Thailand Recap and More

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for your flexibility while I was in Thailand over the weekend, as well as Thursday and Sunday. Ms. Csilla said the class did very well in my absence, which makes me so happy because it means that the routines, procedures, and expectations we worked so hard to reinforce have taken root, for the most part. The first few weeks back to school are always so important, so I think we are past the learning curve hump. Yay!!

My conference in Thailand was excellent! I learned so much and feel excited to use my new knowledge in the classroom, as well as in my own personal life. If you're interested in knowing a bit more about the conference, please click here. And, if you want to learn more about growth mindsets, I'd encourage you to start researching for yourself. Soon, I will be creating a page on the blog, which will include some great resources and I'll add to it throughout the year. (This is my personal Pinterest board on the subject.) The research by Dr. Carol Dweck absolutely fascinating.

As we begin a new week, please avail yourself of our weekly assignment sheet and news, as well as the most recent issue of SPOTS, our school newsletter.  In the assignment sheet and news, I included some practical ways that you can help your child review for the Unit 1 math test, which is Wednesday, Sept. 28th. If your child paid attention in class, did the nightly homework, and learned from mistakes made along the way, the assessment is simply a good way to show the great learning that took place in this unit.

If, however, there were some areas that still needed some practice, please use the tips I mentioned in the assignment and news. As always, if there are ever any concepts that your child is struggling to grasp, please just write me a quick email or jot a note in the agenda and I'll be sure to connect with him/her on a one-on-one basis.

Thanks so much for your wonderful support.

Lastly,  here are a few pictures. It was my first trip to Thailand, so even though it was very brief, I truly loved just about every minute.

James Anderson is engaging, extremely knowledgeable, and the only certified growth mindset trainer in the world. He also happened to be pretty cute, single, and had a great Australian accent. :) 

The hours flew by, which is always the sign of a meaty and interesting conference. 

Coming back to my hotel room to find this just made me smile. :) 

And now, for a few sightseeing pictures...

I hired a tour guide named Mandy for my few free hours in Bangkok. It was well worth the money and I'd recommend her in a heartbeat. (Just let me know if you want her info.)

The Palace was incredibly detailed and beautiful. 

And, the flavorful, affordable Thai food was just to die for. Wow, oh, wow. 

Did you know that every Thai man will become a monk in his life? Yep. It could be for just one day, one week, one month, or as long as he likes. 

Temple of the Reclining Buddha

It was fun to see guards walk past at the palace. 

Chinese women selling Thai food made me laugh.  

A lovely water lily...or is it a lotus? I honestly can't tell the different, even after googling it. 

Staying here was a treat!! I loved the plush bathrobe, slippers, and all the fun toiletries. It was also centrally located, which made sightseeing in the evenings very easy. 

I hope you enjoyed these few pictures! The children loved hearing about my trip and made some really great connections to their own travel. We are so blessed to be able to get around the world so much and I always want to drive that point home, so none of us (including myself) don't take this privilege for granted. 🙏

A Word from Admin

ES Dismissal and the start of ASA’s:

We want to say a big thank you to all of you that have assisted us before and after school with keeping our hallways clear until 7:30am and again until 2:45pm in the afternoon by waiting for your child(ren) in the foyer.  It has made a huge difference in keeping instruction going until the end of the day and speeding up dismissal!  

Please note the following change to our dismissal procedures in conjunction with the start of ASA's on Sunday, September 26th. As in previous years, students will begin to independently make their way to the foyer at the end of the day. Teachers will continue to assist students in packing up, lining up in the classrooms, and supervising students as they walk down the hallway. Students with ASA's will wait in the classroom until 2:55pm when they will be dismissed to attend their ASA.  Please continue to help us by waiting in the foyer for your child to come down. Students have been told to continue to meet the parent/driver at the same prearranged meeting spot in the foyer and members of the ES staff will be present to supervise the foyer. Thank you for your help with this.

Hats:

Our expectation that students wear hats in sun-exposed areas of the playground has been temporarily delayed due to an issue with an available hat supply at Threads.  Until a supply of hats is available for purchase, students will not be required to wear hats outside, although we encourage those that have already purchased hats to continue to wear them.  Once the supply of hats has arrived at Threads, and parents have had adequate time to purchase them, a new date for requiring students to wear hats will be established.  More information will be available once these details have been established.  We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience.

Transportation Update and Communication in My Absence (revised at 7:20 PM)

As I mentioned in my last post, I will be traveling to Thailand for a conference this weekend, so I will be absent on Thursday and Sunday.

If you need to reach Ms. Csilla, who will be my substitute, please email her at csilla.missamou@gemsdaa.net. She will be checking her email periodically. If you do not hear a reply, please contact Ms. Rene by phone.

Also, please note that ASAs are starting on Sunday, so children will be walking to their ASA with an EA for the first week, just so they know where they are going.

Students who are not in an ASA will walk down to the lobby independently to meet you there. Please have a conversation with your child, so that he or she is crystal clear about where to meet you, your caregiver, or your driver. And, as always, if there are any transportation changes, please notify Ms. Csilla.

If your child has an ASA, please just confirm that he is she is going by writing me a quick note in the agenda or by sending me an email, so I am certain to send him/her. This really helps me to know where to send your child at the end of the day. Sometimes children tell me that they aren't going, but it's difficult for me to know if this is their decision or yours. I'd really appreciate your help with this, so a huge thank you in advance!! :)

Rest assured that while I'm away, your child will be in wonderful hands! Ms. Csilla is terrific!