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CFU fundraiser speech

Distinguished guests!


Ladies and gentlemen!

My dear students,

It is with great pleasure that i give my first speech at ABAT. I can’t assure you it will be the best ever, but I can assure it will be the next best thing: i.e. brief.

Imagine life without children cancer—where you will never worry that your brother or sister, son or daughter, nephew or niece or even your grandchildren will be diagnosed with the disease.

Imagine a world free of it. Is that possible?

Statistics say that the survival rate is 80%.. that means that we have a say in saving those children.

Makassed is working every minute of every day to save every life. It is in this spirit, that few years ago it announced the launch of the CFU, in the hope of raising US $ 5 million to support the treatment of kids struggling with cancer. It did many activities to support that noble cause.

And today was the day of ABAT under the sun. It was our turn to provide practical and emotional support & help put a sparkle in the lives of children.

Our contribution might not be high but it has a symbolic importance to us. School life should not be limited to learning from books, Albert Einstein once said: “Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything one learned in school.” We hope our students leave us to be responsible citizens who care about others, & this is the essence of our Makassed education and of our Islam.

So, today you will have the chance to support our strides against children cancer, and you will also help the school in earning the international school award. This is the first of ten international activities that make the school eligible for the award. It is with the kind support of the British Council, and with the collaboration of Makassed Sawiri School that we are launching this fundraiser. Plz give time to listen to our students who did meticulous research on international breakfast, vote on the best, cz they will be rewarded. Then Buy from us, not cupcake, but the wonderful feeling of knowing someone's day will be brighter and better because of you. Buy as much as you can & remember the saying of a wise man “In charity there is no excess”

In closing, I wish to thank all of you, Mr president, Sawiri school , Makassed officials, partners, students, parents, teachers and guests.

Thank you for being with us, joining us, and supporting our beginnings.

Thank you all!

Microsoft Mentor School Award

A Couple of days ago, Anthony Salcito, the Microsoft vice president of education awarded us The Microsoft Mentor School Award in Washington DC. Only 18 schools around the world had this honor, and only two schools of these 18 were from the Arab World. This could not have happened without the relentless efforts of KSPS team who did amazing activities that showed innovative ways of teachin...g. Each and ever member participated in executing these activities and I thank them ALL. I also thank the leadership team- Dounia Bader,Reine M. Hably,Rola Ayoubi, and Rawaa Chehab who compiled the case studies about teachers' activities, and tell them I had great honor in serving as the principal of KSPS for six years. I deeply thank all Makassed directors and specifically Miss Adla who gave us an opportunity to join this program, helped us in all ICT needed project, and supported us along the way. And to Mr Amine Daouk, i say there is simply no one like you! Let's all pin on our chests what you taught us: "TO LOVE & TO GIVE."

Microsoft- share your wisdom questionnaire

As a mentor school, we got a request from Microsoft PIL to answer these four questions. Ghinwa Doughan, Dounia Badreddine, Rawaa Shehab, Rola Ayoubi and I  met as the leadreship team of Makassed KSPS and agreed on the following:
Enjoy,


What quotes have inspired you as a professional educator?
-"Do you want a Collection of Brilliant Minds or a Brilliant Collection of Minds? " quoted by Meredith Belbin
- "Computers are incredibly fast, accurate and stupid; humans are incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant. Together they are powerful beyond imagination", quoted by Albert Einstein

- "We need to prepare students for Their future not Our past", quoted by Ian - Juckes.


What are the three most powerful ideas you have learned, developed, or heard of during your involvement in the program so far?
There were myriad of puissant ideas that were developed during the involvement in the program, the first of which is revisiting the school vision and involving all stakeholders in it. Before the program, there was a clear vision of the school but it was not generated by all stakeholder. Another thing that we developed was a Students' Council that represented the school's in international activities and was part of the decision making processes in the school. Working on the learning environment was also another thing learned during the program. Our final case study will show how learning was beyond classroom’s borders. We worked on the national and international levels. Our dexterous teachers worked on engendering global pupils who are inquisitive, creative and critical.
What is most important is that our teachers had a full understanding that pedagogy is the king and their focus should be on developing 21st century skills with the use of technology, that technology in itself is just a tool, but a tool that is much needed because we are working with digital natives, It can open great horizons and its benefits are limitless.
What has been catalyst in helping to make positive change in your school? What impact has this had?
Distributed Leadership played an important role because there was delegation of authority and not just responsibility. The impact was so positive because teachers felt empowered.

Another catalyst was the invisible usage and integration of ICT. Training of teachers and the infrastructure at school helped a lot. Teacher used blogs, wikis, Power Point presentations, Photo-Story, Movie-Maker, Learning Essentials, Producer, and Mouse-Mischief. Providing each classroom with an "Interactive White Board" was a good decision taken.

The good home/school connection was a third catalyst: Many school activities, occasions, and events were posted in the school’s blog and a Clovers Newsletter was produced by Microsoft Office-Publisher. This was an astounded way of communication between students, parents, and school.

