Virtual Learning Update
Virtual Learning occurs when campus is open and a few students are not able to come to campus (ie: in transit from another country, in quarantine, close contacts). Virtual learning occurs for students in the form of asynchronous learning tasks and assignments. As teachers customize the learning tasks to meet the needs of the child, there could be a delay in sending the tasks to families; we thank you in advance for your patience. Balancing the needs of students both on and off campus has been one of our greatest challenges when we offer on campus and virtual learning.
In order to support students unable to be on campus, Alex Sawaetwong has been assigned to be our Virtual Learning teacher. Ms. Alex leads synchronous Zoom sessions for students on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays when they are at home for COVID related reasons. If you are in need of any type of Virtual Learning support, please contact Ms. Alex know: alexs@isb.ac.th
Note: Students who are symptomatic are expected to rest and focus on getting better; they are marked as “sick” in PowerSchool are not required to complete virtual learning tasks nor attend synchronous sessions until they are feeling better.
Virtual School and Virtual Learning Definitions
Virtual School is the model for learning when all students in a class are learning at home. Virtual School includes a daily schedule of synchronous sessions with homeroom and specialist teachers. Students who are not able to participate in virtual school Zoom sessions (ie. in transit or in another time zone) complete asynchronous learning tasks and assignments.
Virtual Learning occurs when campus is open and a few students are not able to come to campus (ie: in transit from another country, in quarantine, close contacts). Virtual learning occurs for students in the form of asynchronous learning tasks and assignments. Synchronous check-ins are provided periodically during the week by a Virtual Learning teacher.
Conference Sign Ups Close March 7 @ 2PM!
We are looking forward to seeing you ON CAMPUS at our Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) on March 10-11. You can access your child’s individual letter containing additional details by logging into your PowerSchool account. Find “Parent Conference” on the left hand side. At the bottom of the letter you will find the link to schedule conferences through Pick-a-Time. Scheduling closes on Monday, March 7 at 2:00 PM
Here are some things to consider as we approach the conferences:
Before the Conference:
- Sign up for a time via PowerSchool before March 7th @ 2PM
- Complete an ATK test on the morning of your appointment and submit the ISB Parent ATK form using your usual family passcode. On the day of the conference appointment, parents and students must bring their ISB ID card to enter campus through the turnstiles.
- Be prepared to talk to your child about his/her strengths and areas for growth
- Understand this is the time for your child to take the lead and demonstrate their learning
During the Conference:
- Use the language with which you are most comfortable
- Be an active listener
- Be present (no mobile telephones, emails, texts)
- Avoid critiquing, instead focus on successes and new learning
- Ask questions of your child to help them reflect on their learning growth.
- Be mindful that what might seem small to you, might be a huge accomplishment for your child
- If your child seems nervous or shy, give them time and/or ask guiding questions about they work they are showing you
- If you want to take photos, please wait until the end of the conference
After the Conference:
- Talk with your child about the conference and develop a plan to implement any strategies that were discussed and goals that were set during the conference
- Remember to periodically check-in with your child regarding progress toward his/her goals
Supervision of Students on Conference Days
- Chairs will be set up outside classrooms for siblings to wait.
- The ES HUB will be open for parents to accompany their child/ren to return and check out books. There will be a managed number of visitors inside the HUB, to allow for appropriate physical distancing, and we will be asking families to limit their time in the HUB to 30 minutes.
- Students may only use the outdoor play spaces if they are actively supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Weekly Message From Principal Allen
We’re all very excited to welcome you to campus on Thursday and Friday for Student Led Conferences! Student Led Conferences are an important ISB home-school partnership event, and your child has been excitedly getting ready for your visit to their classroom!
If you have never participated in a Student Led Conference you might be asking, “What is this all about?” or “Why are children being included in conferences?” You might even be wondering when you are going to get a chance to “really talk” with the teacher about your child. We, too, have asked these questions and have spent a great deal of time researching and discussing the benefits to ensure that our teaching/learning/assessing/reporting process is at the forefront of current educational theory and practice. Conferences which include the child have been used for many decades and their efficacy for promoting optimal student outcomes has been well documented over time.
