MS Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences Next Week
Dear MS parents,
This week, we opened the sign-up process for MS Parent–Student-Teacher Conferences, taking place on October 6 & 7. Students are expected to join their parents for these conferences so that the feedback is clear for both parents and students. Students will be asked to contribute to the conversation. Students do NOT have to wear school uniform for conferences.
Strict time measures
For those that signed up, you will have received a confirmation email with your scheduled time slot. Please note that in order to meet all parents in the course of a session, teachers are under strict instructions to ensure conversations stay within 5 minutes. Our teachers have been encouraged to use a timer to help them monitor this time.
In order to make the most of the 5 minutes (which is quite a bit of time), it is helpful for parents to have checked PowerSchool in advance of the conferences. This saves the teacher having to call up grades during your conference. If more than 5 minutes is required to talk about your child’s learning and concerns, then we ask that a separate appointment be made with the teacher(s).
Planning the session
Upon arrival through the turnstiles (bring your ID), parents should check in with our registration table to collect the list of teachers and their locations. Teachers of Math, English, Science and Social Studies for each grade level are grouped together in a single space (with a few exceptions when a teacher teaches in multiple grades). In this space you will be able to see several teachers of your child.
Teachers of other subjects like the arts, D.T., languages, and PE/Wellness will be located in individual classrooms around the MS areas and you will move between rooms to speak with each teacher (max 5 minutes). There will be chairs outside the rooms if you are waiting your turn.
While it is impossible to recommend which teachers to start with, keep in mind that numbers for each grade level are limited for each session, so if a grade level area seems quite full and the wait is long, then this may be a good time to visit the elective, PE, and language teachers instead.
IASAS taking place in the gyms and on the track
ISB is participating in IASAS Championships for Season 1 sports during these days, so there will be some teachers who are not available during MS Conferences as they are coaching ISB students or are otherwise involved in this tournament. These teachers will reach out to let you know if they aren’t available.
We encourage families to come watch the IASAS volleyball and Cross country race which will take place on ISB’s campus during October 6-8 once your conferences are complete. There will be food vendors and a fun school spirit atmosphere.
If you haven’t signed up yet
If you have not signed up yet and still would like to, please look for the emailed instructions sent on Tuesday.
If you have any problems regarding the sign-in process or registering for a time, please contact Khun Arintra: arintrat@isb.ac.th.
We look forward to engaging with you about your child’s learning in the coming week.
Next Week’s Schedule
Next week, MS students will have a shorter school week with classes taking place on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Thursday and Friday are for Parent-Teacher Conferences and students are expected to join these conversations.
The following week is October break and school is closed. School resumes on October 17th with a day 7.
- Monday, Oct 3 – Day 2
- Tuesday, Oct 4 – Day 3
- Wednesday, Oct 5 – Day 4
- Thursday, Oct 6 – NO SCHOOL, Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
- Friday, Oct 7 – NO SCHOOL, Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
- Oct 9-13 – NO SCHOOL, October Break
- Monday, Oct 16 – Day 7
Recording Tardies and Absences
Positive attendance at school is strongly correlated with positive school performance. Like most schools, ISB monitors attendance in order to support students academic performance and account for their safety. By keeping accurate records, we are able to provide quality, factual data to parents, students, and teachers regarding the whereabouts of students and their Habits and Attitudes for Learning. Important lessons of punctuality and responsibility are learned in middle school – so valuable for children’s future in high school and the workplace beyond.
Attendance is kept for each class period separately.
Absences
When a student is not in class, they are marked “absent”. Absences may occur for a variety of reasons including illness, family matters, school organized trips, and more. ISB determines whether absences are “Excused” or “Unexcused” with clear criteria as outlined in the MS Handbook:
Tardies
When a student is not present for the start of a class, they are marked tardy. As we know, punctuality is important and respectful.
Being on time for class is a demonstration of respect for the student’s own learning, the teacher’s preparation and instruction of each lesson, and the attention and learning of classmates. When a child comes to class late, entering the room after lessons have started can be disruptive, drawing attention away from the learning at hand. It also means the student has missed intended learning.
Tardies happen for a variety of reasons and may be excused in the event of unexpected rain delays, a teacher releasing their students late from the class prior, or other unexpected circumstances. While we know that it can sometimes be slow entering campus, this is a known challenge and we expect students to leave home earlier in anticipation of delays like this. Students may be late looking for an ID card, or because they forgot school items and had to go back. We understand that these happen, but these would be unexcused tardies.
Over the course of the semester, we know that tardies may take place on occasion. If they become a pattern or regular occurrence, then we have measures in place for students to “make up” that time during other free time, like lunch. We hope that these types of consequences serve as a motivation to be on time moving forward.
Accurate Records
It is our responsibility as a school that accounts for student safety to have accurate records of where students are. Regardless of whether a tardy is excused or unexcused, it is our duty to record these in PowerSchool so that in the event of an emergency we have clarity on where a student is, when they arrived, and whether there are patterns that we need to be aware of to support their learning growth. All attendance records are kept as accurately as possible.
