Load Shedding Schedule

FROM THE DIRECTOR

More than 200 musicians arrived yesterday for this weekend’s SAISA Music Festival. The Music Festival has traditionally included schools that are not regular SAISA member schools. That is the case this year as well. In addition to the regular SAISA schools we have musicians from the American International School of Muscat, Ecole Mondiale in Mumbai, Murray Christian in Pakistan, as well as from KISC and the British School here in Kathmandu. This is the largest SAISA event ever held at Lincoln School and likely the largest in league history. Thanks to the LS staff and community for making this possible. We appreciate the hospitality many of you are showing this weekend as you host more than 100 of these musicians in your homes. Particular thanks must go out to Katie Lenoue, who has organized this event; to Janne Shah, who has coordinated the housing; and to Ram Kashyap for facilitating transportation. I do hope you will attend the culminating concert on Sunday at 2 PM in the LS gym as well as the picnic being organized by the LS Parent Association prior to the performance.

We are now beyond the mid-way point of the 2009-2010 school year. Third quarter has started and for secondary students semester grades were sent home last week. These grades are significant for high school students since they are included on permanent transcripts and relate to credits toward graduation. Those who have had a particularly successful term are being recognized on the Second Quarter Honor Roll which is listed in this edition of the Newsletter. Congratulations to those students for their diligence and hard work!

Midyear is also the time that our teachers make decisions about returning to LS for the next year or not and when we hire their replacements. Seven of our current teachers are departing us in June and their replacements have now been hired to begin work in August. While the departing teachers have been outstanding contributors to LS and will be greatly missed, we have an impressive group of newcomers joining us. It is important to note that Lincoln School’s new Director Phil Clinton was consulted throughout the recruiting process for next year. Here is a brief bio on each of the newly hired teachers:

New Lincoln School Staff for 2010-2011

Jose Aleman - IT Director/Teacher
Degrees, training, etc.
• BA, Philosophy, California State University
• MA, Educational Administration in Technology, California State University
• Computer Applications Credential, California
Teaching and Related Experience
• Middle School Teacher (4 years)
• IT Teacher and Administrator (7 years)
• Published: “Technology and Schools in the 21st Century” Career Ladder Magazine, 2008
• 45th Assembly District Certificate of Appreciation, 2005 and 2006
• Ernest and Patricia Horton Philosophy Scholarship Award Winner

Marty Atkins - High School Math & Physics Teacher
Degrees, training, etc.
• BA, Math and Science Education, Western Washington University
• MA, Science Education, Western Washington University
• National Board Certification, Mathematics

Teaching and Related Experience
• High School Math & Science Teacher (19 years) in Washington and Hawaii
• Adjunct Faculty in Math at Whatcom Community College (8 years)
• Instructional Coach for District Math and Science Teachers
• Designed State Math Instruction Modules for State Math Teachers
• Developed State College Readiness Plans
• Support Network Consultant for Regional Calculus Teachers
• Consultant for MediaSeek (an educational software company)

Nancy Byrne - Elementary Resource Teacher
Degrees, training, etc.
• BA, English, Dartmouth College
• MA, Special Education, Fitchburg State College
• Principal Certification, Lesley College

Teaching and Related Experience
• Special Education Teacher (24 years) in Massachusetts and Ireland
• High School Valedictorian
• Educational Team Leader
• Autism Consultant
• Acting Principal

Cathy Collins - Librarian
Degrees, training, etc.
• BA, Mass Communications, University of South Florida
• MA, Education, Endicott College
• MA, Library and Information Science, University of South Florida
• National Board Certification, Library and Media

Teaching and Related Experience
• Librarian (17 years) in Massachusetts and California
• International Baccalaureate Technology Training and Curriculum Design
• John Cotton Dana Award in Public Relations: video promoting USF
• Articles published in national college magazine, “U,” “Dream ON,” “Salem Evening News,” “Beverly Citizen,” “AMC,” “Holistic Times,” “Tampa Bay Business Journal,”

Tad Herrold - High School English Teacher
Degrees, training, etc.
• BA, Humanities and Secondary Education, Pennsylvania State University
• AP Literature and Language Training
• IB English and Theory of Knowledge Training

