IBARMS

IB DIPLOMA COORDINATOR OPENING
GREELEY WEST HIGH SCHOOL
June, 2008
A 1.0 fte IB Diploma Coordinator position is available at Greeley West High School.
This coordinator is responsible for all Advanced Academics at Greeley West, including IB Diploma, IB Middle Years (MYP), Advanced Placement and Gifted & Talented. No teaching is required. This person is primarily responsible for working closely with students, parents and staff members to promote and maintain all of the Advanced Academic programming. A current Weld County School District 6 application must be on file, and information on that may be found at www.greeleyschools.org. For additional information on this position, please contact Julie Webster at jwebster@greeleyschools.org.

Desert Academy at Santa Fe has an opening for the fall of 2008:

Upper level high school math/department chair.  Will begin teaching Math SL, along with upper level classes, in the fall.

Desert Academy begins its first year of IB classes in the fall of 2008.

Please visit our web site at www.desertacademy.org.  Send letter of interest and resume to Terry Passalacqua, Assistant Head of School: terrypass@gmail.com

Please see attached minutes from the Spring 2008 meeting.
Minutes PYP April 18, 2008

From Susie Mitzelfeld:

The PeaceJam Club and the IB Diploma Program and our CHS Media Specialist, Louise Shorter invite you to attend the riveting documentary Dalai Lama Renaissance, to be presented at Centaurus’ Auditorium on Thursday, May 1^st at 6:30 PM.  The film is an international discussion about world issues with 40 different problem solvers of the world and the Dalai Lama.  This event is open to the public and will be hosted by the students mentioned.  These students are ready to facilitate discussions after the film and are very excited to be a part of bringing awareness about international issues to light.  If you feel comfortable, you may spread the word by using the attached flyers in your workplaces or community groups.

From Lori Quigley at Pueblo East High School:

My principal was wondering if any schools have an “IB contract” that students sign regarding their commitment to the program, etc.

Also, what books do people use for Psychology?

Please open the attached file for membership information and application for the 2008-2009 school year.

Invitation to 2008-2009 membership

(Please see attached file for Registration Form.)

IB Middle Years Program

                                                                                           Coordinators Round Table

                                                                Kennedy High School

                                                      2855 S. Lamar

                                                                                    Denver, Colorado  80227

                                                                  Telephone: 720.423.4321    Fax: 720.423.4315

Round Table Date, Thursday May 1, 2008

Place:  Kennedy High School Community Room

Time:  9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.myp-coordinator-may-1-2008.doc

Coordinators:

Congratulations on nearly completing another school year!  Kennedy High School will be hosting a roundtable for MYP Coordinators on Thursday, May 1 from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.  This Round Table is intended to provide support by colleagues for individual needs and interests.  Please note, this is not a seminar or workshop.  Rather this is an opportunity for practitioners to bring their best thinking and experience to help one another.

With this in mind, please send agenda ideas to me at Donald_Marsh@dpsk12.org.   I will assemble an agenda and send it forward one week prior to our meeting.  It has already been suggested that a portion of our time be  allocated to smaller group meetings of more experienced and less experienced coordinators to ensure that all needs are met.  This is only a suggestion.

Don Marsh

IB/MYP Coordinator

Direction to Kennedy:

From I – 25 North to Santa Fe south to Highway 285 west.  Exit Sheridan north turn left on Dartmouth to Lamar

From I – 25 South exit Highway 285 west.  Exit Sheridan north turn left on Dartmouth to Lamar

IBARMS MYP Breakout Session Minutes – 2/15/08

·         Debbie Getzel asked members to share how they have converted MYP rubrics to grades. Several people talked about how this was done. Lisa sent out a copy of the Lang. A conversion rubric used at Poudre High School as an example.

·         Carolyn Derr asked for examples of how MYP schools approach Lang. B in a manner that allows students to sit for their SL exams in the DP their senior year. Anne Frazier explained that Thornton’s high school Lang. B courses are essentially the equivalent of 1 ½ years condensed into a 1 year course. Other programs have found no problem getting students ready for the SL exam, even if they enter 9^th grade with a Level 1 course. Others suggested using CAS students as tutors or outside support agencies to help individual students reach and appropriate level of competency.

