August 3, 2012
Dear Parents,
Greetings, and welcome to our 2012-13 school year. During the past weeks we have been busy preparing for our first day of school on Tuesday, August 14th.
The start of a school year is a new beginning for everyone: a new grade level, new teachers, new friends, and for many, a new school and a new country. We are sensitive to the many issues involved in adjusting to these changes and will work with you to help make this transition a smooth and successful one. Together, we will work to ensure that ISB Elementary School is a place where your child feels safe, and experiences the joy of learning and growing.
ISB Elementary School has a caring, committed, and skilled staff dedicated to providing a challenging and child-centered learning environment for each child. Central to this process is our partnership with parents. We encourage you to be involved in your child’s education by staying well informed, attending school events, and when able, assisting with school activities. We know that you will also be an effective partner in your child’s education by establishing and maintaining open communication with your child’s teachers. Please do not hesitate to contact a teacher or one of us should you have any questions or concerns.
As a school, we strive to keep you informed on a regular basis through our newly improved school parent portal at https://inside.isb.ac.th/parentportal/. Please ensure that you visit this site before the start of school. Our ES Parent/Student Information Handbook will be available through the ISB parent portal after August 7. It contains important information on learning, school activities, programs, and school policies. We strongly encourage you to take the time to read through it online and ensure that both your child and you understand the information.
New ES Staff – We warmly welcome a number of new teachers who will be joining the ES staff this year: They include:
Kindergarten: Libby Pool, Jen Whitman
Grade One: Jill Bell
Grade Two: Susan Giles
Grade Four: David Crimi
Grade Five: Katie Cherry, Krista Blovad
EAL: Alison Scott
Learning Support: Louise Saddington
Spanish: Nube Crimi
P.E.: Monte Major
Learning Hub: Nathaniel Whitman
Speech: Maureen Harper (sub for Ms. Chris Vila – maternity leave)
Annual Substitutes: Emma Gedge, Laura Page
A few details to help you get organized for next week:
• School Supplies – Starting this school year, parents will no longer purchase grade level supplies from the book-store. Instead, ISB will provide necessary school supplies.
• PE Uniforms – The PE uniform includes an ISB T-shirt and shorts. We strongly encourage you to order the t-shirt so the child’s first name can be embroidered on the front of it. Uniforms will need to be purchased before the start of school in the Elementary School air-conditioned Gym from 6th-10th of August, 8:30 am-3:00 pm. However, on Saturday, August 11th, uniforms can be purchased at the ISB Bookstore from 7:00 am to 3:00 p.m. (Bookstore is located near the main cafeteria).
• Class lists – Class list will be posted in the front windows of the Elementary School office on August 10th at 4pm and be published in our e-news on the same date.
• Special note for Pre K and Kindergarten families – Please look out for a separate letter being mailed early next, inviting you to an appointment to meet your child’s teacher on either the 14th or 15th August.
Upcoming Events:
Welcome Reception – On the first day of school all parents are invited to an informal Pre K-12 PTA Welcome Reception near the back of HS Cafeteria to meet other parents and enjoy some refreshments. If you plan to be at school on the morning of August 14th, please make your way to the cafeteria once your children have gone to their classrooms. We look forward to greeting our new and returning families at this time.
New Parent Orientation – There will be an Orientation Meeting for parents whose children are new to ISB on Friday, August 17th, at 7:30 am in the Chevron Theater. Please join us to learn more about the school and meet other parents.
ES Open House – Our annual Open House evening is scheduled for Wednesday 29th August at 6.30pm where you will have the opportunity to hear from your child’s teacher after an initial short presentation from us.
On behalf of all of the ISB Elementary School staff, we welcome you and look forward to a great school year together.
Sincerely,
Kelly Armitage
Elementary School Principal
Diana Drummond
Elementary School Vice-Principal