Newsletters

By Salem Izz - Dean of Student Affairs / Upper School

The journey at the upper campus begins in 6th grade, marking an important step as students move from the lower campus into middle school and, eventually, high school. This transition brings a mix of emotions—some students beam with excitement, while others feel a little anxious about the new environment and responsibilities. At this stage, they begin to show more independence. For the first time, sixth graders move between classrooms for each subject and learn from different teachers. This shift challenges them to develop important skills like organization and time management. I still remember the first days of school, when many looked lost in the hallways, asking teachers or older students for directions, then hurrying off so they wouldn’t be late. Alongside new academic experiences, such as studying math and science in English and exploring Spanish, students also enjoy small but meaningful freedoms—like buying snacks from the cafeteria. This transition is about much more than academics; it’s a journey of growth, friendship, and self-discovery.

Sometimes dubbed Alternative Visions for Peace (AVP), Irish volunteer and educator Jenny Haughton has just completed facilitating two AVP workshops: the AVP Basic Workshop with sixteen staff from the RFS Lower Campus, followed by the AVP Advanced Workshop for 17 staff members from both campuses.

In a turbulent world, the AVP program has as its objective to help people find alternative ways of dealing with conflicts, whether in community, in the classroom or in their daily lives. The ripple effect is that staff have access to a deep pool of skills to ensure learning continues to be inclusive and enjoyable for students.

The intensity of the experiential nature of the AVP workshop format builds a strong sense of community arising from a shared experience. Jenny points out that this is not therapy and there is no instruction, and that "AVP's core values are similar to those of the Quaker ethos, advocating shared leadership, inclusiveness, building and maintaining a sense of belonging, reaching decision-making through consensus, creating a safe environment conducive to collaboration, personal growth and mutual respect". AVP is guided by principles that foster trust, growth, and connection.

7th Grade Inquiry Based Learning Reflection

By Samah Hussein - Drama & English Teacher

Over the past three days, my IBMYP Year 2, 7th grade students engaged in a formative inquiry-based learning activity centered around the theme of loss—a concept both deeply personal and universally human. Using " Nadia the Willful" as our literary anchor, we explored how loss manifests across cultures, histories, and personal narratives. The experience was both intellectually rich and emotionally deep.

We began by reading and discussing " Nadia the Willful", a story that introduces loss through the lens of a Bedouin family grappling with grief and silence. Students identified key moments where loss was felt—not just through death, but through the suppression of memory and voice. 

This opened the door to a broader conversation: Is loss only about absence, or can it also be about forgetting, silencing, or changing? 

Students worked in groups to research how different cultures experience and express loss, exploring rituals from China, Native America, Ghana, and Mexico. Each group presented their findings, highlighting unique traditions like honoring the dead through festivals, art, and celebration. On the final day, students reflected on how understanding these cultural perspectives helped them relate to their own experiences of loss. The activity not only expanded their knowledge but also deepened their empathy, especially for what people in Gaza are going through.      One of these students, Jad Tesdell, wrote "In conclusion, during the span of three days we discussed, wrote, researched, and learned about loss in all parts of the world. This unit make me think about how I should process loss myself by talking about it to my surrounding community. Although loss is a hard reality, to me loss is just a continuation of life in a different pace." ​​​​​​

Wellbeing Workshop led by Dr. Ashraf Qortam for RFS Teachers

During Induction Week in August, before the start of the new academic year, the RFS administration organized a two-day Wellbeing workshop as part of its ongoing Wellbeing Program. Held on August 16–17, 2025, at the Upper Campus, the workshop brought together all teachers from both campuses with the goal of launching the school year with clarity, balance, and renewed energy.

The workshop was led by Dr. Ashraf Kortam, an international trainer and motivational speaker with over two decades of experience in leadership and personal development. His dynamic approach blended inspiration with actionable strategies, empowering educators to connect their own wellbeing with their work in the classroom and school community.

The sessions focused on key themes such as self-leadership before leading others, happiness as a conscious choice, and the role of emotional intelligence in both personal and professional life.

Through a series of interactive activities and reflective practices, teachers explored practical ways to build resilience, find balance, and create emotionally supportive classroom environments where both they and their students can thrive.

Let’s take a look at what our youngest students in PreK, LKG, and UKG were up to during their first month of school!

Meet our new lower campus security guard and member of our maintenance crew, Sa'di Dabbour.

The upper campus was busy this week as campaigns for this year's Student Council Elections kicked off!

Let’s take a look at what our Primary Years Programme (PYP) grades were up to this month!