2020-2021, Issue #5: October 12

Dear KAS Families,

親愛的家長您好：

In the last newsletter we shared the good news of our successful accreditation review. This is so important because our accreditation helps universities know that KAS students have completed a rigorous education that meets USA and international standards. Each accreditation review leads to a new Schoolwide Action Plan, which helps us become an ever better school into the future. As promised, in this newsletter and in the future, we will share more details about the Schoolwide Action Plan, and the work we are doing to create an even better KAS.
在上次的信中我們分享了關於我們成功獲得認證的好消息。這是一件非常重要的事，因為我們的認證能幫助大學更了解KAS的學生，他們會了解到KAS學生已經習得了符合美國以及國際標準的縝密教育。認證審核引導我們至一個新的Schoolwide Action Plan，幫助我們未來能成為更好的學校。上次提過的，在本次以及未來的校訊中，我們將會與您分享更多關於Schoolwide Action Plan的相關細節，以及我們為了讓KAS變成更好的學校正在進行些什麼努力。

As a reminder, the Schoolwide Action Plan outlines goals in four key areas:
作為提醒，Schoolwide Action Plan概述了四個關鍵領域的目標：

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
   
   
   

This week, we’d like to share more information about the first goal, Curriculum. The goal in the plan is: Ensure a written curriculum that is current and accessible, which addresses the needs of a diverse student population and which is delivered through appropriate instructional practices.
本週，我們想分享關於第一個目標 - 課程 的更多相關資訊。該計劃的目標是：確保書面的課程是現行的以及易取得的，能夠滿足多樣化學生群體的需求，並且能透過此來提供適當的教學實踐。

What this means is that this year, next year, and possibly the following year we are working diligently to examine, update, write, and rewrite every aspect of our curriculum. It is important to us that our new curriculum supports a cohesive learning experience for students, from the moment they enter Pre-Kindergarten until the moment they graduate and move on to one of the world’s top universities.
這也意味著在今年、明年、以及接下來幾年，我們將會努力去各方面地調查、更新、編寫和重寫我們的課程。對我們來說最重要的是我們的新課程為學生提供了縝密的學習體驗，從他們進入幼稚園就讀的那一刻，直到高中畢業、申請上世界各地的頂尖大學。

We want to make sure that our new curriculum reflects the education that our students will need, not just today, but long into the future when they become adults. We want to make sure our curriculum is inclusive, relevant, and considerate of our students and their identities. We believe that, when we effectively write a new schoolwide curriculum, that we better prepare today’s students to thrive in a rapidly changing future.
我們想確保我們新的課程反映了學生未來的需求，不只是現在，而且是長遠地影響到他們以後長大成人後所需的教育。我們希望能夠確保我們的課程具有包容性、相關性並對於學生及其身份是合宜的。 我們相信，當我們有效地編寫新的全校課程時，我們可以更好地為當今的學生做好準備，以在瞬息萬變的未來中蓬勃發展。

Please take a look at the next section, called Curriculum Progress. It is an update from our Curriculum/IB Coordinator, and provides some insight to what this work looks like this year.
請您查看下一個段落，Curriculum Progress (課程發展)。我們的課程/IB召集人將提供一些今年校內工作情況的見解。

Taking KAS to the next level is a team effort, requiring students, parents, faculty, staff, Board, and PTA. Curriculum is an important part of this work, and we are thankful for your support.
將KAS提升到一個新的階段所需的是團隊合作。需要學生，家長，教師，員工，董事會和家長會共同努力。 課程是這項工作的一個重要組成部分，我們也很感謝能有您的支持。

As a part of on-going education about the college application and admissions process, we will highlight some important but often misunderstood aspects of the process in each edition of our newsletter. To begin, did you know that universities typically calculate their own versions of a high school GPA, and do not use any GPA generated by a school? For example, the online application for the University of California system includes a Customized GPA Calculator, which will create a GPA for an applicant which will be used for admissions decisions based on their values and priorities. In this case, any grade for PE classes is not used in the calculation, and only a limited number of college level courses such as IB HL courses or AP courses are weighted with an extra point. This process is consistent for all applicants, regardless of the variety of systems used by different high schools. It is important that parents and students keep this in mind as they think about a KAS GPA! Look for more examples of this sort in the coming months!
作為有關大學申請和錄取過程的持續教育的一部分，我們將在每期校訊中重點介紹申請過程的一些重要但常被誤解的觀點。首先，您是否知道大學通常會用自己的一套版本去計算高中GPA，並且不使用學校所生成的任何GPA？例如，UC系統的大學的線上應用程式包括一個定制的GPA計算器，它將為申請人創立一個GPA，該GPA將根據其大學本身用於決策招生的價值標準和優先順序。在這種情況下，計算中不使用任何體育課成績，並且僅針對數量有限的大學程度的課程（如 IB HL課程或AP課程）做加分。此過程對所有申請者都是一致的，無論不同的高中使用何種系統。家長和學生在考慮KAS GPA時務必牢記這一點！在未來幾個月中可以繼續尋找更多類似的案例！

