Livermore, CA - “I’m very intrigued by the opportunity for my children to attend a school that provides a rigorous college preparatory curriculum in a loving, family oriented environment” states Shannon Sullivan, Joe Michell K-8 School 3rd grade teacher and parent. Ms. Sullivan refers to the school’s community of parents and teachers who are actively pursuing authorization as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. IB schools impart a common philosophy – a commitment to a high quality, challenging, international education that is shared by the Joe Michell community. The aim of the IB rigorous, competitive and engaging curriculum is to develop internationally minded people, who recognize their common humanity and shared global responsibilities.
Teachers are enthusiastic about this innovative choice for Livermore students. Barry Montgomery, 5th grade teacher, states “I love the fact that IB schools focus on the need to help kids learn to live and work in a global environment, but encourages students to hold on to their own national culture. It is a win-win for our school and our community.”
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer. Elementary students learn to think for themselves and react to real life situations through open-ended tasks and in-depth investigations. The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between learning and the real world, and become critical and reflective thinkers. The IB Middle Years Programme includes a community service component, which generates more involvement of students in their community and society. Currently 3,464 schools in 143 countries have IB programmes.
Through IB, our students gain a competitive advantage and develop characteristics that will guide them in their learning and in life. “A grassroots approach to the development and implementation of this innovative option offers families and community members the opportunity to be involved in the transformation,” states Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Assistant Superintendent, Cindy Alba. Teachers and parents had this to say about bringing IB to Michell:
Eric Walker, "As an educator, I am very excited about becoming an IB school. It is a great opportunity for me to really stretch myself to educate more to a real life global perspective rather than to a certain test. I love the fact that we will be preparing students to be critical thinkers who will be able to problem solve with new information and be able to work effectively with others, not only in California but world-wide."
Bobbi Byrnes, kindergarten teacher, “IB will make Michell a destination school for all of Livermore! I think it is an excellent program for LVJUSD parents, students, and community members.”
Julie Ring, parent and PTO President, “I am excited to be a part of Joe Michell School’s transformation. The IB program will truly make Joe Michell a place where the students of Livermore want to be and learn in a well–rounded and unique environment that will give them the skills to succeed. Our students can attain the skills to become global citizens and critical thinkers which is so important in our ever-changing world.”
Additional
Contacts:
School Board President Bill Dunlop, sdunlop102@comcast.net (925) 455-1907
Assistant
Superintendent Cindy Alba, calba@lvjusd.k12.ca.us
(925) 606-3224
Joe Michell K-8 Principal Laura Lembo, llaura@lvjusd.k12.ca.us (925) 606-4738
