Messenger spring summer 2015

Missoula International School

MESSENGER

Spring/Summer 2015

In this issue: Our Community is Our Classroom Congratulations 8th Grade Class of 2015!

Envisioning our Classroom, Engaging our Community Reflections on the 2014/2015 School Year

by Julie Lennox, Head of School

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Several MIS students, teachers, and parents participated in three, day long CTA Facilities Design planning sessions in April and May in order to provide input for Nick Salmon, CTA architect who specializes in school design.

“With all of this planning and professional support, the Board and administration are confident and excited to develop a new facility in the very near future.”

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eflection is a vital part of the practice of IB World Schools. It is a critical part of the learning cycle for both students and faculty. This year I created a plan called VISION 2015 to guide MIS through the 2014/2105 school year. I shared this plan with the MIS community at the start of 2014/2015 and I am happy now to pause and reflect on the remarkable steps MIS has taken this year.

At our professional development in August teachers used the goals outlined in VISION 2015 to focus on four important aspects of the school’s educational program.

1) Enhancing the Language Immersion experience 2) Continued development of the IB program 3) Increasing opportunities for students to experience STEAM learning 4) Ensuring a strong multiage community among students of all ages and among parents Each individual teacher as well as each grade level team developed SMART (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely) goals to focus on these four aspects.

They reflected on these goals throughout the year and often made them visible to the MIS community on the walls of the building and throughout cyberspace on blogs, the MIS YouTube page and MIS’s FaceBook page. Some highlights of the year were: ➢ Expanding the middle school Spanish program to include humanities. ➢ Expanding integrated LEGO Robotics from preschool to 8th grade. ➢ Teachers attending advanced IB trainings in the MYP and PYP. ➢ Implementing IPADS in the K-8 program. ➢ Expanding the use of the 3D printer to include classes from Kindergarten to 8th grade. ➢ The MIS middle school Math Counts Team qualified for the state tournament. ➢ The refinement of the multiage familias program in the K-8. ➢ A strong reading buddy program that built relationships between the preschool and the K-8.

Another goal of VISION 2015 was to build stronger community partnerships. MIS’s school leadership built bridges with Missoula County Public Schools to form a Northern Rockies Association of IB Schools. This organization will be instrumental in advancing IB programs in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Our Assistant Head of School, Jeff Kessler, serves on the executive board of this organization and is the President Elect. I further developed MIS’s relationship with the University of Montana’s Office of International Programs to create a county wide art contest.

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Missoula International School MESSENGER• Spring/Summer 2015

• IN THIS ISSUE •

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Envisioning our Classroom, Engaging our Community Reflections on the 2014/2015 School Year

4 Transitions & Achievements 5

Community Corner/Spanish Corner

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Reflections of Our Lifelong Learners MIS 8th Graders Look Back & Look Ahead

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8th Grade Mexico Trip Much More Than a Travel Experience

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Notes From the Field 6th and 7th Grade Teton Trip Teaches Ecology & Teamwork

Missoula International School inspires principled global citizens and lifelong learners through a challenging bilingual education from preschool to eighth grade.

Board of Trustees 2014/2015 Rob Fleming President Doug Webber Past President Norm Williamson Vice President/Treasurer Emily Richardson Secretary Mary Surber PA Council Representative

Ray Aten Susan Beck Torin Etter Jason Kiely Betsy Maier Jennifer Marrow Shane Reely Mike Vetter

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Unique Opportunity to Host An Amity

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MIS Alumni: Where Are They Now? Alumni Updates & Achievements We Did It! Cinco de Mayo & Give Local Boost MISsion Forward Fund Past Annual Goal!

Thank you to our generous parents, grandparents, alumni & friends for funding our dreams for MIS this year!

Together, we raised over $281,000 for important school enhancements and new opportunities to make MIS great. ¡Muchas Gracias!

Front cover: Wild feathers and creatures of the rainforest created by MIS students descended upon the Wild Walk Parade in downtown Missoula on May 19th to celebrate the opening of the 38th annual International Wildlife Film Festival.

Did you know?

The MIS Messenger is online, with links to news and videos.

Visit www.mismt.org/publications

curiosity creativity connection curiosidad creativitad conexión Julie Lennox, Head of School Jeff Kessler, Assistant Head of School Laura Bovard, Director of Admissions & Marketing Gary Cram, Director of Finance Bethany O’Connell, Director of Development Sabine Sriraman, Administrative Assistant Layout and design by Bethany O’Connell

Reflections, continued from page 2...

Through these relationships MIS brought the University of Montana’s Global Gateway Program to students in 2nd through 8th grade, enhancing the cultural awareness and understanding of MIS students.

And, finally, VISION 2015 provided the MIS Board of Trustees with clear focus on four goals: • FINANCIAL HEALTH: Clearly define and communicate board priorities and plan for the next 3-5 years to meet those priorities.

• COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY: Strengthen the sense of community among all members of MIS and synthesize and communicate the value of MIS to ensure a sense of pride and understanding among all constituents of the school.

