Westchester's IB Program Expands

An article on WAIS' status as an IB World School now expanding to include the Middle Years Programme was recently published by the Houston Chronicle.

The expansion of Westchester Academy of International Studies' International Bacclaureate program will draw more students seeking a global educational...

See the rest of the article by Annette Baird on Chron.com 

WAIS Participates in Hour of Code

Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code" and show that anyone can learn the basics to be a maker, a creator, an innovator. More than 3 Million students from more than 170 countries have already participated before Computer Science Week even began.

More than twenty students expressed interest in leading around 60 sessions across the week. Due to limited computer availability, student volunteers will work together to offer three to four different sessions per day. Learn more about the opportunities on our Hour of Code page.

SBISD Employee of the Month: Cheryl Wegscheid

Cheryl Wegscheid, IB MYP Coordinator at Wais, is selected as Spring Branch ISD's Employee of the Month for November 2013. 

See the video on SBISD's YouTube channel

Going Pink at WAIS

Staff and students at Westchester Academy for International Studies donned a sea of pink in support of Ms. Debbie, their campus custodian, upon her return to work recently following successful treatment for cancer...

See the post on SBISD's School Zone

Students Share Views with Greater Houston Partnership Committee

Thirteen high school students in Spring Branch ISD met Oct. 25 with members of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) Workforce Development Committee at the Guthrie Center to help the local business...
not limited to, but including students from Westchester: including Daniel

See the full article on SBISD's School Zone

WAIS Authorized for IB MYP, Grades 6-10

Excerpt:

Officials at Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS) received notification Oct. 28 that the district charter middle and high school has been authorized to offer students the five-year Middle Years Programme (MYP) as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.

The MYP candidate school received its written authorization from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization after a period as a candidate school. WAIS Director Jennifer Collier formally announced the milestone achievement in a specially called faculty meeting and celebration.

The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is an internationally recognized...
Read the Full Story at SBISD's The School Zone.

Related media:

Also published in: The Memorial Examiner 

Related: WAIS named IB World School- 
The Westchester Academy for International Studies in Houston will offer the International Baccalaureate Program for students in grades 6-10... // Read More... 

Officially an IBCC Candidate

As of October 24th, WAIS is officially an IB Career Certificate candidate school. The IB Career Certificate is an option available to Juniors and Seniors at IB World Schools with an authorized IB Diploma Programme. The IBCC allows students to study a career field in depth, without missing the opportunity to earn a highly regarded IB credential.

In the IBCC, students take 2-4 Diploma classes, and spend at least 25% of their classes in classes focused in approved career related studies. Through the completion of career related studies students will be able to enter higher education, obtain an internship or apprenticeship, or a position within this career field.

While WAIS offers some career and tech courses, WAIS and the Guthrie Center are collaborating to offer a wider variety of career-related courses. More information will be provided to students and families as it becomes available.

Learn more about the IBCC from the ibo.org website.

See related media:

Westchester Academy for International Studies announced recently that it is a candidate school for an International Baccalaureate qualification designed for students pursuing career/vocational classes during the junior and senior year. // Read More... 

Related: WAIS named Candidate for IB Qualification (IBCC)- 
The International Baccalaureate Organization recently introduced the qualification, which is known as the IBCareer-related Certificate... // Read More... 

Spring Branch Superintendent Paved Way

Excerpt:
When Harold "Hal" Guthrie hired Pamela Butler in 2000 to head the Spring Branch school district's first charter school for middle and high school students, he warned that the job would be entirely different from anything she had done. (...) Butler credits Guthrie's vision & support. "He was very empowering to me as...

See the rest of the article by Annette Baird on Chron.com

WAIS Student Prepares for Sea

Oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard will lead a research trip in the Caribbean Sea with six “Argonauts” from Oct. 17-21, thanks to the Jason Project. Earlier this year as 2013 National JASON Argonaut team members high school students were selected to participate, including Paloma June of Westchester Academy for International Studies.

Read the full article on the SBISD School Zone.

also published in: Chron.com

Related: New Jason Project Students Named

Over $1,000 donated to WAIS through Give with Target

$1,174 is to be donated to WAIS thanks to Give with Target. Target pledged to donate 5 million to schools across the country.  How? Through votes! With as low as 25 votes, a school will receive a donation from Target.

With your help, we received 1,174 votes, earning us $1 per vote. We were second in number of votes in Houston, and received the most votes in Spring Branch. Thank you students, staff, friends, and families of WAIS! Way to go WAIS!

WAIS Sophomore Students Present Personal Projects

Twenty sophomores at Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS) presented personal projects in learning recently ranging from a fundraiser for youth autism to a video project showing how one student taught herself Korean. Soon, many more WAIS students will be presenting projects as part of this school's expanding International Baccalaureate program.

