Student Weekly
Student Weekly
Feb. 26 to Mar. 1
Monday - "B-Day" - Yearbook Photos (formal uniform) / Late Start / G8 register for HS
Tuesday - "A-Day"
Wednesday - "B-Day"
Thursday - "A-Day"
Friday - "B-Day" - KISAC - Volleyball and Swimming
Dear DRAGONS
It’s the end of February and we are moving into March! The year is zooming along and will be over before you know it. As we move into the final stretch of Quarter 3, let’s try to put forth our best effort in all your learning opportunities. Each day is a chance that only comes once and if you waste it, it is forever gone. Don’t be afraid to show what you are capable of achieving and, if you need help, ask for it!
Go DRAGONS!
MS DRAGONS,
It is hard to believe that we see the end of February this week. As you know, this year is a special one, a leap year! This gives us an extra day to bring some good to the world. Take advantage of the extra day in February to bring an extra smile to someone’s face. Even though Kindness Week is over, kindness does not end!
Appropriate toys - Several students have needed to be reminded that certain toys are not appropriate for school. School is a safe space. If you are bringing something from home to play with during recess it needs to be something that does not look dangerous, resemble dangerous items, or be dangerous. The photo to the right is an example of toys that are not dangerous but resemble dangerous items. Leave them at home!
MS Yearbook Photos -Tomorrow, Monday, February 26 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 blazer, tie, white-collared shirt, pants, and our usual black shoes.
Formal uniform day - 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. STUCO has put together a survey for students, by students. It is important that everyone complete the STUCO survey to have their voices heard. With this information, along with input from teachers, we will be shaping how we tackle the ongoing issue of students not using the connecting language to isolate their classmates, use inappropriate language, and to curse in front of their teachers.
We are starting to come down the homestretch of Quarter 3. Now is the time to do your best work, ask for support from you teachers, and have a positive impact on your learning. Monday will be a special day, with a different schedule and yearbook photographs. Remember to wear your formal uniform on Monday and check the 2030 google classroom for the special schedule for the day.
This week we will be discussing healthy relationships in advisory. Monday is a late start, as well as yearbook day! You should wear your formal uniform and if you are an ambassador you need to wear your ID with your lanyard. Please check the 2029 Google Classroom for the G7 schedule.
There are lots of things going on on Monday. Late start, pictures, and HS registration. Be ready for all of those things! Green will meet their teachers in the hexagon first thing Monday morning. Everyone else should go to core color group rooms. You should have your own blazer and an MS tie for pictures!
Monday, February 26 is one of our “late start” dates on the calendar. The schedule will be different on this day because students are expected to arrive on campus after 9:40am with classes starting at 10:00am. Because this is also Yearbook Photo day, each grade has a different schedule. Please check your Grade schedule below. Your teachers have developed more comprehensive schedules so make sure you pay attention and ask questions.
"Hello G8 students! The slides from last week's presentation with Mr. Striffler and Ms. Finlayson are linked here. We encourage you to use the Google Form linked on slide 17 to submit your questions for HS students!
If you have any questions about registration, please email or message Julia Finlayson (G9/10 Counselor)!
See you on Monday 2/26 for registration!"
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.)
National History Day - KISJ Middle School had 49 students at Seoul International School to take paret in the National History Day - Korea competition. The students had a great trip taking part in the competition as well as visiting the War Memorial. KISJ was well represented, and we were lucky enough to bring home some hardware. Congratulations to all our participants but a special “high 5” goes out to Chloe Kwon for placing first in the research paper category
STUCO
Connecting Language Survey: STUCO is helping to promote an inclusive and respectful community. To help us, we have made a short survey about using the connecting language. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Fill out this form to get your voice heard. Note: it is anonymous, apart from your grade level. Thank you!
STUCO Spring Returns Social & Talent Show is coming! On April 9th, STUCO will be hosting this event in the MS Gym, 6pm-8pm. The theme for this social is Spring (with colors yellow, pink, green, etc…) We will be preparing fun games, small snacks, and a TALENT SHOW! This time, we are combining the social and the talent show. We are allowing guitars and other instruments, but drum sets and pianos are not allowed because we cannot move those into the gym. We are also seeking dancers and other performing artists to perform! Sign up below! Note: If you want to perform in the Talent Show, you must fill out both the social participation form AND the talent show form.
Please complete this form by March 18 if you want to participate in the Social. If you want to participate in the Talent Show, please fill out this form.
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 has set a date to visit the Andok Children's Center on Tuesday, February 27th. The KISJ students have created lessons and plan on teaching and playing with the children.
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.
KISAC SUCCES!!!!
