Inside IC Fall / Winter 2022

Lower School - Ain Aar

KG1 Rainbow Fish

“Why are all the fish on the classroom floor?” This was the question asked by the KG1 students as they entered the classroom after recess. Earlier in the week, students had listened to the story of “The Rainbow Fish” as part of the unit of inquiry, Who We Are, and discussed what it means to be a good friend. To strengthen their fine motor skills, they decorated their rainbow fish and added beautiful shiny scales to them. However, what they did not realize was that the fish also served another purpose. So, the answer to the question was “what do you think?” As students daned their thinking hats and wondered about this puzzle, they started to share ideas and figure out the reason. They observed the fish carefully and were asked to each take a turn and place the fish on the empty table in the front of the class. One by one, the students took turns, noticing that the fish were different sizes, and before realizing it, they had sorted the fish on the empty table by the attribute of size. The KG1 students were thinkers and displayed excellent thinking and self-management skills as they turned one question into an introduction to sorting by size!

Lower School - Ain Aar

KG1 Journey to Grade 5

Our young learners went on an adventure to visit the Grade 5 students. But why? KG1 students were given the opportunity to actively show their learning and understanding of what they have been inquiring into during their Library sessions. Over the course of a few weeks, students read and discussed two books, “Elmer the Elephant” and “The Lion and the Rat.” After listening to both stories, students shared their noticings and thoughts about each book. The following session, students were introduced to the concept of a Venn Diagram with the teacher librarian. Although

this is a concept that is introduced in later grade levels, surprisingly, students were thinkers as they remembered the events of each book, and creatively came up with responses that showed the similarities and differences between each story. Portraying the learner profile attribute of being knowledgeable in their responses, and understanding the learning, students were invited to present their learning to the Grade 5 students. They took the little journey to the “school of the big kids” and were communicators in the way they explained what they had learned about and discovered within the stories. The Grade 5 students were happy to have our young learners present and share their learning. When asked “why did you read these books?,” the KG1 students answered that both books were about kindness. Even the youngest of learners have something to teach when it comes to displaying attributes of the learner profile.

Lower School - Ain Aar

Three Little Birds

This is the story of three little girls, Dia Maria Harfouche, Caiden Thomas, and Shaila Gemayel, who planned a fundraising over the summer and raised 10 million LP to help the children of CCCL. The 3rd graders were invited to grade 2 to help the students understand their first central idea of the year: “People contribute to their community in many different ways.” Their visit had a great impact on the 2nd graders. “I feel inspired!”, said Mateo. Daniel exclaimed, “ I want to thank them for spending the money on something important.”

How important it is for children to empower other children and to inspire them to make a difference in the world.

Three little birds

Pitch by my doorstep Singin’ sweet songs

Of melodies pure and true Sayin’, “This is my message to you-ou-ou:”

Let us celebrate every day young people’s awesomeness!

Lower School - Ain Aar

Travail de groupe : Une tâche complexe

..oui ! Mais pas compliquée!

Les élèves de CM2 A et B ont fait un travail de groupe sur une tâche complexe, une situation-problème dans laquelle ils doivent réutiliser leurs connaissances antérieures, en maths, français, sciences… pour trouver des solutions à la situation proposée.

Cette tâche permet aux élèves de mettre en pratique leurs approches de l’apprentissage, spécialement leurs compétences de pensée en réfléchissant à des stratégies variées pour résoudre le problème. Ils font également appel à leurs compétences d’auto-gestion pour être efficaces dans le groupe, argumenter et savoir prendre des décisions au sein du groupe.

Une vraie situation qui place l’élève au centre de son apprentissage!

Lower School - Ain Aar

Small Moment to Personal Narrative

Turning a small moment into a detailed personal narrative is a skill that needs a lot of brainstorming, drafting, editing, and publishing. Grade 5 A students did all that in their writing workshops! They first tuned in to discover the features of a personal narrative by reading various examples. This was followed by a “dissection” of sample personal narrative essays in order to summarize what the introduction, body, and conclusion need to include. To do that, they made use of the story elements and plot. Students reflected on a small moment that helped them shape, change, or enhance an aspect of their identities. This is how they connected their experiences to the unit “ Who We Are” and inquired into the evolution of self- identities. Students enjoyed spicing up their essay with figurative language and descriptions. They also used their ICT skills to type and edit their work. Finally, they spruced up their printed narratives and proudly displayed them on the hallway bulletin boards under “Our Published Pieces”.

Le langage et les mathématiques

Les élèves de MS.B ont participé à une activité qui a joint le langage et les mathématiques. Ils ont en effet remis les lettres de leur prénom dans l’ordre et les ont comptées. Par la suite, les apprenants ont organisé leur travail dans un graphique et ont partagé leurs réflexions avec les camarades de classe. On pouvait entendre des « tu as autant de lettres que moi dans ton prénom » ou encore « j’ai plus de lettres que toi dans le mien». Bravo les MS.B pour votre engagement!

Les symboles du tableau périodique en chimie

Les élèves de 4ème vous présentent comment retenir ludiquement les symboles du tableau périodique en chimie. Chanter permet de mieux apprendre !

Suivez nos élèves de 3ème B et découvrez comment en modélisant et manipulant, on apprend certains enjeux énergétiques : L’histoire de l’éclairage de l’homme au cours de l’Histoire, alimenter les habitations par l’énergie éolienne et l’énergie photovoltaïque.

Middle School - Ain Aar

The Halloween Party

Without a doubt, the Halloween Party was a night to remember. From the ingenious decor to the bloodcurdling haunted house, everyone was bound to enjoy. The costume contest isn’t something that can be blindly skipped over either, they were all notably creative costumes. The many, many sources of entertainment, games, activities, and competitions single-handedly proved that the Halloween party was a tremendously successful event.

The Halloween party was fun for all, but mainly for the underprivileged public school that will be receiving a new library. Following this event, we were able to raise the huge amount of 31,000,000 L.B.P. The vision of IC is to empower the learners of today to be global citizen leaders of tomorrow. Obviously, the leaders of tomorrow had intentions that would reach beyond the fun and into the hearts of those in need. All should be proud to say that our Halloween party this year privileged many needy children with the chance of reading.

Of course, IC just had to make sure that everyone felt included in the making of the party. The students had a huge role in creating spooky snacks and treats, and everyone took photos of the process. IC was also blessed with so many volunteers, the volunteering mothers took their roles extremely

seriously and acted as true professionals. Bringing up professionals, we were immensely lucky to get a few volunteering professional party planners as they were an enormous aid. The CCSL (civic commitment and service learning) had the most crucial of roles, the entire party depended on them, thankfully Mrs. Marie-Helene Gholam leads this committee. The members of this committee worked so hard to give us the best time possible. It’s incredible how much the CCSL has been depended on, everyone should be tremendously grateful.

