SCIS Pudong Lower School Principal's Post

Dear Families,

This has been a short, but fun-filled week within the Lower School.  It was wonderful to see Lower School students supporting teams and building community at the Upper School ACAMIS Volleyball Tournament on Thursday and Friday.  To welcome the visiting teams, lower school classrooms adopted a visiting team and attended various games throughout the tournament to provide support and encouragement.  Of course, we were all cheering for our own SCIS Dragons who played spectacularly. 

Lower School Winter Concerts

Please mark your calendars for the Lower School Winter Concert Performances which will take place on Friday, December 7^th.  Students in Kindergarten through Grade 2 will perform at 10:30am in the Theater, while the Grades 3-5 performance is scheduled to start at 1:30pm in the Theater.  We look forward to seeing all parents at what is certain to be a fantastic event!

Bingo Night

Please note that BINGO Night will take place next Saturday, November 17^th.  This fun family affair will begin at 5:00pm in the Black Box and last until 9:00pm.  We encourage all SCIS families to participate in this great community building event!

Lower School Assembly featuring 3J

The next Lower School Assembly will take place next Thursday, November 15^th beginning at 8:15am in the Black Box.  Grade 3 will be performing “Stone Soup” and emphasizing the author’s theme and moral of the story. 

Teacher Professional Development Days

Please note that November 23^rd will be a Professional Development Day for teachers.  On this day teachers will be working with international consultant Tania Latanzio on deepening our understanding of concept-based planning and instruction.  Students will not have school on this day. 

BOOK FAIR on November 20-22

Please note there will be a book fair on November 20th – 22nd.  Students and parents will be able to purchase high quality books on campus during these days.  We invite parents to come to school to purchase books with and for your child(ren).  Students will also have an opportunity to purchase books throughout the day if they have sufficient funds to do so.  

Parent-Teacher Conference Reflection

Although Parent-Teacher Conferences were a little over 2 weeks ago, we’d like to get parents’ opinions on their conference experience.  We request that you take a few minutes to complete this very short survey to help us better understand how Parent-Teacher conferences can be improved for the future.  Thank you very much for your time and feedback!

Save the Date: SCIS Winter Carnival

You are cordially invited to join us for the Second Annual SCIS Winter Carnival hosted at the Hongqiao Main Campus on Saturday, November 24^th from 11am – 4pm.

We have partnered with the Community Center Shanghai (CCS) who will host their annual Winter Bazaar full of great holiday shopping, delicious foods, and warming winter drinks. SCIS will provide the fun, including games, activities, and entertainment for the entire family, with a few winter surprises and special gifts you won’t want to miss.

Admission is FREE and ALL family and friends of SCIS are encouraged to join us for an exciting day of fun. We hope to see you there! Please look for more details coming soon!

More photos from a wonderful week!

Dear Families,

Another exciting week of fun and learning in the Lower School.  At this point, all grade levels are well into their second Unit of Inquiry and students have been engaged in a variety of learning experiences where they have had the opportunity to ask questions surrounding their inquiry topics and work with their peers to begin seeking answers to their queries. 

When planning, teachers begin by assessing students’ prior knowledge and providing experiences through the curriculum and learning environment that give students opportunities to:  test and revise their thinking, allow them to make connections between their previous and current perceptions, and allow them the freedom to construct their own meaning in a way that is significant, relevant and engaging. 

Below are the Central Ideas that serve as the focus for the current unit of inquiry in each grade level:

• Nursery: We move from place to place in different ways.
• Preschool / Prekindergarten: Artists create art to express themselves in different ways.
• Kindergarten: People use their senses to help them learn.
• Grade 1: Choices we make affect our health.
• Grade 2: People have improved their daily lives by using simple machines.
• Grade 3: The earth continually changes.
• Grade 4: Heroes reveal values and beliefs.
• Grade 3: Human migration is a response to challenges, risks and opportunities.

For more information on what and how your child is learning, please take some time to visit their student journal on Seesaw and talk with your child about the different learning experiences they are having at school.  Also, if you like what you see, be sure provide your child with some positive feedback on their work.

Please note, there will not be school next Monday and Tuesday, November 5^th and 6^th. 

Wishing all families, a wonderful and relaxing 4-day weekend! 

NWEA MAPS

(Northwest Evaluation Association / Measurement of Academic Progress)

Today, the fall NWEA MAPs test results for students in Grades 2-5 will be sent home in an envelope with each child.  We recognize that interpreting the test results can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with the MAPs test and therefore we will be hosting a Principal’s Coffee Morning on Wednesday, November 7^th led by Dr. Volpe.  The session will begin at 10:00am in room 208.   During this session, parents will develop an understanding of how to interpret their child’s MAP results, have an opportunity to ask questions and learn how to use the data to support their child’s growth and development at home.   Please note, the NWEA MAPs test is one piece of the assessment mosaic teachers use at SCIS to measure student progress and determine a student’s areas of strength and areas for growth.  Additionally, it is very common for a child’s MAP score to dip during the fall testing window due to the summer holiday, a time in which children are not in school or actively engaged in academic learning.  Similarly, please note that at SCIS we do not prepare students or “teach to the test.”  Therefore, for students who are taking the MAPs test for the first time, their unfamiliarity with taking this test may be a likely factor in a result that may not necessarily be representative of their full capabilities.  Again, the NWEA MAPs test is one of many assessments that we use to help us understand more about each child as a learner and it is important to keep in mind that each type of assessment is like a tile in a mosaic and we don’t understand the whole picture just by looking at one tile.  

Professional Learning Continues this week in the Lower School

Last week all Lower School Teachers formed collaborative PLCs based upon their individual professional growth and evaluation goals set for this school year.  Over the course of the 2018-2019 school year these groups will meet regularly to participate in rich conversations, analyze student work, design and evaluate learning experiences and share effective instructional practices.  This week all Lower School Teachers, Mandarin Assistants and Assistant Teachers were able to attend 2 out of 7 TTT (Teachers Teaching Teachers) sessions led by members of the Lower School faculty.  There was a fantastic range of session topics that included:  exploring the 8 mathematical practices, understanding shared reading, word study, growth-mindset, data collection, understanding the impact of body language and tone, and developing mathematical mindsets.  A huge thank you to all teacher presenters for providing this collective and differentiated professional development.

