Ryan Haynes
ryanh@isb.ac.th
Grade 9
This week in Freshman Seminar, students created their own individual goal plan. This plan included 3 goals, which could be personal, academic, community, family, activity based. Students were also given a presentation from Mr. Vaughan (Dean of Students) on the process on signing up for Global Citizenship week; many students had good questions for him.
Students are reminded that teachers are available for extra help after school during the Flex period from 2:15 – 3:10. It is encouraged that students make the most of this opportunity, especially when they are in need of extra support or clarification of what they are being asked to study / create.
Grade 10
Sophomores: We encourage parents to keep track of the progress of their sons and daughters. Looking on PowerSchool once a week or so will help you to keep up to date on their performance and attitudes to learning. (No need to look every day and add to the stress of your son or daughter.) Seeing their progress in PowerSchool will help you in having conversations with their teachers in the upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences next Friday, October 2nd. The best starting point is the HAL (habits and attitudes to learning) mark for your son or daughter. Ask the teacher to comment on that mark; it will be a good conversation starter. See you next Friday!
Grade 11
The PSAT is coming up on October 14 with pre-registration taking place on Tuesday, September 29 during Flex. The PSAT is excellent practice in preparation for the SAT, but ISB understands not all students need the SAT or (ACT) for college/university entrance. Beginning this year, the PSAT is optional for Grade 11 students. ISB encourages and highly recommends the PSAT for the following students:
-Anyone applying college/university in the United States
-All IB Certificate students (Non-IB Diploma students)
If a student, with parent permission, opts not to take the PSAT, there is a Blue Form that needs to be completed. Please see Khun Mai in the High School Counseling Office or your counselor for the form.
Grade 12
Seniors met with their counselor Thursday for their second Senior Seminar. Seniors discussed in the group if it was better to be extraordinarily good at one thing vs. pretty good at many things, saw a video from Colgate University professors and students about the value of asking for help, and were reminded of some important dates and deadlines. Finally, students took some time to self-assess where they were in their classes and self-predict their IB Grades. Teachers will make IB Predictions later at the end of October.
Students applying to university in Korea, Japan, Australia, and other countries with application deadlines later next year, were encourage to continue focusing on doing their best academically. That is their main goal right now. While students with university deadlines in the next 4 months were reminded of the following:
- Teacher Recommendations – Students should have already asked teachers for these and completed the appropriate form and had their counselor approval.
- Early Applications – Transcript request forms for universities with deadlines in November are due by October 9.
- Transcript Requests – Requests for materials from ISB for application deadlines of December – January are due by November 23.
University Visits
- Saturday, September 26 (MPB – 2:00pm)
Brandeis University
Case Western Reserve University
Emory University
New York University
University of Rochester - Monday, September 28 (Rm. 203 – 10:20am)
University of Southern California - Tuesday, September 29 (Cafeteria – 10:00am)
KIC UnivAssist College Fair (10 U.S. universities) - Wednesday, September 30 (Rm. 203 – 10:20am)
American College Dublin
Maastricht University (The Netherlands)
New College of the Humanities (London)
University College Roosevelt (The Netherlands) - Thursday, October 1 (Cafeteria – 10:20am)
Linden University Fair (35 U.S., Japanese, European, and Canadian universities) - Saturday, October 3 (Downtown – Shangri-La Hotel – 3:30pm)
CIS/EARCOS University Fair – 100+ universities from around the world