MS Parent Bulletin #1 (SY1314)

7/27/2019 MS Parent Bulletin #1 (SY1314)

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AUGUST

MIDDLE SCHOOLMIDDLE SCHOOLMIDDLE SCHOOL

ISSUE # 1

SY 2013 2014

WEEK OF:

AUGUST 19 to 23

Weekly Publication for Middle School Parents

Friday BulletinInside this issue:

Events & Acvies:

SEPTEMBER

Dear Parents,

Welcome to school year 2013-2014 and a hearelt Mabuhay to all of our new

families! We hope everyone had a relaxing holiday and enjoyed the me with

your children. We also welcome our new teachers: Jerey Phillips (grade 6),

Sheena Naggea (grade 7 and 8 math), Bill Fischelis (Grade 8 Science), Therese

Mouat (French/Spanish), Mariza Rosado (Spanish), Jennifer Raenbeul (Grade 5

Learning Support), Steven Fischer (Grade 7 Learning Support), Paul Bongiovanni(Drama), and Christopher Nelson (Intern). The students have brought the cam-

pus back to life this past week, and we are excited to see their eager faces. The

teachers busily prepared classrooms for their arrival, and plans and learning ac-

vies are in place. As the year unfolds, you will see and hear your child develop

as an independent learner and creave thinker.

On Tuesday, August 20 is the Middle School Open House. We will begin the

evening in the FAT at 5:00 P.M. with a brief introducon and then each parent

will have the opportunity to experience the day in the life of your child. Using

your childs class schedule, you will have the chance to meet each teacher and

hear an overview about the course and the Advisory program. Please plan to

aend this eventwe are hoping for 100% parcipaon!

During the past week hopefully you've heard your child talk about his/her Advi-

sory group and Advisor. This school year Advisory, formerly known as Home-

base, is one of the focus points in the Middle School. Advisory is a me when

your child meets in a small group and engages in a variety acvies aimed at

developing self-awareness, nurturing a sense of belonging and community and

inspiring memorable fun. Compared to past years, Advisory will have a bit more

structure around acvies that address the ISM disposions of balanced, caring,

creave, ethical/fair, responsible and self-directed. Through our Advisory pro-

gram we also want to insure that each student has at least one adult with whom

they can build a trusng relaonship and turn to for support at any me. During

the middle school years making connecons with other individuals, be they oth-

er children or adults, is a central characterisc of adolescent develop-

ment. Through Advisory, we plan to strengthen those connecons.

MS Open House

Human Resource Oce

ATAC Oce

Sailsh News

ISM Upcoming Events

20 Open House

29 New Parent Coee

30 New Student Social Acvity

12 Parent Workshop

26 Naonal Holiday

16-20 FCD

21 Naonal Holiday

Oce of the Superintendent 3

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Connuaon

One feature in the Middle School that has been a welcome change is the new locker system for thesixth to eighth graders. Unlike an old locker that required a student to memorize a locker combina-tion, which often caused undue stress at the beginning of the school year, a student can open theirassigned locker with the swipe of a card. In this regard, it isessential for students to bring theirstudent ID to school everyday. Of course, if your child forgets the ID at home or inadvertentlyleaves it in his locker, your child can go to the Middle School Office for assistance.

A second reason for your child to bring his ID card to school is that it can be used as a debit card inthe cafeteria. Using one of the kiosks on campus (outside the cafeteria or beside the ATM ma-chine), you or your child can add value to the card which can then be used to purchase food duringbreak, lunch time or after school. Value can also be loaded online or through the school Cashier.With this system in place, we hope to reduce the need for students to carry cash on campus. Froma parent standpoint, through the system's website, you can track your child's food purchases andestablish spending limits...what a fantastic way to begin a conversation with your child about nutri-tion, making healthy food choices, and how to budget money. Please read the additional infor-mation about the Campus Card system located within the bulletin, and if you have more questions,please call the Human Resources department at 840 - 8500.

This year we have also introduced new uniform items, which we hope to see students wearing withpride. Uniform items purchased in previous years can still be worn as long as they comply with theuniform code; please see your childs Middle School planner for more details. For girls, skorts canstill be worn but please note that skirts and skorts are no longer available in the Uniform Shop. Ad-ditionally, if your child chooses to wear a long sleeve item, it must be an ISM sweatshirt which isavailable for purchase in the Bearcat Den next to the Middle/High School cafeteria.

