MS eNews – Friday, May 23, 2014
Updated MS Calendar of upcoming events:
Tuesday, May 27
- Early Dismissal at 1:00pm
Thursday, June 5
- Grade 8 Moving On Ceremony at 8:00am in the Chevron
Friday, June 6
- Last day of 2013-2014 school year
- MS Alternate Dress Day
- MS Final Assembly at 7:20am in the Chevron
- All student dismissal at 11:30am
MS Activities and Athletics Weekly Update
Check out some of the highlights that have happened, or will happen soon. For the most up-to-date information, click on the following link: Link to MS Activities and Athletics
Important Message From The MS Counselors – Tips for Parents: Helping Children Cope in Unsettling Times
While things appear to be calm in Bangkok right now, the prolonged political turmoil in Thailand can be unsettling. The coup yesterday is likely to elicit a range of responses and emotions in children and adolescents, based on their previous experiences and the reactions of those around them. Some may be confused or fearful that they or their loved ones are at risk. Others may feel unaffected.
The following guidelines can help children understand what is happening factually, how events do or do not impact their lives, and how to cope with their reactions. Children will take their cues from you, especially young children. Parents should gauge their child’s need for information and reassurance and respond accordingly.
1. Be a good listener and observer. Let children guide you as to how concerned they are or how much information they need. If they are not anxious or focused on current events, don’t dwell on them. But be available to answer their questions to the best of your ability. Young children may not be able to express themselves verbally. Pay attention to changes in their behavior or social interactions. Most school age children and adolescents can discuss their concerns although they may need you to provide an “opening” to start a conversation. Don’t push, but ask what they think about current events. Even if they don’t want or need to talk now, they may later and they will know you care what they think and feel.
2. Acknowledge and normalize their feelings. Allow children to discuss their feelings and concerns and encourage any questions they may have regarding this event. Listen and empathize. An empathetic listener is very important. Let them know that others are feeling the same way and that their reactions are normal and expected.
3. Take care of your own needs. Take time for yourself and try to deal with your own reactions to the situation as fully as possible. You will be better able to help your children if you are coping well. If you are anxious or upset, your children are more likely to be so as well. Talk to other adults such as family, friends, faith leaders, or a counselor. It is important not to dwell on your fears by yourself. Sharing feelings with others often makes us feel more connected and secure. Take care of your physical health. Make time, however small, to do things you enjoy.
4. Turn off or monitor the TV and Internet. It is important to stay informed, but watching endless news programs or constantly checking Twitter or Facebook is likely to heighten your anxiety and that of your children. Young children in particular cannot distinguish between images on T.V. and their personal reality. Older children may stay informed, but be available to discuss what they see and help put it into perspective.
5. Discuss events in age-appropriate terms. Share information that is appropriate to their age and developmental level. Update them as information changes. Young children may require repeated reassurance that adults will always take care of them. School age children can understand details and reasons behind specific actions, such as increased security but cannot absorb intense or frightening information. Adolescents may want to discuss political as well as safety issues.
6. Stick to the facts. Answer children’s questions factually and include a positive element to answer, e.g., “Yes, there are soldiers on our streets, but they are there to protect us.” Don’t speculate about what could happen.
7. Remind children not to ridicule people or ideas just because they are different. The political tensions in Thailand are complicated. Children, particularly younger ones, will tend to view them in absolute terms, with good guys and bad guys. Reinforce that most people are good and ultimately care about the same things: safety, freedom and opportunity.
8. Help children explore and express their opinions respectfully. Explain that opinion is not the same as fact. Fact is what actually happens. Opinions are how we feel about what happens. Everyone has a right to their opinion and discussing different views can deepen children’s understanding of the world. Addressing the intolerance that leads to conflict and aggression can also help children regain a sense of control. Encourage children to state their beliefs with opening phrases like, “I believe or I think” instead of “It is” or “You should.”
9. Seek support from your counselors. If you remain worried or you find that you have heightened anxiety, please do reach out to your grade level counselor who can offer an appointment and provide support for you.
