BIFS Newsletter, 2016-02-12 (English)

BIFS NEWSLETTERUnited in our Diversity, Thriving in our Individuality

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

ISSUE 43, February 12, 2016

ContentsThis Coming Week at BIFS1. Wed-Thu, Feb 17-18: ACER - ISA Testing (Gr 3-10)2. Wed, Feb 17: ELC Parent Coffee

Whole School1. Keeping Things in Perspective2. BIFS New Articles of Association3. Re-Enrollment for the 2016-17 Academic Year4. School Bus Service at 16:40 from Feb 10-195. Bus Company’s Call Center Information6. BIFS Family Member ID Card Registration7. PTA News8. IT Services - Apple Computer Discounts9. ISA ACER Testing10. BIFS Spring Open House11. PE Uniform Shop12. Cafeteria Menu: Feb 15-1913. Special Lunch: Thai Buffet on Feb 25

Elementary School1. Lunar New Year2. ELC Parent Coffee – Feb 173. Elementary House Assembly – Feb 194. One Hundred Days of Learning5. Field Trip6. Upcoming Elementary Events

Middle School and High School1. Coffee Anyone?2. Making our BIFS Students good Digital Citizens3. Middle School Health Screening4. Personal Project Showcase – Feb 29

For Your Diary

BIFS Annual Calendar 2015-16 & 2016-17

School & Community Links

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

http://www.bifskorea.org/

mailto:[email protected]




It seems everywhere you look, schools, districts, cities, and countries are comparing the various test scores oftheir students and schools in the form of league tables or sophisticated statistical reports. Many are drawn intothe illusion that it is possible to reduce the sum total of a student’s education experience to a single high stakestest score. While it is tempting to try to quantify a student’s learning with a simple score, it unfortunately fails topaint the vibrant and complex masterpiece of each student’s growth and development. At BIFS, by using IBassessment processes, we strive to make each student’s learning visible and vibrant.

At BIFS we conduct a variety of internal and external assessments that serve a formative and a summativepurpose in each student’s learning process. Formative assessments provide feedback on how well a student isattaining new concepts or developing new skills during a unit of inquiry. For example, think of formativeassessment like a cook tasting a delicious soup he or she is preparing. Summative assessments are thoseexperiences that occur at the end of the unit in a cumulating authentic display that demonstrates what learning astudent has achieved. In staying with our cooking analogy, the summative assessment for the cook is when he orshe serves their soup to the customer. Our parent’s participation and encouragement in these processes is vital.Additionally, at BIFS we use a variety of external assessments to help us chart student’s academic progress andto further personalize their learning experiences. For example, already this year, students at BIFS have taken theMAP test, many have taken SAT or ACT tests for universities, this week a number of our students will take theACER test and at the end of the year our grade 12 students will sit their IB exams. Keeping a healthy andbalanced perspective about assessment and test results is important to each student’s development.

Recently, I was forwarded this post on the good news network that highlighted a letter that a school sent to itsstudents that accompanied a test result. I believe it resonates with what our mission and vision is at BIFS. Whatcaught the attention of many on the Internet was the inspiring message the school sent regarding what is reallyimportant when considering their test results. The letter draws attention to the difference between beingdisappointed in a result versus being disappointed in a person. The school further underscores the importanceof reflection and resilience while accepting the belief that each student is more important than any mark on anytest. Finally, the school encourages their students to grow up to be kind, caring, generous loving adults thatmake a positive difference in this world by how they live their lives. While test scores can be valuable for studentsand teachers in the education process, and high test score results are affirming and exciting, it is my hope thatwe do not lose perspective on what is really important in the end – inspired, confident young men and womenwho are equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to explore their passions and change the world!This is the goal of a BIFS education – sounds important, doesn’t it?

Kevin BakerHead of School

Whole SchoolKeeping Things in Perspective

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http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/school-sends-inspiring-letter-with-test-scores-so-kids-know-whats-important/




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As a reminder, if you have not voted for or against the proposed new Articles of Association, please cast yourvote. https://goo.gl/OT1T9T The Articles of Association have been posted in the Parents’ Area on theschool website. We need to hear from all of our parents! Thank you.

