General Announcements
This Week in Pictures
Counselors Corner
ECC Announcements
Elementary Announcements
Middle School Announcements
High School Announcements
Athletic Announcements
Dates to Remember
General Announcements
Principals' Coffee
On Wednesday, March 12 @ 10:00 AM we will be hosting our last Principals Coffee for the school year. Come join as we celebrate Spring! During the sessions we will have a special presentation from our Health Clinic on Air Quality and the recent high pollution days we have been experiencing. After the Principals’ Coffee, we invite you to stay for lunch then join us for the Parent Health Seminar in the afternoon. See more below.
We encourage parents to come along to hear from our divisional principals. This is your opportunity to hear first hand what is going on in the school. We want to be able to answer your questions well. To do this we need you to get them to us by Monday, March 10 @ 4:00 PM. You can submit your suggestions, questions or feedback by either clicking this link Suggestion Box OR by putting it in our suggestion box located in the main school lobby. All items submitted by will be addressed at the Principal's Coffee so be sure to get them in on time.
Parent Education Seminars
At 12:45 PM, following the Principals Coffee, parents are invited to stay on for a seminar on Woman's Health and Stress Management. Dr. Mel Brecknell from International SOS will be joining us to talk about Woman's Health. Also joining us will be Mrs. Ann Bell, Nurse Educator and Mental Health Nurse from Tianjin Family United Hospital to discuss Stress Management when living in another country.
Each session will be 1 hour long with a 15 min transition break to change rooms. Translation (Chinese, Korean, Japanese) will be available for all sessions. Parents are welcome to return home on the bus at the end of the day as long as there is an available seat. First priority will be given to students. Thank you for your understanding.
March Madness for Reading
Would you like to meet the Cat in the Hat? Thing One and Thing Two? or better yet, their creator, Dr. Seuss in person? Throughout the entire month of March, characters from Dr. Seuss's books will come alive and visit the Elementary Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parents are encouraged to come and join our students as they engage in fun stories, crafts, snacks, and activities. The grand finale will be watching the movie together with your child on March 26. We will soon be sending out the permission form. Transportation is provided.
ISC Choral and Band Festival
You are invited to attend the ISC Choral and Band Festival Concert at 7:00 PM on Saturday, March 15 at the Hexi Children’s Palace. No. 357 Jie Fang Nan Lu, Hexi District 河西区解放南路357号. This event involves more than 200 high school students from all six ISC schools with guest conductors Dr. Brad Genevro from Messiah College and Mr. Tom Ford from Chengdu International School. We hope to have a full house, so bring your family and friends.
Bussing Schedules
5:40 PM
TEDA Line
TEDA XTD—5:45pm HuaNa —5:50pm YJY—5:55pm GLY—--Hexi Children’s Palace (TEDA bus for parents)
6:05 PM
Fulijing Menhu ---- 6:10pm Hai Yi(main gate)---Hexi Children’s Palace (1 bus）
6:10 PM
YG100 (side/main gate）—Hexi Children’s Palace （2 buses）
6:15 PM
Ao cheng——Hexi Children’s Palace （3 buses）
6:20 PM
BDHT(side/main gate)---Hexi Children’s Palace （2 buses）
Bus Departure at 8:15 PM
Hexi Children’s Palace -----YG100(Side/main gate) (2 buses)
Hexi Children’s Palace -----BDHT (2 buses)
Hexi Children’s Palace ------HYCZ---Fulijing Menhu（1 bus)
Hexi Children’s Palace -----Ao Cheng (3 buses)
Hexi Children’s Palace —GLY—YJY—Hua Na—TEDA XTD (TEDA buses)
Bus Departure at 8:30 PM
Hexi Children’s Palace-----TIS----BDHT---YG100 (watermelon)
Hexi Children’s Palace –---Hotel (4 buses)
High School Science Fair
Congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s high school science fair. All projects demonstrated a significant journey of learning, problem solving and creative thinking. Special congratulations to Eun Ji Park, Si Hyun Park and Seong Hyun Choi, whose effort to “recycle algae as a future fuel” impressed the judges enough to win best project. Runner up was Eun Chan Park’s “Kinect-Controlled Helicopter”, followed closely by Eun Ji & Ji Won Choi’s “Detection of VOCs in Air Fresheners and Alternatives”. Best of luck to the winning projects as they fine tune their presentations in preparation for the Intel Science and Engineering Fair in Chengdu in two weeks.
