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WAB News Archive 2006/07 School Year

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News Archive: August 2006

Basketball Camp at WAB this week Date: 9 - 11 August 2006 Location: HUB Gym, tennis courts, outside Basket Ball court, ES Gym (half) WAB will be hosting the Divac Youth Basketball Camp over the next few days. Approximately 100 students from different schools across Beijing will be participating in the camp, which will take place at the following times/locations: Date Time Location 9 August 9:00 am - 3:00 pm HUB Gym Tennis Courts Outside Basketball Court ES Gym (Half) 10 August 9:00 am - 3:00 pm HUB Gym Tennis Courts Outside Basketball Court ES Gym (Half) 11 August 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Tennis Courts Outside Basketball Court Lunch will be served in the Atrium on Wednesday and Thursday, and in the area adjacent to the tennis courts on Friday. While this will add some complexity to our New Student Orientation Day activities on Friday, the schedule has been coordinated to ensure as little disruption to WAB activities as possible. New Student Orientation Day Date: August 11 2006 Time: 9:00 am - 02:00 pm Location: WAB School Campus New Student Orientation Day will be held this Friday August 11 for all new students and parents. Complimentary refreshments will be served in the Atrium (for ES) and in Bamboo Court (for HS). MS students will participate in the picnic lunch. Feel free to wander around and become familiar with the surroundings while you are waiting. Parent information sessions are scheduled at 9.30 – 10.30 am in the Bamboo Court and Amphitheater for HS, 10.30 – 11.15 am in Founders Theater for ES and 1.00pm to 2.00pm in the Blu Theater for MS. MS and HS students will attend the presentation session with their parents while Elementary students will stay with the new teacher in the students’ classrooms. After the parent presentations, you are welcome to visit information booths in the ES gym (ES) and HUB gym (MS and HS) where you can speak personally with staff members about various programs, activities and services at WAB including bus services, ASA, WAB-X, language programs, PE, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Arts as well as find out about community services such as Sports Beijing and Health Centers. High School Sneak Peek Date: August 12 2006 Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Location: High School Center Join us for a pre-opening view of our new High School Center on Saturday, August 12. Student Ambassadors will be on hand to provide tours and refreshments will be available. Back to School 2006/07 Date: August 14 2006 Time: 8:30am – 3:20pm Location: WAB School Campus All school centers Elementary School, Middle School and High School will all begin at 8:30am and finish at 3:20pm on August 14 with the exception of Kindergarten students and students in the Early Childhood Center. *Kindergarten (KG) students will start at 8:30 am and finish early at 12:00 noon for the first two weeks August 14 – 25 and for the remainder of the year will finish at 3.20pm. Early Childhood Center All Nursery students will be on a rotating timetable which will be advised to parents. All Pre-Kindergarten students will go home at 12:00 noon each day for the first 2 weeks of the new school year from August 14 – 25 and after this will finish at 3:20pm with the exception of each Wednesday for the remainder of the school year, when they will finish early at 12:20pm. PTA Welcome Coffee Event Date: August 22 2006 Time: (ECC & ES) 8:45 am & (MS & HS) 1:45 pm Location: Lotus Lounge (Elementary School) & Wild Ginger Cafe (High School) New and returning WAB families are invited to the PTA Welcome Coffee event, to be held next Tuesday August 22. This is a great opportunity for parents to meet each other and learn more about the activities of the PTA. There will be a morning tea welcome for ECC and Elementary School parents at 8:45 am in the Lotus Lounge, in the Elementary School Center, followed by an afternoon tea for Middle and High School parents at 1:45 pm at the Wild Ginger Cafe in the High School Center. Elementary School Parent Workshop & Coffee Morning: 'A Transition Workshop About Moving to Beijing' Date: August 22 2006 Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: ECC Have you recently arrived in Beijing? Have you come from another country or from home? Please join us to learn about and discuss: - Transition - How it can impact upon yourself, your children and your family - Strategies to support yourself and your family during this time High School Official Opening Date: August 25 2006 Time: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Location: High School Center WAB families and staff are invited to join us for the official opening of WAB's new High School Center, which will take place on Friday August 25 from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm. To confirm your RSVP at the dinner and opening ceremony celebrations, please contact Angela Snowball on 8456 4155 (x.1014) or email asnowball@wab.edu by Monday August 21. Hard copy invitations will be sent home with students this week and High School students will receive gift bags next week. Community Picnic Date:August 26 2006 Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Location: WAB Sport Ground Leave your best clothes behind and come