Author: Cebu International School

Principal’s Corner

by Mr. Andrew Powell, EY-12 Principal

Our elementary students have had a delightful week of activities that have focused on Philippine Language and Culture with the most anticipated activity being the opportunity to take a jeepney ride this morning. As I rode with one of our Kindergarten/ Grade 1 groups it was great to listen to the children’s conversations, observations and some insightful questions that were prompted by what they saw, along with the nature of the ride.

I know that many of you are excited for the return of a face-to-face Sinulog Family Day tomorrow. While it will be wonderful for families to be able to meet and have lunch, we are privileged to have the opportunity to experience the magnificence of the festival through our guest dancers. This is exciting, especially for those members of the community that are yet to experience this festival.

I’ve previously mentioned the importance of establishing and maintaining family traditions and this notion proves to be true of the traditions and experiences that we provide to our students, especially as they relate to local culture and traditions. These positive experiences last for a lifetime and are memories that nurture connection and a greater sense of belonging to the school and its community.

As an international school we naturally place an important focus on global citizenship and how we may prepare our students to successfully contribute to a changing world. While our students are drawn from diverse cultures and engage with an international curriculum, local culture and traditions are important, and a shared commonality through which our students may view the world.

We trust that the focus on Philippine culture, language and traditions as part of our global framework serves to stimulate awareness and pride in the wonders of the country and the various cultures that contribute to such a vibrant way of being. At the same time it serves as an excellent grounding from which to examine dismissions of global citizenship such as respect, service, environmental stewardship and international-mindedness.

 I look forward to seeing you at Sinulog Family Fun Day tomorrow.

Upcoming events of note

• Jan 20 – 23: Chinese New Year Holiday
• Jan 24: ASAs Start (ASA selection has commenced – refer to the sign-up form send via email from Mr. Pierra)
• Jan 25: ES Conferences (no face-to-face classes for ES students)
• Jan 25-29 ISAC 2 Boys Football & Girls Basketball Tournament (Brent Subic/Wed. & Sun. are travel days)
• Jan 31: Parent Coffee Meeting (8-9am, Annex)

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.

Philippine Culture Week 2023

by Philippine Language and Culture Teachers

The elementary school teachers and students celebrated Philippine Culture Week to promote and show appreciation of the host country culture by engaging in different Filipino activities. This meaningful celebration has opened an avenue for the students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Philippine culture.

The students have shown their knowledge and skills they acquired and their appreciation by participating in arts, sports, games, and dances hosted by our Filipino teachers. To culminate this cultural experience, our students have enjoyed their experience on the most popular and iconic Filipino public transportation, the jeepney.

Grade 12: Theory of Knowledge

by Mr. Alejandro Guerra Tibocha, TOK Teacher

One of the most important tasks from the core components of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is the Theory of Knowledge Essay. Students in Grade 12 have been working diligently on the final version to submit next week. The TOK Essay is an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of knowledge and the process of knowing in different contexts. This is a formal piece of academic writing that provides a response to one of six Prescribed Titles (Essay Statements) focusing on the different Areas of knowledge, namely Arts, Mathematics, History, Human Sciences, and Natural Sciences. 

In general, the process has been challenging for the students as they must explore and provide appropriate evidence for some of the possible connections between knowledge and the world around us. One student states that “starting a TOK essay is not easy. From choosing a prescribed title to searching for examples to use, each step in the TOK essay challenged me.” To add on to this idea, another student asserts that “One of the main challenges in my essay was knowing how to write and think critically in the lens of TOK, especially in making implications from my arguments.” As well, some of them are convinced how “reading about the topic and asking help from my teachers when I was confused equipped me with everything I needed to know to write a good TOK essay.” 

Most of the students have nearly finished their final versions after going through a series of formative practices involving three individual interactions that offered feedback according to each stage in the process. Using one student’s words “…getting feedback on my original drafts helped me identify the points in my essay where I could improve on or ponder on a little bit more. Seeing how I did on the mark scheme also helped me identify what I could do to make a better essay…” which also “made finishing the essay all the more worthwhile.” Another student comments “…the feedback has really contributed to the quality of my draft in a way where it offered better word choices to make my essay more focused on the prompt itself. Additionally, the feedback gave relevant insights and ideas that improved the arguments/counterarguments as well as their implications.” And, to add to the idea of implications, one last student concludes that “…feedback from my TOK teachers greatly helped me on this issue as I learned that I only needed to make a slight adjustment on the way I phrase my ideas. This seemingly minor suggestion then greatly improved my essay and overall writing skills.” 

All the best to all the students and thank you!

Spanish Class

by Mr. Antonio Melgar, Spanish Teacher

¡Feliz Año Nuevo! Our amazing students of Grades 11 and 12 Spanish B High Level are starting to read an original book, written in Spanish, by the Nobel Prize awardee Gabriel García Márquez. The above-mentioned book is called El Relato de un Náufrago and narrates the story inside the story of a castaway crew member during a tropical storm in the Caribbean. It incorporates his perils, survival, ascension to the status of national hero and then his downfall when the truth comes out. What is the truth of the
story?

Our Spanish Grade 8 and 9 students designed Día de Reyes cards, to introduce ways to write formal and informal holiday letters as part of their Travel and Tourism topic. Students discovered how to use the dates in Spanish, diverse ways of greeting people and how to wish happy holidays, and bid farewells. Students are now working on how to arrange travel plans to touristic attractions, they are discussing weather conditions, costs and other necessary information for their trip..

Spanish 6 and  7 worked very creatively to design a Rey Mago, filled it with candy and  gave it to some teachers wishing them happy Three Kings Day, as part of our unit on Festivals, Holidays and Traditions.  As of now, we are discussing how each of our families celebrate (or not) Christmas, New Year and we are identifying each culture’s most important celebration, to promote internationalism  and cultural sensitivity.

Grade 10 Spanish students are now working hard to analyze the diverse levels of complexity in human creations, and in particular technological innovations. We are aiming to develop a deep understanding of the world by considering the advantages and disadvantages our creations have given us. Questions asked are: What is technology? Can animals have it too? To what extent is technology always positive for humans? What are the most important inventions that changed human lives for good? Is it dangerous? What could be the ethical issues to be considered?

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Celebrations of the Week!

College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)

DATE

January 17
Tuesday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex
(Uni rep will zoom in)

SUNY Korea: Live virtual information session with the university rep

January 17
Tuesday
5:00PM
Link to register

Carl Benz School of Engineering (Germany)
Everything you need to know when applying to the Carl Benz School and the CBS College Program conveniently packed into one info session! The live Q&A session afterwards will give applicants the opportunity to speak directly with the expert team about any open questions you might have regarding admission requirements and our application process.

January 18
Wednesday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex
(Uni rep will zoom in

Kyoto University of Advanced Science: Virtual Info Session with the university rep with Q & A including a chat with an undergraduate student.

February 10
Friday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex

Istituto Marangoni (Italy) – Face to face info session with the university rep: Learn all about the programs and application process.

SAT Update for 2022-2023

SAT Test Date	Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation
March 11, 2023 (Digital)	February 24, 2023
May 6, 2023 (Digital)	April 21, 2023
June 3, 2023 (Digital)	May 19, 2023

Test dates labeled Digital means that students will bring a device to the test center and take the exam using their device.  The College Board may provide devices for test-takers who do not have access to a device.  All test-takers for Digital SATs are still required to report physically to the test center to take the test.

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

Dear Parents,

I hope that you were able to spend some quality time with your family over the holiday break. Given the significance of the season, it is a time in which family traditions contribute to the development of lasting memories and the strengthening of family bonds, which provide children with a sense of belonging and help shape who they will become and what they hold dear.

As we commence the second semester of the school year, we are excited about the return of a face-to-face Sinulog Family Day on Saturday, January 14th. For those of you that have been on campus lately, you will have noted the bright decorations that are appearing in anticipation of the event. As we move towards this tradition our students will be celebrating Philippine Culture Week, which is an opportunity for them to learn and celebrate the wonders of the country and the various cultures that contribute to such a vibrant way of being.

Our Middle and High School reports will be released to students and parents today. As with the Elementary reports that were distributed prior to the break, they provide an overview of your child’s progress so that you have a clear idea of their performance at this point in time. We hope that it enables you to have meaningful conversations with your child about specific subjects and their approaches to learning. Should you require further information about your child’s progress, please feel free to contact the relevant teacher.

With reports being released, and as it is the first week of a brand-new year, it is an appropriate time for students to engage in reflection on their strengths and areas for development. It is also a good time to begin to plan and implement routines that may help bring about positive change. This will look different for each student, especially given their various stages of development but could range from steps to gradually engage in more exercise and eat more healthily through to refining the amount and nature of study taking place at home.

Setting a goal can be easy but it is important to think about what it will take to accomplish a goal or resolution. For those wanting to make positive change, it is important to not only focus on the specific outcome but rather creating an action plan with small, short-term achievable goals that will lead to that long-term outcome. I know that many of our Grade 12 students will be thoroughly invested in this process as they plan out their final semester of school.

No matter what your goal or resolution is for the year, I wish you well, and I am excited that we are back on campus for what promises to be a busy and engaging semester.

Upcoming events of note

• Jan 9 : Sem 2 ASA/Club Registration
• Jan 9 – 13: Philippine Culture Week
• Jan 14: Sinulog Family Day/HAD2
• Jan 20 – 23: School Holiday (Chinese New Year)

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.

Sinulog Family Day

Medical Team Corner

by Ms. Cybil Risos (School Nurse) & Ms. Lory Romano (Administrative Secretary)

This is just a friendly Health and Safety message from the school’s Medical Team!

We have all been excited to have everyone back on campus after the holidays. As we prepare for next week’s Sinulog festivities both on campus and all over the City of Cebu, we wish to remind everyone of our responsibility, as a community, of reducing the risks of getting infected with COVID-19 and keeping everyone safe.

While we will continue to ease aspects of our protocols, we also need to continue to promote awareness and diligent practice of the key precautions that have proven to be effective at reducing Covid-19 risks significantly. These include the proper wearing of appropriate quality masks when in the vicinity of potential carriers, social distancing, frequent hand washing, and maintaining airflow in enclosed spaces.

