ISSUE # 32

SY 20152016

MIDDLE SCHOOL
WEEK OF:

Friday Bulletin

Weekly Publication for Middle School Parents

MAY 16 TO 20

Inside this issue:

Dear Parents,
Today kicked off bright and early (or more accurately dark and early) as we wished our
MS Mixed Touch Rugby Team a safe journey to Jakarta! Ms. Diana van der Merwe, Mr.
Joe Conte and Ms. MJ Durkin are supervising 32 MS students as they head off to participate in this MS focused competition. Students from different international schools are participating in the
event and we are wishing our MS Bearcats the very best of luck! As you can see
from the photos, the students were
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning and certainly more energetic than a
typical morning in MS...

We have 4 weeks of the 2015 - 2016

school year remaining and life at ISM is
gearing up for the final month of laughter
and learning!
Below is an overview of the coming
weeks events:

Bearcat Idol

Operations & Security

Cashiers Office
Rustic Pathways

Clinic

Athletics & Activities

Sailfish

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Admissions & Advancement

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ISM Upcoming Events

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ISM Upcoming
Events Events:
MS
Upcoming
THIS WEEK:
Upstairs, Downstairs Art Exhibition:
Runs from Wednesday, May 4th - Saturday, May 15th (FAT Lobby)
(Please note dates are different to the dates posted in the ISM
hard copy calendar!)
Re-enrollment Deadline:
Is today!
To be completed by all withdrawing families
MS Bearcat Idol
Friday, May 20th
5:008:00 P.M.
ES Field (Parents are welcome to come along and support!)
NEXT WEEK:
MS Spirit Week
This fun-filled week is just around the corner and we wanted to give parents a
heads-up about the focus for each day of Spirit Week so you can help your
child plan their outfits and remind them of the daily theme.
Friday, May 20th
Project Awesome No Uniform Day. Cost = 50 pesos.
Student who do not wish to participate must wear their regular
ISM uniform

MAY:
K-8 DANCE RECITAL
Saturday, May 14
AFAC CONCERT
Tuesday, May 31

Need to top up?

ISM goes cashless in SY16-17!
Starting SY2016-2017 ISM will implement a full
debit system in the MS/HS Canteen. The debit
system provides customers with a cashless payment system once the customer's ID has been
loaded with funds.
Parents and Students are encouraged to start
using the debit system if they aren't already
doing so.

Click here for details.

Monday, May 23rd

Spirit Day: Twin/Triplet Day
Student who do not wish to participate must
wear their regular ISM uniform
Tuesday, May 24th
Spirit Day: Pajama Day
Student who do not wish to participate must
wear their regular ISM uniform
Wednesday, May 25th
Be the Change No Uniform Day. Cost= 50 pesos
Student who do not wish to participate must
wear their regular ISM uniform
Thursday, May 26th
Spirit Day: Crazy Hair or Hat Day
Student who do not wish to participate must
wear their regular ISM uniform
Friday, May 27th
Project Awesome No Uniform Day (CRIBS donation/ collection)
Student who do not wish to participate must
wear their regular ISM uniform

NEED TO KNOW:

Faculty Updates:
Jack Cargile: After 5 weeks off work, the charismatic Mr. Cargile will be back at work as of Monday! Mr. C has popped
into school for a few days this week to visit his students and
check in with Ms. Jet Perez who has been taking excellent
care of his students while he has been off sick. Welcome
back Mr. Cargile - we missed you!
Karianne Cook: Ms. Karianne Cook was due back to school
on Monday, following her maternity leave. While both Ms.
Cook and baby Charlie are doing very well, her leave has been
extended for the remainder of the school year. Ms. Yazmin
Ticzon will wrap up the semester with the students and both
Ms. Cook and Ms. Ticzon will be co-authoring the end of semester report cards.

