By Cindy Plantecoste, Dean of Academics
Our class registration process, for the 2016-2017 school year, is getting started for students who are currently in grades 6 and 7. We’ve included our MS Program of Studies in this week’s eNews so that you and your child can have a look at program requirements and detailed course information to help you and your child plan for next year. As a first step we would ask that you read over the program of studies together to see what your child is excited about for their next year of middle school, and to identify electives and flex options that your child might want to consider.
Early next week, Ms. Kean, our grade 6 counselor, and Ms. Wilder, our grade 7 counselor, will visit your child’s Flex Reading class to explain the process, emphasize where your child has choice in their schedule, and to answer any questions that they may have. Our counselors will go over the registration requirements with them and review the timeline for online registration.
You will notice a few changes to our MS program for 2016-2017. Next year we will start the day off with a 20-minute Home Base period, where your child will be part of an advisory group. We have also decided to run different classes for English Language Arts and Social Studies instead of the combined Humanities class that your child is currently taking. Finally, there are many new Flex options for your child to consider, including Mother Tongue possibilities for languages that continue to be offered throughout high school.
Your child will need to make some choices about their performing and visual arts, other elective courses, and the flex ‘challenge and enrichment’ classes. Your child will also be asked if s/he would like to continue with the current world language, or to begin a new one. Students who receive learning support or EAL support will have these classes in place of a world language class. All of our Thai students must study Thai language.
When you are ready, please register through PowerSchool. If you can’t login to this, please contact K. Arisa at x4407 or email her at arisap@isb.ac.th. Along the left side, click on ‘Class Registration.’ The registration feature will open at 1:00pm on Monday, March 28th and close at 7:00am on Friday, April 1st – it is NOT first come first serve, you can submit anytime during these dates. Be sure to take the time to consider options with your child so that s/he is confident about their selections, as we build our schedule around student requests. We’ve attached our registration worksheets for grade 7 and grade 8 to assist you in your planning.
Should you have any questions about this process, you are welcome to contact Ms. Kean, Ms. Wilder or any of us in the MS Office. We are happy to help to make this process a smooth one for your child.
We hope your child is getting excited about their year in Middle School!
Link to Grade 6 to 7 Planning Sheet