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OUR SCHOOL
OUR WORLD FAMILY At Copenhagen International School (CIS), August is always a time of new beginnings, fresh faces and a celebration of the diversity and internationalism of this unique community.
PHOTOGRAPH COPENHAGEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
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ALISON BLACK-STORM - COPENHAGEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
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THIS YEAR IS no different – the school welcomes a new Director in Sandy Mackenzie who makes the transition from Atlanta International School. Although new to this position, his is a well-known face to some as he worked with the school fifteen years ago as the IB Diploma Coordinator, and a Mathematics teacher. It is estimated that, in August, 150 students will join the school, across the 3-18 age range. Those students will hail from over 30 countries, meaning that there will be at least 80 nationalities represented in the community. That diversity in the student body assists the school in realizing the mission of the International Baccalaureate – encouraging students to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right – and creating a rich environment within which young people can learn. When so many students, teachers, and families move to Denmark, it is vital that they are given appropriate orientation and support in those crucial first few weeks of the new school year. Through pastoral programs, buddies, ambassador families, orientation sessions, cultural introductions and field trips, newcomers are assisted in their transition. Advisors, Counselors and Administration ensure that the open-minded and balanced attributes of the IB Learner Profile are prioritized at CIS and help to ensure that bullying of any kind is addressed appropriately. At Copenhagen International School, people do not stay “new” for very long. They are welcomed warmly and within weeks, feel like one of the family. When away from their home country, making new friends is vital for a family to enjoy all of the wonderful ways of life in Denmark. The language and culture of Denmark are integral and valuable parts of the experience at CIS. Students learn Danish – some as beginners, others at a native level – within the IB curriculum of PYP (Primarily Years programmes), MYP (Middle Years Programme) and DP (Diploma Programme). Some Danish families choose CIS for their children because of the superb teaching, the international curriculum and the diversity of the community. Despite enjoying state-of-the-art facilities in a purposebuilt campus, overlooking the water in Nordhavn, CIS is
AUGUST 2019 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM
built on a rich history of tradition. The students joining the school in 2019 do so 56 years after the opening of the school in 1963, as one of the twelve founding schools of the International Baccalaureate – an organization that today has over 5088 affiliated schools in 156 countries worldwide. As the new families join CIS, friendships will be formed, and collaboration will occur across a multitude of cultures. THE-INTL
"AT COPENHAGEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, PEOPLE DO NOT STAY "NEW" F O R V E RY L O N G. T H E Y A R E W E L COMED WARMLY AND WITHIN WEEKS, FEEL LIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY."