Very Important Dates
The ES Virtual School Handbook states “A strong focus on the social emotional needs of your child” as the first of several key features of virtual school. In order to successfully launch the 2021-22 school year virtually, focus on the social emotional needs of each child, and partner with families, the following will occur:
- August 16/17 PK-G1 Virtual Meet the Teacher Meetings by Appointment
Parents with children in PreK-Grade 1 will participate in an individual meeting with their child’s new homeroom teachers on August 16 and 17. The purpose of these meetings will be to get to know your teacher, talk about Virtual School, share information about how your child learns best and ask any questions you may have. - August 16 Grades 2-5 Virtual School Begins
Virtual School for students in Grades 2-5 begins on Monday, August 16th. Class meetings start at 8AM. Homeroom teachers will share the detailed schedule for the week with all the needed Zoom links prior to the first class meeting. - August 16-20 Grades 2-5 Student-Parent-Teacher Connection Zoom Calls
During the first week of school, Grades 2-5 students will participate in a Zoom call with their parent(s) and homeroom teacher. The purpose of the Grades 2-5 Student-Parent-Teacher Connection Zoom Calls is for students and families to feel connected to their new homeroom teachers. It is an opportunity to discuss the child’s past virtual school successes and challenges, and launch the home-school partnership for the year. Each conversation is limited to 15 minutes and will be facilitated by the teacher. - August 16-20 G2-5 Modified Virtual School Homeroom Schedule
In order to launch the new year successfully and attend to the needs of students, the homeroom schedule for the first week will be modified in order to effectively:- build a strong classroom community (introductions, peer connections, games, inventories, etc.)
- set students up for success in virtual school (tech skills, agreements and lessons)
- Connect with families via Student-Parent-Teacher Connection Calls
- August 17 Grade 1 Virtual School Begins
Virtual School for students in Grade 1 begins on TUesday, August 17th. Class meetings begin at 8AM. Homeroom teachers will share the detailed schedule for the week with all the needed Zoom links prior to the first class meeting. - August 18 PreK2 and KG Virtual School Begins
Virtual School for students in PreK2, KG & Grade 1 begins on Wednesday, August 16th. Class meetings begin at 8AM. Homeroom teachers will share the detailed schedule for the week with all the needed Zoom links prior to the first class meeting. - August 18-20 PreK1 Partnership in Learning Days
PreK1 students and parents participate in Partnership in Learning Days in smaller groups where together they will be gently supported as they transition into school, experience aspects of the Virtual School routine, and become comfortable with both synchronous and asynchronous learning. - August 23 PreK1 Virtual School Begins
Virtual School for students in PreK1 begins on Monday, August 23rd. Homeroom teachers will share the detailed schedule for the week with all the needed Zoom links.
Materials Pick Up Continues Tomorrow
Thank you to all the families who were able to pick up their child’s learning materials and iPads today. If you were unable to pick up the items today, please pick up the items from the main entrance tomorrow between 8am-12pm.
Once again welcome to the 2021-22 school year!
We know that students of all ages are most successful when there is a strong home and school partnership where families are able to link the learning from school to the home! This is why ISB faculty and leaders provide parents with tools and strategies to allow them to link learning happening at school to home in a wide variety of ways.
As we prepare for the launch of virtual school where home and school partnerships are crucial for student success, all homeroom teachers will be meeting with families via Zoom next week. Please use this opportunity to openly share your child’s past virtual school successes and challenges as you establish a new partnership with your child’s teachers.
Other ways in which we will work to maintain a strong home-school partnership throughout the year are through the September 2nd Virtual Open House sessions, weekly Friday ISB ES eNews updates, classroom updates to parents, student Seesaw posts, regularly scheduled “ES Parent Engage” workshops, Grade Level Curriculum Unit Overviews, and student-parent-teacher conferences.
I wish all students, families and teachers a great start of the year where building strong classroom communities in which every student feels a sense of belonging, and launching strong home and school partnerships are of the highest priorities!
Your partner in education,
Michael Allen
michaela@isb.ac.th
Check and Update Your Details in Powerschool Parent Portal
Many people move houses over the summer, details change (phone numbers etc). We are in the process of updating phone numbers, addresses and emergency contacts. Please take the time to login to Powerschool Parent Portal and check the details that ISB has on record. Please update if necessary. It is really important this information is accurate, as we use this in emergency situations.
