News for parents

The latest education news, info for parents,
and features from schools and teachers.

http://www.schoolbag.sg/

Corporate Communications Division is pleased to announce the launch of Schoolbag.sg, a new online newsletter for parents (www.schoolbag.sg). Schoolbag.sg is revamped from Contact Online. The revamp arose out of a review of MOE’s and schools’ efforts to reach out to parents and the public.
2 Schoolbag.sg aims to keep parents informed of news and developments in education in Singapore, provide insightful school stories, and highlight pertinent parent and teacher matters. With Schoolbag.sg, we hope to enable parents to better partner schools and to make informed choices about their children’s education.
3 Stories in Schoolbag.sg are found in these sections:
* Education News – articles reporting on developments on the education front in Singapore, e.g., policies, MOE events
* Parents’ Corner – stories on school/MOE events that parents are involved in, tips for parents, contributions from parents
* In the Schools – school stories on school trips, school events, school programmes or projects
* Teachers Today – stories on teachers’ professional development and their work, e.g. work attachment, school counsellors, teachers helping students with special needs.
4. Schoolbag.sg will continue to feature stories contributed by teachers and schools for these stories give parents and the public insight into our teachers’ work and into the various interesting programmes run by our schools

Stress Mangagement and Tea Appreciation Workshop

A Stress Management and Tea Appreaciation workshop was organised for the parents on 25th Aug 2007. Richard and Serina from HeroTraining & Consultancy taught parents how to manage stress and the importance of time management. Participants also learned more about tea leaves and tea brewing from Mr Patrick. They were treated with the signature tea from Tea Chapter which is used to serve Queen Elizabeth during her visit to Singapore.

PSG Visit To Old Folks Home

Date : 3rd Sept 2007

Time : 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Venue : Tai Hwa Kwan Society, Toa Payoh Lor 5

The parents & children team played BINGO game with the old folks. The children helped to row out and track the numbers, put up large display sign of numbers called out, delivered little gifts like tissue, oilment, biscuits, etc as the old folk managed to strike a bingo. The parents in turn partnered the old folks with failing eyesight to cancel out the numbers on their card. the parent & children also cheered and applaused everytime the old folks striked a bingo. It's a really a heart warming scene. More and more old folks joined in the game when they saw the joyous mood. In particular, there was one senile old man who was not able to comprehend what's happening but he gamely joined in the fun and clapped his hands to follow what the parents volunteers are doing.

"little gifts"

"failing eyesight can't stop me bingoing"

"BINGO!"

Teacher's Day Concert Photo Gallery

Teacher's Day Concert 31st August 2007

PROGRAMME LIST


Show – 1 hour (12pm-1pm) and (1pm-2pm)

All must be seated by 11.45am (Teachers and Pupils)


11.55am - Commencing of Teachers’ Day Celebration

12.05pm - Opening Speech by Chairman of Vice Chairperson (5 mins)

12.10pm - Slide show “Make a Difference” (10 mins)
Creation: Mary & Craig Reynolds
Story by: Elizabeth Silance Ballard
“It will serve as an inspiration to us and also a much needed
reminder that we can make a difference to someone’s life with
simply words of encouragement and positive attitude. That’s the
primary role of Teachers. (“Tributes to all Teachers”)

12.20pm - Dance & Song items by students (10 mins)
2 performances

12.30pm - Dance by PSG – a Modern Indian Dance (5 mins)

12.35pm - Prize Giving – “Simply The Best” Award and “Best Dressed”
2 awards each for each sessions ( Total 8 awards)
AM session – Mr Malclom Woon
PM session - Mdm Shirely Soh

12.40pm - Thankyou speech by Mrs Chew (5 mins)
After the speech Mrs Chew remains on the stage

MC invites all the teachers to the stage. While they are coming
Towards the stage we get the prefects station at both entrance of
The stage. Play the remix song “Simply The Best”

12.45pm - Cake cutting


12.50pm - Grand Final – Get all the teachers to dance with Exco.
Play the Indian Song “DOOM”

1.00pm - TEACHERS’ DAY ENDS

Discussion Forum-Visit by Mrs Chew & Mrs Tan

Mrs Chew and Mrs Tan made a visit to the discussion forum session (despite a fully packed EV week) to thank the parents and particiapnts for being supportive of the school programs & activities.

Discussion Forum - Children program

Children program - muffin baking

23rd & 24th Aug

10.30-12pm

The discussion forum would not be possible without the support of another group of parents volunteers namely Mdm Jenny Tan, Mdm Ai Choo and Mdm Tan Hua Hua . These parents kept the children meaningfully occupied while their parents were either partipating or faciliataing the forum. Great teamwork!

Discussion Forum-Parenting Style by Parents Facilitator

Discussion Forum : Parenting Style

23rd & 24th August , 10.30am-1.30pm

Training Room @ 3rd level

Well done and great work ! Our hardworking and passionate parents faciliators, Mdm Rani, Mdm Sheila, Mrs Pauline and Mdm Anne pang have initiated & organised our 1st discussion forum for parents with the help of our lovely SFE cordinator, Cassandra. The particiapants found the session useful and are heartened to share parenting tips with each other. The faciliators fulfilled great satisfaction from running such session. As quoted from Mdm Anne Pang " Feeling very empowered & warmth by the participants' response to our discussion workshop, many like to have this type of platform to talk about parenting & children issues."

