It was wonderful to see and feel the energy of students and teachers this week as we began our Distance Learning program at ABIS on Tuesday morning. Teachers were armed and ready with engaging learning activities and get to know you games. The students faces were sparkling with excitement as they spoke with their class teachers, reunited with previous classmates and met new friends. We are so fortunate here at ABIS to belong to such a caring community that puts students and learning first.
Of course the past few days have not been without their challenges, particularly on the technical side of things. ABIS students are acquiring lots of new skills that will help them to learn and communicate effectively online. They are learning how to move from one class meeting to another and how to regroup to join special classes like Arabic, Art, Drama, Music, PE and Information Literacy. They are learning how to take turns speaking and listening carefully when others are sharing their ideas. Even young students are learning how to follow timetables and links in order to get to their classes successfully. These skills all take time to develop and fortunately our teachers are not only patient, but have developed creative ways to make practicing these skills fun and interactive for the students.
Please take the time during these beginning days of school to set up a successful learning environment for your child(ren). First, support them by communicating. Ask them how school is going, and if they need help with anything. Email the teachers and ask questions if something is unclear to you or your child. Secondly, support them by discussing the expectations for the school day. These include being present and punctual, being responsible with their time and being respectful during online classes. Finally, help them to set up a learning environment that they feel comfortable in, a table or area in the house where they can keep their learning supplies and that is just for them. All of these things will make your child more comfortable attending and participating in school each day during Distance Learning.
Finally, remember self care is important. Plan for time together as a family away from screens and televisions. Walk outside, go to the beach, visit a park. Play a board game or complete a puzzle as a family. Cook dinner together. Find time to communicate with your children, and find time to relax yourself. Here is a short article which you may find helpful: Self Care for Parents
We are all so excited and happy to be back doing what we love most, working with your children. We know it’s going to be a great year of learning together. Please be sure to contact me if you have any questions or just wish to say hello.
Here’s a picture of the river valley in Lethbridge, where I am currently working from. You can see the university I attended on the hill.
