Weekly Update from the Secondary School

Dear parents, 

Welcome back! Well…sort of back. It was great to pop into some “classrooms” online this week and see the kids getting back into the swing of school. That being said, I will be very happy when next Monday rolls around and we get to see their smiling faces on campus again. 

There are some major benefits to starting the semester online for a week and I hope that the kids have taken this chance to ease into some good habits for school success. 

1. Establishing a routine
   

After a month off, it is only understandable that the kids may have “adjusted” their sleep schedules. On the 24th, we are back to normal, which means that lunches need to be packed, clothes laid out and time set aside for study. Of course, we understand that this takes some time. But I can’t emphasize enough the importance of creating a routine that works for them, and then sticking with it.  

1. Have a healthy breakfast
   

As cliche as it seems, there is nothing that throws off someone’s day than either having an unhealthy breakfast, or worse, skipping breakfast all together. I know I am guilty of this sometimes and invariably, what I eat defines my morning. 

1. MOVE!
   

It’s also a cliche that kids spend too much time in front of screens, but it’s a cliche because it’s true. Whether it’s online learning, gaming, or watching TV, we ALL spend too much time in front of screens, and not enough time moving. We live in one of the most amazing natural environments on the planet so it is essential that we get out there and explore a bit. At the very least do some push ups or something. 

1. Take some time to reconnect (at least virtually) with friends and teachers
   

A month is a long time for an adolescent to be away from the important people in their lives. As adults we can sometimes go months between chats with old friends, but for a kid, a month is a much higher percentage of their lives. Encourage your kids’ healthy friendships, and their connections with their teachers. Also, if possible, encourage them to learn the skill of finding new friends. This wanes over time and it will help them when they are 35 to learn how to make new friends.  

1. Win the morning, win the day
   

It’s very simple, what you do the first two hours of the day sets the tone for the other 22 hours. Work out, meditate, pray, encourage them to do whatever they do to get their minds and bodies fit and ready for the rigors of the day. 

There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about this coming semester, and the sooner the 24th gets here, the better. 

Have a wonderful weekend!
Dr. Rick Odum

On Campus Vaccinations

As you already know from Dr. Tooher's message, we have arranged for COVID vaccines to be administered at school for our community aged 12+. If you would like to allow your student to take part in this service, please complete THIS FORM so that we have secured parental permission. If you do not wish to allow your child to be vaccinated at AISL, please do not complete the form.
 
Some details: for those aged 12 - 18 years, we have the Pfizer vaccine available. Those students over 18, and adults, can choose from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, J&J and Sinopharm. Adults wishing to get a booster may do so at this time as well. 
 
Vaccines will be provided by the Chilenje/Pope Square Health Team, and a doctor and two nurses will be on site."
 
We will work out the dates and location soon.