Author: Cebu International School

Admin note

As the school year draws to a close it has been wonderful to have the opportunity for our students to share in each other’s successes and achievements. While this has taken place in the formal sense through our Graduation and our PYP exhibition and Personal Project Showcase, our students have also had the opportunity to participate in a range of more informal but equally as important engagements which have provided an insight into the learning that takes place at other grade levels.

Our Middle School drama students have entertained the whole community through the productions which they have written and performed. This has inspired our elementary students, who have also put pen to paper and starred in their own mini-performances as part of their units under the transdisciplinary theme of “how we express ourselves”. These performances have ranged from shadow puppetry to talent shows and featured dragons, ninjas, and superheroes. A literary luncheon also provided students with the opportunity to share and publish their favorite poems, while in the Middle School a mock legal trial was conducted in front of an enthralled audience.

I have previously referenced the power and importance of building a strong sense of community and the provision of opportunities for our students to share in cross-age experiences actively helps to cultivate respectful, supportive relationships. It also provides our younger students with an insight into what lies ahead of them from an academic perspective, and this was embodied beautifully by our Grade 7 Individuals & Societies students as they shared some of their projects with the Grade 4s late last week.

As a school we believe in each and every one of our students and trust that despite the challenges and unpredictability of the year, our students feel that they are valued, have learnt and grown. Returning to campus has certainly provided us all with richer relationships, and a greater sense of community and purpose. I know that many of our students have expressed a desire for the school year to continue as they will miss the companionship of their peers. Others, I know, are more than ready for a break and the opportunity to recharge energy levels.

We would like to wish everyone a safe and restful summer. This is an opportunity to take a much needed break from electronic devices and enjoy time with friends and family. I can’t emphasize enough the power of literature and hope that many of our students will spend time quietly reading.

On behalf of the CIS community, we would like to congratulate our students on their successful completion of the year. Thank you to those individuals that have contributed and helped shape our community. Thank you, parents/guardians, our PTA and supportive Board of Trustees, our faculty and staff, as well as students past and present.

As with each year, we have a small number of families and faculty moving on to new adventures. We wish you well and hope that you will look back fondly on your time at CIS.

I wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday and look forward to the new school year.

by Mr. Andrew Powell, EY-12 Principal, and the Admin Team

Upcoming events of note

• June 10-Aug 2: Summer vacation
• June 13-24: Summer Activities Program
• August 3: Family Orientation Day (details will be sent closer to the date)
• August 4: Classes start

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar (http://cis.edu.ph/school-calendar/) for the complete calendar of school events.

Grade 11: First year of the IB Diploma Programme

by Ms. Emily Cornet, IB DP Coordinator

Grade 11s complete their first year of the Diploma Programme

On Wednesday, June 8th, the Grade 11 students and their Homeroom teachers came together to celebrate the completion of their first year of the Diploma Programme with the Grade 11 End of Year Awards Assembly.

While the circumstances this year have been challenging for students across the school, Grade 11 students also engaged in the first year of the rigorous IB Diploma Programme and all that it entailed. Students continued their studies in Mathematics and English Language and Literature, while also diving deep into new courses in the Sciences, Individuals & Societies, Art, and Theory of Knowledge. Students have also begun the work on their Extended Essay, the 4000-word piece of research that is one of the hallmarks of the IBDP Core.

The Grade 11 students are to be commended for their adaptability to new teachers, new classmates, new courses, and a new level of expectations with the IB Diploma Programme. We celebrate their accomplishments in this first year, and look forward to their successes in Year 2.

Grade 3: Diamante Poems

by Ms. Katrina del Mar, Grade 3 Teacher

Did you know that you can make your writing sparkle? The Grade 3s studied how to make their poems shine like diamonds. They have written different kinds of poems in their last Unit, How We Express Ourselves, but the Diamante Poem was special.

A Diamante is an unrhymed poem with 7 lines. The first and last lines are the shortest and the middle lines are longer giving it a diamond shape. There are two types of diamantes: synonym diamantes and antonym diamantes. In a synonym diamante, the words at the top and bottom mean the same thing. An antonym diamante’s beginning and ending words are opposites.

Writing a Diamante Poem is like hunting for treasure. The Grade 3s poured a lot of hard work throughout the writing process. First, they began by digging for ideas. Definitely, it was not as easy as pie. It turned out their minds had a lot of hidden jewels to choose from. Then, drafting was quicker. Writing down their thoughts on paper gave them a clearer picture of the gem they wanted to write about. Editing and revising were messy. They saw letters that needed capitalizing, words that required substituting, and lines that had to be removed altogether. Pieces of paper flew back and forth for feedback. Finally, publishing was done with utmost care. They made sure to spell each word correctly with their best handwriting. The Grade 3s learned that good writers, and poets, never give up.

Below are the Diamante Poems written by the Grade 3 students. You might want to wear your sunglasses on before reading them. The poems glow brightly!

MYP Spanish

by Señor Antonio Melgar, MYP Spanish Teacher

Grade 10

Grade 6

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Upcoming Virtual Events and Fairs: (students & parents are welcome)

DATE

June 16
4:00 pm
Link to register

EVENT

Study Melbourne Info Session – Philippines

Hear from The University of Melbourne, Monash University, La Trobe University, Federation University and Swinburne University (TBC) and learn more about studying in Melbourne and Victoria.

June 18
12:00pm – 6:00pm
Link to register

Study Abroad Expo 2022 (Virtual Event)

Meet representatives from these institutions

• Australian Catholic University
• Bond University
• CQUniversity
• Curtin University
• Deakin University
• Federation University
• Flinders University
• Griffith University
• Kaplan Australia
• Kirana Colleges Australia
• Macquarie University
• The University of Queensland
• The University of Sydney
• The University of Western Australia
• University of New England
• University of the Sunshine Coast
• University of Wollongong
• UNSW SydneyWestern Sydney University

June 14, 22 and 29

Taster Classes with Massey University (New Zealand)

June 14, 2022 – 4:00PM PHT
Are NFTs and Cryptocurrency good investments?
LINK to register 

June 22, 2022 – 4:00PM PHT
The Beneficial Properties of Honey
Link to register

June 29, 2022
4:00 PM PHT
The Role of Interaction Design in the Creative Economy
Link to register

SAT Update for 2022-2023

To register for the SAT, you may click on this link.  If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to email Ms. Jenny Basa at jbasa@cis.edu.ph.

Below are the confirmed test dates for the paper/pencil SAT at Cebu International School.  

Admin News

by Dr. Gwyn Underwood, Superintendent

As an international school with 23+ nationalities represented, you can imagine the variety of social backgrounds we share and the associated norms that go with each one of these cultures. When you further factor in the number of different cultures, religions, and even personalities within each of these representative countries, imagine how challenging it would be to try to identify all of the unique groups that co-exist in the CIS community! With so much diversity, have you ever wondered how we manage to get along so well? And have you ever noticed how some groups lean towards certain behaviors, while others act almost opposite to others?

A large factor influencing these behaviors is whether the person is from a collectivist culture or an individualistic culture – or simply put, a community group-focused versus individual self-focused culture. As culture has a strong influence on how people think and behave, knowing what culture one has been brought up in will help you understand their frame of reference, reducing misunderstanding and enabling awareness of different perspectives.

Image credit: Photo by Robert Collins on Unsplash (free license for use)

Charlotte Nickerson explains:

• People who live in individualist cultures tend to believe that independence, competition, and personal achievement are important. Individuals in Western nations such as the United States, England, and Australia score high on individualism (Oyserman, Coon, & Kemmelmier, 2002). 
• People who live in collectivist cultures value social harmony, respectfulness, and group needs over individual needs. Individuals who live in countries in Asia, Africa, and South America score high on collectivism (Hofstede, 2001; Triandis, 1995). 

The implications of this are numerous, but it is particularly important to note the values of the culture you identify with will influence your personality and dictate your accepted social norms and perception of appropriate social behavior. Having an awareness of cultural differences will enable you to be prepared for others to act in different ways you might expect, and you can be prepared to be tolerant of their differences. The CIS philosophy of respect for others and the IB Learner Profile attribute of caring are two key attributes that will help you to do this and ultimately enable you to build friendships and trust with others even though they may hold differing views. 

As we approach the last week of our school year, let’s all consider our role in the CIS community, and regardless of if we come from a collectivist or individualist background, let us focus on student learning as our shared purpose, so as to enable us to work together within a respectful, supportive environment. 

Upcoming events of note

• June 9: Last Day of School – Class celebrations, Moving Up Ceremonies, and End Year Assembly (half-day of school); Reports published
  • 7:30 am ES/ 7:45 MHS: HR
  • 8:30 am: G5 Moving Up Ceremony (virtual*)
  • 9:00 am: G10 Moving Up Ceremony (virtual*)
  • 10:00 am: Class Celebrations
  • 10:45 am: EOY Whole School Assembly (virtual*) [Time subject to confirmation]
  • 11:30am ES/ 11:45am MHS: Classes dismissed for summer vacation

*The link to these events will be distributed for parents optional viewing via email prior to the event

*For health and safety reasons, please note any snacks for the class celebrations must be brought from home for individual use/no sharing

• June 13-24: Summer Activities Program

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar (http://cis.edu.ph/school-calendar/) for the complete calendar of school events.

Grade 2 Poets

by Ms. Maureen Juanson & Ms. Marina Ocleasa, Grade 2 HR Teachers

What is an inspiration? What inspires you? These are some of the questions that provoked the thinking of our Grade 2 students at the beginning of our unit, How We Express Ourselves. As we further inquired into self-expression, the Grade 2s realized that inspiration moves us to create something. These creations can range from written pieces, spoken words, performances, sounds, music, arts and crafts, and stories.

As creative communicators, the Grade 2s learned to express themselves through poetry. Throughout the unit, the students immersed themselves in different types of poems, such as free verse, chant, acrostic, alliteration, and diamante. We spent some time reading like writers to notice how they are written and what writing techniques can be used in writing them. In the process, students also deepened their understanding and appreciation of language, like figures of speech, shades of meaning, and parts of speech.

We invite you to immerse yourselves in some creative poems written by our Grade 2 poets.

Science Class

by Ms. Haydee Montero, Science Teacher

Grade 6  

How does electricity work?

Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles such as electrons or protons. It is considered as a secondary source of energy, which means it is neither a renewable (solar, hydro, wind or geothermal source) nor a nonrenewable source (coal, fossil fuels, nuclear etc). It is called a secondary source because  it is produced by converting primary sources of energy from either renewable or nonrenewable sources. 

In the last exploration of Unit 4. “How does electricity work?” with the Statement of Inquiry: “Energy transformations lead to development in systems for an improved way of living”, the grade 6 students were so engrossed and were carefully probing on alligator wires, batteries (as source of power)and transistors/switches in order  to light their bulbs.

However, learning online is different from Rodd’s end. While using the PHET Simulation on CIRCUIT as an enhancement tool for the in-class students, the simulation App  serves as the primary and ultimate tool in navigating electric circuitry for his online learning.

