The Owl Weekly Parent Newsletter 5/5/20

こどものひ　おめでとう! Happy Children’s Day!

Today, May 5 is Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day ) a Japanese national holiday that celebrates the well-being and happiness of children. Hallmarks of this tradition include flying cloth carp streamers (koinobori) and displaying items in homes like samurai helmets (kabuto) and armor that represent strength and bravery. We hope those celebrating enjoy some kashiwa mochi and chimaki today!

Here is some more information about Kodomo no hi, as well as some ideas about celebrating at home

Wellness Day this Friday! May and June No School Days 

As Robert Woods shared with you in his weekly letter, this upcoming Friday, May 8, will be Wellness Day! 

• There will be NO scheduled classes, clubs, or check-ins.

• Students and Families will be provided some guidance for independent learning projects, as well as activities tied to #ISPTogether.

• Everyone (students, teachers, and families) is encouraged to focus on one’s own social and emotional well-being.

More info to come.

Our calendar has a few no-school days marked leading up to the end of the school year.  We would like to still honor those days, as our faculty and staff still need time for grading, online program assessment, and academic development. 

• May 22 – Curriculum Alignment Day – No school for students
• May 25 – HOLIDAY – Memorial Day
• June 1 – Curriculum Alignment Day – No school for students

The last day of Continuous Learning classes for the school year will remain as Tuesday, June 9. 

Last Chance! Vote International School of Portland for Best Summer Camp!

International School of Portland is a nominee for Best Summer Camp again this year! We have won for FOUR years in a row. 

Please vote to get the recognition that our summer camp staff and program deserves!!

https://www.nwkidsmagazine.com/portlands-best-summer-camps-2020/

Please vote for 

• Best Academic
• Best Language

**You do NOT need to enter your name and email to vote. ** 

PLEASE VOTE TODAY AND TOMORROW!!!!

THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL: Now in South Portland!  

Same location, new address!

On May 1, the City of Portland designated the neighborhood around International School of Portland as a sixth quadrant (or is it sextant? Get your debate hats on) 

Our campus is where it has always been, but we are now officially in “South Portland!” 

Please note our new authorized mailing address:

International School of Portland
2305 S Water Avenue
Portland, OR 97201

We hope to see you on campus again soon, ISP!

Book Bingo Reading Challenge!

The ISP Library is hosting a Book Bingo Reading Challenge for K-2 and 3-5th grades!  Fill out the entire card or as many horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines as you can!  Teachers, parents and kids can all participate and we will have prizes and a celebration when we all see each other again.  

Kinder – 2nd Grade: Book Bingo Card

3rd – 5th Grade: Book Bingo Card

Have fun!

– Tomoyo and Dan

Virtual Education Town Hall Recording

The ELT and families had a great Virtual Town Hall Meeting last week. We covered topics ranging from academics and emotional wellness to planning for the Fall. In cased you missed it, please, you can access the recording here.

May’s IB Learner Profile Trait : Balanced

The ten International Baccalaureate Learner Profile traits are school values, and are means by which to support healthy social and emotional development. Our faculty focuses upon one of them each month. For May, the focus will be on “Balanced.”

Descriptor: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others. IB students are active participants in a wide range of aspects of campus life, as well as focusing on their academic development.

We look after ourselves and others. Balance means that we spend time on academic, emotional and physical needs; understand that we are connected to others and the world we live in.

Self-assessment Questions to know if we are BALANCED:

• Are you splitting your time equally between work & play?

• Are you prioritizing your time and identifying things you need to start or stop doing?

• Have you identified things that you are really good at, and things you really enjoy doing?

HOME CONNECTION

• Encourage children to participate in a wide variety of structured activities, such as soccer, Scouts, or ballet. There are currently virtual options for these types of activities that are often free.

• Discuss the food groups with children and have them help plan a balanced meal. Spend a few minutes during a mealtime deciding if what your family is eating is balanced.

• Let them assist with the grocery shopping list, and if ordering online, helping to find and pick out the items to go in the cart.

• Children have big eyes and big ears and notice everything you do. Role model being balanced. Spend time as a teacher, parent or family doing many different things.

BOOKS:

• Shark Lady by Marta Alavarez
• This is How We Do It by Matt Lamothe
• Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud
• The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield
• Barneby Never Forgets by Pierre Collett-Derby 
• There, There by Tim Beiser
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• The Boy that Wouldn’t Share by Mike Reiss
• Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
• Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle