Message from the Principal

Dear Parents

Well it was great to get ‘back to school’ this week and have our teachers spend time with their students and start or continue the learning journey with them. We kicked off the week with a wonderful assembly that focused on welcoming our new students and new faculty (see list below) but also recognised the challenging and difficult situations that many in Thailand are facing right now. We shared a heartfelt video from the iCare organisation which highlighted the essential work that they are doing right now to support local communities that are suffering because of COVID health issues, restrictions and related financial concerns. 

For families looking for ways to help those in need, this is a worthy cause and organisation that needs financial and physical support. You will hear more in the weeks ahead, but if interested you can visit their website at https://www.icarethailand.com/about/ and make a donation as it will be greatly appreciated. 

New Teachers

• Omar El Maaroufi (Mathematics)
• Jared Hines (Annual Substitute and Yearbook)
• Curt Nichols (College Counselor)
• April Soo (Mathematics)
• Tracey Su (Strings ES/MS/HS)
• Andrea Walsh (EAL and English)

We also welcome from the Middle School, Louise Saddington who will be taking some Health 10 classes this year and Cory Campopiano who will be teaching some of our Fitness classes this semester. 

Have a wonderful weekend.
Regards
Justin Alexander
HS Principal

 

MS and HS Equipment Pick Ups 

Andy Vaughan
andyv@isb.ac.th

Dear Parents,

Next week from Wednesday 25 August to Thursday 27 August we will be conducting MS and HS Equipment Pick Ups and Drop Offs. This is a more challenging task based on the different circumstances and locations our students are right now. 

Instructions on how we will conduct this process are listed below, please take note of which scenario below best matches your child/children. 

Please note that not all students will be required to pick up equipment. If this applies to you, your child will have been informed by their classroom teacher. Before signing up for any of the options below, please check with your child if this applies to your and please check that they have not already signed up for a pick up/drop off time.

Finally, for any child that still has learning materials to be dropped off from last year, or if your child needs to pick up a yearbook, there will be a chance to drop off last year’s learning materials and get a yearbook in the processes below.

Students located in Nichada or in Bangkok with private transportation
All students who are in Nichada, along with students in Bangkok with private transportation will need to pick up their books and equipment from ISB between Wednesday and Friday next week. The location of the pick up will be in the front of the Chevron Theater. Your child will be asked to pick a time through this form so that we can have their items ready for them. Please book a time by Tuesday afternoon, 3pm.

Please note the following instructions for students in this situation. Students will need to sign up for one 30 minute slot to pick up learning materials:

 1) Students who have learning materials prepared by teachers will have been emailed by teachers to pick up equipment next week.

2) Middle Students who need consumable learning supplies (lined paper, graph paper) can sign up for a slot to pick these up free of charge. Students who need these items will have been instructed by their teacher.

3) High School Students who need consumable learning supplies (lined paper, graph paper) are welcome to pick up a pack, but must sign up for a time slot.

4) Students who need to return items from last year and pick up a yearbook should do this at the same time as picking up learning supplies. Please bring any equipment/book returns in a named bag.

COVID measures
Please note the following covid measures we have in place to protect you and our staff:

• We can only have a limited number of students at one time, therefore please attend only at your time slot
• Please wear a mask at all times when coming onto campus.
• Please come by yourself when returning your books, this is not a chance to socialise with peers.
• When arriving, do not mingle with any other students and remain socially distanced at all times.
• Please use alcohol hand sanitiser upon arrival and as you leave.
• If you are not well or have a fever, do not come on campus. If you are unable to attend at your time, please email Mr. Vaughan (andyv@isb.ac.th).
• If you have been in contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID, do not come into school.

Students who are in Bangkok who normally use Montri Transportation and New students located downtown without transportation.

All students who are located downtown and are normally Montri bus riders, along with new students without transportation will have their items delivered between Wednesday and Friday. We will be sending a separate survey to each family in this situation, please ensure to complete this by Tuesday 9am to allow time for our team to prepare for transportation drop offs. 

Students in Thailand who cannot come to Bangkok, but would like to have items sent by courier to their location.

For any parent that would like to have their items sent by courier to them in Thailand, this will be arranged next week. If this is something you would like to pay for, please fill out this form by Tuesday 9am to allow time for us to prepare these items. 

Students not in Thailand.

When students return to Thailand we will endeavour to arrange times to pick up equipment or have them dropped off based on the different scenario’s above. For students not in Thailand, teachers are using online learning platforms that will still support your child’s learning.

If you have any questions about the above processes, please feel free to reach out to Andy Vaughan (andyv@isb.ac.th).

Many thanks,
Andy Vaughan
HS Dean of Students.

 

Attendance in Virtual School
Andy Vaughan
andyv@isb.ac.th

Thank you to all parents for your support in helping ensure your child is on time to their classes in virtual school, we have had great attendance. 

