29 FEBRUARY 2016

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 9

ISG Jubail School

Administration Newsletter

JAGUAR

JUNCTION 2015-2016

Principals Column
Dear Parents and Members of our ISG
Jubail Community,
It is with tired energy that I write you
this Jaguar Junction update. As I wrote
most of this I was finishing up at ASB
unplugged in Mumbai, India and I
have been reminded that we, ISG
Jubail, have made massive leaps
forward with our technology usage and
integration since my last visit to ASB
Unplugged 2 years ago. I hope you
have found that these additional
learnings have helped to enhance the
learning that has taken place for your
child/ren during their time here at ISG
Jubail.
We have accomplished much but we
still have our journey ahead of us with
regard to curriculum design and
implementation. I will outline some of
the reasons why we are heading in a
successful direction and we will
achieve our goals with relevance and
purpose.

Curriculum build and articulation

This is the imperative and we are well
on our way to designing meaningful
learning experiences with our students
that follow a consistent path and utilize
a common language. Meeting with
heads of schools and principals over
the past few weeks has amplified this
imperative and driven home the
urgency; many speak of UNITS as
simply "What We Do". This has now
become a part of our school culture.
We are evolving as a
school. Throughout the ages, science
has shown us what happens to
anything in the organic world that does
not adapt to changes. As a parent or a
student, I would encourage you to ask
questions about the curriculum design
initiative and learn more about it from
the teachers.
Commitment to get to know every
learner
We are bringing in Virginia Rojas next
school year in August. She will be

working with our staff during

orientation on how we meet the needs
of all learners. This is her specialty
and she is a master at delivery for
focused intentional professional
growth.
Our commitment to getting to know all
the learners is in line with preferred
educational practices and is necessary
for supreme differentiation. This type
of differentiation has been referred to
as "learning pathways" by many
progressive schools around the
world. It is, and will continue to be,
our commitment to identifying the
needs of all our learners, and finding
creative ways in order to enable each
one to thrive.

Our dedicated staff and the school

home relationship!
A committed, dedicated group of
teachers that understand the need to
put aside personal agendas so that we
may move forward together; our
commitment to being a productive
member of the group or
team. Together, parents, students and
school alike, we have the potential to
continue to enable ourselves to be
successful, enjoy learning, and flourish
as global minded individuals.
Our goal should be for everyone to
enjoy school. This should be our
sanctuary of investigation and
growth. ISG Jubail should aspire to be
always pressing the boundaries of
innovation while balancing out
necessary academic progress
combined with social and emotional
health and wellness. Proactive
communication between teachers and
family is encouraged to foster this
environment. Please dont hesitate to
connect with the school if you feel
there is a need.
citizens.
Warm regards,
Dan Mock
Principal, ISG Jubail
Follow me on Twitter

In this Issue
Gr 5-7 Science Fair

J-Grads 2016

Sports Corner

Music Concerts

Me2We in Kenya

Shanghai: Where Postmodern Dwells with the

Ancient

PTO Corner

Quick Notes
March 2: PTO Meeting
@ 8 AM
March 5: Spring
Spectacular @ 10 AM
March 10-11: U-16
Basketball
March 15-17: David
Greenbergs Visit
March 21: Gr 5-7
Science Fair
March 23: Talent Show
Staged
Link to 2016-2017
Academic Calendar
Link to ISGJ Today

PAGE 2

JAGUAR JUNCTION
2015-2016

Science Fair Coming Soon

All grade 5, 6 and most Grade 7 students are
busy finishing up their scientific investigations
for the March 21 Science Fair. All experiments
should be completed by now.
The investigation steps for each project must
be displayed on a self-standing "tri-fold"
board, which may be purchased at Jarir
Bookstore. Boards can also be constructed
from any cardboard. Students may see
samples of exhibit boards in their teacher's
classroom.
Students may also have their own laptop on
display so they can show videos or other
media in
addition to
their tri-fold
board. Display of actual materials used in their experiment is
optional - photographs are sufficient.
Students will be judged during the school day in MPR. They
should plan on bringing their exhibit board to their assigned
table in MPR by 7:40 AM on Monday, March 21. Parents will
soon receive an invitation to the evening awards ceremony in
MPR at 6-8 PM.
Judges are still needed. Please email Ms. Hellman
at hellm.l.05@isg.edu.sa to see time slots.

J-Grads 2016
June 4, 2016 @ 3pm
Graduation Ceremony - MPR
Reception - Library
This coming June ISG Jubail will be issuing its first ever high school diplomas to the first
class of graduating seniors in school history. While the seniors are busy applying to
college, studying and preparing for final exams, the graduation committee is already busy
planning this year's graduation.
The graduation ceremony will be a formal affair hosted in the MPR followed by a reception
in the school library. There will be 300 invitees. Please note, there will be a professional
photographer at the ceremony and, therefore, there will be NO PHOTOGRAPHY
allowed. The reception will follow in the school library with live music, finger food, dessert
and beverages.
Please stay tuned for more updates about this year's graduation.

