BIFS Newsletter, 2015-10-30 (English)

BIFS NEWSLETTERUnited in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

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

ISSUE 32, October 30, 2015

ContentsWhole School1. Learning to “Fail Well”2. BIFS Parent Coffee3. PE Uniform Shop4. School Buses5. TEDxYouth@BIFS Videos Available6. Image Rights Permission7. PTA News8. Fall Family Festival 20159. From the Music Department10. Flu Vaccine Information11. Cafeteria Menu: November 9 - 1312. Turkeys Available from Chef Kim

Elementary School1. Thank You Student Council!2. Field Trips3. Grade 5 Camp4. Elementary School Health Screenings5. Upcoming Events

Middle School and High School1. Celebrating Honors and Efforts2. BIFS Students Take the Lead in Supporting Local Community

For Your Diary

BIFS Annual Calendar 2015-2016

School & Community Links

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Welcome to the fall mid-term holiday! We hope that you and your family will have holiday time filled withdiscovery and relaxation. Everyone has earned a well-deserved break. I hope everyone was able to come outand enjoy the PTA’s super successful Fall Family Festival event last weekend! What an incredible schoolcommunity that BIFS has! Thank you for your support and participation!

Whole SchoolLearning to “Fail Well”

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I want to follow up my last week’s article on “Reflections on Resilience”by exploring in more detail what it means to teach our students to ‘failwell’. Have you ever thought about what it means to ‘fail well’? Societydoes not normally place those two words together in that way. In fact,society often views failure as a negative experience and something to beavoided. However, to avoid failure is a recipe for disaster. Let me explain.

goo.gl/43s77g

Do you realize that the most significant difference between high achievers and underachievers is that highachievers learn how to fail well? What does this mean? A person has learned to fail well if they, first,acknowledge their failures and take responsibility for their actions. Next, they work out what they did wrong andthen they commit to making changes. Finally, and most importantly, they go back and do it again! They do notgive up! In contrast, people that fail badly, seek to shift the blame for their failure onto others or they ignore ordeny that they failed. Sometimes they dramatize the failure to avoid dealing with it and then they avoid anyactivity in the future that could possibly result in failure. They stop trying and they universalize their failure into allareas of their lives.

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So, let me ask you a question, what do you want your students to be able to do – fail well or fail badly? We alldesire our students to grow, learn, become and thrive. In order to do so, they all need the opportunity to failwell. They all need to be taught how to ‘fail well’ and to build up these important life skills. In the end we want tocultivate the mindset that hard work, persistence, resilience, determination are all part of the learning processand that these experiences lead to success. This begins with accepting that failure is an essential part of success!What do you think about ‘failing well’?

Wishing each and every one of our students’ success in the future as we all learn to fail well and to succeed!Have a wonderful holiday!

Kevin BakerHead of School

Learning to “Fail Well” - Continued

THE PE UNIFORM SHOP is now open Monday thru Thursday! Please check the calendar on the BIFS website foractual shop hours each week. Note: Shop hours are determined by the availability of our volunteers!

The weather is starting to cool off so it is a great time to consider your cool weather PE Uniform options!! Stopby the PE Uniform Shop and let us help you!!Also available: BIFS blankets, coffee mugs and Eco-bags!!Our vendor has indicated that he is changing factories because of quality issues. If you are having difficulty with the quality of youruniform, please be sure to let us know! In most cases, we will not be able to replace it but we can ask the vendor to repair it.

PE Uniform Shop

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Please come to the next BIFS Parent Coffee on Wednesday, November 11! MYP and PYP MAP results will bereleased after the break. Teachers from the school's data analysis team will be available to talk about reading theMAP test reports and will share what they learned about Measures of Academic Progress at a professionaldevelopment weekend they attended in Seoul.

• Time: 9-10 AM• Place: ES Hall (B5.5)

Immediately following the BIFS Parent Coffee, the PTA will hold their meeting in the same location. Please jointhe BIFS admin team for a meaningful coffee morning conversation!

