Weekly Update: November 5 – 9

I just returned from the EARCOS Leadership Conference last week.  This year EARCOS is celebrating its 50th anniversary and they went all out.  The keynote speakers were amazing along with the other conference sessions.  I attended a pre-conference on building schools of the future and many other individual sessions with topics like hiring the right people, effective use of data, empowering student voice, key factors for effective learning, and much more.  While I learned a lot about a future of education, there was one common sense researched-based approach to teaching that impacts student learning the most.  The personal relationships that we build with students inside and outside of the classroom increase student achievement in very profound ways.  This also connects with our divisional focus on the intellectual AND personal development of students.  We truly reap what we sow.  Continue your dedicated work with our students and keep in mind the importance of the time we spend with students building personal connections.

Have a great weekend,

Jacob

Friday, November 2
Day 10- FGHE
HS Faculty Breakfast- Maths Department, 7:30am (HS Faculty Room)
SEASAC Opening Assembly, 8:05-8:20 (Auditorium)
SEASAC Tournament (CLICK HERE )
Andrew Lam Author Visit Info, Friday Afternoon (MPR)

Saturday, November 3
SEASAC Tournament (CLICK HERE )

Sunday, November 4
SEASAC Tournament (CLICK HERE )

Monday, November 5
Day 1- ABCD
Advisory Schedule

Tuesday, November 6
Day 2- EFGH
HSLT Meeting, 3:15-4:45 (HS Conference Room) Agenda Here

Wednesday, November 7
Day 3- BCDA
Full Faculty Meeting/Vision 2030, 3:15-4:30 (Auditorium)
Andrew Hallam, Session 1: What’s Your Financial Freedom Number? How to calculate and reverse engineer your retirement, 5-6:30pm (Auditorium)

Thursday, November 8
Day 4- FGHE
Advisory Schedule
Andrew Hallam, Session 2: Simple, Smart Investing For Americans: Personal Investing to Work Less and Live More, 4:30-5:40 (MPR)

Friday, November 9
Day 5- CDAB
Sunshine HS Block Party, 4:00-9:00pm (Jacob’s House, 01 My Giang 1B)
Andrew Hallam, Session 3: You Can Afford Anything … But Not Everything: How To Land On The Right End Of The Wealth Gap (for all nationalities), 3:30-4:40pm (MPR)
Andrew Hallam, Session 4: Simple, Smart Investing for Non Americans: Personal Investing to Work Less and Live More, 5:15-6:25 (MPR)

On the Horizon

• Music Concert, November 15, 6pm (Auditorium)
• Saigon International Teachers PD Day, November 16 (Secondary at American International School, Nha Be)
• HS Lock-in, November 23-24
• SSIS Holiday Staff Party, December 1 (Sheraton)

Staff Action Needed

• Make sure to read the AP/IB Info, Matrix and Counseling Tabs of the Dragon’s Lair.  They may not always have new content, but contain critical information for you.

SEASAC Tournament Details– We are hosting our first ever SEASAC tournament this weekend.  There are a lot of ways to support our students and demonstrate pride in our school in the next few days.

• Opening Ceremony on Friday morning from 8:00-8:20.  All HS students will report to their first block classes (F Block) at 8:00am and drop off bags and immediately walk down to the Auditorium.  You will sit in the back of the auditorium for the ceremony and then leave when dismissed between 8:15-8:20.  The first matches warmups start at 8:30.
• We encourage you to attend matches in the HS gym.  CLICK HERE to see the tournament schedule.  All of the SSIS matches on Friday will take place in the HS gym.  Students can attend matches during study halls on Friday or bring your students down to watch as well.  Additionally, come out and support our kids on the weekend.

Sunshine HS Block Party– The third annual Sunshine HS Block Party is almost here on November 9.  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 (Metaforester and Scott Berry and Thomas Galvez).  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 vacant lot.  Special thanks in advance to Ms. Ha and Ms. Huyen for their logistical support of the event and Sunshine Committee members: Amy, Cassie, Evan, and William.

MS Do It Yourself Water Fountain– If you make it down to the MS building you will likely see a water dispenser like the one below.  As a school, we are eliminating single use plastic water bottles and there is still a need for water for students that forget their reusable water bottles.

The DIY water fountain consists of a piece of tubing, 2 hose clamps and a spigot.  It is intended to be used as a “drinking fountain” for students who do not have a water bottle.  The tubing has a yellow/gold color because it was soaked in ginger water for 3 days to remove the plastic taste.  

HS Teacher Professional Development

Please follow these directions when you are requesting and booking Professional Development. Please note that Ms Huyen, the HS Secretary, does not make any PD arrangements for teachers.

Step 1: Request for PD leave through the portal if you will be absent from school (click here to access).

Step 2: For registration, please set a time with Ms. Hanh, purchaser (hle@ssis.edu.vn) in Business Office or David Chadwell (dchadwell@ssis.edu.vn), Curriculum Director, to complete registration or email either with full and accurate required registration information  within 7 working days.  If a group is registering, then information for all will need to be gathered first before registration.

Step 3: For flight & accommodation arrangements please set a time with Ms. Hanh, purchaser (hle@ssis.edu.vn) in Business Office, to complete or email her with full preferred travel information.

Step 4: For advance/reimbursement payment, please see Ms. Anh, accountant (avu@ssis.edu.vn) in Business Office. The reimbursement documents should include the following:
– Payment request form (click here to download) with your signature (no need to get your division head’s signature)
– Copy of your approved request for PD funding (the attachment).
– Official receipt(s).

Step 5: To check visa/passport validity before leaving Vietnam for PD, please contact Mr. Duy (dpham@ssis.edu.vn) in HR office.

Step 6: PAPER COPY of a request for a substitute teacher needs to go to Huyen (this is NOT the same as the HR portal which needs to be filled out).

If you have question, please let relevant person in charge know or contact Mr. Huy in the HR Office