Monday, August 10, was the beginning of another school year at Yongsan International School of Seoul! Once again, a number of changes welcomed teachers and students! We began the year meeting in the main lobby of YISS in a huge circle to sing and pray for the students as they entered for their first day of 2015-16. Teachers did a great job in the midst of changes, but I know they ended the week very tired! It was an exhausting, yet exciting, week!
Left half of the circle of YISS faculty and staff singing at 7:25 AM on our first day of school for 2015-16 in the main lobby of YISS! Ms. Johnson, our new Elementary Chaplain leading!
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The only students who did not come by 7:50 AM were our kindergarten cherubs. YISS has a little tradition where we host a "Boo Hoo Breakfast" for our Kinder children and their parents! It is always a highlight for me! I get to meet the new Kinder students and their parents and enjoy a nice breakfast in our cafeteria. Then we take each Kindergarten section to the Courtyard where we take photos of students and teachers and then with their parents. After that picture, I tell the parents it is time to say "Hasta la Vista," "Auf wiedersehen," "See you later," etc. and give final hugs and kisses as the kinder cherubs head off to their classrooms to begin their year at YISS. Always a wonderful time!
Some of our new KA cherubs at the Boo Hoo Breakfast!
Some of KC's new kinder children and their parents!
Some of the KB parents and their Kinder children!
Parents enjoying the J & J Cafeteria Breakfast Buffet at the Boo Hoo Breakfast!
KA's photo with Kinder cherubs, parents, and teachers!
Kinder children and parents from KB - along with their teacher and teaching assistant!
KC's group shot with children, parents, teacher, and teaching assistant!
A picture of some of our parents saying their final Boo Hoos after
the picture was taken. :-)
Another picture of hugs and farewells before kinder children went
to their classrooms.
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Elementary students with their teachers gathered in the auditorium around 10:00 AM for our Opening Assembly. We had a time of meeting all of the teachers, singing, and going over some of our expectations with the students. It is always great to see the students and see their excitement!
Ms. Johnson leading our elementary students in an opening song!
Opening Assembly in the YISS auditorium!
1C teacher, Mr. Adams, leading our elementary cherubs in another
great song during our Opening Assembly!
Another picture of our children and teachers singing in Opening Assembly!!
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Monday was an Early Release Day! With over 450 elementary students at YISS, it is always an enormous task to make sure each child gets to where she/he is supposed to be for dismissal, and then make sure each child gets safely home. That is one of the times that I pray a lot since I am in charge during dismissal and need to make decisions very quickly at times. This past Monday went very well, considering it was a half day and the first day!
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One of the changes in the elementary program this year is that we will have our Chapels and OASIS Assemblies in the main auditorium on Tuesday mornings! Teachers and students handled the change well. There are a few bugs to work out, but I believe it will be great to have only two sessions in the main auditorium rather than four sessions on Friday in a much smaller Multipurpose Room. I always love hearing our kids sing and share motions and dances with our Chapel and OASIS songs. It was so great to see and hear them sing on Tuesday at our first Chapel and OASIS times! Ms. Johnson, our new Elementary Chaplain, did a very good job of putting together a wonderful introductory time to our Chapels and OASIS assemblies for this school year. I was able to share briefly about the Guardian Way Honor Code which has been a big help in helping our students to see how they should be living each day.
Ms. Dean, Grade 4A teacher, leading a song with motions in her
wonderful and unique style during OASIS Assembly!
OASIS children singing during their first assembly on 2015-16!
Above is a shortened clip of a video of the kids singing one of their favorite songs during our Opening Chapel on Tuesday morning! Grade 4C teacher, Ms. Greaves, is leading the song and dance with some of her fourth graders!
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There were many long days for teachers and administration in the elementary school this week as we were all working on some of the changes in the use of two new technology tools that will be used for communication with parents and students. I was working on After School Activities. Parents received letters and emails of information about the program and questions began coming to me - especially from our new parents. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated as online registration will begin on Monday, August 17 at 8:00 AM. It is always a hectic time, but has gotten better each year.
Two elementary students a bit surprised seeing this teacher in the fat clown suit.
Our new Elementary P. E. teacher, Ms. Prater, owns this suit and everyone
loved it. She was one of the big hits on Friday!
Here is our resident clown with one of our MS students!
These four brought lots of smiles all morning as kids entered the school. From left to right: Ms. Swift (ELL teacher), Ms. Prater (our resident clown), kneeling is Mr. Lantz (ELL teacher), our YISS Guardian mascot, and Ms. Speirs (Art and ELL teacher).
