MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Weekly Messenger 

10/20/2015
 
Coming Up:
  • Wednesday, October 21 - Coffee Talk With Julie, What is Inquiry-based learning?
  • Monday, November 2 - MIS Day of the Dead workshops and parade
  • Thursday, November 5 - Parent Connection Workshop 6:30-7:30 P.M.
  • Friday, November 13-  MIS/MCT Present, "La Caperuza Roja/ Little Red Riding Hood" at MCT. Showtimes at 4:00 P.M. and 6:30 P.M.
  • Monday, November 16- NO SCHOOL, Professional Development Day
  • Tuesday, November 17-Friday, November 20- Parent/Teacher Conferences
Visit the MIS School Calendar Here

Head of School Corner
Julie Lennox, Head of School

     At our October 15-16 Professional Days last week, teachers received training in our new planning and reporting software, ManageBac. ManageBac is recognized by the IB and will streamline teacher planning to make it more visible to parents and students. It will also be the venue for report cards this year for students in K­-5th grade, replacing ORCAS. Middle School students will receive report cards through their gradebook system, ThinkWave.
     On October 15th the focus was on teacher­-led professional development to provide teachers who have recently been to trainings an opportunity to offer their learning to other MIS teachers.
This fall Jen Gebo received a grant to attend the Montana STEM conference. In a highly interactive session, she shared her learning with the K-8th grade team.

READ ON TO LEARN MORE! 

Jen Gebo challenged teachers to design the perfect pin ball machine during last week's professional development workshops.  
October Theme:
Open Minded Learners

MIS offers  an inquiry based learning environment that inspires creativity and critical thinking. We celebrate that we are the flagship PYP IB World School in the Northwest.

Virginia's K/1 multiage class enjoyed reading a book with Julie Lennox, Head of School, and her dog Rizzo last week.

Coffee Talks with Julie
JOIN US TOMORROW MORNING!
Wednesday, October 21st, 9 AM-10 AM

  Coffee Talks with Julie are designed to allow families to learn more about MIS.  This first talk is about inquiry-based teaching and learning.  What is it and how is it taught at MIS?  Please join Julie in the boardroom for coffee, treats and a lively discussion.

MCT/MIS present: La Caperuza Roja/Little Red Riding Hood
Please be sure to initial your child's part at the school office!

All MIS 2nd-8th graders participate in our annual MCT production.  The play is performed in Spanish with a narrated English part.  It is a great way to experience the arts as part of the immersion experience.  Please let the office know about any conflicts with the rehearsal or performance schedule.   All requests for changes must be made by this Friday, October 23.

SHOW DATES:  Friday, November 13th at 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. 
Uniquely MIS: Day of the Dead
Teachers Plan Upcoming Workshops for Students

Every year MIS celebrates Day of the Dead, or Dìa de los Muertos.  We highlight the importance of this day in Latin American cultures and we hope to connect our students to a unique and distinctly "Missoula" community event with Missoula’s Festival of the Dead that takes place downtown in the evening. This event is not intended to represent or replicate Day of the Dead in one culture or country, but rather it is a celebration of the unique cultural fabric of MIS and Missoula. Students will be reading books in library and in their classes related to Day of the Dead traditions next week and then participating in workshops with teachers in the afternoon on Monday, November 2nd from 1:45 P.M. to 3:15 P.M.  

JOIN US AT THE FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD PARADE! All MIS families are invited to put on their favorite Day of the Dead costume and join the Missoula International School group in the Festival of the Dead parade on Monday evening.  Art specialist Loryn Zerr will be transporting student artwork and skeletons. She needs a few dedicated parent volunteers to help transport artwork and join in the parade. We will meet at the red XXX’s downtown at 6:00 P.M. The parade starts at 6:30 P.M. All students must be accompanied by an adult. Please email Loryn if you would like to volunteer, otherwise, come join the parade! 

Parent Connection November Workshop
 Navigating Grief and Loss as a Family

Thursday, November 5th, 2015.  6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  Free Childcare!
Facilitated by Jennifer Boehmke Hudson, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.  
During this workshop we’ll explore some common myths about grief and discuss how every individual has their own unique grieving “style” and needs.  We’ll talk about tools for communicating with kids and teens about death and loss, and name ways to continue to honor and remember our loved ones, especially during the holidays.

CLICK HERE FOR PARENT CONNECTION DETAILS
Got Stuff?
Save your Stuff for the Middle School Garage Sale on Saturday, January 30th

MIS middle school students are planning a MASSIVE garage sale at MIS on January 30th in order to raise money for the 8th Grade Mexico Trip.  Your donations to the garage sale of furniture, household items, gently used clothing, and sporting goods will go a long way to help!  We are not collecting quite yet, but please set some items aside now rather than donating them elsewhere. Your extra treasures will help offset the costs of this important experience for our middle school students.
6th grade students put Newton's Laws of Motion to the test through the launch of the bottle rockets they designed. CLICK HERE to learn more about it on NBC Montana!
OFFICE REMINDERS
  • Please let office know if you need to make cast time changes. 
  • Make sure your student has appropriate outdoor clothing for the changing season
  • Don't Forget to check the Lost & Found! 
  • Log parent hours at the office

SCRIP PROGRAMS AT MIS
Find out how you can raise money for MIS in an easy way.  Contact our Scrip Coordinator- Missy Miculka to sign up now!  With your help we can surpass the $5,000 we raised last year!!!!



BRIAN BARR PHOTO ORDERS ARE HERE:
November 1st is the Deadline for Orders!
Parents, you should have received a link from Brian Barr Photography last week with your child's school photo proofs and directions for ordering.  If you have questions or you did not see the email, first check your spam folders, then contact Brian Barr.  The deadline to receive photos before the holidays is approaching quickly! 

Brian Barr & Amanda Milburn
425.829.1319
brian@brianbarrphotography.com

MISsion Forward Fund 2015/2016: We Are Off to A Great Start!  

Your support for the Fund a Dream at the Fall Family Round Up builds towards our total goal for the MISsion Forward Fund 2015/2016, which is $277,000.  We raised just over $60,000 to fully fund our dream for STEAM!  These gifts are earmarked for classroom technology, professional development in support of teachers using the technology, and support for arts and cultural opportunities. With every gift to the MISsion Forward Fund, MIS will see an immediate benefit that will carry forward into next year’s classrooms.  Please consider supporting the important strategic initiatives that tuition alone does not cover. Click below to make a gift today, or contact Bethany O’Connell, Director of Development.  
The Missoula International School (MIS), a nonprofit, independent pre-k through 8th grade school founded in 1995, offers unique and challenging 21st century educational opportunities for students in the greater Missoula area. The school provides an inquiry based learning environment as the flagship Primary Years Program (PYP) International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in the Northwest and a full Spanish language immersion education.