The RAT Razor Returns Once Again!!

It continues to bring great joy to me when I can enjoy children being happy and excited!  Once again this year, the PTO set a goal of 555,555 minutes of reading for the YISS elementary children to read during the three-week Read-A-Thon (RAT).  The reward for reaching that goal was also, once again, to have Mr. Lazor and Mr. Garman lose their hair to the razor!  The children far exceeded their goal with a total amount of minutes just over 701,000 minutes!  So Wednesday was a great day for the children.  Mr. Lazor chose to have his hair styled in a Mohawk, which the children loved.  When Mr. Simmons was shaving my hair, he kept asking the children if they liked the various styles (which were quite nasty and would have been much more embarrassing for me) he was shaving on my head.  They started a chant, "Shave him bald!"  It was amazing how very quickly this chant caught on.  So once again, I am naked on my head! The kids were thrilled and they keep asking if they can touch my head!  They get so excited by just feeling my shaved head! I love so much that our YISS kids continue to want to read and keep reading!  Here are some pictures from the RAT Shaving Wednesday.  More are posted on Facebook - including a video clip!

This is what greeted students and teachers as they

entered the auditorium for the RAT Wrap Up Assembly

and the Hair Shaving!  Sort of looks like one is going

                      to the Electric Chair!

The shaving begins!

More shaving!                       

Final result!!  I have been told that I look like a prison convict in this picture!

Mr. Lazor with his Mohawk, Mr. Simmons (RAT Chair),

and GGG after the shaving.  Mr. Simmons always 

              has the "Shaved head" look! :-)

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This past week we also concluded our two weeks of "Muffins with Moms" for our elementary Moms and their children.  Mrs. Birmingham, the other Assistant Elementary Principal initiated this, along with "Donuts with Dads" in the first semester.  I love these special mornings as Moms come with their son and /or daughter and enjoy a muffin and orange juice at the beginning of the school day.  It is so special to see them take time to enjoy their children as well as make some new friends with the other Moms who come.

     Mother and son at the muffin and juice table!

Mom and daughter enjoying a special time!

Moms and their Grade 5 sons enjoying some time!

Another group of Moms with their son or daughter!

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Two more special events for me this week were subbing in Grade 5A on Friday morning plus being the special guest reader at Grade 1D's belated birthday party for Dr. Seuss on Friday afternoon.  Friday was very busy as we also practiced our first Civil Defense Drill with the entire school.  The Korean government conducts these regularly throughout Korea, but have never required international schools to participate until this month.  It was a good experience for our kids and it went well for our first drill.  Our kids did a super job!

I was delighted to be able to read a Seuss' book to the cherubs in 1D on Friday!  They spent all week reading many of his books and then on Friday celebrated with a party and special reading to end their week.  I love reading to children of all ages and this group was such a responsive group. I wanted to read so many books by Dr. Seuss but settled on Green Eggs and Ham to the delight of the first graders.  Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) would have been 110 years old on March 2! It was a special way to end the week!

Here I am reading to Grade 1D students, some parents

and their teacher at the belated birthday party for Dr.

                                 Seuss!

Here I am in a sill pose with the "Things" from Grade

1D at the birthday party.  Mrs. Thomas, their teacher, is

in the back row on the left!                

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It is hard to believe that we are half way through March!  This coming week we have a Professional Development Day on Monday.  The kids are off school that day so that we can participate in seminars with Dr. Carol Commodore (Leadership Learning and Assessment) and work on various planning activities. I will be working on last minute things before opening the Elementary After School Activities web site for our parents on Tuesday morning for online registration for Quarter Four Activities.  I would value your prayers that all will run smoothly.  Registration will continue through Wednesday and then I will have a lot to complete before the students return from Spring Break on March 31.  I will have the week of March 24th to work on things without distractions - I hope! :-)

