Student Weekly
Student Weekly
Jan. 22 to Jan. 26
Monday "B-Day" - Exploration
Tuesday "A-Day" - Exploration
Wednesday "B-Day" - Exploration
Thursday "A-Day" - Exploration
Friday “B-Day” - FORMAL Uniform/ Exploration celebration / ½ day for students
DEAR DRAGONS,
This first week of Exploration has been AWESOME! I hope each of you has had a good time reading “The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl”, attending workshops, meeting interesting people, and working on your passion projects. I can’t wait until next Friday, we can see all you have produced. Keep up the great work!
MS DRAGONS,
It was great to have everyone back on campus this week, and what a busy week it was! With so much happening, it is important to not get carried away and let our emotions get the better of us. Students are still expected to meet behavioral expectations and treat each other, faculty and staff, members of our community, and our competition with the respect we all deserve.
Formal Uniform: Friday, January 26 is a half day for students but students are expected to be in their formal uniform.
Clubs this Week: There will be no clubs on Tuesday. Students will use this time to continue to work on their passion projects. On Thursday, January 25, we will have a club assembly where students will hear what clubs are being offered and then have a day to make their club choices for Q3. Those in Semester-long clubs will have the opportunity to choose another club as well.
New Students: Our new students have all been introduced to KISJ Middle School. It has been a whirlwind week for everyone, and I am sure for new students it would have been pretty intense. Reach out to our new students in a polite, respectful way to see if they need any help or advice on life in our community.
We had an amazing first exploration week! We realize that the differences between exploration and regular school days can be challenging. Remember to stay focused on your passion project, keep your process journal up to date, and adjust your plan as needed. At the end of the week we will have an opportunity to share your learning with your families!
We have another great week of Exploration. There are only a few days left to finish your Passion Project, so be prepared and ready to work. We can’t wait to see what you have all created!
This week we will be continuing to work on our Passion Projects. Take pride in the work you are doing. As you move into high school next year, you will be asked to take ownership of your learning and possibly turn it into a community project or a service project. This is a great opportunity to prove to yourself, what you can do.
In February we will begin meeting with the high school to start your transition. This is a big 6 months, work for it, and enjoy it!
Hopefully, you all enjoyed Week 1 of Exploration! We really enjoyed seeing you engaging in different workshops and bringing your own personal interests into your work on your Passion Projects. Keep up the great work!
For Week 2, the schedule is different. Please look at the daily schedule here.
On Tuesday, we will be going on field trips again.
On Friday, is the Celebration from 10:00-12:00. We are hoping all of your parents can attend to see what you have been working on. Be focused this week on how you will present your learning to your parents, peers, and teachers.
Friday is a half day, so after you present your Passion Project and eat lunch, you will go home!
We all took part in 4 Clash of DRAGONS events last week. It was a back-and-forth battle all week and the tables have totally turned! Make sure to bring your best in effort and sportsmanship to each event. The Harabang could be yours!
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.)
Q2 clubs will continue into the first part of January. Students will select Q3 clubs in January.
Service: We have contacted the Child Center in Andok to see if we can volunteer to teach the children English. We are also hoping for more volunteers to join our committee for Quarter 3. Thank you for your support!
Yearbook Club:
Broadcasting Club :
We need YOUR help to help us share school news!
If you are interested in journalism, filmmaking, video editing, or studio work, PLEASE consider joining the Broadcasting club in Semester 2. We produce monthly school videos which are posted on the KISJ Youtube Channel.
**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.
Dear MS Dragons,
We are excited to create lasting memories in this year's yearbook, and we need your help to make it truly special! We're calling on all students to submit adorable baby or toddler photos for a dedicated section in the yearbook. To ensure a uniform and polished look, please upload one clear photo of yourself as a baby or toddler. Make sure the photo includes only you, with your face easily visible. By uploading your photo, you are consenting to be included in the MS yearbook, although it's worth noting that due to space constraints, not every submitted photo may be used. Let's make this yearbook a cherished keepsake for everyone! Don't miss the chance to showcase your adorable younger self! Please click this link to upload your photo.
Sincerely,
The Yearbook Committee
(1) Be sure to update your Chrome and restart your laptops regularly for optimal work.
(2) If you lose wifi connection in the MS Building, restart your laptop before going to the MS IT office. Sometimes the computer just needs a fresh start.
The MS VEX IQ team finished up the season strong and represented KISJ with pride at this past weekend's national championship! Teams 30597F (Theo Kwon and Logan Jo), 30597B (Matthew Park, Andrew Hong, Ethan Yang and Eddie Sung) and 30597A (Rory Chang, Soomin Kim, Bo Nam) participated in finals matches.
The teams below came away with the following awards:
30597A - Think Award (Bo Nam, Rory Chang and Soomin Kim)
30597D - Innovate Award (Neo Kim, Chloe Ham, Freya Barnum)
30597E - Judges Award (Ella Shim, Yoonwoo Kwon, Kaylee Kim, Harry Ha)
In addition to this, teams demonstrated positive, respectful attitudes throughout and collaborated well with their alliances. They have a lot to be proud of!
FLL MS Robotics Students, We only have a few days of practice left. Remember the Saturday Meetings (Jan 20 & Jan 27) from 9-12. Make sure to complete your prep work for the Korean Nationals. We depart on February 2nd and the competition is on February 3rd.
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday 1/23:
MS Boys Volleyball: A Team @SJA, B/C @KISJ
Wednesday 1/24:
MS Girls Volleyball: A Team @SJA, B/C @KISJ
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, Fencing), 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.
PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL 2024 sign-ups for student actors and student crew members are happening now! Lots of great parts in 6 short plays written by KISJ MS students. If you would like to sign up, please fill out the Google Form before Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 4pm.
PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL ACTOR & CREW SIGN UP FORM ← This is the form!
When will I rehearse?
Actors - It depends on your schedule and how involved you want to be. If you only want to be in one play, then you will rehearse once a week (until show week). Acting rehearsals are Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday.
Crew - You will only rehearse on Wednesdays, so one time a week.
All rehearsals are from 4:10 pm - 5:30 pm.
Can I play sports and do the Playwriting Festival?
Yes! Since rehearsals are dependent on how many plays you want to be involved in, you can easily fit this into your sports schedule as well. The only really busy week will be show week (April 8 - 12), when you will need to be available every day for rehearsals and performances.
I have more questions! Send them to Mr. Dingle - bdingle@kis.ac
KIMEA 2024 MS Honor Band Live Stream Concert
Our KIMEA Band members had a very successful trip to Seoul last week. It was a great experience for all students! We were very proud of the Collaboration, Communication, Responsibility, and Respect that all of our students demonstrated
Check out our Slide Presentation for more information
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.
I know we are a few weeks behind in getting our weekly prizes out, but your names are not lost. This week we plan to give out prizes to all the winners for the week before Winter Break (snow day) and last week by Wednesday of this week. Get in on the fun - Here is Did you read the Student Weekly Quiz # 2
Make sure to check out the MS Office for items that have been misplaced. 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.