We appreciate parents ongoing efforts to ensure their children arrive at school on time. Classes this year start at 7:40 (when students should be in class, not just arriving). This is significantly later than previous years when we started at 7:20 AM! During the day, we provide plenty of passing time to move between classes and go to lockers for supplies.
If parents need to report an absence, they can write directly to Khun Aor, our Attendance Secretary, at walairaw@isb.ac.th
MS Clubs & Activities Kick Off
On Monday and Tuesday of this past week, Middle School kicked off our Clubs and Activities program. Emphasizing the ISB Values of Courage and Balance, students were encouraged to pursue their interests, try new things, and monitor their enthusiastic sign-ups to prevent over-extension.
There has been a lot of excitement and energy from these kick off events as our many activities get up and running.
First Assembly in Chevron in Years!
First, ISB MS had its first whole school assembly in the Chevron Theater in years, celebrating our school’s commitment to balance and courage. These values are demonstrated everyday through participation in our clubs, councils, and activities. Performances by the Orchestra, Dance Team, and Shakespeare Club gave our middle school the opportunity to celebrate the commitment and talents of our young musicians, dancers, and thespians and further build our supportive community.
Club and Activities Fair
Then on Tuesday, we hosted a club and activities fair in the Rajendra. We prompted students: “Think about your balance, do you have time for family and friends, staying active, and your interests and passions? How might you demonstrate courage? Maybe you’ll try something new, make new friends.” Students were able to wander around the gym and discover new and exciting opportunities to get involved with at ISB!
Middle School Clubs and Activities Booklet
Please find the 2022-2023 Middle School Club and Activities booklet here. It will be updated regularly. For the most up-to-date information, however, we recommend that students read the Good Morning Middle School Announcements (GMMS) each school night to get updates about club meetings and other important information, possibly even new clubs that start up later in the year.
THE SHAKESPEARE TOURNAMENT 2022
We have a bunch of talented actors who have been having a ton of fun preparing for our Shakespeare Tournament! Come see the final “Game Day” on October 4, 3:00 – 3:30pm after school, in the CC Theatre.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM REGISTRATION (SEASON 2) WILL BE OPEN OCTOBER 5TH-26TH
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
MS PANTHER DANCE
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
ISB Korean Parents Meeting – 4th Oct
Korea Parent Community: 4th October 2022
9:30-11:30 MPB Room #1
iCare – where did your money and efforts go last year?
Last year, the ISB community banded together to make a difference in many lives. Lives that were directly impacted by COVID and others that have been living a life of poverty in the slums.
Your money and efforts helped iCare make a significant difference.
- About half a million baht was donated in total from the ISB community and this is the result of all the money raised through fundraisers throughout the year.
- Over 600,000 people were fed in slums and construction camps.
- 10 micro businesses were started by single mothers.
- 2,000 blankets and jackets and sweaters were distributed in northern Thailand during the wintertime.
- iCare distributed food to 600 people along with supplies for young mothers and infants.
- Over 160 bicycles were also distributed to school children across districts which have helped kids find an easier way to school.
A short story about Chutima
Statistics are all well and good, but each of those numbers represents lives impacted. The result of which is harder to quantify. One such instance comes to mind from the end of the school year. As the school year was winding down, some of the middle schoolers at ISB initiated a drive to collect bicycles to be donated to those in need- which ended up having a bigger impact than any of us realized, particularly in the life of one of our 15-year-old scholarship students, Chutima.
When Chutima was 13, her mother suffered a stroke that left her almost completely paralyzed, except for the ability to blink, which she quickly developed into a means to communicate with her daughter. As her mom was caring for Chutima, her younger sister, 5, and her elderly grandmother, overnight Chutima became an adult, responsible for the welfare of the household, having to make decisions that no 13-year-old should have to.
For 2 years Chutima managed the family, caring for the physical needs of her mom and the rest of the family, as well as ensuring her sister went to school, at the expense of her having to drop out of school. All of this is on the disability pension her mom received of 800 baht per month, and the social welfare funds her grandmother received of 600 baht for a total of 1,400 Baht monthly.
Once iCare became aware of this distressing situation, they started doing their best to find a way to get Chutima back into school, as well as get the help this family so desperately needed. As the pieces came together, the very last obstacle was the bus fee of 650 baht per month to get to and from school. Thankfully one of the bicycles that were collected by ISB was a perfect fit for her, enabling her to bike to school daily. We are proud to report that she’s back in school, working hard to catch up on the 2 years she missed out.
So on behalf of Chutima, and thousands of other students like her, we would like to say thank you to each and every one of you in the ISB community for changing her world for the better.
We are excited to work with iCare again this year as they help bring about long-term lasting change to communities in need across Thailand.
Invention Center After School & Saturday Programs
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).
Arts & Activities News Blurbs – Sept. 29th-Oct. 7th, 2022
FREE Books in Many Languages
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/
