Parent Bulletin #13 January 30

International School Manila

ES PARENT BULLETIN January 30, 2009

Volume 13

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER JAN 31

ISM Family Fun Day

FEB 5, 12, 19, 26

Parenting Book Group, 9:00am, Room 1057 TOPIC: Parenting from the Inside Out

4,11, 18,25

Wednesday Morning Late Start, 8:30am

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Robin Pascoe in South East Asia, 6:00pm, Little Theater TOPIC: Xpatriates Are Xtra Ordinary

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ES Parent Coffee, 7:30am, Little Theater (Topic and agenda to follow)

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ES Sports Day

From the ES Administration Dear Elementary School Parents, I look forward to seeing you all at our PTA Family Fun Day, tomorrow January 31 beginning at 3:00 p.m. Come out and enjoy good food, games and entertainment! I would like to update you on changes to our school calendar due to decisions made by the government. Monday April 6 will now be a national holiday, along with April 9 and 10. School will operate as normal on April 7, 8, and Monday April 13. On our calendar February 23 is circled as a potential holiday for EDSA Revolution Day, however the actual day for this holiday has not been determined yet, and could be moved, I will keep you updated once we have confirmation. Another change that is coming to ES is how we operate our student led conferences. More information will be sent on this in the near future, but student led conferences will take place in March and will have a new format in which you will be invited to your child’s class together with your child to spend 45 minutes going through their work and having them demonstrate their learning. You will have a chance to view their portfolio and also have an opportunity to touch base with your child’s teacher. For each session, there will only be up to 5 students in the classroom at one time, unlike in the past where the whole class was together at the same time. A detailed schedule and information will be sent to you once it has all been worked out. Have a great weekend! Yours in Education,

Simon Gillespie Elementary School Principal

Elementary School Parent Bulletin

January 30, 2009 lose anything - even a game of tic-tac-toe. Some kids find it extra-hard to lose, but everyone needs to learn how to do it. Learning to lose without losing your cool is a skill, like learning to ride a bike. You might not be able to do it at first, but over time it will get easier. And when you can handle losing, people will call you a good sport.

From the Grade 3 Department The Grade 3 Teachers Invite You To

Why Learn to Lose Gracefully? Everyone wants to win. But any time two teams or kids are facing each other in a game or contest; someone will lose (unless it's a tie). Kids lose in small ways, like in a game of checkers, but they also might face losing in bigger ways, like when their team loses a championship game. Losing is disappointing, so it's not surprising that kids don't like it. Adults don't like it either, but everyone can learn to control how they react to a loss. In other words, what should you do when you lose? The tricky part is that sometimes you might react before you even realize it. For instance, it's the last out of your Little League game and, in a flash, the other team has won. There they are celebrating on the field and you burst into tears. Oh dear, you probably don't want to be crying right now, even though it's OK that you feel sad. The important thing is what you do next. Do you storm over to the other team's dugout and accuse them of cheating? No! The best thing to do is to try to collect yourself and get in line with your teammates so you can congratulate the other team. Maybe you've seen Little League players do this. Each team lines up and they walk along sort of high-fiving the other team's players and saying "good game." To be sure, the losing team may not feel like it was such a good game, but this tradition is one way to teach everyone how to be a good sport. If you feel like crying later or you want to complain about the game, you can do that - but it's best to do it off the field and after you've had a chance to cool down. After a little time passes, you might not feel as upset as you were right when the game ended.

An Important Information Meeting About The Grade 3 Trip to Subic Bay Please join us on

Thursday, February 5 Room 1057 2:30 - 3:30p.m. We will be holding a very important parent information meeting where you can learn all the details about our upcoming trip to Subic Bay. We are encouraging at least one parent from each family to attend and are looking forward to seeing you.

From the ES PE Department The elementary school annual sports day on February 20th is now less than one month away! Students will compete as a class in a variety of activities that promote teamwork, cooperation, and motor skills. Our focus is on having fun in an active setting. Sports day also provides a wonderful opportunity for students to display good sportsmanship. Outlined below are some of the sportsmanship issues we discuss with children. As parents you can play a significant role in helping your child become a good sport and show your support for the PE programs at school.

From the ES Art Department

For some children Sports day is the first time to be involved in competition where we have winning and losing teams. Please note that scores are only recorded for Grades 3, 4, and 5 during ES Sports Day. The following article below is worthy of discussion with your child prior to Sports day to ensure the very best experience possible.

Dear Parents, Do you have any old toys that your children no longer play with? Even if they are broken the art department could use them. We are also collecting fabric, old shoes and ornaments for various projects. Please drop any unwanted items at room 1147.

