FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Congratulations to old scholar Alia Aghajanian (class of 2007), in her final year of economics at AUB, who has been selected by the International Monetary Fund as one of three students representing AUB at the IMF Youth Dialog which will take place in Amman, Jordan. Students from 8 universities will join the IMF Managing Director for a broadcast event on 4 April. The aim of the event is to bring together students across borders for an opportunity to share questions, concerns, and visions about their economic futures with IMF leadership and wider Middle Eastern audiences. The discussion will be broadcast by BBC Arabic.
The National Society of High School Scholars, NSHSS, recognised BHS old scholar Dania Idris Zentani (class of 2009) for her superior academic achievement. The founder and chairman of NSHSS Claes Nobel, who is also a senior member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes, announced that she has been selected for society membership which entitles her to enjoy a variety of valuable academic benefits. Congratulations Dania!
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International Professional Development
Upper School science and biology teacher Lara Nahas el Feghali attended a two-day workshop in Cairo, Egypt on March 12-13, hosted by the British Council and University of Cambridge International Examinations. The workshop was for experienced biology teachers, and it focused on teaching AS biology and covered a review of teachers' assessment methods; teaching methods and strategies including creating schemes of work and lesson plans for the AS biology course; and ICT and curriculum resources.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
More BHS teachers attended the Official Exams Workshops that started in December and continued through February at the Centre for Research and Development in Sin El Fil. These teachers were: Agathe Laham, Samir Ayache, Hanna Daher, and Samia El Hajj.
Since the beginning of 2010 many of our teachers attended workshops at the American University of Beirut [AUB]. Eliane Semaan attended “Teaching Inquiry” on 19 February; Lilian Nehmeh attended “Integrating Critical Thinking into Process Writing Instruction” on 27 February; Hanna Daher and Lilian Nehmeh attended “تقنية الأسئلة وتعزيز الفكر الناقد ” in Arabic on 5 March; and Denise Rehayem attended “صياغة خطة الدرس: النواتج التعلميّة وانتظامها مع أدوات التقييم ” also in Arabic on 6 March.
Teachers Zeina Zehil and Maya Harfouche attended a workshop called “Literacy All Around” at the International College on 6 March.
Rima M Habib, Head of Intermediate Section, attended the Effective School Leadership workshop held at AUB on Saturday, 13 March. This course dealt with methods that help build healthy dynamics and mutual understanding between administrators and their teachers.
Congratulations to IT Technician Youssef Abi Haidar who completed the course on Optimizing Converged Cisco Networks and passed the exam with a score of 978/1000 on 16 March. He now holds a Cisco Certified Network Professional [CCNP] Certification.
HOLIDAYS
The school and Nursery will be closed on the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation on Thursday, 25 March.
For the Easter holidays, there will be no classes from Thursday, 1 April till Sunday, 11 April inclusive. Classes resume on Monday, 12 April and boarders are expected to return on Sunday, 11 April. Administrative offices and the Nursery will be closed on Friday, 2 April and Monday, 5 April.
STAFF RECRUITMENT 2010/11
We are now considering applications for staff positions in 2010/11. Details of vacancies are regularly posted on the school Web site. New applicants are welcomed and encouraged to apply. Application information is available from Barbara Aghajanian, Administrative Officer (ext. 217).
SCHOOL FEES
The invoices for the 3rd instalment of fees were issued to the eldest child in each family. The deadline for payment is 31 March. Parents who have outstanding balances are urged to pay immediately or make an appointment to see the Bursar as soon as possible.
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
On the occasion of Mother's Day, the Brummana High School Parents' Association is organizing a fund-raising dinner at the Dubai Hall Ballroom, Metropolitan Palace Hotel, Sin El Fil, on Friday, 26 March 2010 at 9 pm. There will be live entertainment by singer Cynthia. The aim is to raise funds for the financial aid programme and to help expand the resources and facilities at the school. Tickets are available from the Receptionist, Lower School secretaries, the BHS Old Scholars Association Office and members of the PA for $80. For more information, please contact Christina Gaspar on 03-809430 or Nahida Aswad on 03-276131. We look forward to seeing you there.