BIFS New Articles of Association

Re-Enrollment for the 2016-17 Academic YearBIFS is conducting an annual re-enrollment process to obtain commitment from families regarding their plansfor the upcoming school year. The form was sent out by email on Monday, February 1. Families who wish to re-enroll or leave for the school year beginning August 2016 must complete the re-enrollment form via email byFriday, February 12. To continue enrollment at BIFS for the 2016-17 academic year, a non-refundable re-enrollment payment of 2,000,000 won must be made by Monday, February 29. The invoice will be sent toparents via email by Wednesday, February 17. Further questions, please contact the Admissions office.([email protected] | 051-742-3332, extension # 100 or 101)

School Bus Service at 16:40 from Feb 10-19• Busan: three buses available

- One 45-seater (a different bus will run everyday): Marine City area (Zenith, Camelia and Pale de CZ)- Two 25-seaters: #1 (Centum area), #2 (Dalmaji and Jungdong area)

• Ulsan: #20, #23• Geoje: #30

Bus routes at 16:40 are not fixed, and could change depending on bus riders. If you are not sure of the busnumbers , please check with the Bus Coordinator and driver before getting on the bus.

Bus Company’s Call Center InformationPlease note that our school bus company, Dong Yeong, will utilize the call center system in case of bad weatheror any other emergency situations that might cause changes to the bus schedule.

On Monday, February 15, the call center will send you a text message to test this system in advance. If you donot receive it next Monday, please send an email to [email protected].

Thank you very much for your cooperation.



https://goo.gl/OT1T9T

http://bifskorea.org/parents/






BIFS Family Member ID Card Registration

PTA is looking for a Chairperson to facilitate Teacher Appreciation Week. This week celebrates all our staff fromthe 9th – 13th May. We would require this person to create a volunteer roster for baking goods, decorating staffrooms etc. It is not a difficult job. It brings lots of smiles to our teachers! Please email PTA officers [email protected] if you would like to get involved.

Joy PriedemanPTA President

Happy Lunar New Year! Hope your family had a wonderful holiday.

Please sign up to be a Country Team Leader. Representing your country will make International Day a success!Don't leave your country behind. The deadline is Monday, 22 February.http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4baaaa23abfd0-international

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PTA News

We would like to ask for your cooperation in registering BIFS Family Member ID Cards. Please register yourcards with the security office at the front gate when visiting BIFS, and don’t forget to register your attendance byplacing your card at the card reader when you enter and exit. This is for security and to help us account for allvisitors in case of fire or other evacuation. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.

IT Services - Apple Computer DiscountsIT Services has negotiated a range of discounted prices and trade-in deals on Appleproducts for staff and students at BIFS, from our Apple equipment vendor, ComIT.

Savings are typically around 12% for MacBook laptops and iMacs, 11% on Mac Minis, 8% on iPad Airs, and 6%on iPad Minis.

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

http://bit.ly/itservices-apple-listhttp://bit.ly/itservices-order-formhttp://bit.ly/itservices-order-kr (Korean)http://bit.ly/itservices-apple-tradein (Trade-in prices)

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




http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4baaaa23abfd0-international

http://bit.ly/itservices-apple-list

http://bit.ly/itservices-order-form

http://bit.ly/itservices-order-kr

http://bit.ly/itservices-apple-tradein





ISA ACER TestingOne of the questions parents always ask is, “How is my child doing?”. A related question is “Compared towhat?”. This is a particularly critical question for families away from home, where it is hard to know how systemsand standards compare. At BIFS, one way we make such comparisons with other like schools is through theInternational Schools’ Assessment (ISA).

What is ISA?International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) is an annual assessment programme that has been developed tomeasure skills in mathematical literacy, reading and writing of students in international schools. ISA is based onthe internationally endorsed reading and mathematical literacy frameworks of the Programme for InternationalStudent Assessment (PISA) developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Agrowing number of international schools now use ISA, here in the Asia Pacific and around the world.

Later in the year, you will receive ISA reports that provide descriptive information about what students know andcan do. The results are equated from year to year so they can be used to track changes over time at individualand school level.

What is ISA NOT?ISA is not a competitive test. It is not a test that students “pass”. It will not be used for purposes other thanproviding data to us, you, and your child, about his/her learning. While we give opportunities for practice,students do not ‘prepare’ for the tests, since they are consistent with what students learn on a regular basis.

How do the assessments work?Students complete a reading literacy test, a mathematical literacy test and two writing tests, each of which takesbetween 45 minutes and one hour to administer. The tests include both multiple-choice and open-ended tasks.

When is the ISA testing at BIFS?The tests will be taken by students in Grades 3-10 on February 17th and 18th. They will be taken in ‘normal’school conditions e.g. in homeroom groups, in conditions that are familiar to our students.

If you have questions, please contact:Jenny Montague, MYP Coordinator ([email protected])Leda Cedo, PYP Coordinator ([email protected])

To learn more about ISA, please go to https://www.acer.edu.au/isa.