How to Be a Good Sport

Thanks,

"No fair!" "You cheated!" "It wasn't my fault we lost!" Have you ever played on a team with somebody who hated to lose? Or maybe you have a tough time if you

Olivia Jones

ES Art Teacher 2

Elementary School Parent Bulletin

January 30, 2009 enriching stay at International School Manila and we wish you and your family the very best in the future. If you have any suggestions or comments about Admission, School Life, and/or Withdrawal, please do not hesitate to contact me.

From the Admissions Office Some students may be withdrawing from ISM soon due to their family moving on to other opportunities. In order to make the withdrawal process go as smoothly as possible, we would like to remind you of the following:

Best wishes and Happy Holidays to you and your family from all of us in the Admission Office.

Gary Jerome

STEP 1: Please come by the Admission Office or download from the website, a Withdrawal Notification Form. This form can be filled out and dropped off; faxed back to the Admission Office at 840-8489; or scanned and e-mailed to [email protected].

Admissions Director [email protected]

From the PTA

STEP 2: Parents or students will also need to pick up the following forms from the Admission Office or from the website: The Withdrawal Clearance Slip should be taken to the indicated teachers and offices for signatures. • High School Student Withdrawal Clearance Slip (Grades 9-12) • Middle School Student Withdrawal Clearance Slip (Grades 6-8) • NOTE: For elementary students, the elementary office will handle the withdrawal clearance form for them. To receive the child’s YEARBOOK, if withdrawing before the end of the school year, complete and return the correct form to the child’s school office for follow-up. • Elementary School Yearbook: ALAALA • Middle School Yearbook: SALINLAHI • High School Yearbook: KAYAWAN

International Family Fun Day Jan 31 at 3:00pm. Please remember that the normal security procedures still apply on this day. If you have invited a guest from outside our school community to join us, and they will not be entering campus with you, please submit their details to the Security Office no later than Jan 30. As we have limited parking on campus and we expect a large number of vehicles, ONLY OWNER-DRIVEN CARS will be allowed to remain on campus. We ask that vehicles driven by employed drivers to enter via Gate 3 only, and drop their passengers off at school and only return to the campus for the purpose of picking up. Holders of ISM ID cards will be able to enter as pedestrians through Gates 1, 2 and 3 should they wish.

Note that school transcripts and records will be available from the particular school office approximately 5-working days after the child’s last day of attendance at ISM. Please coordinate directly with the particular school office if you require other arrangements. STEP 3: When completed, the Withdrawal Clearance Slip must be taken to the Accounting Office Cashier. Only after the Accounting Office Cashier has received and signed the completed Withdrawal Clearance Slip will the child’s transcripts or school records be released from the Elementary, Middle or High School Office.

Please note that EVERYONE (except children under 3 years old) needs a ticket to enter the fair on the MS field. Upon submission of your ticket, you will be given a WRISTBAND. This will allow you access to the Cafeteria for the Int'l Food Sampling starting at 5:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there! Note: There will be a PTA information tent in the middle of the field. Volunteers will be wearing BRIGHT GREEN polo shirts should you need assistance.

STEP 4: The refund of the Special Project Deposit (SPD) will be available approximately 10-working days after the signed Withdrawal Notification Form, by the parent, is given into the Admission Office. However, in any event, it cannot be released before the child’s last day of attendance at ISM and the completed Withdrawal Clearance Slip is signed by the Cashier. The refund check can be picked up from the Accounting Office Cashier only upon return of the original signed SPD certificate. Note that the refund of the deposit shall only be made to the person or authorized company representative whose name appears as the certificate holder on the certificate.

ISM Aquathon Calling experienced, Triathletes, Duathletes and Aquathletes, The Sailfish Swim Club is running an Aquathon on the morning of Saturday 18th of April, it will consist of a run, swim then run. If you are interested in assisting to organise this event, please contact Coach Andy [email protected]

Please allow the withdrawal process to go smoothly by starting the process early. Thank you for your help and understanding. Again, we hope that your child has had a successful and

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Elementary School Parent Bulletin

