Phoenix Flyer
2015/16 Issue 12
April 11, 2016
Korea International School
In This Issue:
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WASC VIsit
NYAKA
SC TDU’s
ES Expo
MS Experiential Education
HS Global Ambassadors in DC
Peter Pan
KIS Spotlight
WASC Visiting Committee:
Arriving Soon!
Over the past year, KIS faculty, students, and parents have been participating in a self-study process for accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The process, called a ‘Focus On
Learning,’ includes a comprehensive report to WASC and a four-day visit by a six-member team. The visit
for KIS is scheduled for this month of April, from Monday the 18th to Thursday the 21st, and we are excited
to welcome the WASC Visiting Committee to our Pangyo and Seoul Campuses.
The Focus on Learning process was led by Traci Osterhagen, Director of Teaching and Learning, and ten
teachers who served as Focus Group Leads. These ten lead teachers each organized a team of faculty
members to respond to the prompts that are provided by WASC regarding the self-study of topics, including
these five key areas:
A. Organization for Student Learning
B. Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
C. Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth
D. Resource Management and Development
The focus groups reviewed many assessments, as well as data from the Climate and Culture Surveys completed last spring. The focus groups also gathered important, in-practice evidence to document and prove
our work. The report truly reflects the input of all of the KIS administrators and faculty, as well as the data
from parent and student surveys, and our business office too.
The goal of the Focus On Learning process is to engage in a continuous review cycle in order to assess, reflect, and revise appropriately as an institution. The WASC guidelines provide a framework for these efforts—
WASC being an accrediting body that serves nearly 5,000 schools internationally. The WASC accreditation
assures a school community that the school’s purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through
a viable education program, further validating the integrity of the school’s program and transcripts. The accreditation also helps validate the transfer of credits to other schools, colleges, and universities worldwide.
Please thank the Focus Group Leads for
their consistent, thorough work: Molly Ball,
Jim Burwell, Karen Callahan, Sarah Donaldson, Kristi Green, Heather Hale, Angie McCollough, Eric Majors, Ryan Persaud, and
Vivian Robert. Hard copies of the final report will be available for review near the end
of the school year.
Please welcome the WASC Visiting Committee next week as you see them in meetings, classrooms, and attending school
events. Introduce yourself, and share your
KIS experience!
Traci Osterhagen
Director of Teaching & Learning
1
Korea International School
SUMMER PROGRAMS 2016
Session I June 13 - June 24/Session II June 27 - July 08
Design Your Future at KIS this summer!
Don’t miss out on this summer’s expedition of active learning!
Calling all KIS students in Kindergarten through grade 8 - there is still space available for enrollment
in the 2016 Summer Programs. Students can enroll for the full four weeks or for Session I only (June
13 - June 24) or Session II only (June 27 - July 08). Participants will spend the summer completing
fantastic STEM based experiments and projects, building collaborative learning skills, hiking,
biking, swimming, and each Friday traveling to exciting locations around Seoul. ​Enroll today!
See the full schedule and the enrollment form by clicking the
Summer Programs link at ​http://kis.kr/
Eric Majors, Summer Programs Principal, can be reached at ​[email protected]
2
Nyaka Fund-Raising Season at KIS:
Dinner, Nyaka Founder Keynotes, Luau, Fun Run...
Doesn’t it feel good to show love to those who need love? KIS has a long history of supporting Nyaka school
with our generosity. You can be a part of that this year too.
What is Nyaka? It’s Nyaka School for AIDS Orphans (www.nyakaschool.org), a school for Ugandan children
who have lost both parents to AIDS. The school educates children who otherwise might have no chance to
succeed in life. The school also involves grandmothers of the children in fund-raising for the grandchildren’s
education. With our help, and with the help of the grandmothers—and their wonderful, authentic, handmade craft items—all Nyaka students are able to attend the school for free.
So, what can you do for Nyaka School? Well, first and most important: register to come to the Nyaka benefit
dinner on Friday, April 22nd, from 5:30-8:00 p.m., in the KIS Conference Hall.
The dinner is a catered event featuring excellent food. KIS students and staff will provide live music entertainment, and silent auction items will be offered for sale. All profits, 100% of it, goes to Nyaka School.
