When You Play… Rough!

Is it ok to play rough with your friends? (Applies especially to boys)
Well, YES, it is… Only IF you learn HOW to play nicely.
Take a look at the list of “Unwritten Rules” and think about it the next time you decide to play rough with your friend…

Unwritten Rules of Rough Play

1. Engage only parties who “agree”.
2. Be careful with weaker/smaller/female opponents.
3. Avoid dangerous situations
4. Expect that you might get hurt (physical/verbal) & don’t get too mad if you do get hurt.
5. Be aware of when to stop! à Don’t wait for someone to get hurt to stop. Just have a little fun)
6. Hold back your complete strength/words that might potentially hurt.
7. Don’t offend/scare/others around you.
8. Be responsible if things go wrong.

Morning Coffee Talk (April) – Q & A Minutes

At April’s Morning Coffee Talk, apart from the discussion on extra languages at Wells 51 (facilitated by Mr Lawrie), several issues were brought up during a Question and Answer forum.

An integral part of improving communication between school and parents is keeping issues transparent and open for discussion so that any critique is given/taken in a positive and constructive manner, and not to tear down and criticize.

As such, we sincerely thank the parents who attended April 5th’s Morning Coffee Talk and offered their ideas, opinions and suggestions constructively! We appreciate your participation and optimistic attitudes.

Please note that the following points are issues that were discussed and duly noted with appropriate action and attention to be given to each area. For further clarification, feel free to contact any of the Wells 51 Leaders.

1. Swimming – some children are still not able to swim after 3 years, afraid to be pushed into pool by, changing rooms smelly and dirty.
2. Competitive Sports / Sports in school: PE not emphasized enough, not enough consistency and opportunities for participation and competition (especially for girls)
3. Testing for Grades 3-5: In all subject areas, 3 times a year starting end of April.
4. Test-taking anxiety – student workshop conducted every semester, parents can also help by “practising” test-taking situations and creating non-threatening environment for child at home (for better association)
5. FastForWord: Reading and understanding results — Possibility of another workshop for parents with Mr Naresh.
6. Values classes: explained that taught to Grades 4 & 5 because of scheduling constraints and needs basis.
7. Fees next semester – Increase?
8. Big Competitions (eg: Science Fair/Careers Exhibition) – in future can all participants be issued certificate of participation to avoid disappointment. Also, trophy should not be given and then taken away just for photo-opp.

Careers Presentations and Careers Exhibition

March, Careers Month, saw a celebration of a variety of vocations as students took part in an eclectic range of school-wide activities.

First graders took part in a coloring contest where students had to utilize not only their coloring skills, but had to call on their knowledge of whatever careers they were already aware of, second and third graders were treated to Careers Pictionary during recess breaks on two days.

Careers Month culminated in two major events:

The first was a Careers Presentation aimed at the 4^th and 5^th graders.
Special guest speakers included TV Host/Producer/Journalist – Raine Grady, Digital Vision Producer for Oxfam – Pooja Kishnani, Asian Market Development Specialist – Paul Brown, Social Activist – Dwight Turner, and Stuntman – Keith Irwin.

Fifth-grader, Jeong Han Lee said of his experience: “I really enjoyed it when the famous career people came and thought us what they do and why they chose that career. Many of the speakers had videos, and presentations to show us what they do. I think that the visit from the speakers was a good experience in our life time to learn about other people’s careers are like. I enjoyed it so much and I want to have it again!!!”

The second event was the much-awaited for Careers Exhibition Day where Lower Elementary students, as well as staff and parents, got to taste the fruits of labor that the 4^th and 5^th Graders had been working on for the last two months – each student had prepared an exhibit showcasing one particular type of career. It was touching and inspiring to see the little first-graders being shown by their seniors what being a doctor or dentist was all about.

Despite there being about 50 exhibits, the competition was tough, and in the end, only a few emerged as winners: 1^st Prize – Ranuli, 2^nd Prize – Mizuki, 3^rd Prize – Sunisa, Most Popular Award – Amrita, Most Creative Award – Tristan, Most Well-Researched Award –Sami and Vijiyant.

When asked what they had learned from the entire experience of preparing an exhibit for Careers Exhibition Day, here are some of the lessons that students shared:

“I tried my best and I am sure I will work harder next year.” – Ajinkya.

“I have learned how to be more confident. But when I didn’t win the prize, I didn’t feel bad because everyone liked my booth.” – Natcha.

“I learned that if you work hard and go for a goal, you will get what you want!” – Ranuli.

“The lesson I have learned is to be more creative and to do better than before – Do not give up! If I give up, then I will be a loser!” – Bloom.

