farm
16
High School Activity Day - Half day
16
Last day of school
16 December 2004 - 4 January 2005. Christmas Vacation
January 2005
5
Back to school
7
Swimming Team information meeting, Valhall Cafeteria, 12:30 (MS) & 13:00 (HS)
7-18 IB Mocks
22
SAT
23-29 High School THIMUN
25
New Parents Orientation
26
Middle School Recognition Ceremony, 9 am
25
High School ISTA, London
The next full length
Primary School production
is scheduled for the
15th, 16th and 17th of April, 2005.
Letters and sign-up forms will be
sent out to students in 3rd - 5th
grades in early January and
rehearsals will begin with a readthrough on Tuesday 18th January.
Rehearsals will be on Tuesdays and
Thursdays after school in the basement. Specific details will be given
out later. This announcement is just
to give you some basic information
in advance - so that you can plan
ahead if necessary.
Have a happy holiday season!
Christine Kemp
22
23