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‘Still learning’

Dear Parents,

It was a slightly shorter week for our students and families with Monday’s holiday, but our teachers were still working and extended their professional growth with a full day of learning on Monday. Our faculty were pleased to be able to spend time with Dr. Michael Thompson and Katie Novac on Monday and throughout the week and get their support and advice in their respective areas of expertise. It was also great to have some educational experts here in person after a number of years of holding online or zoom sessions for professional learning.

Dr. Thompson was also able to offer two parent sessions on Tuesday, which were well-attended and a great source of information for our parents. Katie Novac continued her work with our teachers on developing ISB’s approach to Universal Design for Learning which is directly impacting our teachers’ planning and structuring of lessons to provide better access to all of our learners. We look forward to seeing the fruits of that work in the months and years ahead.

Please add to your calendar the next HS PTA meeting on November Wednesday 9th November at 9 am and do read the Counselor section for details about their upcoming meetings for parents.

Have a great weekend
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

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.

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 a grade update 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’

News from University Counselors

Debbie McDowell
debbiem@isb.ac.th

In conjunction with the US State Department and the Office of Overseas School, ISB will be offering a presentation on US Higher Education with Ellen Chow, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Johns Hopkins University. On Tuesday, 1 November at 6:30 PM please join us for a virtual presentation by Ms Chow. She will discuss higher education in the US and current admissions landscape impacting student enrollment in US universities. In order to attend, please register by 31 October by completing this form.

Mark your calendars! ISB will be hosting the 2022 Thai University Fair on 14 November from 10:40-12:00 noon in the MPB. We have invited over 50 faculties from Thai universities to be on campus to discuss their programs and admissions requirements. All High school students will be able to attend the fair and parents of High School students are invited to attend as well.

Grade 11
On Tuesday, most grade 11 students took the PSAT. In December, students will receive an email to notify them that their scores are available and can be accessed through the PSAT portal on the website provided by College Board. The email will include their login information and a code that will allow them to access review material and practice questions on Khan Academy. Please encourage your child to be on the lookout for that email.

Junior Seminar #3 will take place on 10 November @ 7:50 am. All grade 11 students are expected to attend all Junior Seminar sessions. The university counselors will continue to lead the grade 11 in self reflection activities that are closely tied to their university research and selection process. Students will start evaluating their priorities and preferences for the universities that they will attend as well as create their own mission statement.

Grade 12
All Early Decision and Early Action applications due by 1 November should have been submitted by the student with their counselor by Friday. This is a stressful time for students who are applying to university but many students have felt a great deal of relief this week as they pushed “submit” to get those applications sent off. The next big deadline approaching is 15 November for the rest of the early decision and some regular decision applications. That date is also the deadline for all Transcript Requests for all applications with a deadline before 15 February. Just a reminder that all essays and applications must be reviewed by the counselor before being submitted to that university. This is a necessary step to ensure that all students are submitting the best, most polished application as possible.

The next Senior Seminar will be on 8 November. Students will review information about Thai university applications and have time to work on essays and applications. For those not applying to university right now, they will have time to do research about the universities to which they will be applying in the second semester.

University Counselors Travel to Conference and to visit Universities

Mr Becker and Ms McDowell will be out of the office as they travel to the CIS Forum on University Admissions and to visit universities in Europe. Mr. Becker will be away all next week and Ms McDowell will be out of the office between 2-9 November. Ms Shrestha and Mr. Nichols will be on hand to support students while they are away.

Upcoming University Visits:

Monday, 31 October: California Lutheran University, 11:00-11:40, HS Conference Room
Friday, 4 November: SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern,11:00-11:40, HS Conference Room
Monday, 7 November: Mini Fair, 3:00-3:45 @ HS Cafeteria.
Tio University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands)
University of Otago (New Zealand)
Singapore Institute of Management
ESCP Business School (UK)
University of Westminster (UK)
Riverside City College, Western Kentucky University, Valencia College, University of Kansas (US)
University of Calgary (Canada)
Wednesday, 9 November: Arizona State University, 3:00-3:30 @ HS Small Conf Room
Wednesday, 9 November: Imperial College London, 3:00-3:30 @ HS Large Conf Rm
Thursday, 10 November: University of Bath-Mini Taster Lecture, 11:00-11:40 @ MPB 3

Towards the next generation of healthcare: how engineers can help develop

personalized and precision medicine

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,
Debbie

Discussion group for parents of children who identify as LGBTQ+
Frank Sambula
franks@isb.ac.th

Are you interested in participating in a discussion group for parents of children who identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer)?

The ISB counselors are organizing an affinity group for parents of children of all ages, including graduates.

The initial evening session will be facilitated by an ISB counselor from each division. ISB counselors will arrange a space for subsequent sessions, but the overall aim of this affinity group is for parents to support parents.

If you’re interested, please complete this Google form.

Our first session will be Wednesday, November 2 from 6 PM-7 PM. We will provide small snacks and drinks.

If you’d like more information, please contact:

ES- Doug Williamson: douglasw@isbac.th
MS- Colleen Coady: colleenc@isb.ac.th
HS- Shannon Leoni: shannonl@isb.ac.th

ARTSCO MOVIE NIGHT 7:00PM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28TH in the CCT

Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

This Halloween, Arts Council is hosting a spooky movie night with Popcorn to advocate for arts and activities at ISB, as well as John Krasinski. That’s right, we’ll be watching A Quiet Place in the CC Theater not the Chevron! Before the movie, we’ll be showing “trailers” for some of our creativity clubs and the close approaching IASAS films. Join us in the CCT for a jump-scare filled evening on September 28th at 7:00pm!!