Two fifth grade boys are on my heart this week!  I have built special relationships with these two boys ever since they were in third grade.  I so want them to come to know Jesus.  Dor is a Jewish boy who came to YISS when he was in third grade.  His English was very poor and he came heavily medicated for his ADHD.  He would hardly say a word and had a huge temper.  He never smiled and looked miserable most of the time.  In talking with Dor's parents we were able to get him off the medication and he has progressed in English so well.  He is a much happier boy!  He now feels very comfortable coming to me and talking about various issues.  He still is working on the temper.  I love how he has improved.  This past week was not a great week for Dor with his temper and the fact that he is not understood all the time.  I have spent much time with him and through the tears (his and mine), conversations and prayers (mine), he is growing in to a nice young man.  As you think of Dor, I would value your prayers for his salvation and continued growth.

I took this picture of Dor during Lunch Recess Duty several weeks ago when we had some snow and I had recess duty.  He was making a snowman with one of his friends in Grade 5.

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The other fifth grade boy on my heart is Ian.  Ian and I have a very special relationship and he continues to grow (physically and mentally).  I have seen such great growth in him since I met him in Grade 2.  He is learning self-control and he is learning to be such a kind young man.  I love watching him help younger students who seem lost.  He has a great sense of humor and we have enjoyed getting to know each other.  Ian is such a kind and considerate young man and I want him so much to come to experience a personal relationship with Jesus.  Please pray for me as I continue to develop our relationship.  Pray that Ian will see Jesus in his teachers and me and want to know Him personally.  Thank you!

This is a picture of one of the Grade 4/5 Boys' Basketball teams.  Ian is in the second row on the far left - the tallest boy on the team!

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I wanted to leave you with a picture of two brothers who are such a joy to know!  Noah is in Kindergarten and is such a cutie.  He loves my new hair style and he is quite the talker with me, too.  His brother, Oliver, comes with his mother each day to pick up Noah.  Oliver loves to play with me and is always smiling when he sees me.  Here is a picture of the brothers greeting me after school on Friday!  I love them!

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I was about ready to post this blog and received a phone call from my wonderful friend, Gunmo. As you read last week, he has a new job and is in need of housing.  He is a bit discouraged as the housing costs in the area he needs to locate an apartment is VERY high.  It would cost at least $500 a month just to have a two-room apartment with a bath.  I know Gunmo would value your prayers as he seeks a suitable and affordable apartment.  The adjustment to his new job is going well.

Once again, I want to thank you for your continued love, encouragement, prayers and support. Please enjoy a wonderful week.

Love, Gregg

Cold Returns for a Busy Week: Muffins, Minutes, Math, and Much More!

Two weeks remain in Quarter Three!  It is so hard to believe! Quarter Three After School Activities are winding down and Quarter Three Comments and Grades are being prepared!

This past week we began our "Muffins with Moms"; similar to our "Donuts with Dads" in the first semester!  The Moms loved being able to come before school with their child in various grades and enjoy a time of conversation with other mothers and have a yummy muffin and juice at the same time.  The kids loved being able to spend time before school with their Moms!  Tuesday was Kindergarten children; Wednesday was for Grade 1 students; and Thursday we entertained children and Moms from Grade 2.  Next week Grades 3, 4 and 5 will have their Muffins with Mom.

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This past week was the official ending of our Read-A-Thon!  The kids have been so excited about reading, not only to have Mr. Lazor and I shave our hair again, but just to enjoy reading.  The PTO also offers some awesome prizes for the top readers.  There are various levels and everyone wins something.  The bulletin board display below had the Reading Minutes count early in the week, but after the official tally was added up, the kids had read 701,241 minutes during the three weeks.  The goal was 555,555 minutes!  So on March 12 around 2:30 PM (Korean time)  Mr. Lazor and I will once again be shaved!  There have been rumors that the kids are wanting designs etched in our heads!  We shall see! :-)

The bulletin board with total minutes posted earlier in the week - 695,442!  But the final count was even higher!