  What would you like to be quoted as saying if we were to quote you personally in any future publications or testimonials?
“It’s my belief that the essence of teaching is to make learning contagious, to have one idea spark another, and I also believe that the whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into window

Fortunately, the opportunities offered to educators by the opened windows in technology and its contagious influence on people made that dream come true. Actually man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” Dr Kamel Dallal, director of education affairs at Makassed.


Educators should combine a high level of technology for education and transmit them to a Global Horizon of advancement",  Ms. Rola Ayoubi.
"The empowerment of technology is a striking need for transforming tutelage",  Ms. Dounia Baderddine.
"International Collaboration transplanted innovation in the school's cultural system",  Ms. Rawaa Shehab
"It's better to have a Qualitative Hi-Tech students than to have a Quantitative Addict-Tech pupils",  Ms.Ghinwa Doughan

Foreword to Una Mirada 2010/2011 (or better say farewell!)

16 years in one workplace is something! Everything becomes part of you, everything becomes a source of joy, not just a reminiscence!


It has been an honor to me, for six years, to serve as the principal of Makassed Khalil Shehab and no words can convey my true sentiments. It has been a journey that the team of KSPS and I have travelled together with the support of different Makassed directorates, a journey full of excitement and self-growth… From achieving national and international recognition, to rising in all directions, to developing every corner of the school, to starting a second family, a family of friends, there might not be one thing that has not become a part of me!

I will miss everyone and every detail -the sisterly look of Abir, the professionalism and love of Dounia, the dedication of Siham, the immediate support of Zainab, the kindness of Lina, the wide smiles of Sawsan and Randa, the punctuality of Mirvat, the diligence of Zeina, the choreography of Rola, the artistic flavor of Iman & Sherihan, the assistance of Ibrahim, the silent hard work of Jancet and Hoda, the creativity of Bassam and Yehya , and even the “walaw” of Rola. I need forever to tell you how special you are! Looking at you, I see dedicated people and great team culture that you can soldier on. Mrs Rana is lucky to have talents like yours! Jotting down few words of appreciation can never do you your rights. I want also to thank you for honoring me many instances during my last days as your principal. Your loving tribute means a lot to me!

My students, you were a source of joy to me and I already miss everything about you, your fun-loving nature, your hugs, your strive for first place in all competitions, even your nuances! Today I leave you with stronger wings, braver hearts, so fly, soar, and make me proud of your achievements! I’ll keep following you in the cyberspace!

And my president, I’m grateful that I work in a place that allows me to work, to compete in business, to pursue my dreams, and to give back to those who make it all happen.You entrusted me with a big responsibility towards Makassed, which is also a better growth opportunity for me. I’ll follow your example of leadership and caring, so we have another Makassed Cloverland in Achrafieh!

And dear parents, when we started this magazine, we were hoping to offer your kids, KSPS students, a souvenir. Today I find its several issues a souvenir for me, a treasured record of six years of achievement and joy! Hopefully, you will enjoy reading this issue. It is loaded with success stories of this year- Microsoft, Bank Med, Promethean and others. It also shows how we were trying to establish the classroom of today and tomorrow, with focus on innovative teaching, higher order thinking skills, community involvement, and technology integration, so that your child who is also ours will benefit!

I wish all that continues in KSPS. The last I can say and with a smile:

KSPS is in safe hands,

GO MAKASSED CLOVERS, GO!

Microsoft PIL Scaling up Session

Upon the request of Microsoft Lebanon, AlMakassed hosted a session at Jezairi to spread the word about Microsoft Partners in Learning Program. Microsoft APM, Nadine Andraos, in addition to sixty school leaders and representatives, from Makassed and from the private and the public sectors, attended this session. Each year Microsoft chooses a number of schools to work with closely on the innovative approaches to teaching- providing technology and research tools, online trainings, and in-person participation in worldwide forums

استقبل وزير التربية حسان دياب وفداً من الأساتذة والمدارس الذين شاركوا في المنتدى العربي <للأستاذ المبدع و المدرسة المبدعة> الذي أقامته شركة ميكروسوفت في مدينة العقبة الأردنية حيث تمكّن الأساتذة اللبنانيون من الحصول على المركزين الأول والثالث في المباراة.و مثل المدارس البداعية ثلاثة مدارس و هم المقاصد خليل شهاب و ثانوية اندريه نحاس و سيدة الرسل. وقامت السيدة غنى البدوي بعرض تجربة مدرستها المقاصدية، حيث انها فازت بمركز المدرسة المدربة.

