This is the story of two “free spirits”. One man from the United States, immensely affected by the death of his beloved grandfather many years ago, sells everything he owns in the United States, packs his wife and kids and sets off to Europe to see the world over thirty years ago. But in the process, he becomes a world class scholar, learns to speak French and other languages, begins a teaching career and eventually becomes a Principal. Voila! Dr. Bill Moon.
The other man, Mr. Eric Muhumuza, a young determined, intelligent man who lived as a war refugee in a tent for three years with his mother and brother in the Congo comes to America speaking no English. The paths of Dr. Moon and Eric cross at remarkable place called the International Community School in Decatur, Georgia.
This morning’s guest speakers were Principal Mr. “Bill” Moon and former student Mr. Eric Muhumuza of the International Community School [ICS] in Avondale, Georgia. Eric is a mass communications major college student.
In the 1980’s-1990’s, DeKalb county was flooded with a massive influx of foreign students from war torn countries who spoke no English. And so ICS was ‘born’. A charter school composed of half U.S. children and half refugee children. The administrators, teachers, and children taught the people of DeKalb county how to ‘take a risk’…learn about the customs, religions, languages, and foods of other cultures. American families became involved and friends with other families from around the world who sent their children to ICS. And so a school was born.
ICS is a first time, charter school which opened in the fall of 2002 with limited funds from the State. It is designed to bring together refugee, immigrant, and native born children in an academically, nurturing environment.
Unlike public schools which have had their curriculums stripped down to just a reading, writing and math curriculum, ICS has instituted the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program which is designed to nourish a student’s social, cultural, physical, emotional and intellectual needs and provide a well rounded education in the arts, languages, science, mathematics and physical education.
This ICS program addresses ‘global themes’ that match the collective identity of the student body. ICS’ intention is to include all cultures to preserve the cultural, religious, ethnic, social, and economic differences of the student body. Everybody is meaningful and important. Everyone learns from their global perspective.
ICS is a registered 501 3c non-profit organization and greatly needs your financial support. Because the school is a public charter school, it is not funded at the same level as other DeKalb county schools. ICS must look to other funding sources to make up the shortfall each year.
Won’t you help! If you have any questions pertaining to donations or fund raising, please call the school’s development Director, Ms. Wendy Silver, at 404-499-8969 or email at wsilver@intcomschool.org.
For more information concerning ICS, please access their website at www.intcomschool.org.
*Note: ICS was featured in a New York Times story and video Dec. 25, 2007.
Tomorrow, March 26th interclub meeting with Burt Manning speaking and his ‘sidekick’ Ronni French at the Alpharetta Club, 29 south Main Street at the Snakejack Restaurant. Come see and hear Burt and lend your support. For more info contact Kevin Isakson @ KIsakson@isaksonbarnhart.com.
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