‘Nearly there’
Dear Parents,
Yes we are nearly at the end of a successful semester of the 2020/21 school year. There was a high degree of uncertainty as we started the school year in August as to how this semester of learning might look, but we are so pleased and thankful that we were able to welcome students onto our campus back in August. The learning has continued and has been more impactful the longer we have been in ‘real’ school.
The lead up to the winter break is a busy one for all of us, students included and we are very much looking forward to a break and the opportunity to recharge our batteries. We have one more week of learning in front of us and of course a few assessments and assignments are due as well. We complete our first semester of learning on Friday December 18th with an assembly and a celebration of the great work of our students.
Enjoy the weekend and the last week of school for 2020.
Regards
Justin Alexander
High School Principal
Possible Schedule Changes for Semester 2
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
In general students retain the same schedule for the second semester. In some cases, due to changes in course choice, the addition of semester courses, or other factors, a student’s schedule may be slightly different next semester. In these cases, we do the best we can to keep the same teachers for each student, but this is not always possible. Students need to view their Semester 2 schedule on PowerSchool to be ready for the first day of school. If students wish to change their schedule they should see their counselor.
News from the College Office
Sonya Ohlsson
sonyao@isb.ac.th
Seniors:
The College Office is busy sending in the documents for all applications that students have before Feb. 15. This includes the School Profile, School Report, Official Transcript, Counselor Letters and Teacher Letters of Recommendation. It can take schools 2-3 weeks to process everything as this is the time when they receive the most documents from their applicants. And many colleges and universities will be closed for the holidays as well, so in many cases, things will just sit–either on servers waiting to be downloaded and attached to a students application or even by paper, sitting in the mailroom. The key here is patience!
Also, please remember that the college counselors will not be available over the break, so be sure to ask your questions before Friday, Dec. 18! We all have earned a break, so get things done now, so you don’t have to worry about it during your holiday!
Juniors:
Juniors had their last Junior College Seminar of the semester this week. They were shown, by way of a nifty diagram, how much power they truly have in the whole application process–if they are willing to put in the time, energy and effort. The only time they are not in control is when they hit the submit button. And so to that end they were given a university research assignment (due 15 January) that asks them to spend some time, energy and effort thinking about what elements factor into their priorities vs their preferences when thinking about universities and “right fit“. This will help them as they spend the next 9-10 months really thinking about which schools to apply to because they are a good match in multiple ways.
This will also help them prepare for the Junior-Led Conferences in February and March! More about that to come.
PSAT scores have been sent to all juniors who took the PSAT. If any junior did not receive them, please send an email to sonyao@isb.ac.th and she can provide an access code to see your scores. Again, please do this before the break or after we return on January 11.
This week we focused on the importance of determination. Whether we deal with friends, family, work, school, or whatever the ability to be determined is a skill that can serve a person for their lives. There was a great article in the Bangkok Post about this very topic
“In other words, the winning formula for success means grasping opportunities and being able to step outside your comfort zone, and pushing yourself to your breaking point.” (Bangkok Post)
As students are working on those final projects, or exams before break we are hoping to give a bit of encouragement, as well as, being understanding of their stresses right now. They will do great, we have no doubt, but just being supportive right now is what we hope to do for them during this time.
This week we focused on the importance of determination. Whether we deal with friends, family, work, school, or whatever the ability to be determined is a skill that can serve a person for their lives. There was a great article in the Bangkok Post about this very topic
“In other words, the winning formula for success means grasping opportunities and being able to step outside your comfort zone, and pushing yourself to your breaking point.” (Bangkok Post)
As students are working on those final projects, or exams before break we are hoping to give a bit of encouragement, as well as, being understanding of their stresses right now. They will do great, we have no doubt, but just being supportive right now is what we hope to do for them during this time.
Book Recommendations
Recursion ~ by Blake Crouch
This is the second Blake Crouch book I’ve read and he loves to write about science and near future (possible) topics. I this suspenseful thriller, a machine is built that takes a person back via their memories. There are good ways to use the power and bad ways. It just depends on who is operating the machine. This wild story is tough to follow at times, but there truly isn’t a dull moment. I also liked Crouch’s Dark Matter which we are ordering.