“My experience was to be happy and proud of myself and others. It was my first lesson about winning and losing. Maybe I made a mistake, but it’s ok because everybody learns from their mistakes.” – Darshan.

“I just feel really nice that I tried really hard. I had a good time and it was worth standing in the sun for an hour!” – Shre.

So in the end, Careers Exhibition Day was an emotional learning experience that many students walked away from with new attitudes towards responsibility, taking pride in their work, working hard, and never giving up.

2 MORE DAYS!!!

Hey boys and girls!

I hope you’re just about finished with your exhibit because the Exhibition is in JUST TWO DAYS!!! WOOHOO!!!

Please take note of WHERE your both is – a print out of the booth arrangements are on the board in each of your classrooms. MEMORIZE your booth’s position because you will have to stand in the right place on Thursday morning after assembly.

TOMORROW I will take consultations during lunch from 12:20pm till 12:45pm – for any last minute suggestions and feedback on your exhibit.

PLEASE BRING ALONG A HAT OR UMBRELLA ON THURSDAY as it will be pretty HOT from 1-2pm, and you will be standing on the field the ENTIRE time…. so be ready.

I have the TOP 3 prizes ready and boyyy are they good!! Gift certificates for Kinokunia and ToysRus, plus some other cool gifts…
There will also be awards for:
*Most Creative
*Most Popular (among audience)
*Most Well Researched

GOOD LUCK!
I’m soooo excited to see your exhibits!!

~Ms Shimona.

PS: You can leave your exhibits in Ms Dora’s room tomorrow till Thursday if you wish. Make sure you label your exhibit with YOUR NAME.

Pushing Your Imagination to the Limit…

Check out this cool video: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_technology.html

International Day/Fair Postponed

Please note that

this Friday’s International Day (Assembly and Fair)

has been postponed to

Friday, March 19th.

Just a thought…

Books, paper certs, & money

can only take you so far.

We should really be

exemplifying and teaching

our children ATTITUDES

on how to live life

successfully.

~Ms Shimona.

Letter Sent Home Today

INTERNATIONAL FAIR

February 9^th, 2010

Dear Parent,

We would like to enlist your help in the upcoming International Fair on Friday, February 26^th.

On that day, we will have student performances (Student Assembly) from 8am-9am, followed by the International Fair from 9am-10am. The idea behind this Fair is to teach students cultural awareness and appreciation, and is in conjunction with the School-Wide Theme this month (International Cultures Month).

We need ONE parent (Team Leader) to be in charge of ONE COUNTRY.

NOTE: You can pick ANY country – it can, but does NOT have to be your own country.

In the spirit of equality, we are trying to make sure that ALL countries that students are from are represented at the Fair, and also that the material(s) presented are of roughly the same amount.

Once the Team Leaders for each country has been confirmed and notified, they will be in charge of forming a team (of peers/parents/students) to help assemble a “Country Booth” which (at this moment) will be limited to a MAXIMUM space of two classroom tables.

Setup time for the Country Booths will be on Thursday, February 25^th 4pm-5:30pm.

Some ideas that you might want to include at your booth: Decorations, banner, flag, pictures, music, small games, food, costumes, etc.

How to pick a country:

Please take a look at the full country list below, pick your TOP THREE countries of choice (as confirmed choices will be on a first-come-first-served basis), and EMAIL shimona@wells-school.com by THIS FRIDAY, February 12^th. Confirmations and instructions will be sent the following week via email to you.

Full Country List:

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

Shimona Kee (MSc, Appl. Psych.)
Primary School Counselor
Wells International School
Thong Lor campus
http://shimona.wells-school.com/blogs

*Wells 51/004/09-10

Open Letter to Wells Parents

Dearest Parents,

It was great having coffee with you this morning. I’m so glad we got to talk.

In the weeks and months to come, I hope that more parental involvement will become the norm at Wells.

Your voice is so important to us, and in time, we will certainly be hearing more from you.

I look forward to making better relations with you in future.

Please feel free, and remember to email me at shimona@wells-school.com to get onto the electronic communications database.

Your presence was much appreciated today.

Thanks once again.
Warmest regards,

Shimona Kee (MSc, Appl. Psych.)
Primary School Counselor
Wells International School
Thong Lor campus
Bangkok, Thailand

Did You Know?

Fantastic video on the progression of information technology, researched by Karl Fisch, Scott McLeod, and Jeff Brenman.

Points to ponder after you’ve watched the video (at least once):

How does the rapid, exponential progression of information technology affect

• how we learn in school?
• our future career choice?
• how we decide what information to gather?
• our life choices?

Get your Thinking Caps on!