November 2012 newsletter

Marymount News from Marymount International School Rome

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chool is fully underway! We have had our Back to School evenings where parents had the opportunity to meet teachers and hear how the school year unfolds.

Last month, we enjoyed our first school community event, the PTO Halloween Party. Many families joined in the fun of getting dressed up and sharing a wonderful afternoon together, and we must thank the members of the PTO for making this possible.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have taken the time to reiterate with students the behavioral expectations at Marymount. I would like to take this opportunity to also share them with you.

Part of our school mission indicates, “It is our goal that a Marymount student should desire to celebrate God’s love, respond generously to the needs of our world, and promote justice and dignity for Continued on Page 2

2012

November

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Hunger Awareness / 2

The Vine & The Branches / 3 IB Update / 8

Drama & Music / 10-11 Above: Elementary students show their patriotic spirit during the Marymount Passport Project. Full story on Page 6.

(Photo: P. Zinzi)

Tivoli Trip / 4

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Students get creative while taking action to fight world hunger

A Symbol of Hunger oal 5 of our Marymount International School Goals and Criteria is to awaken a consciousness of social justice. All of us at Marymount are committed to integrating social justice and human rights issues into the

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Marymount’s Global CalENDar 2012-13

school’s curriculum. We actively strive to compassionately respond to the needs of others, and we are committed to an active social service program in various ways.

On October 23, at an Elementary School gathering to mark World Food Day, we introduced the students to a new project that we will be working on this year called Empty Bowls. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort, created by The Imagine Render Group to fight hunger.

Elementary students will create handcrafted bowls in art class while learning about hunger and how to reach out to those in need.

At International Food Day next May, families and guests will

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all.” It is also stated in our Secondary Parent/Student Handbook that “Respect for the dignity of each person is essential for the well being of our community, as well as the basic principle of Christ’s call to love one another.” The elementary Parent/Student Handbook states, “Each student has the right to a safe and happy learning environment. Respect for others is an important guideline for behavior at our school and all students are expected to be respectful, caring and thoughtful to others at all times.” Within these

statements lay the understanding that how we treat each other matters and there are clear guidelines within the school literature that explain what that looks like.

We recently shared with the students that everyone has the right to feel safe at school, and we know that feeling safe at school is one of the key elements conducive to learning. We have made it clear to students that “playing around,” “WWF moves,” and verbal and physical aggression are NOT acceptable types of behavior at school and that

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there are serious ramifications for such behavior. To make this clear, the school is increasing the supervision of students during unstructured times.

We also emphasized with students that they, too, need to take responsibility for their behavior because as they grow and become more independent they will find themselves in more unsupervised situations.

We want to help students gain the knowledge and confidence to make good choices and understand that “their character is dependent upon who you are when no one is watching.”

be invited to a simple meal served in these bowls. In exchange for a donation, families will be asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the people in the world who go hungry. We will donate the money raised by this initiative to the Centro Astalli (Jesuit Refugee Center) here in Rome and to Zambia.

Through events that took place across the United States and in at least a dozen other countries, the Empty Bowls initiative has raised many millions of dollars to hungerfighting organizations.

Marymount is excited to become a part of this international project. For more information on the project visit www.emptybowls.org or speak to Ms. Deeks, Ms. Haring, or Ms. Fenneman.

Students’ safety, as well as their education, is of the utmost importance to all of us at Marymount. We must work together to instill the values of self-discipline and respect and care for one another so that all students reach their full potential. As always, I look forward to our continued work together!

Ms. Maria Castelluccio Head of School

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Vine

The Elementary students display their goals for becoming closer to God this year

his year, Marymount’s school-wide goal is to foster a personal relationship with God. In religion, the Elementary School children have been learning about the vine and the branches. Jesus said to his apostles: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.” That means that we are connected to God, that He gives us life and love, and that we should share that love with others. By loving God and others, we will stay close to God and spread love around the world.

&The Branches

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To go one step toward a personal relationship with God, the students in the elementary school made bunches of grapes out of colored paper and wrote a goal for growing closer to God in the middle of each one. Then, we hung them on a beautiful vine in the Elementary School lobby. Now we can see how everyone will grow closer to God this year!

Cosimo a., 5D Mariam H., 5D

My goal is to be extra kind to everyone, especially my family, and to go to mass every Sunday.

