ES e-News for June 12, 2020

Farewell from Ms Armitage
It is hard to believe that the time has come for our family to bid ISB and Thailand farewell… for now.  Our youngest has just graduated and after 12 years of being a part of this vibrant community, it is time for our family to move “back home.”  

Parents, I want to thank you for your support over the years.  You have been amazing advocates for your children, and I have wanted nothing less. You have partnered with us to ensure that the student experience was the absolute best it could be.  You were kind, supportive, offered great ideas, and were present. Thank you for raising these exceptional youngsters. Research is clear that when parents are involved in the lives and schooling of their children, they find greater success.  These kids are truly remarkable, and it starts with you.  

A special thank you to families for submitting all of the lovely cards to wish me well, and for coming to the Principal’s Parade. These definitely tugged on my heart strings, and I greatly appreciate you taking the time to bid me farewell. I will never forget these special experiences.

Today, at the Virtual School closing assembly, I was able to thank the students, for they have made me a better person.  They have taught me things that I will carry with me for a lifetime. Additionally, I have been expressing gratitude to our staff. Parents, I am sure you know this already, but in case you don’t, this group of teachers and IAs are the best out there. I can genuinely say that in all of my 32 years in the profession, this is the best group I have ever worked with; their care for students, dedication, talent, and skills are second to none.  

ISB is an exceptional place.  The strong community feel is one of its special and unique features.  It’s why saying goodbye is so difficult. So, I will say farewell…for now.  Thank you for being a part of our story.  The Armitage Family has deep gratitude for all of you, as we are better off for knowing you. I wish you well as you go forward on new adventures. I will miss you all!

End of Year Assembly – Links from Today! 
It was so wonderful coming together virtually as an elementary school this morning! We hope you enjoyed the assembly and a recording is linked here if you are interested in rewatching it.  The password is: espanthers1@

Important Dates for the new School Year: 

Meet the new ES Principal for 2020-2021
We invite you to click here to watch a video introduction from Michael, our new ES principal for 2020-2021.

Supporting Students Return to School After Virtual School
ISB prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of all our students, not only physical and health safety but also social/emotional safety and wellbeing.  In addition to our extensive reopening plan, the elementary school counselors will be planning and preparing for our students’ social and emotional needs upon their return in August.  Counselors will be working with faculty to prepare for the return to school as well as providing parents with  resources and information so that you can help prepare your child for their return to school.  Stay on the lookout for more information about this in August.   

Thank You ISB for your donations to SCB!  
Thank you Grade 3 students for inspiring others to show empathy!

It took 7 trips to SCB to deliver your generous donations. 

“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 for more information.

(Repeat) Protests in the US and Around the World
We want to address the protests that are currently happening in the US, and around the world.  At ISB, we believe in teaching the values of care and integrity; and, we also believe in actively teaching anti-racism, and supporting children to understand their privilege.  This is not easy work.  All of our students and families deserve to feel seen and represented.   

We are committed to educating families and sharing resources.  Students (and you, as parents) might be feeling a variety of emotions.  Here are some talking points that our counseling team has put together to support you:

1. Acknowledge and validate your child’s feelings. Share your own feelings. Parents may avoid the conversation because they do not know what to say or don’t want to make a mistake, but remaining silent because it is uncomfortable is not helpful. 
2. Say something – Age-appropriate explanation is better than silence or avoidance. Without guidance to develop a framework for understanding, children will draw their own conclusions that may not be based in fact.
3. Be open and honest – some people get treated unfairly based on their skin color, culture, or religion. By doing this, we help prepare them to challenge these issues when they arise. Share your own feelings with your child. 
4. Model it – Talking to students about the importance of embracing differences and treating others with respect is essential, but it’s not enough. Acknowledge differences and emphasize the positive aspects of our differences. Remember silence indicates acceptance.
5. Do something – Take a stand when you witness injustice. This is the time to help our children grow into adults who value and honor diversity. 
6. Encourage activism – Promote ways for your family to get involved in causes you care about.
7. Monitor media consumption and be aware of conversations in front of children.

A great article for talking about race with your children is linked here.  

As well, here is a list of books that are available for checkout from the HUB through the lens of diversity and inclusion.  Currently, the HUB team is working to pack up the library for renovation, but Nat is working to ensure many of these books will be available to check-out over the summer.  

Here is a list of digital texts, curated by Epic, to start a conversation about race.   

(Repeat) ES Progress Reports 
ES Progress Reports will be available online via PowerSchool on Monday, June 15th after 12pm.  Normal usernames and passwords are required.  For technical support please email help@isb.ac.th

(Repeat) Summer Book checkout
Great News!  The new ISB HUB automated book checkout system is now up and running.  Please visit the web page for more details on how to participate.
https://library.isb.ac.th/hub/summercheckouts

(Repeat) Moving from Thailand?
Each year the counselors facilitate a workshop for parents who may be moving and leaving ISB to help smooth the transition that families may undertake. This year the process of moving may present even more challenges given the current trying conditions. The counseling department has put the information they usually share into a Screencast hosted by Doug Williamson (ES), Colleen Coady (MS) and Kevin Callahan (HS). You can find the broadcast here. If you still have questions or concerns after viewing the Screencast, then please contact your child’s counselor.

(Repeat) If You Know you are Leaving ISB
Families who are leaving ISB at the end of the school year are asked to inform the school as soon as possible using the official Notice of Online Withdrawal Form.  This helps us prepare school records for your child and with planning for next year.  

eNews Guidelines
Shelley Bragg
shelleyb@isb.ac.th

ISB eNewsletters provide a valuable avenue for communication within the ISB parent community. For your convenience, we have provided you with our eNewsletter guidelines below.

Submitting an announcement for publication
ISB accepts announcements from ISB families for potential publication in our eNewsletters. The announcements are generally intended to highlight events that occur at ISB and/or highlight information about ISB.

What to include in the announcement

• A title for your announcement
• An email contact for further information

Where to submit your announcement
4publish@isb.ac.th is for announcements of interest to the entire ISB community.
naiyanar@isb.ac.th is for Elementary School (ES) announcements of interest to ES families.
phremjiz@isb.ac.th is for Middle School (MS) announcements of interest to MS families.
vijitl@isb.ac.th is for High School (HS) announcements of interest to HS families.

Your announcement will be submitted to the appropriate Principal and/or to our Director of Marketing and Communications for review. ISB reserves the right to determine which announcements will and will not be published, and to edit announcements that are approved for publication.

Frequency of eNewsletter mailings
The ISB eNewsletter that is for the entire community is sent out on Thursdays. Announcements for potential publication in this newsletter must be received by noon on Thursdays.

The ES, MS, and HS eNewsletters are sent out on Fridays. Announcements for potential publication in these newsletters must be received by noon on Fridays.

Calendar of Events
June/August 2020

June 2020