Such a full and busy week at YISS, especially in the Elementary School! I will try to let the pictures do the talking. Some very long days as teachers and administrators were involved in many regular classes and activities. The we added our Elementary School's Open House on Tuesday evening and the PTO Elementary School Newcomers' Coffee on Thursday morning. There was a "Fun Day" for Elementary students and staff on Wednesday - "Say Goodbye to Summer" dress down day! Ms. Weir and Mrs. Hooper organized and carried out our first New Student Social Event after school hosted by the group of Grade 5 students who are our Guardian Ambassadors this year! After School Activities began its first afternoon of activities on Friday. What was really cool was that the weather forecast called for no rain on Friday. So Gregg relaxed and I said to myself, "Great! I won't have to worry about bringing the Sports (K-1) activity inside and try to find a place inside for their activity!" At 2:00, it began to rain! Gregg got nervous! I asked our elementary secretary, Mrs. Yoo, to pray along with me that I would stay calm and be able to find a Plan B. I found that the New MPR was available at 3:10 so I booked that. I saw also that the High School Gym was available on the calendar so I thought that would be a better place. I went to the Athletics Director and he looked sad. He said he had booked a high school group in the HS Gym after school just yesterday and forgot to put it on the calendar. At 2:45 PM the rain came down in torrents. There were huge puddles all over the Courtyard where the Sports (K-1) activity was scheduled. I found the instructor for Sports and told him that he would have to be in the New MPR. After all the bus students had been dismissed at 3:15 and were on their way home, I looked out and the rain had stopped! The sun was shining! The puddles were gone! Sports (K-1) had its activity with 20 delightfully happy cherubs! I would ask each of you to pray that I would continue to stay calm Monday through Friday for the next 7 weeks so that the rain would not hinder our outdoor activities OR that alternative plans would be available as needed! Thank you, Lord, for this lesson on Friday!
Monday was a day of final preparations for After School Activities as well as our Elementary Administrative meeting and then our Elementary teachers' meeting after school. Lots to do to prepare for the many activities and events of the week.
Tuesday:
This year we have moved our Chapels and OASIS Assembly times to Tuesday so I was involved in both of those in the morning. It was our kick-off for our annual Walk-A-Sock-A-Thon that will happen on October 2. I was getting the kids excited about collecting their 100 Won coins for the Agape International Missions in Cambodia, an organization that is fighting the human trafficking of children and teenagers. The kids are all excited! Last year they raised nearly $12,000 by just collecting 100 Won coins!
Chapel singing time is one of my favorites! Here are some of the
students singing "One Way" in Chapel on Tuesday!
Another picture of a group of students singing during Chapel.
And another picture from Tuesday's Chapel!
This little man in Grade 1 captured my attention during the song time. He did all of the moves and motions and his facial expressions were so expressive. He always has a smile for me.
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In the late afternoon I had a visit from one of our former Middle School students at YISS. I was surprised to see my friend, Patrick Han, come to my office! He has been back in Korea and is getting ready to return to his private boarding school in Massachusetts. He wanted to stop by and see me and talk about what has been happening with him as he prepares for his junior year. So great to see Patrick!
GGG and Patrick outside my office at YISS on Tuesday!
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Tuesday evening was our annual Elementary School Open House from 6:00 - 8:00. There were many parents who came out for this night! Teachers had prepared long hours for this evening and it was fun to go from room-to-room to see many of their creative ideas to get to know the parents in their classrooms. It was a great evening!
Here are the three Elementary Administrators visiting one of the classrooms right before Open House began. Left to right: Mrs. Roll, Mrs. Willetts, and GGG.
The four teachers on the grade 1 team had prepared
a Curriculum Overview for parents and had each
child write a little letter with drawings for their
parents! Parents loved this!
This was in one of the second grade room. I loved the "All About Me" Alphabet Book! There was important info about the Raz-Kids reading enrichment program, the upcoming Walk-A-Sock-A-Thon and a letter from the student.
Another idea or two: A "Back to School Classroom Handbook" and a letter from the student. Parents were to then write a letter back to their student.
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Wednesday:
This was our first "Fun Day" for our elementary cherubs. It was a Dress Down day with the theme, "Say Goodbye to Summer." Here are a few pictures of some of our young ones in their summer outfits. It was rather interesting that after several weeks of very hot and humid weather, Wednesday was a beautiful cool day! (The rest of the week remained nice and cool! I didn't have to use air conditioning at home for the first time in several weeks!)
