Welcome to the Elementary
Office Page!
01, August 2010
Dear Elementary School
Families,
I hope that
you had a most relaxing, peaceful and safe summer with family and
friends! In spite of the inclement weather that persisted in Europe
this summer, I enjoyed a wonderful time with family and friends in
England, Ireland and the USA.
I extend a very
warm welcome or a special welcome back to the 2010-11 school year
at ISK. This is my
fifth year as elementary school (ES) principal and I am delighted
to be part of this wonderful school, supporting such a dedicated
team of professionals who will be working closely with your
children.
In just
ten days time we will
begin the 2010-11 school year. Currently we are busy testing our
new students, finalizing class lists for the year ahead and putting
the final touches to the classrooms and surrounds! Our numbers are looking
very good for the year, with already a waiting list in some
grades!
Some information you might find
useful at this point in time is as follows:
-
We look forward to seeing all new families at our New Family
Orientation on Saturday 7, August between 11.00-2.00pm
-
We look forward to welcoming all students back on Tuesday 10,
August. School hours are as follows: Pre-Kindergarten: 8.35-12.00
noon; Kg- Grade one- 8.35-3.20pm. and Grades 2-5: 8.20-3.20pm. Please note that all
students will be dismissed at 3.20pm.
-
Buses will run as usual for families using this mode of
transport.
-
The Elementary School Office hours until we open school are as
follows: 8.00am-4.00pm. Please contact us should you need
any additional information at this time
-
The PTO have been very busy preparing supply packs for each grade
level and these are available at the New Family Orientation on
Saturday or from the PTO shop each morning from Monday 2,
August.
-
Class lists will be finalized on the Monday before school begins
(i.e. Monday 2nd August) and you are welcome to contact us should
you wish to confirm which class your child is in (e.g. 2C, 2D, or
2S). The 2010-11 Class lists will also be posted outside the
elementary school office and also outside each classroom.
-
If you are new, please do not worry, just come to the elementary
office on the first day and we will take you to your child’s
classroom.
-
For the first week and a half after school opens i.e.
12-14th. August all students need to bring their own
lunch. The canteen
will meanwhile be putting out information on how you can sign up
for their hot lunch programme (if you wish to). This programme is expected to
begin from Monday 18th. August.
The interest
in enrolling in our elementary school continued to increase very
significantly over the holiday period. Over the days ahead we will
be helping many more new families settle in. To our returning
families, welcome back and we look forward to seeing you on campus
again! At the end of
the first day back, all students will go home with a letter from
the homeroom teachers giving you more information on grade level
guidelines and requirements. Each elementary school family will
also receive the 2009-10 Parent/Student Handbook during the first
days of school. I
would ask that you read through this carefully as the information
in this book gives you
comprehensive details on procedures and guidelines. After School Activities will
begin towards the end of August. Dismissal for all students until
that time is 3.20pm.
The issue of
safety and security continues to be at the front in our
school. We ask that
all families support us by informing the school of any changes to
your basic information regarding phone numbers, emergency contact
numbers, if the parents/guardians may be traveling etc. If you need to take your child
off campus before regular dismissal time PLEASE NOTE you are
requested to get an ‘orange card’ from the Elementary
School Office. Our
security at the gate will not permit a student to leave campus
without this card.
This is a strict order to them for all our students’
protection and safety.
Good
communication is and will remain a priority for us. We encourage open and ongoing
dialogue between school and home to ensure that we are working as
partners in education of our students. To keep you updated the
Elementary Express (ES Express) is the fortnightly elementary
newsletter that goes home to all families, via the youngest
sibling. It contains
news of past and future events, important dates, current issues
etc. Of course you
will be receiving ongoing communication from your child’s
teacher and news from the wider school community (including the
elementary school) will come to you in the weekly Thursday
Thoughts, which goes home each Thursday. Our first ES Express will go home
on 19th. August. Please also ensure that you give
us your updated email contact, as this is another way we frequently
communicate with our parents.
Both Fareen
Lalani-Butt (ESO Administrative Assistant) and Lillian Livondo (ESO
secretary) are responsible for the smooth running of the elementary
school office and will do a wonderful job ensuring that your
queries are promptly addressed.
I look
forward to seeing all our elementary families on campus next week.
There is always tea/coffee available in the ESO so please stop by
for a chat, to say hello or to share your commendations or
recommendations. Please do not hesitate to contact the elementary
school office or myself, should you require any further
clarification that will enable you to become fully informed about
your child’s programme this year.
I am looking
forward to a wonderful year in partnership and see you very
soon!
Patricia Salleh
Matta
Elementary School Principal
The International School of Kenya
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