Message from HS Principal
Justin Alexander
Justina@isb.ac.th
Dear Parents,
Thank you for coming along to the Student Parent Teacher conferences this week, it was wonderful to see so many of you in person (over 84% overall attendance rate in the HS and a high of 95% for Grade 9s). We trust that you were able to hear about your child’s successes and also learn about the areas for growth in each of the subject areas these days. We appreciate and welcome the partnership we have with parents in the learning journey for each and every one of our students.
Looking ahead we have one more exciting week of school before the October break. IASAS kicks off again in earnest after a nearly 3-year break with ISB hosting Volleyball and Cross Country teams whilst our Footballers head over to KL for their tournament. We wish them all the best and know that they and their coaches will make ISB proud during this tournament.
You will have all read the exciting news in Dr. Davies’ message yesterday about the changes to the Ministry of Education’s regulations making the wearing of masks optional in schools effective Monday, October 3rd. Whilst excited about this change, we are supportive and understanding of students and faculty members who choose to continue wearing masks at school, so please feel free to make your own decisions regarding the wearing of masks at school. If your child is suffering any cold/flu like symptoms they should not be at school and remain at home until they recover.
Have a great week of school IASAS as we look forward to the October break.
Regards
Justin Alexander
High School Principal
Important Links
Have a question and don’t know who to ask – click on HS QUESTION LINK
Click on HS Parent Meetings to see the full list of parent meetings for this year.
ISB Panther page for Varsity and Junior Varsity game schedules etc
DELVE Handbook link – for information about DELVE
Senior Gate Passes
Andy Vaughan
andyv@isb.ac.th
Senior Gate Passes are now available for students who qualify for one. At this point in time 34 students are eligible for a pass. As the requirements below are met, students will be able to have their gate pass approved.
In order to obtain a Senior Gate Pass students need to:
-
Have all CAS requirements up to date
-
Not have had excessive amounts of MSH (<4)
-
Not more than 4 absences in any one class at this point in the semester.
-
Had no more than four tardies as of Monday of this week.
-
Have turned in their draft EE (If full IB).
If a student fulfils all the above requirements, the final step to get a Senior Gate Pass involves parents completing the Senior Gate Pass Authorisation form on Operoo via this link. Students will need to sign this form together with you to be eligible to have the pass.
Please note that you can fill out the above form even if your child is not yet eligible. Once they have met the requirements their card will be activated to allow them to come on and off campus at any time during the school day.
For the full expectations of the Senior Gate Pass, these are listed in the form linked above.
HAL Progress and Grade Up Date
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
We have updated our Habits and Attitudes to Learning progress along with a Grade-Up-Date on a 7-1 scale. Both grades are now visible for students and parents on PowerSchool. The grade posted on a 7-1 scale is a snapshot of where the student is ‘at’, at this moment in time in the course. Grades are determined using assessment evidence to-date. In some subjects where a summative assessment has not yet been completed, this determination is a ‘working level’ for the student based on current evidence of learning and the teacher’s professional judgment.
Please note that students taking the School Supported Self Taught in Language A, a Global Online Academy course or a Pamoja online course, will not have grades input at this time.
To access grades please see the following guide to help you: –
To view current grade and HAL progress:
- Log to PowerSchool Parent Portal.
- Select ‘Grades and Attendance’
- To view current grades, select ‘Grades and Attendance’ tab
- To view current HAL performance, select ‘Standards Grades’
If you have any questions about your child’s academic performance, please reach out to the subject teacher or the student’s counselor. the admin team can also help, if you have any overall questions.
Advanced Placement Exams – Information for 2023
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
Dear Students and Parents,
Between September and November 2022, we will be registering students for AP exams for the May 2023 Session. If you are interested in sitting an AP exam at ISB please read the AP Registration Form and look over all the information. Students taking an AP Course at ISB are expected to sit the AP Exam and will be given a registration form by their AP teacher. Students who wish to take an AP Exam Only (Self-Study) must discuss this request with their counselor and the Dean of Academics. At ISB, AP exams are open to students in Grades 10 and above. HERE are the ISB guidelines for AP Students interested in taking AP Exams.
Below is a link to find out more about all AP Courses and Exams (Also linked in the form) – https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/course-index-page
AP Exams Schedule HERE
DELVE Placements
Peter Assimakopoulos
petera@isb.ac.th
We announced our DELVE placements this past Wednesday, September 28th, 2022.
As a reminder of the course details and price, please find the DELVE Handbook for your reference.
Students can log in to Power School as of Friday, September 30th, to see their DELVE course.
The payment details and required documents will be emailed next week. For businesses requiring a letter of support for reimbursement of DELVE costs, please email Khun Pat directly (patarinb@isb.ac.th) to start the process. Please note that DELVE Payments need to be completed by October 31st, 2022.
Please note that during advisory, the first DELVE meeting will be on Wednesday 19th October. In this meeting, students will meet the peers they are travelling/sharing this experience with. Students will also receive more details about the trip’s expectations and packing lists.
