Update on Security, Safety and Child Protection at ISB
by Andrew Davies
andrewd@isb.ac.th
Dear ISB Community,
Update on Security, Safety and Child Protection at ISB
Over the past two years we have been working very hard to improve our preparedness as a school with respect to child protection, security and safety. It goes without saying that the safety and well being of our students, staff and community is our absolute priority.
Although many recent improvements have been made (appointment of a safety manager, procurement of an ambulance, hiring of additional nurses for longer on campus cover, appointment of a nurse consultant, installation of emergency signage & telephones, training of faculty, staff and Montri drivers in CPR/First Aid, simulation practice drills, hiring of additional lifeguards, etc) there is still much to be put in place.
A consultant fromClear Path Emergency Planning Management visited ISB from 15-17 January 2015 and provided numerous recommendations. An action plan will now be developed and actions implemented as soon as possible. The consultant will return to ISB next year to provide feedback on improvements. The primary improvement areas are related to:
- Improved screening for campus access
- Enforcement of requirement to wear ID cards
- Repairing of perimeter fencing and improving perimeter lighting
- Increased training for security guards and improved protocols
- Completion of vetting process with respect to background checks for all that work with children
- Heightening of pool fencing and installation of self locking gates
- Development of process and policy with respect to after hours supervision and facility use (where can kids go)
- Improvement of safeguards around harmful substances and debris
- Installation of clear signage with respect to emergency assembly areas and “no go areas”
- Improvement of morning and afternoon traffic with an emphasis on safety
- Regular communication to the ISB community about safety and security matters
With respect to Child Protection, a consultant fromKeeping Children Safe visited ISB from 19-21 January 2015 to audit our preparedness and conduct some initial staff training. ISB will go through a rigorous accreditation process with the Keeping Children Safe organization and plans to become accredited in the first semester of the 2015/16 school year. Very few schools attempt this.
We will keep everyone updated on our progress and are keen to hear about other ways we can make our campus safer for children and our community.
Kind regards.
Dr. Andrew Davies
First Friday with Andy – February 6th @ 8:00 am
by Andrew DAVIES
andrewd@isb.ac.th
The next “First Friday with Andy” will take place on Friday 6 February at 8:00am in the new Business Office Conference Room (aka Orange Room).
“First Friday with Andy” is an open forum for parents to meet informally with the Head of School and address any topics of interest or concern. No signing up is necessary – simply come and participate if you are free and interested.
The Safety Corner – Prevention Tips for Sun & Heat Protection
by Rick Nelson
rickn@isb.ac.th
The Safety Corner – Thursday, February 5
Rick Nelson, ISB Safety Manager
Prevention Tips for Sun and Heat Protection.
There is no way around it – Bangkok is HOT!!
Recently, ISB went through a Safety and Security Audit by Clearpath EPM and in our final report various areas of threat were assessed for schools in Bangkok and ISB in particular. Above all other possible threats, the only threat considered critical was the severe heat of Thailand (this was rated higher then flooding, vehicular accidents, fire, political/civil unrest, crime, etc.). As we move through February the sun, heat and humidity will gradually rise and the possibilities to exposed risk to heat illness and sun burn increase. Here are a few safety tips and reminders to help protect yourself and your child.
- Wear wide brimmed hats and wear appropriate clothing for hot/sunny conditions. Elementary students must wear hats for PE, recess and lunch breaks outdoors.
- Apply sunscreen/sunblock to protect from UV radiation from the sun. According to the American Melanoma Foundation, the sunscreen/sunblock used should be a minimum of SPF 15 and should be broad spectrum to address both UVB and UVA radiation. The sunscreen/sunblock should be applied 20-30 minutes before exposure to the sun and then reapplied regularly while in the sun. Don’t forget to protect lips by using a similar SPF 15 or greater lip balm. This is particularly important for children whose skin is more delicate and easily damaged. Studies have shown that sunburn during early childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life.
- Hydrate throughout the day with pure water! Students must bring full water bottles to trainings and PE classes.
- Take regular breaks when outdoors. Take your breaks in the shade or in rooms where AC or fans are available.
In the next week’s Safety Corner, there will be a review of signs and symptoms of heat related illness (heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke) and what each person can do to prevent these potentially dangerous conditions.
Rick Nelson
ISB Safety Manager
International School Bangkok
Email: rickn@isb.ac.th
Tel: +66 2 963 5803
Ext: 7734
Mobile: (6608) 1940-3125
No 5:00 pm and 4:30 pm late bus service – Feb 9th – 13th
by Suthida (Pu) JIRAVICHAI
suthidaj@isb.ac.th
Please be informed that from February 9th to the 13th we will not have the 5:00 pm and 4:30 pm late bus. We will have the regular 2:15 pm bus and will have the 3:30 pm bus.
Attention: All country reps and other volunteers for the IFF
by The IFF Team
isbiff@gmail.com
Monday 9th of February, the IFF team will be in the PTA office all day for you to collect raffle tickets to start with the sale to win awesome prizes. Lets start this sale!!!!!!!!!
See you Monday!!!
Does your country have a food booth at the IFF on February 28th? Last Call!
The IFF Team
isbiff@gmail.com
Every year, the IFF will take you on a culinary journey. We love this and that is why we need your help. If you like to cook and your country does not have a food booth yet, please contact Kim straight away to book a booth for your community. We still have space for your country.