PAGE 3

JAGUAR JUNCTION
2015-2016

All-in-One Sports/ASA Website

We now have our athletics, PE, and ASA sites all under one roof - please take a look here. If your
child is actively engaged in our ASA and/or sports programs, we suggest you should bookmark
this page so you can easily access any updated information.

After School Activities

All Quarter 3 ASA's finish on March 10th, and
sign-ups for quarter 4 will begin on March
15 and conclude on March 21. Please be sure to
check out our new site for all news, and for the
sign-up link.

U16 Basketball
Our boys and girls U16 Basketball teams will be playing a home game against RT Aramco's
teams on March 7th at 4:30 pm (after school). This is a big deal as we have not had home games
such as this in the past - we will have more of these in the upcoming 2016-17 school year. So if
you can, please come out and support our Jubail Jaguar teams. It would be great to show our Paw
Pride in action!

Sports Stars Academy 2

After the overwhelming success of our inaugural Sports Stars Academy, it gives me great
pleasure to provide information for the upcoming Sports Stars Academy 2!
This time around we are offering a variety of new activities for your kids to get involved in; from
Gymnastics, to Indoor Cricket, to TAG rugby, to Kids Yoga...we hope there will be something
that will whet your children's appetites! Here is the link to Activity Options.
Please take a look at the Parent Information Letter and Academy Brochure for a description of
exactly what is on offer this time.
If you see something that you would like your children to be involved in, the process for signing
up is as follows:
Select which activities you would like your children to take part in.
Complete this form.
Make the full payment to one of the places listed in the Parent Information Letter.
A confirmation email will then be generated to the email address provided.
Alternatively, the Permission Slip can be completed and sent with full payment to the AD Office
directly.
*Places are limited. Please remember only full payment confirms your children's successful
enrollment
Please get in touch if you have any questions.
Marcus Waudby, ISG Director of Athletics and Activities

JAGUAR JUNCTION

PAGE 4

2015-2016

Spring Music Concerts

Dear Parents,
I havent sent an update from the
ES music department in a while.
2nd-5th graders have been getting
ready for their upcoming spring
concerts. The dates are now
Thursday, March 17 for the
2nd/3rd grade concert and
Thursday, March 24 for the 4th/5th
grade concert. Both concerts will
be at 1:00 in the MPR. Our
concerts will have some grade
level performances but will
feature a lot of individual and
small group ensembles. Since this
is a spring show, students are
being encouraged to wear spring
colors.
As always, girls can wear skirts or trousers.
For the last few weeks, students have
auditioned to be part of the talent show portion
of our upcoming performances. I have been
really impressed with the enthusiasm and skill
displayed. We look forward to having you
come see us show off our talent.
4th and 5th grade recently has had the
opportunity to use an exciting new online
music curriculum called MusicFirst. This
enables students to compose using an online
notation software called Noteflight. In addition,
we are using a digital audio workstation called
Soundation. It is very similar to Garageband
but is a cloud based program that allows
students to record, compose and share their
music with all members of the class. Students
also can work on class projects at home. I have
really been pleased with what it has to offer.
There are many more options we have yet to
explore.
5th grade string students will also be
performing in our March 24th concert. They
have really made great progress with their
bowing and are now playing a variety of
pieces.
4th grade students will also show off their
recorder skills at our March 24th concert. They
continue to work on more sophisticated pieces
in a variety of styles.

2nd and 3rd graders have been spending

more time recently, working on their
xylophone ensemble skills, with special
attention to mallet technique, counting and
listening. 3rd graders also have had a chance
to create their own pieces using poetry and
rap. They then have been using Garageband
on their iPads to record their voices and create
drum accompaniment tracks. Their creativity
and energy is quite evident in their pieces. We
will try to share these compositions online or
in our upcoming concert.
KG2 students have been fine tuning their
understanding of high and low, loud and soft
and fast and slow by singing and playing on
percussion instruments. Recently we are
starting to understand patterns and structure
in music by moving to a variety of musical
compositions. Its been really fun doing some
simple partner dancing to some traditional
fiddle music. KG2 students will have their inclass end of the year performances on:
Monday, May 23, Day 2, KG2A - 8:15AM
Wednesday, May 25, Day 4, KG2B - 8:15AM
Thursday, May 26, Day 5, Kg2C - 8:15AM
Feel free to contact me at
black.l.05@isg.edu.sa if you have any
questions or concerns.
Regards,
Lisa Black, ES Music Teacher

