Class Trip Photos
by Dennis Harter
dennish@isb.ac.th
Students are still smiling a week after they’ve returned from the middle school Class Trips. In this age of digital photography, we have so many photos that we are putting together that we are still collecting them!
All photos will be posted on our ISB Flickr page, under specific albums for the trips. Currently, we have the grade 7 photos up (though more are being added), and will have other grades up as we collect and upload them.
Check them out and check back next week to see our students in action on the trips.
Parent Conferences are nearing
by Dennis Harter
dennish@isb.ac.th
Middle School Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled for March 9 & 10. Like the first semester, we will use the new sports complex gymnasium to host the conferences. Parents can sign up for a 2-hour block (only 40 parent slots per grade per session), during which time, you can move around the gym and meet with each teacher.
We collected feedback from parents after trying this method last semester and it was very positive and encouraging of maintaining this plan.
While this environment can be hectic and lacks in some privacy, we have found it more effective in ensuring parents see more of their child’s teachers. The noise levels do not prevent good conversation and the “hum” of the crowd actually helps with keeping conversations private.
Of course, some parents may have the need for more private conversations or longer follow up with teachers, counselors, or a group of teachers. In these cases, we recommend an appointment be made for another time, when a more private setting can be used and a longer block can be scheduled.
Sign-ups for the Parent-Teacher conference sessions will open later this month and more information will be provided at that time, including teacher availability on those days.
MS Parent Coffee – Change of Topic
by Dennis Harter
dennish@isb.ac.th
This coming Tuesday, February 21st, 8:00-9:00 AM, we are hosting the third of our MS Parent Coffees. A few weeks ago, we shared that the discussion would focus on the Outdoor Education program being developed to start in 2017-18. This topic has been deferred to later in this semester, so that we can provide more specifics about the program, site, and experience the students will have next year.
Instead, on Tuesday, we will take a look at the progress we have made in our identified areas of focus (see graphic). We will also share some news about upcoming class registrations and changes to next year’s MS timetable. For those that cannot make it, we will share the slides and information in the eNews, next week.
MS ISA Testing
by Cindy Plantecoste, MS Dean of Academics
On February 27 and 28, all Grade 7students will take the International Schools Assessment (ISA) in Mathematical Literacy, Reading and Writing. The assessments will take place during the time that the students would have had English, Social Studies, Math and Science over the two days. This assessment is conducted in grades 3, 5, 7 and 10 at ISB and the results are used help us track trends in our student learning and help us be responsive to student progress.
Grade 8-9 Transition Presentation for Parents
by Kevan Davy, HS Counselor:
Date: March 7
Time: 9 – 10 AM
Location: MPB 1
The High School Dean of Academics (Ms. Susan Canobie) and High School Counselors would like to invite you to session focusing on high school transition. This session will include information on course selection and helping your student get off to a good start in their high school life.
No Late Bus Service During February 20-24
By: Suthida Jiravichai, Transportation Supervisor
suthidaj@isb.ac.th
Please be informed that from February 20 to 24 we will not have the 5.10 pm and 4.35 pm late bus.
We will have the regular 2.35 pm bus on Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri and Tues at 2.15 pm Late bus at 3.50 pm (Tues at 3.30 pm).
NBBL Scorekeeping/Timekeeping opportunity for students in Grades 7-12
By Kevin Sypolt, ksypolt@gmail.com
As we have in past years, NBBL (North Bangkok Basketball League) will hire Grade 7-12 students to be scorekeepers and timekeepers for NBBL games.
The games will take place Saturdays at the ISB gyms. This is a great opportunity for Grade 7-12 students to earn their own money and learn the responsibility of a work situation. The students will earn between THB 200 and 300 per game. In order for the students to be eligible to work at these games, all students (including those who have been scorekeepers/timekeepers in the past) must register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDhUmhKY-bfREmqffvNrWbdX7T0rUsG2W2JOSYSBO-OSeLzg/viewform?usp=send_form
There is a MANDATORY training session for any student who did NOT work as a scorekeeper/timekeeper last season. This training will take place either on Sunday, February 26th at 5:00PM in the ES MPR room or on Tuesday, February 28th at 7:00PM in MPB Room 3. The sessions will last about an hour. Students are only required to attend one of the sessions, but you MUST register in advance. You can’t just show up without registering.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. As always, please consult our NBBL website at https://www.isb.ac.th/basketball for information. This is where we will post calendar information, schedules, team listings, etc.
Register your child for the 2017 North Bangkok Basketball Association (NBBL) season
By Kevin Sypolt, ksypolt@gmail.com
Registration is now open for the 2017 NBBL Community basketball season. We have leagues for boys and girls ages PK through Grade 12. But 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