monthly

newsletterVolume 4 // Issue 2 // September 2017 Thu. AugustSept 28, 31, 2017 2017

monthly newsletter director’s message

Dear Parents, Dragi Părinți,

We launched this new academic year with an enrollment Acest an școlar a debutat cu un număr de înscrieri din from overseas parents that exceeded our expectations. This partea părinților din afara țării, care a depășit așteptările has precipitated further discussions at our Board Retreat noastre. Acest fapt a intensificat discuțiile în Consiliul de this month on how to accelerate our campus development Conducere de luna aceasta, în vederea unei dezvoltări plans to ensure that the facilities meet not only the number accelerate planurilor campusului, pentru a ne asigura că of new students, but also the quality of the teaching areas. dotările noastre corespund atât numărului mai mare de elevi, cât și calității spațiilor de învățare. The opening of the Early Learning Center has given much-needed, extra space for the Elementary and Second- Inaugurarea Centrului de Educație Timpurie ne-a oferit ary Schools, which were redeveloped over the summer to un spațiu suplimentar, extrem de necesar pentru Școala create seven new teaching spaces; three dedicated to the Elementară și Secundară, spațiu care a fost reorganizat pe Elementary School for Music and English as an Additional perioada verii pentru a crea șapte noi spații de învățare: trei Language and five to the Secondary School for our design au fost alocate Școlii Elementare pentru Muzică, și Limba program. The secondary library’s liberated spaces were con- Engleză ca Limbă Adițională, iar alte cinci au fost alocate verted too, in August, into classrooms for our Special Edu- Școlii Secundare pentru programul de Design. Spațiile bib- cational Needs program; likewise, the secondary art class- liotecii Școlii Secundare, rămase vacante, au fost de aseme- rooms were expanded and modernized to accommodate nea transformate în săli de clasă pentru programul nostru student and teacher requirements. de Nevoi Educaționale Speciale, iar sălile de clasă alocate cursurilor de artă au fost mărite și modernizate pentru a se But it is the Early Learning Center that will provide our first adapta cerințelor elevilor și profesorilor. catalyst for fundamental change in how we operate peda- gogically to ensure that we truly meet our Mission to pre- Centrul de Educație Timpurie este cel care va furniza prim- pare, engage and inspire our students. This new building ul catalizator în schimbarea fundamentală asupra modului will foster a philosophy that affords children opportunities în care operăm din punct de vedere pedagogic, pentru a to have some control over the direction of their learning ne asigura că într-adevăr îndeplinim misiunea de a pregăti, through sensory experiences. These youngest of children implica și inspira studenții. Această nouă clădire găzduiește must develop relationships with their peers in a material o filozofie ce oferă copiilor ocazia de a avea control într-o world of exploration. It is upon these infinite opportunities anumită măsură asupra acumulării de cunoștințe prin to express themselves that the basic building blocks of an experiențe senzoriale. Cei mai mici elevi ai noștri trebuie understanding of mathematics, language, science, technol- să-și dezvolte relațiile cu colegii lor într-o lume materială ogy, fine and gross motor skills, and the arts will develop. prin explorare. Doar prin intermediul acestor infinite opor- You can read more about this in my latest blog post: Break- tunități de auto exprimare se vor dezvolta elementele de ing the Mold? bază ale matematicii, limbajului, științei, abilitățile motorii fine și brute, precum și elementele de bază ale artei. Puteti Over the past two years, we have also been finalising build- citi mai multe despre acest subiect în ultimul meu post de ing designs for the expansion of the Secondary School pe blog: Breaking The Mold? building and the Design Center; the latter being the focus of this year’s capital campaign. As mentioned above, we im- De-a lungul ultimilor doi ani, am finalizat atât planurile plemented the first stage, of this three-stage project, over de expansiune ale clădirii Școlii Secundare, precum și ale the summer and were, thus, able to expand the elective of- Centrului de Design; cel din urmă fiind subiectul campaniei