Parent as Coach - Empower More, Worry Less
Friday, March 28, guest speaker, Edwin Choy will be running a workshop here at TIS. Edwin is the founding director of Center for Fathering in Singapore. He has over 20 years of experience as a trainer and Solution Focus therapist. He has delivered impacting parenting and work-life programs to thousands and has been on national radio numerous times. Edwin has also been a pioneer in designing outdoor adventure camps for father-child bonding. We strongly encourage you to consider this unique opportunity! This workshop is for a limited number so please register early. For more details please contact: Song.Lim@ldichina.com.
Comments or Suggestions
At anytime if you have comments or suggestions to make to our Administrative Staff you may use the online suggestion form. The form can be found under the ‘Community’ tab on the website, click on Suggestion Box. Be sure to click “submit” when you have completed your comments. Please note you may submit your comments anonymously, but we will not be able to return your message personally. You may also write your comment down and pop it in our Suggestion Box located in the school lobby. Any of our 4 main language groups may be used, we will arrange translation.
This Week in Pictures
Counselors Corner
HOMEWORK... the H word!
What feelings jump to your heart when you hear the word “Homework?” Fear? Frustration? Stress? Anybody out there feel anticipation?
Outside of the “bad rap” homework gets, there are actually good reasons for homework!
The National Education Association cites three important reasons for homework:
Homework helps students to practice the concepts and skills they’ve learned in class, prepares them for the information coming in the next lesson, and extends the learning from the classroom, enriching and deepening what the teacher has already taught.
This month, we’ll talk about:
Best practices in doing homework
How to best help your child with homework
How to create a good environment for homework
An average TIS student can anticipate the following amounts of homework:
Grades 1-5 Grade level x 15 minutes
Grade 6 15 minutes per subject
Grades 7-8 20 minutes per subject
Grades 9-12 30 minutes per subject
(Honors classes 3-4 hrs/week and AP classes 6 hrs/week)
Johnson, G. (n.d.). Research Spotlight on Homework. In National Education Association. Retrieved March 4, 2014, from http://www.nea.org/tools/16938.htm
ECC Announcements
Upcoming Class Assemblies
We are looking forward to our upcoming class assemblies. Please come and see your child's class from 8:30 – 8:50 AM on:
March 21 - Redwood Class
Advance Reminder
ECC will not have school on Friday, March 14 for teacher record keeping. All other grades will still have school.
Elementary Announcements
Chess Tournament
Congratulations to our TIS Elementary medal winners in the ISCOT Chess Tournament this past Saturday. It was a long day, but the students played well and had good attitudes.
Gold (Won all 7 of his matches): James Zhang
Silver (Won 6 of their seven matches): Kenny Hong and Adjan Boogaard
Bronze (Won 5 of their seven matches and then had one draw): Jacky Lim, Andy Kim, Sam Lee, and Jun Sub Kim
Speech Meet
The Elementary Speech Meet is coming up on March 19. The children will compete in their classrooms the week of March 10. The top speakers will receive medals and will be invited to perform in the Speech Meet Finale in the auditorium on March 19. All students who participate in the Finale will be awarded with a Speech Meet pizza party with Mrs. Scroggins.
Please continue to work with your child at home to help them memorize their speech. We're looking forward to hearing the children practice the important skills of public speaking.
Dr. Seuss in the Library
This month we are celebrating Dr. Seuss in the elementary library. Dr. Seuss characters are visiting the library, and there are many special activities. Mrs. Scroggins even made an appearance as "Thing 1"! See “This Week in Pictures” There will be a special movie day on Wednesday, March 26. The ES students are invited to stay after school to view "Horton Hears A Who". Parents are welcome to join their children.
Middle School Announcements
Student-Led Conferences
(SLCs) will be optional for some middle school students this quarter. If you would like for your child to participate in an SLC, please contact Ms. Dai and she will gladly arrange a time for you and your child. She will contact you directly if a teacher is making a request for a conference. All students will still make a portfolio in advisory, and students who don't participate in an SLC will bring home the portfolio and a form that asks if a parent has seen the portfolio. Advisory teachers will collect the portfolios and signed forms after spring break. To read more information as to what Student Led Conferences are all about, please click here for An Intro to SLCs
Lip Sync and Sleepover
Tonight is the annual Middle School Lip Sync Sleepover. All middle school students are invited to join us for fun, games, food, sleep, and of course the Lip Sync competition starting at 5 PM on Friday until 9 AM Saturday. Students should remember to bring sleeping bags, as well as other fun sleepover items. At around 9 a.m. three busses will take the students to AoCheng, BDHT, YG100, and XinShuiYuan.
