Week Ahead: Jan 21-25

2nd semester always seems to fly by … and this year will be no different.  There are many things happening here at SSIS during the next two weeks.  We have an early dismissal next Thursday to allow teachers to attend the PD session with Warren Apel, Finalsite University will be here next Thursday and Friday (using HS classrooms plus the MPR), and the Vietnam Tech Conference is also taking place on January 26-27th.

Here is what’s up next week:

Monday, Jan. 21
Day 1, ABCD (Adv)
12:55-1:35   1st Tet Activity
11:30 Table Tennis departs for SISAC at SING
2:30 Swimmers depart for SEASAC at BIS
3:15-4:30 MS Leadership Team

Tuesday, Jan. 22
Day 2, EFGH (DEAR)
11:30 11:00 Boys B and C Teams depart for SISAC @ EIS

Wednesday, Jan. 23
Day 3, BCDA (DEAR)
11:30 11:00 Girls B Team departs for SISAC @ BIS
3:15-4:30 School Wide Committees

Thursday, Jan. 24
Day 4, FGHE (Early Dismissal)
*Molly gone (Tim Chute covering)
*Finalsite Conference @ SSIS
11:30 11:00 Boys A Team departs for SISAC @ AmIS
12:00 Girls A Team departs for SISAC @ SSIS
1-4:30 Full Faculty PD – SAMR with William Apel

Friday, Jan. 25
Day 5, CDAB (DEAR)
*Molly gone (Tim Chute covering)
*Finalsite Conference @ SSIS
1:15-1:35  Tet Activity: Add to door decorations during DEAR

Upcoming (on the radar)

• Jan 26-27 Vietnam Tech Conference @ SSIS
• Jan 29  Adv. Bell Schedule for Music Promo concert for registration (MS/HS bands combined) during “advisory” period
• Jan 31  Tet Dragon Dance (special schedule)
• Feb 1-8 Tet Holiday
• Feb 12 Gr 6 Registration Session #1
• Feb 15 Gr 7 Registration Session #1
• Feb 18  MS Pep Rally
• Feb 19  Rising Gr 9 Parent Meeting: Transition to HS
• Feb 20 Gr 6 Registration Session #2 (during DEAR+15 min from last block)
• Feb 21 Gr 7 Registration Session #2 (during DEAR+15 min from last block)
• Feb 23 Faculty Follies
• March 2, Saigon International Teacher’s Social 3-8pm (location TBD)
• Mar 12  PSAT for Gr 8 (will run 8-11 ish; no special schedule just miss the morning blocks)

EARLY DISMISSAL SCHEDULE – Thursday
BLOCK 1    8:00 – 8:55am
BLOCK 2   9:00 – 9:55am
BREAK      9:55 – 10:15am
BLOCK 3   10:20 – 11:15am
BLOCK 4   11:20 – 12:15pm

When You Find Electronic Devices:  Just a reminder that if you find electronic devices in your room (esp. laptops and phones), please notify the office right away (even if you think the student might be coming right back).  These devices also need to be secured.  Please do not leave them sitting out on desks or counters.  Devices can be secured in your desk and/or brought to the office.

PD with Warren Apel: On Thursday, Jan 24 we have an early dismissal to take advantage of the expertise of Warren Apel who is the keynote speaker for the Vietnam Tech Conference.  Here is what is planned:

1) Thursday, January 24: AM on Social Entrepreneurship and PM SAMR with full faculty (Early Release)
2) Friday, January 25:  AM parent session on Parenting in the Digital Age (30 minutes), and PM 2 sessions on Google Tools for TA’s and Support/Office Staff
3) Saturday – Sunday, Jan. 26-27: VTC (Rebecca and Vaughan are giving workshops; Natalie and David R are giving lightning talks).

Tet Celebrations:  Thank you to the Tet Committee for planning a great set of experiences (click on that for the link) for the division during the weeks leading up to and including Tet.  Activities start Monday, January 21 and run through Jan. 31st ending with an amazing Dragon and Lion dance.  Please be on the look out for details coming from the committee.

Tet Dragon Dance Special Schedule:  Here is the schedule for Jan. 31 –

• 8-9:05 Block 1 (65 min)
• 9:05-9:20 Break (15 min)
• 9:25-10:30 Block 2 (65 min)
• 10:35-11:40 Block 3 (65 min)
• 11:45-12 DEAR (15 min)
• 12:00-12:30 (30 min)
• 12:35-1:40 Block 4 (65 min)  Take your Block 4 kids to the Dragon Dance
• 1:45-2:45 Dragon Dance

Changes to Book Room Hours: MS/HS Book room will be open Monday – Friday from 7:30 – 11:30 and assisted by Uyen (ule@ssis.edu.vn).  Please do not send students after 11:30 any day.

Dealing with Spam and Phishing:  Tech has added additional features to the ssis.edu.vn domain to help alert us to possible virus/ransomeware emails. A banner like the one below will display at the top of suspicious emails.

Talent Show Date Change: Based on StuCo’s request, the talent show has been moved to April 9.  Please encourage students to sign up with Mr. Ada for the show.  We will run a special schedule that day so that all can attend the show (also based on StuCo’s request).

PTA Bazaar March 23: The PTA will be hosting a bazaar on March 23.  They are seeking vendors for the event.  Each table is 1 mil VND (funds raised go to PTA programs).  Please contact the PTA if you are interested in hosting a table.  Deadline for registration is March 11.

PTA to Support Valentines Day Sales:  The PTA is willing to support any club or organization who wants to organize fundraising sales on Valentines Day.  If your group is interested, please contact the PTA.  They are eager to help make arrangements, orders, etc. to support student groups in their efforts.  The PTA will not be hosting their own event this year on Valentines Day.