Howard Stribbell, Head of School
Happy New Year! I hope that you and your family were able to enjoy the holiday season. Between Christmas, New Year’s and Chinese New Year, we are in the middle of a very festive season.
I wanted to update you on a number of items that will affect the next school year. Based on feedback from last year, we are providing parents with information earlier this year.
Open House and Applications for 2015-16
We will be hosting an Open House on February 14. The Open House is designed to introduce prospective families to our TIS community. We anticipate having an overwhelming number of applications again. TIS is committed to providing placements to siblings of existing families. To this end, the school will be sending home a letter to parents in early February to begin the registration process for siblings. We ask that parents register their child(ren) as soon as possible.
2015-16 School Calendar
The next school year will be starting one week later than usual to better align with DSEJ’s requirements. Orientation day for secondary students will be on Aug 31.
In order to meet the DSEJ’s requirements for 195 school days as well as Alberta’s timelines for final exams, we have had to get very creative. However, we were still able to keep a Fall break (Sept 28-Oct 2), Christmas break (Dec 21 – Jan 1), Chinese New Year break (Feb 8-12) and Spring break (April 4-8). The last day of school will be June 30. The final calendar will be posted online when all of the dates for school events have been finalized.
Tuition Increases for 2015-16
Recognizing the higher tuition increases last year, the board has approved a more modest increase in tuition levels for next year. School fees will increase by an average of 6% for elementary and secondary and 8% for kindergarten; or roughly $500 more per month.
| 2014-15 | Increase | 2015-16 | |
| Kindergarten | 62,000 | +5,000 | 67,000 |
| Grade 1-3 | 80,000 | +5,000 | 85,000 |
| Grade 4-6 | 85,000 | +5,000 | 90,000 |
| Grade 7-9 | 90,000 | +5,000 | 95,000 |
| Grade 10-12 | 95,000 | +6,000 | 101,000 |
Tuition increases are our primary means of increasing staff salary packages. The tuition increase will help to fund the following:
• Staff salaries – average increase of 4.5% – the bulk of the teacher salary increase improves the housing allowance to $6000/month to help offset rising housing costs
• Additional staff – 3 new staff positions in technology integration, academic counseling, and inquiry & curriculum development will benefit all teachers and students. Division coordinators will be given a small amount of additional release time so that they can better meet the needs of the students and staff within their division
• Additional office staff (2) to better meet the needs of the increased enrollment and to provide enhanced service to our families
• Additional technology available to students – more laptops, iPads and Chrome books for all students
• Additional extra curricular, athletics activities and community involvement
• New financial and student information systems to provide clearer and more efficient interactions with families
Tuition Payment Schedule for 2015-16
Following up on our previous request for feedback, the board is recommending that we change from a trimester-based schedule to a semester-based schedule. Parents currently pay one 1-month payment and then three 3-month payments. The new schedule would consist of one 1-month payment and then one 4-month and one 5-month payment.
Refreshing the Campus
While we are excited about our upcoming Phase 2, we are still committed to improving our current campus. The school will be submitting our annual School Development Plan to DSEJ and requesting funding for the following projects:
– continue to battle the sinking of the reclaimed land – this includes sidewalks, playground areas and steps
– develop the areas around the front field
– continue with repainting the hallways and classrooms
September Fee Payment
Don’t forget to reserve your spot for next year. The initial fee payment for 2015-16 will be due on April 30. The payment allows us to reserve a placement for your child. Given the increasing demand and waiting lists, it will not be possible to reserve a placement for 2015-16 unless this fee is paid.
I am already excited about next year! In the meantime, we look forward to finishing the current school year with success for all students. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to call, email or meet with me at your convenience.
新年快樂！我相信各位已渡過愉快的聖誕新年假期，春節將至，希望各位能享受節慶的喜悅。
為回應去年家長的意見，今年我們提早發放有關新學年的招生安排，資訊如下。我們再次期待熱切的報名情況，並希望盡力為TIS學生的兄弟姐妹提供學位，如有需要，請盡快為 貴子女登記；學校將於二月初向 貴家長發出通知。
開放日
開放日已定於2月14日舉行，向有興趣的家長介紹TIS。
2015-16學年上學日
根據教育暨青年局（DSEJ）的要求，下學年的開課日將延後一個星期，中學部的迎新日定為8月31日。
為配合 DSEJ要求的195天上課日，以及加拿大阿爾伯塔省的期末考試時間表，我們將作出調配。明年仍會保留秋季假期（9月28日至10月2日）、聖誕假期（12月21日至1月1日）、春節假期（2月8日至12日）及復活節假期（4月4日至8日），而最後一天上課日則為6月30日。當所有學校活動日期確實後，我們會在網上發佈明年校曆表。
2015-16學費調整
由於去年的學費升幅較高，今年校董會已通過較温和的學費增幅，中小學平均增長為6％，幼兒園為8％，即每月學費調升約澳門幣500元。
| 2014-15 | 增幅 | 2015-16 | |
| 幼兒教育 | 62,000 | +5,000 | 67,000 |
| 小一至小三 | 80,000 | +5,000 | 85,000 |
| 小四至小六 | 85,000 | +5,000 | 90,000 |
| 初中一至三 | 90,000 | +5,000 | 95,000 |
| 高中一至三 | 95,000 | +6,000 | 101,000 |
調整學費是教職人員加薪的主要資源，增加的學費亦會調配到下列各項：
• 員工薪金 － 平均增幅為 4.5％ 並調升教師之房屋津貼至每月澳門幣6000元，以補貼住房支出。
• 新職位招聘 – 科技支援、升學諮詢、課程開發範疇開設3個新職位，這安排將惠及所有教師及學生。級協調員獲得額外課餘時間，更好地服務該組別的學生及員工。
• 校務處新聘兩位員工，以配合不斷上升的報名人數，為家長提供更好的服務
• 為學生提供額外資訊科技設備 – 增加手提電腦、iPad及Chromebook的數量
• 增加課外活動、運動項目及社區活動
• 加入全新財務及學生資料管理系統，為家長提供更清晰、更有效率的資訊平台。
2015-16學費付款時間表
根據已進行的家長意見調查，校董會建議學費付款期由四期改三期，以上、下學期為基礎。目前，第一期付1個月學費，第二至四期分別付3個月。新安排將改為第一期付1個月學費，第二期付4個月，第三期則付5個月。
校園修繕工程
校舍擴建計劃正在進行中，我們會繼續致力改善現有校園的狀況，並會向DSEJ提交學校年度發展計劃，申請資源進行下列工程。
• 繼續處理土地沉降問題 ﹣ 行人路、操場及樓級
• 正門操場 ﹣ 擴展其他多元用途
• 繼續走廊及課室之油漆工程
2015-16第一期學費
如 貴子女希望於明年繼續在本校就讀及保留學位，需於本年 4月30日或之前繳交2015-16學年第一期學費。由於學位需求殷切及等候名單不斷增加，如未能於到期日前繳付有關學費，恕未能為 貴子女保留學位。
我十分期待明年的來臨！並希望所有學生能成功完成本年的學業。如有疑問或意見，請隨時致電本校，或以電郵聯絡我們，亦可安排面談。
敬希垂注!