April 25th
Blog Post

Dear Parents,
Welcome back to school. We hope you had a very restful break.
Please note that next Thursday is a public holiday, and school will be closed.
Thank you for all your support for our earthquake drive. We are collecting donations until April 30th.
Please see information about our students’ toiletries drive below.
We wish our seniors the best of luck with their upcoming exams.
We also want to congratulate Mr. Mike Simpson on being selected as the next Director for ISY, effective July 2026. Mr Simpson is widely respected in our community and exceptionally well suited to take on this leadership position.

We wish to celebrate our Grade 12 students who are already being accepted to multiple universities around the world. Well done Grade 12! We are proud of you.
Why Swimming Is Great for Your Child’s Health and Well-being
1. Strengthens the Body
Swimming helps build strong muscles and bones. It’s a low-impact, full-body exercise that supports healthy growth and improves coordination and balance.
2. Supports a Healthy Heart and Lungs
Swimming boosts cardiovascular health and improves lung function. It teaches children how to control their breathing, which also supports calmness and focus.
3. Helps Children Stay at a Healthy Weight
Regular swimming keeps kids active and helps maintain a healthy weight in a fun, enjoyable way.
4. Builds Mental Well-being
Swimming is calming and stress-reducing. It can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help children feel more relaxed and happy.
5. Encourages Better Sleep
The physical activity from swimming helps children sleep more deeply and feel more refreshed in the morning.
6. Keeps Children Healthy—It Doesn’t Make Them Sick
It’s a common myth that swimming causes colds. In fact, swimming does not make children sick. Colds are caused by viruses, not by being in the pool. Clean, well-maintained pools are safe, and the exercise actually helps strengthen the immune system.

HOT WEATHER
As the weather warms up, we want to remind everyone of the importance of staying safe in the heat. Younger children are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, so it is essential to take preventive measures. ISY will monitor the weather daily and implement necessary actions to ensure everyone’s safety, such as adjusting outdoor activities, encouraging hydration, and providing shaded or indoor alternatives when needed. We appreciate your support in helping us keep students safe.
To help prevent heat illness, please ensure that your child:
- Stays Hydrated: Please make sure your child brings a NAMED water bottle to school every day. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially before, during, and after outdoor activities.
- Wears Appropriate Clothing: Lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing is ideal.
- Wears a hat: A wide-brimmed NAMED hat provides the best coverage by shielding the face, ears, and neck.
- Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or higher before coming to school.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe and healthy. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Dates to Remember
1st May – No School – Labour Day.
6th June – Last day of school – finish at 11:30am
COUNSELOR’S CORNER
Teaching Kids to Be Critical Thinkers Online
Our children are growing up in a digital world where content isn’t always what it seems. Between YouTube videos, TikTok trends, games with ads, and kid “influencers,” it’s essential to teach kids how to think critically—not just what to think—about what they see online. Even young children can begin learning how to ask questions and spot “tricky” messages.
Keep It Developmentally Appropriate: Children don’t need to know complex terms or technical jargon, but they can start to spot patterns in the content they consume. Help them develop awareness of possible motivations behind what they’re seeing. Encourage curiosity and guide them to question whether the content is trying to entertain, inform, or persuade them in some way.
Encourage Critical Thinking: Teach your child to approach what they see online with a balance of curiosity and realism. Ask open-ended questions like, “Why do you think this person made this video?” or “What do you think they want us to do after watching?” Remind them that it’s okay to ask an adult if they’re unsure about something they come across online.
Explaining Influencers: Influencers are called “influencers” for a reason—they are intentionally trying to shape the viewer’s perspective or behavior. Help your child understand that influencers are often paid or rewarded for promoting products or ideas, and that their content may not always be a reflection of reality. Encourage your child to think critically about why they might be sharing a particular message.
Fighting Fake News with Fact-Checking: The internet can be a valuable tool for finding information, but it’s important to teach your child how to assess whether a story or claim is credible. Help them learn how to seek out alternative sources to verify information. Encourage them to ask questions like, “Is this from a trusted source?” or “Can I find this information somewhere else?”
Watch Together: Whenever possible, co-view content with your child. Watching together provides an opportunity to offer immediate feedback and identify any potential concerns. If you’re not able to watch everything, take time to regularly monitor their search history. It’s important to stay involved and be aware of the content they are viewing, even when you’re not looking over their shoulder.
If you would like to learn more, please contact Ms. Patty at escounselor@isyedu.org.
The International School Yangon
20 Shwe Taungyar Street
Bahan Township
Yangon, Myanmar
+95 (0) 9 880 441 040