September 18, 2026 - Elementary School Principal Blog

Dear Elementary Parents,

What a joyful week it has been here in the Elementary School! One of my favorite things about being in a school is watching how children engage in play. On any given day on our playground, you can see so many activities happening all at once—from football, tag, and basketball to gymnastics, clapping games, reading, climbing, swinging, sliding, and jumping.

As I watch our students play, I am constantly thinking about safety and how they interact with each other and their environment. We want our students to take healthy risks. We want them to physically challenge themselves, burn off excess energy, and consolidate their learning from the classroom.One important area where you can support us is with playground safety and proper footwear. Because our students have recess twice a day, PE, and additional outdoor learning time, wearing appropriate shoes is essential for running, jumping, and climbing safely:

👟 Sneakers and running shoes (especially lace-ups or sturdy velcro)

Are the safest choice. They are sturdy, secure the ankle, provide good traction, and are built for athletic movement.

🩴 Flip-flops, sandals, and Crocs

Present safety hazards on the playground. Students frequently trip, twist ankles, or lose their shoes when running at top speed. In fact, just this week, we had six minor playground incidents directly related to inappropriate footwear.

If your child loves to play hard, run, climb, or do gymnastics, wearing sneakers to school every day is the best way to keep them safe and active.

Thank you so much for your partnership in keeping our students safe, active, and happy!

Have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Warm regards,

Mr Geoff Heney

Elementary School Principal

📅 What’s On:

Saturday, September 26 | Kyaikkasan Stadium (Yankin) |

Registration opens at 7:30 AM, Races start at 8:00 AM

Bring your family and friends and join the ISY community for a morning of running, walking, and fun! The event is free and open to everyone in our community.

A few details for the day:

When: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Where: Kyaikkasan Stadium in Yankin; Please enter specifically through Gate 9 (West Gate).
7:30 AM: Registration opens
8:00 AM: Races start
Who can participate? The entire ISY community
Cost: Free