International School Manila For ATTENDANCE

concerns, please
contact the HS Office
(Sam Ramos or

HS FRIDAY BULLETIN
Laurie Atilano)
Tel: 840 8650 / 840 8653
or email
HSOffice@ismanila.org.

Dear Parents, For the week of January 12 - 17

Happy New Year! We hope that you had a relaxing and refreshing break, and Monday, January 12
are looking forward to a great second semester. Welcome to our new 2.30 Homeroom
families, and we hope to meet you at our New Parent HS Coffee on Tuesday
morning (see calendar below). Tuesday, January 13
7.00 PTA Bearcat Welcome (LT)
9.30 HS New Parent Coffee (LT)
We are of course jumping right in to 2009, hosting pre-IASAS tennis and
swimming, sending off our rugby and golf teams, and gearing up for Wednesday, January 14
THIMUN, all within the next few weeks. There is always plenty happening in Student Late Start
the High School at ISM! Gr.12 Grad Gown Fitting

This is particularly exciting time for our senior students, entering their final Thursday, January 15
semester of school. Besides being extremely busy, they are preparing to IB 12 Final EE Due
finish school, say goodbye to friends and move forward into their lives 11.30 – 12.00 New Student Roundup (LT)
beyond ISM. We are happy to note that college acceptances have already
started coming in, and many more are eagerly anticipated. Friday, January 16
2nd Season Pre-IASAS
Swimming/Tennis (ISM)/Rugby
Powerschool is currently closed to parents and students in order for
teachers to finalize grades and input first semester comments. It will re- Saturday, January 17
open on January 16 at 8 a.m. Printed report cards will be ready for IASAS Golf Exchange (ISB)
distribution on January 19. 2nd Season Pre-IASAS
Swimming/Tennis (ISM)/Rugby
Again, welcome back, and we hope that 2009 is a fantastic year for you. GK Field Trip

Yours truly, Dates to Remember

Jan 19: Printed report card distribution

William Brown Caroline Brokvam
Jan 20: IB 11 Biol H Field Trip (IRRI)
Principal Assistant Principal
Jan 21: IB 12 Math Studies Project DUE
REMINDERS: Jan 20: IB 11 Biol H Field Trip (IRRI)
Jan 21: IB 12 Math S/H Portfolio DUE
PHOTOS Jan 22: IB 12 Math S/H Portfolio DUE
Parents/Students who ordered photos please don’t forget to send Jan 23 – 31: THIMUN (Hague)
payment. The HS Office will only accept check payments. Please
make the check payable to PHOTO CONCEPTS STUDIO.

SENIOR CLASS RINGS CONGRATULATIONS:

Sign up for orders are still ongoing at the HS Office. If you already ordered,
Please don’t forget to pay for your class ring! Payments should be done at *Antheia Rae for her
the Cashiers Office.
acceptance to Central Saint
EVENT: Martin’s College
The High School Administration and PTA would like to *Kamran Ahmad for his
invite the Parents of our New Students to come and join Conditional Acceptance At
us for coffee on Tuesday, January 13 at 9.30 am at the Edinburgh (U.K.) and
Little Theater. This will give us a chance to welcome Bristol University!
Parents to the ISM community. We hope to see you
there!!

1/9/2009
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From the Guidance Office:
DATE
January 20, 2009
High School Guidance Office
11:25 am - 12:05 pm
January 24, 2009
LT, AMR, ES Gym
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
February 2, 2009
Fine Arts Theater
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Save The Date
What : ISM’s University Kickoff
ACTIVITY
When: Monday, February 2nd
Oxbridge summer
Time: 5-7pm
academic programs
presentation Come hear details about higher education opportunists in
the UK, Australia, Canada, Malaysia/Singapore, and the
United States. We will have representatives from each of the
SAT
educational systems discussing the variety of opportunities
available.
College Night for The program is open to the entire ISM community and I
Parents strongly encourage all juniors to attend with at least one
parent.
More detail will follow in next weeks News Flash

Dear Parents:

This week your son/daughter received their results from the PSAT they took in October. These results contain a great deal of
valuable information that I hope you will take the time to read. I have found, however, that questions do arise, so I will try to
anticipate them with this letter. If you study the enclosed score report and this letter, your questions should be answered.

