From the Elementary Principal
Nursery to Grade 5
Our youngest students come to school with a wide variety of experiences,
developmental and cultural differences. At Northbridge International
School Cambodia, our curriculum and instruction reflect and celebrate
these differences. We strive to give every child the opportunity to
achieve their full potential through the delivery of a rich and diverse,
well-articulated and standards based elementary program.
Diagnostic, classroom based and standardized assessments, including the
Iowa test of Basic Skills, are used to help identify student needs and
set goals for academic growth. We provide differentiated curriculum and
extra support (including ESL) for students who need more help, as well
as for those who need to be challenged.
The elementary program includes two Physical Education
classes each week
as well as swimming.
(Click the photo to learn more)
Students start French in Kindergarten, and Khmer is
offered from Grade 2. Students also attend Art and Music classes and we
have both a primary (Kindergarten to Grade 2) and intermediate (Grade 3
to Grade 5) choir. Students enjoy their weekly visits to the library and
the elementary computer lab. Student successes are celebrated regularly
and often, in classrooms and at Monday morning assemblies. Special
activity days, the after school programs, performances and field trips
also contribute to the high quality, nurturing and fun-filled
experiences that are characteristic of an education at NISC.
Please click on the appropriate links to find a curriculum overview from
each elementary grade level, along with work samples and current
pictures of the class.
Mr. John Arndt
Elementary School Principal
elementaryprincipal@NISCambodia.com
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PYP Update (Posted
October 29, 2008)
NISC Gains Candidate Status in the International
Baccalaureate Organization Primary Years Program
For almost one year now, NISC has been conducting a feasibility
study into the possible implementation of the Primary Years
Program (PYP) for Nursery through grade 6. This is one of three
programs offered by the International Baccalaureate Organization
(IBO).
In September, NISC hosted a preliminary visit from an
International Baccalaureate Asia Pacific (IBAP) representative
who led the elementary staff through professional development,
including inquiry-based learning and the framework of the PYP
curriculum. In October, our school submitted an application to
advance the school towards obtaining candidate status. The
application was reviewed and NISC has been approved by the IBO
as a Candidate School. This is exciting news!
The following is a statement from the IBO office:
Congratulations on all the work you and your colleagues have
done in the past year to prepare for PYP authorization.
Northbridge International School Cambodia is a candidate school
for the Primary Years Program. This school is pursuing
authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that
share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality,
challenging, international education that NISC believes is
important
for our students.
Candidate status allows NISC to continue towards authorization
to become an IB World School offering the Primary Years Program.
However, candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization
will be granted.
Our PYP Leadership Team (Aaron Prieur, Matt Johnston, Junlah
Madalinski, Shailani Borges, Cynthia Gayoso, and Lois Arndt)
have done an excellent job in completing the appropriate
paperwork for gaining this candidate status. Our elementary
teachers are also to be commended as they continue the process
of understanding and integrating this educational approach to
student learning!
During the second semester there will be a Parent Night to
further introduce the Primary Years Program to parents. This
will also include the opportunity to ask questions about this
program. I will continue to update parents on this new endeavor
as appropriate. John Arndt
Professional Development Days
As parents likely know, 26-28 of March were calendar days
designated for professional development. Eighteen members of the
Northbridge staff attended the EARCOS (East Asia Region
Conference of Overseas Schools) teacher conference. This
conference provided teachers with up-to-date research in
supporting student learning. The information gained from
attending the workshop for these teachers was shared with
colleagues during after school meetings. While disruptions of
the school week for conferences such as EARCOS can present
challenges, it should be noted that our teachers are continuing
to learn and to grow professionally, and they are sharing their
learning experiences with colleagues. We are modeling for our
students the philosophy of our Expected School-wide Learning
Results: “the desire to strive for excellence in doing our best
work.”
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