Student Weekly

February 5 to 9, 2024

Schedule

Feb. 5 to Feb. 9

Monday "B-Day"
Tuesday "A-Day"
Wednesday "B-Day" - Wear your Hanbok
Thursday - No Classes Lunar New Year holiday
Friday - No Classes - Lunar New Year holiday

Upcoming Dates to Remember

Announcements

Message from Mr. Carroll, MS Principal

DEAR DRAGONS,

I had a lot of conversations last week with students, teachers, parents, and school leaders regarding language at our school. Everyone has expressed a desire for our students to be using the connecting language during class time. It is a collective responsibility to support each other when using English during class time. It is an individual’s responsibility to choose the words they use. Make the RIGHT choice!

To keep our community safe and respectful, we all need to do a better job of using the connecting language and communicating with empathy for each other. We are all on the same team. Good teams and teammates help and support each other.

Go DRAGONS!

Message from Mr. Boland, MS Associate Principal

MS DRAGONS,

With a short school week this week, staying focused on your learning is important. You can have lots of fun on your holiday, let’s use these 3 days to enter the break on a high note.

Wear your Hanbok - On Wednesday, February 7, we ask all students, teachers, and staff to wear a hanbok (Korean traditional clothes) to school to help celebrate the upcoming national holiday. If you choose not to participate, students should be in their regular KIS uniform.
Connecting Language - We know some students revert to using Korean at school because they forget, they need help, or it is easier. It is imperative to student safety that we all use the connecting language in our classes and that we hold each other to a high standard. I will be working with teachers over the coming weeks about revamping our approach and communication on this topic as some students are using Korean in order to hide what they are saying from teachers. We have heard from multiple students over the last couple of weeks that students in G6, G7, and G8 are casually using inappropriate language, mean-spirited language, and exclusive language, in Korean, in the middle of classes with foreign teachers, rather than out of necessity to communicate. This is not acceptable and goes against our respect, responsibility, communication, AND collaboration expectations
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 - In February, we have two formal uniform days: Thursday, February 15, and Monday, February 26. Make sure you dress accordingly.

Grade Level Announcements

Grade 6

It was great to get back to our normal routine last week! Although this will be a short week, it will be filled with important learning. Let’s keep ourselves focused and committed to doing our best work at school. Remember:

Use your class time to improve at the school’s connecting language. The best way to become fluent in a language is through practice!
Stay in control of yourself during transition times. This means walking calmly, speaking at normal volume levels, and keeping your hands to yourself.
Do your best! This is a great time of the year to recommit yourself to doing great work here at KISJ.

Grade 7

It’s a short week, heading into the Lunar New Year break. We will continue to talk about peer pressure in advisory, focusing on how to cope with negative peer pressure and having the courage to say no when you feel uncomfortable with something.

Grade 8

This week is a short week! Stay focused! You have assessments and lots of things going on. Continue being kind to each other. Treat each other well. If other people are not making good choices, help remind them to make good choices.

On Monday, we will be going to the HS during Advisory to get our first introduction to what you can expect next year. Be sure to make a positive, respectful first impression.

Announcements from High School (Grade 8 focus)

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, any 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

Clash of DRAGONS

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.)

MS Clubs and Activities

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:

Members are busy planning our upcoming events for this semester! Do you have a talent you want to share with the MS? Then think about performing at our upcoming Talent Show! Keep an eye on your email for information and forms, coming soon 🙂

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 :

**The MS December Broadcast! Merry Christmas!**

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 First League Lego Robotics

The MS Lego Robotics Team travelled to Suwon to compete against 81 other teams from all around Korea in the Korea National FIRST Lego Challenge Tournament on Feb 3.

Thanks to everyone who helped the MS Lego Robotics team this year. Our Team won the Outstanding Innovation Award at the Korea National FIRST Challenge yesterday. We are very proud of Evan H., Guhyeon K., Kunhee L., Ben R., and John C. DRAGONS FIGHTING!!!!

MS Exploration Wrap-up

Middle School students, Ella and Muriel, would like to send out a special thanks to everyone who purchased their dolls during exploration. They raised 650,000KRW and were able to make two equal donations of 325,000KRW to their charities.

MS Athletics

Dropping a sport?
- If you want to remove yourself from a roster, please complete this form ASAP.

Food Garbage In MS Gym

Food and non-water beverages are no longer allowed in the MS gym. If you are caught in the gym with food or a beverage that isn’t water in the gym while spectating an event, you will be asked to leave permanently. If any garbage is found left in the gym, student spectators will no longer be permitted to attend MS athletic events.

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.

Boys KISAC Volleyball Travelers

This is another reminder to all gentlemen who are a part of the A & B Volleyball teams to submit your Resident Registration Number to Mr. Oren (loren@kis.ac) as soon as possible!

MS Theatre

Student actors! Please make sure that you are on time for your auditions this week. The schedule is in the PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL Google Classroom.

Student Crew! We will have our first meeting after Seollal Holiday. Stay tuned for more information.

If you have more questions! Send them to Mr. Dingle - bdingle@kis.ac

MS Music

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.!

MS Library

Students, 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.

- Grade 6 Form
- Grade 7 & 8 Form

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.

Did You Read 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 # 4

MS Lost & Found

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.

REMINDERS

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.
- Grade 6 Form
- Grade 7 & 8 Form

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.

Middle School Uniforms

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.

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