MS Schedule Next Week
ISB joins Thailand in recognizing two holidays next week. Monday recognizes H.M. The Queen’s Birthday and Tuesday acknowledges Visaka Bucha Day. ISB campus will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. We will resume our schedule on Wednesday, June 7th with a Day 5.
Here’s the schedule for the Week:
- Monday, June 5th – No School
- Tuesday, June 6th – No School
- Wednesday, June 7th – Day 5
- Thursday, June 8th – Day 6
- Friday, June 9th – Day 7
Enjoy your long weekend!
Terrific Music Concerts this past week
This week we were treated to two awesome concerts. First on Tuesday, the Beginning, Concert, and Symphonic Bands all performed. Then on Thursday, G6 Choir, G7&8 Choir, Beginning Orchestra, and Concert Orchestra (including combined pieces in both) performed as well.
In both cases, families and faculty were treated to lovely pieces of music and a terrific demonstration of the learning progress students make through our MS music program. The performances reminded us all that music also teaches students how to listen to each other, the value in hard work and practice, and that working together produces something that individually, we could never do. Thank you to K. Non and K. Miao for their support of our music team and program. And a special show of gratitude to our amazing teachers Ms. Fuson, Mr. Poling, Dr. Stewart, and Mr. Udagawa.
Congratulations to all of our MS student performers. We offer special well wishes to our outgoing grade 8 musicians. We hope you continue to follow your passion for making music.
Bravo!
Please return all Outstanding Materials
As we near the end of the year, please check with your child on whether they have returned all items belonging to the school. Typically, in MS this might include library books, classroom library books, cameras or other AV equipment, or sports uniforms. These could be buried under other items in their bedrooms.
Most ISB offices/teachers have been reaching out via email to students regarding anything that is missing or overdue. The goal is to have everything back before the end of the term. If you are departing ISB, then the laptop and charger must be returned as well.
In the event that there are any materials or equipment still not returned, ISB will put a “hold” on school documents. That means report cards will not be accessible until all items have been returned or their loss paid for. For those leaving, school documents will not be forwarded to the next school until all school materials are accounted for.
Footwear for 2023-24
As we look ahead to the 2023-24 school year, I wanted to communicate a change that we will be making for MS students regarding acceptable footwear for school, based on our experience this school year.
Much to our surprise “Crocs” seem to have come back into fashion with young people this year. We found many of our students wearing Crocs to school and we made a decision to see whether they would be okay or become an issue at school. Unfortunately, this trial has not worked.
MS students have been wearing Crocs to school and then trying to use them for P.E. and other physical activities. These shoes are not suitable for sport or physical activity and as such are not allowed in PE. (not even in “sports mode” with the strap back, as the students call it). This year, we expected that if a student wore Crocs, that they would bring appropriate footwear for PE and other physical activity. But far too often, they did not. In PE, this forced PE teachers to have them sit out rather than risk injury. This became more and more frustrating as students kept “forgetting” other shoes for PE. During lunchtime soccer or basketball, students were kicking Crocs off (recognizing that they are not conducive to running around) and playing barefoot. As several students learned, this creates injury to the feet, preventing students from physical activity for days and weeks in one case. Students are NOT allowed to play games at lunch and/or in PE barefoot on campus.
All of this takes me to our decision for next year. Crocs will no longer be acceptable footwear for the school day in the MS. If students want to bring them to school and change into them after practice or games in their after school activity, they are welcome to, but they may not wear Crocs (or other Croc-like shoes), flip flops, slides, or other sandals during the school day. Students can wear shoes to school that work for PE and lunchtime activity.
We share this now so that parents understand the school rules before buying shoes over the holiday for the coming year. We hope that this information is helpful for making good choices for purchases for 2023-24.
Sustainability Showcase
Dear ISB Community,
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Sustainability Showcase Exhibit, which will take place on June 9th at the International School Bangkok in the MPB from 08:00 – 09:00 and again from 12:00 – 13:00. Exhibits will be set up for most of the day; however, the students will only be present at those times.
This showcase will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about our eighth-grade students’ work and engage with our school community around sustainability issues. Students will appreciate your feedback and insights.
Students have investigated corporations such as TESLA, PTT and Under Armor to confirm the truth behind those glossy CSR statements. Artefacts will be presented to tell these stories. Are corporations truly serious about sustainability, or are we being greenwashed? Learn more about sustainable ways to fuel your car, take a vacation, or purchase your next mobile phone.
We hope that you will be able to join us for this event.
Please let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you on June 9th!
