McElhinney Blog

What a week!  The kids worked extremely hard at completing their assignments for our last assessment in our Systems unit.  Most of the comics turned out well and the kids should be proud of their efforts.  Next week we will look at the grading rubric to assess for content, process, and presentation.  We will also share our comics with our Reading Buddies on Tuesday.  I am really looking forward to our next unit on human rights.  This is a very real and at times intense subject.  We will be discussing child rights, political right, religious rights and gender rights.  Please facilitate conversations at home about this because I am sure the students will have plenty of questions.

The students took their first MAPS test this week.  I have not seen results and will not for awhile, however I was very impressed with the students focus and interest in the test.  Next week we will be taking the Language part on Tuesday and the Math part on Friday.  Please remind your child NOT to stress out about the test and to try their best.  This assessment will be used by the school and teachers to assess how we are doing and what areas we need to focus on.

The annual PTA Book Fair is next week and we are very excited.  Our class will have time to visit the fair on Monday, November 16^th.  The students have decided they wanted to bring their own bags in order not to use the ones given out at the fair.  I love this idea and am very proud of the class for coming up with it on their own.  I have not limited the amount of money the kids bring however they will be fully responsible for it.  I have also mentioned to them that I will be buying a book for Papaya Academy, and donating it to their library.  If the students are interested in this they can speak with me on Monday.  There are many other activities going along with the book fair so if you get a chance try to stop by and take a look. 

One other thing I would like to mention is our own informal Book Club that has been happening in the class.  The students have been bringing in books to the class and making mini book recommendations.  When the other students hear about a book and are interested they have a chance to take it home.  There are three main rules included in this book club. 1) You must ask your parents if you can bring the book to school and borrow it out, 2) You must put your name in the book, 3) If you borrow a book you must be responsible and bring it back when you are finished with it.  So far the kids have been really excited and involved.  As a teacher I enjoy seeing students enthusiastic about reading!

We have come to the end of our Migration Unit.  Last week at Immigration Island the students were able to feel what it was like to become an immigrant and experience the migration progress.  For those of you who were here to volunteer you were able to witness the students learning taking place.  If you were unable to be here the students are now creating a comic bases on their experience at Immigration Island.  We hope to have them completed by the end of next week.  In our unit we have touched on many important issues.  Ask your children what they learned and enjoyed from our unit.  I am hoping some of the issues that we spoke of will continue with the students for awhile.

We are ecstatic at the show of support for the daily donations.  Thanks for all your help.  We understand that there comes a time when donor fatigue sets in however we also feel that we should not stop now.  Let’s all do what we can to keep this drive going.

 Here is the list for next week.

 Monday – water (1 liter)

Tuesday –   bottle of alcohol (500 ml)

Wednesday – rice – 2 kilos

Thursday -   3 canned goods

Friday -    candles and matches

 ES STUDENT COUNCIL

Hello parents,

   The Children’s Media Center is proud to host a week-long “Museum of Filipiniana” from October 19^th-23^rd.  Displays will include examples of traditional handicrafts and clothing, as well as descriptions of fruits, animals and games found only in the Philippines.

The Preschool students have been working on a large floor display, entitled “This is Manila!” which will be the centerpiece of our humble but proud exhibit.  We will feature the Filipino concept of “bayanihan” or helping one another other out in times of need.  This display will showcase photographs of ISM students and teachers lending a hand to assist in Ondoy relief efforts.

  Please stop by to browse through our Museum of Filipiana and learn something new about the warmth and endurance of the Philippine culture.

 Rebecca Pierce

CMC Teacher Librarian

     Today we had a very good conversation about multiplication and why we should understand it and be able to confidently know our facts.  Together we came up with a list of strategies that will help with the multiplication facts.  Every student understood the importance of practice even if they are very confident with these facts. Here are some ways students can practice.

