Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Kia Ora, ようこそ, Welcome to G6!
We are Mr. Wetzel and Mr. Nicholson reaching out to you as co-teachers and partners in your child’s learning this school year. We hope this email finds you well and that you are ready and excited for your child(ren) to begin our new school year on Sunday morning.
Mr Wetzel – a.wetzel@abisoman.com
(Channeling my inner Obi-Wan Kenobi) Well, hello there! We’ve met before!!
I’m here with my wife, Chie, a Japanese citizen, and our daughter, Luna, a dual citizen of the US and Japan, which means that ‘home’ is time spent with family and friends in the US and Japan. When all is said and done Japan is definitely our forever home, where we were fortunate enough to spend all of summer break. We walked, hiked, ran, trekked, and backpacked in almost ten prefectures! (NOTE: The featured image was taken on the summit of Mount Mitsutoge with Mount Fuji in the background.) My adventures will continue with trips planned in Japan and a few other locations this year.
This year is my second year at ABIS and I feel a sense of calm having looped up with this cohort of students from G5 to G6. Although this is my eighteenth year in education, it is my first time serving as a G6 homeroom teacher. About a decade ago, I taught G6 students English language arts, mathematics, and science for a few years, which was excellent to help them accomplish their academic goals but little in the way of social-emotional learning.
As always, May the Force Be With You!
Mr Nicholson – g.nicholson@abisoman.com
I am the homeroom teacher for Grade 6N this year. This is my 30th year working in education and my third year here at ABIS. I come to you with my wife Pinar and two children: Isabella and James. I am originally from New Zealand and have just come back from our winter holiday where it was between 0 and 18 degrees celsius each day – pretty cool weather and I do love the snow but I am also really enjoying the warmer weather and opportunity to be out of doors in Sohar and Oman. Prior to Sohar I have worked around the globe in many places including New Zealand, Turkey, Africa and around Asia and the South Pacific. I love to travel and have also travelled extensively.
In our classroom, we will strive to create an environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning. I believe that every child has unique strengths and areas for growth, and my goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where your child can develop academically, socially, and emotionally.
Communication is key to a successful partnership between home and school. I am committed to keeping you well-informed about your child’s progress, achievements, and any concerns that may arise throughout the year. You can expect regular updates through weekly emails and broadcaster posts. If you ever have any questions, insights, or feedback about your child’s learning, please do let me know.
I strongly believe that a strong parent-teacher relationship plays an important role in a child’s educational experience. I am looking forward to meeting you all during the upcoming Parent Information Evening. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet, share our expectations, and discuss the exciting year ahead. Further details about this event will be shared soon.
We look forward to working together and developing our learning community this year.
Channels of Communication – Keeping ‘In the know’
- Look Ahead: As another channel of communication for parents and students, please remember that we will send out a brief summary about teaching and learning every Sunday morning.
- Homework Booklets: As one way to encourage learning to extend beyond the school walls, please be aware that we will send booklets home with bare minimum expectations.
- Digital Platforms: As necessary, we will primarily communicate using G-Mail, whether that be for the purpose of a daily check-in or to share a file from the G-Suite or to remind everyone about a grade level, sectional, or school event. Additionally, we will utilize Seesaw as a digital portfolio and as the most effective means of reflection.
- Broadcaster: As one channel of a strong home-school partnership, please take the time to open and read our weekly posts each Thursday afternoon/evening. A review of the week and photographs will be included.
Initial Survey – Getting to Know your Child
Please take the time to complete a confidential survey to help us get to know your children better and to meet their individual needs this year. (It’s amazing how much children change and grow and become different creatures altogether over a summer break.) Please make time to complete this by Thursday, September 1, 2023. the 1st of September. Of course, we will be in contact for many other reasons; however, please reach out to us should there be any additional information or changes that you wish to share.
Home Learning – aka Homework
Carrying on with G5 routines into G6, it is an expectation that each and every student engages in learning at home for an hour from Sunday through Wednesday. This may take different shapes and forms but home learning typically includes research, writing, project-based learning, problem solving, etc. Details will follow about homework booklets once we re-establish our learning community.
Uniforms – Football Kits
Please ensure your child is prepared in school uniforms as per the school handbooks. Please be reminded that students will need to be sun smart and bring a hat as well as a water bottle each day. Please encourage your child to remember to charge their iPad each night before bringing it to school. The first week will be PE, which means that students need a kit, if necessary on those days. Details will be forthcoming about when swim lessons start.
School Events – Important Dates
- First Day of School: Sunday, August 20, 2023
- Open Day: Tuesday, August 22, 2023
- Fire Drill: TBD (probably in the first few weeks of the school year)
- Parent Information Evening: TBD (traditionally during the third week of the school year)