The International Community School, Amman Parents and Staff Association (PSA) Annual General Meeting, 29 September 2013

The International Community School, Amman

Parents and Staff Association (PSA)

Annual General Meeting, 29 September 2013

AGM Agenda

The purpose of this meeting is to :

1. Receive and approve the report of the activities of the PSA for the past year

2. Receive and approve the financial report of the Treasurer for the pastyear and adopt the accounts for the same period, and

3. Receive nominations and elect parent members for the new PSA Executive Committee for 2013 / 2014

Current members of the PSA Executive Committee (EC) elected in September 2012:

Susmita Dastidar Chair Lorraine Karmi Vice Chair Marie Hoyez First Secretary Isabel Moss Second Secretary / member of the Charity

Committee Hanna Manneh Treasurer Sue Gifford Chair of the Charity Committee Amwaj Abu Hamda EC member & member of the Charity Committee Kameel Saliba EC member Erika Harper EC member

The Principal, Mr. John Bastable, is the Honorary President of the PSA

400 people attended the Bonfire night organized by the PSA. The student Council

took care of the first ever Haunted House. A Best Outfit Competition was also organized.

PSA activities 2012/13

Bonfire Night on November 2nd, 2012


The 29th annual ICS Food Fair was attended by about 3,500 people. This year again, a net income of about JD 41,822 was raised !!

The 29th Annual Food Fair on May 10 , 2013

Yvette de Kreij, the Food Fair coordinator was thanked by the Chairman and received her dream gift!

Craft stalls and students boot sale for Ghana Project

ICS students ready for the Costume Parade


The 28th Annual Food Fair on May 10, 2013

Scandinavian stall German stall Costume Parade


The 29th Annual Food Fair on May 10, 2013

Thai stall Children’s games


The PSA Summer Party was held at the 4 Seasons Hotel and attended by both parents and staff members

Summer Cocktail Party on May 31st, 2013


The PSA BBQ Party was attended by 300 ICS community members. The DJ, bouncy castles, 150 kg of meat and ice-cream were all offered by the PSA , while parents and staff contributed to salads and sweets. A Best Hat competition was held , an art exhibition, books stalls, and garage boot sale were on as well.

End of Year BBQ Party on 20th June 2013

The PSA held a Coffee Morning on 23 September 2013 in order to welcome new and returning parents and staff. Coffee and cakes were offered by the PSA to a happy crowd!


Coffee Morning on 23rd September 2013


Other Events Supported by the PSA

1. Contribution towards BSME Games2. MAMAMIA Play in Jan.2013:

Refreshments catered by the PSA : Arabic sweets, petits fours & drinks

3. Book week – Marguerite Van Galdermalsen who wrote “Married to a Bedouin”

4. Primary school Pajama night: cookies, and refreshments for parents in the library

5. ICS Art Exhibition in June 20136. Organisation of a lecture by Bassem

Farraj about energy during GREEN WEEK

7. Welcome Pack CD offered to new ICS families and staff

PSA Charity Activities 2012/2013

The ICS annual Smile in a Box campaign took place in January 2013. Students, parents and staff from ICS collected, decorated and filled 400 shoeboxes with toys, gifts and hygiene products. The boxes were delivered by ICS students from across the school. This year’s boxes went to four schools; Khawla Bint Al Awar, Husban, Manyshyyet Husban and Sayadat Al Salam. As ever, the boxes lived up to their name and really did bring a smile to the faces of those who received them.

Smile In A Box January 2013 Starting the New Year with a Smile!

We would like to thank our sponsors “The Group”, Hammoudeh, and the Children’s Museum as well as all the volunteers who helped to sort the boxes.

The Cancer Campaign – From the Lowest to the Highest Point on Earth for Cancer

This year ICS took part in a special project to raise awareness of the affects of cancer and to raise funds to help those suffering from the disease. We did this by supporting 20 prominent Jordanians who walked from the Dead Sea to the base camp of Everest. We bought promotional bracelets for all the students and collected donations. Altogether we raised 6,200JD’s. In return the ICS Flag was flown at base camp!