Our Elementary Administrators on "Goodbye to Summer" Day. They wanted me to wear pants like they had. I said I will do my shirt but not the pants! :-)
Some fifth graders saying "Goodbye to Summer."
More fifth graders!
Some fourth graders near their lockers!
Some grade 5 girls!
Some fourth grade boys!
Grade 1D cherubs with their teacher and teaching aid with their "Crazy Pose."
Grade 1A students saying "Goodbye to Summer."
Elizabeth in her summer Hawaiian outfit!!
Max with his MAX hat and MAX T-Shirt he got
this summer in Manhattan! Max is quite talented
in Chess and will be going to Greece to compete
in a tournament in September or October!
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Thursday:
Another very busy day! The morning began with our annual PTO Newcomers' Coffee for new parents in the Elementary School! I always enjoy these events as I get to meet the new parents and just enjoy getting to know them while enjoying some fruit and goodies. Parents are introduced to the Elementary Administration and learn about the PTO and ways they can get involved!
Taste treats, juice, and coffee for the new parents to YISS!
President of the YISS PTO, Jackie Kang, welcoming parents!
Some of the parents at the Newcomers' Coffee! (More Dads than usual this year!)
Mrs. Willetts, Elementary Principal, welcoming parents to the
Elementary School and introducing Assistant Principals.
One of the parent's drawing of her super power! This was one of the Ice Breaker activities. Everyone had so much fun!
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In the afternoon, I was invited by Ms. Kara Minor, Grade 2A teacher, to come to her classroom to read a book to her cherubs. I decided on a Mo Willems' book and had a delightful time with her class. Ms. Minor has quite a lively group this year and she has been working hard on getting them to listen. She had been working on a new technique and planned to practice it while I read the story. At a particular funny point in the Willems' book, the kids were laughing very loudly and all of a sudden, I heard this huge sneeze from Ms. Minor. Immediately the kids stretched out on the floor and were ABSOLUTELY quiet. I was very impressed and the kids were very pleased with themselves. Both Ms. Minor and I are hoping they continue in this direction! Such a great time I had!
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After school, Ms. Weir, coordinator for the Guardian Ambassadors (a group of 5th grade students who are selected to help our younger children during recess times - along with teacher monitors) and Mrs. Hooper, Elementary Counselor, had invited all new students in Grades 1-5 to a social event after school to learn about the Guardian Way Code of Honor and to welcome them to YISS. It was such a fun event with our Guardian Ambassadors coming alongside a new student and explaining some of the unique things at YISS.
Ms. Weir sharing with one of the groups of new students and a
group of Guardian Ambassadors at the New Student Event this
past Thursday afternoon!
Another picture of one of the New Student groups on Thursday!
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Friday:
This was the first day of After School Activities and I explained about the main situation above. There are three additional activities meeting on Friday: Taekwondo, String Performance Ensemble, and Friday Swimming. All went well and it was fun to see the kids' expressions as they were picked up by parents after their activity.
Friday evening after I was finished at YISS, I went to meet my wonderful friend and former SYME student, Nam Gyu (David) Baek. Nam Gyu is working on becoming a full-time missionary with Word of Life and has some decisions to make on Sunday. We enjoyed a great dinner at Left Coast Burger while chatting about the various options he and his wife Victoria need to make. He wanted to meet to get my input and for prayer before making his decision. It was so good to see this wonderful young man who longs to serve God! I know he would value your prayers.
GGG and Nam Gyu at Left Coast Burger! Please pray for Nam Gyu as he makes important decisions!
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I keep forgetting to let you know that one of my former SYME students and very good friend, Erica, is now working in the YISS Secondary Media Center! Erica studied at Moody Bible Institute in the area of counseling and came to YISS as an intern with our High School Guidance Department last Spring. I am delighted that she is able to work for us at least part time now in the Media Center! Please pray for Erica as she seeks to follow the Lord.
Erica and I at YISS! This was a quick "weefie" and Erica said her arms weren't long enough to take a good picture! :-) Sorry that it is blurry! Please pray for Erica!
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Well, if you made it this far, thank you! Thanks so much for your encouragement, notes, love, prayer, and support. Enjoy the last couple days of August!
Love, Gregg
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