BIFS Newsletter, 2016-01-15 (English)

7/25/2019 BIFS Newsletter, 2016-01-15 (English)

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BIFS NEWSLETTERUnited in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

Busan International Foreign Schoowww.bifskorea.org| [email protected]| T. 82 51 742 33

ISSUE 39, January 15, 2016

Welcome to 2016! As we resume school, we look forward to the exciting things that each of our students wiscover and accomplish as they continue to thrive in the new year ahead! We hope your holiday was relaxinnd refreshing. Our students have returned with renewed enthusiasm for the exploration and learning thawaits them! The start of the new year is a time for us all to set new goals, to dream new dreams and toontinue to pursue our passions! I can think of no better place for our students to do these great things than aFS!

is a new year according to the calendar but we are just at the halfway point of our school year. Many peoplse the start of the new year to set new goals or to make resolutions. May I suggest a resolution for us all tonsider? Why not resolve to be more involved in new ways in your childs education this year? Studies showhat students whose parents are involved in their education learn more, have better grades, have a bettettitude toward school than those with less involved parents. Getting involved in your childs education can be ample as talking with your child each day about school and what they are learning. Your increased involvemenould also include joining the PTA, volunteering to help out in the classroom or on a field trip, or reading to youhild or having them read to you. Your actions and interest can show your child how much you value educationd their learning. What could be a better resolution than that?

Welcome back home! Welcome back to your community! Welcome to a new year filled with granpportunities!

n Baker

ad of School

Whole SchoolNew Year Resolutions

015-16 Second Semester School Fee Payment

he 2015-16 second semester school fee invoice was sent by email and post on November 30. If you haven`eceived the invoice, please contact the Finance Office. Please note the payment is due by Friday, January 15or further information, please contact the Finance Office (051-743-3332 | [email protected]).
http://www.bifskorea.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.bifskorea.org/


3/18




BIFS Parent Workshop

Welcome back from your winter holiday. We hope that you enjoyed your time with family andiends. It is good to have a change of pace to get rested for the second half of the schoolear.

n Wednesday, 20 January will be our next PTA meeting. The Hot Topic will be a visitors guide to Geoje IslandWe hope you will make time to get involved in BIFS PTA! PTA supports BIFS by making a unique and energetic

mily-oriented school. That can only happen with your involvement, so make it your New Years Resolutions tupport BIFS PTA. Come to Wednesdays meeting. Thank you!

igh School families are needed Please read in the newsletter (issued on December 11) about thMath Mania and Leadership Conference which BIFS is sponsoring January 28 -31. Twelve more host families ar

eeded to house the visiting students. Please show your hospitality and BIFS pride! Email Marty [email protected]) that you can house two students.ou have room. Borrow an air mattress. We can do it!

gn up for our BIFS PTA Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/groups/bifsssg/

Priedeman

President

ease come to our next BIFS Parent Workshop on Wednesday, January 20 We will be focusing on welcominur new parents and families.

me: 9-10 AM

ace: ES Hall (B5.5)

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

PTA News
http://www.bifskorea.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/groups/bifsssg/https://www.facebook.com/groups/bifsssg/https://www.facebook.com/groups/bifsssg/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.bifskorea.org/


4/18




Re-Enrollment for the 2016-17 Academic Year

FS

will

conduct

an

annual

re-enrolment

process

to

obtain

commitment

from

families

regarding

their

plans

foheupcomingschoolyear.TheformwillbesentoutbyemailonMonday,February1.Familieswhowishtorenroll

or

leave

for

the

school

year

beginning

August

2016

must

complete

the

re-enrolment

form

via

email

by

February

12.

To

continue

enrolment

at

BIFS

for

the

2016-17

academic

year,

a

non-refundable

re-

payment

of

2,000,000

won

must

be

made

by

Monday,

February

29.