PHE Invasion Unit

by Mr. Ace Pierra, Athletics Director

Basketball and Frisbee
This lesson focused on the value of teamwork, how to accept and give support, and how to cooperate in order to achieve a common objective. Additionally, the unit aids students in achieving higher degrees of success for the unit’s goal and promotes learning development across the MYP. At the end of the unit, students were offered authentic and challenging assessments to demonstrate what they know, understand, and can do.

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Question of the Week?

College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)

DATE

January 9
Monday
7:00AM (virtual)
Link to register
-a recording will be sent to registered participants

EVENT

Johns Hopkins University – Pre College Programs in Engineering
What’s summer without stimulation for the brain and engaging in amazing activities? The Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Pre-College Program is the perfect way for talented high school math and science students to spend the summer.

January 12
Thursday 
Link to ask a question

University of Sheffield (UK) – Live Q & A: Studying engineering often brings prestige, leading many students to select this industry to study in university. But what does it actually mean to study engineering? A discipline dedicated to problem solving, engineering is the designing, testing, and building of machines and processes using mathematics and science. If you’re interested in building, creating, or maintaining structures, and you’ve had an interest in learning about how an engineering degree can benefit you in the long-run, this is the session for you. Join this session to hear from university representatives and undergraduate students how you can prepare for a degree in engineering and what exactly it means to pursue a degree in engineering in university.

January 17
Tuesday
9:15 – 10:00AM
Zoom link to follow

SUNY Korea: Live virtual information session with the university rep

January 18
Wednesday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Zoom link to follow

Kyoto University of Advanced Science: Virtual Info Session with the university rep with Q & A including a chat with an undergraduate student.

February 10
Friday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex

Istituto Marangoni (Italy) – Face to face info session with the university rep: Learn all about the programs and application process.

SAT Update

2022–23 School Year Test Dates

SAT Test Date	Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation
March 11, 2023 (Digital)	February 24, 2023
May 6, 2023 (Digital)	April 21, 2023
June 3, 2023 (Digital)	May 19, 2023

Test dates labeled Digital means that students will bring a device to the test center and take the exam using their device.  The College Board may provide devices for test-takers who do not have access to a device.  All test-takers for Digital SATs are still required to report physically to the test center to take the test.

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

As we end our first semester, I want to congratulate the entire CIS community for pulling together and successfully completing our first semester. While it has been great to be back on campus, I think most of you will agree that it has also been particularly challenging this year. Over the semester break, please take some time to reflect and rejuvenate.

Reflect on how you have been coping.

• Are you on track to reach your learning and personal goals for the year?
• Have you been able to keep up with your work commitments?
• And have you done so while ensuring you look after your social and emotional well-being?
• Have you maintained your attention to relationships? The pandemic has reminded us how important these are.
• Do not be afraid to ask for help or advice, or even just share your feelings with a friend or family member.
• Then once you have reflected, consider actions to improve for the coming semester!

Rejuvenate basically means to get your energy back. Over the break:

• Relax, take time do things you really enjoy!
• Build relationships – spend time with family and friends, even if it is just connecting if you are unable to do things together.
• Get bored! Providing you are not putting off something important, your brain benefits from being given time to get creative!
• Read a lot, write and draw! And older students, some of you could take the opportunity to catch up or get ahead with your studies.

Have a safe, restful holiday, everyone, Malipayong Pasko / Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Upcoming events of note

• Dec. 11 – Jan. 2: Christmas Break/Sem. Break
• Jan 3:  First Day of 2nd Semester
• Jan 9 – 13: Philippine Culture Week
• Jan 14: Sinulog Family Day/HAD2

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.

Tree of Giving

by Ms. Emily Cornet, IB Coordinator/Asst. Principal-DP

On Saturday December 3rd, MHS Student Council members gathered at school for the culminating act of this year’s Tree of Giving: the distribution of the gifts.  While covid concerns prevented us from hosting the children from Umapad Dumpsite on campus for a half day of activities, the school community still came together over the past month to make sure that the children of Umapad would get gifts of essential items.  With around 400 gifts in total collected, MHS Student Council students spent part of their Saturday loading the gifts into the trucks to be brought back to the children at Umapad.

MHS Student Council extends its sincerest thanks to the students, families, staff, and faculty who donated gifts to help make this event possible.  We look forward to a return to pre-covid times (hopefully next year) when we can host the children of Umapad on campus.

Grade 2/3: Endemic Plants and Animals in the Philippines

by Ms. Ann Codoy, Philippine Language and Culture Teacher

The Grade 2 and 3 researchers started exploring endemic plants and animals in the Philippines under the transdisciplinary theme, Sharing the Planet. We started with solving puzzle pieces of different species and used the SEE-THINK-WONDER routine to encourage students to make careful observations and thoughtful interpretations, stimulate their curiosity and inquiry from the puzzle they solved. This inquiry led to unlocking the word “endemic” and provoked students to share the different species of plants and animals in the country and apply their research skills to categorize them into endemic and non-endemic animals. Below are some of the puzzles they solved and explored.

Moreover, as we continue our conversation on the different species we can find in the Philippines, students continue to apply their communication and thinking skills to build up their knowledge. Grade 2 and 3 students carried on with their questions and encourage themselves to research their wonderings to answer their curiosity. This positive attitude of students is an excellent kickstart to discovering more about our new unit focusing on the different wonders of the Philippines and how they connect to the Filipino culture.

Grade  4/5: Leadership in the Philippines

by Ms. Freshal Abcede, Philippine Language and Culture Teacher

The Grade 4 and 5 inquirers applied their prior knowledge about leaders and their responsibilities in the Philippine community under the transdisciplinary theme How We Organize Ourselves. This inquiry led to identifying a leader’s values and beliefs and allowed the students to share their perspectives on what qualities and values a leader must possess. By exploring the different qualities of leaders, our inquiry widened our understanding of their various functions in the community.

The students acquired the understanding and connections that leaders and their leadership styles could be influenced by their family’s upbringing, experiences, or education. We learned about the story of Antonio Meloto, who was from a poor family and founded the Gawad Kalinga Foundation. This discussion led to revisiting the Sustainable Development Goals as they discovered that Antonio Meloto’s foundation is trying to help five million families out of poverty by 2024. Learning about this unit helped Grade 4 and 5 students see the world’s reality and how leaders work to contribute to the welfare and improvement of people’s lives.

The students showcased their research, communication, self-management, and social skills through this inquiry. The students shared their speech campaigns and participated in the student mock elections to better understand how the election works in the Philippines. In addition, we reflected on the importance of choosing leaders who can effectively support the people. The students shared that one citizen’s decision can affect the whole country.

IB Diploma: Group 4 (Sciences) Project

by Science Teachers

The Diploma Program in CIS offers Biology, Chemistry and Physics which comprise the Group 4 courses.  In studying any of these courses, the students become aware of how scientists work collaboratively and communicate with each other.  This is the unique experience which Group 4 Project offers to them.  It is an interdisciplinary activity in which students studying the different disciplines in Science work together to analyze a problem using biological, chemical and physical concepts.  

The Group 4 Project aims to: 

• develop an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines;
• develop and apply 21st century communication skills in the study of science; and
• promote critical awareness of the ethical implications of using science and technology.

The Grade 12 students are engaged in the planning, action and evaluation stages of this endeavor.  This year, the theme for the Group 4 Project focuses on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  There is a wide variety of research problems and these have been investigated using the scientific method.

The activity culminated with the presentation of outputs.  Critical thinking and collaboration were highly evident.  Thought-provoking questions were asked which enhanced the discussion.

The students were also given time to reflect on their experiences particularly on how they had contributed to the investigation as Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics students.  

These are some of their reflections.

Student Achievement

The Dragon’s Report Card Podcast

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)

DATE

January 17, 2023
Tuesday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex

EVENT

SUNY Korea

January 18
Wednesday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex

Kyoto University of Advanced Science: Virtual Info Session with the university rep with Q & A including a chat with an undergraduate student.

Note: College visits will resume in January so students can focus on end of semester assessments.

SAT UPDATE for 2022-2023

2022–23 School Year Test Dates

SAT Test Date	Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation
March 11, 2023 (Digital)	February 24, 2023
May 6, 2023 (Digital)	April 21, 2023
June 3, 2023 (Digital)	May 19, 2023

Test dates labeled Digital means that students will bring a device to the test center and take the exam using their device.  The College Board may provide devices for test-takers who do not have access to a device.  All test-takers for Digital SATs are still required to report physically to the test center to take the test.

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

It has been a busy first semester and much has been accomplished during that time. I have been extremely proud of the way in which our students have sustained their drive and commitment to their studies and After School Activities over the past few months. The whole-school production of Elf was simply incredible and I know that our student athletes were pleased to be able to resume their involvement in ISAC sports. The energy and engagement in classes  is commendable. Our students have one more busy week to work through until their well-deserved holiday break. I wish our students, particularly in Middle and High, the very best as they work on their final assessments for the semester.

December is typically a time of giving and our students have been engaged in an array of school and personal projects to support communities in need. This year’s Tree of Giving is one such example and the Student Council are thrilled that our community has been able to reach their proposed target. This will light up the lives of many.

While acts such as these make a positive difference to the lives of others it is important that we also consider the importance of giving to our students. We are a school that very much values service as an important way to engage in principled action. Research is often quoted that shows that the simple act of giving can be as rewarding as receiving. I certainly see this in the acts of kindness and respect that take place in our virtual classroom environments. In the context of the vulnerable communities that we support however, some have such critical needs that we need to consider the long-term implications of the dispositions we are fostering in our students rather than a short-term “feel good” reward.

 At CIS, our intentional commitment to service learning is such that over time our students are developing a greater awareness and a better understanding of communities’ contexts and our students’ responsibilities. We trust that our students will be the leaders of tomorrow, whether that be here in the Philippines or in various locations around the world. Providing them with a sense of duty, empowerment, and ability to influence and advocate others for the betterment of society and the environment is incredibly important.

I wish our students and families a positive final week of the semester.

Upcoming events of note

• Dec. 3: CIS Tree of Giving
• Dec. 11 – Jan. 2: Christmas Break/Sem. Break

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.

Grade 3: How the World Works

by Ms. Katrina del Mar, Grade 3 Teacher

How does the world work? The Grade 3 researchers stepped outside the classroom and went on a nature walk to start answering this question. They felt the warm sun kiss their skin, saw the tall trees, and heard chirping birds. It was a world full of wonder.