وكانت شركة <ميكروسوفت> قد أقامت هذا المنتدى العربي السنوي وشارك فيه أكثر من مئتي أستاذ من البلدان العربية وأفريقياو العديد من المدارس الابداعية، بمشاركة شركة <بروميسيان> و شركاء اخرون

BC Training on Using Moodle to Develop e-learning Courses for Students

The British Council has organized a training course from 13 to 15 October at “Crowne Plaza Hotel”. The presenter is Dr. Baldev Singh from “Imagine Education”. More than 40 teachers from different schools were present in the training. Makassed KSPS and Makassed ABAT were presented by Mrs. Ghina Al Badawi, Mrs. Rana Sabbidine, Ms. Dounia Baderdine, and Mrs. Rawaa Shehab.
The objectives of the training were to:

• Develop a good understanding of steps and structure to develop an effective e-learning course.

• Develop e-learning courses using open source systems such as MoodIe to support collaboration, assessment and tracking of progress.

• Use additional applications to create E-Learning objects which can be embedded into the E-Learning environment.

Action plans will be prepared at the end of the training course so that e-courses will start both at Makassed ABAT and Makassed KSPS.

Makassed-Davidson ICT Dialogue

When Dr. Mohamed Naffi was visiting his daughter Nadia who is studying for an M.A. in Educational Technology at Concordia University in Canada, he met her thesis supervisor Dr. Ann-Louise Davidson. What was at first a personal familial visit turned out to be the kernel for a stimulating discussion for Dr. Naffi. Indeed, Dr. Naffi thought that Dr. Davidson’s expertise in the use of technology in education, especially special education, could be useful to Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association in Beirut because they have always been at the avant-garde of educational ideas and have always known how to seize a good opportunity. The acquaintance between the two academics culminated in an academic meeting wherein educationists from Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association as well as other institutions interacted with Dr. Davidson to share knowlege and common concerns about ICT.




If you would like to read more about their interesting dialogue, please visit:



http://makassed-davidson-dialogue.blogspot.com/

Promethean Interactive White Boards and Teachers’ Effectiveness

A year ago, “Makassed Khalil Shehab Primary School” had wielded the use of Promethean Interactive White Boards in its school. This highly technological invention had added multifarious amenities to its generic tutoring. Like any novel innovation; the “ Promethean Interactive White Board” wrenched teachers, students, and schools from discrepant conundrums regarding the plying of primordial methods of pedagogy. These interactive Boards have disparate merits. The most puissant theme that we would like to accentuate on in our study is ”Teacher’s Effectiveness”. Pedagogues are the imperative substrate of any educational process. However, a mason without the appropriate accoutrements fails to accomplish any errand! Hence, the secret behind our power and glory was the hodgepodge of the “ Promethean Interactive White Board” and the efficacy of our instructors.



As time passed, we have noticed that the students’ demands for “Technology” were surpassing our proffers. Pupils these days get more bored easily and hence become less productive. Their demands for enthusiasm in learning ramped up increasingly on the decreasing scale of ineffectiveness! Moreover, our children are daily exposed to broadly-based technologies like the web 2.0 tools such as blogs and wikis, in addition their Hi-tech PSP, Nintendo,Wii, and PS3Games, and even Hi-tech telecommunications through Iphones, Blackberries, ipads and others… Therefore, the life they were living outside school with all its offerings was incompatible with that of their school teaching. Something had to be done- and done quick… It was here were Makassed IT directorate worked on a strategic plan to integrate technology in its schools, both in administration and teaching. This plan started five years ago and changed the profiles of Makassed schools. Promethean boards were an integral part of this plan. Like in the case of any new innovative tool, the only shortcoming that we encountered and want to address is that tutors need some time of course to master all the broad skills of such a highly technological device, especially that they are technology immigrants, while their students are digital natives! It was surprising that our students were self-learners in using the board, since the first day it was in their classrooms



The resolution for his conflict was to empower teachers to use these boards. Thus, diverse adept development programs and trainings were held, orgainized again by the Makassed IT directorate. All teachers underwent an advanced training and prepared flipcharts to use on the interactive board. In antithesis, others were introduced to teachers as mandatory, particularly the reporting tools that would help the whole team to be more efficient in its communication and skills. In addition, other technologies and teaching practices were introduced through continuous applications. Hence, the class came to life by the addendum of the “Promethean Interactive White Boards”. All pupils of discrepant levels were keen to use it. They raced to write on it or perform a task using its features. Microsoft add ons were also used and we were the first school in Lebanon to use Mouse Mischief and train on it. Graphic slates and wands and other accessories were also used. Students started watching videos and listening to stories on promethean planet. They prepared lessons and became tutors, presenting their lessons on Promethean Board proudly to their peers. “Learing is Fun” many students would comment “and it is more interactive “, we would add. Teachers were enthusiastic and started uploading lessons on Promethean planet. The “Promethean Interactive White Board” introduced a grave unfledged novel way of teaching. It amalgamated learning with pleasure! It drew a yearning smile on the faces of our angelic youngsters, our four leaf clovers as we call them! The deployment of the “Promethean Interactive White Boards” added caliber to our school, teachers, and students. Students were lured into using modern technology and parents were satisfied. Moreover, it provided the means for keeping students actively involved and motivated in the imbibing progress. Hence, students’ engagement in the learning process was augmented while using the “Interactive Whiteboard”.

