ISB’s Accreditation 3-7 November
by Dr. Andrew Davies
andrewd@isb.ac.th
Dear ISB Parent Community,
Every six years, ISB undergoes an accreditation process conducted by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
For the first time this process will be conducted in collaboration with the Thai government mandatory accreditation by the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA).
We have recently completed our joint WASC/ONESQA Self-Study report and it is now available for parents to read through the ISB Parent Portal.
A joint WASC/ONESQA accreditation committee will be on campus from 3-7 November this year to verify our report and highlight ISB’s areas of strength and areas for growth. The ONESQA focus is to assess the quality of our Thai programs for both native and non-native learners.
WASC has served as our accrediting body for decades and we have benefited significantly from this partnership in our efforts to constantly improve our school, particularly with respect to student learning.
Based in California, the WASC organization is recognized as one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the United States. WASC also accredits a significant number of international schools.
The joint WASC/ONESQA accreditation process works as follows:
First, the school completes an in-depth self-study in an honest effort to assess where the school is relative to criteria set by WASC and ONESQA. The school publishes its findings in a report that is submitted to the two agencies and made available to the school community. The self-study process is guided by the requirements of the accrediting organization’s Focus on Learning protocols: Organization for Student Learning, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Support for Student Personal & Academic Growth, Resource Management and Development and Thai Context (ONESQA). This process involves many people from the school community, either providing information or analyzing the information for the report.
Next, a WASC/ONESQA accreditation committee visit occurs with the tasks of verifying the self-study report and making key recommendations for school improvement. The WASC visiting committee for a school of ISB’s size would typically consist of two Chairs, one from California and one an international school leader, and five to six other members drawn from international schools in the region. They will be joined by two ONESQA representatives from schools in Bangkok. The full joint committee report with an English summary of the ONESQA representatives’ findings is sent to the WASC Commission for review and final determination of the term of accreditation. The report sent to the ONESQA office for review and approval includes the Thai context section findings and summary in English, incorporating the findings of the WASC committee.
Depending on the findings of the visiting team, the WASC accreditation can be awarded for six years with a mid-term progress report involving a two day visit; a one year probationary accreditation with progress report or, in extreme cases, accreditation may be withheld.
In response to the key recommendations the school produces an action plan based on the “critical areas for growth” that is then submitted to WASC for approval, followed by annual submissions with respect to progress made.
Finally, a smaller visiting team (usually the chairs of the initial accreditation) visit the school after three years to make a Mid-Term Progress Report.
As a school, we look forward to the joint WASC/ONESQA process as it enables us to reflect critically on our strengths and weaknesses and learn from the accrediting team where we can improve as a school. We will keep the ISB community updated on the process and will share the WASC/ONESQA Visiting Committee findings in November 2013.
In the meantime, please feel free to contact me with questions or comments about the WASC/ONESQA process and self-study report.
Sincerely,
Dr. Andrew Davies
Head of School
Cub Scout Golf Cart Wash – October 12th
by Deana Turner
dluscioust@gmail.com
Have you driven through more puddles than you can count this rainy season? Has your Golf Cart picked up some extra grime from the daily drive? Pack 701 Cub Scouts would like to invite you to stop by the ISB parking lot Saturday between 9am and Noon. We will be washing Golf Carts, Cars, bikes, wagons, anything that shows up. Donations will go towards helping the Cub Scout’s go camping and other activities. Stop by anytime before or after your weekend activities.
Invitation to Attend an ECG Information Meeting on October 15th
by Kristin Simpson
kristins@isb.ac.th
As part of ISB’s ongoing mission to enhance safety and well-being of our students, we now require that any student in Middle School or High School that would like to participate in a school-sponsored sport must complete a Pre-Participation Physical and Electrocardiogram (ECG, also known as EKG) screen.
ECG screens can help identify individuals who are at risk of specific cardiac issues. It is important to remember however, an ECG screen may assist in diagnosing several different heart conditions but limitations still exist and the ECG is not 100% reliable. However, the ultimate goal of ISB is to help identify those children with potential heart conditions.
To date we have had a total of 572 students from grade 6-12 complete the Physical Exam/ECG with 36 of these students who required further evaluation by a Cardiologist. All of these students have been cleared to participate in Athletics some however with restrictions and a better knowledge as to the limitations of their own body.
We realize that with the addition of the ECG requirement many questions or concerns may exist. Therefore, ISB has organized an Information session to be held October 15th at 6:30 in MPB 1 in which both Dr. Preecha, Pediatric Cardiologist and the Medical Director of Bumrungrad Hospital will be on hand to discuss the use of the ECG screening tool and to address any of these questions or concerns.
