Parent Teacher Assoc.

Welcome Letter from the IICS PTA

The IICS Parent Teacher Association

Dear Parents and Teachers,

Welcome to the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of IICS for 2010-2011.  As IICS parents, you are all automatically members of the PTA and we look forward to the diversity of contributions that you can make to our community. The PTA aims to unite the efforts of the teachers, parents, and IICS Community at large by promoting the benefits of an engaged school community. Following are brief descriptions of ways the PTA intends to support its aim this year.

Welcome Committee.  Whether you are here, about to move or contemplating a move to Istanbul, the Welcome Committee is happy to provide you with information about school life and one of the most exciting cities in the world.  You may contact the co-ordinator, Ayda Duroux, any time (0 531 585 4008).  And, during the first weeks after your arrival at IICS, a committee representative from your country will contact you to see how you and your kids are settling in and support you if needed.  

PTA Coffee Mornings are monthly opportunities for parents and administrators to socialize and share ideas with the PTA Committee.  They are organized at a variety of locations in Istanbul.  The first ones are the Welcome Coffees on Friday, August 27th, 2010 held in conjunction with the first Primary assemblies of the year:

• at the Marmara campus after their 8:30 assembly
• at the Hisar campus at 14:00 before their 14:45 assembly.

Welcome Picnic at Marmara Campus, Saturday, August 28th, 2010 from 1000-1400.
Grade level meeting areas will be arranged so that initially you can find people from your class.  We ask that you bring along a picnic lunch, blanket, frisbee, football or other preferred picnic activity.  The PTA will provide music and face painting and the Booster Club will sell spirit wear and water. 

Booster Club  is made up of parents and staff who support the IICS sports teams and academic clubs through fundraising and unfaltering cheering from the sidelines.  During tournaments and some school events the volunteers sell food and spirit wear to raise money for projects that enrich the school community.  In the past these have included the purchase of new trophy cabinets, caps for the softball team, volleyball uniforms and a donation to the drama department to upgrade the venue for the school's show. 

School photos, October 18th-22nd, 2010, are organized by the school and the PTA supports the process by helping on the days of the photos and by collecting and recording payments.

International Day at Marmara Campus, Saturday, November 27th, 2010 is the biggest whole school event of the PTA and is an opportunity to meet with and celebrate the many cultures of IICS students, parents and faculty.  Mark the date and come along to enjoy and contribute to the games, international cuisine, entertainment and much more.  The money raised on the day will be given partly to charity organizations and  partly to the PTA to ultimately benefit our students.  

Scholastic Book Fair, November 29th-December 3rd, 2010, is an opportunity for students, parents and teachers to purchase books for themselves or as gifts.  Teachers prepare a wish list so that you can donate or contribute to the purchase of a book for their class. In addition, the funds raised are used to enhance the school libraries.

Centenary Gala Dinner, April 9th, 2011 is the night for parents, faculty, and alumni to celebrate IICS's 100th year anniversary! We look forward to having alumni attend and to sharing memories of the contributions and impact that IICS and Turkey has on our lives.  The evening will be highlighted by prizes, great music, a delicious dinner, and your company.

Primary Room Parents and Secondary Grade Level Parent Representatives are volunteer positions which are organized at the beginning of the school year by the Primary teachers and the PTA Secondary Representative.  These volunteers work together with the teachers, the class parents and the PTA to build a communicative, social, and active community.  They will contact you throughout the year to let you know about and take part in school and PTA events. Three major things they organize for our community are:

• Class social events such as family bowling day, movie day, parents coffee, lunch or dinner are organized based on parents interest. They are a great way to get to know the families and teachers of your class and can be monthly or termly gatherings.
• Teacher Treat Day is a way of showing support and appreciation to our teachers. It is organized once a month on a Tuesday when all the teachers are together meeting at the Marmara Campus. Each class is given one date and families are asked to contribute a salty or sweet snack. (Three times a year the PTA committee provides the treat and the first one is on August 31st, 2010) The teachers look forward to and appreciate the variety of contributions.
• Cupcake Days at Marmara and "Funky Friday" Treat Days at Hisar are opportunities for Primary School families to provide a snack and for students to buy them for 2 TL each to raise money for projects on their campus.

Please also check the weekly IICS newsletter known as The Flash and the IICS PTA webpage for updates on events and our contact information.

We encourage you to contact us and invite you to get involved so we are enclosing:

• IICS PTA Committee 2010-2011 This page has our contact information.
• PTA Registration Form This page is for you to fill out to get involved

We look forward to a year of cooperating, communicating, socializing and taking an active role in school life with you.

With best wishes for a fantastic year at IICS,

Judy Bleil-Saruhan

PTA President