Friday, March 15, 2019

Friday, March 15, 2019

Dear all,

Yesterday - our Student led conferences - was such an impressive day. The classrooms and specialist learning spaces all looked fabulous and we thank each and every one of you for all the attention to detail that went into preparing the physical space and the students to be such eloquent sharers of their learning and of their learning growth.  We have had a lot of parent feedback already and our favourite comment so far was, “These were utterly amazing. Best conferences by far I’ve ever had with my child.”

Thank Yous
  • From Kristina to my team for being so collaborative. We have worked so hard to make sure our parents and students can have a successful SLC this week.
  • Thank you to Mary Kelly and Jack for leading the first vision projects launch session
  • Thank you to Sarah Sahr for exploring some EAL strategies with the EY-2 teachers
  • To Scott, Elliot and Becky for helping prepare Koshiro, Bianca, Johanna and Wonyoung for their high level board presentations.  Our students were amazing!
  • Thank you to Padma Priya, the Facilities Team and Maintenance Team members for setting up and taking down the SL Conference Art area at the FAC, from the Art Team.
  • Grade 5JD would like to thank EY5, Grade 1, and Grade 2, for giving us part of your morning meetings to collect data for our advocacy unit. Your thoughts were very meaningful to our learning.  And 5JD would like to thank grades 3, 4, and 5 for taking time to complete our digital survey.  We value your input and time!
  • Thank you to Anita, Priya, Clinton and all the helpers who prepared for the amazing G3-5 Art Exhibition.  Inspirational!
Upcoming Week at a Glance
Saturday 16th March
Maker Saturday
Blue and White Swim Meet
Monday 18th March
Field Trip Grade 1 (all classes) - 8:45 - 12:00 - Tree Foundation                        
Field Trip 2UK and 2FL 8:30 am - 1:30 pm to the Farm
Tuesday  19th March   
Field Trip 2DJ and 2BW 8:30 am - 1:30 pm to the Farm
Scholastic Book Fair
MSIS Training
Wednesday 20th March
Early Release 2 pm / Professional Learning 2:30 pm
Scholastic Book Fair
MSIS Training
Thursday 21st March
Field Trip EY3 DF and EY4 SP to The Elliot’s Beach 8:45 - 10:30 am
Scholastic Book Fair
MSIS Training
Grades 3-5 Spring Concert 2:30 - 3:15 pm
Friday 22nd March
Field Trip EY3 JS and EY4 JR to The Elliot’s Beach 8:45 - 10:30 am
AISC Staff Recognition Event - see details below
Last day of the third quarter

Covering Recess & Lunch Duties
When there is unexpected absence such as when someone is sick, we are asking everyone’s support in covering recess and lunch duties. We are always striving to balance out coverage across the Elementary Section, but this is not a straight swap as we all support each other when unexpected situations arise.
If you have a known absence such a planned personal day or upcoming PD, then please swap your duty with a colleague prior to the day you will be absent.

Dismissing and Transitioning from Specials
In clarifying dismissal procedures, students who have a specialist lesson during 7th period should be taken by that specialist teacher to the  assigned area in which students are typically dismissed. Also, students should only begin transitioning to the next period at the end the period before. When students are moving to and from specials, they have 5 minutes in which to transition.

Gathering Feedback
Dave is seeking feedback about how to better support teachers, specialists, and TAs in our elementary section. If you would like to provide Dave with some feedback, please click here to respond to this very brief survey. The survey will close at the end of the day on Friday, March 22nd.

Teacher Resources
There is a new Teacher Resources link on our faculty blog. This link includes resources on testing, teaching and ELL strategies, and responsive classroom/management strategies. We will continue to update and add to the is page.

Scholastic Book Fair
We are holding our second book fair of the year, the Scholastic Book Fair, Tuesday-Thursday during this coming week in the Unity Courtyard! All classes will visit during their library blocks with Jet and Teena next week.  Please invite them to come with money on those days if they are interested in purchasing books.  If you are also interested in sending flyers home with your students, we have some from Scholastic. Please come and help yourselves to them. Please also see Jet if you have any questions.  