• Learn the tricks (fingers for 9’s, clock for 5’s)
• Flash cards
• Multiplication games on the wed
• Talk about strategies with others
• Songs
• Portal practice
• Make your own test
• Focus on the ones you don’t know
• Fact triangles
• Multiplication table
• Math games (from school and the SRB)
• Make up word questions

Ask your child to explain the ones that they think will help them the best.  Please encourage your child to practice their facts.

Thanks,  Joanna

Dear Parents

 This week has seen the first head lice checking schedule completed in the elementary school.  Each year we do a total of 3 checks throughout the elementary school, one after every major holiday.  If we suspect that a child has picked up head lice or nits, we notify the parents and the teacher to ensure that the problem is investigated and treated as necessary.  We do not routinely send out letters to the whole grade or school as head lice is an ongoing problem which affects just about every elementary school in the world and parents should be checking their children’s heads on a weekly basis throughout the year and treating appropriately.

 Please ensure that you continue to check your child’s hair on a weekly basis by conditioning the hair after washing and combing through, section by section with a fine toothed comb.  Examine each section as you go, looking for small white eggs at the base of the hair or live insects crawling on the hair and scalp.  There are several treatment options readily available from pharmacists, some are more severe than others and you should discuss these products with your pharmacist.  We cannot recommend a particular product as any one product may work better for some people than for others.  There are some lice which now seem to be resistant to certain products and also some parents may prefer to try gentler products whilst others may wish to ensure that they take the strongest possible approach.  Please discuss this with the pharmacist or your doctor.

 Head lice are not a health risk in their own right and, once the first treatment is completed, children should continue to come to school.  I hope this is helpful information and if you do not receive a letter from the clinic this week, you can rest assured that we did not find anything in your child’s hair. 

 Many thanks for your continued vigilance

From the clinic staff

 Thanks

Debbie

As part of the ISM Elementary School swimming program we place a lot of emphasis on safety and survival skills in and around water. With this in mind we ask that next week (on all three PE lessons) you send your child along with some suitable clothing (shorts and t-shirt) to wear in the swimming pool over the top of their swim suit.  (They can wear an extra PE uniform, but will still need an extra dry set to change into after the lesson.) Please include extra plastic bags for wet clothing to be brought home and we expect all items to be labeled.

Simulating survival skills, such as an unexpected entry into water whilst fully clothed, helps children become safer swimmers by reducing the likelihood of panic when faced with a potentially dangerous scenario. It also teaches the concept that we can still float and swim to safety whilst wearing clothing. We will practice floating using aids and survival strokes (elementary backstroke, breaststroke or sidestroke upper elementary) whilst wearing our clothes.  Parents are very welcome to come and watch (or participate!) 

We will have one more week of swimming next week. Our last day of swimming is Friday September 25^th. We will be on the ES Field as of September 28^th. (hats and water bottles essential) Students will swim again next semester from March 22^nd – April 23^rd. Students will then continue to learn the skills and knowledge about water safety and strokes as outlined in the Australian “Swim ’n’ Survive” program for elementary schools. At the end of the year most children will receive a swimming certificate outlining the skills they have completed. Some children may not receive a certificate if they have been ill or injured and unable to swim on assessment days.

Any lost or misplaced clothing, swimsuits or goggles that are found by teachers will be returned to students if they are clearly labeled. Any unlabelled items are routinely sent to the Lost and Found department in the Security Office.  

 Please email me direct with any questions regarding swimming sessions. Ms. Amanda Pekin (Pekina@ismanila.org)

 Amanda Pekin

ES Physical Education

Click here for addresses for kids’ sports in Manila.

Thanks to all the parents who have volunteered for Migration Island it wouldn’t happen without involvement from you.  Being new to the grade I am looking forward to the whole experience.  Also thanks to those of you who signed up for Reading Tuesdays.  There are a number of spots left so please feel free to come in and read with us!  Here are some of the upcoming free dates.  November 10^th and 24^th and December 8^th.  Send me a quick email if you are interested, we are also very flexible about the dates it doesn’t have to be a Tuesday!    

Joanna