BIFS Newsletter, 2015-08-14 (English)

BIFS NEWSLETTERUnited in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

ISSUE 21, August 14 2015

Busan International Foreign Schoolwww.bifskorea.org | [email protected] | T. 82 51 742 3332

ContentsWhole School1. Welcome to the 2015-16 School Year!2. Board of Governors3. PE Uniform Shop4. Message from the BIFS PTA5. New Student and Parent Orientation & Opening Day6. Substitute Teacher Needed!7. TEDxYouth@BIFS Returns8. Image Rights Permission9. Medical Update10. Japanese Encephalitis Information11. BIFS Permaculture Club12. ABRSM Music Exams

Elementary School1. Welcome to the 2015-16 School Year!

Middle School and High School1. What is new in Middle School and High School?2. MS and HS Co-curricular Program3. MS and HS Camps

For Your Diary

BIFS Annual Calendar 2015-2016

School & Community Links

http://www.bifskorea.org/

mailto:[email protected]




welcoming assemblies, PTA sign ups, and an ice cream celebration! The rest of this first week was committed toassisting students with settling into their classes, learning school routines and beginning the important work oflearning. It has been a GREAT first week!We opened our doors this year with 471 students from 44 countries with 118 of those students being new toBIFS! We welcome them and their families who have join our BIFS community from all corners of the world! BIFSis a warm and nurturing school that seeks to inspire each and every student to explore, discover and thrive inthe global community to which we all belong! BIFS is an exciting school and we are eager for you to be activeparticipants!We also welcome over 20 new teachers to BIFS! Our staff bring a wealth of experience and expertise to theircraft at BIFS. Each of our teachers is a learner that is always seeking to explore new ways to improve theirpractice to positively impact each student’s learning.Thank you for being a part of the BIFS family this year! We have a lot of good learning work ahead of us! Itpromises to be a year of achievement and accomplishment for all of our students! Thank you for yourparticipation, partnership and support for the exhilarating year ahead!Go BIFS! Go Bears! Have a great year!

Kevin BakerHead of School

I love the start of the school year! Everyonestarts with a fresh page and enthusiasm andoptimism abounds in all members of the schoolas everyone dreams big dreams about all thatthey will learn and accomplish in the monthsahead! Fresh starts and new beginnings areimportant to each of us. This school yearrepresents a new beginning for every memberof our community! Embrace it!We have had a warm and dynamic start, with aNew Student and Family Orientation and anexciting Opening Day filled with students andparents meeting their teachers, welcomecoffees, community building activities,

Whole SchoolWelcome to the 2015-16 School Year!

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THE PE UNIFORM SHOP will be open Monday - Friday, 8:30-3:30, through August 28th for your convenience!Shop hours beyond the end of August will be determined by the availability of the volunteers we are able tosecure! Be sure to watch the BIFS newsletters for updated information.

All general information regarding PE Uniforms can be found under the “life at BIFS” tab on the BIFS website!

Looking for a great place at BIFS to volunteer? The PE Uniform Shop is that place!! We desire our volunteers towork 2 half days (or one full day) per month. The schedule is the same each month so our volunteers can easilymake other plans! For more information, drop by the shop or email [email protected].

Board of Governors

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The BIFS Board of Governors is looking for interested Parents and Community Members who would like toserve! If you have served on a school board previously at another school or are just interested in assisting theschool in this important role, please send an email of interest along with a brief CV to Mr. Baker([email protected]) who will forward it onto the Board for consideration. Thank you!

PE Uniform Shop.








Hello BIFS Parents! It is so good to welcome you back from your summer holidays. This is agreat time of year to get back into the school routine. I love it. For me, it becomes a time to setnew goals for myself. Our children are developing. So should we. Giving back to BIFS is aworthy endeavor. PTA strives to create events that will enrich our community. Get involved!Our first PTA meeting is Wednesday, 2 September at 10am after the BIFS morning coffee at9am. Mark your calendars and bring a friend. You will be glad you did.

This year, all of BIFS meetings will be held on Wednesdays. As you plan your week, keep Wednesday morningsopen and take part in all that BIFS and PTA have to offer.

Thank you for all who volunteered to hand out ice cream treats to our children. It was a refreshing way to beginthe new school year. We LOVE our volunteers!!