TECH UPDATES
- BigSur the Mac OS update came out last week. PLEASE do not update yet as we are waiting to see if any issues arise. Also, it takes about 45 minutes to go through the process, so I would wait.
TECH RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
As you are building up to exams, big project submissions, or grading it is important that we do our best to stay positive and keep our minds healthy. Over stressing them will only make things that much more difficult. With that in mind today I recommend the Personal Zen App. This is a research-based app that helps you work through stress and also gives your brain the much-needed breaks required for optimal work. Yes, there are games built-in, but these games are designed to relax your brain and to give you a sense of calm. Need a real break? Try Personal Zen!
Warmest Regards,
Christopher Bell
High School Technology Coordinator and Librarian
christob@isb.ac.th +66 963-58900 ext 1193
News from the Athletics Office
Chris Mott
chrism@isb.ac.th
Upcoming events
12 December – U13-U15 Badminton tournament at ISB
12/13 Christmas Cracker National Swim Trials @ BPS
16 December – Panther Swim “Black and Gold” Meet at ISB
17th December – Last day of Varsity and JV Training
For the latest information on games, please visit www.isbathletics.com
The ISB Invention Center hosts…SCRIMMAGE IN SIAM
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
The ISB Invention Center hosts…SCRIMMAGE IN SIAM Saturday, December 12, 2020
WHAT: Change Up – A HS Robotics Scrimmage where high school robotics teams battle to make it to the next round.
WHERE: ISB Invention Center
WHEN: Open at 8:00am with matches from 9:00am to 12:00pm Saturday, December 12
Panther Golf Meeting
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Panther Golf Meeting 6:30pm Tuesday, December 15 MPB 1 Join ISB Golf Center Pro, Koray Safak, and Panther Golf Head, Khun Boom, to learn more about this wonderful new facility and program opening in January, as well as the incredible opportunities that the center, and their leadership presents for our students and the ISB community as a whole.
Registration for Semester 2 Panther Activities Opens Today!!!
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Choose from Panther Art, Dance, Golf, Gymnastics, Music, Native Language Academy, Soccer and Swim. Space is limited for some programs so check out what’s on offer soon by going to CHQ through PowerSchool, or contact any one of the Panther Activities Coordinators listed below for more information.
Thanks,
The Panther Activities Team
PantherNativeLanguageAcademy@isb.ac.th
IASAS CC Visual Art Exhibition
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
IASAS CC Visual Art Exhibition – 19 November 19 through December 17 Chevron Gallery
Stop by the Chevron Gallery to enjoy the wide range of artistic pieces submitted for the IASAS Visual Arts Cultural Convention! Also on display are the collaborative piece created by the convention delegates, 3-color reduction woodblock prints created in workshops with visiting artist, Ralph Kiggell, and the community collaboration woodblock print featuring Wat Arun. And…check out the new Final IASAS Art Virtual Show Catalog just published today!!!
Festival of Lights: A Virtual Concert (REPEAT)
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
This year, in order to meet a variety of needs and to satisfy safety measures, the elementary Festival of Lights concert (featuring the G3-5 Panther Choir, Orff Ensemble and String Ensemble) will be virtual. The concert will be shared with ensemble families on Wednesday, December 16th, with the ISB community on Thursday, December 17th, and with the ES student body on Friday, December 18th as part of our Festival of Lights Virtual assembly. On December 17th, please stay tuned for a special enews with a link to this beautiful celebration of holidays from around the world, presented through the singing, playing and dancing of our young musicians!
HS Arts Council’s Artists Under the Stars (REPEAT)
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
HS Arts Council’s Artists Under the Stars – 5:30pm to 8:00pm Thursday, December 17
December 17th is the date for this year’s Artists Under the Stars event! Get ready for a cozy evening of awesome performances. If you would like to perform, please fill out the form HERE.