Welcome to Dunecrest American School's bi-monthly community and project showcase: Making Waves. Take a peek and learn about the Dunecrest Difference! Helping Students Become the Best Version of Themselves THINK-IN LAB Design Thinking at Dunecrest "Design thinking" originated as a way for engineers to test design feasibility with prototypes. This process captured the imagination of educators and was adapted as a dynamic method for teaching problem solving.
At Dunecrest we support students in exploring and understanding a problem through the Design Thinking framework. We also lead by example; therefore, you'll find teachers and principals applying Design Thinking frameworks throughout their project implementation. The SC Supers Student Council Representatives are Dunecrest Supers. It's impossible to find a picture of them all together because they are always behind the camera, manning the food stall, selling the tickets, giving tours, running talent shows and planning costume contests. We are not at all surprised that despite Covid 19 they have been busy listening to their peers and crafting strategies to bring the community closer together. * Spot the Student Council Members! Not all of these smiling faces are part of Student Council this year.
The Initial Problem Dunecrest is all about community. Throughout the past seven weeks teachers, principals and counselors have regularly reached out to students to check in but people are still missing that sense of togetherness. As such, Student Council put their thinking caps on regarding how to re-establish that sense of community in a virtual world.
1. Empathize Where is the end-user stuck? What is the key pain point? Dunecrest has been doing an incredible job in delivering a dynamic and engaging virtual learning environment. (Link to Day in E-life video) One of the main challenges with the Covid 19 crisis is the lack of human interaction, particularly friend to friend. There is no substitute for a game of football, a high-five, a belly laugh or a hug. Middle School Student Council realized that students were missing general socialization. 2. Define Redefine the problem from an end-users perspective. Student Council wanted to host a bonding activity. While brainstorming, they realized that there were a number of constraints, for example: accessibility, timing and the level of interaction. It was important that the event didn't conflict with other key activities (ie prayer or meal time) and that everyone could participate in the session . 3. Ideate Think outside the box for solutions that help solve the problem. Student Council identified a number of virtual events including: trivia games, virtual Netflix parties, on-line gaming tournaments, Pictionary, scavenger hunts, music ensembles, and whodunnit games. The key to formulating the perfect social event was to have something that was highly interactive and didn't require specific materials, preparation or skills. The event also needed to involve students and teachers. 4. Prototype Create models that generate data.
Student Council decided that a Thursday, lunchtime trivia game via Kahoot would be the best initial virtual event as it met all of the criteria. The leadership group also decided to run the event by class so that students had a chance for more interaction with their cohort. This format also minimized some of the common logistical and communication challenges of interacting on-line with groups over a certain size. 2. Test Use traditional metrics to measure outcomes. The trivia was a huge success with more than 80% participation! Dunecrest students really like spending time with one another and their teachers. As such there was alot of laughing, banter and cheering one another on. It was amazing to see how the Dunecrest spirit transcended the physical distance between everyone. Before the game was even finished, there were calls for the next social, which is a true measure of success! VIRTUAL LEARNING Life looks quite different than it did a few weeks ago but that doesn't mean that we need to stop learning! This is the perfect opportunity to dive into the mysterious world of technology. During home learning, we will showcase a new app, website or tool that can enhance your "e"xperience. Virtual School Clubs & Events Dunecrest Admissions is Going Live!
At Dunecrest American School, from Pre-KG to Grade 12, we recognize the importance of choosing the right school for your child. We are delighted to launch a series of weekly, IG Live virtual information sessions to support prospective parents with this important decision. Spread the word!!