Instructions
Step 1. Login to Powerschool
- If you are new, you should have received an email with your login details, if not please contact help@isb.ac.th
- If you have forgotten your password please contact cholthis@isb.ac.th
Step 2. At the bottom of the left hand menu click “Contact Update”. This information will then take a day or two to update (we manually check for accuracy).
If you have any questions or queries, contact cholthis@isb.ac.th
ISB School Calendars
The youngest child of the family received a calendar this week with the learning material bags. All new families should have already received a calendar during the admissions process.
ES HUB Book Return
An essential element of school is reading and getting books into the hands of our students. We ask returning families to please return all ISB books as soon as possible. You will see ISB stickers on the front or an ISB barcode on the back of the book. Your help is greatly appreciated in ensuring that we can continue to maintain our high quality book collections at ISB. Book return bins are located at the front entrance of ISB for easy access.
Virtual School Handbook
As the 2021-22 school year will begin virtually, we ask all parents to please refer to the ISB Virtual School resources on the ISB website for details: https://www.isb.ac.th/learning-isb/isb-virtual-school/
The ES Virtual School Handbook includes detailed information about our contingency plans for continued learning when extraordinary events force a closure of the campus. ISB uses a combination of online tools and resources to keep student learning moving forward and keep students connected to their teachers and peers. Virtual School can never replace in person learning; however, we strive to ensure that virtual learning experiences are engaging, based on our learning objectives, and as meaningful as possible.
New ES Parent Orientation Recording
Thank you to all the new parents who were able to join us for the New ES Parent Orientation on August 13 @ 11:30AM. If you were unable to attend, please find the link to the recording of the session here.
ES 2021-22 Parent/Student Handbook
As a school, we will strive to keep you informed on a regular basis through our weekly eNews and the Parent Portal. Please ensure that you also review the ES Parent/Student Information Handbook before the start of school. It contains important information on learning, school activities, programs, and school policies. We strongly encourage you to take the time to read through it and ensure that both you and your child understand the information.
ES 2021-22 Faculty & Staff
The 2021-22 ES Faculty and Staff look forward to welcoming your family to the new school year! Take a peek at the new and returning members of the ISB Elementary School Team here!
Delay Submission of Medical Form
Given the persistent elevation in Covid-19 cases and restrictions, all nonessential visits needed to update medical forms may be delayed. Although we have extended the deadline to October 15, 2021, please understand depending on restrictions this may be extended. Understand given the nature of the most recent outbreak current delays to these documents will not impact your child’s learning on campus. Students who newly enrolled last year (2020-2021) and are now entering grades 3, 6, and 9 are waived from needing a new physical exam this year.
Parents are encouraged to update other relevant Health Info in Powerschool in the interim.
To update info, scroll to the Medical Update tab and follow the directions below to:
- Review and update your child’s medical status
- Consent to the administration of over the counter medication if necessary
- Consent to the sharing of information with relevant parties
- Consent to treatment in case of an emergency
Updates to vaccine status can be done via one of our nursing team members.
All forms can be downloaded from the ISB website under Health Services.
If you have any queries, please feel free to email a nurse in the Health Centre at nurse@isb.ac.th or call the Health Center at Extension 1144 Monday to Friday.
Multilingual Learning at Home
Welcome to the new school year! Virtual School is a great time to use ALL our languages at home when discussing learning.
Here are ISB’s Tips on Multilingual Learning at Home (see below video).
Here are Four Resources for Parents of Multilinguals.
Panther Native Language Academy classes will begin virtually, on or shortly after August 30, in step with Panther Activities. More details to come.
If you have questions, feel free to email!
NativeLanguage@isb.ac.th
PantherNativeLanguageAcademy@isb.ac.th
ES MUSIC ENSEMBLES 2021-22
Do you love to sing, move, or play instruments? Think about joining one of our free ES Music Ensembles. Participation in either the Panther Choir, Panther Orff Ensemble, or Panther String Ensemble will allow you to learn and grow as a musician and performer, all while having fun with kids who love music too! All three ensembles are open to grades 3, 4, and 5 students and are free of charge.
Details about how to sign up will be posted in next week’s eNews with registration through CHQ opening soon after.
Panther Choir
- Day & Time: Tuesdays, 1:45-2:45 pm, Start Date: September 14th
- Length of Season: All Year (both semesters)
- Cost: Free
- Enrollment Limit: 30 members
Panther Choir is an ensemble for anyone who would like to experience singing music from different cultures and styles outside of our elementary music classes. Students will also have the opportunity to add movement or choreography to some of our songs. Panther Choir is open to a maximum of 30 students in Grades 3-5, and meets each Tuesday from 1:45-2:45 pm during Virtual School. The time will be adjusted when we return to in-person school. There is no audition to join Panther Choir, and it is free of charge. Panther Choir is a year long activity.
