GAP Student Share, GAP Group Tastes of Asian Cuisine, and CELEBRATION Slide Show

Sunday, November 8th from 5:00 to 7:15 on HS Ampang Campus

5:00 to 5:15 Parents mingle in MPR 1 while
GAP groups finalize their presentation plans in GAP classrooms

5:20 to 6:00 GAP groups share their response to:

How did my GAP adventure further my journey
as a socially responsible global citizen?

6:00 to 6:30 GAP parent and student groups share appetizers, salads and desserts provided by GAP families along with catered tastings of Asian cuisine provided by ISKL. (we are catering for 144 students and 1 parent from each family. If both parents plan to attend, plz RSVP to your GAP Parent Coordinator so we know to increase our food order. Also, siblings are invited...just let your GAP Parent Coordinator know.

6:30 to 6:45 Clean up

6:45 to 7:15 GRAND FINALE in the Robert G Theater
Trip Highlights and Celebration Slide Show


Free babysitting provided for siblings from 5:00 to 7:15 (Disney movies in Room 101 and soccer on the main field.)

GAP Trip Payment Info

Laos A and B, Vietnam A and B, Reefs to Rainforest travelers: your RM 600 balance is the only payment required for your October 2009 GAP trip. Happy travels!!!

Eco Village Travelers, if you paid the RM 600 deposit, it will be refunded to you. Plz email us the name you would like on the refund check.
We will issue the check in your child's father's name if we do not here from you by Friday, October 30th. Thank you!

China and Nepal travelers, the balance due information is on the China and Nepal trip site. Plz make your final payment of RM 2110.00 at the Ampang Campus Bookstore by Friday, November 6th. Thank you!

a helping hand in the Dragon Dynasty

updates from the GAP trail

Namaste Everyone,

Well, the good times just keep on rollin' here in Nepal.

Your outstanding ISKl crew worked all morning on painting two new classrooms and all the elementary school's playground equipment at Umbrella Orphanage in Kathmandu. They stayed focused for over 4 hours and worked until something of real significance was achieved. We bought all the paint and supplies so Umbrella was not out of pocket, so combined with the generous gifts your students collected for donation, it was a real benefit for the orphanage. Of course your students were once again reminded of the magnitude of their blessings after spending time with over 100 young kids who where rescued from prostitution, abandonment and other unspeakable horrors of the street and given shelter, food, protection and a chance to break the retched cycle of poverty by the good souls @ Umbrella..

We're off for Bodanath Stupa for a final farewell dinner this evening and then we'll send them back to you all with pictures and memories of a lifetime. They've been great every step of the way!

Nepal Trekkers meet children at Umbrella Orphanage

GAP Update 5:00 pm Monday, October 26th

All 8 GAP trips have arrived safely at their destinations and are enthusiastically engaging in their learning adventures!! All group leaders have checked in with Grant Millard to confirm their safe arrivals.

Thank You Teresa Soh & The Tetra Pak Company

We'd like to thank Tetra Pak who kindly donated 144 travel journals printed on gorgeous textured recycled paper for our GAP Launch Class of 2013!

Students will use these journals to reflect on their personal experiences throughout the GAP Launch as well as express their creativity by decorating the covers in a way similar to the photos above.

Once again, Thank You Tetra Pak for your generosity! We appreciate the steps you are taking to improve the state of the World!

Required Medical and Emergency Contact GAP Documents

China
Laos A and B
Nepal
Thailand Eco and Reefs
Vietnam A and B

All GAP Travel Groups:

Bring your ORIGINAL passport to the HS Office
before 8 am this Wed, Oct. 21st.

A team of GAP moms will collect them for each GAP Group
so they are ready for your trip leaders.
Do not apply for a Student Pass if that process
will make your passport unavailable.

EVERYONE must submit your passport
Wednesday morning!!!

