Newsflash: October 27, 2023

Elementary Principal’s Corner

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

Educational Trips that Extend and Enrich Learning

This week many of our students had the opportunity to extend and enrich their learning by visiting places in our local community and participating in athletic activities that helped develop their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and understanding. These learning experiences that were carefully planned and curated by teachers contribute to the high-quality learning and teaching at CIS.

Our Kinder and Grade 1 students went on a field trip to Angel’s Pizza and Verve Point to learn more about goods and services. The Kinder and Grade 1 students learned how to make their own pizza and observed how the staff carried out their roles and responsibilities. This hands-on experience helped students to have a better understanding of how systems work. At Verve Point, students interviewed business owners and staff to learn about the goods and services they offer. It was a chance for them to observe firsthand how businesses operate and contribute to our community. 

Our Grade 4 and 5 students went on a field trip to the newly opened Cebu National Museum to gain a better understanding of history and the value of historical artifacts, as well as observe how museum exhibits are curated as they prepare their own exhibits in their current unit, under the Transdisciplinary Theme of Where We Are in Place and Time. While viewing the collections at the museum, students assessed primary and secondary sources, a skill that they have been learning in their Media Literacy classes. This experience has also allowed students to develop a greater appreciation for art and art history in the local host culture context, enriching the units they have been learning in Art and Philippine Language and Culture classes.

Finally, the CIS Volleyball Team is proudly representing Cebu International School at ISAC Season 1 happening this weekend. Our volleyball team gets to play with students from 7 other international schools in the Philippines. This event is the culmination of the months of hard work and training that has allowed our students to develop not only their volleyball and athletic skills but more importantly their character. Throughout the experience, our students have demonstrated collaboration, resilience, and discipline. We wish them all the best and send them our loudest cheers!

Upcoming events of note

• Oct. 25-29: ISAC1 Volleyball (Manila)
• Oct. 30: No School (Local Election)
• Oct. 31: Remote Learning Day
• Nov. 1 – 3: No School (Public Holidays)
• Nov. 13: School Holiday
• Nov. 20 – 24: Book Week
• Nov. 24 – 25: School Production (Honk)
• Nov. 26: CIS Touch Rugby Series
• Nov. 27: School Holiday (official optional date for Nov. 30 Bonifacio Day)
• Nov. 28: PTA Coffee Morning

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

Elementary Spanish Class

by Ms. Dina Melwani, PYP Spanish Teacher

¡Viva el Español! Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Learning in Spanish Class

Grades Kindergarten and 1
Kindergarten and First-grade students have embarked upon their recent unit on the topic of family. In the cozy corners of our classrooms, these young minds have delved deep into understanding the essence of family bonds and relationships. They discovered the importance of appreciating the little things that families do for us every day. Through creative art projects and heartfelt discussions, our students learned to express their love and gratitude. Through storytelling and interactive activities, our little ones stepped into the shoes of their family members, learning to understand their emotions and experiences. This not only fostered a sense of empathy but also strengthened the bonds between our students, creating a supportive and caring classroom environment.

Grades 2 and 3
In the vibrant Spanish classroom, Grade 2/3 students embarked on an exciting educational adventure, diving deep into the intriguing world of the human body and senses. The unit commenced with an immersive exploration of the human body, The students were captivated by these visuals, sparking their curiosity and setting the stage for an engaging learning experience. One of the highlights of this unit was the array of hands-on activities that brought learning to life. From creating monster character outlines to labeling different body parts, the students actively participated, enhancing their understanding of anatomy. Incorporating creativity into the learning process, students engaged in art projects that reflected their understanding of the human body and senses. From crafting textured sculptures representing various textures to painting vibrant illustrations of sensory experiences, their artwork showcased not only their artistic skills but also their deep comprehension of the subject matter.

