ISB Communication single page view

Thank you, ISB Parents, for two great community events

By: Dr. Andrew Davies, Head of School
andrewd@isb.ac.th

Dear ISB Community,

Within one week, ISB proudly hosted two magnificent events: the Music in the Park and the International Family Fair.

Both events involved complex and creative organization and were parent initiated and run. On behalf of all of us at ISB, I would like to thank all parents and our the community members who participated in various ways for their dedication, organizational prowess, creativity, and care for our community.

ISB is very fortunate to have such a community spirit and an army of committed and talented parents willing to enrich the experiences of our students and community. Not a day goes by at ISB without parents contributing in some form to enhance our programs and what we are able to offer.

ISB will be formally recognizing our numerous parent volunteers at our annual Parent Volunteer Appreciation Lunch in May. However, on behalf of all of us at ISB, I wanted to recognise in a timely way those who contributed so much to our school this month.

Thank you!

Andy 

A thank you from the IFF Team

By: Rachel Nahmias
arjmon13@gmail.com

The IFF team and PTA would like to thank all the countries and communities who organized a food booth this year. The halls looked wonderful! The colors, decorations and the smells were simply fantastic.

The energy and spirit of everyone taking part in making this day such a special one – that is the recipe for our success.

Thank you to all the volunteers, to the country booths volunteers, to those who made an effort in coming with their traditional dress for the parade and to the wonderful performers in our IFF concert.

Can’t wait for next year’s Fair!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Night Lights – Tomorrow  – BISAC Champion Schedule

By: Derrick Quinet, Athletics Director
derrickq@isb.ac.th

Don’t miss the BISAC Championships, this Friday, January 27 from 4pm onward, with a late bus for downtown students!
 
The Season Two varsity championships will be played here on campus in a special FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS format, for the very first time!

Come support ISB‘s touch, rugby, tennis, and basketball teams as they fight it out for the league honors. ISB is hosting nine tournaments, thirty teams, and seven of our favorite vendors, including Shoshana, Broccoli Revolution, Subway, Baan Kimchi, and Emack & Bolio. Plus, the BOOSTER TENT will be rocking out all night long!

Tell your friends, spread the word, and bring your family….just don’t miss out on this extraordinary event!

Friday Night Lights!  Black & Gold! Mighty Panthers! 

 

Stop by the MS Photography Exhibition

By: Trista Meisner, MS Performing and Visual Arts
tristam@isb.ac.th

Stop by the Main Library to see the photography of ISB’s middle school students. The exhibit is from Monday, 30 January – Thursday, 16 February.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit the HS Photography Show

By: Anthony Giles, Arts and Activities Director
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

The HS Photography Show is now open in the Chevron Foyer and the creativity and technical skill displayed will astound you! Come by to view the amazing works by all of this year’s high school photography artists now through January 31 including a special exhibition highlighting pieces by the advanced photography cohort. Enjoy!

 

See you at the hop on Saturday!

By: Amy Hall
amersuec@yahoo.com

Don’t forget to buy your tickets for the Mother Daughter Sock Hop, which will be from 5-8p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28. This dance is sponsored by the Girl Scouts but is open to all moms and daughters. A portion of the proceeds will go to buy medical equipment for Bangkok Free Ambulance. Buy your tickets before or after school at the table set up in the ES breezeway. Cost is 700 baht per person and includes dinner, dance, and some fun contests. We are also 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. There is a collection box at the ticket sale table and another in front of the pharmacy above Villa. Hope to see you at the hop!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Future of Learning – Join the discussion – Mon, 30th January

By: Graeme Scott, Deputy Head of School for Learning
graemes@isb.ac.th

Dear Parents,

As you know, we are currently witnessing rapid changes in society and the workplace.  Many schools are re-examining the skills and attributes their students will need in order to flourish in this dynamic world, and ISB is one of those schools. Over three years ago, we embarked upon a series of research and development initiatives and visited a number of world leading schools, universities and companies.  

