Upper School Newsletter May , 2024

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 20-24    China Trips (Gr 6-10)                            May 29          Athletic Awards Ceremony                  May 31          US Assembly   @ 2:15                          May 31          MS Dance & Activities                        June 1            SAT                                                        June 1           Swimming Awards Ceremony                June 1           High School Formal                              June 3-11      Gr. 11 Exams                                          June 4           Gr 8 Community Project Exhibition      June 11-14    Gr. 9 World of Work                              June 11-13    Senior Presentations                              June 14         Senior Breakfast                                    June 14         Graduation Practice                                June 14         Graduation Parade   2:30                        June 14         Graduation  5:00pm                              June 15         Dragon Run                                          June 18         Music Festival                                        June 19         Film Festival Finals                                June 20         Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony                June 21         Last Day of School

CLICK HERE MORE PHOTOS

 A NOTE FROM ADMINISTRATION  

Mr. Fursey Gotuaco

Upper School Principal

TRANSITIONS

"THE SECRET OF CHANGE IS TO FOCUS ALL OF YOUR ENERGY NOT ON FIGHTING THE OLD, BUT ON BUILDING THE NEW!"

                                           Socrates

"CHANGE IS SITUATIONAL.  TRANSITION, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS PSYCHOLOGICAL..... UNLESS TRANSITION HAPPENS, THE CHANGE WON'T WORK, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T TAKE."

                                                                                                                      William Bridges

Our lives are constantly changing.  Our ability to transition and adapting to that change can define whether we have been successful or not.  At our international schools, we are constantly adding students and, sadly, losing students.  We do our best to help our students adapt to their new surroundings here at HIS and prepare them for their move to the next chapter of their life. 

Below are some thoughts from one of our school counselors, Ruth Viader. 

          As we approach the end of the academic year, I wanted to share some insights

          about how the transitions many of our students are facing can impact their

          behavior and emotional well-being over the next few weeks.

          For international school students, the end of the year often means big life

          changes and transitions, on top of the usual changes in classmates, teachers,

          and routines. Some students will be leaving our school and moving to a new

          country or city, while others who are staying might be feeling out of place

          knowing their best friend is leaving. 

          Many of you have already started seeing an increase in students acting out,

          having    emotional outbursts, withdrawing more than usual, feeling anxious

          or sad, or simply having a hard time focusing on academics. This is to

          be expected, and something we should keep in mind, seeing as the end

          of the year is tiring enough as it is without all the additional emotions and

          behavior. Try to take breaks yourself and remind yourself that on top of the                          increased behaviors from the students, we also tend to have less patience

         than when we are fresh off the holidays.

           So, here are some more tips to keep in mind as we get closer to summer

          and your students are getting restless:

                    - Validate their feelings: let students know it's normal to feel a range of                                emotions about these changes.

                    - Maintain routines: as much as possible, sticking to normal classroom                                routines can provide a sense of predictability.  

                    - Find time to reflect on the year and provide closure:reflect on their goals                          and achievements this year, discuss what they are looking forward to keep                          doing/learning, etc. Create a memory book, art piece, etc. to remember the                            year by. 

                     - And lastly, try to remind yourself (and the students) to have extra patience with each other. 

Change affects us all.  And, with a little bit of support, we can all transition successfully.

ITS A GREAT DAY TO BE AN HIS DRAGON!!!

Hello Parents, 

I'd like to discuss an opportunity with you that is unique to us at HIS, and that is the Clifton StrengthFinder Assessment.  

Unfortunately, most people have little knowledge of their talents or strengths.  And they certainly don't consider how to build their lives and careers around them.  Instead, they become experts in their weaknesses - focusing on how to fix them, while their strengths remain hidden and undiscovered.  How do we turn this around for our students?

Over the last 3 years, we have been giving our high school students this personality assessment to help them discover their talents. We speak with students and teachers about these naturally recurring pattern of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that can be productively applied.  These can be beliefs that empower us to succeed or attitudes that sustain our efforts toward achievement and excellence.  We want to tap into our students' natural motivations and thought patterns  that can help them maintain the energy to achieve their goals.

To fully leverage this instrument, I'd like to invite our parents to take the test themselves then come in for a conversation about how to develop your own talents as well as those of your children.  This will require you to purchase one of the books and take the assessment.  The books include: STRENGTHSFINDER 2.0; STRENGTHS BASED LEADERSHIP; NOW DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS; or  CLIFTON STRENGTHS FOR STUDENTS.

You can purchase any of the books, either hard copy or digital.  THE BOOK MUST BE NEW.  Inside the book is a code to take the assessment and if it is a used book then the code to the test has probably been used.  The instrument can be taken in any language and we encourage you to take it in your best language.  

I will be offering opportunities to come in and discuss your own results so that you and your child can have a positive vocabulary to help them understand what makes them uniquely gifted and talented.  I hope you will take this opportunity to grow and help your child grow.  It will be one of the best conversation you have ever had!

The meeting times are below.  You may attend any of them.  You may attend by yourself or with your child.  You may attend as many times as you'd like.  Each meeting will be different because they will revolve around the unique discussions of the attendees.