Has the Earth always looked the same as it does now? No. After watching a timelapse video of photos taken by Google Earth in different places across the globe, the Grade 3s concluded that the Earth is changing year by year. They wondered what caused the change.

What causes the changes to our physical environment? To answer their question, the Grade 3s conducted a short research project and presented the information they gathered to the class. They found that natural phenomena such as earthquakes, typhoons, and landslides, among others, can change the Earth’s surface.

How does our understanding of our physical environment affect our lives? The effects of natural phenomena on the Earth can sometimes be disastrous. The Grade 3 students saw the need to prepare by performing drills and making posters to inform people about safety tips before, during, and after a natural phenomenon. 

What will the Earth look like in the future? Although natural phenomena cause changes to the Earth, they found that human activities change our world too. Some activities can bring positive effects, some can bring negative ones. The Grade 3 global citizens conclude that the answer to this question can in part be up to us.

Grade 7: Making Mathematical Connections

by Mr. Dan Monfre, Math Teacher

One of the most important aspects of teaching mathematics is to show students how that math can connect to their lives outside of the classroom. Luckily for our students at CIS, the IB program makes this a key component at all levels of the IB continuum. This can look different at each grade level but the concept of bringing mathematical connections into everyday life remains the same. In grade 7 students have been working on balancing expressions and solving equations. This concept is often one of the first times students are exposed to abstract math. Now that we have learned the basics of solving abstract equations we have been applying these skills to word problems using real-world examples to make the abstract more concrete. For the summative of this unit students are working on writing mathematical story books, where each page contains a new word problem. The grade 10 students have taken their equation solving to the quadratic level. They have been looking into how to graph and transform parabolas by identifying roots and key components of the function. To bring these concepts into the real world students found parabolic shapes in the real world and plotted parabolic curves to match the images as shown below.

ELF The Musical

by Ms. Stefanny Hermias, Production Director

Elf The Musical was a product of three months of rehearsals and hard work put in by the students in Elementary and Middle/High School. A big THANK YOU to all the teachers and staff who worked behind the scenes.  Huge kudos to the cast and crew for giving us an amazing musical stage play on Friday, November 25, 2022.

Here are a few reflections and comments from the cast:

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)

DATE

December 3
Saturday
7:30 – 9:30 PM
Link to register

EVENT

Worldwide Webi Fair: A Virtual College Fair that allows you to explore over 30 institutions from 6 countries.

December 6
Tuesday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Media Center Conference room

Alumni Chat:  Chantal Elise Schmidt (Class of 2019) – Miss Universe Cebu City representative for 2022, will talk about “Work-Study Balance while in College”.  Chantal is one of the 40 under 40 exemplary individuals. She was selected due to her advocacy for mental health.

“I personally do not believe in settling for one advocacy,” she said. “The very core of being an activist is extending your help to anyone, anywhere. However, while I am very vocal about animal welfare and the emancipation of women, I am mostly recognized for my work regarding suicide prevention. Upon concluding my Miss Universe Philippines journey, I received an influx of messages from hundreds of people, not just Cebuanos.”

December 6
Tuesday
6:00 PM
Link to register

Studying in the UK – Imperial College London and University of St. Andrews (UK): You are invited to join a talk on studying in the UK by two of its best, and very different, universities – Imperial College London and the University of St Andrews. They will cover  the differences between the English and Scottish university system to help you find the best fit when considering the UK as a study destination. You’ll also hear from current students in a live Q&A to  find out all about their student experience.

December 7
Wednesday
10:00 AM
Link to register

University of Southern California Summer Programs Virtual Info Session: The session will highlight the benefits of attending USC Summer Programs, dive into our USC Summer experience, and discuss application best practices and common mistakes.

December 8
Thursday
10:00 PM
Link to register

Virtual Study in Netherlands Fair – Meet up online with representatives of Dutch higher education institutions. Learn more about the English-taught study programmes they are offering. Drop by the virtual booths to have a chat. 

Participating institutions:

Note: College visits will resume in January so students can focus on end of semester assessments.

SAT UPDATE for 2022-2023

2022–23 School Year Test Dates

SAT Test Date	Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation
March 11, 2023 (Digital)	February 24, 2023
May 6, 2023 (Digital)	April 21, 2023
June 3, 2023 (Digital)	May 19, 2023

Test dates labeled Digital means that students will bring a device to the test center and take the exam using their device.  The College Board may provide devices for test-takers who do not have access to a device.  All test-takers for Digital SATs are still required to report physically to the test center to take the test.

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

After months of hard work, sweat, and yes, even tears at times, we are so excited to have our wonderful Production team perform the Broadway musical Elf, the Musical to the CIS Community this evening! Here is a sneak preview from the dress rehearsal yesterday – photos of the actual event will be highlighted next week!

As we enter the two-more-weeks-to-Christmas-break period, it is not surprising to experience a bit of “red zone” behavior. This is a period of time when people tend to get impatient and grouchy easily due to the pressures they face over this time. If you are on the receiving end of any grumpiness, please try to be understanding and tolerant, and not react. If you are feeling stressed and in danger of becoming a grouch, then I have a great suggestion for you, summarized from Dan Rockwell’s Leadership Freak article 4 surprising times to express gratitude:

#1. When tempted to complain express gratitude.
A closed mind rages against an unalterable past. Find a way to express gratitude in every situation. You can’t be thankful for tragedy. You can be thankful for helpful people. Honor painful circumstances by learning from them. Feeling like others need to learn but you don’t produces ungratefulness. External adversity forms internal character.

#2. When tempted to quit express gratitude.
Grumbling comes before quitting. Gratitude is energy to keep going. Challenges make contribution relevant.

#3. When tempted to feel sorry for yourself express gratitude.
Ungratefulness finds reasons to moan when others have it easier than you. Kill envy with gratefulness. Say, “Good for you,” when others shine. You’re smaller than the person you tear down.

#4. When tempted to feel resentment express gratitude.
Bitterness poisons attitudes and contaminates relationships. Grateful leaders [and people] build safe environments. Ungrateful leaders [and people] build self-protective teams.

• Gratefulness sees advantage where ungratefulness sees obstacle.
• Unexpressed gratitude is ungratefulness.
• Expressing gratitude shifts your thinking from burden to opportunity. The greatest power of gratitude is it changes you.

I trust these words of wisdom will help you to consider how you can choose to act positively when tempted to react negatively. In addition to the red zone, these are also useful to consider for the upcoming holiday period as well!

Enjoy your weekend, and Production Team, we are proud of you – get some well-earned rest and see you ready to get stuck back into your learning activities next week!

Elementary: Language Acquisition-English

by Ms. Evangeline Belono-ac, K-5 LA-English Teacher 
     Ms. Claudette Colinares, K-5 LA-English Educational Assistant

In Language Acquisition-English classes, students engage in different learning activities to develop the four language domains- listening, speaking, reading, and writing and improve their English language proficiency. They explore words related to their units of inquiry to build their vocabulary, improve their comprehension, and support them in accessing the curriculum. They learn different grammatical rules and structures to improve their oral and written communication skills.

During Culture Week, the students celebrated their diversity and shared their culture with each other.  They learned to appreciate their similarities and differences, developed their research, thinking, and communication skills while embracing the opportunity to be open-minded, principled, and risk-takers. As they learned greetings in other languages, created presentations, read stories, played games, and shared their beliefs and traditions, the students were able to make connections and understood the importance of respecting each other’s diversity. 

Language Acquisition

by Ms. Zirong Chen, PYP Mandarin / DP Mandarin ab initio Teacher
     Ms. Dina Melwani, PYP Spanish / DP Spanish ab initio Teacher

Culture may be defined as a ‘social heredity’ transmitted from one generation to another generation with the accumulation of individual experiences, or a mode of activities differentiating people of one society from another society. Culture cannot be a biological phenomenon but a learned pattern of social behavior to be followed. It is a wonderful and unique phenomenon of human society with colorful diversity always changing its patterns which is the greatest beauty of human society. Culture forms beliefs, conveys ideas, and shares knowledge on customs and values. All of these characteristics are communicated through language which is an integral part of culture.

Culture as a social process deals with the use of language and communication experienced by people in given circumstances. They tend to learn more than one language for the satisfaction of communicative needs in their academic and professional career. The process of learning a second or foreign language not only requires an individual to practice linguistic forms but also necessitates to become familiar with the culture of the target language in order to interpret intercultural communication.

Below are some pictures of how we celebrated different cultures in the Mandarin and Spanish classes.

Grade 11: DP History Internal Assessment

by Ms. Joy Pierra, DP History Teacher

One of the essential components of the DP History course is the Internal Assessment (IA) or the historical investigation. It comprises 25% of the overall grade of a standard level (SL) student and 20% for a higher level (HL) student. It’s an inquiry-based investigation that enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge. They can engage in an exciting, stimulating, and personally interesting historical topic of their choice to be the focus of their IA.

The IA exposes students to the methods used by historians to conduct research, such as formulating thesis questions, gathering, analyzing, interpreting data, drawing conclusions, and making decisions. It also allows them to evaluate the factors that could affect a historian’s interpretation of the past.

The Grade 11 History students have begun planning their IAs. They started by identifying their topics, formulating thesis questions, and gathering resources. Here is the range of topics that they’ve picked and their thoughts about them.

DP Visual Arts

by Mr. Jessie Saclo, DP Visual Arts Teacher

“The IB Diploma Programme visual arts course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries” (IBO, 2017).

The IB Diploma Programme Visual Arts course is a rigorous two-year program geared to cultivate students’ creative abilities through three assessment criteria: the comparative study, the process portfolio, and the exhibition. This thought-provoking course develops critical and analytical skills through the process of art-making and art critique. By studying and creating art from different cultural perspectives and contexts, students are exposed to an extensive range of traditional and contemporary techniques, styles, and media. 

At the heart of the visual arts core syllabus are three interrelated areas; communicating visual art, visual arts in context, and visual arts methods. These have been designed to interlink with the assessment criteria component tasks fully and are central to the students’ holistic learning and understanding. Within the visual arts course, students apply their knowledge and understanding of the relationship between these areas and how they inform, inspire, acquire, and impact their work in visual arts.