• FUNDRAISING: Increase fundraising infrastructure, systems, and protocols to fully develop the plan needed to launch and implement a successful capital campaign for a permanent facility.

• FACILITIES: Make a decision and fully develop a plan for MIS to have a permanent (25+ years) solution for facilities.

The Board worked hard to realize progress on these goals in the following ways: • a clear and consistent communications plan with parents, • continued development of the long-range financial plan to ensure tuition increases stabilize over the coming years while the school still moves toward financial sustainability with, • reserves to guard against surprises and allow for opportunities, • a strong commitment to faculty and staff compensation and professional development, • a continued emphasis on financial aid to sustain a diverse student body, • a continued focus on program development with steady funding of technology, IB programs, and NWAIS accreditation.

• The Board made a decision to develop an alternate location with a new building to meet the long-term facilities needs of the school.

As we enter our 20th year, this final goal is exciting and progress to date is significant! Last week we finished our last of three design sessions with the architectural firm, CTA, to align a new building with the vison, mission, and values of the school. We created a page on the Parent Connection blog for continued updates on the process. There is a quick link button on MIS’s home page to take you there.

There was great community involvement in this design process with 3 administrators, 27 students in 4-8th grade, 9 board members, 8 teachers, and 10 parents participating in the day sessions and approximately 150 people who came to the evening sessions. We achieved strong community involvement in this initial design phase and gathered much important feedback from everyone. We facilitated a full K-8

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student brainstorming session at a special assembly to get input from all students. And we had an interactive display in the hallway and in the gym to gather additional thoughts and ideas from students and parents.

MIS has also been working with a firm out of Chicago called Equity Schools who is helping us develop nontraditional methods to successfully fund the project.

With all of this planning and professional support, the Board and administration are confident and excited to develop a new facility in the very near future. Please follow the updates on the website this summer.

Congratulations to the teachers, the administration, the Board and the students for a highly successful school year!

We wish our 8th graders the best of luck as they enter the next phase of their educational journey. And I wish you the very best summer.

Warmly, Julie

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(Above) Students worked together in multiage familias to brainstorm ideas for a school facility that incorporates qualities that each student values. CLICK HERE to learn more about the facilities design process.

h Transitions and Achievements h MIS Alumni Honored by Veterans Last week, three MIS alumni students (Class of 2014) were honored with top prizes and cash awards by the Missoula VFW post for their original audio essays, "Voice of America: Why Veterans Are Important to America's Future." The essay contest, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, were submitted during last year's humanities class at MIS. Congratulations to: Mari Rizzuto - First Place Owen McCubbin - Second Place Gabriella Stokstad - Third Place Georgia Littig - Fourth Place Mari Rizzuto (MIS Class of 2014) was awarded first place and took home a cash prize of $350 for her essay on, “Why Veterans are Important to America’s Future.”

This year's 8th grade class also received participant prizes for their written essays on, "Why I appreciate America's Veterans." The veterans applauded the quality writing from all of the MIS entries.

Honoring Service & Leadership Rob Fleming is coming to the end of his term as President of the MIS Board of Trustees this year, just as his second daughter graduates from the 8th grade at MIS. Rob’s service and leadership on the Board as President and Vice President will have a lasting and positive impact for MIS. He will continue on the Board for at least two years as Past President.

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Rob Fleming (center) hosts a discussion group during a parent meeting last year.

“It is with affection and gratitude that the MIS Board honors Rob Fleming for his years as Board President. To work alongside Rob has been to enjoy his gracious manner, his nonstop optimism, and his selfless devotion to our school. Rob kept a steady hand on the wheel while the Board faced some difficult decisions over the past two years. His leadership has kept the Board a place of collaboration and friendship. As outgoing Board President, Rob leaves a legacy to his hometown, of a thriving school which is poised to lead Montana education through the twenty-first century. Thank you, Rob, for your hard work and dedication!”

Doug Webber, Past President

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Community Corner MIS & MCT Celebrate at El Mago Del Oeste Performance

Missoula International School brought the Spanish language production of El Mago del Oeste back to the stage of the Missoula Center For the Performing Arts in February, and hosted a joint anniversary celebration with MCT to celebrate its 40th anniversary and the start of MIS’s 20th anniversary year.

MIS Students Share Language, Art, and Song at the UM International Food & Culture Festival MIS students shared Spanish poetry and song at this year’s UM International Food & Culture Festival in March. MIS 5th grade students presented their 5th grade PYP Exhibition projects in the Children’s World and MIS 4/5 mulitage teacher, Sherry Dickerson, received an award for her participation in the UM Global Gateway “Cultural Competency” program.

Students Showcase Art Around Missoula

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any MIS students joined Missoula for the Get Global Art Contest sponsored by MIS, MCPS, and the University of Montana International Programs. The art work was on display downtown through the month of April. MIS hosted an opening night on Friday, March 20th.

All of the participants received a certificate and a bag of prizes including Griz gear and art supplies.

