‘Yes we are OPEN’
Dear Parents,
In between dodging rain showers and thunderstorms our students have been active with their activities and athletics programs which are now in full swing here at school. It has been great to see the campus maintain its spirit and liveliness, even past the end of classes with students on campus, training, playing, practicing, rehearsing, etc. ISB is also hosting the Bangkok International Band Festival next Friday and Saturday with over 200 participants on campus. Stay tuned for details about how to watch their mass performance on Saturday 10th September.
As our musicians, athletes, and thespians get their after-school programs up and running they all of course have their ‘day job’ to keep them busy during the school day. We would like to invite you all into school to get an insight into their day and to meet their teachers at our Open House on WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14th starting at 6 pm in the Chevron theatre. After a welcome and short introduction in the Chevron, at 6.30 pm you will follow your child’s schedule and move to their teacher’s classrooms around the school. Teachers will share a short presentation that includes an outline of their courses, details about assessment, and what students will be studying this year. Each ‘class’ is only 10 minutes long before you need to move to another classroom.
‘Classes’ run from 6.30-8.35 pm with snacks, coffee, and tea available in the MS/HS cafeteria throughout the evening. Parents will be given a copy of their child’s schedule when they arrive at school, so they will know which room to move to in which order. Given the 10-minute classes and the tight schedule you will be on, Open House is not the night to ask questions about your child’s progress. If you do have questions of that nature please reach out to the teacher before the Open house.
Looking forward to seeing many of you at the Open House on September 14th.
Regards
Justin Alexander
High School Principal
IB Matters for Gr12 Parents
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
IB Matters for Gr12 – September 9th at 10:00 AM (change of start time)
Finalised Agenda and Sign-up RSVP will be sent out on Monday 5th
This meeting is aimed at current Gr12 parents of students taking either the full IB Diploma or IB Yr2 courses leading to certificates. We will provide an overview of the year ahead, with tips of how you can support your child through this year in preparation for the IB exams in May 2023.
IB Matters for Gr11 Parents ‘Welcome to the IB’
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
‘Welcome to the IB’ – September 13th at 10:00 (change of start time)
This meeting is aimed at current Gr11 parents of students who have just begun their 2 year IB journey. We will provide an overview of the program, including focus on IB assessment, academic honesty, and your role as a parent of an IB student.
Further details and agendas will be published closer to the date. Later on this semester, we will hold an ‘IB Basics’ meeting, an Advanced Placement Program (AP) meeting, as well as other meetings focused on academics, pathways and student life in the HS. Watch this space for further details.
Finalised Agenda and Sign-up RSVP will be sent out on Monday 5th
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 is already available 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.
Panther Run #2
Peter Assimakopoulos
petera@isb.ac.th
Join us on the field at 7:00 am for a 7:30 am start! What better way to start your day than with a 3k or 5k walk/run?
A minimum donation of 100B to enter the Panther Fun Run. All proceeds go directly to the iCare Foundation.
iCare Thailand Foundation is a charitable organisation committed to meaningful community development that helps the underprivileged. They need our help to provide food and supplies to those in need.
iCare needs our help. A food supply bag costs 450 baht if you want to provide more. Every little baht counts towards helping our communities in need. Consider making a larger contribution to the Panther Fun Run.
The iCare donation box will be located at the turnstiles and at the start of the run.
News from the University Counselors
Debbie McDowell
debbiem@isb.ac.th
Thank you to all who attended the Senior Family Night on Tuesday. The university counselors were delighted to meet with a large group of students and parents. If you would like to review the information presented that evening, you can find the slideshow posted here. Please reach out to your child’s university counselor with any questions. We look forward to meeting with you during the Senior Family Conference which should be scheduled this month. Please check with your child to get that appointment set up!
