MAP Testing coming this week
by Dennis Harter
dennish@isb.ac.th
Starting on September 4th, students will take the NWEA Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) test in Math and Reading, during their Math and English classes. The MAP test is a computer-based test in either Reading or Math, that assesses students on each question, adjusting subsequent questions to determine appropriate challenge and provide a snapshot of what the student can do at that time of year.
MAP results come quite quickly to teachers, who are then able to use the data to better understand their students as math learners and readers. It is important to note that the “score” that comes out at the end of the test is “raw” at that stage and becomes more meaningful once the full data is shared including results from students around the world on that test.
Students will be given a full class period to complete a MAP test. For students who are not quite done, we have scheduled extended time for completion after-school, on Tuesday, September 12th for Math, and Tuesday, September 19th for Reading.
While the test is not timed, the NWEA offered that 60 minutes should be enough time for most students. Between the class time and the afterschool extended time, students will have close to 110 minutes to complete the test. (Last year, we implemented this time frame. The results from that session indicate that there was no impact on student performance to limit the time to the two sessions, as there was still plenty of time.)
Our First Leadership Training
This Saturday, we kick off our first Leadership Training Seminar for middle school students who want to grow as leaders, collaborators, and students. We are excited that 80 students signed up for this wonderful training which will be led by Ms. Coady, Mr. Kuehn, and a host of trained HS students.
The Seminar takes place in the MPB, 9:00-11:00 AM on Saturday, September 2nd. Only the 80 students who have registered in advance may participate in this one. For those that missed out on signing up, we will be hosting more of these throughout the year.
Participants, please note that transportation is NOT provided for this event.
Outdoor Education starts at ISB Middle School
by Dennis Harter
dennish@isb.ac.th
This week, ISB Middle School initiated the Wild Panthers Outdoor Education program by sending our first cohort of students for a 3 day – 2 night outdoor learning experience. Twenty-three grade 8 students departed Wednesday morning for their outdoor learning unit, “Just Add Water.” In addition to navigation, outdoor survival skills, and team building, grade 8 students learned water safety, kayaking and canoeing skills. Throughout it all, students took on new challenges, collaborated as teammates, and developed resilience and adaptability to changing circumstances.
These students were the first to attend what will grow to be a unique and powerful learning program for ISB Middle School students. Go Wild Panthers!
Campus Access After School and On Weekends
by Tico Oms, Dean of Students
One of the things that makes ISB a special place is that we let students enjoy the campus after school and on weekends. To make the experience safe, we have some rules for middle school students who enter campus outside of school hours. If your middle school son or daughter frequently stays on ISB campus after school or on weekends, please review the following rules with them.
- Middle school students can only go to the following places:
- MS/HS Library (until 4:30pm Monday-Thursday, 3:30pm Friday. Closed Weekends)
- Track, Field A & D, central tennis courts, and Cafeteria (until 6:00pm)
- Auxiliary Gym (until 7:45pm)
- Students may only use other areas of the school for school approved activities with adult supervision, eg. CC building practice rooms, the sports complex, etc.
- Students should not be anywhere else on campus unless it is a school sponsored activity. They can’t be at the the Elementary School, or use Elementary School facilities such as the Big Toy, the ES outdoor gym, or the ES playground. Neither can they be at High School division, or the Cultural Center or anywhere else not on the list above.
- Wherever students are, they have to act safely and follow the rules.
- MS Students have to bring their Middle School ID card to enter campus.
- They have to follow the instructions of ISB adults such as security guards, teachers, staff, coaches and aides.
Parenting in The Digital Age Presentation on September 14 @ 9:00
By Michael Boll, MS Technology Coach
Overview
Your child has a laptop! Depending on the age of your child, this may be old or new news. Exciting or terrifying. Maybe a little of both.
Learning more about how students use laptops, the expectations that go along with them at ISB, and what you should know as a parent, is a part of an upcoming middle school parent talk entitled “Parenting in the Digital Age.”
The talk will take place at 9:00 on September 14.
Topics
- Understanding how students use technology
- Parenting strategies
- What we should worry about
- Privacy
- Mistakes our students make online
- ISB’s role in online bullying and ISB’s values
- Executive functioning and technology
Presenters
- Michael Boll, Middle School Technology Coach
- Tico Oms, Middle School Dean of Students
For more information, please see here.
Should I be an administrator on my child’s laptop?
By Michael Boll, MS Technology Coach
This is a good question and one many parents talk about. It is an option here in the middle school. For complete details, please read this recent blog post written by Michael Boll, the new MS Technology Coach
BASKETBALL OPTIONS FOR MS STUDENTS
By Mark Jaspers, MS Athletics Coordinator
With so many students trying out for the U13 & U15 teams we have decided to offer the following alternatives for our basketball loving students!
We will have boys and girls Black & Gold development team for all players who didn’t make the BISAC school team.
BOYS PRACTICE: Tuesdays 3:45-5:00
GIRLS PRACTICE: Wednesdays 3:45-5:00
These sessions are only for non-selected players and will focus on basketball skill development.
Sign up for the Black & Gold Development team here
Please contact coach Durbin charlied@isb.ac.th if you have any further questions.
3X3 Basketball Intramural league
Every Tuesday 2:30-3:30
The league will start on Tuesday 5 September in the HS Auxi Gym and is open to all MS students.
Sign up for the 3X3 Basketball Intramural league here
Please see video here
BANGKOK ALL-STARS TOURNAMENT BASEBALL TEAMS –TRYOUTS IN SEPTEMBER!
Dear Parents,
The Bangkok All-Stars are travel and tournament baseball teams, with 4 age groups: U10s, U12s, U14s and U18s. Teams are very competitive and kids from all over Bangkok are eligible. Tryouts are mandatory and will be held on Sunday 17th September at ISB fields. See below schedule and the attached flyer for the age cut-off dates and information about the program. Players selected for this team will be required to participate in local and overseas tournaments, as well as attending mandatory practices each week. Registration in the BBSA is also required, but the commitment to play on these teams is over and above participation in the BBSA. Not all teams may travel overseas this year, so please consult the Head Coach for details.
In addition, ISB MS students who will be participating in the MS Band trip to Khao Lak during the weekend of 16-17 Sep, may not be able to attend the U14 tryout on the 17th. Please email Head Coach Bruce Melhorn directly atbrucem@isb.ac.th to make arrangements for an alternative tryout date. Thank you.
Bangkok All-Stars Tryout Schedule
Date Time Field Team
Sunday, 17 Sept 9:00am to 10:30am B Field U10s
Sunday, 17 Sept 11:00am to 12:30pm B Field U12s
Sunday, 17 Sept 1:30pm to 3:00pm C Field (Reinsch) U14s
Sunday, 17 Sept 3:30pm to 5:00pm C Field (Reinsch) U18s
At the tryout, make sure your son wears proper attire and brings their own baseball glove. Bats and all other equipment will be provided. Cleats are recommended, but please also bring a pair of sneakers / trainers in case of rain – we will use indoor facilities if it rains, and cleats are not allowed indoors. Having your own water bottle is also recommended, though water will be provided at the fields.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email the appropriate Head Coach contact as provide in the flyer.
See you on the diamond!
Andy Minckler
Bangkok All-Stars
Repeat Announcement: Interested in Receiving the MS Daily Student Announcements in Your Email?
Dear Parents,
If you would like to begin receiving the announcements, just click on the following link, completing the details asked for.
Please note, if you were here last year and subscribed then to receive the announcements, you will need to please re-subscribe using the link above as this is the easiest way for us to update our database each year.
Best Regards,
Moe Baron-Toaldo