“Electricity works when electrons travel or flow from the battery down to electric wires all the way through the wires down to the bulb. The resistor and transistor/switch control the flow of the electricity and control the light of the bulb”-Rodd

Here are some snapshots of their actions caught on cam and their realizations on how electricity works:

Whatever their realizations  based on their explorations on electric circuitry, one thing is for sure, there is so much power in electricity. 

“ Electricity can transform people’s lives, not just economically but also socially” –Piyush Goyal

Grade 7

The world is in constant motion, don’t get screwed!

Forces play a crucial role in our everyday lives. It can cause a moving object to:  accelerate, decelerate, change direction, and even change shape. Forces enable people to create materials into something that is useful for them if not improve the quality of one’s  living.

From navigating and measuring forces, the Grade 7 students ended up with their own contraption of an innovative machine, as an application of their understanding on how simple machines (lever, inclined plane, wheel & axle, pulley, wedge and screw) work.

Guided by the SOI “Understanding systems and how forms work enables us to design models to foster ingenuity and progress”, the students came up with their own innovation, a conglomerate of two or more simple machines. 

Here are few examples of their works:

Ray-Ray,  the industrious box is an innovative compound machine that saves time, energy and work more efficiently. To help you work more efficiently for example when you want to practice playing basketball so you can beat or impress your friends you might want to practice accuracy, well my product can help you with that! Someone you know might move Ray-Ray around while you stand behind a line far away. Because Ray-Ray is a bit small, it will help you improve your accuracy, according to (Nordland, 2019).- Chloe

This compound machine uses 2 different simple machines. This uses wheels and axles and an inclined plane. The wheels and axles are located at the bottom of the cart. The inclined plane is located inside the cart. The inclined plane uses gravity to make objects in the cart slide in 1 direction. The wheels on the bottom of the cart multiply force, using friction to push the cart in 2 directions (front and back) depending on where the cart is being pushed. The purpose of this cart is to help carry any heavy items which a user of this cart is struggling with. The inclined plane helps shift the force of the objects inside the cart into 1 specific direction. The wheels and axles of the cart help the user of the Supply Cart maneuver around with any objects in the cart with ease.-Niño

With so many challenges affecting the globe on a daily basis, I decided to use science and simple machines to assist solve one of those concerns in a more efficient and secure manner. The problem is that traveling alone at night or in a dangerous neighborhood can put you at risk from strangers. For instance, suppose you see or are being followed by an unknown individual and need to defend yourself. Willyam, the flashy defender, on the other hand, is here to save the day! as in literally. Willyam, the flashy defender, will guarantee that you have something to rely on in no time with the advantages of increasing force, lifting loads, and reducing human energy. By using science, this machine includes a wedge, inclined plane, screws, lever, and there you have it, a flashlight! The enemy is no match for Willyam, the flashy defender, and the defender will save time trying to save oneself by employing this product instead of their hands. Willyam will be there for you every step of the way in any “Stranger Danger” scenario. – M

My innovative machine is an upgrade of a ruler, not just because it’s longer than the original ruler, but because it is foldable to carry the machine more wisely. Originally it is 28 cm long, but if it’s unfolded it has a total length of 56cm which is 26cm longer than the original ruler. My innovative machine contains two simple machines: wedge & screw. The screw is used to attach the rulers and a wedge is attached for cutting like an exacto knife. The total length of the ruler can be advanced by attaching more and more rulers on it. (if it’s sold) This ruler will cost 350 php,  made out of steel. – Andrew

 These students may not be able to create the innovative machine just as they would have wanted it to be, but they were able to discuss and analyze the various implications of using Science and its application in solving a specific problem. THEY INNOVATE!

Paulo Coelho says,  “Everybody has a creative potential from the moment you can express this creative potential, you can start changing the world”.

Grade 9 

Ecosystem: Equilibrium is the key!

Keeping the ecosystem balanced is what everyone should consider at all costs. With an ecosystem set in an equilibrium state, sustainability is most likely achieved. The grade 9 students had been busy investigating the interplay between abiotic and biotic factors in the ecosystem to help maintain a homeostatic condition. 

Each of them is working on specific scientific exploration that involves a common understanding on how an ecosystem operates guided by the SOI: Different systems within living organisms and ecosystems function and interact with each other.

Gab is working on, “The Effect of the Type of Soil on The Arachis hypogea (peanut plant) Plant’s Growth.
The  independent variable is the type of soil (sand, clay & loam) used. This is because this is the variable that has been intentionally changed to see if it affects the plant’s growth.
The  dependent variable is the growth in plant (height of the plant) — how much the plant has grown and developed. This determines how well the type of soil has helped the plant to grow as fast as it can — to see and observe if the plant’s growth has been stunted or not.

Adam is working on, “An Investigation on the Rate of Decomposition on Malus sp.(apple)” .
The independent variable is the “cutting” or “non-cutting” of the apples. This is the one being manipulated in finding out which one will rot faster.
The dependent variable is the rotting of the fruit which is being observed and measured.

Elijah is working on, “The Effect of the Type of Seed ( Corn, Mongo, and Tomato Seeds) on the Speed of Germination”.
The independent variable is the types of seeds.  This is because using 3 different types of seeds, and placing them in different Petri dishes to see which of the seeds will germinate faster, given the same conditions.
The dependent variable is the speed of germination because that is what we are trying to find out in this experiment.

Nika is working on “ The Investigation of Hand Sanitizers’ its effect on Controlling Bacteria “
 The use of different brands of hand sanitizers is the independent variable because it is the factor that was manipulated and can change the results of the spittle. 
The inhibition of bacterial growth is due to the results of the spittle reacting to the hand sanitizers being applied to it.

These explorations help provide a clearer perspective to these students coming from different cultures and beliefs regarding their role in the ecosystem. After all, “The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.”-Lady Bird Johnson

Media Center/Library Reminders

by Ms. MJ, Media Center Staff

We are now in our few weeks before the school year ends. The Media Center would like to inform you that you may now return the books that you currently checked out before June 7, 2022. You may return the books to the main office with Ms. Kim or drop them in the Media Center. If you wish to keep the books over the summer, please send an email to Ms. MJ (mcordova@cis.edu.ph) and attach a photo of the books. You can also borrow books for the summer and send your requests in the second week of June. Please be informed that the turnaround time of the books that you’ll be checking out for the summer can be delayed due to COVID restrictions.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Library/Media Center Staff, Ms. MJ (mcordova@cis.edu.ph ).

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

CommonApp Essay Prompts 2022-2023

For Grade 11 students who are applying to universities via the CommonApp, here are the essay prompts for next school year. The essay should be at least 250 words and a maximum of 650 words in length. 

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The essay is an opportunity for students to advocate for themselves and give the admissions committee a glimpse of their personality through their response to these prompts. 

Upcoming Virtual Events and Fairs: (students & parents are welcome)

DATE

June 16
4:00 pm
Link to register

EVENT

Study Melbourne Info Session – Philippines:Hear from The University of Melbourne, Monash University, La Trobe University, Federation University and Swinburne University (TBC) and learn more about studying in Melbourne and Victoria.

June 18
12:00pm – 6:00pm
Link to register

Study Abroad Expo 2022 (Virtual Event)

Meet representatives from these institutions

• Australian Catholic University
• Bond University
• CQUniversity
• Curtin University
• Deakin University
• Federation University
• Flinders University
• Griffith University
• Kaplan Australia
• Kirana Colleges Australia
• Macquarie University
• The University of Queensland
• The University of Sydney
• The University of Western Australia
• University of New England
• University of the Sunshine Coast
• University of Wollongong
• UNSW Sydney
• Western Sydney University

June 14, 22 and 29

Taster Classes with Massey University (New Zealand)

June 14, 2022 – 4:00PM PHT
Are NFTs and Cryptocurrency good investments?
LINK to register 

June 22, 2022 – 4:00PM PHT
The Beneficial Properties of Honey
Link to register

June 29, 2022
4:00 PM PHT
The Role of Interaction Design in the Creative Economy
Link to register

SAT Update for 2022-2023

To register for the SAT, you may click on this link.  If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to email Ms. Jenny Basa at jbasa@cis.edu.ph.

Below are the confirmed test dates for the paper/pencil SAT at Cebu International School.  

Test dates after the 1st semester will be published as soon as available, these will be digital examinations.

Principal’s Corner

by Mr. Andrew Powell, EY-12 Principal

On Thursday our Student Council teams in both divisions of the school organized a Spirit Day with the theme of twins/ multiples. While it was great to see our students enjoy the opportunity to get creative with their outfits it was also another opportunity for some student-driven bonding. In this context, and with the end of the school year quickly approaching, I thought it worthwhile to spend some time highlighting the importance of school spirit.

School spirit may mean different things to different people but from my perspective it is about the development of a strong emotional connection with school. It helps to foster a sense of belonging for students, faculty, staff and parents. A strong sense of connection fosters pride and a school culture in which community members are happy, motivated and willing to work for one another. We recognise that when our students and teachers are invested in each other the whole community benefits in terms of social and emotional wellbeing along with academic performance.

As you will note, school spirit does not happen in isolation. While Spirit Days and other events such as House Activity Days bring our community together with a shared sense of purpose, it’s what happens on a daily basis that fosters spirit. Positive relationships are at the heart of this, and our faculty strive to ensure that learning takes place in a way that helps to foster and develop collaborative practices and relationships. A number of programs in place at the school, including our After School Activities also promote students working with their peers in different grade levels which helps to widen friendship opportunities and their sense of belonging. As one Grade 10 student put it, “the relationships that I’ve made with my teachers and peers have made me feel as though I am at home”.

When people work hard together for a common goal, they are typically more invested in each other. We see that in team sports and through our service learning projects. School spirit looks like teamwork. It involves collaboration and bringing members together in a way that celebrates success and creates togetherness. School spirit is contagious and when students and staff show enthusiasm it encourages greater participation, morale and increases the likelihood of success.

As we prepare for our Virtual Graduation this evening, I would like to highlight the spirit and determination that our 2022 graduates have shown during times of exceptional hardship. Many have been with us for much of their school lives and embody the values, core beliefs and school spirit that we hold so dear. They have needed to draw on deep reserves of spirit over the past year to work their way to graduation, but I know that this has made them stronger, closer and more resilient. We trust that as they look to begin new journeys as young adults, that they will remain connected to CIS and play active roles as alumni.

We encourage you to share in this event with us at 5pm this evening.

Congratulations Class of 2022!

