International School Manila

For ATTENDANCE concerns, please contact the HS Office (Sam Ramos or Laurie Atilano) Tel: 840 8650 / 840 8653 or email HSOffice@ismanila.org For GUIDANCE concerns, please contact Gigi Azarcon and Jasmin Andres Tel:840-8655 / 840-8660

August 5, 2011

Dear Parents, Greetings and welcome to the school year 2011/12 International School Manila. I hope that these weeks of summer vacation have given you the opportunity to enjoy some family time together. As I am beginning to realize myself with my son and daughter in Grade 10 children grow up far too quickly! I want to take this opportunity to remind you of some of the support services and campus procedures to ensure an orderly and efficient school start. I hope you understand that, in such a large community, it is essential for us to establish certain agreements in order to make things easier for everyone. School Office hours Monday Friday, 7 am 4 pm. Uniform Shop Extended days through to September 2, 2011 Monday Friday, 7 am to 4 pm Regular hours start the week of September 5th , 2011 Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 am to 4 pm Canteen Parents can now sign up for prepaid meals for Elementary School children. Please proceed to the Urban Chef (International Cuisine) and Yogi Chef (International Vegetarian Cuisine) offices located in the MS/HS Canteen for sign ups. Cost for lunch is Php90.00. Parents of MS/HS students can also avail of the debit system for the main concessionaire (Urban Chef). You may also refer to the ISM website for additional information on the canteen concessionaires and services. Bus Service Over the past three years there has been a significant growth in the number of students choosing to use the ISM Bus Service on a regular basis, with this usage reaching just over 25% of the total school population during School Year 2010/11. In an effort to continue this steady growth the School Administration conducted a review of our existing busing service. Further to this, last December the PTA canvassed the opinions of parents of both existing bus riders and students who do not regularly use the bus to identify possible improvements to the service. Based upon the Schools review, and informed by the PTA survey, a bidding exercise was held to select our school bus provider for the School Year 2011/12. After a careful evaluation of the submitted proposals a decision was made to change our school bus service provider, and so I am pleased to welcome T Shuttle Services, Inc. to ISM. The decision to appoint T Shuttle Services was made in the interests of securing satisfactory standards of fleet serviceability, operational flexibility and value for money. Safety and security were of course our first priorities, but we were also mindful of the identified desire of many parents to avoid increases in cost whilst maintaining as flexible a service as possible. In particular, it was clear that the door-to-door service that has traditionally been provided remains a feature valued by many parents, and I can confirm that this service will continue to be offered for most riders, where practicable and allowed by village associations. With the introduction of our new bus operator there are a number of features of this years service that I would like to highlight for parents: (1) All rates set for Semester 1 of School Year 2011/12 for both regular riders and occasional coupon riders

remain the same as last year. This despite increases in fuel prices over the past twelve months. These rates will be maintained for Semester 2 unless there are significant sustained changes to the price of fuel, and any adjustments will be proportional to the rise or fall of running costs. (2) As with past practice, the agreement for student use of the bus service will be between parents and the school bus service provider. (3) All buses to be used for the regular school routes will be newly reconditioned, refurbished and commissioned for this service contract. (4) A minimum of fifteen buses will be used to operate the regular ISM bus service. An additional bus will be held on campus to provide a replacement in the event of mechanical problems or significant delays caused by unusually heavy traffic conditions. Further to this, two Nissan Urvans will be deployed as rescue vehicles and in support of low passenger volume bus routes. (5) T Shuttle Services Inc. will provide a driver and one bus attendant for each bus deployed on a regular school route and all T Shuttle Service personnel must undergo screening by ISM before being deployed. T Shuttle Service staff will undergo an ISM orientation program before deployment. (6) The School will continue to provide one School Marshal, assigned from our security staff, to each regular bus route. (7) (8) Each school bus will carry a GPS unit to be monitored from the ISM Security Office. All regular school buses are fitted with seat belts for all seats and students will be required to use them.