With gratitude,

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

Time is a precious, finite resource. Our Schoolwide Action Plan goals are so important that we have planned our meetings and leadership structures entirely around these goals. This creates more time for planning, collaboration, training, and discussion of curriculum. The result is that teachers discuss various aspects of the curriculum: how to help grade 10 students with Personal Projects, best grading practices for students in the Diploma Program, strategies to help English Language Learners in elementary school, and other important topics.

時間是一種寶貴的有限資源。我們的Schoolwide Action Plan非常重要，我們以此為中心計畫了很多的會議及領導管理結構。為此需騰出更多時間來計畫、協作、培訓並討論課程。成果是，老師們討論了課程的各方面：如何幫助10年級的個人專題、文憑課程中學生最佳評分練習、幫助小學英文學習者的策略和其他重要的議題。

We have established a structure for Teacher Leadership, with one lead teacher for each subject area or grade level. This supports experienced KAS teachers in unifying and supporting all teachers in the development of curriculum. Some of these Teacher Leaders serve on the schoolwide Leadership Team, which is integrating KAS’s Student Learner Outcomes into curriculum at all levels. The Student Learner Outcomes are important because these are the attributes the KAS community has identified as most important to the lives of KAS students. Curriculum is more than subject content: the Leadership team must ensure that the curriculum nurtures all students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers, effective communicators, active learners, and ethical global citizens.

我們建立了教師領導組織，每個學科或是年級有一個領導教師。這個由KAS富有經驗的教師統一與協助所有老師開發課程。其中一些領導教師服務於全校的領導團隊，該團隊正將KAS學生的學習成果整合各個級別的課程中。學習成果之所以重要，是因為KAS社區認為這對KAS學生生活的最重要。課程不僅僅是課程內容：領導團隊必須確認課程是能夠培養所有學生成為批判性的思考者和解決問題的人、有效率的溝通者、積極的學習者和具有道德感的全球公民。

KAS will continue graduating the highest caliber students supported by the faculty’s ongoing discussion, analysis and improvement of curriculum. Elementary school teachers are collaborating to create literacy units that ensure a smooth and continuous flow of learning from one grade to the next as young students learn to read and write. MYP teachers (grade 6-10) and DP teachers (grades 11 and 12) participated in a virtual conference in September, each subject area being led by some of the best experienced IB workshop leaders from around the world. The training emphasized unit writing that incorporates elements important to the IB philosophy. In November, teachers will receive feedback on their written curriculum by participating in a curriculum sharing protocol.

在不斷的討論、分析和改進課程的支持下，KAS將繼續培育優秀的學生。小學教師們正合作建立識字單元，以確保小小學生在學習時閱讀和寫作能夠平穩順利的一年一年的接續下去。MYP教師(6-10年級)和DP教師(11-12年級)在九月參加了由來自世界各地經驗豐富的IB研討會負責人主導的虛擬會議。這個培訓著重於單元寫作，其中包含IB哲學的重要元素。在11月，教師們將透過參與課程共享協議來收到有關於他們書面課程的回饋。

Throughout KAS, we are institutionalizing this updated written curriculum in a shared digital folder. Not only will this allow for rich collegial discussion and improved articulation from one grade level to the next, but will aid in the transition of teachers new to KAS, and will provide greater insights and transparency for students and parents. As teachers collaborate, analyze, and refine curriculum, they become models of the learning process they hope to instill in their students.

整個KAS將會制度化這些更新的課程內容於共享的數位文件檔案中。這不僅可以提供豐富的討論，而且改進年級上的銜接，同時也有助於加入KAS新教師的轉換過程，並為家長及學生提供更佳的了解和透明度。隨著教師合作、分析和完善課程內容，他們的學習過程成為了他們希望灌輸在學生上的模型。

The future is bright. Thank you for your care and interest in this progress!

