‘Face to Face’
Dear Parents,
We have just enjoyed our first week of ‘face to face’ learning with all students on campus and interacting and learning with their teachers in person. Whilst the later start of virtual school is certainly appreciated by High School students who struggle to get out of bed in the morning, it really is great to have students and teachers back on campus.
We are continuing to remind our students about the importance of handwashing, mask wearing and maintaining appropriate social distancing at school and we appreciate your support at home on this as well. Although hopeful that we do not experience another school closure and online learning this semester, we do need to be prepared in case we face that situation again. To help us with making any necessary adjustments or improvements for virtual school in the High School, we would like to collect some input and feedback from parents (and students) about the recent three week period of virtual school. Please click HERE to take this short survey.
Have a wonderful weekend, stay safe and stay well.
Justin Alexander
High School Principal
HS PTA meeting Thursday February 11th 9am
Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th
All HS Parents are invited to join us on Thursday morning next week at 9am (virtually) at our next HS PTA meeting. Topics include
- GCW – change of name to DELVE (and timing and sign up process)
- IB Exams update
- End of Year exams
- Questions about the course selection process for each grade level
- Q and A
Due to current restrictions on campus for parent meetings, this meeting will be a zoom webinar. You will need to pre-register before the meeting in order to receive login details for that meeting.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Feb 11, 2021 09:00 AM Bangkok
Topic: PTA HS Webinar
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dOFM2HmjRe20DW_iTULu1A
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Justin Alexander
High School Principal
Course Registration for 2021-2022
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
Course Registration opens up for students in GR 9 -11 on Monday 8th and continues through to February 17th. To register for courses for the next academic year, please follow the following steps (HERE) on Powerschool. Registration for rising Grade 9 students will begin on Thursday 11th February.
If students have any questions regarding course options, they should contact their school counselor.
If you believe you might leave ISB at the end of the academic year, we would please ask you to register for courses regardless, and thank you in advance for doing so.
HAL and Grade progress
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
The next Habits and Attitudes towards Learning performance (HAL) and Grade update is being collected on February 19th. For semester long courses this will be the first HAL and Grade update. For yearlong courses this will be a reflection of continued learning progress.
Gr10 Course Selection Evening – webinar recording
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
Thank you to all parents and students who attended the webinar last night. We hope it was informative.
If you missed it, is a recording of the webinar as well as the slideshare.
Webinar Recording HERE
Slideshare HERE
ISB Bangkok Based Athletics for 2021-22 and Beyond
Dr. Andrew Davies
Dear ISB Community,
As a school, we are dedicated to providing our students with opportunities to lead healthy, active, and balanced lives. Our athletics programs are essential to this mission.
In order to provide the best programs and opportunities for our students, ISB (in partnership with NIST and BPS) will be leading the development of a new international schools athletics organization in Bangkok starting in the 2021/2022 school year.
This means that ISB will be moving away from BISAC after this school year along with NIST and BPS so that our students can have greater flexibility to design a local program that better meets the needs of all our student-athletes. This change will also enable us to plan our seasons to complement our commitment to IASAS. Please note that ISB sports teams will still play against a number of other schools in Bangkok (friendlies and tournaments) going forward.
We continue to be committed to BISAC in season 3 this year and we look forward to resuming competitions in March as covid restrictions allow.
Further information about this new project will be shared towards the end of the school year. Our aim is to continue to develop our programs and help our student-athletes realize their full potential.
Dr. Andrew Davies
Head of School
News from the College Office
Sonya Ohlsson
sonyao@isb.ac.th
Seniors:
Please keep updating your Cialfo with admissions decisions.
Right around now, Early Decision II (EDII) results are getting to students. If your seniors had been admitted EDII, they must immediately withdraw all other applications from consideration if they have not received a result. If they have a result from another school, they can inform that school that they appreciate the offer, but will be attending another institution–this opens up a spot for someone else. Failure to withdraw from the remaining schools (worldwide), can result in your EDII offer of admission being rescinded.
Juniors:
Please keep working on your presentation for the Junior-Led Conference. And, talk with your parents to plan that appointment for February or early March.
Junior College Seminar #5 is next week on February 11 in the usual spots. Students need to bring their laptops all charged and ready to go!
Sophomores:
A reminder that the Opt-In or Out form was sent to all Grade 10 parents regarding the PSAT 10 on Monday. Please fill it out and submit it by Monday, February 8 as we need to order the tests. There will be no extensions to this deadline. The test will be held April 27, after school. PSAT 10 OPT-IN or OUT FORM HERE. Due Monday, 8 February.
All 10th graders have also received a calendar invitation to a small group meeting with their college counselor next week. Please encourage your student to check their emails and confirm the invitation.
