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“Educational excellence for a future without borders”
www.isp.edu.pa
Dolphin Dispatch
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PANAMA
May 8, 2015
ISSUE 32
Dear ISP community,
We would like to thank all the candidates for their submissions
for elected member positions.
As we have mentioned in prior editions, we will be holding a
“Meet the Candidates Session” on Monday May 11th from
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the HS Cafetorium.
During this session each candidate running for an elected
position will have the opportunity to deliver a brief five minute
speech. These speeches will be filmed and then uploaded to
the online voting platform alongside candidate biographies.
This will allow the ISP community to carefully consider each
candidate, hear their speeches, and understand their vision
regarding ISP’s future.
In This Issue

Announcements

PAC inauguration

Pink shirt day

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

Arts Fest!

Athletics

What’s cooking @ ISP

May Calendar
For questions, comments, or
if you would like to submit an
article please contact:
If you have any questions regarding attending this session
please don’t hesitate to contact Ariadne Fong
[email protected].
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
[email protected]
Issue 32
May 8, 2015
FEATURE STORY
ISSUE 32
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INAUGURAL EVENT
An unforgettable evening filled with inspiring speeches and brilliant performances.
“A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support the opening of our new
performing arts center. I would also like to thank all of the students, parents, faculty and
staff that helped make this night unforgettable. The show was a huge success and we are
excited about ushering in a new era for the arts at ISP.” - Adam Herzig
We have now posted the documentary video “Falling in Arts” to our YouTube channel.
Please click the link to view the video below.
Note: the video is being shared as an unlisted video for the moment, it can only be
seen by people who have access to this link, it cannot be searched only shared.
http://youtu.be/2tfwWjDtY4E
“I believe arts education in music, theater, dance and the visual arts is one of the most
creative ways we have to find the gold that is buried just beneath the surface. They
(children) have an enthusiasm for life a spark of creativity and vivid imaginations that
need training - training that prepares them to become confident young men and women.” Richard Riley former Secretary or Education, United States of America.
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
May 8, 2015
FEATURE STORY
ISSUE 32
ISP Students help launch first ever Pink Shirt Day in Panama
ISP helped to launch Pink Shirt Day for the first time ever in Panama on May 4th, 2015. This
initiative started in Canada and is annually celebrated internationally on February 25 th, 2015. At
ISP, we celebrated both dates (International & local) this year! The objective of Pink Shirt Day is to
unite against bullying and bullying behaviors.
A former ISP student, Rosa Parks, felt that Panamanian schools could benefit by celebrating Pink Shirt
Day here in Panama. Together with a friend, she created an NGO (non-governmental
organization) that serves to educate school communities in Panama about bullying. Her organization
works with a team of psychologists (Fundacion Relaciones Sanas) that volunteer and meet with
teachers, parents and students in schools across Panama to educate them on this pertinent topic. We
invited Solymar Dolande de Mejia, a psychologist from the foundation to be a guest speaker at a
Bullying workshop, that middle school leadership students presented to parents in February. She
shared valuable tips to parents on the topic.
On May 4th, all ISP divisions participated in Pink Shirt Day. Counselors and teachers helped sell over
600 pink shirts school-wide and ISP donated $5 for each Pink Shirt purchased. Students proudly
wore their pink shirts and with that, took on the responsibility of being an #Upstander- standing up
against bullying! The day brought about many teachable moments among staff and students. ISP
will continue to celebrate Pink Shirt Day both Internationally and locally and encourage other schools
to join in to support this initiative.
WE PUT TOGETHER A SLIDE SHOW OF PICTURES CHECK IT OUT BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW
http://youtu.be/_ibEH56pHy0
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
Elementary School
Becky Jobes, PhD—Elementary Assistant Principal—[email protected]
ISP GIVES BACK: Fourth Graders do service project in El Valle
For the past several years, the fourth graders at ISP have had a special relationship
with our sister school, Escuela de La Mesa in El Valle. Throughout the year, the fourth
grade students have organized fundraisers to help support the students and teachers at
La Mesa. This spring, they had a book sale to help purchase much needed school
supplies and materials for the students and teachers to use. The entire fourth grade
class went to El Valle to personally deliver the school supplies. Students spent the day
getting to know each other through games and other fun activities. The students even
planned engaging lessons to teach the La Mesa students some basic English vocabulary.