The comparative study challenges students to independently explore and contextually analyze artworks, objects, and artifacts from different cultural contexts. Students have the liberty to choose, examine, and compare at least three artworks with contrasting contexts by at least two different artists. This intensive investigation will feature a comparison and analysis of the selected works and evidence of how their work and practices have been influenced by the art and artists they examined. The completed work will be marked against these criteria; identification and analysis of formal qualities, analysis and understanding of function and purpose, analysis and evaluation of cultural significance, making comparisons and connections, presentation and subject-specific language, and making connections to own art-making practice.

Take time to appreciate some excerpts from the initial comparative study work our grade 11 DP visual arts students produced in their journey through the IB DP visual arts course. 

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Celebration of the Week

Congratulations to Renoa (Class of 2023), Chantal (Class of 2019), and Samsam (Class of 2003) for making it to the list of Sunstar’s 40 under 40 outstanding individuals in the field of public service, advocacies and support for mental health.

Renoa is the youngest among all 40 individuals. She founded Set Forth PH which transforms communities by providing equal and accessible learning opportunities for Filipino children. “I can confidently say that our biggest achievement would have to be involving more people in our cause. I truly believe that change can only be made through collective efforts as a community, and time and time again, I have seen how fellow Filipinos, most especially Cebuanos, have shared their time, effort and blessings to support underprivileged children to obtain access to quality education,” she said.

Chantal was Cebu’s representative in the recent Miss Universe 2022 competition held in Manila. “I personally do not believe in settling for one advocacy,” she said. “The very core of being an activist is extending your help to anyone, anywhere. However, while I am very vocal about animal welfare and the emancipation of women, I am mostly recognized for my work regarding suicide prevention. “

Even though he has a legacy behind him, Mayor Samsam Gullas of Talisay City is not afraid to challenge the times and has made his own mark, an “Aksyon Agad” governance which means immediate action. “The City government of Talisay is definitely not one man. Everyone is working hand-in-hand. If there are compliments, it’s not just the mayor—I’m just one person.”

College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)

DATE

November 26
Saturday
1:00 PM (JST)
Link to register

EVENT

Ritsumeikan University (Japan) – A webinar on the undergraduate application process to RU.  A recording will be sent to those who register.

December 7
Wednesday
10:00 AM
Link to register

University of Southern California Summer Programs Virtual Info Session: The session will highlight the benefits of attending USC Summer Programs, dive into our USC Summer experience, and discuss application best practices and common mistakes.

Note: College visits will resume in January so students can focus on end of semester assessments.

SAT UPDATE for 2022-2023

2022–23 School Year Test Dates

SAT Test Date	Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation
December 3, 2022	November 3, 2022
March 11, 2023 (Digital)	February 24, 2023
May 6, 2023 (Digital)	April 21, 2023
June 3, 2023 (Digital)	May 19, 2023

Test dates labeled Digital means that students will bring a device to the test center and take the exam using their device.  The College Board may provide devices for test-takers who do not have access to a device.  All test-takers for Digital SATs are still required to report physically to the test center to take the test.

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 our staff engaged in a workshop on global citizenship as we considered our school’s Mission, Vision and Core Beliefs, in which our commitment and responsibility to the local and global feature prominently. The United Nations uses global citizenship as a term that refers to the belief that individuals are members of multiple, diverse, local and non-local networks rather than single actors affecting isolated societies. As one group very aptly reflected, “You take ownership of the world around you.”

We looked at the responsibilities that we have to our students as we prepare them to fulfill our school’s Vision Statement in which we “challenge our students to be globally engaged, positive contributors in a competitive changing world.” At the heart of this preparation is a commitment to the provision of “intercultural learning”. This entails providing our students with global competencies that give them the skills to contribute to sustainable ways of living together in multicultural societies and strongly aligns with the IB’s concept of international-mindedness which focuses on developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people committed to creating a more peaceful world. I’m sure that you’ll agree that this is desperately needed around the world at this point in time.

At the heart of our approach as a school is an ongoing commitment to the spirit of respect and an awareness and acceptance of others that are different to us. We are mindful of the consequences of our actions and our responsibility to the environment and engaging in sustainable lifestyles. I’m sure that as parents you are aware of our ongoing commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals that are aimed at addressing interconnected challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change as well as peace and justice.

In this week’s Newsflash we have a number of our Diploma Programme students reflecting on their CAS experiences in which service to others features prominently. On Saturday Mr Pierra is also representing the school in a handover of boats to be distributed to various communities that were affected by the super typhoon earlier in the year. We strongly believe In the value of purposeful action that leads to significant outcomes. We know that these experiences can be profound and life-changing for our students as they enhance their personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning.

You will note from our Grade 5 contribution to Newsflash which examines Mass Media as a Communication Tool that an important aspect of our curriculum is responding and challenging stereotypes. If we are committed to equality and the Universal Rights of the Child, it is important that we recognize and examine bias and the importance of the ability to look at issues from multiple perspectives.

Over the coming months I look forward to providing parents and students with the opportunity to engage in conversation on global citizenship as we look to further develop our own school definition and the core beliefs, values and skills associated with it.

Upcoming events of note

• Nov. 25: School Production “Elf, The Musical” (6:30pm)
• Nov. 30: Public holiday
• Dec. 2: End of Semester 1 ASAs / Clubs
• Dec. 3: CIS Tree of Giving

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.

Grade 5: Mass Media as a Communication Tool

Ms. Aimee Underwood, Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher

The Grade 5 students have been inquiring into mass media as part of their transdisciplinary unit on How We Express Ourselves.  

As Open-Minded and Reflective Inquirers, they followed daily news from around the world and developed their skills to critically evaluate the credibility and reliability of multiple media sources.

As Communicators, they practiced writing their own news articles following the inverted news triangle format and considering the Five Principles of Ethical Journalism (accuracy, independence, impartiality, humanity, and accountability). They also honed their public speaking skills as news presenters.

In connection to digital citizenship, the Grade 5 students also reflected on how mass media influences their perception of themselves and the world around them. They decided to respond to and challenge common stereotypes they have encountered through poem and digital art. 

How do you make sense of the world around you? How do you evaluate your sources? Do you make sure to seek multiple perspectives for a balanced view? Visit the News Literacy Project and watch a Crash Course video to learn more about the concept of “lateral reading,” developed by the Stanford History Education Group (SHEG).

Grade 12: Physics and Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL

 by Ms. Maria Rosandee Tabada, Physics and Mathematics Teacher

Conducting a scientific investigation in Physics and completing a mathematical exploration in Mathematics are required in each course. These tasks allow students to apply their knowledge and skills and, at the same time, pursue their interests.

The Grade 12 Mathematics AA SL students have just started working on their mathematical explorations. Most have decided to pursue modeling based on the shape or motion of an object and to use calculus as part of their analysis. Their topics include

• model of sets in volleyball,
• analysis of the distance walked per day,
• comparison of a turn made during a car race,
• geometry of medicine and plastic water bottles, and
• triple axel jumps during a world figure skating championship.

The Grade 12 Physics students are nearing the completion of their task and are currently working on their full write-up. The investigations conducted were on

• ball rebound height,
• cooling rate and volume,
• density of solution and drag speed,
• surface area of parachutes and terminal velocity,
• wing-to-body ratio of paper airplanes and distance,
• surface tension and index of refraction of a salt solution,
• diameter of copper wires used in a simple electric train system and
• extended masses of fidget spinners and average rotational speed.

Congratulations to these students! It was great to see how they used their creative and critical thinking skills to meet the goals of their projects and overcome difficulties. 

Grade 11: Creativity Action Service (CAS)

by Mr. Ace Pierra, CAS Coordinator

Through Involvement with the Rise Above Foundation

On August 20th, in support of the Rise Above Foundation, my classmates and I were able to feed about 500 children and their families. We started at about 1:30 pm when we all showed up at one of the many locations the foundation has in Guadalupe. Our end goal was to make a huge pot of a popular dish in the Visayas region called Lugaw (without regard to politics), which translates to a filling form of porridge that is particularly nutrient-dense. Green onions, carrots, and green beans were the vegetables that half of us chopped up while the other half of the group focused on preparing the 20kg of rice that needed to be washed. We added the vegetables, rice, and chicken to the huge pot to let cook, and gave it to the kids in the village. We accomplished this by strolling around the nearby village, which was located just outside the compound. As we walked through the village with some of the workers from the foundation who lived there, little kids approached us and asked for tickets for themselves and also for their families. One ticket equaled one scoop from a decent-sized mug. We were all able to observe first-hand the terrible living conditions that the kids and their families endure while we were wandering the area. Despite how difficult their lives are, as you can see in some of the images of the children, I was impressed that the people always continue to smile no matter how rough their living conditions are.  We even saw several locals playing volleyball on their makeshift court with a net and were tempted to join in.  Even though the feeding time mentioned on the tickets we had distributed was still one hour away, there was already a long queue of children waiting outside with their bowls and glasses as we made our way back to the compound.

I think this experience was beneficial to everyone involved. I do think that everyone truly appreciated having this experience and hopefully it will push us to create and work with other foundations that need our help as well. I have worked with this organization for a very long time, whether it was assisting with food drives, donating clothes and used toys, etc., and used it as my theme for my PYP Exhibition in Grade 5.   It made selecting the theme for my CAS project a no-brainer. I wanted to share this experience with my classmates as well so they can see what giving their time and effort to volunteer work can accomplish while helping others.  I wasn’t able to work with the foundation much during the pandemic, and felt distant from the community, but am happy to be able to reconnect now. Since everyone in CIS has been fortunate to receive a high-quality education and a place to live, I believe that this experience will be beneficial for both myself and my classmates. Contributing to our community is important because we help others but also grow and benefit personally at the same time. – Natalie S. 

On-campus Actions: Yellow Boat of Hope

A group of students collaborated with an NGO to help the families who lost their livelihood from the Super Typhoon Odette. These boats will be distributed to various communities that were devastated by the typhoon. It will be used as a source of sustainable livelihood as well as a transport for their kids to school. 

Here’s what Ara has to say about her learning experience:

After a long period of avoiding physical interactions to ensure safety, we were able to reach out to the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation to resume the collaboration CIS has with the foundation. This operation aimed to provide a source of transportation for children who struggled to go to school. The organization provided us with fifteen ready-made boats and painting materials needed to accomplish the task. 