BIFS Parent Coffee






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School BusesAfter mid-term break, schedules for several buses will be slightly changed. For the morning buses, bus number#3 and #11 will be slightly adjusted. All afternoon bus schedules will be changed as a new CCA/Elective seasonstarts after break.

Please note, information regarding the changes will be emailed to parents on Thursday, November 5. If youhave any questions, please contact Ms. Noh (Becky), Bus coordinator, at [email protected].

Image Rights PermissionOur 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 Miyoung Kim at [email protected] if you do not wishphotos, videos and audio files featuring your child or yourselves to be used.

TEDxYouth@BIFS Videos AvailableBIFS held its second TedxYouth@BIFS event last month. It was a great success as the thought-provokingspeakers shared their perspectives on a variety of powerful issues! The BIFS student speakers were amazing! Itwas a wonderful afternoon for BIFS and our community! If you missed it, here are videos from the event.





https://goo.gl/IuQCXV




PTA NewsWhat a fabulous Fall Family Festival! I asked several students what their favorite activity wasand many said it was being on the water roller balls. They did look fun! It was wonderful tosee the many painted faces and people enjoying the many other activities.

Congratulations to our Festival’s many winners. John McAnulty became our inaugural Chili Cook-off Champion.The Egg & Spoon Races were won by Louis Vanderwel. The Gumboot Throwing was won by Marnie Stutsel,Taylor Armstrong, Claudia Vanderwel & Kam Shields. Cooper Shields and Kai Armstrong won the PumpkinCarving Contest.

Thank you to everyone who came, cooked, baked, volunteered, judged chili and helped clean up at the FallFamily Festival. It takes a community to put together an event like this. It was wonderful to spend time with ourfamilies and our school community.

There were several items that were left at the Saturday's event. If your family is missing an item, look in theadministration office in the "bus lost and found".

Wednesday, 11 November is our next PTA meeting following the BIFS coffee. The coffee starts at 9:00 am andthe PTA meeting at 10.00am. We will be discussing the end results of the Fall Family Festival and our “Hot Topic”this month is Thanksgiving. Please come along, you will learn more about BIFS as well as enjoying some socialinteraction with other parents. See you there.

Following the PTA meeting, we will be going to eat lunch at a traditional pumpkin duck restaurant in Gijang. Youwill need to sign up so we can order your lunch. The deadline is Monday, November 9 to sign up in order thatwe make our reservation.

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

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




Fall Family Festival 2015

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From the Music DepartmentABRSM Theory Exam

The ABRSM Music Theory Exam will be held here at school on Saturday November 7th, 2015 in C5.1 (5th floorHall) at 2:00 pm. All candidates should be here at school and ready for the exam by 1:45 pm.

KIMEA Music Festival

Auditions for the Kimea National Honors Festival is fast approaching. This festival is for High School studentswho play strings, a band instrument or sing.

All audition audio recordings are due November 3rd, 2015 to Mr. Jefferson ([email protected]). Auditionfees are KRW 10,000 per auditioning student.

The National Honors Festival will be held at Chadwick International School on Friday & Saturday, February 19-20,2016. Total cost for this festival is KRW 250,00 which will include the participation fees, travel andaccommodation costs.

ISCMS Music Festival

The International Schools Choral and Music Society’s festival will be held in Zhuhai, China this year from January27th – January 31st 2016. Rehearsals for the festival will be taking place at Dulwich College Zhuhai. The GalaConcert will be held at the Zhuhai Grand Theatre on Saturday January 30th.

This year’s choir repertoire is: Blessed Pair of Sirens by Parry and Chichester Psalms by Bernstein. Studentswishing to participate in the ISCMS Choir will be required to attend extra rehearsals in order to learn the pieces.No auditions will be required for choir students, however it is expected that students master the pieces prior toarriving at rehearsals. Please note that the choir’s performance at the Gala Concert will be 30 minutes in length.

