Monthly Archives: August 2017

Torgon Details – Repost from Newsfeed

Dear Parents,

The following is a re-post of key information from the G5 Newsfeed. It contains details for our Torgon Trip next week.

The Grade 5 field trip to Torgon with Village Camps is fast approaching. Please read this post carefully for medication information and a packing list.

MEDICATION:

If your child takes any medicine that he/she will need during the field trip, we need to have this medication early so that we can document and chart it.

The medication should be put in a ‘zip-lock’ type transparent bag. Please print out and complete the Torgon Trip Medication Form and put it with the medication in the bag.  Any medicines your child requires must be with the nurses by August 31st.

If you have any questions or concerns please call, visit or e-mail the nurses’ office.

WHAT TO PACK:

Here is the recommended packing list for our trip. Please do note that the weather is very changeable in the mountains and we do recommend packing warm clothing! Layer up!

  • Warm sweater/s or fleece.
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers.
  • Long trousers suitable for walking and climbing, we suggest bringing two or three pairs. Jeans are acceptable too! You may also want to bring a pair of shorts.
  • Socks – make sure they are comfortable with your walking shoes. Longer socks are better than ‘tennis’ type socks.
  • T-shirts/tops, underwear, nightwear and toiletry items – including extra hair bands, girls! Please note any medication MUST be given to the school nurse before the trip.
  • Towel (as least one teacher usually forgets this, let’s see if all the students can remember!)
  • Flash light/torch (optional)
  • Slippers/indoor shoes (no big ‘fluffy animal’ slippers for safety reasons please!)
  • Hiking boots and/or sports shoes suitable for walking and climbing. The most important thing is that your shoes are ‘worn in’ and comfortable. Try not to wear brand new boots for the first time. It would be best to bring two pairs of shoes if you can. It is possible that a pair may get wet or muddy in the course of the day and you want to be dry and comfortable!
  • Sunglasses
  • Large water bottle – min 1 litre. If your backpack comes with a “bladder” type water pouch you may use this instead of a water bottle.
  • Sun cream and sun hat/baseball cap.
  • Warm hat and mittens/gloves.
  • A large plastic bag for wet or dirty clothes.
  • A backpack – suitable for day trips – you need to fit a tupperware box of lunch, your water bottle, sun cream, a sweater/jacket and possibly your rain gear.
  • A book to read in the evenings.

Optional:

  • Many students like to bring card games (like UNO etc.) to play in their rooms during free times.
  • A soft toy to sleep with.
  • A phone, ipad or other device for the bus (these will all be kept safely in teacher rooms during camp, and returned to students for the bus back to Zurich. Students will not have access to them at camp).

*Please do not send snacks, candy, or other treats with your child unless they are needed due to dietary restrictions. If this is the case, please inform your child’s teacher.  All food and snacks are provided.

We highly recommend that you pack your child’s bag along with them. They will be much better at staying organized if they know what’s in their bag, and where to find it, because they put it in themselves!

Looking forward to a great trip!

School Photos, Agendas, 1st Weeks and More!

Dear 5R Community…

It’s been another great week in 5R! This week we have begun the routines of reading and writing workshop, and we have worked on some math challenges that have really gotten the students thinking. Additionally, we’ve been attempting to articulate who we want to be as a class, and what rights and responsibilities will help us get there. This has been connecting to investigations of online, digital citizenship as well.

 

This is photo week!

  • Individual Student photos will be taken on Monday, August 28
  • The class photo will be taken on Friday, Sept 1, before PE (students may come in special clothes for the photo if you like, and change afterwards into their PE kit).

 

Writer’s Notebooks

We will be decorating our Writer’s Notebooks this Friday. Each child needs to bring in photos, postcards, drawings, or other flat images that can be glued to their writer’s notebook.  The writing notebook is a place where students will write about personal things, and by decorating and personalizing it, the notebook becomes a cherished object, rather than just a school notebook. So, for Thursday, please have your child bring in 10 or more photos or other images that they can glue on their notebook.  I will provide writing quotes that they can use, as well. (I can print images for the children, as well. Please have them send me the images, sized for how they’d like them printed in ONE Google Doc or Word file, rather than separately attached to an email.)

 

Torgon

Our Torgon trip is coming soon!  I will post updates on our class blog, including information about arrival and departure times and photos of each day.  Please make sure you have subscribed to the blog so that you receive these updates.

 

Meet the Teacher Night

Thanks to all the families who attended our Meet the Teacher Night last week. Here is a link to Monday night’s slideshow in 5R and in the MPR. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I enjoyed meeting you all, and I appreciate your commitment to your child’s education. I look forward to working in partnership with you this year.

 

ZIS Accounts & 1st Weeks Video Reflection

On Friday 5R spent some time getting used to using our Google Accounts. You should have received an email from your child with a password you’ll need to view their blog. If you didn’t receive it, please let me know! Their ZIS accounts (email, Google Classroom, blog etc) are available from any online device, using their ZIS email address and password. The password they sent you was specifically for viewing their blog.

As part of this students completed their first Google Classroom assignment, following instructions and uploading videos to be edited. The following video is the result of this. If your child is missing, that’s a sign that they had some challenges with the workflow and instructions. We’re all learning! 🙂

 

Agendas

Last but not least, as part of our efforts in G5 to prepare students for Middle School, they will be receiving the same organizer/agenda that the MS students use. This will come to and from school each day. More on this soon!

Thanks for supporting your child and our community!

Snapshot Conferences

Dear Parents,

Starting on Thursday, 17 August I will be holding optional Parent/Teacher Snapshot Conferences. Each conference will last for ten minutes and it will offer you the chance to share any new developments about your child as well as any concerns that you might have for this school year and perhaps any particular goals you are keen for us to work towards achieving.

If you would like to sign up for a conference, please click on the link below which will bring you to a Google Doc showing the times that I am available. Select the time that you would like to come for your Snapshot conference by writing both your name and your child’s name next to your chosen slot.

August 2017 5R Conferences Sign Ups

Kind regards,
Jamie Raskin

Welcome to Grade 5!

Hello 5R families!

Welcome to the new school year! I am looking forward to meeting each member of our new classroom community on Tuesday, and to diving into getting to know each other.

I would like to take a minute to introduce myself. I am originally from Toronto, Canada, but have spent the bulk of my teaching career overseas in Taiwan, Turkey, Japan and Tanzania. This will be my third year at Zurich International School. My wife Elif will be teaching Art and supporting the Makerspace in our Lower School.

I look forward to working with you towards providing a safe, exciting, and challenging environment in which your child will learn and grow as an individual. I believe in working together and providing the strongest support system your child will need to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

In order to help us have a smooth start, please note the following logistical matters:

  • PE will be on Wednesday and Friday. Please send your child to school in his PE kit on those days with appropriate footwear. Library visits will be by default on Thursday, but theit is possible to return and borrow new books any day during scheduled break times. Ensemble music will be on Wednesdays. Your child will need to bring their instrument if in band or strings.
  • We will have snack each day at 10:10. Please remember to send in a healthy snack.
  • We will keep reusable water bottles in the classroom. Please send in a well-labeled bottle for your child.
  • All our students are required to have indoor shoes that are left at school. These shoes should also function as PE shoes. This means an athletic-type shoe with a light-coloured sole. No slippers or Crocs, please.
  • All students will go outside for morning recess, regardless of the weather, and we will also spend time in the forest. Your child needs to be prepared with appropriate outdoor clothing.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at jraskin@zis.ch. I look forward to a wonderful year ahead!

All the best,

Jamie

Cycling in Alsace this past summer.