New Headmaster, New Food, New Writings, New Musical, and a Reunion!!

With only 13 days remaining in the 2013-14 school year at YISS, there is still time left for some new happenings!  YISS continues to be a busy place as we bring 2013-14 to a close.  So MUCH to do yet!

At the beginning of this past week our current headmaster, Dr. Joe Beeson, sent out the following announcement informing the YISS community of our new headmaster, Mr. Ray Johnson.  We were all excited to meet him.  He was in Seoul this past week and will be here for another week or so, along with our new CFO, Mr. Mike McCarthy, as they have many meetings of preparation for their roles at YISS.  I have been excited to see Mr. Johnson get into our classes and meet students and talk with teachers.  He is learning about our community and the culture of YISS within the culture of Korea.  I know both Ray and Mike would appreciate your prayers as they transition to these roles.

"The Korea Foreign Schools Foundation (KFSF) and Network of International Christian Schools/Oasis International Schools are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ray Johnson as the new headmaster of Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS) effective July 1, 2014.

Mr. Johnson comes to YISS with over thirty-five years of experience in education in Oregon. Described as an energetic, creative person with a compassionate heart for others, he has taught or substituted in every grade from pre-kindergarten through college and has served as elementary, middle, and high school principal, and superintendent. Even while an administrator, his love for students, music, and his creative energy have led him to volunteer as the director for an annual middle school production that has involved over 200 students. 

During his career, Mr. Johnson successfully led the construction of a new multi-million dollar high school campus and was instrumental in guiding the school’s growth from 200 students on one campus to over 1,000 students across two campuses. Most recently, Mr. Johnson has served as a lead evaluator in the accreditation of public and private schools throughout the Pacific Northwest United States.

Mr. Johnson will be moving to Seoul with his wife Linda. Linda has taught in both public and private schools and currently teaches preschool and serves as a reading specialist. They have been married for over thirty years and have four grown daughters."

Our new headmaster, Ray Johnson and his wife, Linda preparing to come to YISS in July.  Ray is currently in Seoul beginning the transition.  I think he is going to be a great addition to YISS!

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On Tuesday the J & J Catering Co. served some new food to students and staff.  It was Turkish Food Day!  They have been having more of these International Food Days and the kids and staff seem to enjoy trying new taste treats from various countries.

Elementary students going through the Turkish food 

                       line this past week!

One of the J & J servers wearing her Turkish Food Day T-shirt!

Three 4th grade boys ready to eat their Turkish food!

A J & J server in her Turkish costume!          

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I also had the joy of helping proctor MAP tests again this past week + do some substitute teaching in Grade 5.  I always enjoy going in to the various grades - especially grade 5 - to sub.  While I was there this week, I noticed some new writings that had been posted by the Grade 5 Literature teacher.  I love how Ms. Hughes gets these students to write.  This particular assignment was a final assignment after a study of poetry of various types.  The title of each student's writing was The Best Part of Me.  I loved reading what they had written and discovering what they are really thinking.  I am sharing a few of their selections here for you to enjoy!

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All week was quite busy for Grade 5 students as they made final preparations for their musical for this year, The Music Man Junior! They had performances on Friday and Saturday evenings and did a great job.  Dr. Harding, Music teacher for grades 4 and 5, likes to make the musical a student-run musical.  Every student was involved in some part of the production as an actor/actress, stage crew member, stage manager, lighting crew, sound engineers, set designers, etc.  It is a massive undertaking and the fifth grade teachers and many parents are all involved in making the production happen.  On Friday, Dr. Harding had difficulty with his left eye.  He went immediately to the hospital and they did laser surgery, which was unsuccessful, and he returned to school to direct the evening performance with his left eye bandaged.  He returned to the surgeon on Saturday morning for another attempt at laser repair.  If that is not successful, the doctor said that they would need to perform surgery for a partial detachment of the retina.  That would mean a hospital stay of three days.  Dr. Harding's wife, Lynelle (high school orchestra teacher) agreed to direct Saturday night's performance with the help of teachers, principals, parents, and students. I hope you will pray for Al Harding and the surgery on his eye.  I know he would appreciate it.