Senior Seminar #2 was on Friday for all Grade 12 students. Detailed instructions were given about how students should request transcripts be sent to the universities to which they will be applying. Students are reminded that their Senior Questionnaire for their university counselor is due on 9 September. This should be completed thoughtfully and thoroughly as it is used by each counselor when writing the student’s letter of recommendation. Those students applying to universities in the UK were assisted in creating their UCAS application during the session while other students focused on essay writing, application completion and university research. It’s a busy time for the Seniors! Please check on your child’s progress on all the tasks they are working on for university research and applications.
Mark your calendars for the ISB Greater Bangkok University Fair which will be on 22 September, 8:30 – 10:40 AM in the MPB and Rajendra Hall. Approximately 200 universities from over 20 countries will be present to speak about programs offered at their institution. All grade 10, 11, and 12 students will be released from class to attend the fair. Parents are invited to attend as well. The tentative list of universities joining the fair is here. There will be a UK University Panel Discussion on 21 September, 6:00-7:30pm at Harrow International School (Pre Registration required/details to come soon). On the evening of 22 September, there will be a US Case Studies Workshop at Bangkok Prep, 6:00-8:00 (Open to Grade 11 and 12 students and parents; Pre Registration required-details available soon. Parking is very limited at the school.) Watch this space for more details as the time gets near.
Currently, there are no university visits scheduled for next week but check out who’s planning on visiting ISB in the near future:
15 September @ 11:00-11:40: University of British Columbia, MPB 1
15 September @ 3:00-3:30: Brandeis University, University of Richmond, and Trinity College, MPB 3
15 September @ 3:00-3:30: Boston University, MPB 1
26 September @ 11:00-11:40: Elon University, HS Conference Room
26 September @ 11:00-11:40: Hong Kong University, HS Large Conference Room
26 September @ 3:00-3:30: School of the Art Institute Chicago, HS Small Conference Room
27 September @ 3:00-3:30: State University of New York-Albany, HS Conference Room
27 September @ 6:00-8:00 pm IASAS Virtual University Fair (details to come soon)
There are still many virtual university events taking place and our students are invited to attend. Please have your child check the Virtual University Events spreadsheet to know what’s available. Please note that pre-registration is needed for some events.
Mark your calendars: The first Parent Coffee will be on Thursday, 15 September at 9:00-10:00 AM in the MPB 1. The session will be An Introduction to ISB University Counseling. We hope you will join us for that event to get to know the counselors, hear about our program and have a chance to ask questions.
SAT registration deadline for the October test is TODAY! If your child plans to take the test on 1 October, today is the last day to sign up for that test. The registration deadline to take the 3 December test is 3 November. All registration must be completed online. ISB is a closed test center and only current ISB students are allowed to sit the exam at ISB. Instructions for ISB students to register to take the test at ISB can be found here.
Please check the ISB University/College Counseling website for loads of information. You will find university research tools, transition resources for students and parents, recordings of Parent Coffees and family presentations, virtual university visits, information about testing and how to sign up for the SAT at ISB, a list of summer programs about which the counselors have been informed, and the ISB School Profile.
Kindly,
Debbie
News from High School Counselors
Shannon Lioni
shannonl@isb.ac.th
It has been a wonderful start to the new school year! We’re so happy to be back on campus, and to see students engaging in their learning, signing up for clubs and sports, and generally getting involved in the ISB community.
This week, the counselors have teamed up with the Grade 12 advisories to present a very relevant topic, time management. We focus on issues such as procrastination, self-management, creating a schedule, and how prioritizing responsibilities is a key part of being a successful student in Grade 12. We advise students to direct themselves away from leaving assignments to the last minute, as we know that procrastination often leads to anxiety, decreased sleep, poorer quality of work, and an overall sense of disappointment. These tips are relevant to all grades, not just Grade 12 students.
One hot topic was the challenge students have in creating and sticking to a schedule for themselves, and we have a few tips for how parents can support their children with this.
- Develop a weekly schedule. Pay attention to commitments, and schedule some free time in order to balance school/personal time.
- Figure out which method works best.If digital methods work better for students, we’d recommend Google calendar, as many assessments and deadlines are linked to the ISB assessment calendar that students can access. Students can also use their student planners to plot out their days and week ahead.
