Dear Parents,

Happy 2013, and welcome back. This is always the time of year where, as teachers we feel the children settle in quickly and, as routines are already established, we get a lot of work completed in this block of the year. There are plenty of events coming up this semester, both in and out of the classrooms. It is also a great time of the year to arrange field trips, and next week the Gr 3-5 classes begin their annual service program with Samusocial - more below. 

Notes: 

After School Activities: The program of After School Activities begins again on Monday, and will run through Friday March 8. There is the usual array of sporting and artistic offerings, and please see Mr. Te Huki if you have recently arrived at ISD and missed the sign-up. There are spaces in some programs.

Pick-up Request: If you have a child who will be waiting for a sibling to finish their ASA or coaching, please remind them to wait in the library if they are not with you or their nanny. If a sibling has coaching until 6:00, Elementary students cannot wait alone at school, and will need to be picked up as usual at 3:20. I appreciate your help with this, as we do try to keep the campus safe.  

Gr 3-5 Samusocial Visits Begin: This week, 3C kicks off our program with Samusocial, which is an organization that helps street children. Our Gr 3-5 students will spend two one-hour sessions at the center as a class, and as a grade they will host an event at ISD for the children they have been with. As this is a service learning project, we try and structure activities that will overcome language barriers, allow team work to occur, and we try to "add value" to their program. The center staff love having our children visit, and we always have positive feedback from both sets of children.

Professional Development Afternoon: On Friday, January 18 the faculty will be having a Professional Development afternoon. This will entail a 12:00 pick-up from school. 

Pirogue: Thanks to Mr. Gaucher for arranging the construction of our new pirogue, which is now next to the Elementary playground - much fun!

Upcoming Events: