This week, as we celebrate 65 years of independence for Malaysia, I am thankful for all I am learning about my host country. I know that one of the best ways to learn about a culture is to experience it. This summer, my family and I had the opportunity to explore this wonderful country, see its sights, and experience its unique cultural activities. One of my favorite experiences was connected to the annual George Town Festival. It was amazing to see the diversity of the local community coming out in support of the arts. These events opened my eyes to the vast richness of my host country.

One highlight for me was a puppet show called “IBU.” The show told a story from traditional Southeast Asian and Malaysian folklore, using iron-rod Chinese puppetry, with an indie-jazz musical accompaniment. I was genuinely inspired by this group of artists' ability to put multiple cultures on display – which in turn, preserves these cultural stories for the next generation. I came away wondering how these artists became involved in these traditional artforms, and then wondered what would be lost if artists like these puppeteers didn’t preserve and promote older artforms? As an educator, my next question was, how do we inspire our students to make these types of connections? How do we help our children look both backward and forward at the same time?

Much like these artists, Dalat is faced with the challenge of looking both backward and forward. As we enter into a new post-pandemic season and school activities begin to shift slowly back to “normal,” we are confronted with something of a tension. With Dalat’s rich history and culture, “how we used to do it” sometimes conflicts with “how we should do it going forward.” This may be uncomfortable at times, but I choose to see this tension as a gift because this requires us, like the George Town Festival artist, to look for practices that both preserve and progress. This tension requires our community of parents, teachers, students, staff, and administrators to put on our smocks, take out our brushes, and become artists. What shall we create?

Group and Make up Picture Day will be on Tuesday, September 6. Students are encouraged to dress neatly and bring their best smile.

Donate Electronics, Housewares, Clothes, and Toys
전자제품, 가정용품, 의류 및 장난감 기부 ・  捐赠电子产品、家居用品、衣服和玩具

Dalat’s IMPACT service-learning program (formerly Care & Share) is collecting gently used electronics, housewares, clothes, toys, etc. to benefit Kawan House. This community development project sells clothes, shoes, books, toys, and household items to support George Town’s homeless and poor. Drop off your donations in IMPACT’s large blue donation bin (see pic) anytime during the school year. The bin is located outside of the Grade 4 classrooms (on the left, immediately after walking in from Upper Field). Stop by Kawan Shop to find some new treasures and support this project. If you have large or valuable items, please email Mrs. Ailee Chan to make donation arrangements. 

Mark Your Calendars for College and University Visits:
대학 방문을 위해 일정을 표시해두세요 ・  在你的日历上标记大学学院到访
Attention high school families: Did you know universities all over the globe want Dalat graduates, and universities send their recruiters to visit our campus? As a Dalat high school family, you and your child(ren) have an amazing opportunity to meet university representatives face-to-face. Don’t miss these upcoming opportunities to explore possibilities from the comfort of our Dalat campus. 

Friday, September 9 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Ms. Juyoung Kim (Dalat Class of 2022) will host a Zoom panel for students where she will tell us about her new home at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q). Topics will include details about daily life in her new country, her university admissions process, and NU-Q’s unique media and journalism program. Watch for an email to all high school Dalat students and parents with the link. Northwestern University is one of the world's top universities. This American university's Qatar campus is located in Doha's Education City, and offers academic programs in journalism, media, and communication.

September 21, 2022 from 3-4 p.m.
The University of Dundee (Scotland) is in the top 250 universities in the world. It has about 16,000 students – including more than 100 different nationalities and a growing American student population. University of Dundee houses a world leading STEM research institute with strong programs in medicine, biology, and life sciences, and boasts the top ranked art school in Scotland.

September 22, 2022 from 3-4 p.m.
University of Toronto (Canada): Depending on the rankings, University of Toronto (U of T) is the number 1 or number 2 university in Canada. U of T has three beautiful campuses with 14,000 - 35,000 students on each campus. Ask Mr. Dobson about a Lester B. Pearson Scholarship nomination.

September 26, 2022 from 3-4 p.m. AEO Tour (20+ USA colleges)
The 17 participating colleges and universities include: California Baptist University, Binghamton University, State University of New York (SUNY), Stevens Institute of Technology, Messiah University, University of Iowa, Savannah College of Art and Design, and many more. Please mark your calendars and check out this brochure for the full list of participating colleges and universities. If you are unable to attend this private event, AEO Tour will also hold a public exhibition at the G Hotel Gurney on Sunday, September 25 from 3-5 p.m.

October 6, 2022 from 3-4 p.m.
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is a liberal arts university located in the United Arab Emirates and offers new degrees in mass media and legal studies (pre-law). It has a small student body with less than 2,000 students and boasts a small 4:1 student/faculty ratio. NYUAD is an American school with an American-style admissions process – they accept SAT and ACT admissions exams, and award AP credits. Prospective students can also take advantage of a free fly-in interview weekend to visit the campus and see if they like NYUAD or not. NYUAD has an international focus and more than 90% of NYUAD students study abroad. Most students have most of their tuition costs covered by institutional funding. Best of all, there are currently two Dalat graduates studying there right now.

