2020-2021, Issue #4: September 21

Dear KAS Families,

親愛的家長您好：

Thank you for your partnership in keeping students safe, especially with the recent traffic changes due to construction and the requests from the police. We recognize that the circumstances create delays. At the same time, thanks to everybody working together, all students have been kept safe, and traffic is less stressful than before. Safety is of top importance, so that students can learn together in KAS’s healthy educational environment.

感謝您與我們合作一起確保學生的安全，特別是在這段道路施工的期間，警察所要求我們遵守的一些規則。我們知道這些情況帶來了交通的延遲。同時，感謝大家一起努力，讓所有學生都保持安全、交通也比以往更順暢。安全是我們最重視的，學生也能持續在KAS健康的教育環境中學習。

One indicator of a strong educational program is accreditation. KAS is proudly accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This means that our program has been rigorously reviewed both internally and by a qualified external agency, and that we have met the standards required for ongoing accreditation. One of the many ways this benefits students is by helping universities know that a KAS transcript and diploma are meaningful, and that our graduates have met high standards during their studies at KAS.

教育方面其中一項強而有力的指標就是認證。KAS很自豪地說我們是經WASC認證的學校。這意味著著我們的課程是經由內部以及合格的外部組織進行了嚴格的審查，我們也持續達到認證所要求的標準。認證其中一項很讓學生受益的就是讓大學了解到KAS的成績單和證書都是有意義的，同時畢業生在KAS學習的期間都已經達到了高標準的認證。

Our accreditation status is considered regularly, with a full review every 5-6 years, and abbreviated reviews every 1.5 - 3 years. You may remember that, after a comprehensive 18 months internal and external review process, we recently completed a full review in March, 2020. The result was that in June, 2020 our fully accredited status was reaffirmed for the years ahead.
我們的認證狀態是很規律的，每五～六年接受一次全面性的審查，每1年半～3年接受一次簡要的審查。您可能都還記得，經歷過18個月的內部及外部審查後，我們在2020年3月接受了一次全面性的審查。2020年6月結果公布後，我們再次獲得了全面的認證。

Each accreditation review cycle results in a report that outlines the schools strengths and opportunities for growth, as well as a Schoolwide Action Plan that guides the ongoing strengthening of the school and school programs.
每個認證審核週期都會產生一份報告，概述學校的優勢以及可成長的空間，並制定了一份”Schoolwide Action Plan” 來做為不斷加強學校和課程的指南。

We want to share with you more information about our Schoolwide Action Plan, and our targeted efforts to create an even better KAS. This plan focuses around students’ most important learning needs, which are identified as: (A) literacy, (B) English proficiency development, (C) social-emotional, and (D) critical thinking.
我們希望與您分享更多關於“Schoolwide Action Plan”的資訊，我們的目標是為了創造更好的KAS。這個計劃是著重於學生最重要的學習需求如下：(A)讀寫能力 (B)英文水平發展 (C)社交情感學習 (D)批判性思考

Further, the plan outlines goals in four key areas:
另外，這個計畫包含了以下四大項目：

1. Curriculum 課程

2. Social-emotional learning and wellness 社交情感學習和健康

3. Implementing and reviewing our updated Child Protection Policy
   實施和審查我們最新的兒童保護政策

4. Staffing and compensation 職員和薪資
   
   

In upcoming newsletters we will share information about each of these learning needs and goals. Furthermore, in the months ahead, we are planning opportunities for discussion, not only around these areas, but the long-term evolution of the school. Please stay tuned for more information in the future.

在之後的校訊我們會分享更多關於各項學習的需求和目標。此外，在接下來幾個月，我們正在計劃一些討論的機會，不僅是關於這些領域，更是關於學校長期的發展。請密切注意之後發布的校訊。

Sincerely,

Dr. Ploeger, Superintendent 總校長

Ms. Rock, High School Principal 高中校長

Mr. Payne, Middle School Principal 國中校長
Mr. Coyle, Elementary School Principal 小學校長

IB Exam Registration for May 2021 for seniors

2021年五月的IB考試開始報名

Senior students can now register for IB exams to be held in May. The registration form sent to every 12th grade student must be carefully filled out, to indicate exactly which IB exams the student wishes to take. The student will then receive a document via email that will confirm the exams for which the student registered, and the amount of payment due. Once the payment is paid to the KAS finance office, the student will be registered for the exams. IB has strict deadlines regarding payment, and students not meeting the October 8th deadline will see an increase in fees.