along to the WAB Community Picnic on Saturday August 26 from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm. This action-packed day which includes fun games and a big barbeque is a great way to meet some new faces and see the WAB spirit come alive! Elementary School Open Houses - August 29 & 31, 2006 Elementary School families are invited to join us for the Elementary School Open House events this week at WAB. This is a great opportunity to meet your child's homeroom and single subject teachers and find out more about their learning programs and routines. Please see the following schedules below for your child/s grade level. ES Open House: Nursery to Grade 1 Date: August 29, 2006 Time Class Location 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ESOL ELE 1 1106 Yellow Wing 2051/2053B Blue Wing 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm ECC ECC Piazza 7:30 pm - 8:15 pm Kindergarten Grade 1 Drama Studio Founders' Theater ES Open House: Grade 1 - Grade 5 Date: August 31, 2006 Time Class Location 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm ESOL ELE 2 ELE 3 1106 Yellow Wing 2051/2053B Blue Wing 2051/2053B Blue Wing 6:45 pm - 7:30 pm Grade 2 Grade 3 Founders' Theater Drama Studio 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm ESOL ELE 4 ELE 5 2049 Blue Wing 2051/2053 Blue Wing 2051/2053 Blue Wing 7:30 pm - 8:15 pm Grade 4 Grade 5 Founders' Theater Drama Studio Grade 11 Creativity Action Service - (CAS) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Date: August 30, 2006 Time: 7:00 pm Locaton: High School Amphitheater Grade 11 parents are encouraged to join us for a presentation this week on the Creativity Action Service (CAS) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) programs. CAS is a curriculum requirement for all WAB Grade 11 students, while students studying the full IB Diploma must complete the TOK course. Come along to the High School Amphitheater this Wednesday from 7:00 pm and learn more about these important programs. Refreshments will be available. MS & HS ESOL OPEN HOUSE Date: September 5, 2006 Time: 7:00pm Location: HUB Middle School and High School Middle School and High School parents are invited to attend the upcoming ESOL Open House next Tuesday. • How does my son/daughter learn English at WAB? • Should I get a tutor for my son/daughter? • How do I help my son/daughter at home? • Should my son/daughter still study his/her mother tongue language? Everyone is welcome! MYP Parent Workshop Date: September 7, 2006 Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm Location: High School Amphitheater Parents of Grade 6 - 10 students are invited to join us for an introduction to the philosophy and guiding principles of the MYP. Clean Up The World Date: September 16, 2006 Location: Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills Park). WAB students and staff are invited to join the ‘Clean up the World’ event organized by the Beijing City government this Saturday September 16 from 2:30pm - 6:30pm at Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills Park). Attendees will include international students, VIPs from Beijing government, representatives from the Olympics Organizing Committee, embassy staff and others! Participants are invited to engage in environmental discussion, view demonstrations of artwork using recycled materials, visit displays, enjoy a series of performances, a buffet picnic and an artwork auction. If you would like to participate please contact Rosa 6339 0863/6339 0553 or fax 6332 0335. E-mail:rosa@chinasunbelt.com High School Open House Date: September 19, 2006 Location: High School Center. High School parents are invited to join us for the High School Open House evening this Tuesday September 19. The evening will commence with a short presentation in the High School Amphitheater at 6:15pm, followed by an opportunity for parents to meet with teachers and learn about the curriculum, assessment and timetables for each subject area. Grade 11 Presentation - 'Navigating College Applications' Date: September 20, 2006 Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm Location: High School Amphitheater Grade 11 students and their parents are invited to a presentation on Wednesday September 20, entitled 'Navigating College Applications'. The presentation will cover various kinds of college applications, college entrance tests, transcript and essay requirements, financial aid opportunities and other important aspects of this process. All Grade 11 parents should attend this important session. Middle School Open House Date: September 21, 2006 Time: 6:15pm - 8:40pm Location: Middle School Center and HUB Middle School parents are invited to 'be a student again' at the Middle School Open House evening this Thursday September 21. Follow your son/daughter's rotating timetable, meet with teachers, and learn more about each subject area. For more information, please see the pdf attachment emailed to parents last Friday. Grade 11 & 12 College Visits Date: September 15 - 22, 2006 Location: High School Amphitheater , Shangri-La Hotel. The following universities will be visiting Beijing and WAB for a series of presentations over the coming weeks. This is a great opportunity for parents and students to learn more about the applications process at these respected North American and European colleges. College Date Time Location Linden Educational Services Art and