In addition:

To be allowed to travel, your parents must have signed and submitted

these four GAP documents:

1) SOS International Insurance Medical Liability Release
(signed by a parent)
this was distributed at your CLASS MEETING in the theater two weeks ago

2) Your Parents' Emergency Phone Contact Numbers
during the week of GAP
this was distributed at your GAP meeting three weeks ago

3) Your updated Medical Profile
letting us know your medical history and current allergies, etc.
this was distributed at your GAP meeting three weeks ago

4) GAP Travel Contract with behavioral guidelines and consequences
(this was distributed and completed by all families at the Potluck)
(signed by you and your parents)


Please see Mr. Jarret Lambie jlambie@iskl.edu.my

or his secretary Ms. Jacqueline Hart jhart@iskl.edu.my

if you need copies of any of those required documents

or check the Forms and Documents folder on this GAP website.

We're in the Final Countdown!!!

Julie James
GAP Director

Family Potluck

One parent from each family must attend this Sunday, October 11th Potlucks/Trip Briefing.
This meeting is required to ensure effective communication between the Trip Leads and Grade 9 Parents.

Dear Grade 9 GAP Mothers:

Here are some ways moms in the Travel Group can support the Potluck Hostess:

1) GREETERS Could we please have 1-2 mothers who welcome people as they arrive? Please ask parents and students to wear name tags. The greeting team could please arrive 15 minutes early and help the hostess show people where to put their food, set up blankets or chairs, etc.)

2) CROWD CONTROL Could we please have 1-2 mothers that are in charge of student behavior? If anyone gets too loud or rowdy, these Mamas have the role of reminding students to be calm.

3) SERVING TEAM These moms assist the hostess with the set up and serving of the meal. Please have the parents be served first. The children follow the parents.

4) TRIP BRIEFING ORGANIZER Please have the parents as close as possible to the teachers and the kids behind them. The kids will have many other opportunities to hear from the teachers. Please remind the students to give their full attention to the teachers.

5) GAPIDOL SPIRIT COORDINATOR: Encourage all parents to attend GAPidol, to sit with the other parents and students in their travel group, and to be ready to applaud loudly when their kids perform. Ask if any parents have watched American Idol and noticed how parents/family/friends support the performers. Parents are welcome to make posters (large white poster paper has been provided for each group). Loud cheering is encouraged!!


6) CLEAN UP COORDINATORS: Please announce after the meal that the students clean up. No one leaves until all clean up jobs are completed.

7) ETIQUETTE GUIDES: Could a mom please remind all of the students to personally thank the hostess, the parent coordinator (who may also be the hostess!) and their two teachers for their time and participation in the potluck.

The Trip Leaders are looking forward to your children introducing you to them!!

We hope everyone catches up with friends, chats with the trip leaders, and meets some new people!!

Potluck Invites

We have sent out the invites for the Sunday, October 11th Potluck Gatherings.

Didn't receive the notice? Lost the informational sheet? Here are the invites for each potluck.

China Invite
Nepal Invite
Laos A Invite
Laos B Invite
Vietnam A Invite
Vietnam B Invite
Thailand Reefs to Rainforest Invite
Thailand Eco Village Invite

Highlights the October 1 GAP Meetings

Your child has the responsibility of asking you to complete and sign

1. a medical update
2. a potluck RSVP
3. parent emergency contact information

and to return all of those documents
with parent signatures
to their GAP Travel Group Leads
next Thursday, October 8th at the 3:00 GAP Meetings. Please ensure your child meets this responsibility!

I have posted on the Parent Information page of the Global Action Web Site an update about passport return, payment information, and an upcoming Grade 9 Class Meeting on Monday, October 5th at 11:15 in the Theater when your child will receive trip specific information about medical emergency response protocol.

Faculty Trip Leaders are looking forward to meeting all of you at next Sunday's October 11th's Travel Group Potluck Gatherings. Faculty will conduct their Mandatory Parent Briefings as well as enjoy the opportunity to personally meet each of you and to answer any/all of your questions. And, yes, you can take photos with them!!!

Monday, October 12th is GAPidol in the Robert Gaw Theater and it is a grade 9 family event. Simon Cowell, Paula Adbul, and Randy Jackson are flying in to join us so we hope you will all be there to cheer/shout/applaud/support your children's Travel Groups!! And, yes, you can bring posters/banners/cameras and all your friends!

