Friendship
Justin Alexander
Hi everyone
I am writing my eNews article to you today from the pool deck in KL with the IASAS swim team and their wonderful coaches. As expected it has already been a great swim meet with records being broken and personal best times being the normal for our Panther swimmers.
I know that our other IASAS teams are also experiencing success in Singapore, Manila and Jakarta and encourage you to follow them on the livestream links and results pages already shared by Chris Mott and our athletic department. I should say though that even more important than the results are the opportunities created by these tournaments for our students to form friendships with one another and across the IASAS school community. This is true for students, parents and coaches alike who are attending these events throughout south east Asia.
A big thank you to all parents who have also journeyed to each venue to support their children and the rest of the ISB teams. There is great spirit and energy on display from our travelling parents if the swim parents are anything to go by.
Speaking of parents we are hosting a HS PTA meeting on Thursday at 9.30am in the MPB 1. If you plan on coming please register by clicking on HS PTA registration link. You will also have an opportunity to share any questions when you register.
Agenda items include
- Update form HS PTA reps
- Advisory update including details about a recent visit by IFSEL.
- College counselor update
- Athletics wrap up of IASAS results etc
- Presentation by parents on our first ISB parent book club.
- Academic update on course selections and updates
- Announcement of dates of open chat with the Principal sessions
Have a great weekend and go Panthers
Justin
Important Links
Have a question and don’t know who to ask? You can email me at justina@isb.ac.th or click on HS QUESTION LINK and we will get you the answer you need.
HS Parent Meetings – Semester 2 – updated list of the upcoming Parent meetings.
ISB Panther page for Varsity and Junior Varsity game schedules etc
News from the University Counselors
Debbie McDowell
debbiem@isb.ac.th
The University Counseling department had a productive meeting with Canadian Embassy representatives this week. The Senior Trade Commissioner and his associates were hosted on campus on Thursday. A brief presentation detailed the university applications to Canadian universities this year and the recent past. It was a great opportunity to meet with the officials who promote Canadian higher education and share ideas about making connections with colleges and universities in Canada for our students and families. There will be a Mini Canadian University Fair at ISB on 13 March from 11:00-11:40. Watch the eNews for more information as the date draws near.
Grade 10
The university counselors have met individually with all grade 10 students this week to discuss future plans and course registration. Each student completed a google form to make notes about the courses they intended to register for next year. It was a good introduction to the students and their plans for after ISB. Please ask your child to share the ideas they discussed with their university counselor.
Grade 11
Junior Led Conferences continued this week. The juniors are doing a good job of presenting their self reflections and the university research they have done so far. Almost all of the juniors have already booked the appointment for their meeting. If your child has not done so, please encourage them to get that event in the calendar.
Grade 12
Senior Seminar was on Friday this week. A summary of the Class of 2023 university applications was shared with the seniors and some time was spent on the applications yet to be submitted to countries like Australia and Korea. Students who still have those applications to submit, should schedule a senior meeting with their counselor as soon as possible.
Senior parents, mark your calendars. The University Counselors are offering a Grade 12 Parent Transition session just for you on Tuesday, 4 April, at 9:00 AM in the MPB 3. We look forward to seeing you there.
Parent Coffees
February Parent Coffees will be dedicated to those interested in finding out about different regions of the world:
| 7 Feb @ 9
10 Feb @ 9 21 Feb @ 9 23 Feb @ 9 28 Feb @ 9 |
Study in the UK (MPB1)
Study in Canada (MPB1) Study in the Netherlands (MPB3) Study in Hong Kong & Singapore (MPB1) Study in Australia (MPB1) |
University Visits at ISB
Universities are making appointments to come to ISB to meet with students and parents. Please encourage your child to check the list and the TV screen outside the counseling office for who will visit and when.
Upcoming Visits:
- Monday, 6 February: Ecole Ducasse Culinary School, 3:00-3:30, HS Small Conference Room
- Monday, 6 February: Indiana University Bloomington, 3:00-3:30, HS Large Conference Room
Although there are no university visits planned on ISB campus next week, just a reminder that there will be an Australian and UK University Fair on Saturday, 4 Feb, 1-5 PM, at Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square. In addition there are lots of events in Bangkok as well as online. Please encourage your child to consistently 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 useful 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.
News from the School Counselors
Jackie Valenzuela
jackiev@isb.ac.th
We have enjoyed meeting many of you at the Course Selection sessions we have held over the past week. We hope the information has been helpful as you and your child discuss their academic plan moving forward.
Schedule changes for the remainder of this semester can only be made for the following reasons and by the following dates:
- If a teacher recommends a level change due to misplacement (i.e. Extended Math to Core Math, Spanish III to Spanish II), a change can be made with parent, counselor and administrative approval. The original class will not appear on the transcript. Deadline is Friday, February 10.
- Between the 6th and 10th week of a course, if a student needs to move down a level, the dropped course will be listed on the transcript with a WP (Withdraw Pass) or WF (Withdraw Fail). The WP or WF grade is not included in the calculation of GPA nor is credit granted. Your grade in the new course will only include work completed in the new course. Deadline is Friday, March 17.