Additionally, all Mandarin Assistants and Assistant Teachers within the Early Childhood Program participated in a professional development workshop led by Ms. Gina Zhang on Tuesday where they formulated a deeper understanding of the Positive Discipline practice, “kind and firm.”  Teachers worked together in groups to role-play and problem-solve different scenarios.  If you’re interested in learning more about how you can implement the “Kind and Firm” parenting approach at home, please read this article:  https://www.positivediscipline.com/articles/kind-and-firm-parenting

Positive Discipline Parenting Workshop

Tomorrow will be the final session for the Positive Discipline Parenting Workshop for Mandarin-speaking parents.  A HUGE thank you to all parent participants!  We are still in the process of arranging a workshop for English-speaking parents that will hopefully be starting later this month.  More information will be forthcoming regarding the start date for this series of workshops.

More Photos from a GREAT WEEK!

Dear Families,

What a super busy, but fantastic week at SCIS-Pudong!  I have received many positive comments from both parents, as well as teachers surrounding Parent-Teacher Conferences and I’d like to say thank you to the parents for making the time in your schedule to attend your child’s conference.  Also, thank you to all teachers for the work and effort you put into preparing for the conferences.  

Please keep in mind that conferences can be scheduled at any point in the year should you have a concern or if you’d simply like to touch base and discuss various aspects of your child’s learning.  According to Jane Hull, “the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents” and we look forward to many more opportunities to engage you in your child’s learning journey at SCIS-pudong this year. 

PAFA Sponsored Halloween Party at SCIS

The PAFA Sponsored Halloween Party is tomorrow and we are looking forward to seeing all SCIS families participate in this fun event!  Tomorrow’s event will begin at 12:00pm and conclude at 3:00pm.  Everyone is encouraged to participate and come dressed in a Halloween costume!

Halloween Busing Times & Locations

• Bus#01, Shimao Riviera  Depart 11:20
• 1 Weifang Road Gate 世茂滨江 潍坊西路1号大门
• Bus#02, Green Court  Depart 11:20
• 777 Biyun Road, Lan’an road gate  碧云花园（碧云路777号蓝桉路大门）, 
• Kerry Hotel     Depart 11:30
• 嘉里城酒店花木路1388号
• Bus#03, Emerald   Depart 11:30 and 12:00
• Emerald Club House  绿宝园会所
• ALL RETURNING BUSES WILL LEAVE AT 3:10pm 

NWEA MAPS

(Northwest Evaluation Association / Measurement of Academic Progress)

The fall NWEA MAPs testing session has now closed and results will be sent home with students in Grades 2 through 10 next Friday, November 2^nd.  We recognize that interpreting the test results can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with the MAPs test and therefore we will be hosting a Principal’s Coffee Morning on Wednesday, November 7^th led by Dr. Volpe.  The session will begin at 10:00am in room 208.   During this session, parents will develop an understanding of how to interpret their child’s MAP results, have an opportunity to ask questions and learn how to use the data to support their child’s growth and development at home.   Please note, the NWEA MAPs test is one piece of the assessment mosaic teachers use at SCIS to measure student progress and determine a student’s areas of strength and areas for growth.

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in the Lower School

At SCIS-Pudong we believe that professional development and collaboration is essential to building a strong curricular program focused on implementing research-based best practices across all subject areas and disciplines.  This past Monday all Lower School Teachers formed collaborative PLCs based upon their individual professional growth and evaluation goals set for this school year.  Over the course of the 2018-2019 school year these groups will meet regularly to participate in rich conversations, analyze student work, design and evaluate learning experiences and share effective instructional practices.  These team meetings will certainly provide a valuable forum for teachers to discuss and share the many ways that students can authentically develop the skills and dispositions necessary to be successful both in school and in life.  They will also help teachers reflect on their own practices and brainstorm ideas for ways to make learning even more meaningful and engaging.

Introducing the 2018-2019 Lower School Student Council Representatives

Congratulations to the below students who have been selected by their peers to be the Student Representatives for the Lower School.   Involvement in Student Council provides SCIS students with a unique leadership opportunity that allows them to have direct input into school operations and events. The Student Council will provide a forum to enhance student participation in the life of the school.  Members of the Student Council work in partnership with the administration, teachers, parents and lower school students.  The Lower School Advisor for this year is Ms. Cleo Peterson.

• 3J: Jiwon Baek / Jonah Kachlic
• 3K: Matilda Hellestam / Gabriel Correa
• 4C: Julia Rando / Tate Valenza
• 5P: Jesslyn Sandy / Benjamin Fan
• 5R: Angelina Bu / Oscar Anthes

Counselor Connection

Mrs. Luebbe has recently added a new article to the Counselor Connection on the right side of this blog focused on the importance of assigning chores (jobs / responsibilities) to children at home.  Be sure to check it out!

Positive Discipline Parenting Workshop

The Positive Discipline Parenting Workshop for Mandarin-speaking parents has been a huge success.  15 Lower School parents have participated in the Saturday sessions and the feedback has been extremely positive.  Parents have learned research behind the positive discipline approach, as well as practical strategies for implementing positive discipline techniques at home.   We are in the process of arranging a workshop for English-speaking parents as well, and more information will be forthcoming regarding the start date for this series of workshops.

More Photos from a wonderful week of learning!

Dear Families,

Another wonderful week of learning and fun at SCIS-Pudong that has included a creative and student-centered assembly, collaborative PYP unit kick-off meetings and as always fantastic learning experiences for students in Nursery through Grade 5.   A BIG thank you to all the parents that attended the Principal’s Coffee Morning focused on “Getting the Most out of Parent-Teacher Conferences.”   We look forward to welcoming all parents next week on Thursday for your child’s Parent-Teacher Conference.  

Mid-Semester Progress Reports:

Please take a moment to access your SCIS Parent email account to receive your child’s Mid-Semester Progress Report. The purpose of the Mid-Semester progress report is to provide parents and teachers with an opportunity to reflect on the student’s attitudes and actions that lead to academic success at mid-semester.  The report is meant to serve as a baseline for discussion during Parent-Teacher Conferences, during which time parents will receive additional information about their child’s areas of strength and areas for growth.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are almost here!  We are so excited to talk with you about your child’s learning journey and the progress they have made since the beginning of the school year. 

During your 20-minute conference with your child’s Homeroom Teacher, you will have an opportunity to discuss your child’s areas of strength, as well as areas for growth related to their social, emotional and academic development.  You will also be able to ask questions and collaborate with the teacher on setting both short and long-term goals for your child.  During your time at SCIS, you are also encouraged to visit your child’s specialist teachers, who will be able on a first come, first serve basis.  Specialists will be located in their classrooms.