IC has assuredly outdone itself for this Halloween party, and everyone knows it! Across all students’ social media there is remarkably positive feedback. Everyone adored this experience so much that most, if not all, view it as flawless. Even the parents are exceedingly impressed by this party! It was not only a great way of bringing the school together, but the entire community.

The party was somewhat the students’ responsibility, and it was quite the right preparation for the real world. Keira Bitar (Grade 8 A - CCSL member) helped with the planning and execution of the escape room. In fact, it was her idea to create two escape rooms. This was surely a great idea, Sarig Kalaydjian (Grade 8 B - CCSL member) who also

Middle School - Ain Aar

worked on the escape room, points out just how popular this activity was. It raised 4,000,000 L.L! Keira’s main goal was to bring in as many people as possible in order to bring in as much money as possible for the public school library. Keira’s love for reading drove her further. Reading is her ‘escape’, she’s devoted to sharing that feeling with everyone, even strangers so they feel just as lucky.

Sarig states “20 minutes ahead of the party, nothing was being executed as planned”. Keira explicitly says “Those were the worst 20 minutes of my life”. But the students of IC have grown to wear their hearts on their sleeves, so they let nothing stop them from giving those students their library, and that was certainly one stunning escape room. Fortunately, some students who weren’t responsible for the escape room whatsoever, still stepped in to rescue everything. However, everyone admits that it was all worth it, to be able to help the children in need.

There was tons of pressure, and the Halloween party was amazing but there is always room for improvement. Sarig suggests more space, it was quite squashed. Mia Bitar (Grade 8 B - CCSL member) would like things to be a little more

organised, specifically selling the tickets since that was extremely chaotic. Keira wishes that the party was longer so that everyone would have a chance, she also proposed putting time slots on the activity tickets. But overall, the party was perfect!

The CCSL threw a fun and significant Halloween party. It showed IC a great time while doing the public school an amazing deed. Its students are surely grateful. We should be just as grateful for not only this amazing party, but helping us perform an act of kindness.

Written by: Sofia Deeb (Grade 7B)

Honourable mentions:

● Marc Saad. Grade 8A

● Joanne Gergi. Grade 9B

● Mia Bitar. Grade 8B

● Talia Zakhem. Grade 8A

● Keira Bitar. Grade 8A

● Sarig Kalaydjian. Grade 8B

● Clara Hani. 4eme B2

● Chloe Zogheib. 4eme B2

Les

Middle School - Ain Aar

classes de 6ème à la rencontre du 9ème art :

Visite de l’exposition sur la BD « Plan à 3 - Belgique France Suisse » au GLFL

C’est avec beaucoup d’enthousiasme que, le mardi 29 novembre 2022, les classes de 6ème de l’ICAin Aar se sont rendues au Grand Lycée FrancoLibanais d’Achrafieh, pour assister à une exposition sur la bande dessinée francophone européenne intitulée « Plan à 3 - Belgique France Suisse ».

Ce fut l’occasion pour nos apprenants, de replonger dans l’univers passionnant de la BD, de retrouver

leurs héros préférés mais aussi de parcourir toutes les merveilles de l’univers graphique avec ses styles variés et ses formes inédites modernes dont « le roman graphique » et ses fameuses séries en 3D. Une expérience culturelle haute en couleurs avec un répertoire de chefs d’œuvres qui éveillera la curiosité artistique et littéraire de nos apprenants et nourrira davantage leur passion pour le neuvième art !

Middle School - Ain Aar

Check out more of the Ain Aar middle school projects under IC Responsibility - Environmental Sustainability Section on page 46

Le Liban à l’honneur dans la littérature francophone Caroline Torbey, à la rencontre

de nos classes de 5ème !

C’est avec beaucoup d’enthousiasme que, le 9 décembre 2022, les classes de 5ème du campus Ain Aar ont accueilli Caroline Torbey, auteure de l’ouvrage Dessine-moi un proverbe libanais, une série de livres illustrés comptant trois tomes jusque-là.

Nos apprenants avaient déjà eu l’occasion de savourer ses récits dans le cadre d’une activité ludique réalisée en cours de français durant la semaine de l’indépendance.

À travers ses histoires captivantes illustrant les proverbes libanais, Caroline Torbey replonge délicatement la jeunesse au cœur de son patrimoine et réveille en eux l’amour pour leur patrie, son peuple, ses mœurs, ses traditions, ses villages…

Ravis de faire plus ample connaissance avec Mme Torbey, les élèves ont prêté une oreille attentive à son parcours littéraire, ses témoignages, son goût pour l’écriture, ses nouveaux ouvrages, son attachement aux racines…

Un échange des plus enrichissants empreint à la fois d’émotion, d’authenticité, de passion et de culture littéraire !

Les élèves sont retournés au collège enchanté par cette expérience culturelle des plus enrichissantes, sans oublier de rapporter avec eux le maximum de livres signés !

Ain Aar Lower School Celebration

Ain Aar Middle School Celebration

Chess Competition

Danielle Dib, Ras Beirut 3ème represented Lebanon in the international chess competition.

The international competition took place in Constanta ,Romania, at the Constanta exhibition centre where about 600 players from all over the world gathered. We had to compete for 12 days, and each round lasted at least 3 hours. I made friends with the people I played against, and I got gifts from a few of them. It was tiring, with a lot of pressure, but it was all worth it. I even got a certificate of participation for representing Lebanon.

Overall, I really enjoyed my first international competition, which was a very enriching experience!

Aquathlon

Edward Naaman and Malek Azar, Ain Aar Grade 8 students3rd place winners

Under the supervision of Triathlon Federation, ATCL held on October 16 an Aquathlon. Our 8th Grade kids: Edward Naaman did the sprint running and Malek Azar did the swimming both registered as One team. We are proud to say they won the 3rd position.

IC Athletics

French Embassy League:

- Varsity Basketball Girls - JV Basketball Girls

- Varsity football Boys - JV Football Boys

- Track & Field

IC marked great results in round 1 & 2 and we are looking forward to the qualification phase.

LAU – Antnoine Track Meet

Our Varsity Track Team had the privilege to participate in the Local University track meet in short distance & relay at Antonine and finished 3rd among all with 2 Silver and 1 Bronze.

International Meets: NESAC

We had the chance to co-host and participate in the NESAC JV volleyball tournament for boys & girls that included 2 teams from Kuwait - 1 team from SaudiACS.

