Week Ahead: Dec. 2-6

We are two weeks out from the end of Semester 1.  This is a very fun, and very busy time of the year.  Let’s all work together to ensure we are keeping up with events, happenings, and ways we can help each other.  Students are feeling the excitement and energy as well … thank you for all you will be doing these next two weeks to assist them in their emotional regulation and in the successful conclusion to their first semester learning.

The spirit of the holiday is most fun when it is shared.  This Saturday is the annual SSIS Holiday Party at the Sheraton Hotel. It’s a great time to dress in our fancy clothes, eat some great food, toast one another, and even do a little dancing.

Here is what’s up this week:

Monday, Dec. 2
Day 1, ABCD (ADV)
*Master overseas / budget orders due today
11:15 Learning Plan mtg (LT)
1-3:00 Admin Mtg (Molly attends)

Tuesday, Dec. 3
Day 2, EFGH (DEAR)
9:45 Learning Plan mtg (JH)
6-7:00pm MS Drama Production

Wednesday, Dec. 4
Day 3, BCDA (Sign up for Sports Day during DEAR)
9:45 Learning Plan mtg (DC)
3:15-4:30 Divisional Mtg (various locations – work on grades/comments)

Thursday, Dec. 5
Day 4, FGHE (ADV)
9:30-11 Admin Mtg (Molly attends)

Friday, Dec. 6
Day 5, CDAB (DEAR)
*Saigon Chocolatier in MS Faculty Lounge (great gifts to bring home)
7:30 Breakfast Club sponsored by Team 6
9:45-10:45 SST Mtg
11:45-12:20 Gr 7 Drama Scene (see Lisa S’s email to sign up to view)
2-5pm PTA Holiday Tree Lighting (Plaza)

Upcoming (on the radar)

• Dec. 9-13 Spirit Week Dress Up Days
• Dec. 7 – SSIS Winter Holiday Party, 6pm
• Dec. 11 – Music student rehearsal H block (all g7 and 8 music students will miss H block)
• Dec. 12 – MS Sports Day (special schedule)
• Dec. 12 – MS Winter Band Concert, 6pm
• Dec. 13 – MS Winter Celebration (special schedule)
• Birthdays Over Winter Break: John Urdall, Matthew Grove, Natalie Beals, Stephen Ada
• Jan. 6 – PD and Work Day for Faculty (no student day)
• Jan. 13-17 Visiting Author Mike Leach; MS assembly on Jan. 13
• Jan. 12 and 13 – Mekong River Honor Band (concert on Jan. 13)
• Jan. 15-17 Architects Visit

Grades and Comments Quarter 2 / Semester 1:  

• December 11 – comments completed and peer reviewed (in S1 bin) and grades completed by 3:00; verification reports printed at 3:45
• December 12 – verification reviewed, signed (can be digital) and returned to office by 2:00; report cards sent home to parents

Holiday Happenings:  There is a lot going on in the next few weeks.  This week is the drama production; next week is the concert, sports day and the winter celebration.  There are also a few more fun things thrown in like Spirit Week sponsored by Spirit Club.  Maybe even some fun shenanigans brought to us by the Sunshine Committee.  As we gear up for the holidays, we often get super excited and anticipate some excellent times ahead.  Sometimes that isn’t the case both for us adults and certainly for the students.  Let’s all be in the look out for colleagues and students who might need a bit more support, love and attention these next 2 weeks.

Sports Day coming: The PE department is hosting Sports day again with relays and Olympic fun.  On Wednesday this week during DEAR time.  I’m sorry to take up DEAR but it was there or during a certain block (but with the end of the semester that feels … difficult).  We will have all students report to the sign up locations directly after lunch (advisors can take attendance at the location).  Please assist our PE teachers with getting students signed up.  Here are the locations for the sign ups.

• Grade 8 – Bassac (Hinchliffe A311), Red River (Benck A205) Saigon Squad (R.Jardin A300)
• Grade 7- Bassac (G.Jardin A201), Red River (Beals A203), Saigon Squad (library)
• Grade 6 – Bassac (Butz A301), Red River  (Freil MS Gym), Saigon Squad (J.Urdal’s rm A305)

From Wellness Blog: Take a few minutes to check out the Wellness page on the All School blog:

The holiday season that runs through the TET holiday in January begins this week with the American Thanksgiving celebration. To help you prepare mentally and nutritionally, you might want to read a blog post from the blogger and registered dietitian nutritionist Carrie Dennett. Carrie usually focuses on nutrition but in this post offers guidance on mindfulness, our innate negativity bias, gratitude, taking what I call “beauty breaks” and lots more.

Speaking of beauty breaks, the three photos come from the Instagram accounts of Thomas Galvez, Elisabeth Tam and David Carpenter. Look to follow their Instagram accounts as they find beauty all around us. ?

Curriculum Office Deadlines: From David Chadwell:

Friday, December 6 @ 3:00 PM
Three Unique Wednesday Afternoons in 2nd Semester – Indicate your areas of interest