Posts

Blended Learning Update 3 June, 2020

Posted on | by Michael Taylor

At the Senior Leadership Team meeting this morning it was decided to maintain the Blended Learning model for the week of Monday 8 June to Friday 12 June. This decision was made in light of the recent increase of cases in Kitakyushu area and the increase in numbers in Tokyo. The school is also mindful that Japanese local schools open full time on Monday 15th of June. This will allow the school to monitor the outcome of their return.    

KIS now plans to return to full time classes on campus in Weeks 38 and 39.  

We appreciate that this may impact your decision to return your children to KIS under this model. We fully support your decision.  

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further please do not hesitate to reach out. 

Summer Camp Registration 2020

Posted on | by KIS Admin Team

Thank you for your patience regarding Summer Camp 2020 registration. KIS administration and teachers have planned for a safe and responsible re-entry to school. Feel free to review our current re-entry guidelines, summer camp specific guidelines will be shared at a later date.

Details for fees, dates, and more can be reviewed on the Summer Camp page.

Former students, Saturday School students, and Non-KIS students can use this form to register.

OPEN REGISTRATION FORM

Currently enroled KIS students will be provided a separate registration form via email newsletter.

Re-Entry Guidelines

Posted on | by Michael Taylor


  • On Friday 22 May at 8:30 am EL1-EL3 will re-enter campus.
  • On Monday 25 May at 8:30 am EL1-G2 will re-enter campus.
  • On Monday 25 May at 12:30 pm G3-G8 will re-enter campus.

Posted Guidelines (subject to change):

We hope these documents help in the smooth Re-entry into KIS.
See you back in school!

Distance Learning Update 18 March – Re Entry to School update

Posted on | by Michael Taylor

Greetings everyone,

Kyoto Prefecture announces miscellaneous schools (KIS) can plan to re-enter

On Saturday 16 May Kyoto Prefecture announced miscellaneous schools could commence planning for re-entry by students into school. The expectation from local government and the Ministry of Education is that re-entry is undertaken as a phased (different grade levels at a time) approach to support social distancing.

Staff have begun planning to ensure a safe and healthy return to campus. This will include changing classroom structures; adjusting timetables; setting up cleaning zones; and putting safe classroom practices in place.  

Early Years Re-Entry to KIS 22 May

  • On Friday 22 May EL1, EL2, EL3 students will re-enter KIS from 0830-1130. More details will be sent out during the week and posted on the school website. 
  • EL1-EL3 will continue this schedule on Monday 25 May until further notice. 

Grades 1-Grade 2 Re-Entry to KIS 25 May

  • On Monday 25 May G1-G2 will re-enter KIS from 0830-1130. Students will continue this schedule until further notice.

Grades 3-Grade 8 Re-Entry to KIS 25 May

  • On Monday 25 May G3-G8 will re-enter KIS from 1230-1530. Students will continue this schedule until further notice. 

Schedule:

  • Friday 22 May: 0830-1130 EL1-EL3 
  • Monday 25 May: 0830-1130 EL1-G2
  • Monday 25 May: 1230-1530 G3-G8 

This phased return allows KIS to focus on cleaning and social distancing, at the same time as welcoming students back on campus in a safe manner.

KIS will send out a complete guide to the Re-entry to school during the week.

As a staff and community we are extremely excited by the prospect of having students back with us on campus. 

Have a great week,
Michael

Update: Horikawa Hospital Project by PTA

Posted on | by PTA

Kyoto International School supports local community in Covid-19 fight: Horikawa Hospital Project update

KIS community members, 

Thank you for your generous support of this community project. 

We are pleased to inform you that your PTA handed over more than 600 gowns with messages of support to Horikawa Hospital on May 8th. Horikawa Hospital has received more than 10,000 gowns from all over Japan to date. Though KIS’s involvement in this project is over, you can still support Horikawa Hospital by delivering gowns and masks yourselves directly.

Thank you for your support and stay safe! 
PTA

Posted in PTA

Horikawa Hospital Project (Update)

Posted on | by PTA

Dear KIS community members, 

Thank you always for your generous support to school. 

According to our previous message sent this Tuesday, there is some correction for the instruction of the handmade gown.  The clinic no longer needs the gown itself but its parts, sleeves and extended front parts which is much easier for us to make! 

Here is the video that Horikawa clinic made for sleeves;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PA3JSiA5Uc&t=6s 

Extended front parts;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FAYegJ5YDg&t=15s 

When you get one bag on the picnic tables, it has plastic bags and a roll of tape and you can make 27 sleeves and 16 extended front parts with the materials. We really appreciate it if you would take as many bags as possible.

As mentioned, joining this program now becomes much easier and younger students can also be a part of this and make a good impact on our community! Horikawa clinic has been a place for KIS students to go whenever our children need medical helps for a long time. This is our turn to show our appreciation. 

Again, today (4/30) and tomorrow (5/1), the materials are on the picnic tables in front of KIS office so please come and pick them and make some contributions during the Golden Week break. 

