March 18-22
We’re a family and we’re a tree.
Our roots go deep down in history
From my great-great-granddaddy reaching up to me,
We’re a green and growing family tree.
-Tom Chapin
Dear ES Team,
I spoke to my previous headmaster in the USA this past week– before he was appointed to his position at CSN, he was a Headmaster at several International Schools in Asia, and Europe. Our conversation made me realize how much I really appreciate how collaborative, well-supported, and dynamic our professional lives are at SSIS. Continuous improvement frames the work that we do—and I am so grateful to be working with a team of dedicated professionals who embrace their roles in contributing to the life of our school. Our attitude and our willingness to serve our students, parents, and colleagues truly impact the health of our school culture.
This week I also had a conversation with a few colleagues about the how valuable it is to periodically reflect on our personal and professional journeys– and how those quiet moments can help bring perspective to our current situations. Even when we are having “bad” days, if we pause for a moment, it usually doesn’t take too much time to realize that we have much for which to be grateful. I’m taking that moment now! It is truly a privilege to work with dedicated professionals who enjoy “improving upon excellence”—and who value the love, care, and joy that we are able to instill in others on this journey.
Here are some of my most grateful moments this week:
- Observing the power of our collective capacity working together towards a common goal: the revision of our progress report. I realized that our school culture values everyone’s input and feedback– and how this process is honoring our professional time by focusing on this topic during leadership, committee, and faculty meetings. It’s exciting to think about how the work we are doing now is the catalyst for the work we will continue to focus on next year!
- Participating in some Super Unit celebrations and thinking about the careful and complex planning involved in the successful presentation of these student-centered celebrations.
- Walking through various learning spaces and observing teachers, coaches, and TA’s conferring with our students, ensuring they are prepared for Super Unit Celebrations as well as our upcoming Learning Journeys.
- Appreciating the creativity, commitment, compromise, and teamwork necessary to prepare our students for a quality musical performances.
- Admiring the flexibility it takes to embrace the joy we provide on crazy days like today– when our atrium is transformed into an International Festival!
These are just a few examples of the kind of work that we do all the time—and this is the work that frames a healthy and productive school culture– and helps us reach our full potential as educators and as an institution.
You’re invited to participate in a POTLUCK (bring something to share) BREAKFAST on Friday 22 March from 7:30am in the Dragonfly Cafe. It’s a good way to stay strong and keep your energy up for Learning Journeys!
We want to CELEBRATE all of our accomplishments this year so far–and acknowledge and recognize all of the AMAZING work we all do with students, parents and each other everyday!
Have a great weekend!
Cheers,
Donna
Announcements:
- Don’t forget to take a listen to the newest Ed Tech Co-Op podcast Episode 89. Dan shares his insights on how we how we understand the concept of “The School House”.
Reminders:
- Please see the below procedure from The Navigator (ES Operations Guide) regarding transitions:
Students transferring to specialist classes
- Procedure for going to specialists
Students transferring to Recess and Lunch
- Teachers are responsible for the supervision of their students until they ensure that their students are now under the supervision of another adult.
- Example 1: A specialist teacher (or teaching assistant)walks their class out to recess and supervises them until the recess duty teacher arrives.
- Example 2: A classroom teacher (or teaching assistant) walks their class to lunch and supervises them until the lunch duty teacher arrives.
Learning About PEARL:
The PEARL character strength of the week is…
Curiosity
Definition: Wanting to know more.
Go to https://www.characterlab.org/curiosity for more information.
Weekly Snapshot:
Monday, March 18
- Viable Vietnam Film Festival
- 4ME- 9:00am
- 4MS- 10:00am
- Project X Pre-Days (11:30-3pm)
- ASA Season 3 begins
Tuesday, March 19
- Viable Vietnam Film Festival
- 4DR- 9:00am
- 4LH- 10:00am
- Project X Pre-Days (11:30-3pm)
Wednesday, March 20
- Project X Pre Days- 8:00-9:30am
- Encore Performance of Madagascar (9:50-11:05am)
- Full Faculty PD: Project X (3:15-4:40pm)
Thursday, March 21
- Happy Birthday, Lucinda RITTER
- G2 Super Unit Celebration 8:20-9:20am
Friday, March 22
- Happy Birthday, Tina RATLIFF
- Happy Birthday, Đào TRẦN – EC
- Potluck Breakfast
- EC-12 Happy Hour at Saigon Craft– hosted by the Sunshine Committee
Saturday, March 23
- PTA Bazaar
Upcoming:
Sunday, March 24
- Pest Control (inside and outside)
Wednesday, March 27
- EC Admissions Screening (12:30-4:00pm)
Friday, March 29
- Early Dismissal
- EC Admissions Screening (1:00-4:00pm)
Monday, April 1-Friday, April 5
- Spring Break
Wednesday, April 10
- EC Admissions Screening
Monday, April 15
- Vietnamese Kings Day (No School)
Wednesday, April 17
- EC Admissions Screening
ATHLETICS – CLICK HERE for future dates of games and tournaments.
MONDAY, March 18
- 3:15-4:30 – ES Table Tennis – STARTS
- meet in atrium then walk to HS fitness room
- 3:15-4:30 – ES Basketball (A+B)
- boys in HS gym
- girls in ES-MS gym
TUESDAY, March 19
- 6:15-7:30 – ES Swim (A+B)
- 3:15 – 4:30 – ES Swim (C)
- in pool
WEDNESDAY, March 20
- 3:15-4:30 – ES Swim (A+B)
- in pool
- 3:15-4:30 – ES basketball (A+B)
- boys in HS gym
- girls in ES-MS gym
THURSDAY, March 21
- 3:15-4:30 – ES Swim (C)
- in pool
FRIDAY, March 22
- 3:15-4:30 – ES Swim (A+B)
- in pool
