BPS Newsletter
Issue 24 - 6th March 2020
Community Spirit
Dear Parents and Guardians
Firstly, I would like to thank the community for your continued support, particularly with 'drop off' and 'pick up' of your children. As you are aware, we continue to abide by the strict protocol directives from the CDC and authority to ensure that we provide the most secure and safe environment possible to mitigate the risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus. Your patience has been greatly appreciated, as although this has been relatively smooth, slight delays have occurred to ensure that this process is rigorous!
It has been tremendous to see the students engaged in learning (whilst following the strict guidelines) within the context of the classrooms. I have witnessed ginger bread making, and some fantastic sound investigations in science, it has been a pleasure walking around the school seeing the excitement and buzz, something that was greatly missed whilst the school was closed recently.
On Thursday, I met with our Parent Teacher Council to discuss various matters, and it was evident that although this has been a challenging time for all, on reflection, the British Primary Section was seen to be proactive. Although it was agreed that there is no replacement for children not being in school, the provision that was put in place during this period was of a high standard. I would like to thank the PTC for their feedback!
Finally, I would like to wish you all a happy and peaceful weekend, and look forward to seeing you all on Monday.
Best wishes
Luke Chaeter
Parents Tips
Dear Parents,
The coronavirus (now officially named COVID-19) has been declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) and uncertainty around this can bring about fear and worry with your children. It is important to remember children are looking towards adults for reassurance and cues on how to react and respond.
In order to support you, we wanted to share five strategies to build resilience, and have reassuring conversations with your child. Here they are:
Stay Positive: Remember to keep calm and acknowledge and address their worries rather than ignore them. If you show anxiety or fear, your child will pick up on this and also feel nervous and afraid.
Stick to the facts: Look at the facts. Consider your child’s age, processing, and emotions to determine how to frame these conversations to ensure your child understands. Let them know that Taiwan is doing everything they can and you are up to date on current information. Discuss that not everything they hear or see is real. It can also be comforting to be reminded that doctors around the world are looking for ways to address the coronavirus and highlight positive news as well.
Consider Media Consumption: When looking online, consider the source and fact-check to prevent fake news, and think before you share. Be mindful of how much media you are sharing - keep a healthy balance.
Eliminate stigma: It is important to be aware of how the coronavirus is explained to your children to avoid any person/group being blamed. Also to communicate that if someone has a fever or cough does not mean this person has the coronavirus.
Boost Coping Strategies: It is important to give your child positive coping strategies to manage feelings of fear or anxiety. As every child is different, so too are our coping strategies. Coping strategies can include: positive self-talk, singing, dancing, reading, drawing, music, meditation, yoga, coloring, exercise, cooking/baking, talking to a friend or family member, or doing other activities that are fun or give you joy and make you feel good!
If you notice your child is still worried or anxious, be assured that this is a normal reaction, and continue conversations and provide coping strategies.
If you find that additional support is needed, please reach out to your child’s class teacher who can work together with our school counsellor to offer in-school support.
Best wishes,
Luke Chaeter
親愛的家長們,
日前世界衛生組織(WHO)已將新冠肺炎Coronavirus(現更名為COVID-19)
列為國際公衛緊急事件。因對於此傳染疾病的不了解與錯誤的資訊,可能帶給孩子恐懼和焦慮。在此時,孩子們就會向父母、師長提出很多疑問,目的是為了尋求安全感及了解如何面對此次疫情。
於此,我們提供以下五個方法協助您了解,如何與孩子對話,幫助孩子調適心情與使其安心。
積極的態度: 保持冷靜,理解並面對他們的焦慮,不要忽視這些感受。如果您感到焦慮或恐懼,孩子也會感到不安,進而感到緊張和害怕。
了解事實與真相:與孩子溝通的時候,需要考量孩子的年齡、理解能力和情緒,再決定如何和孩子溝通,讓他們了解實際情況。讓孩子知道台灣正努力推動各項防疫工作,以確保以確保每個人都能掌握最新的狀況。也可以和孩子討論,有時他們所接收到的訊息和事實並不相符。告訴孩子們,目前世界各國的的醫生正在研究新型冠狀病毒的治療方法。同時,傳達正面的消息也是一個令孩子感到安心的方法。
思考媒體訊息的質與量: 在看網路訊息、分享資訊時,請先了解訊息來源並查明真偽,也請留心是否過度轉發網路訊息,注意生活品質。
消除偏見:了解孩子如何接收到有關新冠狀病毒的消息,以避免個人或任何團體遭受誤解。同時也要讓孩子了解,有發燒或咳嗽等症狀,並不代表已經感染新型冠狀病毒。
強化因應策略:強化孩子正面的因應策略,降低害怕或焦慮的情緒是很重要的。依照孩子的性格差異,因應策略也會隨著不同。它可以是: 正面自我對話,唱歌、跳舞、閱讀、繪畫、音樂、靜坐冥想、瑜珈、著色、運動、烹飪烘焙、向朋友或家人訴說、或者是任何可以讓你覺得有趣、讓你有愉悅感受的活動。
若您注意到孩子仍感到焦慮,這是正常的反應,請持續與孩子溝通和給予面對焦慮的策略。
若您需要更多的協助,請連絡班導師,並協同學校諮商師提供在校輔導。
祝 順心
英國小學部校長
路克 崔特
Growing Our Tri Section Shared Community Garden - by Mrs Jenny Bonnalie
This week the Nursery children, along with the French Petit Class and the German Kiga Kindergarten classes, started to develop a small community garden. Under the expert guidance of Nursery teaching assistant Ms Su-Long Ho, the children have started to learn about the gardening process.
