NEED TO READ NEWS
2020-2021
At a glance
From the Head of Primary: To synchronise learning or not synchronise learning, that is the question...
From the Head of Secondary: Secondary Communication
From the Deputy Head of Secondary: Jamie Regan
CGB Digital
CONTACT US
From the Director
From the Contingency Committee
UNCOLI and student Activities
From the Deputy Head of Secondary: Niall O`Kane
Need to Read News - 29th January
From the Doctor’s Office
From our CAS Students
From the Deputy Head of Secondary: Mónica Woodward
From the Round Square: “There is more in you than you think”
From the Admissions Department
From the American Women’s Club
Good afternoon.
I trust that everyone is well and COVID-free! (If you are not well, remember our doctor is on call for you! Just reach out to her!).
You will no doubt have seen the news that was released on Wednesday evening of the latest measures that are in place to help get Bogotá out of “Red Alert”. We were told by the government on Wednesday 27th January that in order for this to happen the occupancy of ICU beds must be under 80%. (To see current statistics as to the occupancy of ICU beds in Bogotá, please click here) At the time of writing this article the rate was 90.8% - which is 1.2% lower than the day before - but for the numbers to continue decreasing, we all need to play our part.
From the Director
What else was included in the new rules set out on Wednesday?
From the Director
Information taken from the memo from the Bogotá mayor’s office on Wednesday evening.
Until we are out of red alert we are not allowed to open CGB. And clearly, this decision does not rest on CGB’s shoulders. Please rest assured that we continue to flex and bend as the rules and reality change, in order to have everything ready for when we are allowed to return to the school buildings. We hope that we will be given enough warning of when this can happen in order to have the final pieces in place (namely transport and cafetería).
Please remember that the Need to Read News is where we communicate the most important information each week - in one easy to access place. You only need to read the information that is relevant to your children. Don’t be offended if you are redirected to this publication if you contact us with a question that was explained here. Thank you.
As always, all members of CGB’s staff are here to support you navigate learning during this time. If you need us, please reach out. (The contact list can be found later on in the Need to Read News).
Finally, I saw these two images published on Linked In - and I think it is fitting for us ALL to stop and be kind to ourselves for everything we are doing and achieving in such challenging times - and to simply accept what is happening to us - while remaining positive that things will get better.
Have a healthy weekend.
�Robert
From the Director
From the Head of Primary
To synchronise learning or not synchronise learning, that is the question...
Synchronous learning is any type of learning that takes place in real-time, where a group of people are engaging in learning simultaneously. Synchronous learning enables children to ask questions and receive answers on-the-spot, while also collaborating freely with their classmates and teachers.
Asynchronous learning is more learner-centred. It enables your child to complete learning without the constraints of having to be in a certain place at a certain time. As long as they have access to the internet, asynchronous learners have the freedom to complete course materials whenever they choose, and from any location. Although not taking place then and there, asynchronous learning still allows the opportunity for feedback. Children are free to share thoughts and questions and feedback will come in verbal and written form, although it may not be an immediate response.
From the Head of Primary
So which is best?
That all depends on your family and your circumstances. CGB offers a hybrid mix of synchronous and non-synchronous classes We have a minimum of one live check-in time a day, increasing to all lessons with an online component, depending on the age of the child, the level of independence, and the developmental appropriateness/practicality of learning online.
As part of our policy for virtual learning, we have not made synchronous lessons compulsory, rather our message is JOIN IF YOU CAN. We know the value of real-time interaction and we want your child to be there with us. We want to see your child online, we want to support them socially, emotionally and academically and the easiest way to do this while we are virtual is to have real-time contact.
However, also we know that some of you have multiple children at home and not necessarily enough devices or quiet spaces to have 2 or more children on calls at the same time. We understand too, that a barrier many of you face is that we have requested adult presence during online learning to provide the physical supervision and technical support that we cannot, due to distance. Depending on the age of your child this may be that you need to be sat next to them or if they are in upper KS2 it is sufficient to be close enough that they can call out for assistance. We understand that many of you are working and are unable to be close by while your child is on a call, however, for our online learning to be successful this support is important. Finally, we also know we have students spread across the globe and getting sleep is a priority over joining an online class in the middle of the night.
From the Head of Primary
Pros and cons
When comparing synchronous and asynchronous learning, both have advantages and disadvantages; what may work for one child may not work for another.
Pros of synchronous Learning:
Cons of synchronous Learning:
Pros of asynchronous Learning:
Cons of asynchronous Learning:
So what does CGB suggest?
If there is an online lesson and you can, JOIN US.�If this style does not suit your family or your child’s specific way of learning, then complete the learning on Seesaw, but most importantly make sure that you and your child access the feedback left by our teachers as this will go a long way in filling the gap left by missing the online opportunities.
