Elementary Principal’s Blog

January 31st
Blog Post

Sandy Sheppard, Elementary School Principal

 

 

 Dear Parents,

Next week is Spirit Week. Please encourage your child to participate by dressing up in the daily themes for this event. Gala tickets are on sale now; and we would love to see you there.

Gala Tickets

Early Bird Special Ticket Price:
USD 55 per person
USD 530 for a table of 10 people

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.)

IB VIDEO

Check out the new IB Video here

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.

Parent Association (PA) General Meeting

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

Where:  ISY, MPR

Join us for the ISY PA General Meeting. 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

 

Movie Night for Elementary School

Child Protection at ISY

ISY takes great pride in being a leader in the educational community when it comes to child safety, placing the well-being of our students at the forefront of our mission. Our child protection policy, in place since 2016 and updated annually, adheres to best practices and incorporates progressive strategies to ensure a safe learning environment. This comprehensive policy includes regular training for all employees, thorough background checks and reference screenings, a personal safety curriculum for students, clear reporting procedures, and a robust code of conduct. Each component of the policy is designed with a student-centered approach, reinforcing our unwavering commitment to child protection. This year, ISY is partnering with a respected child protection community leader to review and enhance our policy, further affirming our dedication to providing the highest standard of care and safeguarding for our students.  The complete policy can be found here and on our website in both English and Myanmar.  

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact the ISY counselors, Patty Amundson-Geisel at escounselor@isyedu.org or Mick Amundson-Geisel at mamundson@isyedu.org.

Spirit Week is next week; here are the details.

 

Grade 2 went on a field trip to U Thant House this week. 

 

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 👈

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
Stay tuned for the Early Bird Special Ticket Sales, opening January 15, 2025.
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. 

Dates to Remember

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

12th February – Union Day Holiday

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.