From the Secondary Principal’s Desk
“What’s so great about an American education anyway?”
The mission of BAIS is, “to enable students to achieve their full academic, physical, social, and spiritual potential, with a commitment to excellence. This education is based upon a foundation of biblical truth, respecting individuals of all religions and cultural backgrounds.” The United States has been a forerunner in the field of education for many decades and this has led to continued research and publications explaining the newest and most effective ways to increase student learning and achievement in schools. The school implements an American philosophy of education. BAIS students are prepared to not only do well on standardized tests such as the ACT, SAT, MAP, or Advanced Placement, they are also prepared to solve real-world problems, apply the information they know, and make decisions in a globally minded, diplomatic way.
While BAIS teachers seek to instill international-mindedness and a strong biblical worldview in all their classes, they also are able to pull from the best aspects of American educational philosophy and implement those characteristics into their class.
Classes at BAIS find a healthy balance between rote memorization and application. Students are pushed to memorize certain aspects of courses such as vocabulary, definitions, formulae, and literature passages while they also experience real-world opportunities to apply that knowledge and collaborate with classmates or other community members to solve real-world problems.
The American educational philosophy at BAIS is also flexible. As students’ progress from elementary to middle and middle to high school, they can select courses that best fit the student and family’s university and professional goals. If a student desires to be an engineer, they can focus course selection to be heavier in math and science. If a student desires to be a lawyer, they can focus on English language arts and social studies. Best of all, there is flexibility when students or families change their minds and decide to pursue a different long-term goal. Even if a student plans in 11th grade to be a scientist, a student can modify their schedule in 12th grade toward a different profession, when necessary. This is quite different from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program where course selection occurs in 10th grade for the 11th and 12th grade year and usually cannot be changed once a decision is made.
Next week BAIS will participate in the PVJ Education Fair. If you are asked, “What’s so great about BAIS and an American education?” you might be able to highlight that BAIS provides a balanced approach to education, real-world application and problem solving, along with flexibility for all students to pursue their desired field of future expertise. The school is better equipped to meet the needs, desires, and passions of all students compared to other schools in and around Bandung!
Sincerely,
Jeremy J. Thomas, MS. Ed.
Principal
Broadway Intensive – Theater Camp and Show

Dear parents and students,
Broadway Intensive is back in Jakarta for two sessions ONLY! Spots are limited.
December 14-18, 2019: THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
December 19-23, 2019: HAIRSPRAY
PRIORITY REGISTRATION until October 14, 2019 – grab your spot now!
We will open the waiting list to new students after October 14, 2019. Register at bambooplayhousetheater.com/register
Calling Future Broadway Stars: 7-18 years old!
- 5-day performing arts, musical theatre, acting and dance intensive
- ACTING| IMPROVISATION|VOCAL| MUSICAL THEATRE| JAZZ| TAP| BALLET| HIP HOP| CONTEMPORARY master classes
- STAR in GRAND INDONESIA – a unique opportunity to be a part of a professionally directed and choreographed show
- Fantastic productions of “THE GREATEST SHOWMAN” and “HAIRSPRAY” with original choreography
- Exploration of performing arts – improvisation, auditioning, casting, blocking, stage and theatre etiquette, show business and so much more!
PROGRAM FEE – what’s included:
Participation fee: Rp. 6,450,000 (Rp. 5,950,000 Early Bird rate if registration and payment are received by October 30, 2019).
Contact:
Broadway Intensive is delivered to you by the eclectic team of educators from iDream Lab, an international education organization from Silicon Valley, California.
For more information and PRIORITY REGISTRATION, please contact Hadi (Indonesian/English) at bi@bambooplayhousetheater.com or Viktoria at viktoria@i-dreamlab.com.
Drama Announcement
Drama Rehearsal for Wednesday, October 16 at 4:15 – 6.15pm
Scenes: Prologue to Scene 6
Performers: Everyone
Crew: Everyone
2020-2021 School Year
Important Dates
Aug 11, 2020 – First Day of School
Dec 18, 2020 – Second Quarter Ends
Jan 11, 2021 – Third Quarter Begins
May 12-14, 2021 – Idul Fitri
June 9, 2021 – Last Day of School
I Love to Read Month: October 18 is Storybook Day!
Elementary students – start planning your book character costume!
On Storybook Day, students are invited to dress up like a favorite book character (real or fictional) and we’ll celebrate reading with a special event for the whole elementary!
Parents, you are invited to join us for the festivities at 9:30 here at BAIS. You are invited to dress up as well! We are excited for the final event of I Love to Read month! Check this website for some great suggestions!
www.worldbookday.com/dressing-up-ideas-2019/
Update Parents will not be asked to contribute towards the Storybook Day ‘Picnic with Parents’. Previously we had mentioned that parents would be asked, but the plan has changed and supplies are being provided in other ways. We look forward to seeing many elementary parents at the event!
PSAT / NMSQT