Tickets are priced as:
40,000 KRW for adults, as well as for students in Sixth Grade and older
30,000 KRW for Elementary School students
120,000 KRW for a family of four.
Please purchase tickets ahead of time by e-mailing Jack Brown, KIS Middle School / High School Choir
Director and Friends Of Nyaka Club sponsor, at [email protected]. Mr. Brown will reserve your tickets for you,
and send instructions about bringing or wiring your money.
The dinner is the most important event of the week. But there are other great events too!
On Wednesday, April 20th, the KIS High School Student Council is sponsoring a Luau dinner from 3:00 to
5:00 p.m. in the KIS Conference Hall (7,000 KRW per person), with all profits going to Nyaka School.
Jackson Kaguri, founder of Nyaka School, will be at the KIS Pangyo Campus to speak to Middle School
and High School students on Tuesday, April 19th. Mr Kaguri will speak to Elementary School students on
Wednesday, April 20th. He will also go to KIS Seoul Campus on Thursday, April 21st, to speak with students
there.
On Sunday, April 24th, the Friends Of Nyaka Club will sponsor a Fun Run near Pangyo. Mr. Kaguri will be
there to run with any who wants to be a part of it. Participants may register for 20,000 KRW. For more information about the Fun Run, please e-mail Ms. Megan Godek ([email protected]) at Pangyo Elementary
School Campus.
Later in May, there will be two more events: a three-on-three basketball tournament for students; and at
least one concert by Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown will sing for teachers, then also for students and parents. More
information about those events will be available as the event dates approach.
Please come be a part of our support for Nyaka School this year, especially for the dinner on Friday, April
22nd. We sincerely appreciate you time, involvement, and generosity.
Jack Brown
MS/HS Choir Teacher
3
Seoul Campus
Elementary School
Highlights
First Grade Showcase For Their: Transdisciplinary Unit
On Friday, March 25th, before the spring break, students in First
Grade at Seoul Campus had an opportunity to showcase their creativity and learning. They created their own interactive instruments
in Design classes, and these were presented to peers and parents.
The instruments came in different shapes, sizes and colors, all
made from various recycled materials. There was even an instrument you can step on to play! The expressions on the First Graders’ faces showed how proud they were of what they had created,
and the fun they had in the process.
In this transdisciplinary unit of “Sound Waves,” which lead to a
culminating project of building an instrument, students had a great
learning experience which connected all of their different subject
areas. With the same focus and goals, the teachers of First Graders worked collaboratively when teaching the knowledge and skills
(toward these goals) in their different classrooms.
Through the showcase, students had a chance to share their learning experience. They not only described their instrument inventions, but they also discussed their process when answering questions from their peers, teachers and parents. They discussed the parts of the designing process, which were
sometimes difficult, and the changes they made as a group along the way.
It was a great learning experience for all who participated. We truly witnessed authentic applied learning in
our First Graders here at KIS Seoul Campus.
Helen Jun
SC Grade One Teacher
4
Upper Years Students Shine At Showcase Event
On Friday, March 25th, Seoul Campus hosted an all-school Student Showcase Event. The event was an
exhibition of student learning, designed to engage our entire school community and provide an opportunity
for students to defend their learning.
Grade Three students demonstrated their learning from the transdisciplinary unit themed around immigration. Students prepared for their presentations by gaining understanding on the topic of immigration
throughout the trimester as it related to each of their subject areas. In culmination, students prepared their
final products and an iPad presentation which highlighted the following:
•An opinion writing piece based on the question, “Should people be able to immigrate?”
•Planning documents and a physical model for an originally designed boat for which immigrants
could travel on
•A student-created traditional article of clothing that could have been worn by an immigrant
Grade Four students demonstrated their learning from the transdisciplinary unit themed around sustainability. Students prepared for their presentations by gaining understanding on the topic of sustainability
throughout the trimester as it related to each of their subject areas. In culmination, students prepared final
products and an iPad presentation which highlighted the following:
•An opinion writing piece on based on the question, “Is sustainability necessary for our world?”
