Week Ahead: Nov. 23

Okay – a lapse in Friday AM posting … and since I completely forgot and it didn’t even cross my mind last night, I realize how diligent I must be to truly build a new habit.

Happy Vietnamese Teacher Day!  This is a big day in Vietnam and includes many wonderful traditions in the local schools.  At SSIS, our parents show their appreciation through an amazing Teacher Appreciation Luncheon in the auditorium today.  Be sure to attend and enjoy the love!

Here is what’s up for the week:

Monday, Nov. 23
Day 1 ABCD
Session 2 ASAs begin
1:30-3 Admin Mtg

Tuesday, Nov. 24 
Day 2 EFGH
9:30-10:30 HOS/MS Principal Mtg
12ish Swim SISAC @ ISHCMC
3:00 MS Football Starts

Wednesday, Nov. 25
Day 3 BCDA
8-9 Learning Plan Mtg
3:15-4:30 Full Faculty Meeting

Thursday, Nov. 26
Day 4 FGHE (DEAR)
*Bake Sale
7-9 HS Winter Concert

Friday, Nov. 27
Day 5 CDAB (HL Schedule)
9:35-10:35 SRT Mtg
7-9pm PTA Parent Social Event

Upcoming (on the radar)

• Dec. 2; ES Gr 3-5 Winter Concert
• Dec. 3; Gr 8 EAL/LS Check In @ Lunch
• Dec. 4; Gr 6 (D Block), Gr 7 (Lunch) EAL/LS Check In
• Dec. 3-4; HS Drama Production
• Dec. 9; Special Schedule for Gr 8 Advisory Program and MS Concert Rehearsal A Block (all MS music students will attend)
• Dec. 10; MS Winter Concert, 7pm
• Dec. 12; SSIS MS/HS Concert at Crescent Mall
• Dec. 12; SSIS Faculty and Staff Holiday Party 6-11pm
• Dec. 14; Gr 8 Drama Rehearsal, 8-11:00; Gr 8 Drama Production, 6:30pm
• Dec. 15; Gr 7 Drama Rehearsal, 12:15-3; Gr 7 Drama Production, 6:30pm
• Dec. 18; Special 1/2 day Schedule; MS Talent Show and Fun Day

Stay on Top of Calendars:  This is where it gets busy!  Lots of thing are happening with special rehearsals and sports events.  Be sure to keep track of these things in your calendar as well as in your lesson planning.

Assessment Planning for December:  Building systems to support high achievement in students is important.  One critical step is to ensure that major assessments and projects aren’t piled on top of each other.  December represents a crunch time for this as all courses are usually wrapping up for the semester.  To assist, we will be using an Assessment Planning document for each grade level.  I will have these documents created by Monday – and will require all teachers to work together to create a balanced assessment plan for students.

Collaboration/Integration Opportunity: The English, Writing and Maths teachers (Abena, Greg and Eric) have planned a unit for January to March around entrepreneurship. Following the model of TV shows such as Dragons’ Den, The Apprentice and Shark Tank, Grade 6 teams will research the power of advertising, create products, market (and sell) them, track the finances, and finally present all their hard work to a panel of external judges.  If you are interested, please let them know as soon as possible – it would be great to have you on board!  (see email from Nov. 19 for more information)

Education Surveys:  The Leadership Team met yesterday and talked about the administration of the surveys.  Social Studies teachers will pre-teach the surveys on Monday and Tuesday next week.  After that, please feel free to administer the survey to students.  I will send out an email on Tuesday with the link and a general script for administration.

Summer Travel Plans: We know it’s early, but many of you are already working on summer travel plans.  Please keep in mind the information from Mark’s email of Nov. 17.  August 1 or 2nd if the first day for all returning faculty.