Student Weekly
Student Weekly
Oct. 16 to 20
Monday "B-Day" - FORMAL UNIFORM -Late start / First day of Q2
Tuesday "A-Day"
Wednesday "B-Day"
Thursday "A-Day"
Friday "B -Day" - KISAC - Badminton/Soccer
Dear Dragons-
On Monday, we will have a new grade 8 student joining us! Please remember to wear your formal uniform and to show her some extra kindness. Remember what it felt like to be a new student in a new school. A kind word can go a long way!
In quarter one, there was a focus on communication. We cannot forget all that we have focused on, we need to add to our character. The way you choose to communicate will always reflect who you are as a person. Our learning behaviors are so intertwined that in order to do one, we are often using multiple behaviors. As we get ready to enter the second quarter of the school year, we are asking students to reflect on their collaboration. This is also directly connected to communication. Students will be working in groups during classes, and working as a community to make KISJ the best place it can be. We all have a role to play and it is important that we work together and support each other. Some of the attributes of strong collaboration are:
Empathy and understanding
Safely share our thinking
Listening with an open mind
Listening to and involving others
Evenly sharing orioles and responsibilities
Conflict resolution
Keep these attributes in mind during quarter 2, think about how they connect with communication, and think about the role you will play in advancing our community.
Formal Uniform: This week, we begin Quarter 2. Monday, October 16, 2023, is a formal uniform day in the middle school. All students are expected to dress appropriately.
Safety at School: This week, we had to close the deli after school to students because of a real safety concern. Students have been running to get in line at the deli and this week we had younger students being pushed on the stairwell. We need all students to reflect on how they move about the school, but also on what, in fact, are our priorities. We may be hungry, we may not want to wait in line, but are we willing to risk the safety of others. If having a snack or not wanting to wait in line are high on your priority, then you need to bring a snack with you to school, so you can have it after school.
HS Deli: Middle School students are not permitted to use the HS deli even if they have club or Athletics on that side of campus. The HS deli is for HS students only, just like the MS deli is not for HS students.
Disrupting Teaching Spaces: I continue to get reports of MS students disrupting learning spaces, particularly the ES/MS Gym, with non-urgent matters. This week 3 students burst into the gym without knocking as a teacher was setting up her ES PE activity with students. This meant a loss of instructional time for ES students, and the MS students were just returning balls to a bin, at 305 in the afternoon (something that could have easily been done at the end of the day. Students must be respectful of any learning space, especially those spaces that we share with others.
Public Displays of Affection: This is just a reminder to all students. The School and Dorm Life Guide states, “School is an educational environment where learning should be the focus. Public displays of affection should be respectful and sensitive to others. Behavior should be appropriate to the school setting and age level. Consequences will depend on the severity and repetition of behavior as decided by the Leadership Team.” To be clear, in the MS, it is expected that students will not touch, hug, kiss, or hold hands as displays of affection while on campus for any event.
Quarter Two starts this week! This is a great opportunity to start fresh and keep in mind all of the reflection that we have been doing over the past few weeks. Now is the time to start working on your areas of growth and building on your strengths.
Reminders:
Monday is a late start AND a formal uniform day
Your new clubs will begin on Tuesday
Walk safely through the hallways at all times and use respectful language at all times.
We start Q2 this week, we can’t believe we have finished one quarter already. In advisory we will be introducing Exploration Week and start brainstorming ideas for your project, we will also start preparing for Student Led Conferences. The purpose of these conferences is to highlight your learning and how you have reflected on your learning to improve. This is an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with your parents about you as a student, and your Growth Portfolio needs to reflect all the work you have done.
You made it! You now have 3 quarters left of Middle School. The G8 teachers have been pretty pleased so far. Keep making good choices! The next few weeks will still be busy, but a different kind of busy. Make sure you are keeping up with things and ASK questions if you have them. Tuesday is the PSAT! Get some sleep and eat a good breakfast. Bring a fully charged macbook and a charger.
Wat to go DRAGONS!!!
Our Shirts are in! We hope to get them sorted, we hope to get them out to everyone this week.