The orchestra repertoire for this year is: Polovtsian Dances by Borodin, the 2016 winning student Compositionfor the Jenkins Award, Rodeo by Copland, Blessed Pair of Sirens by Parry,Chichester Psalms by Bernstein and a Combined Big Band and Orchestra piece.

Please be aware that any student (returning and new to ISCMS) wishing to perform with the Orchestra or BigBand must audition. All auditions are due to Ms. Khalifeh by November 14th. Auditions submitted on November15th will not be accepted. Audition videos must show clearly both hands of the performer and be no longer than5 minutes duration. Students can select their own choice of piece demonstrating technical and musical ability.

Players who are not offered a seat in the ISCMS Orchestra or Big Band, will be automatically invited to sing inthe ISCMS Festival Chorus so they can enjoy full participation in ISCMS. Wind and brass placements areespecially limited and only the strongest candidates will be successful.

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The total cost of the trip is estimated at KRW 1,400,000 (for shared room) and KRW 1,650,000 (for single room).The fees for this trip will be due by December 1st, 2015.

If you require detailed information about the festival and the trip, please ask your son/daughter to pick up theISCMS information letter from the Music Department.

From the Music Department - Continued

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2014 ISCMS Music Trip to Shanghai






Flu Vaccine InformationFlu (influenza) season is upon us, which means it is the perfect time to think about getting your annual fluvaccine! It takes up to two weeks to develop immunity against the flu, so now is the ideal time to be vaccinatedbefore flu season peaks (usually from November - March).

The flu vaccine is now available at any pediatric, internal medicine, or family doctor clinic. Please contact thenurse at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Here are some helpful facts about the flu and why it is important to obtain the flu vaccine:•Protect yourself and your family.

The best way to protect your family from influenza (flu) is to get everyone in your household vaccinated.Even the healthiest child who’s never had seasonal influenza is at risk and needs to be vaccinated.

•Influenza can worsen chronic medical conditions.Influenza vaccination is especially important for people with compromised immune systems or certainunderlying medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. Influenza can worsen theseconditions or cause serious complications in those who have them.

•Vaccinating the family helps protect vulnerable infants.Children younger than 6 months of age are too young to be vaccinated against influenza, but they areat the greatest risk of hospitalization. To create a protective “cocoon” of immunity around unvaccinatedinfants, parents, siblings, and all other close contacts of the baby should be vaccinated.

•Keep your kids at school and yourself at work.Children have plenty to worry about without having to catch up on missed school work. And when kidsmiss school, parents often lose work days to care for them.

•Your child is exposed more than you think.Children share close quarters inside schools. And let’s face it – their hygiene habits are often less thanstellar! Your child is constantly touching, playing, and sharing with others...this includes sharing the fluvirus!

•The influenza vaccine is safe and effective.Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza. The influenza vaccine can reduce chances of gettingthe flu by 70 to 90 percent and, if someone gets vaccinated but still gets the flu, chances are they willget a less severe case.

•You cannot get sick with the flu from the vaccine.Whether you chose the injection or the nasal spray, the vaccine does not infect a person with the flu.The influenza vaccine contains virus strains that are either inactivated (as in the injected vaccine) orweakened (as in the nasal spray) and matched to the most commonly circulating influenza viruses thatyear. However, it takes two weeks for the vaccine to become effective. It is possible that within those twoweeks an individual – not yet fully protected by the vaccine – can contract and develop influenza.

http://www.preventchildhoodinfluenza.org

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http://www.preventchildhoodinfluenza.org/




Lunch MenuCafeteria Menu: November 9 - 13

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

Sandwich Bar






Turkeys Available from Chef KimChef Kim has kindly offered again to make turkeys available to our BIFSfaculty and parents.