Consequently, the Promethean Interactive White Boards was used to deliver tutelage in multifarious discrepant ways. Three of the most crucial categories of conveying the tutoring development were the: “Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic modalities”. Thus, in each of these maneuvers; our ravenous students found gratification, complacence, and contentment. Their hunger for knowledge was satiated … their craving thirst for technology was cloyed, and their use of 21st century skills in the classroom was secured! Their eyes couldn’t forget the sparkling light of demeanor nor could their ears come up empty with the sounds of delineations!

Regarding pedagogues; tutors were introduced to multitudinous disparate professional trainings in order to furnish them with a prodigious substrate for effective technological implementations. These drillings allowed our teachers to become “Highly- Qualitative Mentors” This month we were informed that our school was chosen as a mentor school as part of the Partners in Learning Program. Only three schools in the Middle East and Africa regions were chosen so. In our Mentoring endeavours we are keen on abetting schools to use the “Promethean Interactive White Board proficiently. In our point of view, our teachers; as well, were aspiring for the use of a Highly-Innovative mean in order to manifest the suppressed capabilities they had deep down inside and which they failed to evince by using the traditional “Chalk Board”. It is astounding when we hear ample tutors say: ’We can’t imagine ourselves ever going back to teaching on “Chalk Boards”, after we have experienced the lucent “ Promethean Interactive White Boards” glimmering the magnificent ethereal of technology!’

Mentor Schools are chosen for their notably creative and innovative ways of implementing technology in education, researching, and sharing of knowledge. To us, achieving the Mentor School level award is only the beginning. Our aim is to continue “to work with and share expertise with educators from all around the world in order to progress and elevate International wise. Hence, this way, our beloved students will have more opportunities to participate in global collaborative projects and expand their intellectual horizons and use 21st century skills! Furthermore, our school has established links with other schools abroad to increment its global purview. These links have allowed students of both schools to work collaboratively on projects sharing ideas and intermingling on cultural levels. For that reason our Makassed school was awarded the International School Award from the British Council.

Last but not least, we would whole heartedly like to thank “Promethean” and its entire diligent staff for giving us this precious trove and for choosing us for this noteworthy study. Thanks again for believing in our school, our teachers, and our integrity... We will always do our best to be up to expectation and credence!



(This case study write-up is the collaborative work of Ghina Albadawi, Ghinwa Doughan,Dounia Badereddine, & Rawaa Shehab)

Makassed KSPS Journey with the British Council

Makassed Khalil Shehab was a primary school in Ras Beirut, a local school, with local connections, with a local tint; a successful happy go lucky “ecole du quartier”.

But Lo and Behold;

• Makassed Khalil Shehab is a school penetrating the universal cyber space with connections to fourteen schools around the world!

• Makassed Khalil Shehab is a bright outgoing school- full of colour and happy faces, young and older!

• Makassed Khalil Shehab is a BC international school award winner, Microsoft mentor school, a Promethean success story school, and the greenest school in Beirut.

When did all of that start?

British Council (BC) through the Innovative Approaches to Teaching Project linked Khalil Shehab with Cauldeen Primary School, the farthest town school in the north most town of the northest country in Great Britain in the British Isles, Inverness. That was six years ago, and that was the springboard for us! We wrote an international policy, appointed an international coordinator, decided on a five year strategic plan, and the journey with innovation started! I was then starting my first year as a school principal, and had taken the ICT TOT course offered by the British Council, and I was nominated to be an ICT trainer, which was an opportunity that I considered great. I worked both ways- to introduce innovations in my school and to other schools in Lebanon. Years passed, we implemented our plan with the support of different Makassed directorates, and at the same time continued working with BC on different projects, including the Connecting Classroom Project. The diligent work of teachers, along with the support of the mother association and the enthusiasm of students lead us to earn the BC international school award (ISA). As to myself, I became a SLICT trainer, i.e. I delivered training to school leaders on the strategic leadership in ICT. The journey did not end here! Every one at school had a share of the development. Children enjoyed connection with children in UK and around the world. They met our cluster representatives from Nottingham this year. Teachers developed through the varied BC professional development workshops, both in UK and in Lebanon. Two of the school teachers became project coordinator and one of them became a cluster coordinator. Another teacher became a BC ICT trainer. It is a success story to all of us, on the personal level and the school level. But the story does not end here. This year I got promoted to run another Makassed School. The first thing I did was asking Mayssa Dawi, the Connecting Classroom project coordinator, to enroll my new school in the Connecting Classroom Project. I knew it would open doors to international collaboration, global understanding, and innovation. I knew it would bring the students a world outside their own and provide us with countless professional development opportunities.

Will the story be repeated in the new school? All I can say, “Fingers crossed!

Thanks Mayssa,Thanks BC!”

