High School Upcoming events (Please click):
Please be aware…..
Philip Bradley
philipb@isb.ac.th
Recently, a series on Netflix has gained a lot of attention among teens and subsequently parents, educators, and mental health professionals. Based on a popular Young Adult fiction novel by Jay Asher, the series “13 Reasons Why” tells the story of a high school teenage girl who commits suicide and leaves 13 recordings detailing the role people played in her decision. The themes are mature and there are scenes and scenarios that can be disturbing.
This show has been a hit for Netflix, particularly among teens, and prompted discussion on how suicide and teenage life, in general, are portrayed. Ultimately, a message of helping those who are hurting is reached, but other aspects take center stage on the show, particularly as it flashes back regularly to when the girl was alive.
While not all students have watched this show, it is widespread enough to be something they are talking about. For this reason, we wanted to be sure parents are aware that it may contain some confusing message for teens, particularly if they feel distressed or know someone who does. If your child has seen this show, it may be an opportunity for you to talk about these issues with them.
In cases like these we don’t want to elevate anxiety. Most of the time, students are fine and can separate media messages from their own lives. Sometimes, however, students may internalize undesirable messages unless we are helping them through with counter-messages.
Cindy Warner-Dobrowski, our Director of Student Services, has put together a resource for parents adapted from National Association of School Psychologists. (2017) recent paper, 13 Reasons Why Netflix series: Considerations for educators [handout]. This resource shares the current thinking from mental health professionals about how best to talk about these difficult issues with teens.
Please do not hesitate to contact a counselor or school administrator if you have any concerns.
Philip Bradley
Grade 9 – 11 Examinations
Susan Canobie
susanca@isb.ac.th
All students in grade 9 – 11 can access their examination schedules through Powerschool. Exams will run from Thursday 1st June through to Wednesday 7th June. Further information will be circulated closer to the time.
Study Leave Grade 12 Students
Susan Canobie
susanca@isb.ac.th
Study leave for all grade 12 students started on Tuesday 25th April with IB, AP and ISB exams going through until Friday 19th May. Exams continue on all public holidays in this period.
Students are expected to be in school uniform when on campus during the school day or taking their exams. To leave campus during the school day a grade 12 needs to use their gate pass.
Teachers are available to assist students during the exam period. The ISB Library will be available to students on Saturdays and Sundays for the next three weekends, dependent on ISB Faculty volunteer supervision.
A reminder that all Seniors are expected to attend Senior Senior Breakfast and Graduation Practice on Wednesday 7th June.
Grade 10 & 11 Students with IB or AP exams
Susan Canobie
susanca@isb.ac.th
Any G10 or 11 student with an IB or AP exam in the next three weeks may take study leave the day prior to the exam (excluding Monday exams).
News from HS Counseling
Jackie Valenzuela
jackiev@isb.ac.th
Internship Program
The High School runs an internship program for our grade 9-11 students at the end of the 2016-17 school year. The program will run from June 12-22 and includes workshops (prior to the actual internship) on resume-writing, interviewing skills, and other information related to success on the job. We work with businesses that are happy to sponsor one or more ISB students in an appropriate, stimulating internship where they have a chance to learn about the workings of a business/career while gaining valuable experience in what it takes to be successful in a job. The cost of the internship is 18,300 baht. If you think that your son or daughter would benefit from such an experience, have them contact Mr. Callahan at kevinc@isb.ac.th and he will help them with further steps in securing an internship.
Grade 12
Seniors have been on study leave this week and exams begin today. Please remind your senior to get plenty of rest, set a study plan, and confer with teachers for any necessary exam support. This can be a time of mixed feelings for students and parents. Counselors are still available to support students in anyway they may need.
Thank you to those who came to the Grade 12 Parent Transition Meeting yesterday. We hope you found this helpful.
Senior Transition Day will take place on Wednesday, June 7 from 7:30-2:00pm. This is a mandatory day for all seniors that will include a farewell from Mr. Scott, brunch, and graduation rehearsal.
Students were given their Leaver’s Form a few weeks ago and will need to turn them in by Friday, May 19th. School records will not be released if the form is not completed and submitted to their counselor. Laptops are also due by this date.
University Decisions – Seniors need to notify their counselors of admission decisions. If a student decides NOT to attend a university to which they’ve been accepted, they should notify the university of their decision. This can be done through an email or an online portal as directed in the acceptance notification. Students and parents need to read these acceptances very carefully for details. Finally, students should deposit to only ONE institution. ISB will send a final transcript to only ONE university.