It was a great day for meeting new friends and making a difference!
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
Elementary School
Becky Jobes, PhD—Elementary Assistant Principal—[email protected]
PARENT COFFEE MAY 14 @ 11:00 - TOPIC: TRANSITIONS
One of the things that makes our school so special is our diverse student population. An
unfortunate side effect of having people from all over the world is that many students come
and go each year. These transitions can be difficult for both the students who stay at ISP and
lose their friends and for the students who leave to go to a new school and a new country. Our
counselors are here to help all students and families deal with these changes. If your family is
impacted by an upcoming transition, please join us at our next parent coffee on May 14 in the
ES conference room.
ASA ENDS THIS WEEK
Please remember that there will no longer be 4:30 buses.
END OF THE DAY REMINDERS FOR PARENTS
You can help us avoid confusion and mistakes during our daily dismissal by remembering the
following guidelines:
Permission to change transportation will be accepted until 2:00 p.m.
Send email requests for transportation changes to the following: [email protected]
No bus changes are accepted on Wednesdays
Link for permission slip on ISP web site http://ispupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/
Transportation-Permision-Slip.pdf
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
Elementary School
Becky Jobes, PhD—Elementary Assistant Principal—[email protected]
CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE PARENT SERIES CONCLUDES
Our highly successful parent education series concluded this week. It was very gratifying
to see the strong attendance and to hear parents talking about how they’ve been using
the Conscious Discipline strategies. A very special thank you to our counselor Raul
Alvarado for facilitating all of the sessions and planning for this wonderful outreach
activity.
Key Notes and Reminders from Conscious Discipline Training: POSITIVE INTENT
Power of Love: See the best in others
Skill: Positive Intent – creating teaching moments
Purpose: create teachable moments, especially for difficult children
Structures used in the classroom: Celebration Center
Brain Smart Tip: Emotional Development – Positive Intent improves self-image and builds
trust
Key Phrase – You wanted _______. You may not ________. When you want _____, say
______. (Example: You wanted to be first in line. You may not push. When you want
someone to move, say “please move.”)
What
you offer others, you strengthen within yourself.
Children
are either extending love, or calling for love (help).
Attributing
Love
positive intent creates teaching moments by transforming resistance into cooperation.
sees the best in people – including children
Being
determined to find fault in others simply means that we are unwilling to change ourselves.
Even
if you refrain from direct attack on your child, your implication and tone can hurt him deeply. When
the attach-defend process gest rolling, communication and connection break down.
You
cannot simultaneously feel bad about what you have done and focus on what you must do differently.
We can either bask in the guilt, or move forward to make changes.
Every
moment, every conflict, every mistake can teach us something if we are willing to learn together.
What we say to children becomes their inner speech for the rest of their lives.
Children cannot behave differently until they are seen differently.
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
Elementary School
Becky Jobes, PhD—Elementary Assistant Principal—[email protected]
Middle School is Just Around
the Corner!
5th Grade Transition Meeting for Parents
Dear 5th grade parents,
We invite you to our 5th grade transition coffee for Parents. This informative meeting will take place on
Tuesday, May 12th in the ES conference room. The purpose is to introduce you to the important transition
your child will experience as he/she enters Middle School. You will be able to hear from Diane Guevara
(Principal) and Vickie Swann (Assistant Principal) about the specifics of the Middle School Department.
You will be able to choose from two sessions:
8:00 – 9:00 (morning session)
3:00 – 4:00 (afternoon session)
Please choose which session is more convenient for you. We strongly recommend that you attend so that
you and your child may know what to expect once they enter Middle School.
We hope to see you then!
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
Middle School
Diane Guevara, Middle School Principal—[email protected]
Shaking it up in PE with Zumba!
It was time to shake things up in 8th grade PE this past week. We had the opportunity to bring in a
Zumba instructor to present Zumba during our PE classes. According to Dictionary.com, "Zumba is the
brand name for a fitness program consisting of dance and aerobic exercise routines performed to
popular, mainly Latin music." It creates a dynamic, exciting and effective fitness system. Zumba
integrates some of the basic principles of aerobic, interval, and effective fitness resistance training to
maximize caloric output, cardiovascular benefits, and total body toning. Zumba provides a nonintimidating opportunity for non-dancers to participate in a group aerobic class. (https://
www.google.com/gws_rd=ssl#q=zumba+in+physical+education+class) The boys started out a little
hesitant, but five minutes into the class, the girls AND the boys were participating in a great
workout.
