This Coming Week at BIFS Whole School: United in Our Diversity, Thriving in Our Individuality

BIFS NEWSLETTER
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality
Contents
ISSUE 44, February 19, 2016
(Click to jump straight to the article home icon brings you back to Contents)
This Coming Week at BIFS
1. Wed, Feb 24: BIFS Parent Workshop, PTA Meeting (9-11am)

2. Thu, Feb 25: BIFS Spring Open House
Whole School
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Visible Learning
BIFS New Articles of Association
Re-Enrollment for the 2016-17 Academic Year
BIFS Parent Workshop Feb 24
PTA News
BIFS Family Member ID Card Registration
"Googley" Eyed Teachers
BIFS Spring Open House Feb 25
IT Services - Apple Computer Discounts
PE Uniform Shop
Cafeteria Menu: Feb 22-26
Special Lunch: Daeboreum Food on Feb 22
Special Lunch: Thai Buffet on Feb 25
Elementary School
1.
2.
3.
4.
Playgroup at the Firehouse

ISA-ACER
Student Teachers
Upcoming Elementary Events
Middle School and High School
1. The Homeroom Teacher - What is Their Role?

2. Middle School Health Screening
3. Personal Project Showcase Feb 29
For Your Diary

BIFS Annual Calendar 2015-16 & 2016-17
School & Community Links
www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332
Busan International Foreign School
BIFS NEWSLETTER
Whole School
Visible Learning
How does one make learning visible? This was the fundamental question that Dr. John Hattie investigated for
over 15 years to find the answer. Professor John Hattie is a researcher in education. His research interests include
performance indicators, models of measurement and evaluation of teaching and learning. John Hattie became
known to a wider public with his two books Visible Learning and Visible Learning for Teachers. Visible Learning is
a synthesis of more than 800 meta-studies covering more than 80 million students. According to John Hattie,
Visible Learning is the result of 15 years of research about what works best for learning in schools. Many consider
him to be one of the worlds most influential education academics of today.
Like any research, it is important to take Dr. Hatties research in context. Since it received a lot of attention from
the media linked to the publication of his Visible Learning meta-study, many schools thought it was simply a
matter of plugging in his findings and visible learning would magically appear. The problem was that many
individual aspects of his research were taken and used as a kind of checklist that could magically improve
schools. It wont work like that. Learning and school improvement does not work like that. It is more of a journey
and research findings such as Dr. Hatties provide us with direction and inspire us in the process, but each
context is unique. To learn more about Visible Learning, I would encourage you to view Dr. Hatties TED talk
Why are so many of our teachers and schools so successful to expand your understanding about learning.
At BIFS, we use best practice educational research like Dr. Hatties work on Visible Learning to direct us to
proven methods and approaches to improve the learning experience for each of our students. We embed a
culture of continuous improvement into our school by setting aside time for schoolwide vertical improvement
teams that meet throughout to discuss and apply such research. At BIFS, we are all seeking to learn on a daily
basis and make the learning visible for all to see!
Kevin Baker
Head of School
BIFS New Articles of Association

As a reminder, if you have not voted for or against the proposed new Articles of Association, please cast your
vote. https://goo.gl/OT1T9T The Articles of Association have been posted in the Parents Area on the
school website. We need to hear from all of our parents! Thank you.
BIFS NEWSLETTER
Re-Enrollment for the 2016-17 Academic Year

BIFS is conducting an annual re-enrollment process to obtain commitment from families regarding their plans
for the upcoming school year. The form was sent out by email on Monday, February 1. Families who wish to reenroll or leave for the school year beginning August 2016 must complete the re-enrollment form via email by
Friday, February 12. To continue enrollment at BIFS for the 2016-17 academic year, a non-refundable reenrollment payment of 2,000,000 won must be made by Monday, February 29. The invoice will be sent to
parents via email by Wednesday, February 17. Further questions, please contact the Admissions office.
(admissions@bifskorea.org | 051-742-3332, extension # 100 or 101)
BIFS Parent Workshop Feb 24

