Monday Notes for faculty and staff from George

Philippians 2:1-4

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

In the words of the apostles Paul and Timothy, “Grace and peace to you…” during this last week of school. Enjoy your students, cherish the moments, and celebrate their successes!!!

It has been a pleasure to work with each of you this year. We will send off two of our own from the elementary team: Kirsten and Ellen. Please wish them well! May God be with each of you in our absences and across the distance, and may we see each other again in the fall. Remember to lift each other up in prayer. Pray for our school, our leadership and for the Lord to continue to bless our school with an increase in enrollment.

2011-2012 School Calendar for TCIS

May 30 – June 3 (Lunch/Recess Teams 1-5)

30 PD 3:30 – ES Library: May 30th – ES Faculty Meeting – 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

31 – 10:00 Concert Dress Rehearsal in Auditorium (about 1 hour); Field Day  12:30 – 3:00 p.m.  Plan A or Plan B depending on the weather (watch for details)

1 – 6:10 p.m. student/teacher arrival -Concert at 6:30 p.m.

2 – PK-2 at TCIS – fun times (special lunch); 3-5 depart at 8:15 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Kidzania full day of fun!

3 – 8:15 – 9:15 – Final Chapel/Gathering in Auditorium; 9:30 – 10:00 yearbook signing from classrooms (students may see other teachers during this time); 10:00 – 10:00 Sneak Peek – Students would go to their next grade’s teacher’s classroom to meet them and see what their room looks like now…even though it will change next year. The 5th graders will meet with Mrs. Susan Kim, and departing students will meet with Mr. Z. in the ES faculty room. Report Cards & School Supply Lists will go home today!

May/June Dates:

• May 28th – 11:00 a.m. Farewell to O-Jung Party Party; Faculty Farewell Dinner 5:00 p.m.
• May 31 – dress rehearsal at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium for our concert.
• May 31 – Field Day in the afternoon following lunch 12:30 – 3:00 (watch for details from Kirsten) – Plan A or Plan B – depending on the weather.
• June 1 – ES Concert 6:30 p.m. (students / teachers arrive by 6:10 p.m.)
• June 2 – Elementary field trip…PK-2 remaining on campus/3-5 (buses 8:15 – 6:00 p.m.) at Kidzania!
• June 3 – Chapel / End of the Year Gathering – 8:15 a.m.– 9:15 a.m. Auditorium; Year-book signing from classes in the Elem. 9:30 – 10:00; Sneak Peek – 10:00 – 10:30 (5th grade with Mrs. Kim, Departing students with Mr. Z in the ES faculty room). Please let me know your last week/day plans so that coordinating these events will be possible. Thanks!
• June 4 – Saturday – Not a work day — All yours!
• June 5 – Sunday – Not a work day — All yours!
• June 6 – work day – packing up TCIS – more details to follow – Monday’s mtg.
• June 7 – work day – packing up TCIS – boxes are in the ES faculty room! –Checkout Day — Watch for details and when the business office will close. You will need to have a building administrator’s signature to checkout and receive your check. I will share more on Monday May 30th about this, if I can.
• June 8 – Enjoy your summer vacation!  …Rest, Relax, while you  Live, Laugh, and Love much!

2011-2012 School Calendar for TCIS

Be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.  2 Timothy 2:24 NKJV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4 CSB

Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right. May all who are godly be happy in the Lore and praise his holy name. Psalm 97:11-12 NLT

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Philippians 4:4 MSG

Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Homan CSB

May you find time in these last couple of weeks to celebrate, appreciate, and value the “treasures” in whom you have invested throughout this year. I hope you all finish well and enjoy these last few days in O-Jung Dong together! May we prayerfully consider our steps as we say our “good-byes” and witness our friends, colleagues, and students embarking on new adventures in other lands! This is truly an historic and significant time in our school’s journey since 1958! May God continue to receive the glory and praise for every good thing that comes out of the joy in our teaching.  May those memories that will be tucked ways in our hearts of the people and this place – TCIS, in this location go with us, comfort us, and spur us on to even greater things in the years ahead!