TEACHERS’ DAY
On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, the school invited teachers and administrative staff to celebrate at La Marina Club in Dbayeh on 8 March. At the beginning of the evening the Principal praised the efforts of teachers and students who raised money to help victims of the Haiti earthquake and thanked the teachers for their hard work throughout the year. This was followed by a very enjoyable evening of dining and dancing.
A general staff meeting was held on 10 March. It was attended by the PA Chairperson Christina Gaspar and a delegation from the Parents’ Association. Mrs. Gaspar gave a speech honouring teachers during which she expressed gratitude for the dedication of BHS teachers. The full text of the speech is posted on our Web site. On behalf of BHS parents, gifts were presented to teachers and administrative staff. We thank the PA for their continued support for our teachers.
UPPER SCHOOL NEWS
Secondary Section
On 5 March, Secondary Section students celebrated success in the presence of the Principal, DoS, advisers, and a number of teachers. Many students received certificates for their high achievement and progress in various subject matters. Principal Dr. El Khoury urged students to maintain high academic standards, work hard, and set goals. He told students, “When success is recognized by the community, it will have a positive effect on your self-image and esteem.” Students took pictures with their advisers.
Students were informed of the Exemption Policy by DoS Ms. Barakat. The policy is posted in every class. HoS Ghada Yared reinforced several rules that students should abide by and respect.
Advisory sessions are held by the HoS to discuss the following topics with each class level: Grade 11 IP - SAT I & II and the general requirements of national and international universities; Grade 10 IP - Study habits and promotion requirements; Grade 10 LP - promotion requirements and academic decision-making.
Students Lily Chacra (Grade 12 IP) and Andrew Barakat (Sec. III LS) met with the graduating students to discuss the “Yearbook Comment” and set deadlines. The graduating students felt strange about the new phase in their lives awaiting them.
Career Orientation with Waznat has a very positive effect on students and their parents. On 6 and 13 March, Mr. Costantine had individual meetings with 24 students and their parents to analyze the personality test conducted on each student and suggest careers. On 15 March, Mr. Costantine will be meeting with Grade 10 IP and Sec. II SE students to continue the orientation program set schedule. Parents are recommended to meet Mr. Costantine for any advice related to their child’s future career.
Secondary students create and enjoy a positive school climate. Creative ideas are displayed in their entries for several competitions. The students are taking part in the LAU art and writing competitions and the AUB Science Fair. We are proud of our students.
Students in Grade 12 marketing class taught by Karla Baaklini decided to utilize their creativity to facilitate people’s lives. Marco Djurovic (Sec. II IP) and Yara Nagro (Grade 11 IP) decided to market a product to make people under the influence of alcohol become sober in 10 minutes. Rafi El Mershedi and Salim Farhat (Grade 12 IP) will release a vending machine for the sale of movies on CD/DVD. Brilliant ideas!
The Secondary III parent-teacher meeting, which was held on 10 March, aimed to inform parents about teachers’ concerns and worries and to suggest ways to help and support the students. Parents who were invited and unable to come are urged to take individual appointments with the teachers.
The DoS met with IP students who will be taking the IGCSE and AS exams on 16 March to give them more guidelines and information.
On 10 March, Secondary students had lunch at Dar Al Rahme. The students brought around 60 chicken sandwiches with them which they shared with the elderly. This was one of the regular and lively Wednesday community service visits at which students and the elderly have fun and share nostalgic memories.
Intermediate Section
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Certificates Day was celebrated at a special assembly in the Meeting House on Thursday, 4 March. Students were called up to the stage to receive their certificates in all subjects according to categories. |
Category 1 students had received one or 2 certificates, whereas the category 2 students had been awarded 3, 4, 5, or 6 certificates. In the highest category, being the third, students were the recipients of 7, 8, 9 and 10 certificates. We are proud of our winners and wish all students the best for the next set of awards.
Science Fair winners presented their projects in the presence of students and parents in the Meeting House on Thursday, 11 March. The projects presented were quite impressive and the audience gained new knowledge on subjects such as peripheral vision, homemade soap, hormones in food, homemade cosmetics, lightning, and many other such interesting topics. The Science Department teachers will be selecting the winners who will have the chance to present their projects at the AUB Science Fair in May.
