MIDDLE SCHOOL

Friday Bulletin ISSUE # 20

Weekly Publication for Middle School Parents WEEK OF JANUARY 19 - 23, 2009

From the Middle School Office

Dear Parents:

We are now back in full swing for second semester.

Report cards are distributed January 19 via courier. In addition, you can access details of your child’s
grades in PowerSchool after 4:00 PM today. We encourage you to take the opportunity to discuss your
child’s progress with them; to celebrate their achievements and potentially set goals for the future.

Next Tuesday, January 20, we have our MS/HS All Bands Concert at 5:30 PM in the FAT. We hope you
can join us to experience our students’ talent!

Next month, from February 12 to 14, we are hosting the AMIS International Middle School Honor Band
Festival. We are expecting 75 music students from European and Asian schools, including our ISM
Middle School delegates. We need your help in housing students from Wednesday, February 11 until
Sunday, February 15. Please see the form on page 2 for details on how you can sign up to support our
AMIS program in Middle School.

Sincerely,

Danielle Fredericks Clarissa Sayson

Middle School Principal Middle School Assistant Principal

Upcoming Events PowerSchool

Grade Update

January 19 2nd Quarter Report Cards Distribution (via courier) January 19 - 2nd Quarter Report
20 MS/HS All Bands Concert, 5:30 PM, FAT Cards Distribution
22 MS New Parent Coffee, 7:45 AM, LT (via courier)
26 to 30 MS Reader’s Week January 30 - Quarter 3 Grade Update
31 Family Fun Day February 13 - MS Progress Reports

February 03 CWW Information Evening (5:00 PM, FAT)

05 to 07 ISTA (Shanghai American School)
05 to 08 MS AMIS String Festival (Singapore)
12 MS AMIS Band Assembly Performance, 2:15 PM, FAT
F R I D A Y B U LLETIN PAGE 2
 F R I D A Y B U LLETIN
From the Operations Department
Security
Access and parking within the campus are impor-
tant security and safety issues. For the well-being of all
members of the ISM community, those entering the school
campus are requested to follow the procedures outlined
below.
ID Cards
ID cards should be worn at all times while on cam-
pus. If you have not been issued an ID card, or you have
lost it, you should obtain one by visiting the Security Office
and completing the appropriate application form.
Vehicular access
During drop off and pick up
times, vehicles may enter through gates
2 and 3. Those entering through gate 2
should proceed to the drop off 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 off ar-
eas. Having dropped or picked up a student, a vehicle
should exit through gate 1.
Alternatively, vehicles entering through gate 3 may
park in the covered car park. The spaces reserved for par-
ent driven cars should only be used by those vehicles which
are driven by parents themselves. Vehicles in which parents
are traveling, but which are driven by a driver, should not
use theses spaces. Rather, they should park elsewhere in
the covered car park or make use of the outside spaces
next to the power centre.
Please note that Gate 2 may only be used by vehi-
cles displaying a valid ISM vehicle sticker.
Family/company drivers should not remain within school
once they have delivered a student. They should exit the
school and return no sooner that 1:45 pm in the afternoon
for pick up.
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 now a
paved area between the road and the perimeter fence, al-
lowing easy access to the gate.
The pedestrian gate is solely for the use of stu-
dents at the beginning of the school day. It will only be open
between 7:00 and 7:45 (8:00 to 8:45 on Wednesdays). Due
to parking restrictions and in the interests of security it will
not be open in the afternoon for pick ups. During the time 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.
PAGE 3
The driver should then move off, clearing the space for other
vehicles dropping off students. Under no circumstances
should a student be dropped off from the outside lane. This
is dangerous as the student would need to walk across the
front of another vehicle.
Drivers, Helpers and Bodyguards
Drivers, helpers and bodyguards
should not be waiting on campus for stu-
dents throughout the school day. After drop-
ping off students they should exit the school
grounds and not return more than 30 min-
utes before pick up time. Those who repeat-
edly fail to comply with the regulation will
have their access privilege suspended.
Only those vehicles carrying parents or other peo-
ple with business within the school will be allowed to return
to the campus before 1:45 p.m.
There are designated areas for unaccompanied
drivers, yayas, helpers and security escorts to wait for par-
ents and students. Unless specifically authorized, they may
not enter any other area. In the interest of security, and to
prevent congestion at the pedestrian entrances to the cov-
ered parking area, parents are requested to emphasize to
their employees the importance of cooperating with the se-
curity staff and remaining in the appropriate areas.
Drivers should be aware that parking on any of the
roads around the school is against traffic regulations and
presents a security risk. As such, the ISM Guard Force will
be cooperating with the Bonifacio authorities to prevent this.
Firearms
All members of the ISM community are reminded
that it is strictly forbidden for firearms to be brought onto the
campus. This includes concealed weapons carried by body-
guards for close protection. In the event that anybody should
arrive at the school with a firearm, they should inform the
gate guard and arrangements will be made for the weapon
to be safely and securely stored during the visitor’s stay.
Termination of Employment
In the event of the termination of service of a family
employee, parents are asked to secure the former em-
ployee’s ISM ID card and return it to the Security office. If
this is not possible, it is important tat the Security Office is
still informed of the change of circumstances.
Finally, I would like to thank all members of the ISM
community for their cooperation in helping us maintain ISM
as a safe and secure environment for our children.
Mike Flynn,
Director of Operations & Security
 F R I D A Y B U LLETIN PAGE 4

From the ATAC Office

Tryouts for 3rd season sports (Badminton, Softball, AMIS Honor Band; Housing is still required for our visit-
Track and Field and Mixed Touch) begin week of ing Band delegates. Please contact the ATAC or Fine
Feb 9th. Tryouts schedule with times/venues will be Arts office if you can house. An information letter and
posted soon. sign up slip is included in this week’s bulletin.

