BCIS holds regular workshops known as Parents as Learners (PAL) Workshops on topics of general interest to parents. The sessions are led either by BCIS faculty members or guest experts.

Please note that PAL workshops are only open to BCIS parents (unless stated otherwise).

Upcoming PAL Workshops:

PYP Workshop: Going Further

Presenters: Chantelle Parsons and Alicia Brena Nuno

Date: Friday, 7 May 2021

Time: 08:45 - 10:00am

Venue: ES Atrium

Open To: ECC and ES Parents

Description: This workshop is for parents who already know the basics of the PYP and are wanting to know a little more. We will frame the session around inquiry-based learning, looking more in depth into the BCIS curriculum, going further with our understanding of the IB and thinking about how parents can be involved with their child’s learning. We will use some of the questions below to guide the workshop:

• How can parents support their child in their learning?
• How can parents collaborate with the school to support learning?

Digging deeper into focus and concentration

Presenters: Jose Tapia and Sara Wylie

Date: Monday, May 10th 2021

Time: 08:30 - 09:20am

Venue: Training Room 1107

Open to: ES Parents

With so many distractions and fun activities around us, sometimes it is hard for students to stay focused. The Learning Support team takes you into a deeper look on how focus, concentration and memory work. We will also be sharing simple strategies to help your child stay focused and organized. This PAL workshop is suitable for ES parents who would like to learn more about how to help your child navigate a highly-sensory world.

We Only Have One Body: Physical Literacy – The Need for Movement

Presenter: David Cooney

Date: Friday, May 21st 2021

Time: 8:45 - 10:30am

Venue: ES Atrium

Open to: ECC and ES Parents

The human body was designed to move. Sitting, television, our modern lifestyle, these are all contributing to, what has been dubbed by the World Health Organization, as a pandemic of inactivity. To counter this problem, it is essential that we and our children become physically literate. This workshop is for parents who would like to learn more about how we can support our children to learn about movement. A child who is a confident mover is more likely to be a child who will grow up to be an active and healthy adult – an absolute necessity in today’s sedentary world. This workshop will cover:

• How BCIS promotes physical literacy
• How you, as parents, can assist in creating a confident mover
• Simple activities and exercises
• Gamification (turning exercises into games to engage your child)

International Mindedness at BCIS: What is it and how can we build it?

Presenter: David Whitmarsh

Date: Tuesday, May 25th 2021

Time: 8:45 -10:00 am

Venue: ES Atrium

Open to: All parents

International mindedness is at the core of the IB programmes and international education in general. At BCIS, it not only plays a shaping role in the vision and mission of the school but also heavily influences the way we teach, the content we cover and what we expect from students within the BCIS family. As students move through the school and eventually graduate, we know they will require more than just knowledge to participate at universities and beyond in the 21^st century. An international mindset is considered by many as an essential attribute to help negotiate the ever changing and increasingly interconnected world. Despite this, it is still a concept that is not widely recognized or understood. This workshop is for parents who are interested in the concept of international mindedness, the role it may play in their child’s growth and development and how they can support this growth at home. The workshop will cover:

• What international mindedness is and what it looks like
• How international mindedness can lead to a great appreciation of a person’s own culture and place in the world
• How international mindedness can be a positive tool for students who wish to play a wider role in the world
• How you can help support and nurture this mindset and disposition at home

How to Support Your Child at Home

Presenters: ES EAL Team

Date: Friday, May 27th 2021

Time: 8:30 - 9:30am

Venue: ES Atrium

Open to: ES Parents

As summer break draws near, the EAL team will share strategies and ideas for how to support your child at home in both reading and writing, as well as the importance of Mother Tongue.

To register for PAL workshops, please contact your child’s school division secretary: