ISG Superintendent's Message
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OUR COMMITMENT TO STUDENT SAFETY: REVIEWING & STRENGTHENING OUR EARLY DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
For your awareness, we are sharing our Emergency Response and Drills, including our Duck-and-Cover drill.
Safety at ISG is always our highest priority. In times of this regional uncertainty, the physical safety and emotional wellbeing of our students and staff are even more of a focus taking into the context of the ongoing and evolving circumstances. We know that families naturally have questions and concerns regarding emergency procedures, and we want to share with you how we prepare for and manage campus safety with the utmost diligence and care. We have had several questions about our Early Departure procedures, and would like to provide you with more details.
Continuous Planning & Rigorous Review
Every campus across ISG maintains a comprehensive campus early departure plan that is systematically reviewed on at least an annual basis with ad hoc reviews based on evolving situations. We follow the 5 Things Clear protocol, with detailed processes for each campus.
While these plans were already reviewed earlier this academic year, our leadership team continues to review these plans as the situation develops to ensure current circumstances are being considered. Specifically, we are currently refining our protocols around parent communication and student early departure during an emergency to ensure the process is as safe, orderly and calm.
Emergency Communication
Should an emergency arise or a change to the school day be required during school hours, we will communicate immediately through our established emergency notification channels, which include direct email and SMS messages.
Continuous Care & Campus Readiness
We recognize that during an emergency, traffic or unforeseen circumstances may prevent parents or buses from reaching campus as quickly as they might like. Please be assured that our procedures include explicit provisions for the continuous care, comfort and supervision of all children on each campus until each student is picked up. Thoughtful planning for adult supervision and strategically placed emergency kits have been created and are in place at each campus for this exact purpose.
Student Pickup Procedures & Security
Should parents elect to pick up their children during an early departure, we ask that everyone please adhere strictly to the following safety protocols to provide for the necessary order for all students to depart from campus:
Arrival on Campus: Parents should report directly to the main campus reception area. For safety and accountability reasons, parents will remain at reception while a member of staff collects your child and brings them directly to you.
Alternative Pickup Authorization: If you are unable to pick up your child yourself and wish for a relative or friend to do so, you must complete the form that will be emailed to you at the time of the early departure to grant explicit permission. To protect your child’s safety, we will not release any student to a non-family member without direct parent authorization.
We appreciate the partnership with families and ISG for the safety of the ISG Community. By maintaining robust systems, clear operational frameworks and open lines of communication, we keep our campuses safe, predictable and supportive spaces for every child.
RECRUITMENT AT ISG
As we prepare for the months ahead, ISG leadership will be collaborating to recruit for our openings for the 2026-27 school year. This recruiting will include on-line interviews as well as several of our team will attend the Search Recruiting Fair in Bangkok in January 2027.
Our team feels positive about the upcoming recruiting based on a lower turnover of sponsored staff as well the interest that we are seeing when we post positions. We look forward to connecting with talented educators from around the world who are passionate about high-quality learning, wellbeing and belonging and professional excellence to serve our diverse, international community.
Recruiting at ISG is a thoughtful and collaborative process. Each year, our principals, central office leaders and HR team work together to identify our staffing needs well in advance of the next school year, ensuring that we continue to hire and bring outstanding teachers and leaders to our schools.
We look for educators who not only demonstrate strong instructional expertise, but who also reflect our core values of respect, acceptance, integrity and responsibility and who are eager to contribute to the vibrant learning cultures across our campuses to support our strategic priorities of Wellbeing and Belonging, High Quality Learning and Professional Excellence.
In addition to academic excellence, we consider factors such as alignment with our curriculum frameworks, experience in international settings and a commitment to ongoing professional learning through opportunities like ISG Learns.
Recruiting is both strategic and relationship-focused; it is one of the ways we ensure that ISG continues to thrive, grow and offer our students the very best educational experience.
I look forward to meeting exceptional candidates who may soon join our ISG community and contribute to the mission we all share.
Now in its third edition, the One Ocean Program is a strategic partnership between the Eastern Province Council for Social Responsibility, KBR, General Administration of Education in the Eastern Province and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Across its three editions, the initiative has engaged more than 1,956 students from over 55 public schools, supported by 127 teachers and 125 engineers and ambassadors, while contributing to the collection of more than 135 kilograms of coastal and marine waste.
