ISSUE 62 VOLUME 20 MAY 2018
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About ISK The International School of Kenya (ISK) is a private, non-profit PreKGrade 12 school created in 1976 through a joint partnership between the governments of the United States and Canada. Nestled on 40 acres of a former coffee plantation, ISK serves the educational needs of both expatriate and Kenyan students who seek a challenging international curriculum which leads to the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma program. ISK’s internationally focused curriculum has helped Kenya become a magnet for foreign business investment and a desired posting for those working for the continuing development of East Africa. Expatriate families consider Kenya a quality career opportunity, in part due to the quality education they find at ISK. Likewise, Kenyan families who want an international, culturally diverse education for their children see ISK as the school of choice. ISK has over 950 students from more than 65 countries. Graduates earn an ISK North American accredited diploma and approximately 70 percent of ISK graduates earn the IB Diploma, enabling them to study at some of the most respected and competitive colleges and universities in the world. ISK students form a supportive, spirited and diverse community, which enables new students to adapt easily to campus life. Interacting in such a welcoming cross-cultural milieu, ISK students celebrate the unique and wonderful differences and similarities of people from around the world. The value of respect for each other and for Kenya is evident at ISK, as is a commitment to giving back to the community. Our scholarship program for Kenyan students, together with a broad and dedicated service-learning program which serves our local and national community, have shaped our school values since 1967 and continue today. In keeping with ISK’s strategic mission and vision, we are dedicated to empowering each student to create solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. Therefore, we have embarked on a multi-million dollar facility and program expansion project to provide students and faculty with the programs, tools and facilities necessary for success. Once completed, ISK will be able to accommodate 1,200 students with expanded programs and facilities.
EDITORIAL TEAM Lynn Wells Pamela Pappas Janet Muasya DESIGN & PRODUCTION Mario Zamfir - SchoolBrand.com Copyright © 2018 The Link Copyright © 2018 ISK. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Trademarks: The Link, ISK and their associated logos are trademarks of the International School of Kenya. All other names, logos, and trademarks of other companies shown in this publication are the property of their respective owners.
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07 Message from the Board of Directors The ISK Board of Directors held their last meeting of the 2017-2018 academic year on May 15th. 22 TLC - News & Updates Many thanks to parents, students, Board members, teachers and administration for all of the support this year as we work to build a real community of learners 23 Service Learning News and events 26 Athletics Department News & Updates 34 PTO News PTO Duka Visit to Magoso School in Kibera
4 8 10 16 30 Director Letter
ES Report
MS Report
HS Report
Advancement News
Congratulations to Class of 2018! On May 25, ISK graduated another class of seniors.
Congratulations as well to all staff, students and parents for two very successful Field Days
We hope you have a fabulous summer connecting with your family. ISK kicks off the school year on Wednesday, Aug. 8th
We recently held our annual awards ceremony as our department heads presented awards to honor student excellence and achievement.
The number of individual staff and faculty donors increased 68% versus last year with parent participation up 92%.
