Message from the Principal
Justin Alexander
justina@isb.ac.th
Dear Parents,
It was great to see a number of our sporting teams take the field, and courts this week as Season one gets underway. Our Athletic Director (Chris Mott) is particularly excited to see such large numbers of students involved in our Athletics program on Varsity or JV teams for Volleyball, Football, and Cross Country. We look forward to following their successes over the next few months as they build towards the IASAS championships in Singapore (Volleyball and Cross Country) and Jakarta (Football) in mid-October. Whilst the athletes are competing hard, our thespians are treading the boards rehearsing for ‘Legally Blonde’, this year’s HS Musical. We look forward to their performances towards the start of October.
Of course, we have talented students involved in MUN, participating in our Dance teams, and all of our musical festivals (Band, Choir, and Strings) are taking place in September/October. There is certainly enough happening to keep our students busy and engaged in some of their favorite activities in the next few months.
We would like to invite you all into school to get an insight into your children’s day and to meet their teachers at our Open House on Wednesday, September 13th starting at 6 pm. We will share a welcome video in next week’s ENews that outlines information and gives more details about the format of the evening. In the meantime though, we can let you know that we will email all parents and students with a copy of their own individual schedules in advance of the evening.
Teachers will share a short presentation that includes an outline of their courses, details about assessment, and what students will be studying this year. Each ‘class’ is only 10 minutes long before you need to move to another classroom. ‘Classes’ run from 6.00-8.10 pm with snacks, coffee, and tea available in the MS/HS cafeteria throughout the evening. Given the 10-minute classes and the tight schedule you will be on, Open House is not the night to ask questions about your child’s progress. If you do have questions of that nature please reach out to the relevant teacher before Open house.
Looking forward to seeing many of you at the Open House on September 13th.
Regards
Justin Alexander
High School Principal
Meetings this week
Wed 6 Sep HS Academics meeting (new ISB parents) 10.00 am
Fri 8 Sep Parent Coffee (Intro to ISB University Counselors & Programs) 9.00 am
Fri Sep 8 HS IB Matters (Grade 12 parents) 10.00 am
HS Parent meeting schedule Semester 1
HS QUESTION LINK 2023-24 – If you have a question relating to the High School and you are not too sure to ask you can click on the link or email me (justina@isb.ac.th) and we will get back to you on the following Monday.
Parent Workshop Conflict and Communication
Andy Vaughan
andyv@isb.ac.th
ISB has a partnership with the Institute for Social and Emotional Learning and we will soon be hosting Nick and Joe to work with our HS and MS Advisory teams. Please also join us as we engage in further dialogue around Communication and Conflict with Nick and Joe.
We ask you to register here for this workshop.
Communication and Conflict: Social and Emotional Learning Approaches for Families to Build and Repair Relationships and Get to Peace
Join facilitators from The Institute for Social and Emotional Learning for an informative and experiential session for the IS Bangkok Parent and Caregiver Community. During this session, we invite parents and caregivers to learn practical tools to build and maintain positive approaches to communication and conflict resolution within the family. We will focus on practices to deepen listening skills with our children, explore styles of communication, and model simple, evidence-led practices for conflict resolution that work for children and parents alike. This is a follow-on session from IFSEL’s workshop in January 2023, but everyone is welcome and prior attendance is not required! We can’t wait to see you there!
Advanced Placement Exams – Information for 2024
Justyna McMillan
justynam@isb.ac.th
Dear Students and Parents,
Between September and November 2023, we will be registering students for AP exams for the May 2024 Session.
If you are interested in sitting an AP exam at ISB please read the AP Registration Form and look over all the information.
Students taking an AP Course at ISB are expected to sit the AP Exam and will be supported through registration by their AP teacher and will be given a registration form in class.
Students who wish to take an AP Exam Only (Self-Study) must discuss this request with their counselor and the Dean of Academics. At ISB, AP exams are open to students in Grades 10 and above.
HERE are the ISB guidelines for AP Students interested in taking AP Exams.
Below is a link to find out more about all AP Courses and Exams (Also linked in the form) – https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/course-index-page
AP Exams Schedule HERE
Grade 11 & 12 CAS Graduation Requirement
Peter Assimakopoulos
petera@isb.ac.th
For the next two weeks, 11th and 12th graders will meet with Mr Assimakopoulos to review the graduation requirements for CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). Grade 11 and 12 students will meet with Mr Assimakopoulos during their Core block (period 8) between now and September 8th. Please encourage your child to participate in service, creativity and physical activity experiences this year. There are so many to choose from at this school. Getting involved makes all the difference in any child’s school life and helps build community.