In addition to the points above, parents should note that there will be an adjustment to the afternoon departure times on regular school days. Due to the very low numbers of students making use of the 4:15 pm and 5:15 pm activities buses, these services will no longer be operated. In their place a new, combined 4:45 pm service is being offered. This change has been made following discussions between the School Administration, the ATAC and AFAC Offices and our new bus service provider. HS and MS after school activities will be arranged so that participating students who ride the bus can make use of this service whilst avoiding the need for students to wait around on campus without a structured activity to keep them occupied. The scheduling of the combined 4:45 pm service will also allow additional buses to be deployed to the 2:30 pm and 3:20 pm departure times. It is planned that this will help address two other areas of concern identified by parents: student travel time and limited areas serviced by the 2:30 pm routes in the past. As part of our discussions with T Shuttle Services we have stressed the importance of making the bus service an attractive option for travel between home and school for as many students as possible. They have expressed a willingness to explore ways in which they can, within the constraints of running an efficient and practical service for the majority of riders, provide a viable transport solution for all those who express an interest in using the school bus service. Of course, there will always be certain locations or needs that cannot be provided for but if the offered bus service does not at first appear to address a particular need, in regard to location or routing, parents are encouraged to discuss this with the Transport Office staff. I encourage all parents to consider making use of the ISM Bus Service for their students. Should parents wish to discuss in more detail the school busing arrangements for the new school year, or they have any particular concerns or needs they can also contact the ISM Transport Coordinator, Ms. Ruth Estella, on 8408541 or email Ruth at EstellaR@ismanila.org. Billing Billing statements are now sent to parents and other patrons through email and are also available for online viewing on the School website to facilitate access. A user ID and password has already been provided to existing parents and is available for every new parent. Parents are advised to maintain an up-to-date email address for billing information. Please read carefully the School Fees and Payment Schedule on the web. As was the case last school

year, there will be no re-enrollment deposit. Instead, we shall expect all departing families to complete the WITHDRAWAL NOTIFICATION FORM on or before the second Friday of May 2012. Failure to do so will lead to a deduction of $1,000.00 from the Facilities Upgrade Deposit. Payments Payments may be in cash, check or through wire transfer in any of the BPI, Citibank and HSBC branches. Please make sure that the name of the student for whom the payment is being made is indicated on the deposit slip, check, or in the bank instruction for wire transfer to ensure proper recording. Contact Treasury Office at 8408506 if you have questions. Operations and Security Access and parking within the campus are important security and safety issues. For the well-being of all members of the ISM community, those entering the school campus are requested to follow the procedures outlined below. Vehicular Access During drop-off and pick-up times, vehicles may enter through Gates 2 and 3. Those entering through Gate 2 should proceed to the drop off area and, once the student has alighted or boarded, they should exit via Gate 1. Those vehicles entering through Gate 3 must turn into the covered parking area and use the designated drop-off areas. All vehicles must exit through Gate 1. (Please note that Gate 2 may only be used by vehicles displaying a valid ISM vehicle sticker. Alternatively, vehicles entering through Gate 3 may park in the covered car park. The spaces reserved for parentdriven cars should only be used by those vehicles which are driven by parents themselves. Vehicles in which parents are traveling, but which are driven by a driver, should not use these spaces. Rather, they should park elsewhere in the covered car park or make use of the outside spaces next to the power center. Family/company drivers should not remain within school once they have delivered a student. They should exit the school and return no sooner than 30 minutes before the scheduled pick up time. Visitors to ISM may only enter through Gate 3. There is an area for short stay visitors parking near Gate 1. The Pedestrian Gate Location The pedestrian gate is located in the perimeter fence mid-way between Gate 1 and Gate 2. There is a paved area between the road and the perimeter fence, allowing easy access to the gate. The pedestrian gate is solely for the entry of members of the ISM Community at the beginning of the school day. It will only be open between 7:00 and 7:45 (8:00 to 8:45 on Wednesdays). Due to parking restrictions and in the interests of security it will not be open in the afternoon for pick-ups. During the time it is open, it will be under the supervision of members of the ISM Guard Force. Drop-off Procedure Drivers should stop adjacent to the paved area and students should alight from the right side of their vehicle. The driver should then move off, clearing the space for other vehicles dropping off students. Under no circumstances should a student be dropped off from the middle lane. This is dangerous as the student would need to walk in front of another vehicle. Drivers are reminded that traffic regulations forbid parking on the roads around ISM. Therefore, vehicles should only be stopping for the brief time it takes for a student to alight. Drivers must not wait for anybody to return to the vehicle. Car Stickers The car stickers for the school year 2011/2012 are available from the security office. Each ISM family will be issued one vehicle sticker free of charge. Any additional stickers will be issued following payment of Php100.00 to the cashiers office. For vehicles already displaying an existing sticker, parents should submit a completed renewal form with a copy of