Please come to our next BIFS Parent Workshop on Wednesday, February 24! Our IB Coordinators will be
discussing "inquiry across the IB continuum, highlighting the connections between the PYP exhibition, the MYP
Personal Project and the DP Extended Essay.
Time: 9-10 AM
Place: ES Hall (B5.5)
Immediately following the BIFS Parent Workshop, the PTA will hold their meeting in the same location. Please
join the BIFS admin team for a meaningful conversation!
PTA News
Mom, why is our country not here? Please dont disappoint your child on International Day if
your country is not represented! Please sign up to be YOUR Country Team Leader. Don't
leave your country behind. The deadline is this Monday, 22 February. It is not a difficult job.
You will find joy in teaching others about your country.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4baaaa23abfd0-international
Come to the PTA meeting on Wednesday, 24 February at 10:00 11:00am following the BIFS morning coffee at
9:00am in the elementary hall on the 5th floor. Learn something new and how you can support your childs
school. We will be discussing International Day and have our Hot Topic.
Thank you for supporting us as we, together, help make BIFS an enriching place for your child.
Joy Priedeman
PTA President
BIFS NEWSLETTER
BIFS Family Member ID Card Registration

We would like to ask for your cooperation in registering BIFS Family Member ID Cards. Please register your
cards with the security office at the front gate when visiting BIFS, and dont forget to register your attendance by
placing your card at the card reader when you enter and exit. This is for security and to help us account for all
visitors in case of fire or other evacuation. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.
"Googley" Eyed Teachers

During Valentine's weekend 14 teachers braved the cold weather of Seoul to attend the Google for Education
Summit presented by the EDTECH Team. Over the course of 2 days, teachers attended sessions on how to use a
variety of Google Apps for Education products within the classroom. Sessions included, exploring Google
Classroom, Google Maps and several teachers got to try Google Cardboard first hand using Expeditions.
Teachers also decided to test their wits by attending the Breakout EDU session (a product that brings the fun of
escape rooms into the classroom)!
BIFS NEWSLETTER
BIFS Spring Open House Feb 25
BIFS Spring Open House is Thursday, February 25, from 9:30 AM. There are still a few seats available, so please
help us to spread the word about our school! Thank you for your support and partnership!
IT Services - Apple Computer Discounts

IT Services has negotiated a range of discounted prices and trade-in deals on Apple
products for staff and students at BIFS, from our Apple equipment vendor, ComIT.
Savings are typically around 12% for MacBook laptops and iMacs, 11% on Mac Minis, 8% on iPad Airs, and 6%
on iPad Minis.
To view a list of available products and order, please visit the following web addresses:
http://bit.ly/itservices-apple-list
http://bit.ly/itservices-order-form
http://bit.ly/itservices-order-kr (Korean)
http://bit.ly/itservices-apple-tradein (Trade-in prices)
If you have any questions, please email mmoriarty@bifskorea.org.
BIFS NEWSLETTER
PE Uniform Shop
LOOKING FOR A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY AT SCHOOL? The PE Uniform Shop is a great place to start! No
experience is needed! Training is provided!! For more information about volunteering in the PE Uniform Shop,
contact Dee Baker at dbaker@bifskorea.org.
THE PE UNIFORM SHOP is now open Monday thru Thursday! Please check the calendar on the BIFS website for
actual shop hours each week. Note: Shop hours are determined by the availability of our volunteers!
It is a great time to purchase your BIFS blanket!! A double
layer of polar fleece is guaranteed to keep you warm on
these cold days!! BIFS blankets are 40,000 KRW
NOW 35,000 KRW and can be purchased in the PE Uniform
Shop.
BIFS Beanies *10,000 KRW Colors: Black, Gray and Cobalt

Blue *BIFS Beanies can be purchased in the PE Uniform
Shop.
Gray and white Hoodies (no zip) *30,000 KRW

*Hoodies can be purchased in the PE Uniform Shop.
BIFS Beanies and BIFS Bears Hoodies are made available to you by the BIFS Bears Club.
All general information regarding PE Uniforms can be found under the life at BIFS tab on the BIFS website!
BIFS NEWSLETTER
Cafeteria Menu: February 22-26
Lunch Menu
Sandwich Bar
We serve brunch buffet or international buffet every 3rd Thursday of a month.

