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.
Jooha
Victoria
M
Hayun
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.
Anya
Sabi
Jia
Student Achievement
Let us all congratulate Baz from EY 3 for receiving a special award as the youngest player with great potential being the only 4 year old competing under the U7 version with teammates who are 7 to 10 years old! Their tournament was last Sunday and they won the championship where they competed against other schools in the city, Ateneo de Cebu and St. Theresa’s College to name a few. Congratulations, Baz!!
The Dragon’s Report Card Podcast
As December approaches and the year comes to an end, the CIS Dragons explore their Christmas experiences, favorite gifts, decoration, memories and more.
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.