Summer Activities & Sports Programs 2022

Early Years

by Ms. Russell Aimee Sesbreño-Valenzona, Early Years Teacher and Ms. Freya Gae Abella, Teacher Aide

The Early Years started the week by reading the story, “Firenze’s Light” written by Jessica Collaco. The story is about ​​a feisty firefly who discovers the beauty and power of her light. The EYs checked their understanding of the story and made connections to the importance of light. We shared our ideas about how light bounces off objects which allowed us to see things around us. Our EY explorers were also able to identify Firenze’s light as a natural source of light. We continued our inquiry by looking into different kinds of glasses such as eyeglasses to help us see things clearly, sunglasses to protect our eyes from the sun’s light, and goggles to see things underwater. These eye gears were mentioned during our discussion which led us to talk about how these objects are similar and different from one another. As we observed these eye gears, we noticed that they differ based on how it reflects light. Eyeglasses and some goggles are examples of transparent objects while sunglasses and some goggles are examples of translucent objects. Therefore, transparent objects allow all light to pass through while translucent objects allow some light to pass through. Then, we continued our discussion about shadows by participating in a shadow guessing game! 

In literacy, we continued identifying and writing letters and letter sounds. A few of our EY learners have started identifying sight words through bingo games and book reading. Some have also started picture reading and creating their own stories using the story elements – characters, setting, beginning, middle, and end. Check out Baz, Declan, and Lincoln’s online books!

As we continue learning to solve minor problems through Kelso’s Choices (Reference: kelsoschoice.com), we also started solving simple math problems. We began solving simple math problems and started explaining our answers through drawings, tally marks, or by using counters. 

Awesome week, EYs! We’re proud to see everyone’s growth and successes!

PYP World Language – Spanish

by Ms. Gloria Rodriguez, Spanish Teacher

In Spanish KG / G1 students have reviewed shapes, numbers, colors and sizes while using new vocabulary in our unit about homes. KG / G1 students have identified the shape,  color and size of houses around the world. They have also named rooms and objects  in a house. They are practicing expressions to  locate family members in each room of the house and name the activities they do.

G2 / G3 students have practiced expressing likes and dislikes while identifying food items such as fruits and vegetables.  The last two weeks students have started reading and writing about  animals. They picked their favorite animal and  described the animal´s color, size, likes and dislikes. 

For the last two weeks G4 / G5 students have identified and named different landforms and water forms. They have practiced their research skills to find and recognize different landforms and water forms in their own countries and in some Spanish speaking countries.

MYP Language and Literature

by Mr. Corryn Smith, L & L Teacher

In Language and Literature for quarter 4, students have been analyzing aspects of dramatic visualization in literature through their exploration of key scenes in the novel Bamboo People by author Matali Perkins. To better understand how authors of fiction bring their characters and conflicts “alive” for the reader, students were asked to select one key scene from the novel to depict in a graphic, 6-panel comic strip like the example shown below. Additionally, students were challenged to develop their analysis into a “shout out” poster exploring the key features of a graphic comic strip and how those features contribute to aspects of dramatic visualization. 

Dragon’s Print

This is our fourth issue of Dragonfruit, an online magazine that showcases the “Stories of Our Seniors”, which contains highlights of the Class of 2022’s experiences, along with artworks and written works created by CIS students.

Read the magazine over at http://dragonsprint.cis.edu.ph/

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Upcoming Virtual Events and Fairs: (students & parents are welcome)

DATE

May 28
Saturday
1:00 – 4:30pm PHT
Link to register

EVENT

University of Sydney (Australia)

The Undergraduate Taster Series:This is a series of real-time online demonstration classes for potential international undergraduate students. The taster classes will include content from various faculties and schools presented by their world-class academics.

• 1–2pm B Pharmacy/M Pharmacy Practice: Medical Curiosities – From History to the Future of Pharmacy
• 1–2pm B Engineering (Honours): Solving the equation: Circular Economy = CE = Chemical Engineering
• 1–2pm B Advanced Computing: Deciphering First Year Data Sets
• 2:15–3:15pm B Commerce: Leading and Managing a business in a post-covid world
• 2:15–3:15pm B Arts (Socio-legal Studies): Discuss “settler colonialism” and its role in shaping social and legal relations

June 18
12:00pm – 6:00pm
Link to register

Study Abroad Expo 2022 (Virtual Event)

Meet representatives from these institutions

• Australian Catholic University
• Bond University
• CQUniversity
• Curtin University
• Deakin University
• Federation University
• Flinders University
• Griffith University
• Kaplan Australia
• Kirana Colleges Australia
• Macquarie University
• The University of Queensland
• The University of Sydney
• The University of Western Australia
• University of New England
• University of the Sunshine Coast
• University of Wollongong
• UNSW Sydney
• Western Sydney University

SAT Update for 2022-2023

Below are the confirmed test dates for the paper/pencil SAT at Cebu International School.

Admin News

by Dr. Gwyn Underwood, Superintendent

As the only Continuum IB World School in the Philippines (offering all three IB academic programs), CIS is fortunate to be able to benefit from comprehensive coherence across the programs through:

• The learner and the learner profile as the center of importance
• Embedded Approaches to Teaching and Approaches to Learning (ATL)
• International-mindedness underpinning all programs
• Structures of the programs and aligned subject names
• As demonstrated by our recent events, a comprehensive culminating experience in each program.

We recognize all of the effort our students and their teachers have made to get to these impressive levels – take a look through their work, I am confident you will be impressed!

An IB Education:

Upcoming events of note

• May 24: Parent Coffee Meeting 9-10 am run by the CIS PTA (virtual)
• May 26: Student Council Spirit Day (Dress up as twins/multiples)
• May 27: CIS Virtual Graduation (Premiers at 5pm)
• June 9: Last Day of School – Class celebrations & Moving Up Ceremonies (half-day of school); Reports published
• June 13-24: Summer Activities Program

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar (http://cis.edu.ph/school-calendar/) for the complete calendar of school events.

Elementary PHE

by Mr. Jaydil Hermias,  PHE Teacher

Swimming: Such a positive experience!

It has been wonderful to have the pool open and the elementary students have certainly enjoyed the opportunity to learn in a different environment. The program is differentiated for various levels with a focus on having fun while developing swimming skills. Safety and survival skills are also an integral part of our program so that students are well-equipped to enjoy the ocean and swimming pools that they frequent.

The following are some highlights from some of our Grade 4 students:

English Language Acquisition Class

by Ms. Lana Lautamus, ELA Teacher

Unit 4

Grade 6 & Grade 7 have been studying the statement of inquiry connected to Comic Book Characters: “Heroes and villains are creative identities, with empathetic backstories, that are expressed through human values and beliefs.”  

To express our understanding of this unit, we practiced our speaking skills in our formative task by each receiving a portion of a comic strip. Without showing our picture to each other, we described our image, and the other student in the class drew it. We had some hilarious results, but an excellent task for practicing our clarity when communicating.

We also worked on our writing skills in our second formative task by adapting a portion of a comic book into a short story. Using this prompt, the students had choices to write the backstory to this excerpt, write from a character’s perspective or write how they thought the story would end.

Alternatively, students could also do a book response to our graphic novel we are reading: “Avatar: The Last Airbender”.

We are now in the process of creating our own comic strip to share with the other English Language acquisition classes next week, where we will discuss the inquiry questions and knowledge and skills we delved into during the last 6 weeks using a Pechakucha style presentation.

In Grade 8 & Grade 9, we are in the final stages of our unit “The Music We Love (& Poetry)”. Our statement of inquiry, “Music (& poetry) mean different things to different people and is shaped by the audience and cultures that make it” has had us looking at music from our own cultures (Israel, Korea, China and Japan) and also types of popular & culturally-specific music, audience reactions and interpretations and the meaning of lyrics. 

We have also connected music with poetry, and investigated the conceptual understandings of poetry’s form and function. We have also made poetry responses to both musical lyrics and other poetry pieces. We “stole like an artist” and made our own blackout poetry, inspired by Austin Kleon, using lyrics from our favorite songs.

Our second formative task involved a choice board, where students could choose 4 poems. There was choice in responses ranging from blackout poetry, book spine poetry, mad lib poems, rhyme time, texting couplets and others.

A poetry adventure for the Newsflash audience this week! Read this poem from top to bottom, and then read it again from the bottom line first up to the top!

For our summative, we are currently working on poetry responses to a Spoken Word/Poetry Slam presentation, this written piece (“Refugees”) and finalizing our own digital poetry booklets that we will share with a larger audience next week.

Grade 11: DP History

by Ms. Joy Pierra, MYP I&S & DP History Teacher

The four (4) great Grade 11 historians are about to end the first year of their IB History journey with flying colors. Amidst the challenges that they have encountered this semester, the COVID-19 pandemic and the typhoon Odette, their ability to bounce back is one the significant factors that contributed to their success this school year. Here are their thoughts about the course.

A quote in Ms. Joy’s room states, “If you want to understand today, search yesterday.” This is one of the main reasons why we took up IBDP History. We have been able to learn from the struggles of the past, including the fight for civil rights in the United States, the South African apartheid, and India’s independence movements. We are currently learning about Cuba’s independence, which we’ll move on to compare with India’s history. We started off with doing some self-research and discussion, then moved on to creating a physical poster to display in the History classroom (one of the benefits of having physical classes). This poster is a yearbook-themed timeline of the Leaders of Cuba during 1902 to 1925, the years following their independence from Spain and the U.S. occupation.

Moreover, we’ve been working hard on our Internal Assessments (IA), which make up a significant percentage of our final grades for the IBDP curriculum. For this, we research and write a 2000 word essay on a historical event of our choosing including different perspectives and also a cumulative argument. It must contain the following sections: evaluation of our sources, investigation, and reflection. The Internal Assessment allows us to demonstrate our learning and evaluative skills to dive deeper into a topic we are interested in.

As a whole, we have developed our critical thinking skills and media literacy skills. We have become skilled at evaluating a source in-depth and analyzing various sources to determine what really happened back then.

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

College Statistics for the Class of 2022

A few students are waiting for admission results from Singapore, Japan, Australia and the Philippines.  Some scholarships will be awarded after IBDP results are released in July.

Upcoming Virtual Events and FAIRS: (students & parents are welcome)

DATE

Links to Register”
Masterclass 3
(May 7, 9 & 10)

EVENT

Glion Institute of Higher Education (Switzerland)
Masterclass 3:  The Art of Leadership and Multicultural Team Management

May 25
Link to register

University of Oxford Webinar Series
May 25: This ‘Writing your personal statement’ webinar will be interactive, and is designed to help students on what makes a good personal statement, the role of super and extra-curricular activities, and what tutors look for.

May 21
Saturday
Link to register
Quest Hotel – Cebu
(in-person event)

Enderun Colleges (Philippines) – Join the Admissions Roadshow at the Quest Hotel & Conference Center

May 24
Tuesday
9:15 – 10:15am
Venue: Studio
Zoom Link to join for online students

Mini Workshop on Writing your Statement of Purpose (College Essay) – This is a mini-workshop arranged by the school with an admissions rep from York College Pennsylvania.  All 11th graders are required to attend.

May 28
Saturday
1:00 – 4:30pm PHT
Link to register

University of Sydney (Australia)
The Undergraduate Taster Series:This is a series of real-time online demonstration classes for potential international undergraduate students. The taster classes will include content from various faculties and schools presented by their world-class academics.

