What? Why? How?

These three questions underpin everything we do at ISY. Our new Chinthe Communities initiative provides a good example of these simple questions in action:

What? 

Chinthe Communities are groups of students and teachers from different grade levels which meet for 20 minutes each day before or after lunch.

Why? 

There are many reasons why we have created Chinthe Communities. 

The main reason is to build and nurture a sense of belonging and community. Belonging is an ISY Strategic Theme and we want all students and teachers to feel a strong sense of belonging to the whole school – not just their class or grade level. A strong sense of belonging has a very positive impact on student wellbeing and learning.

Other benefits of Chinthe Communities include:

• Student Leadership and Support: Younger students get to know older students. These connections allow older students to support younger students. These connections have important benefits for both.
• Strategic Initiatives: This time can be used to promote things that are important to us. For example, on Thursdays our Chinthe Communities all read together. Good independent reading habits have a very positive impact on academic success and wellbeing. Encouraging good independent reading habits is a goal we have this year as a school.
• Student Workshops and Training: Sometimes we can use this time for a grade level to attend a workshop or seminar around a need they have. For example, this week our Grade 11 students attended an IB Diploma Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) workshop during this time.
• Community Events and Service Learning: Throughout the year we will have school-wide events that will be organized through our Chinthe Communities. One example will be our traditional Olympiad. Students will use the Chinthe Communities time to plan for these events.
• Connection to the Culture, Geography, and History of Myanmar: Each Chinthe Community takes its identity from a significant Myanmar river that the students will learn about and connect with throughout the year.

It is important to note that Chinthe Communities time is an addition to the schedule this year. This means that we can focus on these things that are important to us without losing instructional time from classes.

How?  

Students are organized into 6 Chinthe Communities. These communities include students from the Elementary and Secondary Schools. Each community takes its identity from a significant Myanmar river (and the have also been assigned a color): 

• Thanlwin (Orange)
• Chindwin (Black)
• Irrawaddy (Yellow)
• Sittaung (Green)
• Maykha (Red)
• Malikha (Blue)

In the Secondary School, each Chinthe Community is split into two groups of approximately 22 students from Grade 6 to 12. Each group has two supporting teachers. Chinthe Communities meet before or after lunch for 20 minutes.

Another good example of What? Why? How? thinking at ISY was shared by Dr. Hedger, Ms, Sheppard, and I during our first Chinthe Parent Connection morning on Monday. We focused on digital devices and the research and some decision making processes that we used to develop a very intentional and balanced approach to their use at school and some new initiatives around phone use which are listed below.

Activities & Athletics

Here is a link to Ms.Rebekka Jensen’s Athletics and Activities Blog for up-to-date information regarding Activities and Athletics at ISY.

Discover ISY:  A Community of Compassion and Change

We are excited to share our new video showcasing our amazing school. Tune in and discover more about our outstanding Chinthe Fund partnerships and the remarkably compassionate community at ISY. 

Parent Association

The Parent Association (PA) is looking for passionate, energetic, and supportive parents to help strengthen our community. Whether you enjoy organizing events or have a desire to support our school community, we want to hear from you. 

The PA has several committees that you can join or support. If you need further information, please email our Parent Association Executive Committee at isypaec@isyedu.org or visit the school office to sign up for one (or more) of the PA committees. 

MAP Testing

Phones in the Secondary School

We are pleased to share some existing and some new initiatives in the Secondary School that reflect our commitment to fostering a healthy, balanced environment and a strong sense of belonging for our students.

Key Classroom Initiatives:

• Phone Free Classrooms: Students must have their phones turned off and in their bags (not in their pockets or desks) during all lessons. This will be monitored and enforced by teachers. The only exceptions to this rule will be if permission is given by a teacher to use it for an educational purpose (e.g. photography).
• No EarPods or Headphones: Students must not wear EarPods or headphones in class.
• Classroom Design: Classrooms will be designed to nurture collaborative learning and monitor appropriate device use.
• Health and Advisory Curriculum: The curriculum in these classes will place more focus on teaching students about the reasons behind these initiatives and the impact phone use can have on our mental health.

Key Campus Initiatives:

• Social Media Blocked: The ISY wi-fi network blocks popular social media and gaming apps and websites.
• Increased supervision: Teacher supervision has been increased across campus to monitor and help students manage their device use. Students who are on their phones during the school day will be asked to put them in their bags.
• No Gaming: Students who are gaming will be asked to put their devices in their bags.
• Phone Free Front Steps: Students who are on their phones on the Front Steps during pick up will be asked to put them in their bags. We encourage students to read during this time and a small library will be set up on the Front Steps to foster this habit. We will continue introducing new reading initiatives throughout the year.
• Middle School Community: Middle School students will be provided with more play equipment to use during their breaks.

Chinthe Expeditions This Year

As Dr. Hedger wrote in his End of Year Message to our community, last year was particularly productive. In his message, Dr. Hedger referred to the return to our Chinthe Expeditions as being a real highlight. These expeditions focused on internationalism, belonging, service, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Chinthe Expeditions will run again this year. More details will follow later in the school year but we wanted to remind you of the planned dates and locations for each grade level’s expedition:

Sunday, December 1 to Friday, December 6, 2024

• Grade 12: Malacca, Malaysia.
• Grade 11: Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
• Grades 9 and 10: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Sunday, January 5* to Friday, January 10, 2025

• Grades 6, 7, and 8: Chiang Mai, Thailand.

*Please note that Sunday, January 5 is the Sunday before school starts back after the December holidays. This fits the direct flight schedule between Yangon and Chiang Mai.

We are really looking forward to another series of enjoyable and meaningful expeditions. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.

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