DIRECTOR’SUPDATE
at further enhancing the quality of teaching and personalised learning at ISB. Letmeshareabitmoreabouteachofthese.
Perhaps the most ambitious project is our digital learning platform. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, as the platform consists of multiple modules. Many of you are aware of our Learning Management System (Schoology),whichisalreadyusedintheUpperSchoolandElementarySchool
You may be less aware of three other modules: Performance Matters, for assessmenttrackingandanalytics;SpecialPrograms,forlearningsupport;and Curriculum & Instruction, for curriculum mapping. Thanks to the efforts of an extensive team, we are one of the few international schools to have such a robust, interconnected digital platform, and this brings tremendous benefits in supportingpersonalisedlearningforourstudents.
Oursecondprojectisareviewofourteachergrowthandevaluationsystems. Weknowthatnoschoolcanbebetterthanitsteachers,andwearecommitted tocontinuallyinvestinginandimprovingthisarea.
Another project is the development of a whole-school approach to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). While we’ve had many examples of STEM learning at ISB for many years, we know we could be more consistent and create a whole-school learning continuum for all students. To achieve this, we are placing a special emphasis on project work and the integrationofthesedisciplines.
The Pathways to Excellence Programme, our final project, supports students with exceptional talents or interest in Athletics, Arts, or STEM by providing resources,support,andflexibilitytohelpthemexcelwhilestillmeetingallother academic requirements and standards. This year, we are piloting the programme with three student-athletes, and plan to formally expand it next yeartoincludeArtsandSTEMstudents
The visiting team will share a report with us detailing their visit, and I look forward to sharing with you an overview of their feedback in a subsequent update. Thank you all for your continued support, and I look forward to updatingyouasweprogresswiththeseandotherexcitinginitiativesduringthe courseoftheschoolyear.
Wishingyouallagreatsemesterbreakandwelookforwardtowelcomingyou backinNovember!
Kindregards,
James MacDonald ISB Director
INSPIREDBY PARTHDHAWAN-CLASSOF2021
(Parth with Irina, Career Coach at César RitzCollegesSwitzerland)
We want to congratulate Parth Dhawan, our ISB Alumnus who followed his culinary passion and became the first ILS student at César Ritz Colleges in Switzerland – a global leader in hospitality education, and who recently secured his first job at Jumeirah’sMarsaAlArab(MAA)!
Following the completion of his programme at the César Ritz Colleges, Parth has also successfully completed a six-month internship at Burj Al Arab (BAA Fine Dining), where he was supported by the Hospitality Team, including the Hotel Manager and F&B Manager. During his time there, Parth tooktheinitiativetoexpresshisinterest in securing a job with them after the internship, as he had built strong connectionswithhiscolleagues.
Career coaches from the Swiss Education Group had the opportunity to visit BAA twice to support Parth’s aspirations, but ultimately it was all about the rapportbetweenParthandJumeirahthatmadethedifference Althoughthere were no current openings at BAA, Parth was referred to a new hotel, Marsa Al Arab(MAA)—Jumeirah’snewluxurypropertyandanextensionoftheBAA.
While at ISB, Parth was wholeheartedly supported by his classmates, teachers, andcounsellors.SpecialthanksgotoAmyDurrant,HighSchoolCounsellor,who advocated for the possibility of Parth’s programme at the Swiss Education Group before it was formally in place, and to Erin C. Pedder, High School Intensive Learning Support Teacher, who made sure that Parth found opportunities to develop the skills that he needed to be successful in the admissions process and during the programme. Furthermore, the career coaches from the César Ritz Colleges Switzerland have been instrumental throughoutthisthree-yearjourneyinnurturingParth’spotentialandeducation andsupportinghiminachievinghisdream
This inspirational success story is the perfect example of how personalised education, through tailored support and opportunities for each student, can leadeveryoneontothepathoftheirdreams!
Parth will be joining Marsa Al Arab (MAA)’s Fine Dining Team starting midDecember.
ISBARTS
Last week, the Performing Arts Department was proud to take six enthusiastic Middle School Students to the AMIS Middle School European Honour Treble Choir, a challenge programme that provides students with opportunitiestofurtherdeveloptheirskills.Our participating students auditioned for this event,andsixwerechosentotraveltoLondon to rehearse with singers from 14 other international schools from across Europe, forming a choir of approximately 90 advancedsingers Thechoirrehearsedfor3 days,fromWednesdaytoSaturday,andsang togetherinashowcaseconcertonSaturday evening!
Stay tuned for the European Junior Choir Festival taking place in Madrid between 20 and24November!
