This Week

HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

Thursday - November 15, 2018

Oman’s National Day Celebration at TAISM on Sunday, November 18, 2018

Parents Come Join the Celebrations: Have a taste of Omani hospitality with coffee, henna painting, etc., at our “Majlis” set up in the O’Shaughnessy Gallery from 08:30 am to 03:30 pm.

All Omani students are allowed to dress in their traditional Omani clothing. Other students are expected to wear their school uniform, red or white polos.

Please note that TAISM will observe the holidays for Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday and National Days as declared by the government of Oman. The announced holidays are on Tuesday, November 20 (Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday); Wednesday, November 21 and Thursday, November 22 (National Days).

Thursday, November 22, is also the Thanksgiving holiday for TAISM. Classes resume on Sunday, November 25 - Day 4.

November 19, 2018

Dear TAISM High School Parents:

As I wrote last week, we are approaching the end of the first semester and there is an impressive accumulation of evidence to honor and celebrate our students’ growth and achievements. This includes their academic growth and development, as well as their growth and development in the more encompassing attributes of the TAISM Learner Profile. While student achievement in academic classes is evidenced through classroom activities and assessments, many skills and attributes are observable through the variety of ways in which students contribute to and perform for our community. Recent and upcoming examples of these contributions and performances include:

• High school students assist in and contribute to Middle and Elementary School classrooms and After-School-Activities (ASA’s) on a daily basis.

• Students created slideshows and videos and delivered speeches to the entire student body to celebrate their participation in the Season 1 SAISA tournaments.

• Model United Nations students engaged in a United Nations simulation at The Sultan’s School recently, drafting and debating resolutions related to issues of current global concern.

• Choir students will perform for the community at 7:00 pm on the evening of Monday, November 20th and Band students at 7:00 pm on the evening of Tuesday, December 11th.

Continuing in the spirit of our Core Belief that “a broad-based (liberal arts) education is best suited to providing students with an understanding of humankind’s intellectual traditions and accomplishments, strengthening their powers of thought, judgment, and aesthetic appreciation, and preparing them for responsible citizenship,” Melanie Brink, our MS and HS choir teacher, shares some of her thoughts about our students’ learning in the performing arts and how that learning can have an impact on each of us.

Melanie writes, “ DARE TO BE MOVED. As a frequent flyer, how many times have you been watching a movie with tears streaming down your face and at that same moment notice the child next to you laughing in wonderment? In addition to being entertained, the moment we hit play, we open ourselves to the possibility of being moved.

Now picture yourself attending a school production or concert. Since we’ve reached the performing arts season, chances are you’ll be heading to the Bosch Center soon. As audience members, do we arrive with the same mindset as that transcontinental flight? Even as a music teacher and consumer of the arts I catch myself looking at the length of the program, taking out my phone to get the perfect shot (even though I already have 89 pictures from the last concert and have yet to print one of them). I still want to get a picture knowing

the school’s cameras are going to catch much better images and the event is being live streamed. When I’m holding my device, (sorry, Mr. Lovett and the people in the row behind me) am I allowing myself to be moved? I watch my own child perform, yet I miss what is happening with the other 154 children on stage. But most of all, I am denying myself the chance to practice empathy and feel the surge of endorphins filling my body. To be hands-free and full hearted. To be more human.

Daring to be moved means we are allowing ourselves to let go, take it in, and respond back. We do this through making emotional connections and expressing empathy with a sigh, a tear, a gasp, or a big belly laugh. Yet so many times we choose silence. Is it the desire to show respect and to not interrupt the program? Or is it a sense of insecurity or feeling like ‘we have to take things seriously’? Are we worried about feeling embarrassed? What holds us back from entering a state of vulnerability to be taken on a ride of emotion -- from highs to lows, and the beauty and uncertainty in between?

When we’re sitting in those cozy seats, let’s be reminded of why we’re there: to support our children’s journey and celebration of learning. And the best form of support is being actively engaged communicators. The students have plunged into the art - the foundations, the craft, the trial and error and the polishing. However, one thing has been missing along the way: YOU. For it’s the audience’s immediate feedback that makes the sharing a complete package. When the performers feel, see, and hear the acknowledgement from the audience, they grow more connected and confident in their delivery. The package is the present: being open and being in the moment to deeper communication and further risk taking.

So, don’t hold back. Let your response and emotions be heard. Take the flash-free pictures, but also allow yourself to get carried away in the moment, give back to the students on the stage, and be moved.”

Thank you for trusting us with your children.

Sincerely, Melanie and Richard

From The Principal’s Desk

Last Week / Weekend - BYE BYE BIRDIE MUSICAL

Pictures from the musical Bye Bye Birdie. Congratulations to the cast and crew for a wonderful performance, and to Ms. Kris Hovland (MS/HS Drama teacher) for directing another amazing play. Thanks to Mr. Andrew Elbin, Kendra Kuti & Ms. Loralea Wood for helping with the music, costumes & choreography.Picture Credit: Nicole Bradbury-Becx (TAISM PR)

Last Week / Weekend - MUN @ TSSThe TAISM MUN program sent 24 delegates in grades 9-12 to The Sultan's School MUN Conference this past weekend. The students spent two days collaborating with delegates from various schools to craft resolutions, discuss and debate actions, and take strides toward workable solutions to global issues.

In the General Assembly, two issues were debated: measures to strengthen the national economy of countries dependent on migrant workers and prohibiting the development and

manufacturing of new types of weapons of mass destruction.

On Thursday, it was AJ Toprani (main submitter) and Ananya Gahalaut (co-submitter) who had their resolution selected for debate. On Friday, Rafa Saa (main submitter) and Leo Castiblanco (co-submitter) had their resolution selected.

TAISM had an equally strong presence in the two special committees, the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council. TAISM was skillfully represented in the Security Council by Shreya Sharma and Suchitra Ambudipudi, where they debated topics of global security. Ewan Cosker, Mark Kluknavsky, and Rafael Soares Rodrigues were chosen to represent TAISM in the UNHCR. All 24 of the TAISM delegates were actively and productively engaged in the conference, submitting resolutions, proposing amendments, and participating in floor debate.

Due to their combined efforts, TAISM was recognized as Best Delegation of the Conference. In addition, Rafa Saa was selected as Best Delegate of the General Assembly with Leo Castiblanco awarded Best TAISM Delegate. In addition, Shreya Sharma was recognized as Best Delegate in the Security Council.

Finally, the Chairs of the UNHCR could not decide on just one delegate for their award, instead they awarded Best Delegate in the UNHCR to each Ewan Cosker, Mark Kluknavsky, and Rafael Soares Rodrigues, due to their combined efforts. It was an exhausting, yet rewarding experience for all involved and the students are already looking forward to hosting the annual TAISM MUN Conference coming in January.

Article & pictures by Jason Webster (HS Social Studies teacher / MUN Adviser)