Tenth-graders at WAIS pursued these special projects even though they earned no final grades for their work. In future years, students at this district charter middle and high school will select personal projects like these as graded independent study works under the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP).

 WAIS has applied for official recognition as an IB Middle Years Programme school. This fall, an international accreditation board will visit Westchester Academy and review work done by WAIS teachers and administrators to meet this lofty goal. Only a few schools in the Houston region offer the middle and high school IB programs in a combined campus setting.

See the full article on SBISD's The School Zone.

Related: WAIS Students take on Range of Projects- 
Students from Westchester Academy for International Studies in Houston recently presented personal projects. // Read More... 

Things You Need to Know About Attending WAIS

Many visitors to our website may have the same common questions. Hopefully this page will help answer those common questions so that you don't have to call or email to try to find simple answers!

What is meant by A and B days?
In the upper school, students go to four periods per day. Having A and B days allows students to take eight subjects. A and B days alternate, so students only go to their scheduled classes on those days every other day. Middle school students taking upper level electives are affected by the A/B schedule for electives only.

What is the dress code?
Click here to see the dress code. (This is a two page document. Be sure to see page 2 for WAIS-specific dress code requirements).

What is the Daily Schedule? Click here for the 2012-13 Daily schedules

What is Homework Hall?
Homework Hall is a program that was started last year and met with good success. In order to help students not fall behind academically, it gives them an opportunity to complete work that they might not finish on time. It is held after school from 3:10 to 4:10.

If a student does not have their homework completed at the time teacher is asking for it, the student is assigned homework hall for THAT DAY. The office is notified, and the parents are automatically called to let them know that their child has homework hall after school that day. Students assigned to homework hall can take the Late Bus home after school.

What is the Late Bus?
The Late Bus is school bus transportation that leaves school at 4:15, so that students needing to stay after school for specific purpose can get a ride home. Students who have detention, or homework hall, or an afterschool extra-curricular activity can get a late bus pass for that day in order to be able to ride the late bus.

You MUST have a pass to get on late bus. The faculty member in charge of activities will give passes out at the end of the activity before student is dismissed to go to late bus.

Where can I find information on school lunch or breakfast?
Go to the district Child Nutrition Services webpage

How can I get a copy of my child's transcript?
Go see the registrar in the Admissions Office (across from the Upper School office)

Spring Branch grads honored at Vietnamese-American luncheon

Three Vietnamese-American graduates from Spring Branch Independent School District were honored during an annual Vietnamese-American luncheon.

"Honorees include district valedictorians Jennifer Hoang and Kaitlin Kargar, both of Westchester Academy for International Studies, and Kim Nguyen of Spring Woods High School...

See the rest of the article on Chron.com

2013 College Colors Day at Westchester Academy

College Colors Day is an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience by encouraging students, educators and community members across the nation to wear their favorite college or university apparel throughout the day on Friday, August 30. Westchester Academy for International Studies was a registered participant in the event this year. 

On Friday, campus faculty and staff donned their college colors, becoming 'walking billboards' for the college experience.  By participating in this special day, staff were able to build student awareness about college and career planning. College Colors Day exposures students to the various options they have after high school graduation, providing a great opportunity for conversation about life after high school graduation.

Westchester Academy and SBISD are committed to the post secondary success of every child in our system. For more information about College Colors Day, visit their website.

SB Grads Honored at Vietnamese-American Luncheon

Three Vietnamese-American graduates from Spring Branch Independent School District were honored during an annual Vietnamese-American luncheon.
Including from Westchester: Jennifer & Kaitlin

See the full article on SBISD's School Zone

SBISD High Schools' New Leaders lay out Goals

Jennifer Collier takes over as director of Westchester Academy from the interim principal, Nancy Bertin. Collier, who was an assistant principal and associate principal...

See the full article by Annette Baird on Chron.com

International Baccalaureate Diplomas awarded to WAIS graduates

 

Thirteen graduating seniors enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS), the award-winning district charter secondary school, have earned an internationally recognized IB Diploma. 

Program Coordinator Valerie Harelson reports that a little more than half of the school’s 24 students received this distinction. To earn their IB Diplomas, students devote their junior and senior years to fulfilling program requirements in English, a foreign language, math, science, history or social studies, and fine arts, as well as a Theory of Knowledge course.

Students also write a lengthy research paper, fulfill other class activities and participate in many activities, including traditional community service projects. 

IB Diploma recipients this year include the district’s only Gates Millennium Scholar, Bushra Bangash, who plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a German Bilingual Diploma recipient, Juliane Berger. 

“The students who have earned their IB Diploma this year represent an awesome variety of interests from architecture to international relations, music, biology and mathematics. They all worked hard; some have a wonderful sense of humor and others are more serious,” Coordinator Harelson said. 