Ghina Al Badawi,
Principal
AlMakassed

KSPS is announced a Microsoft Mentor School

Innovative Journey with Microsoft- PIL

 What is Microsoft Partners in Learning ( PIL)?
It is a global community which guides educators and leaders in various schools around the world. Its aim is to share updated educational ways to enhance education and develop learners into autonomous and critical thinker individuals.Our school was chosen as one of the 65 pathfinder schools found worldwide schools. The it was selected as a mentor school.

Online Community:
The first step that we’ve done was joining worldwide community and  creating our own community on “PIL” Partners in Learning network. We started a discussion regarding school vision and every stakeholder gave her/his own point of view concerning her/his vision.

 Virtual Universities:
 They are virtual meetings where several educators present online to tackle a certain educational,technological,or leadership issue. Different educators and leaders around the world can engage online and listen and even participate by engaging in fruitful discussions. It is mainly about sharing expertise between educators worldwide and getting the chance to meet experts in educational technology and leadership fields.The titles that were presented virtually:

- Envisioning
- Living and Learning in a Global Community WWIEF Presentation
- Innovative Teaching and Learning Practice
- Students’ Voice
- Exploring and Emerging Technology

" Our aim now is to learn from Microsoft new and innovative ideas, activities and methods to follow and add up to our educational process throughout the year. We also desire to achieve the finest of the best from our new great partners that we are so delighted to share and participate with them with all provided activities, tools, case studies, virtual live meetings, innovation, and projects.", says Rola Ayoubi, English Coordinator at Makassed KSPS.

"The virtual universities that we have attended are very beneficial and they enhanced our knowledge concerning technological teaching methods that we can integrate through our learning/teaching process", says Amira Kobrosli Owaini, a science and math teacher at Makassed KSPS.

 Case Studies:
 Four case studies are to be presented, throughout this year, which reflect our work and different innovative approaches we use or follow through our educational process. The endeavor is to show our existing innovation and showing change throughout this year and through working with Microsoft.
 The first case study that we worked on was about the project “Going Green”. The project tackled the following activities:
 Go Green Fundraiser
 Climate Change Campaign
 E-Waste Sculptures
 National Planting Day
 ENO Tree Planting Day
 Recycling
 Environmental Awareness Campaign
We also made video shooting concerning our case study. Various stakeholders gave a short presentation that tackled innovation and  activities done at  school.
 For more details, this first case study and the video are available at:
http://www.ksps.almakassed.edu.lb/

"Shooting the video was a great experience and a beneficial one too, since this video was a raising awareness tool about important issues shared globally. Moreover, the importance of this video is found in spreading this awareness and delivering it to the highest number of people who are using technology that would allow them search more about any topic they want to learn about", says Donia Badderedine, the administrative assistant at our school.

PIL Presentation:
A special presentation was provided to fifty Makassed leaders to encourage them to apply for Microsoft “PIL” Program.  It was very encouraging when several Makassed leaders called me after the session asking for one to one session with their school leaders about PIL and the best way to incorporate PIL in their school development plan.

Attending Forums:
Two Makassed leaders, Miss Adla Shatila and myself, attended Microsoft Arab Forum and Microsoft Worldwide Forum. We travelled to Cape town and Tunisia and got the chance to attend several workshops and had a booth to present our school innovative activities and teaching methodologies, and the way technology is incorporated through the learning process.Mrs Rawya Shatila, innovative teacher award winner was there too, presenting her joint project with Ms Cheryll Arnette.

Attending BETT:
We also attended BETT educational technology show and Michael Fullan’s Motion Leadership workshops in London. It was a great learning experience to meet all those innovative educators worldwide and see what they have to offer their students to foster 21st century skills.The best thing was meeting Michael Fullan in person after reading his many interesting work on leadership.

  & THE INNOVATIVE JOURNEY HAS JUST STARTED.

LD Conference Photo Gallery

http://www.mawared.org/eccd/regconf/index.php

Appreciation Award from the British Council

It has been great collaborating with you the past five years!Thanks Mayssa!Thanks BC!

Green blog

Would be delighted if you visit our green blog:
http://gogreenlebanon.blogspot.com/

I would like to share with you Dounia Baddereddine's account of our happy event @ Bristol

Makassed Khalil Shehab School has won three international awards in global innovation, development and introduction of the information and communication technologies in its school environment from the British Council, Microsoft Corporation and some non-governmental organizations. For this occasion, a ceremony was held to honor the school principal Ghina Al Badawi Hafez and the staff as a result of their global educational efforts that aimed to strengthen the cultural and technological level in the school. The ceremony started with a speech by the school principal,who reviewed the stages that Khalil Shehab School passed through during the past five years, explaining the steps that allowed it to acquire these international awards, ensuring the support of the president and Members of the Board of Trustees and with the assistance of the Department of Information Technology. Moreover, the Director of the Department of Information Technology Adla Chatila stated: “Our work continues to secure resources to achieve the integration of ICT in learning and teaching process, and the introduction of ICT in the educational sector." Finally, the ceremony was concluded with a speech by President Daouk, who congratulated the teaching staff at the school on this achievement. Prior to it, there was a specific training for forty Makassed leaders on Microsoft PIL. It was done at Gezairi Building in presence of President Amine Daouk, Educational Affairs Directorate, and Department of Information Technology Directorate.

