October 2021
Memorandum signed with National and University Library
10/28/2021On Monday, October 25th, our school director Mr. Ivan Novakovski, met with the director of the National and University Library "St. Kliment Ohridski", Ms. Jelisaveta Kostadinova, where they exchanged views about the current situation of the library and discussed initiatives and projects to support its promotion among young people and make the library an important part of our students' lives. During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two institutions in the field of Service Learning and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), with the aim of implementing various initiatives relevant to both parties.
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Blue Dragon Children's Foundation
10/27/2021This year the Anglo-American School of Moscow introduced our NOVA community to a foundation that they were a part of last year, by the name of Blue Dragon. Blue Dragon is a foundation whose mission is “...to provide exceptional care to Vietnamese children and families in crisis while creating long-term change for a better world.” The people devoted to Blue Dragon do not consider what they do as charity work, instead they provide those in need with opportunities to fully develop, giving them a boost to continue living their lives in better conditions. Their work focuses on 4 main sections: street kids, education, human trafficking & slavery, and legal advocacy. Together with the help of all of you in the NOVA community, we hope to raise awareness and help Blue Dragon to the best of our abilities over the course of this school year. Keep an eye out for any more information on fundraisers, or projects that will be dedicated to helping this foundation.
Please feel free to read more about Blue Dragon on their website: https://www.bluedragon.org/
Facebook- https://business.facebook.com/bluedragonvietnam/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/bluedragonchildren/
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MYP Year 3 Science
10/27/2021Our MYP Year 3 students were engaged in an inquiry based activity "Observing Chemical Reactions: Rotation Stations" as a way to get familiar with the new unit in Interdisciplinary Science. Moving from station to station, they conducted experiments and observed the chemical reactions while collecting evidence before and after the reaction (formation of precipitate, color change, smell, gas release and change of temperature). Students were enjoying the variety of the chemical reactions and expressed their enthusiasm in acquiring knowledge.
Check out the photo gallery from the activity here
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Ajvar preparation at NOVA
10/26/2021The best way to announce the arrival of autumn is by preparing the delicious Macedonian delicacy - ajvar. To make the process of preparing the delicious meal even more exciting, we invited our international colleagues to get involved in the preparation and tasting of the dish, and thus to get acquainted with a beloved Macedonian tradition.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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Inside the MYP Visual Arts classroom
10/25/2021In the MYP Visual Art program , taught by Kostojcinoska Uzunceva, students conduct visual research through theory and hands on learning. They also have a chance to master different painting techniques such as acrylic, watercolour, or tempera. Through these projects, students are also provided the opportunity to express their personal views, by creating their own visual statements on life, living, and identity.
Check out the photo gallery from the program here
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PTA Coffee Hour
10/22/2021Nova parents from both Elementary and Secondary divisions were invited for coffee and conversation at our 2nd PTA Coffee Hour of the year. It was a great time for parents to meet others from their division and to share feedback with Nova and PTA Leadership about their experience at Nova. Nova Leadership also gave a facilities update with a walking tour of planned campus improvements to wrap up the meeting. All Nova parents are invited to join the upcoming PTA Coffee Hours that will be hosted regularly throughout the school year.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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Translation in Macedonian of Olalla, a short story by the Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson
10/22/2021We are proud to present the translation in Macedonian of Olalla, a short story by the Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer Robert Louis Stevenson. It was first published in the Christmas 1885.This translation is a result of more than 30 hours of effort as part of the CAS experience of our senior Sara Golakova, who worked together with her mentor, our librarian and Extended Essay Coordinator, Lidija Tasevska. In the words of Sara, Olalla is her favorite short story, and it was a pleasure that she was allowed to translate it for CAS and publish it so that the community can enjoy it as much as she did. Sara believes that this translation was crucial for developing her skill as a translator because she is hoping to continue translating other stories when she is in college.
PDF link
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PTA Coffee Hour
10/20/2021On behalf of the Nova Parent Teacher Association (PTA), we invite you to join us for the upcoming PTA Coffee Hour this Wednesday morning, October 20th from 8:15-9:15 a.m. in the Nova backyard. This informal meeting time will be a great opportunity to meet other Nova parents, to interact with PTA and Nova leadership. We hope that you will make the time to join us and share your perspective on the first 6 weeks of school. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
To confirm your attendance for Wednesday, please fill out the Covid-19 Questionnaire form with this link before noon on Tuesday, October 19th. If you can't make it this time, we will be offering these coffee hours regularly, so please watch your email for an announcement about the next one.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Your Nova PTA
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Grade K Exit Point
10/8/2021Kindergarten has been working hard to learn about different celebrations all over the world. We have been talking about the similarities and differences of the celebrations we participate in and discussing the food and activities associated with these celebrations.
