Tomorrow is Down Syndrome Awareness Day!

Don't forget to adorn colourful and/or mismatched socks to raise awareness. To help you further understand what Down Syndrome is, watch the video below!

Weekly Newsletter March 19 - 23

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Dates: March 19-22

Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for this Week:

Literacy: Grade 5 students conclude the fantasy unit. They will be finishing up their fantasy book clubs and taking end of unit reading and writing assessment. Students will also be celebrating their writing by sharing it with other classes. This will be an opportunity to share what we have covered during this unit, including wonderful examples of FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE, GREAT BEGINNINGS, INSPIRING DIALOGUE, LOTS OF FANTASY ELEMENTS, and an ENDING THAT WILL HAVE US WANTING MORE!

Math: The students continue working on Unit 5: Multiplying & Dividing Fractions. The focus continues to be on conceptual understanding of these skills using a variety of manipulatives and also drawing models to show their thinking. The assessment will be at the end of this week. After the break, the students will begin the unit titled Order of Operations. We have been practicing this skill using daily warm ups, so they are familiar with these skills. Students will evaluate how to use numerical expressions with parentheses, brackets and braces. They will explain how to use these symbols in order to identify, write and describe simple numerical expressions.

Unit of Study: We are starting our Social Change unit by tuning in to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as looking at the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Classes will be researching a social issue to be presented at Night of the Notables on April 30th.

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

* Important Reminders/Information: (also see GLC Updates)

• Monday, March 18-No school for students (teacher work day)
• Tuesday, March 19-School reconvenes (Day 2)
• Math, Science, Reading and Writing assessments will be conducted this week
• Friday, March 22-Writers’ Celebration
• March 24-28-No School-Spring Break
• Monday, April 1-School reconvenes (Day 6)
• Thursday, April 4 (10:30-12:30)-Part of Social Change Makers’ Conference (parents welcome)

INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS WEEK PLANS

From the Inclusive Schools Week Planning Team:
There will be three special dress up days to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week:

• March 21: Students are encouraged to wear odd socks with their school uniform on ‘Mismatched Sock Day’.
• April 2: Students are encouraged to wear blue clothing for ‘Autism Awareness Day’.
• April 5: Diversity Day - ES students are encouraged to dress in clothes that highlight them as unique individuals.

March 21, 2019, Down Syndrome Awareness Day

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. #WorldDownSyndromeDay. The ISKL ES community is encouraged to wear mismatched socks to raise awareness and highlight that our differences are what make us great.

April 1-5, 2019, Inclusive Schools Week. #kaleidoscopeoffriends. The ISKL Community Schoolwide will celebrate the progress that we have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population. The week will also provide an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that ISKL continues to successfully educate all children. Events will be planned to engage the students, teachers, and parents.

April 1, 2019, Coffee Chat & Resource Fair. To kick off Inclusive Schools Week there will be a Coffee Chat and Resource Fair in the Community Room from 8:15 - 9:45 am. This is a great opportunity for parents to learn about the resources that the Student Resource Team (SRT) offers to support students in their learning and development at ISKL. In addition to learning about speech and language therapy, educational psychology, and counseling available at ISKL, parents will also have the opportunity to learn about additional supports that can be accessed outside of school to support their child and family. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Parents need to RSVP - Click Here.

April 2, 2019, is World Autism Awareness Day

#LightItUpBlue The ISKL ES community is encouraged to support the ‘Autism Speaks - Light it up Blue Campaign’ by wearing blue to increase understanding and acceptance of autism.

April 5, 2019, Diversity Day

As Inclusive Schools Week wraps up, ES students are encouraged to dress in clothes that highlight them as unique individuals. #kaleidoscopeoffriends
Highlight last week:

• The middle school counselor and peer helpers presented information to our grade 5 students about next year....and we are all excited about our course selections! (Due Tuesday, March 19th).
• Visiting author, Matt Smith on Friday 15th was great fun. He is a former teacher and an ISKL Alumni! So much fun seeing how he work :) 

Coffee Chat & Resource Fair

Coffee Chat & Resource Fair: 

When: April 1, 2019 

Time: 8:00 - 9:45 AM

Registration Required: Registration Link

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5


Dates: March 11-15

Dear Parents,

Mon. March 11 is day 5

Conferences- Our Highlight from LAST Week
Parents, thank you for the time and celebrating your student’s continued learning in 5th grade. The students were certainly the stars of the show. As teachers we are certainly proud when our kids can share their growth with you. Always feel free to contact your child’s teacher if there are questions or celebrations!

Curriculum Information for this Week:
Literacy: Grade 5 students are wrapping up their fantasy stories. This can be an intense process. The revising (adjusting content and structure) and editing (cleaning up grammar and spelling) process is a vital part of the writing process.