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Our full time elementary substitute teacher, Mrs. Palmer, has been subbing for Mr. Bennett, our Grade 2B teacher. for nearly 2 weeks and still has another week remaining.  Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and their three sons have been in China making the final arrangements to bring their adopted daughter, Zoey, home to Seoul!  Everyone is excited for them!

In addition, we continue to have some teachers out sick as well as taking personal days.  That means that usually Mr. Lazor, Mrs. Birmingham and I need to sub in addition to our regular duties.  This past week I had the joy of being in 5C to teach Math and then have 4th and 5th grade lunch recess duty!  I had a great time!

Our Quarter Three basketball After School Activities were in full swing as we come to a close of activities in Quarter Three.  Our 4th and 5th grade Boys' Basketball Club and 4th and 5th grade Girls' Basketball Club has been practicing for a Basketball Jamboree at Dulwich College International School in Seoul.  That was held on Saturday and our kids did a great job.  We had two girls' teams and two boys' teams.  I am including some pictures for you to enjoy.  One of the things our coaches did on Friday was to have the boys wear a nice shirt and tie to school.  They looked so nice!  At first, they kept their outer coats on until they saw how everyone responded...then they enjoyed showing off their ties and shirts!  Enjoy the pictures:

The 4th Grade Boys in their outfits on Friday at lunch!

The 5th Grade Boys in their dapper outfits on Friday at lunch!!

The two Boys' teams that represented YISS Elementary

at the Dulwich Basketball Jamboree on Saturday!    

The two Girls' teams that represented YISS at the Dulwich Jamboree!

The boys stretching before the many games at the 

              Dulwich Basketball Jamboree!

Mr. Resende (our P. E. teacher in Elementary) giving last minute instructions to his girls' team at the Jamboree!

Mr. Lazor, coach of the other Girls' team giving his

words of advice to his girls before one of their games

at the Jamboree!                          

Mr. Murphy, Grade 5A teacher, talking to the Boys' Basketball team before one of the games!

The lineup to congratulate the other team after playing

a game at the Jamboree.  YISS boys are on the left.

Parents of the Girls' Basketball team who quickly flocked to the one corner of the Dulwich gym when they saw several of us taking pictures of both Girls' teams following their last game at Dulwich.  I wish I had it on video! :-)

And here they are with their coaches!  This is the  

picture the parents wanted to capture!           

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I am also including a picture of our 2nd and 3rd grade Basketball After School Club.  They are having a great time and look forward to being in 4th and 5th grade.

The boys in the Grade 2-3 Boys' Basketball After School Activity!

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I have been quite busy getting everything organized for Quarter Four After School Activities, but had to put things on hold on Wednesday when I had to spend 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon with the other elementary administrators and the headmaster with a group of parents in a Focus Group to reflect on the parent's questionnaire and some of the areas that parents feel are really effective at YISS and those they would like to see enrichment.  It is always interesting to hear parents' perspectives of what is going on at school.

Two of my wonderful friends from SYME days, Jin Seok and Gunmo, have recently accepted positions and I know they would value your prayers.  Jin Seok began his internship last Monday for the Korea National Tax Service as a translator.  He is hoping that this 2-month internship will lead to a full time position.  Thank you for praying for him.  I had the delight of meeting him last Sunday for dinner when he traveled to Seoul from Busan to begin his internship in Seoul.  It is all new to him and I know he would really appreciate your prayers.

Jin Seok at Seoul Station preparing to

eat his Short Rib Soup and usual sides!

Here I am across from Jin Seok ready to

eat my egg and rice omelet with chicken

balls + the usual sides!              

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Gunmo called me this past week to talk about a possible position for a company called Grape Seed.  They offered him a position where he would do some English teaching, but he needs to learn a lot about the company first.  Many have been praying, and Gunmo told me on Tuesday that he accepted the position.  He will need to move and find an apartment and car.  Please pray for him as well.

Thanks so much for all of your love, prayers, encouragement and support.  Enjoy a great week! Your prayers for me this week as I strive to meet deadlines for the After School Activities for Quarter Four will be appreciated!