Read more on page 4
Read more on page 8
Read more on page 10
Read more on page 28
Read more on page 14
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David G. Henry Director
ENJOY ‘SUMMER’ BREAK The end of the school year is one that brings out a multitude of feelings from students, parents, teachers and staff. There is that bittersweet feeling of the end of another school year and the goodbyes that must be said. There is a feeling of elation of the beginning of summer vacation, typically a time of play, travel and relaxation. ISK has been fortunate to have such a talented faculty and staff serving the students this year. As we say goodbye to those departing to other destinations, remember their smiles and caring ways. Hopefully, our paths will cross once again down the road. Over the summer, do not forget to encourage your children to continue to read and apply all they have
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Director’s Letter learned as they enjoy the break. It has been a pleasure to serve the ISK community this past year and I look forward to our collective journey in the years to come. Have a wonderful summer break! We will see most of you in August. CONGRATULATIONS TO CLASS OF 2018 On May 25, ISK graduated another class of seniors. The Class of 2018 is 73 students strong and possibly more interesting, there are 36 different nationalities just in this 12th grade class. For those of you who attended the ceremony, or watched it streamed live, you will remember the number of long-term students graduating from ISK this year. We had five students that started at ISK in Preschool, with
one starting in Grade 1 and another joining ISK in Grade 2. That was amazing, while we have to acknowledge also the transient nature of ISK in that three seniors were at ISK only for this one year! The Class of 2018 are headed off to universities around the world with some planning their own learning using the next year as a self-directed learning year or gap year. ISK graduates will attend universities such as the Asia Pacific University in Japan; Maastricht University and University College Roosevelt in The Netherlands; UBC and the University of Toronto in Canada; Imperial College London, University of Manchester, University College London, and University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom; the University of
Nicosia Medical School in Cyprus; Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar; and Barnard College, University of Virginia, UCLA and USC in the United States. These are just a few of the universities where our graduates have decided to attend, starting next year or the year after. It is also important to note that our 2018 graduates have been offered close to $2.5 million dollars in scholarship money to support their undergraduate university studies. Congratulations to ISK’s Class of 2018! For now do not forget to enjoy the upcoming summer break and Nitakuona hivi karibuni, David G. Henry Director
New Faculty Hires & Major New Teacher Roles Matthew Woodward Elementary Principal
Shelly Maldonado ES Counselor
Julie Conroy ES Librarian
Kirsten McGarigal ES Grade 5 Homeroom
Mariana Garza de Woodward
ES Part-Time G1-5 Spanish Teacher
Laura Schutter
ES Co-Curricular Activities / IC Trip/SL Coord. & PT ES Spanish
Betty Musyoka (new role) ES Grade 2 Homeroom
Donica Merhazion (new role) ES Grade 3 Homeroom
Sienna Burns (new role) ES Learning Support
Francis Atemo (new role) ES Grade 5 Homeroom
Ruth Stenning (new role)
ES English Language Learners Teacher
Ronnie Spilsbury (new role) ES Part-Time K-1 Art Teacher,
Jenn Davis - Boxer
Part-Time MS Learning Support
Michael Maldonado HS Counselor,
Mark McGarigal
HS Science/IB Biology
Hai Nguyen
HS Science/IB Chemistry
Annalisa Di Paolo
HS Modern Languages/French
Gakunju Kaigwa Part-time HS Art
Heidi Laws
Student Support Services Coordinator
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
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Board News The ISK Board of Directors held their last meeting of the 2017-2018 academic year on May 15th. We thank everyone who attended and participated in these meetings this past year - from students to parents to teachers and staff – we really appreciate your involvement and support. Our next meeting is scheduled for September 25, 2018. Several new projects were approved at the May meeting. First, the architects presented the proposed layout for the new middle school building. This presentation demonstrated a well thought out building design that includes additional green space, a floating roof, expandable classroom
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space, accessibility for those differently abled, and a pavilion style courtyard. A high school science lab was also included in this design that will naturally connect to the high school space. This concept highlights the natural beauty of Kenya and our campus with minimal impact to the environment (95% of trees will remain intact during the building). The building proposal was approved but will not start before the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, the Board approved an expansion of the inclusion journey that the Board had committed ISK to in 2013. This expansion will now encompass students
with intensive needs, as compared to those with mild/moderate needs as before. The program will initially be introduced in the Elementary School in 2019 and will have a dedicated classroom and teacher. ISK will be one of the few schools in Kenya to offer this resource as it continues to commit to the education of all children.
we wish you the best of luck on your next adventure, and for those returning for the next academic year, we look forward to seeing you in August.
Lastly, in accordance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation 2016, the ISK policy regarding school records was updated to ensure compliance with these regulations.
Best,
And a special congratulations to the graduating Class of 2018 – we are proud of you!
