Principal’s Corner
by Mr. Benjamin Martin, Middle & High School Principal
Resilience, Perseverance, and Grit
As the rains came last week in the middle of our outdoor experiences, it gave our students not just a challenge but an opportunity to grow. How would they respond? How would they adapt? How would they pivot during the present and prepare for the future? Luckily most did exceptionally well and showed resilience, perseverance, and grit, skills that they will need throughout their lives.
In David Villa’s article for Forbes magazine, he stated that he was “convinced that resilience was single-handedly the most important character to have if we want to be successful in life”. While it might help to be smart or to know the right people or to be lucky, those circumstances only give us a chance but what we do with that chance often depends on how we prepare and respond for the ongoing challenges we face. These challenges will no doubt bring us frustration and even pain. He used the analogy of falling off a bike and the importance of getting back on the bike even when we may have scrapes or bruises.
To do this, we need to use perseverance. The VIA Institute of Character defines perseverance as “sticking with things. It means being hardworking and finishing what is started, despite barriers and obstacles that arise. The pleasure received from completing tasks and projects is very important to those who are high in perseverance. Sometimes we must dig deep and muster the will to overcome thoughts of giving up.” Musicians throughout the years have given us songs about the power of perseverance. From classics like Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” and Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” to more contemporary songs like Eminem’s “I’m not Afraid” and Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off”, the universal message that when life gets hard, we can get through it using courage and perseverance.
In Angela Duckworth’s book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance”, she points out that study after study proves that effort beats talent every time because developing talent takes effort. By developing grit, which is defined as the ability to show character, courage and determination during difficult times, we can survive the present and thrive in the future. So how exactly can we develop grit?
In her interview with the Enterprising Investor, Duckworth says that the research breaks down the principle into three elements:
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Concentrate on one specific aspect of overall performance and make deliberate efforts to improve it.
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Focus on this effort with 100% intensity, with no multitasking, because half-hearted or mindlessly rote “practice” will not suffice.
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Solicit continuous feedback on how to do better and repeat steps 1 through 3 relentlessly until excellence is achieved.
Once again, I want to congratulate our school as our early years program, PYP, MYP, and DP students for the resilience, perseverance, and grit they have shown so far this year in all areas including academically, socially, and emotionally. The school year still has a few months to go and we know that there will be additional challenges but that our students are prepared to face them.
Upcoming events of note
- Mar 17-31: IB Art Exhibit @ CIS
- Mar 19-23: ISAC 3 @ BISM (19th & 23rd travel days)
- Fri, Mar 28: Centennial Showcase (CIS Got Talent)
- Mon, Mar 31: Public Holiday – Eid al-Fitr (TBA)
- Apr 1-4: STEM Week
- Wed, Apr 9: School Day (Day of Valor: Compensatory holiday-Apr 11)
- Thu, Apr 10: G12s last day of classes
- Thu, Apr 10: TOK Exhibition (DP1)
- Fri, Apr 11: School holiday ( Compensatory day for Apr 9 holiday – Day of Valor)
Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.
Siglo: A Centennial Production by CIS
For the first time in years, CIS is taking the stage beyond campus for a special Centennial Showcase! Join us on March 28 at Oakridge Studio, 12F Oakridge IT Center 3 for an unforgettable evening of storytelling, talent, nostalgia, and celebration as we commemorate 100 years of Cebu International School.
Tickets are now available! Bring your family, friends, and loved ones—this is a show you won’t want to miss!
The link below is form for online ticket purchase via GCash only. If you plan to purchase using cash, please proceed to the CIS Cashier directly. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you!
Online Ticket Purchase: https://forms.gle/yJoHu2zpLQj1zsRUA
Early Years Class
by Ms. Ann Codoy, Early Years B Homeroom Teacher
Our Early Years learners have been deeply engaged in their Sharing the Planet unit, exploring how living things interact, depend on each other, and thrive in their natural habitats. Through hands-on experiences and meaningful inquiries, they have uncovered exciting discoveries about plants, animals, and ecosystems!
Inspired by their learning, the students decided to have a classroom pet! One student generously brought in a turtle, which sparked discussions on responsibility and care. Together, they named the turtle “Shelly” and explored how to nurture it by identifying its needs, diet, and ideal habitat.
In addition to their new turtle friend, the class also got a mini ant farm! They collected ants and observed as the ants worked together, using sand and soil to build their tiny habitat. These experiences have ignited curiosity about the behaviors and survival strategies of different creatures.
To deepen their understanding of how to care for animals, we transformed our dramatic play area into a vet clinic! The Early Years students took on different roles, pretending to be veterinarians and pet owners. They diagnosed their stuffed animal patients, discussed how to take care of them, and even created “treatment plans” for their pets. This hands-on role-playing experience allowed them to practice empathy, responsibility, and problem-solving while making meaningful connections to the unit.
To deepen their understanding of how all living things are connected, the students engaged in a Circle of Life activity. Using a ball of yarn and small figures representing plants, animals, and people, they visualized the intricate web of life. They began with a tree and asked, Who needs a tree? As each student connected their piece of yarn, they saw how all living things depend on one another, leading to the creation of a food web.