For their exit point, the students completed their first research project about a holiday and then invited their families to showcase foods and items from their home countries. The following day we invited DMBUC "Ilija Nikolovski-Luj" to come show students traditional Macedonian instruments and perform songs and dances for the students as well. This ended with all of us performing a dance together with the high school students.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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ES Art Exhibition
10/7/2021During the week of October 4th, NOVA ES hosted an Art Exhibition outside. We are so excited to be able to again offer parents a chance to come on campus to view student work in the area of the arts. Amazing Things are Happening Here!
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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Kindergarten Music Classes
10/6/2021We start the class with a welcome and greeting. We are studying percussion instruments. Students are encouraged to interact with all instruments, produce, and feel the sound. They also practice keeping a steady beat, and use the instruments for accompaniment. During each class, we dedicate at least 10 minutes to singing. Outdoor activities include body coordination to a steady beat, together with perception, synchronization and performance.
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Upper Secondary School Students deepen bonds within their advisory groups
10/6/2021Upper Secondary students took advantage of pleasant weather to bring school and team spirit to life in the first Spirit Day of the 2021-2022 academic year. All advisory groups in grades 9-12 competed with other groups in their grade level in games of strength, speed, and wit. The winning advisory groups in each grade level were rewarded with a Pizza Party during their Break period. Spirit Days are directed at fostering school spirit and at enhancing the strong bonds that are a part of Advisory classes.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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NOVA takes part in Skopje Marathon 2021
10/5/2021Nova is delighted and proud to announce its participation at this year's Wizz Air Skopje Marathon 2021 and celebrate the great achievements of its participants. Our Secondary Math teacher, Justin Freeman, crossed the finish line in 1 hour and 09 minutes, wining silver at this year’s half marathon race. Our Elementary homeroom teacher, Maja Grncaroska, completed the half marathon in 1:45, and our senior student Mojsej Azmanov completed his first in 1:38.
We also want to acknowledge the achievements of the four Marathon Relay teams, four runners per team, consisting of students, faculty and staff, completing the full 42 km marathon course, and the nine participants who took part in the 5K race.
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PTA General Assembly
10/4/2021Thanks to our Nova parent community who participated in last night's PTA General Assembly of the year. All agreed that a face to face meeting was much appreciated. The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) reviewed plans for the fall semester and parents had the opportunity to share ideas for school improvement and engage on various topics as a group. PTA General Assemblies are held three times per year and all Nova parents and teachers are welcome. In between meetings, parents can reach out to share concerns with the PTA at any time by email (pta@nova.edu.mk) or by attending one of the other PTA organized coffee hour meetings held monthly. The next coffee hour is scheduled for Wednesday, October 20th, details will follow.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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Nova Families Make a Difference
10/1/2021A BIG THANK YOU to our Nova Community for your support of our 2021 Family Bazaar ecological concept "Nova Families Make a Difference." At the end of the last school year, through t-shirt sales with the "Nova's Going Greener" design and your donations, PTA raised enough funds to meet our goal of providing additional waste bins on Praska Street near the school. Please take advantage of these waste bins, and when you pass by and see the Nova logo, remember that together we can make a lasting difference on the footprint of our planet.
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Spirit Day @ Lower Secondary School
9/29/2021Celebrating the start of the week, Lower Secondary Students took part in Spirit Day and engaged in friendly competition organised by the events team and P.E. teachers. Students took part in feats of strength and skill as their friends cheered them on. The winning advisory class in was rewarded with a pizza party the following day. In future Spirit Days, students will turn their focus towards helping the community at the same time as they have fun outdoors.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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Inside MYP Design Class
9/28/2021This is the MYP Design class year 3. In this class students learn the importance of the world wide web, by learning how to build a website and how to deploy it online. Students take on projects ranging from building an e-mail newsletter all the way through building a website in WordPress.
