PARENT UPDATES 11 October, 2020
NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR Dear Parents,
Yesterday was World Mental Health Day. I spoke to our MYP students about this last week and mentioned that, whereas physical health is a multi-million dollar business, mental health does not have the same appeal. However, it is so important that our young people are able to advocate for themselves and come forward when they need help. Now more than ever, children of all ages are facing such varied challenges. They need to know that there are adults (and also peers) that can help them. The creation of our Fairgreen Wellbeing Champions is a great step forward. These are students who are prepared to provide extra support to their peers and also to connect them with those who can help more. If there is one advancement we have seen in global society recently, that fills me with hope, it is the recognition of mental health issues and the acceptance that they can happen to anyone. Now we are seeing major world figures (global leaders, sportsmen and sportswomen, entertainers etc.) speak about their own challenges and this makes it just a little easier for others to come forward. Wellbeing has always been at the forefront of our values here at Fairgreen and it will continue to be as we all navigate these complex times together.
Director
IMPORTANT DATES Week of Oct 11-15: Wellbeing Workshops for Parents, Teachers and Staff & Activities for Students Our Head of Counselling and Wellbeing Team have been busy arranging for opportunities this week and last week in support of Mental Health Awareness this month. Parents, teachers and staff, we hope you will join the Wellbeing Webinars they have scheduled with these amazing mental health professionals. Mark your calendars to attend!
Tuesday, 13 October, 9am-10am Understanding & Communicating with Pre-Teens and Teens CLICK HERE for the Zoom link Meeting ID: 856 9180 8891
Wednesday, 14 October, 5:15pm-6pm Male Mental Health: Talking to Boys about Emotions and Wellbeing CLICK HERE for the Zoom link Meeting ID: 871 6614 0455
The Wellbeing Team has also organized special wellbeing activities for students that will take place throughout this week. They will be enjoying wellbeing storytime, a visit to our Happiness Tree, mindfulness mornings in homeroom, a Jazzy morning welcome mid-week and PYP Learner Profile awards.
Thursday, 15 October: Parent Teacher Conferences (NO SCHOOL) We look forward to meeting with you on Thursday 15th October for our Parent / Teacher Conferences being hosted via Zoom. Please note this is a NO SCHOOL day for students. You can book your appointment online using SchoolsBuddy. Please look back to last week for an email with additional details on scheduling your child's Parent Teacher conferences.
18 - 22 October: Half-Term Break (NO SCHOOL)
FROM OUR CURRICULUM DIRECTOR Dear Parents,
This week marks another big milestone in the school's history. The PYP will be taking part in a two-day International Baccalaureate Programme Verification visit. Throughout the visit, teachers, students and some parents will be meeting with a team of IB representatives. The team will check our unit planning, teaching and learning practices and school-wide process to ensure alignment with the standards and practices of the IB/PYP. This is the final step of a year-long process where the school works with a consultant and other members of the PYP. The process is supportive and encouraging and we have had positive feedback throughout.
Once again, thank you to all of you for your full support as we continue to build Fairgreen into a supportive, purposeful place to learn.
David Gerber Curriculum Director
Our Primary Years Programme of Inquiry Wall featuring the Units of Inquiry for each PYP grade and a summary of the elements of each unit that students will be learning during the school year.
WELLBEING WEEK: A MESSAGE FROM OUR PYP PHASE LEADER Dear Parents,
To echo the message from our Head of Counselling, Ms. Jackie Greenwood, at Fairgreen we focus on student wellbeing everyday. We are excited to share with you a bit more information about how we are building wellbeing and community in school.
What is YouHue? Some schools in the region, including Fairgreen, have adopted YouHue, which is an app that enables children to self express their emotions using emojis. How students feel has a big impact on how they behave, how they learn, and how they connect with others. YouHue helps to empower students to understand their emotions so they can better manage and communicate them. When students express themselves through YouHue, it helps teachers better understand each of their learners as individuals. We have Grade 2-5 students using YouHue on a daily basis to develop the foundation for social-emotional skills, a growth mindset, and communication of needs.
What do our students think about YouHue?
You've got to know me to grow me! 🌱 JIGSAW in EYP & PYP Another way we support our students' physical, social and emotional development at Fairgreen is through our JIGSAW programme. JIGSAW is a series of interactive units that give children relevant learning experiences to help them navigate their world and to develop positive relationships with themselves and others. With strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health, it also includes mindfulness, which allows children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus. In Prek-G5, students interact, share their thinking, and help problem solve scenarios with their JIGSAW characters.
Each puzzle (lesson) in JIGSAW is an opportunity to explore and inquire into a different aspect of the unit. Lasting around 6-7 weeks, each unit/theme is an opportunity for students to gain new perspectives, knowledge, compassion and empathy. Our next puzzle starting after the Mid Term Break is called''CELEBRATING DIFFERENCES'. During this unit students will explore topics such as… How are we different? What makes us unique? How can I show respect towards others? What do I need to know about the UAE culture in order to be a good citizen? What connections do I have with other cultures? Students will be given the opportunity to self reflect and identify areas of support, setting goals and intentions not only as an individual but by looking at how we can positively affect the wider community and environment.
Kind regards,
Lirene Burger PYP Phase Leader
'If you take care of your mind, you take care of the world.' - Arianna Huffington
MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD OF INCLUSION Dear Parents,
October marks ADHD awareness month. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults around the globe. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.
Best regards,
Ali Scott Head of Inclusion
HOUSE COMPETITIONS UPDATE HOUSE POINTS
It has been a great week for both Terra and Aqua who have caught up a lot but Ignis are just hanging on to the lead. Keep working hard, students!
HIGHLIGHTS WELLBEING WEEK AND THE HAPPINESS TREE
Our littlest students in Pre-KG through Grade 1 will be getting a visit this week from the 'Happiness Fairies and Eunice the Unicorn' who are telling a sweet story written by our Head of Counselling Mrs Jackie Greenwood and illustrated by our Wellbeing Intern Mrs Aoife Mohan called""The Fairgreen Fairies and the Happiness Tree"" which emphasizes the importance of seeing happiness as a journey and how important it is to appreciate the little things and to spread kindness and care for others. After the story, students follow the fairies and Eunice the Unicorn to the Happiness Tree where they hang up each child's happy wish for the world. Our many thanks to Ms Jackie, Ms Cathie and Ms Aoife for going above and beyond to give this special experience to our students.
KG2's BIG CELEBRATION!
This past Thursday was a perfect day for a celebration! KG2 recently started a new Unit of Inquiry called "Who We Are" and they are learning all about celebrations. What is a celebration? What are different kinds of celebrations? What celebrations do each of them enjoy? They had a KG2 celebration where they first decorated and prepared their classrooms with fancy garlands made out of the number six - for six weeks of school completed - then they got to enjoy the party, which included socially distanced games, like musical chairs and balloon drop, and a surprise snack box brought from home with special party treats!
DRESS LIKE A TEACHER DAY
In honor of World Teacher's Day last week, our students enjoyed a 'Dress Like a Teacher' Spirit Day. Check out some of their clever costumes!
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