Weekly Update: December 11

No matter how well something is planned, execution is rarely perfect.  This was the case three years ago when we took our boys to get a picture with Santa Claus.  While this was Smith’s first picture with Santa, it was Jack’s fifth.  In addition to matching clothing, a lot went into the preparation of this photo.  We thought we had “coached” Jack up for this moment.  He was the big brother that would stay calm for his little brother.  We then spent the days leading up to the picture talking to Smith about Santa in an effort to avoid a melt down.  Fast forward to picture day.  With their game faces on and “coaches” in the wings we headed to downtown Seattle to take our yearly picture.  Smith was in fact surprisingly stoic throughout the first few moments of the photo shoot.  Unfortunately, Jack was the one that initiated an epic meltdown.  The picture above is the result of our planning.  Many things went amazingly well in our first semester together.  However, it wasn’t perfect as little in life is.  I look forward to our continued growth together in the second half of the year.

Have a great weekend,

Jacob

Staff Action Needed

• Enjoy Winter Break- Due December 19
• WWW Committee- Please complete this form if you are interested in helping plan the future of our WWW program and trips for the 2016-17 school year.

Friday, December 11
HS Exam Day #2 (Exam Schedule Here)
Copies of Student Comments (to be shared with a colleague) by 4pm

Saturday, December 12
SSIS Staff Party (Cham Charm) 6-11pm

Monday, December 14
HS Exam Day #3 (Exam Schedule Here)

Tuesday, December 15
HS Exam Day #4 (Exam Schedule Here)
Colleague Comment Review Due:  December 15 by 8am

Wednesday, December 16
HS Exam Day #5 (Exam Schedule Here)

Thursday, December 17
Conflict HS Exam Day #6 (Exam Schedule Here)
All Grades/Comments Final in PowerSchool: December 17 by 4pm

Friday, December 18
Early Release Day
House Leagues
HS Assembly
Grade/Comment Verification Signed and Returned to Thao:  December 18 by 2pm
Grades/Comments Sent to Students and Parents: December 18 around 4pm

On the Horizon

Winter Break: December 19 – January 10
Non-student day (Professional Development): January 11
Jacob Gone (Recruiting SA Bangkok): January 11
HS Faculty Meeting (First Semester Forum): January 20
English & Science Departmental Dinner: Jacob’s House, February 18
Arts, SS, PE and Support Services Departmental Dinner: Jacob’s House, February 25
Maths, World Langauge, Counseling Departmental Dinner: Jacob’s House, March 3

First Semester Forum– The HS Leadership team has been planning a reflective activity for the fall semester.  Elaine Eastwood, one of our CFG facilitators from the elementary school will be leading us in a dialogue about the strengths, areas of growth, and what our focus should be in the second semester.  You will be preparing for this “Forum” during the January 11th professional development day with your department.

WWW Committee– A committee is being formed to help plan the future of our Week Without Walls program and trips for the 2016-17 school year.  Please complete the following form if you are interested in joining.  This group will be looking for an alternative location to our Indonesia trip this year among other important factors.

Departmental Dinners/Save the Date– Starting in February after Tet Break every department will be invited to the Hendrickson house for a dinner together.  Our house isn’t quite large enough to host the entire school, so we have split the departments into three groups.  We encourage you to bring your entire family with you to this event.  More information to follow, but these dinners will take place from 4-7pm on Thursday nights.  Save this date please and add this event to your calendars.