Ann Marie Awori Secretary, Board of Directors
We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday break. For those of you leaving Kenya,
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Patricia Salleh Matta Elementary School Principal
REPORT
Dear Parents, What a busy few weeks it’s been in the Elementary School. Congratulations again to the CAD for such engaging and lively concerts and a colorful and creative art show. Congratulations as well to all staff, students and parents for two very successful Field Days where the focus was on participation, sportsmanship and teamwork. I would like to say a most sincere ‘asante sana’ to our parent community that has been so supportive in many ways over the course of the year; it has truly been a collaborative and positive partnership. A big, big thank you to all our hard working dedicated ES faculty and staff who are the backbone of enabling all our students to be successful at ISK. Of course I must say what 2 invaluable stars we have in our ESO, Lillian & Emmy, who keep us all organized
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and ensure efficient and effective communication, sincerely thank you. We say a sad farewell to 32 families, 9 ES faculty and 2 Teaching Assistants who are leaving us at the end of the year, keep well and safe travels. I do hope that you will all take many fond memories of your time in ES and at ISK. We look forward to welcoming Matthew Woodward, who joins us as the new ES Principal beginning August 2018. What a delightful and wonderful year it has been. After 12 years leading the elementary school, I have seen it grow from 170 to a 400 strong student center of learning. Our students are curious, problemsolvers, creators and confident about themselves and their learning. Supporting them are a staff who are caring, passionate and committed to helping each child be the best they can be.
There is more evidence of our understanding of the Educational Aims and their importance in the teaching and learning this year. Students have become more familiar with what it means to create, learn, solve, act and communicate and are beginning to use the language associated with the Aims. It has been such a pleasure and a privilege to serve not only the Elementary School but also the greater ISK community. I know that moving forward it will continue to grow and strengthen its practice and enjoy the wonderful close-knit community that abounds. Dea-fhéin anois agus is fearr leat breathnú go léir. Sincerely, Patricia Salleh Matta Elementary School Principal
Summer Reading
There is an important notice from the library about reading over the summer. Please heed these significant messages and ensure that your child(ren) finds different ways to enjoy reading over the next 8 weeks. I urge parents to support and encourage the library summer reading challenge. This is strongly recommended as a way of keeping a child’s reading ability exercised. I ask you to enable your children to be successful in this respect through visits to bookstores, purchase of summer reading material, allowing opportunities for them to read (on the beach, by a pool, when visiting family, in a hotel room) or visits to the local library where you are for a time. We cannot enforce a summer reading requirement for ES but this is a special plea to parents to help your child enjoy some summer reading and in the process avoid that ‘dreaded summer slippage’ that is a reality each year for our students when they return to school in August each year. Thank you for reading and heeding this important message!
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MIDDLE SCHOOL
Alexa Schmid Middle School Principal
REPORT
Wanjira Mathai Visits ISK!
Toward the end of May, our fifth grade students, as well as some of our MS and HS students had the opportunity to meet Wanjira Mathai, daughter of Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai. Her message was inspiring, and worth sharing: • When you have a good idea, don’t assume someone else has it too...act on it! • You are never too young to make a difference. Start small. • We are privileged to be a part of a school like ISK, but we need to share that gift and ensure others will benefit. Our privilege requires us to give back. • Be yourself! • Care about something beyond yourself. • Wanjira’s mom, Wangari Maathai was an optimist. Giving up was not an option. There is always a silver lining and things can always get better. Just do your part. • Over the course of a human lifetime, we will exhale carbon dioxide equivalent to what ten trees support. If you haven’t planted ten trees, you are borrowing air - get out and plant some trees! All of it reminds me of the Wangari Maathai’s awesome and inspiring 2-minute Be a Hummingbird video.
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Circus Circus marks the end of physical education units in middle school. Having engaged in a variety of sports, cardiovascular and swimming activities, students have had opportunities to develop their fitness levels and team skills, leading to the appreciation of a lifelong healthy lifestyle.