MSArtClub2024-2025
Doyouloveartanddesign?Areyouinterestedin visitingtrendyartcities,museumsandfamous art galleries? Then you would make a great memberforTheMSArtTeam!
TheArtTeamisaco-curricularactivity,designed for passionate MS Art students that want to explore the art world further. The Art Team's activitiesmostlyconsistofarttripstomajorand contemporary exhibitions, both in Belgium and othersurroundingcountries.
Onaweeklybasis,studentsareencouragedto visit art exhibitions in their free time. These exhibitions and venues are suggested through theMSArtInstagramaccount.
AnotherArtTeamdrivenactivityistheStudent CuratorialProgramme ThisProgrammeisanArt Loan Service that allows members of the ISB Communitytoembellishtheirofficeorclassroom withamazingstudentartwork.
Students learn curatorial skills and are active ambassadors of all artworks created by our youngemergingartists
FollowtheMSStudentArtGalleryonFacebookandInstagram.
ISBSTEM
SAMLabs(back)atISB!
OnTuesday,22October,wewelcomedSAMLabs on campus for a training session with our Lower Schoolteachersandforexploringnewwaystouse our facilities and resources for exciting STEM opportunitiesforouryounglearners.SAMLabs,an innovative start-up that offers comprehensive resourcesandsupportforeducatorsimplementing STEAMinclassrooms,wasfoundedbyISBAlumnus JoachimHorn(Classof2009).
Together with two other former ISB students – Kevin Haughan (Class of 2009), Chief of Operations,andDavidWeiss(Classof2008),MarketingandCommunications–SAMLabs attendedtheWorldEconomicForum2015inDavosandsharedtheirideasandmissionof accessible technology with the world. Today, Sam Labs brings exciting STEAM solutions to elementaryandmiddleschoolclassroomsallovertheworld
ISB’scollaborationwithSAMLabsspansoveradecade,withSAMLabsco-organisingtheThink BigLearningInstituteforMSStudentsin2014andleadingandsponsoringtheMiddleSchool STEMWorkshopInTheZone–LearningInnovationinPracticeatISBin2015
WeareveryexcitedtocontinueourcollaborationwithJoachimandSAMLabsandtoseewhat excitingnewSTEMopportunitieswecanofferourstudents
Grade2ArcadeDay
OnThursday,24October,ourGrade2studentshostedtheirannualArcadeDayevent.Grade 2'sfirstunitofinquiry,calledOurActions,includesplanningandhostingseveralschooland community-wideevents DuringtheArcadeProject,studentsdraftedanddesignedarcade gamesmadefromrecycledmaterials.Theyspentalotoftimegoingthroughthedesign process, testing and revising their games, and reflecting on how they could make improvements. Through their exploration into creating circuits, students added certain featuressuchasfansandlightsthatwouldpoweronwhenplayersscoredgoals,earned points,etc.Thepurposeofthiseventwastohostandcreateafun,memorable,andexciting STEMexperienceforourECCstudents,whilepractisingtheirskillsingroupdecisionmakingand collaboration
NewSTEMresourcesfortheECCcomingsoon!
MariaSimoes,ourISBSTEMCoordinator,isleadinganexcitingprojectwithstudentsfromthe STEMDiscoveryMiddleSchoolelectiveclass,toredesignthenewECCSTEMLab.Updateson thisprojectcomingsoon,sostaytunedformoreexcitingnewsaboutSTEMdevelopmentsat ISBinthenextCommunityUpdate!
SUBSTANCEMISUSEPREVENTION EDUCATIONWEEK
This week, as part of our health curriculum and as part of our ongoing commitment to prevention and wellness we invited Tim Ryan and Kiersten Simon, two Prevention Education ospeaktoMSandHSstudents,inorderto:
lcoholandotherdrugsduringthegrowingyears andresponsiblechoices and psychological effects of alcohol and other
s in separate grade-level assemblies with mationandadvice.Theassemblieswerefollowed which students could discuss freely and ask questions in a safe space The anonymous data collected from these sessions will help ISB shapefuturepreventionprogrammesthataretailoredontherealneedsofourstudents
Forparents,thetrainedprofessionalsorganisedworkshopsofferingsupportandguidancein helpingchildrenenjoyadrug-freeadolescence.Theworkshopcoveredtopicssuchas:
Effectivewaystocommunicatewithchildrenaboutdrugsanddruguse
Up-to-datefactsaboutcurrentdruguseandtrends
Howtospotearlywarningsignsofuseandeffectivewaystorespond
Thisprogrammepresentedagreatopportunityfordiscussingalcoholandotherdrug-related issues with both students and parents, and to encourage constructive communication. Parentalinvolvementiscrucialtooureffortstoreducetherisksteenagersface.Wewantour studentstohearbothatschoolandathomethatweareconcernedaboutalcohol,nicotine, andotherdrugusebyadolescents,andthatwearecommittedtokeepingourchildrensafe
AmericanFootball
OurAmericanFootballteamhasmadeittothesemifinals!WewillhostthegamevsSHAPE onFriday,25October.Pleaseseeourweeklyschedule.FridayNightLightsareagreatwayto startthebreak
FallISSTs
Between7and9November,ISBwillhostVarsityGirlsFieldHockeyandU14-JV-Varsity(MS& HS)CrossCountryatISB,whiletherestofourteamsareofftotheotherISSTschoolsfortheir tournaments.WelookforwardtoseeingyououttherecheeringontheRaiders!