May 23-27 (Lunch & Recess Teams 6-10)

• 23 – PD – Report Card preparation – 5:00 p.m. depart for restaurant (Surprise?!) to celebrate a fantastic year – teacher appreciation, PYP Self-Study,  Evaluation Visit, and the on-going daily work you do with your students and each other! Elementary Faculty only, please. – My Treat – Many Thanks to you all!
• 24 – Brownies year-end party!
• 25 – No after school activities
• 26 – Chapel 8:15 – Pride, Purpose, & Passion Awards (last one!); 3:30 After School Ad-hoc committee meeting – in George’s office.
• 27 – No after school activities

May Dates:

• May 24^th – Talent Show 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. auditorium (note change in date)
• May 26th – 3:30 Ad-hoc committee for After School programing
• May 31 – dress rehearsal at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium for our concert.
• May 31 – Field Day in the afternoon following lunch (watch for details from Kirsten)
• June 1 – ES Concert 6:30 p.m. (students / teachers arrive by 6:10 p.m.)
• June 2 – Elementary field trip…PK-2 remaining on campus/3-5
• June 3 – Chapel / End of the Year Gathering – 8:15 a.m.– 9:15 a.m. Auditorium; Year-book signing from classes in the Elem. 9:30 – 10:00; Sneak Peak – 10:00 – 10:30 (5th grade with Mrs. Kim, Departing students with Mr. Z in the ES faculty room). Please let me know your last week/day plans so that coordinating these events will be possible. Thanks!
• June 6 – work day – packing up TCIS – more details to follow
• June 7 – work day – packing up TCIS – boxes are in the ES faculty room!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

In the words of Jesus, the theme of love was personified. Enjoy the Son’s love today and this weekend, as the sun comes out. Revel in the joy of beginning to know the depth of his love in your life. Have a fantastic week!

May 16 – 20 (Lunch/Recess Teams 1-5)

• 16 – Asbury Students depart mid-day; PD –agenda below (ES Library)
• 17 – Scouts – Webelos, Juniors, Brownies
• 18 – Baseball; Gymnastics; Newspaper – Golden Pages
• 19 – Chapel 8:15
• 20 – Baseball; Gymnastics

Monday (May 16^th) PD – Division Meeting agenda – Report Cards for next year, Storage in the new building, First Week expectations, Day 1-6 schedules, Single Subject Schedule concepts/draft, Moving details, Lunch Supervision/Recess Supervision, Future Faculty Meetings, Start/End times for next year, Business cards, PowerSchool Training, Ad-hoc After School Committee, ES division reps (PK-2, 3-5, Single Subject), HAC, BOT, other?

Our new address at the Techno Valley campus is:

Taejon Christian International School

709 Yong-San Dong, Yuseong-Gu

Daejeon, Republic of Korea 305-500

School Phone #: TBA

Thank you Teachers!!! – Mrs. Miller, Miss Bechtold, Mr. Pinho, Miss Stephenson, and Mr. Loeber …for your help and introduction to TCIS and international education for the Asbury University student that was assigned to you and your class on May 12, 13, 16^th. I trust that they had a fun learning experience in our school.

May 19-20, Frank Peterson is coming from GSIS to be available for PowerSchool training! Watch for details of location. You are invited to learn 4 things from him during one of your planning periods:

He will be offering a PowerSchool Preview

-> Teachers will:

–> Logon to powerschool

–> Take attendance

–> Open the grade book

–> Add an assignment

Planning for students for Next Year – 2011-2012. Students moving up and onward/Teachers receiving a new group:

Teachers, please take the next couple weeks to think about your students and communicate with their teacher for next year.

• Find some time to communicate with each other about your students and any concerns, “heads-up,” or pertinent information that has the child’s success in mind, as we begin to wind down and will be promoting our students to the next grade level teacher.
• Teachers, feel free to inquire of the students coming your way, as well as forward information on your current students to the teacher for next year.
• Fifth grade, I will communicate with Mike Moimoi and the 6th grade team in order to connect you with them.

