Week 4 - September 18, 2017
Dear Parents,
I would like to start by sincerely thanking you as parents, for your participation and attendance at the 'Back to School' nights last week. It was wonderful to see so many parents engaging with their child's homeroom and specialist teachers. The feedback that I have received is that the new format worked well with a more relaxed schedule that allowed parents to wander around and interact with a variety of teachers, after the formal homeroom teacher presentations had finished. We will continue to develop the format for next year, but overall I was very happy with the success of both nights.
Congratulations
Our much loved Modern Languages teacher, Katerina Mihajlovska has just returned from Spain where she was defending her dissertation for her PhD in Roman Languages. I am delighted to inform you that Katerina is now Dr Katerina Mihajlovska. I am sure you will join me in congratulating her on such an amazing achievement. She is a fine role model for all of us in demonstrating what hard work, talent and dedication can achieve.
Emergency Drills
Over the next couple of weeks all staff are receiving emergency training, should in the unlikely event we have to deal with an emergency situation at school. Staff are being trained in how to handle a fire, an earthquake or an emergency lock down. Once staff have been fully trained we will be conducting several drills with students. These are important so that all staff and students are prepared, should we need it.
Readers as Leaders - Library on Wheels Project
I would like to thank Ms Despina Mukoska our wonderful Macedonian Language Teacher for arranging for the 'Readers as Leaders - Library on Wheels Project' to visit us last week. The Step by Step Foundation, in conjunction withThe US Aid office here in Skopje, provided this service to support our Macedonian Language Program. It was a fantastic 2 days that allowed our students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 to participate.
Morning Drop-Off
I would like to thank parents for the way that you have embraced the new morning "Drop Off" Policy. While I was not here last year to make the comparisons, I have been reliably informed that this year it is significantly better. Based on what I have seen at other schools, the procedures that we have here are safe, fair and well thought out. The focus is completely on the welfare and safety of students but at the same time, I believe that it is providing a more convenient and simpler way for you as parents, to quickly, efficiently and most importantly, safely; drop your child at school each morning. I want to thank you for your continued support of this important school initiative.
Tech News
Typing.com is an all free website for your child to improve their typing skills on all devices. The website provides interactive lessons, speed/accuracy tests and fun games. It is better to learn typing from a young age; daily practice is the key to typing success. https://www.typing.com/
Student Services News
How much screen time is too much? How can I limit screen time?
Tweens (ages 8-12) log 4.5 hours of screen time a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. For teens (ages 13-18), it's even higher: nearly seven hours a day--and that doesn't include time spent using devices for school or in school!
One of the hottest issues today in both parenting and education circles is the proper role of electronic media in children's lives. There's research to support both the benefits and dangers of digital media for developing minds, but plenty of questions remain unanswered.
Current recommendations are to avoid all screens for children under 2, and to allow a maximum of two hours per day of high-quality material for older children. This means setting limits on “screen time” which includes computers, televisions, iPads, smart phones, and electronic games/videos.
How to limit screen time with less drama? Try the following:
Here is a link to another article that I read that also provides advice for parents about restricting screen-time for children Click this link for the article.
Below are a selection of photos that have been taken over the past week with a focus on Back to School Nights. I hope you enjoy them.
Kindest regards,
Russell O'Neill
Principal
Dear Parents,
I would like to start by sincerely thanking you as parents, for your participation and attendance at the 'Back to School' nights last week. It was wonderful to see so many parents engaging with their child's homeroom and specialist teachers. The feedback that I have received is that the new format worked well with a more relaxed schedule that allowed parents to wander around and interact with a variety of teachers, after the formal homeroom teacher presentations had finished. We will continue to develop the format for next year, but overall I was very happy with the success of both nights.
Congratulations
Our much loved Modern Languages teacher, Katerina Mihajlovska has just returned from Spain where she was defending her dissertation for her PhD in Roman Languages. I am delighted to inform you that Katerina is now Dr Katerina Mihajlovska. I am sure you will join me in congratulating her on such an amazing achievement. She is a fine role model for all of us in demonstrating what hard work, talent and dedication can achieve.
Emergency Drills
Over the next couple of weeks all staff are receiving emergency training, should in the unlikely event we have to deal with an emergency situation at school. Staff are being trained in how to handle a fire, an earthquake or an emergency lock down. Once staff have been fully trained we will be conducting several drills with students. These are important so that all staff and students are prepared, should we need it.
Readers as Leaders - Library on Wheels Project
I would like to thank Ms Despina Mukoska our wonderful Macedonian Language Teacher for arranging for the 'Readers as Leaders - Library on Wheels Project' to visit us last week. The Step by Step Foundation, in conjunction withThe US Aid office here in Skopje, provided this service to support our Macedonian Language Program. It was a fantastic 2 days that allowed our students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 to participate.
Morning Drop-Off
I would like to thank parents for the way that you have embraced the new morning "Drop Off" Policy. While I was not here last year to make the comparisons, I have been reliably informed that this year it is significantly better. Based on what I have seen at other schools, the procedures that we have here are safe, fair and well thought out. The focus is completely on the welfare and safety of students but at the same time, I believe that it is providing a more convenient and simpler way for you as parents, to quickly, efficiently and most importantly, safely; drop your child at school each morning. I want to thank you for your continued support of this important school initiative.
Tech News
Typing.com is an all free website for your child to improve their typing skills on all devices. The website provides interactive lessons, speed/accuracy tests and fun games. It is better to learn typing from a young age; daily practice is the key to typing success. https://www.typing.com/
Student Services News
How much screen time is too much? How can I limit screen time?
Tweens (ages 8-12) log 4.5 hours of screen time a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. For teens (ages 13-18), it's even higher: nearly seven hours a day--and that doesn't include time spent using devices for school or in school!
One of the hottest issues today in both parenting and education circles is the proper role of electronic media in children's lives. There's research to support both the benefits and dangers of digital media for developing minds, but plenty of questions remain unanswered.
Current recommendations are to avoid all screens for children under 2, and to allow a maximum of two hours per day of high-quality material for older children. This means setting limits on “screen time” which includes computers, televisions, iPads, smart phones, and electronic games/videos.
How to limit screen time with less drama? Try the following:
- Set a timer or alarm to limit device time
- Insist that all devices be turned off and away from the dinner table
- Ensure that at least 30 minutes before bed all screens are off. This helps children “wind down”.
- Ensure that all devices are put in a common location before bedtime so that there are no devices in bedrooms at night
- Encourage your child to engage in as much active play as they do screen time.
- Remember that devices are never a great substitute for parents’ time and attention
Here is a link to another article that I read that also provides advice for parents about restricting screen-time for children Click this link for the article.
Below are a selection of photos that have been taken over the past week with a focus on Back to School Nights. I hope you enjoy them.
Kindest regards,
Russell O'Neill
Principal