This week marks the end of the first quarter of the school year. This has been the most “normal” quarter since 2019 – absent of lockdowns or online classes. Campus life continues to make a comeback, as students enjoy international and domestic school trips, sporting events, extracurricular activities, X Blocks, KICS, and make preparations for IMPACT service-learning trips. Parents have also reconnected to our community through PTO, prayer groups, parent seminars, open houses, and athletic events. Of course, it is great to see Dalat back to life, but with this comes a family calendar packed with activities. In short, we are busy again!

As we prepare for the mid-semester break, let’s consider the benefit of incorporating rest into our upcoming break. The biblical tradition of rest (or sabbath), can often go neglected with the demands placed on us by school, work, family, and activities. A common thought is that a sabbath rest is what gives us energy for the following week, but Jewish theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel explains that the Sabbath “is not for the purpose of recovering one’s lost strength and becoming fit for the forthcoming labor. The Sabbath is a day for the sake of life.” We were made to rest in God and for His purposes; as Saint Augustine similarly says in his Confessions, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” The emphasis is on designating a time for a focused relationship with God. 

Choosing to devote time to practicing the Sabbath impacts how people manage work and stress. For example, research on the relationship between “keeping the Sabbath” and teacher burnout at international schools found that teachers who report “keeping the Sabbath” regularly experience statistically significant lower levels of burnout. I believe that this concept holds true for all in the Dalat community – for teachers, students, and families. With our school theme of “Reconnect,” let us be challenged to renew our connection to God by practicing a sabbath and choosing to “be still and know that He is God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Dalat places high value on providing a safe learning environment where children feel cared for, protected, and equipped to recognize, refuse, and report unsafe situations. In order to raise awareness about the importance of safety at school, we dedicate a week each semester to teaching students how they can handle different situations. Next week, October 3-7, the Dalat Child Safety Team will host a Safety Week for all grade levels, themed “Healthy Relationships & Boundaries.” 

We believe parents play a primary role in protecting children from unsafe situations, such as abuse and neglect. We highly recommend that you read through Dalat's Child Safety & Protection Policy. Visit the Dalat Child Protection page where we have published resources to help with conversations around safety matters so that your children feel safe to share their concerns with you. If you have any questions, please contact the Dalat Child Safety Team.

Thank you elementary families for supporting our first elementary school IMPACT project of the school year! I would also like to thank our Elementary Student Council members who visited each classroom to share about this special event. The funds raised will go towards purchasing books for a teacher training course, as well as school supplies for 120 backpacks for refugee children. Your partnership and generosity resulted in raising nearly RM8,000. Thank you! Your contributions are making a difference in the lives of less fortunate children. 

Day students can experience dorm life with Dalat’s Short Stay Program. Whether they want to experience life in the community, practice a higher level of independence, or need temporary care and supervision while parents are away, the Short Stay Program allows students from grades 6 - 12 to stay in the dorms for up to ten days per semester. See the Short Stay Program website for more information or email shortstay@dalat.org.

Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences
중학교 학부모 교사 면담 ・ 初中部家长会

Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTC) will be held in Harbor Hall next Friday, October 7. Middle school parents, please schedule your conference times through the PowerSchool portal. Appointment confirmations will be emailed directly to you. 

There will be no classes for middle school students on Friday. However, middle school students are encouraged to attend PTCs if parents would like their child in the conversation. PTCs are optional and appointments are limited, so if your child is off to a great start and you have no concerns, kindly allow spaces to be filled by those needing support. 

Here are a few ways to make the most of your conference time: 

• Be on time: Please be considerate of the teacher’s and other parents’ schedules. Honor the time limit. If you need more than your allotted 10 minutes, please reschedule another appointment time. 

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

• 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.

• Ask for a translator: If you are not comfortable conferencing in English, please arrange for one on your own or contact Mrs. Stevens with details about your conference (time, teacher, and language needed), and she will help organize a translator.