Teaching and Related Experience
• HS English Teacher (17 years) in Venezuela, Florida, Russia, Costa Rica, Trinidad, and North Carolina.
• AP English Exam Grader
• IB English and TOK Examiner
• English Dept Chair
• Curriculum Development Chair

Ryan Malone - Upper Elementary Teacher
Degrees, training, etc.
• BS, Computer Science, School of Electrical Engineering, University of Kansas
• MA, Elementary Education, University of Michigan

Teaching and Related Experience
• Elementary Teacher (six years) in Sudan, Thailand, S Korea, and Michigan
• Math and Science Teacher in West and Southern Africa
• University Algebra Instructor, University of Kansas
• Co-developed the Boeing Engineering Intranet Project, Wichita, Kansas
• Corporate Trainer and Programming Consultant

Christie Powell - Curriculum Director
Degrees, training, etc.
• BA, English, Montana State University
• MA, Communications, Washington State University
• K-12 Educational Administration Credential, Washington State University

Teaching and Related Experience
• Middle and High School Teacher (14 years) in Montana, Washington, Cameroon, & Indonesia
• Public Speaking Instructor, Washington State University
• Principal Intern
• Department Head and Team Leader
• Teacher Trainer for 6 +1 Trait Writing and Understanding by Design
• EARCOS Workshop Presenter on Professional Learning Communities
• Accreditation Visiting Team Member for WASC and NEASC
• Curriculum and Professional Development Director in Thailand (3 years)

Recent Events

NHS Talent Show
The Lincoln School National Honor Society sponsored a Talent Show for the secondary students last weekend. This venue provided an opportunity for many of our students and staff to showcase their musical, dance, and comedic skills. Thanks to NHS Advisor Melinda Reid and her students for making this event possible.

High School Activities Coordinator position approved and filled
The Education Committee of the LS Board together with the LS Parent Association has worked this year to provide additional activities opportunities for HS students. At their recommendation, the Board approved adding a HS Activities Coordinator position to help organize and facilitate these new offerings. Monica Justice has been named to serve in this role. She will be announcing several new activities that will begin after the February SAISA events.

Upcoming Events

11th Grade College Night
Parents of high school juniors (11th graders) are invited to attend a “College Information Night” on Thursday, February 11th at 6:30 PM in the LS Theatre. Our Counselor Bernie Lenoue will present information about the college application process and other related matters. Students are encouraged to attend with their parents.

USA National Cricket Team to visit Lincoln School
The US National Cricket Team will be in Nepal later this month to play in a qualifying tournament. The US Embassy in Kathmandu has facilitated a visit to Lincoln School. The team will be recognized at a school assembly on February 16th and will conduct a cricket demonstration for our students.

Linden College Admissions Tour
On February 19th admissions officers from thirteen US universities will be at Lincoln School to meet with high school students. Details may be found in the Counseling section of this edition of the Newsletter.

Board Meeting date added
The LS Board has added a meeting that was not originally on the calendar. The next Board Meeting will take place on Thursday, February 18th at 5:30 PM in the Library.

SAISA Events upcoming
• The SAISA Boys’ Soccer Tournament will take place in Delhi on February 19-21.
• The SIASA Tennis Tournament will take place in Chennai on February 19-21.
• The SAISA Girls’ Basketball Tournament will be held in Colombo on February 19-21.

Sincerely,

Allan Bredy

ELEMENTARY NEWS

Yesterday marked the 100th day of our school year. Our elementary students participated in a variety of activities in their classrooms based on 100, and we all celebrated with 100s Day Cake during lunch time.

Next Wednesday, February 10th, all of our students will be going home at 11:50. There will be no after school activities on Wednesday.

Elementary parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for March 4th and 5th. Kathy Shrestha is planning a special program for our elementary students on March 4th, another Fun Phora and Cultural Day, similar to the one she organized in November. There will be no school for elementary students on March 5th.

I hope to see many of you with your children at the SAISA Gala Concert on Sunday at 2:00. It’s sure to be a great performance.