Here are a few pictures from the performances by our fifth grade cherubs!

Poster announcing the performances!  It was also used as the cover for the program!

The kids did a great job!  One of the scenes from Friday night's

performance.  You will maybe notice "GARMAN'S BARBER 

SHOP" - which the kids wanted as one of the set designs for the

musical in honor of my head being shaved! :-)  Enjoy several 

                   more pictures from various scenes!

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This past week concluded AP Exams for our high school students.  Seniors are excited about graduation and making preparations for finals and graduation on May 31.  This past week I was walking by the one room that is all glass but reserved for special classes for high school students and those who have senior privileges.  Those with those privileges can go there to study or rest or talk quietly with friends.  I was walking by the room on Thursday and saw my good friend, Joseph in the room.  Joseph and I connected through our mutual interest in the New York Yankees.  Joseph loves baseball and we have many great conversations about that plus many other things. He will be going to a great school in Florida for pilot training in the fall.  Well, as I walked by the room, Joseph was by himself in the room and I started laughing because he was sound asleep.  I actually think he was snoring! :-)  I had to take a picture of what some of our diligent seniors do at YISS sometimes. :-)  Enjoy!

Supposed to be studying, but I am afraid sleep won out for my good friend, Joseph!

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I want to leave you with two more reunions; one in person and one through email!  On Friday after speaking in the Elementary OASIS Assembly on the character trait of courage - especially courage to stand up and do what is the morally right thing to do even when it is not what your friends want you to do - I was coming back to my office and was surprised by my wonderful friend, Siwon Kyle Kim.  Siwon graduated last year and has been studying at Boston College. I knew he was coming back to Korea for the summer, but not sure when.  There he was and we greeted each other and plan to have a nice meal together before I head back to the States.  Siwon has been accepted at Georgetown University for the fall and I am so excited for him.  He brought me some Belgian Chocolate Truffles that he picked up in Belgium on his flight from Boston to Seoul.  So yummy!  It was so great to see him and can't wait to meet with him for longer conversation before heading back to the States.  Thanks for praying for him.

My yummy treat from Siwon! A box of Champagne Dusted Truffles from Belgium!!

   I took these three truffles out of the box to get a 

picture.  Shortly after the picture was taken, I could

not locate these three yummy treats and I looked all

                    over my apartment!! :-)

This is a picture of Siwon and me at Christmas when he surprised me with a visit at YISS.

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I also received another delightful email from the parents of Hugo and Fabian Ratier.  They left YISS to go to Switzerland where their Dad had to go for his job.  They had grown so much at YISS and both were unhappy to leave.  They have stayed in touch and Mother sent me an email stating that they really miss YISS and the love and care that they were shown there by teachers, administration, and classmates.  The school in Switzerland is OK, but she said that it is just not the same for the boys.  They would love to come back.  I am enclosing a picture their mother sent to me.  I miss them very much and ask you to pray for these dear boys.

Hugo and Fabian enjoying the snow in Switzerland!  I miss these happy boys!!

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Thanks so much for being so supportive and encouraging!  Your emails and notes, prayers, love, and support mean so much to me.  Please enjoy a great week!

Love, Gregg

18 More Days; So Much Happening!

"So much to do and so little time!"  Actually, time is constant!  There are always 24 hours in a day!  Many have said, "If I only had more hours in the day!"  But the more I have thought about that over the many years, I realize that if I had 30 hours in a day, I would continue to fill up those hours as well and continue to say, "If I only had one more hour in the day!"  Time can be like money; we seem to always want more!  I am asking you to pray that I will choose wisely how to use my time each day especially during these crunch times!

