Virtual School 2.0
Dear Parents,
I hope that you and your family are well and safe at this time and coping with the challenges that COVID19 is presenting for all of us. During this time of uncertainty, it is really important to stay connected and engaged which is one of the goals of our virtual school at the moment. I know that your children are indeed ‘zooming into’ their classes with their teachers this week and are able to see their classmates and see their teachers more regularly than previously.
Teachers report that Zoom is proving to be a much more stable platform than google meet and is allowing for fruitful student discussion, questioning and of course the ability to see their students ‘in-person’. Mr. Vaughan will be sending out a survey to students in the coming days about the new schedule and also check in on their wellbeing.
The recent changes in Thailand regarding social distancing and the importance of isolation can be difficult for teenagers to understand and for parents to enforce. I have a short easy to read article to share with you today that gives some good advice about how to help your teenager see the bigger picture. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_help_teens_shelter_in_place
As always, stay safe, stay well and be sure to take time to be with your family over the weekend. Have a restful and enjoyable weekend.
Regards
Justin Alexander
HS Principal
Mid Semester comments – Feedback for students and parents
With the recent disruptions and change to Virtual school for our students and teachers, we have adjusted the timing of sharing feedback with students and parents this semester. We will be posting mid-semester comments for all HS classes (Grades 9-11) next week on Friday, April 3rd (later in the day). These comments will communicate progress in learning to both students and parents and talk about individual students’ current levels of attainment and progress and areas for growth in the months ahead. Teachers and counselors will continue to contact parents directly in any instances of concern regarding a student’s learning progress or engagement. As always, if you have any specific concerns or questions, we ask that you contact the teacher directly.
Justin Alexander
HS Principal
Justyna McMillan
HS Dean of Academics
College Counseling eNews
Andrew Weiser
andreww@isb.ac.th
Grade 10
College Counselors held virtual office hours for Grade 10 students on March 18, 19, 25 and 26. These open office hours were held during the students free periods and after school. This was time to ask questions about scheduling courses for next year.
Student Led Junior Conferences- are continuing!!!
Ask your student about the emails they received about a Google Meet (Hangouts) or Zoom to schedule this meeting.
The Student Led Junior Conference are individual meetings that include the student, parents and college counselor. These should be scheduled during March and April. Please ask your child about these meetings and identify several possible dates/times for the conference.
SAT Information
We are still waiting for more information from College Board (SAT) about future tests. As soon as we receive information, we will notify both students and parents
UCAT, BMAT
Juniors thinking about Medical Programs in the UK, Australia, Thailand, and other European countries, please look at the University websites and research what tests are required. Registration for these tests are usually in the summer with test administered between August and October.
Upcoming College Coffees: To Be Announced
(please understand these dates are “TBA” as the MoE is requiring that schools close “…until further notice”). These may turn into Virtual Screencast Presentations.
TBA – UK & Hong Kong
TBA – Australia, Canada, the Netherlands
Summer Programs
If students are interested in summer programs, now is the time to start researching. Please see this LINK for a database of programs. Please understand it is the students (and parents) responsibility to research these programs.
Upcoming University Visits
Some universities are offering Virtual Visits. As these come to our attention, College Counselors will forward to both Students and Parents.
High School Counseling News
Kevin Davy
kevind@isb.ac.th
Again this week we have been checking in with students for a variety supportive reasons: academic concerns & monitoring, mental health and well-being, and course selection questions. As a team we have found that students are finding better balance with their virtual learning this week with the changed schedule, teacher connection and expectations. The “Zoom” application has been well received by both teachers and students. It has encouraged more interactions and its built in features allows the class to work together in a more efficient and collaborative manner.
No doubt that the current situation results in many challenges and difficulties for families. However, at the same time we are hearing from many students that there are some positives at present: sleep & rest for many is being reported as improved and more meaningful family time. Students are showing great adaptability and resilience as they tackle the new days that come with so many questions and uncertainties. Some days may be better than others, but we see individuals making the best of the situation and moving forward. Please know that you can reach out to us if you have concerns with how your student is handling it all.
ALEX SYPSOMOS IN CONCERT
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
A HS Arts Council/Panther Roars Production
Live on Youtube at https://youtu.be/fwwy4r-RTtg
6:00pm Friday, March 27
Alex Sypsomos, who goes by the stage name Syps, is a soul/pop singer, songwriter and producer who creates without being constrained by genre boundaries. Born in Florida to an English mother and Greek father, yet having grown up in Bangkok, Alex sees himself as a musical bridge between the East and the West. A graduate of ISB and Berklee College of Music in Boston, Alex has written and produced for singers in Thailand, China, Korea and Myanmar accumulating over 40 million streams for his collaborations over the past two years. By working with others, Alex has been able to find his own unique sound and fine tune his personal writing and production style.
We know it can be overwhelming the amount of communication and info being provided by different parts of our world every day at the moment. That said, we will just share 3 resources here today.
This article is geared towards graduating seniors, but the sentiment of celebrating the creativity, resilience and innovation of the generation is also a good injection of positivity.
Greater Good Resource Page (EXCELLENT)
Super resource for supporting yourself and your student during these times.
Virtual World of National Parks
This article shares links to what might be a fun virtual experience for the family. Through Google Earth you can virtually go and visit stunning National Parks. Maybe one these is a park that you will visit after this period is over, to see it in an even more stunning appreciative light.
Take Good Care Everyone.
Panther Activities
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Dear Panther Activities Students and Parents,
We miss your kids and hope that they are healthy and staying active and engaged during ISB’s campus closure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once open again, it is our hope that make-up lessons and classes will be offered alongside regular sessions until the end of the school year. In the meantime, some teachers, following the ISB Digital Learning Safeguarding Guidelines may be offering virtual sessions starting next week, for those who are interested. While this is not the same as being together, it is our hope that the opportunity to continue learning for your child, and the connection with coaches and other kids, albeit online, would be of value.
Many of you have inquired about activity refunds which we are examining on a pro-rata basis for classes we are not able to make-up. We will be in touch the week of April 20-26 with details once more is known about the length of the school closure.
Regards,
Anthony Giles and Lucas Rivera
Update on ISB Summer School 2020 (Repeat)
Maurilio Baron-Toaldo
maurilib@isb.ac.th
Understandably, there are many uncertainties ahead due to the COVID-19 coronavirus incidents around the world. We are presently planning as regular for our ISB Summer School 2020 which will run from Monday, june 15th to Friday, July 10th. You can go to the ISB website to access all information about dates, programs, and fees, and to submit a registration form online.
We encourage people to plan ahead and register. Please note that with the uncertainties around the world right now with the COVID-19 coronavirus, there will be no cancellation fees applied for people who register and then cancel by May 15th. This date will be reviewed as we get closer to it. Our EarlyBird prices for tuition are still available until Friday, April 24th.
For HS students, we have the following Special Enrichment Camps available this year!
HS Art Camp (1 week) June 15 – 19 for students entering Grade 9 – 12 in August.
HS Math SAT Prep Camp (1 week) June 15 – 19 or June 22 – 26 for students entering Grade 10 – 12 in August.
HS Work Experience Program (9 days) June 15 – 25 for any student presently in Grade 9 – 12.
ISB Panther Swim Camp; Experience the “Panther Way” (1 week) June 15 – 19 for students entering Grade 2 – 12 in August.
For any questions, please email sumdir@isb.ac.th
Best Regards,
Mr. Maurilio Baron-Toaldo