Administrative Changes at ISB
by Andrew DAVIES
andrewd@isb.ac.th
Dear ISB Community,
Administrative Changes at ISB
Next year, both Tom Burgess (MS Principal) and Pete Roback (HS Dean of Students) will be leaving ISB and returning to the United States. We wish both the Burgess and Roback families all the very best as they enter new chapters in their lives. We are also very grateful for all the many contributions that Tom and Pete have brought to ISB.
We are now turning our attention to finding the best possible replacements for Mr. Burgess and Mr. Roback through worldwide searches.
In anticipation of a new administrative structure in the MS next school year, beginning next semester we will add a Dean of Academics to the MS leadership. The Principal/Vice Principal combination will be replaced by a Principal/Dean of Academics/Dean of Students model – similar to that of the HS. The change in structure will allow for an even greater focus on student learning and a clearer division of duties.
I am very pleased to report that Annelies Hoogland, our former ES Principal, will assume the MS Dean of Academics position on an interim basis in January while Mr. Baron-Toaldo’s title will change from that of Vice-Principal to Dean of Students. Annelies was formerly the MS Principal at the American School of the Hague and at Cairo American College. We are delighted to have secured the services of such a capable and experienced administrator and we look forward to all that Annelies can bring to the MS.
We will be in touch again when the search processes have been completed.
Sincerely,
Dr. Andrew Davies
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
by Graeme SCOTT
graemes@isb.ac.th
This weekend, MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) scores will be sent home. There will be a short parent meeting to explain what MAP is and how results can be interpreted on Tuesday 14th October from 7:30am in the MPB3 on the 2nd floor.
HS Tech Message to ISB Parents
Siri ASDATHORN
by 17266@students.isb.ac.th
Hey, Panthers!
If you’re only going to read one sentence of this email, read this: HS Tech is collecting old tech gadgets to donate to rural schools, so please help us by dropping off any old tech gadgets at Mr. Bell’s office in the library!
The ISB HS Tech club is proud to introduce our new service project, the Tech Drive! Basically. We’re collecting old tech gadgets (computers, keyboards, mouses, etc.) from members of the ISB community, and donating the gadgets to three rural schools in the Kanchanaburi province in Thailand, which have indicated extreme need for the tech equipment. Hopefully, we will be able to help these poor students gain access to technology and consequently improve the tech skills that will be highly useful in improving their future lives and enlarging their career possibilities. Additionally, donors will receive a free HS Tech “I Donated” sticker (see the bottom of this email)! For more information about this, please visit our website.
Possible donation drop off locations: (1) Mr. Bell’s office in the library (2) The HS Tech Bar in the library (3) Any other location – we will pick your items up anywhere upon request.
Thank you so much in advance for your kindness!
– The ISB HS Tech club (click here to find out who we are)
Also, here’s our sticker design!
ISB students in the Phuket Gazette because of their stand on dolphins in captivity
by Kerry DYKE
kerryd@isb.ac.th
This article will be released on Monday:
Phuket Gazette article
Luckily we are not alone in thinking this way. See how other tourists feel.
BISAC Cross Country hosted @ ISB
by Kerry DYKE
kerryd@isb.ac.th
Dear community,
On Saturday, October 11 ISB will host the BISAC cross country meet with eight schools competing.
We would love to see our community show their panther spirit and be out there cheering for all the runners. As always, to run these events we will need many volunteers for various jobs such as starters, marshalls, and more. Too many volunteers is never a problem. The jobs are not hard, but we need people. If you can help us on that day it would be greatly appreciated. Volunteers would be there from about 7:45am to 11:00am. If you would like to help, please sign up here.
Click here for the maps for the three courses (1.1km, 3.2km and 5km). They are also attached.
The schedule of the morning is as follows:
7.30am Coaches Meeting for all XC Coaches & Athlete Registration
8.00am Compulsory course walk through for all runners
8.30am U11 Boys 1.1km Race
8.45am U11 Girls 1.1km Race
9.00am U13 Boys and Girls 3.2km Race
9.30am U15 Boys and Girls 3.2km Race
10.00am U17 Boys and Girls 5km Race (U19’s can also enter, but will not be given medals in this event)
Thank you very much.
Kerry Dyke
Join us for ‘Lunch with Michelle’ Thursday, October 16th: Parent Lunch and Introduction/Discussion to the HS/MS Cafeteria
by Patti Madigan
madigankolstad@yahoo.com
Join us for ‘Lunch with Michelle’ Thursday, October 16th:
Parent Lunch and Introduction/Discussion to the HS/MS Cafeteria
To all new and returning parents of MS/HS students: Did you know that ISB food service is run by Epicure Catering, a company that provides food services to several international schools in the Bangkok area? Are you interested to learn more? Have you ever wanted to sample what our children who buy lunch at ISB eat every day? This is your chance to learn all about the food service and the cafeteria at ISB.
Come join Michelle Ihrig, Epicure Manager at ISB, for “Lunch with Michelle” on Thursday, October 16 at 11 am. There will be a short tour of the cafeteria followed by lunch and casual discussion. Space is limited and fills up quickly, so please RSVP to Patti Madigan at madigankolstad@yahoo.com by Monday, October 13.
