Issue: Four

Date: September 23, 2011

Message from the School Head, Roy G. Crawford Our NISC Vision: Inspiring ethical, respectful and compassionate global leadership.
PYP Authorization: As you know, we hosted several people from the International Baccalaureate Organization last week in what is called an authorization visit. Please see Ms. Natalies article in this Mekong Messenger. I thank the parents and Board of Trustees members who took time from your very busy schedules to meet with the visiting team. I also thank our students, teachers and staff for a job well done. We are all quite proud of our hard work and progress as an IB World school. New Mekong Messenger Format: Please note the new format for the Mekong Messenger. The design was done by students in Mr. Maciejs Grade 12 Graphic Design class. Thanks to RMA and Ford, we are now able to publish our Mekong Messengers in full color! Well done Mr. Maciej, students and RMA/Ford. The revised NISC Logo, the fonts, and the colors will now be used in all of our publications to provide a unified NISC identity. New Website: Please visit and bookmark our new website at www.nisc.edu.kh. The design was done by Paul Falgout (husband of Ms. Mandy) and all of the content was developed by the NISC Principals, IB Coordinators, and our staff. We hope it provides the critical information you need about our school. Please visit it often. Architects: We are currently negotiating with architectural firms to implement Phase I of our new Master Plan. We plan to begin construction this year. I will notify you as more specific information becomes available. As usual, thank you for trusting us with the very important job of educating your children.

Cultural Festival Day - 21 October 2011 This year we will be changing the name of the celebration formerly known as UN Day. The new Cultural Festival Day will help students appreciate their own culture as well as the cultures of other students. Families are invited to spend the entire day at NISC and share their culture. Please contact Ms. Margie at 012 866350 to help with setting up a table for the Celebration of Cultural Food for your country. Cultural Festival Day Schedule
8:00 8:30 9:30 9:30 12:00 12:00 2:00 2:00 2:30 All Students Report to their Class Opening Ceremony (Gym) Classroom - Cultural Activities Parent / Staff Celebration of Cultural Food Closing Ceremony (Gym)

PYP Authorization Visit - Natalie Ross, PYP Coordinator

Last Monday and Tuesday (12 -13 September) was an important milestone in the PYP journey for the primary school at NISC. On these days, a team representing the IB-PYP came to conduct the Authorization visit - an event that primary teachers have been working towards for the last three years in which the Primary Years Programme has been implemented. sharing and reflecting on their learning and the curiosity they show while engaged in hands-on, inquiry based lessons. Our hard-working and professional teachers were commended on their commitment to providing challenging and significant learning experiences for the students and being life-long learners who collaborate. The parents were noted for their support and understanding of the programme, and the administration was congratulated on ensuring that systems The visiting team consisted of Karen OConnell and Betty and procedures are in place for all of this to work effortlessly. Brown, who have worked as principals and coordinators in As a school, it was validating to see how far we have come established PYP schools. It was their job to observe our school over the last couple of years in providing a coherent, in action, to see learning happening in the classrooms and comprehensive, learner-centred curriculum. Overall, it was around the school, to meet with students, parents, teachers an extremely successful visit for all concerned. and the administration in order to gauge how the PYP is being implemented at NISC. The Visiting team have written a report which will be sent to the IBAP regional office in Singapore, and then onto the IB Although an authorization visit can be potentially stressful, Head Office in Cardiff. We will then be informed directly by the primary school was well-prepared and proud to show the the Director General in about six to eight weeks. Hopefully wonderful things that happen every day. The visiting team we will have something to celebrate! was impressed with the confidence our students have in

Message from the Primary School Principal - Robert W. Cody

Starting in November, NISC will begin Caregiver Training on various topics. The training is for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nannies and drivers who are interested in better supporting their child at school and home. We are honored to offer this training, with NISC teachers and assistants instructing the classes. 15 February - Spending Quality Time with Children 7 March Language Learning 21 March - Supporting Students to Read 4 April Supporting Students with Math

9 May Certificate Presentation Breakfast and Celebration The training will take place at NISC from 8:30am to 10am on NISC will also give every participant, upon completion of the the following dates. The topics were carefully selected to help program, a NISC certificate that certifies the training received. give the best support possible for your child: 16 November - The School and Home Relationship 7 December - Hygiene and Safety 18 January - Making Healthy Choices 1 February - Positive Behavior Support If you are interested, please complete the following registration form and return it to Mr. Rob. Reminders for registration will be sent home with your child.

