BASIS International School Bangkok eNewsletter

Message from Head of School & Head of Operations:

Dear TUSKERS families,

It was a pleasure to see everyone back on campus following our February break.

Earlier this week, we have announced good news regarding the TUKSERS Scholarships and Talented TUSKERS Scholarship Programs, which are designed to recognize and support the exceptional talents of our students. Please refer to the attached document from Mr. Toby Walker for further details. We eagerly anticipate receiving applications over the next few weeks.

Letter from Mr. Toby Walker regarding TUKSERS Scholarships and Talented TUSKERS Scholarship Program

We had the Badminton Competition at King's College International School Bangkok yesterday. Our students displayed their spirits and impressive skills. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our coaches and parents for their incredible support. Another memorable event this week was the Early Years 2nd Swimming Gala. We would like to thank our parents for coming together and supporting our young swimmers. Their enthusiasm contributed to the overall success of the event. This gala showcased the significant progress of our students in their swimming abilities and enabled them to become confident swimmers. Our gratitude goes to the PE team, Early Years teachers and school staff for making this event a reality.

Next week, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Toby Walker, Vice President from BASIS Independent Schools, to our campus. He is inviting parents to attend Coffee Morning sessions. Please note the schedule changes below:

For Primary and Upper School: Please join us on Tuesday, March 5th at 08.30 to 10.00 A.M. for a coffee morning. Mr. Toby will discuss how the BASIS curriculum is exceptional, and how it prepares students for the rich and diverse BASIS High School Program as well as for the world’s top universities. Please join us for this engaging session.

For Early Years: You are invited to join Mr. Toby Walker, VP of BASIS Independent Schools, and Ms. Annie Fletcher, BISB Director of Early Years, for a special presentation on Wednesday, March 6th at 08.30 to 10.00 A.M. in the Blackbox Theater. In this Coffee Morning session, we will discuss how the Early Years program is designed to prepare students for the rigorous BASIS Primary curriculum, and how our Kinder students are preparing for their transition to Grade 1 in the coming months. We look forward to your attendance in this informative session.

We hope you enjoy the rest of this semester learning and having great experiences. See you next week!

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

Save the date for School Events and Academic Calendar:

Tuition Fees for 2024-25 Announcement:

Dear BASIS families,

We are pleased to share the Tuition Fees for the 2024-2025 academic year as enclosed. In addition to this, we would like to inform you that we are making some adjustments in an effort to improve this annual process.

From this year forward, instead of sending two invoices we will now combine the re-enrollment and first semester tuition fee into one tuition fee invoice. This invoice will be distributed on April 1st, 2024 with a payment period extended until the last day of the academic year, June 21st, 2024. In support of our families, we will waive the credit card fee for invoices paid within May 15th, 2024.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Payments must be made within this timeline in order to secure your place in the school.
Invoices paid after June 21st, 2024 will incur interest fees of 1.5% per month for late payment.

At BASIS we are continually seeking ways to improve our education and campus experience. Over the last 2-years, we have faced high inflation but still brought many new facilities and services in order to offer the best value for our families.

To ensure that we continue to be able to offer education at the highest international levels, we must have small increases in tuition costs to help offset some of the additional expenses incurred. Some of these additional improvements are well known to you, such as those listed below. However, others like increased cost of personnel & recruiting, supplies, utilities, repair & maintenance, and many others may not be as visible but are necessary to ensure we continue to provide quality education.

Some things that we have added over the last 2-years include:

New facilities – Early Years canteen, Early Years reading room, Early Years playground, Gymnastics Room, Multi-Purpose Room, Additional science labs, expanded Library, Upper School Lounge, and more.
Academic and Activities Support - Additional intervention specialists, Academic Coach for Grade 5, Dean for Middle School, Director for Early Years, additional music and blackbox equipment, additional Art, Music, and Drama Teachers, and College and Wellbeing Counselors.
Technology - MacBooks for Grade 9+, Additional and replacement Laptops and Tablets for other grades, Additional Science Equipment, College Counselling Platform, Reading Platform, additional security improvements, and many more.
Extracurricular and Activities - Free Teacher and Student Led Clubs, Bands, Sports Teams, Academic Competitions, and expanded school-wide Events and Activities.