It was a meaningful learning opportunity because of the collaborative effort of other students from Grade 11, but most importantly, we were able to provide a new means of transportation for the children and families who struggled in terms of their livelihood. 

The student leaders of this initiative  met virtually with one of the members of the foundation to learn more about their mission and objectives. Together with the other volunteers, all the boats were successfully painted!

This would not be possible without the concerted effort demonstrated by everyone who was involved. This activity was a great indicator of CIS students’ unwavering commitment to extending their compassion and benevolence toward others. 

Beach Adroit Signage Awareness (BASA)

This group of students organized a project on how to protect the environment, particularly marine life. The objective is to come up with signage and put them up at the selected public beaches in Cebu. The students will also talk to the LGUs and communities to raise awareness and empower them to become stewards of the environment.  

Here’s what Maximus has to say about his learning experience:

A group of students gathered together to form this project. The goal of this project is to make and design different signs, making use of our creative and collaborative skills. These signs will be made in hopes to spread awareness to the community about keeping the beach clean. We will be placing these signs on various beaches and boats. We desire that this project will be successful as we want this project to be able to raise awareness of our current dying ocean. Marine life is suffering due to the pollution caused by humans such as littering in the ocean, oil spills, etc. As a group, we will be creating beach signages to remind people to clean up their trash to help restore our beaches and marine life. We know that as students that there aren’t a lot of things that we can do to a very grand scale issue however we do acknowledge that there are impacts to the actions we make therefore we are initiating some action to help this issue in any way possible.

The BASA group has already made its first steps in accomplishing this project. On November 4, we started with the first phase of the project by coming up with the designs for the sign and started working on making them. On this day, we called up some volunteers from our classmates and we were able to receive much support in starting the first phase of the project. The BASA group wishes that there will be more days like this to come to accomplish the project. 

MYP PHE Swimming

At Cebu International School, we believe that swimming is an essential life skill that all our students must learn. We do this through our PHE swimming unit which is taught from  Elementary  to Middle School levels. In this unit, students learn about streamlining, drag and resistance. The teacher will do an actual demonstration of techniques in swimming strokes and survival strokes. Students are allowed to practice various swim strokes such as freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke. This unit also allows our students to showcase their creative and innovative skills. This is done by evaluating solutions to problems, taking risks, considering alternatives, and making smart judgments. Aside from thinking skills, communication is also very important when learning this unit. Students should listen and follow instructions properly, listen to others to understand them, give and receive feedback, interpret non-verbal communication techniques and use them purposely. Students are also expected to be organized and must arrive with appropriate equipment and on time. 

Dragon’s Print

Feeling fruity? Between bananas to grapes, take Dragon’s Print’s new quiz to find out which fruit you are! Access the quiz and tell us which fruit is your favorite! Visit us at http://dragonsprint.cis.edu.ph/!

Tree of Giving

by CIS Student Council

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Question of the Week

College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)

DATE

November 25
Friday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

IE University (Spain) – Face to face info session followed by Q & A with a university rep.

December 7
Wednesday
10:00 AM
Link to register

University of Southern California Summer Programs Virtual Info Session: The session will highlight the benefits of attending USC Summer Programs, dive into our USC Summer experience, and discuss application best practices and common mistakes.

Note: College visits will resume in January so students can focus on end of semester assessments.

SAT UPDATE for 2022-2023

2022–23 School Year Test Dates

SAT Test Date	Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation
December 3, 2022	November 3, 2022
March 11, 2023 (Digital)	February 24, 2023
May 6, 2023 (Digital)	April 21, 2023
June 3, 2023 (Digital)	May 19, 2023

Test dates labeled Digital means that students will bring a device to the test center and take the exam using their device.  The College Board may provide devices for test-takers who do not have access to a device.  All test-takers for Digital SATs are still required to report physically to the test center to take the test.

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

I was recently asked the question, What makes CIS different from other schools? My immediate thought was, that is easy – it is our wonderfully supportive and friendly community of learners, teachers, staff, parents, and wider community members! Of course, that is just the beginning… here are the other aspects I came up with:

• Our small international community, which enables a high level of personalized, student-centered attention to our learners.
• Our unique collection of diverse international cultures from 27 different countries 
• Our similarly diverse experienced, and qualified faculty from 11 countries
• Our use of three globally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) programs covering our whole Early Years to Grade 12 program (and the extensive professional development to ensure our faculty are proficient in delivering the programs in an effective manner!). 
• Our international accreditation status through two reputable agencies – the US-based Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the international Council of International Schools (CIS). 
• The spacious facilities we have that enables us to offer a fully supported curriculum.

I found it interesting to compare my response with a survey from ISC Research (https://iscresearch.com) that asked parents what they valued most from their international school. 

It is reassuring to note that what CIS offers matches well with what parents value in the survey. What do you think? Let me know your thoughts, as it is great to get feedback that both reaffirms and gives suggestions for improvement!

Have a restful weekend everyone!

Grade 2: How We Organize Ourselves

by Ms. Maffy Ocleasa, Grade 2 Teacher

The learning experiences that the Grade 2s engaged in throughout our unit, How We Organize Ourselves, led to action in our community through participation and advocacy. Our Grade 2 inquirers organized their own groups, clubs, or organizations to support the needs of our local and global communities. Using their Approaches to Learning Skills, they gained, consolidated, and transferred their knowledge and understanding about our central idea. 

“Powerful ideas draw people together to achieve common purposes”.

Research Skills
Our Grade 2 inquirers applied what they were learning about the research MISO methods, asking thick and thin questions, and finding and citing reliable sources, evidenced by how they efficiently identified and reflected on the needs of the local and global community using different kinds of media such as Internet, magazines, newspapers, radios, and televisions.

Social Skills
They also followed the norms of collaboration, encouraged others to contribute, took on a variety of roles, and used respectful language as they worked hand in hand with their classmates and teachers.

Communication Skills
Using their knowledge and skills in writing persuasive paragraphs, they wrote a letter convincing others to participate in the groups they organized and help them achieve their group’s purpose to support the needs of our community.

The Grade 2s are thrilled for more people to join their groups and help them support the needs of our community. Which group would you like to participate in? 

DP Spanish – Ab Initio

by Ms. Dina Melwani, Spanish Teacher

Collaborative skills

In a society where information and communication technologies increase the possibilities for collaboration, the question of the media and digital skills required for citizens in the 21st century becomes central (Voogt & Roblin, 2012). In foreign language teaching, collaboration enables pupils to be involved in communicative tasks and makes the latter meaningful to the learners (Council of Europe, 2001). However, collaboration is not innate and requires specific skills (Hämäläinen & Häkkinen, 2010; Voogt & Roblin, 2012). As stated by Dillenbourg and Tchounikine (2007), collaboration relies on many external factors, including the ability of the students in the group to collaborate. 

Here are some examples of how collaborative skills have worked:

MYP English

by Ms. Raisa Romer, English Teacher

G6/7: Language Acquisition

What are some ways you can reduce food waste?

G6/7 is talking about all things food in our current unit ‘Eat to live or Live to Eat’. From our own food preferences to  cultural customs around food, this Unit has helped us understand ourselves and others better. Most recently we discussed food waste and its effect not just on climate change but also on global hunger. Being reflective learners, G6/7 designed posters to inform others about how we could ‘love food and hate waste’.

G8/9: Language Acquisition

Can travel make us better people?

G8/9 has been zooming off all over the world….. through our writing. In our current unit, we ask ourselves the question ‘Can we travel through writing?’. We explore travel blogs and take a stab at writing our own, all while discussing how travel influences us. It has led to a few debates as we discuss whether or not Beijing Roast duck (北京烤鸭）is as delicious as it is made out to be, or what the balance between personal narrative and information should be in a blog post.  A resource that helped us to think more critically about the influence of travel was this video. We had some interesting insights.

Grade 6-8: Language and Literature

How do our 5 senses help us become better writers?

With a few weeks of Reading and Writing workshop under our belts, students in the G6-8 Language and literature class are making better choices when it comes to choosing books to read. They are working with partners to support the development of their comprehension skills and asking each other questions about the books they are reading. In this Narrative Unit, students have explored Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction and Fantasy to identify key components of the genre.

In the writing workshop, students have used what they have learned in their reading workshop to craft several small moment stories from their lives. And they haven’t stopped at the end. They have reviewed their writing and used a checklist to identify areas that they can improve. They have rewritten parts of their stories and asked their classmates for feedback. Here’s an excerpt from a student’s re-write. The aim was to be more descriptive.

DP Spanish B – HL/SL

by Mr. Antonio Melgar, MYP/IBDP Spanish Teacher

Our Grade 11 and 12 IBDP Spanish B High and Standard Levels students virtually visited the OBRASSINGULARES collections of the Museo de Cádiz in Spain.

Students exchanged emails with their representatives, commenting their observations about the displays, the collections and how user friendly the website is.

As part of the IB program, our students explore the topics of Civilization, (Grade 11) and Beauty (Grade 12), thus visiting a very well known museum from La Junta de Andalucía helped them to go deep on knowing firsthand beautiful representations of the culture and civilizations from that side of the globe, expose them to make profound connections with the discussed theories and interact with native Spanish speakers in a formal environment, using the appropriate communication channels and advanced grammar, syntax and vocabulary required at their level.

The Museo de Cádiz representative, Miss María José Castro Caballero, walked the extra mile and explained to them, individually, the commented pieces and artifacts, with insights that only an expert eye could.

Not only that, the Museo de Cádiz team posted part of our students’ letters on their social media, (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) explaining how excited they are that future generations and people physically far from their expected reach can benefit from preserving, studying and displaying cultural elements of past civilizations.

Please find the links to all social media of Museo de Cadiz above and their comments about our students’ involvement. You are of course encouraged to comment, like and share!

If you like, you can also read the letters exchanged among our students and the Museo de Cadiz representatives by clicking here.

Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines

by Renzo K., Grade 12

The ten outstanding boy scouts of the Philippines (TOBS) is one of the most, or the most, prestigious award one can achieve as a boy scout. In order to gain that title, one must go through a rigorous process, from starting at the local council level then to regional then to national, against thousands of other boy scouts all around the nation. One has to epitomize good moral character, maintain academic excellence, and demonstrate strong qualities of leadership in the institution and the community.