• 1–2pm B Pharmacy/M Pharmacy Practice: Medical Curiosities – From History to the Future of Pharmacy
• 1–2pm B Engineering (Honours): Solving the equation: Circular Economy = CE = Chemical Engineering
• 1–2pm B Advanced Computing: Deciphering First Year Data Sets
• 2:15–3:15pm B Commerce: Leading and Managing a business in a post-covid world
• 2:15–3:15pm B Arts (Socio-legal Studies): Discuss “settler colonialism” and its role in shaping social and legal relations

Principal’s Corner

by Mr. Andrew Powell, EY-12 Principal

Celebrating Learning
As we move further into May we find ourselves in the position of measuring the remaining school year in weeks rather than months. While there continues to be a focus on teachable moments in the classroom it is also a time to celebrate learning that has and is taking place. A few recent and upcoming events help to crystalize this.

G12 Graduating Class of 2022 Celebration
We held a delightful celebration for our Graduating Class of 2022 yesterday. Students, parents, faculty, and staff were able to share in the significant accomplishments of this cohort as they celebrated the completion of all their required coursework and assessments. It was great to be able to share in this moment and listen to memories of CIS as well as the future aspirations of our students. We look forward to their next steps and know that they will contribute positively to society and the making of a better world.

Arts Week
On the back of our recent production success, Arts Week was launched this week. Please do take some time to view the Virtual Gallery of work that features a range of media from the various grade levels and subjects. It is incredible to note the growth that our students demonstrate as they have developed their skills through creating, performing, and presenting. The depth of thought and reflection that accompanies their work particularly in the older grades, is especially poignant.

ES Celebration of Learning
On Wednesday, May 18 our elementary students will be showcasing the growth and development that they have made throughout the year. Elementary parents have been invited to sign-up for a virtual, three-way conference with their child’s teacher on this day so that they may celebrate the learning that has occurred. There will be no face-to-face classes for EY – Grade 5 students on Wednesday, May 18 but students will be assigned asynchronous work to complete when not involved in their conference.

Theory of Knowledge Exhibition
Our Grade 11 students will be sharing their Theory of Knowledge Exhibition virtually on May 18. Students have been provided the opportunity to select from a variety of prompts to demonstrate their knowledge of the course themes and the way in which Theory of Knowledge concepts are manifested in the world around us. Students have identified three objects and their specific real-world contexts and have created individual exhibitions which explain the links between the objects and the chosen prompt, along with justification for the inclusion of each object.

Personal Project Showcase
On Wednesday, May 18 our Grade 10 students will be presenting their Personal Project Showcase. This is the culmination of a year-long project in which students had the opportunity to explore their own personal interests and has resulted in a diverse range of products. Students will showcase their achievements on this day and have also submitted a 13–15-page report for moderation by the IB. The quality of the work is exceptionally high and will make for great viewing.

TEDx Cebu International School
One of our schools’ core beliefs is that learning includes contributing to the world through service learning. We are proud of the various ways that this takes place at CIS. This weekend, a group of Grade 11 students led by Selly, Katrina, Renoa and Anya have organised the first ever TEDx event at CIS. Inspired by challenges faced during the pandemic, these students have created an event in which speakers have been invited to share their experiences of overcoming challenges and proving that anything is possible. They hope that this event provides opportunities for people in our community to reconnect with new and familiar faces, producing fruitful conversations and relationships as they rediscover and reignite their desire to learn and create.

Grade 5 PYP Exhibition

Mrs. Aimee Underwood, Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher

Last Thursday, the Grade 5 students successfully launched their Virtual PYP Exhibition Showcase with an hour-long synchronous event on Google Meet. Approximately 200 attendees joined from across multiple timezones to engage in stimulating conversations with the students about their unique learning journeys. To quote a visitor, “It was truly fantastic to hear the students speaking so articulately about how their central ideas and inquiry have helped them develop their understanding of the UN SDGs!” 

As the event came to a close, words cannot describe the incredibly moving scene that unfolded in the Grade 5 classroom. The students united as one to sing “Change The World” and the many tiny tiles on our computer screens filled with proud beaming smiles, as well as tears of pride and joy all around. Logging off the call, the Grade 5s were then immediately greeted by students and teachers from across the Elementary and Middle High School who rushed over to clap and cheer for them in person. Congratulations! Well done! That was amazing!

While this event was most visible and memorable, it is important to also highlight the learning that occurred behind the scenes. The PYP Exhibition–as with much of what we believe to be true about education–focuses on the “process” rather than the “final product.” Indeed, the Grade 5 students have sharpened a wide range of Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, reflected on and overcome failures and false starts, capitalized on the serendipitous lightbulb moments, and celebrated the many milestones, successes, and massive achievements throughout each stage of the PYPx. 

If you have not had a chance to do so already, we invite you to take a glimpse of their journey in the Opening Video and explore each student’s experience through their individual websites.

We also recognize that the learning journey does not end here. In fact, it has only begun with many new doors opened to further ideas and possibilities! We look forward to seeing how this talented group of students–armed with important life-long learning skills, knowledge, understanding, and passions guided by purpose–will continue to “help create a better and more peaceful world” (IB Mission Statement). Here are a few highlights from the students themselves:

Student action! Check out Diana cultivating a love of reading in students, Ari encouraging responsible diving, Ofri learning and teaching about clean water, Creag raising awareness of the refugee crisis and promoting empathy, Riku demonstrating the importance of trees, Aubrey teaching others to sew and participate in sustainable slow fashion… and more!

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Grade 5s through their PYPx journeys — faculty, staff members, family and community members, and everyone who visited the Showcase synchronously and asynchronously! It has been a truly remarkable community experience that united us all this year.

Mathematics Analysis and Approaches Higher Level

by Mr. Daniel Monfre, MYP and DP Math Teacher

Grade 11

The grade 11 Math AA HL students have recently completed their introductory unit to differential calculus. This unit is often one of the most challenging units for students and can take a long time to master. There is a quote attributed to Albert Einstein that says “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” After studying derivatives and related rates the students completed a summative test to demonstrate their understanding, then to further show the depth of their understanding the students created videos explaining the solutions to the problems from the test. Below are some examples of the videos that the students have created.

Grade 7 

Students in grade 7 math have been studying 3D solids, naming the shapes, labeling and identifying their parts, and calculating the surface area and volume. 

To help students better understand the surface area of shape we ask students to draw the net (a 2D shape that can be folded to make the 3D figure.) These nets show students the different 2D shapes that are present on the surface of the 3D figure. Seeing the shape in 2D helps them to connect the 3D figure to the shapes they learned about in previous years. 

As a final project, students created a “Book of Shapes” that has diagrams, definitions, and formulas for all of the shapes we studied in class. To really make the connection between 2D and 3D students created “pop-up” pages of their books where the 2D net of a shape can be transformed into its 3D form by pulling a string. Take a look at some animations of their pop-up books: 

School Production 2022: Fireworks – Dream and Believe

by Ms. Stefanny Hemias, MYP Drama Teacher

Despite the pandemic and typhoon Odette, our school production titled “Fireworks- Dream and Believe” was successfully premiered on Friday, April 29, 2022. It’s our second year of producing a virtual production which showcases elementary, middle and high school students’ talents in acting, singing and dancing. The production team was able to come up with an original story and also featured several popular songs and dances such as Celebration by Kool & The Gang, Firework by Katy Perry, Three Little Birds by Bob Marley and a lot more. Though students encountered some struggles when rehearsing online, recording their voices and filming on the green screen, these didn’t hinder them from giving their best performance in order for us to produce an entertaining and exceptional virtual production. 

If you have not watched the show yet, please click on the link.

Students Supporting Students

In the following article, Sophia N. reflects on how she and her friends are supporting the education of other students through their Akyat Aklatan project.

Looking back, my friends and I often took school libraries for granted — research gold mines, hangout spots, and study havens all in one — simply because we could access them anytime we wanted. We realized as we got older that not everyone had the privilege of being able to access educational materials as easily as we did, and that was what we had in mind when we started Akyat Aklatan: a long-term legacy to further the education of high school students just like us.

Balao National High School was one of the sites we encountered in our search for a beneficiary, and there we saw the rundown infrastructure, their improvised classrooms, and finally their (former) library — a little closet no bigger than a parking lot space that the librarian described as “more of a stockroom of books than a library”.

“Mawad-an sila’g gana mo-tuon [They lose their appetite to study] because we don’t have the books or the space,” she told us.

And thus, we set to work to change that. We got a team together, planned the project, proposed it to the Rotary Club of Metro Mandaue 2006, and launched last August 2021. With several fundraisers like the Rhythm of Hope concert (some of which were led by my fellow classmates here in CIS!), we were able to raise more than 700,000 pesos to donate not only a fully-furnished library last April 18 but also a brand-new printer, 3 laptops, and more than 700 books! 

It especially touches us to know that at this very moment the students of Balao NHS are using the library, especially since they commenced face-to-face classes last March. Currently, we intend to carry on Akyat Aklatan in the future beyond physical structures, potentially through mentoring programs in public high schools. Once again, thank you to everyone who supported Akyat Aklatan!

Dragon’s Print

All throughout history, 13 has been associated with bad luck and misfortune. If you’ve noticed some hotel elevators lacking the 13th floor, you know what I’m talking about. Okay, so 13 is an unlucky number, but why? Read more about Friday the 13th on http://dragonsprint.cis.edu.ph/.

PTA Notice

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Question of the Week: What do I write about in my College Essay?

Most universities in North America and the UK will require a student to write an essay or a personal statement. The content of the college essay entirely depends on where you are applying to. If you are applying to a US university, there is usually a prompt that is provided by the university. Here are some sample questions from the CommonApp:

1) Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2) The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3) Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4) Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

5) Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6) Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7) Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Upcoming Virtual Events and Fairs: (students & parents are welcome)

DATE

Links to Register”
Masterclass 3
(May 7, 9 & 10)

EVENT

Glion Institute of Higher Education (Switzerland)
Masterclass 3:  The Art of Leadership and Multicultural Team Management

May 11
Link to register

May 18
Link to register

May 25
Link to register

University of Oxford Webinar Series

 May 11:  This is ‘An introduction to applying to Oxford’ webinar will be interactive, and is designed to help students understand the different aspects and stages of the application process.

May 18: This is a webinar for parents on “ Supporting your child’s application to Oxford.” It will cover information about the UCAS form, admissions tests and interviews, and again opportunities to ask questions.

May 25: This ‘Writing your personal statement’ webinar will be interactive, and is designed to help students on what makes a good personal statement, the role of super and extra-curricular activities, and what tutors look for.

May 17
3:00PM CDT
LINK to register

Engaging Distinctive Universities: a collaborative, engaging virtual event hosted by Emory University, Rice University, the University of Michigan and the University of Washington. Join this session to help you decide which college is the best fit for you.

