High School Upcoming events (Please click):
Semester Exams and Schedules
Susan Canobie
susanca@isb.ac.th
With the end of the semester in sight I would like to bring to your attention details regarding our approach to the first semester exams and the educational thinking behind these arrangements, see the calendar below. It is important to appreciate that the December examinations are formative. That is, a vital part of an ongoing learning process and not just a tool for assigning grades. Indeed nearly all students are in the middle of full year courses.
Consequently we have rearranged our exam schedule to allow time immediately following the exams for students to review their learning with their teachers. This time will optimize the learning by providing an opportunity to consolidate the material covered and address mistakes or mis-conceptions while it is still fresh in the minds of students. These are very important learning days.
Individual examination schedules are available on PowerSchool in the top right hand corner of the Grades & Attendance page. I would also like to inform students and parents that no examinations will be taken ahead of their scheduled date. Please note that students do not need to be on campus unless they have an exam. If students have two exams on Monday, they will stay on campus between their exams.
The Last Two Weeks of the Semester… December 2016
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||
| 5
Regular school day
|
6
Regular school day
|
7
Work / review, consolidation and exam preparation
|
8
Work / review, consolidation and exam preparation
|
9 |
||
12 |
13
|
14
Day 6 for Grades 11 and 12 only
Marking day for Grades 9 & 10, no school for students |
15
Periods 1- 6 Exam feedback |
16
Periods 7 & 8 Exam feedback
Assembly & Early Dismissal Winter Break Starts 11:30am
|
Semester 2 Schedules are available to view on PowerSchool and students should check the Matrix View in My Schedule. If students wish to make any changes they should see their Counselor.
Counseling News
Kevin Davy
kevind@isb.ac.th
Grade 9
At the beginning of next week students will receive this email from Mr. Davy which is reference to semester 2 courses. This would also be helpful for parents to review:
In the next couple of weeks the school will be looking at semester courses and any adjustments we have to make.
You might want to be aware of the following:
- If you are planning to move to a different school in Grade 10 you might want to consider asking that school you might move to (If you know it) what their science requirements are. In the past we have had some students take Chemistry 2 instead of Biology 1 or Physics 1 second semester. This is because sometimes students need a full year of Chemistry to transfer. This is often the case when transferring to the U.S.A
- The master schedule is tight and there is not a lot of flexibility for movement to accommodate changed electives.
- From time to time to balance courses etc we sometimes have to switch core courses. If this happens we always make the best effort to keep you with your current teacher for that course.
- Think about your Freshman Seminar / Free Period this semester – how has that helped you balance your time and commitments. Over half students elect for the free period. If you find that you have a full schedule and you would like me to take an elective out for a free period – please let me know ASAP.
- If you chose Biology and now want Physics – or visa versa – let me know ASAP.
Grade 10
Semester 2 schedules will be able to be viewed on powerschool next week. If students have any concerns or special requests they should make an appointment with their counselor in the near future.
Grade 11
Mark your calendars! Junior College Night is scheduled for Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30pm in the MPB. Both 11th grade students and parents are encouraged to attend when we officially kick off the college search and application process.
Last month, 11th graders took the PSAT. CollegeBoard has designed a new system for PSAT score delivery to students this year. According to CollegeBoard, results should arrive electronically to students around December 12. To understand more about what the reports mean, access the following video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzCSIilL3WQ
At this point and moving into next semester, the challenge of IB courses will most likely increase for students using more higher order thinking skills. These aren’t necessarily skills that tutoring will assist with. It’s important that students reach out to teachers first.
Finally, express trust and confidence (even if in doubt) in your student that they have the tools around them to handle challenges. Never underestimate the power of your words and actions. Here’s a great article with advice from Michael Thompson, Ph.D. on how to manage this.
The next Junior Seminar is Tuesday, November 24. Counselors will meet with 11th graders to continue to prepare for the college search and application process.
Grade 12
Transcript requests are now due. The final date to request school documents for universities with deadlines in December/January is this Monday, November 21.
ALL December/January Applicants:
- Schedule an appointment NOW to submit first application or two with their counselor before December break.
- Send standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS) before the application deadline.
- Remember to bring a credit card. Submitting online with the counselor requires students to make a payment. In addition, students will need to know the credit card billing address.
- Remember that essays must be the student’s work, not the work of others. Seniors are encouraged to share these in advance with their counselor who will view them through the lens of what a university admission officer might see.
College Visits
Here is the link to the upcoming college visits:
https://sites.google.com/a/isb.ac.th/isb-hs-university-advising/university-visit-calendar
Leaving Bangkok? An invitation from the ISB Counselors
Douglas Williamson
douglasw@isb.ac.th
The ISB Counseling Department invites parents who are leaving to attend a Parent Transition Meeting on Wednesday, November 30 from 8:00-9:00 in the Elementary School MPR. In order to support both you and your child, we’ll talk about the various aspects of transition, things to consider, how to leave Bangkok well and arrive well at your new destination. We look forward to supporting you in this process. If you plan to attend, please email Doug Williamson at douglasw@isb.ac.th
ISB Spirit Week – November 21-25
Derrick Quinet
derrickq@isb.ac.th
ISB will highlight our unique community and our unrivaled school spirit, Nov. 21-25 with the upcoming Panthers Spirit Week! Each day will deliver a fun-themed dress-up day, and we encourage all HS students to get involved and show their true Panther Pride. There will be lunchtime activities and contest for HS students, and there will be after school games to put a spotlight on our teams throughout the week. Don’t miss Wednesday’s JV Basketball Feature, and catch the rest of our teams on Friday!
SEASON TWO SPIRIT NIGHT!
Season Two Spirit Night (Schedule) caps off the week-long celebration on Friday, November 25. You can come cheer on our Panthers in sixteen separate matches, ranging from a dual swim meet to varsity tennis, rugby, touch, and MS soccer. Additionally, ISB is hosting the annual boys and girls basketball invitational over the weekend, with 14 visiting teams from Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi, Shanghai, and Chiang Mai. Of course, the Booster Tent will be out, joined by all your favorite vendors for delicious food, refreshing beverages, and tasty treats!
Don’t miss the fun, and bring your family! Mark your calendars for Spirit Week, Nov. 21-25 and Spirit Night, Friday, Nov. 25 at ISB
IASAS RUGBY EXCHANGE – THIS FRIDAY/SATURDAY
ISB will host the annual IASAS rugby exchange this weekend, with four schools flying in. Games will be played Friday afternoon and all-day Saturday. Stop by to enjoy some of the early season action, this weekend at ISB! You can see the schedule, HERE.
Good luck to our Panthers and to all of our other ISB teams who are traveling out for exchange.
Derrick Quinet
Athletics Director
ISB STRINGS BASH
Todd Weinhold
toddw@isb.ac.th
The annual ISB Strings Bash is almost here! This year’s event scheduled for Wednesday, November 23 at 6:30pm at the Chevron Theater will feature 150 ISB ES, MS, and HS strings musicians, grades 3-12 showcasing not only some beautiful music but also giving a window into the learning process that happens everyday in the strings classroom
eNewsletter Guidelines
Shelley Bragg
shelleyb@isb.ac.th
ISB eNewsletters provide a valuable avenue for communication within the ISB parent community. For your convenience we have provided you with our eNewsletter guidelines below.
Submitting an announcement for publication
ISB accepts announcements from ISB families 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
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.