From the Secondary Principal’s Desk
The first quarter of the school year is in the books and I’ve been very impressed with student achievement so far this year. With the new assessment system, many students are demonstrating learning that is beyond grade level expectations on summative assessments. When comparing grades from last year to this year, not factoring in zeros (zeros are not an indication of what the student has learned) has boosted overall scores in the secondary school and decreased the number students who are ineligible for co-curricular activities. I offer a huge thank you to students, parents, and teachers for learning and implementing the
new assessment system and for being open-minded to explore a radical way to more accurately measure student learning and achievement. For this edition of the Buzz, I will share information and reminders about Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTC), BAIS MAP scores, new information about Advanced Placement (AP), and BAIS diploma options.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are today, Thursday, November 1 from 3:00-7:00pm and Friday from 8:00-11:30am. We encourage everyone to come meet the teachers and discuss your student’s achievement this year. In the past, secondary PTC were in the MPR. This year, secondary PTC will be in individual classrooms to increase privacy and allow teachers improved access to resources such as assessment data, student work, and curriculum resources. When you arrive you will check-in and receive a room assignment document that shows the room number of every teacher. Foreign Languages, Pak Willy, and Mr. Davis will be available in the MPR.
The following information was published once before in the Buzz but it is worth reminding our community about the outstanding MAP results of our students. Please see the MAP data
demonstrating the excellence of our students compared to other Indonesian international schools and to East-Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) schools. Our results are something to be proud of!
BAIS vs. Indonesian International Schools & EARCOS
Excellence at BAIS!
The following data is based on second semester MAP scores from 2018. Please see Mr. Thomas if you have any questions. EARCOS stands for East-Asia Regional Council of Schools and includes Jakarta Intercultural School, Bandung Independent School, Seoul Foreign School, and Western Academy of Beijing.
As you plan your student’s academic coursework through high-school, please keep in mind that BAIS allows students to earn different diplomas based on student aptitude and university matriculation goals. The first diploma is the BAIS Diploma. This is for students who complete the minimum requirements for graduation. The second diploma is the BAIS Distinguished Diploma. The distinguished diploma is for students who choose to take additional courses, beyond the minimum graduation requirements in many subject-areas. The graduation requirement table for each diploma is in the Parent-Student Handbook. The third option is the Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID). This option is offered by CollegeBoard and requires students to take specific AP courses and exams, achieve minimum scores, and complete a verification process which includes proof of bilingualism. CollegeBoard provides this diploma directly to students who qualify. For more information, visit this link.
Additionally, CollegeBoard has recently released information about the Advanced Placement (AP) exams in May. This link is the schedule of exams. Most exams will cost $124 USD. Registration and payment for AP exams will be during January and February so please plan accordingly. BAIS is privileged to be a test center for AP, SAT, ACT, and PSAT exams and it is certainly an advantage that our students can comfortably take the exams in a familiar environment.
I look forward to seeing you at PTC and at upcoming Open House events on November 10 and November 24. What an exciting time to be part of our BAIS community!
Blessings,
Mr. Thomas, MS. Ed.
SEW – Spiritual Emphasis Week
Our SEW Committee is looking for bottles and containers for a special craft we are going to be making. If you have any of the following items you can drop them by Mrs. Loewen’s desk (in the front office). Thank you!
- Clear bottles 1 liter or bigger
- Medium to large sized containers with a plastic lid (the 500ml yogurt containers from Beintema’s are perfect!)
Battle of the Books
For Sale: Dried Mangoes and Pineapple starting next week!
The Battle of the Books team is selling dried fruit again this year! They are a great snack for yourself or as a gift for friends/family.As an added bonus, buying this fruit also supports the SunRei outreach in Malang!
Check out these delicious options!
- 50gr bags of dried Sunburst mangoes (sweet/sour) for Rp. 20.000 per bag
- 50gr bags of dried Tropical Paradise mangoes (honey mango) for Rp. 20.000 per bag
- 100gr bags of dried pineapples for Rp. 25.000 per bag
Dried fruit will be sold next to Ibu Retno’s desk at break time by the BOB team. Want a LOT of fruit!? Of course you do, it’s delicious!
If you would like to make a bulk order, please email kellywongkar@baisedu.org with the list of what you want and it will be prepared for you.
~ Ms. Ribbens & Mrs. Wongkar
WWDWWD – Why we do what we do?
Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTC)
At the start of the 2nd quarter every year, BAIS hosts Parent-Teacher Conferences so parents and teachers can talk through the strengths and areas of growth for each student. The goal is to improve partnership and to create effective communication between the classroom and the home that will hopefully carry through for the entire school year.
During PTC, here are some suggested questions parents can ask the teachers.
- What do you see as my child’s strengths?
- What do you think are the academic challenges for my child?
- Is my child on grade level for reading?
What about math, science, and writing? - How is my child doing socially?
- What can I do at home to support what you’re doing in the classroom?
- What do you see as a strength or challenge for my child in their faith walk?
Charity (LaMertha) Sianturi, Ed.S
Music Department
Christmas Student Rehearsals
Monday, December 3, 2018
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM, Elementary students
3:45 PM – 4:30 PM, Secondary students
Parents Choir Rehearsal
Every Wednesday at 1:30, in MPR
BAIS Christmas Choral Festival
Friday, December 7, 2018 at 5:30 PM
Athletics & Club News
IISSAC Soccer & Basketball
- IISSAC Soccer finished last weekend in Bali!
We are proud of both of our teams! - Join the BAIS Pep Squad group on Facebook to see pictures from the tournament!
- BAIS Senior Soccer Game Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 4:15!
Please come support our two graduating seniors Paul Walker and Josiah Kim! - BAIS IISSAC Basketball tryouts continue Monday, Nov. 5.
Please contact Mr. Thomas or Ms. Christensen if you are interested in trying out.
Boys start at 3:45. Girls start at 4:30pm
All physical forms are due to the basketball coaches Monday, Nov. 5.
After School Clubs and Activities
- Season two after school activities and clubs begin Monday, Nov. 5!
Sign up in the lobby this week or contact the athletic department (athletics@baisedu.org) - BAIS Battle of the Books will compete against Mountainview on Nov. 10 in the library.
Community members are welcomed to come and watch the competition! - Sea Tribes will have a “Fun Run” fund raiser November 24 here in Kota Baru. There will be a 10K, 5K, and 1,500m sprint competition.
All proceeds go to raise money for the Sea Tribes trip in March.
Keep your eyes on the BAIS Buzz for updates,changes, and more information!
Mr. Justin Powers
Athletic/Activity Director
Download this issue as PDF: Issue 13: November 1, 2018
