Latest News

The Admissions and Business Offices will remain open through the summer, Saturday to Wednesday. The summer office hours are:
June 14 - June 23 : 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
June 24 - July 30 : 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
August 2 onwards: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tel: +968 2459 5180
Fax: +968 2450 3815
Email: jayaramn@taism.edu.om
Return dates for the 2008-09 school year

Registration Days for new and returning students are on
Tuesday, August 19: 9:00 - 3:00* (student last names A - M)
Wednesday, August 20: 9:00 - 3:00* (student last names N - Z)

MS/HS New Student Orientation:
Wednesday, August 20, 1:00 - 3:00

First Day of Classes: Saturday, August 23, at 8:30 a.m.

* with a lunch break from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

TAISM celebrates the Class of 2008’s graduation

TAISM’s eighth Graduation Ceremony was celebrated on June 4, 2008. The Class of 2008, comprising thirty-three grade 12 students hailing from 14 nations, has been accepted into universities throughout the world.

Mr. Nelson File, HS Principal, recognized Hiral Hemant Dutia and Shaon Lahiri as the respective recipients of two academic distinctions, Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Valedictorian, Hiral, will study Biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts on a full merit scholarship, while Salutatorian, Shaon, will study Psychology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Shaon Lahiri was also selected by the TAISM faculty to receive the Outstanding Senior Award, which was presented at the Awards Assembly earlier in the day. This award is determined through a vote of the Professional Staff and is awarded to the senior student who has had outstanding achievement over their junior and senior years in several categories including academics, contributions to the TAISM community or beyond, leadership and personal character.

Shaon, in his speech welcoming the celebrants, reflected upon the nurturing and multicultural environment that is evident at TAISM. He thanked families of graduating students and wished his fellow graduates well. Hiral Dutia, delivering the Student Address, asked the graduating class to rise to the challenges of life and to redefine their generation by actively engaging as good citizens to make the world a better place for all.

Ms. Hind Bahwan, Chairperson of Bahwan CyberTek Group, was the Guest Speaker at the ceremony. A multiple national and international award winner, Ms. Bahwan has excelled academically and professionally as a Harvard Business School alumna and as one of the directors in the billion-dollar Suhail Bahwan Group. In her inspirational
address, Ms Bahwan referenced points that have helped her in her own pursuits, and encouraged the students to passionately seek their dreams.

TAISM’s Concert Band provided the prelude and postlude music at the ceremony including Edward Elgar’s popular processional, Pomp and Circumstance. TAISM’s High School Choir performed the school’s choral anthem, Carl Strommen’s Like an Eagle. Family, friends and new graduates attended a reception in O’Shaughnessy Gallery after the ceremony.

Message from the Director

Dear Parents and Students,

As the school year comes to a close, I would like to offer our students and their parents the most sincere thanks for what has been another wonderful year at TAISM. The school is completing its tenth year of operation with the celebration of the graduation of the 31 members in the Class of 2008. This is the largest class to graduate from TAISM, and the students are the most diverse in make-up and in their plans for their future.

Currently, TAISM enrolls 600 students from 51 nations. In August, the school will again see an increase in enrollment, as we anticipate 622 students. However, even as the school grows, the goal of our staff is to 'Rise to the Challenge' of providing the best education for each individual student. The opportunities for success at TAISM are numerous, and the school's focus on providing a broad-based education (liberal arts education) allows for students to excel through multiple intelligences. One can see the results of this on a weekly basis as one walks through the campus and sees student work
displayed in the hallways, demonstrated in the classrooms, shared in performances, competitions and events.

A key factor in providing the highest quality of education for our children is the exceptional staff work of the teachers, administrators

and support staff who strive on a daily basis to understand and support the students in their development. Add to this, the support and care of encouraging parents, and the result is exceptional personal growth and increased student learning. We are grateful for the work of all of the adults in the school, whether employed or as volunteers, and we celebrate their work in the accomplishments of the students.

Hiral Dutia, the Valedictorian for the Class of 2008, opened her commencement address by stating "We are Privileged." Her
reminder of what we are offered at TAISM and in our lives is something I am certain we all think and feel in looking back at the 2007-08 school year at TAISM and to years ahead in our lives.

To those who are leaving TAISM at the end of this school year, we welcome you to stay in touch with the school as you settle in your new destination. For those returning, we look forward to seeing you in August. Have a restful, safe, and renewing summer holiday!