•Planning documents and a prototype for a sustainable product
Grade Five students demonstrated their learning from the transdisciplinary unit themed around designing
a coffee shop. Students prepared for their presentations by gaining understanding on the topic of creating
a coffee shop throughout the trimester as it related to each of their subject areas. In culmination, students
prepared final products that they would sell at their coffee shop, including food and drink items, merchandise such as a mug, and a business card. Students also prepared a tri-fold board to display the following
information:
•Creative coffee shop name
•Student created logo and slogan
•Introduction summary / thesis
•Menu containing coffees and food items
•Layout and interior design of the shop
•Product / economics / design summaries
•Reflection about the coffee roaster experience and field trip
•Feedback on their coffee-making experience when students brewed coffees and
conducted blind taste tests
•IBK Bank proposal documents, including financial profiles for obtaining loans
The support provided to students during this event from our entire school community was greatly appreciated. While this presentation format is still a new experience for many, students worked hard and showed
pride in what they accomplished, while teachers commended their commitment to applied learning.
Megan Greene
SC Language Arts Teacher
5
Upcoming Nyaka Fun Run: May 20th
Students at Seoul Campus will have the opportunity again this
spring to participate in the 2nd Annual Nyaka Fun Run on May
20th.
This now-annual event is aimed at raising awareness and donations for children of the Nyaka Project Schools, who have
been orphaned due to the AIDS epidemic. The Nyaka Project
Schools are located in Uganda, which sits in the heart of East
Africa.
Many Nyaka Project Schools students walk great distances to
attend classes, and our contributions help provide food, fresh
water, tuition, and resources for the grandmothers of their community to care for the children. We have been lucky enough to
work with this worthwhile program for the last few years, and
our students take great pride in helping these children in need.
Last spring, during our 1st Annual Fun Run, students exceeded
all expectations and raised $2,500 for the children of Nyaka.
We hope to improve upon that number this year, as students
have been training and fine-tuning their pacing skills in order to
prepare for the 20-minute run.
As a parent, you can contribute by looking for the Nyaka Fun
Run forms coming home soon, and pledging an amount of
Won for every lap your child completes in those 20 minutes.
Mark your calendars, and come out to watch your child give it
their all to raise money which will improve the lives of those in
need. We hope to see you on May 20th!
Jeff Kordich
SC PE Teacher
6
Pangyo Campus
Elementary School
Highlights
Pre-Kindergarten - Grade Two Talent Show!
One of the great truths in education is that you should never underestimate what a child can do. That axiom
was never more apparent than last Friday, March 25th, when students in Pre-Kindergarten (PK) through to
Grade Two put their diverse and immense abilities on display for the Talent Show.
The kids in PK and Junior Kindergarten started off by “Going Bananas,” and things never really settled
down from there! The audience was thrilled and entertained by one amazing act after another, with music
ranging from “Annie” to “You are my Sunshine.” Students sang, danced, cartwheeled, played, skipped, and
pogo-sticked their way into the collective hearts of all who witnessed the dazzling show. Highlights included
Christian who dribbled all over the stage, and Seung-Hun who showed a few boards who was boss!
Aiden, Hannah, Julie, and Jason lit up the stage as well. It was a glowing performance. Literally. They
danced around while covered from head to toe in glow sticks! Other remarkable acts included a strobeaided robot dance from Jacoby, a stop-action movie from Tristan, and a one-in-a-MINION performance of
the “Ba-ba-ba Song” by Niyathi.
Musical performances abounded, of course, and it was clear that some of our students are in the express
lane to Carnegie Hall! There were many piano and violin pieces, but we were also treated to tunes on the
ukelele and the sitar. All in all, it was a magical morning, and all of the students who courageously got up
on that stage to perform should be commended!
If you were unable to come to the show, or would like
to relive that special moment with your child, you can
give thanks to Mr. Schultz, who recorded and livestreamed the whole event for us. Just click on the following link: KIS ES Talent Show
Travis Peterson
ES Associate Principal
7
Elementary Expo: Showcasing Students’ Science Skills
On Wednesday, March 16th, the Lower Gym became a science showcase for the students in Kindergarten,
Grade One, and Grade Two. KIS Pangyo held its second Elementary Expo, where students could present
the science projects that they had been working on during the second trimester. Evidence of hard work,
scientific inquiry, building, and engineering all filled the gym. Students proudly explained what they had built,
why they had built it, and what real-world problems it might solve.
Each of the three grades presenting had different projects and goals. The Kindergarten students studied
weather, climate, and how plants are used for food. Kindergarten engineers then designed unique greenhouses as a solution to help farmers grow crops in the winter months.
