ISY Elementary Blog

Reading Together

Mike Simpson, Elementary School Principal

May 13, 2022

There is no school this Monday, May 16.

Happy Full Moon Day of Kasone.

As the school year comes to a close, you might be wondering how to support your child’s learning over the holidays. Reading is the answer and reading with your child is even better.

Reading with your child is a practice that creates space for deeper independent learning and exploring. It doesn’t matter if it’s a traditional book, graphic novel, non-fiction or historical fiction, it all counts.

The benefits to your child are obvious when you read together. But there are benefits to parents too. There is of course the benefit of getting to spend time with your child. But time can sometimes be hard to come by. As parents, we all do our best to make as much time as we can for our children but even when we are together we will often find our mind drifting to work or something else in our grown up world. This is certainly the case for me.

However, I have recently realized that when I am reading with my 8-year old son I am not really thinking of anything other than trying to make sense of the story or, more accurately, making sense of what my son is thinking about the story! I find that it is hard for my mind to drift off to grown up things when I am reading Captain Underpants or trying to draw him.

I used to think that it was good for my son to spend time reading with him even if I have a lot of things on my to-do list. I still think this but I have also realized that this time gives my mind the complete break it needs to make it to the end of my to-do list.

I thoroughly recommend it – not Captain Underpants but reading with your child. If you are looking for ideas of books to read, please do not hesitate to ask your child’s teacher.

How reading aloud can help you bond with your kids and make them better readers

COUNSELOR’S CORNER with Ms. Patty:

Steps for a Successful Goodbye

Can you believe we are nearing the end of another challenging but successful school year? The close of the school year is always a challenge for me. On one hand, I am proud of all that the students and staff have accomplished. On the other, I realize that some members of our community will not return to ISY for a variety of reasons. Whenever I think of farewells, I am reminded of David C Pollock, Ruth Van Reken and Michael Pollack’s Third Culture Kids: Growing up among Worlds work regarding the importance of saying good-bye.

In today’s world of zooming in and connecting online, properly saying good-bye may be overlooked or avoided but remains important for a successful transition. Saying farewell is a process that can be tailored to fit your personal preferences but these 2 major models, RAFT and RAKE, offer guidelines for both those leaving and for those that remain. Although these models are thought to be processes that can take several weeks, they do not require it and often small things can be done in a short amount of time to accommodate the key steps.

If you or your child needs support as you are transitioning, please feel free to contact Ms. Patty at escounselor@isyedu.org. She is also available to answer questions, concerns and provide support.

Patty Amundson-Geisel

Pre-K to Grade 6 Counselor

Mask Wearing

Following the very positive health trend that we’ve seen at school, we will be making mask wearing optional from this coming Monday, May 9. From then on, mask wearing will be optional while anywhere on campus including classrooms. Should there be an increase in suspected cases of Covid in the future we will review this change in policy at that time.

ISY iPads and Chromebooks Collected on Friday, May 20

Many of our students borrowed ISY iPads or Chromebooks to help with online learning at home. Now that we have returned to in-person learning, we will collect these devices to be used in classes next year.

On Friday, May 20, students will leave their borrowed ISY iPad or Chromebook at school. They will be able to keep using their iPad or Chromebook at school but they will no longer take it home.

Return Library Books by Monday, June 6

If you have any overdue books you will be emailed a reminder from the library. Books can be brought to the library or put in the return basket on the front steps.

All library books are to be returned to the library by June 6.

After School Sport

Now that ASAs are finished for the year, we would like to offer a few drop-in activities for students. Boys and girls can just show up on the following days/times with a water bottle and athletic clothing/shoes. If you have questions, please contact the coaches listed below:

All-Ages Touch Rugby – Begins Thursday, May 5

In cooperation with the Centaurs Rugby Club, ISY is offering non-contact rugby as a drop-in after school activity. Our aim is to build the skills and player numbers to play other schools around Yangon. There is currently a high school girls SEASAC touch rugby team at ISY!

Thursdays 2:20-3:30pm

Sports Field/Covered Court

All ISY students are welcome to participate!

Contact: Mr. O’Sullivan at josullivan@isyedu.org

All-Ages Soccer – Begins Monday, May 9

Coach Albert will work with students of all ages on soccer skills and drills!

Mondays 2:20-3:30pm

Contact: Coach Albert at akamara@isyedu.org

Swimming

All students will be swimming in PE from May 2 through May 30. Students will be in the pool every day that they have PE.

Students will need to bring swimming clothing – swimsuit or swim trunks. PE shorts or non-swimming shorts are not allowed. All students must wear a swim shirt and two piece bathing suits are not allowed. Please Bring Goggles and a Towel. A swim cap is optional.

Online Learning

Now that we are into the last few weeks of the year and we have settled into in-person learning, we will not be accepting any more students into our online learning program.

Moving forward, we are also setting a goal to eliminate the hybrid /online program for the 2022-23 school year. The only exception to this would be interruptions due to directives from the Myanmar authorities, or short term COVID spikes causing class, grade level, or full school return to virtual learning for short periods.

Elementary School Bracelets – Please return

Before the pandemic, Elementary School students used bracelets (see picture) to enter the campus. If you have a bracelet at home, could you please return it to school by putting it in the box on the Front Steps.

Hats

It is very hot and sunny and we need to be careful that our students are protected from the sun. Please make sure that your child brings a hat to school to wear outside. Starting next week, students will only be allowed to play outside if they are wearing a hat. Please also make sure that your child has a water bottle and put sunscreen on your child before they come to school in the morning.