Advisory Topic for the last two weeks has been manners and etiquette. Many students discovered rules of etiquette that they were unaware of. There are actions in our society that are taken for granted as the norm, but which our students discovered to be against rules of etiquette.
Parent-Teacher meetings were held for the second time this year on 3 March. Parents of students with concerns were invited in to discuss their child’s issues with the relevant teachers. We encourage all parents to follow-up on their child’s progress by contacting the teachers during their office hours.
Donations for St. Jude’s Cancer Centre – we are in the process of collecting donations for the centre, as we do every year, and students who wish to donate should send their money in a sealed envelope to the Intermediate Supervisor, Elie Ghanem. We thank you in advance.
Book Fair – students will be visiting the Book Fair throughout this week. Students who wish to purchase a book may do so at any time during the breaks or while visiting with teachers.
Fire Drill took place on Monday, 15 March - as a safety precaution. The Intermediate students go through such drills to prepare them in case of an actual emergency.
Points for parents – if your child is feeling unwell in the morning, they should remain at home. It is against school policy for students to come to school in the middle of the day just to sit for a test. Students absent for a certain test will sit for a make-up the day after they return to school.
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS
Elementary News
With spring approaching, children enjoyed learning how to decorate their classes with colourful paper flowers. We appreciated the Indian artist S.T. Barot who gave a very creative demonstration on stage. Many interested students bought his booklet, which is a guide to making the paper decorations.
During an UE assembly, Grade 5B shared the information they researched about the famous French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel who built the Eiffel Tower.
On the occasion of Teachers' Day, Denise Rehayem's 4B class presented a Zajal form of poetry to the teachers to express their gratitude and love for them. Thank you, Mrs. Rehayem!
At the request of the Head of Elementary Section, Shatha Abou Khalil, the Elementary Supervisor and Drama Teacher, William El Roumouz, made and presented teachers with a surprise video in which the students said a few words of appreciation to their teachers and wished them a Happy Teachers' Day. On behalf of all the Elementary teachers a huge thank you is extended. Your gesture is deeply appreciated.
William El Roumouz delivered part II of the PowerPoint Presentation Skills Workshop to the Elementary teachers as part of their internal training. It was fun to be students again.
Other activities taken on by the students to sharpen their memory/reciting skills, as well as to increase their general knowledge, involved the Spelling Bee contest that was held for Grades 1, 3, and 5. The contest was fun and challenging. Congratulations to the winners. Grade 1: first place - Kareem Bou Akl; second place - Jad El Ghoul. Grade 3: first place - Stephanie Ashkar, second place - Michel Sadek. Grade 5: first place - Yara Kehdy; second place - Vera Nouaime.
Students in Grades 2 and 4 were challenged to recite the capitals of countries and the continents they belong to in a Social Studies Contest. In Grade 2, Anthony Salem was the first place winner, and Jason Habib came in second place. In Grade 4, the first place winner was Michael Feghali, and the second place winner was Nour Abi Fadel. Congratulations. |
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While studying about famous places, LE students travelled through their books to the West bank of the Nile River to venture around and about the Great Pyramids of Egypt. They learnt that they were used as tombs for high-ranking people and royalty who were buried with their treasures and personal items. They also became acquainted with Andrea Bocelli, the famous Italian blind opera singer. They learnt that despite his disability, he attained a PhD in law.
Grade 2 students enjoyed working on different kinds of matter. They also wrote and illustrated class poems using their spelling words.
Grade 3 students drew different shapes which resulted in a 3-dimensional robot model.
Finally, the Elementary students are now engaged in preparing for the Open House events to be held on 19 March in the LE section and on 26 March in the UE section.
