The Internationally-Minded School

I recently came across an inspiring article on international education written by Mr. Seth Ruef, of the International School of Luxembourg, which I think makes great reading and food for thought for the A-JIS community in our ongoing efforts to advance and develop in accordance with our own mission, aims and philosophy.

The Internationally Minded School by Seth Ruef

Trying to define an international school in this forum seems a bit redundant as most of the contributors are already long-time members of the international education community. However, if I recall back to the days when I first returned to the United States after having worked at an international school, I remember having to explain what an expat was before describing the institution itself. This is not intended to be a negative reflection on where I come from but rather to explain that some places in the US are so beautiful that people have a hard time understanding why anyone would leave. And yes, the great state of Wisconsin is such a place. Back in 1982, it was all I knew and I left it all behind.

It would also be a mistake to think that what makes an international school is that it is situated elsewhere, teaching a curriculum other than that of the host country, in a language other than that of the host country and filled with students, many if not most of whom maintain a nationality other than that of the host country. This simply describes a relocated educational institution. A truly international school is better described as an internationally-minded school. If this is the case, then it is possible to have internationally-minded schools anywhere. In fact, I will argue that the future of our planet will depend on all schools becoming internationally minded. We are already finding out what happens (climate and economy) when we don’t.

Internationally-minded may seem like one of those educational cliché flavors of the month. It is actually more of a goal or direction than it is achievable. It describes a mind set, a change in priorities and a commitment to educational best practices. The more a school strives toward it, the further away it may seem. Truly internationally-minded schools realize that they are not the center of the universe but rather a small drop in a large sea. Let me explain.

The traditional model of schools as we have grown to see them is that of an institution intended to maintain the status quo. In any given community, it will produce educated citizens that can choose government officials who will manage the tax base that the citizens contribute toward. This society will then see to the further education of youth and the care for the elderly. And so the cycle continues. You are born, educated, contribute, grow old and are (hopefully) cared for. Since the start of civilization, some form of education has been crucial to its continuation. Closer examination would also indicate a common language, code of laws, culture, monetary system and possibly even religion.

Our communities have subsisted with this model for ever. The internationally-minded school recognizes this but places their school in perspective to a community much larger. The expression think globally, act locally is a big step in this direction but only a step. With the technology in use today it is possible to think and act globally.

To think globally, a school may need to teach (dare I say require) the ability to function in more than one language. Language is the key to understanding any culture. Thinking globally may also mean broadening the curriculum to include more than one system of measurement, many religions and perspectives in history. A globally educated person respects the laws and culture of where they are and where they may go. A global citizen has a clear understanding of right and wrong and human rights. In short, an internationally-minded school nurtures (no, expects) global understanding and respect from its students and teachers. An internationally-minded school works toward creating global citizens.

What is it to act globally? For internationally-minded schools, this means leading by example. To address the global issues that fill our front pages and International sections requires that teachers and students think outside the box. As early as possible, internationally-minded schools teach students that their actions have a direct impact on the world they live in. This is not simply one day set aside to recognize different countries (although this is a good step) but rather a theme in all lessons, assemblies, clubs, activities and sports. It is a premise that is driven by a mission statement dedicated to international understanding. When this is achieved (if it can be) a school will reflect and start again in pursuit of excellence and best practices. Hence, the truly internationally-minded school is never really there but always moving toward.

Whether a school is situated in the heart of Europe or the breadbasket of America, their students will impact our world in some way at some time in their lives. By ensuring, through internationally-minded curriculum that decisions are always taken with a global perspective, schools around the world can truly be considered international.

Seth Ruef is an ICT Learning Facilitator and Teacher at the International School of Luxembourg

Thank you A-JIS!

This week we received a wonderful letter from Ms. Elise Garrity, a Student Outreach Volunteer at Partners in Health, the organization which handled the distribution of our school donations to the relief effort in Haiti. The letter is a great testament to the efforts and kindness of the A-JIS community and the manner in which our students and families have been able to think globally and act locally, helping those in real need in another part of the world few of us have seen, living in hardships which few of us have ever experienced. Thank you all for caring and coming together as a school to help a nation in need. In particular I would like to thank Mr. Shahan for leading this campaign. Well done everyone!

