Student Weekly
Student Weekly
Feb. 19 to Feb. 23
Monday - "A-Day"
Tuesday - "B-Day"
Wednesday - "A-Day"
Thursday - "B-Day"
Friday - "A-Day"
Dear DRAGONS
We have had a good couple of months! Lots of holidays, Exploration, and some snow. It’s wonderful when we have the chance to take a break from our routines and rest or experience something new. It’s now time to get back to our two most important missions here at KISJ: academics and being a good person. This week, as we are warming up our academic selves, we are also focusing heavily on kindness. I am eager and excited to take part in the Kindness Challenge and I hope that you will be too. This is a great chance to set a positive tone for the rest of the school year and to bring joy and happiness to those around us.
Go DRAGONS!
MS DRAGONS,
We are entering the final push of Q3. We have 5.5 weeks to really get focused and keep your eyes on the prize. G8, you will have a lot of information coming at you about high school, so please make sure to ask questions, be organized, and continue to prioritize your learning. All students will have Yearbook photos later this month, and our KISAC tournaments are coming up. Through all the distractions - ask questions, ask for support, and prioritize your academics.
Great Kindness Challenge - This week you will all be getting a Kindness Challenge sheet. Do some self-reflection and think about how you can brighten someone’s day with a small act of kindness. Conversely, consider how a mean-spirited action could ruin your day or make you feel less welcome. Consider how to avoid such actions and how to react if something unfortunate happens.
MS Yearbook Photos - Please circle Monday, February 26 on all your calendars. All middle school students will be getting their Yearbook photos as well as a class photo. It is important that everyone try to be at school on this day and that they are in their formal uniform including the blazer, tie, white-collared shirt, pants, and our regular black shoes. If anyone is missing any of these uniform pieces, please purchase them at the uniform shop before February 26.
Formal uniform days - Next Monday, February 26, is a formal uniform day. Make sure you dress accordingly.
Connecting Language - Continue to promote the use of the connecting language at school. Students are expected to use the connecting in all classes except their World Language classes and Korean classes. This helps students with their English language skills, promotes inclusivity, and keeps the learning environments safe.
“Language of Instruction
KISJ provides a challenging American curriculum with English as the primary language of instruction. Our shared understanding is that community members speak English, the connecting language, in an inclusive and respectful way in all subjects except world language classes such as Korean, Spanish, or Chinese. (School and Dorm Life Guide, pg 23)”
This is going to be a great week as we focus on Kindness at KISJ. A beautiful quote by Maya Angelou says, "I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." This week, make the people around you feel better through kindness.
This week is all about kindness! How can we show kindness to ourselves, others, and caretakers, and even how we can be kind to Earth? We will have special activities all week, so be sure to participate and spread kindness.
On Monday in advisory, we will start to work on registering for HS classes. Make sure you are checking your email and reading this weekly for this kind of information. This is also kindness week so we will be talking about it in the other advisories this week. There are also lots of things going on in class. Manage your time well and stay on top of things!
For your reference, here is a copy of the presentation from Monday, February 5, 2024.
Please see attached the 2024-2025 KISJ Course Guide, which lists all the courses that will be offered next year. Please make sure to read through the course descriptions closely and contact the High School Office if you have any questions regarding prerequisites, eligibility requirements, graduation requirements, etc. during our upcoming sessions.
High School Music Course Registration Process
Music course registration and audition process
Students should sign up for the course they want in PowerSchool
Students ALSO need to complete the Course Eligibility form (same as for AP classes).
Grade 8 form (closes on Feb 26)
The course eligibility form is how you sign up to have an audition
All materials for the auditions are in the folders here
Auditions will include
Playing/singing a scale or arpeggio or similar foundational music etude or vocalization
Preparing and performing a short piece (links to the music/piece will be posted in the Descant/MS Weekly on February 5)
Sight reading
Students will be contacted by email from Mr. Stoner, Ms. Hingstman, or Mr. Striffler by the end of the day on February 26th regarding their audition time. CHECK YOUR EMAIL!!!
All auditions will happen between February 28th and March 6th.
Students will be informed of the results by March 8th.
Upcoming Dates
With all competitions to date accounted for, including the OBOS competitions, our numbers have changed. Be ready for our next challenge later in February!