Students of the week: Grade 1A: Marinella Nassif, Jad Al Kadri, and Ivan Andrea. Grade 1B: Samir Bu Jawdeh, Betty Razzouk, Jihan Hadada, and Rebal Abou Fadel. Grade 2A: Celine Madaghjian, Jason Habib, Gabriella Sadek, and Jad El Hage. Grade 2B: Daniel Habib, Ray Asmar, Lara El Helou, and Rami Khoury. Grade 3A: Samira Hadada, Elias El Haddad, Joe Jabra, and Philip Riachi. Grade 3B: Yasha Zeinoun, Chloe Zeinoun, Celine Sroujian, and Walid Habib. Grade 4A: Mark Hage, Chloe Gemayel, Mads Hemmingsen, and Ray Haswany. Grade 4B: Laetitia Nehme, Joanna Maria Atallah, and Rania Shalhoub. Grade 5A: Laura Karam, Zoe Koeye, Jason Halabi, and Vera Nouaime. Grade 5B: Amir Moujaes, Yara Kehde, and Jimmy Naufal. Grade 5C: Wahib-Anthony Yared, Boudy Al Kadri, Nour Chebly, and Rayan Labaky. Grade 6A: Louana Maria Kalousian, Andrea Bosinceanu, and Kai Koenye. Grade 6B: Ryan Georgi, Romy Nehme, and Liana Khabbaz. Grade 6C: Marc Oneissy, Peter Hilmi, Kareem Abi Fadel, and Katelynn Kazan.
Best Agenda: Grade 1A: Jules Kehdy, Olivia Nakhle, Andrew Sahyouni, and Jad El-Kadri. Grade 1B: Luciana Nehme, Faye Abi Nafeh, Giorgio Ghantous, and Valerie Naufal. Grade 2A: Celine Madaghijian, and Erica El Hage (twice). Grade 2B: Tia Najjar, Rudy Zalzal (twice), Megan Kazan, and Gina Chamaa. Grade 3A: Michel Sadek, Karen Atallah, Caline Abi Farraj, and Alexander-Mathew Wakim. Grade 3B: Jean Elio Brikha, Angela Kortbawi, Marissa Akl, and Tony Naufal. Grade 4A: Chloe Atallah, Maria Makhlouf, Sarah Al Barazi, and Michael Feghali. Grade 4B: Kristin Azar, Yana Lazkani, Rania Shalhoub, and Yvana Rouphael. Grade 5A: Vera Nouaime, Danah Al Khoudari, Maya Abdelnour, and Yasmina Hage. Grade 5B: Amy Daoud, Joey Awad, Cathrine Al Aswad, and Anthony Andraos. Grade 5C: Yousef Akl, Elie Salem, Maysa Abou Khalil, and Nabih Harfouch. Grade 6A: Diane Bou Khalil, Deema Al Hugail, and Luciana Riachi. Grade 6B: Romy Nehme, George Hanna, and Nayla Feghali. Grade 6C: Magalie Eid, Karim Abi Fadel, Maria Habib, and Nareg Tenkerian.
- Congratulations to student Karim Zeinoun (Grade 5 C) who was chosen to be a member in the Lebanese National Basketball Team.
Infant Section
Infant Section screening for the 2010-2011 students was conducted on 12 March. The screening is not a pass or fail examination; rather, it is a method for you as parents to receive information about our programme and for us to receive information about your child. The teacher will use the information to assist in meeting the individual needs of your child.
We have seen tremendous growth from each student throughout the year. KG II students continue to read and practice from the phonics books that are sent home. As your child masters each book, he/she will progress and move on to the next level.
Inspired by the coming season of renewal and growth, students and teachers are busy preparing for Mother’s Day. On that special occasion mothers will be invited to come and share with their children the joy of learning in a happy and loving environment.
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Infant Section students visited the circus on 11 March. Students learned about the circus in their classroom. Teachers spent time talking about the circus, the people in the circus, and circus animals. We hope all students went home eager and full of new knowledge about the circus. |
Many thanks to nutrition specialist Sally Riachi who gave KG I and KG II a presentation designed to provide them with the knowledge necessary to make well informed healthy food choices.
THANK YOU TO…
- DoS Samar Barakat and friend of the school Germaine Khoury who donated books to the Thomas Little Memorial Library.
- KG 1 student Lucas Schachter for donating eleven books and four puzzles to the Infant Section.
The Newsletter will be published approximately every 3 weeks. If you would like to receive a free copy of the Newsletter by email, please send an email with “subscribe” in the subject line to: najat.wakim@bhs.edu.lb.
BHS Newsletter
4 June 2010
13 May 2010
23 April 2010
18 March 2010
25 February 2010
4 February 2010
14 January 2010
3 December 2009
5 November 2009
16 October 2009
12 June 2009