Yeppers, it was another busy week at YISS and with my involvement with former Korean university students.  This past week we began our Spring MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) in the Elementary and Middle Schools.  It has been exciting to me to help proctor these online tests that measure each student's individual progress in key academic areas (Math, Reading, Language Arts).  Our students in grades 3 through 5 take these tests in the Fall and then in the Spring.  I love to see how students have grown academically.  YISS students do very well with these tests and usually score higher than many other international schools.  The tests are individualized and the results can be used by teachers to individualize and differentiate instruction in the classroom.  Pray for our students as they take these.

In addition to the MAP testing, the high school began its two weeks of AP (Advanced Placement) exams. There are 17 subjects, 220 exams, and more than half of the high school students will participate!  The administration of these exams are conducted in our New Multipurpose Room so beginning this last week, students walking through the hallways saw the following signs:

Please pray for our students as they take these exams.

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I thought I would share another sign that I saw this week that struck me funny!  Each day our students have a choice of menu in our cafeteria.  The Korean company, J & J Catering, prepares excellent meals, but sometimes they word things on their posted menus in ways that can make me smile!  Students can choose the Korean Menu for the day or the International Menu.  Below is Tuesday's International Menu.  I had a Rock tune from the late 60's running through my head most of the day.

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Tuesday evening was our first of many music concerts in the month of May.  It featured 5th grade orchestra students, elementary and middle school beginning band students, and a few 5th grade students who will be singing in next weekend's Music Man performance.  They did a great job! One of our fifth grade students, Hannah Lee, played Haydn's Violin Concerto in C Major and it was amazing!!!  Then my buddy from fifth grade last year, played a trumpet solo, Jurassic Park Theme Song by John Williams!  Francis Park did such a great job!  I was so proud of both of these students.

Poster announcing the May 6th Concert!

Ethan Kang, a fifth grade boy was one of the violin

  soloists in a piece entitled Calypso!  I found him 

running through the YISS hallways looking for me

prior to the concert.  He needed me to show him how

 to tie his necktie!  I love doing this.  I began way

back at Camp Joy-El when I was working with the

                   Counselors-in-Training!  

Ms. Zakula conducting the Beginning Band students from Grades 5 and 6!

Some of the band students awaiting their performance!

Francis Park is second from the left! He was nervous

about his solo - especially since he had not been feeling

well all day!                       

Some of the 5th and 6th grade ladies before the concert!

      Some more of the Beginning Band students!

Mrs. Harding, orchestra conductor, with her 5th grade string players taking a bow!

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Wednesday was a gorgeous day and our Elementary School Physical Education teachers, Ms. Park and Mr. Resende, did an amazing job of organizing our Annual Field Day for elementary students!  It is a huge undertaking to create over 25 different stations of activities and games for our 420+ students in the elementary school.  At the beginning of each year each student, teacher, and administrator in the elementary school is placed on one of four House Teams and there is friendly competition throughout the entire year.  What I especially love about this system is that all of the teachers are working together to encourage team play and good sportsmanship and character!  There are more points given out for these qualities than for winning a game or activity. Each quarter the House Team with the most points for that quarter is awarded a dress down day. On Field Day, the team scoring the most points for winning various games and scoring points on character and good sportsmanship during that day earns a dress down day.  There are 18 more days but at the moment, the Blue and Green team are neck and neck for first place.  The Orange Team actually had the most points on Field Day.  Should be fun.  Wednesday was a great day!  here are some pictures of the day, but more are posted on Facebook.

420+ Elementary students organized in their House Teams to begin Field Day on Wednesday!

MS. Regnier, KA teacher, was in the Kinder morning

waiting room painting her children's faces.  So I asked

her to paint something on mine!  Since we are both

on the Blue House team, she painted "Go Blue" on

                my left cheek.  Kids loved it!

