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Inglemoor HS’ International Baccalaureate (IB) Information Night, February 2, 2005
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2005, 7 PM – 8:30 PM
One of our favorite high schools to watch is Inglemoor High School in Bothell. Inglemoor is one of the thirteen IB high schools in Washington. Only one high school in Washington (Newport HS) sends more kids to the University of Washington. And of course many Inglemoor grads attend Ivy League schools and other highly competitive universities. Inglemoor, like the other high schools in the Northshore School District, is made up of 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. 7th, 8th, and 9th graders attend junior high school. This type of school system avoids many problems associated with 9th graders in high school.
Inglemoor is among the top public high schools in the Greater Seattle Area as described in the Seattle Times School Guide.
http://www.apibboosters.org/TopHighSchools.html
On February 2nd, 2005, Inglemoor will hold its annual IB Information Night. If you want to see what academic excellence is all about, we encourage you to attend this event. It will be crowded so arrive early.
We look forward to the day when Everett School District students have an IB opportunity. Until then, families who want this option must obtain an inter-district transfer to one of our neighboring school districts.
The following are qualities and expectations of a student interested in the IB Program as listed on Inglemoor’s web site.
"1. Love of Learning:
An IB student will have a strict academic program to follow. Study, reading, and preparation time must be carefully managed. The student will need to realize that this rigorous program is best suited for those who truly enjoy the exploration of learning and the pursuit of excellence.
2. Grades:
A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required at the time of application. A student must maintain a C or better in IB classes in order to continue to take the IB courses at the next grade level.
3. Time Management:
IB students need to have excellent time-management skills. Adjustments to a busy schedule will have to be made to accommodate increased demands on time for a heavy academic load.
4. Study Skills:
A minimum of three hours of study is to be expected each day outside of classes. Diploma candidates need to spend an average of three to four hours of study per evening. A strong reading ability is essential. It is recommended that IB students limit any outside employment to a bare minimum, if any.
5. Excellent Attendance:
Daily attendance is an important part of IB. Courses move quickly and large amounts of information are dealt with on a daily basis. Lectures and discussions, which are at the heart of the IB process and lead to passing IB examinations, cannot be made up. There is no accommodation that can be made for a student who is not able to participate in the day-to-day course expectations.
6. Community Involvement:
The CAS component of IB requires involvement in humanitarian endeavors in the school, and in the local and international communities.
7. Ability to Articulate:
Throughout the IB program, the students’ demonstration of thought, expression, and clarity are constantly assessed and challenged. Strong speaking and presentation skills are helpful.
8. Additions to the IB Program:
Candidates are expected to be involved in at least one of the following areas within the school: art, music, drama, physical education, student government, sports, or journalism.
9. Previous Course Work:
Some pre-IB course work is highly recommended and some pre-IB course work is required. You must contact your counselor or the IB coordinator for clarification and appropriate course planning. Participation in pre-IB classes and/or intensive or honors programs is taken into consideration in the selection process.
10. Involvement:
IB students will be expected to be prepared and participate in class discussions. They will need to present ideas, see relationships, draw conclusions, discuss possible outcomes, listen carefully and respect other viewpoints.
11. International Interests:
IB is an international program. IB students are expected to be global in interest and focus. They should demonstrate interest in other countries, cultures, beliefs, and customs."
In January, the first meeting of the Inglemoor IB Boosters Club was held. Yes, we know, a similar name to ours. We are flattered and wish them well.
The International Baccalaureate Association of Bellevue
Another school district with a strong IB program is the Bellevue School District. In fact the Bellevue School District is the only school district in Washington that has all 3 levels of IB: IB Primary Years (for students aged 3-12), IB Middle Years (for students aged 11-16), and the IB Diploma Program (for students aged 16-19).
Bellevue also has a parent led group that promotes and supports IB related issues – The International Baccalaureate Association of Bellevue.
One of their slogans: "I think, therefore … IB"
Why an IB Association?
http://www.ibbellevue.org/index.htm
Some quotes from this site:
"IB is the best secondary curriculum in the world--bar none."
Elizabeth Vermey, former president of the Ivy League Coalition of Colleges.
"We would much prefer the IB diploma candidate. It is the ‘best’ high school preparatory curriculum an American school can offer."
Marilee Jones, Dean of Admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Workshop in Contextual Analysis of Works of Art and Architecture
College Board Event for Teachers
January 29, 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EST)
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/
Dr. Robert Coad, a veteran AP Art History teacher, National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship recipient, and College Board consultant, will give this presentation.
More World Language Courses Please
Recently, we submitted the following article to each Everett School District (ESD) Middle School PTA and each ESD high school PTSA. Our hope is that the PTAs and PTSAs will join us in our efforts to provide more World Language options for ESD students – starting with Japanese and Chinese Language Courses.
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David Graddol, managing director of the English Company in Milton Keynes, England, and the author of a study on the future of language, states:
"Monolingual English speakers may find it difficult to fully participate in a multilingual society."
"Native English speakers—particularly monolingual ones—have been too complacent about the status of their language and the lack of need to learn other languages."
