BISB Weekly Update - August 16th, 2024

Message from Head of School & Head of Operations:

Dear TUSKERS families,

What a fantastic start to the new academic year here at BASIS Bangkok! We warmly welcomed everyone back and our campus has been filled with energy and a vibrant learning environment.

We would like to remind you that Student Hours and Optional Mandarin classes will begin next week, starting Monday, August 19th. Please recheck your child’s schedule and arrange for timely pick-up.

Please note that all parents are welcomed to be on campus from next week Monday, August 19^th, 2024 to visit the Library during the Library opening hours, 7:30 - 7:55 AM and 3:15 - 5:00 PM. Please refer to Library Corner below for further details.  

Grade 1 - 10 parents are also welcomed to be on campus from Monday, August 26^th, 2024 to watch your child participate in the Sports Academies from 4:30 - 5:30 PM.

As mentioned at the B.O.S.S. Camp, besides upcoming special parent events Meet the Teacher Night and Coffee Mornings, we hope to see parents on campus and get involved into school life. Please be reminded to follow up on our weekly newsletter every Friday to be informed about school events parents can attend.

On another note, please be reminded to attend Residential Trip Parents/Students Drop-in Meeting at 4:00 – 5:00 PM. at The Blackbox. More details about the trip will be provided for both parents and students. 

Lastly, our 2023 Yearbook is ready for distribution! Families who pre-ordered can collect their yearbooks at the school reception area with our Marketing Team from Monday to Friday, August 19th – 23rd. Pickup times are from 7:30 to 9:00 AM and 2:30 to 4:00 PM.

Best regards,
Dr. W and Ms. Kwan
Head of School and Head of Operations

Save the date for School Events and Academic Calendar:

Message from Director of Academic Programs:

Greetings BASIS Parents,

We are happy to report that the year has kicked off in excellent fashion! As the school grows and evolves, we are reemphasizing how central parents are in the schooling of their children. 

With this in mind, you are cordially invited to our annual Meet the Teacher Night, taking place next week:

• August 21st, 5:30pm-7:00pm for Primary, Middle, and High School
• August 22nd, 5:30pm-7:00pm for Early Years (Nursery, Pre-K 1, Pre-K 2, and Kindergarten)

During this exciting event you'll get a chance to meet many of our teachers and get more details about how your children learn at BASIS. We take pride in the educational experience we provide, and our teachers are the backbone of this, helping guide the students to become the best they can be. We are looking forward to seeing you next week!

Following the Meet the Teacher Night, we are looking forward to hosting you for Coffee Mornings, where we dive into more details about the school and give you a chance to ask questions that you might have leftover from Meet the Teacher or anything else. We are welcoming the esteemed Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools to campus to meet with you during these special sessions.

Here is the schedule for the Coffee Mornings:

• August 26th, 8:30am for Nursery and Pre-K 1
• August 27th, 8:30am for Pre-K 2 and Kindergarten
• August 28th, 8:30am for grades 9 and 10
• August 29th, 8:30am for grades 6, 7, and 8
• August 30th, 8:30am for grades 1 and 2
• August 30th, 10:00am for grades 3, 4, and 5

Save the dates and see you at school!

Sincerely,
Mr. Ian
Director of Academic Programs

Early Years Newsletter:

A Wonderful Start to the School Year 

Hello Early Years Families, 

What a wonderful first week of school it has been! I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for attending B.O.S.S. Camp and taking the time to familiarize yourselves with your child's new classroom and teachers. This soft introduction has truly made the first week smoother for everyone. 

I’ve received some questions this week that I believe would be beneficial for everyone to know the answers to. As your child progresses through the Early Years, you may notice that their Communication Journal (CJ) becomes more child-driven. This progression reflects their growing independence, especially as they enter PK2 and Kindergarten. 