12年級學生可以開始報名明年五月舉行的IB考試。發送給每位學生的報名表必須仔細填寫，且表明學生希望參加的考試科目。之後，學生會透過電子郵件收到一份文件，這份文件確認該學生註冊的考試科目及應付款項。其款項支付於財務室之後，學校將會協助學生註冊IB考試。IB對於付款截止日期是嚴格的，錯過截止日期10/8，報名費用將會增加。

Students and parents are welcome to make an appointment with the IB Coordinator, Deborah Haines, for questions about the exams, or one of the college counselors, if questions are about college. Students not sure whether to sign up for exams should research their intended universities to see the value placed on IB Exams. In general, good IB exam results are beneficial to college acceptance, and sometimes allow students to skip certain freshman level courses. Students not pursuing the full IB Diploma are still welcome to take “Certificate” IB exams, and these results are often useful for college acceptance.

如學生與家長對於考試有任何問題，歡迎與IB召集人 Deborah Haines預約面談。如果問題有關於大學申請，則與大學輔導老師預約。學生不確定是否要報名參加考試時，應先研究他們心中的大學其對應的IB考試價值。通常，良好的IB考試成績有助於大學入學申請，有時還能讓學生抵扣掉某些新生課程。仍歡迎不修取IB文憑的學生參加“學科證書”IB考試，這些成績對於大學入學申請很有幫助。

Personal Projects for all MYP grade 10 students

所有MYP10年級學生參與的個人專題

Students have been working diligently on finishing their investigation of the personal project. The focus up to this point has been researching their topic and discovering why they are so passionate about it. This week, students chose a product to create based on their research. I can’t wait to see what amazing products they end up making!

學生們一直努力完成個人專題的研究調查。目前的重點是研究他們的主題，並去發掘他們為什麼熱衷於這個項目。本週，學生們根據自己的研究去選擇製作一樣作品。我迫不急待的想看看他們最終製作出來了什麼樣的作品。

They will begin the plan for creating this product and their success criteria. Everything from this point forward will be focused on creating the product. Students have been given time the past few weeks to work on their Personal Project on Wednesdays during BIG or Advisory. This time was used to catch up and begin their plan, step by step instructions, on how to create their product and setting their own deadlines.

他們將開始製作這個作品與他成功的標準。從現在起，一切專注於創作作品上。在過去的幾週裡，學生在每週三的BIG或是導師時間裡，進行他們的個人專題。這段時間裡用來跟上進度並開始他們的計劃，逐步說明如何創造他的作品，並訂下自己的截止日期。

As a family member, how can I help?

身為家人，我可以如何協助？

• Help your student set aside 1 hour a week dedicated to working on the personal project.

幫助您的學生每週花一個小時專注於製作個人專題。

• Ask your student to share their Process Journal. If the journal is fairly empty, that’s not a good sign.

請您的學生分享他的工作日誌。如果日誌近乎空白，這不是好的現象。

• Contact your student’s Supervisor if you have any concerns. Your student will have access to their supervisor’s email address.

當您有任何疑問時，請聯絡您學生的指導老師。您的學生擁有他們指導老師的電子郵件地址。

• Review the deadlines document for student’s upcoming meetings with their supervisor as well as the criteria used by the IB to score your student’s report.

查看學生與指導老師的會議截止日期及IB來評量學生報告的評分標準。

Have questions? Please contact the Personal Project Coordinator, Terea Marcum at tmarcum@kas.tw.

有疑問嗎？請與個人專題召集人 Terea Marcum tmarcum@kas.tw 聯繫。

Ms Deborah Haines, IB/AP Coordinator IB/AP召集人

We are all busy and working hard with seniors to develop their college applications. Currently there are almost 700 applications in progress to universities around the world! We are also really impressed with the way our juniors and seniors are participating in virtual sessions with colleges. They are asking great questions about class size, school safety, study abroad programs, career advising, choosing a major and credit for IB classes. Parents are also welcome to participate in college visits!