A vision for innovation

Our Makassed Khalil Shehab School is a 21st century community school meeting the tuition-free standards, offering quality education through its distinctive curriculum, methods, equipments and the work of its specialized and efficient staff. It keeps pace with the innovative approaches in the teaching of language arts, social and physical sciences, in addition to a deep concern in the teaching of Islamic education. It ensures modern education that seeks to build the students as a whole, developing their abilities academically, morally, socially, physically, and creatively; thus nurturing their minds and characters.

Because we are very keen on keeping pace with the innovative approaches in the teaching and learning of language arts, social and physical sciences, math, and others with a focus on the integration of ICT, we have achieved targeted goals in less time. Classrooms are becoming more learner-centered because learning styles and multiple intelligences are recognized. There is also more focus on collaborative work and project-based learning in addition to establishing the e-book for some subjects.

The technological innovations at school are a very important catalyst in providing the best learning environment and enhancing the learning experience. There is a very well developed infra-structure for integrating technology such as rehabilitated computer suites, laser printers, voting machines, internet connections (WAN&LAN)- LCD projectors- LCD screens in every class- and to save the best for last-the Promethean Interactive Boards. Students' motivation, interaction, and involvement in all subjects have increased to a great extent because teachers are using various interesting tools for conveying lessons.

Other technological innovations that we have at school include the voting machines, and the wide Promethean features of the ActiveClassroom; such as, the ActiveExpression, helping students express themselves through words, phrases, numbers, and symbols, and share it instantly with the entire class. In addition, the ActiveSlate allows teachers to control the ActiveBoard from anywhere in the classroom; the Mouse Mischief that gives teachers an idea to check how well the lesson is being understood; the ActiveInspire and the ActiveWand that actively engage students with the interactive lessons and enhance their potential to learn. Just imagine the impact that all these innovations have on learners. The classrooms will always be vibrant, in constant evolution and change for what is best to our learners who we seek to always make them more creative, innovative, and eager to learn and share using all the technologies present in their classroom.
All our efforts are exerted to meet our vision and aim of developing 21st century learning skills with growing focus on authentic and idividualized learning and tackling skills of problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration with the integration of ICT in instruction, assessment, and intervention; All is achievable with the support of our best Makassed leaders, who made it possible for us to be a Microsoft Mentor School.

Joensuu Way/ Environment Conference-Finland

Joensuu Way is a global educational event for schools. It is based on two events: ENO Conference and SciFest- Finland. This event took place in the city of Joensuu, Finland. Schools got a chance to know about the city, visit local schools and Finnish forest. They also shared projects of science, technology and environment in the workshops of SciFest- Finland. Environmental themes were climate change and forests.

II) Introduction

After our successful participation in ENO Campaign, we were invited to Joensuu Way. Participants from all over the world took part in this event. It took place from April 13^th till 18^th in Joensuu, Finland. The event consisted of two parts: presentations and Scifest.

III) Programme:

Day One: A Visit to Lyseo School

Day Two: A Visit to Kukkola Farm

Day Three: ENO conference / SciFest

Day Four: ENO Conference / Sci Fest

IV) Observations

A) Day One

Lyseo School:

The visit to Lyseo School was indeed a very important one. It gave a picture of how a modern school should look like. The meeting with the teachers there gave us an apt notion of how work is getting done there. Then, we went around school, each group accompanied by a teacher. We went into the different classrooms and had a look at the very modern tools used in presenting the materials. We also had a chance of attending classrooms, like English, Math, and Science. Going around school, and observing students, we had the feeling that they enjoyed their school experience and their time there due to the facilities that are given and the fact that they get to choose for themselves some of the optional classes thus making them aware of their strong points and developing their skills. We noticed the spacious lockers yet built in a way to take a small part of the hall. We also noticed the colorful floors of the school which definitely brings a feeling of cheerfulness and freshness and consequently has a very positive impact on the students, teachers, and all the school staff. Creating a space for students to express themselves and feel at ease is an important component of Lyseo School. Students were not wearing shoes, others were resting on comfortable coaches outside their classes until the bell rings. Others were either playing cards during recess or browsing the net. Some even had a job to do. They were responsible for selling snacks and juice at the school's shop near the cafeteria.

B) Day Two

Kukkola Farm:

The visit to the farm gave participants a chance to explore the natural life. We stopped at various parts of the farm and information about different aspects of the forest life was explained. First, an explanation of how work is done in this forest was given to participants. Then a discussion about the life cycle of trees was presented and the plan that is followed to ensure that natural life is always preserved. A brief presentation about the material made from wood and the plants and fruits that grow was given. Participants had the chance to even taste some of the fruits.