To sign-up for Parent-Teacher Conferences (if you haven’t already done so), please click on the name of your child’s Homeroom Teacher.  The link will take you to a Sign-up Genius form where you will be able to select one 20-minute slot that suits your schedule on Thursday, October 25^th.  Please note that conferences will take place throughout the day and therefore, there will not be school for children on this day.

If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled conference times stated below, please contact your child’s teacher directly to arrange for an alternative conference.

Parent Teacher Conference Sign-up Links

• Stacey Poncia
• Virginia Hunt:
• Tami Litzelman
• Aleksa Moss
• Emily Putnam
• Malika Meidinger
• Larisa Mount
• Molly Myers
• Ethan Shultz
• Emilee Van De Laarschot
• Matthew Ruf
• Tiffany Johnson
• Bart Kelly
• Briton Coombs
• Whitney Ruf
• Cleo Peterson

If you were unable to attend the Principal’s Coffee Morning please take a moment to read the information below surrounding how to get the most out of Parent Teacher Conferences. 

Halloween at SCIS

Halloween is right around the corner and PAFA (Parents and Friends Association) is busy preparing for the Halloween Carnival that will take place on Saturday October 27^th from 12:00pm-3:00pm on campus.  All families are encouraged to attend as children will have an opportunity to participate wear their Halloween costumes while participating in fun games and other events. 

Halloween Busing Times & Locations

• Bus#01, Shimao Riviera  Depart 11:20
• 1 Weifang Road Gate 世茂滨江 潍坊西路1号大门
• Bus#02, Green Court  Depart 11:20
• 777 Biyun Road, Lan’an road gate  碧云花园（碧云路777号蓝桉路大门）, 
• Kerry Hotel     Depart 11:30
• 嘉里城酒店花木路1388号
• Bus#03, Emerald   Depart 11:30 and 12:00
• Emerald Club House  绿宝园会所
• ALL RETURNING BUSES WILL LEAVE AT 3:10pm

On Friday, October 26^th, Lower School students will be able to wear their Halloween costume to school or change into their costume at any point during the school day.  Please keep in mind that Halloween costume accessories such as guns, swords or other potentially dangerous objects will not be allowed.  Additionally, it should be noted that participating in the Halloween festivities is optional for students and families.  There will not be any Halloween parties or events happening at school, apart from students having the opportunity to wear their costume to school. 

Announcing the First Lego League Jr. at SCIS-Pudong

Click on the link below to learn more.

FLL Jr Announcement Flyer

Getting the Most out of Parent-Teacher Conferences

There is a growing body of research that supports the fact that positive parent-teacher relationships contribute to school readiness, student achievement and well-rounded development of social and emotional skills.  According to Donna Henderson, Professor of Education at Wake Forest University, “Two people working together who have the best interest of the child in mind have a much greater impact than if they work alone. In today’s hurried world, it is so important for parents to take time to know the people who are educating our future generation.”

The following suggestions are ways that you can make the most out of parent-teacher conferences so that everyone wins, especially your child.

What should you expect?

• A two-way conversation: Like all good conversations, parent–teacher conferences work best when both people talk and The conference is a time for you to learn about your child’s progress in school and whether your child is meeting school expectations and academic standards. This is also a time for the teacher to learn about what your child is like at home. When you tell the teacher about your child’s skills, interests, needs, and dreams, the teacher can help your child more.
• Emphasis on learning: Good parent–teacher conferences focus on how well the child is doing in school. They also talk about how the child can do even better.
• Opportunities and challenges: Just like you, teachers want your child to succeed. You will probably hear
positive feedback about your child’s progress and areas for improvement. Be prepared, by thinking about your child’s strengths and challenges beforehand. Be ready to ask questions about ways you and the teacher can help your child with some of his or her challenges.

What should you talk to the teacher about?

• Progress: Your child’s teacher will undoubtedly have a range of information to share with you about your child’s academic, social and emotional development and progress.  Listen and ask for ways that you can help support learning at home.
• Assignments and assessments: Seeing examples of your child’s work will help you form a greater understanding of their strengths and areas in need of improvement.
• Your thoughts about your child: Be sure to share your thoughts and feelings about your child. Tell the teacher what you think your child is good at. Explain what he or she needs more help with.
• How should you follow up?
• Make a plan: Write down the things that you and the teacher will each do to support your child. You can do this during the conference or after. Write down what you will do, when, and how often.
• Schedule another time to talk: The conference will go by quickly, however, there are many ways to communicate with your child’s teacher(s)—in person, by phone, notes, email. Make a plan that works for both of you. If needed, feel free to schedule at least one more time to talk in the next few months.
• Talk to your child: The parent–teacher conference is all about your child, so don’t forget to include him or her. Share with your child what you learned. Show him or her how you will help with learning at home. Ask for his or her suggestions.

Note:  The above information was gathered from the Harvard Family Research Project. For more resources on family involvement, visit www.hfrp.org.

More Photos from a fantastic week of fun!

Dear Families,

It has been a great week at SCIS-Pudong as teachers gear up for the busy month of October.  There are many exciting events happening over the next few weeks involving students, teachers and parents.  Please take a moment to review the important dates mentioned on the right side of the blog post and carefully read through the information below to ensure you are kept informed of all exciting events and happenings pertaining to the Lower School and your child(ren).   Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher with any additional questions you may have.

Positive Discipline Parent Event

The first Positive Discipline parenting workshop will take place tomorrow (Saturday, October 13^th) from 8:30am-11:30am in the Black Box.  We are so excited to have over 20 participants including parents, grandparents and ayis.   If you are interested in attending this workshop that will be delivered in Mandarin, please contact Ms. Gale immediately at egale@scis-china.org as there are still available spots.  In addition to tomorrow’s workshop there are three additional workshops taking place on October 20^th, 27^th and November 3^rd.  The cost for each participant is 1,000RMB.  If you are a Mandarin speaker this is an opportunity you will not want to pass up!

Lower School Assemblies

At SCIS-Pudong Lower School assemblies serve several purposes.  They provide a venue for students to practice their speaking and presentation skills and share authentic aspects of their learning to a broader audience.  Additionally, they are a forum through which school-wide information can be communicated to students surrounding policies, procedures and special events. Lastly, they are meant to bring the LS community (students, teachers and parents) together in order to celebrate various aspects of student learning and growth.  All parents are invited to attend Lower School Assemblies. 

Our next Lower School Assembly will take place next Thursday, October 18th in the Black Box starting at 8:15am.  Students in 1M will be presenting.   We hope to see you there!