我們和準畢業生們仍然忙著申請大學的事務，目前大約有700份申請書在全世界的各大學進行著。對於11和12年級學生們大學線上講座的表現也讓人印象深刻，他們提出很多很棒的問題，比如班級大小，校園安全，課程規劃，職涯建議，主修選項和IB學分等。這些講座也歡迎家長們參加！

Our goal is to prepare students for admission to top universities that are a great fit for each individual student. For Class of 2022, this year of academics is the most important for colleges when they review the transcript, but we also want to make sure you are finding a balance with school, health and extracurricular activities/sports. We really believe in our KAS mission to develop Balanced Individuals who are Independent Learners and Global Citizens!

我們的目標是希望協助學生們都能申請到最適合他們的名校，11年級學生們，當大學收到成績單審核時，這一年是很重要的時期，但我們仍然希望各位能在校園生活，身體健康，各種課程及社團/運動活動中取得平衡。我們相信根據KAS的主要宗旨，能平衡各方面生活和學習的，就是能夠獨立思考學習的世界公民！

More than 70% of our KAS students choose to study in the U.S., where applications often include many different components. In a survey of universities, they indicated that the top 5 most important factors for admission are:

超過70%的KAS畢業生會選擇到美國就讀大學，申請書的內容包含了許多方向，調查顯示，以下5點佔錄取的比例最重：

1. Grades in all courses (Please note that this is not the same as GPA: universities calculate GPA according to their own systems)

學科成績（請注意不一定指GPA，大學的GPA有各自不同的計算系統

1. Grades in college-prep (IB/AP) classes

大學預修課程成績（如IB/AP）

1. Strength or rigor of curriculum

選課的難易度

1. SAT / ACT test scores

SAT/ACT測驗成績

1. Essay or personal statement

論文或個人自傳

For universities in the UK and Australia, scores on the IB exams, teacher recommendation and quality of the personal statement are the most important factors of admission. We are very proud of our long history of sending KAS students to incredible universities all over the world!

至於英國和澳洲的大學，IB成績和老師的推薦信，內容豐富的自傳則更重要。KAS這麼多年來把學生們送進了世界各國的名校，真的很值得驕傲！

Testing update

Many schools have already announced plans for 2021-2022 admissions as ‘test-optional’. For those students who want to take the test, KAS will host the SAT on campus next Saturday, October 3. Please make sure to get a good night of sleep before arriving for the exam, and remember to bring your passport that you used to register for the test. The next SAT test dates available at KAS will be December 5, 2020 and May 8, 2021. To register for the SAT, visit CollegeBoard. Many schools will also require students take the TOEFL or iELTS test of English proficiency, especially for students who are non-native English speakers or will be applying as an international student. Predicted grades for IB Diploma students who need them for university admissions will be reported by teachers by October 5, 2020. Students who need these for self-reporting on college applications will be provided with their predicted IB scores.

各考試成績

許多大學已經宣布2021-2022年度錄取標準，各項測驗分數採選擇性提出，想要報考的學生們，KAS在下週六，10月3日會舉行SAT考試，請考生確保充足睡眠，並記得帶上報名時使用的護照。下次在KAS舉行的SAT分別是2020年12月5日及2021年5月8日，準備報名的考生請上CollegeBoard網站，許多大學或許也會要求 TOEFL 或 iELTS 成績，尤其母語不是英語學生或以國際學生身份申請大學的。需要IB預測成績的學生們也將在2020年10月5日可以從老師那裡取得報告。

Upcoming Virtual College Visits to KAS

All college visits are published on the KAS Public Calendar with links to join the virtual sessions. Parents and students are highly encouraged to participate in these live, interactive sessions just for KAS.

接近的大學線上講座時間

所有的大學講座時間都公布在 KAS Public Calendar，參加連結也在其中，歡迎學生和家長們一同參加，這些只提供給KAS。

Find your student’s college counselor. Last name letter starts with:

根據姓氏排序認識您的大學輔導：

A - L Cerise Roth-Vinson, crothvinson@kas.tw

字母A-L Cerise Roth-Vinson, crothvinson@kas.tw

M - Z Jill Newman, jnewman@kas.tw

字母M-Z Jill Newman, jnewman@kas.tw

We invite you to meet with us in person to answer questions and plan for higher education.