Dear parents and students,
It’s been a busy week for everyone at ABIS as we ready the school for the new academic year and prepare for teaching and learning. The new and returning teachers have spent the week online in an orientation week designed to ready them for the new school year, with a focus on delivering their lessons online. While we do not know if the school will begin with online learning for students, this is the second scenario we are preparing for as outlined in my post last week.
Just as we have designed protocols for students if they return to school, we have also developed protocols for online learning. In this scenario, all classes will be conducted via live Google Meet according to the school timetable. This is a result of the feedback the school received from parents, students and teachers as well as following best practices from schools globally.
Teachers have their class timetables and are working on their unit plans and lessons for their students to ensure all is well organised for the start of the school year. This weeks orientation of teachers proved to be an excellent exercise in demonstrating and developing best practices online. Our teachers are all very much looking forward to engaging with their students!
We have also been working on an informative online learning web site divided into grade levels. It is designed to provide information to assist and support parents and students should we begin the year with online learning. This will be launched via our school website as a sign-in site next week on Wednesday. Further, the full document outlining our return to school protocols has been published on the school website. Please click this link to download: ABIS Reopening Protocols for Parents.
We do understand that parents are keen for the school to begin, and equally our teachers are excited to start teaching. When we have been advised of the start date, you will be informed immediately.
In the meantime, I will be organising virtual meetings with parents to provide an opportunity to meet myself, Maeve Doherty (our new Primary Team Leader), Michelle Simpson and Jon Adams. We will conduct several sessions so that parents can choose which times they want to attend. The dates and times for these will be advertised next week.
Work is being carried out around the school including new glass dividing walls around the music area, new kitchens installed for cooking lessons, and the buildings have been undergoing careful maintenance.
We have completed our first phase of updating returning students iPads. If you missed the update schedule or you are not in the country, please contact Mr.Atul a.alex@abisopman.com to book for an update slot. We will keep you posted on the arrival of new iPads for Grade 3 students.
Student supplies were delivered recently, and the school staff are organising them into their respective classes. Dates and times will be published next week for parents to come to school to pick them up from the main gate.
I’ll be in touch again next week with an update on the online learning website, parent virtual meeting times with the Senior Leadership Team, and pickup dates for student supplies. Until then, enjoy your long weekend!
All the best,
Dominic Robeau