Thank you Brazil, Bangladesh, Korea, Germany, New Zealand- Australia, Thailand, USA, China, Argentina, Indonesia, Pakistan, Japan, Philippines, Israel, India, Canada, The Netherlands. We can’t wait to taste your lovely food!!!!
Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook at International Family Fair
Photo Competition for International Family Fair (IFF) – Enter Now!
by The IFF Team
iffphoto2015@gmail.com
Booster News
by: ISB Booster Club
isbbooster@isb.ac.th
A HUGE thank you to the community for all the time, energy, and effort that went into IASAS. It was a wonderful event.
Need a Valentine gift? Check out the Booster Hut this Friday, February 6 and next Friday, February 13 for a special gift.
Next Booster meeting is Monday, March 2 @ 11:00.
ES Musical – Tickets on sale now!
by Kristen Garrett
kcgarrett5@gmail.com
ES Musical – Tickets on sale now!
This year’s ES musical, Aladdin, will be showing on Tuesday 17th Feb at 3:30, and Wednesday 18th Feb at 6:30.
Tickets are available outside Central Office (near the panther) from 7:00 am – 7:45 am and again after school, until they sell out. Last year, the play sold out in just a few days, so spread the word to all your friends to buy tickets early so they won’t miss out! Adults 200 Baht, Students 100 Baht.
Please contact Kristen Garrett kcgarrett5@gmail.com for further information about tickets.
Adult Education Spring 2015 – Coming Soon!
by Gabriela Alvarez
isbadulted@gmail.com
Come to meet some new friends while learning a new skill or just refreshing an old one. This is your chance!
The Adult Education Program provides a variety of classes for the adults in our Community. A detailed class list will be available during the first week of February and online registration will be open from February 9th to 15th.
This is a volunteer PTA-run fundraiser for ISB. Funds raised from this program support many activities and grants at school, including HS Clubs, supporting our students and the whole Community.
If you have any questions or suggestions for additions to our program in the future, or if you’d like to teach, please do not hesitate to contact me: isbadulted@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Gabriela Alvarez Fourcade
PTA ISB Adult Education Coordinator
Mother Daughter Sock Hop Photos are in!
by Sara Ayala
gsthailand40@gmail.com
Mother Daughter Sock Hop Photos are in! Please come by the CAO office during their business hours Monday through Friday 7 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 3 pm to collect your precious memories. If you need to make other arrangements for pick up, please contact us by emailing gsthailand40@gmail.com.
Facilitating your child’s success: a workshop for parents – February 23rd
by Tamara Redmond tamarar@isb.ac.th
Meg Fisher megf@isb.ac.th
Facilitating your child’s success: a workshop for parents
The Student Support Team at ISB invites you to join us for a cross-divisional parent workshop. We will explore the role of parents in achieving ISB’s Vision of preparing our students for success in the world community. This workshop is based upon longitudinal research, conducted by the Frostig Center in California, into life success for students with disabilities. However, the findings of this research offer practical applications for ALL students. The parent workshop will address:
-What is success?
-What does success look like at ISB
Participants will be invited to contribute to a video about success at ISB, although this is entirely optional.The workshop and optional video interview will take place on:
Monday February 23rd, 8:00-9:30AM Elementary School ES MPR
If you are interested in attending or have questions please contact Tamara Redmond
tamarar@isb.ac.th or Meg Fisher megf@isb.ac.th
Register now for NBBL Community Basketball
by Kevin Sypolt
ksypolt@gmail.com
Registration is now open for NBBL Community basketball. NBBL basketball offers play for all boys and girls in grades 1-12. The fee for the season is THB 3,000 for all players.
Player assessments will be conducted on Saturday, March 7th (and maybe March 8th due to conflicts). League play will begin on March 14th and will continue through the weekend of May 22nd/23rd – we will have a break over the two Songkran weekends.
Payment for the NBBL season can be made at the Community Activity Office (CAO) which is located next to the bookstore at ISB. The CAO is open from 7:00 to 11:00AM and 12:00 to 3:00PM Monday – Friday.
Please go to the NBBL website for the link to our registration system and for other important information. – https://inside.isb.ac.th/
If you have any questions, please contact the NBBL at info@nbbl.asia
Panther Tennis Session 3 Registration is open now!
by Panther Tennis
panthertennisisb@gmail.com
Registrations for the Panther Tennis session 3 are now open to all the ISB students. The session will commence from February 9th, 2015.
The registration link is as follows https://inside.isb.ac.th/cao/panther-tennis-academy/session-information
WE NEED BOOKS, MAGAZINES, AND BOARD GAMES
by Sherry Heinecke
heinecke.sherry@gmail.com
Dear Parents, Teacher’s, and Students,
The 5th grade students are collecting books for their grade 5 book sale April 23 and 24. We need books, magazines, and any board games that are a complete set without missing pieces.
Books can be dropped off at the 5th grade work room now or starting March 2, 2015 there will be drop boxes located around the school and at drop off zones.
Please be aware of what your are donating. They can be adult, teen, or children books fiction and non-fiction. NO text books or manuals, no inappropriate books or books with missing pages, and magazines need to be intact.
The book sale is an annual event and all proceeds go to the Mercy Center in Klong Toey.
Thank you,
5th Grade Book Sale Team
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.