Counselor’s Corner – August 23, 2019

Counselor’s Corner (for Secondary Parents)

University Counseling

University Visits:

On Monday, August 26th a representative from North Seattle College will be visiting BIS  from 12:30 – 1:25 pm in the College Counseling Center.

If students are interested, they should sign up in the Counseling Office.

Please view the college/university visits calendar to see which universities will be visiting our campus and attending our two upcoming fairs on Sept. 27th and Oct. 1st.

Sept. 9th: 

Grade 11&12 Parent Session on University Admissions, 8-9AM in the Library

Sept. 9th (at Green School) 

Five top US Universities will visit Green School from 8:45-10:30AM: Columbia, Duke, Northwestern, Princeton, Vanderbilt

BIS students in grades 11&12 who would like to meet the reps from these schools should sign up in the Counseling Office.

SEPT. 27th: BIS COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY FAIR. 

Mark your calendars for this spectacular university networking event. We already have 50 universities signed up to visit on this day from 8-11 AM on the covered court. The Fair will begin with workshops for students in grades 9-12 on various topics including essay writing, finding scholarships, studying in Australia, and careers in hospitality. Secondary students and parents are invited to attend the BIS Fair and speak to university reps from around the globe.

Bridge-U at BIS:

University Planning sessions have been set each term for all students in grades 9-12. In these sessions, students will explore their strengths, set goals, find college majors and careers that suit their strengths, prepare essays, request letters of recommendation, and create their final list of universities to which they will apply in Grade 12.

A Parent Session is planned for October 14 to explain how BridgeU is used to prepare students for their university applications. This Parents Session is for Grade 9-12 parents.

Social/Emotional Counseling

Peer Mediation Program Launched!

The executive members of STUCO have been trained to assist other students in conflict to resolve their conflicts peacefully, and to find win-win solutions. The students announced the program launch at this week’s secondary school assembly.  Students may request a mediation by speaking to the school counselor directly or by completing a Peer Mediation Request Form found in the CCC, the Counseling office, and in each of the Principals’ offices.

New Students welcomed to BIS

In our ongoing efforts to create as smooth a transition as possible for new students joining our community, we have arranged a number of “connective activities”.

Class Buddies: Each student has been matched with a grade level “buddy” to help them settle in, understand our schedule and systems, ask questions, and introduce them to fellow classmates and Teachers.

Tech support Sessions for new students took place at the end of week 2 in secondary, to help new students with our most frequently used online platforms, such as ManageBac and Google Classroom. Ongoing support is available in this area, just ask!

Regular Check-ins: Check-ins are scheduled with the Counselor and the Principals to assist new students with questions, classes, and emotional support as they navigate the challenges of entering a new country and a new school.

New Student Lunch: A New Student Lunch is scheduled for new students and their buddies to discuss the various aspects of Culture Shock and share tips on coping with the inherent challenges of it

ASAs: During week two new students learned about the various afterschool activities and were encouraged to get involved by signing up for activities that bring them joy and give them a chance to meet other students, perhaps from other grades levels. ALL Term 1 ASAs are up and running.

EOTC: Our Education Outside the Classroom trips were moved earlier this year to assist new students in making friends and feeling part of this amazing community from the start. The EOTC camps are a great way for students to connect, meet new friends, have fun, and help others all while contributing to making Bali a better place to live through their service component.

Counselor’s Corner (for Primary Parents)

New Students Welcomed to BIS

In an ongoing effort to support students in making a smooth transition to BIS, here’s what’s happening from the counseling department:

New Student Meetings: I meet with each new student throughout term one to check on how they are doing, learn what they need help with, and to explain my role at BIS and serve as a resource for them when they need it.

Lunch Bunch:  New Students are scheduled first in the lunch bunch meetings that take place on Tuesdays during the lunch period in the Counseling Office( in the jungly part of school).  They are paired with returning students to help them form friendships and have fun together while we all get to know each other through game playing and drawing.

Child Safeguarding Talks:  

I will visit each primary classroom during term one to explain our child protection policy, show students the child protection poster hanging in each of their classrooms, and help them identify the members of our BIS child protection team. Students will learn about safe and unsafe touch and who to tell if they feel uncomfortable and need someone to talk to. For the younger students, we use the adorable Pantasaurus, a friendly dinosaur who teaches children about saying no and telling a trusted adult if anyone tries to touch inside their pants.

Keeping kids safe is our number one priority at BIS, so that they can focus on learning.

Please be in touch:

If you have any questions or concerns as a new parent, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at: 62 361 288 770 ext 116 or counselor@baliis.net

Thanks, Rachael Gerbic