CPSD Int'l Baccalaureate program to be discussed at Nov. 9 meeting

Creation of an International Baccalaureate (IB) program in the Clover Park School District, with initial funding provided by Lakewood Rotary Club, will be the subject of an informal presentation Thursday, Nov. 9 at Lakewood City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting will start at 7 pm.

The informational meeting is open to teachers, students, parents and the community at large. The meeting is being hosted by the Rotary Club of Lakewood.

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a recognized leader in the field of international education, encouraging students to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens. Founded in 1968, the organization currently works with nearly 1,900 schools in 124 countries to develop and offer three challenging programs to more than 482,000 students aged three to 19 years.

“Lakewood Rotarians are offering the school district funding for the startup and five years of training and materials for the IB program,” said Greg Rediske, president of the 135-member Rotary Club of Lakewood.

He said the cost is expected to be just under $150,000 over five years.

Rediske said Lakewood Rotary Club visualizes a high school program initially. He explained that club members have discussed the program extensively at recent meetings and overwhelmingly agreed to make the offer to the school district and community.

“The Nov. 9 informational workshop is the next step in bringing information about the IB program to the greater Lakewood community,” Rediske said.

The IB program is offered in a number of Puget Sound area school districts. A school district must apply to the International Baccalaureate Organization to be accepted into the program. Teachers participate in special training for specified curriculum and the IBO mandates testing. Certain levels of student achievement must be maintained in order for a program to be retained in a district.

“Our Rotary Club members are very active throughout the community,” Rediske said. “We want to make Lakewood and the Clover Park Schools the best possible. We strongly believe the better our schools the more accomplished our children can be and that makes the best possible community.”

In the past the Lakewood Rotary Club has raised funds and helped develop the Lakewood YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, St Clare Hospital Emergency Room, Renal Dialysis Center at St Joseph Hospital, and most recently, coordinated construction of the Playground at Ft. Steilacoom Park.

Additional information on the IBO is available online at: http://www.ibo.org