The PSAT is a good practice test to help prepare for the SAT I, but colleges do not use the PSAT for admissions purposes.
The PSAT is actually designed for juniors; however, we also give it for practice to tenth graders. The only results that count
toward the National Merit competition are those from the junior year.

Now, take a look at the Score Report sheet. Add a 0 to each score, critical reading, mathematics, and writing. For example, a
50 critical reading and 62 mathematics, and 55 writing on the PSAT equate to a 500 critical reading and 620 mathematics, and
a 550 writing on the SAT I that combine for a total of 1670. Often there is as much as a hundred point increase between the
PSAT and the first SAT I at the end of the junior year. I suggest that students plan to take the SAT I two or three times.

To truly utilize the value of the PSAT I encourage all students to take their test booklets and review the questions they
answered incorrectly. The “Improve Your Skills” section gives you a personalized analysis of your areas of weakness as well
as specific suggestions for how to improve.

Because your high school student took the PSAT/NMSQT, she/he has FREE access to My College QuickStart™, a free online
personalized planning kit based on their test results. Students are able to take the next steps towards college with these
unique features. The information and answers your child provided when they took the test are incorporated into this useful tool,
and it presents their data back to them in four main parts:

• My Online Score Report- an enhanced score report that allows students to review each test question, the
student’s answer, and the correct answer with answer explanations.
• My SAT Study Plan- a customized SAT study plan based on student PSAT/NMSQT test performance, highlighting
skills for review and practice.
• My College Matches- A starter list of colleges based on the student’s state and indicated choice of major.
• My Major and Career Matches- Major and career matches that are compatible with the student’s general interests
and personality type.

Access is available using the access code printed on the student’s paper score report, and the tool can be utilized throughout
high school. Using My College QuickStart together with your child is a great way to introduce and guide your child through
important aspects of the college-going process. Visit www.collegeboard.com\quickstart.

The most important thing to remember is not to place too much emphasis on any one test. Colleges consider more than one
means of measurement when a student applies. Rigor of high school program and grades are the most important part of your
record but scores, recommendations and activities are also important. If you have questions after reading the information
contained in the Score Report, please feel free to ask your counselor.

Sincerely,

HS Guidance

1/9/2009
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From the ATHLETICS OFFICE:

PRE-IASAS and IASAS Trips:

All varsity team members for (Rugby/Touch/Swimming/Tennis/Golf/Basketball) must hand in their passports to
ATAC office by Thursday this week please to ensure all documentation requirements can be checked prior to
ticketing for the upcoming trips. Please hand in your passport to Joan/Triz or Mr. Pekin thanks.

2nd Season IASAS Send off:

On Wed Jan 28th the IASAS 2nd season lunch hosted by Bearcat Parents will be held in 1057 immediately following
the HS IASAS send of assembly. Please go to the lunch as soon as assembly is finished.

THIMUN trip:
All THIMUN delegates please submit your passport to ATAC office by this Thursday at the latest thanks. Our
THIMUN delegation depart January 23rd/24th

UPCOMING DATES:

IASAS GOLF EXCHANGE – Bangkok Jan 15-18 Rugby/Touch - SAS

IASAS RUGBY EXCHANGE – Taipei Jan 16-18 Swimming/Tennis – ISB
2nd Season IASAS – Feb 4-8 Basketball – TAS

Housing: Pre- IASAS Tennis/Swimming: We still need housing for 14 visitors for this event. If you have not
turned in your housing slip please do so asap so this can be finalized.

From the CLINIC

TIME TO SIGN UP FOR TYPHOID VACCINATIONS

Date Price (Php)

February 11th 2009 Typherix – typhoid vaccine 795

This vaccination should be renewed every 3 years and is recommended for people who travel to endemic areas (including many areas of the
Philippines) and also for the following target individuals:
• food handlers such as dietary personnel, cooks, waiters, servers, dieticians, nutritionists
• microbiology lab technicians
• persons with intimate exposure to a documented S. Typhi. carrier or patient.

If you would like more information or you wish to sign up to receive the above vaccine, please contact the clinic on the number/email below
or call in to pick up a registration form (next to the elementary canteen). Only people with a valid ISM ID may participate in this
program.