– luca De P., 3Z

My goal is to be a better friend and let everyone play with me.

– Edoardo P.T., 2P I will help the poor.

– Sveva C., 1C

My goal is to pray in the morning and before going to bed, and to help my mom more.

– Eleonara l., 5D My goal is to pray five minutes every morning and night, and to do what my parents ask the first time they ask it!

– arianna r., 4C

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Voyage to the

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Renaissance

Grade 3 students enjoy a history lesson in Tivoli amidst the splendor of Villa d’Este

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rade 3 went to Villa d’Este on October 18. We took the school bus. It wasn’t a long walk to the Villa from the bus. Once we got there, the tour guide showed up. We went to the main room of Cardinal d’Este. There were a lot of frescoes. There was a little fountain but it didn’t work.

After, we went outside. This is where we actually started seeing the fountains. The first one I saw was the Hundred Fountains, but the guide told us there were actually more than 300 fountains! While walking, I got all wet from the water splashing all over me!

Then we went to see the Organ Fountain, which actually plays organ music, except it only plays every two hours and we

weren’t able to get there in time to listen to music. We were sad, but I sat down and the water sprayed on my face. It was refreshing after walking so much.

We went down the stairs and found ourselves at the fishpond, which is four meters high, so we couldn’t get close to it. My favorite fountain was the Ovato Fountain because of a big spring in the middle. My teacher’s favorite is the Dragon Fountain. It looked like it was spitting fire from the four dragons’ mouths. In the middle of the pond were two little dolphins. Then we walked all the way back and bought souvenirs from a gift shop. My feet were aching!

I was so tired by the time we got back to Marymount that I had to use my backpack as a pillow to rest awhile. When I opened my bag to eat lunch, a spider crawled inside. A kid stepped on the bag to get the spider out but also stepped on my lunch! After eating, I played for about half an hour. It was a wonderful trip and one of the best days of my life!

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Simon Y., 3Z

hen we arrived finally at Villa d’Este we met Cristiana, who told us she would be our guide. We stopped in the courtyard where she spoke about the origins of the Villa and why Cardinal

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d’Ippolito had it built. It was for his summer residence so he could get out of Rome. Then we went inside his Villa where there were many frescoes. She showed us a painting where President Napolitano lives.

Then we went to the garden and Cristiana took us to the Rometta fountain. Right next to it there were the Hundreds Fountains, which are really more than 300 fountains. On top of the fountains there was a face with a nose and two eyes.

It was a bit scary!

Then we walked to the Organ fountain. Cristiana told us that the gates of the Organ Fountain open every two hours and start to play beautiful music by the pressure of the water pressing on the keys of the organ. I was so amazed! It was so beautiful with many different sculptures in marble.

We again walked and saw the Ovato and Neptune Fountains.

I saw Neptune on the top of the

The Alphabet In History

The first graders are learning the alphabet and have discovered that there are various sorts of alphabet. one of them takes them back to ancient roman times – the roman alphabet is a link with the City of rome’s surroundings and history. The children saw stone fragments of roman writing that are scattered throughout our campus, and they used their knowledge of the alphabet to create artistic replicas of streets signs in the roman style. This cross-curricular activity involved the homeroom teachers, art teacher, and Italian teachers. So the children learned more about the alphabet, the local community, and the historic roman roads.

Right: Elementary teacher Renata Cardin points out fragments of ancient Roman writing displayed on the exterior of the Early Childhood gym. Far right, top: A detail of one of the inscriptions.

Far right, bottom: A Grade 1 replica of a Roman street sign.

fountain with a big spear in his hand. Then we finally went to the Dragon fountain, my favorite one. The four dragons spit water out of their mouths, and it looked like they were breathing fire!

Finally we went to the gift shop and I got three magnets and a middle-sized sculpture. When all the students finished buying their souvenirs we went back to Marymount and ate our lunch. I really enjoyed this field trip! luca De P., 3Z

Above left: Grade 3 students enjoy strolling down the Avenue of the Hundred Fountains at Villa d’Este.

Left: The classes assemble in front of the impressive Neptune Fountain. Opposite page: The Rometta Fountain (top), which is an homage to the city of Rome, and the Dragon Fountain (bottom), a favorite among the students and teachers.

