Secondary Program

From the Administration

Dear Parents,

We are looking forward to an excellent year in our Secondary school. Your child will receive optimal benefit from the year if you as a parent remain actively involved with his/her classes and school activities. How can you do this?

1. Check your child's grades on a regular basis by using our Power School system. All grades will be updated each Friday so that you should be able to see how well your child is doing.
2. Get to know your child's advisor. A link describing the advisor system is part of this website. Each student has a faculty advisor who will know your child and be familiar with his/her academic and social life at school. A list of advisors is part of the advisor link.
3. Take the time to attend any event where your child is a participant.
4. Take the time to attend any meetings about your child or his/her course of study.

Parent-Student Handbook - The handbook's latest version has been updated for year 2007 - 2008. You can find it available at our CIC wiki.

School Calendar - Will be kept on our school's website, and also, if you have a CIC email account, you can check our online calendar in google CIC.

Uniforms - Our rules are simple, but please make sure that your child adheres to these rules. Any student who does not conform to these will not be allowed in class until the correct uniform is brought to him/her.

Activities - Our school has a wealth of after school activities. Educational research and our experience tell us that students benefit from becoming involved outside of the classroom. One's skill or training in an activity is not a barrier. Just have the student give it a try.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I contact my child's teacher? Leave a phone message with Liseth Patino at the school. You can also send an email to the teacher by either using the school's website or use the teacher's last name and first initial i.e.: sweetingc@ciccaracas.com.ve
2. Who is my child's advisor? Each advisor will be sending you an introductory letter within the first week of school. Call Ana Maria Sookermany (ext. 225) if you have forgotten the teacher's name.
3. Who should I speak with if I think that there is a problem in one of my children's classes? First speak with the teacher. If this does not seem to solve the problem, speak with Brian Lettinga on Middle and Elementary School.

Upcoming Activities
Various meetings for parents- please check the first page of the website. We will meet with the parents of the 11/12 graders to talk about the IB program. In addition we will have informal cocktail parties for the parents of the N-5 and 6-12th graders.

We are looking forward to working with you this year.

Carmen Sweeting, Superintendent

The Advisor System at CIC

Description

Research, and probably our personal experience, clearly shows that students do far better emotional, socially and academically if they form emotional connections with the teachers at their school. Even a personal connection with just one adult at the school can have a very strong influence on the student's success. The advisor system at CIC is a critical part of the school's efforts at reaching out to our students. This is especially true because of the multicultural and transient nature of our student body. Although students will benefit from excellent teaching, they will benefit equally from teachers' pastoral work as an advisor. Our expectation is that all of us will do what we can to strengthen the school's advisor program.

Both administrators and the counselors work closely with teachers to improve the advisor system. They schedule student concern meetings during each quarter, as well as periodic meetings with advisors. The advisors will work closely with administrators and counselors as we discuss students who need assistance during these meetings. Teachers receive a good deal of advice and counsel as to how to be excellent advisors.

The primary goals of the Advisor Program are:

1. Building Positive Relationships: We work to develop positive, helping relationships with advisees by getting to know them, monitoring their academic progress, and advocating for their social and emotional well-being.
2. Providing Study Time and academic Support: We provide a well-structured environment where students can work on assignments, receive academic support, and improve study skills and time management. Students often request time during this period to work in the computer lab and the library. This can be arranged, but it is very important that the advisor knows where the advisee is at all times.
3. Flex time: The Advisor period is a time to hold (but not so frequently as to interfere with goals 1 and 2) class meetings and different events so students do not miss class time. College visits are often scheduled during this time, for example, as are class meetings and all school assemblies. In addition, activities related to study skills and social and emotional health as well as the IB and IBMYP programs are held during this period. These events must be scheduled in advance through the counselors, who will set up monthly Advisor Period schedules.

Basic Structure of Program:

1. Advisor Groups: Students in each grade are divided into small groups of 4-7 students that meet with one advisor. This ensures that students can get to know each other well and that each student receives individual attention.
2. Schedule: Advisor groups meet daily, Monday-Friday for a 40 minute period. School assemblies are held for about 20-30 minutes on Mondays during the Advisor period.

Advisor Duties

Advisors are the contact person for parents. Advisors will be aware of their advisee's progress at the school. Each advisor will contact the parents of students assigned to the advisor at the beginning of the year so that the parents know their role. An introductory letter will be sent to the parents at the first day of school and as new students enter the school during the year.

Advisors are asked to become familiar with your advisees' academic program. One way this is done is to read over the advisee's cumulative files. Each advisor also keeps in contact with the advisee's teachers so that if there are concerns you will able to assist in their resolution.

Advisors take a personal interest in your advisees so that the students feel that they have an advocate and sounding board.

Advisors make the time and effort to work closely with the other advisors who work with the same grade level so that all the advisors work as a team with the students in the grade. The counselors will take responsibility for providing structure/possible activities for this program.

Middle School

Grades 6-8

The CIC Middle School program has been designed to address the unique emotional, social and educational needs of the young adolescent student. Kids at this age need security, support, and success. In fact, research tells us that, how a child is treated as a young adolescent plays an important part in determining that child's behaviors--especially those that pertain to self-concept, lifelong-learning skills, and values-as an adult. Our middle school students work in small groups with caring and experienced teachers, who enjoy interacting with this age group.

In order to offer our students the best possible program, our curriculum follows the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP), which spans Grades 6-10, including the lowerclassmen of the High School. The MYP offers an approach to teaching and learning that accentuates the interrelatedness of academic disciplines, helping students to see substantive connections between all their classes. Mindful of the uncertainty, sensitivity and questioning of this age group, the MYP fosters both personal and intellectual growth.

Learn more about the IB Middle Years Program (MYP)

High School

Grades 9-12

Real academic achievement is accomplished by those who are always striving and questioning, demanding the best of both themselves and those around them. The High School curriculum helps each student achieve his/her potential by stressing student-centered and inquiry-based learning. Students in CIC's High School are expected to be productive, contributing members of the school community in preparation for their roles as citizens of both their individual countries and the global community.

Students in the High School choose from a variety of academic programs which will both satisfy the 24-credit graduation requirement and prepare them for the world's finest universities. The curriculum in Grades 9-10 is based on the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. In the last two years of High School, students participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, where they have the opportunity to earn an IB Diploma, which is regarded highly by top universities around the world.

Learn more about the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) & the IB Diploma Program