TheThe Newsletter of K.Comet International School Tokyo Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011 Since 1997
In this issue... “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with Welcome to New Staff…p. 3 KIST Group 4 Project 2011…p. 15 an open one IB Diploma Results…p. 7 Brain Humanities in Borneo…p. 16 .” IE Junior Advisory Board…p. 7 Leap into LEAP…p. 17 —Malcolm S. Forbes Library News…p. 8 Young Leaders Conference…p. 18 College Guidance News…p. 10 Asian Science Camp 2011…p. 19 PTA News…p. 12 A Taste of University…p. 20 From the School Director DATES TO REMEMBER I would like to extend a very special welcome to all new families joining the KIST community for the first time this year, and also a warm welcome back to our continuing families.
During the 12-month period of the 2010-2011 school year, people in many countries around the world, including Japan, experienced the devastating effects of an unprecedented number of natural disasters. These in turn affected
our school community in various ways. As we move into the second month of 2011-2012, the mood around the world remains somber; however, I would like September to highlight some of the positive aspects that make KIST a very special place 19 School closed (National holiday) to be. 20 Short Tuesday 20-22 Live@edu Training Sessions East Japan earthquake disaster relief 22 (G5) Camp Explanation Meeting On March 11, 2011, an earthquake, the size of which is said to occur only once 23 School day 23 PTA Coffee Morning / Library every 1,000 years, struck the Tohoku region of East Japan causing devastating Committee Meeting damage. Immediately after the disaster and in the period that followed, with the 23 MYP Parent Information Session generous support of the school and local communities, we were able to send a 24 High School Drama Festival total of five trucks carrying relief supplies to the affected areas. We also 27 (W) Free dress day conducted five successful trips to the region to serve meals to those affected 28 *Date changed* PYP Parent and assisted with efforts to clean up the coastline. Information Session #1 28 *Date changed* (S) College For our first relief trip to the affected areas, a total of 24 school representatives, Information Night including two students, departed Tokyo on March 25, two weeks after the initial 28-30 (G8) Camp
disaster. We delivered supplies and served hot lunches to the people of October Takajou City in Miyagi Prefecture. For our second visit on April 16, 23 1 School Explanation Day members joined us. For our third visit on April 30, a total of 36 members, 3 2012-2013 enrollment including 13 students, joined us and worked under a very grueling schedule, applications open departing Tokyo during the night and serving hot meals at three different 4-5 School photographs locations before returning to school next morning. Next, 36 representatives, 4 Short Tuesday including 20 students, were a part of our fourth trip on June 22 – 25, and 5-7 (G5) Camp finally, 31 representatives, including 9 students, made the trip again on July 28 10 School day – 30 during the summer holidays, staying overnight and helping with the 11-13 (G3/G5/G7/G9) ISA testing cleanup efforts being carried out in the area. 12 (G10/G11) PSAT tests 14 KISTival preparation day During the period these five trips were conducted, the parents and other 15 KISTival 2011 16-23 Autumn Break members of the KIST community served approximately 7,000 hot meals to 24 (W) School resumes evacuees in a total of nine different locations and assisted with the cleanup at 25 Short Tuesday two beaches, school gyms being used as evacuation centers, and also 28 (S) SRC dance delivered much needed aid and supplies to those in temporary housing. November Continued next page 3 Parent/Teacher/Student interviews KIST Learning for Life KIST Learning for Life KIST Learning for Life 3 Board of Directors meeting 2 “The Comet” Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011
Continued from previous page
I would like to take students all choose to take the full DP. As such, I am this opportunity to delighted with this year‘s results. You will find more express my sincere details of the results on page 7. gratitude to all those who provided Other initiatives assistance in any This year, we are exploring various new initiatives to way, from those who help strengthen our numeracy/mathematics curriculum prepared hot meals across the school from the PYP through to the DP. We and supplied are also reviewing our language curriculum throughout donations, to those the school. Additionally, the implementation of the new who helped with the PowerSchool student information system will enable cleanup. Your support was greatly appreciated. Thank both parents and students to check student progress on you very much. line. I believe that these improvements will help us continue to build an even better IB World School and The evacuation centers were closed at the end of July, ensure success for our hardworking students. so for now, we will not be making any more relief trips; however, I hope that together we will continue to look Finally, I am pleased to be working with the members of for ways to support those affected by the earthquake our Administration Team who are all highly qualified and kindly ask for your continued support. educators with a rich experience in the IB curriculum. Further, together with our continuing teachers who have Diploma Programme (DP) 2011 results led our students to great success, we welcome a large Results of the Diploma exams held in May were group of highly skilled and enthusiastic new staff. One of released on July 5. All 16 of our graduates challenged the distinguishing features of KIST is that our students themselves to take the full DP exam, and I am very are highly motivated to succeed academically, with pleased to report that 14 passed successfully. This pass parents who are dedicated to their children‘s education. rate of 87.5%, together with a 90% pass rate from the It is my sincere hope that through a strong three-way 2009-2010 school year, continues the exceptional partnership, we are able to provide even greater support success of our students. The DP exam is extremely for students‘ education, and together make 2011-2012 a challenging and at a large number of IB schools, only year of great progress. around 50% of students take the full Diploma, with the average worldwide pass rate remaining around 70%. Yoshishige Komaki KIST is one of only a limited number of schools where School Director/Acting Head of School
East Japan Earthquake Relief 5th Trip July 28 - 30, 2011 Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011 “The Comet” 3
Welcome to New Staff
We are pleased to introduce our new qualified and experienced staff to the school community! This year, in addition to a number of new teachers and assistants hired locally, we have a large group of teachers joining us from overseas. For many, this is their first experience living and working in Japan. After arriving in Tokyo during the peak of the summer heat wave, all have made a smooth transition and have begun the year with energy and enthusiasm. We welcome all our new staff to KIST and wish them all the best for the year ahead. E-mail addresses for all faculty, new and continuing, are available on the Contact >> Staff Directory page of the school website.
Faculty…
Marina Babaeva Christian Baker Mridula Bardhan Brooke Boldon Alice Cheung MYP/DP Music MYP Math DP Chemistry / MYP MYP English Grade 2A Science
Bruce Duxbury Jim Erber Keith Erickson Benjamen Fishman Megan Geshel MYP Design MYP PE MYP/DP English, Student Welfare Grade 3B Technology Humanities Counselor
Wendy Gore Kara Haines Elizabeth Heard Wyn Hughes Andre Ito MYP English, MYP English, PYP Coordinator DP Psychology, MYP/DP Math Humanities Humanities Economics
Taichi Komiya Chee Lee Jay Leroy Sindy Leveel Ferdinand Licuanan Elementary English MYP PE PYP PE MYP/DP Math Teacher-Librarian Language Support
Wilhelm Merchel Carolina Murgado Kevin Murphy Divya Okubo Rachel Parkinson K1 MYP English, Secondary English K3B Elementary English Humanities Language Support Language Support 4 “The Comet” Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011
Eric Patterson Vedrana Pavletic Allison Rabenau Kim Riemer Robin Scardino PYP Music MYP Coordinator / Elementary English Grade 5A MYP Math, Science MYP Art, Music Language Support
Katrina Sentgeorge Aidan Siddall Michael Steele Agnes Theilen Anthony Theilen PYP Art Grade 5A MYP English, Grade 4B Grade 2B Humanities
Jennifer Thomas Paige Venturino Rob White MYP Math, Science K3A MYP/DP Language B
New teachers making yakisoba with the help of our Japanese staff.