As we shared last week in the enews, the success of your child’s learning in online learning is highly correlated to their attendance and participation in classes. As a reminder from last week, please see below for the two expectations for students in the Bangkok time zone, or close to it and those in very different time zones. 

If there are any cases where your child needs to miss a class, please let us know by emailing Khun Gade (sasivimb@isb.ac.th)

Attendance for students in local time zones
All students in Thailand and time zones that are within three hours to Thailand’s timezone need to attend class live.

Attendance will be taken in the first few minutes of all classes. For any student who is marked absent, an email will be sent to parents and the student to communicate that they are not in class. If there is ever a mistake with this attendance, please ask your child to contact the teacher in the first instance to correct their attendance on PowerSchool.

Attendance for students in very different time zones
If your child is in a very different time zone, which means that engaging in online learning is not possible for all blocks of the day due to either staying up too late or being awake too early, we encourage them to attend as many periods in the day as possible based on their location.

For example, for students located within America’s time zones, they should attend morning classes, which will be late evening in the USA. For students located within Europe, Africa, or Middle East time zones they should attend afternoon classes, which will be early morning.

 The virtual school schedule will be changed to a 5/6 rotation on 30 August to allow students to access all classes from different time zones.

 For all students in another time zone, parents should have reached out to Mr. Alexander via email. All students in very different time zones will have attendance recorded with the absence code NPVS (Not Present Virtual School), which does not count towards total absences. 

Andy Vaughan
High School Dean of Students

 

News from HS Counselors

Jackie Valenzuela
jackiev@isb.ac.th

We hope your student/students’ first week of school has gone well and that they are settling into their routine.  Over the next few weeks, we will be meeting individually with all of our new high school students to check in and see how their transition to ISB is going.  After that we will focus on meeting with our new Grade 9 students who are making the big transition to high school.  Then, we will meet individually with our remaining students throughout the remainder of the semester.  In the meantime, if anything comes up and you would like for your student’s counselor to reach out, please let us know. 

On Thursday, September 2 from 2-3pm (BKK time), the PreK-12 counselors will host a Zoom session,  Supporting Your Child’s Social/Emotional Needs in the Time of COVID, for all ISB parents.  The Zoom link to follow in the coming days.

Next Thursday, August 26, is the last day to make schedule changes.  Please ask your student if they are feeling settled in their classes and to reach out to their counselor before next Thursday with any schedule change requests.

Enjoy the weekend!

 

News from the College Office

Debbie McDowell
debbiem@isb.ac.th

The university counselors have had a good start to the 2021-2022 school year by connecting virtually with students and parents individually. 

Grade 11 students were introduced to the upcoming Junior Seminar sessions in their introductory Core class. Junior Seminars are for all grade 11 students as part of their Core class. Students will meet with their university counselor in small group settings eight times throughout the school year. Some of the topics covered during the sessions will be: self reflection for the university application process, researching university options, essay and personal statement writing, understanding the university application process, how applications are reviewed, and many other topics.

Seniors will attend their first Senior Seminar on Thursday, 26 August to kick off the university application process. Seniors can begin scheduling their Senior Family Conference with their parents and counselor starting next week!  Mark your calendars, Senior Family University evening will be on 1 September at 6:30 pm. There will be lots of information coming your way so stay tuned in!

Universities are beginning to schedule dedicated virtual sessions for ISB students (highlighted in yellow) on the Virtual University Visit list. In addition, there are many virtual events available for any students interested in gaining more information about particular institutions.  Be sure to check the Virtual University Visits list on the ISB University/College Counseling website. 

The Greater Bangkok University International Fair will take place on 13-16 September 2021. Students and parents will be welcomed to online university fairs on Monday (13 September), Tuesday (14 September), and Wednesday (15 September). On Thursday, 16 September there will be two events:  UK University Admissions Panel and US Case Study Session. Watch this space for more information. (Soon a link will be provided for registration for the US Case Study Session.) 

Due to the serious nature of the COVID situation in Thailand at this time, ISB is unable to offer the SAT on 28 August. In hopes that the situation improves, ISB plans on offering the SAT on 2 October, 2021. Students wishing to register for that test must do so before 3 September.  Please remind your child that their official passport name must be used to create a College Board account and to register for the SAT. 

Hopefully, it has been a positive first week of school for all students and families. If you have questions regarding university admissions, please reach out to your child’s university counselor.  Have a great weekend!

 

Club Fairs next week

Peter Assimakopoulos
petera@isb.ac.th

Did you know that we have over 80 student-run clubs in the high school? The Club Fairs next week are a perfect opportunity to learn more about what they do and when they meet. The clubs that meet on Mondays will be the only ones presenting at the fair on Monday, August 23rd. Clubs that meet on Tuesdays will be at the fair on Tuesday, August 24th, and so on and so forth. 

