PARENT UPDATES 31 January, 2021
FROM OUR DIRECTOR Dear Parents,
As you know, here at Fairgreen we spend a great deal of time and energy on the wellbeing and physical, social and emotional health of our students. This directly supports their academic progress, and this is so important, particularly during such challenging times. Recently our teachers have increased their focus on learning data. Since Fairgreen opened almost three years ago, we have been collecting data related to our children's reading and writing ability, mathematical skills and knowledge, scientific understanding and other areas of importance.
We combine each data source to develop a 'body of evidence'. This tells the story of each child's learning. We look closely for any anomalies, and data that conflicts or contradicts another source of data and we make judgments and predictions based on this data. Overall, we can see students making great progress. This is so important because global meta-analyses suggest student learning loss during the pandemic will be significant.
When the southern states of the US were hit by Hurricane Katrina back in 2005, it was estimated that a period of two years worth of learning was lost by most students. A very recent study assessing the probable impact of Covid-19 on student learning suggested that globally, reading ability will decrease by only a marginal amount, as most parents feel comfortable reading with their children at home and reading is an easier area to support. However, maths development is projected to drop quite significantly.
We are so lucky that the majority of our students are actually in school and have been learning in an almost normal sense since September. For those on distance learning, they are able to access the classroom, the teacher and the learning. Any learning loss is therefore negated and the fact that most students are making at least expected progress and often, more than expected progress, is such great news. Wherever your child is on their learning journey, it's important that we track their progress carefully and set goals that will challenge them.
We have had a few cases of Covid-19 in school, around 15 since the pandemic began last March. Although this number is far lower than most schools have experienced, we still need to be very cautious in our activities here at school and at home. When a case is discovered or reported to us, we will contact DHA immediately and normal practice is to close down that classroom for a period of either 48 hours or ten days. The classroom is of course sanitised in the meantime. DHA make the call on the length of absence, not us. They have been very quick to respond, and helpful with their advice. I would also like to thank the parents of those students who had to go onto distance learning with them. The response from our Fairgreen parent population has been exceptional, as always.
Recently I have seen a number of road traffic accidents here in Dubai. Fortunately the occupants of each car appeared to escape with only minor injuries. However, my first thought is always whether any of our own students here at Fairgreen have been involved. Thankfully this has not been the case. The research on wearing seatbelts is so clear, it really makes no sense to go without, especially for children. In the US for example, more than half of all RTA fatalities amongst young people are not wearing seatbelts. In and around the school campus, we should all be exercising the highest possible standards of safety, driving at a snail's pace in case a child steps out onto the road, and ensuring our children remain in their seats with their seat belt fastened, right until the car stops. If you do not follow these practices, please do so from now on. Thank you all again for adopting the reverse parking strategy so well. Let's keep our children safe and healthy.
Have a great week,
Graeme Scott Director
FROM OUR PRINCIPALS Dear Parents, We hope that you are all keeping safe and well. As the situation continues to be dynamic and the number of cases of COVID 19 increase, we wanted to clarify our Distance Learning (DL) protocols. The updated DL policy for both Early Years and PYP/MYP can be found HERE or on our website under the "Community" tab. We understand that there is some anxiety around the current Covid situation and request that you contact us as shown below:
If you are opting for DL it should be for a substantial period of time (around 2 weeks) to ensure continuity which will support your child's learning. Please email your child's homeroom teacher and copy in info@fairgreen.ae with information about the length of time you anticipate your child will be on DL, before 4pm the day prior to absence. If your child is on DL due to quaraniting or similar, please follow the procedures sent out by the school, email the Health and Safety officer at sbukhari@fairgreen.ae and also copy in your child's homeroom teacher.
Thanks very much for your support in following these procedures.
Seema Desai Secondary Principal
Matt Greenwood Primary Principal
FROM THE KHDA Dear Parents,
Every year, we encourage students' parents to take part in the annual KHDA survey, which gives our team insights about your school, and all schools in Dubai. This year is no different.
