Lower School Newsletter Aug 24 2026
Lower School | 24 August 2026
Upcoming Events
Sept 1 (Tue): Upper School Back-to-School Night
Sept 3 (Thu): Lower School Back-to-School Night
Sept 5 (Sat): HIS Welcome Back BBQ
Sept 7 (Mon): CCAs begin
Sept 11 (Fri): No School (in-service day for staff)
Sept 25 (Fri)-Oct 02: No School (holiday and in-service)
Oct 20 (Tue): Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences
Visit the HIS School Calendar
Sept 3 (Thu): Lower School Back-to-School Night
Sept 5 (Sat): HIS Welcome Back BBQ
Sept 7 (Mon): CCAs begin
Sept 11 (Fri): No School (in-service day for staff)
Sept 25 (Fri)-Oct 02: No School (holiday and in-service)
Oct 20 (Tue): Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences
Visit the HIS School Calendar
Message from the Lower School Principal
Dear HIS Lower School Families,
What a wonderful first three days of school!
It has been a pleasure seeing our campus come back to life with students, families, and teachers. Across the Lower School, children have been reconnecting with friends, getting to know new classmates and teachers, exploring their learning spaces, and beginning to establish the routines that will support them throughout the year. For our students who are new to HIS, there has been a great deal to take in, and I have been especially pleased to see the many small acts of kindness and welcome that have helped them begin to feel part of our community.
Thank you as well to our families for helping us have such a positive start. The beginning of a school year always brings new routines to learn, from arrival and dismissal to new gates, schedules, classrooms, and communication systems, and we appreciate your patience and partnership as everyone settles in.
Today we begin our first full week of the 2026–27 school year. With the initial introductions behind us, classrooms will now begin moving more fully into learning, inquiry, assessment, and the establishment of the habits and expectations that make a successful year possible. Our Early Years students also begin their full-day schedule today following their three transition days last week.
There is quite a lot of important information in this week's newsletter, so I encourage you to take some time to read through it carefully. A few items I would especially highlight:
Lower School Back-to-School Night – Thursday, September 3: Please save the date. We will begin together in the Theater at 6:00 PM before families move to grade-level presentations. This evening is an important opportunity to learn more about your child's classroom routines, curriculum, learning expectations, and the year ahead.
Lower School Family Handbook: Our updated 2026–27 handbook is included again this week. It is an important reference for families and provides information about many of the routines, expectations, policies, and procedures that guide our Lower School.
Attendance: You will also find an explanation of our attendance support framework. Regular attendance is essential to learning, and the framework explains how we partner with families when patterns of absence begin to develop. Our intention is always to communicate early and work together to support students.
Campus Access and Gate Procedures: As we continue adjusting to our new entry system, please review the information regarding morning arrival, visitors during the school day, afternoon access, and community events. Maintaining a safe campus while remaining a welcoming community requires everyone's cooperation.
CCAs and Activities: CCA registration is currently open through SchoolsBuddy and closes at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, August 26. There is no advantage to registering early, so families have time to talk with their children and carefully consider their choices.
I am also very pleased that this week's newsletter introduces Dr. Sinae VanHaastert, our new Lower School Vice Principal and PYP Coordinator. Sinae has already spent considerable time visiting classrooms, meeting students, and getting to know our community, and I know she will be an important partner for students, teachers, and families this year.
Finally, school routines take time to become familiar, especially at the beginning of a new year. Children may come home excited, tired, full of stories, or sometimes with very little to say at all! All of that is normal. During these first weeks, one of the most valuable things we can do together is provide children with consistency: good sleep, regular attendance, arriving at school on time, and plenty of encouragement as they build confidence and independence.
We have had an excellent beginning, and I am excited to see what our first full week together brings. Thank you for your continued trust, support, and partnership. It is wonderful to have our Dragons back at school.
Have a great week ahead!
Take care,
Jeff
R. Jeffery Hart
Lower School Principal
What a wonderful first three days of school!
It has been a pleasure seeing our campus come back to life with students, families, and teachers. Across the Lower School, children have been reconnecting with friends, getting to know new classmates and teachers, exploring their learning spaces, and beginning to establish the routines that will support them throughout the year. For our students who are new to HIS, there has been a great deal to take in, and I have been especially pleased to see the many small acts of kindness and welcome that have helped them begin to feel part of our community.
Thank you as well to our families for helping us have such a positive start. The beginning of a school year always brings new routines to learn, from arrival and dismissal to new gates, schedules, classrooms, and communication systems, and we appreciate your patience and partnership as everyone settles in.
Today we begin our first full week of the 2026–27 school year. With the initial introductions behind us, classrooms will now begin moving more fully into learning, inquiry, assessment, and the establishment of the habits and expectations that make a successful year possible. Our Early Years students also begin their full-day schedule today following their three transition days last week.
There is quite a lot of important information in this week's newsletter, so I encourage you to take some time to read through it carefully. A few items I would especially highlight:
Lower School Back-to-School Night – Thursday, September 3: Please save the date. We will begin together in the Theater at 6:00 PM before families move to grade-level presentations. This evening is an important opportunity to learn more about your child's classroom routines, curriculum, learning expectations, and the year ahead.
Lower School Family Handbook: Our updated 2026–27 handbook is included again this week. It is an important reference for families and provides information about many of the routines, expectations, policies, and procedures that guide our Lower School.
Attendance: You will also find an explanation of our attendance support framework. Regular attendance is essential to learning, and the framework explains how we partner with families when patterns of absence begin to develop. Our intention is always to communicate early and work together to support students.
