Having consistent guidelines at school helps students understand what is expected of the so that their time and focus can be on their learning while at school. This week we have been sharing school expectations that are in place for student success and aligned with school values of Respect, Commitment, and Responsibility. We share some of these below so that parents can help at home. You can find the entire MS Student-Parent Handbook online.
Arriving On Time (and tardies)
In the same spirit of valuing time in class, we believe it is important that students arrive to class on time. Punctuality is both an important skill for students to develop for their own Self-Management and an indication of respect and engagement in their own learning. “Tardies” (being late for class) are recorded in PowerSchool for each class period. When a student is late to class it is noted. We provide a warning to students when we see tardy numbers creeping up. If it continues happens with high frequency and the student is repeatedly late, then consequences may include spending some of their free time during lunch in the office. We hope that this serves as a deterrent for students. Our goal is for students to maximize their valuable time in class. Students are provided sufficient time between classes to move from one class to the next, including stopping at their locker.
Lockers
In the MS, we require that students use their assigned lockers. Student ID cards open their unique locker. Only the office staff can open the locker otherwise. Students leave their school bag and materials – other than what is needed for the immediate class – in their locker. Students may carry a smaller bag for PE gear.
These guidelines are in place to ensure phones are not being carried around throughout the day (which would be a temptation to use during class) and to ensure valuables are safe. We do not want phones in locker rooms (unsafe) or in hallways, where they become a focus of students’ attention. While ISB is a safe campus, in general, leaving bags and valuables on the ground, on benches, or in the cafeteria is risky and can lead to lost items. The locker is provided so that students’ valuables are safe. Students do not bring bags to class nor may they leave them in the hallways.
Lockers are also provided in the PE changing rooms.
Technology Use
MS students are provided with a school-issued laptop. Students are required to use this laptop at school and should bring it charged fully each morning. Grade 6 laptops will be charged overnight at school until they start taking them home in a few weeks. During the school day, if students are not in class, they may not use their laptops (e.g. lunch, breaks between classes).
Students may have some classes that do not (or rarely) use the laptop, like PE or music. For these class periods, students can leave their laptop in their locker for safety during the day.
In the MS, we do not allow students to be on their personal phones throughout the day. As such, we require that students leave their phones in their lockers throughout the school day, including lunch. We value face to face student interaction and also want to prevent and avoid social media posts, drama, and messaging throughout the day. If parents need to reach their child, we ask that they call the MS office (02 963 5800, ext 4404). We can always reach a student very quickly and connect them with their parents. When students need to contact their parents, they can come to the office and we can make that call for them (or they can ask permission to use their cell phone with us).
If a student is found using their cell phone during the school day, we confiscate the phone and keep it in the MS Office until the end of the day. In repeated cases, we inform parents of the ongoing concerns.
ID Cards
ID cards are an essential part of a student’s school day. The ID cards are required for students to enter campus at the turnstiles, open their lockers (which they are required to use), check out library books, and purchase food and items at the bookstore. On occasions when a student forgets their ID card, we do have systems in place using their ID number to access campus or their Campus Card accounts for purchases, but it definitely impacts efficiency and freedom of movement for the student. Our secretaries can open their lockers for them, but this involves waiting between each period for someone to help them.
Please help your child come up with a system or spot to leave their ID card so that they remember to bring it to school each day.
In the event that they’ve lost their ID card, students can inform K. Aor or K. Nan in the MS Office and they will arrange for a new ID card to be printed out at a charge of 200 baht to the card’s account. Once a new ID is made, the old ID card no longer works and cannot be used, if found. Only one ID card per student may be active at any time.