Other staff…
Catrina Christian Robert Collins Darina Dubenko Leslie Hynes Mari Nameshida Teacher‘s Assistant Teacher‘s Assistant Teacher‘s Assistant Teacher‘s Assistant School Nurse K1 K1 / K1, K2 Music Grade 1B Grade 1A
Eri Nomura Mackensie Roland Jude Ross Tyler Silvasti Ai White Elementary Teacher‘s Assistant Teacher‘s Assistant Teacher‘s Assistant Teacher‘s Assistant Administration Assistant K3B K2 / K1, K2 Art K2 K2
We wish all staff the best for a great year! Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011 “The Comet” 5
Elementary School News
Three C’s for our students How can you determine the quality Curriculum of a school? I believe it is Building on the work that has been determined by the choices the done each year to improve the school makes. Great schools Programme of Inquiry, this year we consistently make decisions have taken the curriculum planning focusing on what is best for their and documentation even further. information sessions, coffee students. This year, you can see mornings, casual chats, Live@edu, how we are focused on our Every grade level is planning out Moodle pages, newsletters, parent students through our choices with how we are integrating language meetings and various other ways, the three C‘s of Commitment, and mathematics by organizing we hope to keep the channels of Curriculum and Communication. what is fully integrated within the communication open. units of inquiry, what is taught Commitment outside the units, and what is Our PTA is off to a running start The KIST Elementary School is taught throughout the year. All of with many parents already eager to committed to the PYP Programme, this is being documented into start working within the different its values and its philosophies. grade level specific yearly committees. In addition to the Working at a PYP school is not overviews which will be posted on usual Student Portfolios and easy, but we have a full faculty and classroom sites and Mr Brunton‘s conferences, we strengthened our staff of committed individuals who Corner in a few weeks. commitment to written reports by are here for our students. They are providing them for all students four life-long learners who are But simply having a plan is not times a year. This year, we have constantly improving our school enough; we are committed to chosen to use a consistent and their practice. providing a consistent curriculum standardized reading assessment which is aligned from grade to for all of our K3-G5 students three The school is committed to its grade by providing our teachers times a year. For mathematics, we teachers by providing collaboration with essential resources to support will be giving them a standardized time and professional development the programme. To support our mathematics assessment twice a which in turn greatly benefits our students, a major transformation year for G1-G5 in addition to the students. has occurred in the Elementary ISA assessments given in G3 and Library. Many resources have G5. All of these choices are to The school is committed to the been brought in and purchased keep our community informed of value of integrating technology, including books and magazine what we are doing and how well both for the staff and students. subscriptions as well as our students are learning in as There has been a recent explosion researching and library software. many different ways as possible. of IT resources available including This year, we are making our Communication keeps our digital cameras, desktop curriculum even better. community together. computers, laptop computers, digital projectors, online reading Communication Together, I know we are going to sites, Mathletics, Moodle, A community is based on provide our students with the best Live@edu, Destiny, PowerSchool relationships, and the quality of education possible. I am truly and more. Never before in the relationships is based on the level excited to be involved with what history of KIST has so much been of communication within those will undoubtedly be the finest year accomplished in such a short time, relationships. At KIST, we are of KIST‘s Elementary School. but we are doing it to provide the committed to building our school best education possible for our community through valuable Greg Brunton students as they prepare for the relationships supported by open Elementary School world outside of school. communication. With Principal
Mr Brunton 6 “The Comet” Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011
Secondary School News
Greetings KIST families new e-mail system. In order to The 2011-12 academic year has reach teachers, please use the started very well. As we move into following format: the fourth week of school, many enhancements have been given name.family [email protected] successfully introduced. For example, if you need to contact With the addition of wireless me directly, kindly send an e-mail computer access throughout the to: [email protected] Grade level trips school last April, the new laptops This year we have 3 trips with an added to the Library Media Center New Secondary blog emphasis on the environment (LMC) have been very popular with Once all families have been planned that are designed to offer students and teachers alike. The introduced to the school‘s new e- students unique activities that they remodeled LMC is becoming an mail system, I will be using Moodle could not take advantage of at area many students visit before to send out regular updates. These school. More detailed information school, during recess and after updates will be delivered through will be provided, but please keep school. Our DP students are also Moodle in a similar way that the following dates in mind: finding it perfectly suited for students receive updates from their September 28-30 (Grade 8) independent study blocks in the individual subject teachers. The November 9-11 (Grade 6) schedule. Secondary Blog will also have March 7-9 (Grade 10) essential documents and These enhancements support our announcements in one convenient Warm regards, school‘s IT Plan which seeks to place to visit. I encourage you to integrate technology within the visit it often. Stephen Rothkopf curriculum supporting Secondary School ‗constructivist‘ or student-centered Principal learning. In a constructivist educational setting, students are not seen as passive recipients absorbing knowledge via direct lecture, but rather active learners taking responsibility for their own learning while actively building Mr Rothkopf knowledge through inquiry.
The use of technology allows learning to continue outside of the classroom and increases student interaction with teachers and fellow classmates. The intent is to move away from traditional ‗chalk and talk‘ teaching which will better prepare our students for learning long past their years at KIST. Secondary Class Times Long Tuesdays Homeroom 8:30-8:35 Homeroom 8:30-8:35 Parent Welcome Night Block 1 8:40-10:00 Block 1 8:40-9:45 I would like to thank all the parents/ Block 2 10:05-11:30 Block 2 9:50-10:55 guardians that were able to attend Lunch 11:30-12:15 Lunch 11:00-11:45 this year‘s Parent Welcome Night. I Block 3 12:20-13:45 Block 3 11:50-12:55 Crossover 13:45-13:55 Block 4 13:00-14:05 heard from numerous parents that Block 4 13:55-15:20 Crossover 14:05-14:15 they found the format very Advisory 14:15-15:20 informative. If you were not able to attend, please feel free to contact your child‘s teachers or me directly Short Tuesdays by e-mail if you have any questions Homeroom 8:30-8:35 or concerns. Block 1 8:40-9:45 Block 2 9:50-10:55 Lunch 11:00-11:45 Live EDU – New e-mail Block 3 11:50-12:55 As discussed during the parent Crossover 12:55-13:05 night, the school has introduced a Block 4 13:05-14:10 Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011 “The Comet” 7
IB Diploma Results
During the summer vacation the IB Diploma results were issued to the students of the ―Class of 2011‖. The table below summarizes the performance of the candidates and also KIST graduates from 2008-2011. Mean points of Number of IB Number of students Highest KIST mean students Worldwide mean Year of Graduation Diploma awarded the IB KIST points* awarded the IB points** candidates Diploma Score* Diploma* 2011 30.5 16 14 32 40 TBA 2010 27.05 18 11 30 38 29.55 2009 31.80 10 9 32 45 29.51 2008 30.88 8 5 35 39 29.57
*Maximum score: 45 points
The results of the ―Class of 2011‖ were very positive. As the table above shows, 14 out of 16 students achieved the award of the full IB Diploma. Nine students achieved a good to very good IB Diploma of 30 points of more. Congratulations to Shreya who achieved the highest score this year of 40 points, an excellent IB Diploma. Other very good IB Diplomas were awarded to Maung Pyay Phyo (37 points), Faye (35 points) and Jakub (35 points). Special mention should also be made of 6 students who were awarded a bilingual IB Diploma as they choose to study both English and Japanese as first languages. With more than a third of KIST graduates achieving a bilingual Diploma, this puts KIST above the IB world average for this. Also notable this year was that four students were awarded an A, the highest grade possible, for their Extended Essay.
