Elementary Principal News
by Ms. Maureen Juanson, Elementary School Principal
CIS Tree of Giving
The holiday season is a time for giving, and at CIS, we embrace this spirit with the annual Tree of Giving. This cherished tradition allows our students and community members to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in need. Each year, we collect gift boxes filled with essential items for children living in the dumpsites of Cebu City and Mandaue City.
This week, boxes have started to come in, and you’ll find the growing piles of gift boxes in the lobby by the Christmas tree. Last school year, we were able to collect and distribute 602 gift boxes. That made a lot of children smile and have a meaningful holiday. How many boxes can we come up with this year?
We invite all CIS families to participate in this heartwarming initiative. By donating boxes of essential items, you can help bring joy and support to children who need it most. Below is the list of suggested items to include. Simply wrap the items in a shoebox and bring them to your homeroom classroom by Wednesday, December 4.
On Saturday, December 7, CIS student representatives will deliver the boxes in person, engaging with the children through games and activities to spread holiday cheer.
Upcoming events of note
- Sat, Nov. 30: PTA Fundraising (Moana 2 @ Cinema 3 Ayala Central Bloc, IT Park – 4:10 pm)
- Sat, Nov. 30: Public Holiday (Bonifacio Day)
- Sat, Dec. 7: Tree of Giving
- Sun, Dec. 8: Public Holiday (Immaculate Conception)
- Fri, Dec. 13: End of Semester Assembly / End of Sem. 1 / End of Q2 (half day)
- Dec. 16 – Jan. 4, 2025: Christmas / Semester Break
- Mon, Jan. 6: Teachers’ In-Service Day (No classes)
- Tue, Jan. 7: First Day of Sem. 2 / Q3 Start
Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.
Early Years
by Mary Alexis “Maya” Mendez, Early Years Homeroom Teacher
Our youngest collaborative learners have embarked on an exciting journey in their second unit, How We Express Ourselves, focusing on roleplay as a way to foster creativity, empathy, and emotional expression. Through imaginative play, students step into different perspectives, acting out scenarios that help them better understand the world around them. This unit also provides opportunities to practice social interactions while developing communication and problem-solving skills which are essential for their growth.
In Homeroom, students explored key elements of stories, such as the beginning, middle, and end by reading familiar books. They also practiced sequencing events by retelling some stories. As they gained confidence, they began creating their own stories. The students developed characters, settings, and plots for their roleplays. This hands-on approach allowed them to express their ideas while also practicing critical thinking in a fun, engaging way.
The roleplay process involved several collaborative steps. First, students chose their characters, considering the qualities of the IB Learner Profile. Next, they worked together to create scenarios and interactions. They then 
discussed the setting, conflict, and resolution of their stories. They ensured their narratives had a “bold beginning”, “mighty middle”, and “excellent ending” for a cohesive flow. Finally, they developed their scripts by assigning lines to their characters, incorporating sound effects, and experimenting with different tones of voice to bring their stories to life.
This unit has also provided rich transdisciplinary learning opportunities. In Drama, students discovered the types of roleplay such as skits, shadowplay, and puppetry. Focusing on their character, they added their personal touch to them with different voices and created their stick puppets. In Art, they represented their story settings through dioramas. Media Literacy helped them explore character traits while Music encouraged them to add sound effects to enhance their stories. All these subjects contributed to the students’ collaborative roleplay experience, offering them new ways to enrich their imagination and spark their creativity.
Currently, our little creators are busy recording their stories and preparing for a puppet show, bringing together all the skills they’ve developed throughout the unit. We are excited to see their imaginative work come to life!
Digital Citizenship Week
by Ms. Aimee Underwood (Asst. PYP Coordinator / Grade 5 Co-Homeroom Teacher) on behalf of the ICT Committee
Empowering Our Community to Be Smart, Responsible, Inclusive, and Leave a Lasting Positive Impact
Last week, the CIS community came together to celebrate Digital Citizenship Week. Through engaging activities and meaningful discussions, students explored key aspects of digital citizenship, including balancing screen time, staying safe online, respecting privacy, critically analyzing information, and fostering inclusive digital spaces. These experiences showed how CIS students are empowered to make thoughtful, ethical choices in their digital and personal lives.
Learning in Action
The week was packed with hands-on activities that fostered digital responsibility, balance, and inclusivity. Students took on challenges that connected their actions online and offline to broader themes of citizenship and impact.