7th grade field trip
Right click on the link below to access the amazing pictures from the 7th grade trip to El Valle.
https://youtu.be/nruTtybxt0M
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
Middle School (continued)
Diane Guevara, Middle School Principal—[email protected]
Each Person Can Make a Difference!
While watching the news about the earthquake tragedy in Nepal, sixth grader Marc
Brisky decided to take action. With his parents' support he created a collection box and
began to circulate around Middle School for donations. Once the collection is finished,
Marc and his parents will deposit the funds into a Nepal earthquake fund created by
Save the Children.
Marc’s initiative is proof that each one of us has the power to make a difference. No
matter how big or how small the contribution, every little bit helps!
Middle School on Board with Operation Smile Panama
By: Jennifer Restrepo-Middle School Counselor and Community Service Leader’s Coordinator
Once again, Middle School students and staff have made a commitment to support
Operation Smile Panama, knowing that they will make a difference by helping
children smile.
In Panama, one out of 600 babies is born with cleft lip and palate. Because nursing is so difficult for these babies, many do not survive their first year of life. Having this condition causes not only eating challenges, but speech problems and difficulty doing simple tasks like blowing out a birthday candle. The disfigurement also creates many emotional problems for the child and the family. An operation
that costs $600, and that only takes 45 minutes, changes someone’s life forever.
Operation Smile’s mission -- “Smiles on Board or Sonrisas a Bordo” -- will take
place in Colón from May 30th to June 6th. One-hundred patients will receive the
surgery on board a U.S. Navy ship, “USNS Comfort”.
Our Middle School family has come together to sponsor 11 of these patients. Our
students and faculty are fundraising through different types of activities -- and by
creating awareness of this condition.
If you want to support this mission through the Middle School family, you can send
a donation with your child. If you want to write a check, please make it payable
to: Fundación Operación Sonrisa Panamá or to the International School of Panama
(we will deposit it to an account assigned for this mission). You may also send a
cash donation.
October Mission at Hospital
Santo Tomas. These two girls
received our visit before being
operated.
Our Community Service Leaders shared the following video with their Middle
School peers to show how important it is to make smile possible: https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nUkE1moT-g
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
Middle School
Diane Guevara, Middle School Principal—[email protected]
Middle School Coffee
When: Thursday, May 14
Time: 8:00-9:00
Where: Elementary School Conference room
Please join us for a presentation of Wheel and Exploratory courses for seventh and
eighth grades for the 2015-2016 School year.
**********************************************
Dear 8th grade parents,
Please join us next Thursday afternoon, May 14, starting at 4:15 pm in the Elementary School Conference Room
for an important ORIENTATION/WELCOME to HIGH SCHOOL (for PARENTS). The session will be led by high
school guidance counselors, Nina Kuziel & Sam Scoggin, and will go until about 5:30 or 5:45. I will also be joining
in.
Earlier this semester, we hosted a few orientation/information sessions for 8th grade parents focused specifically
on course registration for the 9th grade year. This upcoming meeting will be much broader – including more about
our academic program and the IB program – but also about the transition from 8th to 9th grade, from MS to HS,
about the daily/weekly high school schedule, about extracurricular activities, athletics, and community service, a
bit about the college admissions process, and about life in the high school in general. And there will be plenty of
time for questions, too.
Whether your 8th grader is your oldest or you are a veteran of the transition from middle to high school, please
join us. No need to RSVP, just come on out next Thursday.
I hope and trust that everything goes well for your sons and daughters over their last several weeks of eighth
grade (and middle school). We look forward to having them join us in the high school in August – and look forward to seeing you again in the meantime.
Warm regards,
John Shea
High School Principal
[email protected]
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
High School
John Shea, High School Principal—[email protected]
GRADUATION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Our 74 seniors are now in the midst of their IB Exams (spanning three weeks – from May 4 to May 22)
and graduation is now suddenly so very close – on Saturday, May 30, at 5:30 pm in the new P&G Performing Arts Center Theater.