Helen Jost (G5/G6 French). Helen is returning to Australia with her family.
Liz Walsh (G5 Math and Science). Liz is returning to the
USA with her husband.
Eamonn Walsh (G8 Science). Eamonn is returning to the
USA with his wife.
Gene Maclachlan (G7 Science). Gene is moving to Korea
and will teach at Korea International School.
Michelle Monroe (G7 English). Michelle is moving to the
Netherlands where she will teach at the International
School of The Hague.
Annie Markovich (G7 English). Is moving back to the USA
to be with her family and will teach at a school there.
Connor Macmonagle (MS Music Intern). Is moving back
to Ohio to be with family and friends.
Susan Aguila (MS Executive Assistant). After 40 years at
ISM, Ms. Susan is retiring. She will be dearly missed by
students, faculty and parents and we wish her a wonderful retirement. Dont worry though, we have already
booked her in for sub work in October!

Bearcat Idol:
This exciting event takes place on Friday, May 20th from 5:00
- 8:00 p.m. on the ES Field. Auditions have been taking place
throughout this semester and we have selected approximately 20 acts who will participate in this after school
event. Please know that parents are more than welcome to
come along and support their child or to simply hang out and
enjoy watching our incredibly talented MS students. Refreshments will be available and it should be a fun
event for everyone.
Library Renovations and Revised Book Check Out Dates:
Please remember the library is being renovated this summer! The revised schedule below will help you stay organized
in regards to book returns and summer check outs.

Departing Teachers: As you all know, life in an international

school is transient. Earlier this week Ms. Harrington was having a conversation with a student who shared that he was

hoping to have a certain teacher next year. While it was

wonderful to hear how excited students are about the com
ing year, the teacher he was hoping to have is actually moving on and will sadly not be returning next school year. With
this in mind, we thought it would be wise to share a brief
update with all parents about which teachers are moving on
at the end of the year and where they are going!

May 3rd -12th = Normal daily operations- all resources

available for usage and check-out.
May 11th - 20th = Summer check-out for students/
parents/faculty commences - resources in the non-fiction
section will be limited.
May 20th = All books/resources must be returned from
students/parents - except those on summer borrowing!
May 23rd - 25th = MSMC is open but no book/resource
check-outs will be available
May 26th = Library closes for the 2015/16 school year.

NICE TO KNOW:

On Wednesday, June 1st from 15:00 - 18:00 the HS is hosting

a 6-a-side football fundraiser on the MS field. MS students
are eligible to participate in this event either as an individual
or as a team. The MS contact person is Eamonn Walsh and
the rules and registration forms have been emailed to all MS
students. The deadline for students to submit the necessary
form is Wednesday, May 25th. All proceeds will be donated
to support ongoing service initiatives in Nepal as well as the
Philippine Cultural Foundation (PCF).
Have a fantastic weekend!
Kind regards,
Rachel Harrington, Middle School Principal
Amanda Pekin, Assistant Middle School Principal

PROJECT AWESOME (Grade 7)

7th grade Cobras are going to donate school supplies
to an organization called Springboard which will pass
them on to schools in need.
If you have any backpacks or school supplies that you
can donate, please bring to advisory during upcoming
weeks.
If you want to know more about this organization
Springboard, you can visit this website:
http://springboard-foundation.org/
If you have any questions about this, please ask Ms.
Lepp (leppm@ismanila.org) or Mr.Richardson
(richardsone@ismanila.org).