·         The PE Roundtable will be held next fall (as opposed to this April) due to the implementation of the new guide in Sept. 2008. Anne Frazier, who will be hosting the roundtable at Thornton HS, would like help planning the PE roundtable. We are looking at possibly bringing in a presenter (i.e. Robin Schaeffer from North Middle School in Colorado Springs or Ted Williams from Lamar High School in Houston, TX.)

·         Don Marsh will host the Coordinator’s Roundtable on May 1 at Henry Middle School. Registration info will be sent and posted on the website.

·         Summit feedback:

o   Kids loved the agency fair; some felt the DU speakers spoke a bit over their heads

o   Loved the crutches for Africa idea! Schools are really rocking on this one!

o   Contact information for Erica Moffatt, the presenter who is building the school in Guinea Bissau:      erica2guineabissau@gmail.com  Contact her directly for instructions on where she would like supplies sent.

o   It would help if the presentations were more standardized in the future; more guiding questions could be provided to facilitate the process and keep everyone on the same page.

o   We will dedicate time to planning next year’s summit at the April ARMS meeting.

After general discussion, Lisa agreed to email several documents to all attending members: Personal Project rubric/grading information; Language A grade conversion chart; new IBNA course outline format.

GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

February 15, 2008

Copperfields Event Center

Roger called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance.

Minutes from the November meeting were read and approved.

The change to Article 4, Section 3.1 to read: “The term of office shall be one year from July 1 through June 30.” Was motioned by Don and seconded by Dorsee.  Motion carried.  First reading was in November.

We had the first reading of the amendment to Article 4 Section 2.7 to read: “If unable to fulfill duties, the Board may replace a member.”  The final reading will be in April.

Jan Lotter reported that we have $258,620.01 in our treasury with the payments for summer training.  There was $75,000 that was transferred to a 6month CD in January.

Committee Reports:

Nanci Morse gave the June Conference Report.  We are almost full and have waiting lists in most areas.  PYP Level 1 and Level 3 Administrator have some openings.  The majority of schools have paid at this point.

Lisa reported that the Scholarship Committee has applications and will be meeting to award the 5-$1,000 scholarship to seniors.

Jan Lotter encouraged all to visit the Projects section of the website.  Awards were made to Natrona High School, Lincoln Junior High, Smokey Hill High School, and Palmer High School.  Representatives will be at the April meeting to discuss their projects.

Lou talked about the Legislative committee.  There are issues around funding and the Tabor Amendment which could limit our ability to gain additional funding at this time but information is going out on how others states are funding IB schools.  There does seem to at least be some funding available through professional development.  The group is working on getting information out there that IB is a K-12 program.  Lou and Roger are to present to some members of the Colorado congress.

Roger discussed the Association Agreement with IB.  That we are now part of the Association of IB World Schools.  It formalizes our relationship with IB.  He reminded all that we do not represent the IB organization.  We need to be mindful of this when advertising roundtables and trainings.

There was information around IBNA Board merging with IB to become a Regional Head Representative Council and Regional Advisory Council.

There will be a school census in April.  Coordinators need to be sure to complete the information.  It will come from Beth Brock head of Research and Development in New York.

FYI to members that Michael Deam is working with a schools project team through the U.S. Department of Education.   Also, Anthony Flatley is the new Ombudsman for schools.  You may contact him at ombudsman@ibo.org.

Lori brought up the concern over people doing their RSVP and then NOT coming to meetings.  That costs the organization $2,500 last year with no shows.

A review of the MYP Student Summit was presented.  This was the third year and there were 140 students and around 50 staff members participating.  The areas of interaction were focused around the topic of Health and Social Education.  This is done in partnership with Denver University which has a great international focus.  There was an agency fair for students.  Action plans were developed for participating schools.

The slate of officer candidates was read for the April vote meeting.  We have a full slate.

Helene Troumblay will be in Colorado around April 14 if any district are interested in having her work with students.  She presented to the group last year.

Items are needed for the newsletter.  Please submit to Lori at the website.  These should support the IBARMS mission statement.

All are encouraged to check the blog on a regular basis.

Our speaker for this meeting was Bradley Richardson retired director of IBNA.  He presented a short history of IB growth since 1985 when he join IBNA.  He spoke to IB being the “Gold Standard” in education, liberal attacks that come periodically, and that it important to know what IB is not.  He talked about the four stages of IB within schools: International what?, My AP is better than your IB, I think we are getting the hang of IB, and enlightenment when we become broad based.  He talked to modes of thinking, where IB is going, and the importance of intellectual honesty.

