An envoy from the U.S. Bureau of Public Affairs will visit the International High School of New Orleans on April 22, to talk about the benefits of multilingualism and opportunities for careers in government.

Some details still have to be worked out, among them security issues and whether the visit by a deputy assistant secretary will be open to the public, the school’s board of directors learned at their monthly meeting, March 21.

Board chairman Andrew Ward spoke of the board’s aspiration to become “tradition creators.” He called an annual crawfish boil at the Canal Street Inn an attempt to “reach into different communities that have not previously been tapped for the school.”

While the board’s piggy bank for special donations was not on display at the meeting, Ward reiterated the importance of fundraising. Speaking of fundraisers and other events, he said, “The whole purpose is building a stronger base within the community.”

The board expressed enthusiasm for a successful  recent visit from 22 Danish exchange students and said they hoped such a visit will become an annual event. Visits by IHS students to Denmark next year, and perhaps several other countries, including China and France, are in the planning phase, board members said.

In other business, the board approved the school’s academic honesty policy, international baccalaureate diploma language, and 2012-2013 academic calendar. The facilities committee announced that they, along with head of school Anthony Amato, are pursuing purchase of the school’s building, at 727 Carondelet St.