Welcome Back and a Fresh New Semester

                                           

Gone are the crazy days of summer. We welcome the month of August. Days are getting shorter. Weather has been changing lately. Life has started to speed up again and regular school session is back. Summer 2014 will surely be remembered for being an inspirational one.  We received our new students and also welcome new relationships, new classroom, new expectations, new curriculum, new assistant, new schedule, and the list never ends.

It was a busy old year last year and I don’t expect this year to be any different. I have already outlined some of our priorities this year and I say it’s exciting and challenging at the same time.

We have many  new teachers this school and I'm excited for this new group of dedicated teachers. What is even more exciting is to work once again with our two Kiwi teachers who decided to come back to FIS this year. I admire them both and consider them as my mentors- Ms. Rae and Mr. Garret. It’s always good to see their energy, enthusiasm and experience! We are going to have ample opportunities for them to share what they can share to us. I'm very grateful.

I am also grateful for our Academic Director who supports us in any way especially in implementing the Common Core Standards in Prep Classes. 

This year, I am teaching Prep Class which I call "The Reliable Super Heroes". June is teaching the other Prep Section "Sporty Juniors". We are both excited to work together this year. I am kind of overwhelmed of the new challenges and having June by my side keeps me on my toes.

I’m looking forward to working with June this year. He has an exciting role in supporting our Prep program. We have plans afoot to develop professional learning opportunities aligning common core to our lessons.

As the Kindergarten Coordinator this year, I am so blessed to work with Ms. Susan, our Grade School Coordinator. She has been very supportive to all the teachers, old and new. She is very good in emphasizing on using all the resources given to us and making professional learning relevant.

                                        

Kindergarten Photography with Mr. June

During our summer school, my hubby June who is also a teacher here at FIS, taught basic photography to our little students.  He loves taking pictures as a hobby. Photography is his new-found passion. It was a complete new subject so he did a lot to learn and practice even it takes sleepless nights .hehehe. As his wife, I think that the challenge and excitement photography brings have driven him to learn and learn and learn.  

So, let me just introduce him :)

Mr. JUNE RAD E. BUTIL

PREP-J CLASS LEAD TEACHEr

Mr. June holds a Bachelor of Education (major in English) Degree which he gained through Mindanao State University, Philippines.  Through achieving this degree, he has gained an understanding and knowledge about school curriculum. He started teaching English and Music in the year 2002-2004 at Regional Science High School, Philippines. He took up Master of Arts in Education major in Reading and completed the academic requirements and passed the comprehensive exams in May 2004.  He received his TESOL Certificate (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Certificate in Classroom Management from West Visayas State University, Philippines.

Mr. June has been working for FOSCO since 2004. He continuous to grow in his profession by taking on Professional Development and is currently completing his International Montessori Early Childhood /Preschool (3-6) Diploma Program through Montitute Training Institute. 

Below are the slides he used to present his lesson which also includes some of the pictures taken by the kindergarten 2 students. Incredible Snapshots!

Saying goodbye to our Summer School

We had so much fun here at FIS on our Summer School. It was a blast learning and sharing experiences with all my K2-A kiddos. Today is our last day and it's a bitter sweet feeling. It's hard to say goodbye to my ever dearest kindergarteners, yet I am so proud to hand them over to their new teacher in Preparation Class next school year.

I made a slideshow to wrap up all the fun-filled activities we had together as a class and as a school. The smiles, laughter, giggles and at times the SCREAM made by these little angels will be kept forever in my heart.

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

I feel so special today. I received lots of hugs and kisses from my sweetest cupcakes:)  Some of them came in this morning with something special that melts my heart. Teaching is a work of heart and it's not always a bed of roses. But at the end of every school year, when goodbyes must be said and done, and you will see you are appreciated and loved by your students and their parents, that feeling of happiness is incomparable. Thank you all for the love we shared together.