the current LTO official receipt. For new vehicles, parents are reminded that a copy of the vehicles certificate of registration and a current official receipt need to be submitted with the application. Applications for vehicles registered with companies or other institutions should be supported by a letter of assignment. In order to facilitate the easy recognition of authorized cars at the gates, the stickers should be affixed to the top right corner of the windshield. Further to this, old ISM stickers issued in previous years should be removed. Vehicles not displaying this years car sticker will not be allowed access from August 31, 2011 ID Cards Parent IDs Parent IDs issued in previous school year will continue to be valid for the new school year 2011/2012. Parents who require replacement school IDs due to loss or damage can acquire these from the Security Office upon payment of Php100.00 to the Cashier. School Passes School passes issued to parents employees and representatives need to be replaced for this school year. As of August 31, 2011 the light green bordered passes issued for the school year 2010/2011 will be invalid. Each family will be given two free school passes. Additional school passes may be obtained after paying a processing fee of Php100.00 each to the Cashiers Office. Visitors Passes All visitors must secure a pass from the guardhouse at Gate 3. Before entry will be allowed, a telephone check will be made with the relevant office to confirm the visitors business within the school. Vehicle checks The practice of inspecting vehicles will continue. During off-peak hours all vehicles will be checked before they are allowed to enter the campus. During peak hours (drop off and pick-up times), all vehicles without valid stickers and randomly selected vehicles with stickers will be asked to undergo an examination. Whether an examination is conducted or not, it is important that the security staff at the gates are able to identify the occupants of vehicles entering the campus; therefore IDs must be clearly displayed. Vehicles with tinted windows must roll down windows to allow a clear view of the interior of the vehicle. Drivers, Helpers and Bodyguards Drivers, helpers and bodyguards should not wait on campus for students throughout the school day. After dropping off students they should exit the school grounds and not return more than 30 minutes before dismissal time. Those who repeatedly fail to comply with the regulation will have their access privilege suspended. Only those vehicles carrying parents or other people with business within the school will be allowed to return to the campus before the scheduled pick up time. There are designated areas for unaccompanied drivers, yayas, helpers and security escorts to wait for parents and students. Unless specifically authorized, they may not enter any other area. In the interest of security, and to prevent congestion at the pedestrian entrances to the covered parking area, parents are requested to emphasize to their employees the importance of cooperating with the security staff and remaining in the appropriate areas. Firearms All members of the ISM community are reminded that it is strictly forbidden for firearms to be brought onto the campus. This includes concealed weapons carried by bodyguards for close protection. Any person arriving at the school with a firearm should inform the gate guard and arrangements will be made for the weapon to be safely and securely stored during the visitors stay.

Security staff directions Our security team is endeavoring to make the school as safe and secure an environment as possible for all members of our community. We ask that everybody cooperate with us in this important task. In particular, all those entering our campus are requested to comply with any directions given to them by members of our guard force. If you are confused or unclear as to the purpose of such instructions, please seek clarification from the security office. Please note that it is the parents responsibility to advise their staff accordingly. Thank you for your cooperation. We are looking forward to another successful year at International School Manila. Best wishes,

DAVID TOZE Superintendent

HSCALENDAR: Monday,August8: NationalBookstoreSalec/oPTA Gr.10TextbookDistribution Tuesday,August9: NationalBookstoreSalec/oPTA Gr.9TextbookDistribution HSParentCoffee9:3011:00am Wednesday,August10: StudentLateStart NationalBookstoreSalec/oPTA Thursday,August11: NationalBookstoreSalec/oPTA PerformingArtsAuditionfornewstudents Friday,August12: NationalBookstoreSalec/oPTA PerformingArtsAuditionfornewstudents LeadershipRetreat Saturday,August13: LeadershipRetreat UPCOMINGEVENTS: August22:HighSchoolOpenHouse August2930:NationalHolidayNOSCHOOL

Dear HS Parents, Please join us for the first HS Parent Coffee for School year 2011-2012. When: Tuesday, August 9 Time: 9:30 am 11:00 am Venue: Little Theater (near the ES area) This is an event for all High School Parents but we would like to extend a special invitation to new ISM parents and to parents of Grade 9 students.