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IS also participated in the Southgate Mall Art Show in April and May. Every pre-k to 8th grade student displayed a work of art.

Spanish Language Corner In middle school Spanish class this spring, students were fortunate to be able to have Lorena, our Amity intern from Colombia, walk the kids through the beginning of a creative writing project.

Lorena is the author of several short fiction pieces that she hopes to publish one day in a book. The 7th and 8th graders wrote their own short stories in Spanish and created books for them with marble covers during art class. This story, written by seventh grader Connor King-Ries, highlights his creative use of language and incorporates classical storytelling. An English synopsis follows.

Alucinaciones

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por Connor King Ries

ohammed abrió sus ojos. La primera impresión que tuvo era del sol. Casi no podía ver por los rayos tan fuertes calentando todo hasta que era intolerable. Le daba dificultad ponerse de pie. La arena quemó sus pies. Gritó con dolor, cayendo sobre su espalda en la arena, hermosa pero áspera.

En este momento lo vió. No lo había visto antes porque estaba ocupado con el sol y la arena, pero era ahora la forma magistral del palacio le cortó la respiración. Era cómo son en los cuentos de hadas, pero más deslumbrante. La entrada estaba cubierta de filigrana en oro con patrones elegantes que brillaron en el sol del desierto. Con curiosidad caminó hacia el palacio, el dolor de sus pies ya no le importaba. Cuando se acercó, podía ver a unos muros alrededor de este.

Mohammed empezó a correr. Necesitaba entrar en el palacio, habia perdido todo. ¿Cómo ha llegado a este lugar? El accidente limpió su memoria como si alguien le hubiese pasado una toallita. Ahora, poco a poco las

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memorias, aunque borrosas, le regresaron. Había un avión que se estrelló y quemó todas sus cosas. Ahora habia perdido todo: su dinero, su comida, su billete para salir de este lugar. Estos pensamientos y recuerdos le hizo acelerar hacia la entrada.

El momento en que entró empezó a babear. Allí sobre una mesa estaba un banquete digno para un rey. Había carnes, tan suculentas que casi derriten su boca. Y las peras, las peras con miel salpicada en la fruta delicada, cocinado un poquito para tener una piel deliciosamente crujientes.

Desafortunadamente, no tuvo ni un bocado de ello.

Tenía que salir de allí, no supo porque, pero no podía durar ni un minuto más en este lugar. Salió tan rápido como entró, tragando el aire fresco como si fuera vital. Emergió e inmediatamente notó algo raro; no fue algo visible, sino algo con el ambiente. Era algo muy malo, como un vapor tóxico, haciendo que no pudiese respirar. La visita corta le consumó la esperanza.

Solamente necesito agua y comida, razonó consigo mismo Entro, como y bebo un poco y salgo. . . . Después de dormir, Mohammed, débil, habiendo pasado una noche sobre la arena fría pero determinado, entró en el palacio otra vez.

Student Poetry to Help Teach Kids About Nature

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IS student poetry will be contributing to a new project called, Learning Their Place: a radio documentary about kids and nature in America.

The goal is to document this moment of massive environmental change from the perspectives of the next generation. MIS English teacher, Gillian Kessler, teamed up with Amy Martin, documentary filmmaker, to create beautiful cards featuring MIS student poetry to help raise funds for the project.

Author Kim Todd had this to say about the project: "Nature, we tell kids, is a place to be quiet. But sometimes, the natural world needs kids to speak up. And that's what Amy Martin is asking them to do in this documentary that requests adults listen, not to the birds, not to the drills, not to the talk-show commentators, but to the inheritors of this beleaguered, beautiful place. It is an exciting and necessary project."

-- Kim Todd, author of Tinkering with Eden and Sparrow

Ahora la comida presentada era, si lo es posible, aún más exquisita.

Esta vez todo era más elegante, muchos de los platos Mohammed nunca los habia visto antes. Para describir sólo uno, tenían un arroz exótico con tinta de calamar en el plato. Otros no podía intentar a explicarlos.

Esta vez no era tan fuerte como la última, pero todavía estaba allí, una lenta asfixia. Intento fingir que no estaba, pero era como una pulga, rogando que le rascara. Siempre estaba cerca a olvidarlo cuando surgía de nuevo en sus pensamientos. Finalmente tuvo éxito. Desafortunadamente, fue la última vez que tuvo éxito. O, en ese aspecto, que hizo algo.

Se desplomó exhausto en el suelo, la atmósfera de rabia cerrando sus vías respiratorias. Abrió sus ojos. El agua salada le dió en la cara. El sol se reflejó sobre las olas, cegando a Mohammed. Perplejo, miró al agua. ¿Pero, no estaba en el desierto hace un minuto? Con terror se dió cuenta de que todo el tiempo había estado en el mar. El palacio y la banquete nunca existieron. ¿Pero, cómo? Mohammed se preguntó a sí mismo, todo parecia tan real. Cuando se concentró, casi podía oler a la comida. Con un suspiro, se dio cuenta de algo. Iba a morir sólo. Con una respiración jadeante, balbuceo La vida es cruel.

