Welcome to Opening Ceremony and the start of the 2011-12 school year. For new families, Welcome to ISD, Welcome to Dakar, and Welcome to Senegal! For returning students and parents, Welcome back! We are all in for a very exciting year. We have new teachers and new students, developments in our course offerings and Performing Arts programs, and the continued growth of many programs we've been building for the past several years. There is much to look forward to. Some news:
Construction Progress As you can see when you come to campus, our new building has risen to its full height (four floors) and is moving rapidly towards a completion date in early 2012. At this point, we are on schedule and I am excited about the rapid progress on the building. The building project has, so far, had minimal impact on students and instruction; we expect that to continue. You can view the building close up through the windows in the security wall. Also, check the live feed for building progress at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/contruction-progress
New Teachers: ISD welcomes the following new teachers:
ISD by the Numbers:
More information that may be helpful:
Classroom placement The Principals and teachers make every effort to split each grade into two ‘equal’ sections. We build the class lists attempting to balance gender, nationality, special needs, and other factors. Please understand that we cannot honor parent requests to move students from one section to another for any reason. While a child may find he or she is not in the same section as his or her best friend, there are several opportunities during the day for the children to mix (recess, lunch time, after school sports and in French classes). Teachers and Principals work hard to ensure that both sections receive the same, high-quality instruction. School Supplies School supplies are provided by ISD for students from Pre 3 through grade 8. This is included in your tuition cost. It is not necessary to bring protractors, scissors, and calculators, etc.
Lunch Lunches can be purchased from Shady Shack or brought from home. Please check in the office or on the weekly Jaguar Journal for the order form for Shady Shack lunches.
After School Activities ASA’s will start in the third week of school. Please look for information in the Jaguar Journal.
Emergency Contact Information Please, please, PLEASE make sure ISD has the right emergency contact information for your child. Check your data on your FOCUS account, and notify the office immediately if there have been changes in your address, cell number, maid, emergency contact person, etc. This is critical for ISD if we are to ensure the safety and security of your child.
Back to School Nights Back to School nights have been scheduled and are on the school calendar. The Elementary Back to School Night is the evening of Sept 8; the Secondary Open House is the evening of Sept 14.
Jaguar Journal Please read the Jaguar Journal each week!!! This the best way to find out what is going on at ISD, keep abreast of news and information, and to ensure you don’t miss out on something important. This will be the only paper JagJournal this year. It is published weekly on the ISD Website.
Employment at ISD
ISD is a special place and we are glad you are here. I know that each new student, parent, and family will impact ISD in some way. Growth has defined much of what we do during my four years at ISD, and 2011-12 will be a year of tremendous change and development at school. Flexibility is the quality I think most important for ISD teachers to live, thrive, and survive in Dakar, and I think that that is probably true for all expatriate families living here. Please come to campus. Please ask questions. Please share in the critical home-school partnership that is essential for your child’s success and happiness this year.
Again, Welcome.
Sincerely, Wayne Rutherford ISD Director |
Director's Dispatch >