Notes from Principal’s Forum
by Dennis Harter, MS Principal
dennish@isb.ac.th
Two weeks ago, MS Administration hosted our first MS Principal’s Forum of the year. Using questions submitted anonymously by parents, we covered topics ranging from math and language program to parent-teacher conferences.
The slides from that presentation are included below, though we recognize that some aspects may not be clear without the accompanying discussion or explanation. I recommend viewing in full screen mode.
If you have questions regarding any of the points provided, please feel free to contact me.
Topics not covered in Principal’s Forum
by Dennis Harter, MS Principal
dennish@isb.ac.th
When we select topics for presentation at the MS Principal’s Forum, we prioritize questions that require explanation and discussion. Of course, we receive other questions that can be answered more directly, or they require us to forward them on to other groups within the school.
Below I try to address some of the other questions that came up:
Smoothie Size at the Grind and other Cafeteria concerns
This discussion will be passed along to the Cafeteria staff for consideration.
Thai as a new/foreign language for students
Thai is offered at the Elementary School for students to learn as a non-native language. At the middle school, we offer Thai Native for Thai students, but do not offer Thai as a non-native language beyond the required Thai Language and Culture course for new students. The reason for this is lack of sufficient student interest – we do not have enough students who wish to take Thai as a non-native language to staff for classes. This is likely because our transient population know that Thai is not typically offered at schools outside of Thailand, so it would be hard to continue the language after ISB and because the IB does not offer Thai B (foreign language) as a possible subject. Without this IB course in the Diploma Program, students select other languages so that they can continue that language into the IB Diploma Program in high school.
Standardized Testing in the Middle School
At ISB, we use the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) test and the International School Assessment (ISA) as external testing measures of how our students are doing, normed against other students their age around the world. Both are widely used at international schools. While there are many types of tests around the world, we do not focus our time with students on too much testing. Tests like the PSAT, SAT, and ACT are intended for HS students, not MS.
For some camps and boarding schools, there is the SSAT, which is offered at ISB several times a year.
Specifically, we were also asked about the SCAT, which is a test used by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth. This is a test specific to their program and we are not a test center for that one program.
For future communication we will prepare a table of external tests and what they are used for.
MS Olympics Questions
The MS Olympics is a fun day of combined team games, cultural games, and a track and field meet. All students are placed on teams with colored shirts given to them to wear on the day. The MS Olympics also include a biathlon (swim-run) and mile-run which take place on different days leading up to the MS Olympics on December 19th.
Students CHOOSE the track and field events they wish to participate in. None of the competitive events are mandatory. There is a participatory “Color Run” in which all students participate and are on the track at the same time, spread around the whole track. The goal is that the colors all mix together, so there is no race, placing, or “coming in last.” It’s a full oval of people.
Air Purifiers in the Middle School
ISB is in the process of installing air purifiers in all classrooms. Our youngest learners were targeted first, so the ES is now complete. Our staff will be installing in the MS and HS as we go throughout the year, with the plan to have MS classroom complete after the December break.
Tuesday, November 26th Early Release Day
Tuesday, November 26th is an Early Release Day. Students will be dismissed from school at 1:10 pm on that day. Teachers will engage in professional development for the remainder of the day.
Thursday, December 5th Holiday
Please note that on December 5 ISB will be closed to recognize Father’s Day in Thailand.
MS Band Concert – 6:30pm Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Chevron Theater
Please join our MS band students for their annual fall concert featuring the music selections from The Lion King. The concert will feature students in the Beginning, Concert and Symphonic Bands. The concert takes place on Tuesday, November 26 in the Chevron Theater. Performances will begin promptly at 6:30pm and end before 7:30pm. Cake reception to follow. Admission is free!
ES/MS/HS Strings Bash – 6:30pm Monday, December 2, 2019 Chevron Theater
On Monday, December 2nd, over 110 string musicians from 3rd-12th grade will join together for the annual Strings Bash. This event is a wonderful display of commitment, community, and musicianship. Come out to see the ES, MS, and HS String Orchestras under the direction of Adrianna Gricius, on Monday, December 2nd at 6:30pm in the Chevron Theater. Cake reception to follow. Free Admission.
ISB Community Choir Concert – 6:30pm Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Chevron Theater
Please join the MS Choirs, High School Choirs, Choral Union, Bangkok Music Society, and Immanuel Orchestra at 6:30pm Wednesday, December 5 in the Chevron Theater for ISB’s annual Community Choir Concert, featuring the Thailand premiere of the Sunrise Mass. Cake reception to follow.
Admission is free!
HS Holiday Band Concert – 6:30pm Tuesday, December 10, 2019 CC Theater
The ISB Bands will be presenting a Holiday Concert for your enjoyment on the evening of Tuesday, December 10th, at 6:30 pm in the Cultural Center Theater. This concert will feature the HS Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and the Guitar Class. Holiday favorites along with other music will be performed. In addition to holiday carols, the emphasis will be on fun and upbeat music as the wind ensemble will play a medley of hits by Earth, Wind and Fire, and the jazz band will take us through several songs from the dixieland era of early jazz. Come enjoy many of your favorite holiday classics along with popular songs from other eras as we celebrate the holiday season. Opening the concert will be our HS guitar ensemble class with a selection of familiar songs. The concert is free admission, and all are invited! Cake reception to follow.
Repeat Announcement: MS Social Opportunity
On December 14th, we are happy to be hosting the MS Snow Ball – a fun social event, at ISB, for middle school students ahead of the “winter” holidays. While this is still one month away, we wanted to let parents know to have their children hold the date and plan for the fun event. More information to come!
Repeat Announcement: IASAS Art and Film Exhibition – November 13 through December 6, 2019
Now on display in the Chevron Gallery, enjoy the ISB artwork and films presented IASAS Art & Film at SAS last week.
Repeat Announcement: Call for Films! – IOM Film Festival at ISB – December 11, 2019
Student filmmakers are invited to submit films (3 to 10 minutes in length) about the migrant experience according to the established themes: The promise and Challenge of Migration, and the Positive Contributions Migrants Make to Their New Communities. A committee of international film professionals will select a number of outstanding productions to be a part of the Global Migration Film Festival at the Bangkok Screening Room and ISB.
Learn more HERE.
Repeat Announcement: Art Studio Saturday – Saturday, 1 February, 2020
Take time to be creative!
Save the date for Saturday, 1 February 2020.
It’s our second and final ArtSS offering this school year.
Registration information coming soon!