ISB School Board Meeting – October 15th
The next School Board regular meeting will be on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 6:00 pm in the MPB 3.
All ISA members are welcome to attend.
International Family Fair Meeting – October 16th
The biggest PTA event of the year will take place on the 1st of February 2014. Food from 62 countries, games by students and sponsors, raffles and entertainment on offer during the IFF all draw a super crowd of parents and students.
To make it a success – we need your help.
Please come to our first IFF meeting on Wednesday October 16th at 10.00 in the MS MPR (next to big toy/PTA Booster club Office) to learn more how you can help and share your ideas
For questions, please email us
MAP Test (Grades 3-9) Presentation – October 17th
by Grame Scott
graemes@isb.ac.th
Dear Parent(s),
Students in grades three to nine have recently taken a test at ISB called Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). This test, which is taken on a computer, is designed to identify a student’s instructional level in the basic skills areas. ISB students (grades 3-9) took reading and mathematics tests (with some exceptions related to math and English proficiency) and will retake this test in April, 2014 so that progress can be measured.
Following each testing period, you will receive a report indicating your child’s instructional level in comparison to all students in his or her grade level at ISB and a broader norm group comprised of a sample of over one million students in the United States. These first reports will be mailed to you next week.
You are invited to a presentation on Thursday 17th October at 9am in the ES MPR where we will explain the MAP test and will answer any questions.
Sincerely,
Graeme Scott
Deputy Head of School for Learning
International School Bangkok
ISB British Community – Social Evening – Thursday 17th October at 6:30pm
by Heather Powell
heather.wyn@gmail.com
Passion Day – Parent Helpers Needed
Graeme Scott
graemes@isb.ac.th
Dear Parents,
As you may know, we are holding a different type of learning day on Friday 8th November. We are calling this day, “Passion Day.” where students have the opportunity to learn what they are passionate or curious about. We have introduced this idea to all students in elementary, middle and high school and asked everyone from grades 3-12 to suggest what they would like to learn on that day. Children from PreK – Grade 2 will also have an element of choice on the morning of 8th November, but it will be a little more controlled. The children will be taken by teachers and assistants from one classroom to another to try new experiences. The afternoon will resemble a normal afternoon for them.
Part of our school mission statement encourages us to develop ‘passionate, reflective learners.’ In offering our students more choice for that day and adding a mandatory period of reflection during each session, we hope to learn more about the benefits of using student passions and curiosities to design future learning experiences.
Some of our Passion Day activities will be half-day and but most will take the whole day. Some will be on campus and others in a different location. ES parents will be informed which activity their child has been placed in but for now though, we may need your help with a number of things.
We need parent helpers on that day to support some of our activities and chaperone children. We do have people leading most of these activities but would prefer another adult or two to be present for many of them. If you are willing to help out for a full or half day on 8th November, please email me. We cannot promise at this stage which activities you will be supporting but we appreciate the help.
Here are a few areas where we could definitely use some help:
PK-2 general support
Crochet
Graphic Design
Drawing
Baking
Cooking
Amazing Race
It’s going to be a great day.
Best wishes,
Graeme Scott Elizabeth Rossini
Deputy Head of School Director of Curriculum
BBSA – Baseball and softball registration is now open!
by Kevin Sypolt
ksypolt@gmail.com
Registration is open for the 2013-14 season of Bangkok Baseball Softball Association (BBSA). The fee for registration is THB 2,500 per player. Registrations after November 1st will be subject to team availability so please register now to avoid disappointment. Also, registrations completed after November 1st will be charged THB 3,500
BBSA has organized baseball/softball play for the past 53 years in Bangkok. There are leagues for boys and girls ages 5 yrs – 18 yrs. BBSA is a community baseball league. Players of all skill levels are welcome. BBSA is committed to ensuring all players enjoy themselves, gain baseball skills and want to continue to play baseball/softball in future years.
All payments can be made at the Community Activity Office at ISB. Payment can be made by cash, check and credit card. The CAO office is open Monday – Friday, 7:00AM to 11:00AM and 12:00PM to 3:00PM.
Player assessment will be held on Sunday November 3rd and Sunday November 10th at the ISB fields. All players are strongly encouraged to attend both assessment sessions but it is vital that all players attend at least one assessment session to allow the coaches to create fair and balanced teams. Parents will be contacted about the specific times for their player’s assessment session.