Design 12 September 6:00pm - 9:00pm Shangri-La Hotel (29 Zizhuyuan Lu) Carleton University 15 September 11:30am - 12:30pm High School Amphitheater Franklin College Switzerland 19 September 11:00am - 12:00pm High School Amphitheater University of Alberta 21 September 11:30am - 12:30pm High School Amphitheater University of Pennsylvania 22 September 3:30pm High School Amphitheater Brown University 22 September 3:30pm High School Amphitheater Middle School Dance Date: September 22, 2006 Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm Location: Out of the Box Theater, HUB. The Middle School Dance will take place on Friday, September 22 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm in the Out of the Box Theater, HUB. The cost of the dance is 15RMB, which is payable in advance. A permission letter will be sent via Infobyte to MS families next week. The theme is ‘Black and White’. This Dance is for WAB Middle School students (Grade 6 - 8) only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Donna Connolly, Middle School Principal at dconnolly@wab.edu. 'WAB Friday Nights in the HUB' Launch Date: September 22, 2006 Time: 7:15pm Location: HUB. WAB Friday Nights in the HUB' program is officially launched this Friday at 7.15pm! High School students and their friends are welcome to come along and take part in the basketball league, the pool/snooker and table tennis competition, and the play station games center. Enjoy the relaxed environment as the Link is transformed into a social and entertainment hub! Enjoy a bite to eat, listen to our resident DJ and meet students from other international schools here in Beijing. 'WAB Friday Nights' will take place each Friday evening from 5:00pm - 8:30pm. Biathlon-Triathlon Launches ‘WAB OLYMPIC DREAM SERIES' Date: September 23, 2006 Time: 9:00am - 11:30am Location: WAB Astroturf Sportsfield and Athletics Track Over 430 students, staff and parents are registered for this weekend’s Elementary School Biathlon and Triathlon. This is the first in our series of Olympic Dream events and it’s great to see all the enthusiasm from students and parents. We would appreciate the support of any parents who are able to act as marshals on the day. If you are interested, please contact Jane Mycroft at jmcroft@wab.edu. New Zealand Author Visit & Luncheon Date: September 25, 2006 Time: 12:00pm Location: Wild Ginger Café -High School Center. As a reminder, acclaimed New Zealand authors Margaret Mahy and Tessa Duder will be visiting WAB on Monday September 25 to lead a series of literary workshops with Elementary, Middle and High School students. A special display of Margaret and Tessa’s books can be found outside the Sabina Brady Library (ES) and in the High School Library ‘Qing Tian Ge’ Study Room. Interested parents are invited to join us for a luncheon at 12 noon with Tessa and Margaret in the Wild Ginger Café, at the High School Center. To RSVP, please contact Elementary School Teacher Librarian, Jane Edgar, at jedgar@wab.edu. Elementary School Parent Workshop Series: "Third Culture Kids" Date: September 26, 2006 Time: 9:00am - 11:00am Location: Video Room 2073 Children and young people who have extended exposure to an expatriate lifestyle are enriched beyond measure as a result of their experience. However, this can also come at a cost in terms of identity and a sense of belonging. A third culture kid is generally defined as someone who is living outside of his or her home culture or the culture of his or her parents. This session is for parents who are interested in learning more about this unique aspect of living overseas. To register for any of these workshops and to confirm the location details, please contact the Elementary School Counseling Department Secretary, Sally You, by email at syou@wab.edu or telephone 84564155 ext. 1024. PTA Meeting Date: September 26, 2006 Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm Location: High School Library Study Room The next PTA meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 26 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. The meeting will be held in the High School Library Study Room on the second floor of the High School. WAB Annual General Meeting and Board Elections Date: September 26, 2006 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Location: High School Amphitheater WAB parents are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday September 26. The evening will include the presentation of the annual School Report 2005-06 and the overview of plans for 2006-07. In addition, three new Board Members will be elected. The candidates are: Ruud Derks (Dutch), Frances Fremont-Smith (USA), Tina Dige Kjaergaard (Danish), Frank J. Whitaker (USA) and Shiva Yan (Canadian). For further information, please contact Ashley Howlett, Board Chair, at 1350 117 8767 or ahowlett@jonesday.com. Elementary Adventure Challenge Days: “To boldly go where no WAB student has gone before.” Date: September 26 - 28, 2006 Time: 8:40am - 11:00am Location: ES gymnasium Elementary School students get physical this week with PE Challenge Days! During these fun and confidence-building PE sessions, students will participate in a variety of physical exercises designed to enhance their cognitive, motor, and fitness development. Challenges begin at 8:40am and run until about 11:00am according to the following schedule: Class Date Location Grade 5 September 26 ES Gymnasium