Grades 4 and 5
As the unit on nationalities concluded, the Grade 4/5 students of Cebu International School emerged as young ambassadors of tolerance and acceptance. Armed with a deep understanding of different cultures and nationalities, they are better equipped to face the challenges of the future, where global citizenship is not just a concept but a way of life. The impact of this unit was profound. Students not only gained knowledge about different nationalities but also developed an understanding of the different cultures in the Hispanic world. Friendships blossomed across cultural lines, and stereotypes were dispelled, leaving room for acceptance and celebration of differences. Art became a medium through which students expressed their newfound knowledge and appreciation for different nationalities.

MYP Mathematics

by Ms. Maria Victoria Bacus, Grade 8 and 9 Mathematics Teacher

Making Connections Through Collaborations

The theme for Grade 8 has been to view mathematics as a language, with the emphasis being on students learning the precise meaning of symbols and then applying logical reasoning to real-life situations. The students have worked on various activities and investigations that have allowed them to polish their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. There were also several opportunities for students to engage in their learning by collaborating and communicating to accomplish shared objectives.

Here are some of the students’ reflections on their challenges and collaborations:

Grades 11 and 12: Physics

by Ms. Maria Rosandee Tabada, IBDP Physics and Mathematics Teacher

The learning that occurs through scientific inquiry is essential to the student experience in a science course. Experimentation in a variety of forms can be used to introduce a topic, address a phenomenon, or allow students to consider and investigate questions and interests. It teaches about the advantages and disadvantages of scientific methodology. Practical activities also aid in the development of scientific skills for the safe and competent use of a variety of tools, techniques, and equipment.

At this stage in the academic year, the Grade 11 students have already completed the following practical activities:

• uncertainties in measurements;
• acceleration of a cart down a slope for different slope angles;
• use of a photogate to determine the time it takes for cards of various lengths to pass through;
• effects of fluid resistance to projectile motion; and
• terminal velocity of coffee filters.

The Grade 12 students are currently finalizing the write-up of their scientific investigations as their Internal Assessment (IA) requirement for IBDP Physics. Students complete their IA by applying the skills and knowledge they have gained throughout the course, including experimenting skills.

The investigations conducted were on the:

• spring constant of springs connected in series;
• frequency of sound and the length of a violin’s string;
• period of a swinging ruler and the location of pivot points;
• change in temperature of different concentrations of salt solutions;
• maximum angle of a pendulum after colliding with various masses;
• magnetic field strength of a solenoid and changes in the thickness of copper wires;
• wavelength of an LED’s light and its threshold voltage to determine Planck’s constant; and
• time to increase the temperature of water when the initial temperature of an immersed copper cube is varied.

PTA News

by Mr. William Belda, Business Development Officer, Data Protection, and CIS PTA Representative

Safeguarding and Child Protection Workshop for Parents

The Parent Workshop on Safeguarding & Child Protection conducted by Mr. Andrew Powell during the recent PTA Coffee Morning on October 24, proved to be very timely.

More than expressed in its mission and vision, CIS embodied this necessity and importance in providing a safe and secure environment in collaborative engagement with the entire community, toward the holistic upbringing of its students.

The session resulted in providing the community members with a clearer lens of understanding and awareness, from the Seven Dimensions of a Child’s Needs, to the internal CIS safeguarding & child protection policies and procedures.

Although the exact origin of the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” is attributed to the African and Native American cultures, both very strong communal societies, it truly is quite comforting that the significance of such communal interaction and shared responsibility is actively present within the CIS Community. As an international educational institution, CIS encourages the effective working together of the entire community, recognizing and acknowledging the diverse skills of each individual. Fostering this sense of collective responsibility truly plays a crucial role to ensure the total well-being of the students and develop them to be globally engaged, positive contributors in a competitive changing world.

College & Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College Counselor

What do our graduates study?

Our graduates pursue various programs after high school.  The graph below presents data from the past 3 years (2020 – 2023) showing the distribution of their chosen fields of study.

DATE

EVENT

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.

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.