In October 2021, I was one of the recipients of the TOBS award. It took me one year of actual preparation, but the activities and awards that gave me the credibility to win the award were accumulated from my 8 years of scouting. I joined international jamborees, and I was also a representative in the council and regional youth forum, wherein scouts gather to develop and discuss their own projects in line with a theme, like the 17SDGs. The most essential factor in my application was the NGO I founded called Project HOPE. Our focus is to help the community through three main areas, which are entrepreneurship, education, and the environment. The goal is to initiate projects that will provide livelihood, improve access to quality education, and increase sustainability. And due to recent events like typhoon Odette, we have also looked into water filter distribution, in order to give remote areas access to potable water. Together with my other extracurricular activities and academic performance, these are the reasons why I was chosen to be one of the ten outstanding boy scouts of the Philippines in 2021.

—

Congratulations, Renzo!

Grade 10 PHE

by Mr. Ace Pierra, MYP PHE Teacher / Athletics Director

The first quarter was a Volleyball Unit for our Grade 10 students. They learned the skills of serving, receiving, setting, spiking, and blocking in this unit. The group also learned the importance of dynamic warm-ups and how it is done properly. The learners approached and engaged themselves through Communication and Social skills that are meaningfully integrated into their formative tasks and assessment. The skills are explicitly taught and each student was also given the opportunity to learn through independent practice targeting specific skills that they wanted to develop, refine or improve. This unit also emphasized the importance of the communal benefits of being in a team, how to accept help and give help, and how to work together toward a common goal. The unit also supports the progression of learning across MYP and helps students reach higher levels of achievement for the unit’s objective. At the end of the unit, students were offered authentic and challenging assessments to demonstrate what they know, understand, and can do. Students demonstrate understanding and engaged learning through actual volleyball games and officiating.

Tree of Giving

by CIS Student Council

Dragon’s Print

Visit the Dragon’s Print website to read the articles below!

The Dragon’s Report Card Podcast

Listen to the last published episode from The Dragon’s Report Card podcast last month!

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Question of the Week:

College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)

DATE

November 12
Saturday
10:00am – 12:00nn
Cebu Country Club
Link to sign up

EVENT

University of Navarra (Spain) – Open to all G11 & 12 Students & Parents: Face to face info session followed by Q & A with university reps.  This session is scheduled on a Saturday to allow parents and students to attend.  Lunch will be served after the session.

November 12
Saturday
Link to register

National University of Singapore (NUS) – NUS Undergraduate Admissions and Faculties Sharing (International)

November 15
Tuesday
9:15 – 10:00AM
Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

Temple University (Japan)  – Face to face info session followed by Q & A with a university rep.

November 25
Friday
9:15 – 10:00AM
Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

IE University (Spain) – Face to face info session followed by Q & A with a university rep.

SAT Update for 2022-2023

2022–23 School Year Test Dates

Principal’s Corner

by Mr. Andrew Powell, EY-G12 Principal

Thank you for sharing in what was an incredibly successful International Day. It was wonderful to be able to finally have a major community event on campus and fitting that it served to celebrate our diversity while recognizing the strong bonds that we share.

 The day was also a reminder of the power of performance. Our students, past and present showcased a range of talents with some impressive and memorable individual and class performances. Our Filipino staff were truly impressive and shared a variety of cultural dances. It was wonderful to share in their passion and pride.

 Our student volleyball teams also returned to ISAC competition for the first time since the pandemic started. They had an incredibly successful trip to Manila with the Girls claiming second place overall in a tight final while the Boys finished fourth. The student reflections below make clear just how powerful and important this experience is, not just from a sporting perspective but also from a social and emotional one too.

 We end this week with a colorful Book Character Parade. Throughout the week our teachers planned a variety of experiences that have served to enhance the importance of literacy and the enjoyment to be had from reading. Students have been exposed to the life stories of some of our alumni through the Living Library and inspired by Heather Adkins, our virtual guest author.

 I’m sure that many of you are looking forward to the long weekend ahead. While it’s a time to relax I recognise that many will be visiting family members and reliving the memories of departed loved ones. I wish you well!

Upcoming events of note

• Oct. 31-Nov. 2: School and Public holiday
• Nov. 25: School Production “Elf, The Musical” (6:30pm)
• Nov. 30: Public holiday
• Dec. 2: End of Sem1 ASAs / Clubs
• Dec. 3: CIS Tree of Giving

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.

Book Week 2022

by Book Week Committee

This week, the CIS community celebrated Book Week with the theme “Old Worlds, New Worlds, and Other Worlds.” This theme opened the door to the World of Books as each book brought our young readers to different worlds and time. We discovered the power of reading. We realize that books do not only impart knowledge; they connect us too – to people, to places, and to time.  Throughout the week, students engaged in various learning activities such as DEAR time, Book Talk, Buddy Reading which culminated with the Book Character Parade.  The students had the opportunity to interact and learn from published author Heather Adkins.  Buddy Reading provided a time for elementary and middle high school students to connect with each other.  The involvement of the community in this annual celebration of Book Week was noteworthy. Thank you, everyone for your participation!

This year, the students joined in two competitions- the Door Decoration Contest and the Extreme Reader.  Congratulations to our winners!

Door Decoration Contest

Extreme Reader Contest

D.E.A.R. Time

The CIS bookworms gladly stepped into the library to Drop Everything And Read! There was clear interest in picking up books from the counters. The library was quiet but full of students immersed in reading.

Buddy Reading

Reading is fun when shared with a buddy! Across the school, our students came together for the love of reading. More importantly, we connected with old friends and made new bonds.

Book Talk

Every book on our shelf is an author behind it. This year, the students got the chance to be inspired by Ms. Heather Adkins, author of “What do you see?” Our young writers wondered how her story came to be. They found that it took her 4 years to go through the whole writing process. Our future authors learned that writing takes grit!

Book Character Parade

The characters from our favorite books came alive today. Everyone dressed up and walked around the school. The parade was full of color and each costume had a story to tell!

Spanish ELO

by Mr. Antonio Melgar, MYP/IBDP Spanish Teacher

During our ELO reading session of Como Agua Para Chocolate, by Mexican author Laura Esquivel, our Spanish B High Level students, were requested to write a poem based on what the book inspires them, using vocabulary and ideas drawn from the book itself, and the results are simply amazing.

Please enjoy words of Katrina G. and Alessandra F.

Cuidar Las Flores
Por: Alessandra F.

Una jardinera en su jardín bonito
Es su trabajo por un tiempo infinito   
Ella cuida a cada flor pausadamente
Pero la jardinera es impaciente
Ella está muy cansada 
Las flores son delicadas  
Actualmente, las flores comienzan a morir 
Esto no puede ocurrir 
La jardinera quiere flores mejores 
Porque ahora son las peores 
Últimamente las flores no tienen una cura 
Sin amor, las flores van a ser oscuras
Llega la noche y se va la jardinera 
El aire es dulce como una cañavera
Otra vez, nace una flor 
Y todas las flores crecen con valor

Como agua para chocolate
Por: Katrina G.

mi amor es como las rosas
para ti, mi cariño
como la sangre, roja
que está fluyendo en mi cuerpo
como los ingredientes 
de todas tus recetas
nos vemos bien juntos
como cosas perfectas
el azúcar granulada
un limón con sus gotas
el dulce aumenta
y mi amor no se agota
mis sentimientos están creciendo
son muy calientes
como la llama de un fuego
como agua para chocolate

Grade 7: Science

by Ms. Haydee Montero, MYP Science Teacher

“If change is inevitable, you ought to know how it is done!”

There are so many changes taking place across many things around us. Scientifically speaking, change is a process in which a substance becomes a different one from what it was before. Some of these changes are reversible, some are not. But one thing is for sure – change is inevitable. The Grade 7 students came up with their own design of inquiry on how the Particle Theory Model  helped them visualize the changes happening in matter.

Here are few examples of their works:

Sab is inquiring into, “An Investigation on  the Effect of Different Liquid Substances on  the Compressibility of Water”.

This experiment uses different liquids, namely: oil, vinegar, and water. This intends to find out how the different liquid substances affect the compressibility of water.

The Particle Theory helped me understand the properties of matter by putting the particle image in my brain. It helped me visualise the particles being compressed.

Miggy is inquiring on, “An Investigation on the Effect of Different Filtering Materials on Its Filtering Efficiency”.

In this experiment, the effect of different filtering materials on filtering efficiency (based on the quality of the water-filtrate)  was observed through nine different set-ups. Specifically, it will try to filter out water mixed with dirt.

My understanding of the Particle Theory has greatly helped in doing this experiment, as it has allowed me to visualize what is happening when you filter something on the particle level. The big particles get caught up in the filtering material, but the small ones don’t.

True life is lived when tiny changes occur, as said by Leo Tolstoy.

Indeed it is true! Likewise, change is much more appreciated when it is truly understood at the particulate level!

International School Athletics Conference (ISAC)

by Mr. Ace Pierra, Athletics Director

ISAC is Finally Back!

The International Schools Activities Conference (ISAC) Boys and Girls Volleyball was finally back after three years. It was held in Manila last October 22, 2022, and was hosted by The British School Manila. Cebu International School competes with other international schools around the country namely Brent International School Manila, Brent International Subic, Brent International School Baguio, Southville International School and the British School Manila. CIS placed 4th for Boys’ Volleyball and 2nd place for Girls’ Volleyball. Thanks to all the teachers, parents, staff, and students who supported this trip. Thanks too to Mr. John Devadoss and Ms. Jenny for being the chaperones of this trip. 

Let’s read what the participating athletes have to say about this trip.

My first ISAC was truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Though I understand that the training, preparations, and event itself were different from the ones before the pandemic; I was extremely thankful to have experienced one in my senior year. The biggest lesson I learned was the importance of perseverance and mental strength as there were a lot of challenges, especially with Covid restrictions and risks. I just always kept in mind that my goal – and along with my team – was to have fun and make memories despite the outcome (of winning) in the tournament. This mindset led to the highlights of the trip which were actually the fun we had together as one team (girls and boys), especially the bus rides, meals together, and the night after the ISAC tournament wherein we all played cards and cooked food for each other. I realized that night of just being kids and having fun was the kind of moment we’d been missing for two years. With that, I definitely would recommend ISAC to other students to complete their high school experience, despite the pause in sports and activities we had.