CALL OUT for HS DANCERS interested in IASAS Varsity and/or JV!!

Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

IASAS Dance auditions coming up on Mon & Tues, Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 in the HS Studio (8-204). Here’s more information including a sign up for Tuesday SOLOS in person or as videos. Contact Ms. Price with any questions (jaleeap@isb.ac.th)

IASAS Model United Nations Showcase 3:00pm November 3rd MPB1

Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

Join ISB delegates and secretariat in MPB1 at 3:00pm Thursday, November 3rd for this year’s IASAS MUN Showcase.

HANUMAN FILM FESTIVAL & IASAS ART & FILM SHOWCASE 6:30pm NOVEMBER 3rd CCT

Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

This year’s Hanuman Film Festival & IASAS Art & Film Showcase will be held in the CC Theater on Thursday, November 3rd at 6:30 pm! Ticket are 100 baht and can be purchased at the door. All funds will be donated to iCare and Small Business Support Club.

Panther Xtreme @ ESC Thai Wake Park Saturday and Sunday, November 5th & 6th

Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

Join the growing community of Panther Xtreme families for another no-host event at ESC Thai Wake Park in Rangsit all day on Saturday and Sunday, November 5th and 6th for the 2022 Singha IWWF World Cable Wakeboard & Wakeskate Championships featuring reigning world champion and upcoming ISB guest presenter, Julia Rick! Note that transportation will not be provided for this event and that all students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to attend. Panther Xtreme @ ESC Thai Wake Park Saturday and Sunday, November 5th & 6th

Arts & Activities @ ISB

Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th

OCTOBER

27-Dec 12 ES Art Exhibition “Cardboardia” – Chevron Theater Gallery

28 HS Drama, “Museum” – (3:30pm) CC Theater (tickets @ lunch)

28 HS ArtsCo Movie Night featuring A Quiet Place 13+ (7pm) CC Theater

29 Invention Center Saturday – (9am-12pm) ISB Invention Center

29 Psychic Fever at En Nichi Japanese Community Event (12-3pm) Outdoor Stage

29 Trio Senza Fretta with Mia-Rong Wang – (6pm) Chaengwattana Community Church

NOVEMBER

2 IASAS Black & Gold Art, Film and MUN Assembly – (10:50am) Chevron Theater

3 IASAS MUN Showcase – (3:30pm) MPB 1

3 IASAS Art & Film Showcase (6:30pm) CC Theater

3 Hanaman Film Festival (6:30pm) CC Theater

10-12 IASAS Art & Film @ ISM

10-12 IASAS MUN @ ISB (hosted at the UNCC Bangkok)

10-12 MS Band Cultural Exchange Trip

15 IASAS Art, Film and MUN Banquet (6:00pm) MPB 1-3

17 IASAS Math @ SAS (virtual)

19 ES Girl Powered Robotics Extravaganza (9-12:15pm) ES Cafeteria

20 HS Chess Championship @ BPS

29 MS/HS Band Concert (6:30pm) Chevron Theater

News from HS Counselors (Repeat)

Frank Sambula
franks@isb.ac.th

Dear HS Parent/Guardians,

At ISB we care deeply about the well-being of our students. To help us meet our mission to support them in leading healthy, active and balanced lives, all students in Grades 9-12 will complete the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) during Advisory on November 1.

Why is the questionnaire being administered?

The purpose of this questionnaire is to:

Identify students who require immediate support
Identify students who are struggling with social/emotional/behavioral issues in order to provide appropriate early intervention/prevention support
Obtain an overview of the social/emotional/behavioral needs at our school to ensure that we are providing optimal support for our students

How and when will the questionnaire be administered?

The online questionnaire will be administered during your child’s Advisory and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The survey items are available for you to review here.

How will the results be used?

The data collected will be managed, analyzed, and reported by a team including the school counselors, school psychologists, and the Director of Student Services in accordance with the ISB Confidentiality Policy.
Individual student responses to the questionnaire are confidential. Any concerns raised through the survey administration process will be shared only with school personnel involved in supporting that student.
The questionnaire administration process has been designed to identify specific students who need additional support. The survey will be conducted electronically, and students’ names will be captured along with their responses. ISB counselors will meet with any student whose responses indicate a need for follow up and parents will be notified.
School counselors, school psychologists, and administrators will analyze overall trends to help improve student support at ISB.
In completing this questionnaire, your child will have an opportunity to privately reflect on his/her current social-emotional health and wellness. Some parents may choose to use the questionnaire as an opportunity to create dialogue related to social-emotional wellbeing topics with their child following the completion of the survey.

Does my child have to complete the questionnaire?

No. As a parent or guardian, you can opt out of having your child complete this questionnaire. Students will be informed that they may choose to skip any questions that they do not feel comfortable answering.

Parents/Guardians who do not want their child to take the survey should let their child’s school counselor know by phone or in writing prior to the administration of the SDQ. ISB will assume parent/guardian consent to their child participating unless the school counselor has been notified. Parents do not have to do anything unless they do not want their child to participate.

Thank you so much for your support with this important project.

ISB Counseling Team

High School Counselors:
Jackie Valenzuela (jackiev@isb.ac.th)
Frank Sambula, Jr (franks@isb.ac.th)
Shannon Leoni (shannonl@isb.ac.th)

MS and HS School Psychologist:
Ryan Ruhl (ryanr@isb.ac.th)

Director of Student Services:
Keith Collins (keithc@isb.ac.th)

HS Dean of Students Principal:
Andy Vaughan (andyv@isb.ac.th)