The First Grade students investigated the movement of the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon, and what patterns
they followed. The First Grade students created sundials to tell time in outdoor school areas that don’t have
clocks in view.
The Second Grade students studied what landforms and natural resources help our communities flourish or
fail. Students then designed their own communities, creating detailed maps that describe how the needs of
the people are met in their new homes.
There were many diverse and unique projects. The creativity and ingenuity of the students was everywhere.
Thank you to all of the classroom teachers, and the KoLAB staff, who all helped these future engineers and
scientists build so many wonderful devices. See you at the next Expo!
Mike Bycraft
ES Science Teacher
8
Grade Five Explorers!
On Tuesday, March 22nd, the Grade Five students and teachers
went on a new field trip to the Gwacheon Science Museum. We
visited the planetarium to learn about the constellations in our
sky, and how the patterns of the stars change throughout the
year. Students also experimented with various exhibits within
the museum: learning about the history of flight, exploring the
oceans, making sound waves, controlling objects with their
minds, and thinking about the mysteries of the human body.
Students have become explorers during our third unit by designing a Mission to Mars, while taking into account: the changes in gravity, the duration of travel, and the needs of setting up a
space station on a new planet. Likewise, in Language Arts, students chose a topic of exploration on which to learn and write
their historical essays on. The topics included sea voyages, early flight, lunar missions, deep sea exploration, mountaineering,
and polar expeditions. Geography naturally played a heavy role
in these exploration essays, and so the students learned about
latitude and longitude, the cardinal directions, and how to plot
landforms, bodies of water, and cities on a map. Our culminating task for the unit will involve hands-on activities and challenges that incorporate the skills learned throughout the unit.
Students will have to use all of their knowledge to succeed in
their Mars astronaut training.
David Archer
Grade Five Teacher
9
Kindergarten Field Trip!
On Thursday, March 24th, Kindergarten students
participated in a successful and enjoyable field trip
to Gyeonggi Children’s Museum. With a group of
helpful parent volunteers joining us, we departed
from school at 9:00 am and arrived at the museum
at 9:30. The sun was shining and the weather was
perfect for the classes to stage a short morning picnic before the museum opened. As the students’ anticipation built, we parked ourselves in a decorative
pavilion to share stories and snacks with all of our
friends.
Once inside the museum, students were able to
freely engage with the activities and exhibits. Students began by exploring the water area, where they
learned about using water as a form of energy, along
with how it can affect their environment through
building dams. While exploring the Human Body
exhibit, students learned about the major organs in
the body, how our skeletons work, and the highlight
for everyone: the interactive and educational toilet!
After finishing up in the science wing, students were
then led to the “Dramatic Play” floor, where they excitedly put on costumes and performed plays. Students simulated working jobs at a restaurant or in a
shopping center, or they took on the difficult role of
a doctor helping their patients. The final activity for
the morning was a craft, where students created interesting models of their friend’s face out of recycled
material!
At this point, it was clear that the students were having so much fun that they didn’t want to move on
to the next activity! After some coaxing, we found a
large, open space outdoors in the sun to have our
picnic lunch and enjoy some play time. Students
brought a variety of delicious food to share with
everyone, and they spent the rest of the time playing with jump ropes, balls, and hula-hoops. On top
of all that fun, we went to a quaint little playground
around the corner, and spent the remainder of the
day playing on the slides, teeter totters, climbing
wall and swings. Teachers and parents took turns
joining in as well, playing tag and pushing students
on the swings. On the ride home, the bus was filled
with the sound of laughter and students recounting
their favorite moments of the day. Though parents
and teachers sat quietly as tiredness and exhaustion crept up on them, the students appeared to be
thirsty for more excitement—the true measure of
success on a Kindergarten field trip!
Ashleigh Peat & Paul Duffy
ES Kindergarten Teachers
10
Pangyo Campus
Middle School
Highlights
Empowerment
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The
secret of getting started is breaking your complex,
overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and
then starting on the first one.” ~ Mark Twain
As parents and teachers, we have a unique opportunity for creating environments where students can be
empowered to try new things, succeed, fail, and try
again. During the month of April, KIS Middle School
(MS) will be focused on recognizing students who
empower their classmates through the “Gotcha” program. Students and staff can nominate students who
display empowerment; and those caught doing great
things are recognized by Dr. Rhoden (MS Counselor) and posted outside of the MS Office.