Kind regards, the HS Administration

FROM THE FINE ARTS OFFICE:

HS Theatre Production 2011 The High School production this year is an adaption of Romeo and Juliet. This show is a collaboration between Drama, Dance and Music so there are roles for performers, singers, musicians, dancers technicians and artists. Students from all grades are encouraged to audition; it is certainly nice to have a variety of ages in a cast! The show is currently scheduled to take place over three days from the 13th of October so auditions need to be held this coming week. All audition materials can be found at http://arts.ism-online.org.ism-online.org . Any specific questions regarding this process, especially from those students who may be starting a few days late, can be emailed to Marsha Hillman at HillmanM@ismanila.org . Here is the audition schedule:
Monday8th Tuesday9th Wednesday10th Thursday11th Friday12th

Romeo Juliet R&JChorus (3pairsof Romeoand Julietcharacters fromdifferent timeperiods) Paris Benvolio (FemaleorMale)

LadyCapulet Nurse

Mercutio
Tybalt Capulet

ResidentsofVerona Callbacks Ensemble Latearrival (7Cameorolesand students flexiblenumbersof nonspeakingsingers/ dances/ townspeople) Prince (FemaleorMale) FriarLawrence

Callbacks Latearrival students

FROM THE ATAC OFFICE:

Dear HS Parents and Students, ATAC (Athletics & Activities) is ready to go for school year 2011-12! On behalf of the ATAC staff we wish everyone, especially our new ISM students and families, a big welcome to ISM. There are many opportunities for students to get involved in activities and I hope that you can involve yourself fully in our program. The ATAC Blog (http://atac.ism-online.org/) is the one stop shop for information, please take some time to peruse the blog and as you navigate your way through it hopefully the big picture of the ATAC Department will become clear for both students and parents. Using this blog you can find out about; IASAS our international schools league for HS competition, schedules for tryouts, season practice schedules and weekly matches, ATAC guidelines, facilities photos, Bearcat Council, Bearcat Den, IASAS hosting/housing, coaches blogs and much more.. The 1st season tryouts schedule is posted around school and available on the blog. Tryouts began yesterday for HS teams. The season practice schedule will be posted Monday Aug 8th. For those students interested in joining our all year rounds teams: sailfish, Aikido, Judo, Chess etc the schedule for our All Year Round sports program is also now on the blog. The summer break has been a busy time for the ATAC office staff preparing facilities/equipment in readiness for the start of the year. With the generous support of our school administration we have added the following infrastructure to our already great facilities; a new PA system for the MS field, extended MS field fencing panels, a new rain cover at MS field concrete bleachers and a scoreboard, new electronic winches for the basketball backboards in ES gym, full rain cover awnings for the HS bleachers, and arriving soon will be our new electronic track and field scoreboard. Also to be added during August will an automated lightning warning system for our outdoor spaces to assist in clearing the fields when lightning is in close proximity to the school. A weekly post will be made as the year progresses on the blog and also included in the Friday HS Parent Bulletin, I hope you visit the blog on a regular basis to keep up to date with all the action! Go BEARCATS in 11-12! regards Mark Pekin Director of Athletics/Activities International School Manila E-mail: pekinm@ismanila.org ATAC Blog: http://atac.ism-online.org/

YEAR ROUND ATAC TEAM SPORTS SCHEDULE

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL and HIGH SCHOOL
MON TUES WED THURS FRI TIME: 3:15 TO 4:30PM Venue AUGUST 8, 2011 Start (Gymnastics and Sailfish) SAILFISH SWIMMING GYMNASTICS TEAM
Pool Area MS Gym
PLEASE SEE SAILFISH WEBSITE (Sailfish.ism-online.org)

AUGUST 15, 2011 Start

(Judo, Taekwondo, Chess, TableTennis, Wall Climbing, Aikido, Cheerleading) MON TUES WED THURS FRI TIME: 3:15 TO 4:30PM Venue JUDO TEAM TAE KWON DO TEAM CHESS TEAM TABLE TENNIS TEAM WALL CLIMBING TEAM AIKIDO TEAM Cheerleading (Gr. 8 to 12)
Judo Area Covered Court 2nd Level Covered Court ES Cafeteria Covered Courts MS Gym 2nd Floor Aikido Room 2nd Floor Aikido Room