This is a picture a parent took immediately after I won the blindfolded balloon drop race.  An administrator from each House team was blindfolded and each of us ran (blindfolded) to a chair with a water balloon on it. The first to get there and sit on his/her water balloon won points for their team.  My bottom was soaked...but that is the price of victory! :-)

Some of my fifth grade buddies!  Andrew is the one 

hugging me.  In the last several weeks he has begin to

run up to me and hug me - which is so out of character

for Andrew.  It has been great to get to know him better!

here I am with our wonderful Elementary School Secretary, Mrs. Yoo.  Ian is our 3rd grade buddy who comes to the elementary office about 3 times a week after school to wait to be picked up by his older brother.  We have had some great fun and some great conversations with him after school!

Blue Team 5th grade girls in the four-

way Tug O'War activity!  Always great

                          fun!!

This is YeJoon, my buddy since Grade 2.  YeJoon was sent to visit me often in my office during second grade; less in third grade; and he continued to grow in his character!  He is such a bright young man and we have had some wonderful conversations.  Our relationship continues to strengthen!

Two more of my buddies in Grade 5!  I am getting

upset with Ian (beside me) because he continues to

grow and is almost as tall as I am now. He has grown

so much - both physically and academically.  Still

praying for his salvation.                

Three fourth grade friends: Sean, Alex and Isaac!

      Second graders performing in the box races!

Thiago came to YISS this year and has grown so much!  I love his expressions!  He makes me smile so much!!

Two Kinder cherubs in one of their relay races!    

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Saturday was another beautiful weather day and a busy day of meeting some excellent friends!  I met with a former SYME student and friend, Suk Ho (Robbie), for lunch.  It has been a number of months since we met and Robbie had much to share.  He has gone through so much in the last couple years.  His father died suddenly about a year and a half ago.  When he called me this past week to set up a time to meet, he told me that he lost his job (his company got in trouble because of a legal issue) and is not sure what he should do as his next step.  Suk Ho has been looking for a new job but it is very difficult to find good jobs in Korea's economy these days.  His brother is working in Colombia and not sure when he will return so Suk Ho is caring for his mother while trying to find a job.  I know he would appreciate your prayers.

GGG and Suk Ho enjoying a yummy Saturday lunch at On the Border!  We had a great time together and we are hoping to meet up more frequently so that I can encourage Suk Ho during this difficult time.

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Saturday evening a group of the elementary school male staff took two of our male colleagues out for dinner and fellowship at a restaurant called Amazing Thai!  It is always difficult to say farewell to good friends.  We had a great time with Grade 5A teacher, Mr. Murphy and our elementary principal, Mr. Lazor.  Both will be moving on to new positions for next year.  I know they would value your prayers as they continue to pack things and prepare their families for these moves.  Pray especially for Mr. Lazor as he will travel to one of the NICS schools in Ghana, Africa during a few days in May to finalize a position as Headmaster there.  Mr. Murphy and his family will be returning to a school in South Carolina where Jim will teach 4th grade.  They are excited but are in need of prayers for securing housing and transportation.

On my walk to the Amazing Thai restaurant, I

noticed this sign.  I love the honesty.  They did

not say they had "the Best Coffee in this town";

they added the word "probably" at the very be-

     ginning of their statement!  Love it! :-)

Here we are after a very delicious Thai feast!  From left to right: Simon Adams (1C Teacher), Dan Lazor (Elementary Principal), Jim Murphy (Grade 5A Teacher), Nilton Resende (Phys. Ed. Teacher), Aaron Bennett (2B teacher), Craig Mooi (4D Teacher), and GGG.  We presented Dan and Jim with Guardian basketball jerseys that were signed by us and the elementary girls and boys who were on the basketball teams that Dan and Jim coached!

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As always, thank you so much for continuing to send encouragement, prayers, love, and support my way.  You are the best!  Please pray as I try to arrange my schedule for coming to the States this summer.  I just purchased a ticket leaving Seoul on June 11 and returning on July 14.  You can pray especially for a vehicle that would be accessible to me during this time frame since I do not own one.  And finally...Happy Mother's Day to all of you reading this who are mothers! Enjoy your special day!

