Dear Faculty,
It’s hard to believe the first week is over. I heard from many of you that the students were happy to be back, enthusiastic, motivated, fun, and chatty - in a good way. That speaks volumes about how much the students enjoy going to school whether it’s on Zoom or on campus. I’d like to give all of you a huge shoutout for planning such engaging lessons/sessions to welcome the students back to school and start building your classroom community.
This is going to be another full Faculty Notes so please read it carefully.
Upcoming Week at a Glance:
Class Schedules
I know many of you are working on your schedule. When you have it in a finalized draft form, please drop it into this folder.
Mixing Grade Level HR Classes
Now that specials are scheduled by homeroom, students will not have the opportunity to see students from other classes in their grade level. Down the line, you might want to consider having a closing circle with another teacher on your grade level so students can mix and mingle.
Attendance Expectations
Some of you have asked about marking attendance and what the expectations are for students. We expect students to attend all of the live sessions each day. We know technology issues come up and we know some students are not in Chennai making it difficult for students to be present for every meeting. You may mark a student present if he/she attends a majority of your live classes. Please be flexible and understanding. You should also factor in submission of work. If a student is habitually missing classes, find out why. Communicate often with parents and Linda or Michele. Specialists, you’ll want to keep your own attendance records.
Instructional Coaching - From Elliot
Are you wondering how you might engage with coaching this year? Do you still have questions or wonderings after the OTL coaching introduction? Well, you're in the right place. Watch this short overview video that introduces the coaching program at AISC in more detail and offers a variety of entry points. Still have questions after watching, reach out to any of the members of the OTL including Elliot and Alex, your ES instructional and literacy coaches respectively. We hope to hear from you soon on how we can partner and support your learning and development this year.
Coaching Introduction Video 2021-2022
Zoom Safety - Social Media
To protect our students’ privacy, please do NOT post student faces with their names when posting screenshots of your Zoom calls on various public platforms like Twitter. (Refer to Gautami’s email from July 28th for more details.)
Zoom Ids and passwords
We’ve had a request to add Zoom Ids and passwords under the Zoom links on your virtual classroom. Some families find it easier to join with the ID versus the link (especially during power outages when students might have to join using a phone).The specialists have updated the Zoom document found here. Please note that some specialists have different Zoom links for each class so please copy the Zoom link that’s ilsted for your HR.
European Student Learning Facilitator
Kay is our Student Learning Facilitator for students in Europe. She can’t replicate the lessons you are doing on Zoom, but she will offer office hours and work with students 1:1 on an as needed basis after 4 p.m. IST. Kay is sending information to families currently in Europe early next week. She will be in touch with you if any of your students seek out her support.
Tech Notes from Priya V.
1. I've created all the Seesaw folders. Please remind teachers and specialists to let the students know that they need to tag the right folder. It's crucial.
2. All the school IT Accounts and Subscriptions can be found HERE.
3. Any parent concerns or complaints need to come via email to itsupport@aischennai.org that way we can make sure they are attended to. When teachers email me directly there are chances it may get lost in translation.
Partnership with HS Students - Small Fry
I’m Shari, the HS Personalized Learning Coordinator. As the IB CAS coordinator and NHS co-advisor, I love supporting HS students who wish to do authentic service. In my six years, I’ve helped coordinate HS students mentoring ES students lots of ways: ES Field Days, classroom visits to be reading buddies or story feedback givers, Library readers and translators, ES Vision Project helpers and coordinators, and most recently as “playdates” in Virtual times. In general, if you are interested in finding a HS student with a passion or an interest for your ES students, please reach out to me, our AP Chris Galaty, or the other NHS advisor, Shira Daryn. We can help.
Please find more information here about how you can partner with the HS students. Note: One of the partnering dates is coming up soon so please see the bottom of the document if you’re interested. This was very successful last year.
Library Resource - From Babs
Fer Latorre - ES Yearbook Liaison
A shout out goes to Fer for volunteering to be the yearbook liaison this year. Thank you Fer. You’ll see emails from her time to time. We appreciate your help with submitting photos as needed. Keep taking the screenshots!
From the Counselors
Happy First week of school! We know you love being with your students.
Here are some mindfulness activities to keep the “elephants” from charging. Short and easy.
Just listen: Everyone mutes themselves and stays still, silent and becomes aware of surroundings by listening to sounds.
Ask your students to sit comfortably and start by being aware of how they feel in the present moment. Then, invite them to breathe in deeply and exhale, imagining that their belly is a balloon that inflates and deflates - even a few minutes can help them clear their minds.
Sensory experiences: Ask students to choose an item - could be a tennis ball, slime, playdoh, stuffed animal, etc. They should hold the object in their hand and describe or think about what they are experiencing - color, texture, smells, etc.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Lynn and Dave
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