Oct 1 Visa/Passport / Potluck / Trip Payments GAP Parent Update

Dear Grade 9 Families:

Firstly, I would like to thank our school nurse Linda See and the GAP Parent Leadership Team who have all invested incredible time and energy helping your child and family in so many ways.

Gillian Alcock GLC

Fiona Cooper

Dorota Davidson

Sherri Fergus

Fabienne Rushworth

Tina Schuessler

Helene Seiler

Deepika Sondhi

Lora Ellison

Michelle Hemingway

Kyung-Shin Hahn Grade 9 Liaison

Kumiko Toyoda and Yuko Nomamoto Grade 9 Liaisons

Maria-Ann Watkins GLC

Phillippa Flynn, PTA President and Rhonda Scott, HS PTA VP

Nurse Linda's professional expertise/personal dedication to our ISKL community is invaluable.

Your Grade 9 PARENT LEADERSHIP Team has been tremendous:

1) organizing the parents of each travel group into EMAIL GROUPS and generously SHARING GAP INFORMATION

2) enthusiastically arranging SNACK ROSTERS for each group and coordinating a site for each Travel Group Potluck (This has taken many hours, a lot of energy, and even more patience.)

3) assisting with the collection of passports so we could arrange GAP country visas

4) meeting to review and assist in the finalizing of critical medical/safety information and advising what procedures would assist families in their GAP preparation

Please be sure to thank them when you can.

I would also like to thank in advance the families that are hosting the TRAVEL GROUP Potluck GATHERINGS on Oct. 11th in order that all parents can meet each other ---as well as the HS Faculty GAP Leaders--- in an enjoyable social setting. We hope you value community involvement and have offered your support to those families kind enough to organize and host the get-togethers for your child's group.

Travel Group POTLUCK HOSTESSES

Dorota Davidson

Sherri Fergus

Tina Schuessler

Helen Chong

Jan Keith

Mei Remington

Elyce Smith

Stacy Taylor

Your child's OCTOBER 11th Potluck Gathering will be an excellent opportunity for you and your partner

to express your individual appreciation to your child's GAP Faculty Leaders for the time they are investing in this exciting new program that your child's class has the extraordinary distinction of launching.

VISAS/PASSPORT update

Our international visa handler originally thought all GAP visas would be processed by today and that we would be able to return all passports at today's GAP meetings. Unfortunately, we were delayed last week by some students forgetting to have their passport, required number of photos, and completed visa applications to us in the HS office before 8 am Thursday morning. That has impacted our scheduled return of passports.

Here is the status of the GAP Visa Applications:

Today at 5:00 pm (17:00) some passports were returned. The Nepal Group passports are back (except for students who traveled last weekend on sports exchanges). We will keep them locked safely in the HS office and return them next Thursday, October 8th at the GAP meeting. By then the passports of the students who traveled to Bangkok, Jakarta and Penang this past weekend (and submitted their passports on Monday) should also be ready.

The Laos Group A and B passports should be back at ISKL by next Tuesday and so those will also be returned at the Thursday, October 8th's meeting.

The Vietnam Group a and B passports should be back at ISKL by next Monday and so should also be returned at the Thursday, October 8th meeting.

The Chinese Embassy closed today to celebrate their national day. They will not re-open until October 8th and communicated to our visa handler that they will need the 9th--12th to finish processing the China Group's passports so we will be able to return them on October 14th. If your child is in the China group and you are planning international travel for your Grade 9 child prior to October 14th, please let me know today.

TRIP PAYMENTS/REFUNDS:

The process of developing documents to communicate to you the extensive health/safety protocols we have in place has been more time consuming than we expected. Therefore, payment/refund information will be sent out to you next week. Please expect a health care/medical emergency information packet from your children Monday evening.

Thank you all for your involvement and support.

Julie James

Global Action Director

GAP VISA Information

Click here for GAP VISA INFORMATION

This information will help you to know if your child needs a VISA to enter her/his GAP country.
For those who do need visas, this will help you know what your child needs to provide for us to process her/his visa.

---

GAP Parent Information

GAP Information for Grade 9 Parents

For ISKL parents curious to know more about GAP, this site is for you!

Discover what your child will experience at the weekly GAP meetings and how grade 9 families will be involved.

