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OCSI CONNECTIONS FALL 2021 EDITION

EQUIPPING STUDENTS TO WALK WITH JESUS AND IMPACT THE WORLD FOR HIM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

From the Head of School's Desk

Elementary Principal Update

Secondary Principal Update

MAP Scores

Alumni Update

PTF Update

Student Care Team

Business Office Update

Okinawa Christian School International

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL'S DESK

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? Growing up in America my family would always take time during Thanksgiving dinner to share what we were thankful for. I can remember my brothers and I sharing small things we were thankful for, like candy and our pets. I also remember the adults in my family sharing big, important things they were thankful for like God, their health, and family and friends. For Christians, it's important to take time each day to tell God thank you for His provision, His care, and His love. The Bible reminds us to stay focused on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). This school year has been full of excellent and praiseworthy things to stay focused on, and for that I am thankful. I am thankful OCSI students are learning, growing, and being equipped to impact this world for Him in a warm, Christ-centered community. I am thankful OCSI faculty & staff are engaged in ongoing professional development through child safety training, continued education, & book discussions. I am thankful OCSI students are encouraged to develop their socio-emotional skills through life groups and our new Friendzy socio-emotional learning curriculum. I am thankful for parents who are willing to partner with this school year as we all work together to keep the OCSI community safe and healthy. I am thankful OCSI was able to complete campus improvement projects to increase the longevity of the main building and improve safety on campus. What are you thankful for? Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but don't wait until then to tell your kids thank you when you see them doing something excellent or praiseworthy. Be specific, recognize their effort, and praise their progress in all areas of life and growth. For more ideas on how to praise your children, check out this article from Focus on the Family- https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/praising-our-kids-are-we-getting-it-right.

Blessings,

Megan Roe Head of School

OCSI CONNECTIONS | FALL 2021

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL UPDATE SARAH TURNER

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL UPDATE

NEW YEAR NEW CHANGES Every new school year comes with a variety of changes; new students, new teachers, new curriculum, and new things to learn! This year elementary adopted two new curriculums; Reveal Math and Friendzy (SEL). The first year of instituting any curriculum is always a challenge with new vocabulary to learn, new teaching strategies, new homework and new workbooks. Teachers have been working hard learning the new curriculum and presenting it in new and exciting ways to the students. The lifting of the state of emergency meant that learning trips can happen again! 3rd grade went to the Botanical Gardens 1st grade went to Comprehensive Park And coming up... 4th grade will go to Nature Mirai to explore the mangroves 5th grade will go ice skating PreK and K will go sweet potato digging 2nd grade will go to the aquarium Blessings, Sarah Turner, Elementary Principal

SECONDARY PRINCIPAL UPDATE DAN PALLMANN

SECONDARY PRINCIPAL UPDATE

BACK TO SCHOOL While it was nice to have Summer Break, it feels good to be back in school. Students have been getting used to new classes and classmates-- new lockers too! We have had a busy start to the year; here are a couple highlights: PTF helped to host a College Information Coffee Talk. This was a great time to go over the college application process and some important things for students to work on before they graduate. If you missed it, video is available via OCSI's website. After months of being in a State of Emergency, we were excited to have it end. Finally we were able to start up some Sports Clubs. Student interest has been quite high and it is good to see them practicing together outside. Next Wednesday, 11/3, is our ParentTeacher Conference day. We schedule it on Culture Day as many families will be off that day. We hope you are able to sign up for a conference for that day. Blessings, Dan Pallmann, Secondary Principal

MAP Math Scores (Fall 2021) 300

200

OCSI USA

100

INTL 0

Grade

MAP Reading Scores (Fall 2021) 250 200

OCSI

150 100

USA

50 0

INTL 3

Grade

Elementary and secondary students in grades 3-11 completed the MAP Testing for the Fall. Results were sent home last Friday. Of course, this is just one of many measures of student progress. Overall, we were pleased to see so many students exceeding the projected growth. 9th through 11th graders also took the PSAT/NMSQT. These tests help prepare students for taking the SAT and results will be available next month.

GOD

HAS

Great plan FOR

THEIR

LIFE!

Class of 2021 students are settling into their new college life, adventurous gap years, and military careers. We are excited to see where God takes you all in the next few years. We hope you will come visit when you're back in Okinawa and please know we are praying for you!

Athletics SY

2021-2022

Fall athletics are underway and we are excited to see our students participating in cross-country, volleyball, cheerleading, and basketball. Although participation in tournaments may be limited this year, we are proud of our student athletes for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. Go Eagles!