2 | AISB Monthly Newsletter | 2017-2018 Thu. Sept 28, 2017 monthly newsletter

ferings to our high school students. de strângere de fonduri. După cum am menționat și mai sus, am implementat prima fază a acestui proiect compus But, it will be the Design Center that will mark the next din trei etape, de-a lungul verii, și am putut, prin urmare, să stage in our efforts to make fundamental changes to parts extindem ofertele opționale pentru elevii noștri de liceu. of our secondary curriculum. Education is often accused, and perhaps rightly, of being outmoded and too traditional Centrul de Design va fi cel care va marca următoarea etapă given the rapid changes that we are presently experiencing a eforturilor noastre de a face schimbări fundamentale în and, in the words of one anonymous student (not ours of anumite aspecte ale programei școlii secundare. Educația course), we, ‘read things that don't matter, then write pa- este adesea acuzată, și probabil pe bună dreptate, ca fiind pers saying they do matter, for points that don't matter, in demodată și prea tradițională dat fiind schimbările rapide order to get a job doing something totally unrelated’. pe care le întâmpinăm în prezent și, în cuvintele unui elev anonim (nu al nostru, desigur), “citim lucruri care nu sunt Our goal is quite simply to bring the future into our school, semnificative, apoi scriem despre ele în lucrări că sunt and for that to happen, in the words of Katrina Schwartz, in semnificative, pentru note care nu sunt importante, doar ‘How Opening Up Classroom Doors Can Push Education For- pentru a putea obține o slujbă în care facem ceva total ward’, we are going to have to be ‘twice as involved, go twice necorelat cu ceea ce am învățat” as deep and explain what we are doing'. That means being willing and able to not only change teaching practices, wel- Scopul nostru este de a aduce viitorul în școala noastră, come different voices into our discussions, and be critical iar pentru a fi posibil acest lucru, în cuvintele Katrinei of what teaching practices do not actually work; but, more Schwartz, în cartea “How Opening Up Classroom Doors Can importantly, acknowledge that vital to our success is an un- Push Education Forward” (Cum poate deschiderea ușilor derstanding that everyone shares the responsibility to cre- claselor împinge educația înainte), trebuie să fim de' două ate structures, both physical and educational, that capture, ori mai implicați, de două ori mai profunzi și să explicăm ceea promote and enhance our children’s potential. ce facem'. Aceasta înseamnă că trebuie să fim doritori și capabili să schimbăm nu numai practicile de învățare, să Regards, întâmpinăm pozitiv diferite voci în discuțiile noastre, și să fim critici în privința metodelor de învățare ineficiente; dar, mai important, să recunoaștem că vitală succesului nostru este înțelegerea că toată lumea împărtășește responsabil- itatea de a crea structuri, atât psihice, cât și educaționale, Robert Brindley care captează, promovează și măresc potențialul copiilor noștri.

Toate cele bune,

Robert Brindley

3 | AISB Monthly Newsletter | 2017-2018 Thu. Sept 28, 2017 back to school newsletter monthly newsletter school wide news

You Can't Take it With You Coming to a Theater Near You!

Do you think you have a crazy family? Wait until you meet the Vanderhofs!

This wacky family has a few odd hobbies, to say the least. For starters, Grandma, collects snakes. Her daughter Penelope is an eccentric play- wright and Paul, Pe- nelope’s husband, makes homemade fireworks. They have Ioana Alexandra Tulea, the two daughters: Al- ice, and Essie, who is Junior Balkan Equestrian an aspiring ballerina Champion of 2017. whose husband, Ed, Congratulations!!! has a passion for xy- lophones. We are proud of our student and athlete Ioana Alexandra Tulea’s re- All of this fun doesn’t cent major accomplishments in the leave much time for taxes or jobs… except for Alice who, unlike the rest of her equestrian Balkan Jumping Champi- family, has a job at the bank. It is here she meets her future fiancé, Tony Kirby. onship that took place in Bulgaria be- Nervous about Tony’s orderly family meeting hers, Alice instructs the Vanderhofs tween August 29th – September 4th. to be on their best behavior during a joint dinner. Due to an outstanding performance, However, plans go awry when the Kirby’s arrive a day early to the house and see Ioana is the winner of the Junior the true nature of Alice’s family, ending with them all being arrested! Will this turn Championship title for 2017, winner of events mean Alice has to call off her engagement? of the Grand Prix, and of the first In- dividual Qualifier, bringing home 3 Find out and join the family in: “You Can’t Take it with You”, presented by the AISB golden prizes, the Balkan Gold tro- Theatre Department at 16:00 on October 26th and 18:30 on October 27th. You phy and the Gold medal awarded by don’t want to miss this play that is sure to keep you laughing! the International Equestrian Federa-

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tion FEI, on the occasion.