This slide show was presented to all grade nine parents at the August HS Open House
Click Here for the GAP Open House Presentation.

A similar presentation was shared with our ISKL Board of Governors.
Click Here for the Board of Governor's GAP Presentation.

PARENT CHECKLIST This lists all the information your child is responsible to share with you.

Creating YOUR Global Action Blog

Hello,
My name is Mr. Inskeep and I will be your technology coordinator for the Global Action Program. You will be creating a blog to serve as a digital journal and to allow you to reflect on the incredible experiences you will have along the way.

To get started, you will need to create a Google Account.
Even if you already have one, take the time to set up an account that uses your ISKL username (and uses your NEW ISKL email address).

Your username or email for the account should be something like: binskeep13@iskl.edu.my (this should match what you use as your login to the ISKL wireless)

You may set your password to whatever you'd like... just be sure not to forget it!

Watch this video to learn about creating blogs in Blogger.

When you create your blog url, use username.blogspot.com as the URL (where "username" is your username like "binskeep13"... so my URL would be "binskeep13@blogspot.com")

Once your blog is set up, email the URL of your blog to your Trip Leaders, your World Studies 1 teacher, and your parents.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any trouble, or if you have some cool ideas about integrating technology into your Global Action Experience!

Can, Can!

Mr. Inskeep
binskeep@iskl.edu.my

Packing Lists

Specific guidelines for each trip will be posted on your trip website.

Carry-On (Use your school back pack so it’s easy to carry in the airport.)

1. All medication.
2. Contact lenses, glasses and sunglasses (and their cases)
3. A complete change of comfortable clothes (including underwear) in case you spill something or we have an unexpected delay.
4. A comfortable hoodie/sweater and warm socks in case the plane or airport is cold
5. Tissues and hand-wipes. Emergency toilet paper.
6. Toothbrush, small toothpaste, small deodorant in case we have an unexpected delay.
7. A good book and some magazines
8. Playing cards or a travel game
9. Your Ipod if it’s covered by your parents’ insurance and allowed by your faculty GAP leader
10. Healthy snacks (no liquids will be allowed but a water bottle is a good idea)
11. Spending money of RM 150 is the amount recommended.

Checked Bag (light enough that you will not exceed the 20 kg luggage limit)

1. Something with wheels so you can manage it easily yourself.
2. Something that locks so you have all your items when you arrive.
3. Enough underwear and socks for the week plus 2 extra pairs
4. T shirts, shorts, lightweight trousers for the week
5. Shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, (body lotion if you use it, etc).
6. SUNSCREEN a lip sunscreen with an SPF factor plus a hat.
7. Appropriate sleepwear for a school trip.
8. Bathing suit for any trip that involves water and shoes to wear at the beach.
9. Comfortable shoes for walking and sports activities like cycling.
10. A second sweater or hoodie in case it gets cold and a rain poncho for rain.
11. Read your day by day itinerary on the GAP website carefully and see if you will need anything else for any of your activities. (For example, Nepal trekkers….hiking boots, etc.)

GAP Responsibilities

The GAP Responsibilities

We understand that the kids sometimes leave things to wither away at the bottom of their bags so we've provided all curious parents with an electronic copy on the internet.

GAP RESPONSIBILITIES

Student GAP Responsibilties

Due Sept. 24th

1. Please tell your parents you need to bring your actual passport, the completed VISA APPLICATION FORM, and the required # of passport photos next Thursday morning --Sept 24^th -- to the HS office at 7:50 am in an envelope with your name on it.

(unless you are traveling to Jakarta for volleyball or ISB for cross country---you can give me

your passports Sunday, Sept 27^th when you return to ISKL but please turn in your

photos and the application form Sept 24^th.) Passport photos are 1” by 1”

CHINA passport, completed visa application, and 1 photo (everyone…all nationalities!)

VIETNAM passport, completed application, and 2 photos (everyone…all nationalities!)