ISM is a busy place and will get busier in the coming weeks as the afterschool clubs will commenceon Tuesday, August 27. If you have not done so already, please visit ms.ism-online.org, click on theMS Activities link in the sidebar, and view the Activities booklet. We encourage every child to regis-ter for an activity so that they can make new friends, discover a new skill, or continue to enjoy a fa-vorite hobby.

As we get underway, please know that you are welcome to meet, talk or email us, the guidancecounselors, or the teachers with any questions or concerns that may arise. We value communica-tion and building a strong, positive relationship with you and your child. If you wish to make an ap-pointment, please call the Middle School Office at 840 8550. We look forward to meeting you atOpen House and at the numerous events and activities throughout the year.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Yours in Education,

Simon Gillespie Clarissa SaysonMiddle School Principal Middle School Assistant Principal


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August 12, 2013

Dear Parents,

Greengs and welcome to the school year 2013/14 Internaonal School Manila. I hope that these weeks of summer

vacaon have given you the opportunity to enjoy some family me together. As I am beginning to realize myself with

my son and daughter in Grade 12 children grow up far too quickly!

I want to take this opportunity to remind you of some of the support services and campus procedures to ensure an or-

derly and ecient school start. I hope you understand that, in such a large community, it is essenal for us to establish

certain agreements in order to make things easier for everyone.

School Oce hours Monday Friday, 7 am 4 pm.

Uniform Shop

We are pleased to welcome MB Garments as our new Uniform Shop operator. MB Garments have been invited to take

over our school uniform provision following a lengthy evaluaon of potenal uniform suppliers by our Uniform Com-

miee and aer taking note of input from selected representaves from across the school community. The selecon

was made based upon an expectaon of value for money and consistent fabric quality.

The introducon of a new supplier presented an opportunity for a review of the range of garments available as ocial

school uniform. This was done with the aim of providing a smart, comfortable uniform that is both fashionable but also

praccal and appropriate for a school environment. This review has led to the disconnuaon of certain less popular

items but has allowed improvements to the design and t of all garments now oered, with disnct female and male

designs now available across the range of MS and HS items.

The full range of uniform items now available, along with prices, can be viewed on the ISM website and are available for

inspecon and purchase at the new ISM Uniform Shop. The Uniform Shop hours of operaon are detailed below.

Extended days through to August 30, 2013

Monday Friday, 7 am to 4 pm

Regular hours start the week of September 2, 2013

Tuesdays and Fridays, 7 am to 4 pm

It will be permissible for students to connue to wear during the School Year 13/14 all items of school uniform pur-

chased in previous years, provided that they comply with the current uniform code regarding length and t.

Canteen

Parents can now sign up for prepaid meals for Elementary School children. Please proceed to Urban Chef (Internaonal

Cuisine) and Yogi Chef (Internaonal Vegetarian Cuisine) located in the MS/HS Canteen for sign ups. Cost for lunch is

Php95.00. You may refer to the ISM website for addional informaon on the canteen concessionaires and services.


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Students will be provided with new ID cards (containing smart chips) which they can use to load cash through the onsite

kiosks, online or through the cashier. Guidelines for loading will be provided in a separate email to parents as well as

through a pamphlet that will be aached to ID cards for students.

Bus Service

In an eort to make the use of our bus service an aracve opon for student travel, we have over the years worked

with our service providers to keep the fees down to a compeve rate. Consistent with this we are pleased to announce

that there will be no increase to the bus rates for the start of School Year 13/14. Details of the bus fees are available on

the ISM website and from the Transportaon Oce.

When we invited T Shule Service into the school, we stressed the importance of making the bus service an aracve

opon for travel between home and school for as many students as possible. They have demonstrated a willingness to

explore ways in which they can, within the constraints of running an ecient and praccal service for the majority of

riders, provide a viable transport soluon for those who are interested in using the school bus service. Of course, there

will always be certain locaons or needs that cannot be provided for but if the oered bus service does not at rst ap-

pear to address a parcular need, in regard to locaon or roung, parents are encouraged to discuss this with the

Transport Oce sta.

