ISB Communication Single Page View

 Aetna Family Clinic – Opening April 2nd in Nichada

 By: Shelley Bragg, Director of Marketing, Communications and Alumni
shelleyb@isb.ac.th

As many of you are aware, on Friday will see the closure of the Bumrungrad Clinic in Nichada Thani. We would like to thank Bumrungrad for the years of service they have offered our community. We are pleased to inform you that the Aetna Family Clinic will be opening in their place. They will be transitioning into the clinic over this coming weekend, with their range of services being added over the coming weeks, but they will be open from Monday afternoon. Please see a message from the clinic below and we will continue to share their updates with the community as they get established.

Aetna Family Clinic, Nichada

Aetna Services will be opening their first family clinic in Thailand here in Nichada Thani – named the Aetna Family Clinic, Nichada. It will bring convenience and ease of access for medical services to the community. The clinic’s location remains the same, right in the heart of the Nichada Thani community at NICC plaza, across from the 7/11.

Aetna’s focus will be on family medicine with resident doctors who have a background in general practice and/or family medicine delivering a holistic, family focused standard of care based on international standards of care. As the clinic becomes established specialist pediatric and physical therapy sessions will be available, with other specialists to follow as the needs of the community are better understood by the clinic management.

The clinic will work with multiple hospital partners, including WMC and Bumrungrad, with whom Aetna already has a strong relationship, to ensure that any necessary onward referrals can be accommodated at the discretion of the customer. Initially opening hours will be 10am – 6pm from Monday to Friday. The clinic is open to all members of the local community with cash less billing services for insured customers being established with many health insurers. 

You are welcomed to pop by to register yourself and the family from Monday afternoon. As this is a new clinic, please note that your passports/Thai id will be required.

Board of Trustees Annual Election, 2018

By: Dr. Henrietta Bullinger, Board of Trustees
bullingerh@yahoo.com

The ISB Board of Trustees would like to announce its annual election, which will take place on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, the day of the International School Association (ISA) Annual General Meeting. (The ISA is comprised of all ISB parents and guardians and is the license holder of ISB.) Election results will be announced that evening at the 7:00 pm AGM. Board nominations open on Friday, March 16 and close on Friday, April 12.

The ISB Board of Trustees is currently composed of eleven elected positions and up to four appointed positions. This year there will be three open seats on the Board to be filled by election. Newly elected trustees will serve a two-year term, beginning August 1, 2018. 
Candidates for the Board of Trustees (BOT) should be aware of the many rewards and responsibilities of serving on the Board. The Board is the guardian of the school’s mission, and as such sets policy, focuses on school governance and addresses long-term, strategic issues. The Board is not involved in day-to-day school management. The full Board meets once a month in an open regular session, followed by a closed executive session. Board meetings occur in the evenings at ISB and last approximately two-three hours. In addition, trustees attend an annual retreat in August.

Trustees also serve on one or more committees corresponding to their skills and interests. Current committees are the Business Committee, the Committee on Trustees, and the Strategic Improvement and Learning Committee. Committees meet once a month for one-two hours and are the working groups of the Board. Subjects such as financial stability, budget oversight, stewardship of ISB’s educational program, evaluation and training of the Board, and future strategic improvements in alignment with the mission of ISB, are examples of issues addressed by the committees.

Trustees are charged with the responsibility to represent ISB and the ISA as a whole, rather than any one constituency within the community. No specific professional or personal background is needed, other than ISA membership, a positive attitude, the ability to commit to the time requirements, and a deep interest to maintain and further enhance the excellence of ISB. The rewards of Board service include the opportunity to interact with our dynamic school leadership team, and the opportunity to understand and help shape ISB’s future growth and direction.

Please note these important election dates and activities:

• Friday, March 16, 2018, 12 noon  – Nominations open – Nomination forms will be available at the Head of School’s office or available for download here: BOT_Nomination_Form_2018

• Tuesday, April 10, 2018, 6:30 pm, MPB3 –  “What is a Trustee?” This is an information session on what it means to be a Trustee. All interested parties and community members are welcome.
• Thursday, April 12, 2018, 12 noon – Nominations close – Nomination forms must be submitted in both electronic and hard copy by this deadline. Electronic copies must be sent to BOT Secretary Joy Davy at msjoydavy@gmail.com (with your name as the subject) and hard copies must be filed with Khun Oor in the Head of School’s office.
• Friday May 1, 2018. Deadline for candidate videos. All candidates are required to make a short (1-3 minute) video clip introducing themselves, and giving some of their background and reasons for applying to be a board trustee. This process will be facilitated by the school.
• Tuesday, May 15, 2018 – Election, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm & AGM, 7:00 pm 

Please contact Dr. Henrietta Bullinger, Chair, Committee on Trustees, with questions regarding service to the Board: 092-249-0937 or bullingerh@yahoo.com .

