Holly Lane IB PYP News
The Exhibition
IB = International Baccalaureate PYP = Primary Years Programme
In the final year of the PYP (4th Grade), students participate in a culminating project, the PYP
exhibition. The exhibition requires that each student demonstrates engagement with the five essential
elements of the programme: knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and action. It is a
transdisciplinary inquiry conducted in the spirit of personal and shared responsibility, as well as
summative assessment activity that is a celebration as students move from the PYP into the middle
years of schooling.
The exhibition represents a significant event in the life of a PYP school and student, synthesizing the
essential elements of the PYP, and sharing them with the whole school community. It is an opportunity
to exhibit the attributes of the learner profile that have been developing throughout their engagement
with the PYP.
PYP Exhibition has a number of key purposes.
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For students to engage in an in-depth,
collaborative inquiry.
To provide students with an opportunity
to demonstrate independence and
responsibility for their learning.
For students to explore multiple
perspectives.
For students to synthesize and apply
their learning of previous years, and to
reflect on their journey through the PYP.
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PASSION LEADS TO INQUIRY: Students in Mrs.
Piazza’s class begin organizing their passions around
how environmental awareness can impact the
society.
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March 21, 2016
To provide an authentic process for
assessing student understanding.
To demonstrate how students can take
action as a result of learning.
To unite students, teachers, parents and
other members of the school community
in a collaborative experience that
incorporates the essential elements of
the PYP.
To celebrate the transition of learners
from primary to middle education.
Should you have any questions about the IB
PYP at Holly Lane, please visit our website:
http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/academics/g
lobal/IBPYP/Pages or contact IB Coordinator,
Dameon Headings, at headings@wlake.org
Holly Lane IB PYP News
Top Notch Tuesday
A group of students were recognized on March 1st, with an awards breakfast for exceptional effort for
being thinkers and showing creativity during February. Check out the “Top Notch Tuesday” display
beside the front office and read about why these students were selected by teachers and staff at Holly
Lane Elementary. Congratulations to those students and parents for modeling our learner profile
attributes and attitudes.
Wise Owl Wednesday
On March 2nd, students were introduced to the learner profile attribute: open-minded and the IB
attitude: tolerance. Staff members and teachers in the school will nominate a student who is being
open-minded and showing tolerance during March. Students who have been nominated by a staff
member will be invited, with their families, to a bagel breakfast hosted by Mrs. Verdone and Mrs.
Foster. Parent letters will be sent home 3-5 days in advance so that all members of the child’s family
are able to make arrangements to celebrate and show support for our Holly Lane students.
Here are some things you can do at home to encourage your child to demonstrate this attribute and
these attitudes:
Students who are OPEN-MINDED understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories,
and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are
accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the
experience.
How can parents help to develop students who are Open-Minded at home?
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Encourage your child to try out new things, new foods, new games and new activities.
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Expose your child to different festivals, celebrations and traditions and be sure to present them in
a non-judgmental way.
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Encourage your child to really listen to others when they speak.
TOLERANCE: Encourage your child or children to be sensitive about differences and diversity in the
world and being responsive to the needs of others.
Holly Lane Mission Statement:
The Holly Lane Community educates for excellence
promoting an inquiry-based environment of
internationally-minded individuals who become life-long
learners.
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March 21, 2016