BIFS Newsletter, 2015-09-04 (English)

BIFS NEWSLETTERUnited in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

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

ISSUE 24, September 04 2015

ContentsWhole School1. It All Starts with the Student at the Center2. AGM Announcement from the Board of Governors3. PTA News4. PE Uniform Shop5. School Buses6. Image Rights Permission7. Korean Chuseok Celebration Event8. TEDxYouth@BIFS Returns9. Substitute Teachers Needed!10. Medical Update11. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease12. Cafeteria Menu

Elementary School1. Intake Conferences - We Hear You!2. PE Teacher Announcement3. Upcoming Events4. Instrumental Lessons

Middle School and High School1. Ready... Set... GO!2. High School News3. Instrumental Lessons4. Australian Mathematics Competition 20155. College Visits6. Athletics Program

For Your Diary

BIFS Annual Calendar 2015-2016

School & Community Links

(Click to jump straight to the article -home icon brings you back to Contents)

http://www.bifskorea.org/

mailto:[email protected]




If you look in our guiding statements at what we believe, you will see that our very first declaration is, “Webelieve that students are to be at the center of all that we do.” This is not just a saying, it is a core value at BIFSthat guides all of our decisions, planning and programs. Our students are the heart of what motivates us toprovide the very best international education. This focus is what makes our school special as we daily seek to be“United in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality”.

Thank you for your support as we continue to keep our students at the center of all we do, and for yourcontributions in making BIFS such a special school!

Kevin BakerHead of School

Welcome to September! This has been a great week at BIFS! Wehad an enthusiastic parent coffee and the first PTA meeting of theyear, our middle and high school students participated in excitingteam building camp experiences around Korea, after schoolactivities were in full swing and student assemblies have alreadybegun!

Speaking of assemblies, I was invited to be a special guest at ourElementary School assembly recently. I was asked to welcome ourstudents, share what makes BIFS so special and share one of myfavorite books. I shared with our students that THEY are what makes

Whole SchoolIt All Starts with the Student at the Center

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http://goo.gl/hUl9J3

BIFS so special. We are so fortunate to be able to work with students from so many different parts of the worldwho have such a broad range of gifts and passions! This tied into the book I shared, “You Are Special” by MaxLucado. Our special students are at the heart of what we believe and do at BIFS.






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The Annual General Meeting of the Board of Governors will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.on the 5th floor of the Elementary School Building. There are four Board vacancies up for election at this AGM -please refer to the letter from the Chairman of the Board of Governors and the nomination forms uploaded onthe school website: http://bifskorea.org/news/44.php

We had our first PTA meeting of the year on Wednesday and had a great turn out. We talkedabout PTA volunteer opportunities. Check the PTA minutes for details on PTA Facebook pageand in the Parent’s Room. Clair, our Social Director, discussed Fall Family Festival. We dependon volunteers to have a successful event. We ended with a Hanbok presentation by Joy andlearned about the Korean dress.

PTA News

Chuseok celebration is happening on Friday, 25 September at 9:00 – 12:00pm. We need 45 parent volunteersfor BIFS school wide. I volunteered last year and it was great fun to see our children learning about Koreanculture. There are 5 different stations: Stamping, Calligraphy, Yut Nori (a Korean game), Korean Wrestling, andKorean Food (16 Korean mothers are needed for this.) You do not need any previous experience or Koreanknowledge. The BIFS Korean teachers will explain what to do. Don’t put it off. Get your calendar out and sign upusing the link below. Thank you!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094aa5a823a46-chuseok

PTA is going on a field trip to Busanjin, the fabric market, and the flower market on Tuesday, 15 September 9am– 12pm. All are invited. We will meet at the school at 9am, leave on a school bus to go Busanjin, and have a biteto eat. Then we will take a fifteen-minute walk to the flower market, spend an hour or so, and then walk back tothe bus. Watch for the Sign-up Genius to sign up.

Please add your yourself to PTA Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bifsssg. For now, it is the bestway to communicate with you.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.

Be your kid’s biggest fan!

Be PTA!

