October Break is here
by Dennis Harter, MS Principal
After 10 weeks of school, students and teachers alike have well-earned a rest break. The October break runs all of next week and school will resume on October 26th with a Day 4.
We encourage families to spend time together and for students to read as much as they can during the break. Students should not have assignments due on the Monday we return, nor any assessments on that day. We do this so that students may truly have some balance and enjoy quality time with their family.
Enjoy the break!
Back to using Lockers
We are happily trialing middle school students using their lockers again. This week all students were assigned to their locker. It is important that students bring their ID cards to school as they are needed to open lockers. On days for which the students forget their ID, they will be given access to their locker in the morning and then need to carry their bags through the day. Please help your child remember their ID card.
We have asked students not to gather near their lockers and only use it to drop off and pick up items. It’s still best that students leave at home (or in their locker), things they don’t need for the day.
We are hopeful that this trial will work and that students will benefit from their lockers for the remainder of the year.
MS Student Yearbook Photos
In the week following the October break, middle school students will be getting their Yearbook photos taken at ISB. KidsFoto come onto campus and will provide proofs for families in case you want to order photos as keepsakes for the year.
MS Students wear the ISB uniform shirt for their school photo.
Students will take their photo during their Social Studies class, going in waves so as to maintain distancing requirements.
Reminder: Boarding School considerations must contact counselors
by MS Counselors
Of course for all of our students, we hope that they stay at ISB for middle and high school and benefit from our wonderful school, academic program, and extracurricular activities. We understand that same family situations may require you to explore boarding school options for your child.
If you are planning to apply for admission to boarding school for the 2020-21 school year, please make an appointment to meet with your child’s counselor as early as possible – and definitely before November 1.
For us to best support your child’s application process, it is very important that parents meet with their child’s counselor, in person. We can also help families unpack the implications of boarding school in comparison to options of staying at ISB.
October is typically when students who are planning on applying to boarding school register for the SSAT, ISEE, or other necessary testing (e.g., TOEFL). This is also the time when applicants begin gathering teacher references.
Part of the process of the counselor meeting will be to coordinate reference writing. Parents should not write directly to teachers for references, but rather coordinate those references requests through their child’s counselor. This will enable us to ensure that references and other documentation is submitted to the receiving institution.
Please note, in order to allow teachers time to provide a thorough, quality reference for your child, we ask that you allow a 4 week turn around time from the time the reference request is received until the reference is completed. Students who are applying to schools with January application deadlines must submit their reference requests by November 10, through the counselor.
Reminder: Parent Discussion of “Social Dilemma”
By Dennis Harter, MS Principal
dennish@isb.ac.th
As parents and teachers of adolescents, we recognize that social media plays a large part in the lives of young people and our own worlds. We have concerns about how our children/students behave online and what content they are engaging with.
There is another side to social media that most of us spend less time thinking about – how our attention is being tracked, bought, and sold on a regular basis. This is not new … magazines and TV shows have been doing this for decades. However, the sophistication and depth at which happens now through social media, apps, and online vendors has magnified exponentially.
A new Netflix documentary getting a lot of attention digs into this topic. Our MS Counseling team will host a discussion on social media and the “Social Dilemma” on Friday, October 30th, 8:00 -9:30 AM in the MPB. If you are interested in attending, please watch the movie in advance as we will use the entire time for discussion of the film’s points and the impact we see on our children. We encourage you to watch it WITH your MS-aged child, as well.
In order for us to plan for the numbers and to ensure we can meet physical distancing requirements, we ask that you sign up to indicate that you will attend.
Here is a trailer for the documentary.
Board of Trustees Live Stream – Oct. 27th
By: Debi Caskey, Deputy Head of School for Learning
Dear Parents,
The October 27th Board of Trustees meeting will stream live starting at 6PM. In order to view the session, you need to register via this link. Thank you for your involvement and partnership. Have a great October break.
Please find here the meeting agenda.
Raising Multilinguals: Unlocking the World with a Family Language Plan
By Avery Udagawa, Native Language Coordinator
On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, from 7:45-9:15 a.m., ISB faculty and administrators will offer a workshop for parents from all divisions (ES, MS, HS) about maintaining students’ native languages while they also study in English at ISB.
At this workshop, faculty and administrators will:
- Present reasons to maintain native language, based on research
- Describe language classes and resources available at ISB
- Discuss the importance of making a family language plan
Please join us! Parents of students in PreK through Grade 12 are welcome. In order to ensure that we have enough space to comply with the current physical distancing guidelines, please sign up here if you plan to attend. We will confirm the location prior to the event.
For further information, please email: nativelanguage@isb.ac.th
Season Two ISB Athletics registration
By Chris Mott, Athletic Director
Season Two registration is now open on CHQ for all Junior Varsity (Rugby/Touch, Tennis and Basketball) , U15, U13 programs (Soccer and Badminton)
Parents are asked to sign up their child through CHQ.
Season Two Junior Varsity Tryouts (Grade 8) will be held on the 3rd, 4th and 6th of November. For a list of High School offerings please visit the Athletics website
Season Two U15 and U13 Tryouts will be held on the 4th and 5th of November. For a list of U13-U15 offerings please visit the Athletics website
For instructions on how to sign up using CHQ please use the following link – REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS CHQ,
Choral Union: ISB’s Community Chorus
Choral Union, ISB’s Community Chorus, is committed to musical excellence and expression where every singer is an integral part of the group. We provide a challenging and supportive choir perfect for those who love to sing and who have a desire to advance their musical skills! We rehearse on Monday evenings, starting October 26, from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Choir room, Floor 1 of the CC building at ISB with a concert scheduled on Wednesday, December 9th. Read more in the CATALOG, and sign up HERE.
| Days: | Mondays |
| Dates: | Oct 26, Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Dec 9, 14 |
| Time: | 7:00 PM- 8:30 PM |
| Locations: | ISB, Room CC 8-140 |
| Cost: | 4000฿ |
Fall Dance Production, The 4 Elements – 3:30 and 6:00 October 30 CCT