Grade 4 September 27 ES Gymnasium Grade 3 September 28 ES Gymnasium All sessions will be held in the ES gymnasium. Parents are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Derek Davies, PE Teacher, at ddavies@wab.edu. Elementary School Parent Workshop Series: " 1, 2, 3, 4 Parents! Parenting Children Ages 1 to 4" Date: September 27, 2006 Time: 9:00am - 10:30am Location: Early Childhood Center Is parenting your little one tougher than you’d imagined? Perhaps you’d benefit from this program, which uses video, activities and group discussion to support parents raising young children. The program covers: 1) Discipline methods that work, 2) How to prevent tantrums, 3) How to make rules your child will follow, 4) Routines that make life easier, and 5) Great ways to take care of yourself! Middle School Parent Workshop: "H.E.L.P - How to Enjoy Living with a Preadolescent" Date: September 28, 2006 Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm Location: Red Scroll Library (Middle School) Explore the ups and downs of raising a Middle School student through a lively and entertaining discussion - 'H.E.L.P. How to Enjoy Living with a Preadolescent'. All Middle School parents welcome! To register your RSVP, please contact Nancy Lu in the Middle School Office on 8456 4155 ext. 5000 by Thursday September 14. Onsite Flu Shots Date: October 10 - 12, 2006 Location: ES Clinic, MS Clinic, HS Clinic. The school has organized onsite flu shots (provided by Bayley & Jackson clinic) - for the WAB community including staff, parents and students according to the following schedule: Date Time Location 10 October 3:00pm - 5:00pm HS Clinic 11 October 3:00pm - 5:00pm MS Clinic 12 October 3:00pm - 5:00pm ES Clinic The flu shots vaccines could be limited and available on first-come-first serve basis at 80RMB each. Middle School and High School Parent Teacher Conferences Date: October 10 - 11, 2006 Time: 2:30pm – 5:30pm Location: HUB Gymnasium, HS Gymnasium. Parents are invited to join their child’s teacher for a Parent Teacher Conference on October 10 or 11. These conferences provide the opportunity for parents to consult with their children’s teachers and to follow-up with any questions or concerns from Interim Reports. Conferences will be 10 minutes in length. Parents are invited to drop in for a conference according to the schedules listed below. Conference Time Location Middle School 2:30pm - 5:30pm MS HUB Gymnasium High School 3:45pm - 5:45pm HS Gymnasium In some cases, teachers have made specific requests on the Interim Report to meet with students at the Parent/Teacher Conferences. Should you be unable to attend during the listed times, please contact the school to make alternate arrangements for meeting. Parents requiring translators are encouraged to bring their own translator. If this is not possible, parents should inform the school ahead of time that a translator is required and the school will seek to provide this for you. Please note that both MS and HS students are highly encouraged to remain at school and attend conferences with their parents. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Students NOT attending parent teacher conferences should depart from school as usual. MS Students will be dismissed at 2:00pm with buses leaving WAB at 2:15pm. HS students will be dismissed as usual with buses leaving WAB at 3:45pm. Please see attachment for bus routes. If you have any questions or comments regarding Parent-Teacher Conferences, please do not hesitate to contact Donna Connolly, Middle School Principal, 13601256192 or Jim Scorgie, High School Principal, 13901109349. Parent Workshop Series & Coffee Mornings: Parenting Children Ages 1 to 4 Date: October 11, 2006 Time: 9:00am – 10:30am Location: Early Childhood Center Is parenting your little one tougher than you thought it would be? This program uses videos, activities and group discussion to support you to learn skills for parenting a young child. The program covers: Discipline methods that work How to prevent tantrums How to make rules your child will follow Routines that make life easier Great ways to take care of yourself! Grade 11 & 12 College Visits Date: October 13 - 24, 2006 Location: High School Amphitheater The following universities will be visiting Beijing and WAB for a series of presentations over the coming weeks. This is a great opportunity for parents and students to learn more about the applications process at these respected North American and European colleges. College Date Time Location Note Lincoln University (New Zealand) 13 October 11:30am - 12:00pm HS Amphitheater UNSW (Sydney, Australia) 16 October 11:30am - 12:30pm HS Amphitheater UNSW is a prominent member of Australia's Group of Eight universities Rochester University (New York, US) 16 October 3:00pm - 4:00pm HS Amphitheater University of London (London, UK) 17 October 11:30am - 12:30pm HS Amphitheater Presentation on "Studying in the UK and at the University of London" University of Hatford (Connecticut, US) 19 October 11:30am - 12:30pm HS Amphitheater American University of Paris (Paris, France) 19 October 3:00pm - 4:00pm HS Amphitheater International Institute of Education College Fair 19 October TBA HS Amphitheater Bryant University (Rhode Island, US) 20 October After Lunch- 12:30pm HS Amphitheater For students interested in attending this particular college visit, please come to Guidance Office to register with Michelle. University of Illinois (Illinois, US) 24 October 11:30am - 12:30pm HS Amphitheater Come To a Family Picnic Day With Dr. Jane Goodall Date: October 15, 2006 Time: 12:00pm - 3:30pm Location: Farm House, Shunyi. Sunday, October 15th 2006, 12:00 noon – 3:30pm at the Farm House, Shunyi (near the intersection of Jingshun Lu and N. 6th Ring Rd – map on ticket). Tickets: 400 yuan for adults, 200 yuan for children. