February Events Calendar

Click here for important events coming up.   

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES:

Camp Creativity 2010 Dates and Information. Click Here.

Sports and Games Camp 15 - 19 February. Ages 6 - 13. Click Here

Thinking of trying Hip Hop or Break Dance next term? Please wear tracksuit and sports shoes and come along to one of the two classes below:

Open/Free Hip Hop Choreography Class (Years 2 - 5)   February 4 , 3.30 - 5 p.m., (girls only) with Savannah Kloeden in the Auditorium 

Open/Free Break Dance Class (Years 3-13) February 9, 3.30 - 5 p.m., (girls and boys)  with Phillip Chang  in the Auditorium

Year 4 Field Trip -  10 February.  As part of the Year 4 IPC Unit, Before People: Dinosaurs, Edinburgh Class will have a guided tour and learning activities provided by a Museum Docent and also visit the IMAX theater.

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UPCOMING  PARENT MEETINGS:

Nursery- Reception Parent Meeting with Jo Saunders on ways of supporting writing development -2nd February (details through class reps)

Whole School Parent Coffee Morning -  3rd February, 8:45 am

Peter Harding and Kelvin Williams will hold an open coffee morning to bring everyone up to date with plans and developments for next year at BSW.

Year 1 and 2 Parent Meeting with Jo Saunders to discuss ways of supporting writing development - 9 February (details though Class Reps)

Internet Safety Discussion Series - "Topic: Exploring Approaches to Monitoring Social Networks and other Technological Communication that Children are Using."  Please join us!

11 February, 8:45 am  -Primary Parent Discussion Group (Years 4-6) with Joel Gunzburg

11 February, 12:30 pm - Secondary Parent Discussion Group (Years 7 and up) with Joel Gunzburg

24 February 7:00 pm - Bring your laptops for a practical session on setting safety filters and reviewing risks that Facebook and other networking sites can be and what you can do to help your children stay aware. Invitation will be sent in February.

Year 3 and 4 Parent Meeting with Jo Saunders to discuss ways of supporting writing development - 23rd February (details though Class Reps)

Year 5 and 6 Parent Meeting with Jo Saunders to discuss ways of supporting writing development - 2 March (details though Class Reps)

A Focus on Learning - Years 3 - 6

Jo Sanders, Primary Learning Leader, Talks About the Importance of "International Mindedness"

“The future is where your children will be living. We are dedicated to preparing them live there successfully”  WCL Group 2010

As part of the WCL group we at BSW are dedicated to preparing our pupils for the future, armed with appropriate knowledge and lifelong skills to live successfully.

One of the important skills we focus on beginning in the primary school is the development of “International Mindedness.” We greatly value the richness of our international community but do not take for granted that practising patience, tolerance and understanding is an everyday task that goes far beyond food, flags and festivals.

Respecting and accepting differences are skills that require constant practise. As teachers we try to model this behaviour through our responses to even the simplest differences. We ask the children not only to respect the differences in the routines in each class but to respect the differences in each other’s everyday routines; for example different morning routine in class. The aim is that we learn that respect goes far beyond the much deeper and the obvious cultural, racial and religious nuances.

It is important that we take advantage of these opportunities to learn when they arise. These opportunities to learn can be disguised in the realisation after the first play-date that things are done differently at “Freddie’s” house to the first connection made when a toy is shared during an Acorns meeting. This realisation and awareness of the “other” is the key and the first step towards developing international mindedness. 

A Focus on Teachers

Getting to Know Katelyn Rose, Year 2 Learning Assistant and Adventure Club Coordinator

I moved to Washington, D.C. a year and a half ago, from my hometown of New Rochelle, N.Y. After graduating with a BA in Human Development from Binghamton University in 2007, I worked for the non-profit, United Way, as a specialist for health and human services.

I have always been very interested in education and youth programs and really love working with children. Before coming to DC, I volunteered as a mentor and tutor to middle school students and interned at an organization that provides child health services.

I am truly happy to be here at BSW and find the combination of working as an LA and Adventure Club coordinator to be very rewarding.