Here are some questions you can ask your son or daughter about revising their story:

• What details can you add?
• What words or sentences can you remove?
• What words or sentences can you move to a different section?
• What words can you change from bland words to vivid words? 
• Do you have a combination of short, medium and long sentences?
• How are your details connected to the theme?

Math: The students are beginning Unit 5 in Math - multiplying and dividing fractions using a variety of manipulatives to show their thinking. This is unit is about developing a BIG idea understanding. Words that your child will be using in this unit are...

fraction, numerator, denominator, operations, multiplication/multiply, division/divide, mixed numbers, product, quotient, partition, equal parts, equivalent, factor, unit fraction, area, side lengths, fractional side lengths, scaling, comparing.

Unit of Study: Matter
The students explored the concept and explanation of sediments and how it applies to our food as salad dressing. They will be further exploring solubility in the coming week, to find and read information about how properties of the molecules in sugar and citric acid affect the properties that are observable in a substance. The students will then explore why liquids stay mixed or separate.

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Slice of Life
Many classes are participating in the Slice of Life blogging challenge. 5th graders are tasked with writing every day in the month of March. Checkout our 5th grade blog which links many of these young author’s blogs.

Important Reminders/Information: (also see GLC Updates)

• Mon. 11 Mar: ES Book week begins.
• Mon. 11 Mar: G6 Parent Orientation Night in the MS, 7-8pm (for parents of current G5 students)
• Tues. 12 Mar: G6 Transition to MS Assembly on G6 Course Selection forms with Janelle Maxson - G6 MS Counselor - in common area at 1:30-2:30pm. Janelle will present the various G6 course options to the students and they will receive a course selection form to take home for you to read, complete and sign. Please read the form with your child, choose and record course options and return the form to school by Tues. 19 Mar. Even if you think your family may be moving elsewhere at the end of the school year, please return the form just in case plans change.
• Wed. 13 Mar: ES Book Swap.
• Wed. 13 Mar: G6 Peer Helpers will present to G5, from 10:30-11:15 am, with a Q&A
• Fri. 15 Mar: ES Book Character Dress-up Day

From GLC:

ISKL Celebrates 2019 was a huge success...thank you all for your kind support! Click HERE for photos. 

Quick Tip #1: ES Book Week is March 11-15! We still need your books! Book Swap is Wed March 13 click HERE for details, books will be accepted until Tues Mar 12 (but preferred by Mon Mar 11). Click HERE to volunteer (first morning shifts in need of support). 

Quick Tip # 2:  Two exciting ES events this Fri March 15: ES Book Character Dress Up Day and Rise + Read. Please see flyers attached. For Rise + Read details & sign up click HERE  and for ES Book Character Inspiration click here and here and here

This 

Week:

• Mar 11 - Mar 15th : ES Library Book Week! : ES Book Swap, Rise + Read & Book Character Dress Up Day.. ...a great week in ES! (see quick tips for details) 
• Wed March 13: ES Book Swap! Donations now being accepted see Quick Tip # 1 above for details... 
• Wed March 13th: Parenting workshop session with Jane Thompson.  Please click HERE for more information: Click the blue Sign Up for access within link.
• Fri March 15, 7:30 AM - 7:55 AM 2nd Annual RISE + READ! , Melawati Theater . click HERE to RSVP (appreciated but not required, does assist with catering) 
• Fri March 15, ES Book Character Dress Up Day, click here and here and here for inspiration
• Want to know more ? Click HERE for the Panther News! 

Grade 5 Specific:

• Monday March 11 - 7PM  Grade 5 MS Parent Information Night, RBG Theatre - See email from Mr Peter Casey for more information.

Upcoming Event: 

• Mon Mar 18, NO SCHOOL, ISKL Faculty Inservice 
• Mar 25-29, NO SCHOOL, March Break 
• Sat April 6,  9:00 AM-Noon, Flea Market on campus sponsored by ISKL Habitat for Humanity to sign up click: HERE
• June 17-June 28: Staying in KL in June? ISKL will offer Summer Activities, see flyer attached & stay tuned!
• Lost & Found items click HERE for all details from our Lost + Found Ad Hoc Committee  
• Faisal Cup needs YOU! Click HERE for details 
• ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details 

Weekly Newsletter March 4 - 8

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Dates: March 4-8             

Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for this Week:
G5 students will be spending much classroom time on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week preparing for their student-led conference (SLC) on Thursday 7 or Friday 8 March. Students will be reflecting on their reading, writing, math and science work and preparing work samples to share with you that show learning growth. They will also be reflecting on their learning behaviors, work habits and attitude in a variety of areas and will prepare and share their learning goals to address areas of need. Learning in our reading, writing, math and science units may be temporarily suspended in the early part of this week, while teachers prepare their students for success at the SLCs.