In these stages, the CJ might look different from what you’ve seen in previous years. You’ll notice less emphasis on daily notations regarding napping, toileting, and similar activities. This shift occurs because the children are becoming more self-reliant, and the teachers are deeply engaged in conducting lessons. Instead of detailed notes, you’ll often find prompts like "Ask me about..." in the CJ. This approach is intentional, encouraging you to engage in conversations with your child about their learning experiences. These prompts ensure that your questions are both relevant and connected to the day’s studies. 

Teachers will also attach any nurse's notes or quick reminders to check your email. If there’s ever anything you’d like to discuss in more detail, please don’t hesitate to email the teachers. We’re always happy to arrange a meeting if you prefer a face-to-face conversation. 

Every day, the students are becoming more settled and quickly adapting to routines like placing shoes in the correct location, washing hands, and cleaning up after lunch. It won’t be long before we can proudly say that they’ve mastered the basic routines of being in Early Years. 

Thank you for trusting us with your most precious little ones. We’re committed to providing them with a nurturing and enriching environment. 

Sincerely,

Ms. Annie Fletcher
Director of Early Years

Primary, Middle & High School Newsletter:

Dear Parents, 

The students are settling in well this week with much excitement at seeing their friends after the summer break.

I met with all the Middle School students during AE this week to set out expectations on how the AE period should be used and give other important information to the students. 

Vocabulary Logs 

All students in Grade 7-8th have been furnished with brand new Vocabulary Logs, which they will use to systematically build their academic vocabulary throughout the year. They have a commitment to add at least 9 new words to their logs each week and look up the definitions and parts of speech at home. Each Wednesday they will swap logs and quiz each other to memorize the new words. As parents, you can support this initiative by helping remind them of this commitment and checking on their progress, just as you check their CJs to encourage correct usage. We are piloting vocabulary logs with 7-8th graders initially but intend to also include Grade 6 grade students later in the year after they are fully adjusted to Middle School. 

Residential Trip Information Session – Friday 23rd August - 16:00-17:00 

Next Friday, The Environmental Education Center will visit our campus to provide an information session and Q&A for parents of all Middle School students who will attend the Residential Trip next month. They will explain the itinerary and activities in detail, talk about safety protocols, and answer any questions or concerns you may have.  Please attend if you can be available on that day.

Dean Andrew
Dean of Upper School

College Counseling Corner:

Greetings BISB Community, 

Welcome to the College Corner, a monthly snapshot of the College Counseling process at BASIS International School Bangkok. I am Kate Irving – your College Counselor. 

BISB Class of 2027, it is thrilling to continue building the BISB College Counseling program with you.  In two years, you will be applying to colleges, and there are many things we can work on now to best prepare for the journey. This academic year should be filled with pursuing interests beyond the classroom and strengthening academics. Keep your grades strong, start a new club, or take on a leadership role in the school. Remember that academics are only one part of what it takes to be a successful student. Our 1-1 meetings begin next week, and we will discuss using Cialfo to build up your portfolio, review your current transcript and GPA, make extracurricular plans for the year, prepare for the PSAT in October, explore possible research projects and future majors, and discuss your summers. We will focus on preparing for all the exciting college options in your future. 

BISB Class of 2028, we will begin our 1-1 meetings next month. We will discuss your current schedule and future plans, your academic expectations and questions, your summer experiences, and experiential learning opportunities. The next few months will include college workshops that focus on learning about the college application process, discovering aptitudes, and potential destinations beyond high school.   

BISB Class of 2029, it was a pleasure meeting all of you at the start of the week. You are a very open, driven, and thoughtful group. Starting in November, I will begin working with you 1-1. Throughout the year I will hold college counseling workshops focusing on career exploration and personal reflections and goals. Today, all Grade 8 students received an email invitation to the Cialfo platform. Cialfo is an online career and college exploration tool for students and counselors. This resource will help educate and direct you to potential careers and colleges. Please sign in and look around. I will teach you more about how to best utilize this resource in a future workshop. If you did not receive the invitation, please let me know. I will use Cialfo to communicate with you and to help develop your academic and extracurricular portfolios.  

