Early Years Update (3/2017-2018)

School Update

Dear Concordian Community,

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t the beginning of the school year Mr. Laurent brought me into his office and said “Joe, I want this to be one of the most fun school years we’ve ever had.” I did my best to rise to the new challenge.

The first big change was a rescheduling and re-naming of our usual Halloween party.

The holiday was named by our wonderful class parents. Concordian had our first ever “Freaky Fun Festival” on November 24th, 2017.

While this was far in the past, it is important to recognize the amazing amount of time and effort put into this holiday by the Concordian parent community. The regular macabre decor of Halloween was replaced with curious and “freaky” imagery. We also expanded our Early years program. Our Freaky EY fun house was beautifully decorated, engaging and fun for the students. Inside the gym, the Concordian PY parent community took the “Freaky Fun Festival” in interesting new directions with new games and activities.

Thank you for all your help. ”Concordian’s PY student council worked hard to help plan this addition to the Concordian calendar. Students dressed up in a variety of festive outfits through the week. We had tree decoration contests and even a snow day.

“Snow Day” was Concordian’s first ever snow day. While we didn’t have to cancel school, we tried to provide the snowiest Concordian school day in Concordian school history. Santa made regular visits to the classrooms and the Elderly at “Ban Bangkae” helped Santa’s elves make their handicrafts for Santa to deliver to the children of Concordian.

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On January 29th, 2018 we had second annual “100 Days Festival.” Led by our very own Ms. Melissa, PY and EY students of Concordian traveled around the school to celebrate the number “100.” Younger students visited older students where a variety of activities were available to engage the children with numbers. This year we added a “100 Eggs, Egg hunt.” EY and PY students scoured their playgrounds to try and find the eggs with numbers inside. It was an excellent day to celebrate and have fun with math.

On April 5th we brought the “Wet and Wild” back to Concordian’s Songkran ceremony. The EY and PY Thai departments and our awesome swimming coaches worked all day in the blazing sun and dodging storms to deliver an exciting variety of water-based activities to the EY and PY students of Concordian. We had water balloons, sponge races, a slip and slide and a ball/balloon pit. There was even ice cream all day long. It was our wettest wildest Songkran in years.

There were also a lot of fun days and events that I wasn’t a part of; Chinese New Year, Loy Kratong and sports day to name a few.

We are not even done yet. International day is still set for June 8th. I hope that I at least came close to helping to achieve the goal set by Mr. Laurent at the beginning of the school year. But… If I didn’t, I can sure try again next year.

CONCORDIAN

Thank you so much to the parents who help support these activities. Thank you to the maintenance, Tech and cleaning departments for helping with setup. Thank you to Ms. Pui for making everything run smooth and look good. Thank you to the administration for giving me the opportunity and resources to do what I love…. plan parties, help plan parties and make kids laugh and smile.

Sincerely, Joe Savage

School Update

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Activities and Events

by: Joe Savage

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The K2 Kids walked to make change This year they really increased the range Some walked around the gym 35 times Some ran it’s true to go around the lines The children worked to save the hearts Of girls and boys from different parts Of this country who really do not Have nearly enough precious Bhat To get the surgery that they require To solve a problem that is truly dire If we don’t help them they might not live So K2 students and parents plan to give The Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Foundation aid To ensure the children’s bills can be paid Thank you class parents for all you did and do We are teaching the children that if they try They can even change children’s lives.

Great Job K2 Students and Parents for a truly excellent K2 Walkathon.

We worked together to change lives.

Activities and Events

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ongkran is the traditional Thai New Year that has been a symbol of hospitality, love, goodwill compassion, respect and thankfulness using water as the means of expression of gratitude. Songkran Festival is celebrated every year from the 13th to the 15th April.

This year, Songkran festival in Concordian International School was held on Thursday, the 5th of April 2018. The Thai Department organized the pouring scented water ceremony for all the Concordian community.

We would like to thank Mr. Savage, who had been organizing the joyful water play activities for EY/PY students. They had such an amazing time! Thank you for your help and support and being involved in Songkran festival 2018.

In the evening on Songkran Day, G.10 students had the stupendous performance of Madanabadha Musical Theater for charity, which is a part of the school build project of 2018. Great Job G. 10! We are so proud of you.

By: Kru Dear

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t Concordian, every year students have been waiting for the most fun-filled festival.

Songkran is thus a great time for everyone to enjoy the water pouring and experience the authentic Thai atmosphere.

Traditionally, we have started the Songkran ceremony with the PY Thai music band (the long drum) played greeting in the Grand Theater. Then the students presented the history of Songkran. During the ceremony, the PY Thai music band played the beautiful Thai song named “Kheakborathet� which refers to the power of Buddha to bless everyone in ceremony.

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All students paid their respect and conveyed their best wishes to their teachers by pouring water on them or their palms, and the teachers would give blessings to them in return. After the distinctive cultural activity then we enjoyed the water game with our Songkran team!

Activities and Events

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he Festival of Love, the annual event was hosted by the Concordian PTA on February 2, 2018. The LOVE representing some of the characteristics that a Concordian should have.

L - Loyalty O - Open-mindedness V - Values E- Empathy

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This year, the Concordian central courtyard was filled with a large variety of food stalls, game booths, performances and a raffle draw under the theme: Sustainival. The theme this year promoted the efforts of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The event was a great success with more than 1,000 With the charitable contributions, we were able to raise money for a very much needed participants.

Hemodialysis machine that was donated The festival was fun, entertaining and to the rural Chiang Kham Hospital in Payao educational at the same time. The various province and cash donation to Second Chance performances from the many grade levels were Bangkok to help create employment for many poor a highlight of the event. The PTA band as well as student bands performed many styles of residents of Bangkok’s largest slum area, music that entertained the crowd. It was a great Klong Toey through the organization’s opportunity for all students, parents, teachers and Upcycling Project. staff to strengthen their relationship and build a strong bond among the Concordian community. By: K. Kanang A.