Student Weekly
Student Weekly
Apr. 1 to Apr. 5
Monday - "B - Day" Formal Uniform / Q4 Begins
Tuesday - "A-Day"
Wednesday - "B-Day" G8 Field Trip 4.3
Thursday - "A-Day"
Friday - "B-Day" - Arbour Day
Dear DRAGONS
This week, we begin the final quarter of the school year. This is your opportunity to end the year strong and set yourself up for success moving forward. You have all learned and grown this year. Take advance of the warmer spring weather to spring yourself into making this your best year.
We are also going to be focusing on breaking some habits this quarter. We need you and your friends to make a conscientious effort to use English in your classes and in the hallways. We know you can do it. With this expectation, we are looking to help make the school a safer place for all.
Have a great start to Quarter 4!
Happy Easter!
I hope the Easter Bunny got you all some chocolate this morning.
We are now beginning the final quarter of the school year. This is a busy, exciting, and anxious time of year for everyone. Grade 8s, this is your last quarter of middle school. Grade 7s, you are the soon-to-be role models of our middle school. Grade 6s, you are in the midst of your middle school journey. Bring your best self to our community for the last 2 months of school so that you end on a high note🎵
Formal Uniform - Monday, April 1, is our first day back after March Break. All students are expected to be wear their formal uniform
Changes to Connecting Language Issues - After receiving feedback from teachers, students, and parents, it seems clear that making a mid-year intervention to curb this issue and improve the safety of our students, is necessary.
We will be expecting students to use the connecting language in the hallways during passing times and all classes except for the World languages. In order to make this change we will have teachers in the hallways to help monitor.
During the first week of Q4, we will begin talking to students about the changes to this pattern of behavior. Right now we looking at having a virtual assembly for 10 minutes or so on the Monday or Tuesday we get back from break.
Wednesday after School Reminder - This is a reminder for any day students who must stay for drama rehearsal or Season 3 Athletics must report to the MSPAC by 330pm pm Wednesday.
Library at Recess (Smart Pass) - In order to go to the library at lunch/recess times, students MUST SCHEDULE a pass. If you just create a pass it will be denied!
We hope that you had an enjoyable and relaxing March vacation. We are getting started with Quarter 4 this week, and you should think about how you want to finish off your first year of middle school. Let’s make this your best quarter yet by:
Coming to class each day ready to learn
Taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep and eating quality food
Being kind to the people around you
We hope that you had a great March break. We begin the last quarter of the school year this week, it’s hard to believe that it’s here! We will continue to talk about making good decisions in advisory.
Welcome back! We hope you had a restful Spring break. We have the 4.3 Field Trip on Wednesday. You need to come to school by 7:30am wearing your formal uniform. Don’t be late!
This is your last quarter in middle school. Make it your best one!
Q3 PE Highlights: We had a lot of successful participation and growth in PE during Q3. Check out this summary video.
DRAGONS STARS! This is a new feature to the Student Weekly. Too often we focus on improving behavior and not necessarily celebrating all the awesome things our students do. Each week, I hear from so many teachers about some pretty cool, kind, and amazing things you do. Here are some of the DRAGONS STARS that shone brightly last week! We also know there are many acts of awesomeness that sometimes go unseen. Thank you to everyone who is committed to making our community a better, kinder, and safer place for all.
The standings are up-to-date! Here is the slideshow with name lists, game rules, and the standings. (If your name is missing please contact Mr. Boland right away and let him know.)
After Spring vacation, we are going to start talking about course selection for the next school year. It may be a good idea to start thinking about what you are interested in and what elective courses you may want to take.
More information will be coming soon so keep an eye out!
STUCO
STUCO: Our Spring Returns Social & Talent Show on April 9th is fast approaching! It will be the biggest social to date and we are so excited to host you! If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Campbell or Ms. Bates. 💃🥳
Service: The Community Service Committee is partnering up with Pi Day in order to send the money that will be raised to the Angel House Orphanage.
Broadcasting Club :
OUR MARCH BROADCAST is out!
Is your birthday coming up soon? We would love to do a birthday shoutout for you in our next broadcast!!! Please complete this form.
!!!VIRAL DRAGON!!!
Go VIRAL and have your video shown in our broadcasts. Submit a 30 second video where you show us your talent. Read the instructions on the form.
MS Theatre: LET’S KICK IT UP A NOTCH! 💥
Student actors! Rehearsals are changing again this week! Please check the rehearsal schedule, and please make sure to arrive at all rehearsals on time. Rehearsals on Wednesday (everyone) and Thursday (some of you).
REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR COSTUMES BACK TO KISJ AFTER SPRING VACATION. Email Mr. Dingle with any questions regarding costumes.
Student Crew! Rehearsals are changing again this week! Please check the rehearsal schedule, and please make sure to arrive at all rehearsals on time. No rehearsal on Wednesday. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Please be on time.
Student Playwrights! Remember that you must attend every rehearsal for your play.
Just before the March Break we started to see an amazing level of detail in some of the G8 masks. The students have really raised their standards are are producing amazing stuff.
Please read this document CAREFULLY for all the information you need to know to audition for MS Wind Ensemble for the 2024-2025 school year. The sign-up form is linked within the document.
MS Wind Ensemble Audition Timeline
March 17 : Wind Ensemble Audition Sign-ups Open
April 4, 5:00 PM : Audition Sign-ups Close
April 5 : Audition Confirmation & Time Slot sent via email from Mr. Chapa
April 8 - April 11: Auditions Held After school in the MS Band Room M416
April 15: Results Announced
Please remember to keep your instrument in a warm place (like your bedroom) at all times when you take it home. While at school, always keep your instrument in the instrument storage rooms. It is too cold to leave instruments in your locker!