Love, Gregg

Busy, Busy Fun and Learning...Then Labor Day!!

It was another fun week filled with many events and activities.  Still hard to believe it is May! The past week started off with another teacher being sick and one taking his Spiritual Day of rest. That meant that all three of the Elementary administrators were in a class subbing.  I had the joy of being in 1C from 12 Noon to the close of their day.  Such fun!  They are quite an energetic group and they love to learn!  Wish I could have gotten some pictures of these cherubs at work but I was too busy being involved with them that I just had no time to get any.  They started my week off just right!

The week was another very full and busy week although on Thursday we did have a national holiday in Korea - Korean Labor Day!  It was interesting that almost all businesses and government offices were open and much labor was happening on Labor Day!  I walked to the Post Office to mail a couple cards to the USA and when I was almost there, I was going to turn around and go home since I realized it was a national holiday and the Post Office would most likely be closed.  Wrong!!  I kept walking and found the Post Office open and very busy!  The banks were open!  I think the only places closed were schools. :-)

On Korean Labor Day, YISS had its annual Labor Day Picnic!  This year one of the staff mothers instituted a Rummage Swap Day.  We were encouraged to bring clothing, toys, kitchen items, books, etc. to put on display and then take what we wanted from the all of the stuff.  So many tables full of all kinds of things.  At the close of the afternoon, all items remaining were given to an organization in Korea that will use the items for those families who are in need.  It was a great day of fun, food and fellowship, and the weather was gorgeous!

Mr. Dwight and Mr. Franck checking out some of 

         the many books at the Rummage Swap.

Two staff children having fun with some of the toys that were available for swapping!

Mr. Bertholf and his youngest playing with some of

the toys!                             

GGG trying on a pair of crazy glasses.  I chose not to take them. :-)

       The Pitts and Parsons playing Dutch Blitz!

The Parkhursts and Parsons playing another table game at the YISS Picnic!

A sample of the yummy food available at the picnic!

Some of the staff enjoying great food and wonderful fellowship in the sun on the stairs leading to the YISS Soccer Field!

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Wednesday was a special day for elementary students.  Each class got together and decided on a class theme for its dress that day.  We call it "Class Spirit Day."  In addition, those students who had been selected from the top readers in the Read-A-Thon to be Principal of the Day and Assistant Principals for the Day, accompanied the administrators throughout the day.  There were three selected but the one who was selected for me decided he did not want to be Assistant Principal.  His teacher encouraged him, I encouraged him, and even his mother, but he was too shy.  So Mr. Lazor's "Principal" and Mrs. Birmingham's "Assistant Principal" had a great day of assuming their roles.  They decided that children could bring one electronic game/device to school and that their teachers would set aside 20 minutes for individual electronic game playing.  The kids loved it!  The "Principal" ordered relay races for each grade with the four House Teams competing for points for our final quarter of House team Competition.  Then in the afternoon the "Principal" and "Assistant Principal" delivered one of my favorite ice cream treats (Melon Bars) to each student!  The two "administrators" took turns with me in the morning and afternoon to deliver the "Words Of Wisdom" we give each morning and then an end-of-school-day announcement giving the winners for Relay Races.  The two boys were so cute as they learned about being an administrator.  The "Assistant Principal" is a Kindergarten boy and he looked so tired at the end of the day, but he had a great smile on his face and loved giving the announcements at the end of the day.

   Fifth Grade students getting in their House Team

       Groups in preparation for the Relay Races!

Ms. Dyanne Wheat, KC Teacher, in her delightful costume for Class Spirit Day!

Here is all of the cherubs in KC with their silly pose

with their class theme!                    

First graders getting ready for the Relay Races!

1A's wonderful teacher, Ms. Ku, in her Class Spirit 

outfit with some of her cherubs getting ready for the 

                             Relay Races!

Grade 3B students with their teacher, Ms. Corbett, in front of the Guardian Wall in the Courtyard!

This is Grade 2B with their teacher, Mrs. Palmer.  

