Elementary Principal’s Blog

February 28th
Blog Post

Sandy Sheppard, Elementary School Principal

 

 

 Dear Parents,

This week, we had the wonderful opportunity to take our Grade 5 students on their Chinthe Expedition. The trip was a great success with lots of learning opportunities for the students. We look forward to sharing the experience with our Grade 4 students next year.

Family Sports Day: A Day of Support and Fun

Thank you to our ISY community for making Family Sports Day a success. Your participation, whether organizing playful activity stations or jumping in for pure fun, brought us together and supported our service learning programmes.

Gala Tickets

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing more information!
(All proceeds from the Gala will be donated to the Chinthe Fund, including The Care to The Least Center, The Kalitaw School, and The Yangon Animal Shelter.)
Warm regards,

Ms. Sandy Sheppard

 

LEGACY PAGE

This dedicated page showcases our rich history, key milestones, and the incredible stories that make ISY the vibrant community it is today. Please take a moment to explore the page and join us in celebrating our legacy, starting with the official kick-off at tomorrow’s Family Fun Fair.

Let’s honor our past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a bright future together! Visit the ISY Legacy page here.

BOOK WEEK

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:

  1. 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. 
  2. Wears Appropriate Clothing: Lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing is ideal.
  3. Wears a hat:  A wide-brimmed NAMED hat provides the best coverage by shielding the face, ears, and neck.
  4. 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.

Celebrate ISY’s 70 Years at the 6th Annual Fundraising Gala!

Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 6:00PM |   Melia Hotel Yangon

Join us for an evening of timeless traditions, community, and global impact.  Proceeds from this event will support the Chinthe Fund and its community initiatives.

Ticket Information

To reserve tickets in advance, please contact our Advancement Associate – May Su Yadanar Bo at +95-9-880-441-040 or mbo@isyedu.org.

Don’t miss this special evening.  

Visit the ISY Gala page for details. 

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Note: This event is for guests aged 18+; student attendance is limited to approved performers. 

Hey ES Chess Players! ♟

Are you ready for a fun chess challenge? ISY is hosting the International Schools’ Chess Tournament on Thursday, March 13th, 2025, and we would love for you to join! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this is a great opportunity to test your skills and have fun.

Plus, if you sign up, you’ll get to train with the Master Brain Chess Academy before the tournament!

Date: Thursday, March 13th, 2025 (No school that day!)

Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Format: Swiss System, 7-8 rounds

Time Control: 10 minutes + 5 seconds per move

Fee: 72,000 MMK (collected by ISY)

Please fill out this registration form if you are interested. 

Let’s represent ISY and have an amazing chess day! ♟

How We Teach Literacy in the Elementary School at ISY

At ISY, we believe that every child is a reader and that literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning. Our approach to teaching reading is based on the English Language Arts Common Core Standards, but we also incorporate additional resources and strategies to meet the unique needs of our students.

Reading instruction happens every day and is designed to be engaging, supportive, and responsive. Our teachers use small group instruction to provide targeted teaching, ensuring that each student receives the support and challenge they need. We also conduct regular assessments to track progress, celebrate growth, and adjust instruction as needed. This helps us ensure that every child is learning at the right pace and getting the tools they need to succeed.

Beyond daily instruction, we foster a love of reading through special events like Book Week and other literacy activities throughout the year. These celebrations inspire students to explore new books, share their favorite stories, and see reading as an enjoyable and meaningful part of their lives. Our Library is a thriving reading hub. 

By combining research-based instruction, personalized learning, and a joyful reading culture, we aim to help every student become a confident, capable, and enthusiastic reader.

Dates to Remember

3rd – 7th March – Book Week

13th March – No School – Tabung Holiday

27th March – Parent Teacher Conferences – no school for students

28th March – Quarter 3 ends

14th – 22nd April – Thingyan Holiday

1st May – No School – Labour Day

6th June – Last day of school

 

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

The Benefits of Social-Emotional Groups

At ISY, inclusion is at the heart of our approach to supporting and nurturing students in all areas, including social and emotional development. Each year, the ISY elementary counseling department offers several sessions of Social-Emotional Support Groups. These groups are designed to enhance and support students’ social-emotional learning, helping them grow both personally and academically.

Research shows that participation in targeted social-emotional learning programs benefits students in many ways, including:

  • A Positive Impact on Academic Learning – Social-emotional learning improves overall school functioning, including better grades, increased work completion, improved attendance, and higher test scores.
  • Increased Student Engagement – Developing social skills helps students collaborate more effectively with their classmates, leading to a more inclusive and interactive learning environment.
  • Reduced Bullying and Aggression – Building prosocial skills enhances problem-solving abilities and fosters empathy, helping to create a more respectful and supportive school culture.
  • Improved Mental Health – Students who engage in social-emotional learning tend to experience fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, contributing to their overall well-being.
  • Enhanced Resilience and Coping Skills – These groups help students identify and manage their emotions more effectively, equipping them with the tools to handle challenges in a healthy and constructive way.

If you would like to learn more about these groups, please contact Ms. Patty at escounselor@isyedu.org.