Student Weekly

September 11 to 15, 2023

Schedule

Sept. 11 to 15

Monday "B-Day" - MAP Testing - Science
Tuesday "A-Day" - MAP Testing - Language Use
Wednesday "B-Day" - MAP Testing - Reading
Thursday "A-Day" - MAP Testing - Math
Friday "B-Day"

Upcoming Dates to Remember

Announcements

Message from Mr. Carroll, MS Principal

Hey there DRAGONS

Next week is MAP and WIDA testing. I know that sometimes, test-taking can be anxiety-inducing. It’s important to remember that these tests don’t tell you WHO you are. They just give an indication of where you might be on a spectrum. This is helpful information! We all want to be better and we can’t set meaningful goals for ourselves if we don’t know where we are! Imagine, if you were training to run a marathon and your coach wouldn’t tell you how far you had run, how long it took you, or how fast the other runners were! You would have none of the information you would need to get better. In fact, you would probably be pretty mad at your coach. I would be! Every single one of you is capable and destined to do great things in life. This information will help us to help you get there. Relax! Do your best.

Message from Mr. Boland, MS Associate Principal

We continue to talk about communication. From the most recent Wellbeing Survey, many students have reported mostly hearing cursing amongst their friends at school during the lunch period and in the hallway. Though this may be viewed as good in that fewer people are angrily cursing at each other, it is concerning because we form a lot of habits with our friends. If it is your habit to casually curse with friends, it is very difficult to have a filter that allows you to turn it off in more formal settings like at school or in group meetings with people outside your friendship. Cursing in these settings can end up costing you a job, a relationship, or the respect others have for you. Break the habit and clean-up your language.

MAP Testing: You have MAP testing this week. Each day you will come to school and report to your testing room WITH A FULLY CHARGED MACBOOK. Students need to make a better effort to get to school on time and be ready to start their tests right away. Get a good night’s sleep and drink plenty of water before you get to school so your brain is ready. Check your Grade-level Google Classrooms for the adjusted schedule this week.
Connecting Language: We have started to see an increase in the number of issues with using the connecting language. It is everyone's responsibility to you English as the inclusive language. A great way to improve your English skills is to use it in social settings. During class time it is an expectation!
ID Cards: Your ID card is part of your uniform. Students should have their ID with them at all times and wear it.
Hanbok Day: On Friday, September 22, students and teachers are encouraged to wear their hanbok to school as a way to celebrate Chuseok. This can be worn instead of the regular school uniform. If you choose to not wear your hanbok, then students should follow the usual uniform expectations.
Growth Portfolio Links in Report Cards: Last week students started to work on their Growth Portfolios. This year we are looking to get your portfolio links into your report cards so you can share your learning reflections with your family. Make sure you document how you learn and consider the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to your learning paths.
STUCO Social - make sure you compete the sign-up sheet below to indicate your participation in the event. This list will help us keep people safe and allow the Parent Advisory Board to properly plan for the right amount of food, snacks, and drinks.

Grade Level Announcements

Grade 6

We are doing a better job of moving through the school and staying in control of ourselves while in the hallways and in the cafeteria. This week is going to be a busy one!

Check the Class of 2030 Google Classroom for the modified class schedule for Monday-Thursday
This week we are taking MAP and WIDA tests. Please remember the following:
- This week, focus on getting 8-10 hours of quality sleep each night and eating a healthy breakfast.
- Charge your Macbooks each night and bring your charger to school.
- If you are having problems with your Macbook, make sure that you see our IT specialists so that it works for MAP and WIDA testing.

Grade 7

This week is MAP testing, remember to get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. Be sure to check the modified schedule in the Class of 2029 Google Classroom, so you know where to go everyday. In advisory we will be looking at improving our organizational skills, starting with working on making sure we manage our time wisely.

Grade 8

We mostly did pretty well with the connecting language the first few weeks. G8 has begun to slip this week. It is time to get that back on track. Please be more aware of when it is appropriate and when it is not appropriate to use Korean. Reminders from peers can be much more powerful than reminders from teachers.

Clash of DRAGONS

A Chuseok themed event is being planned for Friday, September 22. More details will be in next week’s Student Weekly edition.

Here are this year’s Grade Level Lists. GRADE 6 GRADE 7 GRADE 8 FACULTY

MS Clubs and Activities

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

Do you want to come and chill with us at our upcoming Falling Out of Green Social on Thursday, September 21st? Please fill out this form to signal your participation. Note: If you have already filled it out, you don’t need to do it again! DEADLINE FOR LETTING US KNOW IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 at 4:00pm

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!

https://linktr.ee/kisjmsstuco

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.

MS Athletics

We have some friendly matches this week against SJA. Boys and Girls Badminton will take place at KISJ on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively and on Wednesday the boys' soccer teams will go to SJA for some matches.

Middle School Golf had their first out to the Nine Bridges 6-hole public course. The weather was fantastic and the golf was pretty good too! A big thank you to Mr. Allah and Ms. Geidel for coming out and helping support our golfers as they made their way around the course!

Congratulations to all our Cross-Country runners. This weekend they had their first race at NLCS. Students ran a 3.2km race. The weather was great but paled in comparison to the effort a determination of our athletes. GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

If you have any questions about athletics uniforms or athletics in general you can ALWAYS email or DM Mr. Oren at loren@kis.ac.

KISJ Athletics Google Classroom

Join the KISJ Athletics Google Classroom to stay informed of the latest happenings and information for all KISJ Athletics teams. You can join by following this link.

MS Theatre

LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical

Cast and Crew, please make sure that you are checking your rehearsal schedule every Sunday to make sure that you know your own personal schedule for the week. Cast rehearsals are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (though you won’t always be called for every rehearsal), and Crew rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays.

PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL

Thank you to everyone who signed up for the playwriting festival! We will have a meeting before Chuseok to explain what the first steps are for this year’s KISJ Middle School playwrights!

MS Robotics

We do not have a Wednesday session this week, but we do have an upcoming Saturday session on September 16th from 8:00 AM- 12:00 PM. Don’t forget to fill out the form (on Google Classroom) if your team will be attending! You only need one form for your team, so talk to your team and make a decision first.

Remember: Our first competition is only about 1 month away!!

MS Music

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.

MS Library

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.

School and Dorm Life Guide

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 # 5.

MS Lost & Found

This week we will be removing the items from August. Make sure to check in on Monday this week, if you have lost anything. Unclaimed items will be discarded appropriately.

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 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.
- 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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