As a further measure to encourage our students to use the school buses we will be introducing on a trial basis free wi

access to the internet aboard most buses for this school year.

I urge all parents to consider making use of the ISM Bus Service for their students. Should parents wish to discuss in more

detail the school busing arrangements for the new school year, or they have any parcular concerns or needs they can

contact the ISM Transport Coordinator, Ms. Ruth Estella, on 840-8541 or email Ruth at [email protected].

Billing

Billing statements are available for online viewing on the School website to facilitate access. A user ID and password havealready been provided to exisng parents and are available for every new parent. Parents are advised to maintain an up -

to-date email address for billing informaon and to view the online billing at least monthly for up to date charges. Please

read carefully the School Fees and Payment Schedule on the web. As was the case last school year, there will be no re-

enrollment deposit. Instead, we expect all deparng families to complete the WITHDRAWAL NOTIFICATION FORM on

orbeforeMay 9, 2014. Failure to do so will lead to a deducon of $1,000.00 from the Facilies Upgrade Deposit.

Payments

Payments may be in cash, check or through wire transfer in any of the BPI, HSBC, and Cibank branches. Please make

sure that the name of the student for whom the payment is being made is indicated on the deposit slip, check, or in the

bank instrucon for wire transfer to ensure proper recording, and provide a copy of the validated deposit slip / conrma-

on receipt to Treasury Department.Take note of the corresponding bank charges by each bank for wire transfers and

over the counter transacons.Contact Treasury Oce at 840-8506 if you have quesons.

Operaons and Security

Access and parking within the campus are important security and safety issues. For the well-being of all members of the

ISM community, those entering the school campus are requested to take note of the informaon and procedures out-

lined below.


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Parent IDs

We will be issuing new parent IDs for the school year 2013/14. To reduce the inconvenience to parents of this replace-

ment program, the old parent ID cards will be valid for school access unl the end of the rst semester on December

18th, 2013. The standard new parent cards will be issued free of charge. Parents may, however, elect to apply for a

smartcard ID which will be usable with the new cashless payment system being introduced into the school for SY 2013-

14. There will be a fee of P250.00 for a smartcard which covers in part the registraon fee the school is required to payfor each card issued.

The security oce is now processing applicaons for the new parent IDs. As we require new photographs for the cards

parents are asked to visit the security oce for the taking of their picture.

Student IDs

All students will be issued with new ID cards at the beginning of the new school year. The cards will be compable

with the new cashless payment system being introduced in the school. There will be no need for returning students to

visit the Security Oce as we will be ulizing the photographs taken for the yearbooks.

School Passes

School passes issued to parents employees and representaves need to be replaced for next school year. As of Au-

gust 31, 2013 the orange bordered passes will be invalid.

The security oce is now accepng applicaons for new school passes. These passes will not be compable with the

cashless payment system.

Each family will be given two free school passes. Addional school passes may be obtained aer paying a processing

fee of Php100.00 each to the Cashiers Oce.

Visitors Passes

All visitors must secure a pass from the guardhouse at Gate 3. Before entry will be allowed, a telephone check will be

made with the relevant oce to conrm the visitors business within the school. Visitors will need to surrender a photo

-ID upon entry to campus.

Car Sckers

The car sckers for school year 2013/2014 are available from the security oce.

For vehicles already displaying an exisng scker, parents should submit a completed renewal form with a copy of a

current LTO ocial receipt. For new vehicles, parents are reminded that a copy of the vehicles cercate of registra-

on and a current ocial receipt need to be submied with the applicaon. Applicaons for vehicles registered with

companies or other instuons should be supported by a leer of assignment.

Each ISM family will be issued one vehicle scker free of charge. Any addional sckers will be issued following pay-

ment of P100 to the cashiers oce.

In order to facilitate the easy recognion of authorized cars at the gates, the sckers should be axed to the top right

corner of the windshield. Further to this, old ISM sckers issued in previous years should be removed.

Vehicles not displaying a current car scker will not be allowed access from August 31, 2013.


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Vehicular Access

During drop-o and pick-up mes, vehicles may enter through Gates 2 and 3. Those entering through Gate 2 should

proceed to the drop o area and, once the student has alighted or boarded, they should exit via Gate 1. Those vehicles

entering through Gate 3 must turn into the covered parking area and use the designated drop-o areas. All vehicles

must exit through Gate 1.

