Friday 26th August, 2016

Dear Parents,

Inquiry Learning in the ES

This week all homeroom teachers and most specialists had the opportunity to work with Tania Lattanzio from Innovative Global Education. Teachers worked in sessions unpacking higher level conceptual Inquiry learning and made connections to how our standards connect to these. Pictures below of our teachers working in one of the Inquiry workshops on our Early Release Day.

   

Early Release Day

Thank you for all promptly collecting your children and having them exit campus in a timely manner.  A reminder on these days (remaining dates listed below), students finish class at 2 pm, and should be off campus by 2.30 pm.

Remaining Dates for 2016
September 7, 21
October 19
November 2, 23
December 7

MAP Testing

This coming week we begin Measures of Academic Performance (MAP) testing for all our students in Grades 2-5.  This online computer based test measures academic performance and growth over time in the areas of math, reading and language usage (grammar, spelling etc).  Grade 3-5 students are also measured in science.  Results from these give us individual as well as class and grade level progress and help us create teaching and learning programs to meet each child's’ instructional level.

Each test takes around 45 minutes, and no preparation at home is necessary.  Parents often ask how they can help their child get ready for these and the best way is to ensure your child gets a good night sleep before their test as well as eats a substantial breakfast on the day.  These are overall great preparation ideas for any day at school - students cannot study in advance for a MAP test!

Later in September, parents will receive a MAP Student Progress Report card.  For further information, parents can go to this link.

Yearbook Photos

Beginning Monday 29th August, the photographer will be in taking photos of every child - please look to Edmodo to find the day and time for your child’s class.

Learning Celebrations

You would have seen a post/email from Ms. Meg and Mr. Wilson regarding our addition of Friday morning Learning Celebrations.  Whilst this is an exciting opportunity for more of our children to practice performance skills and participate in sharing learning across the school or grade level, our children and teachers need the chance to consolidate this in-school before inviting in a parent audience.

All other scheduled Assemblies on the calendar are open for a parent audience, and we look forward to welcoming you on those dates.

UN Country Selection

If your child is planning on parading and celebrating a country for UN Day different to their country identified during enrollment at the school, it is important you inform Sanja Ilic at admissionsdirector@aischennai.org so correct preparations for signs and flags can be made.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Warmly,

Keryn Dowling