Message from High School Principal
Dear Parents,
Thank you to the 70 or so parents that joined us (virtually) at the HS PTA meeting on Thursday morning. The agenda covered
- Name change of GCW to DELVE (Discover, Explore, Learn, Volunteer, Enrich)
- End of year Exams (Gr 9-11)
- IB Exams
- Possible schedule adjustments for the HS for 2021/22
- Course selection information
- Upcoming dates and events
If you were unable to attend and would like to watch the webinar you can click Webinar. If you would like to look over the presentation you can click on SLIDESHOW. I am also seeking HS parents who are interested in joining a small working group to give feedback and suggestions on possible schedule adjustments for the coming school year. We have begun this process with faculty and students and would like to have some parental feedback as well. Please let me know via email at justina@isb.ac.th if you wish to be involved.
Next week we look forward to our IASAS Dance, Drama, Music, Tech, Forensics and Debate teams performing their Showcase events on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and although we are not able to welcome everyone on campus to watch, we still are excited and glad that our students have the opportunity to perform and get ready for their virtual IASAS events scheduled for March 4-6.
Go Panthers
Justin Alexander
High School Principal
Making an appointment?
Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th
Currently the school has restricted access to campus for parents, but we realise that there are times when you might need to see a teacher, counselor or administrator in person. If that is the case can you please contact the HS office in order to make an appointment with the necessary teacher/counselor or administrator. Our HS office staff will assist in confirming an appointment and sending you details to fill out an updated self disclosure form and give you access to the campus through the turnstiles.
Mock Exams for Gr12 students
Justyna McMillan
justyna@isb.ac.th
IB Mock exams will be held between March 10th – 18th. We have now finalised the IB Mock Exam schedule which is visible HERE. Individual student schedules will be posted on Powerschool on Monday or Tuesday next week.
Please note that the Mock exams will start at 7:30 AM for the morning session and 12:00 PM for the afternoon session.
More details about the logistics for each exam will be shared with students after February Break. In the meantime teachers will communicate with students areas for review as well as tips for studying for the mocks.
ISA Testing
Justyna McMillan
justyna@isb.ac.th
On Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th February all Grade 10 students will be completing the International Schools Assessment (ISA) in Mathematical Literacy, Reading and
Writing. This assessment is conducted in grades 3, 5, 7 and 10 at ISB and the results are used to provide patterns in learning and assist in charting future direction. Students are expected to bring a pencil, black pen, eraser, ruler, sharpener and calculator to the test. EAL students may also bring a translating dictionary for Mathematics.
ISA test schedule can be found HERE
Course Registration continues for 2021-2022
Justyna McMillan
justyna@isb.ac.th
Course Registration is open for next year and will continue through till February 17th. To register for courses for the next academic year, please follow the following steps (HERE) on Powerschool. We are re sharing links (below) to our webinar webinar aimed for students going into Gr9 as well as a google site which has lots of information for students going into Gr11. These transitions usually carry the most questions for parents and students, however if you have questions about moving into Gr10 or Gr12, please let us know.
HS Course Registration google site – making the selection for Gr11
Gr. 9 Course Selection Webinar recording for parents
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.
The Extended Essay is up and running
Matthew Kelly
matthewk@isb.ac.th
- Grade 11 IB Diploma students have been working on their Extended Essay for over a month now
- All 121 students have chosen their subject area and been allocated a 1:1 supervisor
- There have been eight CORE class sessions with Mr Kelly so far with more to come during the year.
- By the end of the process students will produce a 4,000 word research paper, but currently all efforts are focused on researching and reading their ideas and themes to generate a meaningful and worthwhile Research Question.
- We have a dedicated EE website available for all to see, ee.isb.ac.th, please do take a look around
- The EE is a mandatory part of the IBDP and contributes a maximum of 3 points (alongside Theory of Knowledge) to the final score of 45.
- Mr Kelly invites any interested parents/guardians to contact him directly, matthewk@isb.ac.th, with any questions, concerns or queries.
New from HS Counselors
Jackie Valenzuela
jackiev@isb.ac.th
Course registration for the 2021/22 school year is underway. Students have until next Wednesday, February 17, to register for classes. Over the past few weeks we sent them Google Slide presentations and registration instructions. If your student has any questions, please ask them to stop by their counselors’ office (Mr. Callahan, Ms. Leoni or Ms. Valenzuela). We are happy to help.
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 the College Office
Sonya Ohlsson
sonyao@isb.ac.th
Seniors:
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. DO NOT WAIT.
Junior College Seminar #6 is next week on February 19, first block of the day. This will be an important session about essay writing for all types of application essays. Students need to bring their laptops all charged and ready to go!
Sophomores:
The college counselors held small group meetings with the 10th graders this week to talk about course options and how they may relate to possible areas of study for college in various countries. We encourage students to keep asking questions, not just of us, but also their teachers to find the courses that suit them, their future plans, and their ability and enjoyment; keep love of learning at the center of the process.
SATs:
The deadline to register for the March 13 SAT is TODAY!!! 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!).
ISB Virtual University Visits Next Week:
17 February–St. George University (Grenada)–School of Medicine 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 the Athletic Office
Mark Jasper
markj@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
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
News from HS Library
Chris Bell
chrisb@isb.ac.th
Please click News from HS Library
PAW PRINTS: News from the Panther Den
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Season 2 Panther Activities
As Season 2 Panther Activities (BBSA, Panther Basketball, Panther Rugby, Panther Tennis, and Panther Volleyball) come to a close, registration for Season 3 offerings will open February 17-28, for a March 1st start*. Please note that registration for Panther Paws Track & Field will open in late March for an April 23rd 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 Rugby (Academy) (PantherRugby@isb.ac.th) *started February 10
- Panther Volleyball (BVA) (PantherVolleyball@isb.ac.th)
- Panther Paws (Track & Field) (PantherPaws@isb.ac.th)
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 began Monday, February 8th with late registrations still being accepted through area coordinators. Note that students will not be allowed to participate in programs where payments are past due. Panther Explore classes begin February 15th. 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)
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
Happy 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!
NOTES & BOLTS: News about Design, Fine and Performing Arts at ISB
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
IASAS DDT, FAD and Music Showcases – February 17-18, 2021
3:15pm-4:30pm Wednesday, Feb 17
Forensics OI and Extemp MPB-1
Piano, Strings & Vocal CC-Choir Room
3:15pm-4:30pm Thursday, Feb 18
Forensics OO and Impromptu MPB-1
Piano, Strings & Vocal CC-Choir Room
3:15pm-5:00pm Friday, Feb 19
Debate MPB-1
Band CC-Choir Room
Dance, Drama & Tech CC-Theater
INVENTION CENTER NOW OPEN AFTER SCHOOL
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Making in the Invention Center Workshop After School
Welcome to Mr. Travis Dynes, travisd@isb.ac.th, he will be our community workshop instructor for this semester in the Invention Center! His goal is to open the invention center up the ISB community after school and on weekends, offering classes and allowing time to work on personal projects.
Where? Invention Center
When? Everyday after school 3:00pm to 7:00pm and Saturdays 8am to 4pm in February and March
Stop by if you are interested!! You can also complete the safety form beforehand HERE. Hope to see you soon…