Today I have spent quite a lot of time (and mental energy!) on drafting my welcome message for the website. It is very important to me to try to capture in it what is special about our learning community- to make clear our values, our beliefs, our passions. My first attempt (I have just re-read it and a second will be necessary!) extols some lofty ideals and sets out some grand intentions. But while the expression needs work and the structure some tweaking, I hope you would agree with the underlying sentiments. It says (and it’s true) that my ambition- our ambition- is to change the world. How? Through our children, of course. If we can teach them empathy, humility and tolerance, if we can develop in them resilience, courage and curiosity, if we can equip them with creative, critical thinking and communication skills and enhance their leadership qualities then surely they will make the world a better place?
But these are tough challenges we are setting ourselves. How does one teach empathy….or humility? How does one develop curiosity or courage in a child? What is for certain is that neither you, nor we, can do it alone. In Africa, where I have spent so much of my life, we have a saying: “It takes a whole village to raise a child”. If we are to succeed in delivering on our commitment to a values-based education that produces responsible outstanding citizens,- young men and women who will go out and change the world- then we will need to work together.
¡Feliz fin de semana!
Words from the Head of Primary
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are excited that the ABC is up and running and it has been a great start to the year. It seems as if we had never been away. Children are back in their classes with smiling faces and an enthusiasm for learning. They are getting to know new routines and having fun with their friends. Teachers are getting to know their new students and are busy preparing lessons. We have a wonderful team of teachers and support staff, who are committed to giving all our children at ABC many opportunities to learn and experience new things. However, we cannot do it alone so developing positive relationships with parents and the community is vital. This ensures a partnership that will last as long as your child is at school.
‘Effort leads to Success’ is at the heart of what makes this school successful because we put in the effort to ensure children are valued, respected and cared for.
Board Policy on Hair and Jewelry- Parents are kindly asked to ensure their child/children comply with Board policy on hair and jewelry. The policy is on our website and a requirement of children coming to the ABC is to follow the policies set by the Board.
Girls- Hair must be tied back for activities where it may interfere with learning or be a safety hazard. No nail polish. Only one pair of stud earrings.
Boys- Hair must be neat and tidy, is cut around their ears and must not extend over their collar. It must not need tying back
Chewing Gum- Chewing gum is not permitted at school
Your cooperation in these matters would be greatly appreciated.
This week we held our Welcome Back to School Nights. I hope you were able to come along and get more information about your child’s teacher. We thank all the parents who attended. Teachers were pleased to meet everyone and were keen to explain how the class is organised, what the daily routines are and answering questions.
This year we have two whole Primary focuses which we would like parents to know and act upon them. They are:
Words from the Head of Primary
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are excited that the ABC is up and running and it has been a great start to the year. It seems as if we had never been away. Children are back in their classes with smiling faces and an enthusiasm for learning. They are getting to know new routines and having fun with their friends. Teachers are getting to know their new students and are busy preparing lessons. We have a wonderful team of teachers and support staff, who are committed to giving all our children at ABC many opportunities to learn and experience new things. However, we cannot do it alone so developing positive relationships with parents and the community is vital. This ensures a partnership that will last as long as your child is at school.
‘Effort leads to Success’ is at the heart of what makes this school successful because we put in the effort to ensure children are valued, respected and cared for.
Board Policy on Hair and Jewelry- Parents are kindly asked to ensure their child/children comply with Board policy on hair and jewelry. The policy is on our website and a requirement of children coming to the ABC is to follow the policies set by the Board.
Girls- Hair must be tied back for activities where it may interfere with learning or be a safety hazard. No nail polish. Only one pair of stud earrings.
Boys- Hair must be neat and tidy, is cut around their ears and must not extend over their collar. It must not need tying back
Chewing Gum- Chewing gum is not permitted at school
Your cooperation in these matters would be greatly appreciated.