From the Head of Secondary
With the uncertainty we continue to face during this pandemic, we are trying to keep students and families abreast of important information. Although you may feel overwhelmed with the communication, please know we are trying to be transparent and to keep everyone informed. When you can, please take time to carefully read through the emails shared with you on Phidias and to stay abreast of updates sent. If you have questions and need clarification, please contact the relevant people - we are here to help.
Secondary Communication
From The Deputy Head of Secondary
Niall O’Kane
Dear Year 11 Parents,
Here is the presentation from Tuesday’s meeting. If you have any questions please email me at n.okane@cgb.edu.co
Also, the Phidias Process for parents wishing to enter their children for the official IGCSE exams is now open.
Warmest regards,
Mr O’Kane
Click here for the presentation
From The Deputy Head of Secondary
Niall O’Kane
Congratulations!
We have 2 students who have been selected from thousands of applicants for the prestigious “Young Leaders in Innovation and Enterprise Program” hosted by the Harvard Student Agencies.
Well done to:
Make us proud!
From The Deputy Head of Secondary
Jamie Regan
Peer Mentoring
Students who applied and have been selected for the year 10-year 7 peer mentoring programme will receive training this week in how to be supportive mentors and the next generation of CGB leaders.
New students
The Counselling & Emotional Guidance (CEG) Department and the Pastoral Team will be organising individual check-in meetings with new students who started in January across the next couple of weeks. Please remind your children to regularly check their CGB emails and Google Calendars by switching on notifications on their devices.
From The Deputy Head of Secondary
Mónica Woodward
IB Exams
We continue waiting to hear from the International Baccalaureate about the May/June exam session. When we have more information, we will notify you as soon as possible.
IB mocks
Mocks are planned to run in the following dates:
Tuesday 23rd of March- Friday 26th of March and Monday 12th to Friday 16th April.
UNCOLI and Student Activities news
Are you at home at times and don't know what to do? Do you want to do fun and exciting activities?
We invite you to be part of our classes, sessions that are designed to last half an hour and that will make you spend some fun time with your family and friends.
Co-curricular activities are going stronger than ever!
To see all these activities and more, we invite you to Click Here and discover all the fun there is in our platform.
From The Round Square
During the pandemic, Round Square has kept very active and our Round Square students have had the opportunity to participate in many zoom meetings with children from all over the world.
Please see below some of their comments:
“There is more in you than you think”
It was really interesting to get so many different perspectives on what internationalism means to people from all types of different cultures and backgrounds, I was also able to reflect on my own ideas and bounce off of others
Alexandra Paredes
Did you know that CGB is a Round Square school?
Kurt Hahn was the founder of Round Square. He believed that given the appropriate set of circumstances and the correct attitude, young men and women could discover their own inner strength and an understanding of the physical and social world around them.
From The Round Square
I was able to learn more about other people beliefs towards the subject social media and how it has affected their life and the way they communicate on the online world
Dylan Bonilla
By attending this activity we were given the opportunity to learn how students from different backgrounds perceived social media, it's benefits, disadvantages, how it affects our mental health and a general discussion on bans on social media.
Andres Parra
It was since to interact and get to know people from the Americas. The activity was pretty cool as it required us to take place in a virtual scavenger hunt.
Maria Sosa
It was innovative idea and it was a good way to get to get to know people from North and South America. I enjoyed learning how the different knowledge that everyone had from experience of travelling the world.
Juliana Sosa
From The Round Square
The students are also planning to host a CGB Round Square meeting. Find the details below.
From the Doctor’s Office
If we want to get back to normal,
vaccination is the key
I want to share with you this great video where young people ask Dr. Anthony Fauci questions about vaccines.
Doctor Fauci has been the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since 1984 and has served in the terms of six U.S. presidents. He is an authority on infectious diseases
In January 2020, he was chosen as a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, formed to monitor, contain and mitigate the spread of the virus.
From the Doctor’s Office
CGB has extended the agreement with Alife Health Laboratory for COVID testing to staff family members and for CGB families.
Through this agreement we will have a special price and guarantee delivery of results in less than 24 hours.
All appointments must be scheduled by CGB doctor, so in case you need a test please contact me at my email or my phone / WhatsApp (315-543-9757).
Inform about COVID cases
It is very important for the school's medical area to be informed about COVID cases in families. That way you can count on the permanent support of the doctor and also help us to keep our records and control.