May 23^rd 5:00 depart for ES – Faculty Dinner –in appreciation of all the hard work that has gone into the PYP for the last 3 years, and especially throughout the PYP Self-Study/Evaluation Visit.

Sabbatical Leave for Susan Kim (2011-2012)
The plan will be to continue counseling services in the absence of Susan Kim, during her sabbatical leave next year.  Counseling Services -Mrs. Barbara Smith-Jang will team up with Mr. Zickefoose to cover the counseling services in an “Interim” mode for one year. Susan’s roles/responsibilities in elementary school will be addressed the following ways:

• Parent liaison/contact will be through Barbara Smith-Jang (and possibly other bi-lingual staff members, as needed).
• Classroom lessons – Mr. Zickefoose
• Small Groups – Mr. Zickefoose
• New/Departing students – Mr. Zickefoose, with support from Mrs. Smith-Jang as needed, depending on the mother-tongue language of the child.
• Mr. Zickefoose will share this with parents in an end of the year letter.

May Dates:

• May 24^th – Talent Show 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. auditorium (note change in date)
• May 31 – dress rehearsal at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium for our concert.
• May 31 – Field Day in the afternoon following lunch (watch for details from Kirsten)
• June 1 – ES Concert 6:30 p.m. (students / teachers arrive by 6:10 p.m.)
• June 2 – Elementary field trip…PK-2 remaining on campus/3-5
• June 3 – Chapel / End of the Year Gathering – 8:15 a.m.– 9:15 a.m. Auditorium

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” Psalm 125:1

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Enjoy the last day of SEW and your students. Continue in prayer for them and this time in their lives and foundations are laid in their hearts. Thank you for loving them and caring for them each day.

May 9-13 (Lunch & Recess Teams 6-10)

• 9 – PD – LST/Work Day – see agenda order below
• 10 – Scouts – Brownies, Juniors, Webelos
• 11–Golden Pages; Gymnastics (K-2); Baseball (3-5);
• 12– No after school activities
• 13–Gymnastics (3-5); Baseball (3-5)

PD Agenda – May 9 – LST Meeting/Work Day–3:30 – 5^th grade; 3:45 – 4^th grade; 4:00 – 3^rd grade; 4:15 – PK/K; 4:30 – Additional students? Meet in PYP Coordinator’s office

SEW – So far, SEW has gone like clockwork! Thanks Dean and Moni and Elementary Team of teachers and assistants!

EX!! – PYP Exhibition – The students were fabulous! Thanks to all of the teachers prior to this year, mentors, 5^th grade teacher, and PYP Coordinator for teaming for this final stretch in the Exhibition process (a multi-year foundation laying, skill-building, concept-developing, and action-triggering process). Thank you teachers for your attendance and participation in the evaluation process of the student groups. Your feedback is necessary and valuable in the whole scheme of the Exhibition. Students will reflect on their part and we as a school will continue to grow and improve on our efforts. From many people… “…It was the best yet!!!” Thanks Landon, Laura, Ellen, Connie, Christine, and the host of teachers that attended and supported over the last several years for these students!

Materials on the table in the faculty room – the pile is shrinking…

LEAD sign-ups – (through May 15) Thank you for those who have signed up. Please send an electronic copy of your form C and form E prior to our meeting. After signing up, I will confirm our meetings via email. Thanks!

April/May Dates:

• May 7 – I-Fest (sign-ups are now for booths…Teachers Please sign-up for Popcorn/Cotton Candy – Google doc (shared with elementary) – proceeds will be divided among our Exhibition Groups) – Still need teachers for popcorn and cotton candy!
• May 24^th – Talent Show 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. auditorium (note change in date)
• May 31 – dress rehearsal at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium for our concert.
• May 31 – Field Day in the afternoon following lunch (watch for details from Kirsten)
• June 1 – ES Concert 6:30 p.m. (students / teachers arrive by 6:10 p.m.)
• June 2 – Elementary field trip…PK-2 remaining on campus/3-5 …more details to follow by Monday’s folder time.
• June 3 – Chapel / End of the Year Gathering – 8:15 a.m.– 9:15 a.m. Auditorium

Continue to pray for one another:

Miss Kim (ELC care-giver) is out of the hospital recovering from surgery.