Grades 3-5 Spring Concert (repeat announcement)

Rehearsal Schedule Below
Notes to Teaching Assistants:  If a specials class is “skipped” for rehearsal, homeroom TAs are responsible to walk the students to their rehearsal.  The Specials teacher is not responsible to accompany students or go to rehearsal.  For ALL rehearsals, TAs should stay and learn their role in facilitation, since they will be helping on the day.  Thank you for your understanding!

DATE
GRADE
TIME
CLASSES IMPACTED
DANCE TROUPE
4,5
[7 students]
12:20-1:15
 Lunchtime practices
None
March
Monday 18
3
2-2:40
TG - reg music
JM - Homeroom

MR - PE - Jack
SS - ART - Anita
Tuesday 19
5
2:00-2:40

2 classes only BT-VL
BT/VL - reg music
Wednesday 20
5
9:05-9:45
2 classes only JD-EF
JD/EF - reg music
Thursday 21 (DAY OF)
4
9:50-10:30
MG/JH - reg music
RC - ART
JN - Homeroom

Staff Recognition Event - Friday, 22 March at 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. (repeat announcement)
Elementary School
Our second annual staff recognition event is scheduled on Friday, March 22nd. This is the event when all students and faculty get together to celebrate our staff by forming a gauntlet from the FAC cafeteria, across the field, through level 1 corridors ending at the Unity Fountain Courtyard, for staff to parade through. Keeley and Priya will make a short presentation on this at the Section Meeting on Wednesday, 13th March. Below are the schedule and maps.

Schedule
  • 2:30 p.m. - All ES student council members to be wearing SC t-shirt; head to the FAC cafeteria with Dee and Fer
  • 2:40 p.m. - Rest of ES start to move; head to form gauntlet walkway
  • EY3/4 - meet Dave in covered area to join end of HS line on field (Dave will direct)
  • Grade 5 - head to covered area (where gauntlet will split) - form the line that crosses covered area, into the plaza towards amphitheatre (Keryn and Sherriden will direct)
  • Grade 2 - join end of Grade 5 line; continuing from amphitheatre towards outside Grade 1 classrooms   
  • Grade 1 join end of Grade 2 line, outside 1MW/1KG and past health centre towards unity courtyard
  • Grade 4 - head to covered area (where gauntlet will split) - form the line that goes from covered area down ES cafeteria side (Keryn and Sherriden will direct)  
  • Grade 3 - join end Grade 4 line, outside ES cafeteria passing EY5 classes
  • EY5 - join where Grade 3 ends; outside of CIC and towards unity courtyard
  • Parade should start at 2:50pm sharp.
  • Once staff parade passes by, students may return to classes
Map
 

Operation Appreciation Treat Day: Reminder & Request for Volunteers (repeat announcement)
On the morning of Friday, March 22nd, Operation Appreciation is organizing a Treat Day to show our appreciation to all of the staff here at AISC. If you are interested in volunteering by bringing in some treats to share, please sign up on this Google Form or email Keeley or Priya with any questions (tkeeley@aischennai.org or vpriya@aischennai.org). Thank you for your consideration of helping out by baking or bringing some yummy treats!

From Sarah Sahr: TC Reading & Writing Project, ELL Edition (repeat announcement)
As you may remember, I attended a wonderful TCRWP workshop this past January in NYC. I'd love to share some of the things I learned and that might fit into your instructional planning. For information in advance, here are my abridged notes.

If you are also interested, join me on Tuesday, 19 March, 3:45-4:30 p.m. in the SHED for a quick share (RSVP by 17 March).

Outdoor Learning Center Fun!
Finally, enjoy a little bit of Early Years fun in this pic of our students exploring their new auto rickshaw, safely tidied up and installed in the Outdoor Learning Center. Who’s driving this crazy ride?  
Have a great weekend!
Keryn, Dave and Calley

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