Parents who would like more general information on IB Diploma results should go to http://www.ibo.org/diploma/ assessment/results/. The IB publishes a ―Statistical Bulletin‖ summarizing IB Diploma results, a link to which is on this webpage. The ―Statistical Bulletin‖ for the May 2011 Examination Session should be published in November.
Congratulations to the students on their individual successes in the DP curriculum and thanks to all the Grade 12 teachers from last year for all their hard work!
Mark Cowe Secondary School Vice Principal / IB Diploma Coordinator
IE Junior Advisory Board
In April of last spring, I traveled to IE University in Spain which, although to participate in the Junior Advisory Board meeting. I slightly was selected as a member of the Board, alongside 11 intimidating to other high school students from every corner of the begin with, was a world to share our views on the purpose of education, tremendous together with our expectations regarding university life. honor.
Our agenda while in Spain was packed tight with We were also treated to a Spanish Flamenco show, a meetings and workshops, but we also experienced local visit to the Prado Museum, a tour around Segovia, and a culture. On the first day, we were given a tour of IE tapas dinner in downtown Madrid. Business School‘s campus in Madrid, followed by a dinner with IE‘s Deans and faculty. This experience—my first trip abroad alone—was extremely valuable and enriching for me. The IE From the following morning, the University‘s professors community was very welcoming, and I am grateful for led workshops about innovation, social the opportunity to learn from inspiring educators and IAB entrepreneurship, and diversity in IE University‘s members, as well as meet and make new friendships Segovia campus. We then discussed what IE University with my fellow Junior Advisory Board members who could do to promote these concepts through their represented Colombia, Jordan, India, Peru, Lesotho, curriculum. To wrap up, we put all of our thoughts USA, the Czech Republic and Spain. Immersing myself together into a conclusion with recommendations for the in this completely new environment and learning more University, which we presented to IE‘s International about university life turned out to be a very special Advisory Board (IAB) of experienced leaders including experience. For more information on the JAB and how to presidents and CEOs of reputable companies. After our apply, please visit http://www.jab.ie.edu. presentation, we had the opportunity to talk more to the International Advisory Board members over lunch, Monica (G11C) 8 “The Comet” Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011
Library News Welcome to the new KIST Libraries! We have been very busy over the staff this year, please summer break in preparing our welcome our Teacher- libraries for the new school year. Librarian, Mr Andi Ms Findlay Ms Yoshimoto Mr Licuanan We are very grateful to the parent Licuanan. He will be teaching and student volunteers who gave information literacy in the library, Brittanica Online can be used by up part of their vacation to help us and working closely with teachers students of all ages, providing a out with packing and shelving. We and students to support study and safe, age appropriate site where could not have done it without your research skills. He will also be students can research and explore. support! taking care of the independent Students can search using their study area for the DP students. age level, from Elementary to High The new school year sees many School, and there are plenty of changes in both of our libraries. New library services interactive features and fun KIST Libraries recently included educational games to explore as Located on the 2nd floor of the Destiny in our library services. well as up-to-date articles and Main Building, the former Main Destiny Library Manager is a references for school projects. Library has become the LMC powerful library software package (Library Media Center), for the from Follett Company that Both these online databases can use of our MYP and DP students. manages our collection and be accessed by logging into During the summer break, this services. It is widely used by K-12 Moodle and going to the LMC, space underwent a full renovation international schools in Japan and Elementary Library or Mr Brunton‘s and extension. It now includes a around the world. Corner. spacious reading area, an independent study area and two Destiny is a user-friendly tool that Library hours quiet rooms for DP students. enhances collaboration between LMC: 8:00 am – 4.30 pm (except the librarians, teachers and for short Tuesdays) In the LMC, we also have new students. Searching for books in Elementary: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm class sets of laptops that will be the library, educational websites, (except for short Tuesdays) available for student use, including placing a hold request and Elementary students must be a set reserved for DP students to renewing items borrowed can now accompanied by a parent when help them in their studies. all be done online. All users can visiting the library after school. make and share lists of resources. Parents are welcome to borrow Changes have also occurred in the Above all, it is available online books too; please ask library staff former Junior Library, now a full 24/7, making it accessible in our about setting up an account. Elementary Library, which can be school, at home or anywhere with found on the 3rd floor of the West an Internet connection. Volunteers Building. With the addition of new If you would like to volunteer to shelving and furniture, the library Explore Destiny using the link from help in the library with covering or now caters to all of our PYP our LMC Moodle page, Elementary shelving books, please contact the students, from K1 to Grade 5. Library Moodle page or you can PTA Library Committee or one of directly visit this site: the Librarians. Library staff https://kist.follettdestiny.com Ms Anna Findlay is our Students can log in using the same PTA Library Committee Meeting Elementary Librarian. She loves username and password as for September 23 | 10:30 am | LMC helping students find something Live@edu and the Moodle great to read, and encouraging eClassroom. reading and research skills in Donations young learners in the welcoming Other online resources the school If you have resources you would environment of the Elementary has available to all students are like to donate to KIST Libraries, Library. Questia and Encyclopedia please contact the Britannica Online. library staff first to Ms Satoko Yoshimoto is our LMC ensure that the Librarian. She manages the daily Questia database is available for items will match operations of the LMC. If you need upper MYP and DP students, our collection‘s
to know anything about the library allowing them to search thousands needs. or its resources, including laptops of texts online to support their and online resources, please ask research. Books, journal articles We look forward to her. and more, provide current research seeing you in the new material for secondary students. KIST Libraries! As a new addition to our library Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011 “The Comet” 9
Elementary Library What a mess!