Sincerely,
Kevin Schafer

Director

MS Art

Grade eight completed their food paintings in April culminating an extensive unit in color theory and painting. Painting overstuffed sandwiches, salads, and savory meats was a challenging task as their art period is just prior to lunch which is late in the day.

Ray Montoya
MS/HS Art

Note from the Elementary School Principal

It’s been a fantastic year in Elementary School. Unfortunately, with the end of the year comes the last day of school, a day which we all look forward to and dread at the same time. In addition to being the start of summer and the celebration of a completed year of school, the last day is also when we have to say goodbye to people who’ve been a part of the TAISM community and an important part of our overseas life.

We bid farewell to students and their families moving to new locations as well as returning to their home countries. On behalf of all the staff, I’d like to wish everyone safe travels and meaningful adventures and experiences in their future endeavors. You will be missed.

This year we also have a number of staff who are leaving TAISM to pursue new undertakings around the world. We’re saddened to see them leaving as well. Megan Walsh and her family will be returning to Australia where she will teach fifth grade. Jennifer Steere will be leaving TAISM after five years. She and her husband are moving to Hawaii. Tilly Harding isn’t moving far. In fact, she isn’t moving out of the country. This summer she will be getting married. She and her husband will be joining the new school in Sohar. Kyena Cornelius and her family will be moving to the Washington D.C. area where I’m sure Kyena will continue to be busy supporting student learning. Maura Phelan will be moving to Jakarta as an English Language Fellow with the US Department of Justice. We said goodbye a little earlier in the year to Tracie Henriksen. Tracie took maternity leave in April and we’re happy to report that she and her baby daughter, Havana, are doing great. Tracie is moving to exciting new experiences in China. The last teacher we would like to thank and recognize isn’t leaving TAISM, but unfortunately won’t be on staff next year. Sylvie Martel has been an amazing resource as a French teacher for the past four years. Although we’ll miss her on staff, we’ll continue to look forward to her being a part of the TAISM community.

We have two wonderful assistants to thank, as well as send off with well-wishes. Michelle Grappo has been with us for the past year and a half working in the Student Support program. We’re excited for Michelle as she continues her own educational path.
Next fall she will be starting a graduate program at Columbia
University. Robin Mowrey, a TAISM parent and assistant in the Student Support program, will be moving with her family to Kuala Lumpur this summer. We wish her and her family well.

We’re saying goodbye to some amazing people this year. We know that great things await them in their future and so greatly
appreciate all they’ve given to TAISM while they’ve been part of our community. All the best everyone!

Dan Hovland
ES Principal

Final updates from the High School Principal

The final note home in the Eagle is always full of goodbyes, best wishes and logistical information about the ending of this school year and the start of next year. This message is no different.

It is never easy to lose part of the community, but that is the nature of American international schools. In addition to the seniors who have graduated from TAISM and students moving to new locations with their parents, we also have some important members of the High School staff that are departing.

Brian Turner, who has been at TAISM for two years as the High School Technology Teacher and Technology Coordinator, has decided to move across the Arabian Peninsula to the United Arab Emirates. Brian will be joining the American Community School in Abu Dhabi. We want to wish Brian and his family well as they make this short hop and a jump to Abu Dhabi.

Doug Iseri is another faculty member who has had a large impact in the High School in a very short time. Doug and his wife, Debbie, joined TAISM’s faculty just two years ago as well from Jakarta International School. Originally, Doug and Debbie had been slated to teach at the American Community School in Beirut, Lebanon, but the political uncertainty present in Beirut prevented them from doing so. We were fortunate enough to have Doug as a member of the math department for the past two years. Doug and Debbie will rejoin the Jakarta International School in Indonesia.

Cathy Neal will also depart TAISM this year. Cathy has been a member of the faculty here for five years, half the entire life span of TAISM. Cathy and her husband, Tom, will return to Washington State in the northwestern region of the United States. Cathy has been integral to the success of TAISM, especially with regards to the wonderful post High School institutions our students have been fortunate enough to join. Her wise counsel and calm demeanor have assisted all TAISM families during her time here at TAISM. We all will dearly miss Cathy. Lucky for us, and for the TAISM community, Cathy and Tom’s departure from Muscat is short-lived. They plan on returning to Muscat the following year. Tom has accepted a position at one of the new planned communities in the city. He is due to start in August 2009.