Mid-Semester Progress Reports

Next Friday after school, you will be able to access your child’s Mid-Semester Progress Report through a link received in your SCIS-parent email account.  The purpose of the Mid-Semester progress report is to provide students, parents and teachers with an opportunity to reflect on student’s attitudes and actions that lead to academic success at mid- semester.  The report is meant to serve as a baseline for discussion during Parent-Teacher Conferences, during which time parents will receive additional information about their child’s areas of strength and areas for growth.  Specialists will not be providing comments for mid-semester reports this year.  However, parents are encouraged to visit Specialist Teachers during Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Specialists will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are almost here!  We are so excited to talk with you about your child’s learning journey and the progress they have made since the beginning of the school year. 

During your 20-minute conference with your child’s Homeroom Teacher, you will have an opportunity to discuss your child’s areas of strength, as well as areas for growth related to their social, emotional and academic development.  You will also be able to ask questions and collaborate with the teacher on setting both short and long-term goals for your child.  During your time at SCIS, you are also encouraged to visit your child’s specialist teachers, who will be able on a first come, first serve basis.  Specialists will be located in their classrooms.

To sign-up for Parent-Teacher Conferences (if you haven’t already done so), please click on the name of your child’s Homeroom Teacher.  The link will take you to a Sign-up Genius form where you will be able to select one 20-minute slot that suits your schedule on Thursday, October 25^th.  Please note that conferences will take place throughout the day and therefore, there will not be school for children on this day.

If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled conference times stated below, please contact your child’s teacher directly to arrange for an alternative conference.

Parent Teacher Conference Sign-up Links

• Stacey Poncia
• Virginia Hunt:
• Tami Litzelman
• Aleksa Moss
• Emily Putnam
• Malika Meidinger
• Larisa Mount
• Molly Myers
• Ethan Shultz
• Emilee Van De Laarschot
• Matthew Ruf
• Tiffany Johnson
• Bart Kelly
• Briton Coombs
• Whitney Ruf
• Cleo Peterson

There will be a Principal’s Coffee Morning next Thursday, October 18^th following the Lower School Assembly in room 208 focused on Parent Teacher Conferences and how parents and teachers can “get the most” out of their conference time.  We are looking forward to seeing many parents in attendance for this important topic.  

Lower School Student Photos

Individual student photos are now available for purchase online.   To order photos simply go to www.intlphotography.com and follow the order link using the password scispd0918.  Within the galleries, links can be found to individual portraits.  Lower School Galleries are organized by Grade and Teacher.  Print orders will be available through October 15^th.

Halloween Carnival

Halloween is right around the corner and PAFA (Parents and Friends Association) is busy preparing for the Halloween Carnival that will take place on Saturday October 27^th from 12:00pm-3:00pm on campus.  All families are encouraged to attend as children will have an opportunity to participate wear their Halloween costumes while participating in fun games and other events. 

PAFA is currently looking for parents who are willing to set-up and run some of the games that will be provided to Students.  If you’re available to volunteer some time, please sign contact Trish Castillo at pd.pafa.president@scis-china.org.

On Friday, October 26^th, Lower School students will be able to wear their Halloween costume to school or change into their costume at any point during the school day.  Please keep in mind that Halloween costume accessories such as guns, swords or other potentially dangerous objects will not be allowed.  Additionally, it should be noted that participating in the Halloween festivities is optional for students and families.  There will not be any Halloween parties or events happening at school, apart from students having the opportunity to wear their costume to school.  

Tips for Keeping your Child Healthy This Fall

As the weather is changing and cooling down, children are becoming more susceptible to illness.   Below are a few tips to help your child stay healthy during this upcoming flu season:

1. Keep the Germs Away: Hands down, the best way to prevent a cold or the flu is to keep your and your child’s hands clean! The viruses that cause colds and flu are typically transferred from one’s hand to the nose or mouth, where the viruses multiply — and make you sick. The viruses are sneaky, too; they can make you contagious even before symptoms show. That’s why it’s so important to make sure to teach your kids to cover the mouth and nose with their armpit if they sneeze or cough, and to wash or sanitize their hands, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, sneezing or coughing, and after they come home from school or play dates.
2. Eat Well: Provide your child with foods that are packed with phytonutrients (“phytos” for short). What kinds of foods have phytos? Look for the deepest-colored fruits and veggies you can find: blueberries, tomatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes…the more color in the food, the more phytos – and immune-boosting power- it has.
3. Stay Active: It’s well known that regular exercise is beneficial, but Ray Sahelian, M.D., a family physician and author of The Common Cold Cure, says it can also help prevent catching a cold or the flu. “It’s probably the single best way to keep your energy up and your stress level down, which is doubly important during cold and flu season,” he says. Plus, exercising outside will also expose kids to sunlight, which, during the winter months (the height of cold and flu season) is important, for physical and mental health.
4. SLEEP! SLEEP! SLEEP! The body’s immune system quits working well when the body is sleep deprived. Now is not the time to slack off enforcing bedtime. Most school-aged children need at least 10-11 hours each night, and babies and toddlers need even more.
5. Please remember that if your child is ill, please do not send them to school, as there is a high probability they will infect others. If your child has a fever, please wait until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours before sending them back to school.

Resources:

• https://www.parenting.com/health-guide/cold-flu/prevention

More Photos from a wonderful week at SCIS-Pudong!

Dear Families,

As we head into the October break, it is amazing to think about all that has been accomplished over the course of the past 7 weeks.  Since the first days of the school year, I have watched students demonstrate their ability to be risk-takers, communicators and inquirers who openly embrace new environments, teachers, friends, procedures and learning experiences.  The observations I make on a daily basis confirm the fact that we are not only a diverse community of learners who bring a wealth of experience and backgrounds to school each day, but we are also a school that truly supports and encourages one another in achieving our personal best. 

As I walk through the Lower School classrooms, hallways and common spaces it is so wonderful to see the establishment of strong routines, procedures and fantastic student-centered learning environments.  Student agency and providing opportunities for students to take ownership of their learning is readily apparent across grade levels and content areas.   This is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of our phenomenal Lower School faculty who are constantly looking for opportunities to create fun, and meaningful learning experiences that result in high levels of student engagement and motivation.

As parents, I encourage you to continue to look for ways to extend your child(ren)’s learning outside of school.  Providing children with opportunities to make connections between their life outside of school to the learning they are experiencing in school, will help them formulate a deeper understanding of how the skills, knowledge and attitudes they are developing can be applied in multiple contexts.   We continue to appreciate your support and look forward to a great year of learning together.   I wish all families a relaxing and enjoyable October break!