My experience in ISAC was something noteworthy, especially with this season being my first ISAC ever. Despite how physically challenging training could get, I would still often look forward to it. As the date of the tournament came closer, I’d grow more nervous since I honestly was still unsure of how well things would pan out. After some of the preparation, though, I was much more optimistic. A valuable lesson I learned from this experience was knowing how to not let emotions get the best of me. This stuck out to me because emotions play a big role in performing almost every type of physical activity. Besides the thrill of the tournament, a memorable part of the trip was the activities that we did together, such as eating together and overall fun interactions with each other. With all of this together, I would definitely recommend ISAC to other students. Especially when it is a sport that you personally enjoy, a majority of the time there is something to be enjoyed. ISAC is an experience that will remain one of the most outstanding events I’ve participated in, not just within school, but with all other events I have ever done.

This was my first and last volleyball ISAC, and wow was it an amazing experience. Despite it only lasting one day when it usually lasts 3-4 days in the previous years it was still worth it. The preparation for that day was more than just training for the sport. I also built a closer relationship with the students who took part. The biggest lesson I learned from this experience was the ability to cope with the pressure together with my team. Together we learned how to communicate and cope with different external pressure factors like the opposing team’s crowd. My favorite parts of this trip were of course competing against other teams and hanging out with my team. The bus rides going to BSM, bus rides going back, and all the team meals together were definitely some memories that I’ll look back to. ISAC is one of the things that keeps me looking forward to going to school and doing well at it. I would definitely recommend everyone who’s interested in ISAC to try it out as for me it’s the best CIS experience. Finally, I would like to give Sir. Ace recognition for coaching two teams all by himself. Both teams definitely had the potential in winning the whole tournament and without the coaching of Sir Ace that wouldn’t be the case.

This was my first ever volleyball ISAC, it was a really an amazing experience. Before the trip, we were training for only a month, so we were going to this tournament with only a month’s practice. It was a really one-of-a-kind moment being in Manila. Even if we were only there for 3 days, it was still an amazing experience being with everyone and having a good time. A valuable lesson I learned from the trip was that you perform better when just having fun rather than being serious and doing things that you didn’t learn just to show the audience that you are good. It is good to just play what you learned and not do extra things that you didn’t learn. I also learned to make friends with everyone on the team and even friends with people on other teams. It is good to communicate with your teammates and build stronger friendships with them. The main highlight was the game. It was a very good experience being with the team and playing against other teams. It was also nice going out and eating with the team and having fun outside the game. It is really nice playing games with the team. ISAC is a really good experience and I feel like every student should experience it at least once. It creates a lot of amazing memories and you will have a lot of fun there. It also helps people make new friends and helps them be social.

This was my second time playing volleyball in the ISAC. In all honesty, I can say that this was the first time I’ve ever felt confident in our team’s abilities. In addition to feeling like we were more unified as a team, I also felt like we were all more well-prepared thanks to our training. We were able to train the team in several areas throughout this whole process and although it was hard at times, we were all able to work together and help each other improve our skills. Last time, we concentrated more on stamina and less on the precise abilities we required, but this time, we accomplished all of that and much more. Being a team captain this year has also been one of the highlights of this whole experience for me since it has helped me become a more well-rounded teammate and leader. How to operate as a team is one important thing I took away from the entire process. Because of everyone’s attention to all the sessions and readiness to pick things up, our team this year was unquestionably among the best of the ISAC teams because of how much we worked together. I wholeheartedly recommend ISAC to all students since it is not only focused on athletics but also provides you the ability to collaborate with others, pick up new skills, utilize it to motivate your academic performance, make new friends and play against players from other international schools around the Philippines. I am so incredibly proud of both teams for the placements we got and we should all be very pleased with where we got even though we definitely could have done better. Finally, I would like to express my thanks to Mr. Ace for not only organizing our entire trip but also for coaching the boys’ and girls’ teams to success all on his own and for always being accessible to us when we had questions or needed advice.

Dragon’s Print

As Book Week comes to an end, it is now time to reflect on why books are important and why we, as a CIS community, have a whole week dedicated to them. Through various interviews, listen to the CIS community answer diverse questions about their favorite literary works at http://dragonsprint.cis.edu.ph/ or click the link in our bio!

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

Question of the Week

College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)

DATE

November 7-11
4:00 – 8:00 PM PHT
Link to register and choose the program of interest

EVENT

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology – Virtual Info Week
for International Students:
Nov. 7 – Interdisciplinary Programs
Nov. 8 – School of Science
Nov. 9 – School of Engineering
Nov. 10 – School of Business & Management
Nov. 11 – School of Humanities & Social Science

November 8
Tuesday
Link to register

Windesheim University of Applied Sciences – Learn more about their programs and studying in the Netherlands.

November 11
Friday
9:15 – 10:00am
Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

Jacobs University Bremen (Germany)  – Face to face info session with a student ambassador and learn about the programs, admissions,  scholarship opportunities and living/studying in Germany

November 10
Thursday
11:00am – 12:00 pm
Link to register
(a recording will be sent to those who register)

University of Auckland (New Zealand) – Learn about International Scholarships Opportunities for 2023

November 12
Saturday
10:00am – 12:00nn
Cebu Country Club
Link to sign up

University of Navarra (Spain) – Open to all G11 & 12 Students & Parents: Face to face info session followed by Q & A with university reps.  This session is scheduled on a Saturday to allow parents and students to attend.  Lunch will be served after the session.

November 15
Tuesday
9:15 – 10:00AM
Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

Temple University (Japan)  – Face to face info session followed by Q & A with a university rep.

November 25
Friday
9:15 – 10:00AM
Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

IE University (Spain) – Face to face info session followed by Q & A with a university rep.

SAT Update

2022–23 School Year Test Dates

SAT Test Date	Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation
December 3, 2022	November 3, 2022
March 11, 2023 (Digital)	February 24, 2023
May 6, 2023 (Digital)	April 21, 2023
June 3, 2023 (Digital)	May 19, 2023

Test dates labeled Digital means that students will bring a device to the test center and take the exam using their device.  The College Board may provide devices for test-takers who do not have access to a device.  All test-takers for Digital SATs are still required to report physically to the test center to take the test.

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.

International Day

Principal’s Corner

by Mr. Andrew Powell, EY-G12 Principal

Throughout the week CIS has placed a focus on learning about others through their culture and on the weekend, we look forward to celebrating International Day and the diversity of our community. While our Parade of Nations will make for some stunning photographs, which will serve as a colorful reminder of the countries and cultures that we identify with, what is even more significant, is that our diverse community learns, plays, and grows together in a caring and accepting environment.

Due to the international nature of our school, and the intentionality of our programs, our students live their lives through a framework that promotes global citizenship and international mindedness. They develop a value and understanding of different cultures while recognizing that diversity brings with it strength through exposure to different perspectives.

The experiences of our students are both individual and shared. Each of them have their own unique experiences, life stories and family histories. Understanding the historical and cultural context of these experiences allows them to appreciate the work and sacrifice of those that have come before them. We trust that through our students’ engagement with each other as well as their academic program at CIS, they are also being well prepared to work towards a better future.

I look forward to sharing in a rewarding International Day on Saturday, October 22nd and know that the ethos of this day will feature in much of what we do throughout the school year.

Upcoming events of note

• Oct. 17-21: Culture Week
• Oct 22 (morning): International day
• Oct. 24-28: Book Week (Book Parade 28)
• Oct 25: Parent Coffee 8-9 am (CIS Annex)
• Oct. 31-Nov. 2: School and Public holiday

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.

Elementary: PHE

by Mr. Jaydil Hermias, Elementary PE Teacher

EY2/3

Early Years students have been learning simple dance moves like wiggling, shaking, swaying and stomping. They are also imitating animal movements and making them into dance steps.

KG/1

Kinder and Grade 1 students have been learning different types of dances such as traditional and modern dances. It helps them improve their rhythmic skills, gracefulness, timing, and confidence in dancing. Another goal for this unit is to help them improve health and fitness. As of the moment, students spend time reviewing all the dances that we have been doing in the past few weeks.

Grades 2/3

PHE in Grades 2 and 3 focuses on developing students’ creativity in dancing. They were tasked to analyze the beat of the music in order for them to improve timing and creativity. They have been learning simple techniques to improve their movements such as coordination & expression. Students were also provided with challenging activities like showing emphasis on the dance steps, gracefulness and confidence.

Grades 4/5

Grades 4 and 5 students are improving on their expression and mastery of steps of the song which will be presented on International Day. This helps them understand the importance of dance. They also started rehearsing and compiling dance moves from the past. This will be put together and come up with an “Evolution of Dance”dance presentation.

PYP Art

by Mr. Fher Jun Guiritan, Elem Art Teacher

Celebration of Students’ Work

Introduction
Elements of art are the physical parts of the work, including line, shape, form, space, texture, value, color, and time. Principles of art are the ways in which those parts are arranged, including unity/variety, balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, rhythm, and pattern.

The elements of art allow us to represent and appreciate ourselves.

The PYP  visual arts class explored the concept of SELF-EXPRESSION  through the study of “Elements of arts” These are the physical parts of the work, including line, shape, form, space, texture, value, color, and time. Principles of art are the ways in which those parts are arranged, including unity/variety, balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, rhythm, and pattern.”

The PYP characterizes the ability of each student to create an artwork through the mastery of techniques required by each of the art elements.  It also encourages students to be inspired through the art knowing that art is inspired by persons’ individualized interests, ideas, emotions, needs, or preferences, the accomplishments are most rewarding and self-esteem is boosted.

In EY and K/G1 students were introduced  to the different elements and how these elements may be used to create a  drawing of THEMSELVES, “An appreciation and representation of their own work”. Also highlight that their own uniqueness may create a different yet meaningful art piece. 

In grades 2 and 3, they are tasked to develop refined motor skills that are urged in the process of creating their  own work and through purposeful observation that reflects introspection.   

The grade 4 and 5 are tasks to develop prior knowledge about these elements of art and come up with a concrete art piece that reflects their knowledge, choices, ideas, opinions and beliefs inline with the correct application of these set skills needed.