May 21
Saturday
Link to register
Quest Hotel – Cebu
(in-person event)

Enderun Colleges (Philippines) – Join the Admissions Roadshow at the Quest Hotel & Conference Center

May 24
Tuesday
9:15 – 10:15am
Studio

Mini Workshop on Writing your College Essay – This is a mini-workshop arranged by the school with an admissions rep from York College Pennsylvania.  All 11th graders are required to attend.

Admin News

by Dr. Gwyn Underwood, Superintendent

PYPx Showcase

Yesterday (May 5), the CIS community was treated to an exciting, informative PYPx (exhibition) virtual showcase by our wonderful grade 5 students. Thank you to the estimated 175+ attendees, I am confident you enjoyed yourself as the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. You will be treated to an article in next week’s Newsflash, so for now, please drop positive comments for the students on their PYPx website, and congratulations to the students, teachers, PYPx mentors, and parents for all of their hard work and support.

Health and Safety reminders

We have been on campus for over 6 weeks now – thanks for your efforts to minimize the known risks so as to make it thus far with no known Covid-19 cases (knock on wood!)! Not having any cases can contribute to a subconscious relaxing of awareness, however, so I would like to just highlight the need for continued vigilance following protocols. In particular, please note the following areas:

Masks: I have been impressed by our community which has been overall very good at maintaining a safe mask culture. Please keep it up/encourage our students (and each other!) to keep it up and not relax the expectations.

Social Distancing: This is an area that we are still working to establish amongst both students and adults. It takes time to change life habits, but if everyone is consistent in conforming and informing, we will be able to establish the “at least 1m” protocol.

Communicating Potential Cases: Our primary goal is the safety of all of our students, but also that of our employees and community members. As a reminder, it is important that you:

• Check your child’s health status each morning before sending them to school. If they have any COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them at home until the symptoms are gone, and inform our school nurse Ms. Lory so we can monitor them when they return to school. 
• Be considerate with your outside-of-school activities as well, as if you do not follow recommended health protocols outside of school, you could easily become a source of infection for others. 
• Be prepared mentally for the possibility that at some point, your child may get infected, despite all the precautions you take. Fortunately, there are fewer cases with children, and symptoms tend to be milder, but it is still not pleasant. Similarly, it is possible that we will have to have classes or grade levels quarantined at home if there is a case at school.

We are very grateful to be able to run face-to-face classes, and we would dearly like to keep it that way by continuing to minimize the risks and ensure we do what we can to learn in a healthy environment! “Kudos” to you for overcoming the multiple challenges you have faced over this school year!

The idea of overcoming is always fascinating to me. It’s fascinating because few of us realize how much energy we have expended just to be here today. I don’t think we give ourselves enough credit for the overcoming. — Maya Angelou

Upcoming events of note

• May 9-13: CIS IB Art Exhibition (virtual)
• May 13: Graduating Class of 2022 Celebration event (G12 students and families – refer to emailed details)
• May 18: Whole School Celebration of Learning: ES Student-led parent conferences, MYP Personal Project Showcase, DP TOK Showcase (virtual)
• May 24: Parent Coffee Meeting 9-10 am run by the CIS PTA (virtual)
• May 27: CIS Virtual Graduation (premiers at 5 pm)

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar (http://cis.edu.ph/school-calendar/) for the complete calendar of school events.

Summer Activities & Sports Programs 2022

Grades 4 & 5: Philippine Language and Culture Class

by Ms. Fresh Abcede, PLC Teacher

Influential People

What is your passion? Who are the people who share the same passion like yours? What actions did they take in response to the issues related to your passions? In our unit Who We Are, Grade 4 and 5 students have been inquiring into the different Filipino influential people who contributed positively to the community.

We looked into influential people’s characteristics by connecting them to the IB Learner Profile to understand how and why they are influential. We identified and made some connections to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address the issues related to their passions.

Moreover, they reflected on their own beliefs and values about their passion and how these affect their decisions, attitudes, and actions. The students will continue to inquire about various Filipino influential people and learn the importance of taking action, helping, and empathizing with others.

Grade 11: Math Applications and Interpretation SL

by Ms. Maria Victoria Bacus, Grade 11 Mathematics/Applications & Interpretation SL Teacher

Applications and interpretation is the course with an emphasis on statistics, modelling relationships and use of technology. 

In the first semester, students were introduced to the unit of Number and Algebra, where the connection between compound interest and geometric sequences were explored. The students utilized the Financial application on their Ti-84 calculators in various compound interest, amortizations and annuities calculations. 

In this last quarter of Year 1 of the Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation) SL course, students will encounter opportunities to further enhance their use of technology in the unit of Statistics.

The students will complete different investigations related to collecting, organizing, presenting,  analyzing and interpreting data. The use of desmos, spreadsheets and GDC (graphic display calculators) will be very essential again for the success of this course.

Use of Technology in Math AI SL classes

We started the introduction of the unit by completing a Desmos activity determining the difference between discrete and continuous data. Students were asked to identify if the type of data given is numerical or categorical, discrete or continuous.

Once the types of data were identified and collected, they were then organized and presented in Google sheets by creating tables. Calculations were done through inputting formulas for mean, standard deviation, etc.

Students will both understand the step-by-step calculations of different measures of central tendency and dispersion of data as well as use and interpret the variables in the GDC one-variable statistics’ functions.

Student’s Feedback on the Use of Technology in Math AI SL classes

Desmos

Spreadsheets

Question 1: How do you feel about almost completing Year 1 of the Math AI-SL course? Were you as ready as you expected to be?

Question 2: What are some of the things you look forward to in Year 2 of Math AI-SL class?

G11 Math AI SL Students

Art Class

by Mr. Jessie Saclo, MYP/DP Art Teacher

“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.” —Edwin Land

The IB acknowledges the arts as a universal form of human expression, a unique way of knowing and understanding that engages us in effective, creative, imaginative and productive activities. 

The PYP, MYP, and DP are frameworks designed for the enrichment of learning. Each framework is a learning pathway that provides students opportunities to develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in an ever changing world. The arts in particular, give students the support they require to explore their sense of identity and individuality, and to openly experience opportunities to function as artists as well as learners of the arts. Through age-appropriate activities and criteria, students develop their social, emotional, intellectual and personal intelligence through the arts; providing students the opportunities to create, perform, and present arts in methods that engage, convey feelings, experiences and ideas. CIS promotes development in the arts as a dynamic process where students practice to acquire new skills and master those skills developed in prior learning. 

The arts subjects of drama, music and visual art allow students to develop their creative thinking skills, along with other ATL skills which are essential to holistic development. These along with curiosity and practice allow students to acquire, learn, refine and master the skills necessary to develop learning. Fostering creativity as an essential element in the arts addresses the need for student-centered learning to stimulate innovative strategies in creating and performing, and understanding the broad and extensive scope of the arts. 

At CIS we cultivate learning in the arts as an aesthetic experience for our students. An experience of perception through the senses resulting in self-expression, creative work, exploration, and technical proficiency. Through this approach learning is established as a creative process where students identify failure as an element for development.

We invite you to take part in supporting our students as we celebrate the Arts Week from May 10 to 13 where we will feature the creative work of our students in drama, music, and visual art https://sites.google.com/cis.edu.ph/artsweek2022/home

Showcasing Student Work

Patricia (Reesha) Sy – Art Portfolio

We’d like to recognise G11 student Patricia (Reesha) Sy who has been drawing some attention from prospective universities due to the quality of her visual arts portfolio. Reesha joined CIS this year to take advantage of our Arts program and her first portfolio showing wasn’t what she expected.

“I’m a person who, like most artists, finds my work to be very personal so the thought of sharing my portfolio to experienced and professional artists was terrifying. I joined the portfolio viewing and to my surprise, the viewers were very supportive. Seeing professionals share the same enthusiasm and passion for my works as I did, was incredibly mind-bending and unexpected. They loved the works which showed who I was, and finding people who were genuinely interested in the meaning behind each work was new and a little overwhelming.”

Reesha was not only enthused by the interest in her work and the inspiration for her ideas but by the nature of the feedback she received. Instead of receiving constructive criticism, Reesha found that conversations focused on the “why” and the “what next” of her work. She was enthused by viewers wanting to know what kind of person she is and how that is represented in her artwork. The focus on her as a person has encouraged Reesha to rethink and reframe what and who her work represents.

“As a person who likes to hide behind her art, knowing that what the university wants to see is what kind of person I am, and getting excited over that, was new. I honestly really appreciated it. It reminded me of why I love art and why I want to become someone who creates it every day.”

We look forward to Reesha continuing to develop her skills and techniques over the coming year and can’t wait for her to showcase more of her work.

Dragon’s Print

If you’ve scrolled through Tiktok or any form of social media, you may have seen guides to personalities based on a person’s “zodiac sign”. It might seem preposterous to some to judge one’s own and even others’ personalities based on the day they were born, but this belief has a cult following both online and in real life. Read more about zodiac signs at http://dragonsprint.cis.edu.ph/.

Admissions Notice

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Question of the Week:

I am in 9th grade, what can I do to be ready to apply for college?

Focus on getting good grades and balancing your school work with extracurricular activities.  Colleges look at applications holistically and most universities look at how a student is well rounded in terms of academics and activities outside the classroom. These may be through your After School Activities, sport, and other activities where you pursue a hobby or an interest. Achievements in Grade 9 and onwards are also considered in the evaluation process of college admissions.  Aside from strengthening one’s resume’ when applying to college, it also helps an individual achieve a balanced student life. Also, it is important to know that when you apply to college, the academic grades in Grades 9 through 11 will be examined by the admissions committee.

For more information, you may set an appointment with the College Counselor.  You may email  Ms. Basa at jbasa@cis.edu.ph to set an appointment or visit the office. 

Upcoming Virtual Events and Fairs: (students & parents are welcome)

DATE

Links to Register”
Masterclass 3
(May 7, 9 & 10)

EVENT

Glion Institute of Higher Education (Switzerland)
Masterclass 3:  The Art of Leadership and Multicultural Team Management

May 11
Link to register

May 18

Link to register

May 25

Link to register

University of Oxford Webinar Series
 May 11:  This is ‘An introduction to applying to Oxford’ webinar will be interactive, and is designed to help students understand the different aspects and stages of the application process.

May 18: This is a webinar for parents on “ Supporting your child’s application to Oxford.” It will cover information about the UCAS form, admissions tests and interviews, and again opportunities to ask questions.

May 25: This ‘Writing your personal statement’ webinar will be interactive, and is designed to help students on what makes a good personal statement, the role of super and extra-curricular activities, and what tutors look for.

May 12
Thursday
LINK to register or use the QR code in the poster

Art & Design Universities in Canada (ADUC):learn more about the international student experience of those who study art, design and media in a specialized Canadian institution.
Participating universities:  Emily Carr University, Alberta University of the Arts, Ontario College of Art & Design and Nova Scotia College of Art & Design

May 17
3:00PM CDT
LINK to register

Engaging Distinctive Universities: a collaborative, engaging virtual event hosted by Emory University, Rice University, the University of Michigan and the University of Washington. Join this session to help you decide which college is the best fit for you.