Positive Discipline Parent Event

This is the FINAL CALL for parents interested in signing up for the Positive Discipline parenting workshops scheduled for October 13^th, 20^th, 27^th and November 3^rd from 8:30am-11:30am.   If you are interested in attending this workshop that will be delivered in Mandarin, please contact Ms. Gale at egale@scis-china.org immediately.  If you are a Mandarin speaker this is an opportunity you will not want to pass up!

Student Council Elections for Grades 3, 4 and 5 

On Thursday, the Lower School Student Council guidelines and application process was distributed to interested students in Grades 3, 4 and 5.   The aim of the Student Council is to promote the interests of the school and the involvement of students in the affairs of the school. Involvement in Student Council provides SCIS students with a unique leadership opportunity that allows them to have direct input into school operations and events.  Students interested in pursuing a role as a Student Council representative will need to complete and return the application to Ms. Peterson, the Lower School Student Council Advisor, by Wednesday, October 10^th.   Student speeches and elections will take place within each grade 3, 4, and 5 homeroom class on October 11^th or 12^th.  The goal is to have one girl and one boy representative from each class.  Please direct any questions to Ms. Peterson at cpeterson@scis-china.org

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are right around the corner taking place throughout the day on Thursday, October 25^th.  As a reminder, there will not be school for students on this day. 

A link to a sign-up genius site will be sent out via Seesaw to parents following the October Holiday.  Parents will be able to sign up for a convenient conference time using this link.  Parent-Teacher conferences will be scheduled in 20-minute blocks with your child’s Homeroom Teacher.  During this time, you will have an opportunity to discuss your child’s areas of strength, as well as areas for growth related to their social, emotional and academic development.   You will also be able to ask questions and collaborate with the teacher on setting both short and long-term goals for your child.   During your time at SCIS, you are also encouraged to visit your child’s specialist teachers, who will be available on a first come, first serve basis.  Specialists will be located in their classrooms.

There will be a Principal’s Coffee Morning on Thursday, October 18^th following the Lower School Assembly in room 208 focused on Parent Teacher Conferences and how parents and teachers can “get the most” out of their conference time.  We are looking forward to seeing many parents in attendance for this important topic.  

Lower School Student Photos

Individual student photos are now available for purchase online.   To order photos simply go to www.intlphotography.com and follow the order link using the password scispd0918.  Within the galleries, links can be found to individual portraits.  Lower School Galleries are organized by Grade and Teacher.  Print orders will be available through October 15^th.

Scholastic Books

This past Monday students took home Scholastic Book Club Catalogues.  As you will notice from the parent letter, Scholastic is trying a new format this year that allows parents to order and pay directly through WeChat.  Once payments are collected the books will be delivered to the school within 6-8 weeks.  The scholastic ordering deadline has been extended until after the October break.  Happy book buying and reading!!!

Please note the National Holiday and October Break will take place from September 29^th – October 7^th.  There will be Professional Development Day for teachers on October 8^th and school for students will resume on October 9^th.

More Photos from this week:

Teaching and Learning Mathematics in the 21st Century

Myths and Facts

Adapted from the Canadian Ministry of Education and Ontario District School Boards

Myth: The math my child is learning in school is “new”.
Facts: Your child is learning the same math facts and formulas you did—such as 2 x 2 = 4, and the circumference of a circle is 2 πr.  But the way math is taught has evolved in recent decades. Today’s math learning emphasizes the development of understanding of concepts and skills, so that your child is able to apply these confidently in new situations. It also focuses on developing critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills. Your child is learning some topics and skills that you may not have learned in elementary school. These include data management and probability, and how to use calculators and computers to help model and solve math problems. What your child is learning in math class, and how your child is learning, are equipping your child for success in today’s knowledge-based economy and our global world.

Myth: Now that we have calculators, students don’t need to know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, nor do they need to memorize the “math facts” (such as 7 x 6 = 42).
Fact: Knowing how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide are essential math skills and a major emphasis in the SCIS math curriculum. Automatic recall of math facts is needed in higher-level math. Games where children need to keep track of a score or that require automatic recall of math facts are a fun way to practice. Look for opportunities where your child can develop fluency. It takes time. This is a key area where you can help your child at home, by encouraging lots of practice in a variety of ways.

Myth: People who were taught math the old way can’t make sense of today’s math.
Fact: You can learn alongside your child and strengthen your own math skills in the process. Ask your child to explain and show you what the class is learning. Children are great teachers and explaining math concepts and procedures to you will help your child to understand them better. Also, ask your child’s teacher for suggestions on how to quickly learn the strategies your child is using.

Myth: Children learn math best when the teacher simply shows them how to do it.
Fact: Students learn best when they are active participants in the learning process. They learn by participating in conversations, asking questions and being curious and skeptical.

Myth: You have to be good at memorizing to be good at math.
Fact: It is important for your child to be able to quickly recall math facts. But memorization is only one approach. When your child understands the concepts and procedures involved in number operations, and the relationships between addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, he/she will find it much easier to remember math facts and learn new ones. Math is more about thinking than it is about memorizing.

Today’s Math Classroom 

Adapted from the Canadian Ministry of Education and Ontario District School Boards

Students used to spend almost all their time working at their desks, with the teacher at the blackboard and with little discussion. Math classes today look, sound, and feel quite different.

How and Why it’s Different
If you peeked inside your child’s math class, here are some things you would notice:

• students working on their own, in pairs, in small groups, independently and with teacher direction
• students engaged in a wide variety of tasks — practicing skills, solving problems about real-life situations, playing games, and applying math concepts to design challenges
• students using a variety of physical and digital learning tools as they explore math ideas and solve problems
• students using a variety of tools, including paper and pencil, chart paper and markers, and digital devices, to write and record their math thinking
• students talking about connections they have made personally or exploring new math concepts and skills
• students sharing their strategies for solving a problem

Learning math involves understanding concepts and procedures, acquiring skills, and applying math processes. Each of these aspects of learning requires different learning and teaching strategies. As well, individual students learn differently. It’s important for students to have opportunities to learn in a variety of ways.

Helping Your Child Learn Mathematics

Adapted from the US Department of Education, the Canadian Ministry of Education, and Ontario District School Boards

What kind of attitude do you have toward math? Do you believe that math skills are important job and life skills? Do you see math as useful in everyday life? Or do you dread doing things that involve math—figuring out how much new carpet you’ll need, balancing the checkbook, reading the technical manual that came with the DVD player? How you answer these questions indicates how you may be influencing your child’s attitudes toward math—and how he approaches learning math.

