MS Principal’s Forum this past week
by Dennis Harter
dennish@isb.ac.th
This past Tuesday, we hosted the final MS Principal’s Forum for the 2017-18 school year. Thank you to all parents who attended, as well as those who submitted concerns and questions. For the concerns that were best shared with other areas of the school, we have passed along that information as needed.
Below are the slides from our presentation on the day.
Teacher Comments on Student Progress
by Cindy Plantecoste, Dean of Academics
As part of our communication timeline with parents, and in an effort to keep you up to date on your child’s learning, teacher comments related to your child’s progress will be available for you to access on Thursday, April 12th, at the end of the school day. Please note that for maintenance purposes, the PowerSchool server will be down for a few days starting on April 16th.
Here is how to access the comments:
The comments are an important component of our learning feedback system as they specifically address areas of strength, areas to target for growth, and specific strategies that your child can take to demonstrate further progress. We encourage you to read the comments with your child so that you can engage in a rich discussion around his/her learning together.
Interested in serving on the ISB Board of Trustees?
Come to the info session: “What is a School Board Trustee?” on April 10th 6.30 pm in the MPB. Nominations close on April 12.
Are you not certain what the ISB Board of Trustees actually does? Perhaps you don’t know what the division of responsibility is between the Board and the School Administration or how the Board differs from the PTA? Are you undecided whether or not to run in the upcoming ISB Board of Trustees election? We can help to answer those questions.
Prospective candidates, and all interested members of the community, are warmly welcome to attend this informative evening session–What is a School Board Trustee?”—which will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 6:30 pm at the MPB3.
You need not be a prospective candidate to attend this practical session. It is also an opportunity to learn about the roles, responsibilities and work of the Board of Trustees (BOT), in general. We welcome all members of our community to join us.
For candidates, please be reminded that the deadline for submission of BOT Nomination Forms is Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 12 noon. Forms must be submitted in 2 formats: 1) by email to Board Secretary, Joy Davy at msjoydavy@gmail.com (with your name as subject line) and 2) hard copy with Khun Oor, at the Head of School office.
For more information, please contact Dr. Henrietta Bullinger at 092-249-0937 or bullingerh@yahoo.com
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
AMIS Asian Middle School Honor Boys’ and Girls’ Choir Concert – 6:00pm April 7, 2018 Chevron Theatre
No doubt you are aware that we have 213 singers from 17 schools around Asia here for the AMIS Asian Middle School Honor Boys’ and Girls’ Choir Festival. Please join them for the culmination of their work at this Saturday’s AMIS Honor Choirs Gala Concert at 6:00pm April 7, 2018 Chevron Theatre. Cake reception following the concert.
IB DIPLOMA VISUAL ARTS & FILM EXHIBITION – March 28-April 12 Main Library
The IB Diploma Visual Arts & Film Exhibition will be open from Wednesday, March 28th to Thursday, April 12th in the Main Library. Please come by and join in this celebration of learning and achievement in the Visual Arts and Film.
WARNING: Some works on display may include objectionable material not appropriate for younger audience members.
Reminder – Songkran holidays begin on April 13th
ISB will be closed on April 13th, continuing through the following week for the Songkran holidays. Students return to school on Monday, April 23rd, a Day 2.
Native Language Blog Features ASK OLGA!
The Native Language @ ISB Blog has a new ASK OLGA! column about raising multilingual children. This time, columnist Olga Steklova reflects on how to support children’s languages beyond signing up for classes—with games, outings, and more.
See also the blog’s recent posts—including an inspiring student speech!—and subscribe in the upper right corner.
SAME DATES, DIFFERENT TIMES!!!
SPil @:3Come and enjoy a celebration of drama with the Spring Drama Showcase! Eight 10-minute student directed pieces showcase the directing and acting talent of ISB students, with both student devised work and published scripts on show. A range of styles and genres have been chosen, from the comedy of the student written Fishtail & Gary to the drama of an extract from A Streetcar Named Desire to name but two. Tickets are available from the Dance/Drama office and in the cafeteria and cost 50THB for students. We look forward to seeing you there! (Ms Harison-Denby)
School Zone Safety Parent Roundtable- ALL Are Invited to Join the Conversation!
Coming up on Monday April 9, 6:00 PM in MPB 2, please join the conversation about road safety in Nichada and the ISB school zone. Mr. Mark Hevland, ISB Head of Risk Management, and the ISB Volunteer Safety Team will host a parent roundtable to discuss improvements that will benefit the whole community. Bring your experiences, bring your ideas, bring your questions.
This is an excellent opportunity to find out more about current and future school policies…what fact is, what fiction is, and what is feasible. Every ISB parent is encouraged to attend as this is an EVENING event to accommodate working parents. We do hope you will join us!
Father Daughter Dance May 12
The Girl Scouts of Thailand are hosting their Annual Father Daughter Dance on May 12 at the Peninsula Hotel!
Click here to get tickets! –> https://goo.gl/forms/
Tickets are 1700 baht per person through May 7, then they’re 2000 baht. Ticket sales end May 10.
It’s a very special, character-building night out with Dad! To get an idea of this year’s event, take a look at photos from last year here: https://drive.google.
Questions? E-mail Mary Ann at maryannbanker1@gmail.com and/or Diana at drrosen@hotmail.com
Repeat Annoucement: Special showing for Parents of Screenagers – Growing up in the Digital Age
The MS and HS Counseling Offices are pleased to host a special screening for parents of the award-winning film, “Screenagers – Growing Up in the Digital Age.” The film has been purchased by ISB for this showing and is most suitable for parents with middle and/or high school students.
The showing will be on Monday, April 9th, in MPB 1, 6:30 – 8:00 PM.
“Screenagers” probes into the vulnerable corners of family life and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games and academics. The film offers solutions on how we can help our kids navigate the digital world.
After the viewing there will be a brief presentation and an opportunity for discussion.
Please see the link here for further information: https://www.screenagersmovie.com/
Repeat Annoucement: If You Know you are Leaving ISB
Families who are leaving ISB at the end of the school year are asked to inform the school as soon as possible using the official Notice of Withdrawal Form. This helps us prepare school records for your child and with planning for next year. Completed forms can be dropped off at the MS Office.
Repeat Annoucement: ISB Summer School 2018 – Registration Open!
Our ISB Summer School Office is 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
Repeat Annoucement: Opportunity for Food Service Feedback
The ISB Food Committee will be meeting in May and we are looking for parent input for the topics to be discussed. This is your opportunity to give feedback if there are areas of concern or questions about the food provided to ISB students. Please email questions or concerns to your PTA Community Representative or PTA coordinator before Wednesday April 25. Topics will be compiled and submitted to Khun Usa, ISB Headmistress, to be addressed in the Food Committee Meeting. Please email the Middle School Coordinators at mscoord@isb.ac.th.
The PTA coordinators will attend this meeting and hear responses to parent questions and concerns. Our purpose is to facilitate communication between the school, the cafeteria management, and parents. While we know all wishes cannot be granted due to various constraints, we value all parent concerns and, like all parents, expect ISB and Epicure to provide nutritious and appealing food in the cafeteria, while staying current with products available in Thailand.
Please contact us!