Happy Songkran and enjoy the break
by Dennis Harter
Middle School Principal
As many students echoed this week, “the break is finally here!” Our students and teachers (and parents) deserve a lot of credit and congratulations for their continued hard work and focus through this long haul since the semester started. While most international schools have had their break weeks ago, our community has pushed on through and carried on with the learning and attention. Everyone deserves a nice rest.
For this reason, students will not have any assessments upon their return. We want families to enjoy the week together and for students to get some rest. We still encourage them to read as much as they can. Some students will return to MAP test make up days, if they have missed any of the days, these past few weeks.
Also upon their return we will be having students reflect upon the formative feedback their teachers gave them in their PowerSchool comments. You may recall that we have moved these comments “off” the report card and had teachers share them earlier in the semester, so that there is still time for students to engage and act on the feedback. (Historically, it has not been particularly helpful to offer students advice on improvement on June 8th!)
Students will read through their comments in advisory class and reflect upon their content, setting goals for the remainder of the school year. We find that this allows students to dial in their focus for the last few weeks of learning.
Comments from all teachers should be published and posted on PowerSchool at the time of reading this eNews article. Please note that due to some maintenance on the our servers, PowerSchool will be inaccessible after Monday of next week. It will be back up and running for the start of school on April 23rd. After students read through them on this first day back, this might be a good time to talk with your child about their feedback.
Screenagers
by Kevin Davy
HS Counselor
During the week we had a wonderful turnout for the viewing of the short movie “Screenagers”. This is an award winning film that 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 was a brief presentation and an opportunity for discussion.
Here’s a link for further information: https://www.screenagersmovie.com/
Michael Boll, our learning and technology coach gave a brief presentation which looked at the data of our own students’ use of technology.
The movie was followed by really productive table discussion as families shared their stories, ideas and concerns. There were some great suggestions made at tables, some of which will be further explored at the school. The classroom version of this movie will be shown to different groups of our middle and high school students.
Below are a few links to resources that you may find helpful.
- www.commonsensemedia.org (Great overarching website with resources and ideas for parents and educators)
- Screentime meta study (an interesting article that looks into the topic of balance)
- The 7 Biggest iFears! – Are your kids ok in the digital age? (a recent presentation shared by Mr. Bates that considers data and study related to digital media use)
- https://www.screenagersmovie.com/ (this website has some guidelines and resources similar to commonsense media – such as examples of how you create a shared technology agreement / contract)
Repeat Announcement: 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 Announcement: 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 Announcement: 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