Practices will begin in mid November with Opening Day for baseball/softball on Saturday, Nov 23rd. All games are played on Friday evenings and Saturdays at ISB. Games will continue every weekend until the league championships the weekend of February 28th/March 1st. There will be no games during the winter break at ISB but we will continue play on Saturday, January 11th 2014.
All teams will practice once per week during the season as a weekly practice is important to skills development and to learn the fundamentals of teamwork, etc. Most practices will take place at the ISB fields on weekday evenings (Monday – Thursday). We have arranged a downtown Bangkok location on Thursdays for an optional weekly practice at NIST. Parents will have to pay THB 500 for the season for this practice because NIST charges for field usage. But all players should register to play even if they cannot commit to attending all weekly practice sessions.
On the registration form you will also have an opportunity to volunteer to be a coach, assistant coach or team parent. Please consider helpng out with your child’s team in some way. The kids really love having their parents helping out with their team and you will have a great time. No previous baseball experience is necessary.
BBSA has purchased a limited number of fielding gloves and batting gloves for players who need them. These will be sold on our assessment days on Sunday, Nov 3rd and 10th. Please note that the BBSA no longer has any baseball cleats to sell. So parents who want baseball cleats will need to obtain them on your own.
Please go to https://inside.isb.ac.th/
Road Safety Education Training for Young ISB Bicycle Riders
Justin Wah
justinw@isb.ac.th
Dear ISB Community,
As part of our continued efforts to improve safety for our students and our school community, ISB is offering Road Safety Educational Training for Young Bicycle Riders.
This training program is offered the two weekends in November to ISB students aged 5-10 years and 11-14 years in a 4 hour session covering road safety, correct usage and riding of a bicycle, and responsibility to self and road user.
Program of training sessions
| Date and Time |
Age Groups |
No. of participants |
| Saturday, November 9 | ||
| 7.30 – 11.30 |
5 yrs – 10 yrs |
20 |
| 12:30- 16:30 |
5 yrs – 10 yrs |
20 |
| Sunday, November 10 | ||
| 7.30 – 11.30 |
5 yrs – 10 yrs |
20 |
| 12:30 -16:30 |
5 yrs – 10 yrs |
20 |
| Saturday, November 16 | ||
| 7.30 – 11.30 |
5 yrs – 10 yrs |
20 |
| 12:30-16:30 |
5 yrs – 10 yrs |
20 |
| Sunday, November 17 | ||
| 7.30 – 11.30 |
11 yrs – 14 yrs |
20 |
| 12:30 – 16:30 |
11 yrs – 14 yrs |
20 |
Register your student now for this valuable opportunity on this Community Activity Office link (Click Here to Register) Cost: 500 baht per child (with ISB subsidy of 1500 baht per student)
Venue: ES MPR and the main parking lot
Trainers: Interdisciplinary Centre for Road Safety (ICRS) was founded by Roy Ben-Eliezer, a public health expert who has been working for more than seven years in the field of road safety and injury prevention in Israel, Myanmar and Vietnam. ICRS activities focus on promoting safer roads and responsible driving culture with the objective of changing behavioral patterns, providing road users with the tools and knowledge of better road usage.
Website: https://www.icroadsafety.com/
Touch Rugby
by Paula Carrol
paulac@isb.ac.th
Anyone interested in playing touch rugby at ISB on Sundays please email Jim at
eNewsletter Guidelines
by Tony Arnold
anthonya@isb.ac.th
ISB eNewsletters provide a valuable avenue for communication within the ISB parent community. For your convenience we have provided you with our eNewsletter guidelines below.
Submitting an announcement for publication
ISB accepts announcements from ISB families for potential publication in our eNewsletters. The announcements are generally intended to highlight events that occur at ISB and/or highlight information about ISB.
What to include in the announcement
• A title for your announcement
• An email contact for further information
Where to submit your announcement
4publish@isb.ac.th is for announcements of interest to the entire ISB community.
tinaratr@isb.ac.th is for Elementary School (ES) announcements of interest to ES families.
maurilib@isb.ac.th is for Middle School (MS) announcements of interest to MS families.
vijitl@isb.ac.th is for High School (HS) announcements of interest to HS families.
Your announcement will be submitted to the appropriate Principal and/or to our Marketing Director for review. ISB reserves the right to determine which announcements will and will not be published, and to edit announcements that are approved for publication.
Frequency of eNewsletter mailings
The ISB eNewsletter that is for the entire community is sent out on Thursdays. Announcements for potential publication in this newsletter must be received by noon on Thursdays.
The ES, MS, and HS eNewsletters are sent out on Fridays. Announcements for potential publication in these newsletters must be received by noon on Fridays.