Friday, February 02, 2018

Dear Faculty,

The sun is shining, it’s lovely out - so have a wonderful weekend everyone! Next week is a big one with 30 faculty in Responsive Classroom training. Please be mindful of this, pay extra attention to the new duty and specialist schedule, and help each other out when needed. Thank you!

 

Thank yous…

• Jack, Sobha and Jane for three wonderfully fun field days
• All teachers for their support of these field days
• Grade 4 for all the meticulous planning for their sleepover tonight (and for sleeping at school!)
• The grade four team would like to thank Dee for all she does in supporting our team. We're especially grateful for all the work she's done in organizing the sleepover.
• Thank you everyone (from the PE team) so much for helping make our Field Days go so well!  The days were a great success only because of everyone’s preparation and hard work during the event.  Everything you did is very much appreciated and we would love to hear your feedback on how to improve for next years’ Field Days.  Here is the link: Field Day Feedback Form
• Huge thank you to Priya and her team of teacher gardeners; Amy, Kay, Kristina, Morgen, Ula, Fer, Megha, John, Ross, Janna, Julia - please use #adoptagarden #aiscelementary to post pics too!
• Thank you to those who have signed up to pay it forward and be a buddy for our incoming class of 18-19. 

Korean Parent feedback

We had a productive meeting with all our KPA reps on Tuesday. We discussed some key points of cultural diversity, as well as took questions and feedback from the parents.

Overwhelmingly their message was this: Do as much as we can to very strongly encourage children to speak English at all times in the classroom. We agreed to share this message with you all. Please know you have the support of the Korean community in being stronger in your encouragements to make this to happen.

NGOs feedback

Last week several NGO educators visited our school and shared the following observations that struck them:

• It is so clear that Inquiry is driving everything in the classroom
• The relationships between teacher and students are amazing with high respect on both sides.  It is obvious kids want to learn.
• So many teachers and adults in every classroom!
• Collaboration is highly valued here. 
• The amazing value of having coaches to see the whole picture of the school and to help make planning for each grade unique
• Teachers sharing best practice at the planning meetings showed clear common goals and no one dictated the style or way of how teachers should do something
• Importance of children asking questions and allowing this to lead classes
• The curriculum is so fluid; focused on children, differentiated, and clear understanding are supported in every way

Everyone can celebrate these successful observations!  Thank you.

Responsive Classroom:  Mon - Thurs 8:30 - 3:30pm

Thanks ahead of time to everyone for their flexibility and attention to all the the changes that will accompany this opportunity. Here are some links that you’ll need to keep track of logistics:

Subsand Special Classes (no changes from last week)

DutySchedule All TAs and teachers not in RC, please check this document carefully. Some people have retained their regular duties. For others, it is different. The easiest way to search for your name is probably to do a 'command F' (apple) or 'ctrl F' (PC). There shouldn’t be any conflicts between teaching and duties, but let me (Lori) know if you find a clash.

Please be aware that this special duty schedule covers Monday through Thursday, and all regular Friday duties go back to normal.

DutyLocations and Responsibilities If you find yourself in a new location, you can check out this link to see where you should be and what you need to do.

Again, all regular specials classes and duties will run on the above schedules from Monday through Thursday. Everything goes back to normal for next Friday.

Wednesday Sectional Meeting next Wednesday 7 February: 2:30 in the BBT

For Elementary Teachers (not in Responsive Classroom Training)

Topic: Intro to Responsive Classroom

• 6 Guiding Principles
• Core Belief (including morning meeting)
• 4 Domains

Tutoring info for teachers - all tutoring relationships/agreements need to be confirmed directly by Keryn. Going forward, and to protect the integrity of the programme, tutoring needs to be based on an actual academic need and recommended by a teacher. Parents who may approach you to request tutoring as a form of after school care should be informed of this policy. This is also in the handbook for their reference.

Friendship day (this message was also sent to Room parents)

February 14th is Friendship/Valentine’s Day and one of the 4 agreed upon events we celebrate and recognise within the Elementary school. As parents have requested a shared timeline, any classes planning on decorating classes can happen anytime from Friday 9th.

Happy weekend everyone!

Keryn & Lori