ISSUE # 25

SY 2014 2015

MIDDLE SCHOOL
WEEK OF:

Friday Bulletin

Weekly Publication for Middle School Parents

MARCH 2 TO 6

Inside this issue:

Dear Middle School Parents,
Tonight we have our Middle School parties for grades 5/6 and grades 7/8 this is a
great opportunity for students to build connections, make new friendships and
interact in a safe environment. It is fun to see students in these contexts and having the freedom to hang out and spend time with their friends and classmates.
On the afternoon of March 19 we have a great opportunity for you to share and
experience learning with your child. The ISM MS Student Led Conference is an
opportunity for students to share their learning with their parents and teachers. The goals of a student led conference include the following: to encourage
students to accept responsibility for their learning and progress; help students
recognize and take ownership for the things that interfered with their learning
success; teach students the process of self-evaluation; to facilitate the development of students oral communication skills and self-confidence; enhance communication between student and parents. More information will be sent home in an
email with specific information on times and what to expect as you interact with
your child in their different classes.
Next week we begin the process of course registration for the next school
year. You will receive a letter with information about the process and courses
offered. We are making some changes for next year in grades 7 and 8. In the past
we have had two required encore classes which students in grade 7 and 8 take for
one semester - IDEAS and Changing Our World. We will no longer offer these two
courses and instead students will have an additional semester elective course. We
have added to our elective offerings and this will enable students to have more
choice and experiment with different subject areas. Student assemblies will take
place on Wednesday next week and this will be followed up with information sent
home for parents and students to discuss and make decisions together.
If both parents are going to be out of the country we ask that you complete a
guardian form in the Middle School office so we have the most accurate information for contacting you and the person who is acting as guardian in your absence. Information can also be found in the student handbook about this requirement.

MAP Testing

Admissions & Advancement

Athletics & Activities

ISM Upcoming Events

Events & Activities:

MARCH

2-13

MAP Testing

19

Student-Led
Conferences

APRIL

1-10

School Holiday

21

Parent Coffee

30

Activity Day

After-School Activities Office:

Season Dates for Season 3 and 4:
Third Season: February 16 - March 31, 2015
Fourth Season: April 13 - May 29, 2015
(NO MS AFAC on March 19, 2015)

We hope everyone has a great March

Yours in Education,
Simon Gillespie, Middle School Principal
Amanda Pekin, Middle School Assistant Principal

The Salinlahi Yearbook photo retakes

will be on Tuesday, March
the FAT changing room.

3 in

Dear Parents,
From March 2nd to March 13th 2015, ISM will conduct tests called Measures of Academic ProgressTM (MAP) for Semester 2.
What are MAP tests?
MAP tests are an external assessment from the United States, used to assist in determining students instructional level.
Currently, there are 370 international schools in 123 countries, including 56% member schools of EARCOS (East Asia
Regional Council of Schools), who conduct MAP testing.
Who does MAP testing at ISM?
Students in Grades 3 to 10 take MAP tests. Students receiving Learning Support and ESL support will be given the opportunity, where appropriate, to participate in the MAP testing. Parents will be contacted individually regarding any
modifications taking place.
What do MAP tests assess and how often do they occur?
These tests will measure academic growth across the school year in the areas of Reading, Language and Mathematics, and
are administered twice a year at ISM.
How do MAP tests work?
Your child will take the tests on a computer. MAP tests are unique in that they are adaptive. The test becomes more difficult the more questions the student answers correctly. When a student incorrectly answers a question, the following
test question is adjusted accordingly and is at an easier level. In this way, your child will take a test specifically created for his or her learning level.
How are MAP tests reported?
Your childs MAP results are reported in RIT (Rasch Unit) scores. This is a different type of score than a typical test that
provides a percentage correct. Parents will receive a report that shows their RIT score, the normative RIT scores for
the grade level at ISM, and the normative scores for students in the United States within the same grade level. These
reports will be available in November.
What does ISM do with the information that MAP provides?
Teachers use the data from MAP testing to inform learning and teaching. It assists in determining which skills require enhancing, which skills students have already developed, and which skills need to be introduced. MAP tests also provide
our school with a reference point for the ongoing development of the school-wide curriculum. This data allows us to
look for trends within certain areas of our curriculum.
How do I prepare my child for MAP testing?
Factors such as sleep and how a child is feeling can affect the results of a standardized test. Your class teacher will let
you know which three days in the coming weeks your child will sit the tests. Please talk to your child to help avoid
him/her feeling anxious about MAP testing.
Lastly
It is important to remember that MAP results provide one piece of assessment data in the process of acquiring information
and making judgments about student progress toward intended learning. At ISM, we believe sound assessment involves creating a multitude of ways to measure and communicate student learning over time a photo album versus a
single snapshot.
For more information on MAP testing, please consult the NWEA (North West Evaluation Association) website at www.nwea.org.
In addition, parents can access the MAP Parent Toolkit at http://www.nwea.org/support/article/930/parent-toolkit.
Sincerely,
Simon Gillespie
Middle School Principal