Traveling Teams:

- Varsity Volleyball Girls with 8 ladies traveled to represent IC in Kuwait and came back from the NESAC Volleyball Tournament with the sportsmanship award.

- Our swim team, with a magnificent performance in Abu Dhabi within the NESAC Swim meet, had the chance to break the record and collect:

13 Gold - 13 Silver - 10 Bronze

Adding the overall award in the Varsity Girls Category & Sportsmanship Award for the boys.

Other than the meets, our teams are participating in on-going friendly games with other local schools across all levels in Ras-Beirut & Ain Aar.

World Cup Activation

The athletics department, with the support of Dr. Khairallah and Mr. Chirazi, organized the IC World Cup Football tournament where secondary school students, faculty, and staff shared the pitch for a fun friendly competition by picking a team from this edition’s world cup. This activity has created in a great vibe in the secondary school. The final was played on the last day before the Christmas break.

All of this and still, the athletics program has just started as we are looking into a busier calendar after the Christmas break with our hosting and traveling teams. As we are looking into hosting the annual Alton Reynolds tournaments and preparing more than 12 Teams to travel and participate in the upcoming international athletic commitments.

Let’s Go ICougars!

Co-curricular Program at IC

“The objective of International College is to provide a safe and secure environment where learners develop personal qualities and skills leading to international mindedness, intellectual curiosity, adaptability, effective communication, creative expression, compassion, community building, responsible citizenship, and an appreciation for cultural diversity. IC aims to guide our learners to develop these abilities and attitudes socially through intra-and extracurricular activities that develop civic and global awareness, leadership, team spirit, and a commitment to respect, empathy, justice, and social inclusion” (Guiding Statements)

The co-curricular program was launched in November and more than 1000 students across the whole school are enrolled in at least one club. The following are the all-school clubs offered during the academic year 2022-2023:

Secondary School: Meditation, Band, MUN, Sustainability, Public Speaking, Debate, VEX robotics, Drama, Women in Engineering, AntiDiscrimination, Book, Film, Trading 101, Doctors, Fashion Design, Chess, Computer science, HOW,

Chemistry, Nutrition, Astronomy, Performing Arts, Medicine, Programming, SAT, Media, App Development, Law Society, Hiking.

Middle School RB: Choir, Programming, Fashion Design, Cake Decoration, Chess, Hip Hop, Astronomy, Drama, Robotics, Yoga, Street Jazz, Nutrition, A+ Computer Hardware, MUN, Arts and Crafts, Debate, Percussion Band

Middle School AA: MUN, Latin Dance, Fashion Design, Arts and Crafts, Zumba, Drama, Photoshop Skills, Eco-Fashion, Chess, Yoga ad Wellbeing, Hip Hop, Interior Design, 3D Handwriting, Robotics, Tango, Photography, Graphic Design, and Choir.

Elementary School RB: Team Building, Chess, Junior Chefs, Arts and Crafts, Drama, Street Jazz, Coding, Latin Dance, Yoga, Interior Design, Junior Stomp, Computer drawing and coding, Social Service, Painting on Canvas.

Elementary School AA: Play your stress away, Arts and Crafts, Junior Choir, Hip Hop, Artistic Drawing and Painting, Chess, Yoga and Wellbeing, Latin Dance, Mandala Colouring, and Programming

Elementary School

A Look into

Middle School

Christmas Choir

Drama Production

A Look into IC’s Clubs IC Clubs - Ras Beirut

Elementary School

A Look into IC’s Clubs IC Clubs - Ras Beirut

Middle School

Arts & Crafts

Choir

Percussion Band Robotics

Drama Club Hip Hop Fashion Design

Chess Cake Decoration Debate

IC Clubs - Ras Beirut

Secondary School

Robotics

MUN SAT

Chess Medicine Club

Let Christmas Begin

Under the direction of Mrs. Celine Abou Rahhal and accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Nada Choucair, the Ain Aar Junior Choir took us all in an inspiring and uplifting Christmas spirit on the evening of December 20.

Their repertoire was fabulous and varied with different Christmas carols. They delivered a heartwarming performance in front of their parents, family, friends, students, and teachers. It was a wonderful and unforgettable hour of beautiful songs befitting the festive season.

Christmas Caroling

The Ain Aar Parents’ Committee and Middle School Choir organized a Christmas Carolling event to show gratitude and appreciation for all the support and generous donations provided to the CCSL initiatives that took place during the first trimester.

The middle school choir travelled around the area of Kornet Chehwan, Biyada and Naccache, on Monday the 19th of December 2022 and spread the cheer and joy. It was a moment of unity among all community members.

Christmas at Preschool- Ras Beirut

It is the Time to be Jolly, It is time to enjoy the festive season with creativity, fun, and movement!

This is how we celebrate this season at Preschool Ras Beirut.

We hosted a Christmas parade in collaboration with the Parents’ Committee on December 16th. Starting with marching musicians, Santa, Rudolph, Snowman, and the Polar Bear visited our campus and danced with the children.

That’s not all!

For the second year in a row, Preschool Ras Beirut campus collaborated with IB I students to plan for the Christmas and Winter Workshop. The Preschool Christmas Committee and IB Students have worked

hard to help organize eleven stations that promote creativity and collaboration.

In partnership with secondary school personnel, the students have signed up for the station they would like to facilitate. They were risk-takers and demonstrated their self-management, social, and communication skills.

La chorale des élèves de KG2 et GS du campus de Ain Aar

Le 13 et le 14 décembre, les élèves de KG2 et GS Ain Aar ont interprété plusieurs chants de Noël à l’auditorium de l’école, sous la direction de Mme Céline Abou Rahhal accompagnée par Mr. Ziad Hajj Boutros au piano.

Dans une ambiance féérique de Noël, nos jeunes élèves ont diverti tout le public avec leurs mouvements, leurs percussions, leurs beaux costumes de lutin et surtout leurs voix angéliques.

Last Christmas at the Ain Aar Campus

Here we are, decorating the Christmas tree of our last year on the Ain Aar campus. The same campus that raised us to become the leaders of tomorrow, the same campus that shaped our personalities and who we are in society. All of our memories and childhood are present in this tree, which symbolizes, thanks to its decoration and bright star, the phases that we passed through to become who we are today. Whenever we leave a place, we leave something of ourselves behind, which allows us to be there all the time. And there are things in us that we can find again only by going back there. We will miss you, our beloved campus!

Chirazi

Thank you, Matteo

Christmas Cross-Country

With more than 50 athletes, IC Athletics organized the Christmas Edition Cross-Country Run within the facilities of International College & American University of Beirut with the support and presence of our President Mr. Joel Peinado.

