Dear Parents,
Flags, food, festivities and a fabulous Friday was had by all in the Elementary Section today! I watched with pride as our students crossed the stage as flag bearers, placard holders and dressed so spectacularly in national dress and country colors.
We had five 5th Grade students representing us at the assembly today through reading a story “I have the right to be a child” by Alain Serres, Aurelia Fronty. Congratulations to Esha, Tess, Anya, Rune and Junwon, we were all so proud of you.
EAL (English as an Additional Language) Parent Coffee
A wonderful turnout for our EAL parent morning coffee on Tuesday. An additional thank you to those who stopped by for a ‘pre coffee’ to chat with me. I will schedule more times like this as the year rolls on as it is so wonderful to meet more of you with each week that passes.
During the EAL coffee many strategies were shared and parents walked away with deeper understanding of how best to support EAL learners with learning English at home too.
Supporting Early Readers
Our next parent coffee is on Tuesday, 11 October (9.45 - 10.45am) and will focus on understanding how our early readers build reading strategies, fluency and comprehension, as well as how parents can support this process at home.
This parent session is aimed at parents of children in KG to Grade 2.
Our next parent coffee is on Tuesday, 11 October (9.45 - 10.45am) and will focus on understanding how our early readers build reading strategies, fluency and comprehension, as well as how parents can support this process at home.
This parent session is aimed at parents of children in KG to Grade 2.
Goal Setting Conferences
The goal setting conferences will be happening next Thursday, 29 and Friday, 30 September. On Thursday there are several blocks set aside for families to meet together with the teacher after school. On Friday, no regular classes are held, and students will only attend for the duration of their conference.
The goal setting conferences will be happening next Thursday, 29 and Friday, 30 September. On Thursday there are several blocks set aside for families to meet together with the teacher after school. On Friday, no regular classes are held, and students will only attend for the duration of their conference.
For our younger students who are not present in the conference, this means no school for them on that day. One of the reasons we dedicate so much time for this is to ensure all families have adequate time to meet with their child’s teacher(s) to discuss progress as well as identify and explain further learning goals. This takes time, and we do not want parents, teachers or students to feel rushed with this process.
For families with more than one child, we will be providing playground supervision from 3:45-6:30 on Thursday and 8:30-3:30 on Friday. Preschool students can be brought to the Conference Room next to the Health office Room: 1117, where they will be supervised by preschool Teaching Assistants. Kindergarten students can play on their regular playground. Students from grades 1-5 will be supervised in their regular recess spots: the plaza/sandbox, covered area, soccer field and playground. The ES library will also be open for students.
Design Saturday
What a success our first design Saturday was with children creating and making bird houses, marble ramps and suspension bridges. One parent commented “My children love coming to the design studios; They didn’t ever get a chance to do things like this before.” Look out for our next Design Saturday coming up on November
MAP testing
Over the past few weeks all our students in Grade 2 - Grade 10 have taken part in MAP testing. MAP (Measure of Academic Performance) is a standardized test used widely in the US and other International Schools to measure student learning in Math, Language Usage, Reading and Science. This data allows us to see how our teaching and learning programmes compare to other schools and allows us to identify students who may need extra support and extending in certain areas. Children repeat this test again in the Spring to measure growth across the year also.
Over the past few weeks all our students in Grade 2 - Grade 10 have taken part in MAP testing. MAP (Measure of Academic Performance) is a standardized test used widely in the US and other International Schools to measure student learning in Math, Language Usage, Reading and Science. This data allows us to see how our teaching and learning programmes compare to other schools and allows us to identify students who may need extra support and extending in certain areas. Children repeat this test again in the Spring to measure growth across the year also.
The testing window has closed this week, and so results will be available shortly and these will be shared with parents in the following weeks.
India Month Opening Assembly
Coming shortly after the break is our India Month Opening Assembly, on Wednesday, 12 October from 8.45 am - 9.30am. In the Auditorium Parents are welcome to join us for this assembly where will be welcoming an Indian Dance Group.
Coming shortly after the break is our India Month Opening Assembly, on Wednesday, 12 October from 8.45 am - 9.30am. In the Auditorium Parents are welcome to join us for this assembly where will be welcoming an Indian Dance Group.
E-Portfolio Blogs
All grade KG-5 students have begun writing in their e-portfolio blogs to set and reflect on learning goals and to celebrate their growth. We have chosen blogs to promote active participation in learning, achieve a higher degree of engagement, and foster deeper self-assessment. We have given Grade 3-5 students ownership over their blogs to build responsibility, teach digital citizenship concepts, and make the blogs more personally meaningful. For more information about your child's blog, please look for a communication from your homeroom teachers.
All grade KG-5 students have begun writing in their e-portfolio blogs to set and reflect on learning goals and to celebrate their growth. We have chosen blogs to promote active participation in learning, achieve a higher degree of engagement, and foster deeper self-assessment. We have given Grade 3-5 students ownership over their blogs to build responsibility, teach digital citizenship concepts, and make the blogs more personally meaningful. For more information about your child's blog, please look for a communication from your homeroom teachers.
October Lunch Menu & Order Links
If you wish to order a school lunch for your child, you can access the elementary lunch menu here. You may use either the Payonline or the Lunch Pre-order system to order lunch for your child(ren).
If you wish to order a school lunch for your child, you can access the elementary lunch menu here. You may use either the Payonline or the Lunch Pre-order system to order lunch for your child(ren).
Upcoming Dates For Your Calendar
Thursday 29 September ES Goal Setting Conferences (3.45 - 6.30pm)
Friday 30 September ES Goal Setting Conferences (8.30am - 3.30pm) No classes this day
Tuesday 11 October ES Parent Coffee on ‘Supporting Early Readers’ (KG - Grade 2) (9:45am - 10:45am)
Wednesday 12 October ES India Month Opening Assembly (8.45am - 9.30am)
Wednesday 19 October Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm pick up)
Friday 28 October ES Halloween Parade (1.30pm - 3.00pm)
Wednesday 2 November Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm pick up)
Thursday 3 November Grade PK - 2 India Month Assembly (8.45am - 9.30am)
Friday 4 November Grade 3 - 5 India Month Assembly (*Time changed 2.15pm - 3.15 pm)
Thursday 29 September ES Goal Setting Conferences (3.45 - 6.30pm)
Friday 30 September ES Goal Setting Conferences (8.30am - 3.30pm) No classes this day
Tuesday 11 October ES Parent Coffee on ‘Supporting Early Readers’ (KG - Grade 2) (9:45am - 10:45am)
Wednesday 12 October ES India Month Opening Assembly (8.45am - 9.30am)
Wednesday 19 October Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm pick up)
Friday 28 October ES Halloween Parade (1.30pm - 3.00pm)
Wednesday 2 November Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm pick up)
Thursday 3 November Grade PK - 2 India Month Assembly (8.45am - 9.30am)
Friday 4 November Grade 3 - 5 India Month Assembly (*Time changed 2.15pm - 3.15 pm)
Looking forward to welcoming you all this week at the Goal Setting Conferences.
Warmly,
Keryn Dowling