Sarita Purao, junior accountant and former receptionist at TAISM, will be moving to Dubai. The final goodbye is to Mari Reeves, our library clerk. Mari and her family are returning to the United States after 4 years in Oman. Mari’s daughter, Cali, graduated from TAISM in December 2007. This was their second ‘stint’ in Oman, and there is always hope that they too will return. Mari’s helpfulness with students in the library will be sorely missed.

Now on to the rest of the news! High School report cards will be available on Monday, June 16, from the front office reception. If you will be out of Muscat at that time, you can request to have the report card mailed to you over the summer. To those students and families who are leaving TAISM and Muscat for other locations, we wish you the best of luck. For those who plan on returning for the 2008-2009 school year, registration will be on August 19th and 20th in the Green Gym.

In students’ lives, summers are a time where the pressures of school work and requirements take a break. It is good to take a break, but I encourage everyone to not take too much of a break. Summers are a gift of time that we must not squander. Please encourage/enable your son or daughter to read and be active over the summer. Relaxing in front of the television or computer screen is fine periodically, but it should not be the focus of summer. As Ms. Langille, our librarian, can attest, there are many studies that show if students do not read at least 4 or 5 books at or slightly above their reading fluency level over the summer, student literacy declines rather quickly. We have the gift of time, please help your child in using it. Mrs. Langille has put together a ‘Suggested Reading List’ for High School students. A copy was distributed to the students and it was also sent home electronically. There is also a link on the school’s web site to it if you happen to misplace either copy.

It has been a wonderful year in the High School at TAISM. The High School Student Council were a committed group of students who generated many good ideas that culminated in new activities for the students this year and contributed to the positive nature of the High School community. The senior class was a wonderful group of students who had a positive impact on the tenor of the school. TAISM continues to be engaged in learning and thinking. Thank you for your support and trust. Have a wonderful summer!

Nelson File
HS Principal

One Middle School year later….

Arriving in a foreign country on a one-way ticket is a thrill reserved only for those of us who live overseas. It never fails to raise adrenaline levels, and cause one to question his or her sanity. It was especially exciting for me to come to TAISM as the middle school principal, a new position for the school. The MS program was firmly in place but had been gradually growing to the size where it really needed its own administrator. Mr. File and Ms. Kaste had both worked hard to create the kind of program where adolescents thrive, and it was time to take the next steps.

There was also the challenge of a raft of new faces joining me as TAISM newbies. Eight new-to-Muscat teachers would be a part of the middle school team as well as two former elementary teachers. Even our secretary, Ms. Tina Barrett, was new to Oman.

Starting with so many “news” was definitely challenging, but it was an advantage at times to be naive, fresh and not know how things were done before. At our first MS faculty meeting, we looked to the relatively small group of returning teachers to find out how things were done before. We relied heavily on Mr. File, who was always there to answer questions and guide us. Still, we could hide in our ignorance when it suited us, and feel proud when we discovered an original way to do something. We changed the format of Back to School Night, much to the confusion of many parents. We streamlined the Progress Reports that went home to every child in the first quarter. We identified standards for grades, created brochures for after school activities, and started sending a weekly MS newsletter (electronically!). Although Unity Day didn’t make it into the calendar, we held Mini-Courses just before winter break. Much of the original flavor of the Middle School remained intact as we continued with weekly assemblies, MS Student Council, parties and other solid traditions that were already in place. Teachers were innovative with events such as the 8th grade science class Roller Coasters project and after school activities like the H.O.T. Club, Global Issues Network, and “It” (you know - the talent show). Kids raised money to donate to charity (Ryan’s Well) and held bake sales to earn money for social events.

For me, there were very few moments when this school year didn’t feel like watching Improvisation Night on Broadway. Your child’s teachers watched as the actors and actresses came together each day and performed from their original scripts. New faces came on the stage and sadly, old friends left. There has been a lot of heart-wrenching drama and pre-teenage conflict, but also plenty of lung-filled laughter and warm friendships to carry us through the year. The students have learned lots – about writing, reading, algebraic equations, and which roller coasters you should definitely not buy a ticket for - but at the same time they learned about
arguing constructively, the importance of honesty, commitment, hope, and simply how to get along with one another.

It’s always important to highlight the educational accomplishments of a school year and write about how well we prepared the TAISM Middle School students for the next phase of their academic careers. This year, I also want to highlight the magic of the middle years and that precious phase of life we call young adolescence. I hope it was the time of their lives.