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The Marymount

Passport Project

Elementary School students explore the many cultures represented at Marymount

Top row (l-r): Grade 5 students Charlotte and Costanza get into the spirit of the Passport Project. Grade 2 students created impressive Chinese dragons. Grade 3 and differences. Fourth Grader Chien and his class demonstrated musical instruments from around the world. Bottom row (l-r): The students make their way to th students presented games from a variety of countries. Clarissa and Sofia along with their classmates in Grade 5 explored tales from around the world. (Photos: S

“To deepen knowledge and appreciation of one’s own culture and an openness to other cultures.”

From the ECIS definition of an internationally-minded school.

n order to get to know each other better at the beginning of the school year and to deepen their understanding of internationalism, our Elementary School students took part in the Marymount Passport Project throughout September.

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Our First Graders looked at different ways that people communicate. Inspired by her visit to our schools in Zambia, Ms Conlon used her first-hand experience to teach the First Graders about Braille and sign

language. They learned that we can find ways to communicate with everyone.

Children in Second Grade discovered that people all over the world love to dance but that each country has a different style and tradition on which their dances are based.

Third Graders focused on games. One class learned that while the game has a different format in different countries, versions of hopscotch are played all over the world.

The students in Fourth Grade learned about musical instruments in different cultures and how we all share a love of music.

Fifth Graders looked at traditional tales from all around the world. They studied their tales and made them into versions they could retell to the other children. They learned that everyone loves stories!

Ms. Sally Cameron Elementary School Librarian

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3 student Sara wears a traditional Japanese outfit. First graders learned to spell in sign language. Grade 5 students Silvio and Vittorio celebrate their similarities he Auditorium where all of the classes came together to celebrate international diversity. Part of the celebration included a spectacular dance routine. Grade 3 S. Cameron, P. Conlon, P. Zinzi) The thing I mostly liked about this year's Passport Project day was that I learned a lot more musical facts than I used to know. For example, I didn't know there was a musical instrument that you play with your nose. It is called a nose flute.

— rebecca b., 4C

The importance of all musical instruments is that you can all play them together.

— Marco F., 4C

I was in the sign language class.

In different countries they use different signs for the letters.

— lorenzo F., 1C

We learned that it doesn't matter if you come from africa or other countries and you play a game that is not from your country. We are all kids, and we can play all the games.

— Matilde F. & agnese S., 3l It doesn't matter if I am from Italy and my friend is from France.

The game could be from China.

It doesn't matter what country we are from. What matters is that we all play.

— Chiara S. & Marco V., 3l

Passport Poetry

I’m a little bit shy when I greet someone.

Most of the time I feel very happy. and I think about the rest of my family in argentina.

I’m the sister of belu. and the friend of Mai, my bFF in argentina.

I dislike when they have to wake me up. and I hope NEVEr to get in trouble. I’d like most of all a puppy. and I wish to see my family in argentina again.

Someday I would like to travel with my family to some place new.

– Fatima S., 5D

I’m a little bit noisy and a whole lot athletic.

Most of the time happy and I think a lot about my family.

I’m the youngest of my family, and the friend of everybody.

I dislike meanness and bossiness, and I hope never to be nasty.

I’d like most of all a dog, and I wish that peace comes to the world.

Someday, maybe, I would have my own family. and that’s me in a nutshell.

– Zoe b., 5T

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A Culture of Learning The strength of Marymount’s IB program is confirmed at an international conference or the third consecutive year, Marymount International School Rome had representation at the IB Regional Conference for Heads of Schools and IB Coordinators. Both Head of School Maria Castelluccio and IB Coordinator Lucy Alexander traveled to Madrid last month to attend the conference.

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The theme of this year’s conference, which took place from October 4-7, was “The Culture of Learning.” More than 1,000 representatives from top schools in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa participated in this prestigious conference.

Participants had the opportunity to attend plenary sessions by world-class educational speakers and meet with the IB leadership team to discuss future trends and revision cycles within the International Baccalaurete Organization.

The conference keynote speakers were outstanding.

They included:

• Veronica Boix-Mansilla, whose presentation was titled “What matters most to teach in an increasingly interdependent world?” Dr. Boix-Mansilla is Chair of Future of Learning at Harvard Graduate School of Education and Principal Investigator at Project Zero.

