Upper School Newsletter

• COLLEGE VISITS
• IB CALENDAR OF DEADLINES FOR 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
• NEW!! EASTER BREAK APRIL 6 – APRIL 10
• NEW!! USEFUL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
• NEW!! UPDATES TO THE 2019-2020 AND 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR
• NEW!! RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE CANCELLATION OF END-OF-THE YEAR EVENTS
• 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
• DISTANCE LEARNING REMEDIAL SCHEDULE
• UPDATE TO RESERVATION AND RE-ENROLLMENT FORM
• BRENT’S DISTANCE EDUCATION WILL CONTINUE IN THE PHILIPPINE STANDARD TIME (PhST) ZONE
• STUDENT COMMUNICATION REGARDING DISTANCE LEARNING
• PARENT COMMUNICATION REGARDING DISTANCE LEARNING
• SAT TEST DATES

Throughout the year various universities that give presentations about their school and the university admissions process in general visit us. Juniors and Seniors as well as their parents may be interested in attending the following presentations

All deadlines for the various IB projects, orals, research papers, EE, etc. are noted below. Parents please help our students stay organized with their IB assignments and due dates throughout the upcoming year.

We wish everyone a blessed, safe and happy Holy Week. May it be a time of rest, family, fellowship and reflection. When we return on Monday, April 13 it will be a Day 2.

Here are some useful articles from NYU Langone Health regarding the following:

• School’s Out: A Parents’ Guide for Meeting the Challenge During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Checking In on Your Teenager’s Mood During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Helping Your Child Manage Disappointment About Abrupt Changes to the End of the School Year
• The Wall Street Journal: How to Keep Kids Learning While You’re Also Working from Home

Please note that Brent Manila’s last day of classes for 2019-2020 has been moved to Wednesday, May 20. Also, the first day of class starting school year 2020-2021 has been moved to Monday, August 10. Updated calendars can be found on the Brent website under “About”.

The following events will no longer be held in person regardless of whether or not we return to classroom instruction:

The school year can end several days earlier with final exams Thursday, May 14 through Tuesday, May 19. Makeup exams and the final day of classes will be held on Wednesday, May 20.

We will be communicating with our seniors and considering a variety of options for graduation. A ceremony in whatever form it may take will be held on Friday, May 22.

The first day of classes for students next school year (2020-2021) will be moved to Monday, August 10 in order to add a bit more flexibility into everyone’s summer planning. We will use distance learning during typhoon days next semester, which should mitigate any lost instructional time.

Next year’s school calendar is now available on our website here.

Here is the US teachers’ remedial availability throughout our Distance Learning experience.

The Reservation and Re-enrollment Form that was sent out earlier can also be found on our website here.

Given the current quarantine situation, we have extended the deadline to Monday, April 20. Since our school cashier on campus is not currently able to assist you in processing payments for any school fees, you may settle the reservation fee for the 2020-2021 school year through a bank deposit or bank transfer.

Here is a list of Brent’s dollar and peso bank account details for your reference.

Once you have made the payment for reserving a slot for the next year, please email a scanned copy or photo of the Reservation and Re-enrolment Form together with the proof of payment (via direct deposit or online payment) to billingsection@brent.edu.ph. Our Accounting Office will issue an official receipt as soon as offices resume. For company dependents, you only need to email the Reservation and Re-enrolment Form.

Email billingsection@brent.edu.ph for further assistance.

As you continue to make decisions regarding your family’s safety and health, note our Distance Learning will continue. If your home location changes, please keep us updated and help your children keep to their scheduled class blocks and times here. All faculty are providing instruction in the Philippine Standard Time (PhST) zone.

If your children encounter any technical difficulties, they should communicate with our IT office at itc@brent.edu.ph or basis@brent.edu.ph.