Principal’s Corner

by Mr. Andrew Powell, EY-12 Principal

This morning our virtual production Fireworks, Dream and Believe premiered and was viewed by the entire school. As the title suggests our production encourages us to dream big, trust yourself and realize your dreams. This is incredibly important at the best of times but even more pertinent as we emerge from the challenges of the past few years.

 The students involved in the production spanned our elementary, middle, and high schools and provided the community with a taste of their talents as they danced and sang with a sense of purpose and togetherness, despite recording all of their parts individually.

 At CIS we intentionally strive to inspire and one of the qualities that we look to model and value is creativity. While often referred to in the context of the arts, creativity is defined by the ability to produce or use original or unusual ideas. Over the course of the pandemic and our return to face-to-face classes there has certainly been a great deal of creative ideas, approaches, and solutions at play. Our virtual production was one example of this.

 Prospective families are increasingly looking to CIS for its creative culture. Our Virtual Arts programmes are in demand by students who are looking to nurture their creative talents. This is not only providing our students with opportunities to learn and experiment with new techniques and skills but is resulting in their heightened visibility to prospective universities.

 The nature of our program encourages student agency and consequently is open to creative possibilities. Our Grade 5 students are finalizing their work on some very promising projects while our Grade 10s have submitted their Personal Project products. The scope to explore their own personal interests has resulted in a diverse range of high-quality expressions which have ranged from writing and enacting an authentic criminal law trial, developing 1980s inspired video games, honing technical art skills through tonal portraits, and fusing Filipino traditional foods for the western palate. These and the many other exceptional projects will make for a great exhibition next month.

 While our faculty work hard to inspire, we have such an incredible group of students that they also serve to motivate our teachers. They provide them with a vivid image of future possibilities which leads to a dynamic approach to lesson planning and unit development, enhancing the overall school experience.

Upcoming events of note

• May 2-3: Regular school days (holidays on our original calendar, but now makeup days due to typhoon Odette)

• May 5: PYPx (exhibition) Showcase (virtual)

• May 9-13: CIS IB Art Exhibition (virtual)

• May 18: Whole School Celebration of Learning: ES Parent conferences, MYP Personal Project Showcase, DP TOK Showcase (virtual)

• May 24:  Parent Coffee Meeting 9-10 am run by the CIS PTA (virtual)

• May 27:  CIS Virtual Graduation (premiers at 5 pm)

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar (http://cis.edu.ph/school-calendar/) for the complete calendar of school events.

Grades 2/3 Music

by Ms. Natasha Arnsby, Music Teacher

Grade 2 students have been learning to play either a keyboard instrument or glockenspiel. They have had a chance to learn some well known tunes. They had agency to work at the performance level of their choosing. Some students played beginner versions of these favourite melodies, and some added chords or left hand counter melodies. This is what they have had to say about their musical adventure.

Grade 3 students have been learning to play the recorder. Through this they have been mastering woodwind playing techniques, such as correct embouchure, breathing properly and tonguing. They have also had a chance to improve their fine motor skills when covering the holes precisely. Students have put their note reading knowledge into action, made beautiful music and had lots of fun along their journey. This is what they have had to say about their musical adventure.

TEDX

by Mr. Jonathan Denton, MYP Coordinator

This coming May 14, 2022 from 4-6pm, CIS will be having its first-ever TEDx event. with the theme of “Rediscover, Reconnect, Reignite” the team hopes to provide a virtual space for ideas, interaction, and inspiration.  We hope this event provides opportunities for people in our community to reconnect with new and familiar faces, producing fruitful conversations and relationships. Ultimately, we hope that the sharing of different perspectives and experiences during this pandemic will rediscover and reignite our desire to learn and create.

This event will feature speakers from all around Cebu and our very own CIS alumni. Slots to watch the event are open for everyone— CIS student or not! If you would like to reserve a slot please answer this short survey tinyurl.com/TEDxCebuInternationalSchool or email TEDxyouthcebuis@gmail.com with your name and zoom email address.

Grades 6 & 7 Design Class

by Ron de Villa, MYP Design Teacher

The G6& 7 Design classes are exploring digital advertisements and graphic designing through the use of various hardware and software that enable them to produce printed and filmed ads for products that they have developed in the current unit.

Graphic designers draw inspiration in many different ways. From real-life experiences to how they view the world around them. Because kids see the world in an innovative and colorful way, there is no doubt that they can be graphic designers, too!

Some people hear the words “graphic design” and think of it as something very intimidating; however, our students have proven in this unit that graphic design is not daunting, but rather can be fun and strategic, and it can be a newfound hobby and even a future career.

We started the unit through a logo design challenge wherein the students were given keywords of a new company and they had to create a logo out of these.  

Here are sample works they created:

Being a graphic designer helps students to communicate their message through their creativity and in time, as they master the skills, they would be able to effectively bring other people’ ideas to life.

Through this unit, the students had to manage their time well as deadlines were set for every part of the process and meeting them was as important as being able to effectively communicate and show their creativity. Furthermore, students learned how to pay attention to details and notice even the smallest details, this was done through consistent feedback from peers as well as teachers.

The Grade 7 students were later on tasked to create designs for the next flagship products of their companies. Through digital and analog sketches, rough designs for various products were done. To come up with these, they of course had to undergo a lot of research and took a lot of inspiration from existing products. Here are some samples:

Based on these products, the Grade 6 were then tasked to create 15-second commercials. The process involved a series of graphic sketches for storyboards before the filming had to commence. Like graphic artists, filmed ad specialists will have to go through different creative stages before they shoot. The Grade 6 students delivered really good output as part of their formatives and we could see how much effort and knowledge they have even prior to creating this short advertisements.

Here are some screenshots of these 15-second ads.

At these age levels, the creativity is just flowing and with students given the right amount of freedom to explore what they want to express and how they want to express, there is so much that they can produce and there’s just so much that they are more than capable of. That’s why I love teaching Design.

Grades 11 & 12  Biology

by Ms. Rebecca Devadoss, Biology Teacher

Grade 11 
Students are experimenting on one factor that is affecting the rooting of a stem cutting. Stem-cuttings are short lengths of stem that are used to clone plants artificially. If roots develop from the stem, the cutting can become an independent new plant and it is a clone of the parent plant. Clones have identical genetic information.

In groups, students have set up their experiments. Data would be collected in three weeks time which will be processed, analyzed and arrive at scientifically supported conclusions. As the grade 11 students are on the verge of stepping into their Internal Assessment tasks, this investigation would serve as a mock IA.

Grade 12
With the return of students in face to face classes, students were able to prepare and view specimens through a microscope. They took photos of their field of view and shared it with their peers who were online.

On the final day of their DP journey, students prepared and presented to the class the various career options that are related to Biology.

They also had some fun in the process!

PHE G8, G9 & G10 Dragon’s Badminton Cup 2022 PHE Summative

by Bryan, Jandra, Mahati, Maki  G10- PHE Online Class
Aadya, Grace, Ryota, Wilson G8- PHE Online Class

Hello everyone! As the school transitioned to face-to-face classes this quarter, we have been working really hard to meet the requirements for our PHE 8, 9, and 10 Badminton online unit. We’ve been practicing as a team, learning the concepts, applying the skills and techniques, and familiarizing ourselves with the rules of Badminton. This week the classes will engage themselves in an action-packed summative through an actual sports tournament dubbed the Dragon’s Badminton Cup. 

For grades 8 and 9, the tournament will start on April 25, going until May 5. For grade 10, the tournament will start from April 26 to May 6, and the champions of grades 8 and 9 will compete against the champions of grade 10, the date of which will be decided after all the games are done. Nine teams are playing for Grade 8 and 9, and eight teams for Grade 10. The tournament format used was a single round-robin; all teams will play against each other before the semi-finals and championship. We looked through a variety of different ways to arrange a tournament before coming to the final plan we created. We learned a lot, and learned from every mistake or misstep we made with the help of our teachers. 

As online class students, it is important for us to be active during PHE class, but for this unit, we were able to contribute by being the prime organizers and movers of the tournament. We were able to work together, meet online, develop and create a successful tournament by planning heavily and working together to make the schedule, rules, and team composition. We discussed every part of the tournament and got feedback to see the flaws that might arise and to be always ready to address every issue that will come out.

To explain further how we were able to connect the online class unit and face-to-face class, here’s the feedback from each online class student. 

Many things were taught to me during the unit, including how tournaments are held, the types of tournaments, matchmaking, groupings, as well as the badminton rules. With that said, we, the online class students (since we couldn’t play badminton at home), were able to be organizers in designing a tournament for PHE grades 8, 9, and 10 for the face to face class. As a part of the organizer, it was challenging, interesting, and a good experience to be able to design a tournament. Hoping that players will have fun and that everything will go as planned.  – Ron, G10

The people online have learned a lot on how to plan a tournament and the specific details that come into play when being the tournament directors and planners. Especially working together as the only online students of grade 10, we were able to help each other in the areas we weren’t confident in and work as a team. I would say we have learned a lot of new things and had a lot of speed bumps on the way trying to figure out solutions to the problems we faced. But in the end we gained a lot of perspective as the people behind it all who plan and make it possible to have a tournament. This time it was up to us, the students online, to create this big event and turn it into reality, unlike what we are used to when the teachers would plan everything for us and create the schedule, teams, rules, and the overall system of the tournament. This was a big learning experience and opportunity for us to have and we will always remember what we did for the PHE class of Grade 8,9,10 in 2022. – Jandra, G10

I would definitely say that I have learned numerous things during this unit. In our class, we discussed the different rules of tournaments, for this specific unit we are focusing on badminton. It was really interesting since we got to learn more deeply about this topic. I used to play badminton and I usually do not mind really strict rules of badminton but this time, I really got the chance to learn the specific elements and rules of badminton. Since we cannot play with others who are in face to face, Maki, Jandra, Mahati and I are organizing the tournament. This opportunity was definitely something special, and the thought that we are actually organizing a badminton tournament is a rare chance. We worked as a team by communicating with each other, especially when creating the different rules, schedules, and matchmaking of the game. This part would definitely be hard without good communication and team work so I believe that this part was the most crucial part of this unit. – Bryan, G10

I think a lot of us learned many things from this unit; arranging a tournament throughout the course of the unit was very interesting to do, because we usually only played in those tournaments, not build them up. We learned a lot about organization and planning things out, and had to act a little like authority figures because we were planning things out; all the online students had to be the people players in the tournament could look to when they have questions. I liked this unit because we learned by doing, and what we did directly affected the outcome of our work no matter what.  – Mahati, G10

Creating the tournament was a very interesting learning experience for me. I learned the different kinds of matchmaking in badminton, learned how to use my creative thinking skills to create a poster that would provide information about the tournament. I worked with my classmates to create a fun tournament for students. I learned the rules of badminton and the importance of rules in a tournament. I learned different badminton skills and terminology too. – Aadya, G8

I was able to improve and work on my organization and teamwork skills. I was able to work with my online classmates; planning out, discussing and analyzing the rules and the different aspects of this tournament. It was fun to create and explore ideas with my classmates. Creating the poster was probably the part I enjoyed the most, due to my classmates all working together and brainstorming different ideas. We were able to learn the importance of rules, and along with that we learned some badminton techniques/stretches. – Grace, G8

I learned that there are many things to prepare. set date, Rules and communicate to people attending the tournament. I see and know how difficult it is to organize everything. – Ryota, G8

 I think this is a great opportunity for me to develop my creating and organizing skills. Though I’m new in CIS, I found it very interesting to work with my classmate as a team. I finally had a chance to learn how a badminton championship works and the formal badminton rules. Making a poster is full of challenges, and I have no experience before. I understood the importance of teamwork and had great fun through this challenge. By the way, thanks for giving me the opportunity. – Wilson, G8

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Question of the Week:

As a Grade 11 student in the IB Diploma programme, will I need to take SATs to apply for college next year?

