Special Guests in the Main Library
Last week MS had their Back to School night, and the library hosted many of the teachers as they met with and presented to parents. This week it was the HS turn to host Back to School night. Both were great successes. It was really wonderful to have parents in and see our library. As a reminder to parents, they are welcome to come to check out books and can be in the library after school hours. Also, if you are interested in checking out books but can not make it to the library, you can use our catalog and write to Ms. Kehe (Melindak@isb.ac.th) or me (Mr. Bell – christob@isb.ac.th) and let us know what titles you would like, and we can check them out for you. Then have your child stop by and pick up the books for you. Here is the Library Catalog:
Additionally, students in Ms. Soo’s Personal Finance class had an amazing presentation from Captain Carlos Romero. He is a United States Army Finance Officer and spoke to the class about the importance of strategically planning for financial success. He was able to give some really amazing insight into how big organizations that have a global presence, like the US Army, manage millions of dollars. He then shared his personal financial history and how students can avoid pitfalls and become educated money managers. It was real-life shared via instruction. It was a great presentation, and the students really enjoyed talking with Captain Carlos.
Captain, Carlos Romero
Ms. Kehe’s Recommendation:
The Night Dairy by Heera Hiranandani (MS Historical)
This story takes place during the 1947 partition of India. It follows a painfully shy 12 year old girl, Nisha, and her twin brother during their dangerous and difficult journey as they flee their home and set out for the ‘new India. Nisha writes to her deceased mother in her diary and it is also a way for her to fully express herself in a way she is not comfortable doing out loud. It is a compelling story of a sensitive girl trying to make sense of what is happening in her world and the human cost of conflict. It will stay with you long after you have turned the last page! Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction.
Mr. Bell’s Recommendation:
Upgrade by Blake Crouch (HS to Adult)
Blake Crouch wrote the book Dark Matter which was wildly popular. Staying with his Sci-Fi genre writing Upgrade is a look into the potential future of humans upgrading our DNA. It is Science that we can all understand and then believable enough that it dances on the line of fiction. This is set in the United States, in the future, where you can travel quickly across the country on the hyperloop, which is something that is planned already. In this book, a food shortage is spurred by scientists’ attempts to deal with the naturally impending food shortage. Unfortunately, the idea backfires, and 200 million people die of starvation. However, the scientist that mutated the failing gene sequence then manipulates human genes to potentially develop ‘super humans’ that could think through the problem and repair the damage done. The result could be worse than the cure in this case. Written for upper-grade students and adults, this book is a thriller, a chase, high science, a struggle between families, and written in Crouch’s captivating manner.
Tech Tool:
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Digital Citizenship Corner:
5-Minute Film Festival: Teaching Digital Citizenship – by Amy Erin Borovoy
“Digital citizenship” is an umbrella term that covers a whole host of important issues. Broadly, it’s the guidelines for responsible, appropriate behavior when one is using technology. But specifically, it can cover anything from “netiquette” to cyberbullying; technology access and the digital divide; online safety and privacy; copyright, plagiarism, and digital law, and more. Watch the video below and then you will see the full playlist of videos or follow the link to the Edutopia Article.