Dear Pan-American School Community,

I hope this message finds you well as we come to the end of our third week of learning of the 2024-2025 academic year. It has been a very busy, yet rewarding, start to the school year as we look to establish the routines and focus that will guide us over the coming months.

As we continue to evolve and adapt to the rapidly changing educational landscape, we have been working on a range of initiatives regarding the systematic integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into learning, and I wanted to share some of these important developments with you all.

RAIL Endorsement from Middle Schools Association: A Global First

I am proud to announce that Pan-American School has been accepted to the cohort of the “RAIL Founding Fifty,” a highly select group of schools who are leading the way in delivering AI in Learning. This first-of-its-kind global endorsement recognizes our commitment to the responsible use of AI in education. Being part of this pioneering group puts us at the forefront of educational innovation and ethical technology use; our AI Advisory Team will be working from August to November to deliver on this endorsement, ensuring that what we do aligns with this important framework.

Why were we chosen for this?

In his communication accepting our candidacy, President & CEO of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA), one of the world’s original school accreditors, highlighted how our “application stood out in a highly competitive pool of applicants from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and North America.” Among “an overwhelming volume of applications … our commitment to AI literacy, safety, and ethics resonates with our vision for great learning experiences supported by the responsible adoption of AI.”

Why the RAIL Endorsement?

The RAIL Endorsement is the first AI endorsement offered by K-12 school accreditation agencies. It has just been launched by MSA and provides schools with a framework for safe, ethical and responsible use of genAI, as well as access to best practices and trustworthy resources for AI integration. By collaborating in this initiative, we will be able to align our use of genAI to deliver transformative learning experiences for our students.

What does the RAIL Endorsement focus on?

The RAIL Endorsement focuses on 3 core concepts:

• Understanding and experiencing AI
• Critical evaluation of AI and
• Ethical use and safety in AI

We will be working through each of these core concepts, providing evidence to show how we are meeting their indicators over the coming semester.

Why the Middle Schools Association Accreditation, and not NEASC?

Pan-American School is proud to be accredited by NEASC, most recently re-accredited following our October 2023 visit. We are proud to be a NEASC school, and this RAIL Endorsement will not impact this. However, the Middle Schools Association is the first accreditation body in the world to offer an accreditation specific to AI. This, coupled with MSA’s status as one of the most well-recognized accreditation agencies in the world, led us to pursue this endorsement specific to AI.

New AI Guidelines in Academic Integrity Policy

We have updated our academic integrity policy to include comprehensive guidelines on the responsible use of AI in academic work. These guidelines aim to ensure that our students learn to harness the power of AI tools ethically and effectively, preparing them for the technology-driven world they will enter after graduation.

You can see the Guidelines in our updated Academic Integrity Policy here.  We will publish this to SIPAS and our Student Parent Handbook next week.

Integrating AI Principles Across Grade Levels

We are systematically working to embed our 7 AI Principles into our curriculum from Grade 2 through Grade 12. We aim to guide the thoughtful implementation of AI to enhance and support student learning, and support the critical engagement with AI concepts, applications, and implications as students progress through their educational journey at Pan-American School.  Our 7 Principles are:

1. Ensure Human Agency through AI. 
2. Empower Through AI Literacy and Lifelong Learning.
3. Advance Equity and Inclusion.
4. Foster Ethical Understanding and Critical Thinking
5. Develop a Connected AI Learning Community
6. Prioritize Safe and Responsible AI Citizenship
7. Innovate Through AI

AASCA Leadership Conference: "AI-Powered Service: Leading with Innovation and Integrity"

In September, 6 Secondary Students will participate in the AASCA Leadership Conference under the guidance of Ms Mariela Herrera and Mr Henry Gutiérrez.  Following the conference, we will invite these students to collaborate with our AI Advisory Team to help inform AI development across the community, and school initiatives.

Educator’s Focus on AI

Since July, faculty have been collaborating to reflect on how to effectively use AI to enhance student learning across the school.  We have been developing an understanding of the stages of AI implementation in our classrooms, sharing best practice and experiences, and exploring how to effectively integrate AI into teaching methods and to guide students in its responsible use.  This will continue to be an important focus over the coming year, shared learning sessions taking place at least once a month.  

Facilitating and leading some of the work in this space, will be our AI Advisory Team which includes the following faculty:

Looking Ahead 

As we continue to prepare our students for success in an ever changing world, readying them to embark on a journey into a yet to be defined future, we remain committed to providing our students with a forward-thinking education that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the future. We believe that by embracing AI responsibly, we are opening doors to unprecedented learning experiences and career possibilities for our students.