We started by planting some small flowers, and plan to plant a variety of different things during the term. Over the following weeks, we will discuss with the children about how to support and maintain the growth of the plants through the specific stages.
This teaching and learning opportunity will hopefully encourage our young children to learn how to grow their own food, and work as a community. It is also hoped that they will start to learn about building a sustainable future, and the importance of eating local, home grown food.
The shared community garden will allow the children to be able to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, pick flowers, share food together, and it will provide an aesthetically pleasant shared garden space.
Marvellous Mapping by Mr Sean Monks
Since returning to school, the children in Year 2 have begun our wonderful new topic, Marvellous Mapping!
We have started by becoming international explorers investigating various maps and atlases to find different countries and continents. Once the children were able to find the features of maps they have started to design their own, adding symbols and a key.
The children of Year 2 have also demonstrated what great scavengers they are by carefully following hidden clues around the school before reaching their final destination. As the topic continues, the children will become Taipei tour guides by recommending their favourite places for tourists to visit and creating detailed google maps for visitors to Taipei to follow.
Our first full week back in Year 5 has been action-packed! - by Mr Tom Newman
Maths
We have been working lots on fractions and decimal numbers, making sure that all the learning we did at home has been mastered by using lots of the concrete materials we did not have access to at home.
Integrated Curriculum
We have continued our topic of forces, focussing on air resistance and friction. Anyone who saw 5.2 in the playground running around with umbrellas may have been wondering what was going on, but come and ask us about the effects of air resistance and you will realise what we were doing!
English
We have finished learning about non-fiction information texts and begun our new topic of poetry. Many of our fantastic non-chronological reports are on display in the corridor, so please feel free to pop up and see them any time!
Resources from International School Counselor Association (ISCA) on Managing Feelings, Fears and Worries about COVID-19 - by Ms Gillian Smith
Here are a number of great resources around feelings, fears and worries. Many are related specifically to the Coronavirus and some are about anxiety more generally. They’ve also included a couple of mindfulness websites that are great to help kids find a bit of peace.
Important Reminder by Mr Luke Chaeter
Update on ECA's
Please be aware that due to current protocols, our ECA program has been reduced in line with the authorities recommendations to mitigate the risk of spreading Covid-19 virus. This information has been communicated through the CEO Office, but essentially,
'ECA activities run by outside providers are cancelled for the remainder of the year. Students enrolled in the remaining EPC-ECA classes will receive further information from our Student Services office'.
You may now log on to TESmile and check "My ECA" to view the latest update to the ECA timetable for your child.
Class Shows
We want to ensure that students have an opportunity to perform, an essential skill in further embedding learning. These performances are normally shared with our community via an invitation to the amphitheatre. Due to the current situation, and again following guidelines, this will not be possible as it contrevens large gatherings in small indoor spaces.
We are currently working on a solution where we will be bringing the shows to you! We are looking at filming these, and sending them directly to you via secure email. Further information to follow.
Lunch drop off
Message from the Library
In order to facilitate access to library resources, for the next few weeks the librarians will be providing parents of children in BS Nursery/Reception, FS Petite Section, and GS Kindergarten with the opportunity to borrow pre-selected books from us every morning between 7.30-8.15am (starting Wednesday 4th March). We will offer books in all four languages with a limit of 5 books per family. Books can be returned/exchanged every morning. We hope that this will help to support parents and students during these unusual circumstances.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Best wishes,
Emma Crofts
Primary Librarian
FRIDAY MUSIC CORNER - LET'S ENJOY THE MUSIC!
Taipei European School British Primary Section
Website: https://taipeieuropeanschool.com/index.php?id=120
Location: No. 99, Fuguo Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, 111
Phone: +886-2-8145-9007
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/British-Primary-Section-Taipei-European-School-1781787432102978/