CIS Book Week

by Ms. Mary Jean Cordova, Media Literacy Teacher

Book Week 2022 is happening next week from October 24-28. This is an annual event at CIS, which has always sparked interest from our young readers. The activities available for our bookworms next week include D.E.A.R. Time, Book Talks, and a  Living Library. Now that we are face-to-face in school, some old favorites for this time of the year are back to inspire the community, such as the Door Decoration Contest, BookShare, and the Book Character Parade. An opportunity to build more connections through reading this school year is happening, too, with Buddy Reading. If you get lost reading a book, then the Extreme Readers Contest is for you! Our theme this year is “Old Worlds, New Worlds, and Other Worlds”. Reading takes us to different places. Where does reading take you?

Digital Citizenship

by Ms. Aimee Underwood, Grade 5 Teacher

Did you know? At CIS, we challenge our students to be globally engaged, positive contributors in a competitive, changing world (CIS Vision Statement). As part of this, we prepare our students to thrive in a constantly evolving technological landscape by teaching important media literacy skills across disciplines and all grade levels.

Learn more about how we use the seven ISTE Standards for Students that help transform and redefine learning through student-driven exploration, creativity, and discovery. 

These ISTE standards are also embedded in our school-wide essential agreements on technology usage, developed in collaboration with members of the CIS community over the last three years.

In what ways have you been an empowered digital citizen and lifelong learner this week? Look out for more information as we continue to celebrate Media Literacy Week next week!

ISAC Pep Rally

On Thursday 20 October, the MHSStudent Council hosted a Pep Rally to support the students who will be traveling to Manila this weekend for the ISAC Volleyball friendly.  This marks the return of ISAC, which has been on hold since just before the pandemic lockdown. 

We wish our CIS teams all the best for a safe and enjoyable tournament.  Go Dragons!

Grade 12: Visual Arts

by Ms. Gerri Ancajas Jumao-as, MYP/DP Teacher

The Gr. 12 Visual Arts students are now in the process of preparing for their Exhibition in March, 2023. They explored varied styles and media such as oil, acrylic, digital and mixed media. The exhibition is a culmination of their 2 years study of IB Visual Arts where each student was challenged by their own creative expectations. The students delved into a variety of themes and concepts, each one drawing on their personal inspiration and experiences to produce their body of work. They also faced some challenges such as selection of materials, planning for each piece, and mastering a technique or style. 

The artworks below showcase the way the students have engaged with their chosen medium and technique, and the development of their ideas.

Dragon’s Print

As a part of International Week, Dragon’s Print wanted to celebrate by releasing one article each school day of this week. The CIS community has a variety of members from all over the world and there is so much to learn from the countries that these members are a part of. Each article aims to highlight an important aspect of these countries and allow us to gain new perspectives on cultures that are not our own. Check out all these articles on http://dragonsprint.cis.edu.ph/ or click the link in our bio!

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)

DATE

October 25
Tuesday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex

EVENT

City University of Hong Kong – – Info session with the university rep with Q & A

November 8
Tuesday
Link to register

Windesheim University of Applied Sciences – Learn more about their programs and studying in the Netherlands.

SAT Update

2022–23 School Year Test Dates

SAT Test Date	Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation
December 3, 2022	November 3, 2022
March 11, 2023 (Digital)	February 24, 2023
May 6, 2023 (Digital)	April 21, 2023
June 3, 2023 (Digital)	May 19, 2023

Test dates labeled Digital means that students will bring a device to the test center and take the exam using their device.  The College Board may provide devices for test-takers who do not have access to a device.  All test-takers for Digital SATs are still required to report physically to the test center to take the test.

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, Early Years – Grade 12 Principal

A quick survey of some of our students provides a small snapshot in relation to how our students think about their teachers. If categorized using a Head-Heart-Hands Model for Transformative Learning, the responses were overwhelmingly of the heart and hands nature and signify the importance that passion, encouragement, connection, and kindness play in learning along with a feeling of connectedness to the school.

We are blessed to have a genuinely committed and talented faculty. What our students are clearly grateful for is how our teachers make them feel. Their approach and the supportive CIS school environment combined with subject-specific knowledgeable and strong teaching practices has a transformational effect. We see this in our strong student learning results and know that this will have a lifelong impact.

Please wish all of our teachers a belated Happy World Teachers Day!

International Day is coming up! Parents, please contribute snacks through your regional booths via the PTA email at pta@cis.edu.ph.

Here’s a teaser made of our upcoming Culture Week leading up to the International Day on Sunday!

Upcoming events of note

• Oct. 17-21: Culture Week
• Oct 22 (morning): International day
• Oct. 24-28: Book Week (Book Parade 28)
• Oct 25: Parent Coffee 8-9 am (CIS Annex)
• Oct. 31-Nov. 2: School and Public holiday

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.

PYP Grade 4/5 Students Take Action

by Mr. Sten Coppin, Grade 4 Teacher / Ms. Aimee Underwood, Grade 5 Teacher

In the Primary Years Programme (PYP), students from a young age learn to develop and transfer important knowledge, understanding, and skills to real-life situations in their local and global communities. Students take action individually and collectively through participation, advocacy, social justice, social entrepreneurship, and lifestyle choices. As they do so, they develop international-mindedness and see themselves as competent, capable, and active agents of change who “help to create a better and more peaceful world” (IB Mission Statement). 

Read how a Grade 5 student has chosen to report on the action she and her classmates have taken. The students are just beginning to develop their news reporting skills as part of their new unit.

Please click on the image below to view the virtual gallery.

DP Biology

by Ms. Rebecca Devadoss, DP Biology Teacher

Grade 12

Human Impact on the Environment was one of the subtopics that was explored in quarter one. Several issues related to increased global temperatures were discussed in class. Students also learned about specific chemical reactions that cause acidification of the oceans, which lead to coral reef bleaching and the loss of marine biodiversity. Also, the thinning of the calcium carbonate shells of marine mollusks is due to the change in the chemical composition of the oceans. Those that threaten their survival. The shift in climatic conditions from tropical, temperate, and arctic belts was studied in terms of the impact on the available nutrients, and this was taught using Gersmehl diagrams.    

Students watched two documentaries: “Before the Flood,” presented by National Geographic, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio; and “The Case for Optimism on Climate Change” by Al Gore (TED 2016). Following that, posters based on the impact of increased global temperatures were prepared and presented by them. 

Posters portray various impacts of global climate change, such as an increase in the frequency and intensity of typhoons, flooding, fires, droughts, coral bleaching, rising sea levels, loss of habitat, and many more.

Grade 11 

With the return to face-to-face classes, the Grade 11 students performed two of the IBDP prescribed practicals. 

Practical 1: Use of a light microscope to investigate the structure of cells and tissues, with the drawing of cells.

Students prepared slides using Allium cepa (onion peels) and viewed them under the microscope. Total magnification 100 x

Slide prepared by Dennis. 

Practical 2: Estimation of osmolarity in tissues by bathing samples in hypotonic and hypertonic solutions. 

Osmosis experiments are a useful opportunity to stress the need for accurate mass and volume measurements in scientific experiments. Students also produced a detailed lab report.

An important real-world application based on this concept is that tissues or organs to be used in medical procedures must be bathed in a solution with the same osmolarity as the cytoplasm to prevent osmosis. Saline solutions are also isotonic to the cytoplasm. This ensures that the cells do not get excess water molecules and lyse or lose water and shrivel. 

Grade 9 Visual Arts

by Ms. Gerri Ancajas Jumao-as, Visual Arts Teacher

The Grade 9 class explored identity as the key concept in their ‘Who Am I’ unit.  They investigated the related concepts of composition and representation through a series of formative drawing tasks. They are now planning and preparing to apply their creativity and art skills in an artwork that will communicate who they are through personal expression.

Composition Framework Exercise: The goal of this exercise is to explore how the elements of art can be organized and composed according to the principles of composition. 

Here are some students’ work.

Face Proportion Drawing Exercise:  The goal of this exercise is to improve observation skills and improve proportions for drawing portraits and faces.

Here are some students’ work.

Drawing From Different Angles Drawing Exercise:  The goal of this exercise is to  grasp the concept of the element you are studying and to understand how it works and what it may look like in different states. The task is to observe the objects and note the differences between each form at various perspectives.

Here are some students’ work. 

Self Portrait in Different Genre Exercise:  The goal of this exercise is to explore different genres and examine how artists render portraits. 

Here are some students’ work. 

Symbolism Exercise:  The goal of this exercise is to investigate how artists convey meaning to their audience. This task allows students to develop their artistic expression and represent abstract ideas. 

Here are some students’ work.  

Dragon’s Print

As the world slowly goes back to normal, we are now able to engage in truly missed school activities, one being ISAC. For many of our student-athletes, ISAC is crucial in their experience at CIS and it is something they look forward to every year. As our first face-to-face ISAC since the pandemic approaches, let’s explore what ISAC is and why it is important. Hear from our veteran players at http://dragonsprint.cis.edu.ph/ or click the link in our bio!

College/Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner

College Essay questions

Here is an example of a personal insight question an applicant needs to answer in 250-350 words if one is applying to any campus at the University of California.

College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)

DATE

Oct 19
(All schedules are US Eastern Time – if you register, you will have access to recordings on their website)

EVENT

University of Virginia Virtual Fall Event Series

Wednesday, October 5th (6-7PM): Financial Aid at UVA

Learn about the financial aid process, including different types of financial aid and how to apply, directly from the Office of Student Financial Services. Register here!

Wednesday, October 19th (6-7PM): Hoos Talking-Diversity at UVA

This event will give you a chance to learn about the academic and cultural opportunities available at UVA from current diverse voices on Grounds. Learn about how student advocacy has shaped the University’s community that we see today. Register here!

October 21
Friday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex

University of British Columbia (Canada) – Info session with the university rep with Q&A.

October 21 
Friday
11:45 – 12:20pm
Canteen Annex

Simon Fraser University (Canada) – Info session with the university rep with Q & A

October 25
Tuesday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex

City University of Hong Kong – – Info session with the university rep with Q & A

SAT UPDATE for 2022-2023

2022–23 School Year Test Dates

SAT Test Date	Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation
December 3, 2022	November 3, 2022
March 11, 2023 (Digital)	February 24, 2023
May 6, 2023 (Digital)	April 21, 2023
June 3, 2023 (Digital)	May 19, 2023

Test dates labeled Digital means that students will bring a device to the test center and take the exam using their device.  The College Board may provide devices for test-takers who do not have access to a device.  All test-takers for Digital SATs are still required to report physically to the test center to take the test.

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.