Tirana International School June 20, 2018 Important Dates June 22 - Last Day of School (1/2 Day - students go home at 11:30 am) 25 - All school documents uploaded to parent accounts 25 - First Day of Summer Camp August 23 - First Day of School! Director's Desk Dear Parents and Friends of TIS, It with mixed feelings that we reach the end of another year of school. Naturally, our students and teachers are excited about all that they have accomplished this year in literacy, mathematics, science, history and the specials. Coaches are thrilled with the progress that we made in our sports endeavors and academic teams. Overall the school has growth in size and desire to academically excel. On the other hand, we are sad at this time of year as we will have friends move away and students transfer to new schools around the world. Last week, this bittersweet feeling started with our graduation ceremony (congrats to Sigve and Eliana!) and will continue until the last car drives away on Friday. So it is at this time of joy and sorry that we want to express our thanks to you as parents and supporters of the school. You have trusted us with your children and we sincerely hope that they have become better scholars, sportspeople, friends and humans as a result of their time here. We wish those of you leaving the best of success as you move to new adventures. To those of you who are staying, we will see you in August! Looking Forward, Robert S. Jackson, Director Check out the final newsletter of the year. Yearbook will be on sale Wednesday after school at the entrance and on Thursday at Ms. Giuliana's office. Number of copies limited, so hurry up! Price is 1500 ALL. FIRST Global FIRST Global organizes a yearly international robotics challenge to ignite a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among the more than two billion youths across the world. Support our TIS students that are involved in this wonderful project through the links below. Below are links to Team Albania's social media and GoFundMe page: RESCUE A FURRY FRIEND Dear TIS Families, Have you heard the disturbing news? The City of Tirana has decided to cull stray dogs as its official population management strategy. Previously, the City was spaying/neutering and tagging stray dogs. Students at TIS through Business For Good (BFG) also raised funds to spay/neuter eight stray dogs and vaccinate several puppies. If you or someone you know would consider adopting a dog, then we would like you to know about several dogs that are in need of homes and families to love. We invite you to embody the TIS Success Orientation “Concern for Others” and offer a desperate animal a loving home. The dog will give you more love in return than you could ever imagine. 2018-19 Vocal Music or Violin?? Next year, all children of TIS will have the opportunity to choose from the vocal music program or the violin program during music time. These classes meet 2 days a week for 45 minutes. We have a limited number of spaces for violin (approx 5-8 children per age group). Please read the information below to better inform your decision. Vocal Music - learn music in the way we do language: listen, verbalize, read and write (The Kodaly method) - learn though musical play: We dance, sing and enjoy music! - develop singing voice: This is the life long instrument all children have. - develop listening skills: higher order thinking is developed through listening to a variety of styles - 2 program per school year Violin - small group learning (5-8 students per class) - using the Suzuki method (read more about Suzuki here) - 2 concerts per school year (solo and ensemble) - children that progress well in this method will have opportunities to travel outside Albania to participate in Suzuki workshops and concerts. How to make the best decision for your child - Ask your child! What are they interested in and what will motivate them? - Evaluate your child's attention span. Are they able to concentrate for a period of time that will work well with violin study or group singing lessons? - Choose Violin if you are committed to helping your child with his/her musical development with practice at home. Young group violin students progress well when group lessons are paired with private instruction. This si not required, but recommended. Speak with Ms. Marjana for more information about private lessons. There will be a required parent workshop for parents of violin students so you will be informed how to help your child at home. - Violin students will need to purchase a violin (1/8, 1/4 1/2 size) Recommendations will be given in the fall for best purchase options. |