Further, we believe that the students at KISMS should be empowered to be in charge of their education and
the type of culture we are continuing to build. Our students are continually looking for ways to positively
impact our school, each other, and the global community. As parents and teachers, we need to allow for opportunities where this can be possible. Over the next month, let’s help support the idea of empowerment by
allowing your student to empower other people. This can be accomplished through service, volunteerism,
mentoring ...as well as many other ways to uplift other people.
Together, let’s watch our students grow as they free their new ideas and good intentions, all of which will
positively impact our school and communities.
Dr. David Lovelin
MS Principal
Do You Have Senioritis?
Senioritis is often defined as, “a time when most Seniors often see a decline in motivation to complete their
work as they move closer to graduation.” But, senioritis can be seen in all grade levels as the end of the
school year draws near.
Now that spring break has come and gone, students sometimes start to focus on summer and all the activities that comes with it. However, we must all remain active in our learning—all the way to the last day of
class. Here are a few ‘symptoms’ of senioritis, and ways to avoid it so that you can remain an active participant in your learning.
‘Symptoms’ often include: laziness and an over-excessive wearing of old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic
shorts, and sweatshirts. Senioritis also features a lack of studying, or a generally dismissive attitude. The
only known cure is a phenomenon known as graduation / the end of the school year. Senioritis is easy to
catch, and hard to get rid of. It can also be dangerous to your plans for the future.
Plan ahead. You probably already know what activities you’ll stay involved in this year. Fitting all of it in without pulling your hair out (or pulling your grades down) is the goal. The best tool is a calendar or day planner.
Don’t obsess. It’s easy to get caught up in the future while forgetting about the here and now.
Talk about it. Useful people to talk to are your friends (who are going through the same things as you are),
your parents, your school counselor, and other adults whom you respect.
Dr. Elethia Rhoden
Have fun.
MS Counselor
11
Middle School Yearbook Class: FACE IT
One of the 2015-2016 KIS School-wide goals is to
develop applied learning, including design thinking, project based learning, and experiential learning, to encourage necessary 21st Century skills and
abilities. Let’s FACE IT - our Middle School yearbook
class has met each of these objectives.
In the Fall of 2015, fifteen Seventh and Eighth Graders, under the guidance of Ms. Ramsey and Ms. Odell,
faced the challenge of publishing the 2015-2016 MS
Yearbook - FACE IT. Over the past eight months,
students have experienced many successes, and
some disappointments, while dealing with the stress
of working under tight, real-world deadlines. We’ve
been navigating new computer programs, learning
and applying skills in design, page layout, and photography, and improving professional communication.
The students in the Middle School Yearbook Class
have become leaders in our school by understanding
the importance of the inclusion of all students, initiating communication with sponsors, teachers and administrators, and how to work as a truly collaborative
team. Along the way, students have gained more self
confidence as they covered socials, advisories, concerts, clubs, and sporting events. Students continue
to learn how to manage multiple event calendars, assign jobs, be responsible with equipment, and what
it means to be dependable.
At the beginning of March, we celebrated our greatest success with the submission of more than 80
pages to our publisher. Dr. Lovelin and Mrs. Lovelin
served ice cream floats while celebrating each student’s accomplishments. Though we are still taking
photographs and covering events until the end of
the school year, Yearbook Class spent these last two
weeks brainstorming how to promote, sell, and distribute the 2015-2016 MS Yearbook most effectively.
The kickoff for Middle School Yearbook sales was
Thursday, April 7th at the Middle School Assembly.
Sales will continue until Friday, April 22nd. The cost
is KRW 45,000 and can be purchased through bank
transfer.
We’ve played in the snow, had pizza and ice cream,
visited Hyundai Printing Press in Seoul, and lunched
together. But, we have also dedicated many, many
hours beyond the weekly class time to produce a
quality product that we can be proud of. We have
become a family. We’ve developed relationships and
skills that will last a lifetime. We’ve FACED IT.
Tammie Ramsey
MS EnglishTeacher
12
2016 KIS MS March Madness Winners Revealed
The results of the first annual KIS Middle School March Madness Reading Tournament are in! On Monday,
March 21st, students attended an awards ceremony, during which winners were announced and prizes
distributed.
