Author: Melanie Sylvester

This week has gone so quickly! Thanks to everyone for providing us with such valuable feedback on the faculty check-in survey. As per Dan’s email today: Dan shared the summary with Elementary Leadership Team which identified short term concerns (needing more planning time, reducing meetings, reducing assessment expectations) and long-term (issues related to return to physical school and winter break).  We discussed these in the Senior Leadership Team and have initially responded to some of those concerns (winter break focus group, delaying YAAG due dates, cancelling Wed. staff meeting, allowing 1/2 day for planning).  In addition, Mel and I have...

Bright Spots: Please take a moment to read the “bright spots” that were shared last week on the right side widget! Let’s continue to focus on, and celebrate, the good things. When we do this we can share a joyful educator moment or share a shout out to a staff member who has brightened our day. You can find the form here! Thanks to Sophie for sharing a reflection she did with her class. Please do invite Dan or myself to come for a class visit, and share with us the amazing work you and your students are doing. We...

Super Units are in full swing, power standards are being taught, students are asking great questions, and communicating in a variety of ways. I’d say we’ve successfully launched a very high quality VS program and are finding our groove and our parent feedback supports this. Dan will share this out next week. Well done everyone! Covid Relief Community Support: Our grand total was 400, 700, 008 VND. Thanks to everyone who contributed! Here is a FlipGrid page where students and teachers can post positive messages, artwork, songs, poems (basically anything!) for the Saigon community during this time.  Professional Development Opportunities: I have...

It’s looking to be a wonderful week of learning! If you have something special going on, please invite Dan and myself and we will do our best to be there! Covid Relief Community Support: This continues until September 5th. We are attempting to get to 400,000,000 VND and are well on the way! Here is a FlipGrid page where students and teachers can post positive messages, artwork, songs, poems (basically anything!) for the Saigon community during this time.  ES Sunshine Committee: Let’s spread some cheer and support our ES community! If you like to organize events that celebrate and support others, please...

As I reflect on this past week, I think about the community coming together and supporting each other. This is evident in your teamwork and shared support of each other, our students, and their families. Thanks for your role in our community! It’s a three day week coming up! Please enjoy a break from your screens and find some time to relax. Covid Relief Community Support: This continues until September 6th. As you saw from Catriona’s recent email, the school is partnering up with the charity From Saigon to Saigon who make food and essential care packages to people in desperate need...

Huge congratulations on finishing up a very busy start of the year, and you did it virtually! We hope you can join us today, Friday, August 20, at 4pm to Connect & Celebrate! Covid Relief Community Support: We are launching this with the parent community today. Please watch for a letter to faculty. Nick and I will be providing you with student communication and information about how we will support as an ES community. ES Sunshine Committee: Let’s spread some cheer and support our ES community! If you like to organize events that celebrate and support others, please join! If...

What a wonderful week of connecting! You did it! Our students are online, happy, and learning! Thanks so much for all of the work that everyone, EVERYONE, has done to start so strong! Please take a moment to read the “bright spots” that were shared last week on the right side widget! Let’s continue to focus on, and celebrate, the good things. When we do this we can share a joyful educator moment or share a shout out to a staff member who has brightened our day. You can find the form here! The Week Ahead: Monday, August 16: Tuesday,...

Firstly, I wish to thank you for all a wonderful start. We are in highly unusual circumstances and yet, you all continue to show incredible professionalism and dedication. This year, we are going to focus on “Finding the Bright Spots.” When we do this we can share a joyful educator moment or share a shout out to a staff member who has brightened our day. You can find the form here! The Week Ahead: Monday, August 9: Full Faculty Orientation 3:00 Elementary Leadership Team 4:00 New Families Orientation (All School) 5:00 Grades 4 & 5 Laptop Orientation (Run by Dave...

We wish you all a wonderful summer! Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication. Here are the links to the virtual assembly and the departing faculty video: Virtual End of Year Assembly Departing Faculty Video Be well and take good care! Mel & Dan Important Info at your fingertips: SSIS Summer Safety Care and Excellence in Action Form!  Visitor Registration Procedures Operations Guide: The Navigator ES Virtual School Guidelines Duty Roster 2020-2021 Evacuation Plan Procedures Rainy Day Recess PE Equipment Checkout Form ASA Arrival and Dismissal Information Event Video Request What to do if you miss school Wellness...

It’s our last week of school! It’s hard to believe. We have provided our students with exceptional learning experiences and fostered their academic and personal growth. Despite the uncertainly of our situation, we have worked with resilience and shown care and support for each other. Let’s continue to lift each other up! We can do this. And we can do this well! CURRENT UPDATES: 1) What is the expectation for teachers completing pass-up folders? Pass-up folders should still be completed according to the original format, but the expectations for the due date are modified. If you are terminating your employment with...