It depends.  If you are applying to a university in Canada, UK, Europe and Asia, you will not need to present SAT scores since an IB Diploma is recognized by universities in these parts of the globe. If you are applying to the USA, you will need to check if the university is SAT optional (they do not require SATs).  Most universities in the US have remained test-optional.  They have changed their eligibility requirements and have opted not to require SAT or ACT scores.  

If applying to the USA, you need to check the website of the university you are interested in if they have the SAT score requirement.  For more information, you may set an appointment with the College Counselor.  You may email  Ms. Basa at jbasa@cis.edu.ph to set an appointment or visit the office. 

Upcoming Virtual Events and Fairs: (students & parents are welcome)

DATE

Links to Register
Masterclass 2
(Apr 30, May 2 & 3)
Masterclass 3
(May 7, 9 & 10)

EVENT

Glion Institute of Higher Education (Switzerland)
Masterclass 2:  Event Management: Creating a Memorable Experience
Masterclass 3:  The Art of Leadership and Multicultural Team Management

May 12
Thursday
LINK to register or use the QR code in the poster

Art & Design Universities in Canada (ADUC):learn more about the international student experience of those who study art, design and media in a specialized Canadian institution.
Participating universities:  Emily Carr University, Alberta University of the Arts, Ontario College of Art & Design and Nova Scotia College of Art & Design

May 17
3:00PM CDT
LINK to register

Engaging Distinctive Universities: a collaborative, engaging virtual event hosted by Emory University, Rice University, the University of Michigan and the University of Washington. Join this session to help you decide which college is the best fit for you.

SAT Update

To register for the SAT, you may click on this link.  If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to email Ms. Jenny Basa at jbasa@cis.edu.ph.

Admin News

by Dr. Gwyn Underwood, Superintendent

It was great to see many of our Grade 12 students walking around with big smiles on campus yesterday. Why, you may ask? Because after two challenging years, yesterday was their last day of official classes! We will officially recognize their achievements in their official graduation ceremony on May 27, so for now, let’s offer a well-earned congratulations!

As we approach the end of the school year, we are all faced with various levels of pending change. Students and teachers are finishing up their school year and some families are preparing to leave, so there are upcoming changes to face. During this time of change, research has suggested that it is beneficial to consciously consider how transitions can affect us, and our families. The following is an adaptation of an article I have shared before but will do so again as it is directly applicable to consider at this time of the year.

Building your transition RAFT! 

David Pollock and Ruth Van Reken1 outline the transition process as a normal process that uses the following associated feelings:

It is helpful to consider emotions involved during transitions, so as to understand and be ready to deal with any stress these emotions may cause. Failure to cope with these will result in an unhappy transition and poor re-engagement in your new environment. For students, this will certainly affect their social and academic achievements.

Dr. Pollock2 also developed the acronym and visual image “RAFT” to help explain pre-departure processes needed for successful transitions. Here is a summary for your reference:

 Reconciliation – Begin building your raft by asking yourself if you have any relationships that need mending. Is there any unfinished business between you and someone you are in a relationship with? This is the time to give and receive forgiveness. Bitterness and regret stemming from lack of closure and resolution inhibit good grief and adjustment to a new location.

Affirmation – This is the time to thank the people who have been involved in your life. Affirm the relationships you have made and what they have meant to you. Take the time to tell people what you have learned from them and how grateful you are for them. Try to leave as little unsaid as possible when you leave a place.

Farewells – Say good-byes to people, places, pets, and possessions that have mattered to you. Take lots of pictures. Take the time to say culturally appropriate good-byes. Some cultures require a lengthy departure process. Particularly difficult farewells are the ones that are generally rushed or put off, so plan ahead and give the farewell due attention.

Think destination – Think and dream about where you are going and what it will be like. Be very honest about the expectations you have for the people and situations that you are going to. Be honest with yourself about how you feel about this transition. Think ahead to what scares you or excites you about where you are going. Research the realities of your destination. If at all possible, put concrete plans in place.

As we move into our last 2 weeks, please take time to build a RAFT for your transition, and go out of your way to help your friends build theirs. Consider how change may impact the feelings of all of our students whether they are leaving or not, as the process will help them face new situations as they move into a new grade, and as some of their friends and teachers leave. 

*References & Credits:

• Third Culture Kids: The experience of growing up among worlds by David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken
• Adapted from: http://theirrationalseason.blogspot.com/2008/04/raft.html
• Raft Photo: Joshua Earle on Unsplash.com

Upcoming events of note

Grade 12 Farewell

Elementary: Physical & Health Education

by Mr. Jaydil Hermias, PHE Teacher

Grade 9: Math

by Ms. Maria Victoria Bacus, MYP/DP Math Teacher

Exploration allows us to discover the unknown

The Theorem of Pythagoras

Grade 9 Mathematics students are currently learning about the world of Trigonometry, as the name might suggest is all about triangles. In this unit, students will explore mathematical relationships which will allow people to calculate what they can’t measure.

To explore the rule discovered by the Greek mathematician, Pythagoras, students completed an investigation regarding the relationships between the sides of the triangles.

Here are some students’ answers shared on the Padlet:

Figure 1 (Investigation) – Pythagoras’ Theorem

Figure 2 (Problem-Solving) – Taco Truck by Desmos

In this particular Desmos activity, students encounter situations that they may experience in real life- taking a shortcut to save time. They then utilized the Pythagorean theorem as a tool to solve problems involving diagonal distances. They reviewed their prior knowledge on speed, rearranging formulas and manipulating equations, to determine the best path to a taco truck from a spot on the beach.

Here are some students’ work on their Desmos activity:

Here are some students’ Main Takeaway:  (shared on mentimeter.com)

Grade 11: IB Psychology

by Mr. Michael Stewart, Psychology Teacher

As part of our Unit on the Cognitive Approach to Psychology, Grade 11 IB Psychology students have been learning about and researching cognitive biases. Cognitive biases are predictable, systematic errors in judgment that arise from the way our minds process and organize information – we are all susceptible to them, regardless of background, age, education level, and so forth. To find out more about cognitive biases, please check out these short documentaries created by the students:

Alumni News

Alya Laplana from the Class of 2020 was recently featured in the ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel) morning news to talk about Habilin, an organization with the goal of creating an education revolution in the Philippines.

We are proud of our graduates for going out and making a change in the world!

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

The Digital SAT

Last Saturday, April 16th, CIS participated in a pilot test study for the Digital SAT.

Here are some FAQ’s about the Digital SAT taken from the College Board website. 

Upcoming Virtual Events and Fairs: (students & parents are welcome)

DATE
April 25-26
April 30, May 2-3
May 7, 9, 10

Glion Institute of Higher Education (Switzerland)
Masterclass 1: Discover the New World of Luxury (Link to register)
Masterclass 2:  Event Management: Creating a Memorable Experience (Link to register)
Masterclass 3:  The Art of Leadership and Multicultural Team Management (Link to register)

Admissions Office

SAT Update

To register for the SAT, you may click on this link.  If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to email Ms. Jenny Basa at jbasa@cis.edu.ph.

Principal’s Corner

by Mr. Andrew Powell, EY-12 Principal

This week in our Newsflash you’ll note reference to the way our Grade 5 students are exploring their passions as they work towards their PYP Exhibition along with an advertisement for our upcoming MYP Personal Project Showcase in May. Both initiatives provide students with the opportunity to initiate a self-directed study as part of the culmination of their work in the PYP and MYP. The work our teachers do to scaffold our students through this process is integral to their success and I would like to highlight how fortunate we are to have two exceptional educators in Mrs. Underwood and Mr. Denton leading our students through these projects. We also have a large proportion of our staff acting as mentors for our students and I would like to highlight the benefits that this approach provides.

 Mentoring in the sense of these projects provides our students with access to additional support and perspectives. Typically, students are matched with a mentor based on the mentor’s personal and professional interests, and how they may align with the topic or exploration that a student is interested in. The mentors meet regularly with the students over a sustained period of time in order to provide advice, direction, expertise and inspiration.

 While all of our mentors are teachers at CIS and therefore experienced educators, project-specific training has been provided to them in order to maximise their effectiveness. In the case of the PYP Exhibition our teachers have been provided with professional development on how to be an effective mentor and the lead teacher scaffolds their work with students with clear expectations for each session. 

In addition to supporting our students’ development of skills and knowledge, mentoring in this sense provides students with positive role models. Sustained engagement provides a strengthened sense of identity, communication skills and interpersonal relationships. It helps to develop confidence and raise aspirations.

 Here are a few thoughts on the mentoring process from our Grade 5 students:

 “My mentor has been very helpful as I explore how nature walks can help with mental health. She can help me research quickly and find resources that I can read and include in persuasive writing.”

 “She is really good at taking all of the messy ideas that I have in my head and consolidating them into a clear idea and line of inquiry.”

 “It’s great to work with someone that’s not my regular teacher because I get to know about other perspectives and have someone else to look up to and ask questions.”

 Providing mentors to our students is an important initiative that helps to individualize our students’ educational experiences. It helps to further develop our sense of community and I know that from a mentor’s perspective, it is a rewarding experience.

Upcoming events of note

• April 11-15 Mid-semester Break (Easter/Holy week)
• April 18: School make up day (Day B)
• April 26:  Parent Coffee Meeting 9-10 am ← Save the date!

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar (http://cis.edu.ph/school-calendar/) for the complete calendar of school events.

Grade 5 PYP Exhibition: Mid-Journey Update

Mrs. Aimee Underwood, Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher

The highlight of Grade 5 each year is the PYP Exhibition (PYPx), which unites students, teachers, and other members of the learning community in a culminating, collaborative learning experience.

Over the past few weeks, our Grade 5 students have been busy exploring their passions and connecting them to local and global issues through the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG). Their passions and issues are as diverse as the students themselves, ranging from fast fashion to green architecture, inequality in coding to child refugees, invasive species to music therapy, and more!