ISG was presented with a trophy recognizing our partnership with KBR and our schools' active participation in the program. Last year, more than 100 ISG students took part in a beach cleanup at Half Moon Bay during Week Without Walls, putting environmental awareness into action and demonstrating their commitment to protecting our local coastline. Seven students were invited to represent ISG at the closing ceremony, where students from across the Eastern Province also showcased innovative engineering solutions to marine environmental challenges.
Initiatives like One Ocean give students the opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world challenges, apply their creativity and problem-solving skills, and recognize the role they can play in creating a more sustainable future.
I’m proud of our students and the educators who supported their involvement. Our continued partnership with KBR and the wider One Ocean network provides valuable opportunities to extend this learning, strengthen environmental stewardship and encourage compassionate action across our schools.
Thanks to Ms. Betsey Hawkins, Ms. Rana Fatima, Ms. Fathma Shahnaz, Ms. Zeina Sakr, Ms. Zeina Elhalaby and Mr. Hans Ott, and school leadership for supporting our students and this initiative.
ISG JUBAIL BECOMES A GREEN FLAG SCHOOL
Led by the Eco-Club and supported by Mr. Casey Martin and Ms. Tricia Jordaan, students have taken meaningful action through environmental research, campus audits and sustainability initiatives. Their efforts have resulted in a 90% reduction in single-use plastic bottle usage across campus and the collection of 61.7 kilograms of compostable waste in just one month. These are tangible examples of how student leadership and small, intentional actions can make a meaningful difference.
I’m particularly proud of the way our students have embraced sustainability as a shared responsibility. Their Eco Code: Care for Earth. Care for Life. Small Actions. Big Change, which reflects the spirit of this work and our commitment to developing learners who take thoughtful, compassionate action.
Thank you to Mr. Casey Martin and Ms. Tricia Jordaan for their leadership and dedication, and to the students, staff and families who contributed to this achievement. Congratulations to our ISG Jubail Jaguars on this well-deserved recognition. I look forward to seeing how you continue to build on this important work.
KEY OUTCOMES FROM THE COUNSELORS OCTOBER COHORT MEETING
During the October 29 Counselor Cohort meeting, counselors:
Established working agreements to strengthen collaboration, trust and productive discussions.
Committed to regular communication with students and families, with each counselor determining the format in collaboration with school administration. Options include weekly counseling bulletins, monthly newsletters or contributions to existing school communications.
Collaborated on Tier 1 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) implementation, sharing lessons and practices aligned with each division’s selected ISCA SEL competency.
Shared resources and strategies to promote consistent, proactive counseling practices across schools.
These outcomes support stronger collaboration, consistent SEL implementation and improved communication with students and families.
Counselor Cohort: Tier 1 SEL Commitments
Counselors are developing lessons and activities aligned with selected SEL competencies at each school level.
Elementary – Relationships
Promote kindness and positive peer relationships through Bucket Fillers (KG1–Grade 3), Morning Meeting shout-outs (Grades 4–5) and Second Step lessons (KG2–Grade 5).
Complement existing bullying prevention and child protection units.
Middle School – Self and Social Awareness
Develop lessons on acceptance and individuality, growth mindset and self-advocacy.
Incorporate child protection, digital safety, character strengths and college and career exploration.
High School – Decision-Making
Semester One: Focus on academic planning and healthy relationships.
Semester Two: Address course selection, time management and practical life skills through group sessions, newsletters and grade-level assemblies.
These commitments provide students with proactive opportunities to build positive relationships, develop self-awareness and make responsible decisions.
The next Counselor Cohort meeting will be with consultant Ms. Stacy Stephens, focusing on SEL and counseling.
Regional Conflict Support Planning
Our counselors are meeting virtually to develop a shared regional conflict support planning document that can be adapted to each school. The framework will support consistent communication with staff and families, age-appropriate responses to student questions and strategies to promote emotional safety and wellbeing.
It will also include resources for families supporting children at home, practical guidance for teachers and information on accessing counselor support.