I love this picture of our Guardian mascot greeting a mother and her two little ones!!
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The Korean government announced just about two weeks ago that Friday, August 14 would be the official day of celebrating National Liberation Day this year. The Korean name for this Liberation Day is Gwangbokjeol, which means "the day the light returned." It is officially August 15. It commemorates "Victory over Japan Day," which liberated Korea from colonial rule. This year is the 70th anniversary of this day! So YISS decided to have an early release day to join in the celebrations. From my front windows in my new apartment, I was able to view a grand display of fireworks from Namsan Tower around 9:00 PM on Friday! You can check out my video of that on facebook.
Front page picture of the Korea Herald on Friday morning! Korean children celebrating Gwangbokjeol!
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During the week I was able to capture a couple photos of Seoul. One of them is a photo of Namsan Tower at night! This picture was taken by me - again from the front windows of my apartment. The other photo is a picture of the sunset on Thursday evening in Seoul. This was taken by my colleague and wonderful friend, Shauna Weir. Enjoy!
Namsan Tower at night!
Thursday evening sunset in Seoul! Photo compliments of Shauna Weir, our K-2 Music Teacher!
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Saturday was a full day for me. I was able to meet a former student from SYME and a great friend, Chang Yong. I always enjoy meeting this wonderful young man. So excited to see how God is working in his life. We met in Itaewon and had a wonderful time together over lunch at Los Amigos. Chang Yong wanted Thai food or Mexican food. When we went to the Thai restaurant, there was a wait of over an hour, so we decided on Los Amigos. What a great time we had eating, talking, laughing, and just enjoying catching up. After lunch, we headed to sweet East Cafe for some iced coffee and more fellowship. Chang Yong will be quitting his current job and studying for the electrical engineer's exam and then looking for a new job. I know he would value your prayers.
Chang Yong and I preparing to eat lunch at Los Amigos! So great
to see this young man's awesome smile once again!
After we enjoyed our Quesadillas and Enchiladas, our server, August,
brought us this service gift of Mexican Churros and ice cream!
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Saturday evening was our first Elementary Admin Team family gathering. We are planning a number of these throughout the year. It is just a time for a lot of fun and fellowship surrounding a certain theme in one of the apartments of one of the administrators. Our first one was at the apartment of Lauren Hooper, our Elementary Guidance Counselor. Lauren and her husband are in their second year at YISS and we are delighted that Lauren is qualified to take the new position of Elementary Counselor. Lauren chose the theme of "Super Bowl Party" for our first fellowship party this year! Lots of yummy football-type food was enjoyed by all. Lots of great conversation and laughter + entertainment by Aubrey, three-year old daughter of Mrs. Willetts. Those in attendance Saturday evening were: Ms. Henspeter (ES Media Specialist), Ms. Johnson (ES Chaplain), Mrs. Willetts (ES Principal), her daughter, Aubrey, and Mr. and Mrs. Roll (Krista is Assistant ES Principal), our hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Hooper (Lauren is our ES Counselor, and GGG. I am sorry all of my pictures didn't turn out so well so I don't have pictures of everyone in attendance.
So much food for us to enjoy! Some very yummy dips - one a bit
spicy, which I enjoyed!!
Left to right: Ms. Henspeter, Mrs. Willetts, and Mrs. Roll.
Aubrey enjoying her audience! Mr. and Mrs. Roll looking on!
Mr. Roll, Dr. Hooper, and Mrs. Hooper eating and enjoying our little entertainment form Aubrey!
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As I close this week, I would like you to particularly pray for two items this week:
1 - One of our second grade teachers, Ms. Debbie Gronski, was taken to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. She was experiencing gallbladder pains. After many tests, it was determined that there were problems with her gallbladder as well as her pancreas. She had minor surgery on Thursday and is expected to have more surgery at the beginning of the week. Debbie is in a lot of pain right now and I know she would value your prayers.
2 - I would ask you to remember me specifically for a very difficult and complicated situation within the After School Activities program as well as the use of our elementary gym. Some decisions that were made without input from me concerning the ASA elementary program have been a bit hurtful to me. I need wisdom as to how to confront in a biblical manner those involved. I just really need to give it to the Lord, but that has been difficult. That's all I can say presently, but God knows the situation. Thanks for your prayers. I am praying that I will be able to get some rest this weekend.
The weather is still hot and humid. So thankful for air conditioning. Thank you so much for your continued love, encouragement, notes, emails, prayers, and support. I trust your week will be a good one!
Love, Gregg
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