UPDATE FOR FAMILIES
TOTAL CASES
Confirmed Cases
12
Active Cases
1
Recovered Cases
11
Confirmed Cases
0
Close Contact
0
Students
Suspected Cases
0
Confirmed Cases
0
Close Contact
0
Parents
Suspected Cases
0
Confirmed Cases
3
Close Contact
0
Teachers
Suspected Cases
0
Confirmed Cases
0
Close Contact
0
Administrative Staff
Suspected Cases
0
Confirmed Cases
0
Close Contact
0
General Services
Suspected Cases
0
Students
0
Parents
0
Teachers
1
Administrative Staff
0
General Services
0
People in isolation
Closed Case: 11
* Close contact refers to people (students and / or employees) who have been less than 2 meters away for more than 15 consecutive minutes with a person with symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 or who has tested positive for Covid-19, even if a mask was being worn.
Weekly cases
From our CAS Students
Dear CGB community,
We continue accepting donations for the Cazuca food delivery project over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the beginning of the quarantine in Bogota, unemployed Cazuca families requested our help. Since then, every month we have been sending basic necessities to each of the families that requested our assistance. We would like to urge for your help as last month we were unable to deliver to the usual families due to the lack of monetary support. We would also like to thank everyone for all of the help you have been able to provide over the past few months!
Please access the process in Phidias if you wish to donate.
Please enter the school’s web page: www.cgb.edu.co
Click on Phidias and enter using your username and password
Click on COMMUNITY
Click on PROCESSES
Fill the form up: “I would like to support the Cazucá community during the COVID-19 -January”
For further questions contact us at:
From the Admissions Department
If you would like more information you can view the application process and documents required by clicking here.
Admissions for the 2021/2022 academic year are now open!
Department | Contact | Phone extension | |
Head of the Spanish Department KS2 & KS3 | Arévalo Mauricio | headofspanish_sociales@cgb.edu.co |
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Head of the Spanish Department KS4 & KS5 | Bocanegra Martha Lucia | m.bocanegra@cgb.edu.co |
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Director of Student Activities | Cancino Margarita | dirstudentact@cgb.edu.co |
|
Deputy Head of Primary | Carfrae Sara | s.carfrae@cgb.edu.co |
|
Educational Achievement Department | Chadwick Elizabeth | e.chadwick@cgb.edu.co |
|
PTA | Contact the PTA via Phidias | Contact the PTA vía Phidias |
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University Guidance Counsellor | Echeverry Angela María | universityguidance@cgb.edu.co |
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Counseling and Emotional Guidance | Gómez Claudia | emotionalguidance@cgb.edu.co |
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Director's office | Gómez Grace | dirassist@cgb.edu.co |
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Head of Secondary | Henriksen Shaun | headofsecondary@cgb.edu.co |
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Transport | Margoliner Liliana | transporte@cgb.edu.co | 310 7711575 |
Vice-Rector | Mayorga Nidya | vicerectorcgb@cgb.edu.co |
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Director | Robert Tomalin | director@cgb.edu.co | 3194276286 |
Contact Us
Department | Contact | Phone extension | |
Head of Primary | McLean Suzanne | headofprimary@cgb.edu.co |
|
Reception | Moreno Angie | reception@cgb.edu.co | 3158873788 |
Deputy Head of Secondary Curriculum | O'Kane Niall | n.okane@cgb.edu.co |
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Deputy Head of Secondary. Pastoral Leadership | Regan Jamie | j.regan@cgb.edu.co |
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Deputy Head of FS/KS1 | Register Kristen | k.register@cgb.edu.co |
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Additional Language Dept | Rhea Natalia (Primary) Tinoco Katya (Secondary) | n.rhea@cgb.edu.co k.tinoco@cgb.edu.co |
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Marketing & Community Relations | Rocha Fiorella | admissions@cgb.edu.co | 3156013709 |
Academic Secretary / Phidias issues | Romero Mariana | cgb@cgb.edu.co |
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Accountancy | Romero Maryoly | accountancy@cgb.edu.co | 3152368069 |
Academic Assistant | Strochia Sara | hosassistant@cgb.edu.co |
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Medical Centre | Tapias Carolina | doctor@cgb.edu.co | 315 5439757 |
Administrative Director / Food issues / General services / Security | Verswyvel Cristina | administrativedirector@cgb.edu.co |
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Contact Us
We have a CGB Classified Ads Group on Facebook for those of you interested in Selling, Buying or Renting Second-hand items or furniture, vehicles, properties, amongst others.
We want to reiterate that it is a closed Facebook Group for our CGB community. In a closed group, administrators must approve members and only group members can see posted content.
This group will only accept CGB parents, CGB staff, and CGB alumni. If you are interested in joining please follow the link above.
CGB Digital
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From the American Women’s Club