Grade 6 Counselor: Cynthia Nordmeyer (cynthian@isb.ac.th)
Grade 7 Counselor: Jackie Greenwood (jackieg@isb.ac.th)
Grade 8 Counselor: Ross Tague (rosst@isb.ac.th)
Adapted from the National Association of School Psychologists https://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/helpingchildrencope.aspx.
MAP and ISA Assessments
Our school uses a range of assessment tools to gauge student progress in literacy and math. We also use two standardized assessments throughout the year to assess these areas. These are Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) for grades 3-9 and International Schools Assessment (ISA) for grades 3, 5, 7 and 10. The results of these assessments are not included in annual school reports but they do provide us with interesting and useful data on an individual and school wide scale.
This week, we will be sending home individual student scores together with explanatory notes for students who took these assessments. If you need to know more about your child’s assessment scores, please see their teacher or counselor.
If you wish to know more about MAP and/or ISA in general, we will have a short presentation in the Middle School Skybox (3rd floor) on Monday June 2nd from 9:30 – 10:30.
Sincerely,
Graeme Scott
Deputy Head of School for Learning
International School Bangkok
Goodbye and Good Luck Lunch for leaving students
We would like to invite all of our middle school students who are leaving us to join a new school, to attend our leaving ISB lunch event. We want to wish you well for your next adventure, and celebrate the time you have had with us at ISB. The lunch will be held on Wednesday, May 28th at lunch in the MS Skybox (room 4-309). A free buffet lunch will be provided. Please enter your details on this Google Form if you wish to attend. You need to do so by Tuesday, May 27th, so we can confirm the numbers with the cafeteria.
Thanks,
MS Counselors
Reminder, Parent and Student Access to PowerSchool Being Turned Off on Monday
Dear MS Parents and Students,
Please note that all MS parent and student access to PowerSchool will be turned off at 7:00am on Monday, May 26 to 12:00pm on Friday, June 6th while we are finalizing semester 2 report cards. Please check prior to May 26th to see if there are any missing or incomplete assignments that could be made up. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Cafeteria News…Did You Know…?
…Just like the students at school, the Cafeterias are graded on our performances as well! Twice yearly, an outside, independent auditor comes unannounced and observes our practices from morning till eve over a two-day period. This professional auditor, which also checks some of the 5 star hotels along with other major food manufacturers, has a long checklist of all kinds of health and hygiene practices whose strict procedures must be met. On top of this, ISB created an additional, individualized checklist adding to the original one, hence ensuring only the best practices are adhered to. The goal is provide the tools, skills and resources to create and maintain the highest standards of safety and hygiene in food handling according to HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), the internationally recognized standard for managing food safety. Most importantly, it is about being held accountable to follow through what has been learned. At the end of a lengthy two-day process per inspection, the points are added up and a grade is given. We are proud to announce that not only is ISB the sole school in Bangkok to be audited in this manner, we further pass with flying colors every time. This proves the students are not the only ones on campus striving for the best grades. Enjoy.
Repeat: For Parents of Current Grade 6 and 7 Students – Math Placement Procedures for 2014-2015
We’d like to inform you of the math placement guidelines we are following to place students in the appropriate math program in Grades 7 and 8 for the next school year.
Why are all students not placed into the same math program?
We know that children develop cognitively at differing rates just as they develop physically at different rates. We also know that the developmental readiness of a student is an important factor in determining the type of mathematics in which a student will be successful. All our students eventually develop the cognitive ability to deal with higher levels of abstract thinking. However, they do not all develop this ability at the same time. Developmental readiness is not a measure of intelligence, but is a measure of the developing maturity of student thinking skills, as well as their Habits and Attitudes for Learning. Thus, our Grade 7 and 8 Mathematics programs are specifically designed to provide appropriate and challenging mathematical problem solving opportunities for all students. Each grade contains three separate core mathematics programs. By providing different levels of programs, we believe we are able to provide a challenging math curriculum, based on readiness, for all students.
|
Grade 7 |
Math 7 |
Math 7 Advanced |
MS Algebra |
|
Grade 8 |
Math 8 |
MS Algebra |
Integrated Math Higher Level I |
How will students be placed in grades 7 and 8 for their math?