• Prepare for your appointment: Look over your child’s progress in PowerSchool.

The university recruiting season is in high gear! Don’t miss five opportunities to talk with university representatives in the next week - plus 2 new virtual fairs:

• NEW - TOMORROW in Georgetown! Benefits of Community Colleges and Unique Transfer Pathway (US) - October 1 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Penang Science Cluster, Georgetown.
  Learn about the option of American community colleges at an event hosted by the US Department of State. California community colleges are part of the California Master Plan for Higher Education. It offers many benefits, including priority acceptances to the University of California (UC) and California State University systems. In this session by Ms. Marilyn Cheung, the Director of International Student Recruitment and Partner Relations at Foothill and De Anza Colleges, you will learn how students who completed high school are eligible to start their college education in California.

• NEW - This Sunday in Penang! IDP Study Abroad Exhibition - (23 global universities) at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang, October 2 from 1-5 p.m.
  AUSTRALIA:  University of Technology Sydney | Monash University | University of Adelaide | University of Adelaide College | The University of Sydney | Academia International | University of Western Australia | Mit University | Griffith University | Flinders University | University of Tasmania | University of Newcastle. UNITED KINGDOM:  Leeds Beckett University | University of East Anglia | University of Derby | Oxford International Education Group | Oxford Brookes University | Coventry University | University of Birmingham | Lancaster University | University of Plymouth. NEW ZEALAND:  The University of Auckland. IRELAND:  University College Dublin

• Wednesday - Saturday Online: Study in Korea - Online Fair - (57 Korean universities) - October 5 - 8, 2022. Join this online college fair sponsored by the Korean government as they showcase 57 participating Korean universities. The website has good resources for international students wanting to study in Korea. 

• Thursday on Campus: New York University Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) - October 6, 2022, from 3-4 p.m. 

• Friday and Saturday: Study in Korea Fair in KL - (11 Korean universities) - October 7 - 8, 2022, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Meet reps from 11 Korean universities at the Parkroyal Collection in Bukit Bintang, in Kuala Lumpur. This is a great opportunity to ask university representatives about their wide range of courses, their Korean language programs, scholarships, visas, and the admissions process. See this flier for more information.

• NEW! IDP Study Abroad Virtual Fair (12 European universities) - October 14, 2-7 p.m.
  UNITED KINGDOM:  University of Reading | University of Leeds | University of Hull | University of Greenwich | University of Kent | Oxford Brookes University | University of Westminster | Bangor University | Swansea University. IRELAND:  University College Dublin | University College Cork | Trinity College Dublin.

• NEW! IDP Study Abroad Virtual Fair (22 Oceana universities) - October 16, Noon-5 p.m.
  AUSTRALIA: Australian National University | Monash University | University of Adelaide | University of Adelaide College | University of Sydney | Edith Cowan University | Edith Cowan College | Academia International | University of Western Australia | University of Queensland | Federation University Australia | Mit University | Flinders University | University of New England | University of Tasmania | Western Sydney University | South Australian Institute of Business and Technology (SAIBT) | Holmesglen | TAFE NSW Institutes. NEW ZEALAND:  Victoria University of Wellington | University of Auckland | University of Canterbury.

Additional College and University Visits:
대학 방문을 위해 일정을 표시해두세요 ・ 在你的日历上标记大学学院到访

In the Reminder Announcements section, please see the complete list of visiting university representatives during September, October, and November.

Parents Reconnect at PTO’s Walk & Breakfast
PTO 학부모회의 걷기 & 조찬 모임을 통한 학부모 재연결 ・ PTO家长步行早餐聚会

Last Friday, September 23, nearly 40 Dalat parents gathered for a morning hike up Pearl Hill. Parents from elementary, middle, and high school attended and had a chance to socialize and exercise at the same time. Even the weather cooperated, and all the walkers returned dry to Dalat’s Student Center to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast prepared by the PTO Committee. The group had an opportunity to hear about upcoming activities like the Family Fun Day coming up on November 4 (don’t forget to mark your calendars! More information coming soon). Many thanks to all the parents who contributed and participated in our Pearl Hill walk and breakfast meet & greet. Hope to see you at upcoming PTO events!

