A Final Thank You
by Dennis Harter, MS Principal
dennish@isb.ac.th
We know that expressing gratitude is an important exercise both in the positive contributions it makes to the recipient AND the important boosts in mental health it offers the expressor of thanks. Gratitude is one of our ISB Values and we ensure that we show our appreciation and thanks when we can.
In the vein, I would like to extend my thanks to the ISB middle school parent community for their support during this extended time of Virtual School. When the quarantine and subsequent campus closure started back in March, we had no idea we would be learning and teaching online for 14 weeks. Parents offered candid feedback, positive support for the effort of teachers, and wonderful at-home structures for their children. With your support, we were able to continue learning for our students and look after their well-being and opportunities to stay connected with the school.
Thank you to our counselors and teachers, who re-imagined teaching and learning on they fly, while school and lessons continued. Their professionalism and passion for learning and their care for young people shined through their tireless effort, above and beyond support for students, and stamina through countless hours on technology. Teaching in this manner is NOT why each of these professionals became a teacher. We missed the joy of interacting with students, seeing their smiles, and supporting their learning at school. But our teachers “Kept Calm and Carried On,” turning this global crisis into an opportunity to learn, grow, and support students differently.
Finally, on behalf of all of us in the middle school, I want to express thanks to our middle school students. Their motivation, effort, engagement and resilience through the 14 weeks of Virtual School exceeded my own expectations. Day in and day out, students showed up to Zoom classes, completed work, took on assessments, and engaged in wellness activities for balance. The students make me so proud to be associated with ISB and so proud of the maturity of our middle school youngsters.
As we end this bizarre school year, thank you, to all of you. Together we did it.
Congratulations to our Grade 8s
by Dennis Harter, MS Principal
dennish@isb.ac.th
On Thursday, we celebrated the completion of middle school by our grade 8 students with our Moving On Ceremony. This year’s ceremony took place online, with a broadcast to our students and families.
We captured many of the same elements of our usual on campus ceremony including the traditional Thai wai for each student’s entrance, symbolizing greeting and gratitude. We heard from many students about their reflections on the middle school experience including their learning and growth in this time. I spoke also about how much we’ve learned about the importance of human connection. We need to value it more in the future and make the most of our interactions to ensure all people feel seen, heard, and valued.
As a memory keepsake for our Grade 8 families and for others interested, we have recorded and posted the video of the Moving On Ceremony online.
Fitting End of Year Assembly
Per tradition, we ended the 2019-20 school year with our End of Year Assembly. Of course, this year that assembly took place online over Zoom, rather than in the Chevron theater with our students and teachers in the audience. Given the way our middle school spent 14 weeks in Virtual School, this was an appropriate ending to the year.
The assembly featured wonderful musical performances from our band, orchestra, and choirs – compiled from individual students submissions – a massive endeavor to create a finished product. Individual dance and singing performances were also terrific showcases of our MS student talent.
We had a chance to bid farewell to our departing students and teachers, celebrated the year of outdoor education, celebrated some of the artwork from the MS Online Art Exhibit, heard from our library council, and we closed with some goodbyes from teachers. Thank you to our wonderful assembly committee and student emcees.
You can watch the assembly here.
PFA Bangkok Football Technification Camp June & July 2020
This camp is designed to develop the technical skills of the players and reach the best possible performance. PFA Bangkok promotes development of players in a natural way, not only the creative talent that each one possesses, but also to improve the individual performance and the collective achievement of the team. During the training sessions in the camp, we will work on two phases of the game (offensive and defensive) and the transitions from one to the other, focusing on developing players’ technical skills.
PANTHER ROARS
(/ˈpanTHər/ /rôrz/) noun 1. Full, deep, prolonged utterances of positive expression by ISB community members in response to the world pandemic. Check out the newest projects including the MS Online Art Exhibition, Legs for Legs (reprise), Anon(ymous), the IB Virtual Art Exhibition, the High School Orchestra Virtual Concert (password is MUSIC), and the High School Choirs singing Don’t be Afraid.
One Voice” ISB Community Music Video Project
In honor of the International Day of Peace (September 21, 2020), we invite the ISB community members (parents, students and staff) to help us with a community music video project. If you love to sing, and you’d like to be part of this meaningful experience, please click here
