MIDDLE SCHOOL

Friday Bulletin
Weekly Publication for Middle School Parents
ISSUE # 29
WEEK OF APRIL 09 TO 13, 2012

From the Middle School Office

Dear Parents:

Inside this issue:

From the Office of Admissions & Advancement From the Operations & Security Office From the Clinic From the PTA Office From the Athletics & Activities Office Summer Sports Camp Calendar for SY 2012-2013 2 3 4 5 6 10

The past three months have been filled with activity, fun and numerous learning experiences. Your children and the We wish you

teachers have earned a well-deserved break. safe travels and a relaxing Spring Break!

Regards,

UPCOMING EVENTS
MARCH 08 to 29 MAP Testing Spirit Week School Holiday (Spring Break)

Simon Gillespie Middle School Principal

Clarissa Sayson Middle School Assistant Principal

26 to 29 30 to Apr. 09 APRIL 10

Classes Resume Service Learning Trip ESL Placement Testing Courtyard Event (3:00 P.M.) Service Learning Trip Used Book Fair Beginners Recital - Gr. 7 to 12 (5:30 P.M., LT) Service Learning Trip MS Art Exhibit (FAT Lobby)

REMINDER Please notify the Middle School Office if arrangements have been made for your child to go home with someone other than a parent or an authorized driver. Middle School Office Contact Information Telephone #: 840-8550/840-8553 Email: msoffice@ismanila.org

14 16 to 20 20 21 23 to 27 26 28 30 to May 11 MAY 01 02 to 04 03

School Holiday (Labor Day) Gr. 4 Ambassador Program MS Art Opening (3:00 P.M., FAT Gallery)

Did you enjoy the Strings Extravaganza performance last Friday? Watch the video of the performance here if you missed it! http://odendaalg.ism-online.org/2012/03/26/stringsextravaganza-march-23-2012/ Mr. Odendaal

POWERSCHOOL GRADE UPDATE

April 13 April 27 May 11 Grade Update Grade Update/Progress Report Distribution Grade Update

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From the Office of Admissions and Advancement

Dear Parents, The Admissions Office is sending out a friendly reminder regarding our Withdrawal Procedure. If your family will be leaving before or at the end of SY11-12, we would appreciate that you submit the official Withdrawal Notification Form in order to initiate the withdrawal process. Please note, this does not pertain to Grade 12 students who will graduate in May. Please submit the completed Withdrawal Notification Form as early as possible. All forms are available here: www.ismanila.org > Admission > Re-enrollment and Withdrawal WITHDRAWAL NOTIFICATION FORM (required by ES/HS/MS students) Please submit this to the Admissions Office MIDDLE SCHOOL CLEARANCE FORM Once completed please submit this to the Cashiers Office HIGH SCHOOL CLEARANCE FORM Once completed please submit this to the Cashiers Office

IMPORTANT DATE to remember:

May 11, 2012 Withdrawal Notification Forms for School Year 2011-2012 must be submitted. Forms received after this date will incur a penalty of USD $1000 on the refund of the FUD. For detailed information regarding receiving Report Cards, Transcript of Records, obtaining a yearbook and/or the refund of the FUD please visit our web site at www.ismanila.org under the Admissions TAB < Re-Enrollment & Withdrawal. We appreciate your notification as we have many families awaiting word for enrollment for next school year. Please feel free to contact us at admissions@ismanila.org for any questions or concerns. Sincerely,

Stephanie H. Hagedorn Director of Admissions & Advancement International School Manila www.ismanila.org

Were on the web! www.ismanila.org

IF YOU HAVENT LOGGED ON TO POWERSCHOOL

please call the Guidance Office at 840-8555 or email msguidance@ismanila.org to obtain your username and password.

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A Few Reminders from the Operations & Security Office:

ID Cards: ID cards should be worn by adults at all times while on campus. 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. Drivers, helpers and bodyguards: Drivers, helpers and bodyguards should not be waiting on campus for students throughout the school day. After dropping off students they should exit the school grounds and not return more than 30 minutes before dismissal time. Those who repeatedly fail to comply with this regulation will have their access privileges suspended. Only those vehicles carrying parents or other people with business within the school will be allowed to return to the campus before 1:45 pm. Firearms: All members of the ISM community are reminded that it is strictly forbidden for firearms to be brought onto campus. This includes concealed weapons carried by bodyguards for close protection. Any person arriving at school with a firearm should inform the gate guard and arrangements will be made for the weapon to be safely and securely stored during the visitors stay. Parking outside the campus: Parking is not allowed on any of the roads surrounding the school. The ISM guard force is actively supporting the work of the Bonifacio authorities in keeping these roads clear. This is an important security measure and parents are asked to emphasize this to their drivers. Termination of employment: In the event of the termination of service of a family employee parents are asked to secure the former employees ISM ID card and return it to the security office. If this is not possible, it is important that the security office is still informed of the change of circumstances. Security staff directions: Our security team is endeavoring to make the school as safe and secure an environment as possible for all members of our school community. We ask that everybody cooperates with us in this important task by following the directions given by members of our guard force. In the event that anyone is unclear as to the purpose of our regulations they can seek clarification from the security office. Further to this, we encourage parents to advise those members of their staff who enter the school of these expectations. Finally, I would like to thank all members of the ISM community for their assistance in helping us maintain ISM as a safe and secure environment for our children. Mike Flynn Director of Operation and Security

