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‘Parent Connections’

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your attendance and participation in the HS Open House on Tuesday evening. Although the sessions were short, they were packed full of information and details about the learning that your child is experiencing here at ISB.

You will have noticed from yesterday’s parent communication that we are moving closer to having students back on campus with the submission of our school reopening plans to the relevant local authorities. We are looking forward to hearing some positive news soon and of course, we will then be actioning those plans along with whatever revisions or requirements that we might be required to follow.

If you have read those re-opening plans you will notice that the HS will split our students into two cohorts (Gr 11 & 12 and Gr 9 & 10) for attendance on campus reasons. Once campus re-opens only one cohort will be on campus at a given time where they will be attending face-to-face lessons two days in a row, while the other cohort will continue with their virtual school lessons for those two days. The cohorts will then swap for the next two days. As we move closer to confirming an actual start date, we will share the schedule and details with parents and students.

In the meantime, virtual school continues next week but with a break for students on Thursday and Friday. Teachers will be involved in professional learning opportunities and making plans for our re-opening on Thursday, but they too will have a well-deserved day off on Friday.

Have a great weekend, stay safe and stay well.

Regards
Justin Alexander
HS Principal

HS PTA Meeting Tuesday, September 14th, 9 am

Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th
Join the HS Admin team on Tuesday for our first HS PTA meeting of the year. Items on the agenda include:

Summary of last year’s DP Results
College counseling Update
New course offerings for 2022
News from Arts/Athletics
CAS Update
Information about Conferences
Upcoming dates and events

This meeting will be a Webinar and you will need to register in advance in order to join this meeting: Details are below

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QC65AkRSRIOh_EVfcp_aAA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Regards
Justin Alexander
HS Principal

SAT October 2nd

Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th

For students that have registered for the October, 2nd SAT test I can confirm that we have received permission from the Nonthaburi authorities to host these tests on our campus. We will be sharing safety and entrance protocols and procedures with students who are registered closer to the actual date of the test.

Regards
Justin Alexander
HS Principal

Habits and Attitudes Toward Learning Grades (HAL)

Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th

At ISB, students are assessed in two distinct areas: i) in relation to stated learning standards using a 7-1 grade descriptor and ii) in relation to their approach to learning. We call this second area the Habits and Attitudes to Learning or HAL grade. For HAL, we focus on three learner dispositions: Responsibility, Engagement and Collaboration. On your child’s HAL grades, you will see each of these dispositions assessed separately. The descriptors used to assess the dispositions are: Consistently, Frequently, Occasionally and Rarely. Please take a few moments to look over the rubric HERE.

The first set of HAL Grades will be available early Monday or Tuesday next week on PowerSchool. The HAL grade gives students and parents an indication of dispositions of students as they develop the characteristics of growth and learning. Please keep in mind that in most classes, there will be only one or two completed assessments at this time of year. Also note, the HAL grade is not part of the academic achievement grade.

If you have any questions regarding this assessment, I encourage you to contact the teacher directly.

HAL grades can be accessed on PowerSchool by clicking on ‘Grades and Attendance’. Please see the diagram below for more details.

News from School Counselors

Kevin Callahan
kevinc@isb.ac.th

Students are settled in classes and while virtual school is demanding for students and teachers alike, it’s been a productive start of the year as we finish the first month of school. Make sure that your students get off the computer and move around a bit!

Schedule changes can only be made for the following reasons and by the following dates:

If a teacher recommends a level change due to misplacement (i.e. Math HL to Math SL, Extended Math to Core Math, Spanish III to Spanish II), a change can be made with counselor, parent and administrative approval. The original class will not appear on your transcript. Deadline is September 17.
Between the sixth and tenth week of a course, if a student needs to move down a level, the dropped course will be listed on the transcript with a WP (Withdraw Pass) or WF (Withdraw Fail). WP or WF grades are not included in the calculation of GPA nor is credit granted. The grade calculated in the new course will start fresh and only include work completed for the new course. Deadline is Friday, October 22.
No level changes after October 22.

At the beginning of last week, parents received an email from the counselors regarding the administration of the Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) of all HS students. We have used this survey over the past four school years to support our students’ social/emotional wellbeing. The purpose of the SDQ is to identify students who require immediate support, identify students who are struggling with social/emotional/behavioral issues in order to provide early intervention/prevention support, and obtain an overview of the social/emotional/behavioral needs at our school to ensure that we are providing optimal support for our students. On September 9, Grade 11/12 students took the survey. On Monday, September 13, the Grade 9/10 students will take it. The high school counselors will meet with any students whose responses indicate a need for follow up. Parents will also be notified as indicated.