Thursday, May 23rd   10:00am

Thursday, May 23rd   6:00pm

Tuesday, May 28th     4:00pm (after exhibition)

PLEASE SCAN THE CODE BELOW TO ATTEND ANY OF THE SESSIONS.

PAFA Fitness

Join us for Yoga this Thursday morning! 

NEXT YEAR'S SCHOOL CALENDAR

https://www.his-china.org/inform/school-calendar

go to the calendar tab on the school website and scroll down

PAFA end of the year Lunch!

Join us to celebrate a sucessful school year and to wish each other a happy summer, safe travels, or a great new adventure!

                                   SCAN QR CODE FOR PHOTOS

On a radiant Monday morning, the anticipation of indulging in Indian cuisine filled the air as our esteemed parent Chef Anuja Jain, along with Nidhi Sikri, Rajni Aggarwal, and Mona Bapna, graciously shared their treasured recipes with the eager community. Welcoming everyone with a traditional red tilak, a gesture of utmost respect, the culinary journey commenced with fragrant Indian masala tea, crispy samosas, and the soothing strains of Indian melodies, transporting us into a cultural reverie. The kitchen soon came alive with the aromas of Butter Chicken, its rich flavors tantalizing our taste buds. We delved further into the art of preparing chickpea curry and refreshing Mint and Coriander yogurt to balance the robust spices. Concluding with a lesson on crafting the luscious Indian rice pudding, Kheer, we all sat together, savoring the feast we had created, complemented by pre-made naan, fragrant basmati rice, and crispy papadums. Amidst laughter and camaraderie, the parents relished the flavors of India, forging memories and connections that made the morning truly special.

You can see the photos taken by our mom Yuko by clicking on this link https://m.alltuu.com/album/2006711577/?from=appmessage and other photos by parents, by scanning the QR code.

PAFA Kitchen – Recap of the French Cuisine! 

The atmosphere in the PAFA kitchen was peaceful and inviting. After a much-needed weekend break, we were ready to dive into the world of French cuisine. Our expert chefs Madam Vanessa, and Madam Kiki, oversaw the session and their passion for French cooking was evident. As the participants arrived, they were greeted with the soothing sounds of French music and the sweet aroma of freshly brewed cafe au lait and flaky croissants. The first recipe on the menu was Chicken Blanquette, a creamy and flavorful stew that was cooked slowly to perfection. The parents were captivated by this unique French style of cooking. Next up was a dessert called Flognarde, a delicious French twist on the classic apple pie. While the pie was baking in the oven, the chefs taught the class how to make a warm goat cheese salad and introduced them to a variety of French cheeses that were beautifully displayed on a platter with crispy baguette bread. The parents couldn't resist trying out the different flavors of cheese. Finally, the class sat down to enjoy the delectable French meal they had prepared, all while chatting and bonding with each other. It was a lovely and memorable start to the week.  

You can see pictures here: https://as.alltuu.com/album/1753577357/?from=appmessage

PAFA Kitchen! Master Chef Challenge! (New Poster attached)

Gather a team of 6 friends and seize your chance to compete. Hurry, as only 4 groups will be accepted!

Who will claim the prestigious title of PAFA Master Chef 2024?

Information is in the poster below. Scan the QR code in the poster to register as a team of 6.

PAFA end of the year Lunch!

Join us to celebrate a successful school year and to wish each other a happy summer, safe travels, or a great new adventure!

Thanks!

HIS COLLEGE COUNSELING INFORMATION

University Counseling Tips

US Applications

Grade 9-12-“Quantitative v Qualitative

How do Selective US Universities decide on who gets in?”

Mark Donagher

Head of Guidance and University Counseling

For the last couple of weeks we looked at US early applications . This week let’s look at how selective US universities make their admission decisions specifically looking at the quantitative and qualitative factors.

So first thing you need to know is what are “quantitative” and “qualitative”. Think of quantitative as grades, the numbers-your academic transcript and academic rigor plus SAT/ACT if included.

Qualitative is a lot more subjective- the best way to think of it is what personal qualities does the applicant show.

For the first time ever NACAC has included positive character attributes in looking at different factors used in US admission decisions and it enters at # 4 importance on the list. Please see list below.

Now here is the part that they do not tell you. For most selective universities up to 80% of the applicants meet their academic cut-offs-so if that is the case and a university can only accept 15% of their applicants -how does the university decide on who to admit.

A big factor then is personal qualities. What does the student do outside of the classroom? How do they contribute to their community? How do they impact their space ? And so it is probably fair to say that it is not going to be academics that will determine if a student will get into a really selective US university-it can definitely be a reason they won’t get in-but that what a student does in their free time outside of class will be a much bigger factor.

Interested in finding out more about what students can do to increase their chances and how to grow and develop the qualitative aspect of US applications? Make an appointment to talk to your university counselor-we be happy to meet with you and discuss.

Until the next time -remember -it is your attitude not your aptitude that will determine your altitude!

UPCOMING SAT ADMINISTRATIONS

TEST DATE                       REGISTRATION

  JUNE 1                                   MAY 17

Testing for next school year is below. 