An IB science requirement was a Group 4 Project where students chose a theme and developed projects around that theme. This year’s theme was biomimicry, a new science that studies models from nature and then uses these designs and processes to solve human problems. 

“Students worked in groups to create products that mimicked some feature of nature that would solve a problem faced by people today. I learn as much from the students and their research as I hope that they learn from me in history class,” Coordinator Harelson adds. “They are all great kids, and I will miss them, but I look forward to our new group of IB students and repeating the process.”

IB Coordinator Harelson a history instructor, has taught in Venezuela, Kuwait and South Korea. 

German Bilingual Diploma recipient Juliane Berger grew up in Boxberg, a small town in south Germany. Juliane moved to Houston with her family and entered WAIS in 10th grade. 

“My English was not very good. I did not know English terms well, but by my senior year I got used to the language and all the IB homework, too,” she says. 

Her goal is to study education in Karlsruhe, Germany, the site of Paedgogische Hochschule, and to be an elementary school teacher. “I’ve always loved working with children, and I don’t want to work in an office all day,” she says. 

At WAIS, she was a member of both French and German Honor Societies and the National Honor Society. 

Eric Alexander will enter the University of Texas at Austin this fall. He plans to major in architecture with an emphasis in the new field of therapeutic architecture. “The IB program and this school helped me pick courses that prepared and helped me know what I wanted to do. This program really helps you come out of your box,” he says. 

At WAIS, he was secretary in Mu Alpha Theta, the math society. A member of the Advanced Choir, Eric played the character Kenickie in “Grease” and Jack in “Into the Woods.”

  Dorian Granizo, who is headed to chemical engineering at Rice University, says that IB prepared him to think deeply rather than check off a standard course list of essays, tests and quizzes. Math and science are his favorite subjects. He also holds Tae Kwon Do medals. 

Tatyana Guy is headed to the University of Houston, but she plans to transfer to the Texas A&M, where she hopes to major in zoology. An intern at the Houston Zoo, she dreams one day of doing research far, far away – maybe in Africa with wild animals. She wants to be a veterinarian. 

“I think that IB is more rigorous than AP or Pre-AP courses. It’s challenging because it is hard. You feel good about yourself, and feel that you are doing this with a family as a part of the IB program,” she also said. 

Since it opened more than a decade ago, WAIS has received the nation’s highest ranking from the U.S. Department of Education, the Blue Ribbon School designation.

IB Diploma graduates and their college/university choices include:

• Eric Alexander, University of Texas at Austin
• Bushra Bangash, University of Texas at Austin (Gates Millennium Scholar)
• Juliane Berger, Undecided, (German Bilingual Diploma)
• Dorian Granizo, Rice University
• Tatyana Guy, University of Houston
• David Kassir, Rice University
• Brittany McCune, Texas A&M University at College Station
• Emily McKitrick, Colorado State University at Fort Collins
• Sandra Reyes, Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas
• Emerald Rodriguez, Texas A&M University at College Station
• Balil Tariq, University of Houston
• Jay Wang, University of Texas at Austin
• Reina Wong, Texas A&M University at College Station

A New Blog for WAIS Campus News

Westchester is excited to launch a new blog featuring news and information for WAIS. We believe it's critical for you to be informed and up-to-date on important policies, upcoming events, campus information, and drivers of change within our district. Because of this belief, we're launching this news blog.  Our goal is to present you with the information you need to make informed decisions that benefit your student(s), and ensure he/she receives the best possible educational experience in Spring Branch.

 

We value your support and participation! 

 

Our contributors are:

WAIS Webmaster,

WAIS Principal,

 

Reminder: Make sure to visit the SBISD Back to School website for information on the 2013-14 Academic Year.  The first day of class in SBISD is Monday, Aug. 26.

 

M-SB Rotary Awards $29,000 in Scholarships

“Service Above Self” is not just a slogan at the Memorial-Spring Branch Rotary Club. This year the club awarded $29,000 to 13 local scholars. Three of which are from Westchester: Ana, Nayeli, & Victoria.

Read the full article on the Memorial Examiner

Wais Student Honored

Angela N. Dodd, a Westchester Academy for International Studies student and Westchester Academy for International Studies resident, received a Horatio Alger Texas Scholarship. Dodd received the scholarship on Monday, June 3, according to...

See the full article on Chron,com

Have you read her book?

Two students at Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS) celebrated the publishing of a fantasy book and fiction short story recently. On May 23, eighth-grader Isabella Boone and sixth-grader Amaris Bobbio-Tarco...

See the full article on the SBISD's School Zone

Westchester Millennium Scholar has come long way

When Bushra Bangash started as an eighth-grader in 2008 at Spring Branch Middle School, having recently fled Pakistan with her family, she remembers being overwhelmed.

