Parent Coffee, Feb 21 – change of topic
by Dennis Harter
dennish@isb.ac.th
On Tuesday, February 21st, 8:00 – 9:00 AM, the Middle School will host another of our Parent Coffees. Originally, we thought we would share information about the upcoming Outdoor Education program for 2017-18, however we will develop it a bit further before sharing a little later in the semester.
Instead, the February 21 Parent Coffee will focus on the topic of the schedule changes being made for next year, including the timetable of classes along with the impact on student courses and registration.
If this is of interest to you, we hope you’ll join us. We video the presentation to share in the eNews.
Early Dismissal on Tuesday, Jan 31
A reminder to all families that this coming Tuesday, students will be dismissed at 1:10 PM as part of the Early Release Day. During these times, teachers engage in professional development and/or collaborative teams to enhance our learning program.
Influenza
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 (this can be the medical certificate from initial diagnosis with the dates of exclusion from school written on it).
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).
Middle School Production
This year Middle School Performing and Visual Artists will create a new show as a tribute to His Majesty – King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Story of Mahajanaka will be co-created by students and staff and will be staged in the CCT Theatre in May.
Already, two information meetings have been had for students interested. Drama, dance and visual art classes will also be directly involved in it’s creation. This is an exciting project and one that will be extremely rewarding to be a part of.
Auditions for possible key roles will take place between February 15 and 21 (different to what is on the current calendar) and we are looking for strong physical and vocal actors who are prepared to commit themselves creatively to this project.
There will be an intense rehearsal period that will start Friday 3rd of March with a Live in Production Camp. This will require students to live in school from Friday – Saturday. This will be a fun, creative, energising camp where we can start laying the foundations for our production, develop ideas and make strong bonds as a creative team.
Rehearsals from then on will be most days after school from 3 – 5. This is a change from previous years, because I want students to have a break, eat and hydrate before coming to rehearsal. Two hours of rehearsal will mean we can establish ‘creative flow’. I understand that this is later than normal and parents and students will have to consider this before signing up.
A major theme in this story is PERSEVERANCE. This links nicely with the core values of COURAGE and COMMITMENT. We will strive towards our goal with open arms, eyes and hearts and deliver the very best production we can for our beloved King.
What You Should Know about Nurturing Your Child’s Inner Reader
For Parents of Students PK-Grade 8
Learning to read is BIG work! From decoding three-letter words to tracking how characters change across a book to comparing how theme is treated in different texts, our readers are doing more sophisticated reading work than we ever did. Please join us on Thursday, February 2nd from 7:45 – 9:15 in the ESMPR to talk about the research behind reading, how we go about teaching reading at ISB, and how you can support your child’s inner reader.
resented by Tammy Westrick, Literacy Learning Coach
Tammy Westrick
Literacy Learning Coach
International School Bangkok
IASAS TENNIS 2017, at ISB!
by Derrick Quinet
derrickq@isb.ac.th
Don’t miss the excitement and fun of IASAS tennis, next week at ISB. We are looking forward to a tremendous tournament, with a high level of play and all the bells and whistles of a world-class IASAS event. This promises to be the best tennis tournament yet, with spectacular fan seating for an enhanced viewing experience!
We encourage you to check the schedule and get out to support our Panthers next week. The boys and girls teams are focused and prepared, and they are hoping for a big turnout to the matches. Let’s Go Panthers!
Check the IASAS Tennis Schedule and set your sights for next weekend!
IASAS RUGBY, TOUCH, SWIMMING, and BASKETBALL
Good luck to all our Panthers as they travel across Asia next week representing the very best of ISB at the upcoming IASAS Tournaments. The rugby and touch teams sprint south for Jakarta. The swim team splashes down in Kuala Lumpur. And the basketball teams shoot east for Manila in their final tournament of the year.
You can keep track of all the scores and highlights, plus watch the action on live streaming by following the links at: www.iasas.asia
We are proud of you, Panthers! Go ISB!
U13-U15 Track & Field
By Mark Jaspers
Optional pre-season track & field strength and conditioning training with James Butterfield on Tuesday 17 January (2:15-3:15), Tuesday 23 January (2:15-3:15) and Tuesday 30 January ( ERD: 1:15-2:15)
- Official Track & Field Season starts on season starts Wednesday 15 February
- Practice are on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2:35-3:40 pm
- ISB Friendly meet on Wednesday 8 March (5.00 pm, all athletes)
- BISAC meet on Saturday 18 March (selected athletes only)