Students will have an opportunity to learn more about the club offerings in the high school. Take this time to learn more about each club. Help get your child involved next week by attending the Club Fairs from 2:50 – 3:20 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Getting involved in a club is a phenomenal way to pursue a passion and make new friends.  

Please see the Club Fair Schedule for further information (website open only to @isb.ac.th users). The Club Schedule and Club Descriptions can also be found on the CAS Website.

Schedule:

• Monday, August 23rd Club Fair – Monday Clubs – Rotation 1 starts at 2:50 pm, Rotation 2 at 3:05 pm
• Tuesday, August 24th Club Fair – Tuesday Clubs – Rotation 1 starts at 2:50 pm, Rotation 2 at 3:05 pm
• Thursday, August 26th Club Fair – Thursday Clubs – Rotation 1 starts at 2:50 pm, Rotation 2 at 3:05 pm
• Friday, August 27th Club Fair – Friday Clubs – Rotation 1 starts at 2:50 pm, Rotation 2 at 3:05 pm

 

News from HS Library

Christopher Bell
christob@isb.ac.th

Please click News from HS Library

 

 

 

Athletics Communications
Chris Mott
chrism@isb.ac.th

Panther Pride Walk, Run & Ride #1
On Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th ISB will be hosting the first Panther Pride Run & Ride  for the 2021/22 school year. 

ISB Athletics Season One Registration
Registration for Season One Athletics will open on Friday 20th of August. 

All High School students are asked to register their participation for Season One 2021/2022. Season one consists of Volleyball, Soccer and Cross Country. 

Students can register their participation on the ISB Athletics website – https://inside.isb.ac.th/isbathletics/ 

Season One begins on Monday the 30th of August. Further information will be sent to all students who register. 

Let’s go Panthers!!!

Pre-Season for Season One
Season One Pre-Season has started!! There are three more sessions available to the High School students. Come along on the below dates to get ready for the upcoming season. 

Monday 23rd of August
Time: 3:30pm 
Focus: Plyo

Wednesday 25th of August 
Time: 4:00pm
Focus: Strength Training

* Have a space on a wall or piece of furniture to sit against for wall sits

Friday 27th of August
Time: 3:00pm 
Focus: HIIT

Need more information about pre-season please contact the ISB Athletic Trainer, Mr. Cory CAMPOPIANO who will be able to assist you. coryc@isb.ac.th 

Upcoming Events

• 23rd, 25th & 27th August: Virtual Pre-season training with Cory Camponiano (ISB Athletic Trainer)
• 28th & 29th August: Panther Pride – Walk, Run and Bike
• 30th August: Start of season one (Virtual)

 

Panther Pride: Walk/Run/Ride

Mark Jasper
markj@isb.ac.th

WHEN?
Any time on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th August.

WHAT IS IT?
Run, Ride or Walk alone or with your family wearing your ISB Panther Spirit Wear. Staying Active and showing your Panther Spirit.

Complete your Run, Ride or Walk on the weekend of the event. Send in your photo wearing your Black & Gold colors and complete the entry form HERE with your total distance and photos.

SPECIAL GUESTS
Our ISB Panthers (Spirit & Shadow) will also join. Try and catch a photo with one of them. They will be in Nichada 

Saturday 28th – 8:00am – 9:00am
Sunday 29th 5:00pm – 6:00pm

WHO IS IT FOR? 
This event is open to all ISB community members.

Don’t have Panther Spirit wear? Or do you want to refresh your wardrobe? 

Check out the Booster Hut Online Catalogue HERE and place your orders today! 

REMINDER
Remember to stay safe and continue to practice physical distancing as you take part in this community effort to remain active and connected!

 

Debate Society: Arguably the Best 
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

Are you interested in exploring real-world, philosophical, and abstract questions? Bettering your public speaking, researching, and argumentation skills? Debate Society may be the place for you. In which case, please join us at the Friday Club Fair (27th of August), where we will be running a session. Excited to see you there! 

Add: IASAS Film delegates 

 

Are you an IASAS Film candidate, or want to be one? 
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

If so, join in the first IASAS Film 2021 meeting on Tuesday, 3.30 after the club fair, in Mr Wall’s Zoom room. The IASAS Cultural Convention celebrates Film & Art this November, 11 – 13, and we are forming teams of possible  Film Delegates. 

IASAS Film Delegates can enjoy: 

— Entry into the IASAS Film Festival and showcase 
— Participation in a 12-Hour Film Challenge, a Friday – Saturday event 
— Enjoying special seminars, demos, and “jam sessions” about filmmaking
— Joining the IASAS Cultural Convention as ISB is the host for this virtual event   

or DETAILS are here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s8e9mhfMaLCnAj9Mv2WSnYrYSBBZFJDxIQKuQ3wsF_E/