‘Fathers Day’
Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th
Dear Parents
I hope that you and your family enjoyed the break from school yesterday and were able to spend time together on Fathers day. December certainly seems to be a busy month with wonderful performances at school by our musicians this week and into next week as well. Congratulations are well deserved for our Strings performers for their wonderful Strings concert on Monday night, which was followed up by the Choir concert on Wednesday night. Next week on Tuesday evening is the turn of our Bands and other ensembles as they take the stage for the Holiday Concert at 6.30pm. Thank you to all of our wonderful student musicians and their proud and dedicated music teachers in sharing their music with us.
Enjoy a great weekend
Regards
Justin Alexander
High School Principal
Second Semester Course Choices
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
Second semester is not too far away. Schedules for S2 have been opened up for students on PowerSchool. Students who are considering changing their course choices for second semester should see their counselor next week. If students have any questions, please contact their counselor.
Mathematics Workshop
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
On Monday, December 9th, we will be running a Math Specific workshop and Q&A for HS parents. This workshop provides an opportunity to address some of the questions that have been raised at the Principal’s Forum, including queries regarding 9th Grade Maths, pathways & alignment with IB, non-IB options for mathematics including AP Calculus. The workshop will be held from 9:30-11:00 AM in MPB1.
News from College Counselors
Andrew Weiser
andreww@isb.ac.th
Grade 12- Seniors should be scheduling times with their counselor to review essays and applications as well as submitting applications online to the universities well before the deadline. The college counselor’s calendar is getting very booked so planning in advance and setting appointments for next week is imperative.
Grade 11- Juniors attended Junior Seminar #2 on Tuesday (Nov. 25) to continue exploring who “they are.” Two assignments were given (Mission Statement and Activities List). See power point for more information.
Grade 11- Counselors are meeting with Junior’s in small groups to teach them about researching universities. After this meeting the students should interview their parents about their priorities in the university selection process. Please ask your junior about their meeting with their counselor. These meetings are taking place between Dec. 4 and Dec. 10. Their University Research Assignment will be due on 27 January.
SAT- Any student signed up for the SAT on Saturday must bring their passport with them to be admitted to the testing center.
Food For Thought: Study: Helicopter Parenting Harms Students
News from HS Counselors
Kevin Davy
kevind@isb.ac.th
In the next week the school will be looking at semester courses and any adjustments we have to make. You might want to be aware of the following:
If you are planning to move to a different school in Grade 10 you should ask any school you might move to (if you know it) what their science requirements are. In the past we have had some 9th graders take the same science course at the next level. This is because sometimes students need a full year of Chemistry or Biology to transfer. This is often the case when transferring to the U.S.A.
The master schedule is tight and while there is not a lot of flexibility for movement to accommodate changed electives, we will certainly do our best to accommodate your student’s needs.
9th graders -should think about your Freshman Seminar / Free Period this semester – how has that helped balance of time and commitments? Over half students elect for the free period. If students find that they have a full schedule and they would like their counselor to take an elective out for a free period – let the counselor know as soon as possible. Students can also change this in the second semester up to the first 8 days of school if they find that a free period would be beneficial with their scheduled life at ISB.
If any students want to change electives for the second semester, they should see their counselor as soon as possible. Most elective classes are full, so there is limited movement possible, so hopefully students are happy with their second semester schedule!
There are no end of year Final Exams in a “testing hall” setting this semester, but there will still be many summative and final projects that will be taking place in the classroom. Teachers have been trying to not schedule all at the same time during these last two weeks of school. Even with this approach many students will have to manage their time well in preparation for the forthcoming spell of final summative assessments. This weekend it might be good to ask your student to share their plan of preparation for these last two weeks of school before the holidays. Where did the semester go?!!!!
Spirit of ISB Award for Arts & Activities – Fall, 2019
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Dear ISB Arts and Activities Students, Parents and Staff,
The Spirit of ISB Award for Arts and Activities is given once a semester to honor an individual or group who has exhibited an act (or acts) of outstanding spirit, courage, character, or service to others which goes well beyond what is expected in their formal role or job, and which significantly benefits the larger community of which they are a part. The ISB Booster Club Award Committee will consider all nominations received prior to December 13, 2019 recognizing those nominees deemed worthy of the award at the end of semester High School Assembly, December 20, 2019.
If you were involved in Dance, Drama, Design Tech, Film, Music, MUN, Robotics, or Visual Art at the High School this semester and have someone, or a group of people, you feel exhibited an act, or acts, of outstanding spirit, courage, character, or service to others which goes well beyond what is expected in their formal role or job, and which significantly benefits the larger ISB community, please nominate them HERE. Thanks.
Regards,
Anthony A. Giles
Director of Arts & Community Activities
+66 (0)82 700 8903
COMMUNITY & ARTS OFFICE
HS PTA Holiday Morning Coffee
HS PTA Coordinator
Hello High School Parents! Instead of a meeting to end the semester, we would like to invite you to a festive coffee morning at Gunjan Mullick’s home on Tuesday, December 17. It’s a chance to celebrate all of our holiday traditions so please bring along a small plate to share. We will have a fun quiz, and it will be a nice chance to gather before the school break. PTA will provide drinks and nibbles as well. Please RSVP to our email at hscoordn@isb.ac.th.
Tuesday, December 17th
9:30-11:00 – Bayview 665
IOM Global Migration Film Festival
Piyanuch Kasuwan
piyanuck@isb.ac.th
Holiday Concerts galore!
December 11th, ISB CC Theater
ISB is hosting a reception and film screening as part of the IOM Global Migration Film Festival. Enjoy a selection of thought-provoking films, which include student submissions.
REPEAT:
Festival of Lights 2019:
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All – 6:30pm Wednesday, December 18 Chevron Theater
On December 18th, join us for an evening of story, song and dance as our ES Panther Choir, Orff Ensemble and String Ensemble unite us with music and movement from various cultures. The concert will take place in Chevron Theatre at 6:30 p.m. and is free of charge!
HS Holiday Band Concert
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
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.