Congratulations & Thanks to our athletes, coaches, staff, and volunteers for the great organization.

Christmas - Middle School RB

Secondary School Band Christmas Concert

Preschoolers Taking Action

The vision of IC is to empower learners of today to be global citizen leaders of tomorrow. We at IC, nurture agentic learners who take action and have a voice, choice, and ownership. They are learners who aim to have a positive impact on their lives and that of others.

Our learners use their initiative to take ownership and responsibility for their learning. They direct their learning with a strong sense of self-efficacy and identity as they build a sense of community and awareness of the opinions, values, and needs of others.

The KGII/GS students inquired into how people’s health and well-being depend on the choices made. They raised awareness of the different

types of health, personal, physical, mental, social, and spiritual, and the factors that contribute to developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle (exercise, nutrition, hygiene). One class did a flyer; another class designed an audiobook; a third class created an online game, and a fourth class created a well-being town. The students also took action by modifying their environment and creating a relaxing Yoga area in their classroom.

The KGI/MS students took action when they participated in an outdoor planting activity at Beirut RiverLESS Forest. During that trip, the students planted different plants, explored outdoor areas, and reflected on the importance of green areas in neighborhoods and their role in promoting a sustainable environment.

Preschool - Ras Beirut

Preschool Ras Beirut organizes monthly coffee mornings with the parents. These meetings help us have shared understandings and agreements on how to develop an internationally minded global citizen.

During these one-hour sessions, parents get to meet IC personnel to learn about strategic school initiatives, share ideas and spark food for thought.

upholding responsibilities to preserve everyone’s rights.

During the session, we explored how restorative practices develop responsibility. We also reflected on how to reinforce these restorative practices at home as an extension of what is done at school.

Community members aim to nurture honesty, respect, responsibility, empathy, and trust.

Music Walls

As part of the parent involvement program and in line with the STEAM initiative at the Preschool, parents were invited to volunteer in the creation of music walls for the playgrounds. Music walls provide a fun sensory experience and endless opportunities for unstructured play. While engaging with music walls students learn how sound is created by vibrations and they explore the concepts of volume, frequency and sound waves and they reinforce their understanding

of the properties of materials. To create the music walls, the parent volunteers went through the design thinking process by brainstorming, planning, sketching, creating and reflecting, which is the same process that their children are going through when they are creating and making. The music walls that were created were hung up on the walls in the blue playground and the students are having a blast playing and exploring with them.

Tuck Everlasting “Courthouse” Project - Grade 6

As part of their alternative assessment on the reading of the novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, grade 6 students presented a “Courthouse” project to show understanding of the main events and apply critical and creative thinking skills. Students practiced using objective statements based on facts and evidence rather than personal opinions and beliefs to convince the audience (the Judge) of their perspective on the topic.

The goal of the project is to decide logically, and using enough evidence, whether Mae Tuck is guilty of killing the man in the yellow suit while trying to prevent him from taking Winnie away. Students based their claims on the novel’s plot and an analysis of key events and different character motivations throughout the story.

This prepares the students to be global citizens of the future where they can differentiate right from wrong, no matter the consequences, and call out for people’s rights, thinking about their intentions and motivations and whether they explain their actions or not.

Class: 6A Year: 2022-2023

Group Members: Rawiya Karam, Tania Makarem, Ward Moukalled, Aya Jilwan, Abdallah El Khalil

Rencontre avec Madame Zeina ABI RACHED

Le 26 octobre, nous avons eu le plaisir d’accueillir Madame Zeina ABI RACHED, « auteure et dessinatrice de bande dessinée et illustratrice franco-libanaise. » (Wikipedia)

Elle a notamment écrit « Le Jeu des Hirondelles » et « Le Piano oriental ».

Les élèves de nos trois classes de 4ème ont eu la chance de pouvoir échanger avec elle à propos de son métier d’écrivaine, de l’origine de sa vocation, de ses choix artistiques, de son inspiration…

Conférence de madame Lea Kaii

Alors que le monde passe à la vitesse supérieure contre les changements climatiques et suite à des activités préparées en classe, une conférence a eu lieu au complémentaire (RBMS) pour tous les élèves de 5ème afin d’attirer leur attention sur les aspects scientifiques , les solutions et les actions positives à mettre en œuvre pour faire face à ce danger.

La conférence était présentée par madame Léa Kaii qui a assisté à la COP 26: Ensemble pour notre planète et qui est responsable du pôle “changement climatique “au ministère Libanais de l’environnement en partenariat avec l’UNDP.

Secondary School

for Human Rights

In the context of their Interdisciplinary project “Graffiti for Human Rights”- “ملكتت ناردجلا

10 CPP all sections received two local Graffiti artists: Mr. Ali Abboud and Mr. Youssef Tellayh. They listened to their presentation and stories and asked them several questions. Students were very engaged in the interaction and interested in what was presented.

Graines de reporters scientifiques

Des élèves de Terminales 1, 2 et 4 participent cette année, à un projet “Graines de reporters scientifiques”, lancé par la fondation Tara (voilier français destiné à la recherche scientifique et à la défense de l’environnement, regroupant des chercheurs de plusieurs nationalités).

Ils auront à préparer une vidéo d’une durée de 5 min sur “La fonte de l’Arctique”qui sera présentée le 31 mai 2023.

Pour amorcer leur projet, ils ont été invités à assister à une visioconférence sur la thématique

“L’Arctique’’, animée par Claudie Marec, ingénieure de recherche au CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique).

Secondary School

Secondary School Student Program Leaders Elections

On the 6th and 7th of December, the Secondary School Students voted for their student program leaders. The candidates passed by all the secondary school classes to present their speeches where they highlighted their vision for the role and how are they planning to demonstrate responsibility, compassion, respect, and honesty. They also developed an Instagram account for their campaign.

The results were announced on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, during the second break and

the following students were elected as Program Leaders:

• Dima Amhaz – Lebanese Baccalaureate Program

• Diala El Fil – College Preparatory Program

• Chelsea Haddad – International Baccalaureate Program

• Kinda Siblani – French Baccalaureate Program

Congratulations to all!

Secondary School

IB2 Exhibition Visit

On Thursday, November 24th the IB2 Visual Arts students had a guided visit to the exhibition of the artist Khaled Takreti that was arranged by their teacher Ms. Carine Arayssi Saad.

The gallery consists of three galleries, owned by Aida Cherfan and Christiane Ashkar:

- The first Gallery contains the current exhibition of Khaled Takreti.

- The second Gallery contains the artwork of prominent artists such as Hussein Madi and Rima Amiouny

- The third gallery hosts a collector selling items and artwork he collected.

