Distance Learning in Primary: Week 2

With the second week of distance learning well underway, we are continually looking for ways to continue our educational program as smoothly as possible. Feedback from families and students this past week has helped the teachers make tweaks so that the process flows better. Thank you to everyone who shared their perspectives with us - please continue to provide feedback so that we are able to refine our practices to support the needs of students.

To celebrate some of our mathematicians this week: Well done to Lina (G2) and Henry (G2) for sharing your math strategies. 

Ways to connect

It has been wonderful to see how engaged students have been with distance learning and this is credit to the families supporting your child at home - thank you for your support! We also acknowledge how challenging it is being a parent in this difficult time and we do not expect you to also be the teacher. Please reach out with any questions, concerns and struggles. We are here to help. Here are a few ways that we can further support you:

• A number of families have chosen to meet with their teachers via Google Hangouts Meet. To arrange a time with your child’s homeroom or specialist teacher, please email the teacher that you would like to connect with and they will send you an invite to meet altogether.
• We recognise that your child will be missing the rest of their classmates. After the April break, you will notice that there will be a number of ways that your child can connect with other students.
  • Stephanie Sawchuk, the Primary Counselor, will be setting up times for small groups of students to meet together via Google Hangouts to support their connections with peers.
  • Ms Jill Daley, our Primary Librarian, will be endeavouring to create grade-level meetings for students to have a broader connection. More information from Ms Jill coming soon.

Daily structures for home 

Many teachers have provided a sample schedule or suggestions for parents of how to organise their week. With the varied home situations of families, classroom teachers have not provided a fixed schedule. For those that are seeking more daily structures, please look on Seesaw for suggested ideas, checklists, or sample timetables for students. ​

Seesaw Notifications

A number of you have said how the number of notifications from Seesaw can be a little overwhelming at times. YOU can control this through the settings on your Seesaw Family app. Here is our IT guru and Seesaw Ambassador, Mr. Frank Louw, to explain how:

Report cards

As we close the third quarter of the school year, your child's mid-term report will be shared with you via ManageBac on Friday, 3 April. This is an interim report that provides a snapshot of progress so far this semester. Should you have any challenges accessing your child's midterm report, please email primaryoffice@aislusaka.org for support. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences

On a final note, we are aiming to host Parent-Teacher Conferences after the midterm holidays. It will be a video conference format where families will be able to schedule time to talk with your child's homeroom and specialist teachers. More details will be shared with you soon.

Regards,
Darlene Huson, Primary Principal
Tony Potts, Primary Assistant Principal/IT Integration Specialist
​Christine Kelly, Primary Assistant/PYP Coordinator