ISG Superintendent's Message

ISG’S FOUNDATION PILLARS

As we approach the Middle States Association (MSA) Accreditation Visit scheduled for April 27-30, we reflect on the milestones we've reached and look ahead to the future with our proposed newly defined ISG Strategic Priorities. This journey began 18 months ago when we began our comprehensive self-study, during which our schools and board reaffirmed foundational documents, formed planning teams and completed assessments of MSA standards through dedicated committees. Now, we are finalizing a multi-year action plan and conducting a technical review of our objectives.

MSA Goals and Our Progress

Our current MSA goals developed in our last accreditation focus on:

• Learner Agency: Empowering students to take charge of their learning journey.
• Compassionate Action: Encouraging empathy and social responsibility.
• Growing Literacy: Enhancing reading, writing and critical thinking skills.
• System Coherence: Streamlining processes for better organizational effectiveness.

These goals guide our efforts as we strive to meet the standards set by the MSA. However, it is crucial to understand that while these MSA goals drive our accreditation process, they are distinct from the ISG Strategic Priorities, which serve as the foundational pillars for our future growth and development.

Introducing ISG’s Strategic Priorities

As we move forward, ISG is proposing three new strategic priorities:

1. Wellbeing & Belonging: At ISG, we prioritize the care and support of our community members. This focus ensures that everyone feels valued, safe and connected, fostering a nurturing environment where students and staff can thrive.
2. High Quality Learning: Learning is the core of ISG. We are dedicated to providing educational experiences that are engaging, rigorous and tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students. Our goal is to cultivate a lifelong love for learning and to prepare students for success in an ever-changing world.
3. Professional Excellence: How we work together is key to our success. ISG emphasizes the importance of collaboration, continuous professional development and a commitment to excellence in all that we do. By nurturing professional growth, we aim to create a dynamic and innovative learning community.

While our MSA goals and ISG Strategic Priorities are distinct, MSA goals are a part of the overall ISG Priorities and align in purpose and vision. The ISG Strategic Priorities form the bedrock upon which we identify our focus areas, define our objectives, identify our metrics and success indicators, and build our strategies, initiatives and programs, ensuring that we continue to meet and exceed the standards of the MSA while also advancing our own unique objectives.

As we continue this journey, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. These strategic priorities will guide us in achieving our mission and vision as we deliver a high-quality education and create a community where every member feels empowered and supported. Together, we will ensure our learning is relevant, rich and robust for all at ISG.

SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL UPDATE

As previously shared, the Superintendent meets collectively with a group of student leaders from all campuses.  During our most recent meeting with the, the Superintendent Student Advisory Council (SSAC) engaged in a discussion on the significance of leadership and school culture.

Leadership was defined as the ability to inspire, guide and influence others to achieve a shared goal. This quality is essential in shaping the environment within a school, as it sets a direction and motivates all stakeholders—students, teaching staff, non-teaching staff, parents and the wider community—toward a unified mission. The conversation highlighted that school culture is the collective sum of practices, behaviors, attitudes and values of everyone in the school, aligning with shared core values.

The Superintendent emphasized that leadership plays a pivotal role in influencing and shaping this culture. Good leaders possess vision, seeing the bigger picture and setting goals that inspire others. They understand that school culture is a complex web of daily interactions that directly impact student achievement, wellbeing, staff engagement and retention. A positive school culture strengthens relationships built on trust, clarity and collaboration.

The discussion also delved into how student leaders are integral in shaping this culture by modeling ISG’s mission and values, creating connections, and driving change through advocacy and action on their own campuses. By using feedback from data to enhance school culture, leaders can make informed decisions that foster a more supportive and dynamic educational environment for all.

To conclude the session, the Superintendent tasked the SSAC with developing a tool and survey designed to collect student feedback effectively on an ongoing basis. The council was charged with crafting questions and testing the survey in small groups to refine its effectiveness. This survey will cover specific areas selected by the student leaders at each campus, coming from a list of areas that were identified by this same student group during our first meeting earlier this school year. The survey aims to serve as a permanent tool for gathering student feedback across ISG.

The goal is to test this tool during our final few months this year and then fully implement this tool by fall 2025, providing valuable data to continually assess and inform on ways to enhance school culture and drive positive change within the ISG student community.

RETURNING STUDENTS’ RE-ENROLLMENT BEGINS FEBRUARY 10, 2025

We are excited to announce that re-enrollment for students who plan to return to ISG next school year will begin next month, starting on February 10.

ISG is fortunate to continue to have waitlists in certain grade levels which means that available spaces can be limited.  Therefore, this is a crucial time for families to secure their child's place for the upcoming academic year and continue their educational journey with us. The re-enrollment process is designed to be straightforward and efficient, ensuring that our current families can easily update their information and confirm their spot at ISG. We encourage all families to complete the process early to avoid any last-minute rush and ensure a seamless transition into the new school year.  Thank you to our returning families for your ongoing confidence in allowing ISG to provide education for your child(ren).

In addition to re-enrollment, we are thrilled to invite new families to submit applications for their children to join the ISG community for the 2025-26 school year. The journey for new families begins with our dedicated admissions team, who provide comprehensive guidance and support throughout the application and enrollment process. From the initial inquiry to the first day of school, we strive to make every new family feel at home. Our goal is to create a smooth and welcoming experience, helping new students and their families integrate into our vibrant, diverse community, where they can thrive academically and socially.

SEARCH ASSOCIATES RECRUITMENT FAIR

ISG is actively recruiting teachers through both virtual and in-person avenues. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to travel to Bangkok, Thailand, to participate in the Search Associates teacher recruitment fair. This event brought together 530 candidates and 100 schools, providing a dynamic platform for connecting with potential educators that would be a good match for ISG.