Check out the photo gallery from the class here
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Spirit Day
9/27/2021On Monday, September 27th after school (1:15 - 2:00 PM) the school will organise an outdoor team building activity (Spirit Day) for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. The intention of this event is to have our students socialize and bond while accomplishing a few team-building activities and competing for the team of their advisory class.
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Fundraiser Masquerade Ball at NOVA
9/27/2021NOVA students Arta Kurti, Alessandro Cantile, and Federico Angioni, as well as a management team of nine additional students, planned the fundraiser Black & White Masquerade Ball. The masquerade event was held to collect funds to help the National & University Library "St. Clement of Ohrid" . It was one of the first institutions formed by the Anti-Fascist Assembly of National Liberation's resolution in 1944. The library issued a public appeal for donations through the media, and we as students were able to raise a total of 500 euros to contribute to the national library. We hope to be one of the first few steps in assisting this significant historical landmark, in order to sustain its operations.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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ES Back to School Open House
9/27/2021During the week of September 20th, NOVA International School was delighted to invite parents from grades 2-5 on campus each day for an outdoor event where they were able to meet their child's teacher, hear more about their child's daily activities, and see live streaming from their child's classroom. Parents enjoyed being on campus again and interacting together and meeting families new to our school. Thank you to parents, teachers, and administration who made this a very successful event.
Check out the photo gallery from the events here
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Child Protection workshops
9/24/2021
During August and September our student services, school nurses and counselling staff, along with school leadership attended a a number of Child Protection workshops. These workshops included exploration and discussion of a variety of complex strategic issues, and were intended to assist the school in updating and building on its robust Child Protection policies, all in the interest of ensuring the health, and emotional and physical wellbeing of every NOVA student.
https://112safeguarding.com/news-2/
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Yoga in the Park
9/23/2021As part of the #WeektoAct4SDGs and in connection to the goal "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages" we are organizing fun and inspirational yoga session.This session aims to connect us to the natural outdoors, through a relaxing, energizing, and breathtaking yoga session, improving wellbeing and creating a positive ripple effect throughout our community.DetailsMeeting place: Skolka (City Park)Time: 3:00 pm
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Food Donations
9/22/2021Dear all,
As part of the SDGs week, today we are organizing a food drive for young people without parental care. You can leave your donations in a marked box in the HS Auditorium.
Please note that you can bring pasta, beans, oil, flour, sugar, canned food, shelf milk, etc.
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Global Week to Act4SDGs
9/20/2021Each year millions of people across the world mobilize to take individual and collective action for people and the planet while world leaders meet at the UN General Assembly. The goal is to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, the universal plan to create a better world by 2030, by ending poverty, fighting inequality and addressing the urgency of climate change.The Global Week to #Act4SDGs (17-28 September) aims to drive collective action, mobilizing key stakeholders from all sectors to drive change while reminding world leaders that people around the world are doing their part to accelerate progress on the SDGs.It joins committed individuals, organizations and growing SDG networks to channel the power of people to act on the Goals – and inspire others to do the same.We've also made effort to take action in our Nova community, so below is a list of our planned activites during this week and everyone are invited to take part.
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EEC and Grade 1 Back to School Open House
9/10/2021This week we were delighted to have invited (Grade 1, Kindergarten, PK) parents into school for a Back to School Open House in our outdoor space to meet the teachers, learn more about their child's class, visit the PK and Kindergarten classrooms, and see a live stream from the classroom of their child working. We are off to a great start of a new year of learning. Thank you parents for your participation in this special event.
Check out the photo gallery from the events here
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After School Activity - Permaculture Gardening
9/10/2021The group activity of this session was making seed bombs. During the activity students learned about different types of soil based on structure, texture, dimensions of soil particles, colour, smell, density etc. Furthermore they learned about different types of seed based on dimensions, seasonality, shape, colour etc. The most important aspect of the activity was for students to learn through hands on experience and creative play, a gardening technique that is practiced in natural farming, first developed by Masanobu Fukuoka, also known as seed balls or nendo dango (Japanese: 粘土団子). For that purpose students used a variety of seeds, compost, clay and water to prepare the dough-like mixture, which they manually kneaded to form their seed bombs. This after school activity is open for grades 1 - 5 and its held every Monday and Wednesday from 2.30pm.
