Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have had a great first week of Summer School and look forward to more engaging activities over the coming weeks.

This week, we spent a great deal of time going over classroom rules and expectations. The students met the class teacher and the specialist teachers and got to experience a range of activities besides English. In Art, they are beginning to experiment with colors and shapes in preparation for their art creation next week. In PE, primary and secondary got an introduction to all the sports. All students received a water-safety session ahead of the first swimming lessons next week, so don’t forget to check your child’s notebook to help prepare your child’s swim bag accordingly!

One of our goals this week was set up classroom routines, familiarize the students with how to work together with their new teacher, teaching assistant and friends. Younger children are learning how to follow basic instructions in English, while older students are focusing on good classroom etiquette. A reminder to secondary students’ parents that the use of mobile phones is not allowed during class so your child will be asked to turn off their device. Mobile phones should particularly not be used when walking.

As a long-term goal, we want to develop confidence and independence in students in all aspects of life. In this regard, Kindergarten children are learning to sit at the table for an entire meal, lower primary are learning to eat by themselves until the end of the meal, upper primary and secondary, being already more independent, get to socialize with their peers and monitor their own eating habits. If you have younger children, this weekend, ask them how they find eating by themselves, what is hard about it, or what they will keep trying to improve next week. While our faculty is present at lunch time to encourage healthy eating practices, we do not force the children to eat, but encourage everyone to try everything served and go at their own pace.

One big step towards independence with young children is the ability and confidence to go to the toilet by themselves and follow basic rules of hygiene. For child protection purposes, our faculty will not accompany young children to the toilet unless asked. We ask for parents and guardians’ support us in this regard, in talking to children about good bathroom practices, such as how to flush the toilet, how to use toilet paper, how to wash your hands properly, etc.

A final reminder as the playground will open for younger kids next week. Parents and guardians, please remember to pack a hat and sunblock in order to play freely and safely under the sun.

To wrap up a successful week, congratulations to all students on a superb first week and their efforts. We closed the week with a fun outing at Apple’s Playground for Kindergarten and a Recycling Art Day for Primary and Secondary (Kindergarten will do theirs next week). Students really got their hands ‘dirty’ with paint and soil for this activity!

Please take a look at the various photos portraying this week’s activities by the following video:

Sincerely,

Lila Rodriguez

Course Director – EMASI International Bilingual Schools