Craig Baker
Principal

NEWS FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Next week is another busy one for middle school, with spirit days, the American Cricket Team exhibition, parent teacher conferences, and the Valentine’s dance. Please note that Wednesday, February 10th, is an 11:50 dismissal for all of our students. The faculty will continue with curriculum work during this time.

Hopefully you all received my email regarding our Parent-Teacher Conferences on Friday, February 12th, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If not, please read on. Conferences will be scheduled in ten minute intervals with five minutes to move to the next teacher. If you would like to schedule conferences with any of your child’s teachers, please email Minush Rajbhandary, the secondary school secretary, by Wednesday, February 10th. Send Minush the names of the teachers you’d like to meet and your time preferences (mrajbhandary@lsnepal.com.np). Please note that a few of our middle school teachers may only be available at specific times during the day as they will be teaching high school students. February 12th is a no-school day for middle school students; however, the middle school teachers highly encourage you to bring your children to the conferences. Having teacher, parent, and student at a conference ensures clear communication and expectations from everyone concerned.

The Valentine’s dance is scheduled for Friday, February 12th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p. m. Bus transportation to and from the school will be provided. The cost of the dance is 500 rupees, which pays for the DJ and some Fire and Ice Pizza. Remember that students wanting to go to the home of one of their friends after the dance need to give the chaperones, Robert Passig, Steve Taylor or Maryline Pimentel a written note of permission no later than Thursday the 11th. You may also send an email to one of them as well (mpimentel@lsnepal.com.np, rpassig@lsnepal.com.np, staylor@lsnepal.com.np ). There will be no last minute phone calls home at the dance to arrange sleepovers. Middle school students may only leave the dance with an adult or on a school van or bus.

The most exciting news of this week comes from teacher, Luke Davis, and his wife, Namdu. They became parents to a healthy baby girl on February 2nd in Thailand. We all look forward to Luke Davis’ return to Lincoln on February 15th and an opportunity to meet Yeshe Olivia Davis. Congratulations to Luke and Namdu and to grandparents Chris and Dale Davis!!! (Mr. Davis will be scheduling his own parent conferences later this month.)

I hope to see many of you at the SAISA Gala Concert on Sunday at 2:00. We strongly encourage all of our students to attend this very special event. As I emailed earlier in the week, though, for middle school students to attend this event, they must be with a Lincoln School parent who assumes responsibility for them.

Craig Baker, Principal

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING NEWS

Junior Parent College Night: Parents of high school juniors (11th graders) are invited to attend our “Junior Parent College Night” at 6:30 PM in the Theatre Thurday, February 11th. Counselor, Bernie Lenoue will present information about the college/university selection and application process. I appreciate the email confirmations I’ve received. It is helpful in planning for set up of the theatre. This evening event follows the Junior Conference, which included a review of the transcript, the credit check, planning for senior year class choices, and college planning.

Juniors (11th graders): It is very important that Juniors take their college admissions tests this spring. My advice to all students is to take one SAT and one ACT* by the end of the junior year. It is smart to get registered for this test as soon as possible to ensure a spot at your preferred test site. *An important note about registering for the ACT: Rato Bangala is a test site here in Nepal. They are offering the test on the two remaining spring 2010 dates, April 10 and June 12. Lincoln will soon become a test site for the April 10 date only. This is so our Lincoln students have an option here. Lincoln will not yet show up as a test center on the website, but it will soon. Check the website www.act.org for details in a couple of weeks. Registration for the SAT is at www.collegeboard.com.
PSAT Results are here: As mentioned in the last newsletter, the PSAT results are in and the Student Copy of the Score Report and the test booklet was given to all students who took the test in October, with an interpretation and instruction session on how to make best use of the testing experience. Please ask to see the Score Report and discuss the outcomes. If you have any questions, please contact me and I will be happy to explain further.

My College QuickStart: This program allows students to review their PSAT scores and review questions. It also offers a career, college search, and SAT study plan. Go to www.collegeboard.com/psatextra.

Tips to prepare for the SAT: Build your English vocabulary skills every day by reading and writing.
Use your math class to full advantage with lots and lots of practice. Don’t take shortcuts.
Use the PSAT Score Report and test booklet to analyze of all the correct and incorrect answers.
Practice resources are available online at www.collegeboard.com.

