ISG Superintendent's Message
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Dear ISG Community,
We are excited to announce ISG’s newly articulated vision statement, which reflects our commitment to providing a world-class education:
“ISG’s world class education empowers our diverse youth to excel academically, lead and learn, exercise compassion and kindness and nourish their intellectual curiosity as they strive for a future of success, innovation and personal fulfillment.”
At ISG, our vision shares our preferred future for students that we are striving to achieve. This vision embodies our dedication to fostering academic excellence, leadership and a culture of compassion. We believe that by nurturing both intellect and empathy, ISG will guide students toward a future filled with opportunity, innovation and meaningful achievement.
COUNSELORS & STUDENT SUPPORT
At ISG, our dedicated counselors provide crucial social and emotional support for students across all age groups.
They meet with students individually and in groups to promote success within our diverse student body, offering guidance tailored to each developmental stage. In addition to addressing students’ emotional wellbeing, they provide essential school support during times of crisis or emergency, ensuring students and families have a trusted resource during challenging times. Our counselors also work closely with teachers and parents to support academic achievement, fostering a collaborative environment that ensures each student feels valued, supported and prepared for success.
SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE PLANNING
The Superintendent Student Advisory Committee (SSAC) at ISG serves as a vital platform for developing student leadership skills and amplifying student voice within the school and community. With 30 students from across ISG selected to participate, the committee meets four times throughout the year to foster a culture of collaboration, accountability and empowerment.
At the heart of the SSAC is the belief that student feedback is critical to shaping their educational experience. During the meetings, students are not only encouraged to provide their insights but also to play an active role in gathering and analyzing feedback from their peers. By engaging in meaningful discussions on various topics, they develop essential leadership qualities such as communication, critical thinking and problem-solving.
The first meeting of this year will include a focused discussion on how to use feedback to drive positive changes within the school, allowing students to be directly involved in addressing challenges and suggesting solutions. This reinforces the importance of student voice in decision-making processes and aligns with ISG’s commitment to fostering a sense of agency among students.
Through the SSAC, ISG is also able to integrate student perspectives into the achievement of strategic goals, ensuring that the school’s direction reflects the needs and aspirations of the student body. By participating in this committee, students are empowered not only as leaders within their school but as active contributors to the broader community.
MSA ACCREDITATION: EXCITING MILESTONES AHEAD!
One of the main responsibilities of the Teaching and Learning Office at ISG is overseeing school improvement for learning across the district in alignment with our strategic goals and accreditation. Accreditation is a self-evaluation process that schools voluntarily use to demonstrate they are meeting a defined set of research-based performance standards that are used to assess schools in a holistic way with results being used to create a strategic and realistic plan for continuous school improvement. As we near the completion of our current accreditation cycle, we are thrilled to share the progress we are making on our journey toward renewing our accreditation. This year is full of important steps, and we are eager to keep our school community involved every step of the way.
Why MSA Accreditation Matters
The Middle States Association (MSA) is one of the global leaders in educational accreditation, with over 130 years of experience ensuring that schools meet rigorous standards of quality and excellence. MSA accredits more than 2,700 schools worldwide, covering a diverse range of educational institutions, from early childhood to higher education.
Maintaining MSA accreditation is crucial for our school because it provides external validation of the quality of education we offer. It assures parents, students, and the broader community that we are committed to continuous improvement and that our educational programs meet internationally recognized standards. Accreditation also opens doors for our students by ensuring that their education is recognized globally, which can be particularly important for college admissions and career opportunities.
The upcoming accreditation visit is not just a routine check—it is a key moment to celebrate our achievements, receive valuable feedback, and plan for the future. By maintaining our accreditation, we reinforce our commitment to providing the best possible education for our students and securing our place as a leader in the global educational community.
What We Are Working on in Fall 2024
This fall, we are finalizing both our ISG district systems self-study and each school's individual component study by gathering all the survey data and evidence of our work toward meeting our school goals. The Teaching and Learning Office and campus leadership have been engaging with students, parents, and staff at each campus to evaluate our current strategic goals and collaborating with the school communities on setting new strategic goals that reflect our shared vision for the future. The collective input we receive is vital to this process, and we are excited to hear from the community as we shape these objectives before submitting them for review.
Looking Toward the Spring of 2025
During the spring, we will be sharing the fantastic progress we have made and the goals we are working toward with our stakeholders. Preparations for the site visit will intensify, culminating in a pre-visit meeting with the Chair of the MSA Visiting Team to ensure that everything is in place for the visit, scheduled for April 27-30.
During the site visit, each of our five campuses will host the visiting team, consisting of eight members from international schools around the globe. The team will review our self-studies and meet with the Superintendent, Board, and District Directors as well as the team will also meet with leadership teams, representatives from parent groups, and student leaders. Another important part of the visit is classroom visits to witness all the amazing learning taking place.
In Closing
We want to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone in our school community for their hard work and dedication throughout this process. Your commitment to our shared goals has been truly inspiring, and we could not have come this far without you. Together, we are ensuring that our school continues to be a world-class international institution that lives up to our mission to inspire innovation and compassionate action. We are excited to continue this journey with you all!
