COMMUNITY UPDATE
DIRECTOR’S UPDATE
Dear Community Members,
I am proud to announce that last week, at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, ISB was recognised with a Global Inclusion Award by the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners. Ms. Kristen Schroeder, our Director of Challenge and Inclusion, attended the award ceremony marking the 30th Anniversary of the UNESCO Salamanca Statement, which established the principle of inclusive and accessible education At ISB, our inclusive journey started decades ago, and we are very honoured to be recognised publicly as global leaders in implementing these principles
This is all the more remarkable because, as you may recall, last summer we celebrated arguably the school’s best IB diploma results in our history. Few non-selective schools achieve a 35 average These results, combined with our most recent award, show what can be achieved when you reject the myth that there is a trade-off between high inclusion and high academic achievement Such achievements are made possible by our highly skilled and committed educators, who are supported by a community that believes in this vision for education We continue to find ways to improve further and I think our mission of Everyone Included, Everyone Challenged, Everyone Successful is more relevant than ever
Besides celebrating this achievement, I want to also welcome some very special guests to our campus From 19 to 26 March, ISB is hosting students from schools from all around the world at our Student Leadership Symposium Organised in the true spirit of internationalism, the event brings together students from different backgrounds and nationalities to discuss and debate important topics, with the hope of making the world a better and fairer place For this year’s event, the participating schools are Nanjing Foreign Language School (China), GaußGymnasium School (Germany), Uplands College (South Africa), Prem International school (Thailand), and Westlake Academy (USA).
Thank you to all our host families and organisers who have made this possible. We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend ahead!
James MacDonald ISB Director
STUDENTSPOTLIGHT
INSPIREDBYGRADE12STUDENT CAROLINADANTASSOUSA
GET INSPIRED BY CarolinaDantasSousa Grade12
Carolina (known as Carol to close friendsandfamily),isaG12student with a passion for community engagementandwithaspirationsto study politics in order to make a difference.
Carolina was born and raised in Portugal,movedtoBrusselstwoyears ago, and she has been at ISB ever since Shelovestobesurroundedby happiness, and considers that the recipe for happiness includes participatinginaninclusivecommunity that celebrates everyone’s best attributes.
What inspired you to get involved with the CAS Programme?
Before I came to ISB, I had already participated in a few smaller volunteering initiatives. More recently, since the CAS programme became a compulsory part of my curriculum, I started engaging in these projects more often.
I think a smart way to approach CAS is to see it as an opportunity to discover different sides of yourself and to understand different societal groups, their experiences, and their concerns. Through CAS I found a way to explore my own interests – this is how I discovered my passion for public speaking and for finding means to achieve social change.
Whattypesofprojectsareyoucurrentlyworkingonorsupporting?
Ihaveparticipatedinclubsandinitiativesthatdealwithpoliticalissues.ForinstanceIhavehad theopportunitytoworkalongsideotherpoliticsenthusiaststoputtogetherbi-monthlydebates aboutcurrentevents.Also,intheModeloftheUnitedNationsClub,werecentlyattendeda conferencewithstudentsfromallovertheworld,wherewesharedsolutionstocombatcurrent globalchallenges.Furthermore,inasmallgroupofstudents(ofwhichIwashonouredtobea part)andwiththeguidanceofateacher,weorganisedaseriesofTEDtalksthataddressed relevant issues. The support received from this group helped me put together a speech addressingcrucialnotionsfortheanalysisofoursocieties
Can you share a specific moment or experience from your community engagement work that had a significant impact on you?
While teaching English to refugees seeking to build a new home in Belgium, I came across stories from all parts of the world. This gave a more vivid understanding of the things they have had to endure. For instance, I spoke to a man who fled from Sudan and whose family was caught up in a violent conflict. He spoke about his experience with such calmness. He explained how he managed to get to Belgium and that he wanted to build a stable life here His strength was admirable, since after all he had been through, he continued to strive for a better future It made me think of the people who have been through similar experiences and who still manage to push through It also made me reflect on the enormous privilege I’ve had, and most importantly, that I must utilise that privilege to make a difference, even if that starts at a local level
Inwhichwaysdoyouthinkyourcommunity engagement involvement influenced your worldview?
From organising monthly activities to reduce isolationatanelderlyhome,toworkingwithother Englishspeakerstoshareourknowledgeofthe languagewithrefugees,andtolearningaboutthe belgianSonianforestanditscomplexecosystems fromresidentsoftheWallonieregion,thesefew instances gave me a more comprehensive perspectiveofoursocietyanditsvarietyofinterests andgroups
How do you think participating in ISB’s Community Engagement Programme will influence and support your future career choices?
