Good morning ISPS Family,

This is a day in a world that I didn't imagine that I would see. Borders and airports being closed down around the world. It is certainly unsettling and a little scary. 

Times of challenge and uncertainty, do test us however we can choose how we respond. Many of the ISPS community are away from their home countries. This is extra challenging, even though there doesn't seem to be any good place in the world at the moment. Stories coming from my friends and family in the UK  at the moment do not make me proud. 

I do think it is important to stick to the facts. I actually find facts reassuring. I also only look at the news once or twice a day, over obsessing about things doesn't help me.  I enjoy the funny memes circulating. Knowing that we can laugh at the situation with others helps me to put things into perspective. 

Tomorrow we will start the second week of virtual learning. Thank you for all the feedback last week. We also got feedback from students and teachers. We will adjust and review things based on the feedback but next week is the same structure as the last one.  The students will follow their usual schedule, not all lessons are online, sometimes they will be working on projects or things offline. Teachers are available for questions if needed, during the usual lesson blocks. Please refer the children to the online learning plan if there are questions.

I want also to recognise and congratulate you on your support and help for the children. Parents. especially those with younger children, are also working extra hard at the moment to support their children's learning. Thank you parents and well done!! 

I can assure you that, things will return to normal. In China, teachers are going back to work, returning to schools to get things ready to reopen campuses after Easter. Colleges and universities across the world, are planning for their student intakes as normal in September.

It is a beautiful day in the Caribbean. please take a minute to listen to one of my favourite songs from Carnival, and count a few of your blessings, I am guessing that there are many.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baFPCWVK1JA

I am also wondering what new skill or knowledge I can gain over the Spring Break. I have already visited the Guggenheim this weekend. :-)

Have a wonderful Sunday and I look forward to starting a new week of online learning with you all tomorrow.

Please let us know if you need help or support with virtual learning.

In all things and in all ways, together we are stronger.

Best regards,

Helen

Good afternoon Parents/Guardians,

Well, we started the ISPS virtual school today and I would like to thank and celebrate everyone for the fantastic start. 🙂

We have had children and teachers learning together online all day! 

I know that there were some challenges, we just finished a tech meeting, but overall we were successful, I hope that you agree!

To ensure that we compile and understand all the issues and feedback, a google form document link is shown below.  Please give us feedback over the next week or so. This is new for us as well as the children and the more feedback we get the better. Good or bad, we want to hear from you about the children's' experiences. If you need technical support, please also let us know. we are here to help and assist.

https://forms.gle/MXuAmo1jisKnsxyn7

From what we are seeing around the world at the moment, I think that we could be in this for the long haul and we need to be prepared.

Please see below a link to our online platform page on our website.

https://www.isps.edu.tt/academics/online-learning  

There is also a page on updates on Covid-19

https://www.isps.edu.tt/student-life/health-center/corona-virus-update 

Thanks again and have a good evening.

Helen

Good evening parents, 

I hope that you had a good day as far as you as possible, under the circumstances.  

We are ready to start virtual school tomorrow. Work will be posted by 7.30 am in the morning by teachers.

Please do go through the online learning plan which I sent yesterday and read the advice and recommendations for parents.

It is strongly recommended to get the children into a routine similar to a usual school day. Starting work by 7.45 and with breaks and lunch as usual. The closer that the children can keep to the usual times, the better.

One thing that is really helpful for teachers is colleagues support, I know that many of you also have fantastic support groups and I would strongly encourage you to get support yourselves during this time. 

The Trinidad & Tobago government today announced that school campuses would be closed until the 20th of April, so online learning is a reality for a significant period of time.

Please let us know how things are working, In the plan, there are contact numbers for tech support and we will also be sending out a form for parent feedback about the learning. Too much, too little etc etc 

This is a new experience for many of us and the more we communicate and talk to each other the better.

Good luck tomorrow and please stay in touch,

Kind regards,

Helen 

Good afternoon Parents/Guardians,

Please find attached the ISPS online learning plan.

Onlne learning will start on Tuesday at 7.30am. 

Work will be posted by 7.30 every morning and there will be a combination of activities and learning approaches.

From Grades 3 upwards, teachers will be available on-line during their usual teaching schedule for questions or queries either by email or Google Meet.  

There is a lot of information in this plan, I would ask that you read it and also ensure that your child has read or understands the expectations.

Tomorrow we are consolidating resources and plans. Your child can expect that his/her teacher makes contact with them via PowerSchool.

This is a new experience for most teachers as well as most students and parents. I would ask that you let us know immediately if there are issues or questions so that we can work to resolve them as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

I would like to thank all those involved in creating this plan. There were many but Naaren Bhagoo, Angela Shahien, and Michelle Anderson deserve particular thanks. I would also like to thank Reccia Cummings and Stefan Seon for their excellent support with the packages and software support and training.

Thank you,

Helen

ISPS Online Learning Plan

Good morning Parents,

I am sure that you will agree that it has been quite a week. Trying to plan on shifting ground is challenging.

As we start the weekend, I wanted to thank you all for your support and input this week. Uncertain times test us.

As we start Saturday, I hope that you might find a minute or two to listen to one or two of these and reflect on the joy and strength that comes from community. 

I know how lucky I am to be living in such a beautiful place, working and learning in such a great school and with such an amazing, vibrant and diverse community.

Thank you!

Four of my favourite happy songs! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddLd0QRf7Vg  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrHxhQPOO2c  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU 

Best regards,

Helen