Welcome to the 2015-16 School Year!
Dear Parents,
The 2015-16 school year is here! On behalf of the ISB Middle School faculty and staff, I am pleased to welcome all of our new families to our school. Of course, to all of our returning students and parents, welcome back! It’s going to be a terrific year.
The campus is starting to buzz with activity and energy as the summer renovation work finishes up, the admissions office welcomes hundreds of new families, and our teachers return on campus for start of the year preparations and professional development. We can’t wait for the students to arrive; then the fun really begins!
Joining me on the Middle School administrative team are Tico Oms, as Dean of Students, and Cindy Plantecoste, as Dean of Academics. We are all arriving new to ISB Middle School this year and are excited to be joining this positive school community. Tico comes to ISB by way of Singapore American School (SAS), where he was middle school deputy principal. Cindy has been serving as the assistant principal of middle school at The American School in Japan (ASIJ).
As for me, I am returning to ISB, having been the high school principal at the American International School – Vienna. For my family and I we are returning “home”, having been at ISB from 2005 until 2013. The three of us are excited to get to know everyone. Please feel free to swing by the MS office or stop us in the halls to say hi and introduce yourselves.
School begins on Thursday, August 13th. Uniforms and school supplies are available at the ISB bookstore, located on the ground floor, behind the main offices.
For new students, we have new family orientation on Tuesday. This is such an important day for our new young people to feel comfortable on the first days of school. The New Student Orientation starts at 10:15 in front of the Panther and then in the Chevron Theater at the front of campus. Parents should also attend, as we will be giving you a feel for our school and learning program. Our PTA hosts their “Welcome Wai” – a chance for you to meet other parents and have some refreshments. There will also be a technology session to share with you the different online communication and information ISB provides.
On Wednesday, August 12th, from 9AM to 1PM in the MS/HS Library, NEW grade 7 and 8 students have their own technology training, so that they are up to speed with our laptops, network, software, and citizenship expectations.
Below in this eNews, you will find some important guidelines from the Student Handbook about transportation, school dress expectations, and the use of electronic devices. For more detailed information, please follow the link to the full Student Handbook, online.
We are looking forward to seeing our students back in the halls and classrooms. Enjoy this last weekend and we will see you soon.
Excitedly,
Dennis Harter
Middle School Principal
Welcome Wai Coffee for new Middle and High School parents on Tuesday, August 11th from 11 a.m to 1 p.m in Elementary School Cafeteria.
The Middle School and High School new parent / student orientation takes place on Tuesday, August 11th. During the orientation for students, the ISB PTA will be hosting a Welcome Wai coffee for new Middle and High School parents in the Elementary school cafeteria from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Parents are invited to coffee and snacks and a chance to meet other parents and PTA volunteers. Please do join us.
For more information contact Inderbir Broca and Sraboni Pal at welcomewai@isb.ac.th
Requesting Parent Administrator Account on Student Laptop
Greetings,
Middle School student laptops this year will be issued with a student login that is set as “Standard User”, meaning students will not have access to install programs. We setup the machines this way so we can better maintain and monitor the laptops.
We do realize however many parents want to be able install printers or better monitor their child. If you would like a “Parent” administrator account on the computer, please click here.
Sincerely,
Chad Bates
IT Director
Greetings From the MS Counseling Team
We wish to give a very warm welcome back to returning students and our new students joining middle school. We aim to work closely with students, parents, teachers, health – care professionals and administrators to help students enjoy and flourish in school and at home. The counseling program at ISB aims to support our vision and mission through the delivery of a comprehensive, proactive and developmental guidance program that fosters a stimulating, positive and happy school environment. We are fortunate to have three Counselors for grade 6, 7 and 8, and the support of our education psychologist. To make an appointment to see a school counselor please contact Khun Natt at 02 963 5893.
Meet your Counselors
Carmel Kean – 6th grade Counselor
Email: carmelk @isb.ac.th
Based in Sydney, I have worked as an elementary, middle and high school counselor and psychologist over the last 20 years. During that time I also worked as a counselor at Jakarta International School for two years, and most recently as one of the elementary counselors here at ISB from 2010 – 2013.
It will be exciting to catch up with the children I knew in elementary who have now made their way to middle school.
