ISB Communication Single Page View

Tuberculosis and Changes to ISB Screening

by Sally PLOMLEY
sallyp@isb.ac.th

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by a bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

In Thailand there are an estimated 80 000 new cases each year with 11 000 people dying annually from the disease.

How tuberculosis is spread?

Tuberculosis is spread when an infected person talks, breathes, coughs or sneezes tiny particles containing infectious agents into the air. These are called small particle aerosols. Due to their tiny size, small particle aerosols can travel long distances on air currents and remain suspended in the air for minutes to hours. These small particle aerosols may be breathed in by another person.

Signs and symptoms

Tuberculosis most commonly affects the lungs. In about 30% of cases the disease affects other parts of the body, such as lymph glands, bones, kidneys or brain. Initial infection of the lung usually occurs during childhood and goes unnoticed. However, a few bacteria continue to survive at the site of infection. Later in life, the infection can reactivate and a serious lung infection occurs.

Symptoms may include:

• tiredness
• fever
• night sweats
• weight loss
• cough
• blood-stained sputum (phlegm)
• chest pain
• swollen lymph glands.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of tuberculosis is suspected on clinical presentation, chest x-ray and by a skin test (Mantoux or PPD test) or a blood test (Quantiferon test).

The diagnosis is confirmed when Mycobacterium tuberculosis is grown from sputum or other specimens.

Incubation period

Symptoms, if they occur, are present about 4 to 12 weeks after an initial lung infection. The risk of reactivation of the initial lung infection and the development of serious lung infection is greatest within the first year or two after initial infection but some risk persists for life.

Infectious period

Anyone with symptoms of tuberculosis is contagious. Because symptoms may be vague people may be contagious without knowing they are unwell. It may take several weeks of treatment before the person is no longer contagious.

Treatment

People with tuberculosis should receive anti-tuberculosis drugs under the care of an Infectious Diseases Physician. Completing a full course of therapy (of at least 6 months) is essential.

Prevention

• Exclude people with tuberculosis from childcare, preschool, school and work until treatment has been given and they have a medical certificate from an Infectious Diseases Physician stating they are no longer contagious.
• If a person is diagnosed with tuberculosis, family members and other close contacts should be tested for tuberculosis. A contact is any person who has been close enough to an infected person to be at risk of having acquired the infection from that person.
• A Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is available. The vaccine can protect against severe forms of tuberculosis when given to young children. It does NOT prevent a person getting tuberculosis. In some countries such as Thailand this vaccine is given to all babies.

Screening for Tuberculosis at ISB

All new students at ISB must have screening tests done to show they do not have tuberculosis prior to admission to school.

The screening test done should be discussed with a doctor to determine which one is best for the student (for example with a history of BCG vaccination skin testing can give a positive result due to the vaccine). It must be either

• Mantoux (PPD) skin test
• Tuberculosis QuantiFERON Blood Test
• Chest x-ray

If the screening test that is positive the student must see an Infectious Diseases Physician and provide a medical certificate stating that the student does not have tuberculosis and is not contagious.

All returning students must do a symptom screen for TB with their annual medical examination. If there are any symptoms they must have a Tuberculosis screen done as outlined above.

All students entering Grades 3, 6 and 9 must have a Tuberculosis screening test done as outlined above unless it has been done in the preceding 12 months.

All teaching staff (or staff with direct student contact) will be required to have a Chest x-ray prior to starting work and will have a symptoms screen done every year with a screening test done every 3 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Softball IASAS is upon us and it is time to put your awesome ISB Spirit into full action!

by Laurie Tyre
suzie.lucie@gmail.com

Hi Parents,

Softball IASAS is upon us and it is time to put your awesome ISB Spirit into full action!