AGM Announcement from the Board of Governors



http://bifskorea.org/news/44.php

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094aa5a823a46-chuseok

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bifsssg





THE PE UNIFORM SHOP is now open Monday thru Thursday and some Fridays! Please check the calendar onthe BIFS website for actual shop hours each week. Note: Shop hours are determined by the availability of ourvolunteers!

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 looking for only THREE more volunteers!!!1. 2nd Mondays (8:30-12) OR2. 1st and 3rd Fridays (10-2) OR3. 2nd & 4th Fridays (10-2)

Each volunteer is scheduled to work the same day each month so you can easily make other plans! Bring a friend and have some fun!!Training provided!! For more information, drop by the shop or email [email protected].

PE Uniform Shop

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Please remind your children to take their respective buses after their electives. Help us avoidstudents missing their elective classes and taking the wrong bus home.

We have a new bus driver for Bus #1 starting on Monday, September 7th. His name is Mr. KiHwan Kim.

Finally, please remember to contact the Bus Coordinator ([email protected])before 12 noon to request any bus adjustments for the day.

School Buses

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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









On September 25 the Korean Department is happy to hold this event once again. From 9 to noon the wholeschool will have the chance to participate in various Korean related activities that will prove great opportunitiesto learn more about our host country. Once again the PTA will play a key role in this event, with parents servingalongside teachers to help out in the day's events. Chuseok is the Korean harvest festival, a time when peopletook time to celebrate the crops and share food and companionship with their families and loved ones. This willbe a great chance for our greater BIFS family to come together, and the event will even have a Koreantraditional lunch provided by our chefs. For inquiries please contact Ms. Jin Young Shin at [email protected].

Korean Chuseok Celebration Event

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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/




1. Definition: Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a virus infection that causes a blister-like rash.2. Symptoms :

• Runny nose, low-grade fever, sore throat• Painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks• A red rash, without itching but sometimes with blistering, on the palms, soles and sometimes the

buttocks.3. Spread :

• By coughing and sneezing (Respiratory droplets spray into the air)• By touching contaminated hands, surfaces, and objects (nasal secretions or throat discharge, saliva,

fluid from blisters, stool)4. Contagious Period: during first week of illness. The virus can remain in his or her body for a few weeks after

the signs and symptoms are gone.5. Prevention: Maintaining proper hygiene such as frequent hand washing.

Medical Update

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Welcome 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 and returningstudents 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’s website.You may email completed forms to [email protected] or drop them by the nurseoffice 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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We would like to inform you that there has been a recent case of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in the ELC.Please refer to below information and observe your child for any signs or symptoms of infection.

If you think your child has Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, your child should stay home until the fever is gone,mouth sores have healed, and your child is healthy enough for routine activities. Please do not hesitate tocontact the nurse office at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.



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







September 7 - 11

Cafeteria Menu

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






Elementary SchoolIntake Conferences - We Hear You!

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“I and my husband were pleased with the conference.” “We prefer 10 minutes more....”“It was really good to do this conference. It is the first time I have ever had a teacher/parent conference at the beginning of a school year. I think it is a very good idea. I don't see any need for improvement.”“I felt this quite worthwhile. I happened (as a man, working normally at my work site) to be able to attend....”“Longer time slots, morning conference option”

Thank you for taking time to provide us feedback about the goal-setting conference. We will definitely consideryour suggestions as we prepare for our next conferences.






Elementary School

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Upcoming Events

.Date/Time Event Details

September 9, 1:30-3:00 Back to School Afternoon This is an opportunity for parents to learn aboutthe grade-level academic program and moreclass-specific information.

September 11, 2:35-3:20 PYP Assembly What do the IB Learner Profile attributes mean inthe context of BIFS?

September 14 Teacher Inservice Day No School for Students

September 16, 8:40-9:40 ES Parent Coffee - Writing Workshop

Learn about the writer’s workshop approach fromMegan McCrindle. Megan will be working all weekwith our ES teachers to help our students becomemore proficient writers.

September 25, 1:30-3:20 School wide Chuseok Event BIFS celebrates and learns about the Chuseokholiday.

