Monthly Archives: September 2011

Sensational Soccer Success

Posted on by
2

I don’t know how many goals were scored… I don’t know whether we won or lost… I just know there must have been some tired and sore bodies heading off to be early last night; your kids ran hard! Thank you to the few parents who were able to make it here on the day, and thank you to those who brought in fruit and drinks for us to share, we really appreciated them.

As a classroom teacher, it is such a pleasure to see the kids in a different environment on Soccer Day. Witnessing them at swim meets, art shows, PE class, debates, music eisteddfod’s or dance concerts is equally exciting; you get to see your students in a completely different light. For some students, the whole idea of soccer day is daunting; they just don’t like it. For others, it is an amazing opportunity to show skills off that are normally unseen in an academic environment. I have respect for both of these groups of students however it is the ‘other group’ that I am especially proud of. These are the students that are a bit scared of the ball, but want to get out and have a good time anyway. I am impressed by their courage, their team spirit and the way they go after the ball even though it may result in a kick in the shins. Yesterday we had many of those ‘other kids’ on the team; they supported the stronger soccer players, they encouraged the more careful players to take risks and they embodied what the day is about. Thank You 5KP.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=107931

Have a great weekend 5KP and don’t forget to put the finishing touches on your Healthy Balanced Meal Project as it is due on Monday.

If…

Posted on by
1

Parents… look at your wonderful children here reciting the amazing poem IF by Rudyard Kipling. They did such a good job with their recitation and after breaking down the language of the poem, we all agree that it was an amazing piece of writing that meant many things to many people.

http://portal.saschina.org/video/flv_player/Main.swf

On Founder’s Day students enjoyed sharing some of our National Anthems, country songs, etc and had Ms. Ahles, Ms. Toa and myself share ours too. It was wonderful discussing some of the meanings and history behind the songs and I was impressed with the courage of those who sang for us and for the maturity of the audience response. Here are your children reciting the American Pledge of Allegiance just as SAS was doing 100 years ago.

http://portal.saschina.org/video/flv_player/Main.swf

Celebrations All Around

Posted on by
1

Hi Everyone

What a huge week it was last week, personally and professionally! Thank you for all your kind words regarding the passing of my grand-gather. Thank you for your attendance at Founder’s Day and for dressing your children up so beautifully; they were a sight to behold. You may have heard we have a new addition to our family, his name is Jeremiah and we will be providing a home for him to heal and thrive in until he is adopted. He is a delightful young four month old with Spina Bifida and our daughters are already besotted by him… wish us luck on this journey!

ASA Doc

This week we have A.S.A.’s on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday after school and your children will be taking the ASA bus, ES ASA Bus Schedule and Date 1st Qtr, leaving school at 4 pm each day.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=107931

This Thursday we will have our first of two Soccer Days. The kids have been working on their skills during PE and recess times and it looks like we have a skilled set of players this year. The main aim of our Elementary Soccer days is for the kids to have fun, support each other and enjoy themselves on the field. Thanks to the PTSA for supporting our kids by sending in fruit and drinks; you are also welcome to join us out on the field between 10 and 1 to cheer on the team, we are highlighted below as Team 5 so that you can find us more easily.

Soccer Day 5KP

Friday is the day we will celebrate our Writer’s Workshop Launch with the publishing of our first personal narrative. We won’t be inviting parents in for this one, however in future, we’d love you to join us as we celebrate your child’s achievements.

Three Things …Plus One… I mean Two…OK Three more and that is IT!

Posted on by
Reply

Hello

1. Today your child is bringing home a scholastic book club form. The more books the child orders, the more points I
earn that can be spent on our classroom library. However, I realize that with scholastic and photos in the same week,
things can be quite expensive; I understand. Please don’t feel too pressured, and if there is something your child wants, and you
or they cannot afford it, let me know and I will make sure I do order it with my points next time. The completed
form must be returned with exact rmb by Tuesday September 20th.

2. Tomorrow your child will be having their individual photo taken at 11.25 am. If you want to purchase photos, and have
not returned the form and cash, please do so tomorrow. Clean your teeth 5KP and look sharp!

3. Friday is Founder’s Day. We have hats for the students in the classroom and hope that they also come dressed in
something befitting life one hundred years ago. We hope to see you here if you can make it, our celebrations begin at 1 pm.

Plus One… Treat Day is tomorrow so your child might want to bring in 5 rmb to buy a fun snack at lunch time.

Plus Two… Mr Power has introduced the 4th and 5th grade students to the wonderful Edublog Challenge. I really love this challenge because it matches beautifully with the 3rd purpose of our SAS Homework Plan: Develop Independent Learning Habits. I would like to encourage the students to spend some time every night or two on this site building up their technology skills at the same time as gaining access to other 5th grade friendly blogs and websites. Parents, please take the time to check out this site, preferably with your child. If you do not have a VPN the site will not load for you at home, but Mr. Power will continually be adding things to his blog to help make the students accessibility easier.

Plus Three… Soccer Day is on Thursday 22nd of September. Please join us on the field between 10 am and 1 pm as we play about 6 games of soccer with other 5th graders around Shanghai. Fingers crossed for good weather and lots of fair play.

Over and Out

News of the Moment

Posted on by
1

Thank You to the eight families who attended our Open House last night and to the five families who helped out with the Moon-Cake making in the Elementary Cafeteria yesterday. As some parents pointed out, it is not long before your pre-teen might discourage you from being involved in their school-life so often, so it is great to be a part of their day before that ‘mood’ really kicks in! It was appreciated and I was thrilled to meet so many of you and talk about your child, their day, and what activities we get up to in 5KP.