BIFS NEWSLETTER
Special Lunch: Daeboreum Food on Feb 22

Daeboreum: the day of the first full moon of the lunar year
Four kinds of Namul
(Seaweed, wild green, bean sprouts, turnip)
Ogokbap, five-grain rice

(Millets, glutinous rice, red bean, dried jujube)
Special Lunch: Thai Buffet on Feb 25

Salad
Beef, Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Cilantro
Minced Chicken with Chili Mint Leaves and Cilantro
Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls with Chili Sauce
Pineapple Rice Salad
Rice Noodle Salad with Fish Sauce and Peanuts
Main Dish
Sauted Chicken with Cabbage and Lemongrass
Red Beef Curry
Fried Crispy Vermicelli with Peanuts, Vegetables and Chili Sauce
Fried Prawn Rice with Eggs and Lettuce
Fish Vegetable Curry
Steamed Rice with Chili Lemongrass
Deep-Fried Prawn Crackers
Dessert
Kanom Piak Poon
Boiled Rice Sweets
Tapioca Pudding
Seasonal Fruits
BIFS NEWSLETTER
Elementary School
Playgroup at the Firehouse
Over the past three weeks, the Playgroup children have been interested in firefighters. The children participated
in role-plays and created a firetruck and fire extinguishers out of recyclables. The children were invited to watch
a demonstration about how to use fire extinguishers, and they went on a fire extinguisher hunt around the
school to count how many fire extinguishers are on the second floor from building A to C, documenting their
count by tallying and taking photos with the iPad. Through the hunt, the children gained experience in counting,
one to one correspondence, collecting data, and had a lot of fun!
The children have been reading a book called, Fire Truck by Ivan Ulz. There is a page that describes what
firefighters do when they go back to station, including what they eat. To make their learning meaningful and
connected to their life, the students were invited to make a meal described in the story as, hot, hot chicken, hot,
hot macaroni and cheese and hot, hot broccoli. They washed, cut, and cooked the meal (with some assistance).
They all enjoyed the meal just like in the book. We love following the children and their interest in firefighters!
Next up, a field trip to the firehouse!
Carol Lesser
Playgroup teacher
10
BIFS NEWSLETTER
ISA-ACER
The grade 3-5 students showed excellent focus and effort during the ISA-ACER testing on Wednesday and
Thursday. Because portions of the test are hand-scored by trained scorers, the results can take several months.
We will be sending your childs score report via email after it arrives.
Student Teachers
BIFS is happy to host student teachers (teachers in training) as a means of supporting those who are beginning
their careers. The students also benefit from these exchanges by having another adult in the room working with
them. We have two student teachers starting soon in 2R and 5G. More info will come shortly, with a short bio on
each student teacher, once the details of their participation have been finalized.
Upcoming Elementary Events

Date/Time
Event
Details
Feb 22
Term 3 Electives Begin
Feb 26, 2:35-3:15
Elementary Assembly
Students who took part in the First Lego League elective

and competition in Seoul will give feedback about their
experience and share what it was all about.
Feb 26, 2:35-3:15
Elementary Assembly
Grade 1 will present their learning related to their Unit of

Inquiry and their work on opinion writing.
Mar 1
No School for Students
Professional development day for faculty
Anne Sweet
Elementary School Principal
Leda Cedo
PYP Coordinator
11
BIFS NEWSLETTER
Middle School and High School

The Homeroom Teacher - What is Their Role?
Each Middle and High School student has a homeroom classroom that they visit each day for thirty minutes. The
role of the Homeroom teacher is important for the welfare of the students. The Homeroom teacher builds
supportive relationships with students through daily interactions and the delivery of the Homeroom curriculum.
They also support and guide each student through the academic and social demands of the Middle and High
school.
Key Responsibilities:
Establishing a nurturing relationship with individual students in their Homeroom class.