Circus is a culminating event that supports what students have been learning throughout the year. Specifically, students work in groups and engage in rhythmic and gymnastics movements, creating performances that involve the use of manipulative circus equipment.
Together with the PE teachers, Cheza gymnasts are a wonderful group of experienced artists that help instruct and guide students through the motions during the circus unit. Students participate in dancing, juggling, skipping, tumbling, balancing, riding the unicycle and building amazing human pyramids to showcase their talents.
Working through the unit, circus allows students to embrace the ISK Educational Aims. The final product is a combination of learning, communicating, solving, creating and acting. The Middle School Physical Education Team
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8th Grade Promotion
On Monday, June 4th we celebrated our 8th grade students as they were promoted from middle school to high school. It was a time to reflect on their previous 8 years, and also look ahead to the exciting journey ahead. Congratulations to all of our 8th grade students!
UPCOMING DATES We hope you have a fabulous summer connecting with your family. ISK kicks off the school year on Wednesday, August 8th. The first few weeks of school are essential for building community, establishing routines, and getting settled in. Middle School will kick off with an assembly, and the MS PTO Reps are planning a ‘Meet and Greet’ Coffee from 8:30-10:00 a.m. that morning to welcome parents back and meet new families.
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On a personal note, I’d like to express my gratitude to the ISK community for a wonderful first year in Nairobi. I have so greatly enjoyed the year, and my family has enjoyed becoming a part of the ISK family! Alexa Schmid MS Principal
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HIGH SCHOOL
Rob Blanchard High School Principal
REPORT
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2018!
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE CLASS OF 2018:
On Friday May 25, our seniors and families, faculty, and many other members of our community enjoyed a wonderful graduation ceremony. In addition to the presentation of our graduation awards, one highlight on this evening was the presentation of special awards - nominated and selected by the high school faculty - with the Class of 2018 recipients as outlined below:
• This class of 73 students represented 36 nationalities.
Outstanding Scholar Award Gr 12 EMILY PRINT
• The class has thus far earned a total of 240 acceptances into various universities around the world, being awarded over USD $2.4 million as a class in scholarships towards their university educations.
Director’s Award KAFUNGO WANGURE AISA Award for Excellence JANA JOVCHEVA
• Five seniors have been here at ISK since pre-kindergarten, while ten seniors have been at ISK for 10 years or more; three joined ISK for their senior year • Over 81% of this year’s senior class reported getting into one of their top choice universities
ACADEMIC AWARDS ASSEMBLY We recently held our annual awards AISA Service Leader Award ceremony as our department heads ELLA BLANCHARD presented awards to honor student excellence and achievement. Our Svetlana Kovalsky Award Interact students won an AISA Service EBBA WILSON Project Award for their work to create the Rhodia Mann Museum of Samburu Culture, which is located in the ISK Huduma Service Award Library and was officially opened on SARINA PATEL May 23, 2018. Our prestigious individual Outstanding Scholars Awards, which Reuben Grey Sportsperson Award are accompanied by a $500 tuition fee ELLA BLANCHARD reduction next year, were awarded this year to: Faculty Award YASMIEN KHALED Grade 11 VANESSA NDIRANGU
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Grade 10
VANSHIKA VIRMANI
Grade 9
YASHNA KHATRY
SEMESTER 2 FINAL GRADE REPORTS Grade 9, 10 and 11 students have now completed their final assessments for their courses. ISK report card final grades are now available to view and download via PowerSchool. Contact Mr Dale (jdale@isk.ac.ke) if you have trouble accessing final grades. If you require a printed final report for your child, please contact us at hsmail@isk.ac.ke. As communicated previously, be reminded that narrative comments for your child were provided earlier this semester via PowerSchool. Note that final reports are being held for any student who has not satisfactorily completed the end of year check out process.
HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULE AT ISK 2018-19 As part of new schedule implementation this year, we have been carefully gathering feedback from faculty and students and reviewing how the schedule has been working and what further adjustments are needed for 2018-19. The following highlights further improvements you can expect to see for next year: Grades 9-12 • Will have a weekly Advisory (social/ emotional) block at the same time with the objective of providing guidance to students through modelling and support in the areas of social/emotional well-being, academic, and college planning. The program seeks to foster positive
relationships, communication, trust, global mindedness, and the skills necessary to have a successful school transition into and out of ISK. • Stand alone clubs and wellness block twice per week, that will provide a regular structured time for these activities that will no longer clash with HL extended class time for Grade 11 and 12 students and provide more structure for our grade 9 and 10 students. • Will have a weekly block whereby there will be a rotation of High School Assemblies, grade level meetings and an Advisory (academic) block whereby students will receive academic guidance form their mentor who is one of our High School faculty members. Grades 9 & 10 • Experiential Learning - whilst this incorporates a wide range of different programmes in the High School I have focused on Experiential Design and Work Experience here. The Experiential Design program has been incorporated into our subject areas where it can be more contextual and our Work Experience Program
will continue as part of the Grade 10 Advisory program. • Wellness - will continue and be incorporated into our current Clubs and Activities block. • More class time will take place on Wednesday’s between 8.20am and 1.20pm. Grades 11 & 12 • These grades are continuing to balance their academics with their co curricular activities. As we have ‘protected’ the time used for Advisory, clubs and activities during the school day based on feedback from both students and faculty, we need to ensure our students reach the recommended number of HL hours for their IB courses. In order to do this we need to do the following (see section on Higher Level (HL) IB classes below). • Higher Level (HL) IB classes - will meet once per semester on a Wednesday afternoon from 1.35-4.45pm. Therefore most students will need to be at school three times per semester (once per HL class). These HL blocks received positive reviews from most of
our faculty and students this year and we believe they are an important part of our program. • Senior Project - the High School will pilot a credit bearing senior project for students who are not completing the full IB diploma program. A steering committee will be formed in 2018-19 to set requirements and make recommendations, and oversee a pilot with select juniors during second semester of 18-19. To view the schedule please click here HS INTERCULTURAL TRIPS FOR 2018-19 This is a reminder that these take place very soon after we resume school next year. Returning students have already selected trips. Parents are encouraged to speak with their child about the trip as the summer vacation can be a good time to purchase and any special equipment needs - parents are welcome to write to our co-curricular office (cwambui@isk. ac.ke) to obtain trip packing lists.
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Congratulations Class of 2018!
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1-TO-1 LAPTOP PROGRAM IN THE HS This is a reminder that all students in High School at ISK are required to bring their own laptop to school each day. Having a laptop everyday is an essential element for the success of our technology vision of how students learn in the 21st century. The ability for our students to have increased access to information, social interaction and the ability to create and share digital content exponentially increases in this 1-to-1 environment.
day of the upcoming 2017-18 academic year.
and relaxing holiday and look forward to your return after the break.
The basic requirements for the new Macs are: WIFI, antivirus protection, Microsoft Office and six hours battery life. We highly recommend an 11” or 13” MacBook Air laptop.
Please be aware of the following dates:
ISK is a “Mac” School therefore new students and those entering Grade 9 are required to purchase a MacBook Pro or Air. If your child does not already have an appropriate laptop, please plan to purchase a Mac laptop before the first
On behalf of the high school teaching faculty and administrative team, thank you for your support throughout the year. To our departing families, we wish you a wonderful onward journey. To our returning families, we wish you a safe
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Please contact Douglas Irish (Director of Technology) dirish@isk.ac.ke if you have any questions or concerns.
• Grade 9 orientation day for all Grade 9 students - Tuesday, August 7th from 8.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. • The first day of the 2018-19 academic year on Wednesday, August 8th.