On Wednesday, October 16, 2019 the 11th-grade class will be taking the PSAT/NMSQT.
Students have already been given the Student Guide to look through and know more about the PSAT, including a study guide.
Testing will begin in the MPR at 7:45 am.
School Portrait Day
On Thursday, October 17th students will be taking their yearbook/ID card photo and class group photos.
Please no PE uniforms.
For students that are absent, there will be another picture day in February.
SEW Needs
SEW is just around the corner and we are busy preparing to make this year’s event spectacular! We are looking for some “recycling” that would help with some of the elementary events we have planned. If you have any of the following that you could donate, please drop it by the front office to Mrs. Loewen.
- 1 or 1.5-liter bottles
- Cardboard boxes – big enough for kids to crawl through
- Small cardboard boxes or shoe boxes
- Toilet paper rolls – the cardboard tube inside
- Paper towel rolls – the cardboard tube inside
- Wrapping paper rolls – the cardboard tube inside
WWDWWD – Why We Do What We Do
IISSAC
IISSAC stands for the Indonesian International Small School Activity Conference and member schools include BAIS, BIS, Mountainview Christian School, Wesley School, Bali Island School, and Surabaya Independent School. The mission of IISSAC is, “to promote interaction between international schools in Indonesia through friendly competition and other character-building activities.”
We compete in IISSAC because it is a leading practice in international schools to participate in regional or international tournaments that provide extremely competitive athletic tournaments as a culminating activity or summative assessment at the end of the season. Through our membership in IISSAC, our students are also able to build positive relationships with other international school students (and Third Culture Kids (TCKs)) that continue beyond high school and into university.
University of British Columbia
Students will need to respond to the email that they were sent by Friday, October 18th to be excused from class to attend the presentation.
Parents are invited!

Athletics & Club News
IISSAC Soccer

- Last Saturday the IISSAC boys’ soccer team hosted the Safe & Free Indonesia soccer team for a game and dinner. Thank you to all the BIAS community that came to the game to support the teams. It is a blessing to have a continuing relationship with Jorge Marquez and his prison ministry. It is encouraging to see BAIS and the BAIS community be a light in Bandung (Matthew 5:14-16). Senior Emily Nielsen observed, “It was really great to see the boys able to compete and even get to have a penalty kick shootout. It was cool to see the boys eat with one another and build community. I was glad that a lot of people came out to the game.” Junior and boys goalie Ezra Thomas said, “The match on Saturday against the juvenile prison team was hard-fought, and while our first penalty shootout this season could have gone slightly better, we all had a great time eating with the boys and serving them some good old fashioned lunch. It was a great opportunity to be witnesses to the boys through the incredible game of soccer that we all love.”
- Oct. 15 -BAIS Girls vs. WJWP (5:00)
(Games and times are subject to change). - All parents, BAIS staff, community members are invited to come support your BAIS Eagles!
- Oct. 25-27, 2019 IISSAC Soccer Tournament at BAIS
We need volunteers to film games for our streaming service. We are hoping to also have announcers for each of the games for those watching the games online. If you are interested and willing to volunteer, please contact Justin Powers (justinpowers@baisedu.org) Volunteers are needed at the following times:- Friday, October 25, 2019 – 2:00-6:00pm
- Saturday, October 26, 2019 – 8:00-11:00am, 11:00am-2:00pm, 2:00-6:00pm
- Sunday, October 27, 2019 – 7:00-11:00am, 11:00am-1:00pm
After School Clubs and Activities
- October 17 -BAIS Middle School Basketball Club vs. SHIELD Basketball Academy. Games begin at 4:30. Come support and cheer on our middle school athletes!
The seniors will have the grill fired up for delicious hot dogs and hamburgers. - October 18 & 25 are half days at BAIS. AME Art Club and Intermediate Badminton will meet at 11:30.
- Season Two will start Nov. 18 and last until Feb. 21. If anybody in interested in leading a club, please contact Justin Powers *(justinpowers@baisedu.org) as soon as possible. There will be no clubs Nov. 25-29; Dec. 19-Jan. 10.
Keep your eyes on the BAIS Buzz for updates, changes, and more information!