Please note that Gate 2 may only be used by those drivers and passengers who have an ISM ID card and who are in a

vehicle displaying a valid ISM vehicle scker.

Alternavely, vehicles entering through Gate 3 may park in the covered car park. The spaces reserved for parent-driven

cars should only be used by those vehicles which are driven by parents themselves. Vehicles in which parents are trav-

eling, but which are driven by a driver, should not use these spaces.

Rather, they should park elsewhere in the covered car park or make use of the outside spaces next to the power center.

Family/company drivers should not remain within school once they have delivered a student. They should exit the

school and return no sooner than 30 minutes before the scheduled pick up me.

Visitors to ISM may only enter through Gate 3. There is an area for short stay visitors parking near Gate 1.

The Pedestrian Gate

The pedestrian gate is located in the perimeter fence mid -way between Gate 1 and Gate 2. There is a paved area be-

tween the road and the perimeter fence, allowing easy access to the gate. The pedestrian gate is solely for the entry of

members of the ISM Community at the beginning of the school day. It will only be open between 7:00 am and 7:45 am

(8:00 am to 8:45 am on Wednesdays). Due to parking restricons, and in the interests of security, it will not be open in

the aernoon for pick-ups. During the me it is open, it will be under the supervision of members of the ISM Guard

Force.

Drivers should stop adjacent to the paved area and students should alight from the right side of their vehicle. The driv-

er should then move o, clearing the space for other vehicles dropping o students. Under no circumstances should a

student be dropped o from the middle lane. This is dangerous as the student would need to walk in front of another

vehicle. Drivers are reminded that trac regulaons forbid parking on the roads around ISM. Therefore, vehicles

should only be stopping for the brief me it takes for a student to alight. Drivers must not wait for anybody to return to

the vehicle.

Drop O/Pick Up Passes

Following a trial run in 2012/13 we will be connuing the use of the new pick up and drop o pass at Gate 3. This is for

non-regular drivers who are entering school to drop o or collect visitors or members of our community but who do not

intend to park within the campus. Our regular checks to conrm the identy of drivers and their purpose for entering

the campus will connue to be made, but we will not retain a photo-ID in return for the issued pass. The use of these

new passes will avoid delays at the Gate 1 exit and reduce trac congeson at busy mes.

Vehicle checks

The pracce of inspecng vehicles will connue. During o-peak hours all vehicles will be checked before they are al-

lowed to enter the campus.


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During peak hours (drop o and pick-up mes), all vehicles without valid sckers and randomly selected vehicles with

sckers will be asked to undergo an examinaon.

Whether an examinaon is conducted or not, it is important that the security sta at the gates are able to idenfy the

occupants of vehicles entering the campus; therefore IDs must be clearly displayed. Vehicles with nted windows must

roll down windows to allow a clear view of the interior of the vehicle.

Drivers, Helpers and Bodyguards

Drivers, helpers and bodyguards should not wait on campus for students throughout the school day. Aer dropping o

students they should exit the school grounds and not return more than 30 minutes before dismissal me. Those who

repeatedly fail to comply with the regulaon will have their access privilege suspended.

Only those vehicles carrying parents or other people with business within the school will be allowed to return to the

campus before the scheduled pick up me.

There are designated areas for unaccompanied drivers, yayas, helpers and security escorts to wait for parents and stu-

dents. Unless specically authorized, they may not enter any other area. In the interest of security, and to prevent con-geson at the pedestrian entrances to the covered parking area, parents are requested to emphasize to their employ-

ees the importance of cooperang with the security sta and remaining in the appropriate areas.

Firearms

All members of the ISM community are reminded that it is strictly forbidden for rearms to be brought onto the cam-

pus. This includes concealed weapons carried by bodyguards for close protecon. Any person arriving at the school with

a rearm should inform the gate guard and arrangements will be made for the weapon to be safely and securely stored

during the visitors stay.

Security sta direcons

Our security team is endeavoring to make the school as safe and secure an environment as possible for all members of

our community.

We ask that everybody cooperate with us in this important task. In parcular, all those entering our campus are re-

quested to comply with any direcons given to them by members of our guard force.

If you are confused or unclear as to the purpose of such instrucons, please seek claricaon from the security oce.