I look forward to working with the young people in middle school, their parents and their teachers.
Janel Wilder – 7th grade Counselor
Email : janelw @isb.ac.th
This is my first year at ISB and I am look forward to being part of the ISB community. Previously, I worked as the middle school counselor for three years at the American Creativity Academy in Kuwait and prior to this, I was the elementary school counselor at Cypress Elementary School in Texas. I have spent most of my childhood overseas in Saudi Arabia, Peru and Pakistan and have a clear understanding of the challenges that come with moving to other countries and schools.
Middle School is a time for student growth, discovery and independence. As the counselor for 7th grade it is a privilege to help guide the students and parents at ISB through the challenges that may arise during the year. My objective is to build healthy relationships with continued learning and the development of values, character strength, positive relationship skills, and healthy decision making.
Jackie Greenwood 8th grade Counselor
Email: jackieg @isb.ac.th
This is my third year at ISB, and the second as 8th grade Counselor. I am looking forward to welcoming new students to grade 8 and returning students from grade 7. The year ahead is going to be a time of significant growth and development, for our students and for our team, who will be transitioning too.
I have been working as a Counselor in International Schools in middle and high schools for fifteen years in Brunei, Hong Kong and the Netherlands and started my career as a children and families social worker in England. As a Mindfulness teacher I also enjoy teaching Wellness. In joining you on the journey from grade 8 to high school, it’s going to be a fulfilling, fun, yet challenging time. I will be here to encourage and support you and your family, to make every step as successful and happy as it can be.
Important Notices for upcoming 6th graders, new students and Ambassadors from the Counselors
New Student Orientation Day Tuesday 11 August
If you are a new family joining our Middle School community please see our revised and updated Orientation schedule here. Registration 10.15 – 10.30 am at the bottom of the zig zag. Orientation program ends at 2.15.
Student Ambassador Training and Orientation Day Tuesday 11 August
Student Ambassadors will be helping support our new students. Please arrive at 8.30am for registration at the bottom of the zig zag. Please wear your Ambassador T shirt, bring your SMILES! You will be needed in school until 3pm.
Grade 6 returning Welcome Back Event. Tuesday 11th from 2.00-3.30pm
All returning ISB students, moving from Grade 5 to Grade 6 this school year, are invited to attend this event. The program will include a short presentation, a tour, and a review of the nuts and bolts of Middle School: schedules, lockers, activities, ID cards, and the first day of school.
If you would like your child to participate in this program please complete the sign-in using this link.
Students need to meet at the panther in front of the school at 2.00pm on August 11th. Student Ambassadors will be there to sign in the students and accompany them to the Chevron Theatre for the start of the program. Please note that transportation will not be provided for students living downtown.
I look forward to seeing all those students who would like to take part in this opportunity to further prepare for transition to Middle School,
Warm Regards,
Carmel Kean. Gr 6 school counselor
carmelk @isb.ac.th
MS Guidelines to remember as we start the year
School Uniform and Dress Code
Middle School students are expected to wear the prescribed uniform every school day except on designated Alternate Dress Days. Your student ID card is considered part of your school uniform and as such, needs to be with you when at school in uniform. The dress code is in effect during the school day from when you first arrive at school up to 3:30pm, with the exception of sports or with special permission.
Bicycles and Motorized Vehicles
Bicycles may be ridden to school and parked at the covered bicycle racks provided. You must be wearing a properly secured helmet to ride onto campus. Bicycles should not be ridden inside the classroom buildings, sidewalks, walkways, on the grass, fields, or other areas on campus except for the service road.
Students are advised to properly lock their bicycles.
Only students with a valid Thai driver’s license may drive any motorized vehicle. This means that no middle school student should be driving in the proximity, onto, or within the school campus, any motorized vehicle, including scooters and golf carts.
Cell/Mobile Phone and other devices
For students, use of mobile phones is only allowed before and after school, or with a teacher’s special permission. During the school day (7:20-2:05 on regular days or 7:20-1:00 on Early Dismissal Tuesdays), phones should be kept in your locker and put on silent mode or turned off. If you need to make a phone call home or to a parent/guardian, you should be doing so through the phone in the MS Office.
For more specific details on expectations and guidelines, you can view the MS Student Handbook