Participating in community engagement certainly provided clarity to me in regards to my future career choices, as I realised that I genuinely want to try to contribute to the development of our societies It has made me reflect on where today’s priorities lie and how we should move towards societies that embrace solidarity and collective wellbeing Therefore, I decided that my university path would definitely be focused on political science and international relations, or on other related branches.
How do you encourage and inspire your classmates and colleagues to get involved in community engagement programmes?
I would not say that I encourage classmates to get involved, but that we build projects together and we try to create an inclusive environment For instance, in student leadership we try to organise events that bring the school community together, in which we promote student-led initiatives, so that people can learn about the programmes and activities taking place in High School and can choose to join them if they are interested
Nurefsan Dogruguven, G12
BTEC Art and Design Project – Renovation of the 300's Balcony (HS 1st floor)
My goal was to redesign the 300's balcony into a more pleasant area for people to hang out, study, and create art I want everyone in the ISB community to use this space, including students, teachers, staff, and parents I aimed to improve an area that most people overlook or dismiss I want people to realise that they have the opportunity to reimagine a once-neglected corner of our campus I want my art to bring underdeveloped yet attractive areas to life I believe that these areas will improve students' work ces and fresh air could also be used by art students to do their art in an outdo
As a person who likes to spend th
outside, I noticed that there was not enough space at the HS building where I c y work in a quiet area. Also, the majority of the students and staff were unfortunately unaware of the fact that there are outdoor spaces in the High School, which can be used for meetings, studying, and relaxing
My interest in what my school environment is capable of and how I could transform an unappealing area into a more aesthetically pleasing location for my community gave me the inspiration for this project I think the biggest thing that stimulates someone's curiosity is change It makes no difference how large or small the change is That is the reason for my decision to redesign the balcony – to make improvements to a place that people overlooked, which now will pique their interest in the balcony's presence and potential
MS Music Tour Edinburgh
Every two years the Music Department at ISB offers our music students an exciting opportunity to go on a European Music Tour Between 22 and 25 March, 70 ISB student musicians, including our Symphonic Band, Advanced String Orchestra, and High School Choir / G9 VoiceWorks students will be travelling to Edinburgh, Scotland
In embarking on this tour, our purpose is to:
Seek diverse performance opportunities by pursuing performances in various cultural settings and venues
Cultivate student musicians' growth by expanding our students' musical skills and capabilities. Promote collaborative work by fostering an understanding of the value of musical collaboration.
Diversify cultural exposure by exposing student artists to a wide range of cultural activities. Strengthen student relationships by enhancing connections among students who share a passion for music
B E F O R E A F T E R
19 : 00 SENIOR BAND CONCERT
13:45 ECC G1 & G2: GENERAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE
19:00 ADVANCED STRINGS CONCERT
18:00
19:30
LS VOICEWORKS CHOIR CONCERT UPPER SCHOOL VOICE WORKS HS CHOIR CONCERT
MARCH CONCERTS @ ISB
TUESDAY 26 MARCH
Senior Band Concert - 19:00
A farewell concert celebrating our seniors and the lifelong gift of music they will take from ISB. Don't miss this special event in our music calendar!
WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH
ECC (G1 & G2) General Music Performance – at 13:45
Our young student musicians will be performing for family and friends in the ISB Theatre Come and enjoy a variety of music and support these young artists!
Advanced Strings Concert – at 19:00
We look forward to welcoming you at our ISB Advanced Strings Senior Concert: Chiaroscuro. We will explore the delicate dance of shadows and light in human expression through the voices of some of the greatest composers in music history. Join us as we deepen into the complexity of emotions, while also celebrating our graduating Seniors!
THURSDAY 28 MARCH
Lower School Voiceworks Choir Concert – at 18:00
All our Lower School VoiceWorks Choir singers (Grades 1-6) invite you to enjoy a programme with songs from Oliver, Encanto, and Annie, as well as some choir classics to whet every musical appetite We will sing you into the Spring Break, bringing sunshine to every heart and a spring to every step!
Upper School Voice Works and HS Choir Concert – at 19:30
Middle School VoiceWorks will join High School Choir and Chorale to bring you an eclectic mix of songs from a variety of genres From Film Music to Folk Music, we hope to entertain every musical taste. We also look forward to bringing home our program from our HS Music Tour in Edinburgh.
