Shimbun Post for Week 18 (January 29th, 2021)

We have published a new Shimbun Post for Week 19 (January 29th, 2021) on our portal!

In this edition:

  • Spotlight on Learning
  • Bukatsu March 1st Options
  • Construction near Main Blue Gate
  • New Hand Soap – MIYOSHI Foam
  • Child Protection Workshop
  • REMINDERS: KIS 2021-22 Info Session (Jan 31 @ 3 PM) Signup, Enrolment Intentions – Deadline today!, PTA Event on Zoom, LINE Communications

Key Info & Dates:

  • January 31st (Sun) 3:00 PM – KIS 2021-22 Info Session (sign up required)
  • February 3th~March (Wed) – Blue gate closed as front wall construction begins. Please use white gate.
  • February 5th (Fri) 7:00PM – Signup opens for Bukatsu (Semester 2)
  • February 11th & 23rd – Public Holidays
  • February 26th (Fri) 2:30PM – Signup closes for Bukatsu (Semester 2)
  • March 1st (Mon) – Start of Bukatsu (Semester 2)

The school calendar overview can be viewed here.

Read this and other posts at https://portal.kis.ac.jp/. Please note you will need to log in. If you need an account or have issues with logging in, please complete this contact form for assistance.

Shimbun Post for Week 18 (January 22nd, 2021)

We have published a new Shimbun Post for Week 18 (January 22nd, 2021) on our portal!

In this edition:

  • Student Report on ManageBac
  • Spotlight on Learning
  • ACTION REQUIRED: Enrolment Intentions 2021-22
  • KIS 2021-22
  • Message from the PTA
  • New Teaching Assistant in Grade 2/3 Classroom
  • Alternative Parking Options
  • After-school Lessons, Bukatsu, and Childcare
  • Request from Wendy (Art Room) – Newspaper Donations

Key Info & Dates:

  • January 22nd (Fri) – End of Semester 1
  • January 25th (Mon) – Start of Semester 2
  • Jan 25 to Feb 26 – No bukatsu. After-school lessons and childcare are available.
  • January 29th (Fri) – EY1 & EY2 Coffee Morning
  • January 31st (Sun) 3:00 PM – 2021-22 Info Session / Q&A
  • February 11th&23rd – Public Holidays
  • March 1st (Mon) – Start of Bukatsu (Semester 2)

The school calendar overview can be viewed here.

Read this and other posts at https://portal.kis.ac.jp/. Please note you will need to log in. If you need an account or have issues with logging in, please complete this contact form for assistance.

Welcome to 2021

Important inclusions:

  • All students return to school on Tuesday 12 January.
  • Situation Report
  • Updated health procedures
  • Changes to Bukatsu/ Lessons/ Afteschool care
  • Semester Two events

Greetings everyone,

Year of the Ox
KIS wishes everyone a healthy and prosperous 2021. As we approach the Year of the Ox (ushi), we are informed the ox is epitomised as gentle; loyal in virtue; being trustworthy and grounded. I am sure you would agree, recalling recent times, looking for stability and confirmation are areas our entire community will once again try to establish.

Situation Report
As of this communication, areas of Japan are in a State of Emergency (SoE) and Kyoto Prefecture is also considering what are the safest next steps. The school is monitoring these situations and reviewing the latest communications from the Ministry of Education (MEXT) which have been updated this week. A common point of these updates is that schools are being encouraged not to close but to continue to minimise risk behaviour for the transmission of COVID-19.

Over the holiday break, the school has maintained continuous updates from JCIS and with Dr Lomax. In his most recent presentation (January 7) the doctor reinforced that schools are places where there has been the least transmissibility in the age groups up to high school age students. This continues to support the KIS response to the pandemic.

A newer development from Dr Lomax is that potential symptoms for COVID-19 are not as consistent as previously identified. As more research is completed it is now evident not all COVID-19 patients had:
● Increased temperature
● Cough
● Runny nose
● Body aches
● Tiredness

When to stay at home?
As a result of this information, the school asks that parents keep students at home if there are any signs of being unwell, until there is an absence of any symptoms for 24hrs. This is an update from previously published information. When in doubt keep your child at home.

Bukatsu, Lessons and After School Care
For the first week (Tuesday 12 Jan – Friday January 15) KIS will suspend ALL after school activities. This is consistent with all other schools in the JCIS network. The outcome of this will mean less time for interaction outside of the essential delivery of teaching and learning. KIS is committed to continuing to offer face-to-face lessons until it is deemed unsafe. This is one step that will help support our commitment.

Looking forward
What can we look forward to in 2021? The second semester is a significant one for KIS. The school will go through a number of validation processes being our IB evaluation; the WASC re-accreditation and the renewal of our Guiding Statements (Vision, Mission and Values). As well we are continuing our journey for membership with the Council of International Schools (CIS). All key aspects in reinforcing who we are as school and what we strive for students in their education.