Love, Gregg

Weather Warms Up, Yellow Dust from China Arrives, and RAT Continues in Full Force!

The last week of February arrived with warmer weather, BUT also with the yellow dust from China.  When we look out the windows of YISS during a time of yellow dust, it is like a heavy pollution sinking in on the city of Seoul.  We have to check the level of the dust, because when it reaches a certain level, kids are not allowed to out for lunch recess and outdoor P.E. classes.  So this week we had to become very creative with the schedule of the two gyms and multi purpose rooms in order to get our elementary kids out of their classrooms.  By Thursday, the dust was beginning to clear out and the levels were low enough for us to have outdoor recess.  I was privileged to have Grade 1 Recess Duty on Friday!  The kids were soooo excited to be outside and we had a delightful time of playing together.

The kids and staff were all excited because two major events were happening this week for the Read-A-Thon.  They were already excited because they saw the new total of minutes read with only one week to go.  The total was a little over 391,000 minutes read!  The goal in order to have Mr. Lazor and I shave our head is 555,555 minutes.  It appears they will reach it!  So long, hair!!

Wednesday was one of our most fun days of the year - Pajama and Pancake Day!  Elementary students and teachers were encouraged to come to school in their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal if they wanted to.  There were times of snuggling up with a book to read while lounging in their pajamas.  Then at lunch we had one of my favorite meals: breakfast!!  When I was growing up, we often had a "breakfast" type meal for dinner and sometimes for lunch.  I loved those times.  Here is a sample tray of what the catering company had prepared for our "breakfast" lunch:

Very yummy!!

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From morning to afternoon, the kids and staff had so much fun!  I am going to let the pictures give you a little snapshot of the special day!

The pictures above show various students in the morning waiting to go to their classroom and then some at "breakfast".

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One of our wonderful Teaching Assistants, Ms. Lee,

   with a group of first grade cherubs at "breakfast"!

Fifth grade teacher, Ms. Bandy on the left with some of the fifth grade students and their stuffed "friends" at "breakfast".

KA teacher, Ms. Regnier holding one her kinder     

cherubs while five others are in the front at "breakfast".

I love this little guy from 2A!  Pranav in his jammies with two special "friends" and GGG in his jammies.  The shirt is a birthday gift from my mother on my 50th birthday!  The kids and staff loved it!  So do I! :-)

The wonderful elementary office staff:

Mr. Lazor, Mrs. Birmingham, Mrs.

Yoo (secretary) and GGG in their PJs!

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We welcomed two authors to the elementary and middle school at YISS on Thursday.  A husband and wife team, Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer.  They did a really nice job with our students. Mrs. Krull has written around 60 non-fiction books for children and the kids really like them. Many of them are biographies with very interesting facts from her research on famous, and not so famous, people.  Here are a few of her books: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame, (and What the Neighbors Thought), Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills, (and What the Neighbors Thought), and many others telling about the Lives of the Musicians, Lives of the Artists, Lives of the Scientists, etc. I learned something new about the New York Yankee, Babe Ruth.  He was a home run king, but I did not know he won many contests for belching! :-)

Paul is an illustrator and author.  He has written numerous joke books in addition to a number of non fiction books, many of which center on various wars throughout history.  Paul spoke with the 2nd and 3rd grade students and they had a great time as he shared about illustrating and coming up with jokes.  He even had the kids share some of their jokes.  They loved it.

It was a great day and many children purchased some of their books and went home with an autographed copy of one of them.  Here are some pictures from the very busy day!

Here I am with author Kathleen Krull during the Authors' Visit.  She had just signed a copy of Lives of the Athletes for me.

Here is Mrs. Krull sharing with 4th and 5th grade 

students about her first book in elementary school.

It was about hairdos!  She loved hair and so she wrote 

about different hairdos. :-)  Some of her books are

                       displayed on the table.