She has conducted extensive research on interdisciplinary approaches to learning and focused her presentation on the values of the World Studies extended essay and the concept of global consciousness. With several Marymount students currently conducting this World Studies essay the presentation by BoixMansilla was particularly relevant to us.

• Ben Walden, who gave a riveting keynote performance “Introducing inspirational leadership lessons from

Shakespeare’s Henry V.” Walden is a Globe theatre actor who works with Richard Olivier in the Mythodrama learning technique and is founder of the “Contender Charlie” company. In this keynote address Walden used his own exceptional acting ability, a keen understanding of education, and the play Henry V to highlight characteristics of successful leadership.

• Lance King, who spoke on the topic of “Changing the world one child at a time.”

Author, teacher, and creator of the Art of Learning Programme, Mr. King has worked with over 150,000 students worldwide teaching in over 200 schools and eight countries. Mr. King discussed the role of teaching in the digital age and the rise of learning skills curricula.

• Dr. Cristóbal Cobo, who gave a fascinating talk, entitled “Radical openness in education” in which he

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explored the vast and varied world of open knowledge initiatives and challenges to overcome resistance to change. Cobo is a research fellow at Oxford University, an Internet Scientist for the European Commission, and a contributor to diverse governmental and academic projects around the world. He provided a look at how the latest trends in open knowledge, new certification system, and research networks will impact education.

• Sarah Kay, a former IB Diploma graduate from New York City, who gave a dramatic presentation on “Considering Breakthrough.” Kay is a spoken word poet and founder and codirector of Project Voice. She was the featured speaker at the 2011 Ted Conference and received two standing ovations for her work. She shared her stories and asked her audience to consider their own personal breakthroughs. n addition to access to these exceptional speakers, Ms. Castelluccio and Ms. Alexander attended a number of valuable workshop sessions. These included participation in:

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• A Diploma Program languages focus group led by the Curriculum Head of IB Languages.

• The unveiling of the new “Approaches to Learning,” which will be introduced to the Diploma Program in 2014, by the Director of Global Schools Services.

• An update on the future direction of the IBO by the Director General, Jeff Beard.

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• The creation of a new IB Learner Profile led by the Head of Curriculum Development.

• Information sessions on the move to e-marking and the impact of the latest IB research statistics by the Heads of Assessment and Research respectively.

In short, the conference allowed Marymount’s Head of School and IB Coordinator to meet with colleagues from schools around the world to share and learn from each other’s experiences. In doing so, the strength of Marymount as a leading IB school was clearly evident as was the shared passion we have for international education.

Ms. lucy alexander IB Coordinator

Comparison of IB Mean Exam Scores 34

World Average

Marymount

33 32 31 30 29 28 27

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2012 More information on this conference, and other Ib initiatives, can be found on the Ib webpage at www.ibo.org.

More information about the Ib program at Marymount is available at marymountrome.org/ib.

Secondary School Drama presents

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Line T. / Paloma L. Michael C.

Alessandra Y. Tonia N.

Ramzi S.

Matteo R. Noah M.

Azzura M.

Rolando M. Stavros A. Greta Q.

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A N G RY M E N PERFORMANCES: TUESDAY, NOV. 27 AT 7:30PM (PROCEEDS TO ZAMBIA) WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 7PM THURSDAY, NOV. 29 7PM FRIDAY, NOV. 30 7PM The Marymount drama department presents Twelve Angry Men, a play that focuses on a jury’s deliberation s in a capital murder case. These 12 men are brought together to decide on the future of an 18-year-old Puerto Rican, who is accused of first-degree murder for stabbing his own father to death. However in those times, a guilty verdict also meant a death sentence.

The case appears closed, as the defendant has a weak alibi, there is no trace of the weapon used, and there are various witnesses that saw the killing or heard screams. This is why 11 of the jurors immediately vote the young boy guilty. However, Juror Number 8 (played by Noah M.) casts a “not guilty” vote. The discussion that ensues becomes a study of the jurors’ complex personalities, which range from wise to merciless, providing the background to Juror Number 8’s attempts to convince that a “not guilty” verdict might be appropriate. How will it end?

This year, the play will be performed in an unseen (at Marymount) form of theater. Come watch to discover it! Tickets are €5 for students and €7 for adults and can be purchased from any of the members of the crew and by Sara D. and Augusta A.