This was a new venture for the PSA which proved to be so successful that we hope to extend it this year. The PSA provided five families with a gas heater, two gas bottles and a variety of basic food stuffs. This was run in conjunction with Community Service and Secondary School students were involved in all aspects of the campaign. As you can see, it wasn’t always as easy as it sounds!

Winter Warmer


New legs for Maram Mohammed

Maram developed gangrene in her legs when she was two years old. Unfortunately the disease spread and she had to have most of her legs amputated. When we met her she needed new artificial legs, as her old legs were damaged and , even worse, were causing ulcers on what remained of her legs.

The PSA organised a consultation with a specialist doctor and for her to be fitted with two new legs. This means that she is no longer housebound and can go to school!


ICS Summer Camp Scholarships

Another successful new venture which we hope to repeat in the coming year. ICS offered four places to students from a local government school, Princess Haya to join the ICS Camp.

The four students in question had such a good time they asked if they can join next year!

PSA Charity Activities 2012/2013 Art Exhibition and Donation to the Hussein Society

Jordan For Training & Inclusion

The Annual Art exhibition raises money for the Hussein Centre. The PSA provided coffee and biscuits during the exhibition. We also donated money to the cause.


Khawla Bint Al Azawar is a government girls school in Naour. It is an unusual school as it also houses a disabled unit which is visited weekly by students from the ICS Community Service programme . This year the students led a project, funded by the PSA, to provide new playground equipment as the old equipment was in a dangerous state of disrepair. The PSA also paid for classrooms and corridors to be repainted.

Playground built at Khawla Bint Al Azwar School for Girls

Enjoying the new playground The finished mural


The ICS Community Service group were asked to provide the decorations for the Fair, as well as all of the games. This was funded by the PSA. As you can see, it was great fun!

International Day for the Disabled Fair at Sayadat Al Salem


The PSA renovated two houses last year for needy families in Naour. Both required new windows and roof repairs. One house, belonging to Abdul Hamid ,also needed a fan. Both families were pleased with the results.

House Renovations


Whiteboards for Princess Haya School

The PSA purchased 8 Whiteboards plus pens and erasers for the Princess Haya School, Naour. This means that we have provided whiteboards for all the classrooms over the past two school years.


Tawjihi Scholarships

The PSA provided Tawjihi Scholarships for 10 girls from Khawla Bint Al Azwar. Without them, the students would be unable to complete their education.

PSA Financials 2012/13


School 'Wish List'

40%

Charitable donations

40%

PSA run-ning

budget20%

PSA Funds Allocation


PSA running budget

Schoolwish list

Charity account

Total JOD

Opening balance in Sept 2012 9,669 18,885 20,558 49,112

Net amount spent from allocated budget 7,278 18,885 17,906 44,069

Balance in Sept 2013 2,391 0 2,652 5,043

Food Fair funds 2013 8,364 16,729 16,729 41,822

Budget available for PSA activities 2013/14 10,755 16,729 19,381 46,865

The PSA EC took over a budget of JD 49,112 in September 2012:


1. PSA Running Budget

Opening Balance Sept 2012 9,669 9,669.000 Election day Food 118.000 9,551.000Bonfire 347.000 9,898.000Student Council Soft drinks 150.000 10,048.000BSME 1,000.000 9,048.000Chalk Talk 916.400 8,131.600

Reading Night-Catering

100.000 8,031.600Jordan Times Ad for food fair 844.000 7,187.600Chalk Talk 1,276.000 5,911.600May Ball 1,449.400 4,462.300BBQ party in June 1,614.048 2,848.250Banners and Flyers 157.600 2,690.650Chairs bought for food fair 300.000 2,390.650

Balance End of Sept 2013 2,390.650


2. PSA Wish List Budget

Food Fair 2012 Income 18,885 Material bought 18,885

The academic and administration staff requested and received the following material:

1) Library book trays + shelves + books. 2) Contribution towards the new Drama hall: curtains and benches. 3) Contribution towards 10 new computer desks + 10 new desk tops. 4) Contribution towards Six Form furniture.5) Contribution towards shading over playground.6) Fridge for staff room.7) Contribution towards Equipment for Food Technology.

