MS Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences are coming soon
by Dennis Harter
On March 15 & 16, we will hosting our semester 2 Parent-Teacher Conferences, engaging in conversation with you about your child’s learning. On these days, school will not be in session for students. We strongly encourage that your child join you for the conferences to hear the feedback themselves and to provide insight into how they are doing.
Once again, we will use the “arena” format for conferences. This means that almost all MS teachers will be in one venue and parents will attend a single long session, during which they can see all of their child’s teachers. A few “shared” teachers with the HS, may be in the high school venue on the day.
Conferences will take place in the sports complex near the 50 m pool, with tables, chairs, and refreshments set up for this purpose.
In order to find a balance between access to teachers and wait time, we require parents tosign up for sessions of ~2 hour blocks. We limit the number of parents from a grade level per session, to help ensure that teachers have time to see everyone in the block and that parents aren’t waiting in lines too long.
Both days have three blocks each with short breaks built in for teachers to re-energize after all that talking! The short breaks also allow our teacher-parents to quickly attend their own child’s conferences in other divisions.
Sessions for MS Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences:
Thursday, March 15th
- Session 1: 7:10 to 9:10
- Session 2: 9:30 to 11:15
- Session 3: 12:30 to 14:30
Friday, March 16th
- Session 1: 7:10 to 9:10
- Session 2: 9:20 to 11:15
- Session 3: 12:30 to 14:00
Please follow this link to access the “Pick a Time” site, which handles the conference bookings. The Pick a Time site will open on Tuesday, March 6th at 8:00 AM, BKK time.
If you are new to the system, you will have to create an account. If you used it last year, you can enter your username and password from before. (If you’ve forgotten your password, click “Forgot Password.”)
Please sign up for one 2 hour block per child. If you have more than one child in the MS and would like to see both sets of teachers in the same block, please book twice in the same block, so that block doesn’t get too crowded and it will rightly hold spots and time for each child separately.
It is important to arrive at the start of the session. If you arrive later in the block, you may not be able to see all the teachers you want to see. We have built in some limited time at the ends of sessions to handle continuing conversations, however, teacher breaks need to be honored as well. We have directed our teachers – and ask you – to spend no more than 5 minutes per conference as a courtesy to those waiting.
Instructions for using the “Pick a Time” booking system can be found here.
Grades will be updated by the end of the next week in PowerSchool, which should give you a picture of how your child is faring in her or his classes. With focused conversations on your child’s learning at the conferences, a few minutes with each teacher can provide an accurate picture of how your child is progressing.
If you require a conversation that needs more than 5 minutes (or that would require more privacy), please make an appointment for another day.
Due to some festival conflicts, the following teachers will not be available:
- Ms. Gricius – not available Thursday or Friday
- Mr. Melhorn – not available Thursday, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Please contact them separately if you would like to speak with them about how your child is doing.
Repeat Announcement: No School for Students – March 1-2
Students will have a long weekend away from school, on March 1-4, as ISB recognizes Makha Bucha day on March 1st and offers an ISB Holiday on March 2nd. ISB teachers will engage in Professional Development on March 1st.
The entire weekend is an Activity Free Weekend with no community or school activities planned. Please enjoy the family time!
Repeat Announcement: Grade 8 to 9 Course Registration & Transition Support
by Kevin Davy, HS Counselor
The high school are looking forward to supporting the transition of our Grade 8 students for next school year. Below are some dates / events that are in place to support in that effort:
- Monday, Mar 5 – Presentation to Grade 8 Students (Ms. Canobie & High School Counselors) – 10:15 A.M
- Monday-Tuesday, March 5 & 6 – Classroom Visits – counselors and student ambassadors
- Thursday, March 8 – Parent Presentation – 9 AM – Middle School Skybox
- Monday, March 12 – Follow up Video sent to students on how to walk through Powerschool course registration
- March 14–20 – Course registration period.
- June – High School Classroom Visits for Grade 8 Students
Repeat Announcement: Girls Basketball Camp
6th grade girls interested in basketball, athletics or just having fun are welcome to sign up for a free, one day basketball camp on Sunday, March 11 from 10:00 to 2:00. Run by a few varsity team girls, this camp is fun for any skill level and perfect for the upcoming NBBL season. Email Kelly Rutherford (17365@students.isb.ac.th) for any questions or sign up here (24 slots, first come first serve)!