At the same time, we are cognizant of the need to continue to do the core work that is so essential to our children’s learning: 

• Ensuring a safe, secure and welcoming learning environment.
• Developing those skills (Self-Management, Social. Communication, Research, and Thinking Skills) that will set them up for success in life.
• Developing happy and healthy young people, who face the future with optimism, joy and resilience.
  

We value your support and partnership in this endeavor. In the coming weeks, we will be organizing information sessions for parents and guardians to learn more about these initiatives and how they will benefit our students.

Thank you for your continued trust in Pan-American School. Together, we are shaping a future where our students are not just consumers of technology, but ethical, informed, and skilled creators and innovators of the future.

Warm regards,

Alan Wrafter

General Director

Dear members of the Pan-American School community,

I hope that this email finds you safe and well, 

This year we are proud to welcome a range of new members to our Sports team this year.  Joining us are:

• Maria José Castro Rueda, Volleyball Coach: A qualified pre-school educator (Universidad de Costa Rica, 2023) and holder of a Diploma in Business Administration (2022), Maria José is one of the leading talents in the Costa Rican Volleyball community, having been named best defender in North American, Central American and the Caribbean in the Female Final Four of NORCECA 2024. Currently playing for Goicochea, Maria José has represented the Costa Rican national team in tournaments such as Copa Centroamericana (2021-2024), Copa NOCENA (2021-2022), Copa Continental NORCECA (2018-2019), Copa Panamericana Sub-20 (2015) and more.
• Alejandro Jesús González Madrigal, Soccer Coach: Alejandro has a long trajectory in the Costa Rican football community including roles as trainer for Sporting F.C. female team (2019-2024); Saprissa Female team (2019); Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and the Universidad Nacional (2014-2015); Fundación Real Madrid, Costa Rica (2013); and more.

With the addition of Maria José and Alejandro, our Sports team for 2024-2025 is as follows:

In our Secondary Fitness Program we are also delighted to offer the following options, which all students will participate in over the coming year:

• Self-Defence
• Physical Fitness
• Dance
• Table Tennis
• Ultimate Frisbee

Update on our new Synthetic Pitch

As we announced last year, we are planning to install a new synthetic soccer pitch, with an innovative “cork infill" which will improve the experience for players, reduce heat reflection, and be kinder to the environment.  As our campus is next to a river, we have been working with the Belen Municipality to process the necessary permits. This process is taking longer than anticipated, but our external contractor is working through the paperwork and the work is progressing. As soon as we have a definitive timeline, we will share more information with the community.

Updated Sports Program Regulations 

A reminder that all students who participate in the Sports Program are expected to align with the Sports Program Regulations outlined here.

PAS Cup, 30 & 31 August

We look forward to welcoming all members of the community to our first PAS Cup which will be held on campus on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 August

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We look forward to a year of continued growth, impact and success for all our athletes through our Sports & Fitness Programs over the coming year.

Alan Wrafter

General Director

The PYP Exhibition is a culminating event in the PYP programme, where our learners showcase their understanding and learning journey through their time in primary school by connecting to real world issues, engaging in collaborative inquiry and taking meaningful action. The exhibition encourages learners to demonstrate their understanding of the learner profile attributes, approaches to learning and the inquiry process. Over the 8 weeks of this year's exhibition, grade 5 learners have been inquiring into a topic of their choice, all within the context of technology. This year's exhibition included an expressive piece, an interactive piece and a written piece, based on their research. Grade 5 learners were excited to share their PYPX journey with their parents and other students in the school and want the grade 4's to know that it's a lot of work, but it's really not that scary in the end!

On Monday, March 18th, the Pan-American School community held a Professional Development Day focused on community and country service. The following activities took place:

• Guacalillo Beach: A total of 142kg of beach litter was collected.
• SOS Villages: Cleaning, organizing, and painting works were carried out on the houses where the students live. 
• Food Bank: Food items, vegetables, and supplies were reviewed and classified.
• Teaching and Learning Center (CEA): Located in Guácima, work was done in the garden, library, and mural painting.

A total of 167 people attended these activities.

PAS SOCIAL IMPACT

Our commitment is not only to support the learning process of our students; but also to contribute to the society that surrounds us, our mission is preparing internationally-engaged individuals, committed to the pursuit of excellence, who make meaningful contributions to their country and the global community.