If you have any questions on how your child can get involved, please reach out to Mr Assimakopoulos (petera@isb.ac.th)
HPV Vaccine Sign Up
ISB Nurse
isbnurse@isb.ac.th
Given a significant number of parents have reached out regarding hosting a Human Papilloma (HPV) Vaccine clinic on campus, we are working to arrange a visit by Vibhawadee Hospital in October. If you are interested, please sign up your student here.
ISB Health Center
Panther Clinic
+662 96 358 00 ext 1144
News from University Counselors
Debbie McDowell
debbiem@isb.ac.th
Wow! The school year is off and running! Already September!
Grade 12
Many seniors have been in to meet with their university counselor this week. And Senior Family Conferences are underway. Please speak with your child to find out if they have begun their university essay review with their counselor and confirm the date for your Family Conference.
Next week, seniors will be attending Senior Seminar #2. The topics to be covered include: requesting transcripts for university applications, linking student’s UCAS account to ISB for their UK applications, and as always, dates and deadlines. Seniors will have some time in class to work on applications and essays as well.
Grade 11
PSAT
All Grade 11 ISB students are scheduled to take the PSAT at no cost to the family on the morning of Wednesday, October 4. The PSAT serves as practice for the SAT and is also the National Merit Qualifying Test for American citizens. For some ISB students, the PSAT may not be relevant to their university applications/planning, and therefore they do not need to take the exam. Please complete this OPT-OUT FORM by Friday, August 25 if you DO NOT want your child to take the PSAT.
On the day of the test, students will report directly to the MPB at 7:30 AM. This year, the PSAT will be digital; students will take the exam on their own school provided devices. Here is a slide presentation on the PSAT/NMSQT and how the test will be different in its new digital format. Here is a SHORT VIDEO that explains the changes. Students taking the PSAT must download the Bluebook app where they can practice test questions and the new digital format. All test takers will go through a digital readiness check in school on September 12.
If you’re unsure if your student should take the exam, please contact your student’s counselor. If you have general PSAT questions, please email Curt Nichols at curtn@isb.ac.th.
Parent University Coffees
The university counselors will host the first Parent University Coffee on Friday, September 8 @ 9:00 AM in the MPB 1. The topic will be “Introduction to ISB University Counselors and the University Counseling Program” and is open to all parents of students in grades 9 through 12. Mark your calendars and join us to find out more about university counseling at ISB!
2023 Greater Bangkok University Fairs and Events:
ISB will be hosting the Greater Bangkok Fair on Wednesday, 20 September from 2:00-4:00 pm. Please join us on that day! We will have over 220 universities from over 20 countries! University representatives will be set up in the Rajendra and Elementary School Gym.
There will be multiple evening events sponsored by other international schools around the city. Registration will be required at these events. Information about registration will be provided soon.
Wednesday, 20 September
- UK University Event @ Harrow International School
- Global University Talk/Panel @ Concordian International School
- Canadian University Talk @ St. Andrews International School, Sukhumvit 107
- US Mock Admissions @ Shrewsbury International School
Thursday, 21 September
- Tea & Biscuits: An Evening with UK Universities @ Bangkok International Prep & Secondary School
- US Mock Admissions @ International Community School
- Australian University Talk/Panel @ Wellington College Bangkok
- US & UK Art Portfolio Evening @ Shrewsbury Riverside
- Stay tuned for more information about times and registration!
University Visits
Remember to always check the list for virtual and local events that students/parents can join. Virtual and off campus events can be found here.
Future University Visits:
- Thursday, 7 September @ 11:00: Miami University, Oxford, HS Conference Room
- Thursday, 7 September @ 3:00: Yamanashi Gakuin University, HS Conference Room
- Tuesday, 12 September @ 3:00: Lawrence Technological University, Counseling Conference Room
- Monday, 18 September @ 11:00: City University of Hong Kong, HS Conference Room
- Monday, 18 September @ 3:00: McGill University, MPB 3
- Wednesday, 20 September @ 2:00: Greater Bangkok Fair, HS Gym(Rajendra) & ES Gym
- Monday, 25 September @ 11:00: Indiana University-Bloomington, HS Conference Room
- Monday, 25 September @ 11:00: University of San Diego, TBD
- Thursday, 28 September @ 11:00: Hult International Business School, HS Conference Room
- Thursday, 28 September @ 3:00: University of British Columbia, MPB 1
Watch for future visits from: University of Boston, Berklee College of Music, Pepperdine University, Bucknell University, Tio Business School and others.