Warm Regards, Robert Blanchard, Ed.D. High School Principal Jarrod Dale High School Assistant Principal
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Jodi Lake Director of Teaching and Learning
Now that the school year is officially over, most families can’t help but think of the long holiday in terms of fun -- especially after dreaming about lazy days in the backyard and nights free of homework and projects. That’s one reason why the anecdotal and statistical information on what happens to kids academically over the long break can seem so depressing. Studies
estimate that students lose one to two months of math and reading skills over the summer if they don’t use them. If your child is a reluctant reader, getting them back into the swing of school can be painful for you both. Using the ISK Aims, you can expand your family’s experiences, stimulate thinking and avoid that summer
slide - while having a wonderful and relaxing holiday. From the TLC team - Many thanks to parents, students, Board members, teachers and administration for all of the support this year as we work to build a real community of learners. Have a great holiday wherever you may find yourselves.
SOLVE
LEARN
COMMUNICATE
Try a new activity (e.g. ride a roller coaster, try surfing, experiment with coding!)
READ: Take the library challenge and read - pick up some information from your favorite ISK librarians!
Inquire into an idea that you don’t know the answer to - for example
• Where is the science in cooking?
CREATE
Develop flexible thinking: Take an ordinary object like a funnel and see how many different things you can pretend it is: a party hat, a trumpet…. Create a ‘makerspace’ with lots of junk - let your child see what can be created with it! Become an ‘idea machine’: • Come Up With 10 Money Making Ideas • Come Up With Ideas For 10 Web Sites You Could Build • Come up with 10 different ideas for books you could write
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Plan a hike that takes you to multiple scenic views! Then go on that hike!
Build empathy: Use newspaper or TV stories or experiences as you travel to start conversations with children about other people’s challenges, or simply the different experiences of children in another country or community.
• How could we design the most efficient bicycle, skateboard, slide, boogie board…?
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Take the spaghetti/marshmallow challenge: build towers using only spaghetti, marshmallows, tape and string. Whose is the tallest?
Plan a trip itinerary that is time and money efficient. Learn how to change the tire on your car - how do all the parts work together?
ACT
Take a risk and do something you don’t think you will like. Perform 10 random acts of kindness for people you don’t know! READ! READ! READ!
Pierina Redler Service Learning Director
HeARTS Healing through the Arts (HeArts) is a service project that takes place in the ISK high school art room on Wednesday after school. We collaborate with a group of children from The Little Prince School to create various artistic projects. We not only allow children to explore their
SERVICE LEARNING creative side, but we also build long lasting friendships with these children through dance, visual art, music, arts and crafts and even decorating cupcakes. HeArts promotes the idea that we are all leaders and participants, learning and growing together. These children do not come for us to tell them what to draw or what rhythms to
There is more in you than you think.
make, we work together and allow the kids and ourselves to be free in our creativity. We offer a place to share artistic talent with each other and encourage each other to develop artistically. We have had the honor of working the the famous African global musical group Sauti Sol who are our collaborators. It is great for the kids to be working with such inspirational artists.
- Kurt Hahn
HeArts is a safe and fun environment for students to get away from all problems and indulge in a high spirited afternoon of imaginative arts. If you are interested in learning more or collaborating with us, email me at cthangata21@isk.ac.ke Chifundo Thangata
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KARURA FOREST
Karura Forest was an interesting service learning project for MS students in particular. On the first the first day of our service we all let our creative juices flow. We did this by painting the outside bathroom walls with colour illustrations. Spicing up the bathroom walls of the forest was a great way to bond with our peers and have fun!! We carried water from the stream
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so we could water the indigenous plants in the forest and we did a lot of weeding! It was really nice and relaxing just watering and weeding. We also had a day of collecting trash around the forest.
I found it sad that visitors to the forest can be so inconsiderate at times with how they dispose of their litter. Bottle caps, chip bags, pieces of plastic littered this beautiful park.