The exhibition of Takreti was very enriching, but the highlight of the visit was the enriching explanation given by the art consultant Christiane Ashkar, which really impressed the students.

The curator Christiane Ashkar explained how artworks function:

- How artists do their work

- How the work is selected and priced

- How artists choose and pick whom to sell the artwork to (for example the artists prefer to sell to galleries where their work will have more exposure)

- How much money they make.

The curator insisted on the importance of visiting exhibitions even if the experience is intimidating, or the staff and curators are not very welcoming (Maya and Carine shared their experience at Sursock museum where the staff had a very bad attitude toward the students and the teachers)

The students also had the chance to hear an explanation from the host Aida Cherfan who wrote about the artist Hussein Madi.

The artist (Takreti) had a chat with the students as well, his work is varied from naïve to very realistic. He explained to them that the artist should first master the technique and then he can do whatever he wants.

Secondary School

Below is the feedback from the students:

Mira: Going to the exhibition made me open my inquisitive side and made me more knowledgeable about the art world

Sasha: The trip was very informative as we were exposed to different mediums such as oil, acrylic, and watercolor. Besides Khaled Takriti’s work, we also saw the creation of master artists such as Hussein Madi and Rima Amiouni who expressed different emotions through their art.

Sky: The trip to the exhibition brightened my day. I found it interesting to learn how artwork’s context gives it value.

Noora: The visit was very interesting. I got inspired by the artworks I saw and learned a lot about

the art world, how it works, and the behind-thescenes of the art market and exhibitions, not just the making of the paintings.

Layal: the exhibition was informative and varied, it inspired me to try different art styles.

Sarah: the exhibition inspired me to try new art styles and themes, and taught me that not all art has a meaning behind it, and that it is essential to master a technique and to try new things.

Yasmine: the wide range and diversity of the artworks influenced me to try new techniques and broadened my knowledge about the art world.

Mahmoud: the exhibition was fun and inspired me to become an art consultant and curator.

Secondary School

Council of Student Leaders

World Cup Day

Secondary School

Council of Student Leaders

CSL Dress-Up day (Twin Outfits)

Secondary School College Counselling

As a part of its continuous effort to present the best for IC students, the college guidance department organized three university fairs during the start of this academic year.

The first one was the Lebanese University Fair where we received 14 prestigious Lebanese universities on campus. The second one was the European University Fair where 16 highly reputable European universities presented their educational programs, and last was another European fair with mainly French prestigious universities.

These fairs aim to guide prospective students toward their post-graduation educational paths, accommodate the students’ diverse interests, and present the full spectrum of their programs at the event. University Fairs are highly valued opportunities. It’s a chance for face-to-face meetings, interaction with official representatives, sharing of ideas, and evaluating program decisions.

College Acceptances

I am proud of the achievements of our students which not only reflect their hard work and talent but also speak to their teachers’ and parents’ commitment to IC’s holistic education. Indeed, at IC our students have had the opportunity to hone their academic skills and grow as individuals through their scholarly pursuits as well as their participation in a plethora of co-curricular and service-learning initiatives. I invite you, through this video, to travel around the world with a few of our graduates and learn how IC shaped them to become the leaders they are about to become.

Joel Peinado President

Ras Beirut Halloween

IC Ras Beirut’s Parents’ Committee organized a Halloween festival for all school levels. With fun games, food stands and exciting shows, students celebrated Halloween and danced the night away alongside their parents and teachers in unique costumes.

A haunted house and maze experience were set up to create a memorable experience, even for adults. School faculty and staff supported on all fronts and came together to ensure a smooth experience for everyone!

Enviromental Sustainability

Interdisciplinary projects

Interdisciplinary projects offer the opportunity for our students to enhance the interconnectedness of the different disciplines they are learning by addressing one theme from different perspectives through answering a real-life problem thus making learning more authentic. This trimester witnessed the implementation of our 6ème/Grade 6 interdisciplinary project “Save the Forest” and our 5ème/Grade 7 interdisciplinary project “Counteracting Deforestation’’.

Save the Forest (6ème / Grade 6 - Ain Aar)

The project’s objective is for students to understand the importance of natural ecosystems, mainly forests, for people’s health and well-being. In sciences, students explored concepts related to ecosystems’ goods and services, ecosystems’ dynamics, and the importance of ecosystems’ conservation. In English, 6ème students read the novel “Save the Forest”, in which they understood the vital need for forests’ conservation. Students of Grade 6 on the other hand, worked in English on interpreting information presented in a comic format with graphics, and wrote a comic strip to raise awareness about the negative impacts of deforestation. On Dec. 12th, 6ème and grade 6 classes visited the Bentael Nature Reserve in Jbeil, a typical Lebanese Pine and oak forest ecosystem. After this visit, students drew sketches in Art, representing the forest they visited, then wrote in French, legends to their sketches. In social studies, grade 6 students created bookmarks with a map drawing of the Bentael Nature Reserve. They included the main geographical information of the forest. In Arabic, student read and interpreted the novel »راجــشلأا تفتخا موــي«, and finally, in STEAM, students created birdfeeders. Now it’s time for action! To crown their learnings in the different disciplines, students of 6ème and Grade 6 brainstormed together to come up with an action to “Save the Bentael forest”. Stay tuned for the final product of this project to see the “fruits” of the students’ action towards their environment!

Enviromental Sustainability

Savez-vous planter des arbres ?

Ce projet interdisciplinaire, mis en œuvre par les classes de secondes D et G, se donne pour objectif de sensibiliser les jeunes aux causes et aux conséquences de la déforestation et aux possibles pistes de remédiation. Dans le cadre de ce projet, les élèves ont eu la chance d’explorer différents concepts liés à la déforestation et de trouver des solutions pour pallier cet enjeu environnemental. Pour couronner leurs apprentissages, les élèves se sont rendus au village de Tannoura (Békaa) pour mettre en place une campagne de reforestation, en collaboration avec l’ONG « Lebanon Reforestation

Initiative » et le « World Food Program ». Les élèves ont planté des pins, des chênes et des bombes à graines ! Dans un deuxième temps, les élèves ont visité une pépinière et ont produit eux-mêmes des bombes à graines ! Ces bombes sont un outil très efficace pour lutter contre la déforestation. Elles augmentent la probabilité (les chances) de germination de différentes espèces. Elles sont faciles à planter, et elles permettent de végétaliser des endroits inaccessibles ou interdits d’accès (car on peut simplement les lancer).