Now is good time to celebrate their college admissions. To date, the Class of 2015, collectively, has
earned acceptances to over 100 colleges and universities. Though certainly not the most important
measure of their hard work, learning, growth, and achievements here at ISP – the college admissions
process is indeed one of the more tangible manifestations of all their hard work.
The overwhelming majority of our seniors have now made their big decisions and know where they are
headed next year. Several are finalizing those plans now.
With the love, support, and guidance of their parents, their grandparents, their aunts and uncles, and all
their family… with the dedication, skill, hard work, and love of their teachers, coaches, and advisors…
with the assistance, skill, and guidance of their counselors… with the comradery, the competitiveness,
love and support of their friends and classmates… and with all that comes from being part of our big,
beautiful, powerful ISP community… the 74 members have the Class of 2015 have earned acceptances
to the following college and universities:
American University
American University of Paris
Bentley University
Berklee College of Music
Boston College
Boston University
Brighton University
Brunel University London
California College of the Arts
Catholic University of America
Chapman University
Clemson University Bridge Program
College of William & Mary
Columbia University
Culinary Institute of America
Delft University of Technology
DePaul University
Duke University
Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne
IE University (Spain)
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
High School
John Shea, High School Principal—[email protected]
Emerson College
Emmanuel College
Emory University
Endicott College
Flagler College
Florida International University
Florida Institute of Technology
Fordham University
George Mason University
Georgetown University
George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Glion Institute of Higher Education
Harvard College
Imperial College of London
Johns Hopkins University
Johnson & Wales University (Providence)
King’s College of London
Lancaster University
Loughborough University
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola Marymount University
Louisiana State University
Manchester Metropolitan University
McGill University
McMaster University
Middlesex University
Newcastle University
New York University
New York University Tisch School of the Arts
Northeastern University
Oxford Brookes University
Pennsylvania State University
Pratt Institute of New York
Purdue University
Queen Mary University of London
Rochester Institute of Technology
Roger Williams University
Royal Holloway, University of London
Santa Clara University
Sarah Lawrence College
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Scripps College
Southern Methodist University
Southampton University
Stanford University
St. Edward’s University
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
High School
John Shea, High School Principal—[email protected]
St. Joseph’s University
St. Leo University
Suffolk University
Syracuse University
Tulane University
University of Amsterdam
University of Bath
University of Brighton
University of British Columbia
University of California Berkeley
University of California Los Angeles
University of California Santa Barbara
University of East Anglia
University of Edinburgh
University of Hertfordshire
University of Miami
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business
University of Pennsylvania
University of Reading
University of Richmond
University of Saint Andrew’s
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Southampton
University of Southern California
University of Sussex
University of Texas Austin
University of Toronto
University of Virginia
University of York
Villanova University
Washington College
Waterloo University
Wheaton College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
High School
John Shea, High School Principal—[email protected]
Open Forum with the High School Principal
Thursday, May 14, 9:45 am – location to be announced.
(We are hoping we can host the meeting in the new Performing Arts Center.)
All high school parents are invited – and parents of 8th graders, too.
* Brief updates/highlights about the 2014-15 school year now wrapping up.
* Brief updates/plans for the 2015-16 school year coming up.
* Plenty of time for matters of parent interest and Q&A.
* Please plan on 60-75 minutes.
* No need to RSVP – just join us.
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
Falling in arts: Performing Arts coming attractions
Adam Herzig Visual and Performing Arts Director—[email protected]
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
Athletics GO DOLPHINS!
Athletics:
Peter Smyth, Athletic Director—[email protected]
ADECOP
The sub 12 boys played a stellar game against AIP on Tuesday. The teams went back and
forth until the buzzer with the Dolphins edging out AIP 32-30. A great result for the team that
have been working hard and come a long way since last year. On the soccer field all the
senior boys and girls teams remain undefeated in the ADECOP tournament. The girls secured
a great away win against Balboa on Wednesday winning 4-2. The boys hosted Panamerican
on a hot afternoon and finished the game victorious, 2-1.
Our junior soccer teams have also been training and playing hard. The girls have been
scoring goals and really coming together as a team. The boys also have been scoring goals
having a great afternoon against AIPCV on Monday winning both their games.