- Have a long-term plan. Use a monthly calendar and look ahead about 4 weeks. This can ease procrastination, as students will better prepare for upcoming projects and deadlines.
Counselors often meet with students to assist them in finding which methods work best for them, and we are also happy to discuss options with parents as well.
Thank you,
Shannon
High School Girls Soccer vs NIST
Kelley McKenna
kelleym@isb.ac.th
NIST 2 ISB 5
The ISB girls varsity soccer team traveled to NIST on Monday night and returned with a 5-2 victory. Despite playing well in the first third of the game, ISB found themselves 2-0 down and with a mountain to climb. However, positive thinking and refusing to accept defeat helped motivate ISB to step it up for the rest of the game. Meredith started the comeback with a 25-yard screamer before Melanie bundled home a corner to draw ISB level. Ema became the youngest ISB player and scorer when she slammed a low shot into the corner. By this stage, ISB were dominant, and Clara capped her debut and MVP performance with a lung-bursting run and finish. Houda then scored a powerful header to finish the game and a strong performance from ISB. The coaches and players were very impressed with our first game and optimism for the season ahead.
News from HS Library
Christopher Bell
christob@isb.ac.th
Please click News from HS Library
Coffee Corner Opening on Monday 5 September
Marc de Vries
marcd@isb.ac.th
Starting next Monday the new Coffee Corner will be open from 1:30am to 5:00pm. The Coffee Corner is conveniently located on the terras next to the ES Cafeteria so students and parents can enjoy drinks and bakery items near the playgrounds and athletics facilities.
The MS/HS cafeteria has re-introduced its Thai and Western a la carte breakfast service available to students and parents from 7:00am onwards. The menu includes a live cooking station and a wide selection of Thai and continental options.
Food service on campus is available at the following times:
MS/HS Cafeteria 7:00am – 1:00pm
The Grind 7:00am – 5:00pm
Upper Grind 7:00am – 3:00pm
Coffee Corner 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Marc de Vries
Invoice and Cashier Update
Atchara Ounsri (Amm)
atcharao@isb.ac.th
Please be informed that Invoice and Cashier will be moving back to the business office starting from September 5th, 2022 onwards.
Any questions, please contact me via email at atcharao@isb.ac.th, invoice@isb.ac.th or via phone at 02-963-5800 ext.1122.
Atchara Ounsri (Amm)
Invoice Officer
Ext.1122
PANTHER XTREME PARENT MEETING
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Please join us at 6:00pm on Monday, September 5th in MPB1 at the top of the ISB Zig Zag for an informational meeting about local skating venues and to learn more about Panther Xtreme at ISB. Following last year’s successful surfskate classes, we are expanding to informal park visits, exhibitions and boarding events this year, starting with a no-host skate at Dreg SkatePark in Nonthaburi on Saturday, September 17th from 10:00am-12:00pm! Note that transportation will not be provided for this first outing and that all students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to skate. In addition, participants will need their own skate equipment including a helmet (required). Knee pads and elbow pads are also recommended.
Questions? Write to us at PantherXtreme@isb.ac.th.
Calling all Contemporary Dancers!
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Join Guest Artist Mr. Patrice in his new creation “Super Organism”. Rehearsals each Tuesday 3 – 5pm in 8-204 after the Audition- Workshop on SEPT 6th! Join #TeamPatrice! Details / Sign Up HERE.
Invention Center After School Program & Invention Center Saturdays
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Want to learn how to convert a soda can into a sign or a piece of art? Come to the Invention Center on Saturday, September 3rd from 10am-12pm and learn basic metal embossing and punching techniques using different implements. This project is free and open to any middle or high school students, or ISB parents. Contact Travis Dynes at travisd@isb.ac.th to sign up. We will have time and space for the first 10 participants that sign up. A reminder that the Invention Center is open to students and parents every day after school until 6pm and on Saturdays from 8am-2pm (elementary students need to have a parent present for supervision).