Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome back to a new school year. One of the many things I enjoy about the teaching profession is that every year feels like a fresh start. Even after 40 years in the education profession, I still get excited about the prospects for each new school year. We will certainly have some interesting changes taking place at ISO this year. Of course the most visible change will take place when we begin construction of our new multipurpose building. This will give us much needed classroom space as well as a center for performing arts and assemblies. While I am not looking forward to the disruptions that such endeavors inevitably bring, I am confident that our students and staff will continue to do great work no matter what distractions occur.

As always in an international school, there are changes in personnel. This year is no exception as we will welcome several new faces to our staff and also welcome back some former teachers. The new staff members are:

Cristina Bougma-Picó, US Spanish Teacher
Megan Hamel, Art/US Dance Teacher
Lani Joyce, Grade 4 Teacher
Salamatou Lobit, Teacher Assistant 
Elsie McCall, Librarian
Joy Osundwa, Music/US Drama Teacher
Aaron Pell, US English Teacher
Angel Prince, ES Principal
Noriko Suzuki, Teacher Assistant 

In addition, we are pleased to welcome back these staff members for 2009-10, some of whom will be taking on new responsibilities this year:

Ruth Estabrook, US Math/Art Teacher 
Amy Nehlsen, Grade 3 Teacher
Fatou Barry, MS French Teacher
Petra Sow, Kindergarten Teacher
Pierre Tilmant, ES French Teacher

These new staff members will join a dedicated and professional staff that will do their best for your children. I hope you take the time early in the year to get to know the teachers of your children. By working with us you help ensure to the success of your child and the success of this school.

As always, I hope you will take to time also to come by my office and talk to me about issues that affect ISO and our community.