Barbara Beaufait

May 25, 2010

Dear students, teachers, staff, and families of Aoba Japan International School,

All of us at Partners In Health are profoundly grateful for your contribution to Haiti earthquake relief. We are honored to accept your gift of over $10,000 from a one-month campaign in January 2010, with special thanks to A-JIS Student Council 2009-2010 and The A-JIS Family Community 2009-2010. We are truly inspired by your expression of solidarity, your generosity, and your support of our organization at this critical time.

Partners In Health and its local partner Zanmi Lasante have established deep roots in Haiti, where we have provided health care services for over twenty years. Within hours of the earthquake on January 12th, we were able to mobilize a network of over 100 doctors, 600 nurses, and 4,000 employees who were already on the ground. Today, more than one month later, Partners In Health has assumed a central role in providing immediate relief and long-term care for an estimated three million people who were directly affected by this cataclysmic event.

Your generous contribution will go directly towards improving health care infrastructure and health worker training in Port-au-Prince and our 12 pre-existing facilities. Here are some examples of how much the value of your donation can accomplish. By raising over $10,000 dollars, your donation is equivalent to:

– The necessary funds to support an entire mobile clinic for two weeks, providing basic primary care to hundreds of Haitians.

– Or, the cost of hiring a nurse midwife, who ensures safe deliveries of newborns and supports women’s health.

– Or, the price of providing more than 100 houses with water purification systems.

While your contribution will go far to alleviate Haiti’s urgent calls for help, we ask you to remember that the recovery and rebuilding process is far from over. We encourage you to stay informed about our progress by visiting our website at pih.org. Stand with us. Stand with Haiti.

In Solidarity,

Elise Garrity

Student Outreach Volunteer

Family Community Donation to the School

On behalf of the entire school community, I would like to extend sincere thanks to the Family Community for their decision to donate funds to the advancement of educational information technology resources in our classrooms. Thanks to your support of Family Community events and the hard work of many parents in planning and running events in 2009 and 2010, we are now able provide an additional 37 computers for students in the computer lab, library, art and science rooms, in turn providing students with valuable tools to assist their learning and to be the best that they can be.

Barbara Beaufait
Head of School

Spring Carnival Thanks

What a wonderful event our annual Spring Carnival was on Sunday! The weather was beautiful with blue skies and sunshine all day and the event itself was a perfect match. On behalf of the whole school I would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone involved in the enormous task of putting together the carnival and all of our families and friends for participating and making it into such a special day. Seeing everyone working together as colleagues and members of the A-JIS community in the spirit of cooperation and for a positive cause was as rewarding as watching our students and their families have so much fun. Special thanks to Mrs. Miyata and the entire Family Community for all your hard work in making this year’s carnival another success.

Thank you to ALL for making this grand event once more a huge success. The weather was perfect and everyone enjoyed a lovely day together with colleagues, friends, and families. I would like to convey a special thank you to the Family Community for their tireless efforts on behalf of the school and children. Thank you also to the faculty, staff, and students for assisting before, during, and after the Carnival. The personal invitations by representatives from the Student Council, welcoming the community, made all the difference.

Music, A-JIS Spring Program

Middle School Students under the guidance of Mr. Remaly, Mr. Koike, and Ms. Finch are working diligently to get ready for this year’s Spring Program April 30^th, 2010 at the Yoyogi National Olympic Center. We hope everyone will be able to attend this special event.

Art

We are happy to announce that Ms. Yuka Asano, Middle School art teacher, is returning to work on a limited basis. Ms. Kyoko Sawada and teachers will continue to assist by covering the rest of her classes. Let’s extend a warm welcome to Ms. Asano.

Lost and Found Items

From Wednesday April 28^th – Thursday May 6th you will once again have an opportunity to retrieve your child’s missing items. As before, items will be displayed on tables in the entrance hall.

Survey – Parents & Students

In your opinion, what makes a great teacher, traits and characteristics?

We thank the parents and students who completed and turned in the form. Your feedback is valuable and much appreciated. Your answers will be taken into consideration when hiring new faculty.

Accreditation

Last week Mrs. Alvarez from CIS (Council of International Schools) confirmed that recommendations have been submitted to the accrediting organizations. I was informed that the school could expect results in the coming weeks.

Consultant Dr. John Littleford

This is to let you know that Dr. Littleford’s services, “Faculty Compensation” and “School Marketing,” have been postponed until spring 2011, a decision by the school board.

