Current Newsletter - Okinawa International School Santa Monica

GALL P
Santa Monica International School (SMIS)
Okinawa, Japan
The Common Core State
Standards (CCSS)
The United States has fifty states,
two territories (Puerto Rico/Guam),
the District of Columbia and one
educational entity (DoDEA) which
were all using different standards of
educational requirements for high
school graduation. Over eight years
ago, state governors, education
superintendents and businesses
from across American came together
to compile an educational standard
which is now called Common Core.
Since the Common Core was
compiled by the States, it was
eventually adopted by forty-six
states, two territories, District of
Columbia and DoDEA. As part of
SMIS accrediting process, SMIS was
required to declare which
educational standard that would
use. Being an American based
school, SMIS adopted and meets
and/or exceeds the CCSS.
Board of Directors
SMIS was newly accredited last
year with a recommendation that
SMIS create a Board of Directors.
SMIS is very proud to have a
prestigious Board of Directors
whom are instrumental in guiding
the school towards the future. The
members are:
Dr. Timothy Quezada – University
of Maryland University College.
Dr. Linda Williams – University of
Phoenix.
Dr. Ray Welch – Vice President
American Chamber of Commerce,
Okinawa
Ms. Janelle Brown –President SMIS
A MESSAGE FROM
THE PRINCIPAL
Santa Monica International School is
still looking forward and continues to
have great expectations from our
students. We are past the halfway
mark for the 2014-2015 school year and
our students are continuing to do well.
Have a great month in February, keep
your students always in your heart and
take extra care of those you love.
Standardize Testing
National Standardize Testing, such as
TerraNova or PARCC, are generally
given to 3rd grade students and above.
This year, SMIS will not give a
standardize test since SMIS uses the
Odysseyware online programs for 2nd
grade
and
older
students.
Odysseyware, which is based on CCSS
and is accredited through AdvanceEd,
uses quizzes and exams throughout its
lessons. These quizzes and exams
provide
daily
student
level
assessments vice an assessment once
or twice a year by using a National
Standardize Test.
SMIS may
implement PARCC testing next school
year.
UPCOMING DATES & REMINDERS
* 13 Feb – Teacher Work Day (1/2 day for
students). Please pickup your student no
later than 12:00pm.
* 16 Feb – No School. Presidents’ Day.
* 1 Mar – School from 8:00am to 12:00pm.
Parents are asked to observe their
students during any of the three lesson
periods. 3rd period (10:30am to 11:20am)
would be most preferable.
* 2 Mar – School closed due to 1 Mar
school day.
* 20 Mar – Parent Teacher Conference (No
School).
Parent Teacher Organization.
LtCol Curt Ebitz – Military Liaison
www.smisoki.com
[email protected]
2015 年 2 月
A whole lot of moving
going on...
Kindergarten 1 & 2 have recently moved to
the 4th floor of the preschool building. These
classrooms were moved to make room for
the additional PreK students that are
attending SMIS. The PreK students are now
in the old kindergarten classrooms on the 3rd
floor while the new Kindergarten
classrooms will make the 4th floor their
permanent home. Wi-Fi, Smartboards, new
restrooms, desks, chairs and cubbies are just
a part of the renovation for the new kinder
classes.
Enjoy
and
study
well,
Kindergarteners!
4th grade-2 and above have moved from the
3rd floor elementary building to the 4th floor
preschool building. This is a temporary
move since their permanent home will be in
the current cafeteria area. The cafeteria will
be moved to its larger space on the 3rd floor
of the elementary building. This should
accommodate twice the amount of students
for lunch. We hope that these changes will
continue to make SMIS a great place to learn.
PTO コーナー
* Breakfast for a Cause Fundraiser
Enjoy Breakfast on the Go with the PTO
Wednesday, February 18th 630am-8am
Donations Accepted (Dollars and Yen)
* Parents Night Out
Saturday, February 21st, 6pm-10pm
SMIS Activity Hall
$10 per child for Members
$15 per child for Non Members
Reserve your child's spot NLT Thursday,
February 19th!
* 2015-2016 PTO Executive Board
Nominations
Open Positions: President (SOFA
Status), V-President (Japanese),
Secretary, Treasureｒ.
Applications Due: February 20, 2015
Contact: [email protected] for
application and more information.
* PTO Spring Social
World Circus Festival
Family Fun Entertainment
Saturday, March 28th 13:20-15:10
More info coming soon!!