News from University Counselors
Debbie McDowell
debbiem@isb.ac.th

The annual 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 6:30-8:00 PM), Tuesday (14th) and Wednesday (15th) ( 6:00-8:00 PM). There are nearly 200 universities from around the world registered for the fairs! (22 countries: Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands, UAE, United Kingdom, USA, Vietnam) More information in regards to individual university descriptions and contact information for the university representatives that will be attending.

The fairs will be on the Airmeet platform. Here is the link to the instructions for students and parents to review before the fair. The link to join the fairs each evening is here. Please join the event by clicking on the link, then you will be asked to sign in with your email and an entrance link will be sent to your email account.

There will be a UK Universities Admissions Panel on Thursday night (6:00-7:30). The tentative list of universities on the UK panel includes: Durham University, King’s College London, New College of the Humanities, University of Manchester, University of Bath, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews and University of Warwick. The link for the UK Universities Admissions Panel is here.

On Thursday, 16 September, in addition to the UK University Admissions Panel there will be a US Case Study Session (8:00-9:30 PM). For the U.S. Case Studies session advanced registration was required. In this session, university representatives will lead parents and students through the process of a mock admission committee. The exercise will point out the intricacies of the college application process and the importance of assembling a strong university application. The US Case Study program will conclude with a panel discussion. Grade 12 parents and students, then Grade 11 parents and students, were prioritized due to limited capacity. Those selected to participate in the session will receive the link to join the session via email.

University Counseling Parent Coffees

The University Counselors invite you to attend the first University Counseling Parent Coffee on Wednesday, 15 September, 9:00-10:00 AM. Please join us by clicking on this link for an Introduction to the University Counseling Program. High School parents of all grade levels are encouraged to attend. Join us to learn more about the ins and outs of university research, selection and applications and how your child can best prepare for a successful process.

The university counselors will host two other University Counseling Parent Coffees during first semester:

6 October (Wednesday) @ 9:00 AM: Standardized Testing/ What you need to know!

4 November (Wednesday) @ 9:00 AM: University Rankings… What do they mean?

We hope to see you at these events.

Seniors will be joining their counselors in Senior Seminar #2 on Monday, 13 September to discuss upcoming deadlines, how to complete the Transcript & Document Request Form, and to register for the UCAS application portal for those applying to the UK. Please ask your child what they need to be working on for their university Applications. Senior Family Conferences need to be set up and concluded by the end of this month. Please encourage your child to get that appointment in the calendar. This is an important (and mandatory) meeting for all seniors.

Virtual university visits to ISB are picking up! Be sure to check the Virtual University Visit list for visits that are scheduled exclusively for ISB students and parents. In addition, there are many virtual events available for any students interested in gaining more information about particular institutions. Check the university’s website for details. Be sure to check the Virtual University Visits list on the ISB University/College Counseling website for loads of information!

Ms. Debbie McDowell (she, her, hers)
Head of University Counseling

News from HS Library

Christopher Bell
christob@isb.ac.th

Please click News from HS Library

Panther Pride – Run, Ride and Walk

Chris Mott (chrism@isb.ac.th)
Mark Jaspers (markj@isb.ac.th)

WHEN?

Any time on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September

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.

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!

Panther Run supporting iCARE

When you pass by the ISB front gate, take a picture with our ISB Panthers poster and drop a donation in the iCare donation box that is located at the ISB Guard Station at the front of the school.

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
11th and 12th of September: Panther Pride – Walk, Run and Bike
20th – 24th September – ISB Spirit Week

Join the ISB Rocket League eSports Tournament!
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

Announcing the first ever ISB Rocket League eSports Tournament scheduled for this weekend, from 1-4pm September 11th and 12th. The tournament is free and open to anyone at ISB including ES, MS, and HS students, and faculty! Please find more information at tinyurl.com/isbesports, or sign up HERE. Questions? Contact the hosts at PantherEsports@isb.ac.th. Hope to see you there!

Reimagining the World…One Idea at a Time!
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

A Virtual Peace Day Assembly Wednesday, September 15, 2021

The pandemic has provided an opportunity to press pause on life as we know it, to ponder questions like, How can we better care for those around us?, and How do we heal the planet we share?, and ultimately to Reimagine the World – better! Links for the live webinar assembly on September 15th will be shared with students early next week. Parents will be invited to view a recording of this year’s celebration in next week’s eNews.

Panther Purrfect EP 2
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

Featuring: ISB Alumna and Olympian Amelie Iuel,

Cubs Corner, and winners of the Pingpong Ch-Ch-Ch-Challenge!!!