Students Participate in UM Global Gateway Program

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do Fluck, director of Global Gateway at the University of Montana, worked with the 4/5 multiage students in promoting cultural competence. Global Gateway is an educational services portal that promotes mutual understanding, provides access to a globally-minded community, and infuses innovative educational opportunities that allow global awareness and competence to develop and thrive. As students explore their own exhibition and mini-exhibition central ideas for "How We Express Ourselves," they are also enriched by Professor Fluck's seminars. Professor Fluck brought in different hats from around the world, linking the hats to different geographical places and cultures.

Students learned about the history and connections between the Italian "gondolier" hat, the Mexican sombrero, and the American cowboy hat. They learned about the pith helmet, the ghutra, the fez and many other interesting hats. The students also explored culture through musical instruments.

CLICK HERE to watch MIS 4/5 multiage students share their recent research on climate change and alternative energy.

Synopsis: Mohammed, an aristocratic businessman, is stranded in the desert.

The local palace captivates his attention at the getgo. Inside, there is a beautiful banquet, but for some reason, he can’t have any. The story takes a turn for the worst when Mohammed, weak and tired, opens his eyes. He realizes that the whole time, he’s been at sea. The irony of dying of thirst with water all around takes the little energy Mohammed had left and he dies, alone at sea.

CLICK HERE to watch MIS 6th grade students share their Spanish language plays based on their study of mythology.

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Reflections of Our Lifelong Learners MIS 8th Grade Graduates Look Back & Look Ahead

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The Schoolyard

By Liza Littig

Circle Time

by Addison Fleming

I’m in a fluffy pink dress, chomping goldfish, standing patiently waiting to go out to recess.

I run with my pals, up and down monkey bars, past the basketball court full of big kids, over the picnic tables and back to line when the bell rings. but as time passes,

From the very first coloring book To the very last essay I knew I was going to miss everything about MIS I’m going to miss circle time I’m going to miss reciting the months in Spanish I’m going to miss the anticipation of moving up to the second floor for 2nd grade I’m going to miss the vocab songs and 3rd grade study techniques I’m going to miss Patty’s charisma and smile I’m going to miss researching the rainforest I’m going to miss sneaking into the bathroom and talking in a secret language I’m going to miss kickball games with Ted and Brad I’m going to miss reading Dr.Seuss poems I’m going to miss the Halloween parties and Day of the Dead sugar skulls I’m going to miss my first day of 6th grade I’m going to miss the inside jokes in math class I’m going to miss Gillian’s energy and support I’m going to miss being nervous for Humanities with Jeff but eventually loving his class I’m going to miss Helena’s puns and doodles I’m going to miss Karim’s laugh and kindness I’m going to miss Jen’s fun activities and games I’m going to miss all the memories This school has given me countless experiences that I will never forget.

Words cannot nearly portray how truly thankful I am to have attended this amazing school.

Thank you all so much.

My feet don’t long for running and jumping and I really just don’t want to sweat.

I stand making jokes, maybe playing kickball or lightning, just laughing my heart out, until my feet walk down sidewalks and hallways instead of green fields, hustling to catch a class instead of a taunting boy.

There are more responsibilities for me and less time for eating goldfish and wearing fluffy pink dresses.

Memories

by Mathias Kellman Gross Memories that define you resonate in your head for longer For some people those memories may be full of pain or joy But for me it was caution Caution to speak Caution to express Caution to digest what is happening Four years ago I arrived at this school Four years I return to the present, where I now reside Confident with my surroundings I walk through these halls no longer a stranger

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Energy is a Stream

by Dylan Fullerton

MIS Memories

by Kine Stimac

Time burns like a fire and experience flows like water in a stream one is slowly disappearing, flowing, receding while the other keeps pushing forward.

I nervously step into my classroom The first year for everyone in the new school My uncontrollable curls of red bounce when I skip The odd green tiles catch my eye I don't realize that I will be walking these halls for eleven more years My finger painting stands out from the rest Mine resemble something unique

But in the halls of a school, energy is like a stream surrounded with laughter and shouts, with the sounds of teachers calming down children, preparing them for the progression of the day.

Spending time in these hallways, these waves, blend positive memories and grains of experience.

Protect that grain, for it’s the labor of your passion and every day, learn a little more until the day you leave and prepare for the next step as time burns, experience is gained and the water reaches many shores.

Remembering MIS

by Sydney Brittain I can remember my first year, When I was about three feet tall, And dreams of being a million things at one time.

I remember sitting in a circle, Speaking in Spanish about these dreams.

In kindergarten and first grade I began to read.

I also began to make new “amigos” and speak a new language.

In second and third grade my bonds with my now life-long friends became stronger, And spelling tests were held once a week.

I remember feeling powerful when I had my first class upstairs.