- No level changes after March 17.
Please speak with your student’s counselor if you have any questions.
News from the Athletic
Kelley McKenna
kelleym@isb.ac.th
Season 3 begins on Monday!
Season 3 is about to begin! Season 3 Tryouts begin on Monday, February 6th.
JV/Varsity Golf- 3:00-5:00 at the Golf Center
JV/Varsity Track & Field- 3:00-5:00 at the track
JV/Varsity Softball- 3:00-5:00 on Albert Field (Softball field)
JV/Varsity Baseball- 3:00-5:00 on Reinsch Field (Baseball field)
JV Badminton – 3:00-5:00 in the Sports Center
Varsity Badminton- 3:00-5:00 in Rajendra
If you don’t know where to go- come to the breezeway and we can help! Good luck!
SEASON 2 IASAS
Season Two IASAS is currently underway! Cheer on the Panthers from home as they compete in Rugby, Touch, Swimming, Basketball and Tennis. Below are the websites for each IASAS where you can find the schedules and streaming links to join us.
IASAS Swimming – Tournament website
IASAS Rugby/Touch- Tournament Website – passkey: welcometojis
IASAS Basketball – Tournament Website
IASAS Tennis- Tournament Website
Lets Go Panthers!!!!!!
News from HS Library
Christopher Bell
christob@isb.ac.th
Please click News from HS Library
Kinnari Music Festival June 19-24, 2023
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
The Kinnari Music Festival at International School Bangkok, aims to provide an incredible opportunity for young symphonic musicians throughout the region to further explore their passion and develop their musical prowess. Together with like-minded and passionate peers, each student will benefit from the instruction of veteran music instructors and seasoned members of the award-winning Thai Youth Orchestra.
This year’s inaugural festival will take place June 19 – June 24, 2023 at ISB and will feature lessons, masterclasses, workshops, performances by guest artists, and participation in the Festival Orchestra. With a student:staff ratio of 2:1 and space limited to fifty participants the Kinnari Music Festival offers an educational experience unique to Thailand and SE Asia. Musicians between the ages of 10-18 are eligible to apply and the deadline for applications is February 12, 2023. For more information, please visit www.kinnarimusicfestival.com or contact the Kinnari Music Festival organizer, Ja Wuttithamrong at ja.wuttithamrong@gmail.com.
Application Deadline: Sunday, February 12th, 2023
CELEBRATE THE MANY CULTURES OF ISB @ IFF
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Calling all performers with acts that highlight the many cultures represented at ISB. If you are interested in joining the line-up for the February 25th, 2023 IFF Concert Hour hosted by Arts Council, please sign up HERE on or before Monday, February 6th to reserve a place on stage, and to provide more information about your act. Know others that have something culturally significant to share at this year’s event? Just send them the link.
Arts & Activities @ ISB
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
February
1-5 AMIS MS Honor Choir @ Lincoln School Nepal
3-4 First Lego League Robotics Competition @ NSM
11-12 HS Model United Nations @ ICS
12 Applications Due for Kinnari Music Festival
21-23 HS IASAS Showcases for DDT, FAD and Music
22-26 AMIS MS Honor Band @ American School of Bombay
28 ES Visual Art Exhibition Opening @ Chevron Gallery
March
1-31 ISB Arts in March (ISBAM)
1-31 ES Visual Art Exhibition @ Chevron Gallery
1-5 IASAS DDT, FAD & Music CC @ ISKL, SAS & JIS
7 ASAS DDT, FAD & Music CC Banquet
9-10 HS Drama Production Auditions
16-18 AMIS MS Honor Orchestra @ ISB
25-27 THAI Model United Nations @ Brighton College
28 HS Jazz Night 2 @ CCT
30 ISBAM Festival and Concert Hour
31-A1 MS Model United Nations @ ISB
Invention Center After School & Saturday Programs
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
Come to the Invention Center on Saturday, February 4th and learn to make a boomerang that comes back to you when you throw it.. There will be 10 spaces available at each of the following times: 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. This is a free project available to any elementary school, middle school, or high school aged students, parents, or staff. Contact Travis Dynes at travisd@isb.ac.th to sign up for a specific time slot.
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).
Raising Multilinguals: Unlocking the World with a Family Language Plan
Avery Udagawa
averyu@isb.ac.th
On Tuesday, February 21, from 7:45-9:15 a.m. in MPB 1, ISB faculty and administrators will offer a workshop for parents from all divisions (ES, MS, HS) about maintaining students’ native languages while they also study in English at ISB. This will be similar to the Raising Multilinguals workshop offered in prior years, and is especially useful for new families.
At this workshop, faculty and administrators will:
- Present reasons to maintain native language, based on research
- Describe language classes and resources available at ISB
- Discuss the importance of making a family language plan
Please join us! Parents of students in PreK through Grade 12 are welcome. For further information, please email: nativelanguage@isb.ac.th