Since students already associated food webs with a spider’s web, we expanded their knowledge through an interactive activity. They first drew their favorite plants and animals and pinned them onto the bulletin board. Then, they worked together to organize the web, placing producers and decomposers at the bottom and identifying the consumers above them.
We started with the question: Who needs a mountain? Students responded with answers like rabbits and bees, leading to discussions about what animals eat, who hunts whom, and the delicate balance of nature. This activity sparked thought-provoking questions such as:
🔹 How do animals and plants help the planet?
🔹 What happens if there are no producers?
🔹 How do animals hunt their prey?
These insightful questions show how engaged and curious our young learners are!
To connect their learning to real-life experiences, the class visited the CIS Garden to harvest eggplants, mung beans, and chili peppers that the Grade 2/3 and the gardener planted with their permission. Through this hands-on experience, they saw firsthand how people depend on plants for food and understood the effort involved in growing crops.
After harvesting the mung beans, they collected the seeds and planted them the next day. They experimented by planting them in water, soil, and a mixture of cotton and water to observe which environment would promote faster growth. This hands-on activity allowed them to explore plant growth firsthand, deepening their understanding through direct observation and experience.
To make the unit even more engaging, the students and teachers suggested adding a pond to the garden! Thanks to our dedicated school maintenance team, this idea became a reality. The new pond now serves as a home for our incoming turtles and guppies, providing an opportunity for students to observe aquatic life and understand how to care for living things in different environments.
Technology played a role in enhancing the students’ learning experiences as they explored food chains and habitats in creative ways!
🔹 The students practiced their ICT skills by engaging in an interactive online food chain game, reinforcing their understanding of how animals depend on each other for survival.
🔹 They also used the Habitat Maker website, where they designed their own habitats and added animals that live in those environments.
🔹 iPads were used for drawing tutorials on different animals, allowing students to express their creativity while learning about various species.
🔹 Kahoot! was used to check students’ understanding of different habitats through a fun and engaging quiz.
These digital activities provided another exciting way for students to visualize and apply their learning.
Our Early Years learners continue to explore, ask questions, and develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them. Stay tuned for more exciting discoveries!
Limericks
by Grade 4 Students
Hi everyone! To take a break from all our extensive non-fiction writing, the Grade 4’s wrote some limericks! “What are limericks?” I hear you think. Well, a limerick is a short poem consisting of 5 lines that are usually funny! Learning about limericks really helped us think about rhyme and rhythm as well! Here are our limericks, right in front of your eyes!
Wellbeing & SEL Corner
by Ms. Abby Gorgonio, School Counselor
Exciting Updates: Strengthening Social-Emotional Learning in CIS
We’re back with some exciting updates on how we’re continuing to boost social-emotional learning (SEL) in our school community! From responsible decision-making to understanding relationships and safeguarding, our counseling classes have been packed with fun and meaningful learning experiences.
Elementary School: Kelso’s Choices and Problem-Solving Hacks!
At the elementary level, our counseling classes have been buzzing with energy as students dive into Kelso’s Choices and responsible decision-making. Through creative activities like making sock puppets and role-playing, students from Early Years to Grade 5 have been learning how to distinguish between small and big problems, and more importantly, how to solve them! These hands-on experiences have made it easier for students to think critically and confidently about the choices they make.
And we didn’t stop there as our empathy lessons followed right after! Students got a chance to step into others’ shoes and understand how important it is to be mindful of others’ thoughts and feelings. It’s all about building a kinder, more compassionate school environment.
Middle School: Mastering Emotions and Relationships
Moving on to middle school, Grade 8 students took a deep dive into the fascinating world of human relationships. Our lessons focused on how to manage emotions effectively and communicate. Students explored what makes relationships healthy and strong, while also learning how to spot toxic ones. By engaging in thoughtful discussions and activities, they’ve gained tools to navigate friendships, family dynamics, and everything in between.
High School: Boundaries and Safeguarding
Finally, our Grade 9-12 students had the chance to engage in some incredibly important safeguarding lessons. These sessions were all about understanding different types of boundaries (time, emotional, financial) and how to set, respect, and maintain them. We equipped our high schoolers with the skills they need to create and sustain healthy relationships, making sure they know how to advocate for themselves and others in a safe, supportive environment.
College & Careers Counselor Corner
by Ms. Jenny Basa, College Counselor
College Acceptances: Class of 2025
Admission offers have been received by 17 out of 22 seniors. A few more are waiting for responses from universities with a later timeline. Our students have been accepted to universities in the USA, Canada, UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, and Hong Kong, The students applying to Australia and Singapore will receive admission results at a later date due to a different application timeline.
DP1 Students & Parents Breakfast and College Talk
As a culmination of the WWW activity of the Grade 11 class, they stayed overnight at the Student Residence on Friday Feb. 28 and served their parents breakfast on the morning of March 1st. Breakfast was followed by a session on “Family Support in the College Application Process.” The well attended event highlighted the importance of family support and communication in the college application process.
SAT Update
SAT Registration Is Now Open
| Test Dates | Registration Deadlines | Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation and Late Registration Deadlines* |
| May 3, 2025 | April 18, 2025 | April 22, 2025 |
| June 7, 2025 | May 22, 2025 | May 27, 2025 |
*Additional Fees apply
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.