We thank you for your continued support of BASIS and our mission. Please feel free to reach out to our team if you have any questions.

Most sincerely,
Dr. W and Ms. Kwan
Head of School and Head of Operations

Message from College Counselor:

Greetings BISB Community,

I will be on campus in just a few short weeks. I am excited to meet with Grade 8 and 9 students to plan out their high school schedule, and I will also have the chance to show one of my current seniors the BISB campus. Chelsea and her family will spend the final day of their Thailand trip at BISB, and I am arranging a way for parents to chat with Chelsea's mother and students to hear all about Chelsea's adventures at BASIS. I have known Chelsea since she was a student of mine in Grade 6 and I cannot wait to show her around.

In this week's video, I spoke to three Grade 10 students who have also been at BASIS for a while. While I know our schools are different, I also know that every BASIS student goes through the same course requirements, homework expectations, and AP exams. These three students share not only their experiences at school, but also their advice on how to keep your head above water. See you soon.

Best,
Ms. Kate Irving
College Counselor

Early Years Newsletter

Message from Director of Early Years:

Dear Parents of Early Years,

Welcome Back to our Early Years Students and Parents,

I trust your Spring Break allowed for some family time to make new memories.

In the Early Years, we are preparing for Earth Day- March 22nd- with the learning of the parts of the plants, the growing cycle and the planting of seeds. We have designated outdoor garden space and are excited to track the development of our plants.

I am currently conducting assessments and family interviews for students to add to our nursery classrooms next year. If you know of anyone with a 2-years-old, please send them our way. The classes are filling quickly.

Thank you,
Ms. Annie Fletcher
Director of Early Years

Primary, Middle & High School Newsletter

Message from Dean of Primary School:

Dear Primary Students,

RAZ Kids is one of the many great resources we offer. It is a useful tool to help your child gain access to reading materials online to enhance your child’s reading skills. RAZ Kids also supports your child’s achievements in Love of Reading and many other academic contests.

The online portal could be used in an unfriendly way and hurt others which we want to avoid. Together it is our responsibility that students learn in a safe and friendly TUSKERS environment.

We are asking you to be aware of your child’s activity while using this learning portal. Please support healthy online learning habits and help us to maintain positive behaviors and attitudes!

Much thanks,
Dean Selby
Dean of Primary

Message from Dean of Upper School:

Dear Parents,

We hope you have had a restful and joyful Spring break. The students are returning to their normal routines now and preparing to end T2. Please continue to encourage them to stay organized and accountable outside of school hours and to spend some time reviewing their notes and completing homework daily.

Please note that all Grade 6-7 students have weekly assignments on Edmentum Exact Path and Quill.org starting from next week. They will need a home device (tablet or laptop) to complete this work. If it is not possible to provide a device for your child outside of school to complete this work, please contact me and we can discuss contingency.

I would like to a make a few small reminders for parents;

Snacks on Campus

Students should not be bringing snacks or candy on to campus. Snack and Lunch is provided by the school and eating between meals can not only result in mess and littering but can also disrupt your child’s natural appetite and affect energy levels throughout the day.

Dress-code

Students should be mindful of abiding by the dress-code policy, which provides guidelines regarding what we consider appropriate and safe footwear and attire for students. Please re-familiarize yourself with these guidelines and help ensure your child is adhering to them in their choice of clothing and shoes. As a school, we encourage individual freedom of expression, within the boundaries of what is considered safe and appropriate for school.

Devices on campus

Please note that personal electronic devices are not permitted on campus. Exceptions are sometimes made for students participating in specific activities or special groups (such as IAMS or Editorial Committee). In this case, however, parents will be informed by the school in advance.