Enviromental Sustainability

Counteracting

Deforestation

The aim of this project was for students to understand the main causes of deforestation and explore the possible solutions to combat this environmental challenge. In social studies, students explored the historic causes of deforestation. In geography, they understood the impacts of deforestation on climate change. In sciences, while 5ème students investigated possible solutions to combat deforestation and explored Lebanon’s plants’ diversity, Grade 7 students worked on identifying different biomes, exploring various threats that can destroy their specific biodiversity and providing biome-specific solutions. After reading the novel titled “The secret garden” in English, 5ème students listed all the species found in this garden and compared them with the species that exist in Lebanon.

(5ème / Grade 7 - Ain Aar)

Grade 7 students in turn presented an oral project in English which they told a story about how their ancestors used to preserve nature. In French, 5ème students interpreted the novel “L’homme qui plantait des arbres », whereas Grade 7 students worked on feelings’ expression towards nature.

To crown their learnings, the students decided to combat deforestation through reforestation. In collaboration with the “Lebanon Reforestation Initiative” (LRI) NGO and the World Food Program, they visited North Lebanon (Haizouk, Akkar) and planted pines, oaks and seed bombs. Next step? Students will create seedballs in school, in collaboration with the LRI, and donate them to the NGO to allow future students to carry on the reforestation efforts in Lebanon.

Enviromental Sustainability

Towards a Green school in Ain Aar (3ème

FB / Grade 9 CPP)

This project aspires to transform Ain Aar into a green school. Through the different disciplines, students acquired knowledge and skills that demonstrated that they are environmentally responsible citizen who act towards improving the sustainability of their community. In Math, students learned how to construct a solar panel model using Pythagorean Theorem and right triangles. In Social studies, students worked on the concept of an environmentally friendly school. In physics, students explored the different electric laws and measures that are needed for the installation of solar panels. In English, Students used the content from the various disciplines to write and deliver informative and argumentative speeches, making strategic use of media to define, explain, and describe their findings to an audience with the goal of persuading that audience to adopt and execute their plan for a green school. As part

of this project, students of 3ème B and Grade 9 CPP welcomed guest speaker Mr. Mohamed Mortada, Senior Sustainability Architect in “EcoConsulting”, who explained to them the concept and criteria of a Green School and the ways to get there. Then, they hosted Ms. Myriam Osman, Energy Engineer at Energy Efficiency Group sal, who explained to them the importance and the techniques of “Energy Audit”, a tool which provides a complete electricity consumption and energy efficiency assessment.

The students will build on these interventions to conduct an energy audit in their own classes and a feasibility study on the cost of the project using percentages, data collection and financial math. The students will finally crown their project with a feasibility study for the installation of Solar PV panels in Ain Aar, which they will present for the school’s administration.

Enviromental Sustainability

From Apples

to

Vinegar (6ème A&B - Ain Aar)

As part of their sciences curriculum, students of 6ème A & B visited the highest apple field in Sannine (Mount Lebanon) on October the 17th. They picked over 200 kg of apples! Guest speakers visited them afterwards in class to teach them the techniques of vinegar making. Later, the 6ème A & B students got into action, and produced, in the science lab, 37 gallons (5 liters per gallons) of apple vinegar, out of their harvested apples! Now, the vinegar preparation is resting, and the natural fermentation process is taking place. In January 2023, students will be able to taste their own hand made apple vinegar and sell their product to the community as a fundraising activity to help protect the Bentael Nature Reserve!

Enviromental Sustainability

Éco-délégués (Ain Aar)

Sustainable Waste Management Awareness Event

The éco-délégués group of students organized a series of fun activities during the second recess on October the 27th on the occasion of the “Journée Mondiale de Développement Durable”. The objective of this event was to raise awareness of the community on sustainable waste management. This event was much appreciated by the middle schoolers. Twister games, races, plastic fishing, question pour un champion, déchets à la mode, basket aux déchets... and many other games were enjoyed by students and adults.

Rainwater Harvesting

Our Ain Aar Middle School éco-délégués group of students launched their new project: “Rainwater Harvesting”. Due to the water scarcity issues our country is currently enduring, our students decided to implement a system for rainwater collection at the Ain Aar campus, to remedy this problem, by taking advantage of the rainwater abundance in our country! Our éco-délégués will install the entire water collection system (reservoirs, pipes, pumps, etc.), in collaboration with the CE2 students whom they will support as part of their water-related research unit.

Enviromental Sustainability

Water Awareness Through Peer Learning

As a first step in the implementation of their “Rainwater Harvesting” project, representatives of the Ain Aar Middle School’s “éco-délégués” group visited this week the CE2 and Grade 3 students to raise their awareness about the

importance of sustainable water management and conservation. Their intervention falls in the context of the Research unit related to water that the CE2/Grade 3 students are currently exploring in their curriculum. Primary school students were very excited to have peers from the Middle school teaching them new concepts and guiding them into new techniques for sustainable water conservation. Together, CE2/Gr3 students and the éco-délégués, will implement a rainwater harvesting system on the Ain Aar campus. Stay tuned for news about the project’s implementation!

Enviromental Sustainability IC Responsibility

International competitions

GISS: Global Innovation Sustainability Summit

Two groups of students from the secondary school participated this year in the GISS international competition, organized by the Academy of Wakra in Qatar. This competition focuses on SDGs 12 (Responsible consumption and production, 13 (Climate action), 14 (Life below water) and 15 (Life on land). The objective is competition is for students to develop and implement projects related to these SDGs. Groups who are shortlisted are invited to the GISS Summit in Qatar in March 2023. Our two groups of students representing the “Zeit w Saboon” project and the “Quarry Rehabilitation” project made it! Congratulations! The two groups will be heading to Qatar in March 2023 to represent IC and their final project in the presence

The Earth Prize competition

Under its IC Responsibility initiative, IC has registered this year to the Earth Prize competition (https://www.theearthprize. org/) organized by the Earth Foundation (https://earth-foundation.org/). It’s an international competition between schools worldwide, revolving around environmental sustainability. More than 90 schools are participating.

At IC, one group of students from the secondary school in Ras Beirut have registered. This group is leading the “Zeit w Saboon” project, an innovative initiative providing a solution to a major global

of a gathering of young, ambitious minds from Qatar and around the world who share a common interest in practical solutions for sustainable development through global innovation. This summit will feature leading companies, academic institutions, NGOs, representatives from the United Nations, and keynote speakers. The GISS will be hosted by Qatar Academy Al Wakra, an IB World School and member of the Qatar Foundation for Education, in collaboration with Science and Community Development, a state-led non-profit organization made up of more than 50 entities working in education, research, and community development.

environmental challenge. Students are engaged, passionate and committed. They will submit their project proposals in winter 2023 to the Earth Foundation. If shortlisted, they will take their project to the next level and start communicating, advertising, and implementing their idea to compete for the final Prize due in spring 2023. Good luck!

