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Request for Communication about Changing Circumstances

We have made changes to the structure of our online learning environment in the Middle School for the coming weeks. Starting Tuesday, we have expectations that students will be online live with their classes following a timed, block schedule. We expect that all students will be able to be there.

Of course, we also understand that circumstances are changing every day for families and globally. As such, some families may be traveling, returning home, or have challenging situations for getting online at specific Bangkok times. 

If there is any reason that your child cannot access the learning through the scheduled format that we are switching to (see other post in these eNews), it is essential that parents inform middle school administration and counselors. You can email dennish@isb.ac.th or inform your child’s counselor. Reasons might include differing time zones, travel, internet connectivity, etc.

Communication in both directions is essential for us to best support your children during these challenging times.

Virtual School Scheduling for the Coming Weeks 

by Dennis Harter, MS Principal
dennish@isb.ac.th

As we enter week 3 of Virtual School, the middle school will be making shifts to the structure of our days, with the understanding that we will be learning in this environment for a longer period than originally planned. These shifts are in response to feedback collected from parents, students and teachers after the first week, advice from schools around the world who have engaged in online learning for longer stretches, and our own experiences over the past 2 weeks. We believe that this new structure will allow for more contact and connection amongst teachers and students, provide greater routine at home when possible, and better manage the time spent on computers by making follow-up timely.

Firstly, please remember that there will be no virtual school on Monday, March 23rd as teachers prepare for these changes and the longer commitment to online learning.

Beginning on Tuesday, March 24th, a Day 5, Middle School will shift to the following schedule, using the calendared “Days” and following a block schedule, using the following  BKK times:

• 8:45 – 9:45 am – 1st Block
• 10:15 – 11:15 am – 2nd Block
• 12:15 – 1:15 pm – 3rd Block
• 1:45 – 2:45 pm – 4th Block

That would mean the day schedule will look like this:

This shift will create more interaction between teachers and students. We expect students to be online with their classes at the start of each block.

Student Expectations:

• Students will follow their schedule and be online during the assigned time with their class, as directed by the teacher. 

• Students will communicate with the teacher if they are not able to attend a live meeting. If it’s a larger, repeated issue, administration will receive parent communication.

• Students will complete “in class” tasks as expected by the teacher, either by the end of class (if that’s doable) or by the time designated by the teacher as appropriate for the assignment.

• Students will complete assignments as expected for submission by the teacher.

• Students will adhere to the following Digital Safeguarding student expectations as it pertains to live interactions in Zoom or Google Meet.

  1. Dress appropriately, as if you are attending school on a non-uniform day.
  2. Select a neutral space away from distractions for online learning–preferably at a desk or table that is a comfortable workspace with easy access to materials, laptops, internet, etc….  Avoid personal spaces, such as a bedroom.
  3. Ensure others in the household are aware that there will be a live video recording with an individual from ISB occurring at the given time.
  4. Maintain respectful, attentive behavior and engage in positive interactions with everyone in the session. 
  5. Refrain from using unnecessary technology during your online learning (eg. mobile phone)
  6. Contact the teacher/assistant prior to the online learning session if you are having technical difficulties. 

We do not expect teachers to stay on live Zoom or Google Meet environments for the entire class block. In fact, we know that this is distracting for students and counterproductive to learning in this environment. Teachers will check in at the starts of lessons with students, often through live video and ensure students understand the instruction and work expectations. Teachers will stay online in chat and other formats for the remainder of the hour-long lesson to respond to questions from students.

Teachers and students will follow the day’s schedule according to the order of periods and times published.

Our hope is that these routines and a formal schedule will help students move forward in their learning while also providing structured time for work and more time for balance away from the screens. Please support your child in taking breaks as built into the schedule and finding time to engage in activities off of the computer.

Helping Students be successful in Virtual School 

As virtual school is extended for the foreseeable future this year, we want to make sure that we support students and parents at home as they engage in the learning. While much of this is new to all of us, there are several things that we know help students engage with the learning in these different times.

Last week we shared a checklist, however with our recent change in schedule, we have prepared some new documents to help students make the most of their learning situation away from on campus school.

This daily planner helps students plan out their day, by first noting what ISB “Day” it is and what classes they have meeting that day, with a reminder of the times.

Students can note the work they have to do, whether they are checking in live or have specific work to submit, or what the expectations of the teachers are.

Also, the planner reminds students to look after their own wellness with suggestions to interact with others, express some gratitude, take screen breaks, drink water, and be active.

We hope that it will be useful to students. 

This poster shares tips on what  it takes to be successful in a virtual school situation.

If you have access to a printer, we recommend that you download the PDF linked above and print it to hang on your fridge or place near your child’s work area.

If not, you could also save the image to the right (or the linked PDF) and make it the desktop wallpaper of the computer.

We hope that these documents are helpful to students and parents to help support learning in this different environment.

With the live interaction for the starts of each class and a schedule that rotates with classes, we hope that students and parents will find some structure and routine in their school day along with reminders about how best to be successful.

Update on ISB Summer School 2020 

MS Arts and Crafts (1 week) June 15 – 19 for students entering Grade 6 – 9 in August.

MS Badminton and Table Tennis (1 week) June 15 – 19 for students entering Grade 6 – 9 in August.

MS Instrumental Music Summer Camp – (1 week) June 15 – 19 for students entering Grade 7 – 9 in August.

MS Math Enrichment – Fun with Math! (1 week) June 15 – 19 for students entering Grade 6 – 9 in August.

ISB Panther Swim Camp; Experience the “Panther Way” (1 week) June 15 – 19 for students entering Grade 2 – 12 in August.