Important Note about cost: Course prices are approximate; in most cases, costs have been overestimated. However, final costs are determined by the total number of students that sign up for a course. In the case where excess has been collected, families will be reimbursed after we have gone on the trips in December.
Important note for International Trips: For all trips outside of Thailand, families are responsible for checking visa requirements, obtaining the proper visas for entry for their child’s DELVE, and obtaining reentry visas for Thailand.
For any questions regarding DELVE, please direct these to either Khun Pat (patarinb@isb.ac.th) or Peter Assimakopoulos (petera@isb.ac.th).
News from University Counselors
Debbie McDowell
debbiem@isb.ac.th
Thank you to all the grade 11 students and parents who attended the Junior Family University Night on Wednesday. The slide show from the presentation can be reviewed here. The university counselors kicked off the university research process with a university swag lottery, giving away some great gifts. Families learned about the future events which juniors will focus on during Junior Seminar. Junior Family University Night #2 will be on 19 January, 2023.
Grade 11 students had their first Junior Seminar on Tuesday. The university counselors led the students on an exercise to explore their values. The students were given an assignment to explore their character traits, values, and perceptions. Students also reflected and created their own 6-Word Story. Ask your child about that! The counselors took time to review the ISB University Counseling website. Finally, the juniors logged on to and perused the MaiaLearning website that offers a great deal: interest and aptitude inventories, career database, university research, university visits and much more!
Class of 2023
Deadlines are approaching quickly for the seniors:
- 3 October: Transcript Requests due for all university applications with due dates before 1 December
- 1 November: Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines (according to university deadlines)
- 15 November: Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines (according to university deadlines)
- 15 November: Transcript Requests due for all universities applications with due dates before 15 February
- 1 December: UCAS application due (UK university application)
Seniors should be setting appointments with their university counselor to review essays, review the application and then to submit the applications. Remember that the first applications must be submitted with the counselor in his/her office. These appointments should be set before the university deadline. Please speak to your child about when these are being set up!
For Students Taking the SAT on Saturday, 1 October
ISB will be administering the SAT on Saturday, 1 October. Check-in will begin at 7:30 AM outside the MPB and the test is scheduled to start at 8:00AM. All students must bring the following items with them to be admitted to campus and the test rooms: School ID, National ID (passport or Thai national ID card), printed admissions ticket. Students are allowed to have a clear water bottle with them during testing but no food can be consumed in the testing room. Students may only bring pencils, erasures and acceptable calculators into the test room. Students must properly wear their masks at all times or they will be asked to leave the testing site and their test will be canceled without being scored. If you have any questions about the SAT, please reach out to Ms Shrestha in the HS Counseling Office.
SAT is going digital!
As the College Board prepares to launch the digital SAT in March 2023, they invite students and their families to join this October for an information session, “Preparing for the Digital SAT for International Students.”
The upcoming webinar will provide information and resources needed to prepare for the digital SAT. During the webinar, we’ll discuss:
- The value of the SAT in today’s admissions landscape
- An overview of the digital SAT
- Digital SAT test specifications
- Registering for the digital SAT
- Practicing for the digital SAT
- Digital SAT device requirements and requesting a device
For your convenience, the College Board is offering two webinar options presenting the same information. Please select a time that best suits your time zone and schedule.
Students may submit questions to the College Board during the webinar registration process. Answers will be built into the presentation or discussed during the Q&A portion of the webinar.
In the meantime, visit sat.org/digital-guide to learn more.
Parent Coffee, Next Week
The university counselors will be hosting the next Parent Coffee on Wednesday, 5 October @ 9:00-10:00 AM in the MPB 1. The topic will be Standardize Testing. Please join us for an in depth discussion around timing and recommendations for testing.
Upcoming University Visits:
- Wednesday, 19 October: Maryland Institute College of Art, 3:00-3:30 @ HS Conference Room
- Tuesday, 25 October: Indiana University-Bloomington, 3:00-3:30 @ HS Conference Room
- Thursday, 27 October: Dusit Thani College, 11:00-11:40 @ HS Conference Room
There are many virtual and off campus university events taking place which our students are invited to attend. Check the Virtual and Off Campus University Events spreadsheet to know what’s available. Please note that pre-registration is needed for some events.
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 and slide shows from Parent Coffees and family presentations, virtual and off campus 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,
Deb
News from School Counselors
Shannon Leoni
shannonl@isb.ac.th
Thank you to the parents who were able to attend our recent Parent/Counselor coffee this week. We had a great discussion about the joys and challenges of parenting teenagers and were able to share stories with one another about ways we can further support our children.
As we mentioned in the counselor/parent coffee, we are going to be starting an optional book club for the book, “Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention.” The QR code to sign-up can be found here. We look forward to seeing many of you there.