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Message from the BIFS PTA

New Student and Parent Orientation & Opening Day






BIFS is accepting applicants for substitute/cover teachers for ELC to High School classes. Substitutes are called inwhen a teacher is absent and are paid hourly rate that are worked. Duties and responsibilities include teachinglessons planned and prepared by the classroom teacher, managing classroom behavior, supervising studentsoutside the classroom, and other duties as required.

Applications are invited from qualified, locally based education professionals who are fluent in English.

Candidates:

Possess an education degree from an accredited university Possess either a teaching license, TESOL certificate, or other teaching qualifications Possess IB training and experience (preferred) Are available to report to BIFS on short notice and on an irregular basis Are available to work between 8:25 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday Will be paid hourly rate: 15,000 KRW per hour

Applicants must be eligible to work in South Korea without sponsorship from BIFS and must reside in the Busanarea. And applicants must be Korean or F2, F4, F5, F6 Visa holder and have no criminal history (including sexualcriminal history).

If you are interested in being included on our substitute teacher list, please send a cover letter and CV (inEnglish) to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed, and those meeting our criteriawill be contacted for an interview.

TEDxYouth@BIFS returns to BIFS on September 19th and we need yourhelp. Currently we are looking for people who are interested in sharing their ideason stage in front of an audience and online. We know there are many students,teachers, and parents with terrific ideas who can use this platform to make adifference in the world. We are also looking for people who are interested inhelping to organize the event.

If you are interested please contact Mr. Brendan Lea at [email protected] or visitwww.tedxyouthbifs.weebly.com to fill out the online application form.

Substitute Teachers Needed!

TEDxYouth@BIFS Returns.

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http://www.tedxyouthbifs.weebly.com/




Our assumption is that by joining the school parents give us their permission for any photos, videos, and audiofiles featuring their child or themselves to be published on the school's website, blogs, and in other marketingmaterials belonging to the school. Please notify Ms. Miyoung Kim at [email protected] if you do notwish photos, videos and audio files featuring your child or yourselves to be used.

Image Rights Permission

Medical UpdateWelcome to BIFS and to the 2015-2016 school year! To provide the best care for yourchild while at school, it is extremely important to keep their medical records up-to-date. As the school year begins again, the health office requests that all new andreturning students make certain their medical records are complete and up-to-date.

For each returning student: please complete a Medical Update Form.All new students: please complete a Medical Form.

All forms are available for download on the BIFS Health page on the school’swebsite. You may email completed forms to [email protected] or drop them by thenurse office on campus.

Thank you and we are looking forward to a fun, safe, and healthy school year!

If you have any further questions, please contact the school nurse at [email protected].

https://goo.gl/U5pZkF

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http://bifskorea.org/life%20at%20bifs%20files/bifs-health/index.html






Japanese Encephalitis InformationEarlier this month the Korean Center for Disease Control (KCDC) issued a warning aboutJapanese Encephalitis in response to a higher-than-normal mosquito population whichtypically carries this virus.

To clarify, the KCDC has been collecting mosquitoes in multiple cities and provinces aroundKorea. During this sampling, if greater than 50% of the carrier mosquito species is found, anational warning is issued. In this case, they have found over 80% in the Busan area.

http://goo.gl/fyLplL

What is Japanese Encephalitis?JE is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes in Asia and the western Pacific. The virus can causeinflammation of the brain (encephalitis). It cannot be spread directly from person to person.

What are the symptoms and when would I start to see them?Most people who are infected develop mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. In people who develop severedisease, initial symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. The disease can progressto inflammation of the brain. It takes 5 to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito to develop symptoms.

What is the treatment?There is no specific treatment. Severe illness is treated by supportive therapy which may include hospitalization,respiratory support, and intravenous fluids.

What can I do to help prevent being infected?• Use insect repellent and wear long pants and sleeves outside, especially at night• Sleep in air-conditioned and/or well-screened rooms or use bed nets• A vaccine against the JE virus is available at local hospitals or children’s hospitals

At this time, it is extremely important to take the precautionary measures listed above to prevent mosquito bitesand the potential risk of being infected. The KCDC is strongly urging children, elderly, and anyone with a weakimmune system due to other illness to get vaccinated.

http://goo.gl/fyPplL

If you have additional questions about the vaccine or would like more information, pleasesee the links below or contact the school nurse at [email protected] or 051-742-3332.

