《声音》艾毅幼儿园专刊 VOICES Ivy Schools Special Issue VOICES Fall/Winter Edition 2018 | Page 5

EDITOR'S NOTE Dear Ivy Community, W elcome to our first, dedicated edition of VOICES for Ivy Schools! As you may recall, VOICES used to be one publication, featuring news from all of the various schools and programs under Ivy Education Group, However, we have made the decision to split the publication into two dedicated editions, one for Ivy Schools, and one for Daystar Academy. The two editions will still mirror one another. Both feature the same theme “Empowering Our Students”, because although we may be different schools, we are under one group, and share the same core beliefs, principles and goals. “Empowering Our Students” is such a fundamental goal for us here at Ivy Schools. We want our students to believe in themselves, to have the courage to make positive changes in the world. We believe that it’s our role as educators to help guide them in that journey; to provide a nurturing and safe environment where they can develop those skills, feel empowered to make decisions, create change, but also have a safety net should certain decisions or attempts not quite work out. In this dedicated edition of VOICES for Ivy Schools, we are delighted to add two new columns which are so reflective of who we are. The first is our “Curiosity Corner”, which is in tribute to one of our first Ivy teachers the late Lisa Perdominico. Lisa was from America and was an irreverent, passionate educator. She was the hugest advocate and believer of children, and their capabilities. She loved science, and today we share with you some of her kid-friendly science experiments that you can do with your child. I also bring to you our “Recipe Corner”, which we often teach in our Ivy cooking class. What we are offering today is both healthy and delicious, the perfect combination! So please enjoy. On a personal note, it’s hard to believe that after four years, my two girls are now both in Elementary school at Daystar.As a native English-speaking family, every day I am in awe at their level of Chinese and Math (which is also taught in Chinese), how they fluidly go back and forth between the two languages of English and Chinese, and how they are excited with any opportunity they may have to engage, and learn, and share. Nurturing a child to feel empowered is a joint collaboration between the school and parents, and does not happen overnight. It’s a long journey. But if the intent is there, it’s already a great start. Please know we have that intent, and promise to be your partner, every step of the way. With warm regards, Ja Wuttithamrong Chief Editor of VOICES & Director of Community Advancement, Ivy Education Group 3