PARENTS TEACHER FELLOWSHIP

PTF has been busy this fall with parent education, including Coffee Talks by the Elementary Principal, Secondary Principal and guidance counselors, as well as a workshop on supporting English learning at home by Mrs. Woolery, our Literacy teacher. We had a great turnout for all three of these events, and it was wonderful to see all of our parents! PTF has also been busy getting Cub Scouts for Grades K to 5 up and running at OCSI. With over 40 children registered for Cub Scouts this year, we are off to a great start, and are grateful to OCSI for allowing us to use school facilities. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for Secondary students are also getting started this fall. We are also excited to announce the return of the Walkathon in February; stay tuned for details! A big thank you to all of our parent and faculty volunteers who make all of our activities possible, from taking temperatures to helping with Picture Day and serving as Class Parents! Blessings, OCSI PTF ptf@ocsi.org

STUDENT CARE TEAM

Our student care team provides a variety of services to our school community including college counseling, pastoral counseling, emotional counseling, and referral services (see graphic above). These are available by appointment or drop-in.

Mr. Roe (Chaplain): andyroe@ocsi.org Ms. Stroud-Lusk (College Counselor): hannahstroud-lusk@ocsi.org Mrs. Lopez (School Counselor): norahlopez@ocsi.org Mr. Claxton (Testing Coordinator): danielclaxton@ocsi.org

STUDENT CARE TEAM Transition Each year as summer vacation comes to a close and a new school year approaches, a silly thought always pops into my mind in a moment of panic...“Oh no, I think I forgot how to do my job!” After taking a deep breath and quieting the voice of doubt with a little prayer, I am reminded of the truth. By God’s grace, I am indeed equipped to do my job, I’m just a little nervous about the transition. It’s with that reminder that I am able to exchange nervousness for excitement and focus on preparing for the new year. Transitions, big or small, have a way of making us feel a mix of emotions like stress, excitement, uncertainty, loss, anxiety, and more. With the onset of a new year, we all face transitions: a new school, a new grade, the absence of a friend who has moved, a new country, a new house, changes in plans due to the pandemic, or even changes within the family. At OCSI, many of our students are experiencing a time of transition and might be feeling some strong emotions at home, in school, or both. A favorite book of mine takes a look at how we can support children to successfully navigate transitions in their lives. It is broken down into some easy-to-follow concepts. In their book, Third Culture Kids, authors Ruth Van Reken and Michael V. Pollock outline the following ways to help a child through transition. They suggest: Educate yourself about transition Maintain some sort of stability Acknowledge and mourn any losses Focus on the present Help your child build a RAFT (four steps to healthy closure) The RAFT concept: Reconciliation: This is the process of resolving conflicts, forgiving, and being forgiven. When we take the time for reconciliation, we are freed of burdens and able to move forward with healthy closure. Affirmation: Taking the time to acknowledge the role friends, family, or teachers have had and letting them know what they mean to you. Farewell: Saying goodbye to people, places, pets, and things that are important to us and reflecting on the positive memories. Think Destination: Last, it’s important to think ahead to your next step and arm yourself with resources that will help you adapt to your new normal. If your child is experiencing transition, take some time to check in, ask open-ended questions and be a gentle listening ear. Remind them that adapting to change takes time and they don’t have to do it on their own. Blessings, Mrs. Norah Lopez OCSI Counselor

BUSINESS MANAGER UPDATE SOSRO KARSOSOEMO

This year marked the 25th year since OCSI moved to its current Yomitan campus. This also means that our main building is 25 years old. Being placed on top of the hill directly facing the sea, our building had its share of the Okinawa typhoon exposures and associated wear and tear. This past summer, as part of our 10 year building maintenance cycle, we had the building professionally inspected and any cracks were fixed and the main building was repainted. We also fixed the handrails for all floors and the awnings in front of the office. The school name and logo were painted on the west side of the main building giving us increased visibility to the campus from the road side. To improve children's safety, especially for our younger ones, we installed a fence around the elementary playground and a guard rail on the first floor walkways. This enables our teachers to supervise them more safely. With all the changes to our campus, it can be easy to get lost in our campus, especially for our new families. We placed multiple signs to the front of the building and to the main office to navigate better around our campus.

To continue improve the safety of our bus service, we retired Bus #9 and leased a new bus. Our new bus has 55 seats and is currently serving the Naha route. We are grateful to the OCSI community for their continued support of campus improvements as we work to create a safe and beautiful learning environment for your children. Blessings, Sosro Karsosoemo, Business Manager

Giving to OCSI

We appreciate your generosity, and the following funds are available:

OCSI Fund: helps us continue to equip students to become world influencers. Capital Improvement Fund: helps us maintain and enhance our facilities. College Scholarship Fund: helps qualifying students cover their college costs. Staff Care Fund: helps us show appreciation of and care for staff. Tuition Assistance Fund: makes it possible for qualifying students to attend OCSI.

For more information on how to give tax-deductible gifts to OCSI: https://ocsi.org/giving-2/

Okinawa Christian School International www.ocsi.org