Message from the Head of School – August 6, 2021
Approaches to Learning
The faculty at Bali Island School will build an articulated Approaches to Learning (ATL) vertical curriculum during SY21-22. They will also explicitly teach the BIS ATL skills in classes and provide multiple opportunities for students to practice each skill. While this is a lofty goal, the ATLs are skills and attitudes required to develop into a “lifelong learner”. Educators and futurists over the past decade have touted 21st Century Skills, Habits of Mind, and in our IB World – the ATL’s. With the prospect of our students moving into multiple career paths during their lives, these skills arm our students with abilities to think, self-manage, research, communicate and interact socially for the purpose of learning.
Student voice will be required to build our ATL benchmarks. We will ask students in grades 6, 8 and 10 to help us develop “I can…” statements about each skill. A Grade 6 student will then understand the standard he/she needs to reach in order to be on track with regards to ATL skills. These “I can…” statements will form a progression for BIS Faculty to then support by providing explicit teaching and practice opportunities of each ATL skill with gradual and progressive skill development.
The PYP and DP learners are involved too. In the PYP our goal is to have each learner become AWARE of each ATL and begin to reflect on progress made. MYP students then ACQUIRE the BIS ATL skills. And finally, our DP students AMALGAMATE (combining needed skills and applying when needed) the skills, employing each at the right time, in the right way, knowing how they learn best.
I’ll continue to provide updates for you throughout the year as we progress towards our School Wide Goal of: Creating and implementing the BIS ATL vertical curriculum.
Calendar Change
Wednesday, August 11 is now a National Holiday – moved from August 10, and Wednesday, October 20 is a new holiday (moved from October 19) as well. The adjustments to our SY21-22 calendar are located here and updated on our website.
Student Vaccinations
BIS is scheduled to host the 2nd round of student vaccinations on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at 9:00 am. Only students who received the first dose are eligible to come to the covered court on this day and they will need to bring proof of their first vaccination.
For those unvaccinated students who are seeking vaccination, we are working with the Puskesmas on scheduling a new round. We will update you when we know more.
BIS IB MYP and DP Data and International School Assessment Data Presentation
On August 12 at 8:00 a.m., Mrs. MacDonald, Mr. Weber, and I will share our recent results with the community. I welcome you to join at the Zoom link below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5110373695?pwd=TTAxRGFEdkVvaDlkenc3eWxRNXBRZz09
Meeting ID: 511 037 3695
Passcode: BIS21
Wakeskate Champion
Please help us to Congratulate BIS Grade 12 2021 WWA US Nationals Professional Wakeskate Champion – Jadon Scures!
Indonesian Independence Day Celebration
The Commemoration of the 76th Independence Day of Indonesia this year brings a special theme “Indonesia Tough, Indonesia Grows”.
Our Bahasa Indonesian Teaching Team and our Music Department is working on our annual Indonesian Independence Day Celebration virtually. Please plan on joining us at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 16, 2021 at the following link:
Meeting ID: 511 037 3695
Passcode: BIS21