MS eNews – Friday, March 4th, 2016
Making Parent Conferences Work for Everyone
by Dennis Harter
On Thursday and Friday, March 10 & 11, Middle School will host Parent-Teacher Conferences. If you have not signed up already, please do so (see other below).
For those of you who have attended conferences, you will remember that you have signed up for a 30 minute time slot in a room with the other core teachers for your child. During this 30 minutes, you will need to speak with at least 3 different teachers (not including support teachers). We allocate parents of only 4 families in that time slot at any one time.
What all of that means is that you have 7 minutes to speak with the teacher about your child’s learning progress, before you need to move on to the next teacher. You will likely be waiting for one of the 7 minute slots (or visiting with a support teacher). As you can easily imagine, when a parent or teacher goes longer on this, it sets back the entire process. Families in the next slot are kept waiting and we end up with long waits (last time we heard of parents waiting more than an hour).
Additionally, parents cannot join time slots that they did not sign up for. This has happened in the past, when parents have forgotten to sign up, or they arrive late for their own appointment. In both of these cases, this is unfair to the parent allocated for that block. Please do your part to help the process run smoothly, by arriving early for your time slot and then entering the room at the appointed time. If everyone does their part on this, we end up with successful and timely conferences.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation on this and your understanding if we do not let you interrupt a full session that you did not sign up for.
All that said, we look forward to a positive conference at which you can hear about the learning progress of your child and get feedback on how they can improve their learning.
Grade 8 Wellness Update
by Brenda Perkins
Dear Parents,
During the past month, Grade 8 wellness classes have focused on the theme of “responsible decision making”, which has included discussions about love and relationships, human reproductive anatomy, and what criteria can be used to make healthy decisions. This also included a recent visit by a representative from Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD), who led discussions about substance abuse prevention.
Over the next several weeks, we will continue our learning on making safe and healthy choices in regards to sexual health. The comprehensive sexual education curriculum at ISB asks students to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of physical, emotional, social, and psychological factors that need to be considered when making decisions related to sexual health.
- Identify and explain factors that can affect an individual’s decisions about sexual activity, and identifying sources of support regarding sexual health.
- Demonstrate an understanding of aspects of sexual health and safety, including contraception and condom use for pregnancy and STI prevention, the concept of consent; and matters to consider and skills needed to use to make safe and healthy decisions about sexual activity.
If you have any questions or concerns about these topics and your child, please contact your child’s Wellness teacher or the grade 8 counselor, Jackie Greenwood.
Understanding Substance Abuse
by Dennis Harter
This past week, a representative from Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) worked with our students on education and prevention around substance use and abuse. The FCD rep shared important information about the developing adolescent brains and the serious dangers that substance use at this young age can bring. He also shared the reality that the majority of students overwhelmingly are making healthy choices and delaying first time use – a contradiction to the false social norms that students often believe.
In partnership with parents, we hope to encourage students to refrain from or delay first time use of alcohol, tobacco or other substances. Research is clear that the earlier first time use occurs for teens, the more likely that child will become addicted down the road. Even knowing this information, teens naturally struggle against a developing brain that recognizes it’s pleasure centers ahead of its reasoning. Peer pressure or “hoping to be cool” play very real roles in teens’ choices, much more so than long-term wellness or health. Teens need the adults in their lives to help them make safe choices, because their own brains are not equipped to do so, yet. The FCD rep shared how talking openly about your concerns with your children and providing them with understanding and strategies to say no, can be helpful and appreciated. As parents, you know your child well and can choose the right time to engage in these discussions.
We are here to help. If you have any questions or concerns about your child and/or substance use and abuse, please speak with one of our grade level counselors.
Upcoming MS Principal Forum – We need your input by March 8
What is the Principal Forum? It is a communication channel between parents and the MS Administrators to discuss and find solutions about MS general issues. Parents can express general concerns, ideas or suggestions, which we will then discuss with our parent committee to present issues for the Principal to review. The final Principal Forum for this school year will be on March 29 from 9-11am, where Mr. Harter and the MS Administrators will hold an open forum to present the issues to parents.
We need your input no later than March 8. Please email mscoord@isb.ac.th with any ideas or concerns that you would like them to address.
Rosalina Hernandez and Nisha Westerman
mscoord@isb.ac.th
Reminder, MS Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences Next Week Thursday and Friday – No Classes These Two Days
Dear Parents,
Please click on the following link to access all the information about our upcoming MS Parent/Teacher Conferences occurring next week on Thursday and Friday, March 10 – 11 and on how to schedule your appointments. There are no classes these two days as teachers will be in conferences all day. Please note the appointment scheduler is now open and you may access and schedule your appointments anytime before 12:00pm on Wednesday, March 9.
Summer School 2016 at ISB!
Will you be here in Bangkok June or July? Looking for something for your child(ren) to do? Then check out ISB’s exciting and enriching Summer School Program! Once again students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 will be learning in an environment that is nurturing, academically challenging, and socially engaging. ISB’s highly qualified teachers are inspired professionals dedicated to creating the best possible learning experiences. New ideas, new curriculum and new friends await each student.
We have a range of classes that are sure to meet every student’s needs with some new special enrichment camps being offered this summer!
Registration is now open with an Early Bird special that expires on Friday, April 29th.
For more information on program dates, courses, costs, and registration process, please click here to access the website. You can then check out all the individual pages there by hovering over the green tab labeled 2016 Summer School and clicking on the page you would like to open. For any questions, please email sumdir16@isb.ac.th
Looking forward to seeing you this summer!