Barbara Beaufait

Spring Holidays

Spring vacation is here and school is out from Saturday 20th March. I’d like to wish all students, families, faculty, staff and friends of A-JIS fun times and safe journeys over the break. Tonight we’re all looking forward to the International Music Festival at the Suginami Campus, celebrating the music of Broadway. If you’re unable to join us in person, please tune into the live webcast on our website and be a part of this wonderful conclusion to this second term and kick off to the spring break. See you all for the start of school again on Thursday 1st April.

Barbara Beaufait

Thank You Alley Cats and the Family Community!

Today we had the great privilege of seeing one of the world’s most renowned a cappella groups right here on our Suginami Campus! What an amazing gift for our students to experience such international musical talent from a group that has performed for several US Presidents, up close and personal in two small audiences today in our assembly hall, as well as meet and speak with the members throughout the day and hear about their lives and experiences. Beyond the music, the Alley Cats are a great source of inspiration for our young students aspiring to the highest standards of academic achievement and the opportunities it opens in life. On behalf of the school and everyone who enjoyed today’s performance, I’d like to extend our warmest thanks to the Family Community for sponsoring this valued performance for our students. We hope we are fortunate enough to have the Yale Alley Cats back again next year.

Barbara Beaufait

This Week at A-JIS

Welcome back to a new week at A-JIS, an important one for the school, with the arrival of Ms Margaret Alvarez from the Council of International Schools and Dr. William McIntyre of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, both joining us this week for an accreditation follow-up visit. We’re looking forward to a productive series of meetings between the visiting accreditation team and a broad cross-section of the school community, an important step in our ongoing growth and advancement as a school.

On the weekend, I had the great pleasure of attending the Meguro Kindergarten 1, Tree Class Spring Concert titled “Let’s Sing and Learn”. The performance was hosted at the Suginami Campus, and it was a very special experience. It was such fun to see the little ones perform and enjoy themselves. On behalf of everyone who attended and enjoyed the show, I would like to extend thanks to the Meguro Campus Principal Ms. Liz de Souza and the team that put together the performance, Ms. Berkness, Ms. Inoue, Ms. Fujimoto and Ms. Piamonte, along with all the children who put on their very best for a delighted audience of parents and the A-JIS community. You all did a wonderful job!

Wishing everyone an enjoyable and productive week,

Barbara Beaufait

Jungle Gym Renovations

Great to see a newly renovated jungle gym in the playground at Suginami campus on beautiful, sunny day like today. Timber areas of the frame have been sanded, repaired and re-painted to ensure the ongoing safety of our children and the future longevity of this valued piece of school equipment. Big thanks to the Facilities and Maintenance staff for all their work on this. We’re looking forward to this being a popular and permanent fixture in our playground for years to come.

Barbara Beaufait

What’s happening in March

Dear A-JIS Community,

This week I sent a letter home with studnets to all families, updating you on some important upcoming events in the school. To continue to keep you informed I plan to start sending communication such as this home two times per month.This week’s update included the following items:

New space allocation

To better serve the community the former EEO office is now an additional conference room and available for larger group meetings. The space will be used for regular board and other administrative meetings. The school’s leadership team is able to reserve the room on a space available basis and when the small room in the Principals’ Office is busy. Mr. Gomez’ office has been relocated to “Admissions.”

Safety at school

General checks of the school and outdoor areas are being conducted regularly to assure safety. The Facilities and Maintenance Department is doing some sanding and repainting of the Jungle Gym. The school nurse and I met to review first aid procedures and guidelines in case of emergencies. Many school personnel hold updated First Aid/CPR certificates. An evacuation drill is planned this month.

Partners in Health, Haiti Relief Fundraiser

Thank you all for making this a successful event. The school raised a grand total of Y1,342,390 surpassing expectations of Y1,000,000. The Family Community contributed Y152,971 from the Halloween Bake, and Y122,410 from the food and book sale. Thank you all for making this a success. Students have completed 1,000 paper cranes and several posters to be mailed and displayed in clinics and hospitals to raise children’s’ spirits while being treated for injuries.

Accreditation

Dr. McIntyre (NEASC) and Ms. Alvarez (CIS) will be working with the school March 9-11. They are here for us to share improvements. Their focus will be on the two special issues, School Governance, Philosophy and Objectives.