Before
Study area and picture books
New books display, reading area, and non-fiction
Library Media Center Student and parent volunteers unpack in the new LMC ↓
Packing up the old Main Library ↓
Entry area
Class work area
Teachers and students working in the quiet study area 10 “The Comet” Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011
College Guidance News
Greetings from Mrs Keiko Okude, KIST College Guidance Counselor! The College Guidance Office has been open and busy during the summer to respond to various requests from current and former KIST students. This has included sending the final transcripts to the King’s College London, UK universities which the Class of 2011 chose for their Monday, September 26 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm destinations to start their new academic lives after Brown University, USA graduating from KIST. I am very pleased to announce Tuesday, October 4 | 2:20 pm – 3:20 pm that the 2010-2011 school year was another successful ICU (International Christian University), Japan year for KIST graduates. And more will come during the Thursday, October 6 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm year from the students applying to Australian and UBC (University of British Columbia), Canada Japanese universities. Please check the list of Monday, October 10 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm acceptances and offers for the Class of 2011 below. University of Connecticut, Binghamton University (SUNY), University of Oregon, USA KIST College Acceptances and Offers 2011 Friday, October 14 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm (As of August 31, 2011) PLU (Pacific Lutheran University), USA Bold type indicates enrollment Monday, October 24 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Asterisk (*) indicates scholarship offered Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan Friday, October 28 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm USA Purdue University | University of Chicago* | College Fairs Michigan State University* | Clark University* | Education UK (The British Council) California Institute of Technology | Venue: Grand Hall Shinagawa Worchester Institute of Technology* | Date: Sunday, October 2 Wake Forest University | University of Southern California* | Marist College* | Pacific Lutheran University* | Time: 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm University of Massachusetts* | Discover Australia! Australia University Fair 2011 State University of New York at Binghamton* | Venue: Ebisu (EBIS303 4F) Boston University* | Date: Sunday, October 2 State University of New York at Stony Brook | Time: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm Northeastern University* | University of Miami* | Rice University* KIST College Information Night UK Venue: KIST gymnasium University of Sheffield | University of Manchester | Date: Wednesday, September 28（Date changed!) University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) | Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm University of Kent | University of Sussex | All families of Secondary students are welcome to University of Leeds | University of Saint Andrews | attend this information night which will cover general London School of Economics and Political Science | and basic information about college/university University of London (Royal Holloway) | admission throughout the world, including IB Kingston University | University College London | Staffordshire University | University of York | recognitions. A Q&A session will also be conducted. HULT International Business School More specific informational conferences will be scheduled later for G11 and G12 families in the form of JAPAN individual or group meetings with Mrs Okude. Waseda University | Lakeland College PSAT Tests (for G10 and G11) College Guidance Events: Fall 2011 Wednesday, October 12 (during the school day) Compulsory for all G10 students; optional for G11 students. Further details will be distributed to families College Presentations at KIST (for G10 to G12) soon. Sign up to attend presentations from the following colleges and universities and meet the reps! Parents are For more information about college guidance, please also welcome. contact: Colgate University, Skidmore College, Kenyon Mrs Keiko Okude College, Northeastern University, Colorado College Guidance Counselor College, St. Olaf College, USA Office hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. | Thursday, September 8 | 9:00 am – 10:00 am 10:00 am – 5:00 pm IE University, Spain [email protected] Friday, September 9 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), USA Thursday, September 15 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Mrs Okude Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011 “The Comet” 11
Short Tuesdays Car Parking
In line with IB requirements, we have introduced a Families dropping off and system of ―short Tuesdays‖ for the purpose of picking up children by car are increasing school-wide collaborative planning time for reminded that parking for any teachers. length of time is strictly prohibited on all streets surrounding the school. On these days, school finishes This includes drop off and pick up times during the September 6, 20 for all grades at 2:10 p.m. All regular school day, as well as days when special October 4, 25 students from K1 through school events are held. The school will refer any November 8, 29 Grade 12 are required to leave complaints from our neighbors to the police department. December 13 the school grounds at this January 17, 31 time. No after-school activities Please also note that the road in front of the main February 14, 28 are scheduled and After Care school entrance gate is recognized as a one-way road March 13 for K1 to K3 students is not by the local community through an informal agreement April 3, 17 available. However, the to enable a smooth flow of traffic. Vehicles should enter May 1, 15, 29 separate after-school LEAP the street by turning off Kiyosubashi-dori Avenue next June 12 program will not be affected to the Comfort Hotel and leave the area via the street and will continue as scheduled. next to the Akafudado supermarket.
This year, 18 short Tuesdays Please assist us in maintaining a are scheduled during the good relationship with local year. residents and businesses by observing traffic rules and using a public car park instead of parking on the streets, and by cooperating with local Free Dress Days community procedures. As indicated on the school calendar, free dress days will be held during 2011-2012 as follows: Math Games at Home September 27 (Tuesday) November 30 (Wednesday) February 10 (Friday) In order to make the learning of math fun and relevant, May 24 (Thursday) there are loads of fun and engaging games you can play with your All free dress days during the year are for the whole children at home. The best part is school. Separate notification will not be distributed, so that most require items we normally please highlight the dates on your calendar. Students have around the house! who choose to wear free dress on these days are required to pay a fee of 200 yen per student. Playing Card Games The following site provides lots of fun games using Families are reminded that although students do not regular playing cards. have to wear the school uniform on these days, the http://letsplaymath.net/2006/12/29/the- clothes they wear must uphold the image of the school. game-that-is-worth-1000-worksheets/ Furthermore, all students are expected to follow the regular school dress code in terms of general Dice Games appearance. Please check the School Handbook The following site explains numerous fun (available on the Admissions >> Documentation page dice games. of the school website) if you are unsure of these http://www.family-games-treasurehouse.com/ expectations. math_games_for_kids.html
The theme of the first free Flash Cards dress day on Tuesday, Using printable flash cards you can September 27 will be play and invent your own games. ―Sports‖. On this day, Templates will be available soon in Mr. students are encouraged Brunton‘s Corner through Moodle! to wear appropriate sports attire that depicts, Happy playing! advertises or features the colors of their favorite sport teams or players. Funds will be allocated to the Kevin Yoshihara PE department. Elementary Mathematics Coordinator 12 “The Comet” Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011
PTA News Staff 10!
