Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! We are happy that your child will be part of
our learning community and are dedicated to making this a busy, productive, and
remarkable year for your child. As partners
in your child’s education, we will be communicating with you often about
classroom happenings, your child’s progress, and school events. We will be using a classroom blog in addition
to the grade level blog this year to post class specific updates and photos, so
please watch for more information about subscribing to those in the near future.
We hope this first newsletter will help answer some of your
initial questions.
Homework
A
homework sheet will be sent home on Mondays in your child’s homework folder.
Students should return their completed homework by Friday. Look for the first
homework folder to come home next Monday. If your child struggles with
his/her homework or needs more time than indicated, please write a note in his
or her Link book and return it with the homework.
Clothing
It is expected that all students wear the IST
school uniform (regular or PE on PE days) to school every day. Please be sure to send a hat with your child
for outside play: “No hat = play in the shade”.
Arrival
Our day begins promptly at 7:10 am. The classroom opens at 6:55. Early arrivals
must be supervised by a parent until school supervision begins at 6:50. Our morning meeting begins at 7:10 and
important learning begins then, so please make every effort to get your child
to school on time.
Sleep
Our days begin early and are very active. To help
your child get the most out of their day, please get them to bed at an early
hour. Children in the 8-9 years old age range typically need 8-10 hours of
sleep each night. Getting enough sleep
can make a huge difference.
Lunch/Snack/Water
To help promote a positive learning environment,
it is important for your child to eat nutritious foods. Please send a
nutritious snack and lunch each day. Chocolate,
cookies, biscuits, candy and soda pop are not permitted. Please be sure to
send a water bottle labeled with your child’s name to school each day.
Birthdays
Birthdays may be celebrated in class. Please contact me a day in advance if you
plan to send treats. You may send individual treats for students with
your child and I will plan a time for sharing them during the day. If
you choose to celebrate your child’s birthday outside of school, please
understand that invitations cannot be distributed in the classroom unless every
child in the class is invited.
Health
In case of a fever, persistent or serious cold or
cough, diarrhea or vomiting, please keep your child at home. Please notify the school or me if your child
will not be coming to school. If you anticipate a prolonged absence, please
notify me.
Toys
/ Personal Items
Please keep toys/personal items at home. No
dolls, cars, cards, balls, phones or electronic games should be brought to
school.
Communication
The third grade blog along with this classroom
blog will be the main tools used to share classroom happenings. Please be sure
that you are subscribed to receive an email when posts have been added to the
blogs. You can email me at mwipf@istafrica.com. You may also write me a
note and place it in your child’s Linkbook.
Please let me know of any changes at home (parents away, new nanny,
visitors, illnesses) that may affect your child.
Meet the Team
Melanie Wipf
I
grew up and attended school in South Dakota in the USA. This is my tenth year
of teaching and my first year at the International School of Tanganyika. I have
taught in international schools in Khartoum, Sudan and Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
This is my fifth year teaching at a PYP school. I love to travel and discover
new places. I also enjoy being outdoors, reading, playing group sports,
experimenting in the kitchen and practicing yoga.
Stephen
Likonga
This is my fifth year at IST as a teaching
assistant in the third grade. I am currently a student teacher at the Open
University of Tanzania working toward a Bachelor of Education specializing in
language subjects. I speak English and Kiswahili fluently along with a little
French. I enjoy meeting children, traveling, playing soccer, and swimming.
We are looking forward to sharing this year with you and your
child. If you have any queries, please
do not hesitate to ask. Appointments can
be scheduled through the school office or you can email me directly.
Sincerely,
Ms. Melanie
Wipf
mwipf@istafrica.com
