Week Ahead: August 27-31

Thank you all for the support you showed me while I was dropping off Makenna at uni.  This moral support – and seeing all the ways in which you stepped up and made the week run smoothly made a difficult life moment much better.

Here is what’s up next week:

Monday, Aug 27
Day 6, GHEF (Adv)
1:30-3 Sr Admin mtg (Molly attending)
3:15-4:30 MS Leadership Team Mtg (Agenda)

Tuesday, Aug. 28
Day 7, DABC (DEAR)
*MS Photos
7:15-7:45 New Faculty PS Review and Updates

Wednesday, Aug. 29
Day 8, HEFG (DEAR)
*MS Photos
12:30-2:30 Admin Mtgs (Molly attending)
3:15-4:30 School Wide Mtg (Auditorium)

Thursday, Aug. 30
Day 9, ABCD (Adv)
*MS Photos
9:30-11 Admin Mtg (Molly attending)

Friday, Aug. 31
Day 10, FGHE (DEAR)
*MS Photos
12-4:00 Vietnam Intl School Sr Leadership Network Mtg (Molly attending, off site)

Saturday, Sept 1
*Happy Birthday Hang!

Upcoming (on the radar)

• Sept. 3, No School, Vietnamese National Day
• Sept. 8-9, CFG Institute
• Sept. 21, MS Dance
• Sept. 24-27, Author Visit (Sept. 24 Special Schedule)
• Sept. 26, Early Dismissal – PD
• Sept. 28, Family Fun Day (expected attendance for at least a short period of time)
• Oct. 6-7, EARCOS Weekend Workshop at SSIS (Jacob Humes leading, Emotional Coaching)

MS Photos:  Please be sure to check the MS Photo Schedule shared by Hang.  You’ll be taking your class to the basement of Bldg C.  Plan accordingly for the walking time.  Each person will be taking 1 photo for the yearbook; and another (possibly) fun one for the yearbook as well.  All teachers need to have their picture taken too – even if they are not taking a class over.

DEAR Starts this Week:  DEAR starts on Tuesday!  We will all use this presentation to explain the program and expectations.  Here is information from our Faculty Handbook:

DEAR
Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) provides students and faculty a dedicated time most school days to independently read a book of their choice. The program aims to strengthen key reading skills and to develop a reading community within the SSIS Middle School.  Goals for DEAR include: improved vocabulary development, stronger comprehension skills, improved attitudes toward reading, development of lifelong reading habits.

DEAR takes place after lunch on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  Teachers are expected to ensure that students participate in DEAR during the entire period.  These activities can include: silent reading, read alouds, book talks, GoodReads or Amazon reviews, book trailers, and partner reading.  All students and faculty are expected to have a personal reading book at school each day. Students and faculty may read books on any platform desired (traditional paper, e-readers, laptop, smartphone, or other electronic device).

Aspects of the DEAR program:

• Access to a wide variety of appealing texts.
• Self selection of texts by students and faculty members
• Conducive and encouraging reading environment must be provided.
• Consistent time to read; ensure the entire time is focused on DEAR with a “no movement” policy (no bathroom or water breaks, grading, email, etc.).
• Model reading by faculty members
• No graded assessment for the DEAR program
• Follow up activities that sustain excitement about books
• Not a time to check out books
• DEAR is not to be swapped for other activities without administrator approval