Message from the HS Principal
Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your support as we continue with Virtual School at ISB for the time being. Whilst we remain hopeful about a return to school, we also recognise that the current COVID situation here in Bangkok and Nonthaburi is still concerning. With that in mind, it is important that we continue to work hard to keep students engaged in their learning and that they are supported at home. Please be sure that your children have a quiet suitable space set up for them to be able to participate fully in their classes and that they arrange their meals, snacks etc around their class times.
Speaking of class times, there will be a change in schedule starting on Monday when we move to a DAY 5 schedule. The subsequent school day (Wednesday) will be a DAY 6 and we then rotate between Day 5 and Day 6 for the next few weeks as needed. You children have also been informed about this change through the student daily notices.
Enjoy some family time over the weekend away from the screens. Stay safe and stay well
Justin Alexander
HS Principal
Departing Bangkok Early?
Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th
With the current Covid situation in Thailand we understand that some families are considering departing before the scheduled end of school. We ask that in all cases you contact Andy Vaughan or Justin Alexander. Please be sure to clearly indicate departure dates, location you will be residing at through online learning and anticipated return dates.
While we are unable to predict if the school will remain online to the end of the year we will support families who make these decisions as follows:
- Students who depart early must attend all online classes on time as per normal school irrelevant of the time zone differences. Attendance will be taken and students must remain within the allowed absences to gain credit.
- All work must be submitted within the Bangkok timezone agreements set by teachers
- Students must have full access to Google and Zoom in order to access online classes and learning materials shared through Google Classroom. (You may need to use a VPN to do this, particularly if your family returns to China)
- In the case that virtual school ends and classes resume on campus, learning for any student not physically here will take place asynchronously.
Finally for any student who may be leaving ISB and moving to another school or country, an early departure is not recommended due to the requirements to turn in laptops and disable accounts that take place at the end of the semester.
For any questions, please contact either Andy or Justin at the email address below.
Justin Alexander (justina@isb.ac.th)
Andy Vaughan (andyv@isb.ac.th)
News from HS Counselors
Shannon Leoni
shannonl@isb.ac.th
This week was a particularly important and bittersweet one, as we said goodbye to the senior class of 2021. Our seniors had a final Zoom gathering where they attended various sessions and received helpful information and reminders before they head off on their next chapter. Session topics ranged from technology and information safety at college to breakout sessions with the college counselors. There was also a robust discussion on Life after ISB which gave students the opportunity to chat in small groups about culture shock and issues they might face as they move to new cultures and countries. Students were engaged and thoughtful as they discussed privilege, safety, and how to access support for mental health, academic and safety when they are at university. We have no doubt they will do quite well on their next adventures.
We continue to look out for the well-being of all students. The high school counselors and school psychologist created a video to highlight some of the challenges our community might be feeling lately, such as anxiety and depression. We know that virtual school can be tiring at times, and we gave specific tips that can help students to feel connected. We encourage everyone to continue to find ways to take care of themselves, such as regular exercise, getting fresh air, adequate sleep, and checking in on one another.
If you would like a counselor to have a chat with your child, please do let us know.
News from the College Office
Sonya Ohlsson
sonyao@isb.ac.th
Seniors:
The College Office would like to express our warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2021! We are so proud of you and wish you all the best as you make your way into your future.
It’s been so exciting to see where our seniors have been admitted and where they are choosing to go. Many students have some tough decisions to make, which is always a nice position to be in.
For those who are on Waitlists, be sure you make other plans for now as you. . . Wait!
For those who are still working on their applications, please be sure you are in touch with your counselor and make sure you are filling out the Transcript (and other documents) Request form at least 3 weeks prior to when you need something. The brilliant Khun Fon will be covering the college office over the summer and she has years of experience getting all the documents you need sent to places like Korea and Japan, but you must fill out the form.
If you are wondering where the Class of 2021 was admitted (so far) please check our College Counseling website for the list. Scroll to the bottom of that page.
Juniors:
We asked all juniors to write a draft of a college essay and almost all have done so and are receiving feedback. We do encourage those who still need to turn their draft in to do so so they can also get some feedback on their writing. Waiting until the beginning of senior year is too late to start that process–ask any senior/recent grad–they’ll tell you that!!
Juniors should have also asked two teachers for letters of recommendation (and put them into their Cialfo account) by now. It’s important for teachers to know how many letters they are writing so they can plan their time to meet the deadline. Juniors, if you have not done this, please do so right away; teachers were expecting all requests to have been made by April 23rd.
Sophomores:
We know that 10th graders are already thinking about college! We invite them and their parents to join us for our 10th Grade College Night presentation. We will have a short presentation and then a Q&A session.
6 May, 6:30-8:00pm
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/84995019119
College Virtual Visits:
There are no more ISB college virtual visits, but that doesn’t mean you can’t virtually visit a college or university! Please go directly to the website of the university you are interested in learning more about and see what they have to offer. Remember, you are shopping for colleges, so take the time to check them out, see what they are about and if they are the right fit. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions to make sure they are good enough for you!
~Sonya Ohlsson (she/her)
Head of College Counseling
News from HS Library
Christopher Bell
christob@isb.ac.th
Please click News from HS Library
NOTES & BOLTS: News from Design, Fine and Performing Arts at ISB
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
While a number of arts events have been postponed or cancelled due to the recent campus closure, many are still on tentatively, or will be available to share virtually at a later date (details to follow). Please see the list of what is on and off below.
What’s On & What’s Off…
ISB Student Film Festival – 3:30 April 29th VIRTUAL
Taylor Weidman, NatGeo Photo Journalist – Now through May 7th VIRTUAL
HS Battle in Bangkok Robotics Competition @ NIST – May 1st CANCELLED
ES Music Spring Concert – 6:30pm May 24th VIRTUAL (details to follow)
MS MindStorms Robotics Event @ ISB – May 10th CANCELLED
HS BOrCh Concert – 6:30pm May 18th VIRTUAL (details to follow)
MS Band Spring Concert – 6:30pm May 19th POSTPONED (details to follow)
Legs for Legs Dance Recital – 3:30pm May 25th VIRTUAL (details to follow)
MS Choir & Strings Spring Concert – 6:30pm May 27th VIRTUAL (details to follow)
Panther Dance Performances – June 4th & 5th TENTATIVE (details to follow)
PAW PRINTS: News from the Panther Den
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Panther Activities On Hold Until the ISB Campus Reopens
With uncertainty about when the ISB campus will open again, please look for more information about all Panther Activities as they become available including when we can start, how and if make-ups will be offered for missed sessions, and how refunds will be made available where sessions cannot be made up. Note that Panther Paws Track & Field scheduled to run April 23rd through 14th has been cancelled. Questions? Contact Lucas or Anthony at PantherActivities@isb.ac.th. We miss your kids!!!