The curse of international schools everywhere are the good-byes which take place every June. About 20-25% of our students leave and a few teachers abandon us as well. This year the Middle School will be saying farewell to Brian Turner who will be following the call of technology to Abu Dhabi. Ms. Jen Starace will be following the call of her heart to England, where she will marry and hopefully still teach Spanish. (Unfortunately, she will be taking her daughter Emily with her, despite my attempts to adopt her!) Our counselor, Cathy Neal, will be off to clear Pacific Northwestern skies in search of a slower pace and more than a few good books to read. We are also saying farewell to Jacquie Saint, our school nurse. Jacquie has only been here for the second semester, but in that time she’s become well acquainted with every scraped knee and tummy ache that TAISM students could bring her. Our other part-time school nurse, Marianne Likmuan, is also leaving. She and her family are off to Canada. Namrata Verma, TAISM graduate turned faculty, has been a Student Support assistant since August 2007. Namrata is heading to Boston to pursue her Masters in Social Work. And I’m not sure what call Mrs. Debbie Iseri is following – but she’s returning to familiar territory at the Jakarta International School in Indonesia. We wish all of our colleagues the best in their new settings, with their new jobs and lifestyles.

Finally, to put this longish article to rest, I wish you all a very safe and restful summer. I urge you to encourage your children to relax, but also to continue to read and challenge their minds. Model that behavior and remember that it is usually never a mistake to turn a television off! I want to thank you for welcoming my wife and me so warmly into this community and I look forward, with the rest of the MS faculty, to the 2008-09 school year.

Keith Boniface
MS Principal

Mr. Duncan’s students learned much about history, compassion and teamwork.

The students have learned lots – about writing, reading... and which roller coasters you should definitely not buy a ticket for…Colorful paper cranes swing from the ceiling in Mr. Duncan’s 5th grade classroom. Inspired by the book, “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” by Eleanor Coerr, his 5th grade students endeavored to create a thousand paper cranes. The book is about a Japanese girl born in 1943 who is diagnosed with leukemia at the age of eleven. Sadako learns of an old Japanese legend that says that anyone who folds a thousand paper cranes will be granted a wish. She makes a thousand and more paper cranes before dying, at age twelve. Her classmates dreamed of building a monument to Sadako and all the other children killed by the atomic bomb. Young people all over Japan helped collect money to build the statue of Sadako holding a golden crane that to this day stands in the Hiroshima Peace Park. Through this experience,

Reading Assignments for the AP English and AP Biology courses are listed on the school website, http://www.taism.com/Program/AP_summer_readings.html. Also available on the website are the recommended reading lists for elementary, middle and high school -
http://www.taism.com/Program/LMC.htm. Happy Reading!!

Middle School’s last concert of the year

Every middle school student at TAISM sings and every middle school student plays an instrument. Sometimes it is hard to believe! But that was proven again on May 28 when over 150 students joined in a choir and played in one of the two middle school bands that made music for a packed Blue Gym crowd. Titled the “It’s Almost Summer Concert”, the concert included an eclectic program of classical to
familiar rock pieces. The concert culminated a year of learning music at TAISM with the debut of another 6th Grade Beginning Band playing Espana, When the Koalas do the Conga with the Kangaroos, and Smoke on the Water. The Middle School Band (7th and 8th graders) played Rock Island
Express, Ancient Voices, La Fiesta Brava, and the Beach Boys. The massive Middle School Choir, spread along the entire length of the gymnasium, sang Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia, Shoshone Love Song and ended the evening with The Beatles in Review that
included solos from seven middle school singers. The Middle School Concert traditionally marks the ‘beginning of the end’ of the school year and celebrates a great year for students in music at TAISM Middle School.

Tim Willson
MS/HS Instrumental Music

The Operations Manager looks back…
Operation Go Forward!

Before coming to TAISM, I worked extensively in the hospitality
industry. Working in hotels gives one a perspective of the service and needs of customers which fits very well with the educational system. The big difference in schools though is that very few ever spend the night! With the numerous hats I wear, from bussing to housing, from cafeteria services to security and just keeping the grounds and buildings in shape, I sometimes feel like the Resident Manager of a large resort.

And that’s not a bad thing! I have been fortunate this year to work with some outstanding individuals who have come together as a team. The Operations Department was a new department for TAISM and the challenge of getting all the separate entities working together smoothly was no small task. This would be too lengthy an article if I were to start naming all of those who helped make everything work, but you should know that behind the scenes, there are countless “team players” who make the school run. Every time we do not have a problem is a time when someone on my team has done their job well.