The MS Math Department and Administration will meet before the end of the school year and review the following criteria for each student to make placements:
- Math Post-Assessment scores (compared to Pre-Assessment in the Fall)
- Standards-based grades on semester report cards for the entire year
- HAL scores on end of year report cards
- MAP scores and growth shown on the MAP assessments (Fall to Spring)
- Teacher recommendations for placement
When will placements be made?
Based on the information above, all students will be placed by the end of this school year into the Math Program we feel is best for each student for the coming school year in August.
Is this placement final?
No! During the first week of school in August, all students will be taking the Pre-Assessment for the mathematics course they are placed in. At that time, any student who performs significantly well will be considered for possible shifting into the next mathematics program level.
Our goal is to provide a MS Mathematics Program that is loaded with opportunities for us to challenge each student at their level of readiness and to enrich their study of mathematics. It is our ultimate goal at ISB to foster a love of mathematics in all students, together with the conviction and confidence that they can enroll in, and master, the most challenging mathematics in high school and university.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Troy P. Regis, MS Mathematics Department Head
Moe Baron-Toaldo, MS Vice-Principal
Tom Burgess, MS Principal
Repeat: For Parents of Current Grade 8 Students – Moving On Ceremony
Dear Parent(s) of Grade 8 Students,
Please join us in the Chevron Theatre on Thursday, June 5th at 8:00am to commemorate your child’s move from middle school to high school (Arrive early, we will begin on time). It is a significant step in their lives, and we would love to celebrate this moment together with you through a student-led ceremony lasting approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. It will be followed by a reception in the MPB until approximately 10:15am. This is an important day for your child and your family. Please plan to attend the entire morning’s festivities.
Since this is a special celebration, we expect students to dress appropriately. Boys should wear dress pants, a dress shirt, a tie, and dress shoes. Suits and sport coats are not necessary. Girls should wear a dress, or blouse with a skirt, and dress shoes (with heels that are not too high as they need to climb up and down the stairs to the stage). Hems are not to be more than 8 cm above the knees. Dresses with sleeves are preferred. Jeans, shorts, sleeveless shirts, tuxedos, or formal dresses are not appropriate.
After the reception, the students will continue their celebration with a BBQ in our cafeteria, then move to our new pool from 11:45am to 1:45pm. Since students already have permission to swim in PE classes, only parents that provide documentation to have their student NOT swim is required. Swimming is an option for all students, as we will also have the Gymnasium and other open spaces in the new complex for them to hang out and spend their last day together. They should have a change of clothes for after the reception that they can wear over their swimwear.
NOTE: Students must have swimwear that meets the ISB P.E. requirements (no bikinis) and should bring a towel. We will dismiss students from the pool area at the end of the school day. Hats, sunglasses, and sun block are suggested. The pool does have shaded areas, as well as the indoor gymnasium for students wanting to stay out of direct sun.
Please put this important date on your calendar. All family members are invited to attend the ceremony and reception for the students.
If you have any questions, please contact us at the school. We look forward to celebrating your child with you on this special day.
Sincerely,
Dr. Troy P. Regis
Grade 8 Team Representative
Repeat: Leaving ISB End of This Semester?
If you are leaving ISB before, or end of this semester, please contact Khun Fon in the MS Office at supanniy@isb.ac.th – she will send you the ISB Withdraw Form that needs to be completed in order for her to get your child’s school records ready for his/her next school.
Repeat: Information – MS Summer School, 2014
MS Summer School is open to all students who are presently in Grades 5 to 7 in the 2013-2014 school year. For general information about the MS Summer School, dates, times, sessions being offered, and costs, please click on the first link below. For more information about specific program offerings, please click on links 2, 3, and/or 4 below.
3. Coding and Robotics Offering
4. Musical Theatre Camp Offering
If your child is presently in 8th grade and is interested in attending summer school, please use the following link to see summer school information for the other divisions: ISB Summer School – https://www.isb.ac.th/Summer_School/default.aspx