Principal's Pen

ECC & Elementary

Dear Parents,

The Christmas season is upon us, and it continues to be my favorite time of year! It’s such a wonderful opportunity to slow down and cherish the joy and togetherness of this special season. While we may not always have snow in our region, the crisp, cool winter air still brings a sense of magic to this time of year.

This school year, we’re thrilled to celebrate with a variety of events and traditions that highlight the festive spirit:

• Annual Door Decorating Contest: The much-anticipated Door Decorating Contest is back! Judging took place today. This activity offers a chance for students to collaborate creatively, and we can’t wait for you to see the fantastic displays during the Christmas Concert tonight.

• Seasonal Concerts: The ECC and Elementary Christmas Concert is tonight, and we are looking forward to seeing you all here. Tonight, the students will showcase their hard work and holiday spirit through music and song.

I hope you can join us for these memorable events and share in the joy of the season. Thank you for being a part of our school community, and let’s make this holiday season one to remember.

Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas season,

Miss Barsalou


Secondary

Dear Parents,

The cold and concerts can only mean one thing...Christmas! I hope you and your family are able to have a restful and restorative break. But before we can rest from all the hard work this semester, we have semester exams! Exams will be next week Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday and Thursday are normal school days that end at 3:30 p.m. Friday is a half day with buses leaving school at 11:30 a.m. A reminder that Middle School students will ride their normal buses in the morning and keep the usual school hours. High School students, after you sign an early release/late arrival form, can arrive late, if they are not taking a morning exam, and can leave school early as long as they have no more exams.

I know finals can be stressful, but I have three bits of advice to help students do their best:

1. Get plenty of rest. To do well on an exam, it could be tempting to try to stay up all night studying. However, your brain remembers facts and can function better when you have adequate sleep.
2. Limit caffeine. Similarly, too much caffeine will create crashes in energy and leave you more tired than before.
3. Trust your teachers and all your hard work. You’ve been preparing for this exam all semester. Take a deep breath. You got this!

In addition, don’t forget to come to the Christmas Bazaar tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This will be a great time to buy everything on your Christmas list, enjoy festive food, and win prizes from all our sponsors! I will be there with my family and look forward to seeing you with yours!

Lastly, we have two more events next week, that I want to make sure I mention. One is our High School STUCO banquet. STUCO has planned a memorable event, and the annual banquet is always a great way to celebrate the end of the semester. Busing will be provided to and from the event. The banquet kicks off at 6:00 p.m. at the Conrad Hotel and will be an incredible event. Well done, STUCO.

Middle School will also have an opportunity to celebrate their hard work on December 20th. Middle School House leaders have been hard at work planning an awesome event after the half day of school on Friday. Students will order food, play games, win prizes, and bond together as a class and by House. Students will stay at school and the event will begin at 11:30 a.m. The party lasts until 3:30 p.m., and all students will take their normal school buses home. Well done, middle school House leaders, I can’t wait to see everyone there!

On a personal note, during Christmas, I am always reminded of the promise of renewal. It is a time to gather together, eat good food and practice generosity with gift-giving. May you, even for a few days, find rest and give graciously to others.

Regards,

Mr. Way

School Wide Announcements

ECC and Elementary Christmas Concert

Christmas Bazaar

December 20
The last day of Semester 1 is a half-day of school. Students will be dismissed at 11:15 a.m. and buses will depart at 11:30 a.m.

Divisional News

ECC & Elementary

Elementary LEVEL
Classes have finished for this semester and will resume on January 13.

Guidance Counselor

AP Extra Practice (VPN Needed)
https://www.youtube.com/@advancedplacement

11th Grade Parents:

NOW is the time to begin making your University “shortlist”

1. Where/in what country do you want to study?
2. What major do you want to pursue?

Curious about SNU?
Find information here: https://en.snu.ac.kr/admission/overview/faq/admission

Athletics

Normal practice for HS Basketball and MS Volleyball.

PTO

Health Office

The winter is coming, and the following period is the most susceptible time to catch a cold. At this time, we need to pay attention to personal hygiene and keep warm to prevent infectious diseases. Because infectious diseases are widely spreading in the city currently, especially among lower-grade students, it would be easy to catch them and should be paid attention to. Please help us to maintain a safe and healthy environment at school by not sending your child to school if they are ill, have a cough or runny nose that cannot be independently controlled inside a classroom, fever at or above 37.7˚C (100˚F), rash related with illness (hand-foot-mouth disease, chicken pox, measles, roseola, etc.), or have vomited or had diarrhea (three or more watery stools in a day) from sickness in the past 24 hours. Even if your children get a lower fever (below 37.7˚C), with any feeling unwell, it’s the best way to let them rest sufficiently at home until full recovery. Your child must be fever-free for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medication to return to school.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep TIS a healthy and safe environment.

House Points Total