Although parents can be a positive force in helping children learn math, they also can undermine their children’s math ability and attitudes by saying things such as: “Math is hard,” or “I’m not surprised you don’t do well in math, I didn’t like math either when I was in school,” or “I wasn’t very good in math and I’m a success, so don’t worry about doing well.” Although you can’t make your child like math, you can encourage her to do so, and you can take steps to ensure that she learns to appreciate its value both in her everyday life and in preparing for her future. You might point out to her how fortunate she is to have the opportunity to learn mathematics today—when mathematics knowledge can open the door to so many interesting and exciting possibilities.

In everyday interactions with children, there are many things that parents can do—and do without lecturing or applying pressure—to help children learn to solve problems, to communicate mathematically and to demonstrate reasoning abilities. These skills are fundamental to learning mathematics.

For more information please read the SCIS-Pudong Lower School Mathematics Parent Guide that can be found under the section “Mathematics Learning at Home” on the right side of this blog post.   

Dear Families,

It has been an amazing week of learning and celebration at SCIS-Pudong! 

Last Saturday, September 15^th all Kindergarten through Grade 5 Homeroom, EAL and Learning Support Teachers along with Ms. Williams, the Lower School Librarian participated in a wonderful professional development workshop on best practices in literacy instruction with a specific focus on the implementation of Reading and Writing Workshop.  The workshop was led by International Literacy Consultant Erin Kent who has extensive experience as a Literacy Coach and International School Consultant. 

On Wednesday, Lower School Teachers observed Mrs. Kent as she led several workshop lessons that included running small strategy groups or individual conferring sessions.  Each lesson was followed by a debrief and discussion surrounding next steps with regards to the continued implementation of research-based strategies in effective literacy instruction.   We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Kent and are eager to continue our quest to ensure students are acquiring the essential literacy skills needed for success in and outside of school.  

On Friday, Kindergarten students invited parents and community members to school to be part of a learning celebration where students showcased their work surrounding their current Unit of Inquiry, How We Organize Ourselves focused on Community.  During this creative event students shared information surrounding their preferred future profession and how they believe that profession contributes to the success and organization of the community.  Throughout this unit, students formulated an understanding that everyone has a role to play in the community. 

Another learning celebration took place on Friday with Grade 3 students, as they shared their informative and interesting learning with parents and other community members surrounding their current Unit of Inquiry, Who We Are focused on Culture.  During this celebration students shared information surrounding the central idea for the unit:  culture shapes perspective.  Students developed an understanding of what culture entails, the similarities and differences in cultures and how culture influences our actions. 

To end the week, the whole school came together for the spectacular United Nations International Day of Peace Assembly which served as a tribute to the diverse and dynamic makeup of our SCIS community.  A huge thank-you to Mrs. Luebbe and Ms. Vicki for their work in ensuring the success of this event.  Additionally, a big thank-you to Ms. DeVeor Rainey for working with the Grades 4 and 5 students and preparing such a fun and energetic performance to start the assembly.

Please note the National Holiday and October Break will take place from September 29^th – October 7^th.  There will be Professional Development Day for teachers on October 8^th and school for students will resume on October 9^th. 

Scholastic Books

This week students took home Scholastic Book Club Catalogues.  As you will notice from the parent letter, Scholastic is trying a new format this year that allows parents to order and pay directly through WeChat.  Once payments are collected the books will be delivered to the school within 6-8 weeks.  The book order deadline is next Friday, September 28th.   Happy book buying and reading!!!

SCIS WeChat Groups and Norms

As a school we recognize that WeChat is a convenient communication tool for parents.  However, grade level WeChat groups are an unofficial communication channel that is not recognized by the school and in the event that a concern is brought to a grade level WeChat group, parents are encouraged to communicate their concerns directly to the classroom teacher. 

Below is a link to a section of Mr. Luebbe’s Head of School blog post on August 24, 2018 that discusses the school’s stance on WeChat groups including the SCIS WeChat Norms.   

• Utilizing WeChat groups is an exercise in trust in our collective ability to self-monitor the conversation and ensure that it stays healthy, professional, and supportive of the school and each other. We have developed SCIS WeChat Normsto clarify these expectations. Please review these norms. For example, WeChat should not be used to complain about a particular person or policy. If you have personal questions or comments that you would like to make which may violate these norms, those questions/comments are likely best communicated in person, via email to the specific person, or raised to PAFA representatives for broader discussion.

We appreciate your support surrounding this matter.

Positive Discipline Parent Event

There are still spots available for Mandarin-Speaking Parents to attend the Positive Discipline parenting workshops scheduled for October 13^th, 20^th, 27^th and November 3^rd from 8:30am-11:30am.

We hope that hosting the workshop on the weekend will result in significantly more parent participation.  If you are interested in attending this workshop that will be delivered in Mandarin, please contact Ms. Gale at egale@scis-china.org no later than Friday, September 21^st.

Counselor’s Connection

Be sure to take a moment to check-out Mrs. Luebbe’s articles in the Counselor’s Connection located on the right side of this blog page.  Mrs. Luebbe’s most recent post addresses worrying and anxiety in children.  Please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Luebbe at any time with questions (lluebbe@scis-china.org). 

SCIS Teachers Come Together Around Literacy 

by:  Heather Knight, System-wide Literacy Coordinator

Lower school faculty across the SCIS system of schools gathered together last weekend with international literacy consultant, Erin Kent, to study and further grow our educational practice. For two days, faculty explored the components of balanced literacy, focusing on the application of the workshop model to support Kindergarten–Grade 5 students with developing skills of proficient readers and writers. The workshop framework allows students to be regularly exposed to specific skills that can be added to their repertoire of literacy skills. Inherent in the model are large amounts of uninterrupted time for independent practice of reading and writing. During this independent student time, teachers meet with individuals or small groups to provided targeted feedback to students in the application of these strategies in writing and reading.

The highlight of this time together was getting into classrooms and putting all study into action with students. Hands-on lab sites allowed teachers to observe effective practice in action and replicate these teaching moves on the spot with students, supported by the consultant and colleagues. This time together supports the vision of a PYP school as a place where inquiry, collaboration and growing collective knowledge are valued.

More Photos from an amazing week in the Lower School at SCIS-Pudong!

Dear Families,

Next Friday is the United Nations International Day of Peace Assembly starting at 1:30pm in the Theater.   On this day, students are encouraged to wear clothes representative of their home country.   Students have the option of wearing these clothes to school or changing into their “outfit” prior to the assembly. 

Due to the timing of the assembly, the students in ECE Program (Nursery, Preschool and Prekindergarten) will not be participating unless they are accompanied by a parent.  However, there will be an ECE UNIDOP Parade at 10:15am throughout the first-floor hallways.

