Vision of Global Excellence

Benefits of the International Baccalaureate 

World School Programme

Students

·         A robust student centered curriculum based on global standards of excellence.

·         Engaging and exciting learning activities presented through thematic units using an Inquiry-based format.

·         Highly trained teachers prepared to meet global standards of excellence and professional learning.

Teachers

·         High quality professional development focused on inquiry-based teaching strategies

·         The academic freedom to use real world, project based activities to expand student learning.

·         The support of a network of international baccalaureate schools and teachers from around the globe.

·         Training in best practices

Parents

·         Education and preparation based upon global standards of excellence.

·         The ability to transfer to an IB school in any country in the world with the confidence that the instruction is of the highest quality and consistent with best practices identified globally.

·         IB programmes are recognized around the world and ensure an increased adaptability and mobility for IB students.

·         The curriculum and pedagogy of IB programmes focus on international perspectives of learning and teaching, while insisting that students fully explore their home culture and language.

·         IB World Schools must undergo an exhaustive authorization process in order to offer one or more of the programmes, which includes a study of the school’s resources and commitment to the IB mission and philosophy. 

·         IB teachers participate in a wide variety of professional development opportunities to constantly update their knowledge and share their expertise with colleagues around the world.

·         Many students graduating from the Diploma Programme find that it enhances their opportunities at tertiary institutions. The IB works closely with universities around the world to gain recognition for IB programmes.

·         The core components of IB programmes encourage students to participate in creative and service-oriented activities, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of reflection on a personal and academic level.

Community

·   Increased property values.  An International Baccalaureate World School will attract families desiring a global quality education for their children.  Consequently parents of school aged children will be drawn to the surrounding community as Charles A. Brown Elementary attendance is based upon residence.

• Many parents choose neighborhoods based on the strength of the school system and opportunities for education of their children. Happy parents support the school, as they know that the school administration and staff are doing their best for their children. It is also important for the students to see that their parents are involved in their education.
• Improved standards in one school will eventually lead to improvements in other neighboring schools as they compete for students and aspire to have higher levels of performance.
• Offering an IB program in local schools is a way of assuring expatriate workers that their children will receive a quality education with transferable credits and entry qualifications for schools and universities around the world.
• Well-educated students will be willing to come back to the communities where they grew up, knowing the opportunities they had in their local school system helped them get an excellent education

Updates

Birmingham City School's Drop Everything and Write Program

Each Monday from 8:00AM -8:15AM.

September Topics 

9/15
K & 1 What is a Good Neighbor?
2nd - 5th Write about a time when something seemed to be bad but turned out to be good.

9/22
K & 1 What is your favorite song and why?
2nd - 5th The best lesson my grand parents, parents or other relative has taught me.

9/29
K & 1 What is the best birthday present you received?
2nd - 5th What is something that you would like to change about yourself? What is something that you really like about yourself?

Important Updates

1.  Exploratory Classes begin on September 5, 2015.  If you need assistance for your assigned subject area please contact administration.

2.  Submit to the main office your list of elected Student Government Representatives.  Reminder - Only the class representatives attend SGA (2:15PM) and International Council Meeting (1:40PM).

3.  Room Parents - Each class should have (2-4) Room parents who we can call upon for support when we can not find a substitute, need to depart early or arrive late and assist with field trips and activities.

4.  Please bring to next week's Data Meeting;  your completed PST forms for the students discussed this week and a list of field trips that your team wishes to attend this school year.  Base your decisions on our IB implementation.

5.  Please note the following BCS District -Wide requirements as pointed out by Mrs. Burns after her visit on yesterday.

• Lesson Plans must posted outside of the door in the BCS format.  Please continue to provide me with the Lesson Plan format however post on your door the BCS version.  Simply cut and paste information from our form.
• The Lesson objective must be displayed for each lesson.  Towards school wide uniformity we will use the dry erase board.  Clearly write objective in either the top left or right corner of the board.
• District Priorities (Big Five) and our key Checks For Understanding must be displayed.
• BCS Scope and Sequence (Reading and Math) should be posted in each classroom.

6.  Monday we start Drop Everything and Write distirct wide, please review the Rubric for grading and maintain student writing samples in a student folders in order to track.

BCS Instructional Standards and Norms

Each teacher should ensure that the following items are posted in the appropriate areas. Refer to the curriculum department memo received during Monday's Vertical Team Meetings for a complete list of the points of emphasis from central administration.  Below are a few clarifying points.