October 14, 9:00-10:00 Elementary Parent Coffee The PYP and Inquiry-Based Learning

Last week we received Curtis Glasgo’s letter of resignation, as he and his wife must leave Busan due to personalreasons. We wish him all the best in the future! In the meantime, BIFS has a full-time substitute teacher on staff -- Colin Fox Davis - who will take over Mr. Glasgo’s PE teaching role while we look for a permanent elementaryPE teacher. We are looking both internationally and locally to find another wonderful, qualified teacher to takethe role.

PE Teacher Announcement

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Instrumental LessonsIf you would like your son/daughter to learn a musical instrument or continue studying their current instrumenthere at school during the school day, then please fill out the Instrumental Lessons Application Form that hasalready been emailed to you.

Instrumental Lessons started the week of August 31st. Lessons are 30 minutes in length and cost KRW 25,000per lesson for all instruments and all levels.

Available instrumental lessons for Elementary Students are: Piano, Violin, Viola, Music Theory, Flute, Clarinet,Saxophone and Trumpet.

If you are unable to access the form or have any questions please email [email protected].

Link to Elementary School Form: https://docs.google.com/a/bifskorea.org/forms/d/19bW8UwoPGyhNjS0Q643LW6YUeBupAZLirmymSrPG4zk/viewform

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https://docs.google.com/a/bifskorea.org/forms/d/19bW8UwoPGyhNjS0Q643LW6YUeBupAZLirmymSrPG4zk/viewform




Middle School and High SchoolReady... Set... GO!

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This week our Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) started for our middle school students. Mr. Craig Wilson hasworked hard to set up an incredible program that strengthens our students’ minds and bodies. I am so proud ofthe many different things that are offered to students.

Research is very clear on students being active in programs after school. A paper from the Institute of EducationSciences states that students who participate in afterschool activities, attend school and class, get good grades,do well on assessments, and are more likely to attend college. I know that when I was in school, participation inathletics made me schedule my time wisely and helped me with my social skills. There are many more benefitsso be sure to consider having your child participate.

If you are interested in stopping by to participate in your child's activities, we would love to have you join in. Iwill be making my own T-Shirt and playing Ultimate Frisbee. I also hope to try some of the other CCAs as well. Ihope you can find time to come be involved. Just look at how much fun the students are having... don't youwant to be a child again?...............................................................................................................................................................

Nate SwensonMiddle School Principal



http://nces.ed.gov/pubs95/web/95741.asp




High School NewsA Balancing Act

It was wonderful to get outside at the end of the day and seestudents participating in the CCAs. As adults we can get caughtup in our work and forget the importance of other aspects of ourlives. Work gets busy, we get stressed, and we sometimes forgetabout making sure we have “balance”. Yes, work is extremelyimportant, however so is our overall health and creating balancein our lives. What about our children? Throughout the year,students have the opportunity to participate in many athleticteams, clubs and a variety of activities. Participating in activities

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or athletics outside of the classroom is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop other skills, such ascollaboration, teamwork and leadership. We strive to present opportunities for students to develop in all areas ofthe curriculum; social, emotional and academic. Students have the opportunity to develop strong connections tothe school community, and in some instances, the larger community. Encourage your child to get involved, butmake sure that they have a healthy balance between work and play. Having said that, the reverse also bearsconsideration. Students also need to have “down time” between their studies and activities. On Tuesday,September 8 we will be hosting a Grade 11 Parent Information Evening at 7:00 pm in the MHS Hall - The focusof this evening will be the "balancing act" for IB Diploma Programme and Courses students.

Who Do I Call?

As I have mentioned in past articles, communication from school to home is a major areaof focus this year. However, communication from home to school is also critical to oursuccess. As your child has many teachers it is difficult to know who to call. If your child isexperiencing academic difficulties, or you have specific questions about a particularsubject, you should begin by calling or e-mailing your child’s subject teacher. This isalways the best course of action, as the subject teacher has the most information aboutthe progress of your child.http://goo.gl/SXYWF3

Grade 9 Head of Year Ceejay Jader [email protected] 10 Head of Year Graham Young [email protected] 11/12 Head of Year Daun Yorke [email protected]

Guidance Counsellors Bence Brown [email protected] Whitney [email protected]

It is important to think about who to call under what circumstance, but if you are uncertain, you can alwaysreach out to the high school office and contact me ([email protected]).