ATHLETICS
Spring Season
Spring Season Raiders 101 will take place on Tuesday, 26 March 18:15-19:30. This is a mandatory preseason orientation for student-athletes and their parents. This meeting provides vital information pertaining to the Athletics Department, their team, and this season
Spring season is up and running and we kicked off the season with a mild spring and a buzzing campus! There are still some spots available in some activities. Should you want to join, please email isbplus@isb.be and we will be happy to help.
Registration is now open for Spring Soccer and Baseball!
The Brussels Sports Association (BSA) will offer both soccer (ages 4-12) and baseball (ages 6-12) this spring (mid-April until mid-June) Registration is now open at www.bsasports.org/registration
For more details, please email office@bsasports.org
Environmental Projects
In addition to our social projects, we also regularly volunteer in environmental projects. For several years, HS students have helped to maintain a wetland in Lasne. Students work together with a local nature-protection organisation to maintain the wetland. They do this by cutting away excess shrubs and trees and putting these on the paths to make it easier to walk on the ground covered in mud
Last year, a family of 6-8 beavers voluntarily moved into the area and established themselves there This has a huge impact on the nature site and, as a result, has caused the water levels to rise, creating more work for the students and the organisation.
Connected to this project, students also volunteer to help with frog migration At this time of year, frogs migrate from the forest to the ponds for the breeding season This often involves crossing roads, which unfortunately is not safe for the frogs. Students help by collecting the frogs in buckets, crossing the road with them, and safely releasing them on the other side.
Helping with frog migration is open to anyone, you can sign up via their website.
OTHER
Parenting your pre-adolescent
Wednesday, 24 April between 10:15 – 11:15 at the MS Library
Join the MS & ES Counsellors, Cady, Sandie, and Carla, for a discussion about parenting your pre-adolescent This session will support parents with understanding the stages of pre-adolescence There will be an opportunity to share strategies and resources to help your children through this developmental stage The event is aimed at grade 5 parents and above, but anyone is welcome
Please use this link to RSVP.
MOBILITY
The Belgian road-works company are working on both sides of cycle highway F29 between Brussels, Tervuren, Bertem, and Leuven, connecting nearby neighbourhoods via the future cycle highway including some impressive bicycle tunnels and bridges.
If you want all the detailed information on the evolution of the works and upcoming works that may impact your route to ISB, read the Ring Road Works newsletter here.
Mark your calendars to join the FA at one of our workshops, classes or events.
FA Classes at ISB
Language Class: French, Tuesday afternoons, and Wednesday & Thursday mornings
Language Class: English, Tuesday mornings
FA Yoga Class, Tuesdays at 09:00
Group Fitness Class with Sylwia on Wednesdays 09:00 and Fridays at 10:00
Upcoming Events
Self-Defense Workshop: Monday, 25 March, 10:00 - 11:30, ISB Annex DoJang
FA Meeting (open to all parents): Tuesday, 16 April, 09:30-11:00, ISB Annex Community Lounge
FA Brunch at Julien Othomene Patisserie: Friday, 19 April, 11:30
FA Moroccan Cooking Class: Friday, April 26, 11:00-14:00, private home
EU Parliament Guided Tour: Friday, 17 May, 10:30-12:00
ISB International Festival: Sunday, 9 June, 11:00 to 17:00, ISB Campus
For event details and registration, connect with the ISB FA.
SAVE THE DATE
Click here to connect with the International Festival Committee to get more information on hosting a booth from your country or volunteer to help on the day
For event details and registration, connect with the ISB FA.
GENERAL IT REMINDER
ISB CENTRAL LEARNING PLATFORM
Set up your ISB Parent Account
In order to access ISB’s digital resources, you will need to set up your unique ISB Parent Account. To do so, please follow the instructions below.
Go to isb.be/portal and enter the credentials that were sent to you in the email
1 When prompted for your email, re-enter your username, NOT your personal email.
2 When prompted for your password, enter your temporary password. 3.
Log in to the ISB Learning Platform
Once you have set up your account, you can access the ISB Learning Platform (PowerSchool) This is a centralised space for all ISB digital resources.
Access all ISB Digital Resources
In the left-hand menu of the ISB Learning Platform (PowerSchool), you will find links to the digital resources below. Please use your ISB Parent Account to log in.
ISB Information Hub (ISB Community Portal) : For all relevant resources such as the ISB Calendar, the ISB Directory, and our New Families Page
ISB Digital Learning (Schoology) : For information on your child’s classes, learning materials, upcoming assignments, and more.
ISB After-School Activities (SchoolsBuddy) : To register your child for the ISB after-school activities To log in, please click on the button ‘Azuread’
Should you need help to reset your login credentials, our IT team is available via email at IThelpdesk@isb.be and will happily help you.