Please note that it is the parents responsibility to advise their sta accordingly.

Thank you for your cooperaon. We are looking forward to another great year at Internaonal School Manila.

Best wishes,

DAVID TOZE

Superintendent


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Welcome to the Middle/High School Canteen!

Debit System Informaon

A debit payment system for food services is now available to all MS/HS students. This debit system provides customers

with a cashless payment system in the MS/HS Canteen once the customer's ID has been loaded with funds. Cash pay-

ments will connue to be permied for those who sll prefer to use cash. ISM targets to go cashless at the Canteen in

the future.

Note: Customers must have an Internaonal School Manila ID that contains a smart chip to be used for loading and

swiping.

There are three (3) opons to load the card:

At the kiosks located either next to the ATM or near the canteen

Online through the website and by using a credit card or PayPal

School Cashier's Oce

If you have more than one child, the funds go into a family account. You will then need to log on to

hp://campusonline.ismanila.org to allocate the funds to your individual children.

Should you have any quesons about any of the above informaon please feel free to email

[email protected]


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The ATAC (Athlecs & Acvies) Department extends a warm welcome to all our ISM community

members for the start of school year 13-14 and extends a special welcome to our new ISM families. We hope

you have a smooth start to the school year and your new adventure in Manila.

Our program has started this week with 1st season tryouts for High School and Middle School volley-

ball, cross country and soccer teams. The tryouts schedule is available on this blog and is also posted on noce

boards around the school. hp://atac.ism-online.org/schedules/tryouts/ Tryouts conclude this Friday Aug 16

and from week 2 beginning Aug 19th the season pracce schedule will be followed.

Elementary school soccer tryouts for 1st season teams which compete in the RIFA fesvals began on

Wednesday this week at the ES eld. For more informaon about our ES soccer teams, the RIFA fesvals etc.,

please go to: hp://atac.ism-online.org/atac/1st-season/es-soccer-rifa-league-fesvals/

The 1st season pracce schedule which runs from Aug 19th to Oct 11th will be posted on noce

boards around school next week, and is also now available on the ATAC blog (hp://atac.ism-online.org/

schedules/hs/)

Our annual HS Friday Night Lights twilight opening season soccer and volleyball matches will be on

Aug 30th v.s. Faith Academy. This will be a great chance to come out and show your support for our ISM varsi-

ty teams. Soccer matches will start at 4pm at the HS and MS elds and the volleyball will be in the HS and MS

gyms.

For new families take some me to peruse the ATAC blog as this will help orientate you with the wide

variety of co-curricular programs ISM oers.

A great way to stay in touch with the ISM ATAC program is to subscribe via RSS feed to the ATAC blog

and also to follow via twier (see twier feed on the blog home page).

Each Monday I will post the weeks happenings and highlight important events for students and par-

ents informaon on the ATAC blog and in the regular Friday parent bullens.

For Sailsh swimming informaon check the Sailsh blog for all details. The swimming pool will reopen

on Aug 19th aer a major renovaon over the summer.

For our All year round teams (Chess, Table Tennis, Maral Arts, Wall Climbing and Gymnascs) training will

start from Aug 19th.

.

Have a great year at the Home of the Bearcats!

Regards,

Mark Pekin

Director of Athlecs/Acvies10


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There has been great progress over the summer down at the pool. Finishing touches

are being made in and around the pool. But ngers crossed all should be ready to go on Mon-

day 19th August.

If all goes to plan, dates to remember are as follows:

Tryouts for NEW Swimmers will be held on the 19th and 20th Aug.

Exisng Sailsh swimmers are not required to aend these tryouts.

Sailsh is for Grade 1 12.

ES students are advised to also sign up for Learn to Swim through the AFAC booking sys-

tem to ensure a place if they are not selected for a squad. Learn to Swim is now integrat-

ed with the Sailsh Team so students can progress to a squad as soon as coaches feel they

are ready.

Normal Squad Training for everyone begins on Thursday 22nd Aug.

Sailsh Parent Meeng on Thursday 29th Aug 7.30-8.30, in the Lile Theater (1st Floor).

Keep an eye on the Sailsh website for all updates.

Thanks,

Coach Holly Chapman

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Documents

MS Parent Bulletin #1 (SY1314)