Mr. RobbHigh School Principal











Instrumental LessonsIf you would like your son/daughter to learn a musical instrument or continue studying their current instrumenthere at school during the school day, then please fill out the Instrumental Lessons Application Form that hasalready been emailed to you.

Instrumental Lessons started the week of August 31st. Lessons are 30 minutes in length and cost KRW 25,000per lesson for all instruments and all levels.

Available instrumental lessons for Middle School and High School Students are: Piano, Violin, Viola, MusicTheory, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Singing, Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar.

If you are unable to access the form or have any questions please email [email protected].

Link to Middle School and High School Form:https://docs.google.com/a/bifskorea.org/forms/d/1l-6jGoCSKZheaEq0pg_9Z_gUCnZfU9TxZjdC2Xpq-18/viewform

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https://docs.google.com/a/bifskorea.org/forms/d/1l-6jGoCSKZheaEq0pg_9Z_gUCnZfU9TxZjdC2Xpq-18/viewform




BIFS is pleased to announce that we are taking part in the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) this year.The AMC has run every year since 1978 and is a significant international Mathematics Competition. It givesstudents external recognition of their achievements and prizes for excellent achievers. It would normally becarried out on 31 July 2015. However, our school is still on holiday at that time. Therefore it has been scheduledto run on Thursday 10th September 2015. For the competition, about 40 participants from grade 6 to 11 at BIFSwill be sat in a venue under examination conditions during the school hours. The time allowed is 60 minutes forstudent up to and including grade 7 and 75 minutes for all students in grade 8 and above. We have a growinggroup of gifted and talented students in mathematics at BIFS that we need to celebrate and promote together. Ifyour child has missed the chance to enter the competition, make sure she/he does next year!! Mathematicsrocks!!!

Australian Mathematics Competition 2015

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College Visits

Date College

September 1 Miami University, OxfordUniversity of Minnesota, Twin CitiesUniversity of OregonUniversity of Vermont

September 8 St. George’s University (Caribbean)

September 18 North Carolina State University

September 25 Widener UniversityAugustana CollegeUniversity of California, Santa CruzCreighton UniversityFordham University - Lincoln Center Campus/Rose Hill CampusIowa State University

October 1 University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

October 7 Hampshire CollegeLynchburg CollegeUniversity of Puget SoundSaint Mary's College of California

October 8 University of Connecticut

October 12 Calvin CollegeThe College of Wooster

October 20 University of Missouri ColumbiaUniversity of Colorado at BoulderThe University of Iowa

Each year BIFS receives university recruitment visits from universities from all over the world. The following is thelist of universities that have been scheduled so far to visit BIFS. We anticipate getting many more throughout theschool year.

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We are pleased to inform you of the options available to you and your child for this year’s athletic program. Asin the past, we have made commitments to compete in both the KISAC and SKAK conferences. As you haveexperienced, these conferences offer our students opportunities to travel and compete locally as well as in Seouland Jeju. The school has made a commitment to continue to subsidize some of the expense, but we mustcharge a fee of 400,000 Korean Won to all athletes to continue to cover all the expenses.

All KISAC tournaments will be two day events which may require flights to Jeju Island with overnights and meals.All transportation, meals and hotel costs will be covered by the fees.

Students interested in being part of a sports team will have to pay the fee before tryouts begin. Those notchosen for the team will receive a full refund on the fee. Those chosen for the team will be expected to attendall practices and competitions for the entire season, communicating with the coach if there are any conflicts. Norefunds will be made after try-outs have been completed. There will be a few more games added as the seasonprogresses. This cannot be prevented.

Elementary Sports will be offered through the elective program. No charge will be assessed this year. No longdistance travel or overnights are planned.

Thank you for your support,

Marty Wagner Athletic Director

Athletic Program

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Please note BIFS preferred payment form is money transfer in Korean WonPlease include the Student’s first name and the Sport they are interested in - MS Soccer or HS Volleyball.Please refer to following wire transfer information.

