The TED Talk for this week is an inspirational talk from Stacey Abrams. It explores the idea of how you respond after setbacks is what defines your character.
Thank you
- Allan, for organizing the DRAGON Dialogue dance performance from the 4th grade students. This was a great preview of what is coming in Winter Arts Day.
- Kelly, Angelia, Feliz, Eric, Elaine for presenting the DRAGON Dialogue: English Language Support at KISJ. Parents left with a greater understanding and appreciation for what KISJ does to support all students.
- Joseph, Bonnie, and April, for working with the PAB to organize the Faculty Appreciation Lunch.
- Mareena, for organizing and creating QR codes for the teacher surveys. Your organization and love for sheets make all of our lives easier.
- Eric R, Theresa, Dan H, Feliz, Tessa, Kat, Alana, Jocelyn, Jason, Cody, Dave Gagnier, Patricia, Lindsay, Sara, and Michelle for an amazing RESPECT assembly!
Communication in the ES
This week the ES had our respect DRAGON Assembly! It was a celebration of how our students show respect to themselves, others, and their environment. I was also impressed by the assembly committee’s level of planning and professionalism which showed in the level of engagement from the audience.
Let’s Chat
This week I have 3 times booked for you to come in and chat or I can come to your classroom.
Monday 12:00 to 12:30
Tuesday 8:30 to 9:00
Wednesday 4:00 to 4:30
The Month Ahead (December)
In response to feedback from new teachers last week, here is the schedule for the month ahead. The purpose of this information is to provide clarity as you plan ahead and prioritize tasks.
7th - ½ for students, Faculty Appreciation Breakfast 12:30 - 1:45 then team planning time from 2:00 - 4:00.
13th - Last day of Q2 electives (Students in HR the last week during elective time)
Report Card Timelines:
17th - All grades are entered into PS
18th - Report card drafts are sent to teachers for a final check
19th - Report cards are checked by the Team Leaders for alignment
20th - Report cards are emailed to parents
21st - Winter Arts Day, students leave at 12:30 and faculty can leave at 1:30
Additional Information:
Here is the Winter Arts Day Schedule
Here is the parent letter for Winter Arts Day
Here is the Winter Arts Day Rehearsal schedule
Comments about Classroom Observations/Walkthroughs
I have completed all my announced classroom observations and have visited all classes several times during walkthroughs. I can say without a doubt, there are some amazing things happening in the ES! You all have established emotionally safe environments where students are thriving. As an ES we are being true to the mission statement we created at the beginning of the year “To foster engagement by encouraging active collaboration and open communication.”
Spirit Week
Monday - Crazy Hair/ Hat day
Tuesday - Red, White and Green Day
Wednesday - Art Explosion Day (Wear clothes and colors that clash and don’t match)
Thursday - Free Dress Day
Friday - PJ Day
Updates From Mareena
Quarter 2: Focus on Respect!
What. A. Week.
Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay this week in particular in my correspondence. I am working to get caught up this weekend with all observation feedback notes, communications, student follow-ups, etc. I will prioritize student safety needs if they arise. See me with questions or if there is anything you have not received follow-up on by Monday.
Student Surveys
Links are ready and will be shared with team leads. Please work with your team on scheduling the completion of the student surveys before December 21st.
Elective Grades/Updates
Please input Q2 elective grades for respect onto the elective roster spreadsheet. Due date - Tuesday, December 11th.
Reminder - there are NO electives during the week of December 17th.
Q3 elective sign up is going to families today and we will have rosters for you before the end of this term!
Snacks and Cafeteria
Please send a reminder in your class update to families about snacks. I personally spoke to three students with cookies/chocolate/candy as a snack on Thursday. Snack duty staff, please monitor what students are bringing in as an additional snack. If students have an unhealthy snack, please have a conversation with them and tell them the snack is not appropriate. If problems persist with a specific student, let the ES office know so that we can reach out to the parent. HRTs please help us reinforce this by having a conversation with your students!
Student Game
Please note that some students have started to play games in which the winner(s) get to tell the loser what to do/buy. I would appreciate your support in ensuring students understand these types of games are not appropriate.
Behavior Form
All staff should use the same behavior reporting form. I have deleted the questions from all grade level specific forms, so they’re not accidentally used. Update your bookmark to this form, if you have not done so already:
World Scholars Cup
Just like the last two years, KISJ will be sending a delegation of Grade 3-5 students to the World Scholar's Cup on Saturday, January 26th, this year hosted by BHA. We will be expected to contribute volunteer Debate Adjudicators to judge the debate portion of the competition, approximately from 12PM-3PM. No experience is required and you will receive a quick training session right beforehand. Adjudicators will administer and judge a series of debates between teams of 3 elementary students inside classrooms (and nobody else present, so very little pressure).
If you are interested or have any questions, please talk with Dan W.
This will count as one event for your dorm commitments.
MS Fitness Center - RELOCATION!
MS Fitness Room was relocated on Wednesday to create a more useable space for students. The 'cardio' equipment will now be located in the MS Gym outside of the PE Office, while the free weights will be located inside the MS Golf Room.
Can I use the cardio equipment when classes are in the MS Gym? Yes, just please use headphones if listening to music.
Can I use the free weights when classes/teams are in the MS Golf Room? No, this is just due to a lack of space for everyone. Please check the availability of the HS Fitness Center.
Is the plan for the MS Golf Room be converted to a Fitness Center? No, Mr. Boland - I promise it won't be converted to a fitness center.
Why not move everything to the HS? As the equipment was purchased as a gift from the Jeju Government, it cannot be moved to the HS as they are different business entities.
Any other questions, please let Ty know!
From ES Suggestion Box
“Classes exiting from the cafeteria has become a mess. Classes are criss-crossing and becoming wild entering the school. This can be aggravating for teachers who have worked hard in the beginning of the year to go over hallway and line routines. 1st grade classes should exit out the back of the cafeteria and enter the building through the doors to the left. 2nd grade should exit the front of the cafeteria and enter the building through the right doors. And 3rd grade should exit the cafeteria through the doors closest to the lunch lines and enter the building upstairs through the tunnel. 1st grade could even enter the left side of the building to prevent traffic.”
I have noted that we do not have specific exit protocols included on our lunch procedures document. I will be speaking to the teachers on duty (recess, lunch, and snack) about procedural updates that are needed. Please look for an opportunity to reflect on current processes and tweaks that will help ensure a smooth start for everyone again in January. Suggestions and ideas are welcomed - feel free to contact Mareena directly!
Communication in the ES
Your feedback is appreciated as the ES strives to improve communication. As always, submissions are confidential. I have posted the QR code on my office door for continued feedback as the year progresses.
Here is the ES Suggestion Box. This form is for ideas, solutions or comments about issues that matter to the ES community.
Sunshine Weekly
PD Schedule
12/7 - PS input of grades
Upcoming DRAGON Dialogue
March 19th - Parent Choice
May 8th - Class Placement
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