Welcome back! | September 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL DIRECTOR 校長的話
Welcome back, everyone! What a joy to see everyone recharged and ready for the fun and challenges that lie ahead for the new school year.
歡迎大家再次回到校園！很高興見到大家朝氣勃勃地走進課室，準備迎接新學年的新挑戰。
Dear parents and children,
親愛的家長和小朋友，
The beginning of the school year marks a time of promise and potential, and 2020-21 is no exception! With skilled and devoted staff and a supportive family community at Mills, each and every student is poised to achieve academic excellence, become emotionally and mentally resilient, and grow their talents.
每一個新學年都代表着承諾與潛能， 2020-21學年亦不例外！在苗士這個大家庭裏，有一班充滿熱誠和擁有資深教學經驗的老師，也有一班積極主動的後勤員工，在苗士就讀的每一位學生在學術上均獲取優異成績，在情感和體格上茁壯成長，天份亦得以充分發揮。
Our goal is to provide a nurturing environment where all children flourish and become responsible, caring people. Thank you for understanding that it can take a few weeks for a child to adjust to a new class, peer group, and teacher, and that due to the period of remote learning during September it may take a few weeks at the beginning of October for the children to settle in, play well, work hard, and make new friends.
我們的教學宗旨就是提供一個能夠孕育孩子茁壯成長、培養孩子責任心和懂得關愛別人的環境。感謝各家長在新學年的首數星期對孩子需要重新適應新班級、朋友圈和老師的諒解。由於幾乎整個九月份我們都是遙距學習，因此孩子可能需要一點時間重新投入課堂日常、在歡樂笑聲中玩耍、用功學習和結交新朋友。
During October, we hope to see even our youngest Pre-Nursery students learn to identify their cubby, change their shoes, and place their items for class in the drop off boxes. It’s important that we encourage the children to do things for themselves as this promotes important practical life skills.
在十月份，我們期望看見最年幼的預備班孩子能辨別他們的鞋櫃、更換鞋子，和把課堂物件放在箱子裡。重要的是，我們鼓勵孩子們為自己做事，因為這可以提高重要的實際生活技能。
During September, we’ve witnessed K1 children develop their confidence, widen their vocabulary, and improve their pre-writing and counting skills through a range of on-line activities.
在九月份，我們見證K1的小朋友培養自信心，擴大自己的字彙，並透過不同的網上活動改善了寫作及數字練習。
K2 students have been making firm attempts at writing both in Chinese and English. They’ve also been gently introduced to their Jolly Phonics and numeracy programmes.
而K2的學生則開始練寫中英文字， 也開始慢慢認識數字和英文拼音。
Higher up the school in K3 (Year 1) we are seeing wonderful efforts being made during spelling and numeracy exercises. Dictation, aural comprehension, and mental math tests will be introduced soon.
而K3(一年級)的學生則在努力地完成每星期定期的拼字和數學練習；稍後便會有默書、聽力閱讀理解和心算。
Our Mills community is important to us and we have lots of exciting family events planned for the upcoming year. Nothing brings people together like festivals do, and cultural celebrations are an important part of our school life. These events enhance communal harmony, appreciation of others, and an understanding of the world for young children. It was great to see so many of you join the children and teachers in school on 30 September, to participate in varied activities based on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
苗士這個大家庭能夠有各家長的參與和支持，對我們來說是十分重要的，在本學年我們已安排多項有趣精彩的家庭活動。特別的節日最能夠把各人維繫在一起，因此文化節慶是我們校園生活重要的一環。各種不同的節日慶典能增進社會和諧，教導孩子學會欣賞別人，拓展孩子對世界認知的視野。很高興見到多位家長於九月三十日親臨校園，跟孩子一起參與不同活動來慶祝中秋佳節。
During the upcoming school year, I encourage you to take an active role in your child’s learning and get involved in their school life. Opportunities during October and November:
我誠意邀請您們在本學年繼續積極參與子女的校園生活， 10月和11月的親子活動如下：
Sign up to be a Mystery Reader in K1, K2 and K3 classes
K1, K2和K3班報名參加「神秘講故事爸媽」計劃Attend Parents’ Assembly on 19 October
出席10月19日的家長集會Attend Parent-student sharing session on 27 November
出席11月27日的家長學生分享環節
Participate in the Diwali or Thanksgiving celebrations
參與排燈節或感恩節慶祝活動
At Mills, we believe that direct and open communication is best. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher, or our administrative staff if you have questions or wish to discuss personal academic and social goals for your child. We are always pleased to meet with you for scheduled appointments or to connect via your child’s Communication Book, by email or telephone. Also, please do not hesitate to contact me, or schedule a time to meet, if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress at Mills.
苗士深信直接和開放溝通是最有效改善溝通的方式。如您有任何疑問或想跟老師商討子女的個人學業和社交目標，請不要猶豫，可直接跟孩子的班主任或行政職員聯絡。我們十分歡迎家長預約時間跟我們會面，又或可透過孩子的學校手冊、電郵或電話跟我們聯絡。如您對您的子女在苗士的進度有任何疑問，歡迎直接聯絡本人，並安排會面時間。
Let’s work together to make this a year of growth and achievement for all children at Mills.
我誠意邀請您們跟我們一起努力，讓苗士的每位孩子在本學年都能夠發光發熱，一起成長和進步。
Warmest regards,
Ms Deirdre