• Bank Name : Korea Exchange Bank• Branch Name : Haeundae Sindosi Branch• Account Name: Busan International Foreign School (부산국제외국인학교)• Account No : 630-007509-930 (KRW)• SWIFT Code: KOEXKRSE• Bank Address: 1448, Jwa-2-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, 612-753, South Korea• Tel: +82 51 701 0071• Fax: +82 51 701 0073

* If wire transfer is not convenient, please come to school finance office and pay directly.






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Seasons Sports Events & Location Date Cost

Fall(Aug - Oct) Volleyball

SKAC Volleyball @BIFSSKAC Volleyball Championships @BIFS KISAC Red Tournament @BIFS KISAC Blue Tournament @BISC (Girls), CI (Boys)

Sept 12Oct 5Oct 16 & 17

400,000won

Cross Country SKAC X country Meet @HIS SKAC X country Meet @HFS KISAC X country Meet @Jeju

Sept 17Oct 7Oct 11

TBD

Winter(Nov - Feb)

Basketball SKAC RED @DIS SKAC Blue @GIFSKISAC Blue tournament @SUNY SKAC Girls @BFS SKAC Boys @BIFS KISAC Red @CCS

Nov 14Nov 14Jan 30Dec 7Dec 7

400,000won

Spring(March – May)

Soccer SKAC HS Futsal @BIFS KISAC Red Soccer @BHA/KISJ KISAC Blue Soccer @CI SKAC Red futsal @HIS SKAC Blue Futsal @GIFS

April 16April 22 & 23April 30Mar 17Mar 17

400,000won

Seasons Sports Events & Location Date Cost

Fall(Aug - Nov)

Soccer MS SKAC Futsal @DIS MS Soccer RED @KISJ/BHAMS KISAC Blue @CI MS SKAC Futsal @DIS MS U13 Girls @DCSL MS U13 Boys @CI MS Futsal @HIS

Sept 19Oct 9, 10Oct 17Oct 21 Oct 24Oct 24Nov 11

400,000won

Cross Country

SKAC X country Meet @HIS KISAC X country Meet @Jeju

Sept 17Oct 11

TBD

Winter(Nov - Feb)

Volleyball MS SKAC @ISK MS KISAC Red @BIFS MS SKAC @BIFS MS KISAC Blue @BISC (Girls) MS KISAC Blue @CI (Boys)

Jan 23Feb 19, 20Feb 25

400,000won

Spring(March - May)

Basketball &Track

Jamboree in Daegu & BusanTournament in Seoul

400,000won

Seasons for High School

Seasons for Middle School






For Your DiarySeptember 20154th • ES Assembly – ES Hall

8th • Grade 11 Parent Information Night - Welcome to DP

9th • ES Back-To-School Parent Afternoon

• Grade 12 University/DP2 Parent Night

10th • AMC (Mathematics Competition)

11th • ES Assembly

• HS Assembly

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

15th – 18th • ES Writing Workshop Training

16th • ES Parent Coffee - Writing Workshop(Trainer: Megan McCrindle)

17th • MS & HS Back to School Night


19th • TEDxYouth@BIFS

23rd • MS Parent Coffee

25th • Whole School Chuseok Event

28th – 29th • Chuseok Holiday

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October 20152nd • ES Assembly

3rd • BIFS BOG AGM

7th • BIFS Parent Coffee

• PTA Meeting

8th • Whole School Meeting

9th • Staff Professional Development Day - No School for Students

14th • ES Parent Coffee

14th – 16th • Grade 5 Camp


17th • Global Gathering @ Busan Citizens Park

20th • MS/HS Skype Interviews

• Schoolwide 3-Way Conferences

21st • MS Parent Coffee

23rd • ES Assembly

• HS House Assembly

24th • PTA Fall Family Festival

28th • One Act Plays

• HS Parent Coffee

29th – 30th • Campus Photography International Taking Student Photos

30th • End S01 CCA/Elective

• ES Book Character Day

• ES Assembly

• MS House Assembly

• MS/HS Halloween Dance



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School & Community Links

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Please contact Ms. Miyoung Kim if you wish to inquire about promoting your company in the BIFS Newsletter.

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



https://bifskorea.openapply.com/

https://bifskorea.openapply.com/


BIFS Newsletter, 2015-09-04 (English)

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