Hello everyone. The PTA for 2011- In this month‘s Staff 10!, we are 2012 looks forward to working pleased to present Benjamen alongside the school to ensure an Fishman who joined KIST this year enjoyable and safe school life for all students and their as our school-wide Student Welfare families. The PTA Executive Committee will meet at the Counselor. Read on to find out school on the first Wednesday of every month at 2:00 more about Mr Fishman and his p.m. School administration staff and other faculty many interests. Mr Fishman and his members will join these meetings, and we will discuss saxophone. school-related issues and make suggestions every Tell us something interesting month. If needed, we will also invite the leaders from about your hometown. each of the standing committees to support us with our My hometown is Colorado in the United States. Colorado is activities. Parents who have any questions, suggestions considered by many as the premiere place for skiing in the or requests on any PTA matter are welcome to contact entire world. Breathtaking scenery and world-class skiing make Colorado a prime tourist destination. The main tourist the members of the Executive (contact details will be attractions in the state include Rocky Mountain National Park, distributed soon). We will work together to find an Curecanti National Recreation Area, Mesa Verde National appropriate and constructive answer. Any matters that Park, the Great Sand Dunes and Dinosaur National the PTA is unable to resolve, and in situations where it Monuments, Colorado National Monument, and the Black is more appropriate to contact the school directly, we Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. will refer the matter to appropriate person at the school. What is your favorite place in the world? Japan! I spent two summers in Japan and traveled to For general members, coffee mornings and other Nagano, Nagoya, Gifu City, Kobe, Osaka and Tokyo. It has events will be organized by the various committees been a goal of mine to move to Japan for about 5 years. during the year. All parents are invited to join these Who would you like to meet if you had the chance sessions to meet other parents and exchange ideas. and why? The first coffee morning will be held as below. I would like to meet Louis Armstrong. In my opinion he was perhaps the best musician who ever lived. Louis Armstrong “PTA Coffee Morning” grew up in dire poverty in New Orleans, Louisiana, when jazz September 23 (Friday) | 9:00 am was very young and was instrumental in innovating the art Secondary Lunch Room form to what it is today. Please bring a plate of food to share. Do you have any special skills or talents? I was a professional musician in Los Angeles and Denver, It is my sincere wish that the entire school community Colorado. I was a classically trained clarinetist and was can work together with to build a successful PTA. I look fortunate enough to study with some of the finest. I worked as forward to working with you all during the year. a woodwind doubler, meaning that I played all of the woodwind instruments: clarinet, saxophone and flute. Akiko Inoue Please share a little known fact about yourself. PTA President, on behalf of the PTA Executive I have four degrees and am a licensed principal, music teacher and counselor. PTA Executive Committee 2011-2012 What is your most prized possession? My Selmer Mark 6 saxophone. What words would you use to describe yourself? I would describe myself as someone who cares about others and is a true life-long learner, passionate educator, and would never consider doing anything else with my life‘s work. If you could live your life again, would you do anything differently? Akiko Inoue Mitsuka Ishikura Scott Smith Charlotte Jacobsen Perhaps after finishing my master‘s program, I would have continued my education further and worked towards earning President: Akiko Inoue (Emiri G5A, Taisei G10A) a PhD in psychology. Vice President: Mitsuka Ishikura (Hikaru G6A) Treasurer: Scott Smith (Shu G10A) Is there anything you are trying to learn/improve Secretary: Charlotte Jacobsen (Harriette G2B, Magnus K3A) about yourself at the moment? I am constantly trying to improve myself physically and mentally; I am trying to do yoga a few times a week and keep Newcomer’s Committee a positive mind with whatever I do. The PTA Newcomer‘s Committee would like to Do you have any special message for your fans? extend a very special welcome to all families with For all of the Mr Fishman fans children newly enrolled this year. We look forward to out there, I would like everyone meeting you over the coming weeks and working with to know that I am thrilled to be you at KISTival and other events during the year. We at KIST, so please never also invite you all to attend the PTA Coffee Morning hesitate to stop by my office scheduled for September 23. Contact details of our when you need assistance. My office is located in the committee members will be distributed soon. rd Tracy Silvasti, Newcomer‘s Committee Chair secondary building, 3 floor, room 313. Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011 “The Comet” 13
Office Updates KISTival 2011
School fees The school festival, KISTival, will For families with children continuing their enrollment be held on Saturday, October from last year, the payment date for the second 15. This annual event is the installment of school fees was September 15. As this biggest fundraising activity of the date has now passed, we ask that you make year and is made possible arrangements for payment to be made as soon as through the hard work of school possible, if you have not already done so. For students staff, parents and students. who enrolled from this year, the due date is October 15. Families who are unable to meet deadlines for This year‘s profits will be put school fee payments are asked to contact the Accounts towards further improvements in the school libraries Department prior to the due date to make alternative and the redevelopment of the ECE playground. In arrangements. A late fee of 2,000 yen is incurred where addition, continuing our earthquake relief, a percentage no prior notification is received. of the profits will also be donated to the Tohoku region.
Please note that from this year, Accounts issues only Further information regarding the arrangements for the one invoice per year. For families who have chosen to festival will be distributed to all families very soon. In the pay school fees in installments, the relevant amounts to meantime, don‘t forget to start thinking about what be paid with each installment during the year are costume you will wear this year! indicated on this invoice. Other fees for the school lunch and school bus services will continue to be invoiced The success of KISTival relies heavily on parental separately at the appropriate time. support. In particular, the various booths and activities School hours are organized by the parent body as led by the class Teacher supervision commences on the school parent representatives. For this reason, if your child‘s playground from 8:15 a.m. Students should not arrive class is yet to choose its representatives, and you wish at school before this time. On rainy days, Secondary to volunteer, please contact the school office as soon students may use the gymnasium and deck areas as possible to register your interest. before school, and Elementary students should gather in the Multipurpose Room. After school, all students are required to leave the grounds by 3:30 p.m., unless they are supervised by a teacher, participating in an after-
school club activity, or studying in the library.
Student ID cards – reminders Explanation Day 2011 For the 2012 - 2013 school year All students in Grades 1 and above must be sure to
scan their ID card at the main entrance gate every KIST will hold an Explanation Day for parents time they enter and leave the school grounds, even if interested in enrolling children for the 2012 - the gate is opened by someone else. Attendance 2013 school year. may be verified based on gate records.
Lost or damaged cards must be replaced Administration and teaching staff will be immediately. available to answer questions regarding Only 1 card should be scanned at a time. admissions procedures, the school Cards for K1 to K3 students should be held by curriculum, progression to universities, and parents only. Cards should not be handed to children general features of the school. Visitors will or kept in their school bags. also be able to view the school facilities. PE uniform policy Elementary students are permitted to wear their PE Date: uniform to and from school on days when they have October 1, 2011 (Saturday) PE classes scheduled. Session times: Secondary students are required to wear their formal (1) English: 9:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. uniform to and from school, bringing their PE uniform (2) Japanese: 1:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. to change into at school. They may wear their PE
uniform to school only if they have PE in the first Reservations close: block, and then change into their formal uniform. September 31, 2011 (Friday) They may also wear their PE uniform home only if
they have PE in the last block. Reservations essential! Navy blue polo shirts or sporting team outfits may
not be worn during regular PE classes. Families should ensure that children have spare PE www.kist.ed.jp clothing items if they have PE scheduled on concurrent days. 14 “The Comet” Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011
IT Office News
KIST featured as case study on Microsoft Live@edu rollout underway! website The IT Office is pleased to announce that the Towards the end of last school year, the IT Office, in Live@edu rollout is underway. We are enrolling each collaboration with the Grade 5 teachers, created a class of students into Live@edu (and Moodle) upon special Moodle site for the Grade 5 PYP Exhibition receipt of a class set of permission slips. For parents which integrated Live@edu and Moodle together. who were unable to attend one of our recent Parent Welcome Nights, Live@edu is our new school We established communications platform which allows for a unified e- contact with Microsoft mail and calendaring system as well as a single logon Japan and invited for KIST online services such as Moodle and the them to observe a Destiny library catalog system. lesson and the final exhibition To explain how Live@edu can be used, we will be presentation. The holding parent training sessions in English and enthusiasm and high Japanese as indicated below. quality of work “Live@edu Training Sessions” displayed by the G5 September 20 (Tuesday): 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. students impressed September 21 (Wednesday): 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Microsoft Japan so much they decided to feature KIST September 22 (Thursday): 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. as an example of how a school can utilize Moodle and English: Main Bldg. 3F, Technology Lab Live@edu to improve student learning. Japanese: Main Bldg 2F, Library Media Center RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! The entire case study may be viewed at the following address: If you would like to attend one of these training http://www.microsoft.com/japan/showcase/ sessions, please send your name and your child‘s kist.mspx name and grade to Rob Whittaker at [email protected]. Don‘t forget to include You can also download the case study in Japanese or the date and language preference of the session you English by clicking on the following PDF links: wish to attend. Case Study Japanese / Case Study English We expect to have the new system completely up and Currently KIST is the only K-12 school in Japan running from October 3. This means that all school e- involved with this level of integration and application; it mails will only be sent to your new KIST Live@edu is usually only seen at the university level. address from this date onwards.