Name ________________________________________ Email ________________________________________ Phone # _____________________________________ Your Role Circle One: Parent Nanny Driver Other Family Return to Mr. Rob

Message from the Upper School Principal - Stephen W. C. Paterson

Life after NISC With graduation seven months away, the NISC Class of 2012 are considering their options and making plans for the future. Mr. John Nash and I have been meeting with the seniors regularly to guide them through the process of choosing colleges. Talking with students about their dreams and aspirations is exciting. Working with them to turn those dreams and aspirations into a reality is exhilarating! The Class of 2012 are a diverse group and their future plans reflect that diversity. Students are investigating colleges and universities in Australia, Europe, Singapore, Thailand, The United Kingdom and The United States. Their interest in majors includes everything from business to medicine, art to engineering. Something they all have in common is a wealth of choices. The challenge for many of them is not finding potential schools, but narrowing down their list using specific criteria and thoughtful analysis. Of course, it is essential that parents are involved in this process. Students should be having conversations at home about what they want to do in the future, what they want to study at college, where they are thinking of attending and most importantly how to pay for college. Here are some questions parents might use to start a meaningful conversation with their child about their future: What are your interests? What are you passionate about? What are your talents? What are areas you want to improve in? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where will you be living? What kind of work will you be doing? Will you like what you are doing? What universities are you considering? How have you made these choices? Size? Location? Programs of study (majors)? What are the costs of attending each one? Parents of seniors have hopefully started these conversations already. For parents of younger students, it is never too early to start. By starting early, you can better support your student in making important plans for their future and realizing their dreams. If you have any questions about the college selection and application process, please contact Mr. Steve or Mr. John for an appointment to discuss your childs future.

Student - Led Conferences

NISC Upper School Student-Led Conferences 13 October 2011, 1:00-6:00 pm with scheduled times for each student. An invitation letter will be coming home on 19 September with your students specific conference time and details. Student-led conferences are an important opportunity for the student, parent and teacher to: reflect on the childs learning, discuss strengths identify goals Primary 3-Way Conferences at NISC In the primary school, the students are preparing their portfolios for their 3-Way Conferences in October. The conferences will take place over 2 days, from 13-14 October 2011. These conferences are an important opportunity for the student, parent and teacher to: reflect on the childs learning, discuss strengths identify goals create a plan of action to address goals

It is essential that students attend the conference time with their parents.

All students and teachers are looking forward to another successful venture as partners in your childs journey as a life-long learner.

We like to recognize and acknowledge the accomplishments of our students by sometimes placing pictures of them in NISC publications or on the Web. If you do not want pictures of your child to be included in the school website or publications, please contact the school office immediately. Thank you.

Counselors Corner - John Nash, NISC Counselor

This week I want to talk about TRAFFIC SAFETY. Over the past five years, the number of traffic accidents in Cambodia has increased by more than 200 percent. One reason there are more than 1.4 million motor vehicles in Cambodia. About 90 percent of traffic accident victims ride motorbikes and bicycles, or are pedestrians. The most important thing students can do to help stay safe while riding bicycles or motorcycles is wearing properly fitted HELMETS! Why Are Bicycle Helmets So Important? Eyes: You should be able to look up and see the rim of the helmet. It should be about two finger widths above your eyebrows. Ears: Straps should form a "V" under your ears when buckled, and should be snug and comfortable. Mouth:. With your mouth open, you should feel the helmet hug your head. If not, tighten the straps.

The helmet should sit on top of your head in a level position and shouldn't rock forward and backward or side to side. The A properly fit bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of head injury helmet straps must always be buckled...but not too tightly. by up to 85 percent. Most deaths related to bicycle falls and On a motorcycle? collisions involve head injuries. Wearing a helmet can save WEAR A MOTORCYCLE your life. HELMET! Will Bicycle Helmets Protect Me When Playing Other Sports? Yes! Bicycle helmets offer head protection for sports like inline skating and roller skating. In addition, wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads are recommended for these sports. Wear It Right... It's not enough just to wear a helmet; it needs to be properly fitted to be effective. Do a simple "eyes, ears and mouth" test. In a car? WEAR A SEATBELT!

What is PChhum Ben? - Narann Tho

PChhum Bens day is a religious festival in Cambodia. Cambodian people have been following this tradition for a very long time. This ceremony is celebrated to remember our deceased relatives. The festival is celebrated for 15 days of the tenth month on the Khmer calendar (lunar month), from the first day of the festival to the fourteenth day called Kann Ben. On the fifteenth day called PChhum Ben, people from near and far gather together with their family to prepare food offerings to their ancestors and those who have become trapped in the spirit world. Before sunrise the morning of Kann Ben day, people prepare special food for the ancestral spirits. They prepare Bai Ben (sticky rice mixed with sesame seeds formed into small balls) to be thrown into the shade by the temple. People gather at the temple with offerings of rice, which they toss on the ground, feeding the dead ancestors whose dead became Priad. This activity is an offering to the hungry souls who have been forgotten. with names of their ancestors. The reading and burning of the list is a ritual performed to alert and direct the wandering souls to the location of their families. After eating, the monk continues to chant blessings, sprinkling (or showering) holy water onto the families and their visiting ancestral spirits. The rituals of Kann Ben continue for fourteen days. On the fifteenth day, the traditionally observed PChhum Ben, families in the local area gather to perform the same ritual of ancestral remembrance and offer an immense communal feast. This day is especially important because if ancestors are unfortunate enough to have become Priad spirits, it is the only day they receive offerings of food and benefit from the good karma earned by their relatives.