Check out the Digital Citizenship Week 2024 activities and video resources in the linked slide deck. Then, scroll through some of the snapshots that students shared online on our Padlet throughout the week:
Students honed their critical literacy skills by practicing lateral reading to evaluate fake news that sounds real and real news that sounds fake. Click here to try the activity, Think like a Fact-Checker!, and revisit how CIS Digital Citizens use lateral reading in the November 2022 Newsflash article.
Throughout the week, students reflected on what it means to be a responsible digital citizen. Many students shared that “Being a digital citizen means using technology for good, helping others, and making sure we’re all safe online” and that they needed to “Be responsible, always check your sources, do lateral reading, and THINK before you post or share information with others.” These activities sparked rich discussions among students, helping them realize the real-world impact of their choices.
Our Approach to Digital Citizenship
At CIS, digital citizenship is not just a one-time event—it is a fundamental part of our curriculum. Beginning in the Early Years and continuing throughout the school, students engage with a curriculum based on the ISTE Standards and Common Sense Media frameworks, developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to engage safely, respectfully, and productively in digital spaces.
As outlined in the CIS ICT Philosophy:
- Digital citizenship at CIS refers to the responsible and ethical use of technology and digital resources in various online environments. It encompasses skills, knowledge, and attitudes that enable individuals to engage safely, respectfully, and productively in digital spaces.
- Digital citizenship involves understanding and adhering to legal and ethical guidelines, critically evaluating digital content, maintaining personal privacy and security, and contributing positively to online communities. It also involves promoting digital well-being, equity, and inclusivity, while actively participating in efforts to address societal challenges through technology.”
This philosophy aligns with CIS’s core values of being reflective, innovating, advocating for diversity and belonging, and taking responsible action to positively contribute to a changing world.
Continuing the Conversation
Although Digital Citizenship Week has ended, its lessons remain part of daily life at CIS. By fostering the values of kindness, respect, inclusivity, and responsibility, and equipping students with tools to navigate the digital age, CIS empowers learners to leave a lasting positive impact online and offline.
Reflection Questions for Families:
- What kind of digital footprint do you want to leave?
- How can we balance screen time with other activities?
- What steps can we take to keep our personal information safe?
- How can we verify if news and information online is reliable?
- How can we use technology to make a positive impact in our communities?
We encourage families to explore additional resources to support conversations at home. Visit the Digital Citizenship Resources for Family Engagement page for tips on managing digital footprints, screen time, and fostering respectful online interactions, with tools available in multiple languages.
College & Careers Counselor Corner
by Ms. Jenny Basa, College Counselor
University Counselor Fly-ins
In semester 1, CIS has participated in 3 fully-funded fly-ins to Western Australia, Abu Dhabi and Manila (for University of British Columbia). These events provide first-hand insights into campuses, programs, and student experiences, enabling more informed guidance to students. They also foster connections with admissions representatives, strengthening school-university partnerships.
Western Australian Familiarisation Program
Five (5) counselors from the Philippines were flown into the city of Perth by the Western Australian government. Attending the WA Government’s International Education Familiarisation Program offered valuable insights into the international student experience while creating a network with the universities and other educational providers. Universities visited included University of Notre Dame, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University.
UBC Counselor Connect in Manila
The University of British Columbia invited CIS to a full-day session held at IS Manila last November 5.
NYU Abu Dhabi Counselor Fly-in’
Thirty (30) counselors from different international schools were flown into NYUAD last week. Countries represented were Georgia, Jordan, UAE, Mexico, Argentina, USA, UK, Cambodia, Malaysia, China, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Singapore and the Philippines. NYUAD offers full-ride scholarships with a 2-3% acceptance rate. CIS has sent 7 students to this prestigious university. One of their Literature professors, Miguel Syjuco, Ph.D. (CIS Class of 1993), a multi-awarded author, teaches Literature at the university. The event gave counselors an opportunity to explore the campus in Saadiyat Island, learn the intricacies of the application process and speak to current NYUAD students.
SAT Update
SAT 2024-2025 Test Dates
SAT Registration Is Now Open
| Test Dates | Registration Deadlines | Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation and Late Registration Deadlines* |
| March 8, 2025 | February 21, 2025 | February 25, 2025 |
| 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.