All the hard work by the G5 students (currently G6) is Please watch for more information from KIST Contacts the reason why we have rebuilt and redesigned this in the coming weeks. year‘s KIST Moodle site with the tight integration of Live@edu – to benefit the entire school community. KIST IT Office
Secondary SRC
The Secondary Student Representative Council (SRC) is very excited to welcome you all to the 2011- 2012 school year! We are looking forward to making it a very fun and productive one.
We will be holding our Homeroom Elections this month, so start thinking about your Representatives. Frank (G12), Monica (G11C), Ryosuke (G12) and You will be hearing more details about this in the Airi (G11B) with advisor, Mr Murphy. coming weeks.
Until then, please contact us with any concerns or Secondary SRC Executive 2011-2012 suggestions. President: Frank (G12) Kevin Murphy Vice President: Ryosuke (G12) SRC Advisor Treasurer: Monica (G11C) Secretary: Airi (G11B) Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011 “The Comet” 15
KIST Group 4 Project 2011 It’s a Gas The Group 4 project is an rather than the products. As such, new resources that interdisciplinary activity in which all it provides an opportunity for have been purchased Diploma Program science students students to work collaboratively by the school this must participate. The Group 4 and for teachers to assess year. All groups tackled difficult project took place in June of last students‘ interpersonal skills, problems and designed complex academic year, while our current motivation and self-awareness in a experiments involving sophisticated Grade 12 class were wrapping up team work situation. equipment. their Grade 11 year. The total duration must be 10 hours; hence Ideally, each of the main In most cases, the students made the Grade 11 students were off the disciplines; biology, chemistry and multiple errors with the design, data regular timetable for two full school physics should be represented collection, data processing, days to work solely on the Group 4 within a group. Group members conclusions and evaluation aspects Project. The intention is that were selected with this factor of their projects. This is to be students from the different Group 4 forming the first priority. expected given the pressured time sciences subjects analyse a Secondarily, it was attempted to allocation for the project and the common topic or problem allowing make the groups mixed gender, unfamiliar territory it forces students for concepts and perceptions from mixed ability and mixed level (SL/ to work in. However, nearly all across the disciplines to be shared HL). Finally, as students‘ groups focussed on the overall aims in order to encourage an interpersonal skills were being of the project and their understanding of the relationships assessed, students were grouped presentations contained ample between scientific disciplines and with those who they normally reflection on the nature of scientific the overarching nature of the interact with the least (i.e. not their investigation and its real life scientific method. friends!). applications and implications. So, in this regard, the 2011 Group 4 The Group 4 project allows The topic for 2011 was ―It‘s a Gas.‖ Project was a huge success. Well students to appreciate the Students designed and conducted done to all the students and thank environmental, social and ethical investigations that involved one or you for your efforts. Now that you implications of science and more gas. Topics included cellular are the Grade 12 senior class, you technology. It may also allow them respiration, the greenhouse effect, can expect more challenges this to understand the limitations of temperature effects on O2 gas year. You have all demonstrated scientific study, for example, the sensors, enthalpy of combustion, that you are ready and able to cope shortage of appropriate data and/ Boyle‘s & Charles‘ Gas Laws and with these. Good luck. or the lack of resources. The climate change. Many of the emphasis is on the processes student‘s investigations were only Andrew Young involved in a scientific investigation made possible due to a number of Subject Area Coordinator: Science 16 “The Comet” Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011
Brain Humanities in Borneo
Taisei volunteers in Malaysia This summer, I was able to participate as that the Borneo villagers a foresting volunteer in Borneo, Malaysia know about how to live in from August 5 until August 12. hope and in joy.
This volunteer activity was held by an I learned many important and precious things and it NPO group called Brain Humanities and really changed my life. I recommend to KIST students all of the participants were either junior to leave the house and look at the world, it may change high school or high school students, your life and thoughts completely. totaling 30 students. Brain Humanities is organized by many university students and is operating in many Taisei (G6A) places that need help from teenagers. First, we needed to collect money for buying trees to plant in Borneo, but the participants, including me, needed to think up the way. Then we got an answer; it is by donation. For this, PYP News I went to Kobe by bus and prepared many things such Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! as making a poster for the donation activity, learning We have had a great start to the year. basic Malay and practicing a farewell performance for 5 Students were eager to come to school, days. I was also excited to meet with new friends who see old friends and make new ones and were going to visit Borneo together. We asked for to see their new classroom and teacher. Ms Heard support on the street at Hyogo and got many donations Already there has been some great from kind people. All of the donations were used for learning going on in the Elementary School. I am buying the trees. looking forward to a great year of learning for students,
teachers and parents. After we got everything ready, we headed to Borneo. I needed to transfer airplanes three times and arrived in I am excited to begin my new adventure at KIST. I am the middle of the night in Borneo. All of the participants originally from Seattle, but have been teaching were able to have enjoy experiences such as home overseas for the past 8 years. I recently came from staying at a village in the jungle, foresting the trees we Hong Kong where I taught Grade 2 and Kindergarten brought and helping the villagers work. Through those and also served as the Upper Primary Coordinator at experiences, I met many wonderful people who Hong Kong Academy. I received my teaching supported me at the foreign environment. I would like to credential in K-8 Education from Western Washington thank my great host family, the kind and friendly University and recently completed my master‘s degree villagers, splendid staff and other participants who were in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University. I bold adventurers. These peoples‘ support and kindness have been teaching in the Primary Years Program for taught me many important things. five years and am looking forward to using this experience as I work with teachers and students as the In Borneo, I met people who didn‘t live in the modern PYP Coordinator. life or have enough water. The villagers didn‘t know about baths and showers, children never played video To learn more about the curriculum for your child‘s games, they don‘t have enough electrical supplies but I grade level, please log on to KIST‘s Moodle Page. think that they know what is really important in their There you will find the Programme of Inquiry. A yearly lives. The tribal people are kind hearted, hate racism overview that details what your child will learn this year and wish to learn new things and work hard for their will also be posted towards the end of the month. You lives. They taught participants the power of nature and will also find the Programme of Inquiry posted in the also how fragile the forest lobby of the Elementary School. Feel free to come by is, and the way of living and take a look. together with nature. By living with those people, On Wednesday, September 28, there will be a PYP eating together, talking Information Session in the Multipurpose Room together and working (opposite the school reception counter) from 6 pm. This together, I started to notice information session is intended for parents new to the a change happening in PYP and to those who would like a refresher on the myself. I got tougher in PYP philosophies and curriculum. I hope to see you many ways and was able to there! think like the local people **DATE CHANGED** and also understand how Elizabeth Heard “PYP Parent Information Session #1” precious nature is. I believe PYP Coordinator September 28 (Wednesday) Multipurpose Room 6:00 – 7:00 pm Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011 “The Comet” 17
