Newsflash: September 27, 2024

Accreditation Update

by Ms. Justine Condor, Marketing Manager & Accreditation Steering Committee Member

What an incredible week of growth and collaboration! We are proud to have successfully completed our joint accreditation week with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Verification and Council of International Schools (CIS)/Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Visiting Teams.

Our sincerest gratitude to the IB/CIS/WASC team members (see photo above with our Superintendent Dr. Underwood), most of whom are also experienced educators from international schools in the East Asia region. Their insights and expertise have been valuable to verify and guide us on our journey of continuous improvement. (For more information on the accreditation process, please read last week’s Sept. 20 Newsflash for details!)

We’re pleased to share that the Visiting Teams noted the strength of our program and community. They appreciated being around our welcoming environment and how everyone participates and contributes to our positive school culture. It’s encouraging that they noticed that our environment truly reflects our school’s purpose statement. This success is thanks to the amazing community of students, families, teachers, staff, and administration who continuously support and strengthen our school.

We look forward to receiving their official report in a few weeks, so we can reflect on their feedback as we continue our journey of high quality teaching and learning. Here’s to implementing positive changes and continuous improvement in our next accreditation cycle.

Upcoming events of note

• Sept. 27 – 28: MUN Manila
• Tue 7:30am, Oct. 15: Parent Coffee Morning
• Fri, Oct 4:  End of Quarter 1
• Oct. 7 – 11: Mid-Semester Break
• Mon, Oct. 14: Start of Quarter 2
• Oct. 17 – 19: ISAC Season 1 Volleyball @ CIS
• Oct. 21 – 25: Culture Week
• Sat, Oct. 26: International Day (half day)

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

Grade 5: PYP Learners Engaging Beyond the Classroom

by Mrs. Aimee Underwood (Asst PYP Coordinator / Grade 5 Co-Homeroom Teacher) Ms. MJ Cordova (Grade 5 Co-Homeroom Teacher / Media Literacy Teacher)

At the heart of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) is the belief that learning extends beyond the classroom, connecting students to real-world experiences and meaningful community engagement. Over the past six weeks, our Grade 4/5 students embraced this philosophy in their unit of inquiry, “How We Organize Ourselves”—focused on government, citizenship, and responsibility. Through hands-on learning and interactions with local and global communities, students applied essential Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills and developed key Learner Profile attributes, linking classroom learning to broader, real-world contexts.

Exploring Local Governance: Bacayan Barangay Hall
A key highlight of this unit was the field trip to Bacayan Barangay Hall and Elementary School, where students observed local governance in action. They had the opportunity to interview Barangay Captain Mr. Winston Pepito, the Barangay Tanod, and other barangay officials, learning how local government systems maintain order and address community needs. This experience allowed students to apply their Research Skills, where they practiced asking meaningful questions, gathering information, and organizing their findings.

Reflecting on the experience, Fiona shared: “I used to just randomly Google information. Now I know how to ask Thick and Thin questions, use different MISO (Media, Interview, Survey, Observation) research methods, and take Cornell Notes to record important ideas.”

Evan connected his learning about government structures: “It was cool to realize that barangays actually have similar systems to national governments. There are executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and they work together to keep things fair and balanced.”

This field trip also strengthened students’ sense of community. They participated in buddy reading and sports activities with Bacayan Elementary students, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and connection. Overall, these experiences helped our learners understand their roles and responsibilities within their community, fostering a sense of active citizenship.

Global Perspectives: Visit from the Canadian Honorary Consul

Students further expanded their understanding of governance to the global stage through a visit from Ms. Katherine Rivera, the Honorary Consul of Canada. Ms. Rivera explained the rights and responsibilities of citizens overseas and how embassies and consulates provide essential support for citizens living abroad. This inspired students to investigate further what citizenship and global citizenship mean in today’s world.

This session prompted students to use their Thinking Skills to analyze how governments work locally and internationally to ensure stability and meet citizens’ needs. The visit deepened their understanding of how governance operates on both levels, enriching their perspective on what it means to be active, responsible citizens.

Elise shared: “I realized that not all citizens have the same rights and responsibilities depending on where they live. If you’re in a constitutional monarchy like Canada or New Zealand, or a democratic republic like the Philippines or the USA, you have more chances to be involved in government. But in dictatorships or absolute monarchies, that’s not true. We should be thankful for our opportunities and make sure we act as responsible citizens.”

Taking Action: Preparing for the Gallery
Having explored both local and global governance, students were inspired to take action and make a positive impact in their communities. Their understanding of Responsibility led them to create a public gallery to showcase the knowledge, understanding, and skills they gained and practiced throughout the unit, specifically focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In collaboration with the art class, students learned to use the elements and principles of art to create visual representations of the global challenges they researched. This interdisciplinary approach allowed them to blend creativity with advocacy, using their artwork to raise awareness and inspire action.

The gallery, set to open soon for the school community, serves as both a demonstration of their learning over the past six weeks and an opportunity for students to take meaningful action. As they prepared, students practiced their Social Skills—collaborating, negotiating, and sharing responsibilities—while embracing their roles as Principled citizens. They reflected on how their actions can positively impact both their local and global communities.

Maxine and Ellaine shared: “We used to think being a citizen just meant being a part of a country. Now we understand it’s also about being Knowledgeable about what’s happening in your country and around the world, and having rights and the responsibility to help make our community better. We should be Principled.”

Expanding the Classroom Environment
This unit exemplifies the PYP philosophy that learning extends beyond the classroom. Through field trips, global guest speakers, and preparations for their upcoming gallery, students connected their learning to real-world issues and civic responsibilities. At CIS, learning is joyful and dynamic, involving inquiry, reflection, and action—empowering students to become engaged, principled citizens capable of making meaningful contributions to their communities.

MYP Music Class

by Ms. Marie Vic R. Briones, PYP and MYP Music Teacher

Roots, Rhythms, and (12-Bar) Blues

This week, the Grade 9 and 10 music students just concluded their Unit 1. Framed by the Statement of Inquiry, “Changes in musical genre, play, and structure is reflective of historical and cultural shifts across time and place,” the unit looked into the 12-bar blues.  

Anchored on the concept of Change within the global context of Orientation in Place and Time, the students began by putting their Research Skills into practice, delving into the rich roots and origins of the 12-bar blues, examining early recordings, prevalent themes, and the social contexts that birthed the genre. They also analyzed the different structures and types of 12-bar blues, considering their modern relevance in today’s music scene.

The learners were given the agency to choose between major or minor pentatonic blues scales and their type of 12-bar blues for their compositions. This creative freedom allowed them to engage deeply with the material, promoting a personal connection to their work. 

Here are some of their compositions and what they have to share about the experience of composing and performing their own works:

College & Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College Counselor

What is the difference between a UK Personal Statement 
and a US College Essay?

SAT Update

SAT 2024-2025 Test Dates

August 2024–June 2025 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.