Ioana Tulea, together with her horse and partner Vodka de Talma, brought the Balkan Junior Title back to after 23 years!

Selected by the Romanian Equestrian Federation FER, to repre- sent her country at this prestigious competition, Ioana managed to stand out among the best participating equestrians of her age category (15 – 18 years old). Her Grand Prix winning round can be watched here: https://youtu.be/YemSTpKXEs0

It looks like all the hard work, endless hours of practice over the past years, the professional approach, discipline and resilience paid off. Under the close guidance of the equestrian master and Internation- al trainer Constantin Pasarin, the results and the quality of Ioana’s work are in constant improvement, always excellence-driven.

Now entering her Senior year at AISB, Ioana reported having an ac- tive and fun summer, working on her extended essay and more, reading a lot, visiting universities, and at the same time continuing to practice at least 3 hours a day, 6 days a week, and attending Inter- national equestrian competitions around Europe with great success.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION AT AISB

Dear Parents,

There are moments when your child needs to receive his/her medication even at school. We would like to bring to your attention our school’s policy regarding the administration of medication to students by school personnel.

If your child must have medication of any type during school hours, including over-the-counter drugs, you may come to school and give the medication to your child at the appropriate times OR you may arrange for medication to be dispensed by the Med- ical Office staff (doctor/nurse).

In this second case, the prescription medication must be brought to the Medical Office and must be accompanied by a recom- mendation form signed by your physician for both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, mentioning the needed dosage and the number of times per day when the medicine needs to be administered.

The prescription medication will be administered ONLY by medical personnel (doctor/nurse) if it is in the original container that identifies the child by name, date of prescription and the date of expiration. There must be legible instructions for administration and the dosage must be age-appropriate for the child.

Students must know the time when the medication needs to be administered and come to the medical office at that specific time. For smaller children, the homeroom teachers need to be informed of the times when the medication should be adminis- tered in order for them to accompany the students to the medical office.

Please do NOT allow your child to carry/keep/put the medication in backpacks or lunch boxes.

The school medical personnel (doctor/nurse) will not administer any medication to students unless they have received a medica- tion form properly completed and signed by the doctor and the medication has been received in an appropriately labeled con- tainer. In fairness to those giving the medication and to protect the safety of your child, there will be no exceptions to this policy.

If you have any questions about this policy, or other issues related to the administration of medication at school, please contact the Health Office Manager, Anita Pop, MD, PhD, [email protected] . Thank you for your cooperation.

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British Explorer, Henry Evans, Visits AISB

During the last week of September, British scientist and explorer, Henry Evans, engaged students in Kindergarten through to DP with tales of his Antarctic expedition. He talked to students about cli- mate change, animals, scientific discoveries, and exploration over the past 100 years. To learn more about Henry’s expedition to the South Pole, you can borrow his book from the Secondary Library and view his website, Magnificent Ocean.

Updated Quick Links on the School Website

The school website's homepage menu has been updated to include a 'Quick Links' tab at the top. Within the Quick Links are up-to-date contacts for all school sections, and important links including PYP Dismissal, ManageBac, PYP Sites, Naviance, CHQ Athletics & Activities Sign Ups, and the Yearly Calendar. Furthermore, this page contains a direct link to the '10 Things You Should Know about AISB' handbook as well as the procedures for inquiries and concerns.

This update makes navigation easier for both desktop and mobile users. Check out the changes here: http://www.aisb.ro/quick-links/

6 | AISB Monthly Newsletter | 2017-2018 Thu. AugustSept 28, 31, 2017 2017

monthly newsletter pto message Dear AISB families, PTO Executive Team September is coming to a close and one full month of the school year is finished. So many things have already happened and many more are still to come! Sian Ashenden President

Secondary school class trips were a big success, thank you to all the teachers that supported our [email protected] students as they traveled far and wide. After school athletics and activities are in full swing, MAP testing is complete and we have had our first wonderful author visits. Primary school Parent-Teach- er conferences gave everyone a chance to check in and see how the school year is starting. Neeta Agnani A huge thank you goes to everyone who assisted or attended the Terry Fox Run and Welcome Vice President: Back BBQ. Thanks to the generosity of our community and sponsors, we raised over 8000 Euros for Early Learning cancer research. Representative

The PTO is also busy putting together meetings to benefit all areas of the school. In order to be Dawn Kovacs more responsive to parent questions and feedback, we have created some new email addresses: Vice President: Elementary • To reach the ELC representative, please write to [email protected] Representative • The Elementary representative can be reached at [email protected] • And the Secondary school representatives are [email protected] • Of course, if your question, concern or comment is across the school, we continue to use pto@ goaisb.ro Jema Rahat Vice President: Middle School Having these new email addresses means that from year to year even if the representative chang- Representative es, the correct person will receive your email.