Panther Orff Ensemble
- Day & Time: Tuesdays, 1:45-2:45 pm, Start Date: September 14th
- Length of Season: All Year (both semesters)
- Cost: Free
- Enrollment Limit: 24 members
Panther Orff Ensemble is an opportunity to explore music and performance through playing instruments, singing, and creative movement. Panther Orff Ensemble is open to a maximum of 24 students in grades 3-5, and will meet every Tuesday from 1:45 to 2:45 during Virtual School. The time will be adjusted when we return to in-person school. Panther Orff Ensemble is a year-long activity and is free of charge. For more information, including an introductory video, please click HERE.
Panther String Ensemble
- Day & Time: Tuesdays, 3:00-4:00 pm, Start Date: September 14th
- Length of Season: All Year (both semesters)
- Cost: Free
- Enrollment Limit: None
Panther String Ensemble is open to students in grades 3-5 who play the violin, viola, cello or double bass, and who are looking for an opportunity to play their string instrument with other young musicians. Interested students should already be able to play the G and D major scales and one solo piece (can be a piece from Suzuki Book 1 or similar) before joining. If unsure about your qualifications, please contact Ms. Su at traceys@isb.ac.th. Joining the Panther String Ensemble is a great way to meet new friends, improve your technique, and learn new music! We will meet each Tuesday from 3:00-4:00 pm during Virtual School starting September 14th with the time adjusted once we return to campus. Panther String Ensemble is a year-long activity and Involvement in the ensemble is free of charge.
PANTHER ACTIVITIES JUMPS A VIRTUAL HURDLE
Providing active, creative, diverse and collaborative opportunities for all students.
Online, and inline with the things kids love to do after school, Panther Activities will be launching virtual sessions the week of August 30th including Panther Purrfect, a weekly video blog highlighting what’s on and how to get involved, along with interviews and community challenges. While some programs will continue to provide drop-in Zoom sessions free-of-charge, many families have asked for pay-to-play virtual private or group lessons, and classes more like what was offered when campus was open and instruction was live. During the pandemic, as we continue to answer the question, “What could we do instead?,” we hope that this hybrid model creates a number of pathways for students to stay active and engaged with the activities that capture their passion and interest.
Details about the first round of virtual Panther Activities offerings and how to sign up will be posted in next week’s eNews with registration on CHQ opening soon after. For general questions about Panther Activities please reach out to Anthony and Lucas at PantherActivities@isb.ac.th. Or, for program specific questions, please contact our Panther Activities Coordinators at the email addresses listed below.
PantherArts@isb.ac.th, PantherBadminton@isb.ac.th, PantherBaseballandSoftball@isb.ac.th, PantherBasketball@isb.ac.th, PantherDance@isb.ac.th, PantherExplore@isb.ac.th, PantherFitness@isb.ac.th, PantherGolf@isb.ac.th, PantherGymnastics@isb.ac.th, PantherMusic@isb.ac.th, PantherNativeLanguageAcademy@isb.ac.th, PantherRugby@isb.ac.th, PantherSoccer@isb.ac.th, PantherSwim@isb.ac.th, PantherTennis@isb.ac.th, PantherTheatre@isb.ac.th, and new this year… PantherEsports@isb.ac.th, PantherXtreme@isb.ac.th
Season One Elementary School Athletics (Soccer, Cross Country)
Season One Athletics for Elementary School Students in grades 3-5 will begin on Monday 30th of August.
We are excited to have students engaged in their respective passions and interests.
While we will start Season One with an adapted virtual schedule and program, students can expect to see a regular schedule implemented as soon as we return to campus. More details will be shared in next week’s Enews.
Virtual sessions will run on Monday and Thursday from 3:00-3:45.
More information about the upcoming seasons can be found on www.inside.isb.ac.th/isbathletics
Have a great start of the year!
Go Panthers!
Upcoming Events
30st August: Start of season one (Virtual).
It’s possible that some communication from ISB has made its way to your spam or junk email folders. Please take a close look as some emails may get filtered out depending on your email settings. All parents have been emailed details pertaining to their child’s classroom community including the homeroom teacher contact information.