We will also be waiting for the parts returning at school on 5/7 and 5/8 (9am-5pm). At that time, please put a thank you note or a message encouraging them then we will pass all to the clinic in the evening of 5/8. 

Thank you so much for your support in advance! 

PTA

Posted in PTA

PTA project: supporting Horikawa clinic

Posted on | by PTA

Dear KIS,

We hope this message finds you well and healthy in these extraordinary times. While the situation is changing daily, we are currently discussing ways in which the KIS community can get together and exchange their experiences, even if only online. Any suggestions are very welcome, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Today, we are writing to you to ask for your help in supporting the larger community around KIS. Horikawa clinic, which is located near Imadegawa, is struggling due to the lack of equipment, in particular gowns that protect the staff from Corona infection. (see the call for help in Japanese here)

The making handmade medical gown & donation project

KIS and the PTA would like to launch a gown donation project. We call for your help making gowns over the course of next week (Golden Week). 

The materials that you need to make the gowns at your own home are placed as follows; (please take safety measures by wearing masks when you enter the school and come alone if you can)

  • Date: 4/30 (Thursday) & 5/1 (Friday)
  • Time: 9am-5pm 
  • Where: the picnic tables in front of KIS office

What you need to bring back home: 70L plastic bags & duct tapes (nearly 3 bags can make 2 gowns & 1 roll of tape can make 6 gowns)

How to do:

These gowns can be made by anyone from very basic materials, as this video shows. 

(A video in English, will be distribute later this week)

There is an update to this project.

The materials prepared by PTA are served on a first come first serve basis so even if you do not have time to pick up the materials at school, you can make it by your own with 2 main materials; 70L plastic bags (0.02 mm thinness or more) & duct tapes! You can find the plastic bags in a drug store or hardware shop.

The clinic appreciates very much for your generous donations and your precious time! Moreover, it would be a wonderful opportunity for students to learn how to make a good impact and some contributions to our community.

We would like to collect the finished gowns after Golden Week at the school entrance on May 7th and May 8th and deliver them to the clinic.

We would very much appreciate your support of this project, which we hope can contribute to strengthening our ties with the community around KIS.

Thanks for your help and stay healthy and safe!

With best wishes
the PTA

Posted in PTA

Update regarding KIS Festival

Posted on | by KIS Admin Team

5月24日（日）に開催を予定しておりました京都インターナショナルスクール・フェスティバルは新型コロナウイルスの感染が拡大している状況を受け、開催中止を決定いたしました。

Due to the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus, the KIS Festival scheduled for May 24th has been cancelled. Thank you for your understanding.

Distance Learning Success

Posted on | by KIS Admin Team

We have gathered some responses from KIS parents regarding what is working well with distance learning.

Early Learning Program

I am happy with the current arrangement, there are a good variety and amount of activities suggested, and I think the school and the teachers are doing the best they can with the given circumstances. Thank you.

I think the teachers are clearly putting in a lot of time into their lesson planning, activities, and responding to student work.

The morning Zoom lessons are perfect for her. She is looking forward to it and trying very hard. It also helps all of us to start the day on the right track.

Primary Years Program

Appreciate the flexibility afforded to parents. The digital tools work well in most cases.

Distance learning feels safer than holding classes at school. Son seems engaged by class activities and enjoys doing them.

My son is keeping busier than I expected and requiring surprisingly little supervision from me.

My child is very engaged and he is also happy to be connected with his friends online.

I’m impressed by the schedule management. It’s very well-organized.

The clean and specific assignments are great, also the videos are interesting and well done, as well as helpful. The teacher feedback and answers to questions is wonderful.

The teachers are doing an AMAZING job connecting and keeping up with the students via videos, messages, etc.

Middle School

Considering that this is a very new thing for everyone, I think that the teachers and the staff are doing a wonderful job providing lessons and activities for all the students.

Assignments and projects are very well managed. Thank you to all teachers and management for their great effort.

KIS teachers have prepared well to continue educating students through our distance learning platform. Here is a taste of the compiled timelines and educational activities that families and students can be engaged in learning. Additional tools for daily communication included Seesaw, Zoom, G Suite for Education.

Distance learning lessons are organized by grade and contain a combination of low tech and technology-based options across multiple subject areas, including considerations for student physical and mental wellness.

Our goal has been to provide a clear structure for continuing education from home during this extended break.

Open distance.kis.ac.jp site

Parent Coffee Mornings

Posted on | by Michael Taylor
Date/TimeTopicObjective
April 9th: 10amQuestion and AnswersGeneral Q&A about Distance Learning
April 16th: 10amTELL Counselling & Support ServicesBeing mindful in challenging times
April 23rd: 10amAssessmentTo inform how what assessment will look like via distance learning
April 29th: 10amParent sharing sessionParents share what are the challenges: EL, PYP, MS

You will need to join Zoom (free account) on your phone or computer. I link will be sent to KIS community via email. Please check the step-by-step guide. We will record the Coffee Morning for people to catch up on later.