Coming up in October are the ever-popular Early Learning Center and Elementary School Hallow- Fabiana een events! Both will be held on Tuesday, October 31st, you will receive more information as the Papastefani date approaches. Vice President: High School Enjoy the start of autumn, Representative

Sian Ashenden, PTO President Justine Christianopoulos Don’t forget to like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/aisbpto) and visit us on the school Secretary website (http://www.aisb.ro/community/pto/)

Despina Szavuj Treasurer

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monthly newsletter legacy of giving The Step into the Extraordinary Campaign for the AISB Design and Engineering Center continues in its final stages at the beginning of the 2107-2018 school year. Having reached over 50% of its goal, the campaign aims to provide funds for the outfitting of a build- ing which promises to be one of a kind in Eastern Europe.

Over the summer break, the first investment of around 100,000 Euros was made, bringing to life the Film, Computer, Robotics, Journalism and Textile Design Classes. When you are at the school, make your way to this side of the campus to see these beautiful rooms and envision the innovative projects that will take place there, alongside our students.

The Step into the Extraordinary Campaign will enable us to take the following steps: • Remove the play equipment from the former Early Childhood area and enclose the building with an- other section which will be two stories high; • Build classrooms which will be used by Elementa- ry and Secondary School students; • Create food science laboratories and environmen- tally friendly gardens, an amphitheater, a music and sound lab, an exhibition area, and a recreational area; and • Outfit all of the newly built rooms.

This hub of innovation and creativity will be open to students, parents and mentors alike and will function as a school within a school, offering a different take on education and engagement.

How can you be involved? It is very true that to build something which will set us apart, a large amount of funds is needed and we are deeply grateful to the sponsors who have already joined us. Nothing would be possible without their fi- nancial support. Our entire Board of Trustees, several members of our parent community, alumni, current faculty and staff, the school Leadership Team and or- ganizations outside of our communities have contrib- uted to making this dream a reality for our children. We need everyone’s help, so bring your ideas, your time to invest in our students, and your expertise and come have fun in the AISB Design and Engineering Center.

8 | AISB Monthly Newsletter | 2017-2018 Thu. AugustSept 28, 31, 2017 2017

monthly newsletter buzz Raiffeisen Bank Bucharest

The 10th Edition of the Bucharest Marathon is tak- ing place in a few weeks, on October 14th and 15th. Watch last year's official video to get a glimpse of the energy throughout the day.

Online registration closes on September 30th so if you're still unsure about whether or not you're tak- ing part, jump right in and sign up! If you miss the online registration deadline, you can still sign up in person on October 13th and 14th based on availa- bile places. Don't miss out!

Choose between a number of races for yourself and for your children: • Marathon (42,195 km) • (21,097 km) • Race (10km) SOLD OUT • Relay (4 x 10,05 km) • Popular Race 3,9 km • Teen Race 3,5 km (teenagers 14 – 19 years old) • Kids Race, 0-5 years old category (0.8 km) • Kids Race, 6-7 years old category (0.8 km) • Kids Race, 8-9 years old category (0.8 km) • Kids Race, 10-11 years old category (1.4 km) • Kids Race, 12-13 years old category (1.4 km) • Jogging in Diapers (850 m)

Visit www.bucuresti-maraton.ro for more informa- tion and to register for race day.

Bucharest Science Festival 2017: Sept 27-Oct 1

The 5th edition of the Bucharest Science Festival is taking place be- tween September 27th - October 1st. Take part in a number of excit- ing and educational ateliers, for children and adults alike, across the city! Find out more online and sign up to visit your favorite events at http://www.bucharestsciencefestival.ro/

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16 NOVEMBER 2017 HOTEL CIȘMIGIU 38 Regina Elisabeta Blvd., Bucharest

Networking & Good Life event for Expats, Repats & Romanians Powered by

Feel at Home Fair: November 16, 2017

A premium event combining a fair with a panel, an ex- International Theater Festival for Children: pat guide anniversary launch and networking. This is the October 7-14, 2017 fourth large-scale event organized by City Compass Group, after the first three editions of the Expat Fair. The new se- The 13th edition of the International Theater Festival for ries of events under the Feel at Home in Romania name Children takes place between October 7 -14 in Bucharest. will bring together the expat niche and the larger group of internationallyminded Romanians, all in search of quality It brings together 22 productions for children between 6 business connections, reliable information and premium months and 12 years old. The event will also feature activ- products & services tailored to their needs – for a GOOD ities for those interested in the educational role of theater LIFE in Romania! and art as well as parenting conferences.

