Eagle's Nest Week of 9-7-20

Updated Sept. 11th

Introducing Our Teachers!

Due to COVID-19 precautions, we are unable to host an Open House at this time. We have prepared videos for you so that you can meet our teachers.
ECC and Elementary Teachers
Specials Teachers
Student Support Teachers

Afternoon Pick-Up

Students will be dismissed at the front gate at 3:15 p.m. If you are not able to come on time, please contact Ms. Wu at extension 370

PhotoStream

Teachers are sharing pictures through PhotoStream. Scan the QR code below or click on the link to view your child’s class. You also have an option to download photos for personal use.

1st Grade
https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0a5qXGF1tPzRTu

2nd Grade
https://www.icloud.com.cn/sharedalbum/#B0UJtdOXmG7xO8s

3rd Grade
https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0xJtdOXmGxmVi2

4th Grade
https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0PGY8gBYHDrm6 

5th Grade
https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0fGI9HKKGSn82E

Sept. 4th

Greetings from the Elementary Team!

Welcome to the TIS Elementary, first graders and new students! It's great to have you join us. Welcome back, returning students! We are looking forward to a great year of learning and growing!

Elementary Handbook Form

Please sign and return the Handbook commitment form by Monday, September 14th. A digital copy of the handbook was sent out through email. A paper copy of the commitment form was sent home this week. Please contact the elementary secretary, Miss Christina Wu, at ext. 370 if you did not receive a copy or have any questions.

Updated Sept. 11th

Introducing Our Teachers!

Due to COVID-19 precautions, we are unable to host an Open House at this time. We have prepared videos for you so that you can meet our teachers.
Secondary Teachers
Specials Teachers
Student Support Teachers

Middle School Parent Update

Dear Middle School Parents,

We have had a good first couple of weeks of school. Below is a report of middle school this week. In the future, you can read this sort of information on the Eagle’s Nest. This is somewhat detailed, but is in the effort to answer some of your questions. I hope this helps!

The 6th graders have gotten used to their schedules. They like having different teachers for courses and they really like the extra choice they get at lunch time. They have shared that there isn’t enough recess in middle school, or that it is too short. It was explained to them that middle school has different expectations than elementary. I am excited to report that several girls have joined the boys to play soccer during their break times. They have been playing very well together. I was also told by a 6th grader yesterday that he loved playing soccer with the 7th graders. The 7th graders all seem to have enjoyed returning to school. They are getting along well in their classes and are showing new signs of maturity. But they also continue to grow in adolescence and they want more freedom but aren’t quite ready to have full success in it. I have been impressed with the 8th graders too. As a class they seem to work together well. They are attentive and engaged in their study. I’ve challenged them to be leaders in the middle school this year and to find someone younger they can help out.

House
Our student leadership has been voted into office and will be leading Houses. House is a student run program. House leaders are trained in leadership throughout the year and they arrange the schedule for their House meetings. Sometimes these students have specific jobs to do or competitions to prepare. Other times they arrange games for their House to play. Each house will pick a house color and are encouraged to wear that color for house meetings that take place on Monday. The Houses are made up of students in grade 6, 7 and 8 to help them build relationship across grades and to promote leadership and problem-solving skills so they are ready to move into high school responsibilities.

PowerSchool
I encourage you to review PowerSchool with your child on a weekly basis. Have a meeting to talk over their progress and success in classes. Teachers upload student assignments, grades, and notes about student progress and assignments on PowerSchool. You can also view student lunch card usage and what they are purchasing for lunch.

You will see grades in PowerSchool to show your child’s progress. To see more detail, click on the blue links. For example, under Q1, you can click on a class grade and this will show you your child’s report card. There you can read teacher comments, or see symbols that show if assignments are late, missing, not included in the overall grade, etc.

Lunch
We want our middle schoolers to make good choices at meal time and are confident they can. There are no restrictions on food at lunch time other than students are to only use their cards for themselves and that they need to eat in the cafeteria. Please talk with your child about making good choices at meal time. We encourage students to eat vegetables, and to eat a full meal. This is a challenge for some. Students have access to a variety of drinks and frozen treats at meal time. I encourage talking with your child and setting a limit of what they can purchase.

Students can still purchase lunch if their lunch card balance is below zero. But after a balance gets over 100RMB negative, they will be emailed to put money on their cards. You can put money on your student’s lunch card using WeChat or AliPay on their PowerSchool page under the “balance” tab.

Blue Slips
Students who have been disrespectful or who have not followed school rules as outlined in our Student Handbook may be given a blue slip. Blue slips are notices of warning that students need to follow school regulations. A second blue slip for the same issue will result in a detention after school. Students are given a red piece of paper for parents to sign that says they will have a detention and when. Parents also get an email in case the paper isn’t given to their parents. Detentions might include doing meaningful tasks around the school or sitting in a detention room for a period of time, filling out a self-reflection document and working quietly until their detention is over. If behavior still doesn’t change, I’ll request a meeting with you and your child to talk about their behavior and how we can work together to align their behavior to school behavior expectations. If this still doesn’t help, students may have an in-school suspension or out of school suspension. This is when students are removed from classes for a period of time as a punishment for their actions.

I share this so when your child talks about “getting a blue slip”, you have a better understanding of the process. For more information, please look at our Student Handbook that was emailed out about two weeks ago.

