New environments can be scary and daunting. Here’s how Risa and Chetan’s family’s transition was eased with SMMIS, which went all out to help the family find their footing.
Looking for a school that’s friendly and welcoming from the get-go? Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS) might be right up your alley. Indeed, Risa and Chetan Kumsy decided to send both of their children to SMMIS, and they couldn’t be happier!
Here’s how they settled on SMMIS, and more on their experience so far.
What led you to choose SMMIS?
We were looking for a nurturing environment that would positively influence our curious kids. We mainly kept three factors in mind: educational philosophy, creative curriculum, as well as the quality of teachers and staff.
We visited four schools in total, and let the final decision lie with our daughter. She was especially drawn to SMMIS, especially when the admin staff introduced her to the ‘Mensch Bench’ in the playground. ‘Mensch’ refers to a good person who can be admired. This bench has such a fascinating story — if any student ever feels lonely, they can just sit on that particular bench, and ‘mensches’ will come and keep them company.
This helped to ease a lot of my daughter’s concerns about feeling alone in a new environment, and reassured her that she’ll be welcomed as part of a community. Now, she can’t stop talking about her friends, teachers, and the yummy lunches!
How else did the school make you and your children feel welcome?
We kickstarted our SMMIS journey with a very helpful orientation day, which allowed my kids to know exactly where to go and what to expect. It’s normal to feel lost in a new school, and having clear instructions really helped ease my children’s jitters. This was made even better by the caring attitude of teachers and staff, who went out of their way to help the kids settle in. I was relieved to know that they were in good hands!
For the parents, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is very active in helping to build a close-knit parent community. There are plenty of energetic volunteers, who come up with ideas for school events to bring all the families together. I also appreciate the Whatsapp groups set up for parents, allowing me to keep abreast of any new happenings.
On top of all of that, there’s an impressive level of communication between the school and parents — with weekly newsletters as well as informative emails from teachers and front desk staff. We get to meet the teachers in person during curriculum nights and parent-teacher meetings; and, if we have any concerns, we can easily reach out to clarify our queries.
What do you value most about the school?
I think it’s all about how SMMIS makes my children feel. They feel great about themselves in the school — and it shows through how they love getting ready for school every morning without any complaints whatsoever. Overall, we feel that the school has played a significant role in making them more confident and curious to learn.
I also love how my kids are exposed to a wide variety of extracurricular activities, as well as music and art. Having a swimming pool on campus has given them a chance to take up competitive swimming as well. There’s an emphasis on developing strong reading habits and building stage confidence, which I feel will benefit the children for the rest of their lives.
Do you have any wise words for other parents trying to choose a school?
Bring your children along for the school visits. Each child is unique, and it’d be best to let them have a feel of the school and its environment in order to find the best fit. For us, we wanted to find a school that has a well-rounded approach that would develop — and provide support for — our kids’ personality, academics, and passions. SMMIS seemed like the best option, and we’ve never looked back!
Thanks for sharing all this with us, Risa and Chetan!
This post is in partnership with Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS).
