Weekly Message from the Principal
Congratulations go out to everyone in the ISB community on the successful completion of Week #2 of virtual school! Next week brings one of the most important days of the school year in regards to establishing our home-school partnership…OPEN HOUSE! Watch for the schedule of events from your child’s teacher coming on Tuesday.
Our ES vice principals, Jeff and Sarah, and I have been meeting with different teams of teachers throughout the week, and we’ve been thrilled to hear such positive feedback from them about the launch of the year. Teachers have shared that their 1:1 Zoom calls with students and families helped in launching the new year on a positive note, and expressed their gratitude for all the parent support they have received thus far.
One area where teachers expressed the need for more clarity was regarding the expectation that students have their cameras on when directed to do so; please see the note regarding cameras in this week’s update. Also, we are monitoring student attendance and participation in all areas including homeroom sessions, world language, art, music and PE classes; we’ll be sure to reach out to families where we notice that student participation and engagement is inconsistent. We’re eager to be flexible and adaptable to each child’s unique situation, and will partner with families to ensure virtual school is meeting your child’s needs.
Thanks again for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you at Thursday afternoon’s “Supporting Your Child’s Social/Emotional Needs in the time of COVID” (link) and Thursday evening’s Open House!
Your partner in education,
Michael Allen
michaela@isb.ac.th
ES Virtual Open House
We warmly invite you to our ES Virtual Open House on Thursday, September 2 from 6:00-8:00PM on Zoom.
Please join us as we launch the 2021-22 year of home and school partnerships! Open House is an important night to meet your child’s teachers and learn about the learning your child will experience at ISB this year. You will be able to meet homeroom and specialist teachers (PE, Music, Art, World Languages, Learning Support and EAL).
The schedule and Zoom links for specific sessions will be shared by classroom teachers on Tuesday. Families with children in multiple grade levels might need to divide and attend different classes at the same time. We also recognize that parents might not be able to attend all sessions, especially during the Specials block, so teachers will be sharing key information via Seesaw.
The purpose of Open House is to provide parents with an opportunity to connect with their child’s teachers as well as learn more about ISB programs. If you have information to discuss about your child, please arrange to meet with your child’s teacher privately at another time.
Cameras On!
Our shared expectation is that students are actively engaged during their virtual school lessons and their cameras are turned on! This is true during small group lessons as well as art, music and PE classes. That being said, we are respectful of some of our students’ reasons for wanting their cameras turned off; our ISB ES counselors (DouglasW@isb.ac.th, KateK@isb.ac.th, NicoleT@isb.ac.th) are available to help problem-solve with families where this might be an issue.
ES August 26 New Parent Engage Recording
Thank you to all the new parents who joined us for the ES New Parent Engage on August 26. If you were unable to attend, please find the link to the recording of the session here.
Technology Acceptable Use Agreements
We have added technology acceptable use agreements for all ES students and parents to read and sign on Powerschool. This is important as it clarifies expectations for students to use technology at ISB. We are asking all parents to digitally sign (students in grades 2 and up, will co-sign) these and read and discuss them with your child to ensure they understand agreements. To do this, login to Powerschool and click on “Technology Agreements”, click Yes, and then submit. If you have any questions or points of clarification, you can email me at markm@isb.ac.th.
Please complete by Friday, Sept 3rd.
PreK-12 Counseling Session- Sept 2 @ 2PM
Please join the PreK-12 Counselors on Thursday, September 2 at 2pm to discuss “Supporting Your Child’s Social/Emotional Needs in the time of COVID.” We know that the ongoing world situation has taken a toll on our students and families and hope you will find our time together to be helpful. Please find a link to sign up for the session. The day prior to our meeting, we will send a Zoom link to you.
WANTED: PTA Room Parents
Part of our home-school partnership includes ongoing communication with our PTA coordinators and ES Room Parents! Please let your classroom teacher know if you’d be interested in supporting the classroom in this important role. Please see the PTA Room Parent Guidelines linked HERE for more details.
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
ES HUB Update
Scan our quick access QR codes below to:
- browse our collection,
- check out books,
- read/signup for Sora our online ebook system
- Schedule an appointment with a HUB staff member (starting August 19)
- Explore other online reading opportunities
- Or, Just visit our HUB website!
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.
Welcome to our New Faculty!
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! We are excited to welcome Paweena Puaprasert (Khun Nan) as the new occupational therapist working with ISB.
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.
How to register on CHQ
Step by step instructions for navigating CHQ can be found HERE. Simply log into PowerSchool, then press the CHQ button on the left side of your screen. Once in CHQ you will find an account for each of your children in which you will only be able to see the activities for that child’s age group and grade level. Where available, you may click the blue “i” to the right of each activity title for a description of that activity. Questions? Please contact Anthony Giles or Lucas Rivera at pantheractivities@isb.ac.th.
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. For more information, including an introductory video, please click HERE.
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. For more detailed information please click HERE.
Panther (ES) Explore
Approaching the fall 2021semester we are still in unknown territory regarding the opening of the ES explore program.
You will be updated via the ES newsletter as soon as new information becomes available.
Watch Panther Purrfect, Episode 1 with 4-time Olympian, Coach Nuk!!!
Click HERE for more information about how to register!!!
Panther Dance Clinic
pantherdance@isb.ac.th
How to register on CHQ Step by step instructions can be found HERE.
ISB Athletics Season One Registration (U11 Soccer and Running Club)
Our U11 season will start on Monday 30th August (Virtually) and is open to all students in grade 3-5.
U11 Soccer
Practices will run from 3:00-3:45 on Monday and Thursday through Zoom. All you need is a ball and a small space to move around to practice your skills
U11 Running Club
Runners will check in with the coaches on Monday and Thursday at 3:00, but can complete the running activities at any time with their parents. Runners will also compete in a team challenge during the season.
Visit our website for more information and registration: https://inside.isb.ac.th/isbathletics/
Please also check out additional opportunities through Panther Activities HERE.
Panther Pride, Walk, Run & Ride
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!
iCARE
iCare Thailand Foundation is a charitable organisation that is committed to meaningful community development that helps the underprivileged. With the COVID pandemic at a record high in Thailand, they need our help to provide food and supplies to those in home isolation in 7 different slums. Due to the order locking down construction camps, iCare also provides food to 7 different construction camps in need.
A food supply bag costs 450 baht and a fresh produce bag costs 115 baht. Every little bit counts towards helping our communities in need. Consider making a small contribution this weekend during our Panther Run. The iCare donation box is located at the ISB Guard Station at the front of the school.
Upcoming Events
28th & 29th August: Panther Pride – Walk, Run and Bike
30st August: Start of season one (Virtual).
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!
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