Category: Weekly News

We are here for you! Dan & I continue to invite you to book meetings with us, using our Google Calendars, if you would like to talk about anything. ES Yearbook:  We are still going to produce a yearbook this year with the theme of “Zoom In, Zoom Out”.  In preparation for that, I am hoping that you can drop a few photos from this quarter into this Yearbook Folder. Minh has created folders for your first SuperUnit.  We will need to be creative … so we’d love to have anything you think might be usable. Parents may be able to help...

I don’t know about you, but it doesn’t really feel so much Halloween this year- I’m losing track of time! That being said, you made it happen! Thanks for the virtual Halloween stories, gatherings, and costumes this week. The students sure appreciate it. We are here for you! Dan & I invite you to book meetings with us, using our Google Calendars, if you would like to talk about anything. ES Yearbook:  We are still going to produce a yearbook this year with the theme of “Zoom In, Zoom Out”.  In preparation for that, I am hoping that you can drop...

It’s time for a break! Relax, unwind, celebrate, and recharge in whatever ways work best for you! Thanks for an extremely successful Virtual School Quarter 1. You have maintained a high standard of learning experiences for your students. They are lucky kiddos! We are here for you! Dan & I invite you to book meetings with us, using our Google Calendars, if you would like to talk about anything. This week’s Highlighted Resource: Are you interested in building health equity through music, art, and science? If yes, check out HIP HOP PUBLIC HEALTH! Bright Spots: Please take a moment to...

One more week until Quarter 1 is complete. This quarter has been massive. Starting the school year virtually, connecting with your students and families, providing high quality learning experiences, assessing and giving meaningful feedback, planning with your teams….you are STARS! Enjoy the conferences this upcoming week, where you can celebrate with the parents, the growth and success of their children! We are here for you! Dan & I invite you to book meetings with us, using our Google Calendars, if you would like to talk about anything. Bright Spots: Please take a moment to read the “bright spots” that were...

Welcome to October! October has always been one of my favorite months. This year, it brings us some hope! I hope that you are able to find some added freedoms to enjoy this weekend. Dan and I were both visited campus this past week and were very pleased with what we saw. As Dan noted in his email: Our facilities and operations team has done a great job with general cleaning of the elementary building.  When you visit the campus, you will find it clean and comfortable with AC on.  (Thanks to Wai Mun, Chris Beanes, and their team). For...

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...