Information cited from the following:United States CDC:http://www.cdc.gov/japaneseencephalitis/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/je-ixiaro.pdf

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http://www.cdc.gov/japaneseencephalitis/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/je-ixiaro.pdf




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BIFS Permaculture ClubAll year, Sue Toms, Head of BIFS libraries, will be leading a new after-school activity calledPermaculture Club. It is open to all students grades 1-12.But what is permaculture?

Permaculture is an ecological design science that works to solve globalenvironmental problems locally. We all talk about saving the planet buthow can we help do that in our daily lives? Permacultureprinciples can be applied by anyone in any environment to help make adifference.In Permaculture Club, not only will we be working to reduce, reuse andrecycle, but we’ll be learning the importance of working with nature tobuild healthy soils, producing as much of our own food as possible andreducing our energy consumption.

Like the story of the little hummingbird, we can either stand by and watch as we destroy our environment or wecan do the best we can to make a difference.Any questions or suggestions, please email Mrs Toms at [email protected] from http://www.kinshipurbanfarm.com/uploads/2/3/4/8/23481160/3171304_orig.jpg, copyright 2008,Karl Schmidt.

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ABRSM Music ExamsABRSM Music Exam registration is now open. The deadline to have your son/daughterregistered is Thursday, August 27. Please email me at [email protected] if you wouldlike your son/daughter to take an ABRSM Music Theory or Practical Exam this fall.We are now registering both Music Theory and Practical students. The theory exam will beheld here at school on Saturday November 7, 2015 at 2:00 in C5.1. The date for the October-http://abrsm.co.kr/

November practical exam session has not been announced yet, and will update you as soon as the date hasbeen decided.We are very happy to register all our BIFS students regardless of whether they take instrumental lessons here atschool or outside of school.Please email [email protected] to register and for further information and questions. Please rememberthe deadline to register is Thursday, August 27.Zahra KhalifehHead of Music



http://permaculturenews.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-btl654R_pY

mailto:[email protected].

http://www.kinshipurbanfarm.com/uploads/2/3/4/8/23481160/3171304_orig.jpg





Welcome to the 2015-16 school year! We were so pleased to greet our new students at the New StudentOrientation on Tuesday, and to spend time with the whole community on Wednesday morning. Teachers havebeen busy helping students connect with new and old friends, learn routines, and get settled in their newenvironment. As questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact the teacher – we are here for you and lookforward to hearing from you!

Elementary Goal-Setting Conferences and Back to School AfternoonOn August 19 and 20 between 1:45-5:30, we invite all parents to meet with the classroom teacher to share yourhopes and goals for your child this year, as well as any child-specific/family information you feel we shouldknow. This time is meant for you -- we will be listening and taking in the information so we can get to knowyour child, and your family, a little better. We are eager to start building strong relationships with all of you.More information and a conference sign-up are being emailed to all ES families.

On September 9 from 1:30-3:00 we will invite families to the school to learn about the grade-level academicprogram and class-specific information. This time is meant for us to share with you. More information to follow.

PYP Handbook and ES Parent/Student HandbookHandbooks (along with a Healthy Snack Guide) were sent home with students on Wednesday (one per family,sent with the oldest student). The PYP Handbook outlines our curriculum and the teaching philosophy of theschool. The ES Parent/Student Handbook outlines all elementary policies and procedures which you and yourchild will need to know. Please take the time to read through these documents -- we welcome your questions inregard to either handbook.

Electives will begin on Monday, August 24th. More detailed information and sign-up forms will come soon.

ES AssembliesThe Elementary school holds assemblies most weeks in order to share learning, come together as a community,learn about Korea, and celebrate the arts. We will post upcoming assembly information in the Newsletter. Ourassembly times have changed to Fridays, 2:35-3:20. We hope you can join us!

Elementary SchoolWelcome to the 2015-16 School Year!