Philosophy Slam
On Wednesday and Thursday, March 5 and 6, the five Houses competed against one another in the Philosophy Slam. Congratulations to this year's winner, House 3 - the Fire Blazers! A special thank you goes to Mr. Brents and Mr. Reenders for serving as this year's Philosophy Slam judges.
Spring Trips
You will receive an information letter about the 2014 Spring Educational Trips, as well as a Legal Release form, next week.
Student Council Sponsored Lock-IN
The high school Lock-In is on Friday March 7, from 6 PM to 9 AM on Saturday, March 8. The Lock-In is an annual event that is organized and hosted by the Student Council to promote unity and to provide students time to enjoy their school life. Fun activities, movies, and snacks will be prepared for this event, and all activities are on campus only. For students’ safety, all students must sign in starting from 6:00 PM. but cannot leave the campus after 10:00 PM without parents’ permission.
A light breakfast will be provided at 8:45 AM before the busses leave.
Work Exposure Tours - Friday March 14th
High school students who are not involved in the Choral/Band Festival or BEIMUN (about 50 students) will be going on "work exposure tours" on Friday, March 14. We believe that this type of exposure to the "real world" of employment will help students to think through their gifts, abilities, interests and future plans in a fresh way.
The basic outline for Friday, March 14 will be as follows:
8:15 Meet at school, do background research about company
9:00 Leave TIS
10:00 Factory tour
2:00 Return to TIS, write report and share insights
Students have been given a chance to select their preference from among the following tours, and we will try to satisfy as many preferences as possible.
John Deere (engine factory)
Kang Shifu (noodle & beverage production)
Marriott Hotel (hospitality services)
Tianjin United Family Hospital (medical services)
2014 Spring Trips
You will receive an informational letter about the 2014 Spring Educational Trips, as well as a Legal Release form, next week.
End of 3rd Quarter
The third quarter ends on March 21. Students who are struggling academically should meet with their teacher if they have not already done so.
Class of 2014 Information Sheet Needed
Mr. Luman met with the senior class on Thursday, March 6, in preparation for the end of the year. Seniors need to complete a one-page "Commencement Information" sheet after discussing it with their parents. This form should be submitted to Mrs. Zhang in the high school office by Thursday, March 13.
PowerSchool - Helpful Information for Parents
Parents, please remember that your parent account on PowerSchool can give you helpful information about your child's school life: behavior, lunch card balance, attendance, and academics. If you need help accessing your account, please contact the admissions office at 8371-0900 x 311.
Advanced Placement Exams - Preregistration Survey
All students currently taking an Advanced Placement (AP) class should have completed the online pre-registration survey. Here are some other important AP testing dates:
Tuesday, March 11: Last day to update your AP test selections at no cost.
Wednesday, March 26: Payment (if any) due by 4:00 PM
Tuesday, April 22, after school: Required AP pre-administration meeting
Find out more about the AP program by visiting the following site: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home.
From Dr. Harvel's Desk
Upcoming College Visits to TIS
University of Wisconsin - March 10, High School Lunch (12:40-1:15), Blue Room
International College of Hotel Management Swiss Hotel Association/Australia - March 13, Junior Seminar Classes (1:15-3:20), Room A401
Parents are always welcome to attend these college visits. These representatives look forward to your questions!
Athletic Announcements
Game Results
It was a great day last Saturday when our HS Soccer teams played Hope International School from Beijing. Our JV guys won 2:0! Our Varsity ladies then took to the field and won with an easy 3:1 result at the end of the day. Teams had a good start to the year and it was great to see so many parents come to cheer on our teams. We hope to see you at the games this week!
GO EAGLES!
Upcoming Games
March 8
HS Soccer Tianjin Tournament (Men @ IST; Women 6v6@ REGO)
March 11
MS Basketball vs IST girls @ TIS Home Court; boys U13 and U14 @ IST
March 13
MS Basketball vs TEDA girls @ TIS Home Court; boys U12 and U14 @ TEDA
Bus times have been communicated to players and are posted on the Athletic Bulletin Board.
Dates to Remember
March 7
MS Lip Sync and Sleepover and HS Lock In
March 10-14
Elementary Classroom Speech Meets
March 12
Principals' Coffee and Women's Health Seminar
Elem and MS No Homework Night
March 14
ECC ONLY - No School - Record-keeping day for teachers
March 15
ISC Choral and Band Festival Concert at 7:00 PM
March 14-16
HS Light Homework Weekend