At ISB, we believe that children are in charge of their learning and we give them many opportunities to know that they are capable and that they can influence what happens to them. During the annual March Student Led Conferences your child will lead all aspects of the conference; together with your child you will discuss all areas of the child’s behavior and learning with openness and transparency so that children continue to feel empowered and responsible for their behavior and learning.
The Student Led Conference format has a different look and feel than the typical October student-parent-teacher conferences. During each time slot there may be up to 3 families in the classroom, creating a more relaxed environment and giving parents more time to engage in the presentation of their child’s work.
Specialist Teachers: Specialist teachers also follow a Student Led Conference model. PE teachers will be in the New Sports Center gym to supervise student-led activities. World Language, Art and Music teachers will be in their rooms to welcome students who bring their parents to share what they have been learning in class. If you wish to arrange a conference with your child’s Learning Support (LS) or English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher, please contact the teacher directly.
Your child’s guidance counselor is also available to meet with you while you are on campus for your conference. Please stop by the office to see if your child’s counselor might be available or feel free to set up an appointment ahead of time.
Some of the documented student benefits of Student Led Conferences that will be occurring in the Elementary School include the following:
- Accountability for their learning
- Ownership of the learning process
- Increased commitment to school work
- Increased interaction between child and parents
- Increased independence
- Ability to self-assess
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Development of leadership skills
- Fostering of organizational, communication and critical thinking skills
Some of the documented parental benefits of Student Led Conferences that will be occurring in the Elementary School include the following:
- Active participation in your child’s learning
- Better understanding of your child’s learning successes and challenges
- Forum for parents to have a voice that is heard by teachers and children
- Improved communication between home and school
- The creation of a forum for you to talk with your children productively and positively
Sarah, Jeff and I will also be available to meet while you are on campus. Please stop by the office to see if we might be available or feel free to set up an appointment ahead of time. We all look forward to seeing you on campus!
Your partner in education,
Michael Allen, Ed.D.
michaela@isb.ac.th
ES Parent Feedback to Class Placement Team 2022/23
As we want your child to flourish while attending ISB, your input as our partner in education is important. If there is any important or relevant information that you think your classroom teacher or counselor may not have that you feel would be helpful to consider as we make classroom placement decisions for the 2022-23 school year, complete the 2022-23 Parent Class Placement Feedback Form (hard copies available in ES office) and submit it to the ES Office by Monday, March 28, 2022. The information you provide will be taken into consideration by the Classroom Placement Team which includes the current and future grade level teams of teachers, counselors, and administration.
ES Make-up Photos – Monday, March 14, 2022
Students who started school on or after February 1, 2022 will have their pictures taken on Monday, March 14, 2022 from 7:45-2:20 pm. Students will need to wear their red or white ISB uniform shirt. If it is your child’s PE day, please send a red or white uniform shirt for them to change into for this photo session.
For students who are interested in having photos retaken, please email Khun Ann (naiyanar@isb.ac.th) before Friday, March 11th to sign up.
Shades of Purpose for International Women’s Day – March 8
International Women’s Day, March 8, is a global day of celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias. Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough. Action is needed to level the playing field.
In solidarity with women across the world, we will be encouraging students to wear Shades of Purple on Tuesday, March 8. Together we can #BreakTheBias. To learn more about International Women’s Day, visit their website.
Technology Acceptable Use Agreements-New Families
We have added technology acceptable use agreements for all 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 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” and then submit. If you and signed it and discussed with your child, please do so by next Friday March 11th.
PK2-Grade 5 PE Swimming News
Our swimming unit in Physical Education (PE) is just around the corner. We have a total of three sessions of swimming dates for Elementary School (PK2-Grade 5). Please see the full ES swim schedule for all classes and sessions. We will send a reminder to families on Seesaw when the time gets closer for that particular class to swim. When students are not swimming, they will continue with their regular PE lessons in the gym.