Committee on Trustees:

Dr. Henrietta Bullinger
John Heinecke
Grainne MacRae
Andy Richter
ISB Board of Trustees

ISB Perception Study – April/May

By: Shelley Bragg, Director of Marketing, Communications and Alumni
shelleyb@isb.ac.th

As part of our ongoing market research, ISB is working with IMPACT Marketing International, an education focused marketing agency based in Canada, to undertake a perception study in Bangkok.

IMPACT has worked with various leading international schools across Asia and has been supporting ISB with digital marketing services for two years. They will be surveying our community, community groups in Bangkok and key companies and industries.

The perception study will allow us to get a very clear sense of the perceptions in the market place about ISB, the international education sector, and changes in the corporate and social landscapes in Bangkok that could impact ISB in the future.

The study will initially involve a short yet thorough online survey followed by key focus group meetings and individual interviews run by the IMPACT team in Bangkok.

We thank you in advance for helping us gather as much information as possible by completing the survey and sharing it with friends, in and out of the school community. Should you wish to join some of the focus groups and have individual interviews as well, that would be much appreciated and you will be given the opportunity to do so.

The survey will be made public on April 2nd and run throughout the month.

Thank you for your consideration of this. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me: shelleyb@isb.ac.th

Nominations for PTA Executive Board 2018/2019 is now open.

By: Eilin Hee, PTA First VP
pta-firstvp@isb.ac.th

In order for the PTA to continue to offer necessary community-enhancing support like Intercultural Day, Staff Appreciation, Adult Education, social events, Welcome Wai, student activity and materials grants, and MORE, we need YOU!

This is an incredible opportunity to make a difference in your child’s school. We are seeking energetic and dedicated individuals to help make the 2018-2019 school year the best yet!

Elections for the PTA Executive Board 2018/2019 will be held on 15 May 2018 at 6pm.

If you are interested to serve on the board, please complete the application form and the Nominating Committee comprised of the following individuals will be in touch:

Eilin Hee (pta-firstvp@isb.ac.th)
Dawn Baker (pta-adulted@isb.ac.th)
Karen Leung (pta-mscoord@isb.ac.th)
Lizette van Bergen (lizettevanbergen@gmail.com)
Vinitha Chirayil Thilakan (drvinithajayachandran@gmail.com)

Please see the positions and a brief overview of each role:

 

Wondering whether to join the PTA? Come chat with us!

By:Eilin Hee, PTA First VP
pta-firstvp@isb.ac.th

Keen to take on a more active role with the PTA but don’t know where to start?

Be Inspired! Join our last Welcome Wai event – Wed, April 4th, 9:15 am in MPB1

By: PTA – Communications Coordinator 
pta-communications@isb.ac.th

Join our last Welcome Wai event for the 2017 – 2018 school year on Wednesday, April 4th at 9:15 am in MPB1!

Our own ISB Adult Choral Union will kick off the event with a mini concert presentation, followed by stories of hope by women rising out of poverty in the Klong Toey community through fair trade jewelry designs.

The staff of RoyRak will be our special guests—sharing their experiences and beautiful jewelry all morning. Learn more about their mission and products at royrakbeadinglove.org.

AMIS participant hosts still needed

By: Anthony Giles, PK-12 Arts & Activities Director
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

We are still urgently looking for hosts for 27 guests for the AMIS festival. ISB will be hosting the 2018 AMIS MS Boys’ and Girls’ Honor Choirs April 4-8, 2018. 

AMIS conferences and tournaments depend upon the good will and generosity of people like you to host visiting students from other schools. This reciprocal agreement shared throughout the region adds immense value to our programs, and provides a unique opportunity to develop new friendships, share in culture, and strengthen our connections across international communities. Honestly, it’s one of the things that makes AMIS events so special. 

So, show off your new guest room. Share your favorite dessert. Get to know students from other schools. In short, be a part of this rich AMIS hosting tradition by registering HERE today.

Please Note: All ISB students involved with IASAS Athletics, IASAS CC, or AMIS are required to submit the housing form linked, or find someone who can host for you.   

Things to consider…

• Host families are responsible for providing a safe environment for visiting students in compliance with the ISB Hosting Policy
• Student guests must be hosted in pairs, or more, with no exceptions.
• Accommodation can be fairly basic and rooms shared.
• At least one parent/guardian must be present at home for the duration of the convention. Evening supervision is required.
• Visiting participants will arrive Wednesday, April 4, 2018.
• All visiting teams will depart on or before Sunday, April 8, 2018.
• Host families are expected to provide healthy breakfasts and dinners for visiting students.
• All participants and host students must follow the IASAS Rules and Guidelines set forth by the league and host school.
• Parents will receive a curfew call from visiting coaches at 9pm every evening to check in with their students.

