Welcome Message from Secondary Principal

Dear Secondary Parents,

 

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year. We are so happy that we will be able to welcome your sons and daughters back to campus on September 1st. We are looking forward to celebrating their return on day one with some special activities.

 

It has been a challenging first two weeks online for all. Observing the classes, there have been some amazing interactions and some powerful learning happening. For example, in Mathematics classes, all of our learners have completed extensive IXL testing to determine their baseline understanding in Mathematics. IXL testing will happen at different points throughout the year so student progress can be monitored.

 

Our Chinese Language team administered testing online to determine the phase-level placements for our Chinese Language Acquisition students. In English classes, all students were placed in their Language Acquisition phase-level classes, based on detailed WIDA testing that our ESL teaching team administered at the end of last year or during the summer. 

 

We have seen some inspiring creative work in the Visual Arts and Music classes. On the afternoon of August 23rd, students had an opportunity to UNPLUG and produce creative representations of how they are feeling about the global pandemic and their experience starting the year online. We will showcase some of this powerful work for parents soon.

 

Communication in the Secondary

 

Homeroom Welcome

Last week, all parents received a welcome letter from the homeroom teacher/s with an introduction and some expectations for the start of the year outlined. You now have your child’s homeroom teacher’s email, please contact them if you have questions or concerns.

 

Quarterly Learning Update

On Friday, all parents received the Quarterly Learning Update from homeroom teachers via email. This is a report about what students will be studying in each of the nine MYP subjects and each of the six DP subjects. Teachers have provided a brief unit description. Please discuss the quarterly report with your child and check in regularly about how your child is progressing in each subject. You will receive four updates throughout the school year.

 

Student Diaries

All MYP students will be receiving a Diary in the first day on campus, to  support their self-management skills and help to organize their studies. Please review the planner regularly, discuss with your child, and sign every Friday. 

 

ATL/ LP Progress Reports  

Throughout the year, you will be receiving ATL/LP (Approaches to Learning/ Learner Profile) reports about your child’s progress towards the ATL skills and LP attributes. Teachers will send out these reports, written to your child and carbon copied (cc) to acknowledge excellent work towards an ATL or LP or areas of concern. We ask that you sign and respond to the teacher who has written the report.

 

Report Cards

You will receive report cards in October, and January, June. We will have three-way conferences with you and your child after the first two report cards and Student-Led-Conferences in May.

 

Coffee Mornings

Ms. Quinlan, the DP Coordinator and I will be leading the first coffee morning information session on MYP and DP on September 7th from 9:00-10:30. We look forward to meeting you then and sharing details about the MYP and DP, the transitions to middle school, high school and DP. We will also talk about our upcoming DP 5-year evaluation visit.

 

FAQ from Secondary Students’ Parents

 

Q: What is the most effective way of family-school communication?Please send any student learning related questions to your child’s homeroom teacher via email. We are committed to reply within 24 hours.

 

Q: Where can I find the teacher’s email address I need?

All our staff emails may be found in the Secondary School Handbook and at the back of your student’s diary (for MYP 1-5 students).

 

Q: How can I get to know what my child is learning at school?

You have received the first of four Quarterly Updates from the homeroom teacher which explains everything your child will be studying in all 9 subjects of MYP or 6 subjects of DP.

 

Q: Can I have face-to-face communication with the homeroom / subject teacher or university guidance counselor?

Yes of course, you may make an appointment with our teachers in advance via email and then you can come to school.

 

Q: How can I participate in parents’ training at school?

We hold regular MYP/DP Parents Coffee Mornings at the school where we teach about our curriculum and discuss how to better support you children at home. As well as student learning achievements display activities. Parents are welcome to actively participate. I look forward to meeting some of you at our first MYP/DP parent coffee morning on September 7th.

 

Q: I can not log in Managebac, what should I do?

For any technology related issues, you may email ICT department (ict@xalis.com). For that matter, if there is any time you are unsure as to who to contact, you may email our Student Parent Center (pr@xalis.com) for support.

 

Q: How can I get to know the Secondary school events in advance?

Please refer to the school calendar of 2021-2022 Academic Year on our school official website.

 

Please click here for more details.

 

Author: Daun Yorke (Secondary Principal)