SmartPass Library Rooms have been added: G6 Lunch & G7/8 Lunch. Students who want to apply to stay in the library during lunch will have to SCHEDULE a SmartPass for one of those rooms towards the end of period 4. The librarians will approve those passes at 11:45 or at the time the student enters so the approved ones may go to the library. Exceeding requests (#31) will be denied and students will get a message. Make Sure to bring ID card.
Also: If you have overdue books, please bring them back to the library. If you are having trouble with your SORA reading or want to connect, We can Help!
This will be a short quiz to help students review this weekly communication. It is important that all students review this newsletter each week, so they are prepared for the week, and to make sure they are INFORMED. Here is Did you read the Student Weekly Quiz #10
The table will be cleared as March has begun.
Make sure to check out the MS Office for items that have been misplaced. This should be one of the first places you look for lost or missing items. We often have an overload of hoodies and PE shirts. Please remember to label your belongings.
At the end of each month, we remove all items.
Wednesday After School: On Wednesdays, we have an early dismissal at 325. Students are expected to head off-campus or back to the dorms. Some students have to stay on campus beyond 330 for late pick up or an after school activity. This means we have certain expectations of where students must go from 330 onwards:
Late Pick-ups: Our library is open every day until 5pm. This is where students MUST go if they have to wait after school for the bus or a parent.
After School Activity - ANY student needing to stay for an after-school activity (sports/drama) MUST got to the ES/MSPAC Attendance will be taken in the PAC. Any student not in the PAC will not be permitted to practice that day.
Dorm students: All dorm students must report back to the dorms. If these stusend have an ASA, they can return to the day campus at 4pm.
Deli: The deli is not an option for students until after 4pm.
Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) - According to the School Dorm and Life Guide, “Day students may bring PEDs to school but they are to remain out of sight throughout the school day. Staff may confiscate PEDs that are visible during the school day.” PEDs should be in your bags and out of sight while on campus. They should NOT be in your pocket or hand unless it is for an academic purpose. Taking your PEDs to the bathroom during classes or break time is not meeting our school expectations.
Respect - Remember to make sure that the language you use is respectful. Think about the words you use, they reflect who you are. In classrooms, English is the language we use.
Library at Recess: SmartPass Library Rooms have been added: G6 Lunch & G7/8 Lunch. Students who want to apply to stay in the library during lunch will have to SCHEDULE a SmartPass for one of those rooms towards the end of period 4. The librarians will approve those passes at 11:45 or at the time the student enters so the approved ones may go to the library. Exceeding requests (#31) will be denied and students will get a message. Make Sure to bring ID card. Make Sure to bring your ID card.
Bicycles, Scooters, and Skateboards: Students should not be riding these vehicles on campus. Students should walk these vehicles through the gate. All students should wear helmets as well.
Uniforms - Uniforms must be worn properly. Club shirts, Ambassador shirts, Team jerseys, hats, and Dorm clothing are NOT part of the casual uniform. ALL students should have their KISJ casual shirt on, even if they are wearing a KISJ hoodie. Respect our community by respecting our uniform.
FAQs
If you are wearing your formal uniform, long sleeve shirts should be tucked in and neckties are worn with the knot at the top of the shirt (not hanging loosely).
Plain white/black shirts purchased in the uniform shop are NOT uniform pieces. They are for wearing under uniform shirts if you choose.
Students are expected to ALWAYS be in uniform when on campus during the school day.
Shoes: The MS and HS have simplified the shoe policy schoolwide. For formal and casual uniform days, “Shoes must be all black and have closed toes and a back that covers the heel: running shoes (sneakers) are permitted.” This includes the logos, laces and soles on your shoes. If you have to ask, then you probably know the answer. It is awesome to see that most students have had the correct footwear for the first days of school. If you have other colors on your shoe, please make sure to get your new shoes ASAP. If you use Naver or Coupang you can find links to several shoes that meet our requirements. Many shoe stores such as ABC Mart also carry all black shoes in Nike, Reebok, Sketchers, etc.
Hoods and Hats: Hoods and Hats can be used outside for weather protection. Once you enter indoors (classroom, hallway, stairwell, cafeteria, lobby, etc.) all hats and hoods should be removed.
Responsible Use Policy (RUP) - It is important to review our Responsible Use Policy. During the school day, we should be using our Macbooks for academic purposes, only. Students should not be shopping, gaming, or visiting non-academic websites during the school day.
Locker Issues: Please please follow these steps if you have any problem with your locker. First, try to solve the problem yourself. Second, ask your advisor for support. Third, complete this form.
Playground Expectations: The MS has access to the playground area during lunch recess on Tuesdays and Fridays. Do not climb on the outside of slides, and make sure you do not hang upside-down on the monkey bars. The monkey bars are for swinging with hands only.
Stairwells - We need to be mindful of our behavior in the stairwells, especially during passing times and at lunchtime.
We do not want too many students trying to squeeze up the stairs. This leads to pushing, and that leads to accidents and injuries. It is also not practicing social distancing. Students really should be walking up and down the stairs, no more than two at a time, and keeping to the right.
The volume level should be low. There is always another grade or two that are in classes. As you move about the building you need to "turn off your outdoor voices.
Please continue to follow our uniform policy. Students are expected to be in the proper uniform at all times and to wear their uniforms properly. Non-uniform clothing should not be worn on campus during the school day.