‘Virtually’
Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th
Dear Parents,
We have finished the fourth week of virtual school at ISB and during that time, we have seen a number of adjustments and improvements to the structures and supports we have put in place to support our students learning and growth during this very unsettling period. It is clear to us the growing importance of maintaining routines and connections with one another during times of stress and uncertainty and virtual school is one way of doing exactly that.
I have been able to join in some of the zoom lessons with your children over the past few weeks and it has been fantastic to see their smiling faces and energy levels (admittedly on screens and not in person). Their teachers are sharing resources, generating discussions, explaining, showing and engaging their classes in a variety of ways during this time. Students are moved to ‘breakout rooms’ for discussion in smaller groups, where teachers can drop in and help small groups and individuals. Our counselors and student services department continues to reach out and support students with both individual learning needs and social and emotional needs.
During this time of virtual school and the necessary and required isolation measures that are in effect, please do be sure to help your children stay connected with friends and their families as best they can. This doesn’t mean encouraging your children to join their friends in a pickup basketball game, but instead reaching out to friends and family they might not have seen for a while for a phone call, a zoom or even a Snapchat message or three. Stay connected.
A resource shared with me today by a wonderful MS teacher who might be related to me is the Action for happiness website which includes a link to an April happiness calendar. Feel free to click here to see that calendar and see the great tips and ideas you can do in April.
Regards
Justin Alexander
HS Principal
Virtual School Parent Survey #2
Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th
Dear HS Parents,
Thank you for your support and partnership at this time as we continue with Virtual School at ISB.
As we complete week 4 of virtual school, we are again seeking feedback from parents to help us understand your perspective on virtual school and improve this experience.
Please take a few moments to complete this survey.
This survey is being sent out BY DIVISION, so please complete this one with your HS child(ren) in mind. You are welcome to give feedback for each HS child by completing the form separately for each child.
Thank you again for taking the time to complete this survey.
HS Parent Virtual school survey #2
Justin Alexander
HS Principal
GCW Refunds
Andy Vaughan
andyv@isb.ac.th
All GCW cheque refunds for the International GCW trips that were cancelled have now been prepared. Parents who are eligible for a refund should’ve received an email detailing the instructions for picking up these cheques at the business office. If your child was on a trip that was cancelled and you have not received an email yet, please email Andy Vaughan (andyv@isb.ac.th).
As a reminder, these pick ups can only be made at the scheduled time you chose to avoid any overcrowding. Please also note the following reminders if you are coming to pick up the refund:
- All visitors into the business office wear a mask.
- Please note that our cashier’s office will only be open on Mondays and Wednesdays.
- No students are allowed on campus. All pick ups must be completed by a parent or adult representative.
- An ID must be provided when picking up the cheque.
College Counseling News
Andrew Weiser
anderww@isb.ac.th
Grade 10
Due to the government mandated school closure, the PSAT 10 scheduled for April 28 has been canceled. The current grade 10 students will have the opportunity to take the PSAT 11 in October 2020.
Grade 11 – Student Led Junior Conferences- are continuing!!!
We are still waiting for some Juniors to sign up for their Junior Conference. Did you, as a parent, have a Junior Conference yet with your child and College Counselor? If not, please ask your child to schedule.
SAT Information- Email from College Board
We know that students are anxious about how the coronavirus crisis will affect the college application process, including taking the SAT. We’re committed to being flexible and innovative to give all students opportunities to test as soon as the situation allows. We’ll share more details as soon as possible, but today we can tell you the following:
Currently, the next SAT is scheduled for the first weekend of June. We’ll make a decision about whether we can safely hold that administration as soon as it is feasible, given the evolving public health situation. (This is for Subject Tests only at this time)
We’ll add U.S. and international test administrations in response to canceled administrations. We’ll be flexible in making the SAT available as soon as the public health situation allows. We’re looking at a range of creative solutions to address increased demand and are in direct conversations with states and districts about School Day administrations.
Students can stay sharp and get personalized practice support online for free with Khan Academy.
Seniors
Most university decisions were made by April 1. Seniors should inform their College Counselor about all decisions. Students should go onto Cialfo and update these outcomes.
Important: The student must tell the College Counselor which university he/she will attend! Students should deposit to ONE university and ISB will send one final transcript to the “attending” university. Although most deposits are due May 1, students should check the University website, as many are extending that date.
College Counselors are emailing seniors and setting up Zoom meetings to answer any questions.