The teacher who recorded the most minutes read was Ms. Kelly Dunn, our Eighth Grade Math teacher. Ms.
Dunn received a gift card from What the Book? and a wooden bookmark.
The Most Valuable Reader was Roori, from Grade Seven. Roori recorded the most minutes read, in addition
to writing the best synopsis for each entry. She was awarded a handmade travel journal, a gold medal, and
a bookmark.
The Most Valuable Advisory was Ms. Skidmore’s Grade Eight Advisory. They recorded the most minutes
read of all the Advisory classes that participated in the Reading Tournament. Their prizes included a pizza
party, wooden bookmarks, and possession of the coveted March Madness trophy.
Finally, the 2016 KIS Middle School March Madness Reading Tournament Champion Grade Level was
Grade Eight. They enjoyed a Harry Potter dress-up day, featuring a one-of-a-kind sand sculpture created
by award-winning Korean artist, Daeyoung Ji. The winning grade level also enjoyed meeting the artist. They
attended a Question and Answer presentation about Daeyoung Ji’s career and his process of building a 3D
sculpture from sand.
Thank you to all who participated, and special thanks to: Ms. Hyejin Koo, 2015-16 Middle School ParentTeacher Organization Library Representative; and Ms. Sue Chong, Librarian in the Secondary Library.
Kristi Green
MS/HS Librarian
13
Experiential Education: Fiji & Thailand
Over Spring break, a large portion of our Middle School students
chose to participate in an opportunity to travel and see the world
through a different perspective. A handful of Grade Six and Seven
students traveled to Fiji, and upwards of 50 Grade Eight students
traveled to rural Thailand. Though their experiences were very different, the foundational values of each trip were similar.
The students were immersed in a different culture, served the local
community, and grew in leaps and bounds as both youths their age
and as future global citizens. As a teacher chaperone on the Grade
Eight trip, I was inspired by our students’ willingness to serve the
needs of the less fortunate, and by their openness to experience life
outside of their comfort zone.
The transformations, relationships, bonds, and experiences will never be forgotten! Thank you to all who participated and supported us
in getting these programs off the ground!
We are looking forward to our next Experiential Education opportunity coming to the Middle School in May, from Monday the 2nd to Wednesday the 4th. Each grade level will
head out to different locations in Korea for their three-day, two-night programs. More information will be sent
to parents and students soon!
Please enjoy the photos of students in Thailand on this page, and students in Fiji on the following page.
Nick Ball
KIS EE Coordinator
14
Fiji: Experiential Education
At first there was excitement for what lay ahead,
But when we arrived there was a wee bit of dread.
Some students apparently had not read very far
And were expecting to stay in a hotel with five stars.
With lizards and bugs, there were tears on night one,
At the sight of a cockroach, they were ready to be done.
But the setting was pure beauty and the people so kind,
Even in their discomfort, fun the students did find.
We jumped off a sand dune and explored a dark cave,
We built fish houses and rescued mangroves from the grave.
On more than one occasion we snorkeled in the sea,
And without any internet, we learned how to simply be.
We bathed ourselves in mud and soaked in natural springs,
We rode in rustic vans with sweet tunes with which to sing.
Besides the mosquitos that waged war on our skin,
The biggest threat to our well-being was Mr. Nelson’s hat with a shark fin.
A few students got the bonus experience of visiting a doctor nearby,
But fortunately antibiotics were an easy fix, so with relief I did sigh.
As part of the Fijian family we were warmly embraced,
And throughout the week, they showed us patience, love, and grace.
We were able to serve a local school by laying tiles,
And by delivering food to a women’s shelter with a whole lot of smiles.
The natural beauty of Fiji is beyond measure,
But the hearts of the native people is the true treasure.
They love one another unconditionally and always lend a helping hand,
And this spirit was what our students said they wanted to bring to their homeland.
With full hearts we said goodbye to our many new friends,
And we are only sad that the experience had to come to an end.