Karura Forest is a great service learning activity because we learn about indigenous plants and trees and it is really satisfying. Just remember, somewhere out there is a tree working night and day to provide you with oxygen. A little thought you should remember next time you throw that empty bottle over your shoulder! Soraya Mwangi
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Will Moore Athletics Director
ISK ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
Wow!! What a way to finish the year off with a fantastic third season. Our two varsity volleyball teams both made the league final. The boys fought to defend their four in a row titles but lost out to Rift Valley Academy in a very tight five set final. The girls team, having narrowly lost last year, lifted the shield in a fantastic victory over WNS. Another outstanding result was JV girls volleyball team finishing second in their end of season league tournament. Our ISSEA teams had a great finish to the year as well. The golf
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team, girls tennis, boys tennis and girls football all finished as ISSEA champions! I would like to give my deepest thanks to all our coaches for the hard work and dedication that they put into the teams this year. They continued to push our students to find their potential in a fun and rewarding environment. To our athletes, you are amazing! I am continually impressed with the commitment you show to your individual and team sports. Keep up the good work and stay fit over the summer break! Will Moore Athletic Director
MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS AWARDS: MS Sportsmanship Award Vera Berezhny MS Male Athlete of the Year Award Jack Steel MS Female Athlete of the Year Award Eleanor Gelsinger
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS AWARDS: Nuriana Merali Award - Grade 9 Athlete of the Year Max Thomle Athletic Service and Leadership Award Tana Werner Academic and Athletic Excellence Award Ntsang McCormick ISK Female Athlete of the Year Award Yasmien Khaled ISK Male Athlete of the Year Award Marcel Awori Reuben Gray – Outstanding Sportsmanship Award Ella Blanchard
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Reading Takes You Everywhere! ...and Prevents the Dreaded “Summer Slide”! A slide in reading levels from May to August is a phenomenon that teachers sometimes observe among children who don’t read over the long holiday. Students in grades PK-7 were given a summer reading challenge called “Reading Takes You Everywhere” to avoid this. It’s designed to be done anywhere, without the need of a library, but we ask parents to provide encouragement and logistical assistance. The booklets can be found on the ISK Library web page, along with book lists. Students in grades 3-7 were also sent a Google Docs version.
Summer Library Hours: Weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Note: the library will not be open on Saturdays during the summer break)
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Lynn Wells Director of Advancement
END OF YEAR REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
The number of individual staff and faculty donors to the Inspiration Initiative increased 68% versus last year with parent participation up 92%. Thank you to everyone who participated; you helped make a difference in the education of hundreds of students throughout Kenya. Lynn Wells Director of Advancement
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Individual Donors (71)
Moez Jiwani
Howard Ockman
Rob Blanchard
Ruth Jones
Kate Oliverson
Fareen Lalani-Butt
Timothy Kobia
Kathleen Chromicz
Jodi Lake
Jessie Coyle & Stig Hansen
Jennifer Liriano
Jarrod & Gisela Dale
Roberto Marini
Adrienne Donohue
Patricia Sallah Matta
Liv & Drew Gregor
Meg McNulty
Anacleto & Emily Gutierrez
Alicia Messing
David Henry & Maria Ramilo
Irene Muchunu
Doug Irish
Jillian Nichols
Mark Anding
Devin Jones
MIra Boxer
Antony Karanja
Lee Carroll
Min Seok Kwon
Vicky Cole
Karen Leteipan
Meenu Chaudhry
Jaime & Denzil Mackrory
Kentul Dodhia
Harriet Matsaert
Kelly Friedman
Kent Maxon
David Guarnieri
Donica Merhazion
Amy Hamlin
Eleanor Miller
Robyn Holder
Evelyn Ndlovu
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Janelle Okorie
Robert Onyango Pamela Pappas Bill Parsons
Sarah Patella
Derek & Courtney Pierce Jo Print
Nancy Remondi
Thomas Robinson Tim Rose
Alexa Schmid Bhavan Shah
Saloni & Adarsh Shah Irene Taylor
Fiona Thangata
Mimi Steward & Bert Ubamadu
Jane & Lynn Wells Sam Wiriyaphong
Organizations & Corporate Donors (9) Chapa Copy
ISK Class of 2016 ISK PTO
Java House
Match Solicitors
PriceWaterhouseCoopers Rozinoor Foundation
Traction Communications Village Market/Inspired Shopping
Patrons attending our two Benefit Concerts:
Grade 5 Interpretive Dance Performance
Refuge Band Concert
The focus of the Inspiration Initiative is on improving education in Kenya and in particular, education for students outside the walls of ISK. This commitment to the local community resonates with parents, faculty, staff and alumni as seen in the
continued growth in participation from the ISK Community. Thank you to everyone who participated in helping support these three important programs.