The KHDA Parents' Survey, #BecauseYouSaidSo, is open now until Thursday, February 11. It takes just 10 minutes to complete. Many parents in Dubai have already received a link to the survey by email. The more parents who complete the survey, we better insights we'll get. Please take the survey via this link.
We'll be sharing the overall results of the survey with everyone in our community in the next few weeks. As an extra incentive, each parent who takes part in the survey will go into the draw to win a free annual pass to Dubai Parks & Resorts.
As ever, we are grateful for your support and cooperation.
Regards,
Knowledge & Human Development Authority
IMPORTANT DATES NOW through 4 February: Fairgreen's Got Talent!
Our House leaders are excited to announce the Fairgreen's Got Talent Inter-House Virtual Talent Show. Students must send their recorded submissions by 4 February. See below flyer for details and below House update.
31 Jan - 7 February: Homegrown Cook-off!
Join the fun! Ask your kids to share their Homegrown Cook-off Photos and Videos by tagging us on social media! (see below)
9 February: Early Release & Dress Down Day
Please see below for timing and dress down information for our next Early Release Day.
HOUSE UPDATE EARLY RELEASE DRESS DOWN DAY
Students can earn one house point for their house by participating in the Dress Down Day next week for Early Release Day on 9 February. The theme is: "FANtastic February" where students can dress in their favourite sports team colours or as someone they admire.
HOUSE POINTS TOTAL
Aqua continue to lead the way with Ignis managing to overtake Terra and climb to second place. Caeli are still in fourth place but are close to catching Terra now. FAIRGREEN'S GOT TALENT
Get inspired! CLICK HERE to view the instructions for your child on submitting their recording to the Fairgreen's Got Talent Inter-House Competion!
Please remember to upload your audition clip for Fairgreen's Got Talent to your House Padlet. The QR codes for the Padlets are below.
Please encourage your children to enter into the Inter-House Talent Show.
How to enter:
What happens next?
Talent Show Viewing All classes will be able to watch the Talent Show in class on Thursday, 25 February, and we will share with parents online as well.
What kind of acts can enter? You can audition with any talent, here are some examples:
We love to see a variety of talents!
Please note: If you have a talent that involves singing or playing a musical instrument there is going to be a Music Inter-house Competition later this year so save it for then (and get practising).
E-WASTE RECYCLING IS HERE It is always difficult to throw away all of those electronics you have laying around the home taking up space and collecting dust. Now, Fairgreen has a great partnership with E-Scrappy recycling program. They will take everything from your old printer to used batteries. You will find the E-waste recycling bin next to the single use plastic water bottle recycling bin (Simply Bottles Recycling Bin).
HIGHLIGHTS Fairgreen's IBDP & IBCP Features in Gulf News
Featured in Gulf News, read the buzz about our new IBDP & IBCP that will launch this coming 2021-22 school year pending IB authorization expected by summer. Exciting! https://gulfnews.com/.../fairgreen-international-school...
Our Culture of Care As Featured in Edarabia
Edarabia interviews Director Graeme Scott about Fairgreen's recent recognition as a Common Sense School for our efforts to teach online safety and to provide an environment committed to guiding students to use technology responsibly and safely. He also shares how we are continually striving to cultivate a caring and supportive school community. Please read the article at https://www.edarabia.com/students-need-care-support.../
Grade 5 Produces Beautiful Artwork Inspired by Contemporary Artist, Environmentalist and Architect
Friedensreich Hundertwasser was an Austrian environmentalist, painter and architect, famous for his unique and visionary paintings and buildings that reflected his philosophy of the compatible interaction between human beings and nature. Designing buildings that were sympathetic to the environment and rejecting the straight lines, block shapes and dull colours often used in architecture in favour of more natural shapes and bold colours and patterns. Mrs Clarke's Grade 5 have studied his life and work in art lessons and produced a final piece inspired by his beautiful work and ideas.
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