Dear Campus International School Family,

In light of last week’s tragedy in Parkland, Florida, I want to share some information and resources with you.
In addition to our safety preparedness, our school also places a great emphasis on social emotional supports for students. Our dedicated team of teachers, social workers (https://www.beechbrook.org/), and school psychologist are here to support our students who may be experiencing social emotional health issues. 

In PYP, we create safe spaces to learn through our school wide practice of Morning Meetings using the Responsive Teaching Model. The four parts of this model are:

• Greeting: Students and teachers greet and welcome each other.
• Sharing: Students share something about themselves or their lives, and the rest of their peers listen, then ask follow-up questions or offer comments.
• Activity: The group completes an activity that encourages teamwork while re-emphasizing social or academic skills.
• Morning message: Students read a short message from their teacher, usually describing what is to come in the day ahead.

We also incorporate our Learner Profile Attributes and Attitudes into all of our units of inquiry and throughout our day. Since the tragic events of last week, we have been revisiting books that help us understand our part in noticing people/things that seem out of the ordinary (how to stand up or tell someone you trust), emphasizing feelings, empathy, and what it means to be human.

In MYP, students have discussed Current Events through CNN News, articles, and advisory time. Students have had time to talk in classes about how these events have impacted them and to share their feelings.  Staff members have been supportive while using  this time as teachable moments on how to peacefully protest and work together for positive change.

Below you will find a number of resources and professional advice for talking with your children about violence and tragedy. 


Resources:

SaferSchools Ohio
This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety—whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.
To access the SaferSchools Ohio tip line, call or text 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764). 

​Talking to Children About Violence - Tips for Parents and Teachers
The National Association of School Psychologists put together a helpful and comprehensive guide to talking to children about violence. Click here to read the guide.

“Resiliency After Violence,” The Harvard Graduate School of Education

The American School Counselor Association on helping kids after a shooting

The Coalition to Support Grieving Students, with research-backed resources

​Useful two-page guidance from the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement

What does it mean to be Balanced?

"We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live."
~ibo.org

Grade 4

How We Organize Ourselves

Central Idea: Ideas, Location, and Action Influence Infrastructure

Questions:

How do cities allow people to move?
How do you get a large group of people to make a decision?
How does the physical environment relate to an areas economy?
​

Congrats to our MYP Ambassadors who came to school Ready to Learn by being Communicators!
 
Names (nominated by)
Nora Van Lier (Dudik)
 Amiyah Hart (Arens)
Ahmad Bates (Taylor)
Audrianna Atkinson (Perry)
Lania Baker (Thomas)
Michael Wachter (Weber)
Shane Maxey (Orbash)
Danielle Thompson (Kane)
Carli Jordan (Mishaga)