Dostyk American International School
Gazetta
September 2, 2010
Whole School Photo: Friday 3rd September
Due to some unexpected student absences we will now take the whole school photo tomorrow, Friday 3rd September, at 8:05 on the school steps.
Open House
On Saturday 4th September we will be hosting an “Open House” for parents. The Open House is a time when teachers provide an outline of the program they will be following with their class during the school year. It is a presentation to all class parents but not a time that will be used for individual conferences. If you are unable to find someone to supervise your child during the time you are attending a class presentation a teacher will be in the library to supervise the children. The children can read in the library and we have some DVDs for the younger children to watch.
The classroom presentations are as follows:
9:00am PreK: Mrs. Gregory 9:30am Kg: Ms. Chen
10:00am: Grades 1-2: Ms. Carlson 10:30am Grades 3-4: Mr. Vicente
11:00am Middle School: Ms. Thomas, Mr. Callister, Dr. Raphael (shared presentation)
Parent – Teacher Meetings September 6th to 10th
If you have requested a meeting with the teacher of your child you will be receiving an appointment time to come to school next week. This first meeting is to help the teacher learn about your child from you and is not the usual parent-teacher conference when the teacher gives a report on the progress your child has been making.
Dombra Lessons
Ms. Nurgul will begin dombra classes for children in Grades 3-8 the week beginning September 13th. If your child is interested in learning the dombra this year please complete the form your child has brought home. Classes are held in the music room at 7:30am. Once we know how many children are interested in taking lessons we will be able to determine on which days the lessons will take place. If your child is interested please talk with them and remind them that this is an important commitment and that they should not give up easily if they find it difficult.
Dance Classes
Ms. Zhanna will begin her dance classes on Thursday 16th September with children from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Usually there are two classes every Thursday, one for the younger and one for the older children. At the moment it has not been decided which group will start at 3:30pm or 4:15pm. Please complete the form your child has brought home if you would like your child to attend a dance class.
Accreditation for Growth (AFG): Writing & Wellness
Our school is committed to continually trying to improve. The school is internationally accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and the AFG process we follow utilizes a strategic planning model that allows us to develop measurable student performance objectives as the lynchpin of an assessment of growth in school improvement.
As part of our ongoing desire to improve student writing, we will focus on writing not only in Language Arts and Social Studies but wherever writing takes place in school; this will include math and science lessons. Thus the children will be aware that no matter what subject they are studying they will be expected to think carefully about spelling, punctuation, grammar, letter formation, sentence construction and to develop an understanding of how to use a proof reading guide. This year we will particularly focus on “word choice”.
Our Wellness program covers a wide range of topics but we will concentrate on the DAIS Code of Conduct during the 1st Trimester. The Code is posted around the school and is also in the Parent-Student Handbook which can be found on the school website (www.daiskz.org). During the 2nd Trimester we will focus on “Conflict Resolution” and in the 3rd Trimester “Changes” (Transitions) will be the main topic of discussion. Naturally all the work will be presented at developmentally appropriate levels.
Updated Parent Contact Information
Please send to school any new contact details -phone numbers, e-mail addresses etc - if anything has changed since the last school year.
Parent Support Group (PSG)
I would like to hold the first PSG meeting of the new school year on Tuesday 14th September at 8:15am in the Social Club. The PSG plays a very active role in helping support teachers with their school activities. Parents also develop activities for the children that usually take place after normal school hours. The agenda will be sent out with the Gazetta next week.
Swimming
Swimming lessons have started and we are becoming familiar with how confident and accomplished the children are when in the pool. We swim on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week during normal PE lesson time. Children may wish to put on the swimming costume under their school clothes during the lunch break. For the younger children this can save quite a lot of time at the pool side. If necessary please review with the younger children how they should dry themselves and get dressed. Many thanks to Mrs. Deitner and Mrs. Flodin for being in the pool with Grades 1-2.
Your child will need to bring their own towel and a plastic bag for their wet swimming costumes.
PE Clothing
To help the children perform to the best of their ability in PE it is important they wear appropriate clothing for the lessons. The children should wear tennis/running shoes, appropriate shorts which allow unrestricted movement, and a T-shirt. When temperatures drop of course track suits or something similar can be worn. Hats are also a good idea at this time of year for both outside PE and recess.
Please Mark Your Calendar
- Whole School Photo Friday 3rd September at 8:05am on the school steps.
- Sept 4: Open House: Teacher Presentations.
- Sept 6 - 10: Optional Parent/Teacher Meetings.
- Sept 14: PSG Meeting 8:15am Social Club.
- Sept 21st: Peace Day Activities.
- Sept 30th: Progress Reports.