Check out the photo gallery from the activity here
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First two weeks of school for the Early Education Center
9/6/2021"It has been a busy, eventful and exciting first two weeks of school for the Early Education Center. We've welcomed many new families and welcomed back many of our returning ones. Students have been busy getting to know their teachers, their new classmates and school routines. Our PreK students have been adjusting to the lengthy school day, and have begun participating in their speciality classes: Dance and PE. Kindergarten students on the other hand, have begun their transition to having a regular Elementary School schedule, and are keeping busy from the very beginning of each school day, up to the very end.
We look forward to a great year ahead.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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PTA Coffee Hour
9/3/2021New parents from both divisions were invited to Nova’s backyard for the first Nova PTA Coffee Hour of the year. It was a great time for new parents to meet others and representatives from the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the Nova Administration were there to welcome them and answer their questions. We invite all Nova parents to join us for upcoming PTA Coffee Hours that will be hosted regularly throughout the school year.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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Meet Sanja Mitrevska our new SS Business Management Teacher
9/2/2021Hello! My name is Sanja Mitrovska and I will be teaching Business Management at NOVA.
I am passionate about entrepreneurship and making an impact on society. On one hand I love my job as founder and CEO of Networker where in 2020 we raised 250 000 euros for 20 startups developed using Google Design Sprint methodology. On the other hand I enjoy working with students and encourage them, through mentorship and real life experiences, in realizing their entrepreneurial dreams.
What motivates me? - The next challenge!
*more about me you can read on this website: https://www.sanjamitrovska.com/
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Meet Ivana Pemper our new SS CDL Assistant
8/30/2021Hello everybody, and thank you for your warm welcome in the Nova community.
My name is Ivana Pemper. I finished my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and I am a certified teacher. Right now, I am finishing the Master's program in Clinical Psychology. I have a strong passion for psychology and pedagogy and my role in Nova will be as a Secondary School Learning Assistant. I see education as a core value for society and working with students feels that I am doing a job that is impactful. I will apply my knowledge and experience to motivate and guide the students to maximize their academic performance, as well as paying close attention to their mental health and well-being. In my free time, I like to spend time in nature, reading self-improvement books, and cooking vegetarian food.
Looking forward to this new and exciting journey!
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NOVA Faculty and Staff Hangout Hour
8/30/2021During the first week of school, faculty and staff spent a beautiful afternoon relaxing and socialising. Physically distanced but collegially close, as always.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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Meet Ljupka Kolacheska our new SS Admissions Coordinator
8/27/2021I flew over from the aviation sector :) Previously a passenger handling agent and a former flight attendant with a Masters degree in Constitutional law.
Passionate about human rights and a vocal feminist. Mother of two little monsters.
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Meet Justin Freeman our new SS Math Teacher
8/26/2021Hi! I am Justin Freeman, and I will be teaching math in upper secondary. I have been teaching DP Math (SL, HL, and Further) for the past 10 years, and am very happy to finally have a chance to teach MYP. My wife, Heidi, will be teaching fifth grade, and my daughters, Iris and Sage, will be in 9th and 7th grades, respectively.
Our family loves mountains, snow, and lakes. For the last six years our family has lived in The Netherlands; while we enjoyed this experience, it was challenging to live in such a flat country. We are so excited to hike, run, and ski in the beautiful mountains of Macedonia.
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Meet Anastasija Andreeva our new School Nurse
8/25/2021Hello everyone, I am Anastasija. I'm going to be the new SS nurse. I used to work in a hospital in the ICU and semi ICU wards and I also worked in the Covid ICU ward during the pandemic last year. I am really excited to start working and getting to know you all.
Have a great day :)
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Meet Vesna Gjurkovska Kaeska our new EEC Dance/PE Teacher
8/24/2021Hello, I am Vesnaand I love to dance, and teaching the cutest ones NOVA provides me the chance. So, if you see me aroundjumping with ropes and ballsthat's becauseI would have one more role. The PE teacher, yes, that would be meSo, activity is a mustif you want to be in my company :) I also have a passion forfood, drama and singinghealthy eating, but also cooking. I am funny and creativesometimes very shy, I wrote these rhymesand I still don't know why :) I feel great being here, and learning even more, I hope that we can share not justwork duties, but also respect and love.