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Middle/High School TimetableThis year the Middle and High Schools have adopted a new schedule. Students have classes of two lengths, 40and 80 minutes. We have also added a 30 minute Homeroom block following the student's lunch break. Pleasetake the time to review the new school schedule and also your child’s weekly timetable. If you have anyquestions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Nate Swenson ([email protected]), Middle SchoolPrincipal or Mr. Jamie Robb ([email protected]), High School Principal.Grade 10 English Language AcquisitionThe English Language Department is pleased to be able to offer English Language Acquisition to our Grade 10students. This course is designed specifically for students learning English as an additional language. As withKorean and Spanish as additional languages, there are six phases, with increasingly challenging criteria. Thiscourse will help our students gain a better understanding of how English works, which will allow them to reachtheir full potential in all their classes this year as well as their DP classes in the future. The IB celebrates thelearning of all languages, and Language Acquisition classes are considered as challenging and essential to the IBas Language and Literature. It’s a great opportunity for our students, and we look forward to sharing moreinformation about this course as the year progresses.Grade 10 Extended MathematicsWe are excited to be offering a new mathematics course this year in Grade 10. With our transition to the MYP,we are now offering two Grade 10 math courses—Grade 10 Core and Grade 10 Extended. Both courses preparestudents for further study in mathematics in the Diploma Programme. Although there is considerable overlapbetween the two courses, Grade 10 Extended is a more rigorous course, and is designed to prepare studentsmore thoroughly for further study in mathematics at Higher Level. In order to best gauge which students havethe motivation, background and interest to succeed in our Extended course, all Grade 10 students will spend thefirst two weeks in heterogeneous groups working on our first unit-quadratics. This will give students anopportunity to think mathematically again after a summer away from school and it will give teachers a chance toassess students’ ability and interest levels. At the end of these two weeks, all students will take an assessmentwhich, along with past grades, will inform our placement decisions. All grade 10 math classes are being offeredin the same time blocks which reduces the disruption to student schedules once Extended students areidentified. If you have any further questions, please contact Cindy Clifford ([email protected]), Head of theMathematics Department.Communication in the Middle/High SchoolsBoth the Middle and High Schools are focussing on increasing communication between home andschool. Currently, structures are being developed to update parents of their child’s progress at school. It is apriority to strengthen our home to school connections and develop partnerships with our community to ensurestudent success. We look forward to having the opportunity to meet with you and work together to continue todevelop a positive school culture.

Middle and High School Administration

Middle School and High SchoolWhat is new in the Middle and High School?

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MS and HS Co-curricular Program to kick-off the Week of August 24The after school CCA program will officially begin on 24 August. We support three seasons over the course ofthe year, and this first season will run until the last week in October. Options and permission forms have beensent electronically to all parents, so please keep an eye open for emails from BIFS related to the CCA program.Please read the form carefully, as some of our options (sports and music) require you meet more than once aweek. It is imperative that sign-up are completed by Tuesday, August 18th so the late bus schedule can becoordinated by the main office. The experiential learning opportunities being offered will certainly challenge allstudents. If you have any new ideas or skills that you would like to help bring to our program, or any questions,please contact Mr. Craig Wilson at [email protected].

MS and HS Camps set for August 26-28The tradition of hosting overnight team buliding camps in the Middle/High School will continue again this year.All our students from grades 6 to 12 will be off campus from the 26th to the 28th of August. Each year level willfind themselves at different locations, providing students and teachers the opportunity to create bonds that willbenefit throughout the school year. Critical team building and leadership skills will also be taught. For the DPstudents in grades 11 and 12, the focus leans more towards an understanding of the rigors of the program,allowing students to work together in finding the balance and purpose of the IB Diploma program.

We are happy to announce that this year the MHS has subsidized partial cost of the trips. Permission forms willbe sent home (via email) soon with all the details, and all consent will be done digitally. BIFS students will benefitgreatly by getting out of the classroom and engaging in adventurous experiential learning.

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August 2015

14th • ES Assembly – ES Hall

19th – 20th • ES Parent Goal-Setting Conferences


26th – 28th • MS & HS Team Building Camps

26th • AMC Mathematics Competition


For Your DiarySeptember 2015

2nd • BIFS Parent Coffee

• PTA Meeting


9th • ES Back-To-School Parent Afternoon


14th • Staff Professional Development Day -No School for Students

16th • MS Parent Coffee

17th • MS & HS School Back to School Night


19th • TEDxYouth@BIFS

23rd • HS Parent Coffee

25th • Whole School Chuseok Event

28th – 29th • Chuseok Holiday

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School & Community Links

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Please contact Ms. Miyoung Kim if you wish to enquire about placing an advertisement for your company in BIFS Newsletter.

[email protected] | 051-742-3332 (#114)



https://bifskorea.openapply.com/

https://bifskorea.openapply.com/


BIFS Newsletter, 2015-08-14 (English)

Documents

bifs community

middle school

school routines

school yearrepresents

nurturing school

exciting school

bifs family

bifs pta5