Newsflash: August 23, 2019

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Elementary News

by Glenn Davies, Elementary School Principal/PYP Coordinator

Dear Elementary Community,

The school year is now well underway and as I visit the classrooms each day I can see and feel the positive learning culture that our teachers are developing. I see engaged learners and hear quality learning conversations taken place between students. Two of the highly valued capabilities we develop as an IB school is the ability to show empathy for differing perspectives and to respectfully challenge alternative points of view. These capabilities are practiced daily within CIS classrooms.

Mr. Monfre sharing a new piece of literature with Grade 4 and 5 in the media center

As you will be aware from the Elementary Introduction letter (sent home via email on 15 August), we have had several new teachers join the elementary school. Additionally, we have had a number of new families join CIS. Please do welcome our new CIS community members as you come across their paths during the coming weeks.

Over the summer the CIS facilities team have made a number of significant upgrades to the CIS campus. One wonderful new feature is the Early Years garden area which joins onto the Early Years playground. This is a wonderful outdoor learning area that will enable our younger learners to connect with nature in a safe and supervised environment. We look forward to seeing what will grow in the EY Garden boxes.

The EY garden viewed from the second floor of the elementary building

Last year the Elementary Student Council proposed and started Wheels Day. This initiative has proved very popular and takes place during lunch break every Day C. This year we are utilizing our natural oval area for the wheels day activities. This area is closed to cars and our security guards and teachers monitor the Wheels Day activities. All students using wheels must wear their own bicycle helmet. Other appropriate safety gear such as knee pads are also encouraged. Early Years 1, 2 and 3 Wheels Day riders use the Dragon’s Dome.

Day C Wheels Day riders

You will have all received access to the CIS Student and Parent Handbook by now (a link and PDF copy has been sent home via email, and the handbook is available to all parents via the Documents tab on the Hub). You are encouraged to review this document when you have procedural questions about the school’s operations.

During the year, your children may wish to celebrate their birthday and CIS does want to support this. We do ask that when the birthday date draws close that you visit page 62 in the handbook to review what can and cannot be done. This will avoid placing teachers in a difficult position of saying ‘no’ and may avoid disappointment from the families perspective.

As we move into the month of September there are a few dates that you may wish to add to your calendars:

  • Whole School Assemblies: Elementary will attend whole school Monday morning assemblies on September 2nd, September 16th, and September 30th
  • Elementary Assemblies: There will be full elementary assemblies in the Media Center between 7.30am and 8.00am on August 30th and September 27th. These will be followed by PYP Curriculum parent workshops between 8:00am and 9:00am.
  • Parent Drop-in: There will be class parent drop-in sessions for parents to engage in some learning with their child between 7:30am and 8.00am on Friday 23rd August, and Friday 13th September.
  • Goal Setting Conferences: Wednesday, 18th September
  • HAD Day – Half school day: Friday 27th September

Middle and High School News

by Dale Wood, Middle & High School Principal

We have had a busy and exciting opening to our Middle and High School here at CIS, and it has been great to see our entire community get right back into the rhythm of healthy activity and productivity which is the hallmark of a new school year. Students are already working hard in their classes, and we have already finished our ISAC Volleyball try-outs, Musical Production auditions, have almost completed our Student Council elections, and are in the process of choosing our Manila MUN team. 

First of all, we are very thrilled about our new additions to our faculty. We only have four new hires in the MHS, and we have found teachers with energy and a growth mindset who have embraced our school community and our learning philosophy. They are already making positive connections with our students and are leading them well.

I am also thrilled that our grade 11 IB cohort has now reached 36 students, creating healthy and robust IB courses.

A reminder that next week is our final week for any of the Grade 11 IB students to make a course switch; while we want to be careful and cautious about making a schedule change, it makes sense to switch as soon as possible so as to not fall too far behind in the new course.

I am aware that there were some concerns regarding our PE classes meeting only once in the four-day cycle. Let me assure you that we recognize how important it is for our students to remain active in order to maintain health and fitness levels. At the same time, it is also important to acknowledge that it is not always possible for a school to allot as much time for PE in the schedule as some other academic subjects. I am thankful that we still offer our students in-class PE for nearly one-and-a-half hours per week. 