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and are available from Susan Cannon, MS room 5221, or Cathy Jones, HS room 7229. (Drop us an email to reserve your ticket.) Ticket purchase includes an organic lunch buffet. There will be games for kids, lucky draw, a speech by Dr. Jane, and time for conversing and book signing with Dr. Jane. Ticket sales support the Jane Goodall Institute’s Programs in China, including the Roots & Shoots Environmental Education Program. JGI China works on education and awareness concerning environmental conservation and wildlife protection. JGI China Roots & Shoots student-based environmental and humanitarian program has trained more than 500 teachers in China, with more than 10,000 Chinese students benefiting from the program. Download flyer below: Family Picnic Day with Dr. Jane Goodall» JPEG format 208kb High School Parent's Coffee Mornings Date: October 17 - 19, 2006 Time: various Location: HS Staff Room, HS Conference Room High School parents are invited to come and meet the parents of their child(ren)’s classmates over a cup of coffee or tea at an informal gathering hosted by the PTA. Parents of Grades 9 and 10 are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation in the High School Staff Room on Tuesday, October 17 from 9:00am - 10:30am. Parents of Grades 11 and 12 are invited to do the same on Thursday October 19 from 9:00am - 10:30am in the High School Library Conference Room. Charity Lecture: Enabling the disabled Date: October 18, 2006 Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm Location: WAB The PTA Charity Committee will host a lecture by Stephen Hallett, BBC World Service Trust, China Director, on Wednesday October 18 from 1:30pm – 3:00pm. Mr. Hallett will be speaking on: “Turning the Tables: How disabled people could be a catalyst for change in Chinese society.” All are welcome, and if you wish to attend, please contact elisabethhallett@hotmail.com to RSVP and obtain location details. Elementary School Olympic Dream Series Date: October 17 - 20, 2006 Time: 12:20pm Location: WAB Track & Field. WAB's Elementary School Olympic Dream Series continues this month with students from Grade 2 - 5 participating in a modified version of the Olympic Metric Mile. The length of each race varies by grade level. All participants will receive an Olympic Dream Series Blue Ribbon, and place winners will receive medals on WAB's Olympic Dream Podium with true Olympic atmosphere with the National Anthem and flag of each medalist's home country. Students interested in participating are welcome to meet Mr. Derek Davies on the WAB track at 12:20, according to the schedule listed below: Grade Date Event 2 October 17 400 Meter 3 October 18 800 Meter 4 October 19 1000 Meter 5 October 20 1200 Meter Parents interested in volunteering for this event should contact Derek Davies at ddavies@wab.edu. Each event lasts between 30 minutes to an hour. American Folkorist to visit WAB Date: October 23 - 25, 2006 Location: WAB campus From October 23 - 25, WAB will host American folklorist and storyteller Margaret Read McDonald as part of the visiting author series, which is sponsored, in part, by the PTA. Over the course of three days, Margaret will explore the universality of folklore with students, from ECC through High school. This is internationally acclaimed author will touch on topics of peace, ecology and culture. Copies of her books can be found on display in the ES, MS and HS libraries. Active Parenting Now: For Parents of Children Ages 5 - 12 Date: October 24, 2006 Time: 9:00am - 11:00am Location: ES Video Studio Raising responsible and cooperative children can be a challenge for all parents. Using video, activities and discussion, the Active Parenting Now program suggests effective ways to: use non-violent discipline techniques that work; improve communication with your children; teach responsibility and other important values; handle problems as they arise; defuse power struggles with your children; stimulate independence as your child grows older. Parents who wish to sign up should contact Sally at syou@wab.edu. Under Parent Influence, Students Can Succeed Date: October 25, 2006 Time: 9:00am Location: High School Amphitheater It’s not uncommon for parents to feel as if they lack a say in their teenagers’ study habits. High school counselors sometimes hear parents sigh, “He’s practically an adult. Studying is now his responsibility. There’s nothing I can do.” This workshop explores a large body of research that challenges this mindset, and supports the theory that the right kind of parent involvement can promote positive achievement. This will be an interactive workshop, with a time for counselors and parents to share and discuss their specific ideas about how parent involvement can foster positive educational and affective outcomes. Parents who wish to attend should contact Michelle at mchow@wab.edu. Grade 11 & 12 College Visits Date: November 1, 2006 Location: High School Amphitheater