All School eNews – Tri Kids registration is open

ISB Tri Kids Bangkok – Registration is open!

Contact:
Kellie ALEXANDER, Community Activities Coordinator
kelliea@isb.ac.th

MAP assessment results are now available on PowerSchool

Dear Parents of Students in Grades 3-8 and Grade 10,

Earlier this year, students in grades 3 through 8 took the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment.  MAP is one of multiple assessment pieces that our teachers use to monitor student growth and determine next steps in learning.  Children do not all learn in the same way, so any standardized assessment needs to be viewed only in conjunction with a range of other learning data. We get the most accurate picture of a student’s progress by using a variety of learning evidence including everyday ongoing assessments, learning conversations with students, ongoing formative assessment (assessment that helps us design more appropriate subsequent learning experiences).

MAP also measures your child’s achievement level compared to other students who have taken this test, and measures academic growth over time in the areas of mathematics and reading.  However, the student sample is drawn from US public and private schools, not international schools. The test does not cover all academic skills, nor does it cover such areas as physical, artistic, or interpersonal skills. Parents will gain a more complete picture of student performance by looking at this test along side a variety of classroom work samples and other assessments over a period of time.

Your child’s MAP assessment results are now available on PowerSchool.  When you log in, you should see a link in the upper right corner where you can Download MAP Results.

We will have a parent meeting on Monday, November 5 at 1:30 to talk about standardized testing at ISB.  This will include information about MAP (given to students in grades 3-8) and the ISA (given to students in grades 3 5, 7, and 10).  We will meet in MPB 3. Your involvement in your child’s education is crucial. We look forward to seeing you on Nov. 5!

Sincerely,

Debi Caskey
Deputy Head of School for Learning

First Friday With Andy Postponed

Please note that the First Friday With Andy scheduled for 2 November has been postponed until Friday 9 November.

ThaiCraft Fair at ISB – 10th November

9:00am – 1:00pm

Handmade direct from the village. Meet the artisans and their wide choice of quality products from over 40 group nationwide.  Continuous generous support from ISB has helped village people to sustain their families while preserving crafts traditions for the future. Please support them by using “Fair Trade”

Contact:

Stephen Salmon, ThaiCraft Fair Trade
stephen@thaicraft.org

“Nutcracker” Dance-Theater Production on Wed. November 7

“Nutcracker” Dance-Theater Production on Wed Nov 7 The ISB Dance Department presents the annual Fall showcase, “Nutcracker” as an arts collaboration! This holiday-inspired fairytale celebrates childhood imagination and the gift-giving spirit. The ISB ‘reboot’ of this classic tale sets the holiday party in the 1980s with a fantasy candy land, K-pop Bubble Gum Kids, the Sugar Plum (skating) gang, and a Muay Thai battle before the Snowflakes fall. You don’t want to miss it!  2 Performances on Wednesday, November 7 in CCT @ 3:30 & 6:30 with guest artist work from Patrice LeRoy, and ISB’s Jazz Band joining the HS/MS Dancers. Entrance fee is a SUGGESTED DONATION to the Pakkret Women’s Shelter.

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

 

HS Fall Musical – Anything Goes!

Set in the 1930s, Anything Goes takes place aboard the passenger ship the SS American, following the fortunes of Billy Crocker – a stock broker who has stowed away to be with his love – the debutante Hope Harcourt. The only problem is – she’s engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh! Fast-paced, fun, and filled with upbeat dance numbers and memorable songs – Anything Goes is a fantastic show for all the family! *Note: contains mild adult humour. (Reno and Hope will be played by Imogen Alexander and Leah Scranton on Thursday 22nd and the Saturday matinee, and by Jacelia Breedlove and Jenni Lochridge on Friday 23rd and the Saturday 5:30 performance.) Tickets are available online NOW at: https://www.ticketmelon.com/isb/anythinggoes2018  Cash sales are available between 10am-12:00pm in the cafeteria pit from Monday 5th November.

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

 

By: Brenda Perkins, Grade 8 Wellness Educator, Mindfulness Teacher
“.b” and “.b Foundations” (UK) and Mindful Schools (US) certified

The “Culture of Care” is an important framework which guides International School Bangkok (ISB)’s attention to character development and social-emotional learning.  As part of ISB’s mission to develop students who are caring, global citizens and who lead healthy, active and balanced lives, the Culture of Care is a way to attend to children’s needs through the development of social and emotional learning, core values, and mindful practices.

Perhaps you’ve heard about mindful practices or mindfulness on social media, have read articles about it, or even have personal experience with mindfulness.  A quick google search returns over 2.4 million hits!  With mindfulness being a mainstream word now, we wanted to shed some light on what we mean by ‘mindful practices’ at ISB!

Mindful Practices – What are they?

Mindfulness at ISB is defined as the ability to pay attention in the present moment without judgement.

There are three attentional skills working together which mindful practices support:

Concentration: The ability to focus on what you want, when you want.
Awareness: Increased knowledge of thoughts, emotions, senses, and behaviors as they are happening in our personal experience
Equanimity: The ability to let sensory and emotional experience come and go with an attitude of kind acceptance

Research into the  science of mindfulness is very encouraging, and we know that many students report it being helpful to reduce stress and anxiety, good for awareness and relaxation, and are able to make better choices when they are emotionally activated.

What Do Students Think About Mindfulness?

As a mindfulness teacher, the voices of my own students’ experience are critical for reflecting on how the practice of mindfulness has impacted them.  Here are some reflections of ISB students who practiced mindfulness for 10-minutes every other day during Grade 8 Wellness:

“Mindfulness really has an impact in my mind and it just helps me let go of all the stress and worries in my life.”

“Mindfulness has also improved my social life, it has helped me stay calm when I get angry and see the positive things that happen to me in life a lot better. “

“I think that Mindfulness is good because it teaches you how to focus better.   I have been focusing better than before because I have been trying to notice when I have been drifting off in classes –  it’s taught me a way to deal with myself being unfocused all the time. Learning mindfulness is now one of the more useful tools in my arsenal.”

These student reflections on mindful practices are a powerful reminder that developing mindfulness as one of many ‘tools’ in a students’ life toolbox can be very helpful for emotional well-being, making wise choices and learning to focus their attention.  As with any teaching, it is important for teachers to be experienced and trained in teaching students Mindfulness.  At ISB, teachers may be trained in the MindUp program, the Mindful Schools (U.S.-based) program, or the Mindfulness in Schools Project (.b or Paws b) (U.K.-based).  There are over 60 teachers at ISB who have completed an Introduction to Mindfulness course, or participated in mindfulness professional development sessions over the past 3 years.

Please look out for the “Mindfulness 101 for Parents” session later this semester.  If you have any questions, please email me at brendap@isb.ac.th.

If You Know you are Leaving ISB

By:  ISB Admissions
admissions@isb.ac.th