September 6th
Blog Post
Dear Parents,
Thank you to the many of you who attended the Back to School event this week. We appreciate your presence.
We had our second Elementary School, Chinthe Communities, today. This new initiative to build community across the school has proven very successful, with the students making connections across the Elementary School. Each Grade 2 to 5 student has been placed in one Chinthe Community. These are represented by a color—yellow, orange, blue, black, green, and red, as well as a Myanmar river. We are encouraging students to wear their Chinthe Community color on Fridays. We will keep you updated on more events around these new communities.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the Chinthe Connections on Monday morning, thank you to all those who will be joining us.
REMINDERS
Please remember that during this time, we only have dedicated adult supervision on campus in the morning from 7:30 AM. Elementary School Students go directly to the steps at dismissal unless they have an after-school activity.
Warm regards,
Ms. Sandy Sheppard
Dates to Remember
9th September – Chinthe Parent Connections – 8:00 – 9:30; see below for more information
17th September – Lent Day – no school
12th September – 8 AM Parent Association, Annual General Meeting in the MPR – see more information below
CHINTE PARENT CONNECTIONS
We will be inviting our ISY community to participate in our new ‘Chinthe Parent Connections’, a series of gatherings led by Dr. Gregory Hedger, Ms. Sandy Sheppard, and Mr. Mike Simpson, where we can meet and learn together on important topics that impact children. Our first meetup will be on Monday, September 9 at 8:00 AM till 9:30 AM in the Multi-Purpose Room. The topic for this meeting will be about the use of digital devices, followed by our counselors providing information about child protection. Please sign up here to attend. We can’t wait to see you there!
JOIN US
Please join us for the Parent Association meeting and support your school by joining one of our many committees.
See you there!
MEASURES OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE (MAP)
MAP Testing will be starting for students next week for students from Grade 2-5. Students will take a math, reading, and language test.
The MAP test does not impact your child’s report or grade. The results from the MAP test allow teachers to better know our students. We then use this data to better inform our teaching practices so that we can best meet the needs of our students. We also look for overall trends among the students, so that we can make adjustments to our curriculum as needed. Students do not need to prepare for the MAP, the teachers will guide them in the classroom.
A REMINDER OF OUR NEW INITIATIVES
- Technology-Free Steps: To encourage face-to-face interaction and maintain a continued break from screens after school, students will no longer be allowed to use devices on the school steps. Phones should only be used for communicating with drivers when necessary.
- Library on the Steps: To further promote a love for reading, we will set up a small library on the steps for students to use while they wait. We also encourage students to keep a book in their bag. We will continue introducing new reading initiatives throughout the year, so please keep an eye on the blog for updates.
- No Smartwatches in Elementary School: In our effort to reduce distractions, smartwatches will no longer be permitted during school hours.
- Common Sense Media Curriculum: We are incorporating Common Sense Media resources into our elementary school curriculum. These lessons will be integrated into units taught throughout the year. The first lesson occurred this week, with all Grades 1 to 5 students reviewing the ISY technology agreement. As your children sign these agreements, you will receive an email to acknowledge and sign as well.
When to Keep Your Child Home
COUNSELOR’S CORNER
Sportsmanship at ISY
Competition offers invaluable lessons for children, helping them develop essential values such as respect, discipline, time management, and teamwork. Whether it’s during a structured activity or casual play on the playground, the principles of positive sportsmanship are crucial in any competitive setting. Recently, in Life Skills, we have been reviewing and practicing the core elements of sportsmanship at ISY. These include:
Play Fair and Respect the Rules: ISY competitors seek victory by giving their best effort while respecting to the rules. Children learn that sports and games are far more enjoyable for everyone when participants play honestly and do not compromise the integrity of the game to win at any cost.
Be Polite and Kind: Fostering a spirit of encouragement among teammates and opponents builds a stronger sense of community. After a game, we extend a handshake and offer genuine compliments to others for their efforts. Recognizing the strengths and contributions of all players enriches the experience for everyone.
Encourage Everyone: Ensure that every child has the opportunity to participate, regardless of their skill level. Celebrate the unique abilities and strengths each child brings to the game, fostering an inclusive environment that supports development and growth.
Play for Enjoyment: While winning can be exhilarating, playing solely for trophies or titles can diminish the joy of the game. Recess and playtime should be about having fun, learning, and developing skills that extend beyond the field or court.
Be Mindful of Your Emotions: Competition often brings out intense emotions. It is vital to be aware of our emotional reactions to maintain a positive atmosphere and to use these experiences to build resilience and emotional intelligence.
If your child needs support with sportsmanship or friendships, please reach out to me at escounselor@isyedu.org. I am happy to support your child and your family.
Warm regards, Ms. Patty
The International School Yangon
20 Shwe Taungyar Street
Bahan Township
Yangon, Myanmar
+95 (0) 9 880 441 040