SATs:
The deadline to register for the March 13 SAT is February 12 (next Friday!). There is no stand-by or waitlist option if you miss the deadline (even if the website makes it seem that way–kids have learned this the hard way!)
Parent Coffees:
The last three parent coffees, Applying to Japan, Applying to Thailand and Applying to Korea are posted on the College Counseling Google site, listed below.
ISB Virtual University Visits Next Week:
10 February–James Cook University-Singapore Campus 11:15AM
For more information on all virtual visits (how to register and join in on a call) as well as links to other resources, please look here: tinyurl.com/isbcollege
~Sonya Ohlsson
Head of College Counseling
News from HS Counselors
Jackie Valenzuela
jackiev@isb.ac.th
This week we wrapped up our 2021/22 Course Registration presentations and Webinars for our rising 9th and 11th graders and their parents. In addition, a Google Slideshow was sent to rising 10th graders so that they could, at their convenience, refamiliarize themselves with the course registration process. All students, with the exception of our incoming 9th graders will have the opportunity to register for classes beginning Monday, February 8 through Wednesday, February 17. The rising 9th graders will begin registration on Thursday, February 11.
A quick note: The course registration window is not on a first come, first serve basis. As long as your student submits their course requests by the 17th, their choices will be given equal consideration.
Schedule changes this semester can only be made for the following reasons and by the following dates:
- If a teacher recommends a level change due to misplacement (i.e. Extended Math to Core Math, Spanish III to Spanish II), a change can be made with parent, counselor and administrative approval. The original class will not appear on the transcript. Deadline is Friday, February 12.
- Between the 5th and 10th week of a course, if a student needs to move down a level, the dropped course will be listed on the transcript with a WP (Withdraw Pass) or WF (Withdraw Fail). The WP or WF grade is not included in the calculation of GPA nor is credit granted. The grade calculated in the new course will only include work completed for the new course. Deadline is Friday, March 19.
- No level changes after March 19.
News from Athletics Office
Chris Mott
chrism@isb.ac.th
Upcoming Events
Monday 8th of February – U13 – U15 season two sports celebration
Thursday 11th of February – JV and Varsity Season Two Awards
Monday 15th – Friday 19th of February – ALL Season Three Tryouts U11 – Varsity
Registration for ISB Athletics Season 3 (Opens on Friday 5th February)
All students interested in the ISB Season 3 Athletics programs are able to register on CHQ from Friday the 5th of February until Sunday the 14th of February. Please log in to your child’s powerschool, click Activities/Athletics (on the left Bar) and then you’ll be able to see your child’s options for ISB Athletics. – If you have problems registering, please check the CHQ registration instructions.
All tryouts will be held between Monday the 15th – Friday the 19th of February. For details and practice schedules, please visit the ISB Athletics website (https://inside.isb.ac.th/isbathletics/)
Under 15 – Boys and Girls – Volleyball
Under 15 – Boys and Girls – Track and Field
Junior Varsity – Grade 8 through Grade 12
Junior Varsity – Boys and Girls – Track and Field
Junior Varsity – Boys and Girls – Badminton
Junior Varsity – Boys – Baseball
Junior Varsity – Girls – Softball
Varsity – Grade 9 through Grade 12
Varsity – Boys and Girls – Track and Field
Varsity – Boys and Girls – Badminton
Varsity – Boys and Girls – Golf
Varsity – Boys – Baseball
Varsity – Girls – Softball
Season Two Awards – Varsity and Junior Varsity
The ISB Booster Club and the Athletics Department cordially invites all athletes and coaches to attend the Season Two Varsity and Junior Varsity Sports Awards on Thursday the 11th of February in the Chevron Theater
This event celebrates the accomplishments of our teams, honors our Panther traditions, and recognizes the outstanding athletic achievements of our students. All athletes from our Varsity and Junior Varsity teams are required to attend. Due to COVID 19 restrictions we cannot invite parents and family this season, but you can follow the event online by joining the webinar – link to be shared directly with families.
Parents of Seniors: Parents of Seniors will be invited to attend the presentation of awards in the Chevron. A separate email, to parents, will be sent on before the event with instructions on how to gain access.
Webinar: The awards, in the Chevron only, will be streamed. The link will be shared with all Season two families by Wednesday the 10th of February.
Schedule:
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Varsity Teams – Chevron – for presentation of awards
Junior Varsity Teams – Team Rooms – individual team celebrations
4:30pm – 5:30pm
Varsity Teams – Team Rooms – individual team celebrations
Junior Varsity Teams – Chevron – for presentation of awards
News from HS Library
Chris Bell
chrisb@isb.ac.th
Please click News from HS Library
ISB Middle School Art: Expressive Color Installation
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Last semester middle school artists explored how color can express emotions, intentions, hopes, and memories. Take time to visit the Expressive Color Installation outside of the Main Library to see their personal and creative responses.