Encouraging each student to reach their full potential.
Offering advice and guidance.
Monitoring students academic progress (homework and assignment completion) through regular review of
ManageBac and ongoing discussion.
Developing each students Approaches to Learning skills (i.e., Communication, Self-Management and Social).
Contacting students parents if deemed necessary.
Acting as a liaison for any matter related to Homeroom students.
Keeping the administration (Principal, Student Support Team, Head of Year) informed about the progress of
each Homeroom student.
Referring students who are struggling with academic, social or classroom behavior to (Principal, Student
Support Team, Head of Year).
Delivering the Homeroom curriculum.
As your child has many teachers it is difficult to know who to call. If your child is experiencing academic
difficulties, or you have specific questions about a particular subject, you should begin by calling or e-mailing
your childs subject teacher. This is always the best course of action, as the subject teacher has the most
information about the progress of your child.
If you have concerns about your childs social or emotional needs, calling your childs Homeroom Teacher is the
best place to start. Your initial call might not answer all of your questions or address all your concerns however,
it will assist in getting you connected to the right person.
Nate Swenson
Middle School Principal
Jamie Robb
High School Principal
12
BIFS NEWSLETTER
Middle School Health Screening

At the beginning of March, the Nurses Office will be conducting student health screenings for all students in
grades 6 through 8.
The screenings will include the following: 1. Height, 2. Weight, 3. Vision Screening
Your childs height and weight measurements can be used to compare to the standards of other children their
same age, height, and weight, providing insight into their physical growth and development. The vision
screening is a tool to identify possible visual problems and make appropriate referrals for a professional exam.
Early detection and intervention is important if a child has any potential health problems that could interfere with
their education.
These screenings will be conducted annually at school and the information will be shared with you as well as
remain in the student's health file year-to-year to help track their growth. Students bodies are changing rapidly
during these Middle School years and this provides a great opportunity to promote health and wellness as well
as the importance of healthy lifestyle habits.
I encourage all students to participate in the health screenings! Please complete the emailed permission form or
follow this link to give permission for your child/children to participate.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the nurse at nurse@bifskorea.org.
Personal Project Showcase Monday, Feb 29

Save This Date! On Monday, February 29, you are invited to the Grade 10 Personal Project Showcase. Students
will be exhibiting their Personal Projects in the gym from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm and then again from 6:00 pm - 8:30
pm.
The Personal Project is an extended inquiry into a topic of the students own choosing. It gives the students an
opportunity to put into practice and strengthen their ATL skills (Approaches to Learning) skills and consolidate
some of their subject specific knowledge in addition to developing knowledge of a topic or skill that is personally
relevant to them. The students have made inquiries into very diverse and interesting topics: creative writing,
photography, website design, sports, motorcycles, travel blogs, painting, racism in sports, fashion, learning a
language, astronomy, education, etc.
You can help the students by visiting their displays and asking them about how the Personal Project has
expanded their horizons and helped them develop their Learner Profile traits, improve the learning skills and
given them a different perspective.
Come by inspired!
Jenny Montague
MYP Coordinator
13
BIFS NEWSLETTER
For Your Diary

February 2016
March 2016
22nd
Start of S03 CCA/Electives
1st
Faculty PD No School
24th
BIFS Parent Workshop
2nd-8th
G12 Mock Exams
PTA Meeting
2nd
ES Parent Coffee
Spring Open House
4th
ES Assembly
SKAC MS Vball @ BIFS
5th
KISAC MS Boys Vball @ BISC
26th-29th
MS Ski Trip 2016
KISAC MS Girls Blue VBall @ CI
26th
ES Assembly
7th
MS Basketball Practice Begins
KISAC HS RED BBall @ CCS
9th
BIFS Parent Workshop
27th-28th
EARCOS Weekend Workshop
PTA Meeting
29th
Personal Project Showcase
11th
HS Assembly
15th
KIMEA Middle School Honor Orchestra Festival
17th
Whole School Music Concert & WoW Fashion

Show
SKAC HS Futsal @ GIFS (Blue)
18th
Noon Dismissal
21st-Apr 1st
Spring Break Holiday
25th
BIFS NEWSLETTER
BIFS NEWSLETTER
16
School & Community Links
Please contact Miyoung Kim if you wish to inquire about

promoting your company in the BIFS Newsletter.
miyoungkim@bifskorea.org | 051-742-3332 (#114)

This Coming Week at BIFS Whole School: United in Our Diversity, Thriving in Our Individuality

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BIFS NEWSLETTER

United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

ISSUE 44, February 19, 2016