The Back to School Bash Kicks off the New Academic Year!

ISKL’s campus was a hub of activity at the recent annual PTA Back to School Bash (BTSB), where the entire community gathered to celebrate the beginning of the school year.

This popular event featured an array of activities that delighted ISKL community members of all ages. Joyful laughter filled the air, and music added energy to the event. Excited students, families, and employees joined games, competitions, and activities hosted by the PTA, dashing from booth to booth. At the same time, the smell of satay, burgers, cotton candy, and popcorn wafted from the food trucks, giving the event a carnival-like vibe. The day was not only fun but also served as a wonderful time to strengthen the community’s Panther spirit, as new families were welcomed and old bonds rekindled in an atmosphere of celebration and enthusiasm.

This event would not have been possible without the leadership of the event Chair, Juliana B., and the BTSB planning team, whose tireless efforts made this amazing afternoon such a success. Juliana shared, "My vision for this event was to have fun and bring the community together. Our community already shares a strong bond, but events like this highlight the importance of simply enjoying being together." She added that this year, many games and activities (some new to the BTSB event) were sponsored by the PTA, allowing the community to savor the time of being together.

A celebration of this scale relies on exceptional planning as well as a huge amount of time and energy. ISKL extends its heartfelt appreciation to every parent and volunteer, many of whom worked over the June/July break to ensure all was ready for the start of school, while others were quick to sign up and help out at the various stations, including a record number of new parents. 

Juliana noted that seeing parents volunteer was her favorite part: "Some parents, who are professional artists, spent up to three hours happily painting numerous children's faces, creating memorable experiences for everyone. That's the beauty of events like these, seeing our children happy thanks to the community’s generosity." 

Three creatively themed zones offered something for everyone, ranging from challenging puzzles and creative stations to games and booths, such as mini golf and giant Jenga, and entertained the community. As always, the dunk tank was a big favorite, bringing cheers as students sent faculty and staff splashing into the water. The "don’t touch the lava" obstacle course gave ISKL’s thrill-seekers a chance to leap and jump to avoid the floor (aka the lava). Creative stations offered hair coloring and playful face painting. A dedicated photo booth allowed participants to express themselves with fun ISKL-themed props, while sports enthusiasts joined football, basketball, rugby, and volleyball matches run by ISKL’s Community Sports providers. Board games and puzzles, such as Monopoly, chess, and dominoes, challenged guests and sparked some friendly competition.

Another highlight was the selection of parent-run booths and food trucks, giving everyone the opportunity to sample a variety of flavors. These turned the campus into a food corner where attendees enjoyed specialties from the PTA Booster Team, the Minum Cafe, and local vendors.

The school is deeply grateful to the many parents whose support helps make ISKL such a special place. Their commitment embodies ISKL’s Panther spirit, and the whole community looks forward to their lineup of events, including one of the highlights of the year, iFest, which is more than just a celebration of ISKL’s 60+ nationalities; it is a tribute to the cultures, connections, and strong community spirit that defines our school. 

Curious about what sets the ISKL community apart? Discover more about our PTA and the Parent in Partnership Program to learn how we foster inclusive engagement and collaboration, providing a heartwarming experience for all families.