Principal’s Corner
by Ms. Maureen Juanson, Elementary School Principal, PYP Coordinator & Accreditation Officer
What It Means to Be a Common Sense School
Last week, we were thrilled to share the news that our school has officially been recognized as a Common Sense School. This recognition reflects our shared commitment to helping students develop the skills they need to be thoughtful, responsible, and safe in today’s digital world.
But what does this really mean for us as a school community?
It means we are actively teaching our students how to find balance in their digital lives, how to protect their personal information, how to communicate respectfully, and how to think critically about what they see and share online. These are essential life skills that will help our learners thrive not just at school, but at home and in the wider world.
As we approach the end of the school year and begin the summer vacation, we know that many of our students may be spending more time using technology, whether for entertainment, social connection, or exploration. In fact, research from organizations like Common Sense Media and the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that children’s screen time often increases over long school breaks, when daily routines and in-person activities shift. That’s why it’s so important that the digital citizenship lessons we’ve explored together throughout the year continue to guide students as they make choices and engage with technology over the summer.
Here are a few ways families can help reinforce these important ideas at home:
- Media Balance & Well-being – Help your child create a healthy balance by building in regular screen breaks and encouraging offline play, reading, or time outdoors.
- Privacy & Security – Remind them to keep personal information private and to think twice before clicking unknown links or downloading apps.
- Digital Footprint & Identity – Talk about how what we post and share online can shape how others see us—and how we see ourselves.
- Relationships & Communication – Model and encourage respectful communication. Remind your child that kindness matters, both online and offline.
- Cyberbullying & Digital Dilemmas – Keep open lines of communication. Let your child know they can come to you if something online makes them uncomfortable.
- Cyberbullying, Digital Dilemma, and Hate Speech – Discuss the importance of being inclusive and how to respond safely and responsibly when they see or hear something harmful.
- News & Media Literacy – Explore current events together and encourage curiosity and critical thinking when reading or watching news online.
Common Sense Media also offers a fantastic collection of resources designed specifically for families. We invite you to explore these tools by clicking on this link.
Additionally, Common Sense for Parents is another great resource where you can find expert reviews on apps, games, and websites, along with helpful advice for navigating the digital world. Explore their resources here.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us. Together, we can help our students carry what they’ve learned into the summer and into all the spaces where they connect, create, and grow.
Upcoming events of note
- Apr 28 – May 21: IBDP Exams
- Sat, May 17: CIS Touch Rugby
- Thu, May 22: 2nd Sem. ASA’s end
- Fri, May 23: G12 Graduation (No PM classes)
- May 24-25: CIS/MFC Friendship Cup (Soccer)
- Tue, May 27: PTA Coffee Morning
- Fri, Jun 6: Classes held (Public holiday: Eid Al Adha – compensatory holiday on June 30)
- Sat, Jun 7: CIS Centenary Gala
- Wed, Jun 11: Last day of School / Moving Up Ceremonies
Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.
Dear CIS Community,
You are invited to the CIS Centennial Gala Dinner!
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate Cebu International School’s 100 years of learning, community, and connection at the Oakridge Pavilion this Saturday, June 7, 2025.
This business formal event will bring together alumni students, alumni parents, alumni faculty, current parents, faculty & staff, and cherished friends—past and present—for a night of celebration, storytelling, and shared memories.
Enjoy a delicious dinner, heartwarming moments, and conversations that reflect CIS’ rich history and the journeys we’ve taken together.
The ticket includes a sit-down event with dinner, with the venue offering both seating and open spaces for mingling and reconnecting.
Ticket price and more details will be communicated in the coming days. We look forward to celebrating with you!
CIS Summer Activities & Sports Programs 2025
We are back again with fun and exciting Summer Activities and Sports Programs this June 16-27, 2025!
Open to everyone, whether you’re from CIS or other schools. Join us for 2 weeks of creative, fun, and active learning on campus.
Registration form: https://go.cis.edu.ph/summer
More information: https://go.cis.edu.ph/summer-info
Elementary: Media Literacy
by Ms. Mary Jean Cordova, Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher/ Media Literacy Teacher/Media Center Coordinator
In Media Literacy class, students build on the conceptual understandings explored in their homeroom units through transdisciplinary and inquiry-based experiences. This learning space encourages them to investigate meaningful ideas, make connections across disciplines, and demonstrate their thinking in creative and authentic ways. Whether through research, discussion, media creation, or reflection, students are able to apply their skills purposefully while deepening their understanding of the world around them.
In connection with their unit on the five senses, Early Years students used their thinking and communication skills to explore how people experience the world differently. During Media Literacy class, students were introduced to the inspiring stories of Helen Keller and Louis Braille—two individuals who lost their sense of sight and learned to navigate and understand the world using their other senses. Through read-aloud sessions and meaningful class discussions, students discovered how both Helen and Louis developed new ways to read and communicate. By engaging with these stories, students demonstrated empathy and curiosity, asking thoughtful questions and expressing wonder about how others live without their sense of sight. This learning experience helped students appreciate the role of all five senses and recognize the different ways people adapt and thrive in the world around them.
Students in Kindergarten and Grade 1 demonstrated their understanding of how books are made and the importance of taking care of them. During Media Literacy class, students explored the paper-making process and learned how natural resources are used to create books. Through engaging videos, they discovered that making books takes time, effort, and materials, helping them understand why books are valuable. This awareness deepened when students visited the Media Center and observed the “Book Hospital,” where damaged books are sent for repair. Seeing torn pages and broken spines sparked thoughtful conversations about how we can all help protect our shared reading materials. To take action, students used their creativity and communication skills to produce media projects that promote responsible book care. Through this learning experience, students not only practiced their Media Literacy skills but also became caring and responsible members of the learning community.
Students in Grades 2 and 3 demonstrated their developing comprehension and thinking skills through a novel study of Vacation Under the Volcano. During Media Literacy class, they explored how sensory details help readers connect with the story by imagining what it feels like to walk side by side with the characters. This supported their ability to write thoughtful and descriptive reading responses. Students also inquired into reading genres and practiced using inference skills to support their understanding of the text’s structure and purpose. Through this learning experience, students not only strengthened their Media Literacy skills but also grew as communicators, inquirers, and collaborators within their learning community.
Students in Grades 4 and 5 demonstrated their research and digital literacy skills by creating websites to share their understanding of their respective units. In Grade 4, students explored forms of energy, while Grade 5 students worked on their PYP Exhibition. Both classes used their websites to organize their ideas and communicate their learning with the wider community. Throughout the process, students ensured the information they included was factual and reliable. They learned how to evaluate sources, verify details, and cite their references properly to show academic honesty. Students extended this learning by using thinking tools and graphic organizers to make sense of complex ideas and gather insights from multiple perspectives through the MISO method—Media, Interview, Survey, and Observation.
SAT Update
SAT Registration Is Now Open
| Test Dates | Registration Deadlines | Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation and Late Registration Deadlines* |
| 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.
I LIKE ITTTTTTTTT