If you have any concerns or queries, please contact me.

Thank you for your support,
Dean Drew
Dean of Upper School

Message from Interventions Specialist:

📚 Love of Reading Challenge: Week 3 Update! 📚

Hello TUSKER Families!

As we approach the conclusion of our Love of Reading challenge, the excitement is palpable, and the reading minutes are stacking up! Let's take a moment to recognize our top readers and classes for Week 3 (Feb. 15-22) of this fantastic journey:

**Primary Grades (1st-5th): Week 3**

🏆 **Top 3 Individual Readers:**

Hope (3Ne):2,133minutes
Chuen (1Mg): 1,333minutes
Chomprang (3Ne): 675minutes

🎉 **Top Primary Class with the Most Reading Minutes: Week 3**

3Ne: 6,658 minutes – You've shown exceptional dedication to the "Love of Reading" challenge!

**Upper Grades (6th-9th): Week 3**

🏆 **Top 3 Individual Readers:**

Plern (7Ga): 858minutes
Thee (7Ga): 281minutes
Thichar (6Fe); 202minutes

🎉 **Top Upper School Class with the Most Reading Minutes: Week 3**

7Ga: 2,481 minutes – Hats off to your commitment to the world of books!

We're immensely proud of these students and classes for their remarkable efforts in sustained reading over the February break! 🙂

🏁 **Competition Ends This Week!**

The "Love of Reading" challenge concludes this week, so make every moment count! Continue to immerse yourselves in captivating stories and explore new worlds through the magic of books. As we approach the end of this exciting competition, remember that every minute spent reading contributes to the overall success of your class and individual standings so be sure to read, read, read this week.... and beyond!

📅 **Winners Announcement: March 8th, 2024**

Mark your calendars! We will announce the class and individual winners for both primary and middle school on March 8th, 2024. Stay tuned for this exciting reveal!

Lastly, thank you to all students, parents, and teachers for your enthusiastic participation. Let's finish the Love of Reading challenge on a high note, and we look forward to celebrating our reading champions next week!

Kindly,
Shaneika Edmond
Interventions Specialist

Library Corner:

Hello from the library!

Our “For the Love of Reading Month” has officially come to an end and so many creative students submitted bookmark and book cover designs for the competitions. Students and teachers are now voting for their favorites – with voting closing on Wednesday, March 6th!

The winners of the competitions will be announced at the assemblies following, and in the BISB newsletter.

Additionally, I had some amazing and hilarious Extreme Reading submissions from our students – and some teachers too. Check out the fantastic photos below!

Secondly, please note that the Library will be CLOSED on Friday, March 8th, as I will be attending and representing BISB at the Kids Lit Quiz Competition with our student-led teams at Shrewsbury Riverside. I apologize for any inconvenience.

And finally, I am so excited to announce the official calendar of events for BISB’s BOOKWEEK 2024! This year’s Bookweek includes a variety of activities including visiting authors, spirit days, and unique story times throughout the week.

Checkout the attached flyers below for the full calendar, our local visiting authors, and the spirit days. I look forward to seeing our TUSKERS dressed up and celebrating all things books!

Happy reading,
Ms. Erika
Librarian

ECA Corner:

Dear Moms and Dads,

The Festival in The Garden holds a special place in our hearts due to the exceptional musical talent of our students. We believe that the festival has effectively showcased the outstanding abilities and commitment of our young musicians, and as a result, we are prepared to provide an opportunity for all BISB students to join the BISB Ensemble Orchestra.

We are pleased to announce that auditions for a pianist for our BISB Ensemble Orchestra are now open to students in grades 4 and above. Auditions will take place during the academic enrichment period on March 7th and 8th. The schedule for auditions is as follows:

Grades 4–5: 12:30–13:00 p.m.
Grade 6 and above: 11:50–12:30 p.m.