Justine Parry
MS English Teacher
15
Pangyo Campus
High School
Highlights
KIS Global Ambassadors:
In Washington, DC
Four delegates from the KIS Global Ambassadors Club are
currently in Washington, DC, attending the Loudoun International Youth Leadership Summit. Our students are exploring the 2016 summit theme of “Communicating Globally,
Acting Locally,” and interacting with 15 other delegations
from: the United States, Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
China, Costa Rica, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, and South Africa. This year’s theme reflects the desire of the students in the
KIS Global Ambassadors Club to utilize the summit as an opportunity to engage with their peers in conversations regarding the most pressing issues facing the world community, and devise plans to address these
issues in their own communities.
Loung Ung, Cambodian genocide survivor, peace activist, and author of First They Killed My Father: A
Daughter of Cambodia Remembers, addressed the international delegates during the opening ceremony.
Ung thanked the student delegates, and then explained:
“I am here because leaders like you got involved. Because leaders like you stood up when I couldn’t. Leaders like you who understood this very important life lesson: peace is not an automatic in our world. Peace
is not something we wish for and is granted. Leaders like you know that peace is an action, or many, many
actions. When you do this work, you show people like me, many people who’ve been harmed and hurt by
inhumanity, you show us the best of humanity. You are that shining light. That will heal the hearts and souls
of those who’ve been hurt. That will change the world.”
Highlights of the summit include visits to: Washington, DC monuments; the Newseum; the US university
tour; the Holocaust museum; and summit dialogues. Delegates will also have an opportunity to meet with
former U.S. Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, this week. The four KIS delegates will soon return to KIS
with an action plan to better serve our local community.
Michelle Quirin
HS Principal
16
KIS Students Garner High Praise at
Shanghai International Student Film Festival
The nominees were read, and the crowd of 200 students from cities around Asia huddled hushed in their
seats before the winner was announced. Wes Pantoja, of Shanghai United International School, founding
member of the S2F2 International Student Film Festival, reeled in the anticipation of the quietly intense
crowd before he spoke. “And the winner is…’Help!’ from Korea International School.” The three boys froze
in their seats, at first unaware that they had received the top honor, caught off guard by the unexpected win.
It took them a moment to rise to their feet and ascend the steps to accept their award, a crystal trophy with
the words “Best Animated Feature” emblazoned decoratively on its smooth surface.
The awards ceremony was the culminating event of a three-day trip to Shanghai, attended by four students,
KIS High School English teacher Laressa Manning, and myself. Together, we participated in workshops,
networking sessions, lectures with professional filmmakers, and an eight-hour film festival “challenge” in
which students had to write, direct, shoot, edit and act in a film of their own creation. In addition, students
were given the opportunity to submit original films to a panel of teachers and critics who would sift through
the student films and determine awards.
At the end of the festival, KIS students took home two First Place trophies for “Best Animated Feature”
and “Best Editing.” They also won several “Official Jury Selection” honors in various categories including
comedy, animation, documentary, and drama. When recognized for his accomplishments, KIS student Joey
said, “I’ve never won an award in my life. It’s a really great experience and I think it’s going to be good for
my career.”
Students were also forced to overcome obstacles and work under unfamiliar circumstances to complete the
eight-hour film challenge. KIS students, the only attendees from Korea, were placed in groups composed of
students whom they had never previously met. They had to sit down and write an outline, or a basic script,
for a film—which was to be completed and edited within the eight-hour window. Students scrambled to
complete their films after they were given the prompt—a simple quote from Albert Einstein. Other than that,
they were given almost no guidance.
KIS Senior student Austin, said, “I got to meet some filmmakers who share the same ambitions; it was nice
to see their skills and learn from them. One of the hard parts of the eight-hour film challenge was in overcoming all of the arguments that people had. I wanted the film to go in this direction, and the other students
wanted it to go in another direction, so finding common ground and compromising was the hardest part.”
Completing this film challenge offered the students rare opportunities to work with people outside of their
social and cultural spheres. In addition, the honors they received at the film festival confirmed their talents
as young film auteurs, and helped to solidify an abiding interest in the filmic craft.