Actually Mrs. Palmer has been subbing for the regular

2B teacher, Mr. Bennett!                  

Principal of the Day, Gautham Sudhakar from 4A, giving the morning Words of Wisdom to all elementary students over the P. A. system.

Mr. Lazor working with Mr. Sudhakar concerning

                various "Principal issues."

Mr. Sudhakar at work at Mr. Lazor's desk!

Our Assistant Principal of the Day, Ken White, came

from the KA class.  Here Mr. White is working at Mrs.

Birmingham's desk in the Elementary Office!  He looks

rather dapper for his position!               

Mr. Sudhakar and Mr. White in conference about the rules for the House Team Relay Races that were enjoyed by all of the elementary students!

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Two other special events that I was invited to were Grade 4C's Government Play and the annual Grade 5 Poetry Recital!  Both groups did great jobs!  Parents were invited to the 5th Grade Poetry Recital and room mothers had prepared Hot Chocolate and Donut Holes for the poetry reciters! The kids did a super job and enjoyed the taste treats early in the morning.  One of my favorite things to do is watch and observe people, and I just really love watching parents watch their children perform!  I was delighted to see so many parents at the Poetry Recital - especially a lot of Dads!

4C students performing their lay at the close of a unit

on government - particularly how a bill becomes a law!

Another group of 4C students who were part of this

little production that the students wrote and performed

following their unit on Government!  They did great!

Opening Power Point Slide welcoming students, parents, and guests to the 5th Grade Poetry Recital!

5th Grade students being nervous but enjoying the

hot chocolate and donut holes before they perform.

Another picture of 5th graders getting ready.  Olivia is the girl in the pink hat and dress.  Olivia has come sooooo far since arriving at YISS in Grade 2!  Children were encouraged to prepare a slide for the PP slides that depicted their selected poem as well as dress in a costume reflective of the poem.  Olivia's poem was about feathers and when she stood up to recite, everyone loved her outfit and her recitation!

David performing The Thousandth Man! Such a great job!

I thought Dyanne did the best at interpreting her poem!  She used great expression as well as actions that added to her recitation!

One of my former Discipleship boys, Joshua, doing 

       a great job with his poem, The Joyful Bird!

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Saturday afternoon I had the delight of meeting my wonderful friend and former SYME student, Jin-Seok!  I was in for a nice "gift" from Jin-Seok!  He surprised me by inviting a former SYME student of mine to join us for lunch.  I was so thrilled to be greeted at Itaewon Subway Station, Exit 1 by Ji Eun (Emily)! I had not seen her in over 3 years!  We had a delightful lunch together and enjoyed a great time of conversation. Jin Seok seems to be enjoying his internship right now and I know he would appreciate your prayers as he makes application and goes through the interview process to obtain a full time position with the Korea National Tax Service, the organization he is doing this internship with.  Ji Eun is currently studying to take the GREs in June so that she can apply for a graduate school in Nursing at a university in the USA.  I know she would appreciate your prayers as she faces many decisions ahead!  After lunch we enjoyed more wonderful conversation at a delightful little coffee shop on the bottom floor of my apartment building.

Here we are at Suji's Restaurant in Itaewon.  It was 

Jin-Seok's choice as he wanted to introduce Ji Eun

     to one of our favorite eating establishments!

Jin-Seok and Ji Eun enjoying coffee and cheese cake after lunch!

GGG enjoying his coffee as well...and sharing the 

yummy cheese cake!                     

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Monday is Children's Day in Korea so YISS has off from school.  I am hoping to catch up on a number of little projects and just relax.  Please pray as we get into full force of bringing another school year to a close.  It will be filled with many concerts and activities as well as preparations by teachers and administrators for final grades, etc.  This next week we begin our Spring MAP Testing in the Elementary School and Middle School, while the High School will be administering over 215 AP Exams to HS students.  Thanks so much for your prayers, encouragement, and support!

Love, Gregg