Enviromental Sustainability

School-level Initiatives

Wrapping around Christmas

It’s the time of the year we all wait for! We all enjoy unwrapping our Christmas gifts! But did you know that during Christmas holidays, we produce as much as 83 km2 of gift-wrapping papers?! These gift wraps can cover 4 times Beirut’s area and unfortunately most of them are not recyclable and end up in landfills. That’s why, at IC, we decided to valorize these gift wraps by reusing them. We kindly ask you to collect in bags all the gift warps that you produce during this holiday and to bring them back with your children when classes resume in January. We will upcycle them and produce many objects, in collaboration with IC’s arts and crafts club. Let’s be responsible citizens and make this Christmas season as sustainable as possible!

Enviromental Sustainability

Les élèves de la classe de 6ème C du campus de Ras Beyrouth ont créé une chanson pour mettre en valeur l’impact négatif de l’homme sur son environnement

Ma chérie planète bleue.

Tu donnes naissance à tout , et tout retourne vers toi un jour .

Soyez fidèle à la planète.

Respectez le grand cycle de la terre. Eh bien!

L’ homme produit des objets qui sont traduits en déchets.

La terre essaya de tout nettoyer et de nous débarrasser de ces déchets.

Mais le problème c’est qu’on ne lui laisse pas assez de temps pour digérer. Résultat!

Un très grand problème s’installa .

La terre souffrira.

La solution est facile , il faut bien choisir.

Le verre ,on peut le fondre pour faire de nouvelles bouteilles.

Les vieux journaux et les cartons , on peut collecter et faire des pâtes à papier.

Les métaux , on peut les recycler et faire des plateaux et des nouveautés.

Ah bon !

Tout ça n’est pas suffisant, il vaut mieux bien regarder ce qu ‘on achète pour minimiser les déchets.

Je jure de ne pas te faire du mal en te respectant et en t’ aimant très chère.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

School Stationary Initiative

The Civic Commitment and Service Learning Department at Middle School Ain Aar launched the school year with the school stationary initiative by collecting school stationary and distributing them to those in need. The abundance of donations was later sorted out and distributed to schools in need.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

Public Library

Beginning with the Halloween Party Fundraising Event, volunteer students from Grade 7 Middle School Ain Aar were involved in several actions to bring them to the culminating action of establishing a library at a public school. The volunteer students from Grade 7 worked on a plan on how to shelf books, sorted books and brainstormed ideas on how to decorate school libraries to later execute their action of establishing a library at a public school.

Enfants de Lumière

Giving back to the community and being socially responsible citizens is embedded in our school’s guiding statement. Therefore, as part of the Civic Commitment requirements for students at the Middle School, volunteer students from the classes of Grade 8/4ème were involved in the distribution of food rations given out to underprivileged families monthly at the NGO

Enfant De Lumière. The students also helped manage the clothes shop that is designed to allow its visitors the privilege of a shopping experience. Moreover, the CCSL launched a collection drive at school that went on for a month to help collect food, clothes and toys and the students sorted these donations for the NGO.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

Deir Mar Semaan

The students of Grade 8 spent an afternoon with the children of “Deir Mar Semaan” on Wednesday, December 13. The students went equipped and prepared. In November, the students attended a session hosted by a volunteer parent who gave the students a workshop on different activities performed by scouts to plan for activities that they can carry out with the children of “Deir Mar Semaan”. Second, the students also took gifts for the children at the Covent. The students were proud of their initiative and their smiles and commitment were shining through as they gave back to their community playing and spreading joy with the children.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

Acsauvel

As part of their Civic Commitment Actions the students of 3ème B & Grade 9 HS Middle School Ain Aar, visited the NGO “Acsauvel” on Tuesday the 13th of December 2022. The main objective of the visit was to raise awareness among our students that some members of our society are “Different but Not Less”. Acsauvel, admits children with special needs, mild or moderate mental retardation and motor/cognitive disabilities. During the visit, our students shared a meal with the hosts as well as conducted interviews with staff members and children to understand their needs and later follow up with an action to serve this place as part of their interdisciplinary project.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

Message De Paix

As part of their Civic Commitment Actions and as part of their interdisciplinary project “Different but Not Less”, the students of 3ème A & Grade 9 Middle School Ain Aar visited the NGO “Message De Paix” on Monday the 19th of December, 2022. The main objective of the visit was to raise awareness among our students that some members of our society are “Different but Not Less”. Message De Paix, admits children with special needs with mild or moderate mental retardation, and motor/cognitive disabilities. During the visit, the students, along with the students of Message De Paix, participated in art and craft activities and shared a meal.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

Lebanese Nostalgia and Fundraising

As part of the different fundraising initiatives to sponsor the different actions towards the community, and to familiarize the students with traditional Lebanese sweets during the Independence week, the CCSL student representatives at IC Ain Aar Middle School set up a stall for that purpose and sold different kinds of Lebanese sweets. The students savored the delicious sweets and helped raise funds for buying gifts for the orphanages that the student volunteers will be visiting, one of which is Deir Mar Semaan.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

FIFA World Cup Final Screening

Excitement, cheers, and team spirit brought the Ain Aar community together for the screening of the FIFA World Cup final screening on Sunday, December 18. This event helped raise funds for Saint Vincent De Paul where two of Middle School Ain Aar classes will be organizing afternoons with the underprivileged elderly who are not institutionalized and continue to live in their homes. This event was a big step for the student to raise funds for this activity, and to bring the Civic Commitment project at Middle School Ain Aar to life.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

The Akle w Bassme Truck is Back on Wheels

The student-led initiative “Akle w Bassme” was launched last year with the aim of reaching out to the local community and providing nutritious meals to underprivileged families.

For this year, grade 10 students have already visited three local communities in Nabaa, Mar Mikhael, and Bourj Hammoud and provided hot meals to more than 400 underprivileged persons.

The objective for this year is to set up pop-up restaurants in various locations to support as many communities as possible while giving students agency, building on their skills, and helping them acquire new skills, namely communication skills, teamwork, and cooking skills.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

First Aid Training Workshop with the Lebanese Red Cross

Within the context of the Civic Commitment and Service Learning Program (CCSLP) life skills workshops, all Grade 10 students from the Lebanese and French Bac programs attended a workshop on first aid training with the Lebanese Red Cross. Students were offered two choices of workshops to choose from: the full-day first aid training and the half-day first aid training. The training is designed to educate students about the principles of first aid/life-saving skills. The

techniques used during the sessions are case studies, short discussions, application of skills, and simulation in real-life scenarios.

