It was Virtually Wonderful!
by Dennis Harter, MS Principal
dennish@isb.ac.th
Starting a new school year is always exciting, as we meet new students, teachers, and families. We take the first steps to building our middle school community for the year.
Even “virtually” I am pleased to say we’ve had a wonderful start to the new school year. Of course, it would be better on campus and we miss seeing the faces and feeling the energy of full classrooms and crowded hallways, but given the circumstances, it’s been a great opening week.
Teachers and students connected on a full first day of meet & greets and orientation. Students met their classmates and started to learn the ins and outs of navigating a schedule of zoom links and alternating days. There were mistakes made and incorrect zoom links clicked – all part of a learning process.
Thank you for your efforts at home supporting your children at home, helping them set up a good learning environment. Our teachers will continue to build relationships with them and help everyone feel more and more connected to ISB and the middle school.
Enjoy a restful weekend and please help ensure the students spend some significant time OFF of the computers.
2021-22 is off to a good start!
Order of Periods change starting Aug 30th
Currently, MS students are following Virtual School (VS) schedules using the order of periods from Day 1 and Day 2 schedules. This will stay the same next week, as well.
Upcoming Schedule Shift starting August 30th
Next week we will communicate with students about the details of a change in the order of periods, starting the week of Aug 30th to Sept 10th (including a video tutorial).
In keeping with our VS Community Handbook, we periodically change the order of of class periods, so that different classes meet at different times. This positively impacts learning by providing more equitable access to the learning. With the current situation of many students accessing VS from other time zones, changing the order of periods will allow for live attendance of classes they had previously only been able to study asynchronously.
Therefore, we are providing advance notice that starting on August 30th, MS and HS will adjust to follow the order of periods from Days 5 and 6, as listed below. This change moves the two classes previously in the afternoon to the morning and the two classes that were previously in the morning into the afternoon.
Advisory would continue to meet on Monday, Thursday, and Friday at 8:30. Class periods start at 9:00 AM on all days of the week. Again, this doesn’t start until August 30th.
We will explain this shift to students next week (the change doesn’t happen until the week after), but we are just providing parents with some advance communication, since the next parent eNews isn’t until next Friday. Students will be provided updated schedule links.
MS and HS Equipment Pick Ups
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.
Opportunities for students
Today we hosted a Middle School Activities Assembly in which we shared the different athletics, service, and art opportunities that are already starting next week.
Students will also receive a form to complete in their email, in which they can tell us about their interests, so that we can help “meet” them up with other students for some after school clubs (hosted online for now, but hopefully continuing on campus eventually).
Please talk with your children about what they saw today and what they are interested in. Accompanying the form will be the video of today’s assembly if they want to rewatch any parts or if they missed it today.
Collecting Food and Other Donations
ISB sees itself as a member of the community around us. As such, we look to support those in need when we can. While much of our student involvement is impacted by being off campus and social distancing, we have some opportunity to help.
Next week, as families pick up school supplies and materials (see other article in this eNews), we will have donation boxes on campus for contributions. We are working with iCare, an organization supporting the local community just outside Nichada Thani.
They are looking for donations of:
- Food (non-perishable)
- Toys
- Sporting goods
- Books
In the MS, we also have a student-led project, Infinite Opportunities, that takes old parts and rebuilds computers to give to children who otherwise can’t access the online learning requirements of their local schools.
The Middle School will be activating some fund-raising in the coming weeks to support these communities, but we wanted to get the donation information out there as soon as we could.
ISB Athletics Season One Registration (Basketball, Cross Country & Tennis)
Registration for Season One Athletics will open on Friday 20th of August and is open to all students in grade 6, 7 & 8.
All Middle School students are asked to register their participation for Season One 2021/2022. Season one consists of Basketball, Cross Country and Tennis
Students can register their participation on the ISB Athletics website – https://inside.isb.ac.th/isbathletics/
Season One begins on Tuesday 31st of August. Further information will be sent to all students who register.
Pre-Season Season One Pre-Season will start on Tuesday 24th August. Come along on the below dates to get ready for the upcoming season.
These sessions will be focusing on cardiovascular fitness and overall body strength.
All sessions will incorporate some agility/coordination, core, and balance work
Tuesday 26th and Thursday 28th of August
Time: 3:00pm
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
Please also check out additional opportunities through Panther Activities HERE.
Upcoming Events
24th & 26th August: Virtual Pre-season training with Cory Camponiano (ISB Athletic Trainer)
28th & 29th August: Panther Pride – Walk, Run and Bike
31st August: Start of season one (Virtual)
Join the Panther Pride Walk Run Ride
WHEN?
Any time on Saturday 28th and/or Sunday 29th of 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 Thani at these times:
- 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, pay attention to traffic and road rules, and continue to practice physical distancing as you take part in this community effort to remain active and connected!
Parents – How to Subscribe/Resubscribe to receive the Good Morning ISB Middle School – Daily Student Announcements…
Dear New/Returning ISB Middle School Parents,
MS students are automatically enrolled to receive the Good Morning ISB Middle School – Daily Student Announcements in their student ISB email account approximately around 5pm the evening before each scheduled school day.
Parents, if you were already on our list last year to receive the MS student announcements each day, please note this parent database is rebuilt from scratch at the start of each school year so you will need to resubscribe if you would like to continue receiving the announcements this year.
If you would like to start receiving these announcements in your own email each day for this school year, please complete and submit this subscription form to do so.