IDs for the New School Year

Parent IDs
The previously issued black and white parent IDs will continue to be valid for the new school year. Standard parent cards are issued free of charge. Parents may, however, elect to apply for a smartcard ID which will be usable
with the cashless payment system introduced into the school for SY 2013-14. There will be a fee of P250.00 for a
smartcard.
Applications for parent IDs can be processed through the Security Office.
Student IDs
All students will be issued with new ID cards at the beginning of the new school year. The cards will be compatible with the cashless payment system. There will be no need for returning students to visit the Security Office as
we will be utilizing the photographs taken for the yearbooks.
School Passes
School passes issued to parents employees and representatives need to be replaced for next school year. As of
August 31, 2016 (Wednesday) the brown bordered passes will be invalid.
The security office is now accepting applications for new school passes, however the cards will not be available
for collection before July 1, 2016. These passes will not be compatible with the cashless payment system.
Each family will be given two free school passes. Additional school passes may be obtained after paying a processing fee of Php100.00 each to the Cashiers Office.
Car Stickers for the New School Year
The car stickers for school year 2016/2017 will be
available from the security office beginning July 1,
2016.
To obtain a new vehicle sticker please submit a completed vehicle sticker form. Applications for vehicles
registered with companies or other institutions
should be supported by a letter of assignment.
Each ISM family will be issued one vehicle sticker free
of charge. Any additional stickers will be issued following payment of P100 to the cashiers office.
I would like to thank all members of the ISM community for
their cooperation across this school year in helping us maintain ISM as a safe and secure environment for our children.
Sincerely,
MIKE FLYNN
Director of Operations
and Security
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YEAR-END CLEARANCE REMINDERS:

NOTE 1 : Student charges will be FINAL on June 07,2016 . Kindly view the ISM Web Online and settle the remaining outstanding balance(s) in time for year end clearance SY2015-2016 .
NOTE 2 : In anticipation of the year-end clearance for SY2015-2016, please note that only students with fully
paid SY2015-2016 fees will have their clearance forms signed by the cashier and will then have access to
school documents such as report cards and transcripts.
Likewise, for next school years incoming Pre-School 4 to Grade 4 old students, section cards will be released
by the Accounting Office on June 9, 2016 and thereafter only if current school year (2015-2016) fees are fully
settled.
NOTE 3 :Please be informed that for the purpose of clearing the accounts of students for SY15-16, Only CASH payment will be accepted by ISM cashiers both for dollar and peso payments after the cut off dates
below :
Peso checks will no longer be accepted starting on May 23, 2016 (Monday) while US$ checks will no longer
be accepted starting on April 25, 2016 (Monday). This is to allow enough time for the check to get cleared by
the bank in time for the student clearance in June. Please also note that US dollar coins are not accepted by
the cashier, however, the same can be converted to its peso equivalent to settle the remaining fees.

Want to spend a week of

your summer in Thailand
helping protect endangered elephants?

Exciting opportunity from Rustic Pathways for current ISM

Grade 8 students only!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW!

Password: ism

TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THE 2016 QUADRIVALENT FLU VACCINATION!

Vaccination Day Wednesday, May 25 in room 1122
Last day to sign up/pay Wednesday, May 18
Price Php - 750.00 for Quadrivalant FLUQUADRI (Sanofi-Pasteur)
To be protected against influenza you should get vaccinated annually, since the circulating strains of the virus change, hence
the composition of the vaccine is always kept up to date. The Quadrivalent influenza vaccines provide broader protection as
they include both co-circulating B lineages. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk for serious flu complications (persons 60 and above, with a chronical health condition and women getting pregnant during the flu peak season) and
their close contacts. In tropical countries the flu is present yearround with peaks during the months of July until September.
Everyone with a valid ISM ID, teachers and their children may participate in this vaccination session. Please complete the
vaccination payment form (available at the Cashier office and the Clinic) and make your payment to the Cashier. Payment
must be made not later than Wednesday, May 18. The vaccines will then be ordered and no further registrations can be accepted.
Fill in and sign one Influenza Vaccination Consent Form per person for download at https://drive.google.com/file/
d/0B2mMyxNYLHq8d1VUSnk2ZEh4YXc/view?usp =sharing or at the clinic, and present both documents on the vaccination
date.

If you have any questions please contact Jowell Custodio or Dorothee Binsfeld at the clinic:
Clinic numbers: 840 8581 (Dorothee)/82 (Jowell)

Clinic email: BinsfeldD@ismanila.org

Please note:

Influenza and Tetanus (Tdap) vaccines can be given simultaneously.

