Newsflash: March 7, 2025

Principal’s Corner

by Ms. Maureen Juanson, Elementary School Principal, PYP Coordinator & Accreditation Officer

Parent Engagement in Student Learning in the PYP

Last week, our elementary school community came together to celebrate learning in a meaningful and engaging way. Across different grade levels, students proudly shared their learning journey during the Celebration of Learning, showcasing their understanding, skills, and attributes developed through inquiry. Parents played an active role—listening to their children’s reflections, observing their presentations, providing feedback, and asking thoughtful questions that encouraged deeper reflection. These moments of connection provided valuable insights into how learning in the PYP unfolds through play-based and concept-based inquiry.

A key highlight was the Grade 5 PYPx Parent-Student Workshop, where students and parents engaged in authentic dialogue about students’ passions and inquiries for the PYP Exhibition (PYPx). Parents offered their perspectives, shared their experiences, and helped students explore different pathways for their inquiries. This collaboration strengthened students’ sense of agency, demonstrating how learning is enriched when families and educators work together.

These events reflect the IB’s philosophy on The Learning Community, which emphasizes the importance of partnerships among all stakeholders in fostering student growth and well-being. When parents, students, and educators engage in open dialogue and mutual respect, they create a dynamic learning environment where curiosity, inquiry, and meaningful connections thrive. The IB Learner Profile attributes such as being caring, principled, and communicators, are at the heart of these interactions, supporting a culture of trust and collaboration.

It was also wonderful to see strong parent participation in our Elementary Assemblies, where students were filled with joy knowing their parents were curious about their learning and progress. These moments highlight the importance of home-school partnerships, reinforcing that learning is not confined to the classroom but is a shared responsibility within the wider community.

We look forward to continue strengthening our collaboration with parents throughout the rest of the year. Your involvement is invaluable, and we appreciate the role you play in enriching student learning and fostering a thriving learning community!

Upcoming events of note

• Fri, Mar 7: HAD 3 (AM only / PM – No Classes)
• Mon, Mar 10: School Holiday
• Tue, Mar 11: Quarter 4 Start
• Fri, Mar 14: Elem School Open Day
• 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)

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

📝 Register now: https://forms.gle/1JFvSkysNnB4RrtE7
🌐 Learn more: https://cis.edu.ph/join/open-day/

Kinder / Grade 1 Class

by Ms. Maffy Ocleasa, Kinder/Grade 1 Teacher

Makers Fair Showcases Young Innovators

The Kinder and Grade 1 students proudly showcased their creativity and learning during the much-anticipated Makers Fair, a culminating event for their unit on properties of materials under the transdisciplinary theme How the World Works. This fair provided a platform for students to present their innovative projects, highlighting their understanding of materials and their properties.

Innovative Creations and Thoughtful Explanations
Each student displayed unique projects, carefully crafted using various materials. They confidently explained their creations—why they made them, what materials they used and why, and how they constructed them. Through this experience, students applied their knowledge in a hands-on and meaningful way.

Integrating Science and Literacy
Beyond the hands-on creations, the Makers Fair also highlighted the students’ developing writing skills. They wrote sequence/procedural texts detailing the steps they followed to make their projects, demonstrating their ability to communicate their thinking through both writing and speaking.

Building Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills 
This event was more than just a showcase; it was an opportunity for students to enhance their communication skills by presenting their projects to an audience. They also strengthened their social skills by collaborating with peers and engaging with visitors. Additionally, their self-management skills were put into practice as they set up their stations, rehearsed their presentations, and ensured they were fully prepared for the fair.

Support from Parents and Guests 
Parents, teachers, and students from other classes were invited to the event, creating a supportive and engaging atmosphere. Guests played an essential role in deepening student learning by asking thoughtful questions and encouraging students to think critically about their creations and processes.

Reflecting on the Learning Journey 
At the end of the fair, students took time to reflect on their experience—what they did well and what they could improve. This reflection allowed them to recognize their growth and set goals for future learning experiences. The Makers Fair was a testament to how young learners can apply their knowledge beyond the classroom, taking ownership of their learning with confidence and enthusiasm.

The Makers Fair was the culmination of all the weeks we spent learning about our unit. Check the photos below to see the long process our students went through to achieve success during the Makers Fair.

Grade 6 Week Without Walls

by Mr. Adom Thorne, Grade 6 Teacher

There is one word to best  describe the past weeks in the MHS: Teambuilding.  Between our community action initiatives with as our pre- week without walls focus, the different locations for our outdoor education, and house activity day, the students have been learning to be connected to one another, their greater community and nature.  Our week without walls was a test of our 5 respects as the students learned to navigate different conditions, learn about survival outdoors, and learn why shelter is an important part of humanity. These activities are helpful to provide real-world contextual application for our learning within both humanities and language and literature. The students now have a broader array of experiences with which to use in their writing and creative thinking.  As we rocket towards the end of the year, the students will continue to display the skills as the classes continue to prepare them for the next academic year.  Only a few more weeks to Easter break, so keep up the good work CIS Dragons.

College & Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College Counselor

DATE

March 11, 2025
College Fair
9:00 – 9:45 AM
Venue: Canteen Annex
This fair is brought to CIS by AMS Global

EVENT

Australia College Fair – talk to representatives from major universities in Australia and learn more about their programs.

List of Participating Institutions :

Note: This fair is open to all parents and Grades 9 through 12 students.

SAT Update

SAT Registration Is Now Open

*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.