Friday, October 27, 2017

Hi everyone,

Welcome back - it is wonderful to see everyone so refreshed after the break! We are heading into a very busy couple of weeks so please look out for each other and let us know what you might need in terms of support.

Thank you’s (anyone to thank?  Let Lori or Keryn know)

• All  Curriculum Area Leaders (CALs) who have planned such thoughtful curriculum area meetings this trimester
• Bindu and Anu for all their organisation for our India Month Celebrations
• Amy, Alex, Amritha, Morgen and Megha for their work with the EAP search committee
• Everyone for focusing on report cards!
• Priya V for offering all the VLD support and training sessions

"What Research Says About Teaching Grammar"
Ever wonder what research tells us about teaching grammar? The Atlantic article, The Wrong Way to Teach Grammar points to over a century of research on traditional grammar lessons and what we have learned. This is an equally worthy read for anyone who feels like the grammar police or their victim."

Responsive classrooms

Coming to AISC in February!  Training available for 30 ES faculty. Can all teachers please Click here to take the short survey relating to experience in these approaches.

VLD
After the review of the continuity of instruction plan we want to ensure every teacher is prepared for a VLD.

There are requirements for all teachers that include a video recording to be created on the day

* EY-2, this is a welcome message for children and overview of the day

* Grades 3-5, each lesson should have a video that includes explanation of task and/or instruction

There are two options to learn how to do this; watch a video or attend face-to-face training.

Here is the video that will help you learn the screencastify skill independently. (Other video platforms could also be used but this has found to be straightforward).

After watching, if you now understand how to create and post a video message please change your response on the Unified Classroom Tracker Sheet.

We need your response to be updated and accurate by next Wednesday 1st November.

Anyone indicating they require help after then will need to attend one of the following sessions:

Thursday 2nd - 7:50am - 8:05am

Friday 3rd - 7:50am - 8:05am

Friday 3rd - 3:50pm - 4:05pm

Monday 6th - 3:50pm - 4:05pm

VLD - guidelines and policy can be found here  

Report card information update

New students who have been with us less than a month - joining after the October break do not receive a full report card. Please instead write an introductory welcome to school type overview with a transition/settling in comment. This can go on a google doc, be shared with Hazel/Cheryl to be put on AISC letterhead, and uploaded into powerschool.

PSE Narrative comments - should use the AISC Vision of a learner attributes when applicable, instead of just referencing  the 4C’s.  

Specialist teachers - 3 bullet points per student.  2 areas of success and 1 growth area.

Sherriden and team are creating a short video for how to upload comments and standard levels into powerschool.  Please look out for this early next week.  Following this video, if you or your team have questions, please invite Priya to a team meeting to go over.

Proof Readers (specialist teachers, divide and send your bullet points by grade to the below proofers)
LSS - Lori

EY3 and 4 - Lori
EY5 - Lori

Grade 1 - Rachael

Grade 2 - Hilary

Grade 3 - Keryn

Grade 4 - Dan

Grade 5 - Alex

Reporting Timeline reminder

Weds 1 November	faculty meeting dedicated to reports; time could be used for entering proficiency levels (MP/B/P/IA) writing narrative comments, or for proofing a colleague’s narratives
By Friday 3rd	Narratives written on google doc and given to proofing buddy in triad/team
Monday 6th EoD	report card narratives (google doc) due to admin for final proofing
Thursday 9th	Admin proof reports  (will return as completed)
Monday 13 Nov	Reports returned to teachers, can begin entering narratives into powerschool
Wednesday 15 Nov	All report information entered into Powerschool
Friday 17  Nov	Reports go live to parents

India Month feedback

Click here to fill in an optional survey from our Indian Studies team about India Month.

Halloween Parade - 31 October (repeat announcement)

Please remind students that they will have the opportunity to change into costumes at some point after lunch (teachers can decide the appropriate time); there is no need to wear costumes to school in the morning.  Please remind your students - no weapons please!

Class parties and the parade are listed on the calendar from 2:00-3:30. Grades will begin their parade at the following times:

9:00     EY3

2:15     EY4 and 5

2:25     1st grade

2:30 3rd grade

2:40     2nd grade

2:55     4th grade

3:05     5th grade

(Changes to this schedule are possible for classes with specials that conflict with these times. Coordinate with your team leader and let Lori know.)

Route (Adults will be handing out candy at each station):

1. ES Office/Counselling Office

2. Cafeteria

3. ES CIC

4. Head of School’s Office

5. Main Reception

6. Nurse’s Office (to be confirmed)

Return to class (please try to go via a route that is not on the parade route if possible).

Kids can change out of costumes or go home wearing them.

Please check your schedules carefully if you have afternoon specials. In some cases, special classes can likely be held (particularly those right after lunch). In some cases, they will need to be cancelled, and specialists should join in on the halloween walk. HR/EAL teachers and specialists can make those decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Head’s Round Table

We will have a Head's Round Table meeting on Tuesday, October 31. If you have any topics that you would like us to discuss, please contact Carl, Fer or Morgen through email or talk to them directly. Thank you.

Overseas Ordering
Grade level leaders and HoDs will be collecting your orders; Calley will collate Math orders for Bridges, and Alex workshop supplies so individual teams do not need to do this (pens and writing folders for EY5-5, Reading and Writing notebooks for Grades 3-5).

Thanks everyone!

Have a great weekend.

Warmly,

Keryn & Lori