The Flu shot will not give you a 100% protection even the strains included in the vaccine
Influenza virus shots do not protect against common cold, sometimes also referred to as flu.
The minimum age for the vaccination in school is 3 years. Infants 6 month and older may be vaccinated by their pediatrician.
Children (9 years or younger) with no prior flu shot will need a second shot after 28 days.
Pregnant women should get their shot from the second trimester onwards.
The Southern hemisphere vaccine, which we use, covers all relevant strains of the Northern hemisphere as well.
Please refrain in case of egg protein allergy.
Vaccines will be solely administered at the clinic and cannot be handed out. All unused vaccines will be forfeited.
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Tetanus (Lockjaw) Vaccination

Tetanus (Lockjaw) is caused by the Clostridium Bacterium. Their spores are resistant permanent forms which are
found worldwide in garden soil or dust.
The disease causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw
so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in 50% or more of all cases.
Everyone needs protection from tetanus. If you have not had a booster shot in 10 years or more, you should receive it now.
It is clinic routine to prescribe a booster shot within 24 hours after the slightest scratch acquired outdoors, if a person is not protected. This can be quite disruptive if travelling. Smaller hospitals outside Metro Manila may not carry the vaccine.
While all our young students are protected - since the vaccination is a school requirement - students aged 16
years and older, teachers and parents may need a booster shot.
College freshmen are generally required to have an updated immunization record.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccination

Everyone, no matter what age needs one shot of pertussis (whooping cough) in their life. Pertussis in adults can
cause prolonged, severe coughing fits. The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated
Tdap, a pertussis booster shot, is recommended for unvaccinated adults instead of Td (tetanus and diphtheria)
booster. You should get the Tdap vaccine (a combination of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine) as soon
as possible if you have never received it, no matter when you got your last Td booster shot.
Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, to protect the newborn from pertussis. Infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis.
What are the risks from Tdap vaccine?
With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of side effects. These are usually mild and self-limiting.
Serious reactions are also possible but are rare.
Sign up for the 2016 vaccinations:
Tetanus (Tdap)
Vaccine ADACEL (Sanofi-Pasteur)
Cost: 1,100.00 Php/vial
Vaccination Day Wednesday, May 25 in room 1122 at the back of AMR
Last day to sign up/pay Wednesday, May 18, 3:15
Everyone with a valid ISM ID, teachers and their children may participate in this vaccination session. Please complete the vaccination payment form (available soon at the Cashier office and the Clinic) and make your payment to the Cashier (open Mo Fr 7:00am 3:15 pm). Payment must be made not later than Wednesday, May
18. The vaccines will then be ordered and no further registrations can be accepted.
Fill in and sign one Tetanus Vaccination Consent Form per person - at the clinic or for download: https://
drive.google.com/file/d/0B2mMyxNYLHq8emcwZHVDVUNLdzF4LTNzVGxYQk9MZXc0OTVF/view?usp=sharing
If you have any questions please contact Jowell Custodio or Dorothee Binsfeld at the clinic: Clinic numbers: 840
85-81 (Dorothee) / -82 (Jowell)
Email: binsfeldd@ismanila.org
Please note:
ADACEL and FLUQUADRI may be given simultaneously
Please refrain in case of egg protein allergy.
Vaccines will be solely administered at the clinic and cannot be handed out. All unused vaccines will be forfeited.

A big thanks to our Bearcat gymnasts, coaches and parent

volunteers led by Ms Kendrick and Ms Roberts who contributed so much to a great ISM Goodwill gymnastics meet last
Saturday. There were over 230 gymnasts entered and the
meet went off very well. Congratulations to all our gymnasts
who prepared and competed to the best of their abilities
during the lead up to the event and on the day of competition. Full results are posted to the ATAC blog gymnastics
page.

