Student Weekly

March 18 to 22, 2024

Schedule

Mar. 18 to Mar. 22

Sunday - St. Patrick's Day
Monday - "A - Day"
Tuesday - "B-Day"
Wednesday - "A-Day"
Thursday - "B-Day" - G7 Busan trip
Friday - "A-Day" - ½ day for students -

Upcoming Dates to Remember

Announcements

Message from Mr. Carroll, MS Principal

Dear DRAGONS

This week I have been happy to see your increasing use of connecting language in class. Well done! Let’s make sure we continue to do our best in this last week leading up to SPRING BREAK!!!!

Message from Mr. Boland, MS Associate Principal

We have a lot happening this week. It is the final week before our March holiday. Please make sure to exhibit our 4 Learning Behaviors: Communication, Collaboration, Respect, and Responsibility. Be proud of yourself and we will be proud of you.

Wednesday, March 20 - This Wednesday, we have a special assembly on Drug Awareness and Prevention. For this assembly, we have a guest speaker coming to campus from the Jeju Office of Education. It is important to note that the assembly will be at the end of the day and extend the day to 4pm. We will not have early dismissal as usual. The whole middle school will dismiss at 4pm on Wednesday, March 20.
Rumors and Gossiping - We continue to work with students about the idea of being nice. The words you say (or type/post) have a real impact on others. Do you want to be someone who ruins the day for someone else? I truly believe none of our students want to be that person. We all get frustrated and angry at other people, but we need to rise above. Be the person who makes others feel welcome.
Smart Pass - All grades are now using Smart Pass to monitor how many minutes students are missing from class. Students should only be leaving class for urgent issues. With 45-minute classes, it is crucial that students are in class for all of them. You have a five-minute break after each class. This is the time to fix your hair, go to the bathroom, or get a drink of water. Being in class needs to be every student’s priority.
Connecting Language - We are still collecting your feedback on connecting language at school. Please take a minute to complete this follow-up survey, if you have not done so already. This is the final week for this survey. All the information you share is helping make the school a safer, more inclusive community.
Field Trips this week: On Friday morning, the whole MS will be going on field trips. This is an effort to make up for the Exploration experiences that were missed out on because of the snowy weather. Most of the trips are the same as the ones planned back in January, but we had to make some changes because of availability

Grade Level Announcements

Grade 6

This is the final week of Quarter 3. Let’s make it a successful one. The Grade 6 teachers want you to focus on making good decisions this week. Remember to think carefully about your actions, specifically when you are interacting with other people. How are you making the Grade 6 community kinder, more inclusive, and welcome for everyone?

Grade 7

We want to thank you for being awesome in Busan! You listened to the chaperones and everyone had fun and stayed safe. It’s the last week of Q3! We will be writing narratives in advisory, so be thinking about what you want to highlight from this quarter.

Grade 8

This is the last week of Q3! You have 1 quarter left in your middle school lives. Make it your best one!

This week we will be glazing our clay flowers in the Monday advisory. Please do a good job as we will be giving them out in a serious environment. We have a lot going on so keep up with it all and ask your teachers when you don’t know what is going on!

Also, if you are considering music auditions for classes next year in HS, READ the MS Music section below!!!

Technology Announcement

Smart Pass

Library Lunches: 2 new rooms were added: G6 Lunch & G7/8 Lunch. Starting next week students who want to apply to stay in the library during lunch will have to create a pass for one of those rooms towards the end of period 4, respecting the NO-FLY times. Librarians will approve when the students enter.

The 7th and 8th Grade enter at either 11:45 on Monday- Thursday, and 12:15 on Friday. 6th Grade enter at 12:10 on Monday-Thursday, and at 12:40 on Friday. Exceeding requests (#31) will be denied and students will get a message.

KIS READS : Given the new configuration, students will not be allowed to go to the library during KIS READS. Students should be prepared for every class period, including this one. They should have a checked book at the appropriate time (before school, passing times, recess, after school).

Celebrations

Cheerleading Routine: At the end of Season 2 our cheerleaders participated in high school sporting events. Here is their AWESOME ROUTINE - Check it out and congratulate the team members when you see them

Celebrations

DRAGONS STARS! This is a new feature to the Student Weekly. Too often we focus on improving behavior and not necessarily celebrating all the awesome things our students do. Each week, I hear from so many teachers about some pretty cool, kind, and amazing things you do. Here are some of the DRAGONS STARS that shone brightly last week! We also know there are many acts of awesomeness that sometimes go unseen. Thank you to everyone who is committed to making our community a better, kinder, and safer place for all.

Clash of DRAGONS

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 Counseling

After Spring vacation, we are going to start talking about course selection for the next school year. It may be a good idea to start thinking about what you are interested in and what elective courses you may want to take.

