BIFS NEWSLETTER

United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

Contents

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

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This Coming Week at BIFS

1.
2.
3.
4.

Tue, May 3-13: Whole School Art Show

Thu, May 5: Childrens day No School
Fri, May 6: National holiday No School
Sat, May 7: International day

Whole School
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

PTA News
PTA International Day 2016 May 7
BIFS Information Evening in Busan May 12
BIFS Information Evening in Ulsan May 19
Track and Field Carnival
BIFS Board of Governors Communique
Cafeteria Menu: May 9-13

Elementary School
1.

Author visits in May

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
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

PTA News
International Day is THREE days away!
We are still looking for volunteers especially help
with the Water Wheel activity. Don't be worried
about getting wet, you won't have to leave dry
ground at all. Be a catalyst for fun. Follow the link
to sign up.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aaaad2aa
6ff2-international
World Wheel of Fortune needs more donations. We have
44 and our goal is 60. If you have not already delivered
your packaged basket to the school, please bring it on
Saturday to the World Wheel of Fortune stand before 10:30
am. You can sign up here:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0945A8AC2BA5FE3-world
MS/HS students are needed to be tour guides for elementary age children whose parents are
staffing their countrys booth. This is a great community service opportunity.
You can sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050c4fafae2dab9-mshs

On the week of 9-13 May, it is Teacher Appreciation Week. Please join us in celebrating the hard work and
commitment our teachers show to our children. Please sign up to bring a sweet or savory snack plate;
homemade or purchased in a store enough for twelve people. Food should be sent to school with your
child or deliver your self no later than 11am. There are three sections to the sign-up: ES staff room; MS/HS
staff room; and the Parent room for the staff. We have included the staff this year to show our appreciation
for the support they give to our teachers and our school.
http://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=w.create6&listid=7692376&owner=8123169
Wednesday, 11 May is our last PTA meeting before the Annual General Meeting where we will be holding
elections. Our meeting starts at 10:00 after the BIFS coffee and the Hot Topic is smart phone photography.
Bring your phones.
PTA President
Joy Priedeman

www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332

Busan International Foreign School

BIFS NEWSLETTER
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

PTA International Day 2016 May 7

www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332

Busan International Foreign School

BIFS NEWSLETTER
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

BIFS Information Evening for Korean Parents May 12

We are holding a BIFS Information Evening for Korean parents at Haeundae IPark on Thursday, May 12
from 7:00 to 8:30pm. The event will be run in Korean to cater to Korean prospective parents. Please
spread the news and invite your Korean friends to the event!

BIFS Information Evening in Ulsan May 19

We are holding a BIFS Information Evening at UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)
in Ulsan on Thursday, May 19, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Please help us to spread the word about our school! If you
have friends who are interested in our Information Evening in Ulsan, please contact Ms. Seung Mi Hong
(admissions@bifskroea.org). Thank you for your support and partnership!

www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332

Busan International Foreign School

BIFS NEWSLETTER
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

Track and Field Carnival

The Track and Field Carnival has found a new date: Tuesday, May 17!
All students from grades 3-10 will be participating in our annual Track and Field Carnival at Sajik Asia Auxiliary
Stadium. Electives will be cancelled so all participants will ride the late bus home at 4:30pm. If your son or
daughter cannot attend the event, students will be required to remain at home as there will not be any classes
on this day.
Parents are welcome to come cheer on the BIFS community. Students will be competing in at least 3 events by
grade level and house. Check out what your son or daughter have signed up for: Track and Field sign up
Students are reminded to dress in their PE clothes and in their house colors. Please bring a refillable water
bottle, snacks and/or lunch (if you do not receive the school lunch), sunscreen, hat and lots of energy! Top
competitors will be invited to compete in the International Track and Field Meet with 5 other schools on
Tuesday, May 31st, 2016.
Thank you all for your patience and flexibility with the unfortunate cancellation of the original date. This will be
our last try to have this event, so heres hoping to no rain!
For any conflicts or questions, please contact Ms. Plicka at mplicka@bifskorea.org.