Campus Access and Gate Procedures: As we continue adjusting to our new entry system, please review the information regarding morning arrival, visitors during the school day, afternoon access, and community events. Maintaining a safe campus while remaining a welcoming community requires everyone's cooperation.
CCAs and Activities: CCA registration is currently open through SchoolsBuddy and closes at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, August 26. There is no advantage to registering early, so families have time to talk with their children and carefully consider their choices.
I am also very pleased that this week's newsletter introduces Dr. Sinae VanHaastert, our new Lower School Vice Principal and PYP Coordinator. Sinae has already spent considerable time visiting classrooms, meeting students, and getting to know our community, and I know she will be an important partner for students, teachers, and families this year.
Finally, school routines take time to become familiar, especially at the beginning of a new year. Children may come home excited, tired, full of stories, or sometimes with very little to say at all! All of that is normal. During these first weeks, one of the most valuable things we can do together is provide children with consistency: good sleep, regular attendance, arriving at school on time, and plenty of encouragement as they build confidence and independence.
We have had an excellent beginning, and I am excited to see what our first full week together brings. Thank you for your continued trust, support, and partnership. It is wonderful to have our Dragons back at school.
Have a great week ahead!
Take care,
Jeff
R. Jeffery Hart
Lower School Principal
HIS NEWS
Back to School Night - Lower School: Thursday, Sept 3 @ 6:00pm
Starts in the theater at 6:00pm
We are excited to invite you to our Back-to-School Night! This is a special evening designed for you to connect with your child’s teachers and gain insight into the year ahead.
During the evening, you’ll hear about classroom routines, curriculum highlights, and the many ways we’ll support your child’s learning and growth this year. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to ask questions, meet other parents, and see how we can work together to make this a successful school year.
We look forward to seeing you there, building stronger partnerships, and starting the year with together!Starts in the theater at 6:00pm
We are excited to invite you to our Back-to-School Night! This is a special evening designed for you to connect with your child’s teachers and gain insight into the year ahead.
During the evening, you’ll hear about classroom routines, curriculum highlights, and the many ways we’ll support your child’s learning and growth this year. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to ask questions, meet other parents, and see how we can work together to make this a successful school year.
We look forward to seeing you there, building stronger partnerships, and starting the year with together!Starts in the theater at 6:00pm
The evening will be divided in repeated sessions to allow parents of siblings to visit multiple grade levels. Here is the evening's schedule:
- 6:00pm to 6:15pm - parents in the theater for an introduction to the evening from Jeff Hart, the Lower School Principal.
- 6:25pm to 6:45 Session 1 - Parents are invited to hear from their child's teachers in their grade level common wing.
- 6:55pm to 7:15pm Session 2 - Parents are invited to hear from their child's teachers in their grade level common wing.
- 7:30pm - The evening comes to an end.
- This night is meant for parents and not students.
- This is not the time to meet with teachers and have conversations about your child or individual concerns. You have opportunities to request meetings at any time or wait until the Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences in October.
Lower School Family Handbook
Information about different policies and procedures can be found on the School Policies page on our website (https://www.his-china.org). Here you can find information form documents like our Literacy Policy Guidelines, Admissions Policy Guidelines, and our Student Support Services Handbook - as some examples.
One important document for our families is our Lower School Parent Handbook. This handbook serves as a valuable resource, offering essential information about the operations, expectations, and procedures that affect students and their families in the Lower School. It should be used as a reference if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our systems and how our Lower School functions. Should you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers, our administrative staff, or the leadership team.
One important document for our families is our Lower School Parent Handbook. This handbook serves as a valuable resource, offering essential information about the operations, expectations, and procedures that affect students and their families in the Lower School. It should be used as a reference if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our systems and how our Lower School functions. Should you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers, our administrative staff, or the leadership team.
Understanding Our Attendance Support Framework
A Partnership Approach to Supporting Regular Attendance
Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. At HIS, we partner with families early and supportively whenever patterns of absence begin to emerge. Our goal is always the same: to understand barriers, offer help, and keep students engaged in learning.
Below is a simplified overview of how we respond as absences accumulate. You will always be contacted and invited into the conversation as a valued partner.
How We Respond as Absences Accumulate
Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. At HIS, we partner with families early and supportively whenever patterns of absence begin to emerge. Our goal is always the same: to understand barriers, offer help, and keep students engaged in learning.
Below is a simplified overview of how we respond as absences accumulate. You will always be contacted and invited into the conversation as a valued partner.
How We Respond as Absences Accumulate
What This Means for Families
We reach out early not to punish, but to partner: Most attendance concerns are resolved through simple conversation and practical support. The earlier we talk, the easier it is to find solutions that work for your child and family.
You will always be informed and invited in: At every stage, families receive clear communication and are welcomed as essential partners in the process.
Credit is the last step, not the first: Formal credit review occurs after extensive support has been offered and documented. Our priority remains helping every student remain on track for success.
Questions or concerns? Please reach out to your child’s counselor or advisor at any time. We are here to support you and your student.What This Means for Families
We reach out early not to punish, but to partner: Most attendance concerns are resolved through simple conversation and practical support. The earlier we talk, the easier it is to find solutions that work for your child and family.
You will always be informed and invited in: At every stage, families receive clear communication and are welcomed as essential partners in the process.
Credit is the last step, not the first: Formal credit review occurs after extensive support has been offered and documented. Our priority remains helping every student remain on track for success.
Questions or concerns? Please reach out to your child’s counselor or advisor at any time. We are here to support you and your student.What This Means for Families
Meet Our New Vice Principal and PYP Coordinator