Author: Melanie Sylvester

It’s been another big week of learning. Our students are so fortunate to be experiencing field trips (both virtual and physical), swimming in the pool, building landform models and movies, and learning how to butter toast in KG! Seeing everything going on continues to amaze me! Evacuation Drill Thursday @ 9:45am:  This week’s evacuation drill has two goals: 1 – sound check; 2 – improve on our performance in evacuation. Additional alarms have been added around campus. We will be ensuring we have all areas monitored so that we can check sound. You will be asked to report the sound level...

It’s been a treat to see our students back! I love looking out the window and seeing the students playing soccer during PE, sketching during out, climbing, and playing. There is such joy in the noise of children at play! TAs Support Communication: On occasion, grade level TAs may be asked to support LS and EAL teachers to communicate with Vietnamese parents in their grade level. Thanks to the TAs for providing this support! Travel Questionnaire: If you travel outside of HCMC (even on a weekend trip), you must fill this in before you travel. Thanks! Caterer’s Portal: The new Caterers...

Our students are coming back! Yes! We are so thrilled to have students back on Monday. Again, thanks so much for all the effort that you put into making this round of Virtual School such a success. Please take some time to reorient your students to classroom rules, transitions, and focus on relationship building. They are going to be so happy to see you and their peers. We wish you a wonderful week ahead welcoming them back! Video Bonus 3:45pm– For all of us who find ourselves overthinking, this video will provide some perspective. Please enjoy! Travel Questionnaire: If you...

Welcome back everyone! Thanks for all our your efforts to make Virtual School the best it can be for our students. We have been jumping into Google Meets and hearing meaningful discussions, seeing “entry tickets” using Jamboard, watching the young ones exercise and chat about the color wheel, and listening to fabulous read alouds. Thanks for the tremendous effort in getting your learning packets ready as well! Travel Questionnaire: If you travel outside of HCMC (even on a weekend trip), you must fill this in before you travel. Thanks! Virtual School Wellness For Students Idea: One approach for ES teachers...

Chuc Munh Nam Moi! The gracious water buffalo was naive when he agreed to help the rat and the cat across the river. He would have been first on the zodiac calendar if he decided to say no, but he couldn’t. Thus he lost 1st place in the zodiac list because he was betrayed by the rat. Legend has it that while crossing the river the rat pushed the cat overboard when they neared land. The rat made a more devious move when he jumped off the head of the buffalo when they neared the finish line and crossed first....

It’s the final week before the Tet Holiday. Thanks for your care in helping the students to transition smoothly and your encouragement of them to display our core values. As the holiday excitement mounts, please be extra attentive to this. We also want to acknowledge all of the hard work that has gone into the planning of field trips this week and the effort taken on the trips to ensure our student’s safety. THANK-YOU! Finally, thanks for you diligence in preparing for the possibility of Virtual School. We can do hard things….together! ES Community Garden Party- Postponed! Stay tuned for...

This week I have been reflecting on the care that is shown for our students by our staff every single day. THANK YOU ALL. ES Community Garden Party- Sunday, January 31! It took us awhile to get the permit (thanks so much Minh) but we got approval today. Let’s party! Tet Festival 2021 These are the links to information about this year’s Tet Festival:PlanSign up sheetTAs will be the main facilitators for this event. However, if teachers want to join this event as a station leader, you are very welcome! You can sign up or email me to discuss the...

The excitement of new Super Units and launches was in the air this week. Reflective work is being done as we spark interest in our students and Grades 1-5 homeroom teachers begin their coaching cycle work. Increased independence and confidence can been seen in our KG and EC classrooms. Specialist integration is purposeful and exciting. Great work everyone! Tet Festival 2021 These are the links to information about this year’s Tet Festival:PlanSign up sheetTAs will be the main facilitators for this event. However, if teachers want to join this event as a station leader, you are very welcome! You can...

Happy New Year and Welcome Back! Special thanks for Molly for sharing this information on her MS blog, so that I can copy it and share it with you. 🙂 It comes from the website – Action for Happiness. In addition to articles, research and other useful information, they post an action calendar each month. Simple actions to do to assist in building happiness. Check out this month’s action calendar. If 40% of our happiness is derived from activities and relationships, what can we all do with and for each other and ourselves to build that happiness? Updated Duty Roster: Due...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Dan & I wish you a wonderful winter break. Relax, refresh, and enjoy the time off. Thanks to each of you for your contributions to making SSIS an incredible experience for our students. Updated Duty Roster: Due to the exciting addition of the Spark Lab and some small adjustments, there is an updated duty roster. This will affect very few of you, but please have a look. Thanks! The Week Ahead: Monday, January 4 No School! Tuesday, January 5 Professional Development Day: No school for students Wednesday, January 6 Full Faculty PD: Specialist SuperUnit Planning Carousel TA PD:...