Elementary News

 

The wind doth blow,

And we shall have snow.

Part of a British Nursery Rhyme (16th century)

Three of the greatest words beginning with the letter s must be snowman, sledding and snow angel. That is certainly true if you are a child or perhaps an adult reliving some favourite winter activities. As a parent I always felt grateful that my own children had grown up with happy memories of snow filled winters. 

February 2021 will be remembered in Aberdeen as the month when significant snow returned after an 11-year absence. Our ISA families will have some wonderful memories at a time when we all needed something to cheer us up. 

The Return to School for PS- Grade 2

“You’ve got the run of the place!” 

Dr. Carmichael

From March 1st pre-school through grade 2 students and their teachers will return to in-person instruction. In a light heartened moment at one of our recent administration meetings the Middle/High School principal shared that the elementary students will have the school building to themselves after the February holiday. “You’ve got the run of the place!” was proclaimed for the youngest students. With perhaps, an overactive imagination I immediately pictured my kindergarten students marching to the top floor of the school outside the IB classrooms. Being back in school will present a number of opportunities, but perhaps not advanced chemistry. 

The return to school is happening because of a change in the Scottish guidelines. Although we have already shown how well we can manage in-person instruction during a pandemic from August to December, it is worth reminding everyone of the important protocols that continue to be so vital for everyone’s safety. 

• PS – Grade 2 students will continue to work within their own bubbles

• The wearing of face masks, hand sanitising and social distancing remain the 3 firm rules, including             on the bus

• Parents are required to fill in the Covid-19 forms daily for each of their children attending in-person             instruction

• The following of current quarantine rules

The return of only some of the students presents both new challenges and opportunities. Working closely together I’m confident we will continue to meet the needs of students, staff and parents through our strong and active partnership. Let’s all keep talking to each other as we navigate the changing conditions for learning. I remain hopeful that everyone will return to in-person instruction soon.

Some of the challenges:

• Divided families

Families will be delighted that the youngest children are back in school. But separation is not a complete positive and we all need to be aware of the potential impact on older and younger children when the nature of their experiences becomes so different. This might become most noticeable when PS-Grade 2 children attend full time school on a Wednesday. 

• Virtual and In-person Instruction

Teachers working 100% in person, with their own classes, need break and planning times, including from supervision and the mask wearing essential when in close contact with the students and each other. In addition, consideration needs to be given to specialist staff managing in-person instruction while rotating their time for grades 3 and up with virtual teaching. 

• Inconsistent timings

Families with older students will have some organisational challenges. K-2 students will need to be taken and collected from their bus stops. (Nearly 100% of the K-2 students will be riding the bus.) Elementary students begin instruction at 8:20 and MS/HS start at 8:40. Students should not arrive in school before 8:15. (Bus pick-up times will be arranged for a later arrival.) Any parents collecting their children should be at school for a prompt 3pm pick up.

 Some of the opportunities:

• Social skills are able to develop naturally

As I mentioned in my last Thistle article social development has been affected by the various lockdowns.  The students themselves said this in their recent surveys. We can’t wait to get our students working and playing together again!

• Instruction is more impactful

While we have succeeded, (applause to everyone), in a remarkable way with virtual learning, we have not reached 100 percent of our students. Some children have dropped their interest in learning and teachers and parents have found it challenging to motivate these students in a virtual context. In-person instruction will be able reignite student motivation and more readily provide meaningful challenge to every child. (I can’t wait to have students back in class!)

• Hot lunches will be available for Kindergarten - Grade 2 students

• Broad curriculum is enabled again

Thank goodness for the snow, which has provided an exciting outdoor activity and much needed physical exercise, and so much memorable social interaction. Physical activity, accompanied by social interaction is naturally a part of our specialist subjects like: PE, art, music and drama. It will be so good to return these classes back to the in-person context that allows for the most meaningful learning.

The snow is expected to remain on the ground through this weekend. I hope mums and dads can take time off from their own screens on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the family festival I'm calling Aberdeen’s 2021 Winter Wonderland.

Don Newbury

Elementary Principal