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Tuesday, November 11
Veteren's Day Holiday - No School
Friday, November 14
Minimum Day
November 17 - 21
Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 26 - 28
Thanksgiving Holiday
December 2-5
6th Grade Science Camp
December 22 - January 2
Winter Break
February 27
Read Across America Day
March 20
Nutrition Decathlon
May 17
Celebrate the Arts!
May 28
Open House/Science Fair
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INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL
In August 2008, the Santa Barbara School Board approved the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) at Harding School. Last year, a team of teachers visited an IB School in Pasadena, California to explore the Programme and brought back their reflections to the rest of the teaching staff who expressed widespread interest in pursuing IB for Harding School. Our journey has begun, and we are on our way!
What is the IB Program for elementary schools?
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is designed for students aged 3 to 12. It focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development. Unlike the junior high and high schools where only some students participate in the Programme, the PYP in elementary schools is inclusive and all of the students in PK-6 participate in it.
The ultimate goal of the IB PYP is for learners to be:
- Inquirers
- Knowledgeable
- Thinkers
- Communicators
- Principled
- Open-minded
- Caring
- Risk-takers
- Balanced
- Reflective
The PYP is based on a curriculum framework, in which teachers are trained to develop units of learning that are based on six transdisciplinary themes of global significance: (1) Who we are, (2) where we are in place and time, (3) how we express ourselves, (4) how the world works, (5) how we organize ourselves, and (6) sharing the planet.
Students will continue to use state-adopted materials in English/Language Arts, social studies, mathematics, arts, science, and personal, social and physical education. A unique component of the IB PYP is that students will learn a second language as well. There are three phases to becoming an IB World School, authorized to offer the PYP.
- Consideration phase: feasibility study and identification of resources: The school makes an in-depth analysis of the philosophy and curriculum, and identifies the resources needed to deliver it. Harding School is currently in this phase.
- Candidate phase: trial implementation period: The school puts in place all the processes and resources needed to deliver the programme, including the training of teachers. The school must then implement the full programme for at least one year. We are hoping to begin this phase in fall 2009.
- Final phase: school visit by an IB visiting team: At the end of the trial period, a delegation appointed by the IB visits the school and evaluates the school’s capacity to deliver the programme. If the outcome is positive, the school becomes authorized to offer the programme and attains the status of IB World School.
We invited all interested parents, neighbors, and community members to attend an informational meeting about this programme on Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the Harding School Library. Andrea Lawson, IB Coordinator for Harding School, presented the programme and answered questions. For more information about IB at Harding School, you can email Mrs. Lawson at alawson@sbsdk12.org. You can also learn more at http://www.ibo.org or http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-03/2008-03-20-voa29.cfm
HARDING INTRODUCES FIRST ZERO-WASTE CAFETERIA IN CALIFORNIA
In 2008 Harding became the first school in the state to introduce a zero-waste cafeteria. From the food scraps to the plates & utensils, everything is recycleable and compostable. We believe in the importance of children learning to take care of their environment from early childhood. (read "The Daily Sound" article on the Harding Zero-Waste Cafeteria)
  Harding School received the "Outstanding Environmental Education Award" from Looking Good Santa Barbara, which is a City of Santa Barbara Environmental Services program that honors residents and community members who reduce visual blight and promote recycling through special projects. Since 2006, the Harding School Environment Committee has implemented many new initiates to promote a healthy learning environment. Highlights of the Committee’s work are:
- Site-based cafeteria serving homemade meals from locally-grown
and organic produce
- School-wide recycling
- Zero-waste kitchen and cafeteria
- Environmental education classes for students
- Standards-based physical education classes for students
- Nutrition education classes for students
- Student Council monthly neighborhood clean-up
 Principal Sally Kingston receives the "Outstanding Environmental Education Award"
alongside Harding Parent Vince Semonsen and Mayor Marty Blum |
