September 22, 2021
Dear Families,

Today marks the end of semester one! Please look for an email sent today to your SCIS email address which includes a link to your child’s report card, accessible through Managebac. If you have any questions at all regarding your child’s report, please contact your child’s teacher. If you have difficulties finding or downloading the report, please email Barry Johnson at bjohnson@scis-china.org.
Reminder – Early Release Day on Monday
This is a gentle reminder that this Monday, January 24th will be an Early Release Day. All students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 will depart campus at 1:40 pm. Students in Early Childhood (N, PS, PK) will depart school following lunch at 11:30 am.
The purpose of the Early Release Days is to provide SCIS-Pudong faculty and staff with an opportunity to collaborate and engage in the IB/WASC reaccreditation self-study process. The self-study process is an ongoing school improvement process that assists a school in looking in-depth at what currently exists and what needs to be improved in relation to student learning and the school’s program. As a dually accredited school, we have an obligation to ensure that our practices not only meet but exceed the standards set forth by these esteemed educational organizations. As such, it is paramount we set aside the time for faculty and staff to engage in this process in order to ensure we are providing an exceptional, world-class educational experience for your child(ren).
If you have any questions surrounding early release day logistics please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or the divisional Principal. Please note the remaining SCIS-Pudong early release days for the school year are:
o Monday, January 25th
o Monday, March 1st
o Monday, March 29th
It’s COLD Outside, Uniforms & Lost and Found


While students across grade levels continue to enjoy outdoor recess and exploration, please remind your child to dress appropriately for the cold weather by sending him/her to school with warm coats, hats, mittens, or gloves. Uniforms are still required and we do have SCIS sweatshirts and long sleeve shirts. Please contact Ms. Stephanie for uniform assistance by emailing at sge@scis-china.org. Also, please remember to label all your child’s personal belongings with their name to ensure their items can be returned in the event they are misplaced. At the moment, we do have several items in lost and found. If you are missing anything, please ask your child to check out the lost and found box near the cafeteria.
Bus Expectations

As we head into semester 2, it is a wonderful time to review the student bus expectations with your child(ren). While this list is extensive, it is important that everyone understands the behavior expectations. To ensure the safety of all, students who violate bus expectations are subject to disciplinary action consistent with SCIS policies which may include suspension and expulsion from the bus service. Thank you for taking the time to discuss these expectations at home.

- The bus driver and Bud Monitor’s primary responsibility is the safety of the passengers. Children must respect and follow any requests made to always ensure student safety.
- Be on time for the bus.
- Walk, do not run to the bus.
- When getting on a bus with the engine on, wait until the bus stops completely and the Bus Monitor signals you to come on.
- Younger students sit toward the front of the bus.
- Seats may be assigned by the school administration, Transportation Coordinator, or Bus Monitor
- Remain in your seat with the seat belt firmly fastened around your waist shortly before departure and wear it until the bus arrives at the student’s stop.
- Do not use the seat next to you for personal items unless given permission to do so.
- Do not get up and move around or change seats while the bus is moving.
- Students may eat/drink on the bus responsibly. Sharing of food/drink is not allowed and students must pick up after themselves.
- Be respectful and speak in an indoor voice.
- Do not do anything that might distract the driver. These actions include:
- Loud noises such as yelling, screaming, or the use of inappropriate language.
- Throwing items inside the bus or out the window.
- Fighting and/or arguing with other students, the driver, or Bus Monitor.
- Turning around, standing, or jumping on the seat.
- Use digital devices responsibly under the following conditions:
- Play appropriate movies and/or games only.
- Keep device on silent or use headphones.
- Keep the aisles clear of obstructions (personal items, hands, and feet).
- Windows stay closed (unless there is a breakdown or the air conditioning is not working).
- Keep the bus clean. Remove all rubbish from the areas where you were seated.
Enter and leave the bus in an orderly manner at the designated stop. Exit the bus carefully, - If there is an accident or the bus breaks down, students should listen for instructions from the driver or Bus Monitor. If students are told to leave the bus, they should stay together with the other students, as far from the road as possible, until a service vehicle and another school bus arrives.
- Video cameras are installed on all school buses to record student behavior during transportation to and from school and school-related events. Evidence of student misbehavior recorded on video may be used during discipline procedures. Viewing these video recordings by the general public is prohibited.
- Students are encouraged to report any bus issues or concerns with the Transportation Coordinator and Administrator.
Travel Update

Please check your school email address for an updated travel announcement from Mr. Daniel D. Eschtruth, the Director of Schools, sent today at 4:30 p.m.
Chinese New Year Assembly and Temple Fair

The Mandarin Department continues to prepare for this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations. As in past years, there will be a Chinese New Year Assembly for the whole school on February 9th. Additionally, the assembly will be followed by a Chinese Temple Fair for Lower School students. The Temple Fair will provide students with an opportunity to participate in a variety of fun Chinese cultural activities and we are sure that students will enjoy learning more about Chinese New Year and Chinese culture. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Important Dates
- Jan. 25: Early Release Day (WASC), 1:40 dismissal (11:30 ECE)
- Feb 9: CNY Assembly and Activities
- Feb 10: No School for Students (Professional Development for teachers-WASC)
- Feb 11-17: CNY Holiday
- Feb 18: Return to School
- Feb 25: Lower School Assembly Featuring Grade 1