Email any questions to: stephen@isb.ac.th.
Kind regards,
Steve Romary
Save the Date: Grade 9 Orientation
Dear Rising Grade 9 students and parents,
Save the Date! Tuesday, August 8 will be our Grade 9 Orientation.
To better prepare students for their first day of high school, we have scheduled a Grade 9 Orientation on Tuesday, August 8 from 12:45-2pm (students only).
We are looking forward to welcoming your child/children to the high school soon and hope Grade 9 Orientation will ease any anxiety and answer any questions they may have.
Please find here a copy of the Orientation schedule. A reminder email will follow a few days before Orientation.
Best regards,
The HS Administration
Justin Alexander
Justyna McMillan
Andy Vaughan
The HS Counselors
Shannon Leoni
Frank Sambula
Jackie Valenzuela
Grade Level Leader
Ronny Welch
MS Summer School classes that are still available…
Dear Parents,
The following MS classes are still available for our upcoming session of Summer School 2023:
- EAL: Weeks 1 – 3
- Math/Science Camp: Week 1
- Reading & Writing Camp: Weeks 1, 2, and/or 3
- Grade 4 – 6 Poetry Camp: Week 2
- Grade 4 – 6 Summer Sports Camp: Week 1, 2, and/or 3
Our Summer School dates are Monday, June 19th to Friday, July 7th.
For more specific information about each class/camp, tuition fees, sign-up process, etc, please click HERE
Any questions, please email them to sumdir@isb.ac.th
The Arts @ ISB
Spring/Summer, 2023
JUNE
1 MS Choir & Strings Concert 6:30pm @ the Chevron Theater
1-2 MS Visual Art Exhibition @ the Chevron Gallery
1-9 IB Year 1 Visual Art Exhibition @ the MS/HS Library
1-16 MS Diversity Flower Installation @ Panther Commons
3 “A Night to Remember” 2 & 7 pm @ Aksra Theatre
3-Sept, 2023 Recording Studio Construction @ CC
16 ES, MS and HS Assemblies @ Rajendra Hall and Chevron Theater
17-July, 2024 Chevron Theater Renovation
19-23 Kinnari Music Festival @ the CC Building
23 Kinnari Music Festival Concert 7pm @ the CC Theater
24 Kinnari Music Festival Concerts 5pm and 7pm @ ICONSIAM
Diversity Flower Installation
Middle School Arts Council and GSA
Collaborative Art Installation
June 2023
To celebrate the beautiful diversity of our ISB Middle School community, middle school students created paper flowers in Advisory, choosing the color, species, and forms that best expressed their unique-ness. Then, Advisory groups threaded them together onto wire to symbolize our connections with each other.
At ISB we value care, courage, and respect. It’s important for all of us to make sure everyone in our community feels seen, heard, accepted, and respected. We recognize that we are stronger because of our diversity. This installation serves as a visual representation and reminder of our shared values.
Panther Activities and Athletics Summer Camp Registration Opens June 1st
With the successful launch of our new after school activities/athletics registration program, CCA through PowerSchool will once again be used for our Panther Activities and Athletics Camps. Please note that registration through CCA requires payment to be completed within an hour of sign ups.
We will open CCA Registration for Summer camps from Thursday, June 1st at 6:00pm until Thursday, June 15th at 12:00pm. After that time, it will not be possible to add any students to any sports camp program or switch the program.
Camp dates are on Monday to Friday for the following period:
- June 19 – July 7, 2023
Transition
Campers who are currently G1 and Under will be required to have parents, guardians or nannies to be responsible for the camp transition during camps. No transportation, lunch or snacks are provided during camp. Please have kids bring their own water bottle. We no longer provide the paper cups on campus.
Refunds for camp
The reason we would consider a refund is:
- Your child has a medical issue that requires them to stop an activity (documentation is required).
Note:
If the number of students who sign up for summer camp is less than the minimum requirement, the program will be canceled, with refunds issued.
For questions about Panther Activities please contact Khun Bee at panchary@isb.ac.th. For questions about Panther Athletics please contact Khun Fon at punnanuw@isb.ac.th or Khun Ning at walleeb@isb.ac.th.
Invention Center After School & Saturday Programs
Come to the Invention Center on Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00 and make a star tetrahedron from a wooden cube. Note: this is an advanced project requiring patience and attention to detail and is not appropriate for elementary or middle school students. This is a free project open to high school students, staff, or parents. There will be 6 spots available. Contact Travis Dynes at travisd@isb.ac.th to sign up.
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).