Friday, October 23, 2020

Friday, October 23, 2020

Dear Parents,

We are coming to the end of October already - growth conferences are done, Halloween is approaching, India Week is around the corner and Vision Day is on the horizon! Elementary students are going to be busy in the next few weeks.  

I would like to thank our PCA board, Karine, Hanne, Sachiko, and Anitta, for spending weeks trying to find classroom coordinators. Unfortunately, it proved harder this year than in past years to fill those volunteer positions. Not all of our classrooms currently have coordinators. If you are interested in being a classroom coordinator for an unrepresented class, please contact Karine. Thank you to the parents who have taken on the role this year. 

 

Important Dates

Date

Time

Event

Details

October 30


Halloween Celebrations

Students Only

Details will come from classroom teachers

November 2-6


India Week 

See details below

November  3

9:30 a.m.

Literacy Morning Grades KG-2

Hosted by Alex Ray, our Literacy Coach

Zoom link to come

November 5

9:30 a.m.

Literacy Morning Grades 3-5

Hosted by Alex Ray, our Literacy Coach

Zoom link to come

November 18

All day

Vision Day Projects Grades 3-5

Email was sent to students and parents in grades 3-5

 

Dance Co-Teacher

Ms. Kavya Giridharan (Ms. Kavya) will be co-teaching dance with Jane Fijman through the end of semester one. Ms. Kavya will teach the live sessions and Ms.Jane will continue to plan the asynchronous lessons for students. Kavya currently teaches the dance ASA and is familiar with AISC. Welcome Kavya! We are lucky to have two expert dance teachers working with our students. If you have any questions please email Lynn Schneider, the Elementary School Principal. 

 

India Week

We have many exciting opportunities for students to participate in India Week activities the week of November 2nd. Teachers will be giving students more details about India Week next week. We will also include Zoom links and more details in next week’s blog. 

 

 

From the Counselors

Parenting in COVID-19 Times


Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Your School Counselors recognize the challenges that you may be facing in your homes as you work to support your children in virtual school and manage the stressors of daily life. Ms. Linda and Ms. Michele talk to many families who have shared their struggles in COVID-19 times.


These challenges and worries include: 


  • Developing and managing healthy daily routines for children

  • Managing healthy technology habits for self and your children

  • Managing sleep routines, bedtimes and wake up times

  • Encouraging children to get enough exercise

  • Work completion on Seesaw and engagement with virtual learning

  • Missing friends and social connections with same age peers

  • Feeling responsible for ensuring your students work is done well on Seesaw

  • Mood changes in yourself as well as your children

  • Being separated from family members who may be across the world

  • Single parenting or single parenting while the other parent is in a different location 

  • Trying to manage working at home and supporting your child at school. 

  • Worry about contracting COVID-19 and not wanting to leave the house or see other people. 


It is so very important to know that you are NOT ALONE in these struggles, and many other parents at AISC are having similar experiences. We are here for you. Please email Ms. Linda (glinda@aischennai.org) if you are an EY-Grade 3 parent or Ms. Michele (nmichele@aischennai.org) if you are a Grade 4 or Grade 5 parent, if you would like to schedule an appointment to talk with us. We are here to listen! We might have some ideas or strategies to make your day a little bit easier.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Regards,

Lynn Schneider, Dave Allen, and Elliot Fijman
Elementary School Leadership Team