Interested students must register via the Clipboard Application by Tuesday, March 5th, at 15:00 p.m. We will provide a piano for all performances.

Late arrivals will not be accommodated for the audition, and we ask that students arrive promptly. We will keep everyone informed with any additional details.

Please be aware that the chosen pianist will be required to commit to weekly practices on Thursday from 17:30 to 18:30 p.m., and payment will be expected following the final audition result.

Best Regards,
ECA Team

Academic Spotlight:

A Feast to Remember!

Embark on a journey back in time with our Grade 5 class as they culminate their immersive study of Ancient Egypt in grand style! Our young historians recently transformed their classroom into a vibrant tableau of Egyptian life, hosting a feast that would make the pharaohs proud. Savor the flavors of authenticity as they indulged in a spread of traditional Egyptian cuisine - from the warm, comforting embrace of freshly baked flatbreads to the sweet, refreshing slices of watermelon, the creamy richness of hummus, and the delectable crunch of falafel.

But the adventure didn't stop at dining! The students also engaged in a thrilling "Mummy Race" game, wrapping themselves in streams of laughter and fun, embodying the spirit of ancient traditions with a modern twist. This event wasn't just a feast for the stomach but a feast for the senses and the mind, celebrating the end of a unit that was as educational as it was entertaining. Join us in applauding our young learners for their enthusiastic journey through time, where they not only learned about the wonders of Ancient Egypt but also created unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. Discover the past, inspire the future!

G5 Phone String Lab

🔬 Proud to present our super dynamic and smart G5 students during Strings Phone Lab. 🎵 They demonstrated great dedication to investigating how sound travels through air and solids, pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding. Great job!!! 💡🌟

Dear families,

We are pleased to share a potentially significant development regarding our Mandarin program at BISB. We have been exploring the possibility of hosting YCT exam on our BISB campus on May 12th while the HSK exam will take place at Chulalongkorn University on May 19th.

To realize this opportunity, we require a minimum number of participants. This is an exciting endeavor that could open doors for our Mandarin program in the future. The success of this initiative could lead to further opportunities that benefit our students and the wider community.

The registration period is from today until March 31st, students can register both YCT and HSK exam at the same time.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us through the email: mandarin@basis.ac.th.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding.

Community News:

The Green Shelter Project โครงการเก็บกล่องสร้างบ้าน

Our school has just installed a donation box to accept cleaned milk boxes (juice boxes are also accepted) to be used for building houses for the homeless.

This is a project by “Friends in Need (of "PA") Volunteers Foundation, Thai Red Cross” in cooperation with many organizations from the private sectors which now includes BASIS Bangkok.

The box is located next to the canteen. Please prepare your used milk box by cutting open the box, laying it flat and cleaning it with water. The school will collect the clean milk boxes materials and hand them over to the Foundation to transform them into flooring and roofing materials.

This is one way we can help reduce trash that goes into landfills while also helping those in need.

BASIS Parents Golf Community - First Golf Tournament

Dear BISB Parents,

We are thrilled to announce the first-ever golf event organized by the BASIS Parents Golf Community (BPGC)! It's time to tee off and enjoy a day of camaraderie and friendly competition among fellow BASIS parents.

Date: Friday, 15th March 2024

Location: Nikanti Golf Club, Nakorn Pathom

Schedule: 11:30 am: Lunch

1:00 pm: Shortgun

Concluding with dinner and awards ceremony

Package Includes

Green Fee
Caddy
Golf Cart with GPS
Lunch and Dinner

Cost: THB 5,000 net per person

To secure your spot, please make your payment by contacting us via LINE (QR Code on the poster below)

Come join us for a fantastic day on the greens, filled with great food, friendly competition, and memorable moments. Take this opportunity to connect with other BASIS parents while enjoying the beautiful game of golf.

See you on the course!

Warm regards,
BASIS Parent Golf Community (BPGC)