Before and during the fair, we utilized the extensive Search Associates database to identify candidates whose profiles align with ISG's needs. This strategic approach allows us to focus on individuals who are the best fit for our schools, ensuring that we focus our time on those who will join ISG and continue to bring high-quality educators into our community.

I am happy to share that we have filled four of  11 open positions at ISG for 2025-26.  We look forward to sharing our new staff with the ISG community before the end of this school year.

SCHOOL CULTURE WORKSHOP

On Wednesday, ​January 21, the instructional leadership team​ (ILT) gathered for a workshop focused on advancing positive school culture across the district. The session began with team members ​reviewing outcomes from surveys conducted at the beginning of the school year​.

By analyzing school culture data, the team was able to identify emerging trends and patterns, which provided valuable insights into the collective experience of students, staff and parents. These discussions helped to pinpoint areas of strength and opportunities for growth, allowing for targeted strategies to enhance the overall school culture.

The workshop also served as a platform to solidify a shared understanding of the district's key culture-related priorities. Through open and honest conversations, the team addressed these priorities, ensuring alignment with ISG’s mission and core values.  Leadership will expand the gathering of feedback to include all staff to ensure the broadest perspectives are considered as we focus on culture.

Updates on the MSA Goals and Strategic Priorities were integral to the discussion, reinforcing the connection between culture and the broader educational objectives of the district. This collaborative approach highlights the importance of collective leadership in driving positive change and sustaining a thriving school culture.

ROBOTICS SCRIMMAGE SPARKS EXCITEMENT AND LEARNING

Students from ASD, BSD, and ISG Dammam recently participated in a thrilling robotics scrimmage, marking a day filled with strategic planning, programming and problem-solving. This friendly competition, designed to give students a taste of what robotics competitions entail, involved building robots and modifying various handles to complete specific tasks. The event offered a unique blend of hands-on learning and collaborative teamwork, giving students an opportunity to explore the dynamic roles required to succeed in robotics.

The scrimmage was more than just a competition; it was a joyful and enlightening experience where students pushed their limits and tackled challenges head-on. Despite the difficulties faced, the participants showcased resilience and creativity, making the most of this learning opportunity. The event emphasized the importance of each team member’s role—builders, programmers, planners and sorters—highlighting how these roles contribute to a team’s success in the robotics realm.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Teaching and Learning Office for facilitating this enriching experience. The support and resources provided were invaluable in making the scrimmage a success. Looking ahead, we are excited to further expand our robotics program. Our action plan includes recruiting older students, constructing robots, refining tools and handles, organizing all LEGO pieces, and ensuring dedicated Chromebooks with Spike Prime software are ready. By sorting our teams into specialized roles, we aim to enhance our readiness for future competitions, building a greater understanding of teamwork and innovation within our schools.

SAVE THE DATES

Important Dates:

• February 10 - Re-enrollment begins
• March 10 - Re-enrollment due

College and University Visits:

We are pleased to provide support for our students in a range of counseling services including college and university. You can see the latest information here.

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL DAY AT ASD & BSD WITH NEW MASCOTS

It is my pleasure to share the excitement from the 2025 Dhahran Campus International Day, where our vibrant community came together to celebrate our incredible diversity. This year's event was a colorful, heartwarming display of the 80 countries represented in our International Day parade, showcasing the unique cultures that enrich our schools.

International Day is a powerful reminder of the global tapestry that defines our community. It’s a day to honor our core value of respect, embracing the cultures and traditions that each of us brings to ISG. This celebration of diversity not only highlights the strength of our community but also creates lasting memories that students will carry throughout their lives.

This year’s event was made even more special by the introduction of our new mascots, the ASD Scorpion and the BSD Lion. Their debut added an extra layer of excitement to the festivities. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated principals, staff and parent volunteers for their commitment to making this event a success. Together, we continue to build a community that thrives on connection, engagement and mutual respect.

Please watch this video for a brief recap of the event.

SCHOOL UPDATES

American School Dhahran

• ASD High School Arabic Culture Class Explores Riyadh's History and Heritage.

• The Mascots Are Here!

• U19 Boys and Girls Soccer Teams Shine at the Jamboree!

• Superintendent Student Advisory Council Discusses School Improvement and Leadership.

• IMPACT Club Launches New Program for ASD Elementary and Middle School Students.

British School Dhahran

• Celebrating Excellence: BSD Students Win Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards.

• BSD Primary Students Explore Color Gradients in Art Class.

• BSD Students Discuss School Improvement and Leadership.

ISG Dammam

• ISG Dammam Elementary Students Learn About Different Career Options.

• Book Fair at ISG Dammam.

• ISG Dammam Shines at the U19 Football Jamboree.

• ISG Dammam Students Compete in FLL Robotics Scrimmage.

• High School MUN Students Excel at IPSMUN.

• ISG Dammam Student-Leaders Attend SSAC.

• Eco Club Leads Seven-Day Healthy Eating Challenge.

ISG Jubail

• ISG Jubail's Jaguar Jump Off Celebrates School Spirit and Teamwork.

• ISG Jubail Honors Athletes at the SAIKAC Sports Awards Celebration.

• Staff Members Receive CPR Training from ISG Jubail’s School Nurse.

• ISG Jubail Jaguars Hit the Trails and Race Toward Success.

• ISG Jubail Students Discuss School Improvement and Leadership.

• ISG Jubail Students Compete in MathCounts and Sharpen Their Math Skills.

• ISG Jubail U19 Football Players Shine at ISG Jamboree.