This week we held our Welcome Back to School Nights. I hope you were able to come along and get more information about your child’s teacher. We thank all the parents who attended. Teachers were pleased to meet everyone and were keen to explain how the class is organised, what the daily routines are and answering questions.
This year we have two whole Primary focuses which we would like parents to know and act upon them. They are:
- Wearing seat belts saves lives- always buckle your children into a seat belt
- Healthy eating supports children’s learning- try and make home-made lunches
Upper Primary use the HCB, which is a very valuable tool for communication between the school and parents and it also contains information regarding drop off and pick up hours, Pass Club, the IPC process of learning, homework, school expectations and different school policies, rules and guidelines. The ABC Values and learning goals can also be found there. Please make the most of it. LP will soon be receiving reading folders for home.
If you want to know more about events and dates, you can always check them on line using the Whole School Calendar in Google or the Main Dates for the current school year, which can be found on the school’s website. www.abc.edu.sv
Extra Curricular Activities have begun and all children who signed for a Club can now stay after school. Please check the dates and times when the Clubs meet. This information is in the letter of invitation you received from Ms Luz Elena Huezo recently.
Keeping healthy involves a number of things including healthy eating, exercise, plenty of sleep, drinking water, mental health, staying safe and being loved. Mental health is a very important indicator of keeping healthy. The poster gives parents ideas to support positive mental health for their child/children.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris
An information book which explains to readers the history of the Statue of Liberty. Surprisingly the story begins in France where the Statue of Liberty was designed and first assembled before being taken apart and shipped to New York. After introducing a variety of interesting facts, almost halfway through the book Dave Eggers reveals the reason for the book’s title by making readers closely consider the statue’s right foot and realise that she is not standing still.
The text by Dave Eggers, known for his groundbreaking books for adults, is engaging and often humorous and well integrated with the collage illustrations of Shawn Harris.
Dates for your diary
Lower Primary
September
Friday 13th - 1st Ware assembly - 7:30am - PAC
Monday 16th - Independence Day (National holiday, school closed)
Tuesday 17th - Staff INSET Day (School closed for students)
Friday 20th - 1st. Padilla assembly - 7:30am - PAC
Friday 27th - 1st. Carbajal assembly - 7:30am - PAC
Upper Primary
August
Thursday 29th - Arcadia: Class of 2021 Circus
Friday 30th - Arcadia: Class of 2021 Circus
An information book which explains to readers the history of the Statue of Liberty. Surprisingly the story begins in France where the Statue of Liberty was designed and first assembled before being taken apart and shipped to New York. After introducing a variety of interesting facts, almost halfway through the book Dave Eggers reveals the reason for the book’s title by making readers closely consider the statue’s right foot and realise that she is not standing still.
The text by Dave Eggers, known for his groundbreaking books for adults, is engaging and often humorous and well integrated with the collage illustrations of Shawn Harris.
Dates for your diary
Lower Primary
September
Friday 13th - 1st Ware assembly - 7:30am - PAC
Monday 16th - Independence Day (National holiday, school closed)
Tuesday 17th - Staff INSET Day (School closed for students)
Friday 20th - 1st. Padilla assembly - 7:30am - PAC
Friday 27th - 1st. Carbajal assembly - 7:30am - PAC
Upper Primary
August
Thursday 29th - Arcadia: Class of 2021 Circus
Friday 30th - Arcadia: Class of 2021 Circus
Words from the Head of Secondary
Dear parents and carers,
It has been a wonderful start to the school year and we are happy to see our students back on campus; whether it be in lessons, around the cafeteria at break or lunch, in the LRC or on the football field, it is wonderful how their enthusiasm and energy is contagious. Thank you to all parents who are making an effort in arriving punctually to school in order for their children not to miss their positive start to the day. It is important to remember that excellent attendance (no less than 95%) and punctuality are a vital component for academic and social/ emotional success at school.