The invoice will be sent toarents via email by Wednesday, February 17. Further questions, please contact the admissions [email protected]

|

051-742-3332,

extension

#

100

or

101)

Changes to School Lunch System (Starting from Tue, Jan. 19)School lunch is provided either through Meal Pass (semester or annual payment plan) or the new daily paMeal Coupon system.For the daily pay option, students can purchase coupons at the automated coupon vending machine locatein the cafeteria. Students then should turn in their coupon in the coupon box before meal.Please [email protected] questions regarding school lunch.

al Pass

The school will provide a sticker to students who are on the Meal Pass--homeroom teacher will hand out thstickers to students. Please place this sticker at the back, bottom section of the student ID card. Students withMeal Pass can simply show the sticker to eat school lunch and no coupon is required.The Meal Pass sticker is nontransferable. You may not use someone elses Meal Pass to eat lunch.If the Meal Pass sticker is lost, it can be reissued upon verification.There will be no refund for skipped or missed lunch due to students personal reasons (i.e. absence).If a student transfers to a different school, the remaining lunch fee will be refunded. (Student must return thMeal Pass back to school)

Coupon

Customers can purchase Meal Coupon through the automated coupon machine located in the schoocafeteria. You can purchase the coupon with cash or Korean debit/credit card.

Those with daily pay program or school visitors can use this option.If you want, you can purchase coupons in bulk (10 or 20) in advance through the coupon machine. This wiavoid lines at the machine during lunch time.The school is not responsible for lost coupons and there will be no refund.The coupon machine will be available for use starting on Friday, January 15. Because we are expecting longlines for the machine on Tuesday, January 19, please plan ahead and purchase meal coupons in advance.
http://www.bifskorea.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.bifskorea.org/


5/18




Changes to School Lunch System (Starting from Tue, Jan. 19) - Continued

Packed Lunch Request for Field TripsIf a student doesnt have a Meal Pass, and wishes to purchase packed lunch for field trip, student must submthe Meal Coupon to homeroom teacher or the teacher in charge of the field trip.Students from the ELC to Grade 2 can purchase and turn in the Grade 3 through 5 Meal Coupon for fieldtrips.

Bus Operation Protocol In Bad Weather Conditions
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6/18




Thank You from HeeRakWon

ear Mr. Kevin Baker,

May your Christmas sparkle with moments of joy, laughter and grace, and may the coming year be filled withove, joy and contentment.

our students and Ms. Mary ONeill have helped a lot of children in HeeRakWon (chidlrens home in Busanhrough this whole year. They visited us with great music concerts sometimes, and lots of toys and stories thampressed our children deeply and made them smile and warm with their lovely approach. I and all my sociaorkers do really appreciate it, and we do believe it all came from your great supervision as the Head of Schoohank you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the HeeRakWon Family!

ncerely yours,

y Soang Park


7/18




The Flu

u season typically peaks from December through February and South Korea is experiencing this peakarticularly among school-aged children, as reported by the Korean Center for Disease Control.

he flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus and infects the nose, throat, andngs. Here is some additional information to help combat flu season:

w does the flu spread?

u viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. Surfaces and handontaminated with nose, mouth, or throat secretions can also spread influenza viruses.

at are the symptoms of the flu?ymptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chillstigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.

w long can a sick person spread the flu to others?

eople with the flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5~7 days after.

is influenza treated?

ou will need nothing more than bed rest and plenty of fluids.ntiviral medications are available by prescription that may reduce the length of illness and help prevent seriou

omplications. Over-the-counter medications, when used as directed, may lessen fever, headache, and musclches.

w can I protect my child against the flu?

Annual flu vaccines are recommended for all persons 6 months and older, unless you have a contraindicatioto the vaccine. A new flu vaccine is made each year to protect against the flu viruses that research indicateare most likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season.Encourage your child to practice good health habits such as a washing their hands, not sharing drinks ofood, and covering their faces when sneezing and coughing.

en can child go back to school after having the flu?

eep your child home from school for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. (Fever should be gone withouhe use of a fever-reducing medicine.) A fever is defined as 100F (37.8C) or higher.