The following universities will be visiting Beijing and WAB for a series of presentations over the coming weeks. This is a great opportunity for parents and students to learn more about the applications process at these respected colleges. College Date Time Location University of Western Ontario 1 November 11:30am - 12:30pm High School Amphitheater Hong Kong University of Science and Technology 1 November 03:30pm - 04:30pm High School Amphitheater ISTA Drama Festival at WAB Date: November 3 - 6, 2006 Location: WAB Campus Over the weekend of November 3 – 6, WAB will host the 2006 International Schools Theater Association (ISTA) Drama Festival for almost 150 students from international schools in Manila, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Taipei, Pattaya, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur. The festival will offer challenging and creative workshops on artistic expression. Thanks in advance to all the WAB families who have volunteered to host visiting students over the weekend, and good luck to the 19 WAB students participating. WAB Will Sponsor World Run Day Date: November 5, 2006 Location: WAB Track and Field WABX will sponsor World Run Day, an international day of running and charitable giving on November 5. Participants around the world are encouraged to run any distance, anywhere, and make a contribution to their favorite charity. In 2004, Beijing’s firstever World Run Day event was held at WAB. This year we invite parents, teachers and staff to come out to the WAB track and run any distance. Students are encouraged to seek sponsors and raise money, and adult runners are asked to make a donation. Students can obtain a sponsorship form from their PE teacher. Middle School and High School Book Fair Date: November 14 - 15, 2006 Location: HUB (2F) Middle School and High School students can browse for books at the MSHS Book Bonanza on November 14 and November 15 in the Link. The PTA is working with the Red Scroll and Qing Tian Ge libraries to produce this special Book Bonanza, which is being held in conjunctio with visiting author Nimmo. Students and parents are invited to browse for literary classics, graphic novels, volumes of the Princess Diaries, Lonely Planet Guides and more. For more information, contact MS and HS Teacher-Librarians Angela Cleeton or Helena Trevor Visiting Author: Jenny Nimmo Date: November 14 - 15, 2006 Location: WAB Campus On Tuesday November 14 and Wednesday November 15, WAB visiting author Jenny Nimmo will give readings and conduct workshops with ECC, ES and MS students, and lead a creative writing master class for interested students from Grade 6 - 10. Her visit is sponsored, in part, by the PTA and hosted in conjunction with the MSHS Book Bonanza. A leading author of fantasy in the UK, Jenny formerly worked as a director of children's programs for the BBC. She's acclaimed for combining elements of myth and the supernatural with the friction of daily life to write stimulating and inspiring novels for children and young adolescents. A limited selection of Jenni's books will be on sale until stock runs out. 5th Annual PTA Charity Bazaar Date: November 18, 2006 Location: Elementary School Atrium and Gym Join the festivities and shopping opportunities at the PTA Charity Bazaar on Saturday November 18. Over 70 vendors will be offering unique gift items, floral arrangements, textiles, festive cards and decorations, silk crafts, jewelry, chocolates, Build-a-Bears, international foods, and much more! WAB choirs, local dancers and the ES band will provide entertainment, and our famous PTA Bake Sale will offer home-baked goods and mulled wine. As always, free admission and ample parking are available. This year we?re highlighting Angels, ?the gift with a difference,? as the perfect gift for that person on your list who has everything. The purchase of an Angel, handcrafted by WAB students, guarantees food and warmth for an elderly, destitute person in China this winter. Other charities in attendance at this year?s bazaar will include: Blue Sky Healing Home, Phillip Hayden, Global Action Group, Animals Asia, Unicef, Positive Art Workshop, Magic Hospital, New Life and Surmang Foundation. All proceeds from table rentals will be donated to the Charles Foundation, which the Charity Committee has previously supported. This year, our donation will support the erection of a new school especially for Tibetan children living in the remote mountains of the Muli prefecture. For more information, contact Ellen Zimmerman at pta-charitybazaar@wab.edu. Elementary School Book Fair Date: November 21 - 22, 2006 Location: ES Library (Elementary School Building) It’s time for the Elementary School Book Fair. A wide selection of children’s books, ranging from board books to treasured holiday stories, will be available for student purchase on Tuesday November 21 (parents are welcome to assist their children’s selections) and for community purchase on Wednesday November 22. Volunteers are always needed for setting up and running the event. If you would like to help, please contact Lisa at odonnell.lisa@gmail.com or Jane Edgar, ES Teacher Librarian, at jedgar@westernacademy.com. During the book fair, the ES will be hosting Paul Cookson, one of Britain’s leading children’s poets. Throughout the week, this acclaimed wordsmith will perform poetry and inspire students to write their own prosody. Paul’s books will be