Dear Warrior Families,

I’m pleased to share that our school year is off to a great start. The first few weeks are dedicated to establishing effective learning routines for our students. These routines provide the structure and consistency necessary for effective learning. As they become automatic, they help create a smooth flow throughout the day, enhancing focus, reducing anxiety, and fostering an engaging academic environment.

We encourage parents to establish evening routines at home to maintain this momentum. Here are some suggestions:

Evening Routines and Homework

Classroom teachers create daily rhythms, and you can do the same at home. After a busy day at school, your child may need some downtime to relax and decompress. This can include a light snack before dinner. Regardless of when you eat, set aside a specific time for your child to read, focus on homework, or practice an instrument. For homework expectations, please refer to the Parent/Student Handbook and communications from your child’s teachers.

Building a Reading Habit

Reading for Enjoyment: This topic deserves special attention. We encourage students to spend time reading for pleasure every night. The duration can vary based on your child's age and stamina. Younger children, as well as older ones, may enjoy reading together with you. Engage in discussions about the story, ask questions, and share thoughts on topics that interest you both.

Morning Routines and Arrival Times

It’s crucial for students to arrive at school by 7:40 AM to be ready for class. Establishing regular bedtimes and wake-up times supports your child’s health and well-being, while also instilling a lifelong discipline beneficial for their education and future careers. Experts recommend that children aged 5 and under get at least 10 hours of sleep per night, while those aged 6 to 13 should have at least 9 hours.

Parent Communication

ICS Elementary School is committed to clear and timely communication. Each Friday, you will receive the Weekly Warrior. Teachers will also send weekly updates to your school's SeeSaw or Gmail account, along with relevant daily announcements. We encourage parents to download the SeeSaw app on their devices and set notifications for daily email updates. This is one of the ways we aim to keep you informed as partners in your child's education.

Please click the links below for instructions on how to download the SeeSaw app and set up notifications.

Downloading SeeSaw App for Your Phone or Device

https://help.seesaw.me/hc/en-us/articles/20925356288269-Download-the-Seesaw-app

Logging into SeeSaw

Parents can log into SeeSaw using your parent school gmail account and password.

Setting up to receive parent email notifications from SeeSaw (Recommended)

Click above to learn how to set your SeeSaw notifications.  The school recommends that parents set their notifications on SeeSaw to “Once Per Day” for emails and push notifications.  This will ensure family members will receive an email summary with the number of new posts or new messages received. 

Please make your Back to School night scheduling using the following link.  You will also need to download a QR code to enter the building on the School Portal by clicking on the "ICS Event Tickets" icon.  We look forward to seeing you next week.

Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival

Dear G1 to G5 Parents, 

The 77 th Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival is open for entry.

Please read the Rules and Regulations carefully before enrolment to the Speech Festival.

Online enrolment will be used for the Speech Festival, if you would like to join through the school membership, please click the below links and follow the attached guide to complete the enrolment.

77th Speech Festival (English) – Online Enrolment

77th Speech Festival (Chinese) – Online Enrolment

1. Online submission due on 11 September (Thursday) 5:00pm

2. ONCE YOU ENROLLED, THE ENTRY FEE WILL BE CHARGED WITH YOUR SCHOOL FEE. IT IS NON-REFUNDABLE

Please note that it is the student's responsibility to obtain the required materials and submission method for the festival.

Please go to www.hksmsa.org.hk for the syllabus, entry fee, and the latest information.

Counselors’ Corner