October 26, 2022 (Wednesday) 3-5 p.m.
Thinking about studying in the UK? Russell Group UK is an association of 24 leading universities in the UK and they will come to the Dalat campus: Cardiff University (Wales) | University of Exeter (Cornwall) | University of Glasgow (Scotland) | University of Leeds (West Yorkshire) | University of Liverpool (North West) | University of Nottingham (East Midlands) | Newcastle University (North East) |  Queen’s University Belfast (Northern Ireland) | University of Sheffield (South Yorkshire)| University of Southampton (South East) | University of Warwick (West Midlands)| University of York (Yorkshire)

Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences
초등학생 학부모 교사 면담(필요하다면  통역 신청하세요)
小学部家长会（需要翻译可以提出要求）

On Friday, September 9, there will be no school for elementary students. Instead, elementary teachers will be hosting Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences. The middle and high school divisions will still have classes. Parents must schedule their own conference times through your PowerSchool portal. beginning today through Wednesday (September 2 - 7). Each elementary school family’s scheduled times will be confirmed by email. Here are a few ways to make the most of your Parent-Teacher Conference time:

1. Be on time. In the elementary division, parents schedule their own appointments so they can choose convenient times and minimize wait time between conferences. Please be considerate of the teacher’s and other parents’ schedules.

2. Honor the time limit. If you need more than your allotted 15 minutes, please reschedule another appointment time.

3. Ask questions. Your child’s teacher is happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.

4. Be relaxed and be yourself. Teachers are looking forward to talking with you one on one. They value your partnership and want to get to know you better.

5. Ask for a translator. If you are not comfortable conversing in English, please arrange for or ask your teacher’s assistance in securing a translator.

Parenting Seminars: Third Culture Kids
학부모 세미나: 제 3 문화 아이들 ・  育儿讲座：三种文化儿童

Raising Third Culture Kids (TCKs) can have its challenges. On Wednesday, September 14 from 2-3 p.m., Dalat will host two simultaneous parenting seminars on the topic of TCKs. One seminar is intended for Malaysian/Singaporean parents, and the other for international parents. 

“TCK” is an acronym you will hear often in an international community like Dalat. TCKs are individuals who live or have lived in different cultural environments during a significant part of their developmental years. These kids may be raised in a culture different from their parent’s home culture or grow up in countries other than their passport country. TCKs have a “third culture” in the sense that their culture is not the same as their passport country’s nor their host country’s.   

Raising Domestic TCKs Seminar: In the Student Center, Mrs. Janet Cheang, President of the Dalat Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), will share her own story plus research about the cultural impacts of international schools on Malaysian and Singaporean children. These kids are known as “Domestic TCKs”. Malaysian and Singaporean parents with middle and high school children (ages of 10-18 years old) are welcome to attend to learn more about this parenting dynamic. 

Raising International TCKs Seminar: In the Vintage Chapel (lower campus), Mr. Paul Dobson, Head of Guidance, will share research and insights regarding international TCKs, as well as speak about his own story of growing up cross-culturally. International parents with children of all ages (elementary, middle, and high school) are welcome to come learn more about the phenomenon of “third culture individuals”. 

Please sign up here to indicate which session you will attend.

Dalat Moms in Prayer
달랏 어머니 기도회 ・   来跟Dalat的妈妈们一起祈祷吧

Join a group of Dalat Moms for an hour of prayer on the first and third Wednesdays each month 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Student Center. You don’t have to attend each meeting to join. You don't have to be fluent in English either - you are welcome to pray in whatever language you're most comfortable with! 

Our WhatsApp chat is also open for requests, prayer, and encouragement 24/7. Text Vera +60175064800 or Ellsy +60124300699 to get in touch! 

September Dates: 7 & 21

Each week, Dalat seniors (Grade 12) write journalistic articles about current events or individuals within the Dalat community and publish them on a blog called The Senior Scribble.

This week’s articles are from: Chris Jang (“Anticipating Sneak”) and Ester Kato (“Seniors on Their Way”).

September 6
Group & Make Up Picture Day

September 8 - 11
Band Festival in Bangkok

September 9
ES Parent-Teacher Conferences
No School for ES (P3 - G4)

September 9 - 10
MS Volleyball Tournament

September 10
ACT Exam
After Sneak Dinner (G12)

September 15
Eagle Games

September 16
Malaysia Day
NO SCHOOL - all divisions

September 23 - 24
Spike & Strike Volleyball

September 29 - October 1
HS Choir Festival

September 30
Quarter 1 Ends

October 1
SAT Exam

Check the School Calendar for details and updates
Legend: G = Grade | P = Preschool | ES = Elementary School | MS = Middle School | HS = High School

September 5 - 9
Each school lunch includes a salad bar, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich bar, flavored drink, cold water, and dessert (fruits or sweets).

Monday
Oven Baked Pork Chops with Potatoes, Creamed Spinach & Garlic Bread
Spicy Cumin Lamb Biang Biang Noodles

Tuesday
Southwestern Casserole (with beef)
Pork Fried Rice

Wednesday
Yummy Pork Noodle Casserole and Peas
Beef and Kimchi Fried Rice

Thursday
Caribbean Lime Chicken & Creamed Potatoes,  French Green Beans with Garlic & Butter
Vegetable Chow Mein Noodles (no meat)

Friday
Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole and Garlic Bread
Stir-Fry Chicken & Broccoli with White Rice