Fourth and fifth grade brought me to “Sneetches” from Dr. Seuss, and learning to be more realistic with these dreams.

At this point, architecture became my dream.

Middle school came and went, And I don’t really know how it just left.

Just like my time at MIS.

Every year I make strong bonds with my teachers and classmates As people leave, new ones arrive, I make new friends, A fight for a toy zebra made one of my inseparable amores, I pass the office where Joann helped my “injuries” All those days that I needed an ice pack, A kind smile.

But my best memories are of my friends, The lifelong bonds I have and the teachers the Español the plays the projects the food the celebrations the trips the Earth Days and making Missoula a cleaner place As I look back now, I see that I could not be happier going to any other school

For 11 years, I have spoken and learned Spanish.

I have had the ability to create and build dreams that are unbreakable.

I have learned about cultures that just make me want to learn more.

But only this year I have realized I will miss this place, And the teachers that came with my experience.

Everyone and everything here has shaped me to who I am.

Thank you. I like this person that I am.

And thank you for taking out a few bumps and obstacles in the long road ahead of me.

For I have new dreams to make, One million of them at a time.

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8th Grade Mexico Trip h Much More than A Travel Experience

Un Viaje Extraordinario

by Liza Littig

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never thought that saying goodbye would be so tough.

These people were basically strangers only a week ago.

But now they are friends, mejores amigos, if you will. That last day we danced, we sang, we hugged, we laughed; we laughed a lot. Before going to Mexico, I pictured it like a science-y trip with my six gringo friends; snorkeling, swimming and learning. I was super anxious; but that’s all I felt.

And I’m not going to lie, we did learn a lot. We learned that the Cetacea (or whales) were once land animals called Pakicetus. We learned about Phataria unifascialis, and the symbiotic creatures that live on their arms. They are not parasites, because we don’t know if they hurt this “common sea star.” We learned about where common sea stars prefer to inhabit; our results showed us that coral is the most preferred, but we only did four transects so we could not obtain certain results. We learned that when sea lions are preparing to attack, they blow bubbles under water. After our Mexican friends, Maricela and Carolina, were almost scared to death by a bubble-blowing sea lion, we learned that sometimes they blow bubbles for fun, to see if we get scared. We learned that sea lions are pranksters.

But more importantly, we made friends; life-long friends. Friends with different backgrounds, religion, language, skin color, even different ways to chew gum. In case you were wondering, they take bites instead of just shoving the stick in their mouth at once, like how we do it.

But none of our idiosyncrasies mattered because everyone accepted one another.

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Typical

by Kine Stimac

Clouds of mist roll over the glass barrier of the sky morning sun creeps over the wall of rocks that surround us the wind is frisky it throws a spray of salty mist that jolts me awake The sea creatures Pull the deep blue sheets Of the water over themselves Hiding from the outside Warm sun lathered sand Mold to my feet Slipping through my toes The blinding reflections of the sun pierce The crystal water Forcing a smile upon my face

One night, we walked to this different beach on the island Espiritus Santos, where we stayed most of the week, to watch the sun set and to quietly reflect. Think. Write.

Draw. Whatever. I wrote a poem, and while I was writing about my friends and this gorgeous trip, I smiled. No one could see me, but I smiled. A warm feeling crept all around my body; it was enough to make me want to hug everyone around me a hundred times. I smiled because, and I know it sounds cheesy but, we were all equal. Sometimes I would forget I was speaking a different language. Honestly, there were times when we would have to ask Oli, our bilingual instructor, or Karim, to translate some words. But that just helped us all grow so much.

At first they were surprised by how well we could speak Spanish, and every time, we couldn’t help but brag about MIS. But I mean truly, there is so much to brag about: the immediate immersion, the amazing teachers, the small classes. There is something so incredible about being able to go to a restaurant, and when the waiter starts speaking rough English, to say, “Puedes hablar español, todos podemos hablarlo.” (You can speak Spanish, we all can speak it.) The look of relief on the waiter’s face just fills me up with joy and satisfaction and the feeling of belonging.

For me, there is something so weird, almost wrong, about feeling like a tourist. And really, on all of our reflections we all write about how grateful we are to MIS for providing us with all of this knowledge and opening up doors to do different things and travel and all that. But that gratitude doesn’t actually kick in until you are experiencing it first hand; it’s almost enough to make you cry. This stunning journey, full of warm spirits and cheerful laughs, was an unbelievable, once in a lifetime opportunity that will always stay with me.

Once In A Lifetime

by Sydney Brittain

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amily and friends have asked me the question, “What was your favorite part about Mexico?” I really think that they are expecting me to say the beach, or the ocean that Montanans never see on a daily basis. But instead, I say, “the people.” The first time I was asked this question was once we arrived home. I was with the rest of the 8th graders, waiting to get our bags. I had to think about this question, and when one of us said, “the people,” everyone agreed. There was no way we would have had as much fun if it weren’t for the people we met.

