Newsflash: October 20, 2023

Middle High School Principal’s Corner

by Mr. Benjamin Martin, MHS Principal

CIS International Day & Letting Love Rule

Throughout history, there have been conflicts and misunderstandings. The world can be a complicated place. But there have also been special moments when the world comes together for peace, for understanding, and for unity. As we celebrate our CIS International Day, I am reminded of one of my favorite concerts growing up. The singer was Lenny Kravitz, an incredible performer who plays most of the instruments on his albums. To close the show, he played a 10 minute version of a popular hit that he said was inspired by the Beatles. Here are the lyrics to that song:

Upcoming events of note

• Oct 16-21: CIS Culture week, culminating with International Day on Sat 21st
• Oct 24: Parent Coffee Morning
• Oct 25-29: ISAC1 Volleyball (Manila)
• Oct 30: No School (Local Election)
• Oct. 31: Remote Learning Day
• Nov 1 – 3: No School (Public Holidays)

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

Grade 2: Culture Week Activities

by Ms. Maffy Ocleasa, Grade 2 Homeroom Teacher

How did our Grade 2 Cultural Show and Tell Pave the way for a more Inquiring, Knowledgeable, and Caring Future?

In our recent journey under the transdisciplinary theme “Who We Are,” the Grade 2 class set out to support one of the International Baccalaureate’s (IB) missions – developing inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young individuals who contribute to creating a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect (IBO.org, 2023).

At Cebu International School, we uphold high-quality teaching and learning by providing opportunities for students to collaborate, set individual or group goals for their tasks. Thus, the Grade 2 students united for an unforgettable Cultural Show and Tell event, a celebration highlighting the spirit of international-mindedness, open-mindedness, respect, and appreciation within our diverse community.

Knowledgeable
During the Cultural Show and Tell, our Grade 2 learners shared items like food, games, animals, and traditional clothing to represent their cultures. Moreover, some students delved beyond surface culture, exploring family traditions like the significance of extended family gatherings at Filipino birthdays and special occasions. Through this engaging experience, they expanded their knowledge, not only about their own culture but also about others’ cultures.

Inquirers
A remarkable outcome of the Cultural Show and Tell is that our students now express a keen desire to learn more about different cultures. This newfound curiosity prompts them to ponder the differences in how their families do things. They’re eager to explore the deeper aspects of culture, including its history, traditions, and values. They’ve even learned the MISO (Media, Interview, Survey, Observation) research method, utilizing media to research their questions, meticulously documenting their findings in accordance with the Cornell notetaking strategy.

Caring Communicators
Our Grade 2 learners exhibited open-mindedness and care as they explored diverse cultures. This was evident in how they responded to unfamiliar food with respectful language like, “This tastes unique” and “This has an interesting taste.” Moreover, they began noticing both the similarities and differences between the cultures they were discovering. This realization fosters respect for each other’s similarities and a deep appreciation for what makes each culture unique.

The Grade 2 Cultural Show and Tell serves as a significant step towards a future where our students value mutual respect and celebrate our differences. As an IB school, we firmly believe in our responsibility to help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. We understand that others, with their differences, can also be right, and this understanding is key to building a harmonious future. 

International Week at CIS

by Ms. Angelica Ampos, OLC Coordinator

At CIS we are proud to be Open-minded and Caring. International week at CIS is an amazing opportunity for our community to be proud of and share our culture. Did you know there are 28 nationalities in our community?

The week started of with a language challenge! Students were given a QR code to try learning some phrases in Cebuano, Mandarin, Spanish, Korean and Japanese. You may go ahead and try it yourself!

Finally, the Spanish and Mandarin Language Acquisition students prepared a lesson to share with their peers. They were real risk-takers!

DP Mathematics

by Ms Maria Victoria Bacus, Grade 11 and 12 Math Applications and Interpretation (AI) SL Teacher

Understanding the Subject-Specific Command Terms

Mastering the command terms in mathematics is essential for students to effectively communicate their understanding and demonstrate their math skills, especially in assessments. As the Grade 11 students were familiarizing themselves with the course, they were also given the opportunity to discuss, compare, contrast, and identify how each command term is used and applied in mathematics.

Students work collaboratively to create a visual glossary of the command terms to help them understand each term and gain a more in-depth idea of how some of the terms overlap and are used differently in other subjects. 

Sample Work from Students

As the school year progresses, students will continue to work together to discuss how they get to use the skill, both in the classrooms and in preparation for the major assessments. By familiarizing themselves with the meanings and requirements of these math-specific command terms, students hope to approach assessments with confidence and precision. They are learning to embrace the language of mathematics and strive for excellence in their mathematical journey.

College & Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College Counselor

Positive Feedback from College Reps

Over the past few weeks, our students have been attending College Fairs. This is a great opportunity for students to look at options for college, learn about programs offered, scholarships and the admission process. Here are some positive comments from our visitors about our students:

College Fairs at CIS are attended by students from Grades 9 through 12. Thank you to the teachers for ensuring that our students are responsible, respectful and prepared.

DATE

EVENT

October 25
Wednesday
9:00 – 9:45 AM
Venue: Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

University of Technology Sydney (Australia) Landscape Building Design Workshop

November 7
Tuesday
9:00 – 9:45 AM
Venue: Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong) Info session with the admissions rep about the application process, requirements and scholarships & programs offered.

November 8
Wednesday
9:00 – 9:45 AM
Venue: Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

SP Jain School of Global Management (Singapore, UAE, Australia) Info session with the admissions rep about the application process, requirements and scholarships & programs offered.

November 17
Friday
9:00 – 9:45 AM
Venue: Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

Carleton College (USA) Info session with Mr. Steve Duba-Maack about the application process, requirements and scholarships & programs offered.

November 24
Friday
9:00 – 9:45 AM
Venue: Canteen Annex
Link to sign up

Hong Kong Baptist University (Hong Kong) Info session with the admissions rep about the application process, requirements and scholarships & programs offered.

SAT Update

2023–24 School Year Test Dates

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.