January 30, 2009

From the Environmental Council Do you want to care for your environment, reduce poverty and inspire creativity? Please support INVISIBLE and EARTH DAY VILLAGE by continuing to donate plastic bags and used tarpaulin banners. You will have an opportunity to buy some wonderful bags on Saturday at the Family Fun Day so. don't forget to bring money (we won't be taking coupons!) The INVISIBLE Institute will be selling their hand crocheted, one-of-a-kind bags made from plastic bags and factory waste. Working with 80+ women to re-use waste and create new jobs, the INVISIBLE Institute produces handbags in all sorts and sizes that range from 200 - 2000 pesos. Contact [email protected] Earth Day Village is a livelihood project that recycles used tarpaulins by making them into bags. Unskilled women who live in temporary housing in Nagpuso are trained to sew and at the same time are educated in waste management thus raising their awareness of environmental issues whilst also providing them with a source of income. The price of the tarp bags on sale will range from 75-650 pesos. Contact [email protected] Many thanks for your continuing support,

Let's Go Green + YOUR trash= A livelihood for over 100 women

Keep up with Sailfish Events/Meets and News, subscribe to Coach Andy's weekly e-mail: [email protected] and visit our web page it's regularly updated with news, meet results, and articles, please bookmark it in your internet browser:

From the ATAC Office ~Sailfish Newsletter ~ •

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http://www.ismanila.org/portal/alias__/lang__en/ tabID__1207/DesktopDefault.aspx

The Sailfish Swim Club sends a big cheer to our Varsity Swim Team who are competing in Bangkok at the IASAS Swimming Championships.

Andy Astfalck Head Coach

The following Sailfish Swim Club members are competing at Manila Japanese School on Saturday 7th February:

3rd Season Track and Field

Gabriela Miralao, Charlotte Fieeiki, Imaya Jeffries, Awe Mccallum, Sydney Miralao, Victoria Burgos, Sarah Peabody, Aleny Serna, Pawarin Sungkboon, Maya Tumiwa, Ji-Young Kim, Aparna Mohan, Georgina Pekin, Daniel Klepp, Seiryo Sasakie, Satyu Boontaveekit, Byeong Lee, Yuma Sato, Kaya Newton, Martin Narciso, Panarin Sungkboon

Tryouts start for grade 4 and 5 students only on Feb 16th at HS Field.

FOR YOUR CALENDARS CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES to all 2nd season athletes travelling next week to represent the school. The entire ISM community is behind you and cheering you on from Manila. Keep in touch with the teams’ progress by logging on to www.iasas.org. Basketball games will be streamed live from Taipei.

Over Due All Sailfish Swim Club members need to re register at the start of each semester, if you have not done so yet, please e-mail Coach Andy for a re registration form. February 7th, Saturday Manila Japanese Meet (entries closed)

All tournaments start Thursday and conclude Saturday. We hope our teams can bring back some IASAS Gold.

February 11th, Wednesday Parent Meeting - 8:30am HS cafeteria

Rugby/Touch in Singapore Swimming/Tennis in Bangkok Basketball in Taipei

February 26th, Thursday Entry Deadline for ISM Spring Meet. E-mail Coach Andy [email protected]

Mark Pekin

March 7th, Saturday ISM Spring Meet

Athletics and Activities Director 4

Elementary School Parent Bulletin

January 30, 2009

Dear ISM Community, On 7th February there will be a Community Service Learning event. There are 100 places available on this build. Those attending will be transported by buses to the following GK sites : ISM, Phil-Am, Zonta and Jack and Jill GK Villages, Taguig. Participants will meet at the ES drop-off at 7.30 am, depart by 8.00 am and return at approximately 1:00pm. The purpose of the trip is for the ISM community to build homes with members of a less advantaged community. There is no cost to participate in this event. For a better understanding of Gawad Kalinga 777 join us for an informational presentation in the Little Theater on February 4th at 9:30am or in the FAT at 10:55am. Additional information: ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾

Bring a snack and plenty of water Bring small money for snacks and drinks on site DO NOT bring valuables of any kind (no electronics, trendy clothing, etc) We will be working outdoors; sunscreen and a sunhat are needed. Participants should dress for physical labor: gloves, solid shoes, an old t-shirt and suitable trousers/shorts.

Submit this entire form (signed by a parent where relevant) to Stephanie Hagedorn before 3pm on Thursday 5th February in room P079 in the Admissions area. I am a (please tick the relevant box and complete the form) Student in HS / MS / ES - Please complete the form below Parent – Please print your name____________________________________ and Sign here ___________________ To be completed by parent or legal guardian: _______________________________________________________ Name of Student Grade Level has my permission to participate in the ISM and GK Community Build, Taguig, Metro manila on: Saturday, 7 th February 2009 from 8:00am -1:00pm. Parent’s name (pls. print) :_____________________________________ Contact #: ________________ Parent signature: _____________________________________________ Contact #2:________________

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Elementary School Parent Bulletin

January 30, 2009

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