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From the Clinic

TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THE 2012 INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS Vaccination Day - April 18th - Wednesday Last day to sign up/pay - April 13th Price - Php 550.00 Vaccine GSK Influenza vaccine Influenza or commonly known as flu trangkaso is caused by the influenza virus. The influenza virus is easily transmitted through things you touch or in the air we breathe. Flu vaccine is recommended for everyone above 6 months old. Getting the flu shot should be done annually because the circulating strains of the flu virus change each year, hence the composition of the vaccine is updated annually. For tropical counties the flu is present yearround with peaks during the months of July September. Everyone with a valid ISM ID may participate in this vaccination session. Order forms are available at the Cashiers office or by emailing the Clinic. Please complete the form and make your payment to the Cashier. Payment for these vaccinations must be made to the cashier department by no later than Friday 13th April .The vaccines will then be ordered and no further registrations will be accepted. If you would like to discuss the vaccine or have any questions please contact Jowell Custodio or Monique Reed at the Clinic. Clinic direct number: 840 8580/81 Email: clinic@ismanila.org

From the PTA Office

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From the Athletics & Activities Office

Thanks to all our MS/HS track team members who took part in last Fridays twilight meet to conclude the local track season for this year. With Brent unable to host their usual meets this year, it has meant a reduced number of meets however the effort and enthusiasm for competition has certainly been on display at all the meets conducted at ISM this season. Our softball and badminton teams also had their final matches last weekend in preparation for the IASAS championships after the break. Please be reminded that the IASAS teams will travel on Wednesday, April 11, and will return on Sunday, April 15. Information about the 3 tournaments can be found under helpful shortcuts on the blog main page. We wish all our IASAS athletes the very best of luck at the final IASAS event of the school year. After the 3rd season IASAS championships are over, some of the 1st season coaches will be running sessions for our volleyball/soccer teams to get things going for next school years teams and to take a look at the new freshman group for SY 2012-2013. Keep an eye out on the ATAC blog (latest news-HS/Latest news-MS) for more information after the break. Any current grade 8 student interested in soccer or volleyball should come along to the sessions offered, it will be a great chance to meet the varsity coaches and get in some early practice. MS AFAC AFL (Australian Football - starts on Wed April 18th) Please note that if you have signed up for AFL Football, it is open for Grade 5, 6, and 7 students only and the sessions will be held each Wednesday at the MS field starting at 3:15 P.M. Dates for the MS AFAC AFL are April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. The maximum # of students is 24. Please see Toni at the AFAC office (ES admin area) if you have not yet signed up, spaces are filling up. Please see in this bulletin information about the ISM Summer Sports Camps. This program is run each year by Triz Gonzalez our ATAC Athletics Assistant. See the flyer for details/registration/payment information and contact Triz at the ATAC office if you have any questions. For the swimming camps, please go straight to the website link of Coach Andy where you will find all the information/online registration and payment details. ATAC Events coming up: Mar. 30 to April 9 - Spring break Apr. 11 - Teams depart for IASAS 3rd Season Championships - Track at Taipei - Softball at Singapore - Badminton at Kuala Lumpur May 12 - ISM Gymnastics Dual Meet (this replaces the cancelled SACAC Singapore meet) GAME SCHEDULE PDF: (access to game schedule information) Information about all mid week/weekend fixtures for ISM teams can be found via the ATAC blog. Please note the game schedule does change often due to involvement with many local schools so please check the page regularly to find out the latest information of where and when the Bearcats teams are playing. Click on schedules tab or the Bearcat logo to be directed to http://powerschool.ismanila.org/public/. You will need your Powerschool username and password to access the game schedule. BEARCAT DEN: Regular Opening Hours for the Bearcat Den:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 11:30 A.M. 1:00 P.M. & 2:30 P.M. 4:00 P.M. Tuesday & Thursday afternoons, from 2:30 - 4:00 P.M.

If you are interested in joining our group of volunteers in the Bearcat Den, please contact our BCD volunteers coordinator, Radhika at radhikasavantmohit@yahoo.com or pop in to the Den near the HS Cafeteria and talk with one of our volunteers. They will be very happy to make you welcome. Anyone interested in joining the den next school year starting in August names are being taken, please contact Radhika to submit your information and expression of interest. Please note final day for den sales this school year is Wednesday May 30th.Thursday May 31st the den volunteers will be doing inventory and closing up the den for summer hibernation. The den will not be open for sales on the final day of school May 31st!

Regards, Mark Pekin Director of Athletics/Activities

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Summer Sports Camp

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School Calendar for SY 2012-2013