PE and Sports News
The KIST Physical Education advancement of the team Department begins the 2011/2012 and individual player will school year with new faces, new be offered by qualified ideas, and an enthusiastic teachers and staff. approach to teaching and Mr Erber Mr Lee Mr Leroy coaching. The curriculum will KIST is part of the continue to support the PYP and International Schools Tokyo Jim Erber, MYP PE Teacher and MYP programs as well as Athletic Association (ISTAA) as Athletics Director, Chee Lee, MYP encouraging the DP students to well as the Kanto League with PE Teacher and PE Subject Area remain active and healthy. other international schools in Coordinator, and Jay Leroy, PYP Tokyo. There are three seasons in PE Teacher are happy to become a The curricula will emphasize the the school term: autumn, winter part of the KIST family and look fitness aspect of physical and spring. Schedules are education. The 5 fitness available during the current forward to parameters of upper body strength, seasons. working lower body strength, flexibility, with your cardiovascular fitness, and speed/ Please feel free to come out and family and agility will be included in each watch your sons or daughters your participate for KIST at games or class daily. Skills, rules, support. fundamentals and technique in practice. We welcome all inquiries various sports and games will regarding the Physical Education enhance student knowledge. Cross Department, sports and clubs. Country will be a focus early on in the year to concentrate on the KIST Inter-House Cross Country Meet on November 18.
Sports and competition supports the school curriculum and gives students an opportunity to participate in team activities. Sportsmanship, fair play, and training that is specific to the
Leap into LEAP http://www.k-leap.jp
The LEAP after-school program is classes). This allows students to back! LEAP (Learning receive intensive support Enhancement Academic Program) according to each student‘s level is pleased to announce its return and to have their individual needs for the 2011-2012 school year. met. Following on from last year‘s LEAP is an after-school program that provides opportunities for successful first year, the LEAP Our instructors and assistants What is LEAP? students to develop and improve after-school program is currently include qualified kindergarten, their academic skills, focusing open to all students enrolled at mathematics and language primarily on developing basic KIST as well as students from teachers, KIST teacher assistants skills in language and mathematics that will transfer to other international schools, and IB graduates and current KIST the regular classroom. Japanese schools and other non- students who meet certain English schools. The program is standards, and each class has a designed with the aims of building proper balance of these instructors Semester 1 Courses a solid base of English and math and assistants. K1 - K3 Course (Literacy/ knowledge skills as well as guiding Numeracy) students who aim to succeed in We look forward to welcoming G1 - G2 Course (Language/Math) acquiring an IB diploma. back our old students and meeting G1 - G5 Course (Basic Skills new ones for LEAP 2011-2012. If Development) At LEAP students receive focused you are interested in applying for G3 - G6 Course (English/Math) learning support with a maximum LEAP please visit our website for student to instructor/assistant ratio further information on available G6 - G10 Course (English/Math) of 4 to 1 (8 to 1 for lecture courses and fees. G8 - G11 Course (Special Math) 18 “The Comet” Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011
Global Young Leaders Conference
―3…2…1…Welcome Scholars!‖ group as we presented and voted last day, every That‘s what Ria (G11A), Rishab on resolutions regarding various moment was a (G11B), and Monica (G11C) heard global issues, in a conference new and several times a day from June 26 room at the United Nations exciting to July 9 this summer, when they Headquarters. experience. attended the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) in Apart from stepping into the shoes Out of all of Washington DC and New York with (or rather sitting in the chairs) of these 300 other students from around the real UN delegates and exploring memorable moments, Ria‘s favorite globe. the UN headquarters, we visited was our Leadership Group the US Department of State and Meetings (LGM), where we got to GYLC is much like Model United World Bank, Ellis Island, The know the group members and their Nations, in that students are Smithsonian Museums including backgrounds individually as time divided into country groups of the Holocaust Memorial Museum went by. Rishab agreed, saying his around 25 people, led which is now imprinted favorite part was the Cultural by one faculty advisor, in all of our memories, Exchange part of the LGMs, where which they must and Diplomatic each member introduced their home represent throughout Embassies including country, because it was very the conference. the Bahamian, French, interesting to know about what and Saudi Arabian backgrounds people come from and We were all very embassies. In many of the cultures and traditions they excited to get to GYLC these places we had follow. Apart from the LGMs, and start making the opportunity to listen Monica‘s favorite part of the friends from around the to experienced leaders experience was exploring the UN world and enhancing representing the UN, Headquarters. our leadership skills! Department of State, We soon realized that the GYLC World Bank, etc. talk to us, and GYLC is held several times a year schedule was very demanding, ask them questions in return. for students of ages 15-19 from all and that even though we worked These speaking events left us over the world. Students who have very hard during our Leadership feeling inspired and empowered. been selected to participate have Group Meetings with our country the opportunity to choose between groups and during debates and When we weren‘t learning and attending the conference in the simulations, we were also given working, we had a wealth of USA, China or Europe. For more time to socialize, explore entertaining and exciting events to information about GYLC, we Washington DC and New York with keep us busy. From exploring the strongly recommend visiting our new friends, and even do a bit National Mall, taking pictures with http://www.cylc.org/gylc/. of shopping. the White House and Statue of Liberty, seeing New York from the Monica (G11C), Ria (G11A) and On the academic side, we 86th floor observatory of the Rishab (G11B) represented either Boeing or Empire State Building, taking an Airbus to engage in a debate about NBC Studio tour, strolling along in the politics of trade, put ourselves Times Square and Fifth Avenue in the shoes of the UN Security with our new friends, to watching a Council and debated peace and show on Broadway, having security-related issues on Cyprus, evening socials, a 4th of July and finally, a Global Summit with Cookout, competing in our very all students at GYLC, where we own ‗GYLC Olympics‘, and were delegates of our country attending a dinner cruise on the
ISA Testing
Once again this year, students in Grades 3, 5, 7 and 9 will sit the International Schools Assessment (ISA) from October 11 to 13. Developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), the ISA measures reading, writing and mathematics skills, and is based on internationally endorsed reading and mathematical literacy frameworks. The test is administered annually in more than 200 school worldwide. Parents will receive the results of their child‘s test around the end of semester 1. Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011 “The Comet” 19