Amanda Pekin
Middle School Assistant Principal

Leaving ISM?
Please be reminded that parents are obliged to officially inform the School in writing through a WITHDRAWAL
NOTIFICATION FORM if their children will not be returning in August for School Year 2015-16. Families are encouraged to submit the Withdrawal Notification Form, stating the student's final date of attendance, immediately. Forms must be submitted on or before May 8. Failure to submit the form by that date may lead to a deduction of US$1,000 from the Facilities Upgrade Deposit (FUD), in compensation for having held a space for
your child, preventing the School from offering that space to another candidate.
The Withdrawal Notification Form can be obtained from the Admissions Office or directly from the ISM website under Admission > Re-Enrollment & Withdrawal > Withdrawals
Please feel free to contact the Admissions Office at 840.8601 for questions or clarifications.

The practice schedule for season 3 is posted on notice

boards and on the ATAC blog. Season 3 will run from Feb
9th to March 31st. Well done to the VGirls softball team
who defeated Brent last Friday 17-4.
Upcoming dates:
Feb 27 V/JV softball vs Brent from 4:15pm
Feb 28 MS Track training 8-11am/HS Track training 2-5pm
Feb 28 Badminton MS&HS teams at Brent
Feb 28 Golf team at Southlinks
Feb 28 VGirls and JV Boys ASSL League at Ateneo
Mar 1 ASSL Varisty Division playoffs at ISM
Mar 6 Twilight track meet at ISM

Parents and students please take some time to peruse

the ATAC blog it has a wide variety of information and
links to our sports and activities program. If you have any
questions regarding the competitive program of sports at
ISM after reading the information on the blog please send
an email to pekinm@ismanila.org and I will endeavor to
assist you as best I can.
Bearcat Den- drop by our fantastic spirit store. There is a
range of new products and items to purchase including
items from our service partners. Bearcat Den hours of
operation- 7am-4pm Mon-Fri.

The ATAC game schedule pdf which is updated regularly

by Triz Gonzalez (ATAC Athletics Coordinator) gives the
most up to date information on where/when and who
our Bearcat teams will be playing throughout the school
year. Access to the game schedule is via the ISM parent
portal. Use this link to access the parent portal, log in
with your user name/password and look for the ATAC
Please note the practice times for the following ATAC
Game Schedule tab. Remember to refresh the page when
programs: ATAC all year round teams- 3:15-4:30. Sailfish/ the pdf schedule appears so you view the most current
Gymnastics and all HS seasonal teams now conclude
schedule.
practice at 4:50pm each day. MS seasonal teams 3:104:45pm. The last bus is now 4:55pm and all after school
GO BEARCATS!
programs will conclude by 4:50pm in order to try and
clear the campus prior to 5pm due to the ever increasing Mark Pekin
traffic concerns in our area.
Director of Athletics and Activities
Saturday Community Tennis for semester 2 has now commenced again. See link for information on dates and how
to book. Use of the courts is only available to ISM community members. Outside guests are not allowed http://
atac.ism-online.org/atac/saturday-community-tennis/