There are wonderful colleges all over the world, and the secret to success is to match with a college that fulfills a student’s academic and personal self. In future College Corners, I will focus on a variety of important information from local college options, expectations in the US and abroad, community service opportunities, internship and summer options, and general college knowledge.  

Best, 
Kate Irving 
College Counselor

TUSKERS Sports Academy:

A Triumphant Start! 

Dear TUSKERS Families, 

We are delighted to share that the recent TUSKERS Sports Academy tryouts were a tremendous success! The enthusiasm, energy, and talent showcased by our young athletes have left us incredibly excited for the upcoming season. 

Congratulations to all students who participated in the tryouts—you are now officially part of the TUSKERS Sports Academy for the 2024-25 academic year! 

• For Returning Students to the Sports Academy: A gentle reminder to complete the Google Form to secure your registration by Monday 19 August, 5:00 p.m. 
• For New Students to the Sports Academy: Please register through this Google Form for the sports in which you have given the tryouts, by Tuesday 20 August, 5:00 p.m. 

Important Information: 

• Next week, the Clipboard will open for registration on our end. Keep an eye on your email and follow the instructions to proceed with the necessary steps. 
• If any students missed the tryouts, please reach out to me directly. I will coordinate with the PE coaches to assess their skill levels and provide the necessary approval to join the academy.
• A revised schedule will be shared soon to ensure that every child can pursue their passion.

We can't wait to embark on this exciting journey with you! 

Please reach out to me for any questions and clarifications. 

Thanks and regards,

Coach Namita 
Director of Sport & Auxiliary Programs

P.E. Corner:

Boosting Fitness and Well-being 

Dear TUSKERS Families,

We would like to inform you that next week from 19 August to 23 August 2024, all students from Grades 1 to 8 will be participating in BMI assessments and comprehensive physical fitness tests in their PE Lessons.  

These tests will assess various aspects of fitness, including speed, flexibility, endurance, agility, and strength. The PE teachers will tailor the tests to each age level and set benchmarks for students to achieve. 

To ensure a smooth assessment process, please make sure: 

• Your child wears appropriate sports clothes throughout the week.

• Please avoid jeans and short crop tops as these may not be suitable for physical tests.

We look forward to an exciting and successful year ahead! Please reach out to me or your child's PE Teacher for any questions or concerns. 

Ignite Your Spirit: Introducing the TUSKERS House System! 

Dear TUSKERS Families, 

We are excited to announce the launch of our new House System, designed to foster a strong sense of belonging, loyalty, and competitive spirit among our students. 

All new and Grade 1 students have been assigned to one of our four Houses. Your child's House has been communicated by their LET or Dean. 

Throughout the year, we will host a variety of House competitions across different subjects, including sports, science, math, English, arts, and drama. These friendly rivalries will not only encourage healthy competition but also foster teamwork and collaboration. 

To kick off the House spirit, we are introducing Friday Aerobics. Starting from August 23rd, 2024, all students are encouraged to wear their House-colored shirts during this fun and energetic activity. 

We believe that the House System will create a vibrant and inclusive school community where students can thrive and excel. Your support is crucial in making this initiative a success.  

Let us come together to ignite the spirit of excellence in our children! 

Thanks and regards. 

Coach Namita 
Director of Sport & Auxiliary Programs

Library Corner:

Hello from BISB Library! 

Thank you, parents, for your patience, I so look forward to welcoming you back to the library for parent library hours, beginning this Monday, August 19^th.

Additionally, I am so excited to announce the schedule for this year’s Literacy Day 2024!

International Literacy Day began in 1966 to raise awareness and concern for literacy problems that exist within our own local communities, as well as globally. At BISB, we recognize Literacy Day by reminding students that reading is not only a joy, but a privilege. We are lucky to have access to an array of books in our library, and amazing teachers that serve as literacy advocates.