Availability: from Oct 28th to Dec 31st

Menu:

• One uncooked whole turkey (5kg) with cranberry sauce: 65,000 won• One whole cooked turkey (5kg) with stuffing, giblet sauce and cranberrysauce: 90,000 won

How to order: contact Chef Kim, either by

• Mobile Phone: 010-2583-6545 (with a text message), or• Email: [email protected]

Delivery: please pick up your order from the cafeteria on an arrangeddate

Payment: at your convenience upon placing the order, or collecting yourorder

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Elementary SchoolThank You Student Council!

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Thank you to our student leaders for putting together a fun community Halloween event! The entire afternoonwas planned by the Student Council, from the hallway decorations, to the parade and Halloween activities. Itwas fun seeing so many children dressed up in costumes and to have a relaxed afternoon together as acommunity. Thanks to the parents who provided items for the Bake Sale!

Field tripsThe ELC students went on a field trip to a sweet potato farm. The students all had an opportunity to see how thefarm works, and to dig up their own sweet potatoes to bring home.






Grade 5 Camp

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Grade 5 students traveled to Yongin, Seoul and Paju to learn about Korean culture and the conflict betweenNorth and South Korea. They visited the biggest Korean folk village in the country and then entered Seoul toexplore the artifacts, videos and photos from the Korean war at the War Memorial in Yongsan. In the afternoonthe students visited Paju, near the DMZ (demilitarized zone) and entered the Unification village where theyenjoyed a traditional meal and learned how the locals use the soybean they grow in the DMZ to make tofu.

They also visited the 3rd tunnel that the North Koreans dug in the 1960’s and had to endure a steep walk up anddown to the level of the tunnel. Students went to the observatory and used binoculars to look into what couldbe seen of North Korea and lastly visited the last train station before the railroad entered North Korea and theImjingak peace park, where the POW (prisoners of war) were exchanged across the freedom bridge.

The evenings were filled with a talent show, various group games and an impromptu pajama party. It was awonderful trip where the students learned about the place they live and learned more about themselves andeach other.






Elementary School Health ScreeningsAfter our November mid-term break, the Nurse’s Office will be conducting student health screenings for allstudents in Kindergarten through grade 5.

The screenings will include the following:• Height• Weight• Vision Screening

Your child’s height and weight measurements can be used to compare to the standards of other children theirsame age, height, and weight, providing insight into their physical growth and development. The visionscreening is a tool to identify possible visual problems and make appropriate referrals for a professional exam.Early detection and intervention is important if a child has any potential health problems that could interfere withtheir education.

These screenings will be conducted annually at school and the information be shared with you as well as remainin the student's health file year-to-year to help track their growth and development. Students are often veryinterested in the health office and enjoy learning that their bodies are growing. This is a great opportunity forstudents to become familiar with the nurse's office and, most importantly, to promote health and wellness.

I encourage all students to participate in the health screenings! Please complete the emailed permission form orfollow this link to give permission for your child/children to participate.

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

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Upcoming EventsDate/Time Event Details

November 9 Start of Term 2 Electives

November 13 Elective Registration – final day

Final opportunity to add electives classes for Term 2.

November 13, 2:35-3:20 Elementary Assembly November 13 is Random Acts of Kindness Day. Mrs. Toms will read a story about the importance of showing kindness to each other. 'Each Kindness' by Jacqueline Woodson

November 20, 2:35-3:20 Elementary Assembly Grade 2 will be presenting their “Where We Are in Place and Time” unit, which is all about houses and homes. The students will show how Korean homes have changed over time and how houses can be made of different materials depending on the environment in which they are built.



https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1p3aqp89al-7JcYpv8-prXhcwsRjy7LR-U4jol2vfyZc/viewform





Upcoming Events - Continued

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Date/Time Event DetailsNovember 27, 2:35-3:20 Elementary Assembly Grade 4G will share what they have learned during their 'Who

we are' unit of inquiry, and they will teach the Elementary about how to be healthy.

December 4, 2:35-3:20 Elementary Assembly Kindergarten and Grade 1 Korean Language Acquisition Classes will share “Expressing Ideas” and “Communicating with Signs and Symbols” in conjunction with our unit “How We Express Ourselves”.