I learned a lot from the EPI instructors in Mexico. I learned about the behavior of sea lions. I learned about marine life. I even learned how to snorkel. From the students, I learned local Mexican songs, games, and even new vocabulary words that I never would have learned without this experience.

I suggest that this trip should continue as a tradition; that all children should have this experience. I made lifelong friends in just seven short days. And for me, that’s a record. So thank you to MIS and EPI, for a life changing trip and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Mexico Highlights

by Mathias Kellman Gross

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day that stands out as a highlight for me is when we took a boat to the island, Espiritu Santo, off the coast of Baja California Sur. On the way there we saw whale sharks and we also interacted and mingled with the people in our boats. When we got to the island, we passed luggage from person to person until it reached the top of the beach.

That night we sat around the table under the shelter and we joked, ate and talked until dark when we finally went to bed. In reality, every moment I spent on that island was a highlight and I partly wished that it would never end.

My favorite part of the trip did not come when I saw the whale sharks or swam with the sea lions, but rather it came with the time that I spent with people. Whether they came from La Paz, Nashville or Missoula, distinct memories of the trip will linger in my mind forever. The hardest part of the trip came when our paths had to part. Many promises to stay in touch were made as we signed each other’s EPI shirts.

When we left La Paz, I reflected on how different my experience would have been without knowing any Spanish.

During the trip I almost forgot that I spoke English. I remembered how thankful I was to have the luxury of being able to speak a second language. Even though at some points in the trip I may have stuttered or not been able to understand some words, I could express my thoughts, feelings and opinions and that was incredibly powerful. This eighth grade trip to Mexico is an experience that I will remember forever.

Reflections of Mexico

by Addison Fleming

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n the second day, when the local kids arrived that afternoon, awkwardness filled the room with quiet whispers. Some kids were shy, some were loud. There were five boys and two girls. Mario, Daniel, Harif, Erick, Julian, Maricela, and Carolina. Our group of American girls welcomed Caro and Mari. From the very first handshakes with Carolina and Maricela; I learned something new. I learned that when they shake hands in Mexico, they lean in and kiss your cheek. You can imagine how stupid I looked not knowing that I had to kiss their cheeks. All of the kids were so open and kind. Our shy attitudes broke open into loud, judgement-free attitudes.

Not only did we learn about the kids and how they greeted us, we also learned about creatures that you don’t usually see in Missoula. We learned about whale sharks, sea lions, sea stars, whales, plankton, and so much more.

My favorite thing that I learned was that when sea lions thermoregulate, they get into a circle and they put one flipper in the air sticking out of the water. Luckily, we had the chance to see them do this twice. I absolutely loved interacting with all of the colorful sea creatures under water. I’m pretty sure you can’t find a balloon fish or a sea urchin in Flathead Lake.

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Notes from the Field

For over six years, MIS 6th and 7th grade students have attended the Teton Science School (TSS) in Jackson,WY. This amazing experience combines outdoor education with lots of hands-on exploration and fun. Students are engaged in outdoor science education programs which tie into our MIS science curriculum. In addition, students have the opportunity to challenge themselves, make new friends, and solidify their MIS community ties. At the Teton Science School, students are attending school, not “camp.” While there is much physical exercise, outdoor activities, exploration and fun, this is an academic endeavor.

Day 2: Discovery

If yesterday was amazing, then today was, well, stupendous! We began the day with a delightful breakfast of sausage, eggs, pancakes, and yogurt. From there we moved in to the field to discuss animal adaptations. We decided to take a hike up the mountain in the sunshine and slushy snow, while the sound of the river sang from below. We stopped on a steep hill to eat lunch and then play a game about resources compared to animal populations.

We continued on our journey, all the while getting to know one another better and waiting for the dreaded call of, “Camouflage!” from our instructor. At the top of a hill, we decided to talk about our surroundings and do an experiment about habitats, shelter and insulation. The challenge was to keep the cup of water inside your shelter as warm as possible or from losing energy. The shelter was made of all available organic materials but the trick was, it had to be touching the snow. Eventually we made our way back to campus where we enjoyed a lovely dinner. After dinner, our objective was to go on a night hike and find out as much as we could about nocturnal and crepuscular animal adaptations. All in all, the day was full of adventure, excitement and stunning views of the grand Tetons.

Day 3: Stewardship & Leadership

All groups learned what stewardship looks like at TSS. We helped our feathered friends by cleaning out their bird boxes and hanging new ones. We helped our human friends by improving trails around campus areas. In the afternoon, all groups learned about their leadership style and participated in several team building activities on the low ropes course.

Day 4: Research Day

To begin this day we ate with a hearty breakfast of eggs, waffles, sausage and yogurt and fresh strawberries. This was the day that we commenced the research for our projects. Our projects included a bird study in two sites, a study of pika at the gros ventre slide and the diversity of animals in the riparian areas.

The bird study: The Pine Martens went to two different rivers to look for the diversity of bird life. The first area was Blacktail Pond that had slower and clearer water with woods nearby.

