CDS - First Program
The Weekly Word from CDS FP - August 18, 2019
2019-2020 School Year - Welcome!
Greetings CDS students and families! Welcome back to school after what I hope has been a balanced summer full of exploration and relaxation.
We look forward to welcoming the students August 19th - our first day back to school. School starts at 8am, so please drop off students in the playground from 7:45-8:00am. When the bell rings, teachers/faculty will be there, holding signs that show their grade. All students will meet their homeroom teacher, and follow her/him into the building through the appropriate door.
If you are new to CDS FP, then we likely met at the FP New Parent Orientation. If you couldn't make that session, we are very much looking forward to meeting you in the coming days, and offer you a sincere welcome to the First Program.
We have a dedicated team of passionate educators who are responsible for making this school the success that it is. It is my privilege to serve as Director of First Program for an eighth year. We are eagerly anticipating beginning the term, and there will be lots happening straight away. Here's looking forward to starting the year great!
Educationally Yours,
Mr. Hill
Director of First Program
Communication - Seesaw Family Announcements
Teachers will be communicating with parents about supplies for students to bring to school, take-home-folders, and more.
In the past, teachers had websites that the parents had to visit. With Seesaw, parents can visit their child's portfolio as well as have messages sent to the parents by the teacher.
If you have any questions about this format, please communicate with your teacher or the FP administration.
New Timetable
Let us think of it (school) as a place where community conditions prevail as they prevail in life itself. - Helen Parkhurst, Founder of NY Dalton
GOAL: To build a sense of community within individual houses and the larger school community through shared experience.
4 small (8 smaller!) communities of support and trust are built in individual Houses; students participating in activities together each week all year
Larger community nurtured by shared experience across all houses in FP
Teachers will communicate with students this week about the first Long House class, where to go, and what to expect.
Farewell Ms. Park
Dear First Program,
After several years as the First Program Assistant, we are now saying farewell to Ms. Heejin Park. She has made the First Program better through her professionalism, her attention to detail, and her kind and patient nature with the students, parents, and faculty of FP. Ms. Park will be moving to Hong Kong in the near future with her family.
The FP community has benefited from the many contributions and dedication of Ms. Park, and she will be missed.
Ms. Park, we are very thankful to have worked with you, and we wish you nothing but the best in your move to Hong Kong. May all you wish for, be the least that you get.
Sincerely,
Mr. Hill and the First Program
* details about the new FP Assistant will be shared in the near future
Faculty Changes and Updates
FP teachers have been collaborating and planning - working so hard to prepare for a great start to the year. We are fortunate to have new wonderful additions to our staff, as well as a few new roles for FP veterans.
Please welcome the following new teachers to the CDS community:
Ms. Ayesha Mahomed - Grade 2
Ms. Mahomed joins us from the United States to teach Grade 2. She has taught students in second, third, and fifth grade classrooms. Ms. Mahomed has knowledge of several languages: English, Urdu, Gujurati, Arabic, French, and Spanish. She shared with us that “having multiple lingual ways to define her world has led to an enriched life experience”, and “every new language she has been exposed to, has diversified her world view”.
Mr. Drew Cool - Grade 4
Mr. Cool joins us in the fall to teach Grade 4. He has taught in the United States, and has also lived and taught in Seoul. A previous employer describes him as one who “aligns instruction on an individual basis with intense skill practice at a targeted level”. Also stated was that Mr. Cool’s “students have gained not only a new sense of confidence, but are showing incredible academic growth”.
Ms. Desiree Stant - Drama
Ms. Stant is a graduate of the Florida State University School of Theatre in the United States of America and recently taught Drama and English at Yew Wah International Education School of Yantai, P.R. China. She has directed over 50 plays and musicals and loves working with children.
Ms. Marina Lopez - Spanish
Ms. Lopez graduated as a Biologist at Barcelona University and I has worked for several years in academies as a mentor for students. She also holds a Spanish language teaching certificate which entitles her to teach Spanish as a second language.
Please also congratulate some of our familiar members who are taking on new roles for this year:
Ms. Kristine Bahr - from Grade 1 to Grade 2
After two years teaching first grade, we are excited for Ms. Bahr as she makes the transition to Grade 2. This will be familiar territory for Ms. Bahr as she has taught second previously in her teaching career.
Ms. Jennifer Kim - from FP & MS Curriculum Coordinator to FP Teaching & Learning Coordinator
Ms. Kim returns full time to FP. She taught in FP since day one of the school being established. For the last two years she has led the curriculum development in FP and MS. She now returns to FP to continue to develop our curriculum and more, as the FP Teaching and Learning Coordinator.
Back-To-School Day
Back-To-School Day
We look forward to parents joining us for the Back-to-School Day event, in the Dalton Hall.
Please join us for a special afternoon of introductions and information. We are pleased to welcome you to the First Program to meet the wonderful educators who teach your children. Our specialists and homeroom teachers will share with you about their classroom, routines, and how to communicate effectively about the success of your child. Please join us in the Dalton Hall to begin promptly at 1:30pm. See you there!
Educationally Yours,
Mr. Hill
Director of First Program
Monday, Aug 26, 2019, 01:30 PM
Cheongna Dalton School, Gyeongseo-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Labs (co-curriculars) & After School Program (ASP) (extra-curriculars) - Fall Season
Labs:
During the first week of school, teachers will be sharing information about the choices that students will have to make. Each child will choose a Mon/Wed Lab, and a Tue/Thu Lab. This happens at school by students and teachers.
Please also view the selection of Lab choices and talk about it with your child at home. What are they most interested in, etc. Communicate!
ASP:
Info will be shared here and on the FP website. Choosing ASPs is done at home by parents and children.
Dates to Know!
August 19 First Day of School
August 20 Teachers share Lab choices with students
August 21 Teachers continue to share Lab choices; Students begin to choose Labs
August 22 Students complete their choice of Labs
August 26 Back To School
August 27 ASP and Labs begin
August 31 Soccer @ CI 4s and 5s
Contact Information
032 563 0523
ext. 501 FP Teaching & Learning Coordinator (FP 1st floor)
ext. 502 FP Assistant (FP 2nd floor)
ext. 503 FP Director (FP 1st floor)
Who Are We - CDS FP!
Who Tries Their Best - CDS!
CDS First Program
Email: dhill@daltonschool.kr
Website: http://cdsfp.weebly.com/
Phone: 032 563 0523 (502)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CDSFP
Twitter: @misterdavidhill