6 | ICS ADDIS | 2019-21 we did have a team . And we moved immediately from a ‘ normal ’ routine of meeting every six weeks or so , to weekly Zoom meetings with the Head of School through the final five months of the year .
The Board and Leadership acted with the sense of urgency and deliberate purpose needed to take care of our community .
During this period , the Board supported the Leadership team in two critical tasks :
• Developing a comprehensive plan to maintain educational instruction and complete the school curricula with our community dispersed and the campus closed
• Creating a financial and operational model to ensure ICS could re-open in a manner that ensured students would be able to learn at the highest levels with our best teaching faculty
In early March , at a time when uncertainty and contrasting perceptions of the severity of Covid-19 still persisted , the ICS leadership team led the way in taking decisive action early in the pandemic ; the decision to close the school at very short notice took many by surprise . This and many other decisions that followed were not easy , nor were they all welcomed by some in the community .
It is important to note that at the heart of decision making was a key factor : that our community is not the cause of Coronavirus spreading in Ethiopia - either from bringing it back upon the return of several hundred international families to Addis from trips abroad or from allowing our extended and close community to congregate on our campus during school and community recreational time . The Board and Leadership team were convinced this was the right thing to do . With the benefit of hindsight , we know it was absolutely the correct thing to do .
This is what it means to be ‘ our best with Africa and the world ’.
The decision to end instruction several weeks early , likewise , was taken for the right reasons ( the declining ability of children to absorb information and persist with remote online learning , in disparate locations , with the difficulty , newness , and untested mechanics of it ). The online learning experience - in method and execution - was challenging and very far from perfect . The reality was often exhaustion and frustration ; nevertheless , kudos must go to everyone - children , parents , and teachers - for managing to get through that period .
The school shared its decision-making , communications steps , and detailed plans with other African international schools in our network , with educational associations , and with the Ethiopian authorities .
From that end of year experience , our school ’ s educators and leaders worked exceptionally hard to prepare for the 2020-21 academic year . The Re-opening Playbook is a testament to the utter dedication and professionalism of ICS staff . The response to our school opening from our community has been heartening and affirming .
Looking ahead , the Board remains committed to supporting the leadership team and staff in their efforts to deliver an outstanding educational program . Nevertheless this year , we do so with a renewed and paramount focus on ensuring the continued health , security , and wellness of our children and staff . Whatever else we achieve we must - all of us - do what is needed to look after ourselves .
As a Board we will redouble our efforts to improve our communications with our stakeholders , to ensure ICS Association members ’ voices and opinions are heard . We will reflect and selfevaluate . We will revamp our own operating procedures . And critically , we will participate in extensive work with school leaders towards accreditation by the Council for International Schools . We are also delighted to welcome our new Board members ; Hanania Negede , Mimi Steward , and Vinson Anderson to the team .
On behalf of the Board I would like to thank the Head of School , Dr . Tim Stuart , our Board Administrator , Kristi Williams , the extended leadership team , all of the professional and support staff for the extraordinary efforts , courage , and endurance they have shown in delivering what has been a truly exceptional performance to close the 2019-20 year .
Finally , thank you to the ICS Association and community for the continued support .
Best wishes ,
Patrick Scott Chair , ICS Board of Governors