My first test was when I started this job on the heels of one of the biggest environmental disasters in Oman’s history, Cyclone Gonu, and the school needed the total commitment of my team. They did an amazing job and I knew this was a good omen for my first year. An omen in Oman. How fitting! This year has truly been a great learning experience for me and together, we have been able to develop the department into a team. Of course, we have room for improvement and areas where more structure or procedures need to be put in place, but all in all, I feel that we have done a fine job.

Therefore, I would like to thank my whole team for this year and the continuous support we get from our community.

We wish you safe travels, a great summer, and look forward to having you check in to TAISM in August.

In the previous issue of the Eagle, we mentioned the student-led initiatives in the middle school and elementary school to collect donations for TAISM’s custodial, gardening and maintenance crew. These donations were distributed to the workers on June 3rd at a dinner at school. The cafeteria contractor, Jawad, generously donated the dinner as a token of their appreciation. The workers were very thankful of the student contributions and expressed their gratitude to all.

Sincerely,

Martijn Boersma
Operations Manager

TAISM student earns top prize at Science Fair

As you may recall from the last Eagle, Daniel Jackson (Grade 7) was the first TAISM student to progress to the final round of the prestigious NESA Virtual Science Fair. Daniel’s project on the effectiveness of different wind turbine designs actually earned him the highest ranking after the first 3 rounds of the contest. During the final competition, nine judges from around the world assessed the seven highest ranking projects from Muscat, Johannesburg, Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Riyadh. In the end, Daniel’s project stood next to some of the best ideas and he earned 2nd place. If you see Daniel please congratulate him.

Book Bits

On behalf of the library staff and the entire TAISM community, I extend sincere thanks to Library Assistant, Mari Reeves, as she and her family return to live in the United States. It has been a pleasure working with Mari this past year and we will all miss seeing her at the circulation desk. All the best, Mari!

Ryan’s Well : Community effort to build wells

Earlier in the school year, members of the Global Issues Network here at TAISM sold bracelets and participated in beach clean-ups to raise 500 rials for the Ryan’s Well Foundation. Ryan’s Well was founded by Ryan Hreljac in 1999 when he was only seven years old. Ryan’s dream is “clean water for all”, and the foundation works to make this dream come true by digging and maintaining wells for people in need. To date, Ryan’s Well is responsible for 394 wells in 15 countries, serving over 547,000 people. In hopes of adding to their contribution to Ryan’s Well, the Global Issues students called upon the middle and high school students at TAISM to think about what their priorities in life are and what they could do to help make a difference in the world. The response has been nothing short of amazing. As of June 3, the total amount raised at TAISM towards Ryan’s Well was RO 1,434! All of the money raised will be used to aid in the construction of a deep well, along with hygiene education for a school located in the village of Jeremie, Haiti. The well will be
constructed and maintained by Haiti Mission Inc., which has teamed up with the Ryan’s Well Foundation. Lloyd Duplantis, director of Haiti Mission, Inc., recently sent a hand-written letter to TAISM saying “Thank you for your wonderful initiative. Please tell the students that they will never fully understand how much they are impacting the lives of children and families.” As a middle school teacher and leader of the Global Issues Network, I couldn’t be more proud.

Scott Brink
MS Social Studies

Job Opportunities at TAISM

TAISM is looking for a registered nurse (RN) for the 2008-09 school year. This full-time position is a 190-day contract that begins on
August 9, 2008. Previous school nurse experience is preferred but not required. Interested applicants should contact Julie Al Alawi (juliea@taism.edu.om). Applications should be submitted by June 14, 2008.

Junior Accountant:

Full Time (8 hours per day/5 days a week/220 days per year). Beginning August 2008

Qualifications include:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting or similar area
Previous experience as accountant is preferred
Proficiency in Microsoft Office software
Excellent command with spoken and written English
Ability to prepare correspondence with high level of accuracy
Ability to work independently

Applicants should send cover letter and résumé to Julie Al-Alawi (juliea@taism.edu.om) by June 14, 2008.

Are you relocating this summer?

Please notify the Admissions Office in advance if you will be leaving TAISM.

Please email: jayaramn@taism.edu.om or seymouru@taism.edu.om

Eagle Volume 10, Issue 11, June 9, 2008

Summer Hours