The standings are up-to-date! Watch for our next Competition on October 27.
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.)
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.)
Here are this year’s Grade Level Lists. GRADE 6 GRADE 7 GRADE 8 FACULTY
Happy International Day of the Girl! 🌟 On October 18th from 3:45 - 5:30, the girls of the GEC will celebrate the incredible potential, strength, and resilience of girls around the world. Let's continue to empower and support girls everywhere to dream big, break barriers, and shape a brighter future for all. 💪📚🌍 #DayOfTheGirl #GirlsUnite #girlsinSTEM
Click this link to sign up to attend
Q1 clubs began on Tuesday, August 15. All students should attend each club session from 330 to 400pm each and every Tuesday and Thursday.
STUCO
Stay tuned for information about our upcoming Spooky Movie Night which will be on October 26. We are also working on organizing the booths for the Fall Festival - October promises to be a fun and scary month! 🎃🕷️
Want to speak to a Grade-level STUCO representative, or do you have some suggestions for us? Check out our Linktree! Shout out to Yujin for creating it!
Broadcast Club
Our September Broadcast is out!!!
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 MS Events:
10/16: MS Boys Soccer vs SJA
10/18: MS Girls Badminton @BHA
10/20-10/21: MS KISAC Championship Weekend
Girls Badminton @SJA
Boys Badminton @KISJ
Girls Soccer @BHA
Boys Soccer @NLCS
KISAC Championships are right around the corner! If you are an MS Soccer or Badmintoneer, please arrange any makeup assessments or classwork you’re going to miss with your teachers!
Good Luck!!
LEGALLY BLONDE JR:
Cast and Crew! Please remember to check your schedules every Sunday afternoon so that you know exactly when to attend rehearsals. The schedule has changed a little bit recently.
Cast only! Please remember that you should have all your lines memorized by Monday, November 14 (the day after fall break). If you haven’t yet, start memorizing your lines now!
Cast only! Please tell your parents that costumes need to be sent to school by Monday, December 4, 2023. Please send Mr. Dingle a photo of your costume ideas beforehand, so that costumes can be approved. Thank you to the students who have sent photos of their costumes!
PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL: Story summaries are due tomorrow, (Monday, Oct 16). Please complete and submit it tonight! Remember, that these are just initial ideas, and you can still change your story completely during the writing process. If you have changed your mind and no longer wish to be involved as a playwright, please let Mr. Dingle.
Well to the Art club students who completed great work this term. I hope you continue painting and continue creating.
Grade 7 Visual Art students are creating new paintings on canvas, which I look forward to seeing hanging in the Art Lounge M302 next term. Watch this space !
Fall Festival Concert: The annual Fall Festival Concert featuring performances by the Middle School Choirs, Middle School Orchestras, and Middle School Bands will be on Wednesday, November 1 from 9:30-10:30 in the ES/MS PAC.
Extra Saturday Band Rehearsals: Students in Intermediate Band and Wind Ensemble have an extra optional opportunity to practice at school on Saturday, October 21, and October 28 in the ES/MS PAC. Students in these bands MUST sign up using the Google Form in their Google Classroom on the week they want to attend practice or they will not be allowed to enter campus. Students should come only during the specific time their band is scheduled to meet. After their bands’ rehearsal is finished, day students should leave campus immediately while dorm students should return to the dorms.
Dates: October 21, October 28
Rehearsal Time:
8:00-9:20 Intermediate Band Grade 6
9:30-10:50 Intermediate Band Grade 7 & 8
11:00-12:30 Wind Ensemble
Location: ES/MS PAC
Materials: Instrument, Music Folder, and a Pencil
Talk to Mr. Chapa if you have any questions!
The KISJ Libraries will be hosting a Fall Book Sale/Fair in conjunction with the GEC English Book Store that will run from October 30-November 3. Middle School students will visit with their English Classes on Oct 30 & 31. Students can also visit during Parent Teacher Conference Days with their parents. Hope to see you there. For more information, please contact the MS Library.
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 # 9.
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 go 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 students 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 does not meet 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 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 8:10 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.