A Focus on School Transfer Procedures

Simon A. Bird, School Transfer Liason, on the Step-by-Step Procedures for Making Any School Transfer from BSW Go as Smoothly as Possible

1. ALL documentation requests – transcripts/reports/teacher recommendation forms etc – MUST be sent to me and NOT given directly to the teachers concerned. I will then distribute to the appropriate colleagues and when they are returned to me I will send everything in one package which will include a school profile and such school reports as requested or needed.

2. Please note that before anything can be processed I have to check with the finance office that there are no monies outstanding. If there are I will contact you to let you know that you need to contact the Finance Office to clear up the matter and when that is done the process can continue. Many schools ask for a signature to affirm that this is the case.

3. The full package will be sent by FedEx. I track the applications and will let you know when they arrive. The cost of using FedEx will appear on your school account.

4. As all is sent in one package, there is no need for stamped addressed envelopes to be included.

5. Please ensure that you give everyone enough time to fill in the necessary forms. They take time to do properly so that justice can be done to your child.

My thanks for your help in this matter. 

A Focus on Community Links

Diogenes Club Welcomes the Opportunity to Learn More about Space Tourism

Mr. Derek Weber came to speak to the Diogenes Club on January 25. Mr. Weber is the Washington DC Director of the company, Spaceport Associates, a consulting service available to those interested in space tourism. Year 12 student, Liv Year reports...Click Here to read more.

A Focus on Building a Broader School Community

The Little Acorns Playgroup Kickoff Party A Glorious Success

We had roughly 15 toddlers and their moms/dads/caregivers, and lots of new friends were made at every age level. The party was enlivened by the musical merriment of "O Susannah", a guitar strumming, one woman band who brightened the celebration and involved the toddlers in dancing, singing, clapping, and shaking musical instruments.

Starting this Wednesday, February 3rd, we will be having our usual program for Little Acorns, which includes free play, crafts, coffee for the grownups and juice and snacks for the little ones, and singing/story time with our wonderful nursery lead teachers, Miss Jo O'Grady and Miss Susan Parliament.

Our sessions run from 8:30am (following school dropoff) until 10 am. The very wonderful Mary Beth Cogley has offered to coordinate Little Acorns for this term, and we thank her so much for her dedication to the success of this program.

If you would like access to the garage for the morning's playgroup and do not already have it, please contact Chris Butler at CJWButler@aol.com and she will put you on the list.

A Focus on Creativity and Fun!

BSW Annual Talent Show Series Bigger and Better

Our talented children have, once again, proven themselves worthy of fame and fortune! Both the Primary (Y3 - 6) and the Secondary (Y7 - 13) talent shows have run their program to rave reviews.The Nursery - Y2 students take the stage today, and the crowds are eagerly anticipating a great show. These events take the work of a thousand hands to run successfully, and while there are many to thank, there are three who dedicated their vision and time from the beginning.

Denise Kloeden, who brought us this event in the first place, has perfected its production over the years to the finely-tuned machine we have all witnessed this year and a special thanks to her logistics manager on the ground, Chris Butler, who worked behind the scenes to ensure that the Talent Show productions fit neatly into an otherwise cramped facility with many other competiting activities going on.  

Meg Lubenova spent many a day hanging decorations, purchasing refreshments and preparing logistics with grace, style and good cheer.

Jen Jones-Platt brought us the expertise and staff of her Performance Video company to give us the professional-grade lights and sound that we all enjoyed - not to mention the flat-screen views for those of us in the back, or behind pillars! We extend a particular thanks to them, whose work showed in every perfected detail of our Talent Show trilogy.

Thanks also to the Company 28 crew, who made the set-changes run flawlessly. During the Primary show in particular, not only did they work with speed and efficiency, but they were able to trouble-shoot on the spot, to help a nervous performer with a tricky mike or a wobbly table. For them, every performer was equal and valuable, and not only are we grateful for their time and efforts, but for their character and kindness.

A full list of volunteers will be printed in next week's FOCUS, after all three shows are finished. Thanks again to all for a wonderful time.

To read more about the Year 3 - 6 Talent Show Class winners, and photo gallery click here

To read more about the Secondary School Talent Show winners, and photo gallery click here

We will announce the winners of the Nursery- Year 2 Talent Show in next week's FOCUS.