Since then, we have been researching deeply and consulting experts in order to refine our vision.  Last semester we shared the first draft of our thinking and received excellent advice from a group of enthusiastic and interested parents. We also shared it with our faculty who provided meaningful feedback.

We now have an advanced draft of a new vision and the attributes we would like to develop in our ISB students and we’d like to share this with any community members who are interested.  If you would like to hear about our progress and have the opportunity to add your thoughts, please come along to the MPB on Monday, 30th January from 6:30 – 8:00pm.  

We hope to see you there.

 

PTA Adult Education Classes Registration Opens in Feb!

 

Good luck, Panthers, at IASAS Tournaments

We are proud of you, Panthers! Go ISB!

 

IASAS Tennis is coming to ISB!

Check the IASAS Tennis Schedule and set your sights for next weekend!

 

Save the Date: Chinese Food Fair, February 3rd

By: Anthony Giles, Arts and Activities Director
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

The Chinese Food Fair, promoting Chinese cuisine and culture, will be held on Feb 3, 2017 in the HS cafeteria area. There will also be Chinese arts and crafts available for sale. Don’t miss this great event. The time is between 10am – 2pm.

 

Softball Coaches needed

By: Derrick Quinet, Athletics Director
derrickq@isb.ac.th

U13 GIRLS SOFTBALL COACH VACANCY

ISB is currently searching for an U13 girls softball coach for the 3rd season. The season runs February 15 – April 29, with three practices per week, league games, and a final BISAC tournament included. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Mark Jaspers, MS Athletic Director: markj@isb.ac.th

ISB is actively recruiting for an assistant varsity fastpitch coach for 3rd season. Candidates with experience and enthusiasm are encouraged to apply. The season runs Feb. 6-April 7, and there is a coaching stipend for this position. There will be two international trips during the season for tournaments, one to Kuala Lumpur and one to Singapore.

If you or someone you know is interested or would like more information, please contact the ISB Athletic Director: derrickq@isb.ac.th.

Important Changes to Traffic Flow in the Parking Lot for Pick-up and Drop-off 

By: Mark Hevland, Head of Risk Management
markh@isb.ac.th

Over the past couple of weeks we have adjusted the Montri bus parking and dismissal process.  This has proven to be a successful adjustment, to decrease traffic congestion, open up more parking spaces and provide increased safety for our students. We are implementing an additional phase for trial, beginning on Monday January 30th.

(Please see attached diagram for reference.)

• Parking Lot area B (previously reserved for Montri buses) is now available for all parents and employees to park all day long
• Parking Lot area A will continue to be available for parking along both sides
• Parking Lot area C continues to be open and available at all times
• Parking Lot area D is open for staff car parking, scooters and golf carts
• Golf carts will be limited to one row on the exit side of the roundabout between parking lot A&B
• NO DOUBLE PARKING will be allowed in any parking lots at any time

Most of our congestion and traffic back-up is caused by vehicles only stopping at the front of the school near the panther.  We have over 120 meters of school front that can be used for pick-up and drop-off.  Currently, our community is only using approximately 40 meters.  Our intent is to spread the pick-up and drop-off area out along the front of the school and take advantage of all 120 meters.

In order to achieve this, during the Morning drop-off and Afternoon pick-up times, we will be closing off the main roundabout. 

We ask that students exit, or enter vehicles as quickly as possible. A 10 second pick-up and drop-off should be sufficient.  Cars should not be sitting and waiting for students or parents to arrive at the curb.  We all need to take into consideration the other vehicles, parents and students trying to enter and exit the school and work collaboratively to improve the overall parking lot environment.

There will be two lanes along the front of the school which will allow for vehicles to pull over for drop-off/pick-up and then move out to exit the school.  Vehicles that wish to park will follow the same flow and be able to access Parking lot A, B, and C. 