For more university counseling information, please check the ISB University Counseling website. There you’ll find university research tools, transition resources, recordings and slide shows from Parent Coffees and other presentations, virtual and off campus university visits, information about testing and how to sign up for the SAT at ISB, a database of summer programs, and the ISB School Profile.
Kindly,
Debbie
New from School Counselors
Frank Sambula Jr.
franks@isb.ac.th
We push into Advisory throughout the school year and discuss relevant topics in teenagers’ lives. In August, we met with all Grade 9 students and discussed Friendships. Specifically, we talked about changing friendships, establishing peer groups, and making new friends. In Grade 12 advisory, the topic was Time Management. Seniors feel the time crunch that comes with this school year. Even though many of our students have heard the adults in their lives discuss time management, we feel it is worth one additional review as they prepare to apply to university, take culminating exams, and launch into post-secondary life.
In September, we will meet with the Grade 9 students again and discuss Stress Reduction. As they adjust to high school, they often feel anxious about the increased academic demands. We will talk about realistic expectations and time management skills.
Later this semester, we will meet with Grade 10 and 11 students. Topics to be announced in future e-news.
Please feel free to reach out to us anytime if you want to discuss your student’s academic life and/or social/emotional well-being. We are happy to meet and can be reached at: Shannon Leoni (shannonl@isb.ac.th), Frank Sambula Jr. (franks@isb.ac.th), and Jackie Valenzuela (jackiev@isb.ac.th).
Frank Sambula Jr.
High School Counselor
News from HS Library
Christopher Bell
christob@isb.ac.th
Please click High School Library
LAST CALL FOR IASAS VISUAL ART SUBMISSIONS
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
We are still accepting artwork submissions for this year’s IASAS CC Visual Art Exhibition. HERE is the link to the artwork submission form. The submission form will be closed this Friday, September 1st. Next week Mr. Tahan & Mr. Snook will reach out to all students that have completed the submission form and schedule a time and date to interview candidates. Thanks and we look forward to seeing all of your amazing artwork!
Bangkok International Band Festival 2023
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, in the CC Theater, about 200 band students from 12 international schools—in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Malaysia, and Indonesia—will perform at the Bangkok International Band Festival gala concert, led at ISB by Dr. Heidi Miller, guest conductor from Gustavus Adolphus College, Minnesota, USA. This concert will be a culmination of student musicians’ hard work over several weeks plus two busy days of ensemble rehearsal. Various styles of pieces, including “Theme from Jurassic Park,” mambo music, percussion features and more will be performed .
Bangkok International Band Festival (BIBF) Gala Concert: 2 p.m. in the CC Theater on Saturday, September 9. Open to the ISB community. Admission free.
ISB’s Art Studio Saturday – September 9th, 2023
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
You are invited to join us for a morning of making!
See more information about the workshops below and then join us on Saturday, 9 September from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Space is limited to the first fifteen staff, parents, or students (G4 and above per workshop). 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 Satjeekul
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)
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.
Art Studio Saturday
Saturday, 9 September
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Light lunch included.
Peace Day Community Song
Anthony Giles
anthonyg@isb.ac.th
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. To that in mind, 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 love for all ISB students, staff and faculty to learn the three movements for “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” so that they can sing along. Give it a go!!!
PowerSchool Info Update (Repeat)
Andy Vaughan
andyv@isb.ac.th
As we start the year and prepare for upcoming trips, it is essential we have the most accurate contact information for your child. We ask that parents please take a few minutes to login to the Powerschool Parent Portal to update your information so that we can ensure we have your latest contact information correct.
Instructions:
Step 1. Login to Powerschool
- If you are new, you should have received an email with your login details, if not please contact help@isb.ac.th
- If you have forgotten your password, please contact arisap@isb.ac.th,
Step 2. Please click “Personal Information Update” on the left hand side.