C) Day Three/ Four

A- Presentations

Some of the participating countries had a chance to inform others about their cultures and traditions. They had places to present material from their lands. The materials varied from posters to hand- made accessories and souvenirs. Some participants even chose to show their folk dances. It was a great chance to enrich people's knowledge about cultures from all over the world. In day four, the American astronaut Harrison Schmitt gave a very interesting presentation about his landing on to the moon. He described the whole experience and the preparations that took place, before, during, and after the voyage.

B- SciFest:

SciFest, Science Festival, was one of the best shows. Students displayed inventions that they came up with and brought materials to give participants a chance to experience for themselves. Concepts taken from Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Geometry, Computers were presented in a new and advanced way. The objective was to expand a person's knowledge, broaden his/her horizons, and go from what is common to what is uncommon and unusual but at the same time more fruitful and effective. Some examples of what was displayed include robots, visual illusions, 3D glasses, geometrical shapes using simple material like marsh mellows and macaroni, eye tracking programs, electrical balls, rocket making and launching through using simple material, and different inventions.

V) Projects

Attending Joensuu Way was a very rich experience. It has added to our efforts to always introducing and practicing what is new yet effective in the way to achieving academic development for our students. After the observations, we gave our initial agreement to fulfill two projects that promise to be fruitful for our teachers and pupils as well.

The first project has to do with professional development for teachers. It is an online teacher training program: MKFC Stockholm College: End-to- End eLearning. Thus in order for this project to be launched, some procedures have to take place, the most important of which is the funding part.

Since our students already have an idea of connecting classrooms and having links with students from all over the world, we will move further with this international project. This time we chose India: Sahibzada Ajit Singh Academy. Now we have links with United States of America (Alabama), Europe (Scotland), and hopefully Asia (India).

Moreover, the presentation that was given by the American astronaut Harrison Schmitt was videotaped and we are planning to show it at school to our students.

VI) Future Plans

Developing global citizens is one of our main objectives. Next year, we are planning of having some of our students participate and be ambassadors of Lebanon in Joensuu Way 2010. We will have a presentation about Lebanon. Lebanon will be present in its history, culture, traditions, and famous figures. Added to it is Beirut World Book Capital.

As for the SciFest, Science Festival, we will also have a share in it. Tackling creativity and trying to come up with new material is quite challenging. It would be very interesting to see what can be done by students and the science teacher next year. Hopefully, to successfully complete this project, it would be set from the beginning of the next academic year.

VII) Recommendations

It is strongly recommended that the involvement would not be limited to Makassed Khalil Shehab School. It would be very fruitful if all Makassed Schools had an idea about this project since it is not only aimed to primary grades but also to intermediate and secondary. In this way, Makassed would be presented in all its schools and would be the representative of Lebanon there. Parents should also be involved. Their enthusiasm to what is being done will hopefully increase the number of students that might be able to go there especially from intermediate and secondary classes. We hope that you give your assent to our proposal to ensure an interesting and beneficial experience to our pupils thus nurturing their mind and developing their creativity and potentials.

Thanks Rana for the informative report...Our visit to Joensuu is memorable

Shakespeare Globe Cultural Seminar/ summer 2010

First, I would like to thank everyone who made my participation in the program possible. I owe a debt of gratitude to ESU Lebanon Mrs Youmna Asseily, and Mrs Mona Shaheen, and ESU-London for giving me the scholarship and the chance to get an understanding of Shakespeare on stage, how it should be taught in the classroom, and meet new wonderful people. I thank the Globe Director Patrick Spottingswoode, who has repeatedly said he wishes to bring Shakespeare’s words to life through ‘the soul of lively action’. I tell him you at the Globe are doing that and marvelously too. I thank president Amine Daouk for his trust and nomination of me to this wonderful program. You will soon see a Shakespeare project implemented at AlMakassed.

The program:

On day one we agreed on a set of common goals to reach after the seven day course and worked towards them:

· Setting historical context

· Exploring activities to enliven the teaching of Shakespeare

· Seeking opportunities to cultural exposure

· Seeking enrichment of personal experience

The program started with a Shakespeare tour around London, where we, the delegates, were divided into five groups of six each. We were given a guide booklet on where to find a representation of Shakespeare in London. Afterwards we would reflect on its staging and location, posture, costume, age depicted, status of art form, and the effect of medium on artists’ style of representation. The tour was of great value since it showed how Shakespeare is present everywhere in London and in the English culture, in different forms as monuments, paintings, signs, stones above a public square; even in different places from libraries, to cathedrals, to piazzas; even in bars and restaurants and souvenir shops. Even for those who were in London before, it was new because they did not notice before how Shakespeare is literally everywhere. Concerning the other days, the sessions were either staged inside the Globe rooms or at a nearby venue. There were movement classes, voice classes, text classes, a clothing session, and a music demonstration. These classes aimed at giving us a firsthand exposure from the members of Globe Theater on how productions at the Globe are conceived, prepared for, staged, and mounted. Furthermore, we participated in a Shakespeare’s exhibition tour and a Heaven to Hell backstage tour. We watched three plays: Henry VIII, Henry IV part 1, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. We also had the chance to participate in two critique sessions on the plays we attended, and we attended an ESU reception dinner at Dartmouth House.