Teacher Communication
It is important for parents to know what is happening to better support their children. Teachers use PowerSchool as the primary tool for this communication. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress do not hesitate to contact their teacher directly using email. On PowerSchool, you can click the teacher’s name and that will give you their email address.

We work to teach students responsibility as they become middle schoolers. This means the focus is explaining things to students and not directly to parents. This is a shift from elementary, but students have success in it. For parents this can be difficult as they feel they know less than normal about weekly lessons and activities. The best way to follow middle school information is by checking the Eagle’s Nest. This is the school’s way to connect with families. It is also good to sign-up for the school WeChat channel if you have not already done so. You will still receive notices and emails to help keep you abreast of the school program.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Warmly,
Mr. Delzer

Sept. 4th

First Week of School

We had a great first week of school. The students seemed excited to be back in the classroom. The first week of school always has many new experiences, some are welcome and some are more difficult. Encourage your children to talk to their teachers with their problems. In the middle school we work to teach problem solving techniques and these take time to develop. But teaching students to advocate for themselves, to talk to others for help and to seek assistance if there is a problem they can’t solve are all all valuable and very worth it.

Technology

Now is the time to set limits and restrictions on device use in the home. Simply rejecting technology isn’t an option as it is a central part of our lives so parents need to learn to manage technology at home and to help their children learn to do the same. There are several ways we can support students in using their devices responsibly. Please consider:

• Keep devices public
• Keep Track of Time: After a certain time devices are turned off and put away.
• Do not allow the student to charge their devices where they can easily get to it without you knowing.
• Know passwords. Sit with them and have them show you their learning tools. Talk with them about them.
• Canvas
• PowerSchool
• OneNote or other note keeping program
• Email
• One thing at a time: discourage “Multitasking” when doing homework.
• Encourage uninterrupted rest/sleep. 6-13 year old children are recommended to get 9-11 hours of sleep a night.

Athletics

On Wednesday an email was sent explaining this year’s soccer plan. Respond to Mr. Heimer if you want to be on the soccer team this year. Practices start September 15.

Lunch Cards

Please make sure to keep money on your student’s lunch cards. You can find the balance, and items purchased, on PowerSchool.

Carrying Computers

To keep laptops and iPads safer from harm, students are to carry their devices in padded cases with handles. Please make sure that your child has a case to avoid damage to the device. Students are responsible for computer repairs so let's keep the computers safe.

Updated Sept. 11th

Introducing Our Teachers!

Due to COVID-19 precautions, we are unable to host an Open House at this time. We have prepared videos for you so that you can meet our teachers.
Secondary Teachers
Specials Teachers
Student Support Teachers

Updated Sept. 9th

The Yearbook is looking for more people!

Students, if you are interested in photography, design, art, etc. we’d love to have you join the Yearbook team. They need more help and all are encouraged to attend if you’re interested. After school on Thursday there will be a yearbook meeting. Students will get an email with the details.

Sept. 4thh

First Week of School

We had a great first week of school. The students seemed excited to be back in the classroom. The first week of school always has many new experiences, some are welcome and some are more difficult. Encourage your children to talk to their teachers with their problems. In the high school we work to teach problem solving techniques and these take time to develop. But teaching students to advocate for themselves, to talk to others for help and to seek assistance if there is a problem they can’t solve are all all valuable and very worth it.

Technology

Now is the time to set limits and restrictions on device use in the home. Simply rejecting technology isn’t an option as it is a central part of our lives so parents need to learn to manage technology at home and to help their children learn to do the same. There are several ways we can support students in using their devices responsibly. Please consider:

• Keep devices public
• Keep Track of Time: After a certain time devices are turned off and put away.
• Do not allow the student to charge their devices where they can easily get to it without you knowing.
• Know passwords. Sit with them and have them show you their learning tools. Talk with them about them.
• Canvas
• PowerSchool
• OneNote or other note keeping program
• Email
• One thing at a time: discourage “Multitasking” when doing homework.
• Encourage uninterrupted rest/sleep. 6-13 year old children are recommended to get 9-11 hours of sleep a night.

Athletics

On Wednesday an email was sent explaining this year’s volleyball plan. Respond to Mr. Heimer if you want to be on the volleyball team this year. Try-outs start September 14th.

Lunch Cards

Please make sure to keep money on your student’s lunch cards. You can find the balance, and items purchased, on PowerSchool.

Carrying Computers

To keep laptops and iPads safer from harm, students are to carry their devices in padded cases with handles. Please make sure that your child has a case to avoid damage to the device. Students are responsible for computer repairs so let's keep the computers safe.

Updated Sept. 11th

MS Soccer practice begins this coming Tuesday, September 15th. Practice runs each Tuesday and Thursday after school. Athletic practices will end in time for participants to ride the 5:10 bus home. Students will bring home a parent permission form the first day of practice. Permission form needs to be returned Thursday, September 17th, to the coach.

HS Volleyball try-outs begin this coming Monday, September 14th. Practice runs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after school. Athletic practices will end in time for participants to ride the 5:10 bus home. Students should bring home a parent permission form the first week of practices for a parent to sign. Permission form needs to be returned by Friday, September 18th, to the coach.

Sept. 2nd

MS Soccer

Practice begins September 15th. Practice runs each Tuesday and Thursday after school. Students will take the school bus home after practice.

HS Volleyball

Try-outs begin September 14th. Practice runs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after school. Students will take the school bus home after practice.

Click here for the pdf version of the lunch menus:
Lunch Menus 9/14/2020 - 9/25/2020