"I started with a very bad accent," she said, laughing. "Everything was different. It was hard...

See the rest of Annette Baird's article on Chron.com

My Future is Bright: Destiny

Destiny was featured in two MyFutureisBright spotlights. Both are linked below.

Destiny, who is a senior at 16 years old, has always had an incredible work ethic. Her counselor, Karren Sims, says that... 

See the rest on SBISD's MyFutureisBright

Why did you decide to go into the Navy? It wasn’t anything I planned. When I was selecting classes as a freshman, I read the information about the Navy... 

See the rest on SBISD's MyFutureisBright

2012-13 WAIS Valedictorians & Salutatorians

Westchester Academy for International Studies has named five co-valedictorians and one salutatorian as its Class of 2013 representatives.

See the list on SBISD's School Zone

My Future is Bright: Bushra

An International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program student at Westchester Academy for International Studies who wants to be a women’s physician is one of just 10 Houston students named a Class of 2013 Gates Millennium Scholar. Bushra Bangash, a native of Pakistan... 

See the rest on SBISD's MyFutureisBright

My Future is Bright: Jennifer

Jennifer is this year’s valedictorian at Westchester Academy for International Studies. She is a member of the National Honor Society and played varsity tennis at Spring Woods High School, where she earned multiple medals. She also volunteered three hours a week for three years 

See the rest on SBISD's MyFutureisBright

Westchester Academy Students Place Second at 2013 Agribotics Competition

Three Westchester Academy students won a title at the 2013 Agribotics Competition. "Two sixth-graders and a sophomore at Westchester Academy for International Studies won a second-place title in the first annual 2013 Agribotics Competition held recently at Prairie View A&M University.

See original posting on Chron.com

Related:  A+ Agribotics SBISD Article on SBISD's School Zone 

REEL TEEN FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS

Congratulations to the following students for having their films selected for screening in the 2013 REEL TEEN FILM FESTIVAL, sponsored by the Houston Public Library. Three of which are from Westchester: Althea, Evan, & Niall

See the full article from the Guthrie Center

Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum site of Open The Door collaborative art project

Westchester Academy for International Studies students Felipe Sanchez, J. Emily McKitrick and Mitchel Barry were selected to participate in OPEN THE DOOR, a project presented by the Texan-French Alliance for the Arts and the Paris art collective, 9eme Concept. The artwork is a door, painted on one side by the students and the other side by French artist Romain


See the full article on the Memorial Examiner


Related: Open the Door- 
What is it? // The Contest // Leaflet // Press Kit // Press Release


Related: Open the Door - Laureates 
Eric // Jean // Jeffrey // Leonardo
Rachel // Shaun // Emily, Felipe, & Mitchel


Related: Memorial Examiner- 
Memorial City Mall opens the door to French culture and the arts

My Future is Bright: Christa

I am a gymnast at Stars Gymnastics, currently training Level Eight. I spend most of my time at the gym working on my skills and perfecting my technique. I have sacrificed a lot

See the rest on SBISD's MyFutureisBright

My Future is Bright: Jay

I took Chinese classes every Saturday for three years and stopped last year because I completed the curriculum. Every Saturday, I would spend two hours...

See the rest on SBISD's MyFutureisBright

My Future is Bright: Jeremy

Jeremy arrived at the Guthrie Center Culinary Program as a freshman and has remained a strong force in our culinary classes throughout high school. He may have...

See the full posting on SBISD's MyFutureisBright

International Architecture at the International Festival scheduled for WAIS

Westchester Academy for International Studies has scheduled International Architecture, at the International Festival for 6 p.m. Friday, April 19... 

See the original posting on Chron.com

Related: International Architecture Festival from AnimalArchitecture.org  

2013 Jones Scholar's announced

Twelve graduating seniors in Spring Branch ISD have been named 2013 Houston Endowment Jones Scholars and are now eligible to receive up to $16,000 in scholarship funds toward a four-year university or college bachelor’s degree. 

includes WAIS senior Angela N. Dodd

See the original posting on SBISD's School Zone

Alum has artwork displayed on IBO website

Colton Clifford, of the class of 2010, has photographic works from his IB Diploma Art presentations show on the IB Blog galleries.

Check it out on the IB Blog site

Teacher of the Year: Maureen Fertitta-Andrews

Excerpt:  Maureen sees herself as a continuous learner and is always looking for ways to help her students be successful. She looks for...

See the full article on SBISD's Celebrating Excellence in Education

Junior Achievement Job Shadowing

About 100 juniors at Westchester Academy for International Studies visited with and followed around engineers, early childhood teachers and technology industry...

See the rest of the article on SBISD's School Zone