Dear colleagues,We are excited to enter our first full week of learning, following our regular schedule and putting into practice all the community-building routines and expectations we introduced last week.
We recognize that last week was hectic and, at times, felt a little like jumping into the deep end for all of us. Many of our start-of-year protocols were brand new, and we were learning together as we went. It is fair to say that some of our plans will need to be carefully revised to ensure everyone is fully energized and prepared for the actual work of teaching and learning, with more time (there is never quite enough, but still) for individual and collaborative planning.
We will gather important feedback and information from this new start and do our best to learn from it. Our goal is not simply to get through a new process, but to understand what worked, what created unnecessary pressure, and what we want to remember when we plan the start of the next school year. Thank you for your flexibility, professionalism, and willingness to problem-solve together.
This week brings us to the heart of our Back-to-School Night preparation. The plan is to send pertinent grade-level information to parents in advance and to use the actual evening primarily for relationship-building and connection. There will be no formal grade-level or subject-area presentations this year. Instead, we hope to bring parents onto campus to meet one another, strengthen their sense of belonging to our community, connect with teachers, and explore our facilities. This will also provide an opportunity for families to better understand the purpose of the flexible learning spaces we are currently using to personalize learning and create different conditions for students to learn, collaborate, and grow.
Our Wednesday professional learning time will focus on clarifying expectations for the content and format of the information we will share with families, while also protecting time for teams to plan for learning.
On Friday, we launch our assembly season, facilitated by Jill. This first assembly will give us an opportunity to
welcome our new students, get to know our new teachers, and reconnect around some important CA Way reminders.
Please follow this seating chart for the assembly in the Main Theatre and be ready for a 9:30 AM start.
The plan for the assembly is to:
introduce our new teachers;
welcome our new students, who will be invited to stand;
revisit a few important CA Way expectations and reminders.
New teachers, please edit your introduction slide in this Canva slide deck by the end of the day on Wednesday.
CA Way Posters
If you need a CA Way poster for your classroom or learning space, please stop by the ES Office to pick one up.
Acadience – Reading Assessment
Acadience assessments can begin during WIN time starting in Cycle 2. Resources will be distributed to teams during the coming week.
Training will also be provided for teachers who are new to Acadience. More information regarding training dates and times will follow shortly.
Hot Weather Update
We will continue to follow the Japanese government's guidance on heat safety. This means that morning and afternoon recesses will continue to take place in classrooms for the time being.
During lunch recess, we will follow our rainy-day rotations. If you are on duty, please make sure you know where you are expected to be during each recess period.
In the meantime, we are exploring ways to use available indoor spaces to provide students with more opportunities for movement, play, and connection while the hot weather continues. Thank you for your flexibility as we work to keep students safe while still creating opportunities for them to enjoy their breaks.
As we move into the rhythm of the school year, I hope we can keep our attention on what matters most: creating the conditions in which students and adults can do their best learning. The beginning of a year is never perfectly tidy—and perhaps it should not be. We are building routines, relationships, systems, and trust at the same time. Thank you for the energy, patience, humor, and professional care you have already brought to this work.
Let’s have an amazing week of learning and getting to know our wonderful students!
Katie, Jill, and Heikki
Anticipated Indoor Lunch Recess Plan
Rainy Day/ Heat Day | Classrooms & Commons (Location A) | Classrooms & Commons (Location B) | Library | ELAC Gym |
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Mon, Day 6 | Grades 2&3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 1 |
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Tue, Day 7 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 1 | Grades 2&3 |
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Wed, Day 8 | Grade 5 | Grade 1 | Grades 2&3 | Grades 4 |
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Thu, Day 9 | Grade 1 | Grades 2&3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 |
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Fri, Day 10 | Grades 2&3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 1 |
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Soccer rotation (if playing outside this week)
Grades 1, 2 & 3 | Grades 4 & 5 | Grades 1, 2 & 3 | Grades 4 & 5 | No Soccer |
Mondays | Tuesdays | Wednesday | Thursdays | Fridays |
Day | Morning | Afternoon |
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Mon, Aug 24 Day 6 | First full week of learning |
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Tue, Aug 25 Day 7 |
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Wed, Aug 26 Day 8 |
| 14:40 Wednesday Learning: BBT BTSN preparation/Team time |
Thu, Aug 28 Day 9 |
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Fri, Aug 29 Day 1 | 9:30 Assembly in the Main Theater |
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Future Dates: September 3, ES Back to School Night September 14-17, Gr 3 - 5 MAP testing September 18, Whole School PD Day: Restorative Justice September 18- 21, Long weekend, Respect for the Aged September 22-23, Gr 3 - 5 MAP testing continued October 12, Sports Day (No school, community event; all families invited; all faculty and staff joining for organization and supervision) |