This week was also quite full with parent/teacher conferences. We really welcome the opportunity to speak with you and your children. For anyone who was unable to attend but would like to speak with a counselor, please let us know and we will be in touch.
News from HS Library
Christopher Bell
christob@isb.ac.th
Please click News from HS Library
News from the Athletic
Kelley McKenna
kelleym@isb.ac.th
Mark your calendars and get your Panther gear ready because next week is IASAS! We are hosting both IASAS Volleyball & Cross Country from October 6-8th. Please come support ISB and experience the excitement of IASAS. The schedule can be found below:
REGISTRATION FOR SEASON 2 WILL BE OPEN OCTOBER 5TH-26TH
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Registration for after school programs opens at 3:00pm October 5th! See details about how to sign up below. Again, It is our sincere hope that by having all of these programs available in one place for families, it will make it easier for parents to talk with their kids about what’s on, and to decide together what they want to do after school.
Early Release Days (ERD)
Our after-school activities/athletics will begin at their regularly scheduled times on ERD days. This means that there will be a 90-minute gap between the end of the school day and the beginning of session 1. We expect that students will go home and return to school for their activity.
Registration Requirements
Payment is required to register for any pay-to-play programs with the exception of Panther Music which for Season 2 is set up as interest only with payments due after lesson times and teacher availability have been confirmed. Scholastic, or “free” programs require simply one click on the “register” button associated with each activity to enroll a student. Registration closes for Season 2 activities at 3:00pm on Wednesday, October 26th. Note that late registration will not be possible if you miss this window, although you will have an opportunity to sign up for Season 3 activities in January.
Refund Policy
The two reasons we would consider a refund are:
- Your child has a medical issue that requires them to stop an activity (documentation is required)
- Your family is leaving the country in the middle of the season
Inclement Weather
Every effort will be made to make up weather related cancellations however refunds will not be issued for activities that are canceled due to circumstances beyond the control of Panther Activities or Athletics.
We reserve the right to make necessary administrative modifications (i.e. instructor, combining classes, location, cancellations, etc.). Changes will be promptly communicated to the email address provided with your registration.
Join Us to Learn More
Please join us in the Chevron Theater at 8:00am on Wednesday, October 5th for a short presentation on how to use the new CCA registration platform. Attendees should bring their own device in addition to their powerschool login details.
CONTACT US
ISB Arts & Activities Arts & Activities at ISB
Khun Kwang at louisas@isb.ac.th, Anthony Giles at anthonyg@isb.ac.th
ISB Athletics Athletics at ISB
Elementary – Khun Apple orathaik@isb.ac.th, or Kelley McKenna kelleym@isb.ac.th
Middle School – Khun Apple orathaik@isb.ac.th, or Kelley McKenna kelleym@isb.ac.th
High School – Khun Pang tharatcs@isb.ac.th, or Chris Mott chrism@isb.ac.th
Panther Arts & Activities
Khun Bee at panchary@isb.ac.th, or Anthony Giles at anthonyg@isb.ac.th.
Panther Athletics
Khun Pop panaddap@isb.ac.th, or Khun Fon at punnanuw@isb.ac.th
HOW TO REGISTER:
SEASON 2 CO-CURRICULAR BREAKDOWN
On behalf of all of our coaches, staff and coordinators, thank you for signing your children up for our after school programs. We can’t wait to work with your kids!
Regards,
Chris, Kelley, Fon and Anthony
HS PANTHER DANCE
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Exciting first session for our dancers and instructors.
This session we’re having fun, focusing on technique, dance vocabulary and specific dance skills that will be used for the performances in May. Limited spots available for November 7th session. Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz and Ballet.
Contact Yoona pantherdance@isb.ac.th
Invention Center After School & Saturday Programs
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Need an organizer for your desk or craft supplies? Come to the Invention Center on Saturday, October 1st and turn used spools from 3D printer filament into a custom organizer that you can use at home. In the process, you will also learn how to use a drill press. We have 8 printer spools available for reuse so we will have 4 spots open at 10am and 4 spots at 11am. Contact Travis Dynes at travisd@isb.ac.th to sign up. Please indicate which time spot you would like to sign up for.
A reminder that the Invention Center is open to students, parents, and staff every day after school until 6pm and on Saturdays from 8am-2pm (elementary students need to have a parent present for supervision).
FREE Books in Many Languages
Avery Udagawa
averyu@isb.ac.th
Come get some FREE books to read during October Break! In . . .
- Come get some FREE books to read during October Break! In . . .
- français
- 日本語
- norsk
- עברית
- dansk
- 中文
- Deutsch
- 한국어
- Nederlands
- ภาษาไทย
- español
- हिन्दी
- and more!
The Panther Native Language Academy office (next to the MPB) has children’s and adult books and magazines in many languages, donated by our community. Come in and browse during Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences!
Contact: Avery Udagawa: PantherNativeLanguageAcademy@isb.ac.th
Native Language @ ISB Blog: https://inside.isb.ac.th/nativelanguage/