That is why at PAS, we gladly work to play a positive role in our community, taking into consideration the impact that our decisions have on social and environmental matters. Proudly, we can say that these are just some of the activities carried out:

Embracing the Future: Our Journey Towards Integrating AI in Education

As we navigate through the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and education, it's essential to continually adapt and embrace innovative tools that can enhance our learning environment. In this spirit, I would like to share the steps we have been taking to develop a comprehensive AI Policy and Strategic Development and Implementation Plan, guided by a series of carefully crafted AI Principles based on research and a review of current best practice guidance.

The Importance of AI in Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it's a present reality transforming industries, including education. At Pan-American School, we recognize the immense potential AI holds in revolutionizing the way we teach and learn. From personalized learning experiences to automating administrative tasks, AI can significantly enrich our educational landscape, making learning more efficient, engaging, and tailored to individual needs. Indeed, it is currently being used by a range of teachers and administrators for just those tasks - and now, we feel that we are at a stage where we need to intentionally guide and shape these efforts, to ensure that we maximize the potential for impact for each member of our community.

Our Process: Crafting AI Principles

The journey towards integrating AI into our curriculum began with the development of a set of AI Principles. This critical step involved extensive research, collaboration, and thoughtful discussion among a committee of educators, and peers around the globe.  Our aim was to outline a framework that reflects our school's values, prioritizes ethical considerations, and ensures the responsible use of AI in our community.

These principles will serve as the foundation for our AI Policy and guide our strategic planning and implementation process. They emphasize the importance of transparency, inclusivity, privacy, and security, ensuring that AI technologies are used to enhance educational outcomes without compromising our ethical standards.

AI Principles for Pan-American School

Following extensive research and review, the working group has developed the following principles which will inform the development and implementation of AI in all aspects of community life:

1. Ensure Human Agency through AI.  Ensure human decision-making guides AI’s contribution to learning. Use human agency to actively guide and instruct AI systems to empower ownership of the learning process, enhance the understanding of AI as a tool for learning, and develop leadership skills.
   
2. Empower Through AI Literacy and Lifelong Learning: Teach AI literacy as a fundamental component of the curriculum, ensuring students understand how AI works, as well as its societal and environmental impacts. Promote lifelong learning which enhances personalized learning, nurtures individual passions, and fosters excellence.
   
3. Advance Equity and Inclusion: Ensure tools and resources are accessible to all learners and create an inclusive environment that respects, values, and promotes diversity. Promote equitable opportunities for excellence in learning and personal development by avoiding bias and ensuring fairness in decision-making.
   
4. Foster Ethical Understanding and Critical Thinking: Integrate ethical considerations and critical thinking into all aspects of the learning process such as: teaching students to recognize and reflect on ethical dilemmas in AI; addressing issues of privacy, bias, and plagiarism; and encouraging the questioning and critical evaluation of AI technologies and their applications.
   
5. Develop a Connected AI Learning Community: Cultivate a vibrant, engaged, and connected learning community that fosters collaboration, conversation, and shared innovation, enhancing our commitment to making a positive local and global impact through creativity, teamwork, and the application of AI across various contexts.
   
6. Prioritize Safe and Responsible AI Citizenship: Prioritize the responsible use of AI, emphasizing data security, personal safety online, the importance of respecting others' privacy, and personal accountability in the digital realm. 
   
7.  Innovate Through AI: Position Pan-American School as a hub of high-quality learning and innovation, integrating cutting-edge AI technologies and methodologies into the learning process in order to prepare future-ready, global citizens.

These principles were developed by the following committees (in alphabetical order):

• Alan Wrafter, General Director, roundtable participant at the Advancement of International Education AI Working Group (Feb 2024)
• April Gudenrath, Head of English
• Edison Valverde Quirós, Science & Outdoor Learning Teacher
• Joshua Aaroon Tercero Loría, MYP Design Coordinator, Design Instructor at Universidad LCI Veritas
• Melissa Castillo, Science Teacher, Coordinator of Master's Degree in Educational Technology and Innovation (Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica), and presenter at the Congreso de Innovación Educativa CIIE 2023 (Tecnológico de Monterrey)
• Oscar Echandi, I&S, Digital Society and TOK Teacher

A list of references can be found at the end of this post.

AI Policy and Strategic Development and Implementation Plan

With our AI Principles in place, we will now start the development of our AI Policy, and Strategic Development and Implementation Plan. We aim to develop a strategy which will outline how we will integrate AI technologies into our curriculum across the IB continuum of education (PYP, MYP, and DP) over the coming years. Our aim will be to adopt a multidimensional approach, focusing on curriculum development, teacher training, infrastructure upgrades, and continuous evaluation to ensure our objectives are met.