Arts Fest and ISB’s Got Talent – Friday, March 30, 5:30pm at Field D

By: Anthony Giles, PK-12  Arts & Activities Director
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If You Know you are Leaving ISB

By: ISB Admissions
admissions@isb.ac.th

ISB Summer School 2018 – Registration Now Open!

By: Maurilio Baron-Toaldo, Summer School Director
maurilib@isb.ac.th

Our ISB Summer School Office is now open and accepting registrations for Summer School 2018 at ISB! You can go to the ISB website, or click here, to access all information about dates, programs, and fees, and to submit a registration form online.

Our Summer School Office is located through the door on the right side of the ISB Bookstore where Khun Fon will be there to greet and assist you Monday to Fridays, 7:00 – 11:00am.

For any questions, please email sumdir@isb.ac.th

Best Regards,

Mr. Maurilio Baron-Toaldo
Summer School Director

Driving in Nichada – and Thailand – what license do you need?

By: Mark Hevland, Head of Risk Management
markh@isb.ac.th

We would like to remind you of some of the Nichada and Thailand driving regulations. Golf carts are not allowed to be operated on public roads in Thailand, but are accepted within the Nichada Community. Nichada rules, as detailed in the March 2018 Nichada Thani Newsletter, clearly state that you must “Have a valid driving license on your person if you are the operator of a vehicle”. A golf cart is considered a vehicle.

Please note that this rule applies to everyone in Nichada. Students in High School are only allowed to drive a golf cart if they have a valid driving license.

As noted in the ISB High School Handbook:

 – Only students with a valid Thai driver’s license may drive/park a car on campus
 – Students who are 15 years or older may drive/park a motor scooter on campus provided they:

• Have a Thai driver’s license for their age group.
• Obtain a parking permit sticker from the HS Office.
• Always wears a motorcycle helmet (and only carries passengers with helmets) on and off campus.

ISB follows, and supports, all Thailand regulations and driving laws. Operators of motor vehicles in Thailand must have a valid drivers license. Thai law allows a student of 15 years old to apply for a license which allows them to operate a motor scooter at 110cc or less.  To obtain a license to operate a car or motor cycle over 110cc, applicants must be 18 years of age.   All expats living in Thailand are required to get a Thai drivers license.

Here is some guidance as to how to do so, for those not aware.

Option 1:   
You have a valid International Driving permit or you have a current driver’s license from your own country. (If your Drivers License is not in English, it must be translated into Thai or English and certified by your embassy.)

With either of these documents you may apply for Thai Driviers License without the automated and driving tests. You will still need to take and pass the eye-color and reaction tests and attend 1-4 hour Video Class.

Option 2:
If you don’t have a valid drivers license from your own country OR your license is currently not in English (and you don’t want to go to the embassy to get it translated into Thai or English and verified):

You need to take an eye-color and reaction test, attend the 1-4 hours traffic law class, the automated test (you will be given a traffic law book in English to study first), and an outdoor driving test the next day. The whole process may take two days and you must pass all sections.

You can apply for the driver’s license at any Land Transportation Offices in Thailand. There is an office located in Nonthaburi: https://her.is/2ITzBzu.

More information about a getting a Thai driver license can be obtained here: www.dlt.go.th/en/two-year-license/

How do you get to school?

By: Mark Hevland, Head of Risk Management
markh@isb.ac.th

ISB Health Clinic: Staying Hydrated

By: ISB Health Clinic
nurse@isb.ac.th

As we enter into the hot season in Bangkok, we all need to make sure we are drinking enough fluids to make sure we remain healthy. If we allow ourselves to get dehydrated we increase our risk of heat related illness (which can be fatal if not treated appropriately).

In the Health Clinic we are already noticing an increased number of students presenting with symptoms and signs of dehydration.

How much should we drink?

Adequate daily intake will depend on age, sex, environment and activity.

Recommended intake for males and females in temperate environment:

Sex	Age	*Recommended Daily Fluid Intake
Male and Female	4-8 years	1.1-1.3 liters
Female	9-13 years	1.3-1.5 liters
Male	9-13 years	1.5-1.7 liters
Female	14+ years	2.2 liters
Male	14+ years	3.0 liters

*The required intake will increase with hotter/more humid environmental conditions and exercise.

Environment

Increasing the environmental temperature and humidity will increase fluid loss through sweating. Therefore the recommended daily fluid intake will increase. With high humidity there is still significant loss through sweating but no decrease in body temperature from evaporation of the sweat.

Exercise

When we exercise we increase fluid loss through sweating and increased respiratory losses. Therefore the longer we exercise the more we need to increase our fluid intake. With excessive sweating care must be taken to replace electrolyte loss not just fluid loss.