In the next decade, the new must-learn language is likely to be Mandarin.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0226_040226_language.html#main
We, AP/IB Boosters, couldn’t agree more. That is why we have been calling for additional World Language offerings at Jackson HS and the other ESD schools. We especially would like to see Asian language courses. High schools in neighboring districts (Kamiak, Mariner, Snohomish, Marysville, Mercer Island, …) already offer levels 1 through 4 in their Asian language programs – usually Japanese and/or Chinese. Presently, the ESD high schools only offer German, French, and Spanish.
Also, starting in the Fall of 2006, the College Board will have 3 new official AP Language and Culture courses and national exams: Japanese, Chinese, and Russian.
Please join us in requesting that at least one Asian Language (Japanese and/or Chinese) course be offered to ESD high school students starting in the Fall of 2005.
Thank you.
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Washington State PTA 2004 – 2005 Legislative Priority Issues
The Washington State PTA has a list of priority issues (similar to the AP/IB Boosters 12 top issues). Details of two of the PTA issues are listed below. The full list can be found on the Washington State PTA web site.
Title: Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs
Text: The Washington State PTA shall support/initiate legislation and/or policies that provide identified and sustained funding for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) honors programs.
Background: Our public schools have a daunting task – to educate every child who walks through the door. Most succeed at this task, but the breadth and depth of the education each child receives may not be appropriate for the gifted student. Due to their unique characteristics, gifted students need more rigor and challenge. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes at the high school level can provide this increased level of rigor and challenge for students who need it. Additionally, in order to meet the challenge of closing the achievement gap, we need to increase the numbers of students who have access to AP & IB programs. Currently, funding for these programs and support for exit testing must come out of existing district general funds, thereby shortchanging other programs and potentially diluting the honors curriculum. The availability of students to access AP or IB coursework is an equity issue. Students in schools not offering AP or IB programs are often overlooked by the best colleges because AP and IB on a transcript is a national standard of excellence. Students should not be limited in their ability to access these programs and opportunities based on family economics or the ability to pay for the exit exams.
Title: International Education for All Children
Text: The Washington State PTA shall support/initiate legislation and/or policies that prepare all Washington students for today’s interconnected world by providing opportunities for teachers and students to engage in global issues and the study of world languages in addition to English and to learn about other regions and cultures represented in our communities and around the world.
Background: As citizens of Washington State, we are all participants in a globally interdependent world through our cultures, our government, and our economies. From our smallest rural farms to our largest cities, the quality our lives is impacted by global events. Our ability as citizens to build better and secure lives locally, regionally and nationally depends on our commitment to understand and connect with the world. Washington has long considered education its "paramount duty." It is time for parents, educators, and our political leadership to support the meaningful teaching and learning about the world at all levels of education in order to have a globally competent citizenry. To do this, all students need opportunities for rigorous international study and experience through Social Studies (including Civics, Economics, Geography, History, Cultures of the World), Math and Science, and World Languages. Washington is a gateway to the Pacific Rim, yet our state is one of the few where students can graduate from high school without ever having studied any language besides English. Washington State is one of the most trade-dependent states in the country with 1 in 3 jobs impacted by international trade. We are in a time of crisis, when school districts continue to make cuts in Social Studies and Languages that we cannot afford. We are in a time of strategic opportunity, when we can choose to revitalize education by prioritizing global competencies and thereby ensuring a more well-rounded and internationally engaged citizenry.
All 25 WSPTA 2005 Priority Issues can be found at the following:
Five Graduates from H.M. Jackson High School Recognized
Item 12 on our recommended 12-step improvement program is Academic Recognition.
http://www.apibboosters.org/GoalsAndObjectives.html
The Everett School District is doing its part by regularly listing academic achievements by students and teachers.
http://www.everett.k12.wa.us/everett/News
"Five 2004 graduates from H.M. Jackson High have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program (AP) Exams.
Adam Argo and Margot Wielgus qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3.0 or higher on four or more of these exams.
Grace Bhak, Christopher Helgerson and Dennis Tang qualified for the AP Scholar by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3.0 or higher."
Way to go Timberwolves!
Nationally Certified List Grows
http://www.everett.k12.wa.us/everett/News
"Linda Adams, Dina Alberts, Britt Barer, Debbie Clymer, Gregg Elder, Paula Furick, Kristina Kee, Dianne Lundberg, Noralee (Barney) Petersen and Michelle Wiley are the latest Everett teachers to earn National Board Certification. Achieving this certification requires many hours of work to assure that the teacher is knowledgeable about student learning and uses that knowledge to work effectively with students."
Way to go teachers!
UW World Languages Day for High School Students
Friday, March 4, 2005
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/k12/wld/default.asp
World Languages Day 2005 has filled to capacity, and registration is now closed for this event.
A number of ESD high school students registered and will attend this year. The district is providing buses and substitute teachers.
2005 Presentation Titles and Topics
"This is just a sampling of the titles and topics of the presentations on World Languages Day 2005. More titles will be added soon, including Spanish and Japanese presentations.
UW Math Day for High School Students
Monday, March 21, 2005
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/k12/mathday.asp
This is another great UW event for high school students. It will also fill up quickly. If you snooze, you lose. So register soon.