1.  "Class of 20__" Signs.  For each grade level we are asked to post their HS Graduation Class and refer them to it often.

2.  The BCS is embarking on a district-wide writing program.  Each Monday all teachers are asked to conduct Drop Everything and Write for (15) minutes daily.  The prompts and rubric for grading will be provided in Data meetings on next week.

3.  The "Do Now" Icebreaker referred to in the letter from the curriculum department should be conducted during the first (10) minutes of the class after the morning announcements.

4.  The BCS Big 5 should be posted in the class and often referred to.

5.  Lessons Plans should be posted at the door.  Central Administration has not made a final decision on the Elementary Lesson Plan Form.  For now we may use our existing form.  Lesson Plans should be posted prior to the end of the day August 22, 2015.  (A copy of the Lesson Plan Form has been emailed to your BCS address.)

6.  The Agenda referred to in the document from the Curriculum Department is merely a schedule of teacher/student activities during a lesson.  

The following is the agenda for our Reading Block.

8:00 AM  Whole Group Introduction (Ice Breaker, Do Now and or Memory Jogger)

8:15 AM  Small Group Instruction (Technology, Writing, Explicit Teacher Learning Centers etc.)

9:20 AM  Lesson Summary and Connections 

9:30 AM  Intervention (Explicit Re-Teaching to students identified as needing a more intense experience.)

10:00 AM  Reading Block Ends

Welcome!

A new school year is upon us and we are ready to exceed our potential!  Please note the following information as you plan for the opening of the school year.

1.  In preparation for the first day of school all teachers are asked to text the parents of the students on their roll and provide the following information.

1. Welcome message
2. Class room number and directions to the room.
3. First Day Instructions

• Open House will be held on August 14th from 7:30AM - 8:00AM.
• The Building will open at 7:00AM on August 14th and 15th.  Beginning August 18th, the building opens at 7:15AM.
• K-2 Parents should bring their children directly to the classrooms at 7:30AM for orientation.
• 3-5 Parents should remain in the Gym until dismissed to class at 7:40AM.
• Parents must remain in their car for dismissal.  K-2 will be dismissed on the West side of campus.  Grades 3-5 and Van riders will be dismissed on the east side of campus at the Flag Pole. (Do not leave cars unattended in driveway).
• If your child rides a Van from a pick up service they will be dismissed at 2:50PM, please inform your carrier. 
• Parents can be updated on school events on the Brown Parent Blog @ charlesabrownelementaryparent.blogspot.com

2.  Summer Learning Packets should be accepted through August 20, 2014.  Each student should receive a (100) grade in each subject under "Projects" for completion of their summer work.

3.  On August 14th and 15th we are engaging in Culture Camp Activities that are designed to promote a Growth Mindset in our students as they meander through the History of the Children's March, success stories, analyze their personal learning styles and learn research-based study methods proven to enhance learning. (cut and paste, bcsculturecamp.blogspot.com

4.  If you have any textbook, technology or repair needs communicate them to the main office and we will make the appropriate requests as needed.

Grade Level Team Meeting Agenda

Please record the minutes from the meeting.  If there are any unresolved issues they should be addressed with administration by the team leader at the conclusion of the meeting.

Prior to going through the agenda review the following Ted Talk by Rita Pierson.

http://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion

After the video, conduct a 3-2-1 and record the responses of each team member.

Items for Discussion

1.  End the School Year with Fidelity. Be sure to adhere to all supervisory duties and academic standards.

2.  Letters from classroom teachers to the parents of students owing debts should be issued by Friday May 16, 2014.  Teachers should also call parents to confirm that letters were received.

3.  Review Checks for Understanding and examine your grade level lesson plans for these strategies.

4.  Discuss plans for the Carnival and address any remaining needs.

5.  Summer Packets were due May 9, 2014.  All packets must be submitted by 3:00 PM today.

6.  Review your Expectations For Incoming Students and assess the level of Rigor expected of students. Administrative review of these standards indicate that our expectations must be raised. Using Bloom's Taxonomy assess the rigor in the expectations submitted and modify appropriately.

7.  Review Points of Emphasis posted on May 1, 2014 and be sure your team is in compliance.

8.  Team leaders should work together and share responsibility for the decoration for Awards Programs.

Updates

1. Barons Baseball Game May 12th for Grades 2-4.

2.  Regions Golf Classic Field Trip on May 13th. Grades 3 and 4. Please view the following videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G95-prpQgTg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egF-qVL_TPs

3.  Please review Awards Day Schedule and inform parents via texts, calls and emails.