Balance End of Sept 2013 0

PSA Financials 2012/20133. PSA Charity Budget

Starting balance Sept 2012 20,558Playground Khawla School 1,150

White boards Haya school 928

International Day for the Disabled 50Chocolate – Smile in a Box 120

Winter warmer in Naour 970

Renovation of house nr. 1 1,300

Markers for Haya school 100Bracelet – Cancer awareness campaign 1,200Donation to Art Fair 1,000

Wish list of Hay Al Shahyed 1,200Smile in a Box sundry expenses 93

Painting artwork in Khawla school 1,600Renovation of house nr. 2 1,200New legs for Reham 1,400Extra donation to Cancer Foundation 2,540Donation to FFSDP (Lina Mouasher) 1,000ICS summer camp scholarship for 4 children 520Summer camp clothes kits for 4 children 100Extra fence for playground in Khawla school 450Puppets making for Syrian refugees (Sue’s project) 150Al Sana Association for special need children 600PSA Award Cup for Ibrahim Roman 35

Tawjihi scholarships 200

TOTAL SPENT 17,906

Balance 29th Sept 2013 2, 652


Sponsors 24,900.00 Entrance tickets 9,256.00 Food stalls 9,921.40 Games ticket sales 3,125.25 Raffle ticket sales 1,908.80 Commercial stalls 500.00 Soft drinks sales 1,276.00 Crafts stalls 825.00 Bottle stall 335.00 Auction 400.00 Ice cream 371.50 Food Fair total gross income 52,818.95

Food Fair expenses - 10,996.75

Food Fair 2013 net income 41,822.20

2013 ICS Food Fair financials


School 'Wish List'

40%

Charitable donations 40%

PSA running budget20%

PSA Funds Allocation for THIS academic Year 2013 / 2014

10,755 JOD

16,729 JOD

19,381 JOD

These funds will be wisely managed by the newly elected PSA today, in full consensus and open cooperation with the school management

PSA Elections this 29th September 2013

The current EC members are willing to be part of the PSA Executive Committee this year :

1. Susmita Dastidar, parent2. Lorraine Karmi, teacher3. Sue Gifford, teacher, Charity sub-committee4. Kameel Saliba, parent 5. Hannah Manneh, staff and treasurer

The following persons have decided to run as well :

6. Lina Beaury7. Arwa Helou Kreis8. Victoria Davis9. Badi Sharaiha10. Sara Hardie11. Fazeeha Nizam

The Principal, John Bastable, is automatically part of the PSA as Honorary President


Candidates

SUSMITA STOMAYER DASTIDARMy name is Susmita Dastidar. We are an American/Indian family with three children in the school, in primary and secondary. I was Chair of the PSA for 2013, and, with a wonderful team, we organized many events during the year and supported initiatives put forward by the staff. My biggest success was the Food Fair, our biggest fundraiser, which made around 43,000 JDs for the PSA, after expenses. I was directly involved as sponsorship coordinator and co-chair. We introduced some interesting new events, such as our 'Speaker of the Month' series and sponsoring local children to our Summer Camp program. I hope to continue to do as much as possible for the PSA this year as well.


Candidates

LORRAINE KARMI

My name is Lorraine Karmi and I am the vice-chair of the PSA. I have enjoyed working at the ICS for 13 years. I have been on the PSA for most of that period. I am married with four grown children all at university and I have lived in Amman for the past 30 years. I enjoy organising events such as the bonfire nights, quiz- and bingo nights, and of course the Food Fair for which I was the Master of Ceremony and co-host with Beat FM. I look forward to working with the new Executive Committee and I think that together we will create some great events for all ages. Your ideas are always welcome.


Candidates

SUE GIFFORDMy name is Sue Gifford and my husband and I moved to Jordan two years ago. We have previously worked in International schools in 10 different countries. I really believe that a school is about so much more than academic learning, important though academic learning is. The PSA helps to provide many of the other aspects which make a great school and gives students broad and enriching experiences. In most school I have worked in I have led Community Service activities and ICS is no exception. The secondary Community Service programme now runs twice a week and involves large numbers of students and teachers. The work of the students is supported by the PSA and as a member of the PSA Charity Committee as was able to coordinate the joint efforts of the PSA and Community Service. I hope to continue this work over the coming year.