All students were required to apply the main technical skills with the coaching of the trainer until every student reached a satisfactory degree of proficiency.

Students will be awarded at later stage certificates of completion issued by the Lebanese Red Cross.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

GSE & LSE Fundraising Bake Sale Event

GSE and LSE students organized a Lebanese Independence Day themed fundraising bake sale. The aim of the event was to raise funds in order to light up a street in Beirut with solar panels.

Road Safety - Kunhadi

Within the context of the Civic Commitment and Service Learning life skills program, Grade 11 and Grade 12 students attended an awareness session on road safety conducted by the NGO “ Kunhadi”. The session included testimony of the founder of the NGO, the main causes of car crashes and some tips for safe driving. A few students took part in the “Drink Driving Goggles” simulation activity. Students will be attending, on a later stage, a course on the new Lebanese traffic law.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

The Annual NGO Fair

The Civic Commitment and Service Learning Team hosted on Tuesday, October 4, its annual NGO fair. More than 10 NGOs, from various fields attended the event. The fair was an opportunity for our Grade 11 students to meet with the representatives of our partner NGOs and inquire about the nature of their work in order to plan for their volunteering work.

Civic Commitment and Service Learning

Fundraising Christmas Market Event

Grade 10 students held a fundraising Christmas market event on Tuesday, December 13 in order to raise funds for the Akle w Bassme initiative and provide healthy meals to underprivileged families.

All the ornaments were designed by students and made out of glass material to raise awareness of recycling and upcycling practices.

This event was in collaboration with the Art department, the Steam Lab, the physical plant and the NGO “Ahla Fawda”.

IC Responsibility

The Ali Ghandour Center for Leadership, Diversity and Civic Engagement (AGC)

AGC Level 1

The Ali Ghandour Center for Leadership, Diversity and Civic Engagement (AGC) started the academic year 2022-2023 with enthusiasm and positive anticipation; twenty-eight students have been recruited from grade 10 to join the AGC three-year journey. The AGC team was impressed by the level of students’ awareness about the social challenges in Lebanon and their creativity in coming up with solutions to address these problems.

Throughout the first term, AGC level 1 students delved into the concepts of civic responsibility through a set of sessions on the UNSDGs with a focus on the 2030 Agenda, and its link to current social problems in Lebanon and initiatives being done as proposed solutions. Students were also engaged in introductory workshops on the characteristics, behaviors, and essential qualities of a good leader.

To build civic knowledge incrementally and over time and learn more about the world outside campus walls, students will volunteer with NGOs or Institutions who are carefully selected to meet AGC’s scope of work. For this first term, AGC level 1 students will be volunteering with

In addition to volunteering in Pedal4Power, a project planned and designed by a group of 2022 AGC students in the aim of producing clean, green energy through an energy-generating bike in support of underprivileged communities. The students will support in developing the project further and targeting underprivileged schools and refugee communities.

Souk El Balad, a community market that aims at empowering Lebanese small-scale producers, businesses, farmers, and craftsmen.

IC Responsibility

The Ali Ghandour Center for Leadership, Diversity and Civic Engagement (AGC)

AGC Level 2

The second year of the AGC is the “Community Needs Assessment” phase where students start assessing the needs and highlighting the assets and resources of their communities and the communities around them and planning their Community Service Projects (CSPs).

A session was held with Mr. Omar Itani, Co-founder of FabricAid, who shared his story of how he transferred his passion of collecting and redistributing used clothes to establishing FabricAid, a pioneering socially and environmentally conscious value chain for the apparel industry. Mr. Itani’s story inspired our students on how they can “Find Their Why” and transfer their “Passion” to “Action”.

Students started identifying issues that spark action within them and ways that they can transfer their values to action with the aim of creating change in their community. Moreover, they participated in a set of training sessions where they learned about the importance of participatory approaches in identifying community needs, assets, and resources through semi-structured interviews which are at the core of designing and planning their Community Service Projects (CSPs).

AGC Level 3

Kfarmatta, a Lebanese village located in Mount Lebanon, known for its historic silk factory and ruins that date back to the Phoenicians and Tannoukians, as well as for its rich olive orchards and olive oil production, will be the home for one of AGC’s level 3 Community Service Project (CSP), “eKOLive, “eKOlive” aims at enhancing the livelihood of the community of Kfarmatta village through a responsible tourism plan and the promotion of olive soap production. The AGC team, along with the students, visited Kfarmatta and established a partnership with the mayor, local development NGO, and major stakeholders to finally move to the implementation stage.

In the pipeline four other projects are being implemented, targeting different communities and local challenges with similarly interesting stories.

“

يــثدحت ” is addressing harassment and mental wellbeing in a Lebanese public school for girls, whereas “Skill-Saff” is also addressing public schools with the aim of creating an online platform to enhance students’ soft skills and improve their readiness for universities. “ Samad Cycle ‘’ is an environmental project aiming at building a sustainable model for waste management and composting at a restaurant’s kitchen in Lebanon,, and “E-Ability” is supporting talented and artistics youth with physical disabilities within and establishing an income generating plan for them. More to be shared about these projects, stay tuned!

CAS and PreCAS

Rainboots Drive (CAS and PreCAS)

As part of the CAS and PreCAS program IB 1 and 10 CPP students took part in a rainboots drive and they collected new and gently used rainboots to donate them to underprivileged children.

Christmas Activities in collaboration with Preschool RB (CAS)

As part of their CAS experiences, IB I students collaborated with the Preschool to help devising and managing the following activities for the Preschool students during the last week of the school before the Christmas Holidays. The activities were Feed the Deer activity, A memory game with winter elements, Christmas Dance Freeze, Puppet show, stacking up a Christmas tree, Winter Movement activity (Dice), Green Screen and Coding, Mime Station, Stories in Motion, Pin the Nose on Rudolph, Create a Playdough Snowman, and Mittens and Gloves.

CAS and PreCAS

Fire Safety workshop (PreCAS)

As part of the PreCAS Program, the 10 CPP students attended a fire safety training session conducted by Caritas at IC where they were introduced to the 3 P’s, Fire Safety Prevention, Fire Safety equipment, and how to deal with a forest fire and a house fire.

Professional Development

A New Strategic Plan for IC

Guided by Dr. Teresa Arpin, representatives from the board of trustees, school administration, faculty, staff, parents, and students met to conclude the development of a new strategic plan for IC. They developed the implementation

plan for each of the three strategies identified in the Core Planning Team retreat last April. Three meetings have been planned and the work will be presented as a recommendation to the Board for final approval.