PAGE 5

JAGUAR JUNCTION
2015-2016

Visit to Kenya by Me 2 We Club

The Me 2 We Club with our counselor Dr. Sarah-Kate are
pleased to announce that the elementary school raised
$2000 during the KES ($) 4 Kenya campaign during
Kindness Week from February 14th to 17th.
We would like to thank everyone involved in helping us
raise funds for much needed beds and a septic tank at
Shela Bright Girls Secondary School on the island of
Lamu in Kenya, close to the Somali border.
On Dr. Sarah-Kates and Ms. Tenzythoff's recent trip to
Kenya to attend the NFI conference at the International
School of Kenya (ISK) in Nairobi last week, they met
Pierina Redler, Director of Co-Curricular Programs at
the International School of Kenya and delivered the
news.
Pierina called the all-girls school immediately and
informed their principal and board president that the
funds had been raised, and that now, their boarding
school would be able to open after 5 years dormant.
ISK students have an early dismissal every Wednesday
afternoon and instead of hanging out they travel to Shela
Bright Girls School to
help with whatever is
needed.
Watch the video about the school on YouTube and on
Vmeo.
Some facts about Kenyas educational system:
(April 2013) Despite a free primary education policy
introduced by the Kenyan government in 2003, a
substantial number of children who should benefit from
it are still out of school, even though gains have been
made between 1998 and 2009. (Source: Some Kenyan
Children Are Not in School Despite Free Primary
Education, Population Reference Bureau). This number
is significantly higher for young girls.
Ms. Tenzythoff and Dr. Sarah-Kate would like to thank the
Quarter 3 Me 2 We students for all their hard work in
planning this event and to all staff, teachers, students and
families for their generous support.
Thank you for making a difference in the lives of others!

Me 2 We!
Coming Soon: March Movie Madness 4 Syria coming in March.
Rachel Tenzythoff, Grade 2 Teacher
Dr. Sarah-Kate Hawkins, ES Counselor

PAGE 6

JAGUAR JUNCTION
2015-2016

Shanghai: Where Postmodern Dwells with the Ancient

I was blown away the moment I stepped out of the
Shanghai Pudong International Airport. A strong
gush of strangely shifting winds hit me as I
stumbled with my suitcase. Ninth grader,
vegetarian, only child stuck with eighteen other
mostly unknown jazz band players in a
completely foreign atmosphere for the first time.
Good idea?
Everything around me screamed perfection in the
most oxymoronic and paradoxical ways. During
the bus ride to our apartment, I couldnt help but
admire the construction of this city. On one side,
there are skyscrapers that look down on us. On
the other side, there are lowly houses that look
dark and centuries old. I was once again
flabbergasted at the city layout and busy
atmosphere. In Jubail, Saudi Arabia (where I have
resided for fourteen years), seeing a single soul
on the street is as rare as an unmelted ice cube in
the Sahara Desert. I study in ISG Jubail. My
parents decided to send me on a jazz band trip to
Shanghai. Our band teacher worked here for a
few years and this trip was to perform in different
schools across Shanghai. This is how I ended up
here. During my time in Shanghai, I have learned
three things: To let go and be free, music is my
passion and that performing is definitely my
number one career choice.
I am a very organized person I have a mild
condition of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. As I
entered my room in our rented apartment, I had a
miniature heart attack seeing things strewn all
over the place. No one bothered to do anything

about it and instead, began to be a part of the

mess. At first, I too was appalled and tried my
best to clean up the place. Then, I let go and
learned that being messy at times is good.
Speaking of messy, I have a pretty messed up list
of passions I would like to consider for the
future. On one of the nights, we visited the JZ
Club which is a legitimate jazz club. We
watched a group perform. Their band consisted
of a keyboardist, bassist, drummer, and a
trumpetist. Most of the songs they played were
their own compositions. The keyboardist was one
to admire. He played two keyboards
simultaneously effortlessly switching hands
from keyboard to keyboard. If that wasnt hard
enough, he did other percussion playing with his
feet. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to
compose my own music and simply, music is the
thing I am most passionate about.
Our trip consisted of five concerts. We played
fifteen songs every concert. The best part was the
learning. By playing and playing and playing the
same pieces over and over again, I was able to
perfect even the slightest, insignificant errors.
During the span of these five concerts, I ended up
playing six solos five improvisational and one
written solo. I now know wholly: Without music,
life would be a mistake. Friedrich Nietzsche.
The moment I stepped back into the Shanghai
Pudong International Airport, strong gush of
strangely shifting winds hit me as I stumbled with
my suitcase. Ninth grader, vegetarian, only child
stuck with eighteen other mostly unknown jazz
band players in a completely foreign atmosphere
for the first time. Good idea? Yes, definitely.
Source: Teja Balasubramaniam,
A Students Journey, Saudi Gazette (articles URL )

PAGE 7

JAGUAR JUNCTION
2015-2016

PTO Corner
Spring Spectacular is finally here! Come out on Saturday
March 5th from10am - 4pm to support ISG Jubail PTO. We are
raising money towards our big goal this year of
soundproofing the new gym. We will have door prizes valued over 20,000 SAR, 20+ games for
all ages, inflatables, silent auction baskets, vendors and food booths from all around the world.
Remember every person over the age of 2 needs a blue entry ticket, these tickets also count
as raffle tickets so the more you buy the better your chance of winning a prize. Red tickets will
be used for games and food, both red and blue tickets will be available for purchase at the
entrance. Remember due to recent changes in security each car must have one of the
following: 1 Blue Ticket OR ISG Jubail Car Sticker OR parent ID. Come out for a day of fun for
the whole family and have a blast with us!