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Secondary School Music Department

CONCERTS St. Cecilia's Day Concert

e Ceremony of Carols

Tuesday, November 20 at 6pm Marymount Auditorium

ursday, December 6 at 7:30pm Church of San Silvestro in the center of Rome

All Middle School students with High School Choir, Band and String Group will be performing.

Please book this into your schedules and come to support your childrens' efforts.

We hope that this event, with lots of traditional Christmas hymns and carols, will be an enjoyable part of the Christmas celebrations for all the Marymount community.

St. Nicholas Charity Serata he Community of Santa Susanna Church cordially invites everyone to join us for the St. Nicholas Charity Serata on Saturday evening, December 1, 2012 at Marymount International School.

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This is the 62nd year of this fundraising event and all of the proceeds for this wonderful evening go directly to support nine specific Roman charities, which assist the poor, refugees, AIDS patients, orphans, mentally and physically handicapped children, the sick and the elderly in the Roman community.

The evening includes a fully coursed, elegant Italian dinner along with dancing to the music of Ross & The Doormats.

There is also an extensive Silent Auction, plus a Raffle for Weekends for Two in Berlin, London, and Florence. Dinner tickets are €65 per person and can be purchased by contacting Fr. Greg at 06.488.2748 or at Santa Susanna Church on Sunday mornings, or at the 11am Mass in the Marymount Chapel (or in our Coffee Bar a couple of times a week).

The charities that benefit from this event are: Casa Familiglia del’Pino serving men with

AIDS, Diliegro Foundation for the Homeless, l’arche serving children with AIDS, Via astalli refugee Center serving refugees, Missionaries of Charity Community (Mother Teresa’s Sisters) serving the homeless, Istituto di S. Giuseppe/ Teresa at Rocca di Papa serving orphaned children, Caritas of the Vicariato di Roma, The Joel Nafuma refugee Center at St. Paul’s Inside–the-Walls Episcopal Church, and the St. Nicholas Fund of Santa Susanna.

For further information call Fr. Greg at 347.367.9025.

The St. Nicholas Charity Serata includes a silent auction for creative gift baskets.

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Halloween Fun with the PTO!

Varsity Volleyball Championships

2 / Friday

All Souls Day SCHOOL CLOSED Varsity Volleyball Championships

3 / Saturday

Scholastic Aptitude Test Varsity Volleyball Championships

4 / Sunday

S. Susanna Mass in the Chapel at 11am

5 / Monday

Faculty Meeting at 3:45pm

6-7 / Tuesday-Wednesday Senior Retreat

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EVENTS Bake Sale

November 15

november All Saints Day SCHOOL CLOSED

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upcoming pto

Thanks to the hard work and creativity of the Parent-Teacher organization, last month’s Halloween Party was a screaming success! Children (and adults!) enjoyed loads of activities, from face painting, to whacky games, to a spooky haunted house. Meanwhile, the costumes on parade were as groovy and ghoulish as ever.

Many thanks to the members of the PTo and to everyone who came out to support this fantastic event!

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Parent-Teacher Conferences

10 / Saturday

Caritas Soup Kitchen (Colle Oppio) Volunteer Opportunity

11 / Sunday

S. Susanna Mass in the Chapel at 11am

12 / Monday

Implementation Committee Meeting at 3:45pm

13 / Tuesday

Fr. Gailhac’s Birthday

Reconciliation Grades 6-12

15 / Wednesday PTO Bake Sale

18 / Sunday

S. Susanna Mass in the Chapel at 11am

19 / Sunday

Thanksgiving Mass for Grades 1-5 at 9:15am

20 / Sunday

Christmas Party December 18

See you there!

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Universal Children’s Day

St. Cecilia’s Day Secondary Concert

21 / Wednesday

Thanksgiving Mass for Grades 9-12 at 9:15am

22-23 / Thursday-Friday Thanksgiving Holiday SCHOOL CLOSED

25 / Sunday

S. Susanna Mass in the Chapel at 11am

27 / Tuesday

Secondary School Drama presents Twelve Angry Men at 7:30pm

28-30 / Wednesday - Friday

Secondary School Drama presents Twelve Angry Men at 7pm

Marymount

International School Via di Villa Lauchli, 180 00191 Rome, Italy (+39) 06 362 9101

www.marymountrome.org

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