As we come to the end of the second term, I have had a chance to reflect on all of the happenings and comings and goings of students and staff that occur throughout the year. ISD is a very welcoming place to our new students and it is wonderful to see them fit in so quickly.

I know the same warm welcome will be given to the new staff members who have been hired at the recruiting fairs that Dr. Clark and I attended recently in Boston and San Francisco.  While we did do some hiring prior to the recruiting fairs, the fairs are also a great opportunity to promote the school for future years. We were also very lucky this year to have found an article by Phyllis Stinson and a photo by Sara Monahan on the front page of the TIE quarterly magazine-a magazine for international educators that was delivered into the hands of the over 500 people in attendance!

Dr. Clark and I interviewed over 24 people and are very pleased to say that we now have all but one teaching position filled and we still have a number of non-teaching positions to fill but I am confident we will be finished in a few weeks. 

ISD has really developed a solid reputation amongst international educators!

With the coming of the third term, come a number of other things for us to prepare for as a school community.  After the Spring Break of one week this year, we will be returning in April, which is World Cultural Month. Preparations have already begun for this wonderful time that allows for our students to showcase their heritage and to learn more about the culture and history of our Host Country Senegal.

April is also the month of the Annual General Meeting.  Those of you who attended the Community Forum will remember that Trustee Kristin Stewart reminded attendees of how we function as a school with all parents of students being members of the Association and all members of the association eligible to vote for Trustees. Please mark the 25^th of April on your calendars and plan to attend.

April also is the month of our IB Authorization Visit.  This is the final phase of the application process and a team of educators comes to the school to discern if we are ready to present the IB program.  Wendy Welander and the teachers have been working very hard together along with Kristine Michaels to ensure that everything is ready for this important visit. We are really looking forward to adding more to our identity as an IB Candidate School!

I look forward to seeing you at Parent Teacher conferences and I wish you well and safe journeys for the Spring Break.

Barb Gage