At ISB we monitor the ambient temperature and humidity to determine the “Heat Index”. As the heat index increases the amount of time students are outside exercising is decreased and rest time increased to try and prevent excess fluid loss.

Effects of inadequate fluid intake

• Dehydration will cause headaches in many people and is a known trigger for migraines in some people.
• Low blood pressure. This may lead to “fainting episodes” and dizziness.
• When the body becomes dehydrated it does everything it can to conserve water. This included taking water from the bowel motions which can cause very hard motions which the bowels have trouble passing. Constipation can cause quite severe abdominal pains.
• Kidney stones. As the body tries to stay hydrated it produces less urine which is more concentrated with the body’s wastes. Some of these wastes can form kidney stones due to the fact they are so concentrated.
• Urine infections. Due to the fact we produce less urine when we have inadequate intake we are at increased risk of urine infections because we are not regularly emptying our bladders
• Mental impairment. Even with only mild dehydration there is a reduction in concentration and mental performance.
• Substantial increased risk of health related illness. Inadequate fluid intake increases the risk of heat related illness which can be life threatening if not recognised and treated appropriately. It is important that we are adequately hydrated before we start any exercise (or even be outside for prolonged periods). Fluids should be consumed throughout the day not just immediately before exercise (where it is still in the stomach being absorbed).

What should we drink?

Generally water is the best fluid to drink to remain hydrated. At ISB students are encouraged to carry water bottles with water in them at all times.

Sports drinks and electrolyte replacement drinks do have a role with electrolyte replacement in those who have been sweating a lot from exercise.

Fruit juices and soda should be avoided due the the sugar content which may actually cause dehydration (by drawing fluids into the gut).

Alcohol and caffeinated drinks should also be avoided.

How do we know if our intake is adequate?

Our intake is adequate if we are feeling well, passing urine frequently (at least every 3 hours) and our urine is pale in color.

In the student bathrooms at ISB we have a “Urine Chart” which encourages students to look at the color of their urine to see if it shows they are adequately hydrated (and encourages them to drink more if they are not).

Teaching staff are encouraged to frequently remind students to drink their water and PE staff give students regular water breaks throughout the class.

How can you help?

Discuss with your family the importance of adequate fluid intake.

Ask your child how many times they have gone to the toilet during the day and what color their urine is.

Measure the volume in your child’s water bottle and tell them how many times they should fill up their water bottle during the day. For example if they have a 250mL water bottle and they are a 13 year old boy they should be filling it up 6 times in a 24 hour period (to get to 1.5 liters) (they need more if they are outside and exercising). At the end of the day ask then how many times they have filled it up. In the clinic when we ask students how often they fill up their bottles most of them say they never need to fill them up.

Ensure you have adequate fluids yourselves. Our children often model their behaviour on what they see us do!

What are we doing at ISB?

• At ISB we are monitoring the ambient temperature and humidity to determine the “Heat Index”. As the heat index increases the amount of time students are outside exercising is decreased and rest time increased to try and prevent excess fluid loss. If the Heat Index gets too high outdoor activities are suspended.
• ISB students are encouraged to carry water bottles with water in them at all times.
• In the student bathrooms at ISB we have a “Urine Chart” which encourages students to look at the color of their urine to see if it shows they are adequately hydrated (and encourages them to drink more if they are not).
• Physical Education teachers and athletics coaches are carefully monitoring students, ensuring sufficient water and rest breaks, and advising students about the need to remain hydrated.
• ES teachers are informing students to drink water before and after lunch, recess and PE – as well as throughout the day
• All teaching staff are aware of heat related illnesses to ensure it is recognised early and treated. If staff are concerned that a student may be suffering from a heat related illness he/she is referred immediately to the Health Clinic.
• PE teachers and after school athletics coaches are coordinating to identify students in sequential physical activities to ensure greater monitoring, rest and hydration take place.

ISB is committed to your child’s overall development, both educationally and health related. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider or the ISB Health Clinic (nurse@isb.ac.th).

ISB eNews Guidelines

By: Shelley Bragg, Director of Marketing and Communications
shelleyb@isb.ac.th

The ISB eNews provides a valuable avenue for communication within the ISB parent community. For your convenience we have provided you with our eNews 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
• A contact person and email address for further information
• Important details such as dates, location, prices, etc

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.
phremjiz@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.
pta-communications@isb.ac.th is for PTA announcements of interest to all ISB parents.

Your announcement will be submitted for review. Please note: 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 All-School eNews is for the entire community is sent out on Thursdays (or Fridays when necessary). Announcements for potential publication in this newsletter must be received by noon on Thursdays.

The ES, MS, and HS eNews are sent out on Fridays. Announcements for potential publication in these newsletters must be received by noon on Fridays.

The PTA eNews are sent out on Tuesdays. Announcements for potential publication in these newsletters must be received by noon on Mondays.