TOEFL: If English is not your first language, you should take the TOEFL in May, June or July of your 11th grade year. This assures that you get your scores back in time for senior year college and university applications, and will save you time and money. It is best if you register at least two months before you expect to take the test.

The Linden Tour is returning to Kathmandu and Lincoln School: Last year we hosted a very successful Mini College Fair at Lincoln with eight institutions in attendance. This year the number is up to thirteen. We will again be hosting the fair from 10:30 to 11:50 on Friday, February 19th. Our schedule will be modified that day so that all high school students can participate in this opportunity. Students will be asked to pre-select colleges they would like to learn more about. You, as parents, are invited to attend as well if you would like. Please contact Bernie Lenoue at blenoue@lsnepal.com.np as soon as possible so that you can be included in the rotation. The day before the Lincoln School Mini Fair on February 18th, there will be a public fair at the Yak and Yeti from 2:30 – 5:00 P.M. You can find more information about the public fair at www.lindentours.com.

Below is the list of schools coming to Lincoln. Please encourage your son or daughter to visit these college websites so that they can make informed decisions about which sessions to attend. In fact, what a great thing to do together!

1 Fairleigh Dickinson University Gayathri Attiken www.fdu.edu

2 Foothill and De Anza Colleges Marilyn Cheung www.international.fhda.edu

3 George Mason University Amanda Morgan www.gmu.edu

4 Lamar University Audra Gerlach www.lamar.edu/

5 Linfield College Floyd Schrock www.linfield.edu

6 Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus Edward Detting www.brooklyn.liu.edu

7 Metropolitan College of New York Patricia Ramos www.metropolitan.edu

8 Miami University Ann Rahmat www.muohio.edu

9 Parsons Paris School of Art & Design Ana Uzelac www.parsons-paris.com

10 SUNY at Geneseo William Caren www.geneseo.edu

11 University of La Verne Homa Shabahang www.ulv.edu

12 University of Northern Iowa Kristi Marchesani www.uni.edu/intladm

13 University of Wyoming Jill Johnson www.uwyo.edu

And now for the Seniors: Keep your grades up and don’t lose your focus. Check in with the universities and colleges that you have applied to for admission. If you find that a school is missing something, please let me know so we can correct the situation. Congratulations to those seniors who have received acceptance notices already from the schools with rolling admission. Many schools will wait until the month of April to notify, so you must be patient. Don’t let the stress of wondering and waiting get to you.

Seniors with U.S. citizenship: Now is the time for completing the FAFSA online in order to qualify for federal and/or state financial aid. Also, federally funded student loan programs are tied to the FAFSA. Student loans are often considered part of a financial aid package. So, if you think you may borrow money to pay for college you should complete the FAFSA. Each university and state may have different financial aid deadlines. In addition to the FAFSA, some U.S. schools require the CSS Profile, or have their own financial statement form to be filled out. You must research the financial aid checklist to find this information for each university.

International Students: If you want a college or university to consider you for financial aid and have not sent your financial documents, you need to complete and send forms as soon as possible. The proof of ability to pay must also be received before an I-20 can be issued. Generally the two forms are the Certification of Finances and the International Student Financial Aid Application, but some have their own form as well. If a school is offering you a scholarship, this is combined with the family contribution to meet the cost of attendance.

1st Semester Report Card Grades: 1st semester final grades will be posted on your transcript for grades 9 through 12. Students will have a chance to review their transcripts and 4-Year High School Plan with Mr. Lenoue. This is an important part of the process of selecting courses for the next school year, as well as planning for life after high school

Guided Tours of Colleges and Universities: Visiting a college campus in the summer can be very helpful to students and parents in the college research and selection process. One company that provides this service is http://www.college-visits.com. Another new company offering tours can be found at the following website www.tscollegetours.com. While I do not endorse any one company or program over another, these are examples of a resources on summer college tours in the U.S or Canada. Some companies and schools send information to Lincoln about their programs. As I receive mailings, I keep them and make them available in the counseling office for students and parent

COMPUTER LAB EXTRA OPENING HOURS

Due to the long hours of loadshedding, the Lower Computer Lab will be opened, starting from Jan 22nd Monday onwards.

CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT DATES