Jackie Valenzuela
jackiev@isb.ac.th
All HS Parents
The Counseling office now has a new library of parent resources available for check out. Books on topics ranging from general parenting, to adolescent development, and university transition are included. Titles include: Quiet, Strengths-Based Parenting, Letting Go, and The Pressured Child. Stop by and check one out today.
Grade 12 – Earlier this week, students applying for admission to universities in the UK registered through UCAS (an organization that operates the application process for UK universities). In addition, students intending to apply to US universities set up their Common Application account.
Senior lives are filling up with activities, schoolwork, and friends. Together, we can continue to remind them to maintain balance and a healthy outlook.
Links from Senior Parent Night:
Grade 11 – Next Wednesday, September 7, counselors will meet with their 11th grade students during Panther Block in the first G11 Seminar. This is when we formally start thinking and planning for the college research process. We’ll discuss “fit”, the importance of personal reflection, and review a timeline for the year. Finally, students will receive an assignment entitled “College Match” to help them start the reflection process so that they can begin to determine qualities most important to them before beginning a college search.
One calendar adjustment to make note of: The Junior Parent Night has been renamed to G11 College Night. This is noted on the electronic/Google calendars. Also, this evening session will now include both parents and students. The date is still the same: January 18.
Finally, the PSAT will be offered to all ISB 11th grade students during the school day on Wednesday, October 19. This is a preliminary and practice test. There is no additional preparation needed for this practice assessment. During the G11 Seminar next week, counselors will introduce this to students. Please note that any 11th grade student who does not need this test should meet with their counselor to discuss opting out.
Helpful Links:
Grade 10 – Things are happening a mile a minute now, and students have to be really organized to keep up with their school and extra-curricular obligations. The new “Panther Block” is very helpful in keeping teachers in tune with how the students are feeling. Try to get a good idea of two things in the coming week concerning your student’s work load and sleep: how many hours of homework are they doing on average every night? and how many hours of sleep are they getting? The average amount of homework for a 10th grader is somewhere in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 hours per night. If your son or daughter has 15 minutes of homework, or 5 hours, that will be a very good talking point for you, and probably worth a call to his/her counselor. Getting enough sleep is a challenge for all of us, but with 8.5 hours an ideal, it isn’t very healthy for a 10th grader to get less than 7 hours. That is something that simply has to be part of a growing person’s day!
Grade 9 – This week in Freshman Seminar our students completed their experience in the library. They had personal projects where they were instructed to use different software technologies and resources. We also had Mr. Bradley (H.S Principal) and Mr. Vaughan (Dean of Students) visit our classroom. They were able to share their insight on getting off to a good start in high school. Both were also able to share what the expected responsibilities of students would be in high school, as well as what students should expect of the school and its staff.
Insight to an Adolescent
Adolescence is one of the most vibrant stages of human development. The cognitive, physical, and social changes that happen at this period are immense and can be intense. The link below is a very nice overview of what to expect in this stage of development. Whether this is your 1st or 5th teen moving through high school this resource from Johns Hopkins University is worth a look:
https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-adolescent-health/_includes/_pre-redesign/Interactive%20Guide.pdf
Upcoming University Visits to ISB and greater Bangkok area (please click on link below):