Week one after Distance learning

Everyone is getting technologically sound with distance learning!

Distance learning has its own advantages and disadvantages. We are happy we are in an era, where learning still takes place in these trying times. We (as educators) are getting "tech-savvy" too, but we miss the physical presence of our students. Man is a social animal and yet in these circumstances, we have to avoid doing what we love most - socializing!

The challenge of COVID-19

Our campus has now been closed for a week due to the challenge we face together from the COVID-19 virus.

Students need to "read the manual" first

Over the past few days I have been scanning the interactions between teachers and students in their online classes. Some of the questions asked by students (especially our Middle Schoolers) have brought back memories of me putting things to get as a teen; models/bicycles/furniture etc

Distance Learning Tools & Applications(Covid 19)

Due to the widespread outbreak of the COVID-19 world over, and heeding the important call to Stay Home, we are privileged to host most if not all our tools and applications in the cloud. This means yes we are disadvantaged to sit in the same space and engage our students in a physical classroom, but we are once again privileged to keep our Teacher and Student programs running remotely using our Distance Learning Tools and Applications embedded in our GSuite for Education platform.

Dealing with COVID 19

I read an interesting article shared by Michael Lannini from International Schools Services. The article is written by Doug Ota who is the Chairperson and founder of  Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN)- a non-profit organization that aims " to offer a home to refresh, equip, and connect transition care providers around the globe who are committed to healthy student, family, and staff mobility within and between school."
Here are some suggestions form him to cope with school closures, isolation, and quarantine.

IB CAS and distance learning: how does this work?

As part of their IB Diploma programme, the students are required to complete three CORE components: Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). With many school campuses closed and students now attending online classes, students have to rethink about how to implement CAS in their distance learning programme. Every Wednesday, from 8 to 9 am, I will touch base with the whole DP1 cohort.

This morning I was thrilled to see all the DP1 online on Google Meet ready to get to work! We shared and brainstormed ways to complete their CAS programme during the current challenging circumstances and they will be adding more to the following list of ideas for next week's session:

-creating a blog (daily journal) about learning online
-creating videos to help people use online tools to communicate, teach and learn
-set up a mini cross country course in their garden for themselves and/or their siblings
-come up with a regular homemade gym plan for the next few weeks
-compose a rap song about the coronavirus
-start a vegetable patch in the garden or on a balcony
-learning how to play a musical instrument
-learning how to cook italian dishes (to make homemade pasta, pizza...)

As I explained to the students this morning, many things will count for CAS, provided that they can show evidence of some planning and that they have a goal to attain.
The students are also expected to continue writing their CAS reflections on Managebac.

Secondary school distance learning

We appreciate that this is a long email, but we have tried to cover the more salient points which we’d like you to know/keep in mind with regard to the implementation of the distance learning programme.

Gearing up for distance learning

Although our campus may be closed to students, learning continues online.

Primary school distance Learning

Our response to COVID 19 is in line with many institutions all around the world - distance learning for all students.

Notice of school closure

As you may be aware, the Minister of Health has instructed all schools to close on Friday 20^th March 2020

Cancellation of non-teaching activities

As part of our response to the spread of the coronavirus causing COVID-19 we have cancelled until further notice all non-teaching activities at school.

Progress on Nangwenya Road

Materials have arrived for the construction of culverts at our entrances along Nangwenya Road. The pipes shown in the picture will be laid in the drainage ditch so that our entrance ramps can be constructed over them. Very little work remains before our gates can be reopened; however the uneven pace of work makes it difficult to estimate a completion date.

COVID-19 school response update 16 March

Parent Actions

We request that parents and teachers keep themselves and their children out of school if any of the following conditions are met:

COVID-19 school response

I know that many of you will be concerned at the spread of COVID-19 and interested to know what steps International School will be taking to deal with the threat posed by this virus.

Ask ISL - hand sanitising

Question

It would appear that it is only a matter of time before COVID-19 comes to Zambia.

Music Unites the World- Early Years Production

A medley to showcase performance,  talent, and international mindedness!

Year 9 iGCSE maths

Year 9 students preparing for iGCSE exams. Watch the video here
For students taking iGCSEs there are plenty more videos, and the Year 10s made a video which will be posted shortly.