Disconnecting to Connect
by Dennis Harter
dennish@isb.ac.th
The Class Trips are finally here! Next week our middle school students and faculty leave the classroom walls behind for some experiential learning out in the countryside of Thailand.
One of the ways our students grow in this time is in the development of independence away from home. Part of this growth comes from the students disconnecting with their devices and focusing on the social environment around them, rather than the social networking online. For this reason, we want the students off of their devices and hanging out with their classmates over these days.
We are looking forward to the smiles and laughter that come with that personal interaction.
For Parents, please make sure you have the information you need about when your child will return to ISB and what they need to bring with them on the trip.
Human Growth and Development Happening in Health Classes
By MS Counselors
” Last Thursday the Health and Well being teachers together with the School Counselors presented to parents the Human Growth and Development curriculum that will be delivered in the Health classes over the next few weeks ( Gr 6 ) and in a few months time( Gr 7 and 8) . If you were not able to attend you can view this presentation in the attachment. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns in regard to this curriculum.
Parents can find further information as lessons are taught by going to the Haiku page.
The parents who attended our session expressed their thanks for the thoughtful attention to this very important topic .
If you would like to discuss further please contact the counselor attached to your child’s grade.
Carmel Kean ( 6) ; Karen Kinsella ( 7) and Colleen Coady ( 8)
Please see the workshop slide here
Parent Workshop
By Tammy Westrick
Thanks to all of the parents who attended the parent training on Thursday, February 2nd ~ What You Should Know about Nurturing Your Child’s Inner Reader. It was a great group of parents who were willing to reflect on their journey as readers as well as participate in a mock book club. Some have asked for information on how to have conversations with their children/grandchildren around books. You might find this link helpful. Keep reading!
Please see workshop slide show over here.
Parent Volunteers needed to judge Tournament of Minds
On Sunday February 26th, ISB will be hosting the Bangkok Tournament of Minds and we need some willing volunteers to get involved and help out on the day as judges. This is a fantastic enrichment opportunity for our students as well as many others in the region, but we couldn’t make it happen without the gift of time from many volunteers. No experience is necessary and all the details of the event are below. If you are interested in helping out, or if you have any questions, please contact Selena Gallagher at selenag@isb.ac.th.
When?
Sunday February 26th 2017
What?
A team creative problem-solving competition. Teams of up to 7 students from either elementary or secondary schools compete in one of three divisions – Language Literature, Social Sciences or Math Engineering. They work for six weeks to solve a long-term challenge and present their solution on Tournament Day in front of an audience and a panel of judges. On the day, teams also face an unseen Spontaneous Challenge.
Who?
Approximately 400 students from schools across Thailand and the S.E. Asian region.
Why?
The aim of TOM is to enhance the potential of our youth by developing diverse skills, enterprise, time management and the discipline to work collaboratively within a competitive environment. Tournament of Minds’ objectives are: to provide the stimulation of real, open-ended challenges; to develop creative problem-solving approaches and techniques; to foster cooperative learning and team work; to promote knowledge and appreciation of self and others; to encourage experimentation and risk-taking; to expand and reward creative and divergent thinking; to stimulate a spirit of inquiry and love of learning; to develop enterprise; and to celebrate excellence.
What’s involved?
As a judge, you would be part of a panel of three to judge one of the long-term challenges or the spontaneous challenge, according to specific criteria. There will be a recommended training session in the weeks leading up to the Tournament to familiarise you with the challenge and the judging criteria, then you will be required to come along on26th February for the Tournament itself. The schedule is still to be determined but likely commitment is around four to five hours, depending on assignment.
What’s in it for me?
Supporting a worthwhile enrichment opportunity that wouldn’t happen without people like you.
The joy of seeing students demonstrating their ingenuity, creativity and cooperation.
And free food!
Register your child for the 2017 North Bangkok BasketballAssociation
(NBBL) season
Registration is now open for the 2017 NBBL Community basketball season. Registration will close on Friday, February 24th so please register now. Once teams are formed, it highly unlikely new players will be permitted to register.
The fee is THB 3,600 for all players. Players do NOT need to be ISB students but all games and practices take place at ISB. This fee will cover costs for a player jersey, Top Flight Academy clinics, referee and scorekeeper fees, ISB fees and photography expenses.
League assessments will take place on Sunday, February 26th at ISB gyms. The league assessments will begin at 12:00pm and finish by4:00pm. An exact schedule will be sent to all registered players and their parents.
Team practices will begin the week starting March 6th. League play will take place on Saturdays and begin on March 11th. Games will continue every Saturday (except for Songkran break) and conclude the weekend of May 19th/20th with league championships.
We will again use Top Flight Academy for weekly clinics for all leagues. The clinics will be scheduled once we see how many players register but the clinics will likely take place on Tuesday and/or Thursday after 5:15p. Some coaches may also choose to hold a weekly team practice.
We will need many parents to help out as coaches in order for the league to function. Parents only need to coach the teams atSaturday games since we have Top Flight running weekday practices. But if we don’t have enough parent volunteers for a league we will not be able to offer basketball for that particular age group. So we strongly encourage all parents to sign up to help coach.
Payment for the NBBL season can be made at the ISB Community Activity Office (CAO) which is located next to the bookstore at ISB. The CAO is open from 7:00 to 11:00AM and 12:00 to 3:30PM Monday – Friday.
Please go to the NBBL website here for the link to our registration system and for other important information.
If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Sypolt at ksypolt@gmail.com
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.
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)