8/18




T Services - Apple Computer Discounts

IT Services has negotiated a range of discounted prices on Apple products for staff andstudents at BIFS, from our Apple equipment vendor, ComIT.

avings are typically around 12% for MacBook laptops and iMacs, 11% on Mac Minis, 8% on iPad Airs, and 6%n iPad Minis. For example:

a 13.3" MacBook Air with a 1.6GHz Core i5 CPU, 4GB RAM and 256GB SSD is currently 1,205,4000 KRWversus a 1,370,000 KRW retail pricea 13.3" MacBook Pro Retina with a 2.7GHz Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD is currently 1,619,200 KRWversus 1,840,000 KRW retail price

o view a list of available products and order, please visit the following web addresses:

(Korean)

you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Old Dolls Needed!ello, my name is Emma Ling and I am in the Grade 11 IB art class. For my project I am manipulating dolls toreate new artworks. It would be very helpful for me if people could drop off their dolls that are old, broken, oo longer needed at the ES office if they are in elementary school, or in C4.1 if they are in middle or high schoowill pick them up on Friday, January 15, but if you find anything after that, then please contact me [email protected]. Thank you!

PE Uniform ShopHE PE UNIFORM SHOPis open Monday thru Thursday! Please check the calendar on the BIFS website for actuahop hours each week.Note: Shop hours are determined by the availability of our volunteers!

is a great time to consider your cold weather PE Uniform options Stop by the PE Uniform Shop and let u

p you

Also available: BIFS blankets, coffee mugs and Eco-bags

ur vendor has indicated that he is changing factories because of quality issues. If you are having difficulty with the quality of youniform, 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.
http://www.bifskorea.org/mailto:[email protected]://bit.ly/itservices-apple-listhttp://bit.ly/itservices-order-formhttp://bit.ly/itservices-order-krmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://bit.ly/itservices-order-krhttp://bit.ly/itservices-order-formhttp://bit.ly/itservices-apple-listmailto:[email protected]://www.bifskorea.org/


9/18




Lunch Menu

Cafeteria Menu: January 18-22

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

Sandwich Bar


10/18




Elementary School

Three-Way Conferences

1

We invite parents and students to meet with teachers on January 21, between 12:40-6:40. There will be a noonsmissal (half day) on the 21st to accommodate conferences. Some conferences will also be held after the fuay of school on January 22 between 3:40-4:40 as needed.Please note that electives wil l be cancel led on both

21 and22.

amilies will receive the first semester report card on January 15. The conferences allow us to collaborativelarify any questions from the report, set goals for the second semester, and celebrate your childs progress.

hildren are welcome to bus home and return with parents for the conference. Alternately children can bollected by parents and supervised until the time of the conference. Children on campus are to be supervisedrectly by a parent, as our faculty will all be occupied in conferences. Thank you for keeping your child saffter school.

Bus Schedule

an 21Regular service after school at 12:00 (noon dismissal)Ulsan and Geoje families only -- busesfrom BIFS at 5:00 PM on January 21.

an 22Regular service departing at 3:40 and 4:40 (no electives for ES).

ease contact the bus coordinator to make arrangements if you adu lts wish to ride the bus, or if your child wil

t be r iding the bus as usual.

book your conferences: Please clickherefor directions in English, andherefor Korean. The event code . We will keep the sign up form open until January 19 at 3:30.

ease note that you can select meetings with the homeroom teacher as well as all specialist teachers as desired

lcome to 2016

warm welcome to all of our new and returning community members We hope your holidays were warm an

stful, and we look forward to seeing all of our ES families here at BIFS next week for the conferences.
http://www.bifskorea.org/mailto:[email protected]://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9HwMovxNnzpS2tXMnREem4tanc/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9HwMovxNnzpSTBTRnI0TFhsb1k/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9HwMovxNnzpSTBTRnI0TFhsb1k/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9HwMovxNnzpS2tXMnREem4tanc/view?usp=sharingmailto:[email protected]://www.bifskorea.org/


11/18




Parent Coffee

his months Parent Coffee will be on January 27, from 9:00-10:00 at the ES Hall. The topic will be about the PYxhibition in Grade 5.