Note: Should you have any individual item that needs specific, personal attention, please contact Michelle directly at: cafeteria@isb.ac.th
ISB Downtown Parent Connection – Thursday 30th October
by Downtown Welcome Wai coordinator Charmain Brea
welcomewai@isb.ac.th
Would you like to meet other downtown parents of ISB? This month there will be a Downtown Welcome Wai parent gathering on Thursday 30th October from 10:30am – 12:30pm @ Riverside Lounge, Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok (address: 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak, 10500). Mid Morning Snacks will be on offer at 300Baht ++ (includes tea, coffee, assorted sandwiches and pastries). The website address is https://www.shangri-la.com/bangkok/shangrila/
Every ISB parent is welcome wherever you live however this is an RSVP event only. Please RSVP by Tuesday 28th October to welcomewai@isb.ac.th If you have any questions please contact Downtown Welcome Wai Coordinator: Charmain Brea (mobile number) or email welcomewai@isb.ac.th
We are looking forward to seeing you all!
Massed Band Festival Announcement
by Marianne DEROW
mariannd@isb.ac.th
This year the Annual ISB Massed Band Festival is hosting 4 other schools in addition to ISB: Thai-Chinese International School, International Community School, British Regents School and International School Eastern Seaboard. The guest conductor is Dennis Granlie from Great Falls, Montana in the USA. Nearly 175 students take part in the festival, which culminates in a Gala Concert at 2 pm in the Chevron Theatre on Saturday, November 1. Each band will perform an individual song, and then all 5 schools join together as a massed band to perform music including an arrangement of the 1812 Overture and also a Beatles medley from the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band Album. In addition to the concert bands, the ISB Jazz Band will also be performing, featuring music of Sonny Rollins. The concert is free and open to the public, and there will be reception following with cake and drinks.
Panther Tennis Session 2 Registration
by Panther Tennis
contact: panthertennisisb@gmail.com
Registrations for the Panther Tennis session 2 are now open to all the ISB students. The session will commence from November 10th, 2014.
The registration link is as follows https://inside.isb.ac.th/cao/panther-tennis-academy/session-information
BBSA – Baseball and softball registration is now open for the 2014-15 season
by Kevin Sypolt
kevinjan@optonline.net
ksypolt@gmail.com
Bangkok Baseball Softball Association (BBSA) has organized baseball/softball play for the past 54 years in Bangkok. There are leagues for boys and girls ages 5 yrs – 18 yrs. Please note registration is open from now until October 31st. We must register players now so we have time to hold player assessments, form teams and order player uniforms before play begins. Current fees per player are THB 3,000. Registration fees will increase to THB 3,500 on November 1st so be sure to register before November 1st.
You can make your payment at the Community Activity Office (CAO) or pay by Thai bank wire transfer. Cash, credit cards and Thai baht checks are accepted for payment at the CAO office. 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 2nd or Sunday November 9th at the ISB fields. All players are strongly encouraged to attend their assessment sessions 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 22nd. All games are played on Friday evenings and Saturdays at ISB. Games will continue every weekend until the league championships the weekend of February 27th/28th. There will be no games during the winter break at ISB but we will continue play on Saturday, January 10th 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 2nd and 9th.
Please go to https://inside.isb.ac.th/
Thanks,
Kevin Sypolt
kevinjan@optonline.net
ksypolt@gmail.com
+66-84-388-7715
Concussion Awareness Information
by the ISB Nurse’s Office
nurse@isb.ac.th
We want to take this time to prepare ISB staff and parents to recognize and respond to possible concussions. In addition, we are rolling out plans to promote awareness among student athletes to understand the serious nature of concussions and to report symptoms to a parent or coach.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a mild form of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can occur on the playground, in PE, athletics, or any other activity. The cause of a concussion may be a direct or indirect blow to the head, face, neck or body that can change the way the brain normally works. It can also result from a fall or blow that results in the head and brain moving quickly back and forth.
Why is it important to promote concussion awareness and reporting?
According to the National Association of School Nurses, “recognition of a concussion and immediate assessment is critical in preventing further injury and for post-concussion management. Any force or blow to the head and/or symptoms of a concussion in a student or athlete should be immediately evaluated by either the school nurse or designated, trained school personnel.”
What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?
| Symptoms Reported by Athlete | Signs Observed by Coaches/Parents/Guardians |
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What is ISB doing to address concussion safety?
The Nurses’ Clinic is partnering with ISB Athletics and the Safety Committee to create and adopt a concussion policy and protocol. Our intent is to follow international guidelines from athletic medicine experts. The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the International Olympic Committee, Sports Medicine Australia and many other organizations came together as part of the Fourth International Conference on Concussion in Sport. The Concussion Policy Consensus Statement recommends that schools and athletic organizations adopt a three-part concussion policy. This involves:
- Educate athletes, parents, and coaches to improve awareness and understanding of the possible adverse consequences of concussion
- Remove any player or student from play who is suspected of concussion
- Seek evaluation by a healthcare professional and sit out at least 24 hours, and in cases of loss of consciousness, a minimum of two weeks’ rest period should be administered.
What can parents do to promote concussion safety?
The CDC has developed the Heads Up campaign for concussion prevention and management, which includes online training, printed materials, videos and pocket guides for coaches, school staff, parents and teens. We recommend you review the Resources section below, discuss and share the information with your child and watch the Heads Up training video (approximately 45 minutes). All PE teachers and athletic coaches will be required to complete this training module.
ISB is committed to your child’s overall development, both educationally and health related. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider or the ISB Nurse’s Office (nurse@isb.ac.th).
Resources:
Concussion: A Must Read for Young Athletes
Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents
eNewsletter Guidelines
by Tony Arnold
anthonya@isb.ac.th
ISB eNewsletters provide a valuable avenue for communication within the ISB parent community. Please see our eNewsletter guidelines below.
Submitting an announcement for publication
ISB accepts announcements from ISB families and ISB staff 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
• An image or photo (optional)
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.