Weekly Update: July 29 – August 9
I spent a lot of time working on improvement projects on our new home this summer. From painting to wallpaper, plumbing, electrical, gardening and more our home was completely transformed and has become a place that we are so proud of and excited to return to for our holiday breaks. This year will be a nostalgic one for me, as I close the chapter of my experiences at SSIS. As I was completing mindless painting projects, I was reminded about all of the amazing things that we have accomplished together as a division over the last four years. Some of you have been along for the entire ride while others are just joining our community this year. Regardless of your entry point, our division has become a home and community for us as professionals and a caring and supportive place where our students have had the opportunity to flourish as young adults. We have created something special. I am excited to continue to build upon our strengths and strategically target our growth areas this coming year.
Safe travels. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Jacob
Monday, July 29
Heads of Department Report
HSLT Meeting, 9:00-10:30 (HS Conference Room)
Heads of Department Support New Faculty, 10:45-12:00
Tuesday, July 30
All Faculty Report
Full Faculty In-Service Schedule
Bring a photo on your phone or laptop of an experience you were grateful for this summer
HS Faculty Social, 3:30-4:30 (HS Faculty Lounge)
Wednesday, July 31
Full Faculty In-Service Schedule
Thursday, August 1
Full Faculty In-Service Schedule
Friday, August 2
Full Faculty In-Service Schedule
SSIS BBQ, 4:00-6:00pm
Saturday/Sunday August 3/4
Buildings Air-conditioned, 9:00am-3:00pm
Monday, August 5
Full Faculty In-Service Schedule
Tuesday, August 6
Student Orientation Day
Grade 9 and New to SSIS, 8:00am-12:00pm
HS Orientation (All Students), 12:00-2:00
Wednesday, August 7
Special A-H/Advisory Schedule
Thursday, August 8
Day 1- ABCD
Advisory Schedule
Friday, August 9
Day 2- EFGH
On the Horizon
Saigon International Teacher Social, 3pm August 24 (Saigon Outcast D2)
HS Curriculum Night, 6-8pm on August 29
Vietnamese National Day, September 2 (Holiday)
Staff Action Needed
Review Important Start of Year Documents
Recognize a colleague with a kudos
SSIS Faculty Forms (Field Trip Forms, PD Request Forms, etc.
Summer Gratefulness Photo– We would like each faculty member to have a photo of an event/experience that you had this summer that you are grateful for ready to share with colleagues for the start of our time together as faculty on July 30. Below is mine that I am looking forward to share.
Opening Day HS Social– We will have our first social of the year at the end of the day on Tuesday, July 30 starting at 3:30 in the HS Faculty room. This is a great opportunity to chat with your colleagues about your summer experiences, meet the new faculty and reconnect. We will have some beverages and light snacks.
New Faculty– I am super excited for you to meet our new faculty that are joining our community. Here are their bios again for you, so can reach out and support them directly.
Sunshine Committee Duesβ The Sunshine committee organizes a number of great events and celebrates and supports those staff members in need over the course of the year. In addition to monthly birthday celebrations and organization of departmental breakfasts, Sunshine shows random acts of kindness, flowers and other items to celebrate milestone events in our lives. Sunshine will organize a whole staff event each quarter. Sunshine Committee members this year are: Amy, Evan, Jacob, and William. Looking for more members too. We will be asking for a 500,000 VND contribution to be paid to Evan or William by our August 14th meeting (we will be collecting money at our Aug 14 faculty meeting).
HS Curriculum Nightβ Our HS Curriculum Night will on Thursday, August 29th. Our grade 9, 10 and 11 parents arrive starting at 5pm in the auditorium (9), HS gym (10), MPR (11) for information on the WWW program and Junior Retreat. Only grade level deans (9/10) and trip leaders need attend this session. Curriculum Night officially starts at 6pm in the auditorium. After a 10 minute opening, parents will start coming to your classes according to the bell schedule at 6:20pm for A block. You can see our schedule on this link. Some of you will not be able to return home after school, but stay here for the evening. We have ordered a few pizzas to be in the HS faculty room at 4:15pm. Be in your classrooms by 6pm.
You only have 10 minutes with each class, so highlight at least:
- Introduction of yourself and background
- Share an overview of the course curriculum
- Share grading/marking guidelines
- Share the sylabus
- Let them know the best ways to contact you about their childβs progress
If you have any questions about your 10 minutes of fame, please talk to your department head, Jacob or Tim.
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About The Author
Jacob Hendrickson
Jacob's 20 plus years in education have taken him from California to Seattle, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam as an educational leader. He is currently the high school principal at Saigon South International School.