Buy your tickets for the “Music in the Park” featuring Pro Musica
On the 15th of January, 4pm – 7pm, ISB is hosting His Majesty’s Music in the Park, featuring Pro Musica. Pro Musica will play compositions of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Come and join us as we honor the life of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej through beautiful music. We will also join in song for The King’s Anthem and have a candle lighting. Bring your picnic blanket or fold up chairs. There will be a wide selection of delicious Thai food and refreshment stalls.
His Majesty was widely recognized for his musical talent, particularly in 1964 when His Majesty became the first ever Asian honorary member of Vienna’s prestigious Die Akademic fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst.
Pro Musica
The Bangkok Pro Musica Orchestra, founded in 1958, is Thailand’s first professional ensemble Orchestra. Since 2011, Bangkok Pro Musica Orchestra has regularly been performing the royal compositions under the baton of M.L. Usni Pramoj, one of its founders. M.L. Usni Pramoj is currently member of the Thai Privy Council and recipient of the Thai National Artist Award and the ASEAN Award for the performing arts. He is one of the pioneers of classical music in Thailand and his arrangements of His Majesty’s compositions represent a unique blend of jazz and classical styles.
Entrance:
Adults: Presale – Baht 200, At the entrance – Baht 250
Children: Presale – Baht 100, At the entrance – Baht 150.
Presale Location: in front of the panther at the front of the school
Every weekday, 7.00 a.m -8.30 a.m.
For more information, please contact: Khun Sutida Vichitkulwongsa Chawaldit sutida.chawaldit@gmail.com
Friends and family welcome.
Message from the Head of School
By: Andrew Davies, Head of School
andrewd@isb.ac.th
Dear ISB Community,
On behalf of all of us at ISB, we would like to wish you a happy holiday and all the best for the New Year.
At this time of year, in this transient international community, we sadly have to bid farewell to some of our friends. For those of you leaving ISB, we thank you for being a part of our community and for trusting us with the care and education of your children. We wish you all the very best wherever you are going and hope that ISB always has a fond place in your hearts. You will always remain a part of our community.
For those returning in January, we look forward to working with you next semester and the years ahead in the most important partnership of all – taking care of children and helping them to develop as learners and to their fullest potential.
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Andy
Board of Trustees: A Message to the ISB Community
By: Eric Ma, Board of Trustees Chair
eric.ma@morganstanley.com
Dear ISB Community,
As we all head out for the holidays, I wanted to give you a summary of what the Board of Trustees has been focused on this semester.
The Board finalized ISB’s financial budget for the 2016/2017 school year. With enrollment continuing to be under pressure from shifts in certain demographic and sectoral trends, we expect a deficit as we close out the school year. Nonetheless, with a keen eye on expenses, right-sizing of some areas, and continued strong support from donations, our balance sheet and cash positions continue to be very healthy and we look forward to an income break-even or surplus position next year. ISB continues to be on solid financial ground, allowing us to invest in the future of the school, preserve our international diversity, and provide the best learning experience for our students.
The Board also reviewed the concept and development plans for the new Environmental and Wilderness Campus (EWC) in Petchburi province. Consistent with its mission to inspire students to be reflective learners and caring global citizens who lead healthy, active lives, ISB has begun construction of its new campus, which will become fully operational by October/November 2017. The EWC will provide ISB with an exciting and unique opportunity to integrate science, outdoor educational skills, character building, and much more – enabling our students to make connections across their learning.
The Board also participated in ISB’s development of a new and revitalized marketing strategy. Spearheaded by our Director of Marketing and Communications, the marketing plan will focus on developing a clear ISB identity and value proposition, as well as identifying our key differentiating factors. Key initiatives will include new advertisements and advertorials, a revamp of the alumni database, targeted digital marketing, exploration and cultivation of economic target audiences, presentations of our new or improved facilities and program offerings, development of corporate and media relationships, and enhanced community involvement. These initiatives will be developed and implemented throughout the rest of the school year. In addition to supporting the administration on developing these marketing efforts, the Board also engaged in its own generative thinking on the topic of “What do we need to do to ensure the financial stability of the school?” Ultimately, this question morphed into one of “How shall ISB stand out as a truly exceptional school, rising above the rest of the schools in the region, thereby attracting more students to come to ISB?” The Board will discuss this question and its potential answers in the coming months.
On a more specific note, the Board also heard from the High School administration about its initiative to propose a new grading and reporting system. With the rationale of aligning the curriculum, pedagogy, assessment protocols, and learning culture, the proposed changes would see a switch from the 13-point (A+ – F) letter scale to the International Baccalaureate (IB) 1-7 scale. With any meaningful changes like this, the High School administration has and will be conducting presentations and collecting feedback from different ISB constituent groups such as the faculty, PTA, Student Council, and parents. The High School administration will be sharing their findings at a Board of Trustees meeting this coming semester for consultation on further action.
Finally, the Board has also filled its two vacant positions. We welcome Grainne MacRae to the Board and welcome back Nimit Damrongrat and look forward to their valuable contributions to the Board.
On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I wish you a fun-filled and relaxing holiday season!
Back to School Coffee on Monday, January 9th, 7:30-8:30am
By: PTA – Welcome Wai
welcomewai@isb.ac.th
The PTA would like to invite all ISB parents to the Back to School Coffee on Monday, January 9th from 7:30-8:30am in front of the Chevron Theatre. Help us welcome our new families while enjoying some coffee and treats.
Is your country represented in the biggest event of the year?
By: Rachel Nahmias
arjmon13@gmail.com
Is your country represented in the biggest event of the year?
PTA is organizing the best family event of the year and would like to invite all countries to have a chance to give a taste of their culture to our community.
IFF (International Family Fair) will take place on January 21st, 4-7 pm and the more country booths we have, the more fun it will be! Please get involved.
For more information please contact, Rachel arjmon13@gmail.com
IFF Raffle tickets on Sale Monday 9th January
By: Natalie Lollback
lollbackng@gmail.com
Win some amazing prizes this year!
The first raffle tickets for the International Food Fair (IFF) will be available at the Welcome Wai morning Coffee on Monday 9th January.
Only 50 baht a ticket.
Buy your tickets and support the ISB International Family Fair.
Mother-Daughter Sock Hop – Save the date!
By: Amy Hall
amersuec@yahoo.com
Moms and girls: Are you ready for a night of 50s fun? The Mother Daughter Sock Hop is scheduled for Saturday, January 28, so mark your calendars and get out your poodle skirts! This dance is sponsored by the Girl Scouts but open to all moms and daughters. A portion of the proceeds will go to buy medical equipment for Bangkok Free Ambulance. Tickets go on sale right after winter break. We’ll also be collecting first aid supplies to be used on the ambulance, so next time you’re at the pharmacy, please consider buying extra gauze, first aid tape, etc. Watch for collection boxes after winter break. Hope to see you at the hop!
eNews Guidelines
By: Shelley Bragg, Director of Marketing and Communications
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.
phremjiz@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 Director of Marketing and Communications 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.