Invitation to the Celebration of Chinese New Year
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
The Chinese PTA is honored to host the Art Exhibition to celebrate the coming Chinese New Year, the Year of the Ox, from Feb 10th to 16th at the fence of the ISB campus. All the pictures are completed by ISB students of Chinese origin from PreK1 to G11. On the day of Spring Festival Feb 12th, 600 cups of homemade boba will be offered to MS & HS students and teachers for free at the cafeteria, welcoming good luck to the whole coming year! Please join us to embrace the lush, rich and thriving Spring!
PAW PRINTS: News from the Panther Den
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Note that campus will be closed for all activities during the upcoming mid-winter break, February 20-28.
The What, When and Where about Panther Activities
Panther Activities at ISB is the umbrella organization for a multitude of programs offered after school and on weekends that provide active, creative, diverse and collaborative opportunities for all students. Different from scholastic programs which are offered exclusively to ISB students as an extension of their enrollment, most Panther Activities include a fee and are open to both ISB and non-ISB students. Although some Panther Activities sessions align with the three ISB Athletic seasons which start in August, October, and February respectively, many are offered year round with two registration periods, August and January, in line with the start of each of ISB’s academic semesters. Although sometimes daunting to navigate, the plethora of choices available at ISB, coupled with multiple entry points to join throughout the year, allow students to dabble, dive deep, or diversify!
Panther Activities Sessions 2020-2021
Semester 1: August, 2020 through December, 2020
Panther Arts, Panther Dance, Panther Golf, Panther Gymnastics, Panther Music, Panther Native Language Academy, Panther Soccer, and Panther Swim
Semester 2: January, 2021 through June, 2021
Panther Arts, Panther Dance, Panther Golf, Panther Gymnastics, Panther Music, Panther Native Language Academy, Panther Soccer, and Panther Swim
Season 1: August, 2020 through Mid-October, 2020
Panther Basketball, Panther Rugby, Panther Tennis, and Panther Volleyball
Season 2: Mid-October, 2020 through February, 2021
BBSA, Panther Basketball, Panther Rugby, Panther Tennis, and Panther Volleyball
Season 3: March, 2021 through April, 2021
Panther Basketball, Panther Rugby, Panther Tennis, and Panther Volleyball
Semester 2 Panther Activities
Semester 2 Panther Activities including Panther Arts, Panther Dance, Panther Golf, Panther Gymnastics, Panther Music, Panther Native Language Academy, Panther Soccer, and Panther Swim begin Monday, February 8 with late registrations still being accepted through area coordinators. Panther Explore* registration closes on February 5th for a February 15th start. Questions? Contact the Panther Activities Team at PantherActivities@isb.ac.th or any of the area coordinators listed below.
- Panther Arts (PantherArts@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Dance (ASD) (PantherDance@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Explore (ES) (PantherExplore@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Golf (PantherGolf@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Gymnastics (PantherGymnastics@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Music (IMP) (PantherMusic@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Native Language Academy (PantherNativeLanguageAcademy@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Soccer (PFA) (PantherSoccer@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Swim (PantherSwim@isb.ac.th)
Season 2 Panther Activities
Season 2 Panther Activities including BBSA, Panther Basketball, Panther Rugby, Panther Tennis, and Panther Volleyball, will wrap up over the next couple of weeks, with registration for Season 3 offerings open February 12-19, for a March 1st start. Again, if you have questions, please contact the Panther Activities Team at PantherActivities@isb.ac.th or any of the area coordinators for these programs listed below.
- Panther Baseball & Softball (PantherBaseballandSoftball@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Basketball (TopFlight) (PantherBasketball@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Paws (Track & Field) (PantherPaws@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Rugby (Academy) (PantherRugby@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Volleyball (BVA) (PantherVolleyball@isb.ac.th)
From all of us on the Panther Activities Team, we miss your kids and can’t wait to see them doing the things they love to do next week!!!
*Panther Explore Registration Extended
Dear Parents,
The online registration system will remain open until Friday at 3pm. Please note that once the registration is closed, it will not be possible to enroll in Panther (ES) Explore.
For Registration online, please click HERE or follow the instructions below:
- Please log in to your child’s powerschool, click Activities/Athletics (on the left Bar) and then you’ll be able to see your child’s options for Panther (ES) Explore.
- Please make your selections by entering your preference (1 is your first choice, 2 in case you have a second choice).
During the registration period, you’ll be able to make unlimited changes by logging in to Activities on your child’s powerschool.
If you have forgotten your user name or password, there is a link on the page to retrieve it. Alternatively, parents can contact Khun Tom: cholthis@isb.ac.th
Regards,
Livnat Ziskinder
Panther Explore Coordinator
PantherExplore@isb.ac.th