Virtual University Visits
College Counselors are sending information to students about Virtual University Visits. We are aware of the abundance of emails and do not want to over load the parents in-box too. Please ask your child about the virtual visits if you would also like to attend.
Screencasts Coming
We will be announcing Screencasts on varying topics for both parents and/or students. Example- we emailed a screencast to G11 students about asking their teachers for Letters of Recommendation. College Coffee Screen Casts are coming toward the end of April, beginning of May. These will include applying to the: UK, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands.
Please do not hesitate to email your College Counselor if you have any questions.
High School Counseling News
Jackie Valenzuela
jackiev@isb.ac.th
Class registration is complete for next school year. Thank you to both you and your kids for taking care of this under difficult circumstances. We’re looking forward to welcoming our new 9th graders next year and any other new students who join us from around the world.
We hope your abundant time together as a family during this time has been, overall, positive. If you need to speak with your child’s counselor regarding any concerns you may have, please feel free to contact us. We are happy to set up a virtual meeting with you and/or your child. Take care.
IASAS
Derrick Quinet
derrickq@isb.ac.th
This is the week scheduled for Season Three IASAS, and in these challenging times we are reminded just how much our sports teams, athletes, and community mean to us at ISB. Our teams should be competing in IASAS this weekend, imposing our indomitable Panther will upon unsuspecting IASAS friends and foes. We should be hosting an unforgettable IASAS Badminton at ISB, packing our gyms with students young and old to cheer on the fast-flying, hard-smashing action. And while this season has been understandably halted and this year’s tournaments cancelled, we want to reinforce just how much we appreciate all of our athletes, coaches, Boosters, and Panther fans. Thank you for all you’ve done to make ISB Athletics such a rewarding program.
We miss seeing the joyous spirit and enthusiasm of our athletes on a daily basis. We want to give a shout out to all our seniors who are missing out on their final event and give credit for the tremendous job they’ve done over the past four years. The grade 12’s have been an amazing class and represented our school extremely well. They’ve excelled at sport and in the classroom, and they’ve inspired younger generations of Panther athletes who aspire to be IASAS superstars. This year’s seniors have left a legacy of resilience, a championship mindset, and a competitive work ethic that will continue to reverberate around campus for years to come. Thank you, for everything you’ve done for ISB over the past four years, class of 2020. You will be sincerely missed!
While all of us are couped up at home, we want to encourage everyone to connect with friends, family and teammates and to find workouts and challenges to keep the mind and body fit and healthy.
In the spirit of IASAS this week, we thought you might enjoy rewatching a small sampling of our season 3 teams and athletes in action, albeit from past years.
Never forget just how fortunate we are to be Panthers and to be a part of this wonderful ISB community. Go Panthers!
2019
IASAS Track & Field 2019 at TAS (Full Coverage)
IASAS Baseball Championship Game 2019 ISB vs. ISM
IASAS Softball Bronze Medal Game 2019 ISB vs. ISM
ISB vs. ISM Boys Badminton 2019
ISB vs. TAS Boys Badminton 2019
ISB vs. SAS Boys Badminton 2019
ISB vs. JIS Boys Badminton 2019
ISB vs. JIS Girls Badminton 2019
ISB vs. TAS Girls Badminton 2019
ISB vs. TAS Girls Badminton 2019
ISB vs. ISKL Girls Badminton 2019
2018
IASAS Badminton 2018 at ISKL
IASAS Baseball Championship Game 2018 ISB vs. ISM (starts at 9:28.00 on the Day 3 video)
IASAS Softball Championship Game 2018 ISB vs. SAS (starts at 10:58:00 on the Day 3 video)
IASAS Track & Field 2018 – 800m Boy
IASAS Track & Field 2018 – 100m Girls
IASAS Track & Field 2018 – 100mH Girls
Panther Activities
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Dear Panther Activities Parents,
Once again, we miss your kids and hope that they are healthy and staying active and engaged during ISB’s campus closure, now through April 30, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 should school open again in May. As mentioned earlier, details about how this will be done safely and practically will be communicated the week of April 20-26. Until that time, we ask for your patience.
Although some private music lessons are being offered virtually in lieu of live sessions, videos offering activities in other areas like tennis, gymnastics, or dance are optional, and free, and intended merely to keep students engaged with their areas of interest. 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, albeit online, would be of value.
Stay healthy and safe! Should you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact either of us.
Regards,
Anthony Giles and Lucas Rivera
anthonyg@isb.ac.th 082-700-8903
lucasr@isb.ac.th 062-658-0761