Japan, Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand Applicants – Students applying to Japan, Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand met with counselors a few weeks ago to begin planning for upcoming applications. Students and parents should speak with their counselor and plan accordingly especially if deadlines are beyond graduation.
Grade 11
Students who need to take the TOEFL or IELTS are encouraged to do so over the summer. If
students are planning to take the June 3 SAT (Subject Tests only) or June 10 ACT, the deadline to register is May 9
(SAT Subject Tests) and May 5 (ACT). If your student has questions regarding how to register, please have them see their counselor before the deadline.
Junior Seminar #4 will be on Wednesday, May 3 during Panther Block. The focus will be on summer activities and senior year expectations.
Last week and this week, the counselors offered workshops on variety of topics to grade 11 students: Applying to the UK, How to Write a Personal Statement for UCAS (UK), How to Write a College Essay, How to Research Universities. The counselors appreciated the attendance and interest of those students who attended.
Grade 10
Many parents wonder about the best times for their sons and daughters to take standardized tests which are used for university application/selection. Some start as early as 9th grade, and some parents become anxious when they aren’t doing the same as their children’s peers. Some thoughts to consider:
Taking the PSAT in 11th grade, and their first SAT in March of 11th grade, keeps students right on track for maximizing their scores. Take the second in May-June and third, if necessary, in fall of Senior year.
Data shows that students rarely increase their scores after the second try, and almost never after the third. Developmentally, it is much better to prep for a test designed for 11th and 12th graders when the student is closer to that age, and the curriculum of ISB in math and English will certainly be adding to their skills and ultimate scores. Plus, and maybe most importantly, there is no need to add further to students’ stress and anxiety about the future by making them study outside of school for a test two or three years down the line. Please consider these thoughts when thinking of your student’s future….. and present.
Grade 9
Soon students will have access to their final exam schedule on PowerSchool. The best form of preparation for these exams right now is focusing on what is being taught at present and preparing for the likely summative assessment that will take place between now and finals. Now would also be a time to visit teachers with any questions from prior topics that were difficult to grasp; this shouldn’t take place a few days prior to exams. Please encourage your son or daughter to do so.
As we all know, this is the time of year when temperatures and humidity are extremely high. It is important to keep encouraging hydration for both health and learning purposes. Keep Hydrated:)
University Visits
https://sites.google.com/a/isb.ac.th/isb-hs-university-advising/university-visit-calendar
Attention Parents of Seniors: Photos Needed
Laura Sadowski
lsadowski65@yahoo.com
It’s time to start collecting those photos you want to see displayed on the bulletin boards near Rajendra Hall during the weeks leading up to graduation. Two plastic bins are in the HS office to collect these hard copy photos. One bin will be for “Baby Photos” and should include a baby photo of each graduate. Please put the student’s name on the back of the photo. The other bin will be for “Senior Memories” and should include candid, action photos of the graduates in solo or group shots taken any time over their educational career. It would be great to have all the graduates featured on these boards, so please send in photos with as many graduates as possible. You will not get these photos back! The deadline is May 26th! Get them in soon! Questions? Contact Laura Sadowski at lsadowski65@yahoo.com.
SEASON THREE AWARDS BANQUET
Derrick Quinet
derrickq@isb.ac.th
Congratulations to all of our season three varsity and JV teams, athletes, and coaches, all of whom wrapped up the season in style Thursday night with the ISB Sports Banquet. Andrew Thornton was honored with the Booster Club’s Spirit of ISB Award, and 21 students earned the prestigious Varsity 3-Sport Letter Award. Each team recognized its MVP, Coaches’ Choice, and Sportsmanship Award winners and then retired to a team room to recognize all team members. It was a splendid night, sponsored by the Booster Club, and memorable for all. Thanks to everyone who came out in support!
You can see pictures from the evening on the ISB Flickr account: SPORTS BANQUET
Go Panthers!
Derrick Quinet
Athletics Director
Last Minute Blood Drive to the Thai Red Cross This Saturday, April 29
Martin Herrmann
martinh@isb.ac.th
A couple of teachers would like to invite you to join us this Saturday to donate blood at the Thai Red Cross (behind the Snake Farm across from Lumphini Park). FYI, Rh negative blood groups are extremely rare here, in high demand, and much more common among Expats.
We could taxi down together from Nichada around 7:30 or meet at the Thai Red Cross around 8 to avoid any lines and traffic.
Please contact Martin Herrmann (martinh@isb.ac.th) for eligibility requirements, further information and to RSVP to be there as a group.
Hope you can join us!
eNewsletter Guidelines
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.
maurilib@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 Marketing Director 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.