Connie’s brother, Paul.

School transition/relocation/year-end activities and all of the details involved in those processes.

TCIS Elementary Monday Notes – May 2 – 7

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. – Ephesians 4:2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. – Hebrews 12:1

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! – Isaiah 30:18

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. – Psalm 27:14

Let’s remember our students and each other as we prepare for a time of spiritual instruction and growth this coming week. Pray that God has his way in each of our lives. Dean will present the Gospel message for our students to hear and consider. Pray that the Holy Spirit will have freedom to work in the hearts of our students as they have opportunity to hear the Word of the Lord. May our waiting on the Lord, temper our hearts and minds to be more like him in all that we say and do. Enjoy your weekend and next week with our students!

May 2-7 (Lunch & Recess Teams 1-5)

2 – PD – Division Meeting – ES library

3 – No After School Activities

4 –Golden Pages; Gymnastics (K-2); Baseball (3-5); EX!! – Exhibition 7:00 – 8:30

5 –Taekwondo (last session of the year!); Science Club (last day – experiment!)

6 –Gymnastics (3-5); Baseball (3-5)

7– Saturday – I-Fest 2:00 p.m. – until Fireworks!!! (Popcorn/Cotton Candy is on a Google doc…please continue to sign-up…There are spots left)

Thank you to Mrs. Ha – who covered for Ms. Jang this past week, will be leaving TCIS. Friday – April 29^th is her last day. She lives too far away now, after getting married (50 min. one way).

Welcome Mrs. Jang, our elementary secretary, back to work on Monday!!!

PD Agenda – May 2 – Division Meeting–meeting in the Library to begin our end of the year planning…Agenda to follow, but will likely include some of the following: Year-End Field Trip June 2, PYP follow-up, Day 1-6, Korean Matriculation, Donations, I-Fest, PYP Exhibition, Last Week of School plans, (any more ideas?)

SEW – Special Thanks to Dean and Moni for organizing and setting us all up with detailed plans for the week! A few details to clarify…

• Lunch will be served in our normal areas (Wed/Thurs. in the Main Cafeteria; Fri – Tents in front of the ES). We will continue our normal rotation for lunch supervision (Teams/Day 3, 4, 5)
  • Wed. – 11:20 – 11:50 – Ellen/Kirsten/Laura/Connie
  • Thurs. – 11:20 – 11:50 – Laurie/Alice/Mrs. Hong/George
  • Fri. – 11:20 – 11:50 – George/Landon/Mrs. Chae/Mrs. Yun

• Recess will be covered as follows:
  • Wed – 11:50 – 12:20 (Ellen, Laura, George);
  • Thurs. – 2:10 – 2:40 (Ellen, Laura, George);
  • Fri. – 2:10 – 2:40 (Ellen, Laura, George)

EX!! – PYP Exhibition – 7:00 – 8:30 – May 4^th! All elementary teachers are asked to be present and celebrate at this culminating event where the skills, attitudes, knowledge, concepts, and action that have been learned throughout our Primary Years Program PK-5 will be on display and highlighted. It, technically, is our entire school’s Exhibition, or PYP Exhibition. Come celebrate that night with everyone!

Materials on the table in the faculty room – Please feel free to peruse and take any items or resources that will augment your curriculum. After this week, I will open up this pile to the MS and HS teachers to consider. Then we will donate it/them.

Moving and Packing – I should know something with more specificity this coming week. As soon as I do, I will let you know. I have boxes for personal items in my office. Please hold off in packing school items for a bit longer.

LEAD sign-ups – (through May 15) Thank you for those who have signed up. I have already begun meeting and celebrating the accomplishments that you have made this year. If you haven’t already, please look at my calendar and let me know a good time for you and email a couple times that work. I will confirm with you via email. You should all have access to a calendar called LEAD 2010-2011 in your list of calendars. Let me know if you cannot see it. I have entered some of my scheduled events to help you know when I am more likely to be available. Also, please send me an electronic copy of your Form C and Form E.