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.)
On Tuesday, January 30, our Q3 Clubs began. Here are the Q3 Assignments. It is important to review the club list at this time to make sure you are in a club and that you know where to go on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 330 to 400.
STUCO:
Good news! MS STUCO is excited to announce that we are having our Spring Returns Social & Talent Show on April 9, 6pm-8pm in the MS Gym. For the first time, we are combining the social and talent show to bring you double the fun! If you want to come to the social, please complete this form by March 18. Note: For those of you who want to perform in the Talent Show, a separate form will be sent soon!
Also, we’d love to hear what music you’d like played at the social. Please fill out this form if you have some good (and appropriate) song recommendations!
Service:
The Community Service Committee is currently looking for more volunteers to help the Adnok Children’s Center to read and play with the kids. We will have more dates and details available next week for February. Please volunteer! Thank you for your support!
Broadcasting Club :
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.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday 2/20:
MS Table Tennis @NLCS
Wednesday 2/21
Girls Volleyball @BHA
Friday 3/1 & Saturday 3/2: MS & HS KISAC Weekend
MS/HS Table Tennis @NLCS
MS/HS Swim @BHA
MS Boys Volleyball @DIS
MS Girls Volleyball @KISJ
Wednesday Practice Expectations
Kind reminder that if you are on a team that practices on Wednesdays (Swim, Girls Volleyball, Table Tennis, Cheer), then you must report to the MS PAC immediately after school. If you are not present for attendance, then you will not be permitted to practice.
KISAC Tournament Absences
Will you be missing school on February 29th and/or March 1st? Are your teachers aware? Do you know if you’ll be missing an important lesson or an assessment that day? If you aren’t sure about the answers to these questions, the right thing to do is have a brief chat or send an email to all of your teachers regarding your upcoming absences. Even if they already know you won’t be there, proactiveness is a good look on you when future graces are needed!
MS Theatre: LET’S KICK IT UP A NOTCH! 💥
Student actors! Please make sure that you check the PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL rehearsal schedule on Google Classroom to see when and where you rehearse. Rehearsals begin this week for every play except SURVIVAL. Please make sure that you communicate any conflicts with Mr. Dingle immediately.
If you are an actor in HOW TO GET A FAKE BOYFRIEND IN SIX STEPS, please meet Mr. Dingle and Ms. Anderson in the MS Drama on Tuesday after clubs, and we will walk you over to the HS Theatre room for rehearsals.
Student Crew! We will have our first meeting this Wednesday after school from 4:10 - 5:30 pm in the MS Art room. Please arrive on time. Students should wait for rehearsal to start in the MSPAC with Mr. Boland.
Student Playwrights! Remember that you must attend every rehearsal for your play. You will act as a note taker and to communicate to the director and actors any misunderstandings/updates in your scripts.
Grade 6, 7 and 8 have completed wonderful drawings in pencil, with tonal shading and beautiful rendering of light. The completed works demonstrate the range of individual talent and buoyant creativity among our students. Below is a selection of some of the wonderful work from the art room.
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!
KIMEA/AMIS Orchestra practice is after clubs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Special Lunch recess practice can be arranged on A day ⅞ and B day G6. Contact Mr. Vest For all Music students remember R.D.E.!
We are in the process of narrowing down practice times, but Season 3 Baseball will be happening. Practices will be on Fridays from 415-545. More details and costs will be coming out shortly.
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!
Library at Recess: Please complete the proper grade-level form should you want to go to the library instead of going out to the MS Field during recess time.
The form will be opened each day at 8:00 am and close each day at the end of class, right before lunch or earlier if the signups reach 30 students.. The form is also located in the Reminders Section of the Student Weekly.
Finally, we were able to get those prizes out last week. We are looking to give away a whole new batch. GET IN ON THE FUN by completing the simple quiz! Here is Did you read the Student Weekly Quiz # 5
The table has been cleared to start February.
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: Please complete proper grade-level form should you want to go to the library instead of going out to the MS Field during recess time.
The form will be opened each day at 8:10 am and close each day at the end of class, right before lunch. The form will be located in the Reminders Section of the Student Weekly.
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.