Participating in PChhum Ben is a very important aspect of Cambodian culture. It is time for Cambodians to come together, offer food and good karma to those trapped in the spirit world, express love and appreciation for ones ancestors, and help guide them back into the cycle of reincarnation. After The various flavors of food with traditional Num Onsom (sticky the ancestors are reincarnated, and have good karma on their rice wrapped in banana leaves) and fruit are offered to the own, they will be blessed with a peaceful inner spirit, which is monks before noon. The monk then recites and burns a list the best blessing a living relative can wish for their ancestors.

Sports Updates
The NISC Senior Volleyball teams had their first match of the season last week against HOPE School. The NISC boys team played some very good volleyball. HOPE won the first set and we won the second. It was a very close third set, which HOPE won. The boys played well but made some crucial errors. They are using this match as a learning experience and working to improve their performance. Our girls team had their first win of the season! There was a tentative start by our ladies, but after finding themselves 8-1 down. They won the first set 25 22. In the second set our girls played some fantastic response volleyball which was very exciting to watch and we took the second set off HOPE with ease! Please congratulate our students as they very much deserved the win. The NISC Senior Volleyball teams have ongoing local matches leading to the MRISA tournament at the end of October. Come out and support our student athletes. See the calendar in this Mekong Messenger for scheduled games. Coaches Ruth O Connell, Russ Kupperstein and Austin Koledoye

Music in the Courtyard

Nuri Kim plays piano for NISC students and teachers during the break on Wednesday.

Cafeteria Lunch Menu

Monday, 3 October Tuesday, 4 October Wednesday, 5 October Thursday, 6 October Friday, 7 October Monday, 10 October Tuesday, 11 October Wednesday, 12 October Thursday, 13 October Friday, 14 October sandwich bar, vegetable broth, crispy fish with ginger and onions, stewed pork leg and bean curd in palm sugar, steamed rice, fruit slices, lemon tea sandwich bar, vegetable soup, stir fried pork with ginger, beef ball noodle soup, steamed rice, French pastries, lemon tea sandwich bar, lettuce puree, vegetable tempura, beef stroganoff, pesto pasta, ice cream, lemon tea sandwich bar, tom yum broth, chicken tom yum, seafood and vegetable fristo misto with tartar dip, steamed rice, bread pudding, lemon tea sandwich bar, stir fried chicken spaghetti, pork curry with baguette, steamed rice, fruit slices, lemon tea sandwich bar, chicken broth, steamed fish with soya, chicken noodle soup, steamed rice, French pastries, lemon tea sandwich bar, clear cabbage soup, duck orange, shrimp fried noodles, steamed rice, banana, lemon tea sandwich bar, minestrone soup, grilled chicken leg, mini vegetable pizza, roasted potatoes, ice cream, lemon tea no lunch due to Parent Conferences no lunch due to Parent Conferences

3, 10, 21 practices for the Angkor Wat Marathon continue every Tuesday and Wednesday after school, and Friday mornings. 3 = 3 kilometer run, 10 = 10 kilometer run, and 21 = the 21 kilometer run, or of a marathon. We are proud of our 28 runners who have registered for the road race in December!
no school Chum Ben; to Friday - P onday ptember, M 26 to 30 Se Kork Tea in Toul - Principals Wednesday 5 October, ie Night Group Mov ay - Parent ober, Saturd 8 Oct - ASA Fair ces , Wednesday d Conferen 12 October - Student Le ay to Friday ober, Thursd 13 to 14 Oct l ltural Festiva , Friday - Cu 21 October EM DATES TO R EMBER

SPORTS SCHEDULE
Junior Basketball
Tuesday, 11 October Saturday, 22 October NISC v ISPP @ NISC Tournament

Senior Volleyball
Saturday, 8 October Thursday, 20 October Monday, 24 October Tournament @ Logos NISC v Logos @ NISC NISC v ISPP @ ISPP

P.O. Box 2042, Phnom Penh 3. Kingdom of Cambodia Phone: (855-23) 886-000/ -006 Fax: (855-23) 886-009 E-mail: info@NISCambodia.com