April/May Dates:

29-30 – Musical 7:00 p.m. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

May 4-6 SEW (Wed. after lunch through Friday)

May 4 – EX!! –PYP Exhibition 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

May 5 – Science club last day to meet – lab to meet in the HS science room – Enjoy!

May 7 – I-Fest (sign-ups are now for booths…Teachers Please sign-up for Popcorn/Cotton Candy – Google doc (shared with elementary) – proceeds will be divided among our Exhibition Groups)

May 26^th – Talent Show 7:00 p.m. auditorium

May 31 – dress rehearsal at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium for our concert.

May 31 – Field Day in the afternoon following lunch (watch for details from Kirsten)

June 1 – ES Concert

June 2 – Elementary field trip…trying to make it PK-5 …let me know your “druthers” opinions on this…Everland, Kidzania, etc….will finalize on May 2 Division meeting. I have heard from PK, K, 2…any other voices before Monday?

June 3 – Chapel / End of the Year Gathering – 8:15 a.m.– 9:15 a.m. Auditorium

Continue to pray for one another:

Connie – safety as she travels this weekend, her brother’s health restoration who is still in the hospital, and her family as they continue to grieve.

Miss Kim (ELC care-giver) is out, after surgery, will be gone for about 3-4 weeks for recovery. Please be in prayer for her. We have lined up help in the ELC to continue care of our faculty children.

Philippians 2:1-3

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Happy Birthday in April to: Ellen – 8th!

April 4-8 (Lunch & Recess Teams 1-5)

4 – PD – Collaboration meetings on unit 6 – meet in PYP office

5 – No Activities

6 – Golden Pages; Basketball (3-5); 2nd gr. to Aquarium

7 – 8:15 a.m. Chapel; PK-2 Teachers will meet to align Math Curriculum; Taekwondo; 4:30 Activities Committee Meeting

8 – 7:00 Friday 40; Basketball (3-5)

9 – Saturday Basketball Jamboree at GSIS 8:00 –  5:00 p.m. (Buses leave at 8:00 a.m.) Players are in grades 3-5.

Student Led Conferences (SLC) – Thank you for all of your preparation and hard work to prepare your students, your room, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor!!! What a treat to see your students leading the conferences with your parents. I was able to see some on Friday morning…sorry about missing the others. I could tell that it was a smooth operation. Your rooms looked great…ready to receive parents and students and for students to take the lead and expose their parents to the learning that they have been involved in this year. Your snapshot and exposure that your students gave their parents was time well-spent as it opened the window to your classrooms and to their child’s educational progress and experience that takes place 6 hours a day at TCIS. I also saw a new step – electronic Portfolios in 4th and 5th grade!  I also know that PK created e-portfolios too. What a great accomplishment, that you all can be proud!  You are setting new benchmarks and creating and demonstrating the learning that is taking place in your rooms under your instruction. Kindergarten, too, used the Mac laptop to showcase some of their learning about technology too!  Way to go!!!

Free Online E-Books! – www.oxfordowl.co.uk leveled readers up a certain age…lower leveled readers for the most part.  Miss Anderson has already included this link in her newsletter and on the Library home page. Feel free to check it out and see if it would be good for your students.

Techno-Valley Site

The stage of the process that we are in is this…the division leaders are charged with organizing the inventory, replacement items/items to purchase, and recommending cabinetry to be build…organizing them in a central location to prepare for the bidding process of furnishings, cabinetry, etc. so that our school will look good upon its opening. I will be looking for a date to visit the new site in April as a division…may not be on a Monday; it will be optional either way. I am happy to talk to anybody about questions about it anytime, drop on by.

Field Trips (Are there others?)

• April 6 – 2nd gr. to Daejeon Aquarium
• April 9 – 3rd-5th gr. to GSIS for Basketball Jamboree
• April 21 – Kdg to Zooland
• April 29 – Kdg to Tree Museum
• June 2 – All Elementary Trip – Stay tuned…We are considering some other venues and options to Everland …possibly Kidzania – Check it out at:  Talk to Laura Price for first hand info or to Emily or Kelli Che’s mom:  http://kidzania.co.kr/eng/kidzania.asp

SEW – May 4-6 — Watch for more info in the days ahead!