Spectators are encouraged to dress in our Spirit Colors on the following days:

THURSDAY (April 7) IS BLACK SPIRIT SHIRT DAY
FRIDAY (April 8) IS WHITE SPIRIT SHIRT DAY
SATURDAY (April 9) IS GOLD SPIRIT SHIRT DAY

WE NEED YOUR HELP PARENTS:

What is Booster Club?  We are the parent volunteer organization that is primarily responsible for the assistance and support of the IASAS cultural and athletic activities. This includes the promotion and support of ISB Athletics, the Fine & Performing Arts and Academics by encouraging school spirit, sponsoring Booster Club special events, and developing funding methods that support the activities of the club. The following are just a few of the things Booster specifically supports:

• Banquets for MUN, CC and all three seasons of Athletics.
• Pre-IASAS BBQ for all Varsity Athletes.
• Receptions and food during rehearsals for CC events, as well as FAP events.
• IASAS bags for all IASAS participants in Athletics, CC, Academics and MUN.
• Special gift for all IASAS participants in Athletics, CC, Academics and MUN.
• Hospitality room for Coaches and Parents for all home IASAS events.
• ES and MS receptions for plays and choral events
• And a great deal more

To be able to do all this we need you to volunteer your time and talents to our fundraising projects such as the Spirit Tent.  It really is fun and a great way to meet people in your community as well as from other schools!  Follow this link to edit our google spreadsheet and add your name to sign up:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rinZfu1mkWP9LdZUBksoVsCBAI2opoSKReasD3MxSGI/edit#gid=0

THANK YOU, PARENTS, FOR ALL YOU DO!!  WE APPRECIATE YOU!

Finally, please go out to all the events that you can and CHEER LOUD AND PROUD!

GO ISB PANTHERS!!!!

Sincerely,

Laurie Tyre
ISB Booster Club, President
suzie.lucie@gmail.com

ISB School Board Meeting – April 19th

 

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon @ the Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom – May 4th

by Tony Arnold
anthonya@isb.ac.th

Dear Parents,

Each year ISB’s administration hosts a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon for the many, many parents who spend countless hours helping to make our school a better place for our students. Whether you’ve donated one hour or hundreds of hours, this luncheon is for you.

This year’s luncheon will take place on May 4^th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom. We will be providing a number of vans to take parents from ISB to the luncheon departing at 10:00 am and returning to ISB at the conclusion of the event. To reserve your place in one of the vans please complete the form at the following link by May 2nd: Van Transportation Reservation

We hope to see you there!

Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom
981 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok
Tel  662 238 4300

 

Boy Scouts of America Parent Meeting – April 19th

by Lynda M. Romero
lyndamromero@yahoo.com

Dear ISB Parents,

Boy Scouts of America Troop 701 based at ISB, would like to extend an invitation to the parents of the current boy scouts and those interested in scouting to our next Parent Meeting which will take place on Tuesday, April 19th, 2016 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm in the Elementary Multipurpose Room.

Join us for an evening full of valuable information on scouting, our robust outdoor activities, character development, citizenship training and leadership programs.

We would love to meet you in person to share all the exciting projects that we have being working on.

We will have light refreshments and snacks. Parents can also bring a snack to share.

Everybody is welcome!

Very kind regards,

Lynda M. Romero
Membership Coordinator
Boy Scouts of America
Far East Council Troop 701
lyndamromero@yahoo.com

HS Bands & Orchestra Concert – 6:30pm Thursday, April 21 Chevron Theatre

by Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

Don’t miss the tantalizing sounds of the HS Orchestra, HS Intermediate Band, HS Wind Ensemble, and the HS Jazz Band in ISB’s annual High School Bands, Jazz Band, and Orchestra Concert scheduled for 6:30pm on Thursday, April 21 in the Chevron Theatre. From Baroque to BeeBop, and Romantic to Rock, this concert has it all!!! Hope to see you there. (Myers/Weinhold)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tickets on Sale Now for Father Daughter Dance

by Amy Hall
amersuec@yahoo.com

Tickets on Sale for Father Daughter Dance

Tickets are on sale now for the Father Daughter Dance, sponsored by Girl Scouts. The dance, which is open to all girls and dads, will be May 7 at the Intercontinental Hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registration for the 17th Colgate Kids Triathlon is now open!

by Kevin M. Sypolt
ksypolt@gmail.com

Registration for the 17th Colgate Kids Triathlon is now open.   The race will take place on Coronation Day, Thursday May 5th (ISB holiday) at 7:30AM starting at the two ISB pools.   Registration and other information can be found at https://www.isb.ac.th/colgate-kids-triathlon.  Please note that race maps are also posted on the website

The fee per participant is THB 500 and all participants must provide a volunteer to help on race day or pay a THB 2,000 fee if they can’t provide a volunteer.

