Along with the new signage and painting of the stairwell within the campus, students were greeted by 'new friends' in the form of the colourful sound and dust barrier around the construction site. As well as providing a welcoming visual this barrier further reduces the already minimal impact from the construction. I am sure that over the next few weeks and on into the next academic year, we will come to view these 'children' as part of the ISS community.
ManageBac Launch
All parents should by now have received log in details of the schools ManageBac site. You can log in via the link of the school's new look website. If you have had any difficulty logging in or have not received your log in details please email: [email protected]
ESL Parent Meeting
Tuesday 14th from 8am until 9:15 in the Elementary School MPR on the third floor, the ESL teachers will present a workshop about learning English. We will talk about how language is learned and ways to help your child at home.
There will be access to the presentation in English, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean.
PTA
This month's PTA meeting will be on Monday, 13 April from 1 PM - 2:25 PM in the elementary school's MPR on the 3rd floor.
Michael Taylor, the Technology Learning Group Leader, and Colin Gallagher, the Paterson Campus Technology Integrator, will be presenting on our technology program and will provide parents with some useful technology tips.
Student Led Conferences
On Tuesday 21st April, the school will be having one of the highlights of the school year the Student Led Conferences.
At the Student Led Conference your child will share with you their learning journey at ISS. It is always a highlight of the school year in any PYP school. While teachers will be present in and around classrooms, the purpose of this event is for students to discuss their own learning with their parents or guardians. If you would like to speak to your child's teacher individually, please schedule separate time to meet.
Please see below for the online sign up for the Student Led Conference:
http://tinyurl.com/esslc15
As there are only 4 slots during each hour block please sign up early to ensure you can come at the time you would most want.
After visiting your child's classroom you child should take you around the school to show you what they have been learning in Mandarin, ESL, Art, Music and PE.
Please note that all Students are excepted to attend the Student Led Conference and there is no other school on Tuesday 21st April.
Talented Teachers
During the holidays, this week and next week ISS teachers were presenting at a range of prestigious international events and to provide consultation services to other schools.
- Sharyn Skirtic presented to IB educators from throughout the Asia Pacific region at the IB Asia Pacific Conference in Macau. Her presentation focused on the theme of building professional learning communities. This is a theme central to the philosophy at ISS as all teachers continue to learn and improve to ensure that all students get the best possible learning opportunities.
- Colin Gallagher was one of 60 international experts from the fields of education, academia, software development and business invited to attend a Think Tank organised by Microsoft to discuss the future development of Minecraft in education. Colin is also the Editor of the book Minecraft in Education.
- Nathan Horne was the Keynote speaker at the European Council of International Schools PE conference in Munich speaking about inquiry based Physical Education in front of the 150 delegates from PE departments from International Schools throughout Europe and Asia.
- Yang Ping Zhou was working as a consultant for Shanghai Shang De School helping teachers to develop an inquiry driven thinking culture within their classrooms.
- Derek Pinchbeck will be one of 250 international experts including leading academics, government representatives, international educational organisations and social entrepreneurs, invited to next weeks Lego Ideas Conference to discuss ways to effectively use and develop play and creativity within the learning process.
- Please note I will be out of school from Monday to Thursday to participate in this event.
Upcoming events
Monday 13th April: PTA meeting in the MPR at 13:30
Tuesday 14th April: ESL parent open morning 8:00- 9:15 MPR
Tuesday 14th April:Swimming programme begins (please check the ManageBac calendar for details of the timing of your child's lessons)
Wednesday 15th April: Grade 1.2 and 1.3 Forest Adventure Trip
Thursday 16th April: Grade1.1 Forest Adventure Trip
Tuesday 21st April: Student Led Conference's