Candidates

KAMEEL SALIBA

My name is Kameel Saliba and one of my children, Marwan, is in year 4 at the ICS. I am the school administrator and used to be on the Board before that. I like being involved in the PSA as a parent, and my position in school allows me to give full support to the PSA activities.


Candidates

HANNA MANNEH

Hi, my name is Hanna Manneh. I Am the Treasurer of the PSA; I work for the ICS as an accountant. I am looking forward to working again with the new PSA members to give our community, the parents and the students a good idea about our school and what it can do for them.


Candidates

Lina BEAURYI am a freelance journalist from Colombia. Married to a Frenchman and we have two beautiful girls. Théa was born in Costa Rica and now is in year 5 and Mila who was born in Canada is right now in year 3.This is our 4th year in Jordan and we love our life here. We have lived in amazing countries like Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Canada, Egypt and Jordan.I would love to join the PSA because I'm sure that we can do a lot of good things for the community, for the school and of course for our children.


Candidates

Arwa Helou KhreisIt has been less than a month since we, Khreis family, have joined the ICS and we are already in love with the school. I am so grateful for the beautiful environment at our school, my 6 years old boy Tareq in Year 2, for the first time “in his school life” I hear him saying “mom, I can’t wait for tomorrow” oh… this meant the world for me as I have had very difficult time in previous years. As for Faisal, my eldest boy in Year 5, who is enjoying school like never before comes home every day with a very positive attitude towards school telling me how much he loves the school.This makes me happy and so willing to help and get more involved in any possible way. I know how much effort is needed to help a non-for-profit institute, as I have spent more than 10 years of my life working for a non-governmental non-for-profit organization and I’m still helping as a volunteer. Through my work I have helped many community-based activities and events to become projects for the organization supporting its existence and sustainability. I am also a person who enjoys helping people a lot and that’s what I do through professional trainings I am involved in. Becoming one of the PSA committee members will help me continue working on something that I believe in and love to do; on the other hand, I know that I can support the work of the committee by sharing my skills and experience in fundraising and campaigns management.


Candidates

Victoria Davis

My name is Victoria Davis. We have been 3 years in Jordan and ICS, having moved from Scotland. We have 2 kids in ICS, Alexander in Y7 and Katerina in Y5. I am a qualified doctor but I have retrained as a Lecturer in Nutrition when we moved to Scotland. I have been volunteering at school for reading assessments for a year and a half, then I provided maternity cover for couple of TAs a year ago. When I qualified as a CELTA teacher at the beginning of this year I volunteered for the rest of the last academic year for EAL department both in Primary and Secondary. I have been running the Russian Stall during the Food Fair for the past 3 years. I would like to join the PSA to be able to see what PSA can do for the ICS community and provide my broad skills to help PSA in their work which helps both ICS children and the children in the local community.


Candidates

Badi Sharaiha

I am married to my beautiful wife Raghad Ammari who is enrolled at the ICS and works as Learning Support Assistant. Wadie, ourson, is also enrolled at ICS (FS 2C).I graduated from the Lebanese American University, majored in Business Administration and minored in Political Science. I am a member of CISV (Children International Summer Village) Jordan. I believe my contact list will always come in handy – especially when it’s time to gather sponsors for ICS events I am determined to deliver my best to ensure a better future for Wadie and our future generations.

Thank you for giving us a chance to help the local community!

The PSA Executive Committee worked tirelessly to deliver on all planned projects, taking into considerations different cultures and sensibilities, bringing individual expertise and experience, while always keeping in mind the best interests of the ICS Community and its impact on the local community.

Many thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors and friends who assisted in making our tenure as PSA Executive Committee a successful one.

Documents

The International Community School, Amman Parents and Staff Association (PSA) Annual General Meeting, 29 September 2013