Students will be participating in a swimming and water safety unit as part of the Elementary PE Program. This unit is designed to promote knowledge and skills in the areas of personal water safety, fundamental strokes, and simple water rescues. There will be three swimming specialists along with Corry Day, ISB’s Aquatics Director, assisting the PE teacher with the swimming unit. We will also have lifeguards on deck during every class.
The program is designed to help meet the needs of all students and is based on the American Red Cross Learn to Swim program. Students will be screened and placed in a level that is developmentally appropriate based upon his or her current swimming ability.
What to bring to PE:
Swimsuit, towel, and goggles clearly marked with the student’s name, to every PE lesson. Girls are requested to wear a one-piece swimsuit. UV (rash) protective shirts are permitted, but rash shirts need to be properly fitted, as loose rash shirts inhibit swimming efficiency. Should a student forget to bring a swimsuit, towel, or goggles, they will be provided with one from the aquatics program to be used for the day and this will need to be returned at the end of class.
Students with long hair need to wear a swim cap or tie their hair back for each lesson. Students may bring their own sunscreen if they desire.
In the event of inclement weather, students will have an alternate PE lesson so they need to come each day prepared in their normal PE attire, including athletic shoes and socks. Students may bring crocs or sandals in their swim bag should they choose to wear them after swimming class.
Swimming is a part of the ISB PE curriculum and full participation is expected. Any student who is unable to participate in class must inform the PE teacher in writing or via email. If no notification is received prior to their PE class, they will be expected to participate.
If you or your child have any questions about the swimming unit please do not hesitate to contact your child’s PE teacher.
ES PE Team
Mr. Monte MAJOR <montem@isb.ac.th>
Ms. Lindsay PERRY <lindsayp@isb.ac.th>
Mr. Cameron PERRY <cameronp@isb.ac.th>
Green Panthers ISB 70th Anniversary Tree Planting
Would you like your name permanently inscribed on ISB grounds?! Of course, you do! For this year’s 70th anniversary celebrations, our ISB Green Panthers club will be offering you the chance to “Sponsor and Name a Tree at ISB!
#ISB is committed to sustainability and raising awareness on environmental issues. We are asking the ISB community to help plant 70 trees on campus and at the EWC to celebrate our school’s history. In addition, we have collaborated with One Tree Planted to plant even more trees around Thailand.
All sponsors will have their names scribed on a plaque beside their tree and our permanent Dedication Board on campus. Name a Tree at ISB – please fill out this form to sponsor us.
ISB Summer School 2022 – Registration is now open!
Our ISB Summer School Office is now open! Summer School will be held Monday, June 20 to Tuesday, July 12th this year. All information about programs, courses, specific dates, fees, and registration process is now available on our website.
Early Bird reduced tuition fees are available until April 29th so register early!
Our Summer School Office is located in the Chevron Theater Foyer next to the Cashier Office. Khun Fon, our Summer School Office Secretary is there to greet and assist you 7:00am – 2:45pm Monday to Friday.
For any questions, please email sumdir@isb.ac.th
Sunday & Wednesday ATK Testing
Students will be required to take ATK tests every Sunday and Wednesday between 4:00pm and 8:00pm – with results uploaded on the ATK Form within that same timeframe. The next ATK test is required on Sunday, March 6. If you need assistance with the ATK Form, please write to help@isb.ac.th
It is very important that all test results are entered into the ATK Form within the specified time in order to ensure campus access the following day. The ATK Form is linked to the ID cards and ISB turnstiles system.
Safely Learning on the ISB Campus 2022
As Dr. Davies shared in yesterday’s community update, the ISB Covid Response Team has updated our Safely Learning on the ISB Campus 2022 – March 3, 2022 guide and Risk Matrix to better reflect safe practices that also keep students in school as much as possible. To see how the matrix has changed from February 24 to March 3, click here for a side-by-side comparison.
ES Cafeteria Menu
Please find the KG – G5 ES Cafeteria menu for next week linked here, and here is the menu for Pre-Kindergarten.
ISB Athletics News
Upcoming events
Thursday 10th March: U11 Track & Field Twilight 3:00 – 5:30 SCHEDULE