We hope to see many SCIS parents on campus throughout the day and encourage parents to also come dressed in clothes representative of their home country.   If you plan to attend the afternoon assembly and will be taking your child(ren) home with you afterwards, please make sure to let the front office know that your child(ren) will not be riding their regular school bus home.  The assembly is scheduled to end at 2:30pm prior to 3:00 dismissal.

SCIS Policy Surrounding the Acknowledgement of Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong:

“SCIS is licensed and authorized to enroll students holding “foreign passports,” who are not citizens of China. Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong are considered part of China by the Chinese government and the United Nations.  For mutually advantageous reasons, China tacitly allows the enrollment at international schools of students holding Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong residence documents. 

It is the policy of SCIS, therefore, not to risk any confrontation with Chinese authorities over the display of flags in ceremonies or more permanent displays on school campuses.  No flags of Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan should be displayed on campus or during events, nor should they appear in any official SCIS publications.”

However, the PRC (CHINA) flag for all Chinese and Taiwanese students, the Hong Kong SAR (red flag white flower) and the Macau SAR (green flag with white flower) are allowed to be displayed as they are PRC derived flags.  All Taiwanese families must either use the China flag to represent their nationality on UNIDOP and in the yearbook or they may also choose to not represent themselves with a flag.  We cannot allow the ROC flag to be on display, worn by a child, published, in any way.”

Positive Discipline Parent Event

There are still spots available for Mandarin-Speaking Parents to attend the Positive Discipline parenting workshops scheduled for October 13^th, 20^th, 27^th and November 3^rd from 8:30am-11:30am.

We hope that hosting the workshop on the weekend will result in significantly more parent participation.  If you are interested in attending this workshop that will be delivered in Mandarin, please contact Ms. Gale at egale@scis-china.org no later than Friday, September 21^st. 

Lower School Student Individual Photo Day

On Thursday, September 20^th all Lower School students will have their individual student photo taken by a professional photographer.  Please ensure that your child wears or brings with them their light blue SCIS collared shirt.  In the event your child has PE on Monday, they will be able to change into their blue shirt prior to having their photo

Literacy in the Early Years   

Author: Heather Knight, SCIS-ECE Vice Principal, Systemwide Literacy Coordinator N-5

“When will my child learn to read?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions asked of early childhood teachers. To answer that question accurately, there needs to be an agreed upon understanding of what it means “to read”.  We believe reading is an interaction with the text during which the reader uses a variety of resources within the text (words, pictures, graphic elements, etc.) and within themselves (background information, skills, strategies) to make meaning. (Collins, K. & Glover. M, 2015). This interaction may seem complicated, however teachers create environments that support these steps in a simple way. 

All of the following are considered reading in the early years:

• Turning pages from left to right, looking at the pictures and naming what is seen on the page.
• Telling a book, page by page using the pictures to tell the story or to teach.
• Retelling a familiar story or sharing learning by using the pictures on each page.
• Using the pictures and the words on the page to determine meaning.

Students move along a progression of reading behaviors determined by their developmental level and their exposure to books and reading. Research consistently identifies reading aloud to children as one of the most beneficial actions adults can take to help develop a literate child. Reading aloud to a child (at any age) helps to:

• Condition the child’s brain to associate reading with pleasure.
• Create background knowledge.
• Build vocabulary.
• Provide a reading role model.  

Wondering what you can do at home to support your child? Here are a few ideas to get you going with children at any age:

• Be a reading role model for your child. Let him see you read, talk about what you are reading during family conversations.
• Set aside a special time daily for sharing a book with your child.
• Encourage your child to tell you what he sees on the page or ask her to read the book to you through the pictures.
• Have a nonfiction book? Have your child tell you what he sees in the pictures.
• Above all, ensure that reading time is pleasurable for your child. If this special time together becomes a struggle, it is time to rethink your routine.

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents”, says author Emilie Buchwald. All of us believe that to be true. The routines and experiences you create for your child around reading and books will have a lifelong impact.  

Sources:

• Collins, K., & Glover, M. (2015). I am reading: Nurturing young children’s meaning making and joyful engagement with any book. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann
• Trelease, J. (2006). Read-Aloud Handbook. Penguin.

Photos from a great week!

Dear Families,

It’s been a wonderful week of learning throughout the Lower School as students across grade levels are well into their first unit of inquiry for the school year.  As you will see, based upon the chart below, many students are immersed in the transdisciplinary theme, Who We Are or How we Organize Ourselves.  These two units are ideal for the beginning of the school year as the overarching focus is on the nature of the self, as well as the importance of building relationships with, and appreciation for, those within your community. 

Similarly, students are formulating an understanding of how communities work together and structure themselves for success based upon societal decision-making processes.  As parents, we ask that you continue to actively be involved in your child’s inquiry journey by regularly checking their seesaw journal, providing positive and growth mind-set-oriented feedback and continuing the “learning conversation” at home.  The below image is an overview of the current unit of inquiry for all grade levels as well as the central ideas, lines of inquiry and questions that guide each of these units.

Positive Discipline Parenting Workshop in Mandarin

As a result of feedback received from Lower School parents, we will be altering the dates and times of the Positive Discipline Parent Workshops in Mandarin to accommodate additional interested parents.  Our hope is to make these workshops very accessible to all parents to encourage and support maximum attendance.  Therefore, the new dates and times for the Positive Discipline Parent Workshop are as follows: 

• Session 1:  Saturday, October 13^th from 8:30am-11:30am
• Session 2:  Saturday, October 20^th from 8:30am-11:30am
• Session 3:  Saturday, October 27^th from 8:30am-11:30am
• Session 4:  Saturday, November 3^rd from 8:30am-11:30am

As you see, this series of 4 workshops will take place from 8:30-11:30 am on Saturdays.  We hope that hosting the workshop on the weekend will result in significantly more parent participation.  If you are interested in attending this workshop that will be delivered in Mandarin, please contact Ms. Gale at egale@scis-china.org no later than Friday, September 21^st. 

Lower School Assemblies

This past Thursday, students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 participated in the second Lower School Assembly of the school year.   The purpose of a Lower School Assembly at SCIS-Pudong is to:

• provide a venue for students to practice their speaking and presentation skills, and share authentic aspects of their learning to a broader audience.
• communicate schoolwide information to students surrounding policies, procedures and special events.
• bring the LS community (students, teachers and parents) together in order to celebrate various aspects of student learning and growth.
• recognize specific students for continuously demonstrating one or more of the IB Learner Profile Attributes.