More information will be coming soon so keep an eye out!

MS Clubs and Activities

STUCO

Spring Returns Social - (Tomorrow) Monday, March 18 is the last day to sign up to participate in the Spring Returns Social! Please check your email for the form.

Pi Day is this week - thank you to all of you who bought raffle tickets!
Thanks also to students and teachers who bought Candy Grams. Our Candy Gram Committee worked hard to package and deliver them. We hope it was a nice surprise!
Service: The Community Service Committee is partnering up with Pi Day in order to send the money that will be raised to the Angel House Orphanage.

Broadcasting Club :

February Broadcast is HERE

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 Athletics

Uniform Orders:

Uniform orders for basketball, golf, tennis, and track & field will be opening this week, and closing just before the break. Stay tuned for an email with instructions and links that will take you directly to what you need to order.

Basketball Uniform Numbers

A spreadsheet will be shared to all boys and girls basketball players next week, and it will require action from EVERYONE, so read very carefully from here.

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A NUMBER:
- Find the column with your class year (2028, 2029, or 2030), and the row with your number and leave a comment with your name and the word REPORTING.

Example: Lucas Oren REPORTING in the column for class of 2002 and number 52.

IF YOU NEED A NEW NUMBER:

Find the column with your class year (2028, 2029, or 2030), and the row with the number you want and leave a comment with your name, your birthday, and the word RESERVING.

Example: Lucas Oren 1983.07.18 RESERVING in the column for class of 2002 and number 52.

Number reservations will go to the oldest reserver.

Cells that are colored red cannot be chosen.

Important Season 3 Dates:

May 8th - MS Girls KISAC Golf

May 8 or 15th - MS Boys KISAC Golf

May 17th - MS KISAC Championships

MS Theatre

MS Theatre: LET’S KICK IT UP A NOTCH! 💥

Student actors! Rehearsals are changing again this week! Please check the rehearsal schedule, and please make sure to arrive at all rehearsals on time.

REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR COSTUMES BACK TO KISJ AFTER SPRING VACATION. Email Mr. Dingle with any questions regarding costumes.

Student Crew! See you after school on Wednesday (4:10 - 5:30 pm) in the MS Art room. Make sure to sit with your teams. Students should wait for rehearsal to start in the MSPAC with Mr. Boland.

Student Playwrights! Remember that you must attend every rehearsal for your play. You will act as a note taker and to communicate to the director and actors any misunderstandings/updates in your scripts.

MS Art

Grade 6 Visual Art Student have completed wonderful work in creating Research Page on an artist called Hundertwasser,

MS Music

Please read this document CAREFULLY for all the information you need to know to audition for MS Wind Ensemble for the 2024-2025 school year. The sign-up form is linked within the document.
MS Wind Ensemble Audition Timeline
March 17 : Wind Ensemble Audition Sign-ups Open
April 4, 5:00 PM : Audition Sign-ups Close
April 5 : Audition Confirmation & Time Slot sent via email from Mr. Chapa
April 8 - April 11: Auditions Held After school in the MS Band Room M416
April 15: Results Announced
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!

MS Library

The MS Library will start using SmartPass to sign up for Library Lunch Recess beginning on Monday, March 18th. You will need to Use SmartPass to sign up for the Lunch Recess,

SmartPass Library Rooms have been added: G6 Lunch & G7/8 Lunch. Starting next week (March 18th) students who want to apply to stay in the library during lunch will have to create a SmartPass for one of those rooms towards the end of period 4, respecting the NO-FLY times. The librarians will approve those passes at 11:45 or at the time the student enters so the approved ones may go to the library. Exceeding requests (#31) will be denied and students will get a message. Make Sure to bring your ID card.

Also: 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!

Did You Read the Student Weekly?

This will be a short quiz to help students review this weekly communication. It is important that all students review this newsletter each week, so they are prepared for the week, and to make sure they are INFORMED. Here is Did you read the Student Weekly Quiz # 9

MS Lost & Found

The table will be cleared as March has begun.

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: The MS Library will start using SmartPass to sign up for Library Lunch Recess beginning on Monday, March 18th. You will need to Use SmartPass to sign up for the Lunch Recess. SmartPass Library Rooms have been added: G6 Lunch & G7/8 Lunch. Starting March 18th, students who want to apply to stay in the library during lunch will have to create a SmartPass for one of those rooms towards the end of period 4, respecting the NO-FLY times. The librarians will approve those passes at 11:45 or at the time the student enters so the approved ones may go to the library. Exceeding requests (#31) will be denied and students will get a message. Make Sure to bring your ID card.

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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