Aug 8, 10, 12- Tryouts/Registration for ATAC All Year teams

( Sailfish swim squads, Gymnastics, Wall Climbing, Table Tennis, Chess, Akido, Judo, TaeKwonDo

For our Sailfish swim team program please check the Sailfish
blog for information. http://sailfish.ism-online.org/

Please note the practice times for ATAC programs for SY 1516 are as follows: ATAC all year round teams- 3:15-4:30. See
schedule for our All year round teams program at ATAC blog
Our MS Mixed Touch team headed off today for their annual schedules page
trip to Jakarta for the season ending tournament. Good luck
All HS seasonal teams practice from 3:05- 4:50pm each day.
to players and coaches for a successful tournament vs JIS
MS seasonal teams practice 3:15-4:45pm. In order to clear
and ISKL teams tomorrow. Go Bearcats!
the campus prior to 5pm all after school programs will conTomorrow morning is the Sailfish Aquathon at the ISM pool clude by 4:50pm or earlier. The last bus is 4:55pm this is
due to the ever increasing traffic concerns in our area.
and MS field. Good luck to all participants for this the 2nd
Aquathon for the Sailfish school year calendar.
Parents and students please take some time to peruse the
ISM summer camps information/flyer is now posted to ATAC ATAC blog it has a wide variety of information and links to
our sports and activities program. If you have any questions
blog. Summer camps are offered the first 3 weeks of the
regarding the competitive program of sports at ISM after
summer vacation. Please note due to the large amount of
facility construction planned for this summer camps will only reading the information on the blog please send an email
to pekinm@ismanila.org and I will endeavor to assist you as
be offered in the mornings and all sessions will end by 12
best I can.
noon or before. http://atac.ism-online.org/atac/atacsummer-sports-camps/
The ATAC game schedule pdf which is updated regularly by
S4 runs from April 11 to June 3 and the practice schedule is Triz Gonzalez (ATAC Athletics Coordinator) gives the most up
posted on notice boards and on ATAC blog schedules page . to date information on where/when and who our Bearcat
S4 practices are open to all Gr 8-11 student athletes. Current teams will be playing throughout the school year. Access to
Gr 8's who will be freshmen next SY are encouraged to come the game schedule is now via the ISM parent portal not via
out as it is a great opportunity to meet the coaches and oth- power school as in the past. A navigation guide is available
here. ATAC Game Schedule Users Guide.
er HS athletes while getting in some pre season practice in
readiness for next SY. ATAC
Access the parent portal via this link, log in with your user
Season 4 ATAC HS seasonal sports sessions offered arename/password and then look for the ATAC Game Schedule
Girls- Soccer/Volleyball/Basketball/Touch
Boys- Soccer/Volleyball/Basketball/Faculty/Student Basket- tab under the left side quick links. Don't forget to refresh the
pdf page each time it opens so you access the most current
ball
schedule. Please note this schedule does change often and
at short notice due to involvement with many local schools
Please note due to the very hot weather ISM reserves the
right to cancel activities on short notice if the use of our out- and organizations.
door facilities is deemed too hot on any given day. Every
effort will be made where possible to schedule S4 practices Check it regularly for the most up to date information. For
security purposes....access to the ATAC game schedule pdf
on the shaded MS field or in a covered facility.
must be linked via the secure parent portal and details
should not be shared with non ISM community members.
Upcoming events:
May 13-15 Mixed Touch Tournament at Jakarta
Bearcat Den- drop by our fantastic spirit store. Bearcat Den
May 14 Sailfish Aquathon (ISM pool and MS field)
June 1 Bearcats for Street Soccer to support service partners hours of operation- 7am-4pm Mon-Fri.
June 3 Last day of AFAC and ATAC training
Best Regards,
Aug 4,5,8,9 S1 HS Tryouts (Volleyball/Soccer/Cross Country)
Mark Pekin
Aug 8,9,10 S1 MS Tryouts (Volleyball/Soccer/Cross Country)
Aug 8,9,10 Tryouts/Registration for ES Rifa League Soccer Gr1- Director of Athletics and Activities
4.