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information: (also see GLC Updates)

• Mon. 4 Mar. is Day 8
• Wed. 6, Thurs. 7 & Fri. 8 Mar. Book Sale. Students and parents can buy books on sale before or after their SLC. More details TBA
• Thurs. 7 & Fri. 8 Mar: G5 students and parents will attend Student-Led Conferences (SLCs)
• Mon. 11 Mar: ES Book week begins.
• Mon. 11 Mar: G6 Parent Orientation Night in the MS, 7-8pm (for parents of current G5 students)
• Wed. 13 Mar: ES Book Swap. Classroom teachers will/have communicated organizational details with parents.
• Wed. 13 Mar: G6 Peer Helpers will present to G5, from 10:30-11:15am, with a Q&A
• Fri. 15 Mar: ES Book Character Dress-up Day.

Highlight last week:

• Thurs. 28 Feb: ‘Always Changing’ - G5 puberty presentations from 1:30-2:30pm

Slice of LIfe

Today we begin our March writing challenge of 'Slice of Life'. Something I have never done before. Currently I am watching the kiddos in my class thinking, typing and talking. Some of them are rather serious, pondering about the aspect of life they are happy to write about. Some students are clustered in the corners of the room chatting about what others should write. There is a gentle lull in the room which I love.
These kids are pretty amazing. Hilarious most of the times, serious and vulnerable at other times. Every day they provide me with more questions to ponder and another daily dose of responsibility. I am pretty lucky to be in this position, perched up on the bench legs crossed typing away about these kids while they think and wonder about the world about them. It's amazing what they are able to accomplish on daily basis. I think back to the time when I was in 5th grade - so much they experience are the same yet so different. I am hopeful for the future where these kiddos will grow to be leaders. I wonder what kind of people they will become in 20 years' time.

Slice of Life #2

It is amazing to notice how different locations trigger certain emotions. One evening, I had to accompany my husband to an emergency room at a hospital - no worries, he's fine. His knee had ballooned and he was in a lot of pain - all from brushing his teeth.
The room was simple, brightly lit and subdued but I had to laugh as he had to get up and down a seat to see a doctor, to get his blood pressure checked, X-rayed etc. Hospitals didn't really hold much emotion for me until about 11 years ago until my husband and I flew to Singapore to see a world renowned orthopaedic surgeon. Needless to say, the encounter with that surgeon was a lesson in character building. So now, hospitals are not a place I enjoy visiting or being in.
As we moved along to the foyer I noticed many patients and guests smiling. Perhaps they were happy to catch up with their guests, may be they were happy to leave their room even for a bit. I imagined that each person sitting and chatting have their own stories to tell. I wondered whether it was a happy story.
We sat at a couch eating an ice cream, appreciating the opportunity to sit and relax a bit after a stressful moment. It's a humble experience to know all will be okay, to appreciate the health that we do have.

Weekly Newsletter Feb 25 - March 1

Dates: February 25-March 1

Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for this Week:
Literacy: 

Grade 5 students are continuing to generate ideas for their fantasy stories. They will be taking all their great ideas and choosing the best one to write a story. They are including all the elements of a fantasy story including: themes, life lessons, quests, magical creatures, metaphorical and literary dragons.

Here are some questions you can ask your son or daughter about their story: Who are your main characters?

• Describe the setting of your story.
• Is there a quest in your story?
• How is your story connected to real life problems?
• What is the life lesson?
• What are the struggles your character is facing?
• What will come of the protagonist? How will s/he change?

Math: 

The students are beginning Unit 5 in Math - multiplying and dividing fractions using a variety of manipulatives to show their thinking.

Unit of Study: Matter

The students explored the concept and explanation of sediments and how it applies to our food as salad dressing. They will be further exploring solubility in the coming week, to find and read information about how properties of the molecules in sugar and citric acid affect the properties that are observable in a substance. The students will then explore why liquids stay mixed or separate.

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.


Important Reminders/Information: (also see GLC Updates)

• Mon. 25 Feb. is Day 3
• Mon. 25 Feb: Student Led Conference sign up in PowerSchool for parents who have one child in the ES
• Thurs. 28 Feb: ‘Always Changing’ - G5 puberty presentations from 1:30-2:30pm

Highlight last week:

• Grand Opening: 21st February marked our Grand Opening of the new campus. The students were surprised with a mini concert featuring a band and student dancers performing for us. #ISKLUnited

• Author visit: On Monday we had a photojournalist named Richard Sobol visiting us, sharing his story about his four-day trek to meet a silverback gorilla. We enjoyed his story telling and sharing of his experience with us. Thank you Ms Suji for organizing this event.

• CNY Assembly: It was great fun watching the Lion Dance in the gym. Thank you, parents, for coming along to watch the amazing acrobatic moves of the lion. The activities offered fun and delicious kiosks for all to enjoy.

Have a great week! 

Ms B