A Successful MS Virtual Open House
by Dennis Harter, MS Principal
dennish@isb.ac.th
On Thursday evening, Bangkok time, Middle School hosted our annual Open House event. For the second year we had to run it online through Zoom session hosted by our teachers. Thank you to the large numbers of parents who “turned up” for the evening and joined the many classes of their child’s schedule. We hope parents enjoyed meeting the teachers and learning about our program.
Normally, Open House is an opportunity to see and experience your child’s learning environment, by visiting the classrooms, wandering the halls, and meeting the teachers. In many ways, this year’s Virtual Open House accomplished similar goals, as parents experienced their child’s Zoom learning environment this time around.
As I met with parents and visited some classes, I saw parents engaged, smiling and pleased to see their child’s teacher as caring, knowledgeable, and dedicated to the success of all students. We look forward to planning for students and then parents to eventually return to campus and connect with our community even further.
No School on Thursday and Friday
In the upcoming week, ISB does not have school on Thursday and Friday, September 16-17.
Thursday will be used for teachers to meet for professional development and Friday is an ISB holiday.
Both will serve to provide a much needed break from screens and schoolwork for students. Please encourage your children to get some fresh air, enjoy some social time within their safe bubbles, and to read books off screen on this upcoming long weekend.
We hope the break will provide some quality time for families as well, as teachers should not be assigning work to be due immediately after the long weekend.
September 13-15 Day Schedules
The MS will continue to use the order of class periods from the Day 5 & 6 rotations for the week of September 13-15 (only 3 days).
- Monday, Sept 13 – Day 6
- Tuesday, Sept 14 – Day 5
- Wednesday, Sept 15 – Day 6
Please see the MS schedules below:
Our 2nd Parent Connection Group
Our Middle School counselors hosted our first Parent Connection Group on Monday, August 30th. We were pleased to have many parents in attendance to meet each other, discuss the challenges of current circumstances, and look for ways to safely bring students together.
We host the next parent connection group on:
- Monday, September 13th, 2:00 PM.
If you are interested in attending to meet other parents, please register using this form.
(We did run this announcement for this 2nd session last week, so if you registered then, you don’t have to do so again.)
An email with the zoom link will be sent to all those who registered on Monday morning.
Upcoming Counselor Presentation for Parents
We invite you to join the PreK-12 Counselors and School Psychologists on Wednesday, September 15 from 1:30-2:30pm (BKK time) when we will host a Zoom session:
Self Care for Parents/Guardians During a Global Pandemic.
We are keenly aware the past 18 months have been extra challenging for many of you and hope this interactive session with ISB counselors, school psychologists and other parents/guardians will give you the opportunity to listen and be heard.
Please sign up HERE.
The day prior, we will send a Zoom link to your email address.
The PreK-12 Counselors and School Psychologists
Boarding School Application Process
by MS Counselors
Of course for all of our students, we hope that they stay at ISB for middle and high school and benefit from our wonderful school, academic program, and extracurricular activities. We understand that same family situations may require you to explore boarding school options for your child.
If you are planning to apply for admission to boarding school for the 2020-21 school year, please make an appointment to meet with your child’s counselor as early as possible – and definitely before November 1.
For us to best support your child’s application process, it is essential that parents meet with their child’s counselor, in person or on Zoom. Counselors can help families unpack the implications of boarding school in comparison to options of staying at ISB.
October is typically when students who are planning on applying to boarding school register for the SSAT, ISEE, or other necessary testing (e.g., TOEFL). This is also the time when applicants begin gathering teacher references.
Part of the process of the counselor meeting will be to coordinate reference writing. We ask that parents do not write directly to teachers for references, but rather coordinate those references requests through their child’s counselor. This will enable us to ensure that references and other documentation is submitted to the receiving institution and that teachers are provided adequate time to do a good job.
In order for teachers to provide a thorough, quality reference for your child, we ask that you allow a 4 week turn around time from the time the reference request is received until the reference is completed. Students who are applying to schools with January application deadlines must submit their reference requests by November 10, through the counselor.
Thank you for working in partnership with your child’s counselor at ISB to ensure a thorough process and smooth transition to boarding school. You can set up an appointment with your child’s counselor by contacting Khun Namwan (sariyam@isb.ac.th).
Reimagining the World…One Idea at a Time!
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 Perfect EP 2
Join the ISB Rocket League eSports Tournament!
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!
Panther Pride – Run, Ride and Walk
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.
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.