Distance Learning Communication for US Students

Student Roles & Responsibilities on a Distance Learning Day

1. Continue daily learning routines.
2. Sign in for class on time, prepared and in appropriate attire.
3. Identify a comfortable, quiet space in your home where you can work
   effectively and successfully.
4. Regularly monitor online platforms (eg Google Classroom, etc.) to check for
   announcements and feedback from your teachers.
5. Complete assignments with integrity and academic honesty, doing your best
   work.
6. Do your best to meet timelines, commitments and due dates.
7. Communicate proactively with your teachers if you cannot meet deadlines
   or require additional support.
8. Collaborate and support your peers in their learning.
9. Comply with Acceptable Use Policy, including expectations for online
   etiquette
10. Proactively seek out and communicate with your teachers, counselors and
    principals as different needs arise.

Expectations for Distance Learning class sessions

1. Refer to pg. 11 of the US’s Student-Parent Handbook for our Bring Your Own Device requirements.
2. Log into Google Classroom at least 5 minutes before the start of your class.
3. Continue following the Day 1 or Day 2 schedule refer to Google Calendar
   here.
4. Classes will begin and end based on Brent’s Monday/Tuesday class
   schedule.
5. Download Zoom here.
6. Teachers will be available for your questions/feedback throughout the Block
   time.
7. Engage with teachers and your classmates in a respectful and positive way.

For questions about…

• a course, assignment, or resource contact the relevant teacher.
• a technology-related problem or issue contact Mr. Castaneda or Mr. Fulo.
• a personal, academic or social-emotional concern contact your counselor.
• other issues related to distance learning contact the principal(s).

Distance Learning Communication for US Parents

Student Support

• Establish and keep to routines including normal bedtimes.
• Monitor communications from your children’s teachers via email and Google Classroom.
• Begin and end each day with a check-in. What are you learning about today? What are the goals? How will they spend their time? What resources do they need? What support do they need?
• Take an active role in helping your children process their learning
• Encourage physical activity and/or exercise
• Remain mindful of possible stress or anxiety
• Monitor how much time your child is spending online
• Learning experiences are designed to be completed independently or in collaboration with other students.

Student Needs

• Adult support – this may include providing quiet time or structure to the day, general encouragement, etc.
• A laptop and reliable internet access. Refer to pg. 11 of the US’s Student-Parent Handbook for our Bring Your Own Device requirements.
• A dedicated neat and organized work area in a room that is quiet and away from people and devices that could be a distraction.
• The workplace should include all necessary textbooks and materials.
• Support proactive communication when your child has questions and challenges.
• During breaks, time to stretch and walk around. Daily physical exercise for health and wellbeing.
• Plenty of water!

For questions about:

• a course, assignment, or resource contact the relevant teacher.
• a personal, academic or social-emotional concern contact your assigned counselor.
• other issues related to distance learning contact the principal(s).

ADVICE:

• Students register for the SAT through collegeboard.org
• The SAT can be full weeks before the Deadline to Register since it is open to students from other schools, too. Register earlier than you think you need to.
• If slots are already full at Brent for SAT and you are put on Wait List status, call College Board’s Customer Service number: 001-212-713-7789. There have been a few cases when a student was put on Wait List status but space was actually available. Call to check if there is a scheduling error. If it’s not an error and SAT is full, let College Board know you would like to be informed if space opens.
• You must bring your printed Admission Ticket with you on the test day, along with a photo ID. Be sure your legal name is on your Admission Ticket, and that it matches the ID you will present on the day of testing. If your ticket and ID do not match, you will not be allowed to take the SAT. As a testing center, we must enforce this requirement, even if the SAT supervisor and proctor know you.
• It is ideal to leave your devices at home. As per College Board: “If your device makes noise or you are seen using it at any time before testing is complete, including during breaks, it is grounds for immediate dismissal and score cancellation.”
• Read the Test Day Checklist for more details. Check your email for any new updates from College Board about your test day.
• If you think a diagnosed special need might qualify you for accommodations like extra time on the SAT, read the Students With Disabilities information and start the process early.