EIS "HeadsUp!"

Dear EIS Community,

As we wave goodbye to 2024, please enjoy the last edition of the HeadsUp newsletter this year. I am truly excited to look back at an exciting month of December with its festivities, theater shows, charity initiatives – all of which have brought us together as a community in very meaningful ways. I wish everyone an amazing winter break, a Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year!

November-December 2024

November-December 2024

Artūrs Piļkēvičs

Artūrs Piļkēvičs

Over the past two weeks, students from our Preschool, Primary School, Middle School, and High School enthusiastically participated by donating toys and writing heartfelt messages for the hospital's patients. These contributions were collected in three special drop boxes, and today, we are thrilled to announce that we have surpassed last year’s collection!
We thank everyone who participated in this project. We are proud of your generosity. Let’s keep this spirit alive and continue to make a difference!

Our G11 and G9 students—Valery, Aleksandrs, Danila, Egor, Theo, and Louis attended the BerlIn Model United Nations (BerlInMUN) conference, which this year focused on the theme “Fostering Global Citizenship among Identities and Responsibilities.”

Model United Nations is an event where students simulate the work of the United Nations by representing different countries in committees that tackle global issues. Beyond contributing to the development of global citizenship and international-mindedness—key elements of our school’s mission and curriculum—MUN serves as an incredible boot camp for real-life skills and networking. Student teams from many countries come together to sharpen their negotiation, debate, presentation, and leadership skills while learning the value of teamwork and the real-world impact of their ideas. This experience isn’t just about simulating diplomacy; it’s about preparing to take meaningful action and inspiring change as future leaders.

Participation in BERMUN has become a tradition for the EIS MUN Club, and our students are already actively preparing to host their own MUN event at EIS this year. A big thank-you goes to Mr. Stephen Walker, our Head of Arts and MUN Club coordinator, for his support and guidance. Stay tuned for more MUN updates!

EIS a Full Member of the Boarding Schools’ Association!
We’re thrilled to share some amazing news and celebrate a significant milestone: Exupery International School (EIS) is now a fully accredited member of the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA), the leading authority in boarding education worldwide.

The BSA International Accreditation Final Report was issued following a comprehensive inspection of our boarding program and facilities, officially confirming that we meet BSA's high standards — and even exceed some of them.

BSA accreditor Mr. Dale Wilkins, who visited our school, shared this about EIS boarding: “The school exceeds the standard relating to personal support from staff and other professionals and for the quality of relationships between boarders and other boarders and between boarders and other staff. The current boarding staff, especially the Head of Boarding, create an exceptionally warm and nurturing environment for the young people.”

BSA's recognition reflects the incredible care, dedication, and expertise of our boarding team. It also underscores our commitment to be "home away from home." A special thanks to our Head of Boarding, Mr. Aleksandrs Melniks, and the entire boarding team for their effort and dedication to our students.

Okay, maybe not quite—but that’s the spirit we’re going for! While preparing for many exciting events and celebrations of the festive season, we have decorated our school and our boarding house in style. We are excited to join the Boarding Schools' Association's 'Deck The Halls' challenge where our super cute Christmas Tree in our super cozy boarding lounge will be featured on social media around the world. Just take a look!

Once again, our community came together to make a difference through a “Giving Tree” initiative! We have been able to make Christmas more special for 297 children by working with orphanages and foster homes to find out the Christmas wishes, collecting the presents from our community, sorting and delivering them to the children.

The special magic of this initiative is the joy and transformation it produced in the hearts of our community. It was incredible to see us all coming together to make this happen. Students, parents, faculty and staff contributed and worked together, including our HR, Admissions, Marketing, Finance teams, and even our Lawyer — all serving as elves to help sort, distribute, and deliver the presents.

The last week of school was a truly festive adventure. The Christmas decorations and several Christmas trees with student made toys in them created a festive atmosphere. Special dress up days initiated by the student councils in Primary and Middle/High added to the fun of the experience to students. Of course, the Christmas concerts in Preschool and Primary were events every student, parent and grandparent were eagerly waiting for. All students participated in performances ranging from ballet and singing to dancing. Playing musical instruments and reciting poetry.

Talking about performances – the middle and high school students produced and performed a play “Aladdin” on three different occasions – for primary students, for parents, and for the students of the Middle&High. It was a great success and we are thankful to all students, staff and parents who helped making this last week of school a memory to cherish!

Our talented little ones took the stage, bringing the magic of The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats to life. Through songs, dances, poems, and their sparkling energy, they guided us into a snowy wonderland, where magic filled the air.

The concert kicked off with “Bonhomme de neige,” followed by “Here Comes the Snow,” a cheerful tune that got everyone in the winter spirit. The journey continued with “Le pingouin du pôle nord” and a graceful ribbon dance, symbolizing the falling snowflakes. The performance culminated in a beautiful presentation and reading of The Snowy Day, and a heartwarming rendition of “Let It Snow!” as all the children came together to celebrate the season.

We are so proud of their hard work, enthusiasm, and love of learning! A big thank you to our Preschool Music Teacher, Vēsma Ozoliņa, for her vision; to Preschool Homeroom Teacher, Taylor Anne Garber, for narrating the book; to Preschool Art Teacher and Latvian Language Teacher, Linda Lūsiņa, for the wonderful decorations; to Ballet Studio Head Teacher, Ella Belugina, for her art direction; and to all our dedicated teachers, assistants, nannies, and families for making this event possible. It truly reflects the wonder of childhood and the power of community!

Just before the winter break, our smallest learners experienced a Christmas Miracle! Santa visited them with a big red bag full of presents, and their faces lit up with pure joy and excitement. It was a blast as the children gathered around, eagerly waiting to see what surprises Santa had in store for them.

The magic of the season filled the air as each child received a special gift, and Santa shared a few warm words of holiday cheer. The visit was a perfect way to end a wonderful term and bring joy to our little ones just before the festive break.

A huge thank you to Santa for making this moment so unforgettable, and to all our teachers and families for making this holiday season extra special!