ISG PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
At ISG, our commitment to providing a world-class education is reinforced through our accreditations and affiliations with prestigious organizations. Alongside our accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and the British Schools Overseas (BSO), ISG is also a proud member of several key international educational organizations that uphold the highest standards of learning.
These organizations include:
- Council of International Schools (CIS)
- Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
- Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA)
- Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE)
- International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
These memberships ensure that ISG stays at the forefront of global education trends, promoting best practices, cutting-edge innovations and a holistic approach to learning. Through these affiliations, we maintain and exceed the rigorous international standards required to foster academic excellence, leadership, and personal development in our diverse student body.
By being part of such globally recognized organizations, ISG continues to provide an education that prepares students for success in an ever-changing world. To read more about our memberships, please visit this page.
DATA PRIVACY & PROTECTION AT ISG
ISG is committed to data privacy and protection. Last spring, ISG finalized implementation measures to fully comply with the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) of Saudi Arabia. This commitment reflects our dedication to safeguarding the personal information of our students, families, employees and partners. We believe that data privacy is a fundamental right and we are committed to handling your data responsibly and securely.
Should you have any questions regarding the PDPL's application within ISG, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
DATES TO REMEMBER
ISG Minimum Day
A reminder that October 7 is a Minimum Day across ISG. These days support our commitment to learning for our staff that best practices show results in the optimal learning environment for our students.
Students in ASD and BSD will attend school and be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.
At ISG Jubail, ISG Dammam and Sara Village School, students will participate in virtual school from home. More information about virtual learning will be shared by your campus principals and assistant principals.
October Break
A reminder that ISG schools will be closed for fall break from October 11-19. Classes will resume on Sunday, October 20.
As parent partners, please see the upcoming opportunities to connect with ISG below:
- September 28: ISG Dammam Parent University Information Session
- September 29: BSD Coffee Morning - Positive Education
- October 1: ISG Dammam Coffee Talks (MS/HS)
CELEBRATING SAUDI NATIONAL DAY: A REFLECTION OF ISG’S CORE VALUE OF RESPECT
ISG schools enthusiastically celebrated Saudi National Day, embracing the values of acceptance and respect that are core to our community. Students, teachers and staff came together to honor the rich heritage and cultural diversity of Saudi Arabia. Through traditional dances, vibrant art displays and engaging activities, everyone had the opportunity to connect and participate in the celebrations, recognizing the importance of unity and mutual understanding.
Please watch this video of our community reflecting on the values of acceptance, inclusion and respect this Saudi National Day.
The festivities were not just a celebration of Saudi Arabia’s national identity but also a reflection of ISG's commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity. By participating in cultural activities and working together as a community, ISG students and staff celebrated the importance of respect and acceptance, values that not only highlight our shared traditions but also help build a future of understanding and compassion for all.
INVITATION TO SIGN UP FOR NESA WEBINAR: THE WIRED CHILD
In partnership with North East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA), ISG is pleased to offer our parent community a four-part virtual series on the mental health effects of social media, The Wired Child: Investigating Wellbeing and Development in the Digital Age.
The series will be facilitated by Ellen Mahoney, a specialist in the field of child development and digital life. Research based practices that will be explored include Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, which examines how the virtual world has disrupted social and neurological development.
This valuable workshop is dedicated to unpacking the complex relationships between mental health and social media.
The first session is on Wednesday, October 9, 3-4 p.m. GMT+3.
You only need to register once. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a personalized link to join. Save your link to access future sessions, or re-register if needed.
Sessions will be recorded and shared on the Series Info Hub, along with any resources.
You can read the full announcement and sign up here.
ASD & BSD STUDENTS EARN PRESTIGIOUS DELF AWARD
Twenty-two students from American School Dhahran and British School Dhahran were honored on September 25 with the DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) award, celebrating their achievement in mastering the French language. This prestigious certification is recognized globally and awarded by the French Ministry of Education, validating the hard work and dedication of our students in their French studies.
The awards ceremony was graced by distinguished guest speakers, including Cultural Advisor, Raphael Justine, and Attachée de coopération, Yasmina Abbad, from the French Embassy in Riyadh, as well as Director Benoit Juppy and Academic Director Mira Moghrabi from Alliance Francaise in Khobar. The guests praised the students for their commitment and highlighted the importance of such accomplishments in today’s globalized world.
ASD and BSD’s success in the DELF exams is a testament to the strong partnerships we have fostered with Alliance Française, ensuring that our students receive top-tier education in French language and culture. Under the guidance of our dedicated teachers Amira Hammouda, Hala Ghoneim and Jacqui Issa, students committed themselves to the rigor of the DELF program, which is known for its demanding standards. Their achievement not only reflects the students' hard work but also the exceptional support from our language faculty, who ensured that each student was thoroughly prepared for this international certification.
This event is a proud moment for the ASD and BSD communities, as we continue to nurture a culture of academic excellence and multicultural understanding through programs like the DELF. We look forward to seeing how these students will use their language skills to broaden their horizons, take on new challenges, and make connections in our global world.
SCHOOL UPDATES
ASD
BSD
ISG Dammam
- ISG Dammam Celebrates Saudi National Day.
- Alumnus Shares Helpful College Application Suggestions.
- Parent Advisory Council Convenes.
ISG Jubail
Warm wishes,
Rhonda Norris
ISG Superintendent