ISM Aquathon II - Sat 14th May 2016

Presenting the second leg of two ISM Aquathons (Run - Swim - Run). For those new to this great event, we are raising
money for our designated ChildHope charity and Sailfish activities. There is no training requirement for this event and
all family, friends and teachers are welcome to participate!
As always we are timing this event, however, the main aim of the day will be to have fun and encourage all participants
in something a little different. It is a great way to get active and involved with your kids, siblings and students.
Please note if you are nervous about either running or swimming, team up with a runner or swimmer and join the relay category in Race 4.
Open to all ISM Student/Faculty/Staff/Parent Community along with BSM , MJS, AIS, Brent & Kings.
RACE 1 - 8:00am Start
13/14 yrs 15-18yrs Adult
Run 1km - Swim 400m (16 lengths) - Run 1.9km
RACE 2 - 8:30am Start
9/10yrs and 11/12yrs
Run 600m - Swim 300m (12 lengths) - Run 1.6km
RACE 3 9:15am Start
Under 8yrs
Run 600m - Swim 200m (8 Lengths) - Run 1km
RACE 4 9:45am Start
Relay 2 or 3 people and Individual
Run 1km - Swim 800m (32 Lengths) - Run 2.2km
Awards Ceremony 11:00am
Entry Fee - 300 pesos per race on race day check in.
VIEW FULL COURSE DETAILS HERE
CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE ENTRY FORM
Best Regards,
Holly Chapman
Head Swimming Coach
ES After School Activities Coordinator (AFAC)
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Important information on Re-Enrollment for SY 2016-17

Dear Parents:
We will begin On-line Re-Enrollment for school year 2016-17 on Monday, April 4. As before, parents will have to log into
PowerSchool in order to do this. Below are instructions to help. If you are not sure of your PowerSchool log-in or need support, please contact the Middle School Office.
Please note that you must complete re-enrollment Steps 1 & 2 by 4pm on Friday, May 27 at the latest. PowerSchool will close
on that date until the start of SY16-17. We have over 500 students on our waitlist, and we will assume that your children are
leaving if you have not completed the re-enrollment process.
If your child/ren will not be returning for SY16-17, you MUST follow the Withdrawal Procedure and submit a Withdrawal Notification Form on or before Friday, May 13. Click here for more information.
Online Re-Enrollment
Step 1: Visit www.ismanila.org and click on Parent Portal under the Quick Links drop-down menu. Log-in to the Parent Portal
and click on PowerSchool. Please refer to the attached guide on How to Access Online Re-Enrollment.
Step 2: Look for the Re-Enrollment Clearance icon on the left hand panel. Click on the icon. Create your Re-enrollment Clearance Form and click submit after updating. You will receive an email notification verifying that you have been successful updating your childs record.
Step 3: Submit Forms (if applicable)
Students entering Grade 6 will be required to download and complete the Standard Physical Examination Form
(with ECG) which should be submitted to the ISM Health Clinic as soon as possible.
Students entering Grade 7 will be required to download and sign the ISM Drug Policy Form which should be submitted to the MS Office as soon as possible.
Step 4 You must settle all charges for SY15-16 which may include incidental fees not covered by company sponsorship (ATAC
uniforms, instrument rental, payment for lost textbook, etc.).
Step 5: You must pay the first quota of tuition fees for SY16-17 to receive your FINAL CLEARANCE NOTIFICATION for your
child to attend class on August 4, 2016.
Tuition and Fees: Please settle your accounts through our Cashiers Office.
Successful completion of required steps will generate a NO REPLY email confirmation. Completion of all steps is necessary in
order to receive your FINAL CLEARANCE NOTIFICATION.
To check status of Re-Enrollment, please visit the Parent Portal page.
Class Schedule distribution dates are as follows:
August 01, 2016: Grade 5 and 6 (MS Intersection)
August 02, 2016: Grade 7 and 8 (MS Intersection)

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