Before we can tell you everything that's new and exciting in the International Academy right now, we want to share some of our favorite moments from our very first school year together from September 2012 to June 2013. Our first team of teachers and our first class of freshmen had some great times and great experiences.
Here is a picture of Ms. Deady, Ms. Janiga, and Mr. Munson on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Almost all of our teachers got to visit other INPS (Internationals Network for Public Schools) Schools in New York for professional development. The teachers were able to observe classes in INPS schools that have been open for ten years or more, which was a great learning experience. One thing we learned: we're doing a pretty good job, ourselves!
In the winter, all of our students got to travel to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. after learning about the Holocaust while reading "Number the Stars" in their English classes with Ms. Jackson and Ms. Block. It was a moving experience for everyone, and one we will not forget anytime soon.
In the spring, we all traveled back to Washington, D.C. for another field trip - this time to the National Museum of Natural History. On this field trip, students were able to see examples of evidence for evolution as they learned about in their biology classes with Ms. Arscott and Mr. Parker.
In the spring, some students went with Ms. Arscott and Ms. Beers to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. on a Saturday - just for fun! It was a beautiful day, and for some of the students, the metro ride alone was a novel experience!
At the end of the year, we celebrated with an awards ceremony and dance party to which all of our students and their families were invited. It was so great to see some of our students recognized for their hard work. We also are building a pretty solid reputation as the most vivacious dancers in the school - that is true for both staff and students, by the way!
Lest we forget, we also spent some time in our actual classrooms! Here are just a few pictures to show the kinds of work we did last year.