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https://www.acer.edu.au/isa




BIFS Spring Open HouseBIFS is holding our Spring Open House on Thursday, February 25, from 9:30 AM. We have sent advertisingcards home via students, and we would appreciate it if you could share them with other non-BIFS families orpost them in public places. If you would like more hard copies or a soft copy for posting online, please contactMiyoung Kim ([email protected]). Please help us to spread the word about our school!

Thank you for your support and partnership!

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It is a great time to purchase your BIFS blanket!! A doublelayer of polar fleece is guaranteed to keep you warm onthese cold days!! BIFS blankets are 40,000 KRWNOW 35,000 KRW and can be purchased in the PE UniformShop.

BIFS Beanies *10,000 KRW Colors: Black, Gray and CobaltBlue *BIFS Beanies can be purchased in the PE UniformShop.

Gray and white Hoodies (no zip) *30,000 KRW *Hoodies can be purchased in the PE Uniform Shop.

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PE Uniform ShopLOOKING FOR A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY AT SCHOOL? The PE Uniform Shop is a great place to start!Open our PE Uniform Shop Volunteer Sign Up Genius for more information on days we have open! Novolunteer is turned away, however, and no experiences is needed! Training is provided!! For more informationabout volunteering in the PE Uniform Shop, contact Dee Baker at [email protected].

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!

BIFS Beanies and BIFS Bears Hoodies are made available to you by the BIFS Bears Club.

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



http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0448AFA62BA6F58-peuniform






Cafeteria Menu: February 15-19

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

Sandwich Bar

Lunch Menu






Salad

Beef, Tomato and Cucumber Salad with CilantroMinced Chicken with Chili Mint Leaves and Cilantro

Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls with Chili Sauce Pineapple Rice Salad

Rice Noodle Salad with Fish Sauce and Peanuts

Main Dish

Sautéed Chicken with Cabbage and Lemongrass Red Beef Curry

Fried Crispy Vermicelli with Peanuts, Vegetables and Chili SauceFried Prawn Rice with Eggs and Lettuce

Fish Vegetable Curry Steamed Rice with Chili Lemongrass

Deep-Fried Prawn Crackers

Dessert

Kanom Piak PoonBoiled Rice SweetsTapioca PuddingSeasonal Fruits

Special Lunch: Thai Buffet on Feb 25

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Elementary SchoolLunar New Year

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A selection of our elementary students performed skits and songs teaching about Lunar New Year in Korea, ledby our wonderful Korean teachers, Ms. Shin, Ms. Meng, and Ms. Park. We will be uploading photos to the ESblog once they are available.

ELC Parent Coffee – Wednesday, Feb 17Please join our ELC Parent Coffee on reading aloud to our children at home. The coffee will be held in the ELCHall on February 17th, Wednesday, from 2:15-3:15.

Elementary House Assembly – Friday, Feb 19On Friday, February 19, the Elementary students will take part in a House Assembly. The goal of the assembly isfor students to get to know their house captains, their house teammates, and have fun!

It would be great if Elementary students could wear their house t-shirt to school on this day.



http://bifselementary.weebly.com/




One Hundred Days of Learning

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The Kindergarten and First Grade classes celebrated the 100th day of school on February 3rd. The day was full ofactivities related to the number one hundred. Students made hats using one hundred stamps or stickers,necklaces using 100 fruit loops, counted 100 objects of various sizes, wrote about what they would do with $100,and several other activities. The number 100 is lots of fun!






Date/Time Event Details

Feb 15-20 No Electives All ES students to take 3:30 buses unless individuallyarranged by parents.

Feb 17 and 18 ISA ACER Testing Grades 3-5 will take the external assessments provided byISA-ACER. More details in a separate article.

Feb 19, 2:35-3:15 Elementary Assembly House assembly: students will work in their houses in avariety of activities. Students, wear your house t-shirts!

Feb 22 Term 3 Electives BeginFeb 26, 2:35-3:15 Elementary Assembly Students who took part in the First Lego League elective

and competition in Seoul will give feedback about theirexperience and share what it was all about.

Feb 26, 2:35-3:15 Elementary Assembly Grade 1 will present their learning related to their Unit ofInquiry and their work on opinion writing.

Mar 1 No School for Students Professional development day for faculty

Field Trip

Anne SweetElementary School Principal

Leda CedoPYP Coordinator

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Last Friday, the Kindergarten class went on to explore various transportation available in Busan. The studentshopped on a bus, subway and taxi from school and back.

Upcoming Elementary Events






Middle School and High SchoolCoffee Anyone?

