Hello! Welcome and welcome back to everyone in our class. I am so glad you will be joining us on this exciting learning journey we’re about to embark on. I can’t wait to get started!
Early Years learning establishes important foundational skills both social-emotionally as well as academically. Children grow and blossom so much and so quickly at this age it’s important to feed and nurture their minds, bodies and hearts both at home and at school. Thank you for trusting me with your children at this very special time in their lives.
Let me take a quick moment to introduce myself. I am Ms. McClellan, but I go by Ms. M as it’s easier for everyone to say and spell. I’ve been an OCT licensed teacher for 11 years and taught in the Korean hagwon and public school system for 5 years before that as an ESL teacher. My specialisation during my B.Ed was Global Education Through International Collaboration. I have worked internationally throughout my whole career in Indonesia, China, and Korea. I have a passion for teaching Early Years and have been blessed to do so for my whole time at HFS. In my spare time, I love to do various types of arts and crafts which informs a lot of the teaching I do as well. I participate in snail mail exchanges around the world and love to collect postcards. I do yoga whenever I can and since last October, I cycle commute around Ulsan. I look forward to not only getting to know your children better but also you. Families are important in the partnership of a child’s learning.
We have an exciting year planned this year with a fresh take on established curriculum and some new curriculum being brought in. We will have a curriculum meeting in Week 2 to go into that at more depth. You’ll be able to share in your child’s learning journey through Tapestry, a website and app that allows me to upload photos, videos, and observations of learning taking place. It is directly linked with the outcomes of the IEYC curriculum but I will be able to showcase children’s learning across all our subjects. As a parent you are able to continue the conversation with comments on these observations. We will have a meeting to explain using the Tapestry program forthcoming.
Our class timetable has already been uploaded to this website so you can check it out. A quick note: we have PE on Monday so please come dressed to participate in sport. This means shorts or sweatpants type pants, a t-shirt, and sneakers. Hair should be tied back and no jewellery should be worn. This will be the dress code every Monday.
However, for Tuesday August 20th please help us kick off our This Is Me unit by wearing your favourite clothes. This could be casual or fancy dress. You could wear clothes that are traditional to your country if that is special to you. Parents are welcome to join us the first hour of the day (9-10) but you have to wear your favourite clothes too! I’ll be wearing mine. If you will come on Tuesday, please let me know by email.
My email for any questions, concerns, or just a chat is mariemcclellan@hyundaiforeignschool.com and that is the easiest way to get a hold of me. I have an open door policy so I will always do my best to make time for a meeting if you prefer face-to-face communication.
That’s all for today! Welcome to the class!