ISY Elementary School Blog - January 21, 2022

ISY Elementary Blog

Transition to In-Person Classes

Mike Simpson, Elementary School Principal

January 21, 2022

Next week sees the transitional return of in-person classes at ISY. We are very excited to welcome students back to campus and we are sure you and your children are also excited. If your child is not yet able to return to campus we are also very happy to be supporting them online.

This week you will have received an email from me with details of your child’s schedule for the next two weeks (including Zoom Links). Please refer to that email and also to any emails from your child’s teacher with specific instructions for their grade level. These emails have all the information you need to make sure your child’s Semester 2 gets off to a positive start – whether they are able to join in-person classes over the next two weeks or will be learning online.

For your information, below is a copy of the Two Week Transition Period Schedule. Again, please refer to your email from me with your child’s grade level schedule and Zoom links.

Do not hesistate to contact me should you have any questions.

COUNSELOR’S CORNER with Ms. Patty:

Reflection as we move forward with new challenges

As we draw close to the end of the semester, it is important to reflect and take inventory of what we have achieved and what we wish to further accomplish. In the coming weeks, ISY hopes to begin in-person learning again. As we prepare for this possibility, it is necessary to review and reflect with our children on what they have learned and accomplished through online learning. Reflecting requires a minimum of 3 important steps: Reflecting, Analyzing and Taking Action.

Take Notice & Describe: With your child reflect on their learning this past school year, perhaps throughout their online experience. What activities did they enjoy? How did they feel throughout the experience? Did their emotions change? What skills did they acquire?

Analyze: Think through their experiences. What actions did they take? How can the skills they acquired help them in future situations? What assumptions, beliefs or values were made?

Take Action: Create a plan. How can your child use these experiences in their future learning journey? How can acquired skills benefit other areas of learning? What have they learned from the emotional experience and can it support them for future challenges?

Reflection helps your child develop critical thinking skills. It provides a space for celebrating accomplishments while considering challenges and experiences. In reflecting, students can find moments of gratitude while defining future actions which to aspire to as they move forward.

Warmly, Ms. Patty

Ms. Patty is available to support all ISY families. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at escounselor@isyedu.org.

Patty Amundson-Geisel

Pre-K to Grade 6 Counselor

Parent and Student ID cards and Placards

A few people have asked about ID cards and vehicle placards. Please note that you will not be able to enter the approach road to ISY in a vehicle during the drop off (7:30 – 8:30 am) and pick up times (2:00 – 3:00 pm) without a placard. (Taxis will also not be permitted). You can come to the front steps at any time outside of these times to pick up your vehicle placard. Placards will not be distributed during the drop off and pick up times so as not to slow things down. Parent ID cards can also be picked up outside of the drop-off and pick-up times from the security team at the front steps.

Lunches

Students will need to bring a packed lunch and water bottle. Lunches can be dropped off at the front steps between the hours of 9am and 11am only. There will be no food vendors on campus initially and there will be no facilities to heat food.

It’s great to be back!

It is wonderful to be back in Yangon. I have spent the last 18 months back in New Zealand setting up a home there and spending time with my daughter.

I am happy to now be back to support the school as we work towards resuming in-person learning; it is an exciting time. I look forward to working with Mr Simpson as co-principal and to seeing you all soon.

Ms. Sandy Sheppard

Internet Issues

Offline Learning Activities

Every Friday, your child’s homeroom teacher will email you a PDF of offline learning activities that your child will be able to do if they lose access to the internet.

Please only use these plans if your child is unable to access the internet. If you have the internet, your child will be able to attend online classes as usual.

To make sure the offline learning activities stay connected to what is happening in class, our teachers will review and, if necessary, update the offline learning activities each week. Please download the PDF document attached to the email as soon as you receive it on Friday. The email will also have a link to this instructional video:

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