Weekly Update: November 28 – December 2

It is our 4th Thanksgiving holiday away from home in the United States and there are a number of things I miss.  I can live without turkey, gravy and all of the trimmings, apple pie, Christmas lights and trees going up all over our neighborhood in Seattle.  Instead, it is our friends and family we miss during the holiday season just like you.   Building relationships is not only important for work together as we support student growth, but also as we create our own unique versions of extended families abroad.  Our family is excited to connect with yours during the high school block party this week.

Have an amazing weekend,

Jacob

Friday, November 25
Day 5- CDAB
Alternate Bell Schedule for Terry Fox Assembly at 2:20pm
8:00 – 9:15am        First block (75 min)
9:15 – 9:30am        Break (15 min)
9:35 – 10:50am      Second block (75 min)
11:00 – 12:15pm     Third block (75 min)
12:15 – 12:55pm     Lunch (40 min)
1:00 – 2:15pm        Fourth block (75 min)
2:20 – 3:00pm       HS Assembly (40 min)

Educational Surveys: Blocks C & A
HS Block Party, 4:30-9ish (Jacob’s House)
HS Drama – Midsummer’s Night Dream at 6:30pm

Monday, November 28
Day 6- GHEF
Advisory Schedule
Educational Surveys: Blocks G & E

Tuesday, November 29
Day 7- DABC
Educational Surveys: Blocks D & B

Wednesday, November 30
Day 8- HEFG
HS Faculty Meeting, 3:15-4:30 (MPR)

Thursday, December 1
Day 9- ABCD
Advisory Schedule

Friday, December 2
Day 10- EFGH
Thao’s Going Away Dinner, 4:30 (info below)

On the Horizon:
Quarter 2 Ends, December 7
November/December Birthday Celebration, 1st Break (HS Faculty Rm), December 9
Student Comments Completed in Google or Word Doc and shared with a Colleague, December 9 by 4pm
Student Comments Reviewed by a Colleague, December 13 by 8am
Semester Exams, December 8-14 (Schedule Here)
All School Staff Party, December 10
A-H Schedule to Review Exams, December 15
Verification Reports to Teachers by 8am, December 15
Verification Reports Returned to Thao by 3pm, December 15
Comments and Quarter 2 Grades Due, December 15 at 3pm
Early Release Day/House Leagues and Winter Assembly, December 16

Staff Action Needed

• RSVP to Thao’s Going Away Dinner (see below)
• Administer Educational Surveys to your classes (Nov 24-29)
• Share ideas and get involved in our annual staff video for students (see below)

High School Block Party–  The high school block party is finally here.  We will be starting shortly after school on Friday, November 25th from 4:30-9:00.  We will be having Vietnamese BBQ, pizza (for the kids), drinks, live music and time to socialize.  Liz and Jacob live at 1 Hung Thai #11.  It will be very crowded with close to 100 attendees spilling into the streets of Hung Thai.  We look forward to connecting our larger HS families together.  Please leave your bicycles/Motorbikes at school or home and take a taxi if possible.

Ms. Thao’s Going Away Dinner– We will be celebrating Thao’s contributions to the high school on December 2 starting at 4:30.  The restaurant is called Song Que 5 and it is located on the other end of district 7 near the river.  Your dues to the Sunshine Committee will cover the cost of food for those who come.  Just bring some money for drinks.  Thao hopes you will be able to bring your families to this event.  Please complete this brief Google form, so we can plan accordingly.  See Bilal, William, Evan or Nathan from the Sunshine Committee about a going away gift.

HS Faculty Meeting– The HS Faculty meeting this week will be focused on our development of the High School Assessment Guidelines for 2017-18.  You will be completing a survey at your next department meeting that will help us determine where we already have consensus as a staff and where we need to build a common understanding.

Semester Exam Schedule– Tim has been working with the HSLT in the creation of our semester exam schedule.  We have been through a number of versions and have settled on the following:  Exams start on Thursday, December 8 with two exams a day in the HS gym.  Exams end on Wednesday, December 14.  You will see all of your students on Thursday.  This time is designated to return exams and share results with students.  You might also use this time to have students reflect on the academic progress in semester one and make plans for improvement for semester two.  Friday is an early release day that will include some house league events and and end of semester assembly.

Welcome Ms. Huyen– Ms. Thao, Tim and Jacob interviewed a number of very qualified candidates to take over running the high school office.  Ms. Huyen was offered the position and has accepted.  She comes to us from the marketing and admissions office from the Australian International School for the last 10 years.  She is very excited to join our staff and looks forward to meeting you all.  While her official start date is after winter break, you will see her working alongside Ms. Thao on December 5, 6, 7 ,8, 12 and 16.  Please give her a warm welcome when you see her.

Annual Staff Video– Over the last number of years, the HS staff has created a fun video for our students at our end of the semester assembly before winter break.  Below are some links to last year’s videos.  Jeff Nesmith and Dan Le will help shoot and edit this.  If you have any song ideas for this year please share the ideas with Dan, Jeff, Jacob or Tim.  All HS and all school staff (i.e. business, HR, admissions, etc) staff gets involved.  Here are the videos from last year to give you a sense of what we do.