The Varsity boys played an exciting a game against rivals San Agustin on Sunday. Reminiscent
of some of the ISP finishes last year the opponents fought back from 2-0 down to tie the
game 2-2. Both goals scored in the final 2 minutes. The Dolphins remain undefeated and can
be seen in action again on Sunday May 17th after a week off.
Some big games next week giving us all ample opportunity to come out and show your
Dolphin pride.
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
Athletics GO DOLPHINS!
Athletics:
Peter Smyth, Athletic Director—[email protected]
Looking ahead to next week
Saturday 9th May
Girls Flag Football @ ISP @1:30pm
Sunday 10th May
Monday 11th May
Sub 10 Girls soccer v AIP @ AIP @ 3pm
Sub 10 Boys soccer v AIP @ AIP @ 4pm
Sub 18 Soccer Boys v MET @ ISP @ 3pm
Tuesday 12th May
Sub 12 Girls Basketball v Javier @ISP @ 3pm
Sub 16 Girls soccer v BA @ ISP @ 3pm
Sub 16 Boys soccer v BA @ ISP @ 4:15pm
Wednesday 13th May
Sub 14 Girls Basketball v BA @ ISP @1:45pm
Sub 18 Boys Soccer v AIPCV @ ISP @ 3pm
Sub Girl soccer semifinal – TBD
U16 Boys basketball v Colegio Panamá @ Alberto Einstein @ 3:30pm
Thursday 14th May
Friday 15th May
U16 Boys basketball v Oxford School @ ISP @ 3:00pm
Saturday 16th May
Sunday 17th May
Liga 10 @ Maracana @ 8am v CEP
Please come and Support your teams !!!!
GO DOLPHINS.
WHEN A DOLPHIN WINS ALL THE DOLPHINS WIN !
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32
What’s Cooking: An update from the ISP Cafeteria
Eliseo Calvo Cafeteria/ Food & Beverage Manager [email protected]
WHAT IS ON THE MENU FOR NEXT WEEK?
In an effort to better inform the ISP community about the menu options available to students, we will be
sharing the next week’s menu. In this issue you will find menu items listed for May 11 - 15.
ELEMENTARY LUNCH MENU
MAY 2015
Monday -11
Cheese Pizza
Beef Stew
Jazmin Rice
Steamed Vegetables
Fruit
Options: Juice/Milk/
Yogurt
Tuesday – 12
Chicken Cacciatore
Pork
Fettuccini
White Rice
Sweet Plantain
Sautéed Vegetables
Fruit
Options: Juice/Milk/
Yogurt
Wednesday -13
Thursday – 14
Friday - 15
No Lunch
Baked Ham
Baked Chicken Tenders
Baked Potatoes Wedges
Rice Pilaf
Green Beans
Fruit
Options: Juice/Milk/Yogurt
Hamburger
Baked Sea Bass
Chicken Parmesan
Mashed Potatoes
Cauliflower Gratin
Fruit
Options: Juice/Milk/Yogurt
MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL LUNCH MENU
MAY 2015
Monday -11
Tuesday – 12
Sancocho
Potato Leek Soup
Curry Chicken
Beef Stew
Jazmin Rice
Ginger Baby Carrots
Couscous Salad
Onion Soup
Cream of Broccoli/ w
Cheese
Chicken Cacciatore
Smoked Pork Chop
Fettuccini
White Rice
Sweet Plantain
Sautéed Vegetables
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Wednesday -13
Thursday – 14
Friday - 15
No Lunch
Chicken Vegetables
Soup
Ginger Carrot Soup
Baked Ham
Baked Chicken Tenders
Baked Potatoes
Wedges
Rice Pilaf
Green Beans
Fish Chowder
Minestrone Soup
Sated Sea Bass/w Mushrooms
Chicken Parmesan
Mashed Potatoes
Caprese Salad
Cauliflower Gratin
Issue 32
M AY 2 0 1 5
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
1
S AT
2
SCHOOL CLOSED
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
5th Grade Orientation to MS
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
23
Principals Coffees
17
24
18
19
20
21
22
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
IB EXAMS
STUDENT LEAD
CONFERENCES
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
27
28
25
26
SENIOR AWARD
LUNCH
ANNUAL BOARD
ELECTIONS
29
30
HS Graduation
PRE-K ART
SHOW
ISP’s WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Issue 32