John Miller
HS English Teacher
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Meet KIS Pride
#kispride
Interviews
Lunch time! Most students, and many faculty members, go to the cafeteria for their lunch. Throughout the
day, they may also stop by JJ’s Deli for a snack or drink. Each and every day, it takes a lot of cafeteria staff
to feed Elementary School, Middle School, and High School, all in rotating shifts. After all of the students
have gone back to classes, it’s finally the cafeteria staff’s turn to eat. Running such a large kitchen takes a
lot of work: ordering food, preparing food, serving food, cleaning dishes, cleaning the cooking area, cleaning
the dining area… Who are some of the friendly staff who work so hard to keep us healthy, day after day after
day? Minji, in Grade Ten, recently interviewed two cafeteria staff to find out:
Nutritionist: Sun Ah Jung
1. What’s the best part of your job?
“The best part of my job is that I can see and encounter many different types
of food that I wouldn’t normally get to encounter.”
2. What’s the difference between KIS and other schools?
“I worked at SIS before, and they didn’t have a deli there and everyone had to
eat cafeteria food, unlike KIS. Also, I think the kids here are on the nicer side
and some of them don’t eat a lot especially because they can buy small things
at the deli.”
3. What’s your favorite cafeteria food to eat?
“My favorite cafeteria food to eat is the chicken burger that comes out on the
Western menu.”
4. How long have you worked at KIS?
“I’ve worked here for about a month now.”
JJ’s Catering Staff: Sun Own Bang
1. What’s the best part of your job?
“I’m glad that I can provide food for others, and I’m really happy when people
enjoy the food.”
2. What’s the difference between KIS and other schools?
“I’m not really sure because I’m working as an employee of J&J Catering, not
specifically the school. However, I like the teachers here and the kids are nice.”
3. What’s your favorite cafeteria food to eat?
“Spaghetti. I think a lot of people like it too, and it’s one of the most popular
choices. I think people enjoy it because KIS is an international school.”
4. How long have you worked at KIS?
“I’ve worked here for nine years and eight months.”
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- SAVE THE DATE Bazaar & Carnival
May 14, 2016 / 10 AM - 2 PM
@ KIS Seoul Campus
The Seoul Campus PTO is hosting our annual
bazaar to raise money in order to provide
enriching educational experiences for our PK Grade 5 students. Please join us for a fun day
of shopping, games, food and fun.
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Fine Arts Week Mark your calendars for the last week of April! KIS will be having their annual Fine Arts Week, which is a time the school celebrates all the arts. The spring art exhibition (A Place where Dreams are Born) will be showing in the Conference Hall and the musical (Peter Pan) will be playing in the PAC. There will also be a Poetry Out Loud contest hosted by the English department on Wednesday. The Fine Arts department will be having various events and activities throughout that week so please take a look at the schedule below to see which one you can attend. Information about the events will be shared through Schoology. Monday 4/25 Tuesday 4/26 Wednesday 4/27 Thursday 4/28 Friday 4/28 Activity (during club/advisory for MS/HS) ES: Collaborative Environmental Art Installation MS: iClay sculpting HS: C
ollaborative Exquisite Corpse Installation ES: Collaborative Environmental Art Installation MS: 3D printing session HS: C
ollaborative Exquisite Corpse Installation Pottery: Throwing by PAC steps ES: Collaborative Environmental Art Installation MS: 3D printing session HS: C
ollaborative Exquisite Corpse Installation National Art Honor Society Induction Ceremony ES: Collaborative Environmental Art Installation ollaborative HS: C
Exquisite Corpse Installation Calligraphy Demonstration Pottery: Throwing by PAC steps ES: Collaborative Environmental Art Installation HS: C
ollaborative Exquisite Corpse Installation After School Art Show Reception Poetry Out Loud Contest MS: Painting Party Peter Pan Opening Night Peter Pan 19
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Distributing
HAPPINESS
IS OUR JOB
MS Yearbook Kick Off
April 7th
More info coming soon…
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The Korea International School Theatre Department Presents
Thursday, April 28, 2016 @ 6pm - Friday, April 29, 2016 @ 6pm
Saturday, April 30th, 2016 @ 6pm
Advanced Purchase
Students & Teachers 7,000 / Parents 10,000
At the Door
Students & Teachers 10,000 / Parents 13,000
A Musical Based on the Play by Sir J.M. Barrie, Lyrcs By Carolyn Leigh, Music By Morris (Moose) Charlap,
Additional Lyrics By Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Additional Music by Julie Styne, Originally Directed, Choreographed and Adapted By Jerome Robbin
Peter Pan Is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
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Korea International School
Korea International School
27 Daewangpangyo-ro, 385 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu
Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do
Korea, 13543
www.kis.kr