Ecclesiastes 1:1

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…”

Happy Birthday in March to Mrs. Kim, Yeon Sun – 28th; and in April, to Ellen on the 8th!

March 28-April 1 (Lunch & Recess Teams 6-10) March 2011 April 2011

28- PD – ES Library – Division Meeting – PYP Preparation for our Self-Study Visit

29 – Brownies and Boy Scouts; No Juniors today (sorry for the confusion)

30 – 11:10 – ES School Group picture on the Grand Staircase (yearbook); Golden Pages; Basketball 3-5;

31 – 8:15 a.m. Chapel; Early Dismissal 11:30 a.m. (no lunch served at school for students); Faculty lunch at 12:00; Conferences start at 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Dinner at 5:00 p.m.); no after school activities

1 – 10:00 a.m. – Brunch; 11:00 – 3:00 p.m. Conferences (work straight through the lunch hour without a break); no after school activities

Picture Day – Wednesday at 11:10 a.m. - Group photos for the yearbook for the ES Division will be on the Grand Staircase…just before lunch…prep your kids to keep their hands down and smiles up! There is another group right after us, so we all need to be prompt…Thanks!

Saturday – April 2 – A Crystal Evening in Seoul.

WASC training at GSIS – April 2nd – all day (pre-registration basis)

April 9th – ES basketball Jamboree at GSIS for grades 3-5 bus will leave about 8:00 a.m. (You may plan to go and cheer and support our players, especially if you have not led an after school activity this year).

1 Peter 4:10

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Enjoy the week! Have fun! Celebrate the learning that is and has taken place in the lives of your students at your hand…your planning, your teaching, your managing, and your influencing. I hope you are realizing the results that you envisioned. You are an amazing group of teachers with diverse skills, gifts, and talents! Your students are better for having been taught by each one of you. Together, collectively and individually, we are making a difference in their lives now and for their future. Stand firm, at times teaching and managing may feel like a daunting task and one that overwhelms and drains us. While at other times, it is the best job in the world!

It is a pleasure working with you. I have been reflecting on last Monday’s joint staff meeting and the message and video that Mr. Robert’s shared with us all, “Why it Matters.”  As a result, I have placed a link to the video to the right, if you wanted to watch and listen again. It is worth the 3 1/2 minutes to remember why we are here and why we do what we do. Thank you for the part and role you live at TCIS among your students and colleagues. And thanks to Ryan for sharing his talent and leadership with us. Have a great spring break!

Happy Birthday in March to: Mrs. Kim, Yeon Sun – 28th!

March 14-18 (Lunch & Recess Teams 1-5) Spirit Week! and  March 2011

14 – PD – LST/Work Day on Report Cards (due 15th at 10:00 a.m.)

15 – No after school activities

16 – Golden Pages (Are you seeing and reading the amazing student work? -It is fantastic!) Thanks Ellen for your dedication and work to publish this Sooo often! Wow! Our students are growing and learning so much!

17 – St. Patrick’s Day; 8:15 a.m. Chapel; Taekwondo?, Drama Showcase 3:15!

18 – 7:00 a.m. – Friday 40; basketball – (3-5)

Please be in prayer for the LASA trips for safety, and impact in the lives of the students and leaders traveling and in the communities where they will touch down for a week, before returning to Korea.

After School Activity Program - looking to our future! A parent survey was sent out this week to gather useable data to help refine and enhance our after school activities program in the elementary. I will have data and details by Tuesday, March 15. Then I will compile and share the data with a small ad-hoc committee to continue looking at the data to make recommendations for the future of our ES after school program. If you would like to be considered to serve on that committee because you have an interest in improving, further developing, and considering new approaches, let me know. I have invited parents, will select some teachers, and will invite our current Activities Coordinator as well. See Edline for a copy of the survey. I will be inviting teachers to participate in a brief in-person interview with me about the after school activity program. Watch for an email soon. Participation will be optional, of course.

