DECEMBER 2013

CONCORDIA NEWS

2 NEW CAMPUS

Get the latest on our new cam-pus site in Van Tri and more in our Head of School update.

3 CONCORDIA SPORTS

From a swim meet to a charity bike ride, Concordia students and faculty are keeping active.

Concordia’s fifth graders pay a visit to Bo De Orphanage to spread a little Christmas cheer.

BO DE ORPHANGE VISIT

FIFTH GRADE GIVES THE GIFT OF THEIR TIME

As the Concordia fifth grade class gathered inside the courtyard of the Bo De Orphanage, some seemed a little nervous. For many, this was their first time visiting a Vietnamese orphanage. The visit is part of Concordia’s service learning philosophy, helping students foster genuine relationships and gaining a better understanding of people who may be different to them. These differences may be cultural, socio-economic, or circumstantial.

To help break the ice, the fifth graders sang songs from their upcoming Christmas concert. While they were singing, children came up to the students and raised their arms so that they could be picked up. The fifth graders resisted their cute faces just until the end of the final verses of “Frosty the Snow Man” but seconds later, they had swooped up the toddlers in their arms and began to play with them. Giggles from both babies and the fifth grade class began to fill the garden.

Although it was a difficult goodbye, the students did not depart without leaving a gift of much-needed supplies that had been requested by the orphanage. The boxes of goodies were filled with items that would help with some of the everyday sanitary and health needs of the children. The fifth grade class was thankful to be able to visit with the children and are already looking forward to future visits. “We are hope that this will be the start of a continued relationship with Bo De,” said fifth grade teacher, Mr. Horvath.

CONCORDIA NEWS DECEMBER 2013 concordiahanoi.org2

TEAM CONCORDIA RIDES IN THE KOTO CHARITY BIKE RIDE FOR A FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW

INVITATIONAL SWIM MEET

November 15-16 our Concordia Middle Schoolers had a chance to compete at a regional swim tournament that boasted talent from four schools from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Guangzhou (China). The entire tournament consisted of 72 different events for swimmers from Elementary School to High School with about 200 swimmers competing in total.

Concordia swimmers did very well with various victories in the individual heats. We are very proud of our Concordia Hanoi athletes!

GO TEAM CONCORDIA!

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The first quarter of the 2013-2014 school year is complete. As I look back at many of the great activities that have occurred on campus I am reminded of Tet

Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival) in September and

the Fall Carnival in October. These special activities were an

important part of our development as a school community. Our students also

had several opportunities to participate in sports through ASA, Grades 3-5 Soccer Day, and middle school and high school Basketball teams. Back to School Night, PSO coffee mornings, and Parent-Teacher Conferences have allowed our parents to connect to our school community. It has been a quarter full of opportunities to grow and discover new skills, new friends, and new cultures

The second quarter is also full of many exciting activities like Concordia soccer teams will compete with area school and our high school Model UN team will be heading to Shanghai, China to participate the Model UN Asia summit at Concordia Shanghai in January.

Over the past few months, I have been asked by many of our parents “what’s happening with the permanent campus in Van Tri?” Concordia continues to move forward with our plans for a purpose built campus at Van Tri. Our staff and our project management team have been

HEAD OF SCHOOL QUARTERLY UPDATE

working closely with our architectural firm to design a school that will provide our students with a 21st century learning environment. Concordia is also working closely with the various agencies of Vietnam’s government to receive the necessary permits to start the construction process. Concordia plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony on March 26, 2014. Completion of the facility is scheduled to occur in the 2015-2016 school year.

Finally, Concordia has experience significant growth in our Grade 1 class. At the end of the first semester, we will open a second section of Grade 1. I would like to introduce you to the newest teacher on our staff, Mr. Christopher Lynch, who is originally from America with a degree in Elementary Education from New York. He has international school experience and has worked in North Carolina (US), Seoul (Korea), Angeles (Philippines), Salmiya (Kuwait), and in Hanoi. Mr. Lynch has more than 10 years experience teaching elementary students. Concordia is excited to have such a great teacher join our staff.

At Concordia, we value the thoughts and input of our parents and I hope you will contact us with any questions, thoughts, or concerns that you have regarding our program.

Best regards,

Steve WinkelmanHead of School

Architect’s impression of the new Concordia campus, set to open in the 2015-2016 school year.

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WALKING TO HELP OTHERS

WALK-A-THON AND BACKPACKS

Thanks to Concordia students, families and friends who walked, jogged and sponsored participants of Concordia’s walk-a-thon on November 20. The proceeds of this event reached over $9,000 USD and went towards the purchase of school supplies and basic health care products for under privileged students in Phu Tho province.

Everyone from preschool to high school, Concordia students packed 390 bags with these valuable supplies that will enhance the education and improve general hygiene.

On November 26, Concordia’s Grade 6 and 7 students delivered these bags to Tom Sun Commune School in Phu Tho Province. While there, they had a chance to spend time with the Tom Sun students, sing Christmas carols, and have a bit of a cultural exchange in order to get to know each other better.

Thanks to everyone who was involved, especially LCMS World Mission and the National Institute of Nutrition for making this service project possible. Service learning is a huge element of the Concordia curriculum and we look forward to doing it all again next year.

Walking (and running!) to raise moneyFilling backpacks with supplies

Middle School Delivering backpacks in Phu Tho.

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WE ARE THANKFUL FOR FAMILY

Annual FamilyThanksgiving

Lunch A HUGE “thank you” to the JW Marriott Hotel and especially

Concordia Dad, Goeran Soelter, for sponsoring this year’s Concordia

Thanksgiving lunch. The best food on Thanksgiving day was served right

here at Concordia and the smiles on over 300 family faces proved it!

This year’s annual Concordia Family Thanksgiving lunch was the best one yet!

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CONCORDIA CHRISTMAS CONCERT- DECEMBER 7 @10:30AMParents and Concordia families are invited to join the all-school choir and the upper school band as they entertain you in this one-hour Christmas extravanganza! A short coffee and cookie reception to follow. Parents are encouraged to bring a plate of cookies or other Christmas treat to share. Please email Lia Garcia Halpin if you have any questions.

HOUR OF CODING- DECEMBER 10Dec 9-15 has been named the Week of Coding around the world to encourage young people to consider computer science for the future. On Dec 10th in the afternoon from 3:30-4:30, Concordia will host an hour of coding for anyone interested. Please email Cocnordia IT Director, David Elliott to join this special event.

To share an event in the next newsletter, please contact Lia Garcia at communications@concordiahanoi.org

DECEMBER EVENTS:

MS Boys Soccer Game vs St. Paul- GO CONCORDIA!

MS Boys & Girld Soccer Game vs KIS- GO CONCORDIA!

Hanoi Education Tech Group Monthly Meet up

PSO Christmas Coffee Morning (aimee.cima@gmail to register)

Concordia Annual Christmas Concert (Saturday at 10:30am)

Concordia hosts “Hour of Coding”

Christmas Assembly for All School

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MS Boys & Girls Soccer Game vs HIS- GO CONCORDIA!

Christmas and New Year’s Holidays!

First Day back at school after Christmas Break

Middle School Leadership Conference in Hong Kong

Session 3 ASAs Begin

Tet Holidays- Happy Lunar New Year!

14- JAN. 5

JANUARY EVENTS

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30- FEB. 9

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