Asian Science Camp 2011
During the summer break, Kei and ―Asian Science Camp was a life Frank from Grade 12 attended a changing experience for me, as I program called ‗Asian Science had a priceless opportunity to gain Camp 2011‘ which took place at ideas from Nobel laureates and the Korea Advanced Institute of many other great scientists by Science and Technology (KAIST) listening to their speeches and for 7 days. questioning them. Together with the inspiring lecturers, the friends A total of 212 students from 19 who I met were very intelligent and Asian countries were invited to enthusiastic; it was very exciting to experience a variety of activities discuss science and share Yubo with 2004 Nobel laureate, such as listening to lectures held viewpoints with them. I was very Prof. Aaron Ciechanover by a number of Nobel laureates surprised to hear that 4 out of 20 including Makoto Kobayashi Japanese participants had ―The ASC held in Korea this year (Nobel Prize in Physics, 2008), received a certain medal in past Aaron Ciechanover (Nobel Prize in International Science Olympics. As was truly a once in a lifetime Chemistry, 2004) and Masatoshi a student whose aspiration is to experience for me as an aspiring scientist. To have the opportunity Koshiba (Nobel Prize in Physics, become a physics teacher, this of working with distinguished 2002) as well as other world-class summer‘s great experience has university professors, IBM-fellows, scientists. motivated me to work harder in the and of course, Nobel laureates in DP as I understood that the world The program consisted of four is a large place full of youths with such close proximity was major activities: plenary lectures, high potential.‖ (Kei, G12) something I‘ve never even lessons, a creative poster dreamed of accomplishing in my competition and an excursion to high school years. Also of course, the largest scientific research being able to learn and cooperate institute in Korea. with participants of 19 different countries from all over the Ten university students and 10 continent was also a huge honor, high school students were selected as most of them were university by the Japan Science and students going into their Bachelor‘s Technology Agency (JST) to degree studies in different represent Japan based on their branches of the sciences. This academic achievements in school, summer camp was deeply inspiring recommendations written by and I highly encourage the science science teachers and an -oriented DP students of KIST to application essay written in apply for next year‘s ASC, which English. Costs were covered by will be held in another venue.‖ (Yubo, G12) KAIST and JST. Kei with 2008 Nobel laureate, Makoto Kobayashi
Truly International
This year at KIST, 43 different nationalities are represented in the student body. These are:
American, Australian, Bangladeshi, Brazilian, British, Canadian, Chinese, Danish, Egyptian, Filipino, German, Indian, Indonesian, Iranian, Israeli, Italian, Ivorian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Mongolian, Myanmar, Nepalese, New Zealander, Nicaraguan, Norwegian, Pakistani, Panamanian, Peruvian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Salvadoran, Senegalese, Serbian, Singaporean, South African, Sri Lankan, Swedish, Taiwanese, Thai, Turkish, Ugandan
Amongst staff, 15 different nationalities are represented as follows:
American, Australian, British, Canadian, Croatian, Filipino, French, Indian, Japanese, Malaysian, New Zealander, Polish, Salvadoran, Ukrainian, Uzbek 20 “The Comet” Volume 15 | Issue 1 | September 2011
A Taste of University Carmina Mancenon is a Class of 2010 alumnus of KIST. She is currently in her second year at Princeton University, majoring in Operations Research and Financial Engineering with a certificate in Environmental Studies. My fall semester Princeton writing than I could ever give back to it. I movie at the local theater, hang out seminar professor once advised am now sitting in my studio with my hallmates or do my maths me to start my paper with a apartment in downtown Chicago problem set? (Just in case you are metaphor…or a sentence that where I have spent five weeks curious, the right answer is the last captures the essence of the exploring the city and interning at a but I ended up doing the second.) content, at the very least. I am not medical fashion enterprise as a quite sure doing so is possible Business Systems Analyst. Nevertheless, with every new face I when looking back at the past Princeton never ceases to surprise meet, hand I shake, and experience year. me. I have, I still find comfort in familiarity. Nothing compares to As a KIST primary/middle/high ending the week with a nice Skype school student, you are probably session with the parents, or visiting wondering: what is university like? your best friend at UPenn‘s Well, I was too. Would it be like Wharton School (Hi, Soo Min Hilary Duff in A Cinderella Story? Hwang!). Just about a month and a Perhaps it will be like John Nash in half ago, exactly one year after I A Beautiful Mind? I arrived at waved goodbye, I visited KIST Princeton with no expectations. again. Hearing familiar voices all Surely it will be like Fitzgerald‘s around me, familiar smiles from the This Side of Paradise? My first few students, teachers, guidance weeks at Princeton set the scene counselors and staff made me quite accurately: it was to be a remember what a unique little place year of many ‗firsts‘. Our KIST is. Some things will always orientation period was three weeks stay with you and KIST is definitely long: one week of international one of those for me. orientation, another of Outdoor Action and the last of frosh week. There is a saying that in a With all of that said, each person Within those first three weeks, I student‘s life, he can only choose has their own experience. You may already had many firsts: seeing the two of the three: academics, social be living in a dorm like me, you may most beautiful campus, canoeing, life or sleep. I used to think this be living in an off-campus house, or hiking/camping for 7 days with no was IB life in a nutshell (MYP, PYP you may be living with your parents. showers or toilets in the woods, and ECE kids, you‘ll find out what I Regardless, I am realizing that the eating ice cream with every meal mean soon enough!), but I now important part is that you find a way just because you can, and hip hop realize that the same cannot apply to make your experience, might that dance classes. more to university life. One day as be high school or university a university student feels like one experience, just how you want it! As the year went on, this list week at times. When you get your became longer and longer. I schedule at the start of the I still don‘t have a metaphor or became involved in projects I semester, you will smile (Wow, sentence to describe my first year, never even knew existed in high only one two-hour lecture on but I do think I have a phrase that school. I sit on the Pace Council Thursday? Cool!) until you realize relates all of this back to you: for Civic Values, a student board that your Thursdays would be filled Ganbatte ne! that oversees civic engagement anyway with group projects, initiatives on campus, was elected extracurricular meetings, professor Carmina Mancenon Co-Social Chair of the International office hours, exam prep, that part- KIST Alumnus, ―Class of 2010‖ Student Association and co- time job, those performances founded the Princeton Sustainable you‘ve been dying to attend, and, Fashion Initiative. This summer, I oh, naps. Lots of them. You will lived for two and a half months in learn to thoroughly appreciate the Zithulele Village, rural South Africa beauty that is Apple‘s iCalendar working on a Princeton-sponsored when you face a dilemma you rural healthcare research project. regularly find yourself in: should I Amidst beautiful people, a tongue attend the lecture by Sonia workout language (try YouTubing Sotomayor, cheer my roommate ‗Xhosa‘) and incredible views, on in her dance performance, Zithulele gave me so much more watch a free Princeton-sponsored
Find out more about Carmina here: http://www.princeton.edu/admission/whatsdistinctive/studentprofiles/mancenon_carmina_14/