Points to Ponder…What do the following call up in your mind?

Schmoker (2011) zeroed in on a few key areas that he thought teachers might consider in their own practice to improve student learning. What do you think? “…embrace – at long last – a powerful combination of the following strategies for all students:

• Adequate amounts of essential subject-area content, concepts, and topics.
• Intellectual/thinking skills (e.g., argument, problem solving, reconciling opposing views, drawing one’s own conclusions); and
• Authentic literacy  purposeful reading, writing, and discussion as the primary modes of learning both content and thinking skills (p.26)

And on another note, as you hold discussions in your class, or meet with colleagues, or  have students share their thoughts and insights, if you don’t have a way to structure those times or would like to consider Schmoker’s suggested “rubric” for discussion/debate…take a look…

Discussion/Debate “Rubric”

1. Always cite the source.
2. When disagreeing with another’s conclusions, argument, or solutions, briefly restate what they said, don’t interrupt, and be civil and respectful.
3. Be concise and stay on point.
4. Avoid distracting verbal tics (such as overuse of “like” or “you know”) (p. 84)

Schmoker, M. (2011). Focus: Elevating the essentials to radically improve student learning. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Romans 12:10

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

I tip my hat to Dean for these past few weeks in chapel that he has spoken on honor. I think that our students, even though they are raised in an honorific culture and society, have learned some new insights into the meaning of that word and can take their learning with them into their daily lives with our continued guidance. What an exhilarating way to live! What a humble way to live. May we each find the grace to honor one another through our dependence on Christ and his example of servant leadership, and as we acknowledge the soul in us and the soul in another we may be able to, from our hearts, honor each other as a matter of practice, and literally bow our heads, hearts, and souls to one another in respect and honor. Namaste!

Happy Birthday to: Mrs. Kim, Yeon Sun – 28th!

March 7-11 (Lunch & Recess Teams 6-10) March 2011

7 – PD Headmaster’s Address 3:30 – Auditorium; 4:15 New School visit? or work day

8 – Scouts for boys and girls; HAC meeting to start around 4:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m. Spring LASA trip parent meeting.

9 – Golden Pages; Basketball for 4th and 5th graders

10 – 8:15 Chapel – 2nd Grade will be leading/presenting the message; Drama Club; Science Club; Taekwondo; 4:30 Activity Committee Meeting

11 – 7:00 Friday 40; 10:00 a.m. ES PTA meeting; Basketball for 4th and 5th graders

12 – Saturday Basketball Jamboree (grades 4 & 5) – SIS (if you are not leading an after school activity, I need to you to attend this trip to assist the coaches with supervision, cheering, meals, etc. See me if you have a question if this applies to you.)

Books I am reading: Learning from Lincoln: Leadership practices for school success; Focus: Elevating the essentials to radically improve student learning; and Breaking free from myths about teaching and learning: Innovation as an engine for student success; and about 10 small books on survey research.

www.khanacademy.org – World’s free classroom!

Have you checked out Khan Academy? It is pretty amazing what one man is doing for online instruction on a wide variety of topics, including math – check him out for a few minutes to see if he can be a resource for you…maybe this is the wave of the future…who knows? It sure is getting a lot of hits and attention even now:  http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy?blend=1&ob=4 (Bill Gates is a fan!)

Report Cards are due March 15th at 10:00 a.m. Please send (electronically from Grade Quick) to the Registrar…comments written/performance standards assessed/comments edited for grammar, English, etc….the normal routine. I am willing to read any and all comments, but know you have other editors you can tap, as well. Please help each other craft and create professional documents for you, your parents, and your students. They are a reflection of the quality of education we promote and advocate…in essence communication pieces and marketing tools as parents reflect and share them with their friends and family. Thank you in advance for all that you do to prepare for them!

“S” Coming up!