As you can notice from the aforementioned, there was something for everyone; for teachers of English, for teachers of drama, for actors, for directors etc…A lot is online, but when a person is there and experiences all this wealth firsthand, it is totally a different experience. New kinds of techniques to use with our students were on offer. There were also many ideas for activities that can be used as icebreakers or for extracurricular activities, such as cardio graphic drawing and archetypes movements. I really appreciate the integrity of the course. All sessions were integrated and all presenters were talking about the same thing from a different angle. So if we combine all the pieces we would get the complete picture of how Shakespeare should be taught in our classrooms and how Shakespeare plays should be staged. Most of the sessions were practically oriented and the very few which were not stood out. There were connections between the sessions; they were well thought of and flew logically. There was an amalgam of cultural representatives and a sense of unity and friendship. However, there was not enough time for socializing because the program was packed off. To remedy this, we planned to start a facebook group for us and join the ESU facebook group. I also promised to start a blog for our group called: Friends of Will; and I will invite all participants to be authors and share all the experiences we will have in our country when teaching or staging Shakespeare.

The course aim was to “provide teachers equivalent to British secondary school level with insights into the crafts involved in creating a production for the Globe Theatre.” It has reached its aim and more than that! This course sums up the Globe and what’s happening there. It is charged with positive energy and this energy emitted to us. The whole week recharged us and we went back home with a full luggage of new ideas. We will definitely be more interesting to those whom we work with, whether teachers or students. I can confidently call it the jewel of ongoing professional training, because it was all brand new to me. It made me enter a world I have never been to before: the world of dramatic play. In terms of personal enrichment I cannot set the measure and say it made reach a certain point, because I would never know how it will inspire me and where it will take me after working with other Makassed teachers on the project I proposed in my application. The project fits perfectly well in what I have taken and I hope it will be successfully implemented the coming academic year.

It is difficult to suggest what to add to this course. There are few things, however, that I wished were present; for instance, a visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, handouts on all sessions taken, a list of recommended readings, especially on dealing with Shakespeare in the primary level, an afternoon off for socializing or rest, more discussion on Shakespeare in different curricula, a wrap up session with all the presenters…

To sum up I would like to say to me it was an injection of new spirit. I deeply thank everyone who made my participation possible. To you all I say you are all great people who really made a difference. Thanks to YOU all.

Appreciation Award from Makassed

As we enjoy this award, we look forward to an upcoming journey full of expectations and resolutions, geared toward continued success of students and staff at Makassed KSPS. Our success rests in large meaning on support, concern, and involvement of our best leaders!

Foreword to Una Mirada 2009/2010

As 2009/2010 academic year draws to a close, I want to express to all of you my deepest appreciation for your support and most earnest commendation for a job well done. We had an extremely successful year at Makassed KSPS. This was due in great part to the support we have received from our association, the different directorates and parents. I have pleasure in writing this foreword because it gives me an opportunity to thank the contributors.especially Miss Rana Lawand for all the time and effort given to this venture. I seize the opportunity to shine a light on the good work that made our school tick. KSPS takes pride in the achievements of this year from winning a certificate of excellence from Bank Med to various international certificates to the basketball team achievements, up to the winning of Mrs. Rawya Shatila of the Microsoft innovative teacher award. The buzz and the joy of our students at the Go Green Fundraiser have been obvious and delightful to witness

Many thanks also to our staff for their never ending real and professional leadership qualities. We are fortunate to have a group of people who are special in their many talents, energy, drive and acuity. Many of them have gone well beyond the call of duty and do so selflessly and without looking for acclaim. Many thanks also go to Makassed leaders for giving the staff and myself complete support in the implementation of various project which helped to make this school the best possible environment for each child.

And dear parents I thank you for being friends and for believing in what we are trying to do to our young people. Thank you for sending your children to KSPS and entrusting us with your most precious gift.

Our grade six students, we wish you much happiness and we trust that the attitude you have developed and the skills you have learned will contribute to your success in the future .We hope we nurtured your young minds and character. I hope you spend a peaceful and a safe summer and wonderful vacation.

Let us enjoy the achievements of this year and look forward to a new academic year full of expectations and resolutions geared toward continued success of students and staff at Makassed KSPS . We hope these achievements augurs well for another exceptional year at Makassed KSPS, as it got accepted as Microsoft Pathfinder School.I have written a few years before in this same magazine that we will work towards the International School Award and we got it and now I tell you we will work towards accreditation and Godwilling we will get it. The prospects of next year and beyond are promising – we close this year with many awards and we hope we get accreditation in the coming years .

We had many wonderful things brewing this year.The most recent development to appear is the school electronic yearbook and through this medium we hope to widely present our activities as it contains more than 72 videos in addition to photos and content of UNA Mirada. Come journey with us through the electronic yearbook and the pages of Una Mirada and explore what was happening all year around.