Through the process of their inquiry, the students are deepening their knowledge and understanding, sharpening their ATL skills, and challenging themselves to consider how they can demonstrate their IB Learner Profile attributes to “help create a better and more peaceful world” (IB Mission Statement).

Below are some surveys that the Grade 5s will be grateful for if you can help fill out, so that they can collect more primary data for their research:

• Mental Health and Well-Being (Anna): https://forms.gle/jAe7fYnheKWLjEbMA
• Fast Fashion and Consumer Behavior (Aubrey): https://forms.gle/sPEi1SpkZre91zox6
• Tanks and Military Technology (Sam): https://forms.gle/iNvhrGazsrfqbe9i9
• Jaguars (Dave): https://forms.gle/G9J1BPqev3srYYzV9
• Deforestation (Riku): https://forms.gle/cajq7TY1QqeWYjnj8

As we head into the last half of the PYPx journey after the break, we look forward to seeing how the students will take action and publicly share their learning with the wider community. Stay tuned

Language Acquisition Classes

by Mr. Antonio Melgar, Language Acquisition Teacher

MYP Spanish – Grade 6/7

Grades 6 and 7 students discovered how to talk about  food around the world, the food pyramid, classifying the foods into categories,  and how to mention the most famous dishes. Also, they are learning how to explain the process of preparing a simple dish in Spanish and discussing what is healthy and what is not.

Grade 8 and 9

This term we focused on discussing how  globalization is a process that affects us all in diverse ways. We talked about famous people from our countries, and how they became global,  and how a language can be global, and how accents and idioms make a culture richer and more international. Also, how by using or consuming products from other regions of the world we enhance our knowledge and discuss  how our small actions can help make our planet sustainable. And applying past tense is a great tool to talk about it!

Grade 10

This term we focused on the environment and how our actions can lead to either preserving or damaging it. As this is a multilevel class, students also discussed global warming and its implications, idioms and colloquial expressions as a way to convey meaning across cultures and how food is something that unites us. 

Personal Project

MYP Personal Project

SEL Tips

Dragon’s Print

After 2 whole years of learning remotely, our return to normality is nearing. Despite us being comfortable in our own humble abodes, face-to-face (F2F) classes have begun, meaning that we students who are able to return to campus will have to adapt. Read about a few days in the life of a Grade 11 Student getting used to full F2F days at http://dragonsprint.cis.edu.ph/.

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor

Upcoming Virtual Events and Fairs: (students & parents are welcome)

DATE

April 9
Saturday
1:00PM
Link to Register

EVENT

Ritsumeikan University (Japan) : Ask us! : Why choose Ritsumeikan & What undergraduate programs are offered

April 13
4:30 – 5:30pm
Link to register

New Zealand University webinars: (in cooperation with Beacon Academy in Manila) 

April 21
Thursday
7:00 – 9:00pm
Link to register

April 23, 25 & 26
Link to register
(pick the schedule/time zone that is works for you)

Glion Institute of Higher Education (Switzerland)
Masterclass 1: Discover the New World of Luxury

SAT Update

To register for the SAT, you may click on this link.  If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to email Ms. Jenny Basa at jbasa@cis.edu.ph.

Admin News

by Dr. Gwyn Underwood, Superintendent

It has been another extremely busy week as we moved from our successful two-week half-day on-campus transition schedule to our full-day new normal regular schedule. Despite a number of adjustments needed to address the various issues arising from two years being off-campus, overall things went smoothly, which is a huge credit to everyone in so many ways – from students, parents, and family, to teachers, staff, and fellow administrators. Thank you all for your individual contributions to the CIS community!

Constant pressure is tiring at the best of times and can be overwhelming at others. Over the past two years, we have been living through societal changes on multiple fronts, and we know change can be a major source of stress. As we were planning our return to campus, one of our objectives was to seek a quick return to learning routines that will enable us to create a safe learning environment that can also be a haven for our students from the various unsettling global changes we are experiencing at this time, such as climate change, war, the social media and big tech revolution, and so on. Our “anchor” through all this are our guiding statements. Two, in particular, are relevant to this topic:

• Core Belief #1: Learning is a joyful, creative, and open-ended exploration.
  ⇒ Instead of worrying too much, let us recall the joy of learning, and seek ways to nurture our students, and our own, creativity and open-ended exploration.
• Core Belief #6: As an IB World School, the Learner Profile Attributes and Approaches to Learning are embedded in all that we think, say, and do.
  ⇒ Focusing on positive LP attributes such as being caring and open-minded, and consciously seeking ways to develop our approaches to learning (ATL) skills will enable us to better cope with the challenges of life, and help to build our resilience.

Speaking of resilience, it is reassuring to read that “a growing body of research illustrates that academic buoyancy and resilience support students’ healthy acceptance of and response to challenges in and out of school.” Anderson et. al* notes that “resilient learners have meaningful goals, manage their emotions when they experience setbacks, and accept what they can and cannot control in the learning experience. Academic resilience is built on individual characteristics—composure, confidence, coordination, commitment, and control. Those processes develop through strong relationships in school and explicit instruction, messaging, and modeling across learning environments.”

Let’s all work on developing relationships and academic characteristics, modeling positive behavior and accepting what we can and cannot control in our learning experiences, both in and outside of school. Hang in there for another week everyone, be resilient, and you will have time over our mid-semester (Easter) break to rest! 

*Academic buoyancy and resilience for diverse students around the world by Anderson, RC, Beach, PT, Jacovidis, JN and Chadwick, KL. 2020. International Baccalaureate Organization.

Upcoming events of note

• April 1: MHS Quarter 3 reports published
• April 4-8: STEM week
• April 11-15 Mid-semester Break (Easter/Holy week)
• April 26:  Parent Coffee Meeting 9-10 am ← Save the date!

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar (http://cis.edu.ph/school-calendar/) for the complete calendar of school events.

College Acceptances Update

Early Years 

by Ms. Aimee Valenzona, EY Teacher and Ms. Freya Abella, EY Teacher Aide

As we are about to end the month of March, the Early Years have started with our new unit on How the World Works. We began our unit by making use of our learning environment as our provocation to encourage student inquiry in the classroom. We started off by turning off all our lights in the classroom leaving it as dark as possible as our students came to class early in the morning. Guess what happened next? 

Our EY explorers demonstrated our early morning routine by getting their names as they come in class, removing their shoes, sanitizing, and placing their bags in their cubby holes. This routine will further develop their self-management skills as they practice and learn to show independence as they perform these daily routines. Upon entering the classroom, they noticed something different. They observed and started asking questions. Here are few of their observations/questions:

As you read through their responses and observations, you will notice how they made connections with their previous experiences at home and during the recent typhoon in Cebu last December. Being able to observe and easily connect with the world around them enables our young learners to expand their thinking and feel valued in relating learning to themselves and the real world. As we continued with this week’s engagements, students made use of their senses  as they shared their observations and made an inquiry about light and the sun which led us to take note of their prior knowledge and ideas. As we continue to move forward, we will discover and learn more about how light and shadows enable us to interact with the world around us. 

As we transition to our full-day New Normal schedule, we will continue to develop our number sense by making use of math concepts such as more and less and try to explain our thinking as we solve simple problems by using counters or objects. In literacy, we are in the process of working towards finishing some of our students’  book covers while the rest will still start and/or continue with their books. Any idea what’s missing in our book covers? 

Grade 8: Science

by Christine Enrile, Science Teacher

In Quarter 3, the students explored the concepts and applications of Chemistry in society. Their summative assessment challenged them to use their understanding and skills to be able to design an eco-house which incorporated the theme of sustainability in the design and use of materials.  The decision on using certain materials for their eco-house was anchored on their understanding of the changes in matter, both beneficial and harmful. In addition, developing a room layout involved integrating their knowledge and understanding of globally – accepted conservation practices in eco-house designs. Using their critical thinking and creativity,  the students designed a house considering the efficient use of materials, space, and energy. These are their outputs and reflections.

Grade 10: Music – Protest Song Composition

by Ms. Marie Briones, Music Teacher

The G10 wrapped up their unit on Protest Music last week with a presentation of their very own protest song composition. They were asked to compose lyrics on a simple single melody line around an issue/problem/cause of their choice such as political, social, socio-economic, etc. 

Here are some of what they have to say about the whole process of composing a protest song, from their challenges and trials to triumphs of how they overcame them, from what they are most proud of about their composition to how they think they could improve it.

“What I like most about my composition/process of composing is the creation of my lyrics. I thought that I wouldn’t be able to make a good piece, but I realized that as long as I stick to the formula and have an idea of what sounds good to me, I would be able to create something good for what amounts to an amateur’s attempt at composing. Overall, I am proud of my protest song because I was able to give meaning to the lyrics…”- Zeke 

Zeke – The Crisis.pdf    Zeke – The Crisis.mp3

“Listening to the melody every time I finished a measure was really fun. I thought that music was just for entertainment but I realized that every music needs to have a message. Every time, music tells it directly and indirectly, just like the music we made. ”- Dennis

Dennis Composition.pdf    Dennis Music.mp3

“Composing a protest song, I believe, is really being creative in the process though it also involves music theory. What I liked most about the process of composing is learning how to create a song which is the first time I have ever done. It was really fun creating the melody, the chord progression and the notes of the keys, fixing the notes/ lyrics to make it better, putting emphasis on the musical metaphors, and exploring Musescore application.” – Ron Michael 

Ron Michael – Others.pdf       Ron Michael – Others.wav

“The melody that I composed sounds really good compared to the number of times I tried composing. What I like most about my composition/process of composing is that we are able to think of so many outcomes and possibilities of how that music will come out. Composing is basically your own idea and knowledge put into one piece so your piece is mostly based on your creativity and imagination.” –Bryan 

Bryan – Our Life.pdf          Bryan – Our Life.mp3

Admissions News

Dragon’s Print

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor

Upcoming Virtual Events and Fairs: (students & parents are welcome)

DATE

April 9
Saturday
1:00PM
Link to Register

EVENT

Ritsumeikan University (Japan) : Ask us! : Why choose Ritsumeikan & What undergraduate programs are offered

April 7 & 8
Book a Slot
(BST – British Summer Time is 7 hours later than PH time)

University of Oxford (UK): Webinar Series for Parents/Guardians: These are designed to provide parents of potential Oxford applicants with all the information they need, as well as give them a chance to ask us any questions they may have.

April 4, 5, 6 and 13
4:30 – 5:30pm
Link to register

New Zealand University webinars: (in cooperation with Beacon Academy in Manila) – please refer to the schedule below:

Participating universities:  University of Otago, University of Waikato, Victoria University of Wellington, Lincoln University, The University of Auckland, Massey University, University of Canterbury, Auckland University of Technology

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO LIST OF PROGRAMS  AVAILABLE:  CLICK HERE
UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO LIST OF PROGRAMS  AVAILABLE:  CLICK HERE