The second site was called Ditch Creek and it had swifter water and muddier water close to a mountainous area. We had fun counting the bird life.

The Pika study: The Marmot group went to the Gros Ventre slide area. This slide was the largest landslide in N. America and deposited a bunch of talus and scree in a wide area. Pikas are small creatures that look like mice but are in the rabbit family. They live high altitudes over 6000 feet as they have a lot of fur and don’t like too much heat. Unfortunately, we only saw one pika and it didn’t count for our research!

The animal diversity study: The Weasels went to the Gros Ventre River and to Ditch Creek to study how many different species lived in the area. We conducted the research by marking a quadrant 10meters x 10 meters and then flagging scat, tracks, hair, bones or rubs. We took two samples at each site. The diversity difference between the two areas was minimal. While we were hiking we found a giant moose carcass!

Our dinner was sweet and sour chicken, rice, egg rolls and brownies. We played outside and then went to work in preparing the visual aspect of our research. We presented our research and then went to bed!

Unique Opportunity to Host an Amity

M

issoula International School is excited to announce that we will be hosting an Amity Institute intern for the 2015/2016 school year. Interns come to the U.S. to gain teaching skills through their assignment, to represent their language, culture and country, and to share their knowledge and ideas. They want to learn first-hand about American culture and improve their English. Next year’s intern is named Marta. Here is a glance at Marta’s biography: Marta is from Barcelona, Spain. She is 22 years old.

She went to the University of Barcelona and will be graduating this summer with a degree in Education.

She likes working with children and she considers herself a person who easily adjusts with enthusiasm and optimism. She looks forward to bringing her culture and knowledge to work with children in our school and children in her host family.

During this school year MIS families, the Kremkau’s and the Derry’s, hosted a wonderful young woman, Lorena Montaño, from Colombia. Lorena worked assisting the multiage preschool classes and was an integral part of the K/1 multiage groups and one Spanish middle school class. Lorena has been a wonderful addition to the MIS school community.

For this upcoming 2015/2016 year, we are looking for one family to host Marta.

You’ll find answers to many of your questions of what’s expected by a host family by visiting Amity Institute’s webpage for Frequently Asked Questions: http://www. amity.org/hffaq.html#cost

(Above) Lorena Montaño, MIS Amity Intern for 2014/2015, takes part in the Wildwalk Parade.

Summer is around the corner...make it memorable at MIS summer camp!

Please feel free to contact Karim or Patricia if you have questions or if you would like to host a visiting intern (kdelpozo@mismt.org and pcano@mismt.org.)

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MIS Alumni

Where are they now?

As MIS celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2015, MIS alumni celebrate their own achievements as they begin to grow up and branch out in the world. Where are they now? Just about anywhere on the globe, it appears, from a few of these class notes gathered recently: Rachel Tillman attended MIS until 2008 and graduated from Big Sky High School in 2013. She attends George Washington University in Washington, DC, where she is a sophomore studying International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Resolution and a minor in Spanish. Next semester she will be studying abroad in Barcelona or Amsterdam.

Stella Shannon attended MIS until 2008, graduated from Hellgate High School in 2014, and just finished her first year at Yale University. She is considering pursuing a major in Sociology or Economics. She is also studying Arabic and will be traveling abroad in Morocco this summer.

Gillian Bovard graduated from MIS in 2008. She graduated from Hellgate High School in 2012. She spent one semester as a cheerleader at Iowa State University and recently graduated from Boise State University with a degree in Spanish and Nonprofit Management. Last year, Gillian lived abroad for several months in Madrid, Spain, then came back to Missoula to complete some of her requirements for her degree in Nonprofit Management while working with the International Wildlife Film Festival and Missoula International School.

Sophia Leonard graduated from middle school at MIS in 2014 and attended Sentinel High School this year. She recently finished a very successful wrestling season as the first girl ever to complete the entire season. She also enjoys track.

Anastacia Stokstad graduated from MIS in 2009 and from Hellgate High School in 2013. She attends the University of Montana and recently spent 6 months abroad, living and studying in Greece. She is contemplating pursuing a major in communication studies and a possible minor in either Spanish or psychology.

Stella Gardner graduated from middle school at MIS in 2011 and just graduated from Hellgate High School with an IB Diploma. A member of the ski racing team, Stella also spent last summer working as an Au Pair for a family on an island off the coast of Spain. Next year, she will be attending Colorado College and will likely be studying international affairs.

Morgan Clark-Gaynor attended MIS until 2008 and just graduated from Hellgate High School, where she took IB classes. She will be studying at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon and hopes to study marine biology and/or creative writing. She traveled to Peru a couple of summers ago to teach English and eat potatoes and looks forward to traveling abroad in college.

Carley Lane attended MIS until 2010 and just graduated from Big Sky High School, where she was a member of the Lacrosse team. She traveled to Southern Mexico with other past MIS students (Nick and Alex Simmons and Matt Tillman) in the Spring. She plans to study sociology and Spanish. Last year, Carley traveled to Cuba with several other MIS alumni who were chosen to take part in an historic, global cultural exchange trip.