Since we do have ELO/HR for 45 minutes each day, our Homeroom teachers are engaging in a discussion with their respective groups and creating health and fitness activities based on student interest, especially on HR days (Monday and Thursday). Middle School students also tend to receive less homework and have a greater need for activity, so this plan may help our MS students achieve the balance they need.

In addition to this, we are offering numerous after school opportunities, including badminton, swimming, volleyball, dodgeball, swimming, tennis, taekwondo, etc. We just conducted our After School Activities Fair on Monday during ELO to showcase the various options available; our students could, without exaggeration, be in an “active” club each day of the week. Sign-ups were this week and all activities officially begin next week.

School Production Auditions

CIS Corporation Announcement

Membership

All parents or guardians automatically became CIS Corporation Associate Members whey they enroll a child in CIS. After their child has studied at CIS for one year, they are then eligible to full Membership upon payment of an annual membership fee. This is a reminder to eligible parents interested in joining the CIS Corporation Inc. that the deadline for CIS Corporation membership fee payment of 200PhP is Friday, August 30, 2019 by 12 noon. Please pay directly to the cashier.

Advance Notice of the Annual Meeting of the CIS Corporation

The Annual Meeting of the CIS Corporation will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 5pm, Olive and Walnut Room, Oakridge Executive Club, AS Fortuna St., Mandaue City. Parents, who are interested in contributing to the school and would like to know more about being a CIS Board Trustee, please contact the Superintendent via Azela Diapana (Supt. Secretary). The deadline for nomination of new Trustees is September 5, 2019 at 12 noon.

CIS Activities Fair

Last Monday, August 19, the Student Council and Athletics & Activities department successfully hosted the first ever CIS Activities Fair in the Dragon’s Dome featuring over 60 clubs and activities! Students were able to choose and ultimately decide which clubs they wanted to join, as well as see demos of other clubs they may not know about. In addition to sports, academics, and fun activities for clubs, there were also a variety of student-led clubs offered this school year. Overall, it was a successful event with buzzing interest from the student body!

Basic Mandarin Club

by Elaine Jin

Dear CIS parents and guardians, staff, and teachers,

Welcome to school year 2019-2020!

This year, Mandarin B DP students are starting a new club to give you all an opportunity to learn Chinese. Parents and guardians, staff, and teachers are all welcome to join our Basic Mandarin Club, which will be held every Tuesday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. This club is run by Mandarin B DP students under the supervisor of Ms. Jin. Here, you will have a chance to learn basic Mandarin used in everyday speaking. Learning a new language is always exciting!
Hope to see you there! If you are interested, please email Ms. Jin at ejin@cis.edu.ph to get enrolled in the club.

Thank you,
DP Mandarin B students and Ms. Jin

PTA Announcement

Dear parents,

We hope you can all attend our first PTA Coffee Morning on Wednesday, August 28, at 7:30 am in the Media Centre (Main building, 2nd floor). Meet this year’s team of officers, get to know other parents, enjoy some refreshments and hear about the exciting things we have planned for this school year!

You may have seen the boxes in the Main and Elementary lobbies labeled for book donation. If you have books at home in good condition that you’re finished with, you can drop them in those boxes and we will collect them for a Pre-Loved Book Sale that will go on during Book Week (the last week of October). Proceeds from the sale will go the PTA general fund.

Enjoy the long weekend, see you on August 28!

College Counselor News

InstitutionDateVenue
Jacobs University (Germany)Monday, Sept. 2 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pmCanteen Annex
Victoria University (Australia)Tuesday, Sept. 10 @ 9:15 - 10:00 amMain 311
New Zealand Education FairTuesday, Sept. 17 @ 9:15 - 10:00 amCanteen Annex
UKEAS Education FairThursday, Oct. 3 @ 9:15 - 10:00 amDragon’s Dome

Activities & Athletics Notice

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

After School Activities will begin on August 27. Please make necessary arrangements with your child’s pick up time.

ISAC Team Practices

The ISAC Volleyball Tournament is on October 23-27 at Southville International School, Las Pinas City.

The practice schedule is every Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

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