Liminal Spaces: The Excitement of Harnessing AI in Learning

We recognize that we are currently in a “Liminal Space” - a time between stories, where much of what has come before appears to lose relevance and reliability as we look to create new stories that have not yet been told.  While it is true that there is much to be concerned about in how AI might be used, and the ways in which it is already impacting areas such as social media, work, as General Director, I am genuinely excited about the possibilities that AI brings to our educational community and the opportunities that we have to help develop a future vision that is positive, productive, and impactful on future generations. 

We will work to create a reality where: AI tools provide real-time feedback to students, adapt learning materials to suit individual learner needs, and offer immersive, interactive learning experiences; where our educators are supported by AI to enhance their teaching strategies, reduce their administrative workload, and focus more on the personal and intellectual development of each student; and where our students are encouraged to be architects of a new future and create the stories that will inform the world they will inhabit and thrive in into the future.

This is not just a vision; it's the future we are aiming to build at Pan-American School. Our commitment to integrating AI into our educational practices is a testament to our dedication to providing an innovative, holistic education that prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Moving Forward Together

The journey towards embracing AI in education is both exciting and challenging. It requires careful planning, collaboration, and a commitment to our core values. As we move forward, I am confident that our community will come together to harness these opportunities, ensuring that Pan-American School remains at the forefront of educational innovation.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm as we embark on this transformative journey together.

Warm regards, 

Alan Wrafter

General Director

References

Cherniske, M, Ishihara, T, Kalaleh, H, et al (2024, January)  Human-Centered AI Guidance for K-12 Public Schools. OSPI

Chiu, T. K. (2020). Six Key Principles in Designing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Curriculum for Middle Schools. rdannual, 383.

Holmes, W., & Miao, F. (2023). Guidance for generative AI in education and research. UNESCO Publishing.

Kim, J., Lee, H., & Cho, Y. H. (2022). Learning design to support student-AI collaboration: Perspectives of leading teachers for AI in education. Education and Information Technologies, 27(5), 6069-6104.

Langley, P. (2019, July). An integrative framework for artificial intelligence education. In Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (Vol. 33, No. 01, pp. 9670-9677).

Miao, F., Holmes, W., Huang, R., & Zhang, H. (2021). AI and education: A guidance for policymakers. UNESCO Publishing.

Principles | AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit | TeachAI. (2023). www.teachai.org. https://www.teachai.org/toolkit-principles

Touretzky, D., Gardner-McCune, C., Martin, F., & Seehorn, D. (2019, July). Envisioning AI for K-12: What should every child know about AI? In Proceedings of the AAAI conference on artificial intelligence (Vol. 33, No. 01, pp. 9795-9799).

Wong, G. K., Ma, X., Dillenbourg, P., & Huan, J. (2020). Broadening artificial intelligence education in K-12: Where to start? ACM Inroads, 11(1), 20-29.

Our community is international and multicultural, which is one of our greatest strengths. During this special activity, we celebrated various nationalities, creating an environment of inclusion and mutual learning. Parents, staff, and students had the opportunity to share a bit of their traditions, including typical foods, traditional clothing, music, and dances with the rest of the community.

This celebration not only allowed us to learn about and appreciate the richness of other cultures, but it also fostered understanding and respect among all members of our community. We are deeply proud to see that what makes us different is also what unites us. This diversity provides us with the sense of belonging and community that we all need, and it strengthens our bonds, creating a warm and welcoming environment for everyone. We firmly believe that by celebrating our differences, we are building a stronger and more cohesive community.

On Friday, the 19th of last month, our school community came together to celebrate a remarkable showcase of creativity and artistic prowess at the IB Visual Arts Exhibition. The event was an extraordinary testament to the dedication and talent of our students, whose diverse perspectives and innovative approaches were on full display.

From captivating paintings to thought-provoking sculptures, the exhibition offered a rich tapestry of artistic expression that left attendees in awe. Each piece was a reflection of the unique journey and vision of its creator, showcasing a range of techniques, themes, and inspirations.

Walking through the gallery, one couldn't help but be inspired by the depth of emotion and storytelling conveyed through the artworks. Whether it was through bold brushstrokes, intricate details, or experimental mediums, every piece had its own story to tell, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and engage.

What is CAS? It is a component of the core of the Diploma Programme whose aim is for students to participate in activities outside the school environment in the areas of creativity, activity, and service.

What is CAS Chirripó?
It is a 120 km hiking experience that provides the unique opportunity to explore the highlands of Costa Rica. Along the different routes, students not only develop physical endurance but also gain a deeper appreciation for natural beauty, the importance of teamwork, and a broader understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement.

¡Let's go watch this wonderful event together!