Best Regards,
Maurilio Baron-Toaldo
Summer School Director
International School Bangkok
Cafeteria News…Introducing a HS/MS Picture Menu
We are thrilled to announce the launch of a HS/MS weekly picture menu, which will be included in the daily bulletin of the students starting next week. The menu will include the ‘main’ dishes of that week. Further, by clicking on each picture, the menu title and allergy information will be available. The aim of this menu is to better inform students in advance of the main choices of the day, hence leading to better choices made by them. Further, to make it easier for all those with dietary restrictions to get what they need. The entire project has been made possible by ISBs very own HS Students. We’d like to recognize and applaud them here: The HS Software Development Club designed the link/web pages. They are: Aditya Mangharam (Gr12), Nicolas Ramirez-Icaza (Gr12) and Daiki Shinomiya (Gr 10). Many of the photos have been taken of actual cafeteria fare by HS Photography Students: Genie Boonyanin Pakvisal (Gr 11), and Graduate from 2013 Rebecca Tanawan Chairin. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with these students who have more than demonstrated their creative, communication, persistence, knowledge and project management skills. While the site remains in progress, enjoy the initial go at it and celebrate its’ launch with us. Enjoy and stay tuned.
Find the link to next weeks’ menu here: https://studentdevelopers.isb.ac.th/cafeteria/
The Software Development Club is further open to any inquiries or communication with the community, contact info:12853@students.isb.ac.th
Best Wishes,
Michelle Mueller Ihrig – Contract Manager
889 Thai CC Tower, 30th Floor, Unit 307
South Sathorn Rd, Sathorn,
Yannawa, Bangkok 10120
Tel : +66 02-963-5800 ext. 77289
Mobile: +66 (0) 82-322-7531 | Email: cafeteria@isb.ac.th
(Repeat Announcement) Upcoming Parent Sessions
by Dennis Harter
dennish@isb.ac.th
In the coming weeks and month, there will be several of parent sessions specifically targeted for certain purposes, so please be on the lookout for these.
Grades 6 and 7 to Grades 7 and 8 Registration
Students currently in middle school and staying in middle school, will have a very simple registration process, selecting elective and flex classes. Moving on in languages and math will come from teacher recommendation and expected progression within our program. Since this process is straightforward, there will not be a parent session for this. Parents with questions can contact their child’s current counselor. Additionally, we will host a lunch time session of Questions & Answers regarding course registration, during the lunch breaks at Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Grade 8 to HS Transition
On March 14th, we will be hosting parent sessions in conjunction with the high school, to share information regarding registration and general expectations for grade 8 students transitioning to high school next year. There will be a morning session 9:30 to 10:30 am and a repeated evening session, 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
MS Principal’s Forum
Our next Middle School Principal’s Forum will take place on March 29th, 9-11 AM. MS PTA reps will communicate with parents about submitting concerns or questions to be addressed on that day. Please be on the lookout for that communication from them.
Growing our Culture of Care
Throughout the school, we are invested in the social and emotional development of our students. More and more, this is becoming the focus of schools as they prepare young people for success, not just academically, but in life. Once thought of as “soft skills,” in fact, resilience, empathy, collaboration, communication, and responsibility are fundamental to both academic success and long-term happiness. In the coming year, the ISB Middle School will be implementing an Advisory program, which will focus on kids feeling cared for (important if we expect them to learn) and social and emotional development. This semester we are preparing for this implementation, including training, curriculum development, and scheduling. At a future PTA meeting, we will share some of the tenets of the program, along with our hopes for how the students’ experiences will be impacted.
What’s the IB Program?
In grades 11 & 12, students may elect to take courses within or the full IB Diploma Program. That is a long way off for our MS students, but there are still some elements of the program worth knowing even during middle school. In April (date to be determined) we will provide general information sessions for parents on what the program entails, what options there are for students down the road, and what students could or should be doing in the years leading up to grade 11 (as well as the things they don’t need to worry about).
(Repeat Announcement) Middle School Art Exhibit
You are cordially invited to visit the Middle School Art Exhibit being held in the Main Library from Monday, 15 February – Friday, 11 March.
Welcome to the world of middle school students at ISB. Their works approach this theme in a variety of media and from numerous perspectives.
The next and final Middle School Art Exhibit will be held in the Chevron Theatre Foyer from 27 April – 12 May. Some of the works will be for sale at the MS Art Silent Auction on 27 April and 11 May.
(Repeat Announcement) NBBL Scorekeeping/Timekeeping Opportunity for Students in Grades 7-12
By: Kevin Sypolt
As we have in past years, NBBL (North Bangkok Basketball League) will hire Grade 7-12 students to be scorekeepers and timekeepers for NBBL games.
The games will take place Saturdays at the ISB gyms. This is a great opportunity for Grade 7-12 students to earn their own money and learn the responsibility of a work situation. The students will earn between THB 200 and 300 per game. In order for the students to be eligible to work at these games, all students (including those who have been scorekeepers/timekeepers in the past) must register. Click here to access the registration form.
There is a MANDATORY training session for any student who did NOT work as a scorekeeper/timekeeper last season. This training will take place either on Sunday, March 6th at 5:00PM in the Health Room above Rajendra Hall or on Tuesday, March 8th at 7:00PM in MPB Room 2. The sessions will last about an hour. Students are only required to attend one of the sessions.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. As always, please consult our NBBL website at https://www.isb.ac.th/basketball for information. This is where we will post calendar information, schedules, team listings, etc.
(Repeat Announcement) 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.