Weekly Message from ES Principal
Thank you to all the parents who were able to join us for yesterday’s ES Open House…the most important night of the year when it comes to launching our home-school partnership! We hope that you left the sessions confident in ISB’s approaches to personalized learning as well as clarity regarding classroom procedures, programs and expectations. ISB stands out in its approaches to ensuring all students have a strong sense of belonging and feel empowered in their education, and that our personalized and differentiated approach to instruction meets the needs of all learners. …not completely sure that this is the case for your child? Please reach out as teachers, counselors and principals are eager to partner with you!
A great big THANK YOU goes out to the PTA and all the parents who shared snacks and treats during the classroom community building break in the homeroom classes; we hope the extra social time in your classrooms allowed you to connect with other parents in your child’s classroom community.
Your partner in education,
Michael Allen
michaela@isb.ac.th
Early Dismissal – Wednesday August 30
All ISB students will be dismissed at 1:10pm on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. On Early Dismissal Days, school buses will leave ISB at 1:25pm. Early Dismissal Days allow faculty to collaborate and further their professional development.
ES ‘Out of Uniform’ Days – August 31 & September 1
August 31 & September 1 are ‘Out of Uniform’ days in the Elementary School. On PE days, students need to wear their PE uniforms. On their non PE day, students may choose to not wear their ISB uniform. Appropriate dress guidelines for our ‘Out of Uniform’ days are:
- Pants/slacks/shorts—good condition
- Shirts/blouses—sleeves & midriff required, appropriate logos only
- Skirts/dresses/jumpers—sleeves required, modest length
- Shoes—sneakers, street shoes or leather sandals with back strap
- Hats must be worn all the time when playing outside during recess or during PE classes.
Parent Workshop on Healthy Child Development: Empowering Parents, Nurturing Children – Friday September 1 @7:45am
Please join us on Friday, September 1st from 7:45-8:30 in the MPB1 located above the MS/HS Cafeteria for a session on Empowering Parents, Nurturing Children: A Workshop on Healthy Child Development to unlock the potential of your parenting journey. Join us for an insightful session where we’ll delve into the many different ways that children grow and develop, and how parents support this development. Connect with fellow parents, share experiences, and leave with a toolkit of valuable skills to nurture your child’s well-being. We look forward to welcoming all PreK and Kindergarten parents!
ID Application Form
Every year, ISB will process ID card applications for family members and household helpers. All community members who wish to access campus will need an ID card. The process included new applications and renewals of previously issued cards.
Getting the NEW ID
- All ISB families are allowed three additional cards for family members, nannies, housekeepers, or drivers. If you have a special circumstance where you require additional, please contact Mark Hevland (Director of Risk Management)
- Photos must be uploaded in order to make new ID cards
- Applications will be notified when cards are activated or ready for pickup
- Applicants must bring copy of the ISB member’s ID card who completed the application to pick up new cards.
More details are available on the application form.
Link to application
ES Parent Book Club Sign Up Opportunity
The ES counseling team is excited to let you know about our next Elementary School Parent Book Club!
The book club, which we have run for several years both here and in other international schools, is at its’ essence a means of informally discussing different topics that are both timely and relevant in our community, about education and parenting.
The book we will be reading is: Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine, by Michele Borba. It’s an interesting read that will certainly lead to discussion!
The ES Book Club will be running from 7:45-9:00 am (in person) on the following dates:
- September 7
- September 21
- September 28
We ask that parents be able to commit to two out of the three meetings.
Please keep in mind that Book Club numbers are limited – as such, we will be randomly selecting participants – if interest is high, those not able to attend this first round will be prioritized when the book club is offered again this school year.
This book is available for purchase as an audible book, a digital book, or a paperback – more information can be found on Amazon or other websites you might use instead.
Does this sound interesting?
Please send an email to: kathrynm@isb.ac.th by Monday, August 28th.
We will then provide more details about reading assignments, location, etc. once your participation is confirmed.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend!
Yours in partnership,
Kathy Manu & Doug Williamson (your K-Grade 5 Counselors)
Upcoming Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment
In the coming weeks, learners in grades 2-8 will be taking the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test. This allows us to measure growth, address areas of concern, and build on strength areas.
MAP is a standardized test and is only one part of ISB’s overall assessment plan. MAP testing is given twice a year, usually in the fall and in the spring. You will receive specific dates from your division leadership.
MAP provides a standardized measure of student growth in Reading and Mathematics based on our curricular standards. MAP testing is done on a computer and each test adapts to the student’s previous answers, so if they answer a question correctly, the test gets progressively more challenging. If a student answers a question incorrectly, the test adapts to become easier.