Dear parents and carers,
It has been a wonderful start to the school year and we are happy to see our students back on campus; whether it be in lessons, around the cafeteria at break or lunch, in the LRC or on the football field, it is wonderful how their enthusiasm and energy is contagious. Thank you to all parents who are making an effort in arriving punctually to school in order for their children not to miss their positive start to the day. It is important to remember that excellent attendance (no less than 95%) and punctuality are a vital component for academic and social/ emotional success at school.
Thank you so much for the attendance at the Know Your School Information sessions this week! We have Grade 7 and Grade 8 KYS next week and G11 and G12 in two week’s time. It is very important that you make time to attend these sessions and see what is happening this year. Please remember that your child will sit with you as we include these sessions under our Parent Partnership programme and this means that we will cover topics which will be useful conversations for both you and your child at home. This week we included topics like the Dangers of Vaping and vaping culture in teens, how to help our children become more independent and develop Self- Efficacy strategies as well as how to manage priorities and have an effective Life/ Work balance. Thank you to the Pastoral and LSU teams for all their work in putting together these information sessions.
Also in these sessions, we are distributing our Parent Charter which outlines our Rights and Responsibilities as ABC parents. Thank you to the President of the Parent Association for joining us in these sessions and reminding us of the importance of working together with other parents and with school in a spirit of trust and support. We encourage all parents to model the support we want our children to feel towards the school in order to have the happiest and best learning environment where they can and will thrive.
Don’t forget to purchase your tickets!
We held our Extra Curricular Fair today at lunchtime and I ask that you speak with your children at home to discuss which activities and clubs they will be joining this year and how they can use these opportunities for growth.
I would like to share with you a video by Jay Shetty which all our students watched and reflected upon at our Welcome Back to School assembly. Here is the link. I hope you can watch at home and discuss with them, what I asked them to think about:
Have a wonderful weekend.
Kind regards,
Natalia Cáceres Escalón
Head of Secondary School
Dates for your diary
August
Monday 26th - Grade 7 Know Your School meeting with Parents, 7am-PAC
Tuesday 27th - Grade 8 Know Your School meeting with Parents, 7am-PAC
Thursday 29th - Grade 11 CIRCUS
Friday 30th - Grade 11 CIRCUS
September
Monday 2nd - Grade 11 Know Your School meeting with Parents, 7am-PAC
Tuesday 3rd - Grade 12 Know Your School meeting with Parents, 7am-PAC
Monday 16th - Independence Day (National holiday, school closed)
Tuesday 17th - Staff INSET Day (School closed for students)
Also in these sessions, we are distributing our Parent Charter which outlines our Rights and Responsibilities as ABC parents. Thank you to the President of the Parent Association for joining us in these sessions and reminding us of the importance of working together with other parents and with school in a spirit of trust and support. We encourage all parents to model the support we want our children to feel towards the school in order to have the happiest and best learning environment where they can and will thrive.
Don’t forget to purchase your tickets!
We held our Extra Curricular Fair today at lunchtime and I ask that you speak with your children at home to discuss which activities and clubs they will be joining this year and how they can use these opportunities for growth.
I would like to share with you a video by Jay Shetty which all our students watched and reflected upon at our Welcome Back to School assembly. Here is the link. I hope you can watch at home and discuss with them, what I asked them to think about:
Have a wonderful weekend.
Kind regards,
Natalia Cáceres Escalón
Head of Secondary School
Dates for your diary
August
Monday 26th - Grade 7 Know Your School meeting with Parents, 7am-PAC
Tuesday 27th - Grade 8 Know Your School meeting with Parents, 7am-PAC
Thursday 29th - Grade 11 CIRCUS
Friday 30th - Grade 11 CIRCUS
September
Monday 2nd - Grade 11 Know Your School meeting with Parents, 7am-PAC
Tuesday 3rd - Grade 12 Know Your School meeting with Parents, 7am-PAC
Monday 16th - Independence Day (National holiday, school closed)
Tuesday 17th - Staff INSET Day (School closed for students)
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