$16,063 $2,843 $5,000
ISK Scholarship Program
Your support ensures that this vital program is sustainable for years to come and guarantees a ‘Stepping Stone to the World’ for qualified Kenyan students.
Community Outreach
Your support of our student-led service learning programs enables students to make a greater impact in the community through funding grants for their projects.
Autism Support Center - Kenya
Your support will provide ASCK with Occupational Therapy equipment similar to what ISK has in our Sensory Integration room...making a lasting, positive impact on hundreds of Kenyan children with autism.
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AUTISM SUPPORT CENTER KENYA EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN FULLY FUNDED! Thanks to the support of the ISK Community through the Inspiration Initiative, the sensory integration equipment for ASCK has been fully funded. Orders are being placed so that the equipment can be installed over the summer. Special thanks goes to the Refuge Band members who donated their time and talents at the special Benefit Concert! Thank you Gabriel, Ben, Ike, Silas, Patrick & Teresa.
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Leadership of the Autism
Support Center Kenya met
with ISK students, faculty and staff to accept the Inspiration Initiative donation and
tour the school’s sensory integration facilities.
The Link
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PTO DUKA VISIT TO MAGOSO SCHOOL IN KIBERA The name “Kibera” may be derived from the Nubian word meaning “forest” or “jungle,” but in Nairobi it has become associated with helplessness, sickness, lawlessness and deprivation, to name a few. Kibera is the largest urban slum in Africa, with a population of over 500,000. There are many
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aid programs endeavouring to help children, women, the unemployed and the sick in Kibera but the problems and needy seem to outnumber the aid and assistance. Magoso School is one of many institutions trying to help the local community in Kibera by providing education and food to
needy and orphaned children. Lilian Wangala founded Magoso School in 1998, and today it is one of the largest schools serving the Kibera slum. Besides providing a primary school education to over 500 children, the school also provides shelter and vocational training to HIV positive girls and unemployed boys.
Born and raised in Kibera herself, Lilian was inspired to open the school from her own struggles to support her family, and the knowledge that in Kibera many destitute and orphaned children were turning to prostitution and theft to survive. She is the eldest of 19 brothers and sisters and her parents died when she was 20. Lilian runs the school with assistance from food aid organizations and by selling handmade bags and clothes from her own tailoring workshop. Other costs are paid through fundraising or donors, particularly from Japan. On May 29th, the PTO DUKA
volunteers had the privilege of visiting the Magoso School. The volunteers were met by Lilian and escorted on a 15-minute walk through a labyrinth of alleyways and along derelict railroad tracks that run through the slum (but still operational). As the volunteers entered the gates of the school they were immediately drawn in by the colourful murals decorating the walls. The volunteers were then treated to a dazzling performance by the children, who sang, danced and played instruments, followed by a tour of the school. The volunteers left with heartrending experiences, smiles on their
faces and heavy shopping bags (after buying out all the products at Lilian’s shop which is housed in the school). Lilian has been associated with the PTO DUKA for many years now, and her products, especially the Jay Bag, which is a bestseller at the DUKA, are well loved. It was truly an honour to see first hand the excellent work that Lilian and her staff are doing, and gives us great pride and joy that the PTO DUKA is able to support the Magoso School in some small way by providing an outlet to sell her beautiful products.
The Link
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Accredited fully by the Middle States Association of Schools in the United States and the Council of International Schools in Europe.
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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF KENYA