Congratulations to ALL MS Dragons Volleyball Teams all teams had a successful weekend regardless of where they placed, but we do have several notable finishes to recognize:
Girls A: Dominant 1st Place finish.
Girls B: Incredibly close 2nd place finish in 3 sets (17-19 final score).
Boys A: 2nd Place finish.
Boys B: 2nd Place finish
The MS Dragons Swim Team also crushed it in the waves this past weekend at BHA, handily finishing in 1st place for both Boys and Girls teams! Way to be DRAGONS!
One more team to highlight this week is our MS Table Tennis members who made history this weekend by representing KISJ for the first time in a KISAC Table Tennis Championship. It's the first year we ever had a table tennis team, so it was a great learning experience, and a great memory to look back on to set goals for improving next year!
SPECIAL THANK YOU FROM KISJ's Athletic Department!
Several MS Students volunteered their weekend time to help with scorekeeping at the KISAC Girls Volleyball tournament. They learned an incredibly quick lesson on how to scorekeep for volleyball, then made almost no mistakes! Their help was vital to the event's success. A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS:
Doyun Kim
Janice Lee
Seohyun Lee
Alisa Kim
Sein Kim
Sylvia Jung
Upcoming Events
Practices - see below.
Spectating Announcement:
We are currently investigating reports of inappropriate behavior by KISJ MS students at the Girls' volleyball game at BHA last week. Student behavior at school-sanctioned events, whether you are participating or spectating, reflects our community and falls under our School and Dorm Life Guide. Mr. Oren and Mr Boland will be following up with more students this week.
Season 3 Practices
Season 3 begin THIS WEEK. If you have registered for a team, take note of the location and time settings for practices below. You should be receiving an email from your coaches soon. If you haven’t heard from them by Thursday, send them an email to ask why.
Girls Basketball (Monday & Thursday: 4:20-5:30 PM)
Coach: Mr. Allooh (aallooh@kis.ac)
Boys Basketball (Tuesday & Wednesday: 4:30-5:30 PM)
Coach: Mr. Kmety (mkmety@kis.ac)
Cheerleading (Boys and Girls) Practice Time & Location TBD
Varsity Swim (Boys and Girls) (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 4:15-5:30 PM)
Coaches: Ms. Cave (mcave@kis.ac) & Ms. Jooey (hjookim@kis.ac)
Junior Varsity Swim (Boys and Girls) (Tuesday & Thursday: 4:15-5:30 PM)
Coaches: Ms. Cave (mcave@kis.ac) & Ms. Jooey (hjookim@kis.ac)
Fencing (Monday & Wednesday 4:30 - 5:30 PM)
Track & Field (Monday & Wednesday 4:30 - 5:30 PM)
Coach: Mr. Buric (jburic@kis.ac)
Tennis (Boys and Girls) (Monday & Wednesday 4:30 - 5:30 PM)
Golf (Boys and Girls) (Monday & Wednesday 4:20-5:20 PM)
Coach: Mr. Boland (pboland@kis.ac)
Season 3 Registration
Are you wondering why the Season 3 Athletics Registration Form is no longer accepting submissions? It’s because the deadline was the end of the school day last Friday. Now you’ll need to reach out to coaches (see the Season 3 announcement above), and then meet with Mr. Oren to submit your registration.
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.
MS Theatre: LET’S KICK IT UP A NOTCH! 💥
Great first week of rehearsals, everyone! Please make sure that you are checking your rehearsal schedule every Sunday and that you arrive on time for all rehearsals. NO DELI FOOD OR DRINKS ALLOWED IN REHEARSALS.
Student actors! Rehearsals for SURVIVAL begin tomorrow (Monday) in the MS Dance room! Rehearsal times and locations are otherwise all the same. 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 Ms. Anderson in her classroom Tuesday after clubs, and she will walk with you over to the HS Theatre room for your rehearsal.
Student Crew! See you after school on Wednesday (4:10 - 5:30 pm) in the MS Art room. Make sure to sit with your teams. 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.
The community announcement was shared with the school this week.
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.!
Can you hear the crack of the bat? Smell the leather in your glove? That’s right, MS BASBEALL IS BACK!!! We will be practicing on Fridays after school. If you are interested in joining Middle School BASEBALL, please complete this form. We are getting started on March 8, so sign-up by Monday, March 4. Our first Team meeting will be on Wednesday at 330pm in the MSPAC. There is a fee to join Baseball in Season 3.
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.
We ran out of hours on Friday to get week 5's prizes out., but thank you to the over 70 students who completed the quiz. We had 57 students get all 6 questions correct last week. Week 5 and this week's (week 6) prizes will be distributed on Wednesday. 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 # 6
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.