available for purchase all week, with the option to be signed. Visiting Author: Paul Cookson Date: November 21 - 22, 2006 Location: ES Library (Elementary School Building) During the ES Book Fair, visiting author Paul Cookson, one of Britain's leading children's poets, will be visiting WAB. Throughout the week, this acclaimed author will perform poetry and inspire students to write their own poems. Paul's books will be available for purchase all week, with the option of being signed by the author himself. WAB Chinese School Open Days Date: November 24, 2006 Location: WAB Campus WAB will again this year host WAB Chinese School Open Days. The first WAB Open Day will be held on November 24th. The topic for this event will be Olympic Education at WAB. There are about 106 teachers / administrators signed up for this event. Out of the 110, 11 educators from XiCheng District Educational Bureau, 54 from local public primary schools of XiCheng District, 16 from two primary schools of Haidian District and 25 from 10 primary schools of Chao Yang District. In total, there will be 61 primary schools, and out of which there are 5 Olympic Education Model Schools. Since the topic will be Olympic Education, officers from Municipal and Chao Yang OMS Office will be invited to this event. Again this year we will be asking for your support. In the afternoon our visitors will tour the school to look at teaching and learning at WAB. We would ask that you leave your door open so that small groups of visitors can pop into your room and observe what is happening. WAB Hosts Record-Breaking ES Soccer Tournament Date: November 25, 2006 Time: 11:00am - 03:00pm Location: WAB Track and Field WAB will host one of Asia?|s biggest ES football tournaments on Saturday November 25. A total of 34 teams from 13 different schools from Beijing and Tianjin will play 90 games over the course of four hours. Throughout the event, BBQ and hot drinks will be available for purchase. A few years ago, WAB took the lead in creating an exciting inter-schools tournament for all children, regardless of their development or skill levels. What resulted was a popular tournament that matches less experienced players from different schools for more recreational games, while providing opportunities for more experienced players to extend themselves by playing the best Elementary footballers in the region. We wish good luck to all participants, including the five WAB teams recently formed with the Monday Afternoon Football Club, which is run by Josh Tunon, Nasir Boton and Sam Pearson. For more information, please contact Derek Davies at ddavies@wab.edu. Lost Property The Student Services Department, with the help of the PTA, routinely checks the Lost Property boxes located around campus and returns lost items if they are clearly marked with a student’s name. Parents are encouraged to label items such as tracksuits, lunch boxes and other school supplies and pieces of clothing that are easily forgotten or misplaced during the school day. To help students locate lost items, the school has centralized lost property collection points for non-valuables in the following locations:   Location ECC Under the fish tank ES Under the stairs at ES library, outside the pool changing rooms and near the Sodhexo Cash Counter (lunch boxes) MS Outside MS Office HUB Next to grand piano in the Link; hallway outside the gym HS In the hallway outside the gym Bus Items left on the bus will remain on the bus for 2 weeks before being placed into Main Lost Property in the ES Valuables: Lost valuables need to be reported to any of the following locations and a special security report will have to be filled in at ES, MS or HS reception. If your student is missing any item, please check the collection points, or view all lost property on Friday December 15 in the ES. Any items not claimed by then will be donated to charity. Admissions Manager - Vacancy for Maternity Leave Due to Sinead Collins taking maternity leave, a short-term vacancy exists for the Admissions Manager component of her job. Anyone interested in this position, beginning in January, should contact Lawrence Ng, HR Manager, on lng@wab.edu Leaving students and staff make tiles All leaving students and staff members will have the opportunity to leave their mark on WAB by creating a tile that will be displayed on our WAB Global Community Great Wall, to be located in the Peace Park. Each leaving student will be given a terra-cotta tile to decorate with his or her personal note to WAB. The tilemaking activity will take place during the morning, with assigned times for each grade. Elementary School Student Achievement Reports (Please note: Middle School and High School student reports will be sent home in January) It is the time of year for ES teachers to report to parents on their child (ren)'s learning this term. Elementary School Achievement Reports for Term 1 will be sent home on Thursday December 14. As always, parents can make an appointment with their child’s teacher at any time during the school year to discuss student progress. However, if parents wish to discuss their child (ren)’s progress and achievement after receiving the detailed written report, please contact the teacher directly to make an appointment for after the winter break. All teachers’ email addresses can be found in the WAB Directory 2006/2007. The Elementary Student Achievement Report provides the following