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

THANK YOU to all Dalat moms who've joined us for prayer in person and at home! In October, we will meet on Wednesday, October 5 and 19 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Student Center. As always, you are welcome to come as you're able and pray in the language you're most comfortable with! 

Our WhatsApp prayer group is open for requests, prayer, and encouragement 24/7. Text Vera +60 17 506-4800 or Ellsy +60 12 430-0699 to get in touch!

Dalat uses the amazing resources from RightNow Media and Axis in our curriculum and programs. Just in time for mid-semester break, we would also like to offer accounts for families to use at home. 

RightNow Media is a streaming library of more than 20,000 videos for everyone in your family - from engaging animated series for young kids to Bible study resources for groups or individuals. This top-quality streaming library has a variety of topics like - comedy, raising children, healthy marriages, improving mental health, worship, work relationships, science, apologetics, and so much more.

An AXIS subscription is a must-have for any home with adolescents or soon-to-be teenagers. The subscription is jam-packed with relevant resources to build stronger family relationships and equip parents to navigate family conversations about events in their children’s everyday lives. Those talks are hard to get started, but AXIS is a great tool to assist in starting ongoing, small conversations about things important to your kids and essential topics to you.

Email Dalat Media to get started with either or both subscriptions today. If you have had one of these subscriptions with Dalat in the past, please let us know if you want to re-subscribe.

Basketball Coaches Needed
농구 코치님을 모십니다 ・ 需要篮球教练

Dalat Athletics is seeking Head and Assistant Basketball Coaches to train and lead our U13 Boys and Girls Basketball teams (mostly Grade 7) – as well as Middle School Boys and Girls Basketball teams (older Grade 7 and Grade 8). In these roles, coaches will work with athletes of varying skill levels, so the first priority is to instill the fundamentals of the game. During the season, coaches will run two to three practices per week, develop in-game strategies, and actively lead their teams during games. These positions require some travel and flexibility to attend occasional away games. The Dalat basketball season will run from November 7 to late February (excluding breaks and holidays). If you or anyone you know would be interested in making an impact on students through basketball, please contact Athletic Director J.J. Davis.

This weekend our Varsity and JV teams will play at the Spike & Strike Soccer Tournament and the Twin Towers Volleyball Tournament at the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL). Watch for updates via Dalat Athletics’ Facebook and Instagram feeds.

Varsity ・ 대표팀 ・ 校队

September 23: The Varsity Boys and Girls Soccer teams took on Soccer Experience with match scores ending in a loss for the boys (3-5) and a win for the girls (6-3).

September 23-24: Dalat hosted the Island Invitational volleyball tournament. Our Varsity teams had a great showing with our girls taking second place and boys taking third. 

September 29: The Varsity Boys and Girls Volleyball teams beat POWIIS at home with final scores of 2-0 for each match.

Junior Varsity (JV) Teams ・ 주니어 대표(JV)팀 ・ 低年级校队

September 27: The JV Boys and Girls teams took on Tenby with final scores of 2-0 (win) and 0-2 (loss) respectively.

Middle School (Under 13) ・ 중학생(13세 미만) ・ 十三岁以下初中部

September 23: U13 Girls Soccer played a tripleheader tournament: Beat Tenby 2-0, lost to Uplands  1-2, and beat POWIIS 3-0. Way to go girls!

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 David Kim (“Reflecting on the First Quarter of Our Final Year in High School”), Taewoo Song (“Spike & Strike, the Eagles Strike!”), and Noah Kaney (“Spike & Strike… without the Strike”).

Congratulations to Grade 3 Yu Li who took gold in last weekend’s Penang International Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Competition at Han Chiang Stadium. Yu fought in the 8yo, Under 30 kg, White Belt Division, and she submitted all her opponents – all boys – and won gold!