Here are some of the books that Mrs. Krull's husband, Paul Brewer, has either written or co-written with Kathleen or illustrated!

A group of second graders listening to Mr. Brewer!

Here Mr. Brewer is asking second graders to tell a joke. This is my buddy, Sigge, telling his favorite joke.  Paul loved it!

Our elementary librarian, Ms. Creecy, 

Mr. Brewer and GGG at the close of

      one of the sessions with grade 3.

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I would value your prayers as I continue to work feverishly on Quarter Four After School Activities.  We have two more weeks of Quarter 3 activities and then we have a week of Spring Break and then start back up the first week in April with Quarter 4 activities.  It has been especially busy getting everything accomplished since we have had a number of teachers out with sickness and some taking their personal days.  Our 2B teacher, Mr. Bennett and his wife Kelly, the middle school assistant principal, are also missing since they are in China completing the adoption of a little Chinese girl, Zoey.  We are excited for them!  They have to be in China over 2 weeks.  Our full time substitute is subbing for Mr. Bennett so when any other teacher is absent, one of the elementary administrators needs to go in and sub as well as continue current responsibilities.  Thanks for praying.

A highlight last Saturday for some of the members of our Elementary Chess Club (After School Activity) was participation in a large Chess Tournament at one of the international schools south of Seoul.  We had about 12 of our elementary ASA Chess Club travel with some of our middle school and high school students to this tournament to compete against students from five other schools in Korea.  One of our high school students came in 5th place in the HS division.  Joshua Kim, a YISS middle school student, came in second with a strong showing in the middle school division.  BUT the big news is that out of 56 elementary students two of our elementary students placed #1 and #2 in the elementary division!! Pictures of the winners and some of the games are below:

Above are the three big winners for YISS at the recent

Chess Tournament.  From the left: Joshua Kim, 8th

grade; Dhanush Senthil, 2nd place winner from 

4th grade; and Max Huh, 1st place winner from

               3rd grade!  Congratulations!!!

Above are some of our elementary students who participated in the tournament. Max Huh is the boy at the front right as he wins one of his five straight wins!

Above are some more of our YISS students at the

Chess tournament!                        

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I am going to include some pictures from five of our after school activities that are going on now in Quarter Three.  I love going around each day to see our elementary cherubs involved in some excellent learning activities while having lots of fun and interaction.

Our YISS Elementary Girls' Basketball Club for Quarter Three with their coaches, Mr. Lazor and Mr. Resende.  They will be participating in an Elementary Basketball Jamboree on March 8!

This is the Sports (Kinder - 2) ASA in Quarter Three!

They learn many sports and have so much fun with the

                          two instructors.

Mrs. Franck works with some of our 4th and 5th grade students in an ASA called Puppet Ministry. They work on skits for our elementary Chapels and OASIS assembly.

Above is Master Kim, the instructor for our ASA,

 Taekwondo! Our elementary participants are joined 

for the picture with three MS students in the back. 

Scratch Computer 202 ASA.  They are learning all sorts of awesome things about programming!

   Another picture of one of the instructors working 

with one of our fourth grade students on his program!

     The kids love Scratch Computer 101 and 202!

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Some of you have been praying for my wonderful friend and former SYME student, Jin Seok. He came to Seoul last Friday for a first interview with the Korea National Tax Service for a possible internship that could lead to a full time job using his translation and interpretation skills.  Last week he was discouraged with his interview.  We spent some time talking and praying, and earlier this week Jin Seok texted me that he was asked to have a second interview on Wednesday at 11:00 AM.  Friday evening he called me to inform me that he was accepted for the internship and begins on Monday!  Please pray for him as he is a bit nervous.  Pray that God will make it clear to him if this is the position he should have full time after his 2-month internship.

Thank you very much for continuing to pray for me.  I appreciate your encouragement, love, notes, prayer, and support.  Please enjoy a wonderful month of March!  Wow, is it really March already?

Love, Gregg