Events
What types of events the school can provide will be mixed in comparison to previous years. Rest assured the Senior Leadership Team continues to reflect on ways to support the community and maintain connection.

Of course the KIS Festival will be held but not necessarily in its traditional format. It is important that the school continues to celebrate the community and culture that makes us KIS.

Experiential learning opportunities for students will look different as students will not be able to go to camps this year. This does create opportunities to work on different models whereby students can continue to have authentic experiences inside and outside the classroom, with a true reflection of our culture.

More online community events will be on offer. Coffees mornings, online education sessions and of course we have the option for parent conferences online if face-to-face is not available.

It will be a busy Semester Two but the school approaches it with excitement and enthusiasm. We look forward to connecting with everyone over the course of the year.

Best
Michael Taylor

Shimbun Post for Week 15 (December 11th, 2020)

We have published a new Shimbun Post for Week 15 (December 11th, 2020) on our portal!

In this edition:

  • Travel overseas during fuyu yasumi (winter holidays)
  • Guiding Statements Working Group
  • ‘My Files’ on Portal – Download Student Photo
  • Green Screen Action
  • Winter Concert Recording
  • PTA Meeting on Dec 15th @ 8PM

Key Info & Dates:

  • December 15th (Tue) – 8PM PTA Meeting (Zoom)
  • December 18th (Fri) – Half-day pickup at 12:30pm (No bukatsu/lessons)
  • Dec 19th to Jan 11th – Fuyu Yasumi (Winter Break)
  • January 11th (Mon) – School Closed (Public Holiday)
  • January 12th (Tue) – School Starts 8:30am

The school calendar overview can be viewed here.

Read this and other posts at https://portal.kis.ac.jp/. Please note you will need to log in. If you need an account or have issues with logging in, please complete this contact form for assistance.

Shimbun Post for Week 14 (December 4th, 2020)

We have published a new Shimbun Post for Week 14 (December 4th, 2020) on our portal!

In this edition:

Key Info & Dates:

  • December 11th – Winter Concert (students only)
  • December 18th – Half-day pickup at 12:30pm

The school calendar overview can be viewed here.

Read this and other posts at https://portal.kis.ac.jp/. Please note you will need to log in. If you need an account or have issues with logging in, please complete this contact form for assistance.

Kyoto City Zoo Art Award

第47回「京都市小学生動物画コンクール」

Lisa’s name is listed as one of the winners of the Zoo Director’s award (as a 5th year student) as バーマン理佐 (Lisa Berman).

Full post in Japanese can be see here:

The above link contains a list of the winners of the 47th “Kyoto City Elementary School Animal Painting Contest”. Additionally an award ceremony was held to honour the students involved. There were 226 masterpieces submitted, 36 of which selected as prize-winning works.

Shimbun Post for Week 13 (November 27th, 2020)

We have published a new Shimbun Post for Week 13 (November 27th, 2020) on our portal!

In this edition:

  • Community Opportunity
  • Kindergarten busy in the garden
  • Events
  • Grade 4 – Unit of Inquiry
    • Let’s Keep Our Muscular System Healthy! (By Taichi)
  • Feedback on the Technology at KIS
  • Updated Health and Safety (COVID-19)
  • Situation Report 24 November
  • 100% negative PCR test results – KIS Staff
  • News from the PTA
  • PTA Questionnaire

Key Info & Dates:

  • December 3rd – MSHS Info Session (Zoom)
  • December 11th – Winter Concert

The school calendar overview can be viewed here.

Read this and other posts at https://portal.kis.ac.jp/. Please note you will need to log in. If you need an account or have issues with logging in, please complete this contact form for assistance.

Shimbun Post for Week 12 (November 20th, 2020)

We have published a new Shimbun Post for Week 12 (November 20th, 2020) on our portal!

In this edition:

  • Message from the Principal
  • Grade 4 – Unit on ‘Who We Are’
  • MSHS Information Session
  • Latest COVID-19 Update
  • Counter Measures – COVID-19
  • PTA Questionnaire
  • PTA meets Kamigyo Ward Officers
  • External: “Movie to the Future”, the due is TODAY!!
  • External: Thinking about studying in Canada?
  • Contact Info – Change/Update Form
  • LINE for Emergency and Ease!
  • Comments

Key Info & Dates:

  • November 21st @ 2PM – Kids Smile Stadium (External Event)
  • November 23rd – Public Holiday
  • December 3rd @ 7PM – MSHS Info Session (Zoom)
  • December 11th – Winter Concert

The school calendar overview can be viewed here.

Read this and other posts at https://portal.kis.ac.jp/. Please note you will need to log in. If you need an account or have issues with logging in, please complete this contact form for assistance.