Additionally, throughout the course of the year, each homeroom class or grade level will be responsible for preparing and performing an assembly presentation based upon an aspect of their learning.  Parents always have an open invitation to Lower School Assemblies which take place on select Thursdays starting at 8:15am in the Black Box.  Below is a list of dates for the 2018-2019 Lower School Assemblies.

Indoor Recess

At SCIS-Pudong we are very fortunate to have plenty of indoor learning spaces for students to utilize during rainy days when the weather does not allow outdoor play or on days in which the AQI is over 200.   As part of our facility enhancement improvements that occurred over the summer a lower school rock climbing wall and a large block building area were added to the basement floor near the ball room.   Additionally, the lego creation space continues to evolve as more legos are added and students continue to explore, create and build in this fun and interactive learning space. 

The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) MAPS

Starting next week, the NWEA MAPS (Measurement of Academic Progress) test will be administered to students in Grades 2-5.  During this online assessment, students will be tested in the areas of Reading, Language Usage, and Mathematics. The MAPs test is not a traditional test that students can or should study for.  Rather it will provide a snapshot of the students’ abilities within these curricular areas at this point in time.  The best thing you can do to support your child is make sure they are well rested, and eat a good breakfast, as we hope they do for every school day.   Teachers receive immediate results with MAP that show what students know and what they are ready to learn.  For more information on NWEA MAP visit www.nwea.org

After School Activities Session 1:  Off to a Great Start!

It has been a successful first week of after school activities and students have enjoyed the range of ASAs that have been provided this session.  At the beginning of each ASA, the teacher or provider responsible for the ASA reviews the expectations and agreements that students are required to adhere to, to ensure success and full participation within the ASA.  Please note, that it is a privilege for students to have the opportunity to participate in the After School Activities program and in the event a child demonstrates their behavior is not in line with the expectations of the ASA provider, they will be dismissed from that ASA.  If you have any questions surrounding your child’s ASAs please contact Coach Vic Caban (vcaban@scis-china.org) or Ms. Vicki Xu (vxu@scis-china.org).

Birthday Celebrations

At SCIS-Pudong we want to help students celebrate their birthdays.  However, please be mindful that class birthday celebrations are restricted to no more than 30 minutes and should be in conjunction with snack, lunch or the end of the school day.  Additionally, the giving of gifts is prohibited including goodie-bags or party favors.  Food options need to be considerate of allergies and preferably include healthy choices.  Parents are asked to keep celebrations simple and clear all plans with the classroom teacher well in advance. 

Here are a few more pictures from a wonderful week of learning and fun!

Dear Families,

It was wonderful to see so many of you at Back to School Night.  I whole-heartedly believe that strong school-family partnerships are key to student success and motivation as a learner. Current research on school-community partnerships states, “the most accurate predictor of a student’s achievement in school is not income or social status but the extent to which the student’s family is able to: 

1. Create a home environment that encourages learning.
2. Express high (but not unrealistic) expectations for their children’s achievement and future careers.
3. Become involved in their children’s education at school and in the community.

There are so many ways that you can be involved, and I encourage you in whatever capacity you are able, to stay connected and excited about your child’s learning.  Whether it is through attending one of your child’s fantastic learning celebrations that will occur at varying points throughout the year or simply asking them to share some of the learning experiences from their school day around the dinner table; the research on the positive and long-term impact of parent involvement on schooling cannot go unnoticed. 

Benefits for children whose parents are involved include:  achievement of grade level academic expectations, higher standardized test scores and consistent school attendance.  Additionally, children whose parents who are involved in their education tend to have higher levels of self-esteem, more self-discipline and greater levels of motivation. 

Clearly, you are a vital part of what makes our learning community a success and I look forward to working together with all of you this year and continuing our quest to ensure every child’s educational journey is the best it can possibly be.  

I wish all families a wonderful weekend!

Fire Drill Success

This week students and teachers across the school participated in two Fire Drills.  The first announced drill took place on Wednesday at 9:00am.  In preparation for this drill teachers reviewed exit routes, safety protocols and behavior expectations to ensure all students were well prepared to exit the building safely and quietly.  On Friday at 9:00am there was an announced drill and all students were able to exit the building quickly and quietly prior to lining up on the soccer field. 

After School Activities Session 1

Next Monday, September 3^rd, Session 1 of After School Activities (ASAs) will begin.  Please take note of the days your child will be participating in an after school activity and prepare them accordingly.  If you have any questions surrounding your child’s ASAs please contact Coach Vic Caban (vcaban@scis-china.org) or Ms. Vicki Xu (vxu@scis-china.org).

The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) MAPS

The NWEA MAPS (Measurement of Academic Progress) test will be administered to students in Grades 2-5 between September 10^th through 14^th.  During this online assessment, students will be tested in the areas of Reading, Language Usage, and Mathematics. The MAPs test is not a traditional test that students can or should study for.  Rather it will provide a snapshot of the students’ abilities within these curricular areas at this point in time.  The best thing you can do to support your child is make sure they are well rested, and eat a good breakfast, as we hope they do for every school day.   Teachers receive immediate results with MAP that show what students know and what they are ready to learn.  For more information on NWEA MAP visit www.nwea.org

Birthday Celebrations

At SCIS-Pudong we want to help students celebrate their birthdays.  However, please be mindful that class birthday celebrations are restricted to no more than 30 minutes and should be in conjunction with snack, lunch or the end of the school day.  Additionally, the giving of gifts is prohibited including goodie-bags or party favors.  Food options need to be considerate of allergies and preferably include healthy choices.  Parents are asked to keep celebrations simple and clear all plans with the classroom teacher well in advance. 

Seesaw Privacy Policy

Seesaw’s mission is to create an environment where students can be their best.  To accomplish this goal, it’s essential that Seesaw is a safe place for students to document their learning, and that parents and teachers are in complete control over how that information is shared. 

To guide our development of Seesaw, and our privacy commitment to you, we’ve developed the following Privacy Principles.

• We don’t own the content you provide – students and their schools do.
• Student work is private to the classroom by default. Teachers control what is shared and with whom.
• We will never advertise to students, create student profiles or sell any user data.
• We use security industry best practices and routinely monitor our systems to protect you.
• We are transparent about our practices and will notify you if things change.
• We are COPPA and FERPA compliant.

You can read more about our Privacy Principles and our commitment to privacy here:  https://web.seesaw.me/privacy-policy

If you have any questions surrounding Seesaw and its use within the Lower School please contact Barry Johnson at bjohnson@scis-china.org

More Photos from a Wonderful Week!