Dear HS Parent (and students),
Happy New Year to all of our ISB High School families. We hope that your vacation has been a restful and safe one and that you are able to enjoy the last few days of your break before we start school again on Monday, January 11th. We also send a warm welcome to our 14 new HS students and their families who join ISB for the start of the second semester.
Unfortunately, the second semester will not begin as we would have hoped. As you are aware, in response to the growing cases of COVID-19 in Thailand, the government has closed school campuses until January 31st. ISB will therefore be starting semester 2 on Monday, January 11th with virtual school.
While we had hoped to stay on campus for learning after a successful first semester of learning face to face, ISB has planned for the possibility of a switch to virtual school. Parents and students are reminded to refer to our HS Community Virtual School Handbook to see further details on our plan. This and other virtual school documents are available on our school’s website at the following link https://www.isb.ac.th/learning-isb/isb-virtual-school/
Specific points to note include:
- We will follow alternating Day 1 and Day 2 schedules while in Virtual School, with 1-hour long class blocks. During 11:20-11:45. Students will either attend advisory, assembly, or join their regular Panther Block activity. For the first week of Virtual school, we will hold an advisory on Monday, January 11th (day 1), assembly on Tuesday, Panther Club meetings on Wednesday, Advisory on Thursday, and Panther club meetings on Friday.
- The initial HS Virtual School Schedule will be:
| Time | Day 1 Schedule | Day 2 Schedule |
| 8:15 – 9:00 | Students available for meetings with teachers as needed | Students available for meetings with teachers as needed |
| 9:00 – 10:00 | Period 1 | Period 2 |
| 10:15 – 11:15 | Period 3 | Period 4 |
| 11:20 – 11:45 | Panther Block / Assembly / Advisory | Panther Block / Assembly / Advisory |
| 11:45 – 12:30 | Lunch | Lunch |
| 12:30 – 1:30 | Period 5 | Period 6 |
| 1:45 – 2:45 | Period 7 | Period 8 |
| 2:45 – 3:45 | Students available for meetings with teachers as needed | Students available for meetings with teachers as needed |
- Teachers will use Zoom to interact live with students during scheduled class times. Students may not necessarily be ‘live’ with their teacher the entire class period – this will vary depending on the plans for that particular lesson.
- Students will be provided with the Zoom links for all of their teachers and Waiting Rooms will be used to ensure only the people who are meant to attend, will participate in the Zoom session.
- Students are expected to attend Zoom classes on time, with their cameras switched on and follow teacher instructions, same as if they were in the classroom. Attendance will be taken in the first ten minutes of class and parents will receive an email if their child is missing from the zoom meeting. If you child is unable to attend a day/class of virtual learning, please still email Khun Gade directly (sasivimb@isb.ac.th).
- Teachers will post-work and provide resources using PowerSchool Learning and/or Google Classroom as they have done when school is in regular session.
For some classes, there may be a need for specific school materials. How these materials will be distributed will be communicated at a later date, once teachers have determined what needs there might be.
Part of maintaining a healthy, balanced life will be managing time on screens for students. Given that school will require a significant amount of screen time during virtual school, we hope that families find ways to encourage other use of time outside of school “hours” during this period. This can include physical activities, time outside, playing board games, and reading books etc. During this period of school closure, students and parents are reminded that they should continue to follow local guidelines and regulations regarding social distancing and other requirements put in place by local authorities.
We also recommend setting up a clear workspace at home so that students can focus their attention on schoolwork, but then also separate from it when disconnecting.
Please be reminded of Student Guidelines for virtual school as per the HS handbook
- Select a neutral space away from distractions for online learning — preferably at a desk or table that is a comfortable workspace with easy access to materials, laptops, internet, etc. Avoid personal spaces, such as a bed if possible.
- Ensure others in the household are aware that there may be lessons online with an individual from ISB occurring at specific times.
- Maintain respectful, attentive behavior and engage in positive interactions with everyone in the session if synchronous.
- Refrain from using unnecessary technology during your online learning (eg. mobile phone).
- Make all efforts to contact the teacher/assistant prior to the online learning session if you are having technical difficulties.
Safeguarding requirements – with video conferencing being used (Zoom), we want to ensure that privacy is maintained for all and that teachers and students have appropriate interactions.
- Students should dress appropriately for school. While they do not have to wear uniforms, they should avoid pajamas, sleepwear, or clothing not acceptable at school.
- It is best to use workspaces like dining rooms, desks, etc. rather than personal bedrooms. Of course, with many children in a home, this can be unavoidable. Appropriate for school virtual backgrounds should be used so that unexpected access to home environments is prevented.
- Everyone in the household should be aware that live video conferencing is happening so that we avoid accidental privacy violations in the background (including noises and conversations).
At this stage, any field trips, school tournaments, etc that are scheduled during the month of January will be postponed. Once school formally resumes next week we will give further information about other upcoming field trips and school events as necessary. We have already received a few questions about mock and IB exams for Seniors and semester exams for students in Grade 9-11. At this time, we plan on continuing with the timing and format of these exams, but of course, as circumstances change in the coming weeks/months we will adapt and adjust as necessary.
Our hope is that access to campus and a return to normal classes will take place on February 1st, but of course, as circumstances and regulations change or are updated we will keep you informed.
Stay safe and stay well
HS Admin team
Justin Alexander, Justyna McMillan, Andy Vaughan,
Peter Assimakopoulos, Anthony Giles and Chris Mott