Beginning May 12 at 11 am on IG Live @dunecrestdubai we will launch our weekly series:
May 12: Meet us Virtually May 19: Grade 11 & 12 -IBDP at Dunecrest May 26: Eid Holiday Jun 02: Discover Early Childhood Virtual After School Clubs Dunecrest students are really enjoying their virtual school days, however, in many instances mom and dad need to work in the afternoon and many traditional sources of entertainment such as community pools and parks are temporarily shut. Dunecrest students have applied their "design thinking" mindset and proposed solutions to our Head of School, Mr. Bill. Virtual Pet Club C.J. Turner in Grade 4, for instance, proposed a Virtual Pets Club. For the first time ever, students are able to bring their pets to school for an ECA! Students and teachers exchange strategies for training, share pet games and demonstrate impressive tricks from tortoises to dogs , fish to cats and even baby sisters, this club has it all! Students are now honing their media skills and creating short video clips of their pet's best trick or silliest moments to share with the group. This group meets every Tuesday at 3:30pm so come along and share your pet-spertise! Virtual Choir Club
The Virtual Pet Club has been such a success that Jodi Hassanein and Zoe Mouchantaf, also in Grade 4, are now launching a Virtual Choir! When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
"The only limit is your imagination." Big Hero 6 EAGLE SPOTLIGHT At Dunecrest you will continually witness people being the best version of themselves from students to teachers and alumni to parents. Here we celebrate these amazing individuals! Middle School has been buzzing with excitement at the arrival of Mr. Mischler, their new Math Teacher for Grades 6, 7 and 8. Making Waves caught up with Mr. Mischler virtually to learn more about his story and how it is that he makes math so much fun! Where are you originally from? I grew up in Western Michigan, where my dog, Wallace, is staying right now. My most recent teaching job was at Lincoln Community School in Accra, Ghana. How did you get into teaching? I've been teaching for 20 years. Teaching is a second career for me. I spent 25 years in the commercial printing industry trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I went back to school in my 40s to get my math education degree.
Some children love math while others are very intimidated by it. How do you make it exciting for some and accessible for others? Do you like history? Math is rich in history. Do you like sports? Can't understand sports without using math. Music? Art? Literature? Cooking? Math permeates all of these, because math is fundamental to our understanding of the universe around us. Ever study a flower or the pattern in a nautilus shell? Fibonacci numbers and the Golden Spiral are all mathematical concepts. When kids learn these things about math, they begin to appreciate the beauty and wonder of mathematics and their natural curiosity comes alive. Do you believe that kids who have struggled with math or been intimated by it in the past can fall in love with it? If so, how? Not every student is highly numerate, but every student has the ability to learn fundamental mathmatical concepts. When we stop "beating kids over the head" with math and begin to show them the beauty, symmetry, and mystery of mathematics, then yes - kids can easily overcome their initial fear of the subject and fall in love with it. AIMING HIGHER At Dunecrest American School, our focus is on raising achievement every day, every way. This culture of always aiming higher is evident in all we do from our lessons, to our sports and art program to our school's long term growth plan. Now in our second year of operation, "Aiming Higher" will showcase some of the exciting changes we have in store for the community in the 2020-2021 academic year. NEW: Culinary Arts Elective It's no doubt that Chopped, Iron Chef and Cake Boss have helped to drive a Culinary Arts Renaissance of sorts. Further, education over the past two generations has tended to move away from practical life skills that were once found in Home Economics. Today, we see a resurgence in learning life skills like financial literacy, gardening and of course, cooking. Course Overview This is a basic food course that covers many different aspects of food preparation, nutrition, safety and sanitation practices. We will delve into terminology and basic cooking measurements, knife skills, meal planning, and table service. This is a basic food course that covers many different aspects of food preparation, nutrition, safety and sanitation practices, We will delve into terminology and basic cooking measurements, knife skills, meal planning, and table service. A variety of lab experiences will accompany skills learned during instruction time. Basic cooking contest presentations will also be part of this course along with tasting our delightful foods from different countries and cultures!
SCOREBOARD At Dunecrest we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of sporting opportunities for our student-athletes to achieve athletic goals. Tennis - A Ray of Postivity The professional tennis community has been a ray of sunshine during the Covid-19 crisis. Top ranked world players have kept us fit with creative home workouts and amused with on-line social media banter and challenges. More recently, 32 of the world's leading ATP and WTA men and women came together for the first ever Playstation 4 Madrid Open Virtual Pro Tennis Tournament on Tennis World Tour. In addition to bragging rights, winners were awarded EUR 150,000 ea to donate to those in need. Tennis - The Mighty Eagles As a positive, supportive community ourselves, we turn our attention to Dunecrest's blossoming tennis program.