LAOS passport, completed application, and 3 photos

(Laos visas are for everyone except Japanese + the ASEAN countries of Malaysian/Singapore /Indonesia/Thailand and Brunei who do not need visas for Laos)

Thailand–most nationalities do not need a visa

However, if your passport is Croatian, Egyptian, Indian or Taiwanese the Thai embassy requires you process your visa in person. You are likely to need 5 photos, a completed application, and your passport . Costs vary but will be RM 200 or less. We will provide you with a letter from the school next Thursday, Sept. 24^th, for you to use in the application process AND a copy of your airline ticket to Thailand next Thursday. Please give us the receipt for your visa and we will reimburse you.

The Malaysian government has asked all international students to obtain a student visa. This is something your parents’ company can process for you after we have processed your GAP country visa. If you would like ISKL to provide you with a letter so that you can obtain this student visa in your passport, please ask your parents to email Julie James jjames@iskl.edu.my 012 387 7950

If you need more information, you may call our ISKL Government Liaison Officer Mr. Maniam at (03) 4259-5644. ISKL students have traveled to IASAS exchanges without this new student visa in their passport and have been able to re-enter Malaysia successfully with their teachers and team-mates on the dependent visa status. So, from a practical standpoint, this requirement may not be essential. However, ISKL does recommend that all international students have a student visa (which is in addition to the dependent visa) to comply with the Malaysian requirement. You can ask your company to process this for you after we do your visas next week.

2. Show your parents the GAP calendar on the Global Action Website + put the PARENT EVENT information on your family calendar on the refrigerator. Check that out now in your travel groups and fill in the following info:

Time ________ Date ________ PARENT EVENT: Travel Group Potluck

Time ________ Date ________ PARENT EVENT: GAPidol in Robert B. Gaw Theater

Time ________ Date ________ PARENT EVENT: GAP Celebration Slide Show

3. Discuss with your parents the Sunday Oct. 11^th Travel Group Potluck at 5:00 and explain that is (1) when they will meet your travel group leaders, travel group members and their parents/families, and (2) all parents participate in a mandatory trip briefing that includes (a) them providing up-to-date health information about you (any medication you are taking, any allergies that you have, any special dietary requirements that you have) and (b) hearing the emergency medical information should you become injured or sick on the trip. and a vitally important parent update on your health status. Ask if your family wants to host the potluck.

4. Ask your mom if she has received and responded to an email from the travel group snack coordinators. If your mom/dad has not already signed up for a day to provide GAP snacks, please ask your parents to please email your GAP Parent Snack Coordinator. Their email addresses are posted on the GAP web site under Parent Information.

5. Check your trip itinerary for your GAP departure/arrival times from ISKL parking lot.

Time ________ Date _____________ GAP Departure from ISKL

Time ________ Date _____________ Arrival back to ISKL from GAP

6. Explain that if your trip cost is higher than the RM600 deposit, payment information will be provided at the Oct. 1^st GAPmeeting. Trip costs are being finalized.

The GAP Plan Meetings

The GAP Plan is the inspirational and informative series of spirit meetings the Class of 2013 will have collectively to prepare for their GAP launch. Most of those get-togethers will be Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:00 and include a complex array of activities ranging from learning and sharing cultural and language highlights of those host country to spirited games that will solidify group trust and camraderie. We want to involve families in the Potlucks and GAPidol to strengthen the bonds of our GAP community.

All families are asked to provide snacks for one of the GAP Meetings. Each Travel Group has a Parent Snack Coordinator that has graciously agreed to help coordinate snacks for each week. Snack Suggestions for GAP Meetings.

Do GAP Groups have spirit? You bet they do!! Where's the Spirit? Activity Sheet.

GAP Registration Process

Click here for GAP Registration Process for New Gr. 9 Students

If you are a new parent with a ninth grader at ISKL, it is vital you enroll your child in GAP (the Global Action Program.) GAP registration is done entirely online. Click Here for the Presentation.

Any time you have questions or need more information, please email the GAP coordinator Julie James or her assistant coordinator and ISKL alum, Elyce Smith. jjames@iskl.edu.my or esmith@iskl.edu.my

Research

Just a little Background Info
So the first task for the GAP program is for you to do just a small amount of research on a certain aspect of the country you’re going to. It’s hardly research because we have one special site we want all of you to refer to for gathering your information.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

Use this site to learn some interesting facts about your special part of that country. You will work with a partner on finding this information and then presenting it in a way you feel is best (i.e. slideshow, poster)

Now to make it interesting, you and your partner must figure out an interesting way to capture your peer’s attention. While presenting maybe you’d like to change the sound of your voice – speak with an accent if you must. Or be overly dramatic! You decide how you think your peers would find your information more intriguing!