A true picture of a child’s academic progress must include a variety of opportunities to demonstrate learning such as ongoing formative assessments given regularly in class; evidence of understanding such as writing samples, projects, and presentations; and teacher designed assessments. Teachers collect a range of learning data to help them determine where students are in their learning and where they are ready to go next. MAP is a single piece of your child’s learning picture.
MAP measures your child’s achievement level compared to other students who have taken this test. However, the student sample is drawn from US public and private schools, not international schools. The test does not cover all academic skills, nor does it cover such areas as physical, artistic, or interpersonal skills.
As with any standardized assessment, students can become anxious about how they will perform. You can support your child by ensuring that s/he gets a good night’s sleep, has a healthy breakfast, and comes to school knowing that this is important, and they can do it!
If you have any questions, you can look at the NWEA website or contact me (debic@isb.ac.th).
Results will be shared with parents later this semester; watch for information from division principals.
ES Panther Explore
All ES Explore activities are well underway. There are still available spots for Creative Art (on Tuesday) and Fashion Accessories (on Thursday). Please email me if you would like to enroll your child.
Please note that Wednesday, August 30th, is an Early Release Day (ERD). Our after-school activities will begin at their regularly scheduled time, 2:40pm. This means that there will be a 90-minute gap between the end of the school day and the beginning of session 1.
Below is ES Explore calendar for Season 1:
ES Explore Program Calendar
* Early Dismissal Day
ES Cafeteria Menu
Please find the ES Cafeteria menu for next week linked here, and here is the menu for Allergen Free.
Peace Day Community Song
This year, the theme of the United Nations International Day of Peace is “Actions for Peace”. One of the themes of our ISB Peace Day Assembly on September 20th will be the concept of sustainability as an action for peace. The elementary students will lead the singing of “The Three R’s” by Jack Johnson. They have been working on it in music class and would be happy to teach you the three movements for “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. Feel free to play the song in your classroom!
ISB Family Field Trip to see West Side Story – 2:30pm Sunday, October 8th
Join us for an ISB Family Field Trip to attend the Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music’s 2:30pm Sunday, October 8th, 2023 matinee performance of West Side Story at the Thai Cultural Centre. Space is limited so sign-ups HERE will be honored on a first come first served basis through 12:00 noon on Tuesday, August 29th. Note that parents are required to attend with their children – no exceptions. Look for transportation and payment details once the roster has been confirmed. Questions? Contact Anthony Giles, Director of Arts, Activities & Community Engagement, at anthonyg@isb.ac.th.
WHAT: West Side Story the Musical
WHERE: Thai Cultural Centre
WHEN: 2:30pm Sunday, October 8, 2023
WHO: ISB Families Only
TRANSPORTATION: Included
TICKETS: 3,500THB per person
https://www.bangkokfestivals.com/program/west-side-story-6/
ISB’s Art Studio Saturday – September 9th, 2023
Art Studio Saturdays are designed to enrich the ISB community through the intellectual and creative thoughts and actions of its participants. The format of this particular Art Studio Saturday is structured so that participants (parents and students grade 4 and above) are involved in one of three focus workshops in which they will learn specific skills, have the opportunity for individual exploration, and participate in creative challenges. As the day progresses, participants will be invited to visit other workshops and with the possibility of engaging in collaborative works. See more information below and then join us on Saturday, 9 September for one of three amazing workshops by paying HERE. Space is limited to the first fifteen parents or students G4 and above per workshop and workshops run simultaneously so sign up for only one.
Natural Pigment Acrylic Painting with Khun Sand Suwanya
In this workshop participants will identify earth and botanical pigment from raw materials, make pigment powder from botanicals, make acrylic paint from natural materials, test and paint on canvas. (1500 baht)
Quick Stick – 3D Exploration with Khun Nucharin Wangphongsawasd
This studio session is all about playful interactions and the use of repetition to create 3D forms from basic materials. (1500 baht)
Intaglio Copper Plate Printmaking with Dr. Kontorn
Transform your drawing or painting into a print! Khun Axe will work with participants to use copper plates to repeat an image of their creation . The second technique students will learn is creating marbled paper similar to the traditional suminagashi method. The final pieces will be prints on marbled paper. (4000 baht)
U11 Team Shirts – Season 1 U11 Bangkok Athletic Shirts
ISB is now offering the option to purchase a U11 Athletic Shirt for Athletes participating in ISB Athletics for Season 1 2023-2024.
If your child is interested in purchasing a shirt, please complete the order form. If you need to purchase for more than one child, please complete different forms for each child.
THE LAST DAY TO ORDER IS Friday,
We will send an email when the shirts are available for pick up.For questions please contact Booster Athletic Coordinators: Sophie Nie – booster-es@isb.ac.th & Annelie – booster-purchasing@isb.ac.th