The presentation was enjoyed by all.

We adjourned to grade level meetings.

Executive Board Meeting

February 15, 2008

Copperfields Event Center

Roger covered information from the regional director’s meeting.

Hosting events: Anytime we host an event, a copy needs to go to Bob Poole. Be sure to get this out to program representatives.

Be sure that we are clear that we DO NOT represent IB when we take a position on such issues as those might arise in the legislature.

This prompted us to from drop #12 in Bylaws the word “I”.

We were briefed on the new document which the organization needs to sign with IBNA. It is clear that we could be dropped at any time. Termination would not affect workshops. Not really seen as a problem by Roger or Dorsee. This is not a financial agreement.

Schools may use information from the website for roundtables and summits but IBARMS needs to be careful as do all in reproduction.

We are not to contact an applicant school to see if they are interested in IBARMS. We will send letters of invitation to newly authorized schools and follow with phone calls:

Challenger—Diane Johnson

Fairview—Patricia Wetmore

Monument Academy—Glenda Nachtrieb

United World College—Roger Dowd

Susie expressed the desire to know perspective schools so that we might be more of a support to them. Privacy seems to be more the issue.

Roger called for approval to sign the agreement, Lou seconded and the motion carried.

Roger read the list of candidates to be presented. We have someone for each office.

There was a discussion about officers missing meetings and how we might incorporate language in to the By-Laws. Several ideas were discussed. The final wording is “If unable to fulfill duties, the Board may replace a member.” 2.7 of Article 4

Patricia called for the motion, Lisa seconded, and motion passed.

The question on Past President membership role was tabled.

Lou brought up the question of rising fees. This could be a hardship on schools and violate the IB policy of access. He is working on a draft statement from IBARMS stating concerns.

In Toronto, the question was brought up about high schools being whole school and there is no requirement according to Ralph Cline.

All need to be watching for the census questionnaire in April coming from IB. Be sure to complete that in a timely manner.

The IBNA Board will be dissolving to merger with IB and renamed Regional Advisory Committee. Anthony Flatly is the new Ombudsman to IB schools and regions. IBNA is looking for a new regional director.

Last fall we had talked about money to be paid to be more active in a regional organization with IBNA. We had asked if payments could be made and the answer was no. We are not feeling that $10,000 is reasonable at this point.

Several different options to presenting training and give districts breaks on training costs were discussed. IBNA is beginning some online trainings for PYP and MYP levels.

Research and Development is working with five states on aligning with standards and college admissions requirements.

We discussed how DP transcripts are being handled at each high school.

Conference Committee Report

The update was presented by Nanci and Diane.

Trainers will be paid $900.  IB has requested a mix of local presenters and those from out of the area.

Contracts are taken care of for those currently committing to train with copies going to Anthony Tate and professional development.

We now pay $80 per capita to IB and that goes up on July 1 to $110. 

We have most areas waitlisted and high payment rates from those attending.  Currently there are 425 participants.

There are a couple of field representatives interested in attending.

We looked at options for gifts to participants.  It was decided to look at costs of small note pads for use at the conference.

The discussions turned to the topic of double sessions in June, 2009 with 1 ½ day turn around between.  We would have to move up a week earlier do to facility availability.  The 2010 dates are June 20-23, 2011 are June 26-29, and 2012 June 24-27.

We discussed possible Level 3 topics for the future which included technology, exhibition, personal projects, Extended Essay, internationalism, orientation to IB.

Lori brought up marketing and the CASE conference in July.  We suggested pens with website on them.

With Brad presenting today, it was suggested that we offer an honorarium to him of $500 which Dorsee moved, Lisa seconded, and the motion passed.

There was a brief discussion of the theater arts group coming in the fall.  They would like us to do some leg work and help organize the event.  We will have more information in April.

It was brought up that IBNA was sponsoring a Level 3 workshop on Leadership in Denver.

Lori would like to address the main group around catering costs for those who DON’T come after RSVP at our quarterly meetings.  We are looking at a $2,500 expense.

We adjourned to check-in, lunch, and the general meeting.