Welcome to the January e-Newsletter

“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”
-- Robert Browning

January is the month in which many of us, only too aware of our own shortcomings, come up with lists of resolutions to improve ourselves.  If we are really disciplined, our resolutions will last through January.  Usually, though, the real world interferes pretty quickly with our plans to diet, exercise, read more widely, or watch less television.   We forgive ourselves inevitable slips because deep down we understand that we do not live in a perfect world and that we ourselves are not perfect.  However much we may modify our resolutions, we never really abandon our goals.  To me, the annual ritual of making resolutions reveals two very powerful truths about us:  each of us has the ability to envision an ideal world, and we understand at some level our role in making our dreams real.

In our dream of an ideal world in 2007, every student, regardless of personal circumstance, would have the opportunity to participate in IB programmes from their first day in primary school until their last day in secondary school. Articulation linking the three IB programmes would be easy and effective, as teachers and administrators happily collaborate across grades and campuses building a coherent and seamless experience. The elements that serve as foundations for all IB programmes – international mindedness, rigor, and a culture of community - service would be evident in every classroom in every IB World School.

This year, we invite you to share our dream and to create those resolutions that will help you make that dream a reality.  For our part, we resolve to make sure that our newsletters and other publications will provide you with guidance, insights, shared practices, and advice to support you in translating your dream into reality.
 
In this first newsletter of 2007, we highlight a PYP coordinator from Connecticut who makes the case that the framework of the curriculum fits perfectly with the needs of students who are still learning English. An MYP coordinator from British Columbia explains how all students benefit from the program, even at schools where only some students are directly involved in MYP. A Diploma Programme coordinator from Alberta challenges us to consider a "three-in-one" approach to CAS, where students engage in service projects that also challenge them to be creative and physically active. Also, the leader of an active subregional group explains how Texas IB schools used legislation to ensure that all IB Diploma recipients would receive proper recognition from state universities.

Of course, the newsletter also contains programme updates, professional development news, and information about grant opportunities. Plus, it's time again to register for the IB North America Annual Regional Conference. From 12-15 July, we will convene around the theme Educating for Our Shared Future at a beautiful hotel right in the heart of Chicago, one of the region’s most exciting and diverse cities. For more information about the conference, please visit http://www.ibnaconference.org/.

We invite you to share your 2007 dreams with us!

Happy New Year,

Brad Richardson
Regional Director
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