ISG DAMMAM INTERNATIONAL DAY POSTPONED
ISG Dammam’s International Day has been postponed until the spring. We look forward to celebrating the diverse cultures and traditions that make our community so special and will share the new date and additional details as they become available. Thank you for your understanding.
Last week we shared that ASD and BSD’s international day celebrations have also been moved to the spring.
THE POWER OF “UNPLUGGED” FAMILY TIME
Balancing technology with face-to-face interaction supports our graduate profile of student wellbeing. Digital devices offer connection, but uninterrupted family time builds emotional security.
Consider designating family time each evening or a weekend activity where screens are put away. Simple choices like board games, cooking together, or outdoor recreation strengthen family bonds and improve focus.
It is also important to consider how your model a balance of screen time, family time with your children. Are you putting your screen away and engaging in activities that you love? If so, narrate your thinking for your child so that they can see what a healthy balance looks like and how you think about this.
GIVING BACK TO OUR EASTERN PROVINCE COMMUNITY - JOUD INITIATIVE
November is an opportunity to make a difference in our local community through Tal'atna Al Youm (translation: Today’s Outing), a community giving initiative organized by Joud Women's Charitable Association in the Eastern Province. Now in its sixth year, the initiative brings together local businesses and community members to support families in need by contributing to Joud's charitable programs and services.
Throughout November, participating restaurants, cafés, fitness centers, salons and family entertainment venues are taking part in the initiative. By visiting participating businesses and supporting their designated offers and activities, we can help extend the reach of Joud's work supporting families, promoting financial stability and improving quality of life.
The calendar for participating businesses is linked here.
The dedicated Instagram account for the initiative is here: LittleBirdyJoud.
As members of the ISG community, we have an opportunity to make giving part of our everyday lives. Whether enjoying a meal out, trying a new activity or supporting a local business, consider participating in the Joud initiative this November and helping make a positive difference in our Eastern Province community.
DHAHRAN CAMPUS PARKING LOT EXPANSION
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving our campus facilities, we are pleased to announce a new construction project that will expand the ISG Dhahran parking lot. This upgrade will add over 30 new parking spaces to our existing capacity, making campus access smoother and more convenient for our community.
Project Timeline
Start Date: Weekend of November 6
Expected Completion: Second week of December
What to Expect During Construction
Security Enclosure: Staff, parents and visitors will notice a temporary security enclosure installed along the far side of the boundary wall. This is to ensure the site remains secure and our community remains safe.
Traffic Flow: There will be no interruption to regular campus traffic. Normal drop-off, pick-up and daily commuting routines will continue as usual.
Safety First: While traffic flow remains unaffected, we kindly ask all drivers and pedestrians to exercise extra caution, reduce speeds, and remain highly vigilant while navigating the parking areas during the construction period.
We appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation as we work to enhance our campus facilities. We look forward to making these additional parking spaces available before the winter break.
ADMISSIONS OPEN DAY AT BSD
Families considering ISG for their children are invited to attend an Admissions Open Day at British School Dhahran (BSD) . This session offers an opportunity to learn more about BSD’s program, explore our learning environments and discover what makes the school unique.
BSD Open Day - Open to All Year Groups
November 25, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
Register here for the BSD Admissions Open Day
ISG Dammam’s Open Day event will be scheduled in the spring.
We look forward to welcoming prospective families and helping them explore the right learning pathway for their children.
SCHOOL UPDATES
American School Dhahran
British School Dhahran
BSD Sixth Form Students Lead a Spooktacular Senior School Halloween Celebration.
BSD Campus Council Holds Its First Meeting to Strengthen Parent–School Partnership.
U14 Volleyball Jamboree: Building Skills, Confidence and Team Spirit.
KS2 Halloween English House Event Celebrates Learning and Teamwork at BSD.
The Green Flag Is Ours! ISG Jubail Celebrates a Major Sustainability Achievement.
Breast Cancer Awareness Inspires Learning and Support at ISG Jubail.
Acceptance and Individuality Are Always Celebrated at ISG Jubail.
U14 Volleyball Jamboree Marks Another Step Forward for ISG Jubail Athletics.
Fall Festival Turns an Afternoon at ISG Jubail Into a Campus Celebration.