As parents, we all know that setbacks, problems, and disappointments are constant companions in life. They are (whether we like it or not) simply part of the human experience, and we will all face these struggles throughout our time on Earth.

As we focus on our new GROW theme this quarter, we will look at “resilience”. Resilience is simply the ability to "bounce back". To define that a little more, it is the ability to face adversity and even benefit from it. If adversity, setbacks, change, and problems, etc. are inevitable and no one is exempt from them, then it is crucial that we as parents take steps to help our kids learn resilience. With resilience, kids can learn to tackle setbacks without allowing the setbacks to tackle them.

The good news is that resilience can be learned and developed. We all have a set of "resilience muscles,” and just like our physical muscles, they must be used to grow. Over the next few weeks, we will look at the following 7 tips for helping our kids grow these “resilience muscles”:

1. Go to the Movies

2. Turn off the Lawnmower

3. Become a Coach 

4. See the Big Picture

5. Be a Strength’s Finder

6. Find the Circle of Five

7. Teach them to Sleep

This week, let’s look at the first one: “Go to the Movies”. One of the ways to help our children learn resilience is through movies and books. During their formative years, have your children watch and read books where resilience is part of the story. It is not hard to find this genre of movies thanks to Google. A simple search for “movies with resilience” brings up numerous pages with lists and recommendations. It will not take long to find movies for families with both kids and teens. Try making a list of resilience-themed movies and then find routines which make it easier to watch them together over the coming years. The same goes for books. Once you find books where characters are resilient (again, thanks to Google) start borrowing them from our Dalat library or buying them as birthday, Christmas, CNY, and even Groundhog Day presents for them to open and read.

Have a great weekend and if you can, “go” to the movies or read a book.

Karl Steinkamp
Head of School
 

When you donate to the Annual Fund, you directly impact the teaching and learning that happens at Dalat each day. Amazing things can happen when students, teachers, and families join together! 

Two needs in the 2021 Annual Fund will benefit middle school students directly. At Dalat, we value a deep sense of community for everyone. Ask any student or staff member from the last several years, and they’ll tell you that places to gather are important and meaningful. This is why we believe that purchasing tables for the middle school building is an important priority. Tables will not only give students additional workspaces, but will also foster memorable conversations, time outside, and fun interactions with each other. RM5,000 will allow us to purchase additional tables for the middle school area. Click here to learn more and donate to this project. 

Another great improvement to the middle school area will be new lockers. New lockers will improve the flow of the corridor and update the visual elements of that space. Our students will enjoy new, clean, and functional lockers to store personal belongings and learning materials. This project needs RM55,000. Click here to learn more and donate to middle school lockers.

We have 2 weeks to go in this year's Annual Fund. We have raised RM72,203; however, we need to raise RM175,000 in order to fully fund all of the 2021 projects. We need your help. When you give to the Annual Fund, you help make big ideas become reality. Please give generously today, for our students. Click here to learn more about the different funding priorities, and we encourage you to choose something close to your heart to support. Learn how you can give here.

We’re grateful to the PTO for hosting their incredible bake sale today which benefits the 2021 Annual Fund! We hope you enjoy your treats, and thank you for your support!

Click here to learn more.

There will be no school (both online and in-person) on Thursday, November 4, due to the Deepavali holiday. Deepavali, or also known as Diwali, is a festival of lights and is one of the most important festivals of the year for the Hindus who celebrate by performing traditional customs at homes with extended family. 

(courtesy Wonderful Malaysia)

Wow, we’re blown away by our community’s participation in the PTO Bake Sale 2021! THANK YOU to all the bakers, sponsors, and buyers!

High school students, click here for a video from Mr. Penland 

As we gradually have students return to face-to-face learning, there are many SOPs set in place by the Malaysia Ministry of Education. We want to make you aware of the responsibilities of parents listed in the SOPs.

1. Sign the consent form for students who are ill to be given a COVID-19 test by the school nurse. This is a requirement in the SOP. You can find the consent form in the Parent Portal section of PowerSchool. 

2. Keep kids home who are sick. Dalat is required to give a COVID-19 test to any student who shows symptoms at school. We are then required to report any positive cases. Please do not send your child to school if they have any symptoms at all.

3. Make sure your child wears a face mask to school at all times. Please encourage them to follow social distancing and other requirements.

4. Drop your child off and pick them up at the designated times. Campus will be open to students only during school hours. On-Campus learning will start at 8:25am Monday morning for our Dalat high school students.  Campus opens at 8:00 am for high-school drop-off in front of Harbor Hall. Campus will be closed to high school students at 4:00 (preschool and kindergarten schedules continue as before).

Additional information about procedures when students or families are diagnosed with COVID-19 are included in this link. Thank you for your cooperation.
 

COVID-19 Testing Consent Form
🇰🇷코로나 검사 동의확인서   🇨🇳新冠病毒测试同意书   🇯🇵COVID-19 テスト同意書

If you have not yet done so, please go to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and complete the COVID-19 Testing Consent form.  

In accordance with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health, we are required to obtain a saliva self-test on any student that develops symptoms of COVID-19 while in school. This is an easy non-invasive test performed by the nurse in the school clinic, and you will be notified directly with the results and the plan of care to follow should the result be positive.

In order for us to meet this mandatory requirement, we need to have a signed parental consent, allowing us to perform the self-test as needed. The form is located in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Your child will not be allowed on campus when face-to-face school resumes without this signed consent form.
 

PowerSchool Lunch Updates
🇰🇷고등학생 점심식사 파워스쿨로 신청   🇨🇳高中PowerSchool信息更新   🇯🇵パワースクールのランチ項目

With high school students returning to campus on Monday, we have opened up lunch updates on the PowerSchool Parent Portal for high school. 

Please note that all students are signed up for semester lunch by default, so you must change this in PowerSchool if you would rather use the pay-per-day option. Please check your option, even if you made this change earlier in the school year, since we reset the system during online school.

The option to change your lunch status is available through November 5 for high school students.

Uniform Store Appointments
🇰🇷유니폼  스토어 예약   🇨🇳预约购买校服​   🇯🇵制服購入予約

Please check with your child to make sure that their uniform still fits properly.  If new uniforms need to be purchased, please make an appointment All High School students will need to arrive in uniform on Monday morning. The uniform store is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. by appointment only. Click here to make an appointment. 

If you are not sure of your child’s size, please bring sample shorts and/or shirts for comparison, or take note of your child’s measurements and inform the uniform store staff during your appointment. If you already know the size you want, email claudia@dalat.org and she'll prepare your order for pickup.

COVID-19 Resources & Community Pages
🇰🇷달랏 웹사이트에 코로나 바이러스 관련 업데이트   🇨🇳在网站上的新型冠状病毒信息资源和回应   🇯🇵ダラットのコロナウィルス情報更新

Dalat continues to post school-related updates at the Dalat website via this link. We will continue to keep in touch with families by updating this webpage with the most current information affecting our community, posting updates on social media, and through contact with parents by email. Contact Dalat administration anytime at info@dalat.org.