In celebration of Literacy Day, we are encouraging all students to dress up according to their assigned genre and get ready to walk the runway at our Runway Through the Pages fashion show! This was a big success last year and I am so excited to do it again. Additionally, students will have surprise mystery readers in their afternoon classes.

At the end of the day, students and parents are invited to join Ms. Erika in the library for a magical storytime. This year we will read The Magical Yet, a story about being willing to learn and maintaining a growth mindset – the perfect read to start a new school year! This storytime will be followed by a unique craft activity.

Please note that the library will not be open on the morning of September 3^rd, in preparation of the day’s events, but parents can meet Ms. Erika before school and take photos as they drop their students off. The library will open after school at 3:40 p.m. to all parents and students.

I hope to see you all there!

Happy reading,
Ms. Erika
Librarian

Private Instrumental Lessons for Symphony Orchestra Essentials – Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

Dear TUSKERS families,

We are happy to inform you of private instrument lessons after school. Students from primary to middle to high school may join this activity. There are limited slots available as the sessions are designed to work on individual development with our expert instructors. 

Instructors: 

Mr. Ben: Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass (contact b.detrick@basis.ac.th for all questions and inquires) 

Kru Omkow & Kru Min: Violin, Viola 

Kru Junior: Cello  

The class aim is to create passion in music while helping young musicians develop their personal music spirit. Students will work on foundation skills such as correct hand positioning and note reading. They will receive personalized coaching as they develop their skills under an expert’s eyes. They will also enjoy our collaborative music theory and skill games and have the opportunity to showcase their performance at the ECA showcase in the spring. Tailored individual assignments will be given weekly so that they will learn to be responsible and accountable for their progress.  

Learning Objectives: 

1. Students will demonstrate the ability to hear, identify, read, and work with the elements of music – rhythm, melody, harmony, and structure. 
2. Students will demonstrate understanding of a wide selection of musical literature representing principal eras, genres, and cultural sources. 
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to perform a wide variety of musical styles in areas appropriate to the student’s needs and interests. 

Grade selections: PreK-1 to Grade 10 

Practice days and session: Tuesday: 14 sessions (start on August 27) OR Wednesday: 14 sessions (start on August 28) 

Activity Fees:   

30 minutes private 1:1 (early years only) – 14,000 for 14 sessions 

45 minutes private 1:1 – 17,500 for 14 sessions 

60 minutes private 1:1 – 21,000 for 14 sessions – not suggested for beginners, and may not be available 

A private lesson for two students is also available. For example, if you have a sibling or friend you’d like to join at the same time, please inquire.  

Regards,
Mr. Benjamin Detrick
Music Teacher 

Weekly Menu Updates:

Community Health Updates

This week our records cut-off time for is Friday at 3:00 P.M.  There are two cases this week. 

BISB Calendars 2024-25: Academic Calendar

BISB Calendars 2024-25: Sport Academy Calendar:

BISB Calendars 2024-25: ECA Calendar

New Merchandise Items

TUSKERS Of The Week

Congratulations to Bhuri, our Grade 3 student, for his outstanding performance at the Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge (SIMOC) held in Singapore! Bhuri earned two gold medals in the Individual category and in the Team category, demonstrating his exceptional mathematical abilities and commitment to excellence.

To qualify for SIMOC, students are required to secure at least a Bronze medal in either the American Mathematics Olympiad (AMO) or the Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad (SASMO). Bhuri competed against over 2,200 students from 35 countries, making his achievements even more remarkable!

His success truly brings great pride to our school community. Well done, Bhuri!

Photo of The Week

Sport Try-out :

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZNXAl6kl269cxPNTwFnLv_L2pqR4equ1?usp=sharing

Ensemble Audition :

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YTF7dp4yg0y_elNkd-Lrc8Tn_fVtCNCW?usp=sharing