Student Weekly
Student Weekly
Aug. 28 to Sept. 1
Monday "B-Day" - Formal Uniform
Tuesday "A-Day"
Wednesday "B-Day"
Thursday "A-Day"
Friday "B-Day"
Hey DRAGONS!
We are coming up on September and finishing your first month of school. Congratulations! I am seeing lots of positive behavior and lots of you looking out for your fellow Dragons. That’s awesome. I am also enjoying coming around to your classes to see how your learning is going. There are plenty of cool things happening and I hope you are learning a lot.
Thank you for your flexibility this week as we dealt with the Civil Defense Drill. I know that was something new and I want to applaud all of you who took it seriously and did your best.
Finally, we will have two new students joining us on Monday. Remember to wear your formal uniform and to be kind and welcoming. You were once a new student so you know how it feels! Be empathetic and help these new Dragons to have the best first day ever.
Please continue to keep inclusive communication on your mind while at school. We need to strive to make KISJ a safe place for all. Habits need to change. Be the change that you want to see in our community. Your best makes all of us better!
Formal Uniform: Monday is a formal uniform day. Make sure to wear your uniform properly, all day.
Respecting Classrooms: Remember if you need to interrupt a class (classrooms, MS gym, labs, etc.), it should be for an urgent matter. Be polite and as discrete as possible. Everyone’s learning is important, your umbrella or water bottle can wait.
New Students: We have two new G8 students joining us on Monday. Remember your anxious feelings on your first day at KISJ. Be empathetic and welcome our new community members.
ID Cards: This is another reminder that ID cards are part of the school uniform. Students who do not have their ID card will receive an LLB for uniform violations. Report lost ID cards right away so you do not get an LLB.
Smartwatches: A KISJ schoolwide policy is that smartwatches are not permitted on campus. Smartwatches will be confiscated and turned into the MS Office. A smartwatch is considered a Personal Electronic Device.
Soccer at Recess: If you choose to play soccer at recess, you must choose to use English. Too many students have been disrespectful of their peers and using hurtful language during recess soccer games. If students cannot communicate respectfully, soccer will be stopped.
Civil Defense Drill Reflection: Thank you to everyone for your participation in the Civil Defense Drill last week. Your cooperation has helped us map out a safe route should the need ever arise.
We hope that you had a relaxing weekend, Grade 6! This week we will continue to establish routines and dig into content in our classes. Please remember:
Monday is a formal uniform day.
If you have an instrument that does not fit in your locker, you MUST put it in the band practice room on the Fourth Floor. All instruments left in the hallway will be taken to the MS office.
You need to be prepared for your classes. This means you should have all of the necessary learning materials (notebooks, folders, worksheets, sticky notes, etc.) ready at the beginning of class.
We are in the full swing of school, you are used to your schedule and class routines. Be sure to always check Google Classroom everyday to stay on top of your assignments. We also want to remind you to keep your drive organized, use your subject folders you created. In advisory we will continue looking at our identity, focusing on our strengths.
We are looking for all Grade 8s to model behavioral expectations and communication expectations. Language that "just slips out" is part of a habit. We need all G8s to communicate in a safe and inclusive manner so that all our students can see what it means to be a Dragon. Just as Mr. Boland and your teachers have mentioned, these are choices you make. Make the right choice!
On another note, make sure you check in with your advisor if you have any questions about the trip to Seoul we are planning.
Each month we will use an Advisory Fun Friday for a Clash of DRAGONS event. Next week is September 1. Though it is the first Friday, we would like to take this Friday to set us up for the months to come. The goal of next week’s meet-up will be to identify a Grade-Level House classroom (Where students assemble) and to create a grade-level flag for your House. Your teachers will remind you of what room your classroom you should go to for Friday’s Advisory. If you have not heard where to go by Wednesday, please ask your Advisor.
Here are this year’s Grade Level Lists. GRADE 6 GRADE 7 GRADE 8 FACULTY
Q1 clubs begin on Tuesday, August 15. All students should attend each club session from 330 to 400pm each and every Tuesday and Thursday.
Broadcast 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.
School Dorm and Life Guide Quiz: Congratulations to G6 DJ Lee, G7 Soomin Kim, and G8 Elin Lim for their quiz dominance. For two weeks in a row, they have gotten all questions correct.
DRAGONS at Work: Great job, G7 Stella Kwon, in displaying the qualities of our DRAGONS and making sure an advisory is a safe and inclusive space for all.
Great Work!
Season 1 MS Athletics is underway. Congratulations to everyone who has signed up to represent our community.
Uniforms
Information regarding uniforms will be hitting your inboxes early this week. If you have questions about what to order, please contact Mr. Oren (loren@kis.ac)
Boys Soccer Practice Schedule Correction
Apologies for the confusion about soccer practice on Fridays. MS Boys Soccer will practice on Mondays and Wednesdays. Fridays may be an optional practice time, but only if Coach Smith and Coach Chu arrange and communicate it.
LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical
Thank you to everyone who auditioned! If you did not get a chance to audition and would like to be involved in the musical, please go see Mr. Dingle as soon as possible to get involved.
The first week of rehearsals starts tomorrow!
Monday - Full Cast Read Through! All cast members only.
Tuesday - First acting rehearsal (check the rehearsal schedule on Google Classroom to see if you are required).
Wednesday - First singing rehearsal (check the rehearsal schedule on Google Classroom to see if you are required).
Thursday - First crew rehearsal (all crew must attend).
PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL
Do you like creative writing? Would you like to see one of your ideas performed live on stage by the talented cast and crew of the MS Theatre Ensemble? Then sign up for this year’s PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL here:
PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL SIGN-UP: WRITERS ONLY!
Please submit this form before the end of August. (Thursday, August 31)
The 2023-24 season is off to a great start! We have 20 enthusiastic young engineers ready to tackle this year's challenge, “Full Volume”. GEC tournament dates will be announced soon for those interested in coming out to support our teams.
AMIS Orchestra & Band Festival Auditions
Auditions are due before October 23 for either the AMIS MS Orchestra Festival or the AMIS MS Band Festival. You must meet with Mr. Vest or Mr. Chapa to discuss the audition. The Orchestra Festival is held February 21-25 at KISJ and the Band Festival is held April 10-14 at HKIS (Hong Kong). Please contact Mr. Vest or Mr. Chapa if you have any questions.
Students, many of you have begun library research using NoodleTools. If you are having trouble using the tool, come by the library, we can help. Also, remember to return your library books in a timely manner. If you need to renew your checkout, come by, we can help.
Each week for Semester 1, there will be a short Google Form asking questions about our school’s guiding document, The School and Dorm Life Guide. Students are expected to read and understand this document. If you complete the quiz, and get all the questions right, there might be a small reward for you! Here is Quiz #3.
The MS Lost & Found is located inside the MS Office.
If you find something that looks like it has been left behind by a fellow classmate, bring it to the MS Office.
Always make Lost and Found the first place you look for misplaced items.
We clear away old items at the end of every month.
Wednesday After School: On Wednesdays, we have an early dismissal at 325. Students are expected to head off-campus or back to the dorms. Our library is open every day until 5pm. This is where students MUST go if they wish to wait after school for an after-school activity (sports/drama) or if they ride the school bus. Attendance for athletics will be taken. 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.