December 11, 2:35-3:20 Elementary Assembly The Elementary Drama Club will present “Flakes”, a musical celebration of snow, just in time for the holiday season!

We wish you a lovely holiday and safe travels! See you on November 9th!






As part of our MS/HS initiative to celebrate students, we havecommenced an Honors and Efforts Program. At any time, throughoutthe day, when teachers see students “living” the Approaches to Learning(Communication, Social, Self-Management, Research, and Thinking) theycan be given an Honors and Efforts Slip. Students can also receive anHonors and Efforts Slip when they are demonstrating the IB LearnerProfile traits (Inquirers, Open-minded, Knowledgeable, Caring, Risk-Takers, Communicators, Balanced, Principled and Reflective). The idea isto recognize student effort, growth and development and theircontributions to making BIFS a great place to learn and work. Studentscan be wonderful role models for each other and can make an impact onthe environment through their daily actions and interactions. They dowonderful things; learning and growing as individuals every day. Asadults, we guide students in their decision-making, often giving themfeedback and correcting their responses. With this feedback it is soimportant to make sure we have a healthy balance of critique, praise andrecognition. We believe that it is always great for parents to hear abouttheir child’s successes and individual growth directly from the school.

Middle School and High SchoolCelebrating Honors and Efforts

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Jamie RobbHigh School Principal

Nate SwensonMiddle School Principal

When students are recognized through the Honors and Efforts Program both parents and students will receivean email indicating why they are being acknowledged.

goo.gl/JB1ZNI






Student initiative has been strong this year in the High School. Since the beginning of the year, 3 student drivenservices have taken place that have reached out to the Korean community. These efforts were organized andinitiated by the students themselves. These examples of experiential learning support the IB ‘service learningcycle’.

Nina Haldorsen and Hanna Kiste coordinated a clothes drive across the school. Clothes were donated to theBeautifulStore, a non-profit organization that resells the clothes in their stores located around Korea.BeautifulStore donates all their profits to service projects both within Korea and in countries such as Nepal andBangladesh. Donations from both students and teachers exceeded expectations.

BIFS Students Take the Lead in Supporting Local Community

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A small band ofenvironmental warriorsspent a morning on a localbeach cleaning up rubbish2 weeks ago. This projectwas organized by LeilaInyoni, Leovic Agnew andSevval Ezgi Demir. Theywere well supported bymany of their peers, andhope to make this acommunity effort that canbe repeated several times ayear at different locations.

BIFS Students Take the Lead in Supporting Local Community - Continued

This last Saturday we had BIFS community members take part inbuilding houses for Habitat for Humanity. This is the second time BIFShas supported this effort in the last 3 months, but this time it wascoordinated by student Miyu Watanabe. The hope is to form a ‘HabitatClub’ that is responsible for 2 to 3 experiences a year- maybe one in aneighboring country. This experience included participation byteachers, office staff and students.

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For Your Diary

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December 20152nd • HS Parent Coffee

4th • ES Assembly

5th • BIWA Bazaar

9th • BIFS Parent Coffee

• PTA Meeting

11th • HS Assembly

18th • Winter Holiday Assembly

• End of Term 1 – Noon Dismissal

November 20152nd – 6th • Mid-term Holiday

7th • ABRSM Music Theory Exams

9th • Start of S02 CCA/Elective

• ELC Field trip to Gijang Chasung Art Hall

11th • BIFS Parent Coffee

• PTA Meeting

13h • ES Assembly

• HS Assembly

17th • The ABRSM Practical Music Exam

18th • ES Parent Coffee

20th • Battle of the Bands

• ES Assembly

25th • MS Parent Coffee

27th • MHS Movember Assembly

• ES Assembly

30th • G11/12 End of Semester Examinations






School & Community Links

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

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



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BIFS Newsletter, 2015-10-30 (English)

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