Doyouwanttogetinvolved?
Weareinneedofvolunteerstohelpmarshalthecourse,bike,andofcourseworkatRaiders Cafe Pleasesignupviathisformandwewillbeincontact Itisalotoffunandagreatway tosupportourstudentathletes.
WinterSeason
TheendoftheFallSeasonmeansthebeginningoftheWinterSeason!WinterSeasontryouts start the week of 18 November, with practices starting the following week. For more informationreadtheWinterSeasonTryoutSchedule–thePracticeScheduleisonpage2 Youcansignupontheinterestformhere.
The Winter Season Raiders 101 will be on Tuesday, 26 November This is a mandatory preseason orientation for student-athletes and their parents. This meeting will provide student-athletes and their parents with vital information pertaining to the Athletics Department,theirteam,andtheirseason
RaidersTimes
FormoreRaidersnews,stories,andinterviews,readthenewstudentpublicationRaiders Times.
TheFallseasonendson22November Thisseason,childrenhavebeenexploringtheforest, playingsoccerandfrisbeeinalltypesofweather,buildingtheirskillsindifferentactivities, discoveringnewpassions,andmakingnewfriends Dramarehearsalsarewellunderway andwillcontinueinthenextseason.
TheWinterSeasonwilltakeplacebetween2Decemberand12March TheWinterSchedule willbeavailableontheCommunityPortalby15November Watchoutfornewfunactivities likePodcast,Ballmania,etc.Sign-upwilltakeplacebetween20and24November.
BSA Coed Winter Basketball Registration now open! Clickhere to register your child for our U8/U10/U13teams Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutourbasketballprogramme,pleaseemail basketball@bsasports.org.
AhugethankyoutoeveryonewhoparticipatedonSunday,20OctobertotheCommunity FunRun!
We had around 300 people on campus, 240 people who ran or walked, and a mix of volunteersandsupporters.
Weraisedatotalof5440EUR!
CommunityKitchen–2960EUR
Fedasil-380EUR
Kinderdorp-320EUR
L’Olivier-280EUR
NotreAbri-240EUR
Poverello-220EUR
RedCross-440EUR
ServetheCity-140EUR
StreetKindness-340EUR
VertdeTerre-120EUR
YourhelpandsupportforourCommunityEngagementPartnersisinvaluableandwelook forwardtoseeingyouagainatsimilaractivitiesinthefuture
UPCOMINGEVENTS
On13November,ourdoorswillopenforfamilieswishingtoseewhatpersonalisedlearning lookslikeandhowitisimplementedfromourEarlyChildhoodCentretoourHighSchool. AdmissionsareopenthroughouttheyearatISB,andweloveshowingparentswhoarenew toBrusselsorinterestedinchangingschoolswhatourprogrammesandcommunityhaveto offer.
ShouldyouhaveanyfamilymembersorfriendswhoarecuriousaboutISB,invitethemto comelearnmoreaboutpersonalisedlearningandtomeetourteam!Registrationsviathis form.
ThankyoutoeveryonewhoparticipatedintheCommunityFunRunandWalkonSunday,20 October!WehadagreatdayoncampuswhilesupportingISB’scommunityengagement partners.Learnmoreintheabovesection.
We wish you a wonderful break, and look forward to seeing you back on campus in November!