Sailfish News
VARSITY SWIMMING Swim Meet - Manila Japanese School
Our Varsity swimmers will be in action at ISM on Saturday,
17th January, from 9:00 AM against schools from Japan,
• Saturday, 7th February
Taipei, and local teams. Come and support your Bear Cats. • Must register to enter - e-mail Coach
Andy
SAILFISH SWIM CLUB
Tryouts Kind Regards,
• Monday, 19th January from 2:30 PM (ES/MS/HS)
Andy Astfalck
• Wednesday, 21st January, from 2:30 PM (ES/MS/HS)
Head Coach
Swim Meet - Club Twilight Meet ISM Swimming Web Page
• Friday, 23rd January, 3:30-5:30 PM Email: astfalcka@ismanila.org
• Must register to enter meet - e-mail Coach Andy astfal- Phone: (0632) 8408620
cka@ismanila.org
• Parents required to assist running meet, please register
with Coach Andy

Upcoming Events
 F R I D A Y B U LLETIN PAGE 5

From the Environmental Council

All parents are invited to this month’s school-wide The Green Rules (listed below), as well
‘Let’s Go Green’ meeting on Monday, January 26th, as our other green policies, are all pub-
from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in room 3072. lished there.

This is a great opportunity to share ideas about pro- » Switch off lights and aircon if you are the last
moting environmental responsibility in school.
person to leave the room.
This month we will be putting our heads together to
plan how to meaningfully celebrate Earth Week (April » Switch off all computer monitors when not in
20-24) here at ISM.
use.

If you are unable to make the meeting but have some
suggestions or questions, please don’t hesitate to
email me, Ms. Gillman, at gillmanr@ismanila.org.
You can check out our website for
further details (www.ism-online.org/
gogreen/)
» Switch off and shut down all computers at break,
at lunchtime and after school.
» Use natural light as often as possible.
» Use both sides of paper whenever possible.
Many thanks for your continuing support,
Let’s Go Green.

SY 2009-2010 One-Page School Calendar

is now available in the ISM Website. Please visit www.ismanila.org and click
on News & Calendar to download the file or you may type this url in your
web browser:
http://www.ismanila.org/_Rainbow/images/default/Calendar_SY
09_10_FINAL.pdf

CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGES?

Please inform the Middle School Office

if you recently changed your contact information
(i.e. Home Address, Home/Office Telephone
Numbers, Mobile Numbers and Email
Addresses).
You may contact us through
840-8550 or 840-8553

We’re on the web!

www.ismanila.org
 F R I D A Y B U LLETIN PAGE 6

English Lessons for Parents

International School Manila
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 20, 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)

Course 3: Intermediate Level (Part III)This course is a continuation of the last Intermediate course which ended in Decem-
ber 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 am – 14:00 pm)

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

Cost: P12,000 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 pos-
sible.

— 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 Interna-
tional 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 Eng-
lish .
 F R I D A Y B U LLETIN PAGE 7

From Service Learning

Help one of ISM's longstand-
ing charities and get delicious
coffee in return.
CCV (Chosen Children’s Village) lo-
cated in Silang, Cavite, is an orphanage
for children who are physically and/or
mentally challenged. The village con-
sists of several cottages, a school, a rehabilitation center,
and other facilities, such as a gym, a canteen, and a play-
ground. Our ISM students will visit the orphanage at least
six times this year to play with the kids and assist in feed-
ing them and in other chores. Our interactions with the
CCV children have created strong bonds between us and
the ‘chosen children’.
when ISM will be at CCV are:
• February 16-20 (CWW)
• March 7, Saturday
• May 9, Saturday
AVAILABLE COFFEE:
• Pinili Extra Fancy Beans or Ground at Php. 300.00 per
1 lb. (the largest sized beans). Ground or beans.
• Pinili Classic Beans or Ground at Php. 250.00 per 1 lb.
(medium sized beans). Ground or beans.
• Pinili Beans or Ground at Php. 200.00 per 1 lb.
(smallest sized beans). Ground or beans.

CCV’s fundraiser is their PINILI coffee, an organic Robusta

coffee which is grown in the CCV Hacienda. The beans SERVICE LEARNING CALENDAR
are handpicked and processed by the children and staff
January 31 Care for Kanlungan
and the product is delicious.
February 07 WILD & GK777
If you would like to purchase CCV coffee, email Filipa
Pavic (pavicf@ismanila.org) with your order. The ISM February 14 Samahan Bukas Palad
CCV club members will pick up your order and deliver it
back to ISM for your pick-up and payment. The dates

From the Bearcat Den

To all parents,

Please come and visit our Bearcat Den located in the HS cafeteria.

Our new stock of ISM hoodies will be available in sizes from Elementary to High School at the END OF JANUARY ...So
before the rush, drop buy and take a look at our ISM polo shirts, Dri fit polo shirts, Girls and guys track pants, Span-
dex shorts, Travel and gym bags to name a few!

Let ' s Go GREEN at The

Our Banner bags made from ISM recycled Banners and Streamers are also on sale.

Our opening times BEARCAT DEN BUSINESS HOURS

Monday 11:15AM to 1:15PM
2:30PM to 4:00PM

Wednesday 11:00AM to 1:00PM

2:30PM to 4:00PM

Friday 11:15AM to 1:15PM

2:30PM to 4:00PM

We would really like to have more volunteers to help with Bearcat activities so if you are interested please contact Jan Har-
ris for more information. Mobile no. 09193466046 or Email janinjapan2002@yahoo.com

GO BEARCATS!!!