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Elementary School New Family Orientation
8/24/2021On Friday, August 20th Nova Elementary School was delighted to host a New Family Orientation for the 2021/22 school year. Last year the event was held online and this year, with safety protocols in place, we were delighted to invite families on campus. Families were introduced to the Elementary School Teaching Teams, students and their family met the homeroom teachers, were able to see their classroom, and they met and talked to their Specialist Teachers. Within each classroom, the families had a presentation by the teacher and the students had some activities they interacted with. Overall it was a wonderful experience for everyone and a great start to the new school year.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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Meet Heidi Freeman our new ES Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher
8/23/2021I am Heidi Freeman, the new 5th grade teacher. My family and I have just moved from The Netherlands where my husband, Justin, and I were teaching at the American School of the Hague for six years. I have been teaching since 1996 in both private and public schools in New Hampshire and Utah as well as at the International School of Prague in the Czech Republic.
I'm an avid reader and passionate about literacy and fostering a reading life in my students. I enjoy getting to know people and I am known as a talker! I love to take photographs and travel as much as possible. We have two daughters, Iris is in 9th grade here at Nova and Sage in 7th grade. We have been living in a very flat country and we are thrilled to be in this beautifully mountainous country where we plan to do lots of hiking, skiing, swimming, biking and exploring! We love winter, snow and cold temps so this extreme summer heat is definitely an adjustment for us.
When we tell people where we are moving to, not many people know where Macedonia is and they have to look it up on a map. As we explore the Balkans we hope to broaden not only our experiences, but those of our family and friends. I wish you all a great school year and I look forward to meeting you soon!
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Early Education Center New Family Orientation
8/23/2021On Friday, August 20th Nova Early Education Center was delighted to host a New Family Orientation for the 2021/22 school year. Last year the event was held online and this year, with safety protocols in place, we were delighted to invite families on campus. Families were introduced to the Early Education Center Teaching Teams, students and their family met the homeroom teachers, were able to see their classroom, and they met and talked to their Specialist Teachers. Within each classroom, the families had a presentation by the teacher and the students had some activities they interacted with. Overall it was a wonderful experience for everyone and a great start to the new school year.
Check out the photo gallery from the event here
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Meet Kaye McNeill our new SS Math Teacher
8/20/2021My name is Kaye and I will be teaching MYP Mathematics at Nova this year. I'm originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, but I've spent the last 11 years living in Bangkok, Thailand. I'm a mathematician and I've been a qualified math and science teacher for 13 years. As a teacher, I'm passionate about helping students enjoy learning math, inspiring an interest in the subject, project based learning, holistic education, and relationship building. In my personal life, I'm passionate about functional fitness training, health and wellness, plant based living, animal rights, and coffee :)
I'm thrilled to be a part of the Nova community, and I'm looking forward to a wonderful year ahead!
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Meet Rosa Maria Tapia Rodrigues de Zdravkov our new SS Spanish Language Teacher
8/18/2021Hola!
My name is Rosa Maria Tapia, originally from Lima, Peru but actually living in Macedonia . I have a certified degree in Education. I have worked as a homeroom teacher for eight years at a private school in Peru and three years as a youth counselor at an international cruise company. I love traveling and meeting people around the world. This year I will be a Spanish teacher so be ready to have fun and learn more about this beautiful language.
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Meet Gaetan Hulot our new SS Individuals and Societies Teacher
8/17/2021My name is Gaëtan Hulot. I’m French and I have studied Biology for 3 years in Strasbourg, and then Philosophy for many years (I am currently finishing my PhD). When I finished my Masters, in 2011, I moved to Skopje with my (Macedonian) wife, and we’ve been living in Macedonia for the better part of the last 10 years (now with a baby). I have some experience as a French teacher at several schools in Skopje, mostly at the French Institute, as well as in France, where I have spent a year teaching History and another year giving lessons in literacy (French, reading and writing, math, digital literacy). I am sure we’ll have a lovely year.
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Meet Emily Dunnagan our new Grade 4 Homeroom Teacher
8/16/2021My name is Emily Dunnagan and it is my pleasure to be joining the Elementary School team. I will be teaching a Grade 4 homeroom. I have over fifteen years of total teaching experience in American public schools and International Schools. I most recently taught in Tokyo, Japan. I have a special love for reading and teaching literacy. When I travel I always try to visit bookstores and libraries. I have collected copies of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar in more than twelve languages so far.
I look forward to meeting many of you and your children in the coming school year.
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