We welcome all ES parents to attend, and strongly encourage all Grade 5 parents to come and learn morebout how they can support their childs inquiry at home.

What is the PYP Exhibition?he Exhibition is a requirement for students completing their last year in the PYP, typically in Grade (Grade 6 inome schools). All authorized IB PYP schools are required to participate in the exhibition.

uring the Exhibition, students engage in a collaborative inquiry process that involves them in identifyingvestigating and offering solutions to real life issues or problems.

ow can parents help?Support at home by asking questions about their inquiry and listening to their Exhibition stories.Brainstorm ways with your children how you can provide assistance, e.g. finding resources, chaperoningduring trips, etc.Encourage your children when they are stuck.Dont do the work for them!Attend the celebration! (April 22nd for the ES assembly and April 26th for parents)

1

Class Composite Photo Orders

he Class Composite photos have arrived! If your family ordered the class composite, the teachers will have eady for you at the conference next week. If you cannot attend, it will go home in your childs backpack oriday.

Date/Time Event Details

n 15 Report Cards Semester 1 report cards distributed to families

n 21 Half day of school(conference)

Noon dismissal for students to attend 3-wconferences. Parents are to pick their children up ansupervise until conferences begin at 12:40.

n 21, 12:40-6:40 pm Elementary 3-WayConferences

We invite parents and students to conferences in ordeto discuss student progress and next steps for learninAdditional conferences will be held after school on Ja22 as needed for larger classes.

Upcoming Elementary Events


12/18




Upcoming Elementary Events - Continued

1

Date/Time Event Details

n 21 and 22 No electives Electives cancelled due to conferences

n 22, 2:35-3:15 pm Elementary Assembly Students will share about the process of creating anartwork that will represent South Korea for the secondInternational Peace Quilt.

n 27, 9:00-10:00 am Elementary ParentCoffee

Grade 5 Exhibition: This Parent Coffee targeted toGrade 5 parents, but everyone is welcome to join andlearn about the student-led inquiry in the PYP.

n 29, 2:35-3:15 pm Elementary Assembly The Elementary Drama Club will present 'Flakes'. Watas all the flakes in the blizzard help the littlesnowflake see that no two flakes are alike aneveryone is unique!

b 5 School-wide Assembly Lunar New Year Assembly

b 12, 2:35-3:15 pm Elementary Assembly Grade 5 will share what they have learned in their uniabout media literacy and share some of the mediamessages they have created.

incipal

Leda Cedo

PYP Coordinator


13/18




1

Assessing Foundational Reading Skills @ BIFS

n 2000, the National reading Panel (USA) published its findings after evaluating existing research and evidenco find the best ways of teaching children to read. The analysis made it clear that the best approach to readingstruction is one that incorporates phonemic awareness.

honemic awareness is the knowledge that spoken words can be broken apart into smaller segments of soundnown as phonemes. Specifically, it is the ability to tune into the separate single sounds, to be able to play withem, blend them together, segment them, swap them around and so on. Identifying the separate soundrovides the foundation for reading.

hildren differ in their phonemic awareness and some will need more instruction than others. The bes

pproach is for teachers to assess phonemic awareness and then plan instruction accordingly.

he Learning Support teachers will be conducting Phonological Awareness testing with all students iindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2 and selectively for some Grade 3 students. We will use the Sutherlanhonological Awareness Test. Each child will be assessed individually for approximately 20 minutes and resultill be shared with classroom teachers in order to inform teaching.

ease contact Michelle Roland, the Head of Special Educational [email protected] you would likny further information.

ational Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) (2000). Report of the National Reading Paneeaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature on reading and it

mplications for reading instruction (NIH Publication No. 00-4769). Washington, DC: U.S. Government PrintingOffice.

