Dick Krajczar
Executive Director


Dear Colleagues:

The end of the school year is near and 07/08 has been very challenging, busy, and rewarding. I am happy to be back with EARCOS, and working with expanded services and staff has helped make our mission and implementation of our strategic plan become a reality. EARCOS will be losing one of its major leaders with Harlan Lyso retiring and returning to his home in the USA. Harlan’s participation has been so crucial over the years with his financial assistance as treasurer, and then as the president of EARCOS. He is a true friend, colleague, and trusted school leader. Thanks, Harlan, for all you have done to skillfully guide our organization!

The 2008 EARCOS Teachers’ Conference (ETC) had over 1300 delegates attending. The Shangri La in Kuala Lumpur was an excellent venue for our 6th conference. Thanks to the GM Jarlath Lynch and his staff for the wonderful hospitality and service. Our keynoters Art Costa, Dennis Sparks, and Jay McTighe were well received, as were the 110 breakout sessions and 16 preconferences. A zoomerang survey was sent out to all delegates to comment on the conference, which will help us get better in the future. Please see our conference write up in this issue.

I have just returned from Beijing where I participated in the first EARCOS Global Issues Network (GIN) conference hosted by Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) and organized by Linda Sills with the help of the WAB planning committee and staff. It was an absolute success with outstanding speakers, lectures, student-led workshops, virtual presentations by Jane Goodall and Dr. Mechai, as well as discussions of pressing world problems and possible solutions. Congratulations to all who took part—I know it will be even larger next year when is hosted at I.S. Bangkok. Thanks to David Randall and his wonderful WAB staff.

Next year Linda Sills will continue to work for EARCOS part time from her home in Clio, California. In this day of technology it’s no surprise that she will be working virtually with us. She will continue to contribute her energy and vision to our EARCOS organization, organizing the GIN2009 conference and working with our IT staff making our technology endeavors a reality. Thanks, Linda.

I hope everyone has a great break this summer (northern hemisphere) and has time for family, friends, travel, and reflection. I am happy to be back with EARCOS, and I look forward to all the wonderful events we have planned for 08/09. Our board and staff continue to work to make EARCOS a caring, supportive, and dynamic community of international schools.