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This year we have had some amazing parent coffee meetings. We have covered many topics and had somegreat discussions at our monthly gathering. Together, we have explored ManageBac, communications,academics, MYP, DP, assessment, drugs & alcohol, and a few other topics. We keep hearing from parents abouthow interesting and informative the sessions are. The feedback helps us develop our sessions and we are opento new ideas.

At our last coffee, we discussed alcohol and drug use among our youth and this was a topic that was suggestedby parents. We would love to hear from you what you want to talk about and we will continue to bring inspeakers or topics of interest. You can send any ideas to your principal and we will work to get a program puttogether.

We are also looking to hear from you if this is the best time to meet with parents. BIFS has always had parentcoffees, but we want to know if there is a better time or location to meet with you. We like coffee, but maybe anafternoon tea might be better. Drop us a quick email if you have ideas that might enhance our parent meetings.We are always open to feedback.

Jamie RobbHigh School Principal

Nate SwensonMiddle School Principal






Making our BIFS Students good Digital Citizens

Last week the Grade 8 students went down to the Elementary School to teach them about being a good DigitalCitizen, and staying safe online.

This Grade 8 students have been doing a unit about Digital Citizenship in Digital Design. This unit required themto put together a 30 minute lesson for a class in the Elementary School, and design an information leaflet toinform parents about Digital Citizenship.

The Grade 8 students really rose to the task and did really well with their lessons. They managed to fill theirlessons with loads of useful information for the students as well as developing a whole range of variedinteractive activities that they used to engage the Elementary students in such an important topic.

Well Done, Grade 8!

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Middle School Health ScreeningAt the beginning of March, the Nurse’s Office will be conducting student health screenings for all students ingrades 6 through 8.

The screenings will include the following: 1. Height, 2. Weight, 3. 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 will be shared with you as well asremain in the student's health file year-to-year to help track their growth. Students’ bodies are changing rapidlyduring these Middle School years and this provides a great opportunity to promote health and wellness as wellas the importance of healthy lifestyle habits.

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].

Personal Project Showcase – Monday, Feb 29Save This Date! On Monday, February 29, you are invited to the Grade 10 Personal Project Showcase. Studentswill be exhibiting their Personal Projects in the gym from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm and then again from 6:00 pm - 8:30pm.

The Personal Project is an extended inquiry into a topic of the student’s own choosing. It gives the students anopportunity to put into practice and strengthen their ATL skills (Approaches to Learning) skills and consolidatesome of their subject specific knowledge in addition to developing knowledge of a topic or skill that is personallyrelevant to them. The students have made inquiries into very diverse and interesting topics: creative writing,photography, website design, sports, motorcycles, travel blogs, painting, racism in sports, fashion, learning alanguage, astronomy, education, etc.

You can help the students by visiting their displays and asking them about how the Personal Project hasexpanded their horizons and helped them develop their Learner Profile traits, improve the learning skills andgiven them a different perspective.

Come by inspired!

Jenny MontagueMYP Coordinator

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https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZbOTRW9rVdPae8b0Fk3Rs9UXpYxrVhVlnefTZ11ESdc/viewform





For Your Diary

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February 201612th-13th • KIMEA High School Music Festival

12th • ES Assembly

17th • ELC Parent Coffee - Reading Aloud

17th-18th • ACER - ISA Testing

19th-20th • KIMEA National Honors Festival

• KISAC MS RED VBall @ BIFS

19th • HS Assembly

• ES Assembly

22nd • Start S03 CCA/Elective

24th • BIFS Parent Workshop

• PTA Meeting

25th • Spring Open House

• SKAC MS Vball @ BIFS

26th-29th • MS Ski Trip 2016

26th • ES Assembly

• KISAC HS RED BBall @ CCS

27th-28th • EARCOS Weekend Workshop

March 20161st • Faculty PD – No School

2nd-8th • G12 Mock Exams

2nd • ES Parent Coffee

4th • ES Assembly

5th • KISAC MS Boys Vball @ BISC

• KISAC MS Girls Blue VBall @ CI

7th • MS Basketball Practice Begins

9th • BIFS Parent Workshop

• PTA Meeting

11th • HS Assembly

15th • KIMEA Middle School Honor Orchestra Festival

17th • WoW Fashion Show

• SKAC HS Futsal @ GIFS (Blue)

18th • Noon Dismissal

21st-Apr 1st • Spring Break Holiday






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)



http://www.alliedpickfords.co.kr/

http://www.alliedpickfords.co.kr/




BIFS Newsletter, 2016-02-12 (English)

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