Dunecrest is focused on building both team & individual sports programs to fit student interests. The 2019-20 school year saw us take our first steps to build a competitive Tennis program.
Tennis is offered to our Elementary students as a paid extra-curricular activity (ECA) to help them build the foundational skills & understandings of the sport. We hope to continue to build on our students' interest in tennis by finding meaningful competitive experiences for them and supporting them with top-level coaching as they pursue their athletic passions. With strong interest at the Middle School age group, we offered Tennis as one of our Season 2 sports, with athletes participating for 10 weeks between November and February. Dunecrest invested in an external coach, Coach James, a U.K certified professional tennis coach to lead our athletes. They practiced twice a week focusing on building strong fundamentals, understanding how to utilize strategic shot-making in match situations, and participating in internal practice matches.
This year we had 7 students (grades 5-8) participate, ranging from intermediate to advanced players. We capped off the year with a fun & passionate competition between students, teachers & parents. As our program develops and the player's skills improve, we will seek out interschool competitive matches. The hope is to build a strong program with 8-10 boys & girls each to travel throughout Dubai playing other International Schools. We are lucky to have a great foundation of players who have been playing individually for many years. The team is led by Karl Mouchantaf, who already competes in international competitions around the world & is ranked in his age group within the U.A.E. We have many other talented athletes who, with continued practice & dedication to the sport, will be able to participate in tennis tournaments in the future. We hope to continue to build on our student's interest in the sport, by finding meaningful competitive experiences for them and supporting them with top-level coaching as they pursue their athletic passions. MINDFUL ME Our students well-being is at the heart of all we do at Dunecrest. Secondary School Counselor, Zeina Mouganie and Elementary Counselor, Stephanie Mikulecky, will provide different strategies for managing this unique period in our students' lives. Dunecrest Values: C.R.E.S.T Dunecrest aims to support and develop our student community every day, every way. The principals of C.R.E.S.T (Creativity, Respect, Excellence, Service, and Teamwork) govern our academic, extracurricular, social and communal interaction. Emotional Well-being
No doubt our lives look a little different than they did a month and a half ago, but as we navigate a new "temporary" reality we need to be reminded that such experiences help build our resilience and our ability to face and adapt to unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations.
As we continue to serve our community by practicing social distancing, we also need to ensure our own physical and emotional wellbeing through this phase. Taking care of our emotional health during this period will help us to continue to think clearly. It also helps us make effective decisions for ourselves and for others around us who might be coping differently. It's healthy for us to know what coping mechanisms work for us when we feel unsettled.
An important noteā¦ social isolation could trigger emotions that may be placed under a bandaid during the hustle and bustle of our "regular" lives. If you are experiencing feelings of despair, frustration, anxiety that are interfering with your daily functioning and are affecting your well-being, please contact me and together we will explore other ways of coping. Let's get through this phase feeling healthy, while being in a good head space.
So, for now, let's take a look at those tips to maintain Emotional Wellbeing during this period.
Eductionally yours,
Zeina Mouganie Secondary School Counselor 1. Maintain Your Body Eat healthy well- balanced meals
Stay hydrated
Exercise regularly via an on-line indoor workout or develop your own backyard routine
Get plenty of sleep 2. Be Mindful Mindfulness mediations can help relax the body, focus and enjoy the NOW. Techniques include a body "check-in" before moving to the next subject, mindful breathing or a music break. 3. Stay Positive View the situation with realistic optimism
Stay informed but avoid too much media
Engage in healthy and productive distractions
Change you negative phrases to positive ones 4. Feed the Soul Take time to be grateful for the little things
Think about ways to help and support others
Find ways to stay connected with friends and loved ones 5. Regain Control You are in control! It's ok to not make big accomplishments right now. Rather set small, attainable goals to remind you that you are in control of your life. Small wins have a big impact now! 6. Feel Your Feelings If you are feeling anxious, recognize that your anxiety is normal. There are many apps that can help teens and adults feel less anxious, less frustrated and more focused. e.g. MINDSHIFT, HEADSPACE, & CALM. Dunecrest American School Dubai, UAE +971 4 508 7444 | info@dunecrest.ae
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