Leaving Dalat? ・ 달랏을 떠나시나요? ・ 离开Dalat吗？

If your child is withdrawing from Dalat after the first semester, please complete this withdrawal form by October 15.

Substitute Teachers Needed ・ 대체 교사를 모십니다 ・ 需要代课老师

If you are interested, please email Monica Mohan to find out more, and fill out our substitute teacher application. Training will be provided.

All Up-Coming University Rep Visits and College Fairs
대학 방문을 위해 일정을 표시해두세요 ・ 在你的日历上标记大学学院到访

• NEW for TOMORROW Benefits of Community Colleges and Unique Transfer Pathway (US) - Saturday, October 1 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at the Penang Science Cluster, in Georgetown.

• NEW for Sunday! IDP Study Abroad Exhibition - (23 Australian, UK, New Zealand, and Ireland universities) - October 2, 1-5 p.m at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang.

• Study in Korea - Online Fair - (57 Korean universities) - October 5 - 8, 2022.
  Are you interested in attending university in Korea? October 5 - 8, the Korean government will host an online college fair with 57 participating Korean universities.

• 11 Korean universities at the Parkroyal Collection - October 7 - 8 in Bukit Bintang, in Kuala Lumpur. See this flier for more information.

• New York University Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) - October 6, from 3-4 p.m. 

• Study in Korea Fair in KL - (11 Korean universities) - October 7 - 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Creative Careers of the 21st Century - October 11 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. 
  If you’re passionate about science, technology, engineering, or math, plus art, consider mixing these together to create a job you’ll spring out of bed every morning to do. In this session by Radhi Ibrahim, Assistant Director of Admission at Savannah College of Art and Design you will learn about creative career options and opportunities in STEM.

• Russell Group 24 Visiting UK Universities - October 26, 2022 (Wednesday) 3-5 p.m.
  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)

• NEW! IDP Study Abroad Exhibition Virtual Fair (12 UK and Ireland universities) - October 14, 2-7 p.m.

• NEW! IDP Study Abroad Exhibition Virtual Fair (22 Australian and New Zealand universities) - October 16, Noon-5 p.m. 

• University of British Columbia (Canada) - November 11, 2022, 3-4 pm

For more information, watch this video from Mr. Dobson. Click here for highlights from universities that have already visited.

September 29 - October 1

HS Choir Festival in Bangkok

September 30

Quarter 1 Ends

September 30 - October 1

HS Spike & Strike Soccer at ISKL

October 1

SAT Exam

October 3 - 7

Child Safety Week

October 7

MS Parent-Teacher Conferences

No School for MS (G5-G8)

October 8 - 16

Mid-Semester Fall Break 

NO SCHOOL - all divisions

IMPACT Service Trips

October 17

Annual Fund Begins

October 18 - 22 

ACSC Tournament

ACSC Boys Soccer @ ICS Bangkok

ACSC Boys Volleyball @ Dalat

ACSC Girls Volleyball @ Faith (Philippines)

October 24

Deepavali (celebrated)

NO SCHOOL - all divisions

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

October 3 - 7

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

Monday
Chicken Devine, Steamed Broccoli & Carrots with Garlic Bread
Korean Beef Stir-Fry & White Rice

Tuesday
Sticky Korean Chicken & Glass Noodle Stir-Fry Japchae
Herb Crusted Pork Roast with Gravy & White Rice, Dinner Rolls, and Braised French Green Beans with garlic & butter

Wednesday
Pesto Grilled Chicken with Roasted Potatoes, Corn on Cob
Steamed Broccoli Maggi Fried Noodles with Pork

Thursday
Tuna Casserole & Garlic Bread
Thai Massaman Curry with Chicken & White Rice and Stir-Fry Veggies

Friday
Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwiches and Zuppa Toscana Soup
Chicken with Chinese Broccoli & Mushrooms with White Rice