MarkYourCalendar
ThisAutumn,theFAhassomewonderfuleventsandactivitiesforthecommunity.Besureto markyourcalendarsfor:
Thursday,7November
BrusselsHighlightsWalkingTour
DiscoverBrusselswithawalkingtour
Tuesday,12November
FAMonthlyMeeting
JoinusforourmonthlyISBparentmeetings,whichareopentoallISBParents 12-15November
ISBMakingaDifferenceWeek
Awholeschoolfooddrivefordriedfoodproducts(e.g.rice,pasta,dried chickpeas,orzo,etc) Startsavingyourdriedgoodsandlookformoredetailsin thenextCommunityCompass
Thursday,14November
ExpatLifeWorkshop
Joinusforaworkshopabouttheexpatlife,runbyanaccreditedexecutive coach
Friday,15November
FrenchCookingClass
Formoreinformation,gototheFACommunityCompass.
StayConnected
Therearemanywaystodiscoverallthegreatevents,classes,andactivitiestheFAisdoing Wehopetoseeyouatonesoon!
BiweeklyFACommunityCompass
LookoutfortheFAnewslettereveryotherWednesdayinyourinboxtodiscoveralltheFAhas toofferfortheISBCommunity.
WhatsAppGroup
ISBFamilyAssoc.NEWS-StayinformedaboutimportantnewsandupdatesfromtheFA.
ISBApp
FindusontheISBPortalandontheAppforcontacts,events,andinformationabouttheFA
HEALTHOFFICE
With the fall break being just around the corner, we thought we’d share some information about natural immunity boosters These foods and herbs enhance your body's defence against infections and illnesses by supporting the immune system. These boosters are not onlypackedwithessentialnutrientsbutalsocomewiththeaddedadvantageofbeingtasty. Here’s a look at some seasonal treats for you to enjoy during this well-deserved autumn break.
CitrusFruits
Example: Oranges, lemons, grapefruits, limes
Benefits: Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which increases the production of white blood cells, key to fighting infections Their tangy and refreshing flavour makes them a tasty addition to juices, salads, or eaten whole.
Garlic
Benefits:Garlicisrichinallicin,acompound knownforitsabilitytoenhancetheimmune system and fight bacteria and viruses. Garlic can help lower the severity of colds andflu
Tasty Uses: Roasted garlic on bread, garlic in stir-fries, soups, or as a flavorful addition tosaladdressings
Mushrooms
Examples: Shiitake, maitake, reishi, and buttonmushrooms
Benefits:Certainmushroomsareknownfor their immune-modulating effects They enhance the production of white blood cellsandcanhelpthebodyfightinfections.
Tasty Uses: Use mushrooms in stir-fries, soups,orroastedwithherbsandoliveoil.
Ginger
Benefits: Ginger has powerful antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects, helping to reduce inflammation and soothe sore throats It also aids digestion and can lower the risk of infections Its spicy and zesty taste makes it a popular addition to teas,soups,orsmoothies
TastyUses: Ginger tea, ginger honey shots, orasaspiceinstir-fries.
Turmeric
Benefits: Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties Curcumin boosts the immune system by modulating immune cells and combating harmful bacteria.
Tasty Uses: Add turmeric to curries, soups, ormakeaturmericlatte("goldenmilk")with almond milk and honey for a comforting immunityboost.
SweetPotatoes
Benefits:Richinbeta-carotene(aprecursor tovitaminA),sweetpotatoeshelpmaintain the health of the skin, which is your first line ofdefenceagainstbacteriaandviruses.
Tasty Uses: Roasted sweet potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, or sweet potato fries
GENERAL IT REMINDER
ISB CENTRAL LEARNING PLATFORM
Set up your ISB Parent Account
In order to access ISB’s digital resources, you will need to set up your unique ISB Parent Account. To do so, please follow the instructions below.
Go to isb.be/portal and enter the credentials that were sent to you in the email 1 When prompted for your email, re-enter your username, NOT your personal email. 2 When prompted for your password, enter your temporary password. 3.
Log in to the ISB Learning Platform
Once you have set up your account, you can access the ISB Learning Platform (PowerSchool) This is a centralised space for all ISB digital resources.
Access all ISB Digital Resources
In the left-hand menu of the ISB Learning Platform (PowerSchool), you will find links to the digital resources below. Please use your ISB Parent Account to log in.
ISB Information Hub (ISB Community Portal) : For all relevant resources such as the ISB Calendar, the ISB Directory, and our New Families Page
ISB Digital Learning (Schoology) : For information on your child’s classes, learning materials, upcoming assignments, and more.
ISB After-School Activities (SchoolsBuddy) : To register your child for the ISB after-school activities To log in, please click on the button ‘Azuread’
Shouldyouneedhelptoresetyourlogincredentials,ourITteamis availableviaemailatIThelpdesk@isb.beandwillhappilyhelpyou.
