Elementary Principal’s Blog

February 7th
Blog Post

Sandy Sheppard, Elementary School Principal

 

 

 Dear Parents,

We had a fun week at ISY with Spirit Week. Don’t forget Movie Night tonight. There will be no school on Wednesday, February 12th, for Union Day.

If you are an ISY alumni or know someone who was, we would love for you to attend our upcoming alumni event. You can RSVP by calling the office or filling out the information on the link in the poster below. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and to celebrate our 70th anniversary. Partners are welcome. We would love to see you there! Come support ISY.

***Read below for information on how we teach literacy at ISY.

****Don’t forget the Parent Association Meeting next Thursday – see more information below.

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.)

Parent Association (PA) General Meeting

When: Thursday, February 13th at 8:30 AM 

Where:  ISY, MPR

Join us for the ISY PA General Meeting. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect, stay informed about upcoming PA activities, and explore ways to support and strengthen our ISY community. We look forward to seeing you there!

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.

Exciting Sports Competition for G3-G5 Students!

We are thrilled to offer G3-G5 students the chance to participate in a sports competition at LFIR (The French School) on February 18th, 2025! The event will feature basketball and football matches from 8:45 AM to 12:45 PM.

🏀⚽ Date: 18th February 2025

⏰ Time: 8:45 AM – 12:45 PM

🚍 Transportation: Provided by ISY

Limited Spots: We can only register 25 students. If there is more interest, we will hold a draw at school assembly to select participants.

To sign up, complete the form by 10th February. We can’t wait to see your child compete in a fun and exciting event! Sign Up Here

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the office.

Movie Night for Elementary School

Join our ISY Sports Day

It is a wonderful family day out.

Fun to be had for all!

 

Come along and play with your child.

We would love to see you here!!

ISY in the news: Service Learning in Action

We’re thrilled to be featured in the EARCOS Triannual (ET) Journal Winter 2025 issue. Don’t miss this inspiring feature that puts the spotlight on our community’s dedication to shaping a better world. Here’s to the power of service and education at ISY!  👉 Check out the article here 👈

Pride of the Principal for this week’s assembly.

Congratulations to all the students for showing

the ISY Learner Attributes.

 

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. 

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

7th February – Elementary Movie Night – 6:00 PM

12th February – Union Day Holiday – NO SCHOOL

22nd February – Family Sports Day

25th – 27th February – Grade 5 Chinthe Expedition

27 – 28th February – Visiting Author – Mr John Coy

3rd – 7th March – Book Week

 

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

Helping Your Child, If They Are Being Unkind

It’s easy to assume only “bad students” bully but the truth is that all children are capable of making poor choices at times. Sometimes, students who are typically well-behaved fall into the trap of unkindness.  So what can you do, as a parent, to help your child if they have targeted another student?

  • Direct Communication: Talk with your child about what happened. Listen attentively to their feelings and their perspective on the situation. Avoid justifying their behavior—your goal is to understand, not to excuse.
  • Set clear expectations: Be specific about the kindness and respect you expect them to show toward others.
  • Provide consequences:  Bullying, in any form, is not to be tolerated.  A logical, meaningful consequence at home can reinforce this message.  This might mean revoking a privilege or seeking meaningful ways your child can make amends.
  • Teach empathy: Share your experience of stepping into another’s shoes.  It can be difficult to take on a different perspective, but it’s necessary.  Developing empathy is an essential social skill that will serve them throughout their life..
  • Help your child to change: Keep openly communicating with your child with love and understanding. Change takes time, and your child will need your guidance as they work toward being kinder and more mindful of their actions.
  • Seek Help: If you feel there is an underlying reason your child is being unkind, seeking outside counseling may be needed.

If your child is struggling with unkindness, talk with your child’s teacher or Ms. Patty, the elementary counselor at escounselor@isyedu.org.  We are here to help.