The topics of research are:

Background information
Geography
Provide a map!
People
Government
Economy
Communications
Transportation
Military
Transnational Issues
Ethnic Groups
Rivalries?




Prepare to present and discuss your information with your GAP mates for next meeting.

One last important thing is to keep in your mind is…
What are the issues of this country?
What are the problems that the people of this country are facing?

Think of it in terms of your aspect of the country (i.e. geography researchers– maybe its troubling because its too cold to grow food that they need to eat or for profit) You will need to discuss this with your travel group next meeting.

August 27th, 3:00-4:00 1st GAP Meeting in Robert Gaw Theater

HS Principal Grant Millard: Can Can!! Why Attitude Is EVERYTHING!!

Head of School Paul Chmelik: Why our ISKL Mission directs us to be socially responsible global citizens.

UNPACKING THE MISSION: Carrie Underwood

GAPsters each found a puzzle piece with their name and had to discover who else in the theater had matching parts. They were told to find matching pieces, put their puzzle together the quickest and once done, meet back in the theater for a surprise announcement. This collaborative activity - little did they know - actually was the GAPs indirect way of announcing the travel groups!

Wacky Facts Bulletin Board Challenge

WACKY FACTS Board in the AMPANG Canteen!

Check out the Wacky Facts Board featuring entertaining pictures and little-known facts about each GAP Trip Lead on display in the Ampang Canteen. A crazaayy way to get to know the GAP Leadership Team!!

All GAPPERS are challenged to match your GAP Trip Leads' photos and wacky facts posted in the Ampang cafeteria. Ballots were generously distributed at the close of your Sept. 3rd Travel Group Meetings.The BALLOT BOX is in the HS office.....go ahead and submit your entry!

The winner will earn a catered lunch for the winner and 2-3 friends...served at 11:00 on the deck on the school day of your choice!! Hint: some of the photos have clues!!!!! (like Michael Egeland standing next to the bust of Gandhi, Cheryl Lambie ice-skating, and Bill Mitchell buried in golf sand!)

Wacky Fact Photos

August 21st, 11:15 Class Meeting

ISKL's very own Black-Eyed Peas heating up the stage one week prior to revealing the GAP 2009 travel groups! Our Black-Eyed Peas ft. Lead Rapper Laura Stewart and sidekicks Lua, Dayne, Andrew, Haruko and Michael....accompanied by the street-wise GAPTAS Eisen, Inskeep, Egeland, Palko, Millard, Petersen, and Cheng.

Rappin' WHERE IS THE LOVE? was the Call to Action for the Class of 2013. Taraz Lee ('12) in his interview with the Grade 9 STUCO Officers SHARED THE LOVE by teaching English in Cambodia.

Program Overview

• ISKL is proud to announce our Global Action Program will be launched by this year's Grade 9 students---the class of 2013!!
• The Global Action Program is directly linked to our ISKL Mission to challenge students to develop the attitudes, skills, knowledge and understanding to become highly successful and socially responsible global citizens.
  
• Each trip option is detailed on this site and includes a slide show and day-by-day itinerary.The Global Action Program begins with travel group planning meetings in August and culminates with the actual trips that will run October 24^th to 31st.
• Each travel group will be be comprised of 16 to 20 grade 9 students and led by 2 ISKL high school faculty members.
• The program is funded through a combination of tuition and family contributions.(The family cost of each trip is included on the trip link and range from $0 to $1200.)
• Travel Groups will discuss the evaluation/assessment process prior to the October 24th trip departure. The assessment rubric will be published on this site and available for parents in late September. Successful participation in the program is expected of all students and therefore a graduation requirement.
• Our ISKL Middle School has offered a tremendously popular and particularly dynamic Malaysia Week travel/learning program for more than a decade for grades 6, 7, and 8. We are delighted to kick off an exension of this fantastic tradition for our high school students.