A reminder that the first unit math test will be held at 10.40 am tomorrow and so it is important to review over the study links and or skills links tonight. This is where your child can reinforce their study habits and move forward as an independent learner. They have had a revision class today and there will be no surprises. Get a good night’s rest students and don’t forget to wear your house shirts. I’m also looking forward to hearing the class recite Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem ‘If’ tomorrow

Here is a link to a page of great photos of a school who celebrated a ‘1910’ day which is similar to what our school is doing next Friday September 16th as we celebrate Founders Day here at SAS. If you would like some ideas for costumes, or just a feel for the day, please check it out.

Several of you have already responded that you would like to take our PTSA up on the opportunity of providing your son or daughter with an appropriate cap or hat for Founders Day. If you would like me to order one of these on your behalf, free of charge, please e mail me, or send in a note with your child, by 9 am tomorrow so Regina, our grade level Mum can order these for us asap. No need to e mail again if you have done so already. Here is the information as e mailed to parents earlier today:
IF you would like a boys black cap
or a girls white hat for your 5th grader to wear
next Friday for Founder’s Day Celebrations and Parade
then you MUST:
1. reply to this e mail with 1 black cap or 1 white hat
or
2. write a note in your child’s agenda/on a piece of paper and send it in
stating your request
Our 5th grade room parent Regina will be ordering these tomorrow
with PTSA funds so it will not cost you anything but she does have to place
the order asap.
We need to know your response by 9 am Friday please.

As for the clothing that day, for your daughters, think dresses, bonnets, frills and bow… for your sons think caps and ties, shirts with collars and black shoes with long socks. As I have said previously, there is a tailor I know that has been working with our staff, if you want to go ‘all out’ and have something made, let me know and I will give you her details. The more we put into this celebration, the more we will get out of it!

IF you would like a boys black cap
or a girls white hat for your 5th grader to wear
next Friday for Founder’s Day Celebrations and Parade
then you MUST:
1. reply to this e mail with 1 black cap or 1 white hat
or
2. write a note in your child’s agenda/on a piece of paper and send it in
stating your request
Our 5th grade room parent Regina will be ordering these tomorrow
with PTSA funds so it will not cost you anything but she does have to place
the order asap.
We need to know your response by 9 am Friday please.

I hope you enjoy the photos of your child with their Pre K Reading Buddy, our new students receiving their house allocations and house shirts, 5KP playing outside and also our wonderful Mid-Autumn Festival Moon Cake Making. Enjoy your long weekend 5KP Families.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087

News of the Moment

Posted on by
Reply

House Shirt: Do you need a new one?

Returning students can purchase new House Shirts tomorrow,Tuesday, September 6th through Thursday, September 8th, 2010. Returning students who have out grown, lost, or worn out their old shirts can buy a new shirt for 50 RMB. Students who are new to SAS this year will receive their House assignment and shirt – Bears, Falcons, Dolphins or Pumas – this week.

Mid-Autumn Festival

For those of you new to Shanghai, or to Chinese culture, you can find out more about the Mid-Autumn (Moon Festival) here. The festival is the reason that school will be closed for us all next Monday, enjoy your break. In the meantime, thank you to the parents who will be joining us in Project Area 5 this Wednesday at around 9.15 (our session starts at 9.30 am) We look forward to seeing you help us celebrate the Festival with our Chinese teachers leading the way.

Founders Day Celebrations

I am sure by now you have heard that this is SAS’s 100th year! What an amazing year to be able to say you were a student at our great school. We are hoping that every 5th grader, and indeed every Elementary and Middle school student and staff member will dress up in appropriate clothing for that day. We will be participating in a whole school assembly as well as a large parade and we would love to see you there (you are also welcome to dress up). Costume ideas could include wearing long socks and black shoes with short pants, braces over a white button-down shirt or a dress from the period around the early 1900’s. Some suggestions are below modeled by an up and coming young starlet!

Additional A3 Poster

Dear Parents,
Please reserve Friday, September 23rd, for Date with Dad event.  We are planning an exciting events for Dads and Kids to play together. Moms, plan on having tired husbands and children coming home and talking about the games, art activities, and dress-up photo opps!  Students are bringing home the information/sign up sheet today.  Please return no later than next Tuesday.  Plan on fun!
Sincerely,
Barbara Boyer
Jeanine Merrill
Rachel Baydo
Scott Hossack

If you would like me to help you out with ideas, let me know as I have been using a tailor from the Science and Technology market and she is very good. She has made many of the costumes you will see the teachers wearing on that day and her name is Shanna, stall number K3-25 close to the car-park underneath the Science and Tech museum.

Date with Dad

Dear Parents,

Please reserve Friday, September 23rd, for Date with Dad event.  We are planning an exciting events for Dads and Kids to play together. Mums, plan on having tired husbands and children coming home and talking about the games, art activities, and dress-up photo opps!  Students are bringing home the information/sign up sheet today.  Please return no later than next Tuesday.  Plan on fun!

Screen shot 2011-09-05 at 11.54.06 AM

Sincerely, Barbara Boyer. Jeanine Merrill, Rachel Baydo, and Scott Hossack

Dates to Remember:

  • Math Test for Unit One – Friday September 9th
  • Moon Cake Making in Project Area 5- Wednesday September 7th at 9.30 am
  • Open House – Wednesday, September 7th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
  • After School Activities Forms Due Back – Thursday, September 8th
  • Mid-Autumn Festival – No School on Monday, September 12th
  • Founder’s Day Parade – Friday, September 16th
  • Date with Dad Night – Friday, September 23rd