• Spirit Week: – March 14-18 – watch for the details coming your way!
• Spring Break – March 19-27 – LASA, traveling, relaxing, serving, resting, working…there is a time for everything!  Enjoy!
• Student-Led Conferences – March 31 – April 1st!
• Self-Study Visit — April 18-20 -

Hebrews 11:1-2

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”

Not for just a warmer season in front of us, although that is really nice. Have faith in a savior, Christ the Lord, who can warm us through the cold bitter chill of a sin-filled world, daily refilling us with is grace, love, and peace.  Thankfully, Jesus, has provided us with a focal point for our faith…his vision, his mission, and his life. May we choose faith in Him, too, each day, even as you see signs of spring in Korea…crystal blue sky, warm sunshine, and blossoms budding. May this spring, be a chance for you to renew your faith and see it grow.

Happy Birthday in March to: Mrs. Kim, Yeon Sun – 28th!

Feb. 28- March 4 (Lunch & Recess Teams 1-5) March 2011

28 – PD – Division Meeting in the ES library – agenda to include: ISA score review, Math structure for next year, Effective instruction in the ES, ICT considerations for changing labs from PC to Mac for 4th quarter, other?

Mar.1 – No activities (Chess Club is over, scouts meets next week)

2 – Golden Pages;  basketball (4th-5th)

3 – 8:15 a.m. Chapel (Pride, Purpose, and Passion Awards); Drama (4th-5th); Taekwondo (all); Oragami (1st)

4 – 7:00 a.m. Friday 40; basketball (4th-5th)

Spirit Week planning will commence – watch for the details!  March 14-18! Thanks to Anna, others, and me will make a plan. Send us your great ideas soon!

LEAD goals/Walk Throughs…also known as “Celebration Walks” — we are about 2 months away from scheduling our year-end meetings to review your goals. How are you doing? As for me, I still have a book to read and digest, am in one class and will sign up for another to start just in May.

Walk-throuhgs – Celebration Walks – I am visiting classes looking for specific things: math instruction practices, classroom /single-subject teachers’ management styles, Biblical integration, reading instruction practices, writing instruction practices, UOI…on-going best practices that are evident nearly every time I enter your classrooms. Relax…take my visits in stride and do what you regularly do…positively impact your students, address your curriculum, and consider your students’ varied needs. It is a time of celebration for me to see you and your students engaged in meaningful learning…and one that keeps me in tune with what you are doing on a daily basis. If there are special events or something that you would like me to see, let me know! I’d love to be a part of it and see your students shine!

PTA meeting in February- Again, I shared a number of positive things that are taking place in our school, in your classrooms, with our parents. Thank you! I did have one question emailed in about hot chocolate and ice cream with concerns that it is not healthy. I am fine to stop it …less preparation for Miss Jang, me, and others who assist in the process. However, some voiced the opinion that one day a week (with option to buy or take when free) available to students, was no problem. However, others commented that they would like us to consider how much candy is given to their children from various teachers as a part of their reward system or just to motivate/thank students, that students don’t likley have a choice not to take, unless they have nerves of steel to refuse the sweet treat. The candy issue came close to home in my own practice and thinking…I think, “…it won’t hurt to offer a pack of skittles for playground helpers once a week, or at the last chess club a bit of chocolate, will it?  Or on a visit to the office for some deed or event to celebrate? However, that got me thinking…just how much candy do our students receive and in-take?  Therefore, pleas come Monday with your practices in your room in mind, because I would like to take a quick survey to see just how many of us do give candy to our students and use it as an integral part to our management system, and at what rate. Our parents have raised the concern…healthy or not? amount too much? What about dentist bills? sugar in-take?  It behooves us to take a few minutes on Monday to discuss our system of management and what choices we have before us that don’t include candy as incentives or rewards.  Thanks for thinking with me. I am guilty…don’t mention the faculty room treats…now…okay guilty there too. Ouch! What am I to do?

Upcoming:

• March 1 – Sam-il Day in South Korea!
• March 2 – Dr. Seuss’ birthday celebration of reading stories and books by him
• HS Mock Exams 7-11 (Lunch location will be changed for ES on Friday)
• Spirit Week  - 14-18
• Spring Break/LASA trips – 19-26
• Student Led Conferences – 31-April 1
• Good Friday  April – 22nd
• Easter! -24th