IT/Maths Workshop

IT/Maths Workshop for P1 & P2 Parents

22nd August 2007

7.30pm - 9pm

AVA room

Sharing in the use of LEAD E-learning portal by Richard from Learning Edvantage.

Sharing in the use of model to solve problem sum by Mrs Ng & Mrs Heng from GRPS.

Tea with Principal

Tea with Principal
7th Aug 2007
AVA room
5pm-6.30pm

Issues raised and answered by Mrs Chew :

How effective is han yu pin yin in learning chinese?
Rationale of P2 Speech & Drama class during curriculum time
Changes of teachers due to maternity leave, NIE training, etc
Dialogue session needed for mandarin speaking only parents

Making The Most Of Parent-Teacher Meetings

Making The Most Of Parent-Teacher Meetings

Dear Parents,

What is your reaction every time you are being invited by the school to attend a parent-teacher conference? Do you at times feel apprehensive or perhaps a little worried?

Some of us parents cannot deny that at times, we feel a little less than eager especially when we anticipate some bad news. None of us want to hear any negative comments about our children, even though they may be true.

The point of a parent-teacher conference is not a mere signing of report books. It is like putting pieces of a puzzle together. Bringing out the most of a child’s potential requires an intentional and collaborative effort on the part of the teacher, parents and student. When parents and teachers work with each other, everyone gets a complete picture.

During such sessions, parents will learn what the teacher’s expectations are. Come with an open heart and an open mind. Even negative comments are useful comments; they are made to improve a student’s performance and conduct. Like parents who want their children to succeed, teachers do want all their students to excel too.

Be mindful that the school is not a perfect institution. Its teachers are not perfect but neither are the students nor their parents. No one is exempt from making mistakes. The most important thing is to come to a solution together.

Here are some suggestions that can be applied when attending such conferences:

- As much as possible, attend with your spouse. When both parents come together as a unit, you are sending a message that both you and your spouse take an active role in your child’s education.

- Be on time. If you know that you will be late, it is only polite to inform the teacher. Latecomers usually eat into the time of other parents. Also be mindful of the time taken during meetings and refrain from talking way into the time slots of other parents.

- Maintain mutual respect. There are two ways to communicate your point; positively or negatively. Parent-teacher conferences are not war zones. Problems are best sorted out when both parties remain objective and calm.

- Prepare to ask the teacher questions like:
1. How is my child performing in class?
2. Does he complete the work given to your satisfaction?
3. What about his conduct? Does he behave well?
4. How does he get along with his peers/classmates?
5. How can we best help him at home?

- Listen to the teacher’s feedback carefully. The combined viewpoints of parents and teachers will result in a more complete and holistic view of a student’s potential. It will make the effort of helping the child much easier.

- Be honest. If your child is facing a crisis back home like the death of a loved one or a divorce, it is best to let the teacher know. Such crisis will undeniably affect a child’s performance and behaviour at school. The teacher will be more understanding and may be able to help your child.

Coming home from a parent-teacher meet, do a follow-up. Work on the teacher’s suggestions and when you notice improvements, share this information with the teacher. Do remember to thank teachers for their input. Hopefully, everyone will benefit from this collaboration.

Yours Sincerely,
Noor Azlin Sukri
Parent of Arina Nadiah Saifudin (4 Respect)
Nurin Nazurah Saifudin (2 Peace)

Family Movie Special

Parenting talk on inspiring & teaching children through movies (4-7 yrs) 1 Sept 2007

Check out details at www.family.org.events/ratatouille.html

Baking Class (Collaboration with Fajar Sec. Sch)

An opportunity for parent-child bonding as they have fun learning hands-on how to make ice-box (checkered) cookie and apple pie together. At the end of the session they even get to bring home the pie and cookie!
Instructor: Ms Cynthia Pong’s passion for baking and cooking has motivated her to share her skills since 9 years ago. She currently conducts baking classes at commercial centres and on invitation by organisations.

17 Aug 07 (Fri)
1.30pm – 6.00pm
Fajar Sec School
3mins walk from Petir LRT

Ingredients Cost: $8 per parent
(Free for student accompanying parent)

2007 Teacher's Day Contribution

THANK YOU PARENTS!
The PSG Exco has raised $3,559 for the celebration of teachers day. The actual income and expenditure statement will be put up at the PSG notice board next to the school foyer. Surplus fund will be channelled to school welfare fund "Touch Hearts @ GRPS" to aid the need pupils. Once again, the PSG Exco will like to express their appreciation to all parents for their generous support.

Summary by level
P1 $918
P2 $948
P3 $739
P4 $417
P5 $287
P6 $250

Credit :
Letter of appeal drafted by Mrs Pauline Yap
Summary compiled by Mdm Gek Hong
Accounting by Mdm Sheila
Cash collection by Jenny, Ai Choo, Judy, Nesa, Massita, Jamila and Asiah
Cash custodian by Mdm Wong SY

Fun with Bats 21 Jul 2007

Fun with Bats at Kentridge Park

5pm to 9.30pm

Participants : 2 fully packed coaches of parents & children

Parents helping their children drawing their perception of bats and making bat masks. Families relaxing and admiring the sunset during dinner break. The group activities learning about bats are facilitated by Dr Vilma (Bat Expert).