Weekly Update: November 4 – 8

There’s no I in TEAM. This is something that I remember sharing with my volleyball players when I coached. One of the reasons why our division operates so well is because we work together as a team. This last week I was reminded of countless examples of faculty stepping up and being selfless in support of our division and school. Teachers travelling to chaperone our MUN trip in Cambodia and at ABCIS, department heads and other faculty that are interviewing potential candidates for next year, teachers dressing up for our spirit week, your meaningful contributions to our IB accreditation process, teachers finding new ways to encourage wellness through board games, teachers thoughtfully crafting their letters of recommendation for our ED/EA applications, and teacher-leaders taking risks trying to implement Cognitive Coaching strategies. I could go on and on. I am so blessed to work with such selfless professionals.

Have a great weekend,

Jacob

Friday, November 1
Day 5 – CDAB
MRISA Volleyball Tournament
Spirit Week- Blue Out (School Pride)

Saturday, November 2
MRISA Volleyball Tournament
MUN- ABCIS Secondary Campus

Sunday, November 3
MUN- ABCIS Secondary Campus

Monday, November 4
Day 6- GHEF
Advisory Schedule
Flansburg Architects on Campus

Tuesday, November 5
Day 7- DABC
Flansburg Architects on Campus
Card Games in the Library at Lunch
HSLT Meeting, 3:15-4:45 (Agenda Here)

Wednesday, November 6
Day 8- HEFG
Flansburg Architects on Campus
Board Games in the Library at Lunch
Full Faculty Meeting, 3:15-4:30 (Auditorium)

Thursday, November 7
Day 1- ABCD
Advisory Schedule

Friday, November 8
Day 2- EFGH
Jacob at GRC Recruiting for SSIS
Active Games in the Library at Lunch
Sunshine Nov/Dec Birthdays, Morning Break (HS Faculty Room)
HS Robotics Scrimmage, 3pm (Plaza)
S Factor, 6pm (Auditorium)

On the Horizon

• Saigon International Schools PD Day- Be Together, November 15
• HS Block Party, November 22 (Save the date!!!!)

Staff Action Needed

• Read the all school Wellness Blog from the WELL Core Team
• RSVP for the Sunshine HS Block Party, November 22
  Review Check important dates that impact instruction here
• Check your gradebooks. There should be a couple of data points for Q2 even if just formative.

MRISA Opening Assembly, October 31– We are hosting the MRISA Volleyball tournament at SSIS on October 31 to November 2 here at SSIS. One of the school expectations for MRISA and SEASAC is to host an opening Assembly with the student body. It is a great way to kick off a competition and to build community. All faculty and students will attend the assembly on Thursday, October 31 at 8:00am in the Auditorium. Students should show up to your F block classes, drop off their bags, then walk down to the auditorium. It should last until about 8:20-8:25 and students should be back in their F block classes by 8:30. We have taken this time from the first block class in the past. At the HSLT meeting this week, we looked at different options, but decided to keep this format. On another note, come out and support our athletes when you can during your prep, lunch after school and/or on Saturday. Here is the tournament schedule.

Games in the Library (Nov 4-8)- Come out and connect with our students while encouraging wellness next week in the library. No electronics will be allowed in the library during lunch next week. We will have a series of games available for students and teachers to play together at lunch. Come out and have some fun with your colleagues and students! Tuesday (Card games), Wednesday (Board games), Friday (Active games)- Twister, Blocks, Jenga, etc.

Observation, Visibility and Recruiting– Tim and I are more than half way through our observation cycle with you (teachers). Our plan is to finish the entire faculty by winter break. In addition to these formal 85 minute evaluations, we normally do our 10-15 minute learning walks. Due to recruiting season, the number of learning walks will likely be reduced. These will return in full swing during semester two.

Tripod Surveys: We will be giving student surveys from November 11-21. The first block of the day is designated for the survey.  We will be using the short version of the survey that takes about 5-10 minutes. Each teacher will have at least 3 of their blocks take the survey for them.  So some days you will be giving the survey and some you will not. Later you will receive individual survey tickets for your students and a script to read beforehand.  Here is the list of  HS blocks/courses that will be surveyed.  For more information about the Tripod Survey and the data you will receive, please read through the  Teacher Toolkit for Tripod.  Here is the actual block schedule for the surveys:

• Nov 11- B
• Nov 12- F
• Nov 13- C
• Nov 14- G
• Nov 15- PD Day
• Nov 18- D
• Nov 19- H
• Nov 20- A
• Nov 21- E

Sunshine HS Block Party– The fourth annual Sunshine HS Block Party is almost here on November 22.  RSVP for the Sunshine HS Block Party by November 15. In addition to amazing food and beverages we will have a distinct opportunity to connect with one another’s families and listen to some great bands (Shoe, Scott Berry and anyone else that wants to play).  The party is at Jacob’s House, 01 My Giang 1B at the end of canal street and is right near the Crescent Bridge and park along the river.  We will be starting at 4 and going until 9pm.  Stop by for as long as you can, but the bands will likely be playing between 5 and 7pm.  Please park your bikes and motorcycles on the sidewalk across from the house by the construction wall.  Special thanks in advance to Ms. Ha, Ms. Huyen and Ms. Tram for their logistical support of the event and Sunshine Committee members: Amy, Evan, Ted and William.