French

Thank you for submitting surveys. Valuable information was gained, and was taken into consideration. The board voted unanimously to offer French as an “After School Club” this coming school year. Additional programs will be explored in the future.

Parent Survey

The school will send out a survey to parents in early May to provide an opportunity for constructive feedback. The staff will then study the results and use them for making improvements. Annual surveys will be forthcoming. Allow me to share a statement once made by a colleague: “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” Dr. Richard E. Smith Professor of Educational Administration, Seattle Pacific University.

Consultant John Littleford

April 24-May 5; We look forward to working with Mr. Littleford who has been hired to help the school evaluate teacher salaries and benefit packages, and how to internally promote the school. Mr. Littleford will meet with staff, faculty, parents, and students through small focus groups. He is looking forward to attending the Spring Carnival. Following is some background information.

Littleford & Associates was founded by John C. Littleford in 1994. Mr. Littleford has served as head of school for 18 years, a teacher for 25 years, and a board member and chair of schools and nonprofit agencies.

He has written and spoken extensively worldwide on each area of the firm’s consulting expertise. John Littleford is the co-author, with Valerie Lee, of the book, “Faculty Salary Systems in Independent Schools“. This landmark publication on this topic was published by NAIS from 1983-94. His articles on the career ladder concept of faculty compensation are found in Larry Frase’s book, entitled “Teacher Motivation and Compensation”, published in 1992 by the Technomic Press.

Mr. Littleford has his B.A. degree from Dickinson College, Critical Language Degree from Princeton University, M.A. from Harvard University and a Certificate of Advanced Study from Harvard University.

As senior partner, Mr. Littleford conducts all workshops, on-site visits and evaluations of contracts for Heads and nonprofit CEO’s.

Having earned a reputation for excellence, Littleford & Associates has over 2,000 clients worldwide, including Canada, Southern and Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Littleford & Associates has a corporate membership in the National Association of Independent Schools. The firm is listed on the NAIS website under the following service categories: Board services: board development, board/head relations, compensation and benefits, board evaluation, strategic planning, and training and retreats; Administration: head mentoring; Management: executive leadership, organizational and general consulting; Teaching: teacher compensation and evaluation.

Thank you for sharing your children with us.

Kind regards,

Barbara Beaufait

Head of School

January Updates

Dear A-JIS Community,

January’s A-JIS Courier unfortunately did not make it to publication, as Mr. Tajima was taken ill early in the month. He has since recovered and returned to school. In the meantime please allow me to communicate the following.

Mrs. Rogers-Doi

About ten days ago Mrs. Doi Rogers was admitted to St. Luke’s Hospital with a medical condition. She wishes to convey to everyone that she is feeling better, and recovering nicely. • The 2010-2011 School Calendar is almost complete, ready for board approval and subsequent distribution in February. I would like to take a moment to thank the administration, faculty, staff, and parents who attended several meetings, sharing ideas. Working collaboratively was a wonderful experience and we think you will like the results.

Haiti

The Haiti fundraising campaign is well under way. Thank you ALL for generously donating to assist a nation in the process of recovery from this devastating earthquake. Students are creating art projects to be sent, hopefully for display in hospitals and clinics. The children at A-JIS care. I am truly touched. Please view the work currently displayed in the lobby.

Staffing

Some of our faculty members will be leaving at the end of this school year in pursuit of new horizons. The administration is in the process of identifying needs for 2010-2011. Please rest assured we are recruiting and will hire the very best. The interviewing will take place by a team, and include administrator(s), faculty, staff, and parent(s). Please contact the Principals’ office if you wish to have your name placed on the list.

Accreditation

All school personnel are working diligently to get reports ready for submission to CIS January 31st.

Lost and Found

We are happy so many items have been picked up. The tables remain in the lobby until Thursday January 28th. Thereafter the Family Community has kindly offered to donate the rest. We are still holding a watch, an iPod, and a pair of prescription eyeglasses. Will the rightful owner(s) please stop by the Principals’ Office to describe and claim these lost item(s)?

We look forward to seeing you at this Friday’s Talent Show, a fundraiser for Haiti, sponsored by the Family Community.

Kind regards,

Barbara Beaufait

Head of School