It’s shaping up to be an incredible event!  Again this year the triathletes (7 years old and up) will receive timing chips to wear around their ankles for accurate time and distance recording.  The Relay Race will allow relay teams in each age division (based upon the oldest participant in the relay team), so athletes can form teams of three people to participate together.  One of the relay team members can even be a teacher or other adult but this means that all 3 members of the relay team must complete the 15+ age groups distances shown below.  Please note that only one registration is required for the relay team.  Each individual member of the relay team should not register.

The distances this year will be:

• 5-6 year old :  50m swim, 1km bike, 450m run
• 7-8 year old: 100m swim, 2.5 km bike, 800m run
• 9-10 year old:  150m swim, 4.5 km bike, 1.0 km run
• 11-12 year old: 200m swim, 4.5 km bike, 1.7 km run
• 13-14 year old: 250m swim, 6.8 km bike, 2.4 km run
• 15+ year old : 350m swim, 9.1 km bike, 3.1 km run

Registration will close on Friday, April 29th or when 210 athletes have registered, whichever comes first.  So please register now to avoid disappointment.

Please note that all participants must provide their own bike and bike helmet.
Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks

Kevin M. Sypolt
ksypolt@gmail.com
084-388-7715

 

 

 

 

Bangkok Baseball & Softball Association Hosts Successful SEAYBST 2016!

by Bob Connor
bobc@isb.ac.th

Congratulations to the BBSA for hosting a superb Southeast Asia Youth Baseball & Softball

Tournament! With 22 participating teams from Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Perth and Singapore playing games over four days on four different fields, there was plenty of exciting action. The teams greatly appreciated the outstanding support from ISB and the community, as many came out to cheer on our teams.
FINAL BANGKOK TEAMS RESULTS – All five teams received medals!

Minors Boys Baseball:   CHAMPIONS!

Majors Boys Baseball:   CHAMPIONS!

Seniors Boys Baseball:   Third Place

Majors Girls Softball:     Third Place

Seniors Girls Softball:    Runners-Up

With these excellent team results, Bangkok came in a close second place to Manila for the Country Award, given to the delegation with the best overall record in all five divisions.

Well done Bangkok teams!

INDIVIDUAL BANGKOK AWARDS:

Seniors Softball – Golden Glove:  Sirapat Kasornsuwan

Baseball Minors – Top Hitter:  Milan Pant

Baseball Minors – Most Valuable Player:  Justin Blumenthal

Baseball Majors – Top Pitcher:  Ryan Minckler

Baseball Majors – Most Valuable Player:  Kaden Bernhard

Baseball Seniors – Top Pitcher:  Kengo Shigeta

We are very grateful to all of the Bangkok coaches, who dedicated many extra hours on evenings and weekends, to prepare the teams to compete to the best of their abilities. A special thanks goes to Charlie Labrador and Jhoel Palanog, for all of their work with teams and individual players in the weeks leading up to the tournament. Additionally, we recognize the efforts of many players’ parents, as they contributed greatly to the event.

THANK YOU, COACHES!

Minors Boys Baseball:   Andy Minckler, Ira Blumenthal, Damon Ellison, Jhoel Palanog

Majors Boys Baseball:   Richard Bernhard, Ken Blumberg, Dan Smith, Jhoel Palanog

Seniors Boys Baseball:   Tom Irwin, Kenji Sato, Mehmet Karaul, Peter Shigeta

Majors Girls Softball:     Lance Stanford, Helen Yimpaiboon, Grant McGregor

Seniors Girls Softball:    Laura Stewart, Krittiya (Boom) Fitzgerald, Karen Peacock

Finally, a huge debt of gratitude to the BBSA/SEAYBST Committee for their work in organizing this big event. THANK YOU:  Kevin Sypolt, Maria Van Zant, Sawapark Irwin, Stacie Melhorn, Marybeth Smith, Tom Irwin, Mehmet Karaul, Andy Minckler, & Chris Oglesby; and to Bill Reinsch for his much-needed sponsorship support!

 

eNewsletter Guidelines

by Tony Arnold
anthonya@isb.ac.th