information: Each report section has three parts and by reading each one carefully parents get a clear picture of their child (ren)’s learning this term. The Context: a description of what has been covered in this subject or area during the term The Achievement Level Descriptors: an indication of how the child is achieving in relation to the expectations for that grade. The Comments Box: an opportunity for the teacher to make additional comments. Parents are reminded that most students are achieving at grade level and meeting the expectations of that grade level’s curriculum. HUB Community Center During the winter break, the HUB Gym and Adrenalin Fitness Centre will be open by request only from 12:00pm – 4:00pm, Monday to Sundays, with access to the changing rooms and bathrooms nearest to the gym. There will be no access to HUB gym equipment during the holiday, so please provide your own equipment if needed. If you plan to use the HUB facilities, please email Caleb Liu at caliu@wab.edu by Wednesday December 13. Based on the requests received, a list and schedule will be produced for the Security Staff. Please remember that your ID card must be presented at the gate and should be carried at all times. For safety in the gyms, please come with a partner/friend. Thanks in advance for your cooperation. Have a great holiday! MS Assistant Principal Opening At the beginning of this year, the position of MS Assistant Principal was created. Due to the emergent nature of the position, it was decided to make this an internal recruitment and appoint the successful candidate in a 1-year acting/temporary position. We are now launching the search for the position of MS Assistant Principal commencing July 2007. The worldwide search will be conducted by ISS with applications closing January 5, 2007, and interviews will be held at WAB in mid- February 2007. The announcement can be found at www.wab.edu. The search process will be the same as that already advised for the High School Principal and the Elementary School Assistant Principal recruitment. WABX On Ice Cancelled! The PTA has, very sadly, had to cancel this year's skating at the Forbidden City moat, which was scheduled for January 19&20. The warm weather has caused the ice cover to be too thin and the operators are only opening up a very limited space, which is not suitable for our large number of skaters. HS Principal Recruitment: Presentations by Principal Candidates We would like to invite interested parents to attend presentations by visiting candidates for the position of High School principal. Candidates will speak about their educational beliefs, their leadership styles and how they would contribute to WAB's continuing development, particularly in relation to WAB's Strategic Plan. The 40-minute presentations will be followed by 35-minute open forum sessions, during which candidates will answer questions from staff and community. All sessions will be held in the HS Amphitheater according to the details below. Name Date Time Rena Mirkin January 23 3:40pm - 4:55pm Robin Klymow January 25 4:30pm - 5:45pm Eddie Campbell January 30 4:30pm - 5:45pm HS Principal Candidate Ron Roukema - Cancellation of Friday/Saturday Interview Program Ron has just advised that he is declining continuing with interview at WAB. He is currently in China interviewing with a large international school in Shanghai. He feels that the move to international education and the responsibilities and expectations at WAB and having a young family may not be a best fit. PTA Used Postage Stamp Collection The PTA is now collecting used postage stamps for charity. Please cut the used postage stamps off envelopes you’ve received (leaving a little paper round the stamp) and place the stamps in the collection boxes outside the PTA Place in the ES or the Jing Xi Place in the HUB. Collection runs through January 31. Fever-Free Environment In light of recent cases of influenza and colds, parents are reminded that WAB is a "fever- free environment." Students who have fevers (i.e. temperatures of 37.5 degrees and above) are required to stay home from school in order to prevent the spread of infection. Amendments to Counselors? Workshop Series for Parents Several updates have been made to the series of parent workshops being offered this term by WAB counselors. Please note the following changes, which were listed incorrectly in the initial brochure. Net Nannies & No-No’s has been rescheduled for February 28. Building Success Through Parent Involvement, Session 3, has been rescheduled for February 28. Our Culture, Our Parenting has been rescheduled for March 21. Below please find a revised version of the brochure, which correctly lists all information. Revised Counselors' Workshop Series for Parents » PDF format 596kb SAT Prep Course offered at WAB WAB will host a series of SAT Prep Courses offered by Academic Services International (ASI), an American company engaged in preparing students for the SAT. They will be offering the four-session course on the weekends of March 10 - 11 and March 17 - 18 from 8:00am - 3:00pm in the WAB HS. Instructors will also be available for one-on-one tutoring sessions from Monday March 12 - Friday March 16. Application forms are available in the HS Guidance Office. The course costs approximately $475 USD. The price includes supporting materials, including CD's, practice tests, booklets and flash cards. The course is