To exit the school during these times, drivers will have to:

Please see diagram. 

Thank you for your consideration of this and your assistance.

• Drive along the full front of the school down to the end of the Elementary building
• Once at the ES bike parking area they can turn into parking lot area A or parking lot area B to exit
• These parking lots will be clear of double parked cars, which will provide a clear path back towards the roundabout
• Once at the roundabout, drivers will turn left and be able to head for the exit.

Thank you for the consideration. Our hope is that these adjustments will save travel time and make the commute to and from school quicker.

 

 

 

 

Fast Facts: Influenza

By: Sally Plomley, ISB Health Clinic
nurse@isb.ac.th

Over the last few days we have noticed an increase in students being diagnosed with influenza (especially in the Middle School). We want to make sure parents are aware of the symptoms. Please read the information below and keep your children at home if they are unwell to help prevent influenza spreading throughout the school. Influenza is highly contagious and it is essential we have cooperation from all ISB families to isolate those who potentially have the infection to limit the spread.  Influenza vaccination for the 2016/17 season is currently available at the Bumrungrad Nichada Clinic.

How influenza is spread?

Influenza virus is spread when someone with influenza coughs or sneezes, producing airborne droplets that come into contact with another person. Droplets can be spread through the air. Infection may also be spread by contact with hands, tissues and other articles soiled by infected nose and throat discharges.

Symptoms:

• rapid onset of fever
• headache
• muscle aches
• fatigue
• sneezing
• running nose
• sore throat
• a cough
• may have nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain

Most people recover within a week, although the cough and fatigue may last longer. Influenza is much more serious than the common cold. It can lead to pneumonia (lung infection or inflammation) and other complications, and even death.

Once you are exposed to the influenza virus it is an average of 2 days for seasonal influenza (range 1 to 4 days) before you get symptoms.   You are usually contagious from 1 day before onset of symptoms until 7 days after the onset of symptoms.

Treatment:

Most people recover with rest, drinking plenty of fluids and use of paracetamol/acetaminophen for the relief of pain and fever.

If the influenza virus is detected on throat/nasal swab antiviral medication can be given. This should be started within 48 hours of the onset of the illness and may decrease the duration and the severity of the illness. The entire course of the antiviral medication should be taken.

It is important that children are able to recover fully prior to returning to school otherwise they will relapse and risk spreading the infection to their peers. They should be fever free without medication for 24 hours prior to returning to school.

If your child is diagnosed with influenza please notify the Health Clinic. They will then need to present a medical certificate to the Health Clinic stating they are fit to return to school and no longer contagious prior to going to class.

When to seek medical advice

Seek medical advice if:

• you are concerned about the symptoms
• symptoms are getting worse
• shortness of breath
• difficulty breathing
• confusion
• inability to keep liquids down because of vomiting
• symptoms of dehydration (such as being dizzy when standing or passing much less urine than normal)
• If you want to see if antiviral medications will help

Prevention:

• If children are unwell they should stay away from school until there has been no fever for 24 hours (without using a fever reducing medicine such as paracetamol/acetaminophen).
• Wash hands as soon as possible after sneezing or coughing and after contact with nose and throat discharges or articles soiled by these. Use soap and water or an alcohol based hand rub.
• Wipe down all frequently touched surfaces regularly with a cleaning cloth dampened with detergent, or a large alcohol wipe.
• Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or your arm, not with your hand. Drop used tissues immediately into a rubbish bin, then wash your hands.
• Flu vaccines reduce the risk of getting severe influenza. Influenza vaccination is required every year as the influenza virus is constantly changing and each year the influenza vaccines are altered to provide protection against the strains that are circulating.
• Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for anyone 6 months of age or older who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza.

ISB is committed to your child’s overall development, both educationally and health related. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider or the ISB Health Clinic (nurse@isb.ac.th).

 

 

 

eNewsletter Guidelines

By 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.
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.