www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332

Busan International Foreign School

BIFS NEWSLETTER
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

BIFS Board of Governors Communique

The Board met on Thursday 28 April in the Elementary Meeting Hall and had the opportunity to view the 5th
Grade Exhibition posters which were still on display. It was wonderful for the Board to see students ideas
presented so creatively.
Key outcomes from the Board meeting are highlighted below.
Board Membership It is with great pleasure that we welcome Christian Hertzenberg to the Board.
BIFS Articles of Association - After a lengthy preparation process the final version of the schools Articles were
supported by a majority of parents and will be submitted to the Busan Metropolitan City Policy Development
Council for endorsement. These new Articles reflect our current status as a large foreign school operating in
todays environment.
BIFS Budget 2016/2017 - BIFS like other sectors is being affected by the current economic downturn in South
Korea. Next years budget is based on an enrollment of 400 students, lower than recent years, and includes a
tightening of expenditure across all fronts. The Board and Head of School have developed a Five-year
financial plan to ensure the schools ability to provide a high quality of education to our students in a costeffective manner.
Next Meeting The Board will meet again on 26th May.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jeff Harrison
BIFS Board of Governors Chair

Please be noted that school will close on May 5th and 6th.
There will be no school on Thursday and Friday(May 5th-6th).

www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332

Busan International Foreign School

BIFS NEWSLETTER
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

Cafeteria Menu: May 9-13

Lunch Menu

Sandwich Bar

We serve brunch buffet or international buffet every 3rd Thursday of a month.

www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332

Busan International Foreign School

BIFS NEWSLETTER
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

Elementary School

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

Author Visits in May

BIFS elementary library is very pleased to have both an author and storyteller
visiting us in May.
Yangsook Choi, author and illustrator of several multicultural childrens books,
will visit us for the elementary assembly on Friday, May 13.
Yangsook grew up in Korea but now divides her time between New York and
Seoul. Ms. Choi has won numerous awards for her books.
Her most popular book, The Name Jar, is available for
purchase from The Book Depository and local
bookshops such as Kyobo. If you would like to purchase
one of her books before May 6, there may be an
opportunity for her to sign it for you when she visits us.
You can find out more about Yangsook Choi from her
website: http://www.yangsookchoi.com/

Sue Toms
Head of Libraries

www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332

Busan International Foreign School

BIFS NEWSLETTER
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

For Your Diary

May 2016

June 2016

5th

Children's day - No School

1st

Athletics BBQ

6th

National holiday - No School

3rd

7th

PTA International Day

End S03 CCA/Elective

ES Assembly- ES Hall

9th-10th

ES Visiting Storytellers

6th-9th

Action Week

9th-13rd

PTA Teacher Appreciation Week

7th

ES Water Sports Day

10th

ELC Student-Led Conferences

8th-9th

G4 Project - Grade 11 Students

11th

SKAC MS Boys BBall @ BIFS

9th

SKAC MS Girls BBall @ BFS

Extended Essay Camp

Grade 5 Graduation
MHS Student Led Conference

BIFS Parent Workshop

10th

PTA Meeting

12th-13th

Grade 4 Camp

End of Term 3
Dismissal at Noon
Schoolwide Assembly
Schoolwide Reports Distributed

12th

BIFS Information Evening @ Marine City

13th

HS Assembly

14th

KISAC MS Blue BBall @ BISC & DCSL

17th

Track and Field Carnival

17th-20th

Grade 11 Final Exams

17th-18th

ABRSM Practical Exams

18th

ES Parent Coffee

19th

BIFS Information Evening @ UNIST

20th-22nd

KISAC MS Red Bball @ KIS Jeju

20th

ES Cross Cultural Day

21st

Global Gathering

23rd

Life After BIFS Event - Grade 12

25th

MHS Parent Coffee

27th

G12 Graduation

31st

International Track & Field Meet

www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332

Busan International Foreign School

BIFS NEWSLETTER
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332

Busan International Foreign School

12

BIFS NEWSLETTER
United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

School & Community Links

ISSUE 53, May 4, 2016

Information Evening
for Korean Parents
at Haeundae I Park
Thursday, May 12
7:00 8:30 PM

Please contact the school if you wish to inquire about promoting

your company in the BIFS Newsletter.
enquiries@bifskorea.org | 051-742-3332

www.bifskorea.org | enquiries@bifskorea.org | T. 82 51 742 3332

Busan International Foreign School