` Rahul Bafna Chief Executive Officer

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BOARD OF EDUCATORS Pete Karagianis Joseph Alford Boh Bae Song Deena Davis Stephanie Helfrich Sarika Bafna Mihir Bafna Pavithra Kannan Oviya Sugum Rahul Bafna

Sarika Bafna Senior Executive Officer

OCTOBER 2013

Its nice to be important, but smore important to be nice. We are almost nearing to the end of 2013. It has been a very busy year with many new activities at iEXCELL. iEXPLORE has been our most successful initiative this year and we are very pleased with its success in a short time. Traditionally, we have been hosting an annual party in December. We are working on the schedule for the next 2 quarters and are not able to find any free weekend till March. iEXCELL kids have been very busy during this time of the year and hence we are debating to move our Annual Party in Spring. We should have a decision on the date of the annual party by next month. Kids have more time once all the competitions are done over and will enjoy more at that time. More information in the next newsletter. Our website iexcellkids.com is updated with upcoming events and information about our programs. Common Core has been a major topic of discussion all over the state and beyond. Common Core is primarily designed not to re-invent the educational system but to systematically strengthen Math and English curriculum to prepare our kids for future. We rank anywhere between 15th and 30th in educational standards around the world. Common core is a great effort to bridge that gap. Needless to say that it offers some shortterm challenges, but is definitely a long term benefit for our kids. We are here to answer any questions you may have about Common Core. If we dont have an answer, we will do our best to find one.

The busiest season for iEXCELL kids have started. We participate in various competitions between the start of fall and the end of spring. Kids participating in multiple competitions will be very busy during this time. REGISTRATIONS OPEN New Batches (Beginning in December) iLEARN Age 2.5 to 4 The following is for all ages. iEXPLORE - Beginners (Robotics and Science) iEXPRESS Public Speaking & writing iLEAD Advanced Academic, Science, Public Speaking, computers, Robotics, Competitions & more We recently started a new Batch for 4 to 6 years on Wednesdays 5 to 6. We still have openings in that. We have 2 openings for our iEXPRESS elementary group on Wednesdays 5 to 6 PM

Chris Minnich, Council of Chief State School Officers, offers his perspective on the Common Core standards, saying the standards are ambitious but will better prepare students to compete in the global economy. For the last couple of decades, our states have applied educational standards that have not been consistent in their approach or execution.

Most fell below the standards established by other countries, which puts us at a disadvantage in this evolving global economy. To address this issue, 45 states have now adopted a set of learning standards in Math and English. These are referred to as the Common Core and are the same regardless of state.

Ed Rust, CEO State Farm, offers his perspective on the need of a well-prepared work force. He said from a business perspective, we need well-educated, well-prepared students entering the workforce. From a national perspective, our economy depends on a welleducated populace. Our communities thrive when everyone has access to the opportunities that a competitive and quality education provides. For the last couple of decades, our states have applied educational standards that have not been consistent in their approach or execution. Most fell below the standards established by other countries, which puts us at a disadvantage in this evolving global economy. To address this issue, 45 states have now adopted a set of learning standards in Math and English. These are referred to as the Common Core and are the same regardless of state

We have planned various sessions in the coming weeks for all iEXCELL Members, planning to participate in various competitions. Destination Imagination Projects have started. 3 Teams are working on 3 different projects and will meet weekly to work on D.I Toshibas Explora is in progress. 4 Teams are working on 4 different projects and are meeting weekly. ` Robotics is in full Swing. 3 Teams have been working on this seasons project Natures Fury furiously. 15 iEXCELL members have been registered for Math Olympiad. Math Kangaroo registrations are open. Please register as soon as possible. iEXCELL is conducting 2 chess Tournaments. The first tournament is on Nov 2nd and next on Dec 7th this year. Please plan to participate. NOV iCHAT will be dedicated to more information about these competitions.

We strongly encourage all our chess students to come on Wednesday 6 to 7 PM to play practice games. Joe Alford is here on Wednesdays and is going over games and teaching different openings/endings etc. We have 2 openings in our Monday 5:45 to 6:30 batch. This batch is for kids who are relatively new to chess with a rating less than 400. We are running 2 chess tournaments this year. One on Nov 2nd and the 2nd on Dec 7th. Twin City Chess Club is hosting its weekly meetings/Chess games at iEXCELL on Sundays 1 to 4 PM. This is a good opportunity for 1000+ rated players to play some good games against the masters in town. Lets have a fun-filled chess season.

The 2 iEXPRESS batch is running great. Our Thursday batch is full, while we do have some opening in our Wednesday (elementary) batch if you are interested. We are opening up registration for a new batches that will begin in December or January. Our club received some very good feedback from other clubs around the country. Thanks to all of you. We are going over different kinds of speeches and writing tactics in these sessions. We have a presidential election for our Thursday group on Nov 14th.

Oct 13th @ 10 A.M D.I Kickoff Meeting Oct 14th - Columbus Day Chess Camp Oct 14th Fall Schedule with competition practice sessions Oct 15th Registrations Open for a new 2014 batches. Nov 2nd @ 8 A.M iEXCELL Chess Tournament Nov 2nd @ 7:30 A.M Volunteer Opportunity at Home Sweet Home Mission Nov 7th @ 5 P.M Open Forum to disucss the impact of Common Core on iEXCELL Students including the results of recent assessment Nov 16th Robotics Scrimmage in Peoria Nov 23rd Robotics Scrimmage in Aurora Nov ? Math Olympiad 1st Test

2416 East Washington Street, Suite B2, B3 & F, Arches I Bloomington, IL 61704. Web: www. iexcellkids.com Phone: 309-533-7676, 309-664-6473, 1-888-386-9226 Fax: 309-807-0588, Cell: 309-287-0293, 309-310-1429 Email: admin@iexcellkids.com

Dec 7th iEXCELL Chess Tournament Dec 14th Robotics Competition (Regional) Dec ? Math Olympiad 2nd Test