The August testing is now open for registration.

BEST UNIVERSITY YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF

We encourage students to contact one of the university counselors  with any questions about university entrance requirements. 

                  Mr. Mark Donagher     markdonagher@hisdragons.org.cn

                          Ms. Iris Zhang     iriszhang@hisdragons.org.cn

                          Ms. Carrie Sun    carriesun@hisdragons.org.cn

                     Dr. Ryan Beddows    ryanbeddows@hisdragons.org.cn

                      Dr. Monica Prieto    monicaprieto@hisdragons.org.cn

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Student Leadership is a priority here at HIS. 

Each week, we spotlight a student leader and give them an opportunity to tell you about their clubs, sports, and activities.  

Personal Projects, collaboration with the GIN and Robotics Clubs and winning the Jim Koerschen Award for Innovation in Schools

By Claire Sun (Grade 10), Ms. Kushner and Ms. Rojas

“I still recall that night when my friends and I were on the phone discussing the topic for our personal project… the way I came up with the idea of "Moss" was fairly random. Since I was a young child, I have always liked to stare at those tiny plants in different parts of the city… I wouldn't exactly call it a "Hobby." But that night, while looking through my phone for ideas, I came across a video of a fantastic vivarium that looked like a massive rainforest. Among the vibrant tropical plants, each with its own vivid colors and intricate shapes, it was the tranquil moss, quietly blanketing the tank's floor, that caught my eye the most”.

This was the spark that led to Claire’s grade 10 Personal Project and grew into becoming a multidisciplinary project that includes the Robotic Club and Global Issues Network (GIN) Club: the "Bryophyte Oasis” project, winner of the Jim Koerschen Award for Innovation in School – an award that recognizes students who apply diverse skills to create impactful projects for their school community.

For Claire’s Personal Project she created multiple products: a booklet that analyzed the history, types, and effect of Bryophytes (moss) on the environment; mini-terrariums for people to place anywhere in their personal living spaces for aesthetic purposes, and to potentially reduce greenhouse gases; and finally, Claire completed a written scientific report with numerical data analyzing different types of mosses CO2 absorption from the air during photosynthesis.

From this Personal Project the “Bryophyte Oasis” project was born! A collaborative creation between grade 10 students who are members of the GIN Club, the Robotics Club, as well as a special group of students with skills in Programming and Design. Members of this diverse team, including Claire Sun, Wendy Zhou, Jia Chen Qu, Sanyukta Shewakramani, Sunny Weng, Irene Pan, Sylvia Lu, Hikari Azuma, Flora He, Raina Chaurasia, and Ikki Ma, will join forces to propel the project forward.

Building upon Claire’s foundational research and prototypes, the “Bryophyte Oasis” project leverages collective knowledge and resources within the school community. Beyond being a mere school project, it embodies a shared passion for environmental conservation and technological innovation. The project not only equips participants with practical skills, such as project management, problem-solving, and teamwork, but also

aims to establish a network of self-sustaining urban terrariums, contributing to indoor air purification and serving as educational tools.

In the pursuit of these objectives, the Science and Design team will collaborate to refine terrarium specifications and materials, while the Robotics team will explore the integration of the self-watering systems and relevant sensor technology.

Looking ahead, data obtained from this study, as well as the self-sustainability of the terrariums, will find use in various academic disciplines – spanning Science, Mathematics, Design classes—as well as future students’ research projects. These endeavors will serve as tangible markers of the project’s broader educational impact, extending beyond immediate outcomes of improved air quality and data collection.

        UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS      

CLICK for Dragon Shop Catalogue

Middle School Uniform Guidelines 6-8

Middle Schoolers should wear tan shorts, trousers, or skirts and a navy blue polo shirt (short or long sleeved) with the HIS book logo. A navy fleece or cardigan sweater with the HIS logo or other approved outerwear such as the HIS hoodie sweatshirt can be worn in the cooler weather. All students must wear laced shoes.

High School Uniform Guidelines 9-12

High Schoolers should wear tan shorts or trousers, or plaid skirts (girls only) and a light blue Oxford cloth button down short or long sleeved short with the HIS book logo. A navy fleece or cardigan sweater with the HIS logo or other approved outerwear such as the HIS hoodie sweatshirt can be worn in the cooler weather. All students must wear laced shoes.

Students will be asked to remove outerwear (coats, hoodies, sweatshirts, etc) in lessons unless they carry the HIS logos. Students who are cold will be invited to go to the Dragon Shop to purchase acceptable HIS items. 

Families can purchase items at the Dragon Shop open 

Mondays to Fridays from 

8:05am - 2:45pm and 3:15pm - 4:00pm

For more information, please contact the Dragon Shop: olivexu@hisdragons.org.cn

                                             LUNCH                                                

See the updated lunch menu weekly and monthly as posted on the school website. 

Lunch Menu

HIS Mission Statement

We provide international learners with opportunities to pursue academic and personal excellence within a caring community.

Hangzhou International School
2190 Xiangbin Road, Bin Jiang District, Hangzhou 310052
Phone: +86 571 8669 0045
Email: news@his-china.org Website: www.his-china.org