PAYMENT FOR THESE VACCINATIONS MUST BE MADE TO THE CASHIER DEPARTMENT BY NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 30TH
JANUARY. VACCINES WILL THEN BE ORDERED AND NO FURTHER REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Clinic direct number: 840 8580

Email: clinic@ismanila.org

Many thanks,

Debbie Duckworth
ISM Clinic Administrator
840 8581
duckworthd@ismanila.org

1/9/2009
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 PARENTING BOOK GROUP
"PARENTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT"

How many parents have found themselves thinking: ”I can't believe I just said to my child the very thing my parents used to
say to me! Am I just destined to repeat the mistakes of my parents?”

In "Parenting from the Inside Out," child psychiatrist Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., and early childhood expert Mary Hartzell, M.Ed.,
explore the extent to which our childhood experiences actually do shape the way we parent. Drawing upon stunning new
findings in neurobiology and attachment research, they explain how interpersonal relationships directly impact the
development of the brain, and offer parents a step‐by‐step approach to forming a deeper understanding of their own life
stories, which will help them raise compassionate and resilient children.”

Last year in our parenting book group, we read Gordon Neufeld’s Hold On To Your Kids. This year we will continue along the
same insight based approach to parenting with Parenting from the Inside Out by Dr. Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell. This
book is appropriate for ALL ISM parents.
Our next book group will begin at 9am on Thursday, January 15th, 2009, in Room 1057, and will continue every Thursday
from 9‐11 until the end of February. If you are interested in participating please contact Myrna Perez at
perezm@ismanila.org in the ES Guidance Office as soon as possible as spaces are limited.

There are also 16 copies of the book available for purchase for P600 per copy. These copies will be distributed on a first come
first serve basis. Please inform Myrna if you intend to purchase the book through us. Be prepared to pay your money to
reserve your copy. All other purchases can be made through Fully Booked or other local or international book sellers.

Please contact Derek Selander selanderd@ismanila.org if you have any questions about the book or the group.
We look forward to seeing you there!

ENGLISH LESSONS FOR PARENTS

New Courses for 2009

ISM is pleased to offer community education English courses for parents again this semester. These courses will
focus on conversational skills in a variety of social situations, and on increasing vocabulary.

Teacher: Selena Alviz. BA (Hons), TESOL

Courses: Three courses for parents will begin on January 13th 2009 for a total of 12 weeks.

Course 1: Pre-Intermediate Level

This course is for parents who have completed an Elementary course. It will further develop your
vocabulary and give you the opportunity to express yourself verbally.
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Course 2: Intermediate Level (Part II)

This course is a continuation of the last Intermediate course which ended in December 2008.
Although, all parents who wish to practice and improve their levels of fluency are welcome to join
our group!
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8:30pm – 10:00 am

1/9/2009
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 Course 3: Intermediate Level (Part III)
This course is a continuation of the last Intermediate course which ended in December 2008. We
will begin where we stopped. Although, any parents who would like to join this class are welcome
(if the time suits you better).
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Books: The courses will use “True to Life” course books published by Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Cost: P 12,000 per student for the course (P500 per lesson) and P2400 for the course book. Payable
directly to Selena Alviz.

Numbers: To run the programs we require a minimum of five participants and a maximum of 8 parents per
course.

Contact: For more information contact Selena by email: selenasalsa@ecomail.org or mobile phone: 09 06
32 55 445 . Please note that she will be unable to answer your questions during the holiday period
(December 20th to January 4th).

To register: Complete the registration slip below and return it to the Office of the Assistant Superintendent, as
soon as possible.

REGISTRATION SLIP: English Lessons for Parents (January to April, 2009)

Name………………………………………………………………

Contact #....................................................

Please indicate level of English course required:

 Pre-Intermediate Level

 Intermediate Level

About Selena Alviz:

Selena is a well-traveled individual who has a passion for learning new languages:

“Being able to communicate is something that I value the most when moving to a new country.”

In the recent past she spent two years in Vietnam teaching English to children as well as adults while studying Vietnamese and Thai
languages. She then moved to Santo-Domingo in the Caribbean where she taught English at an American International School and
studied Spanish in her free time.

Following her arrival in Manila (August 2007), she has dedicated her time learning Tagalog and offering private English tutoring. She
has started teaching ESL to ISM’s parents last March 2008 and rejoices in helping them improve their English .

1/9/2009
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