When: November 16, 2017, 3 to 10 PM Theater companies from nine countries will attend the fes- Where: Hotel Cismigiu, top floor tival to work alongside companies from Romania.

For more information, visit: http://www.feelathome.ro/ For more information, visit: http://www.fitc.ro/

Start 2 Play: Bucharest Toys and Gadgets Fair: Dracula Film Festival: October 18-22, 2017 October 25-26, 2017 The fifth edition of the Dracula International Film Festival Calling all children and adults aged 3 to 100! Romexpo Bu- will be held from October 18th to 22nd, 2017 in Brasov, charest will host the first edition of the international Start Romania. Enjoy short films, animation and feature film- 2 Play fair on October 25th and 26th between 10am and makers working horror, sci-fi, gore, thrillers, supernatural, 7pm, dedicated to games, gadgets, and toys. Visitors will dark comedies, animation, experimental films, cult and cut- be able to choose from electronic toys, boardgames, dolls ting-edge films within the horror, fantasy and science fic- and stuffed toys, collection games, handcrafted games, tion genre. The website is continually being updated with video games, outdoor games, and much more. the most up-to-date information and detailed schedule.

For more information, visit the FaceBook event here. For more information, visit: http://www.fitc.ro/

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monthly newsletter the month ahead OCT Yearbook Photos: Secondary OCT OCT School Individual Student Secondary School SAT October Break 2&5 Portraits 7 16-20

High School Counselors Let's Have a Tea Talk with the OCT Yearbook Photos: Secondary OCT Corner OCT Secondary School Vice Princi- School Grade Photos // 08:10-09:10 pal // 13:45-14:45 3 10 // Community Room 13 24 // Community Room 13

Transition Workshop Parenting Matters: A Positive Whole Brain Child OCT for New Families OCT OCT Approach to Parenting Discus- Book Discussion // 08:10-09:30 sion Group (all Kinder-Grade 5 for ELC and ES Parents 2 // Community Room 13 11 25 parents invited)

Grade 6 Counselor - Summary of FCD Visit, OCT Principal - Parent Meeting OCT OCT Secondary School PSAT Including Student Feedback // 13:45-14:45 (Gr 6-12) // 13:00-14:00 3 // Community Room 13 11 26

Secondary School Autumn Whole Brain Child Middle School OCT OCT OCT Season Trips Information Book Discussion Boys & Girls Tennis Session // 14:30-15:00 for ELC and ES Parents // Sofia & Prague respectively 4 11-14 26 // Secondary Library

Elementary School Parent High School Play // Theater OCT Secondary School IB TAPS OCT Coffee Meeting OCT October 26: 16:00-17:30 Festival // London // 08:10-09:40 October 27: 18:30-20:00 4-7 12 // Community Room 13 26-27

Learning Resources & Informa- Child Protection Training PTO General Meeting OCT OCT tion Literacy: How to Support OCT for Parents // 13:00-14:30 Your Child (Gr 6-8) // 13:45- // 08:10-09:00 // Theater 5 12 14:45 // Community Room 13 27 // Theater

Assessment in the Diploma Halloween Party for Early OCT Programme for Grade 11 OCT High School Art Exhibition OCT Learning and Elementary // 18:30-19:30 // Atrium School Students 5 // Community Room 13 12-30 31

Early Learning Center Parent/ Learning Resources & Informa- OCT Principal Coffee OCT OCT tion Literacy: How to Support IB Music Recital // 08:10-09:00 Your Child (Gr 9-12) // 13:45- 6 // ELC 12 31 14:45 // Community Room 13

School-Wide Events OCT BISAC U9 & U11 Vampire OCT Early Learning Center Events Whole School Field Day Football Classic Elementary School Events 7 13 Secondary School Events 11 | AISB Monthly Newsletter | 2017-2018