Phonological Awareness. Understanding the Reading Process. Web. June 2011.ttp://www.decs.sa.gov.au/literacy
http://www.bifskorea.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.decs.sa.gov.au/literacyhttp://www.decs.sa.gov.au/literacymailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.bifskorea.org/


14/18




Middle School and High SchoolVacation is Fun, But

1

is a common belief that everyone likes to take breaks. If weould, we would all be on a permanent vacation. The onlyroblem is that in reality, most of us must work (or go tochool). We are lucky in that BIFS is a great place to be. Thiseek we have noticed students are excited to be back withiends and ready to finish the second half of the year. On

Monday there were many hugs and smiles as students and

aff were able to reconnect with each other.

We are in our last week of the semester and report cards wille sent home on Friday. You should receive an email from

ManageBac to notify you that your report card is ready. If you

Jamie Robb

High School Principalincipal

ont, please contact the MHS office and we will help to get the problem resolved. If you have any questionbout the information on the report card, please dont hesitate to reach out to teachers. Together we canevelop students skills and knowledge.

Volunteers Needed in Korean Class for Foreigners

he Korean class needs Korean native speakers help. We would like to offer students various experiences iearning Korean. Our students require opportunities to communicate with native speakers.

you want to work together and support the students in Mrs. Lee's class please email to [email protected] your available time and day to make a timetable. Your help can make a significant difference to a student

rogress. Thanks in advance.

hee Lee

Language Acquisition Korean & IB Korean B Teacher
http://www.bifskorea.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.bifskorea.org/


15/18




Middle School Ski Trip 2016

he 2016 Middle School Ski trip will take place from 26 to 29 of February. Skiers and snowboarders will be goingo Phoenox Park near Seoul, which offers some of the best slopes Korea can offer. Detailed information of thip can be found here. We can take a maximum of 38 students, so if you are interested please fill out the

le Form as soon as you can. Participants will be accepted on a first come first ski basis.

1
http://www.bifskorea.org/mailto:[email protected]://docs.google.com/document/d/1A0010a5L3TvUMgqATSIV8lpecktKJWYaxkPfLCtpaJ0/edit#heading=h.r8nerppxh7dvhttps://docs.google.com/a/bifskorea.org/forms/d/17mxnEa41W9cgw4Zkn1kFe24NPiyjs3DTM7A_-TrzYj0/edit?usp=drive_webhttps://docs.google.com/a/bifskorea.org/forms/d/17mxnEa41W9cgw4Zkn1kFe24NPiyjs3DTM7A_-TrzYj0/edit?usp=drive_webhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1A0010a5L3TvUMgqATSIV8lpecktKJWYaxkPfLCtpaJ0/edit#heading=h.r8nerppxh7dvmailto:[email protected]://www.bifskorea.org/


16/18




For Your Diary

1

5th End of Semester 1

Report Cards Distributed

ES Assembly

20th BIFS Parent Workshop

PTA Meeting

21th ES-Conferences / MHS-PD

Noon Dismissal

22th ES Assembly

ES-Conferences (as needed)

23rd MS Volleyball @ ISK Geoje

26th-31st ISCMS Music Festival Trip

27th ES Parent Coffee (Exhibition)

28th KIMEA Middle School Choir Festival

29th ES Assembly

February 2016

1st-15th ES Electives Registration

2nd KIMEA Middle School Honor Band Festival

3rd MHS Parent Coffee

5th End S02 CCA/Elective

Registration deadline for ABRSM Music Theoryand Practical Exams

Lunar New Year Assembly

8th-9th Lunar New Year Holiday

12th-13th KIMEA High School Music Festival

12th HS Assembly

ES Assembly

19th-20th KIMEA National Honors Festival

19th ES Assembly

22nd Start S03 CCA/Elective

24th BIFS Parent Workshop

PTA Meeting

25th Spring Open House

26th-29th MS Ski Trip 2016

26th ES Assembly


17/18


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www bifskorea org | enquiries@bifskorea org | T 82 51 742 33


School & Community Links

1

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

[email protected]| 051-742-3332 (#114)
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BIFS Newsletter, 2016-01-15 (English)

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