Gracie Kilminster-Bird graduated from middle school at MIS in 2014 and was a freshman at Hellgate High School this year. She enjoyed her role in Hellgate High School production of Alice in Wonderland this spring, and was accepted into a performing arts high school in Salt Lake City, Utah next year. She also wrote and directed a short film with her acting friends called Seventy-Four Weeks.

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Congratulations to Stella Gardner, Lily Chumrau, Lucy Simpson, Stellios Bonadurer, Remy Arnot, Morgan Clark-Gaynor, Carley Lane, Nick Simmons, and Ruby Kazemi on your graduation from high school! We wish you well in college and want to hear from you!

Have some news to share or simply want to say hi?

Email Office@mismt.org Gillian Bovard (MIS Class of 2008) spent some time at MIS this year organizing the school’s photo archives. (Pictured Above) Gillian and Dessa Lennox (MIS Class of 2009) participate in the IWFF Wildwalk Parade, circa 1997.

Remy Arnot graduated from MIS in 2011. She graduated in the top 10 of her class at Hellgate High School this year.

She was a member of the National Honor Society and took IB and AP classes. She will attend Gonzaga Univerity to study pre-dental.

Lily Chumrau (MIS Class of 2011) received the IB Diploma at Hellgate High School this year and will be attending the University of Montana.

Lucy Simpson also graduated from MIS in 2011 and completed the IB Diploma Program. She will be attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Lucy was admitted into the Anthropology-Geography major and will obtain a bachelor of science. She is very excited about their program and the opportunities for continuing from there into archaeology.

Owen McCubbin (MIS Class of 2014) recently received one of 25 grants offered to high school students to participate in the University of Montana Arabic Studies Program Montana Arabic Summer Institute. The course aims to develop and improve students’ Arabic-language skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing – and cultural knowledge in a fun and academic environment. Students will cook, dance and sing using Arabic. They also will learn how to enable and use Arabic (a right-to-left language) on their computers, iPads and smartphones. The grant covers the cost of tuition and instruction materials. Upon completion of the courses, each student will earn five college credits.

Nick Simmons attended MIS until 2009. He just graduated from Big Sky High School and will be attending Gonzaga University. He plans to study International Relations with an emphasis on Latin America. His trips to Cuba last year and Chiapas, Mexico were a big influence on his future plans.

MIS Alumni Are....

Risk-Takers MIS alumni are taking IB classes in high school and Spanish classes at the UM. Most MIS students

take sophomore level geometry as freshman. MIS students are fearless about study abroad and learning new languages!

Principled MIS alumni are leaders and volunteers in their community, facilitating workshops for the National Coalition Building Institute and leading advocacy groups for the Special Olympics.

Knowledgeable 3 out of 4 A’s awarded in the sophomore Biology class at Hellgate High School were MIS freshmen. One MIS alum took the SAT single subject exam in Spanish as a freshman, scoring 725/800. One MIS alumna took AP Calculus and received overall SAT/ACT scores of 2050/30. Every year, many MIS students join the National Honor Society.

Creative Two MIS students will attend High Schools for the performing arts next year, MIS alumni help lead Missoula Children’s Theater Performing Arts Camps in the summer, and an MIS alumna competed in this year’s state Poetry Out Loud competition.

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Join MIS for these upcoming 20th Anniversary Events Start the School Year Right... with a Plan and a Party!

SAVE THE DATE! October 9, 2015

M o n d a y, A u g u s t 3 1 s t

Fall Family Roundup & Fund a Dream at the Ranch Club

Classroom teachers reveal the educational plan for the year while the PA Council hosts a party!

Your whole family is invited!

Family Fun Kid’s Corral Live Auction & Fund a Dream Games and Prizes Pie Auction Hayrides

SAVE THE DATE! GDay is Coming!

October 9, 2015

MIS students & teachers host grandparents and grandfriends for a morning celebration of lifelong learning.

Middle School Overnight Trip!

Thursday, September 3Friday, September 4

Tuesday, September 29th

6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. The MIS Board of Trustees hosts an important meeting for all MIS parents.

rsary Cele br

on!

20th

A

ve nni

ati

4:00 P.M. Curriculum Meeting and Back to School Social for Preschool Families 5:00 P.M. Curriculum Meeting and Back to School Social for K-8 Multiage Families

Your Support is the MIS Advantage!

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” ~Benjamin Franklin

• 21st Century Education • Multiage Learning • Spanish Immersion • IB Primary Years Program

A direct gift to MIS is tax-deductible!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE! Visit: www.mismt.org/support Contact Bethany O’Connell, Director of Development, for information about giving gifts of stock or other charitable giving.

Your financial advisor can provide more information about how you may benefit from the tax advantages of giving to MIS. MIS is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with the tax EIN #81-0501614. THANK YOU!

Missoula International School 1100 Harrison Street Missoula, MT 59802 406.542.9924 www.mismt.org