未來是美好的。感謝您對此進展的關心與關注！

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

International Mindedness in the IB Programs

IB 課程中的國際意識

From IBO: What is an IB Education?

出處IBO:什麼是IB教育？

The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who recognize their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet. Central to this aim is international-mindedness.

所有國際文憑組織課程的目的培養有國際意識的人，這些人理解人道主義和共同守護地球的責任。實現這個目的的核心是國際意識。

International-mindedness is a multifaceted concept that captures a way of thinking, being and acting characterized by an openness to the world and a recognition of our deep interconnectedness to others.

國際意識是一個多面向的概念，它體現了一種思維方式、表現方式和行為方式。他的特點是對世界開放並認識的自己與他人的深層連結。

How do students at KAS achieve “international mindedness”?

KAS學生如何體現“國際思維”？

First of all, KAS teachers come from 12 countries and bring experiences from all over the world to share with their students. Also, IB curriculum supports international mindedness by encouraging, and sometimes requiring students to engage with perspectives from other parts of the world. For example, in Diploma literature classes, students must read novels from different continents, and time periods, and written by different genders. Teachers use the idea of “Local and Global Contexts” to look at subject content as it relates to both Taiwan and other countries. As an example, in middle school Individuals and Society classes, students compare Taiwanese government to governments of other countries. And finally, KAS teachers expose students to important global issues: climate change, global education issues, world religions, and gender inequality to name a few. With students developing an awareness of what is happening around the world, it is hoped that this next generation will be able to make life better for all.

首先KAS的教師來自12個國家，他們將來自世界各地的經驗與學生分享。此外，國際文憑課程鼓勵有時甚至要求學生以世界上其他地方的觀點出發來實踐國際意識。例如在文憑課程中的文學課裡，學生必須閱讀不同大陸、不同時期和不同性別的文學作品。教師使用“本地與世界框架”來研究相關於台灣與世界其他國家的課程內容。舉例來說，在中學的個人與社會課中，學生將台灣政府與其他國家政府進行比較。最後，老師將學生介紹重要的全球性議題：氣候變化、全球教育問題、世界宗教與性別不平等等等。隨著學生對於世界上發生的事有所認識，寄予希望下一代能夠使生活更美好。

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

KAS fall semester parent conferences are scheduled for Friday, October 23, 2020. There will be no school while teachers meet with families on campus all day. We hope that every family will participate.
高雄美國學校秋季的親師座談會訂於2020年10月23日舉行。當天學生不用上課，老師整天都會在學校等候和您面談。我們誠摯邀請所有家庭來參加。

In Elementary School, each teacher will make arrangements for their own roster of students. All students and families are given specific appointments. Please reach out to classroom teachers with any questions.
小學的部分，每位老師都會安排與每位學生家長面談的時間。所有學生和家人都是被事先安排特定的時間。若對此有任何疑問請直接與孩子的班導師做聯繫。

In Middle School, all students are required to attend and participate in their Student Led Conference. Appointments are made through Advisory teachers. Students will show parents their academic progress in each class as well as major concepts of the IB MYP program. Following the conference, parents may meet with any of their child’s teachers to discuss progress in each class. KAS Middle School expects 100% attendance for students and families as a critical part of the home to school partnership.
中學的部分，所有學生都需參加由學生主導的親師會。採取預約制，預約表都已透過學生的Advisory(學業指導)老師寄送給您了。學生將會向家長展現他們的各科的學業表現以及MYP課程。在學生主導的親師會之後，家長可以和學生各科的老師面會來討論學生各科的學習進度。中學部期待100%的出席率，這是家長與學校建立夥伴關係很重要的一個部分。

The Class of 2021 is actively applying to universities all around the world! We currently have more than 800 applications in progress to Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK and the USA. Our first applications were officially submitted this week!

2021的準畢業生們緊鑼密鼓的進行著大學申請！我們目前有超過800份的申請表，分別有澳洲，加拿大，歐洲，香港，韓國，日本，紐西蘭，新加坡，英國和美國等。本週我們已經寄出首批的申請了！

We encourage parents to talk with their children about the colleges and universities on their list. A good number of applications is about 10 - 13 total. Students are asked to create a balanced list of schools that are a good fit for them, including 2 - 3 likely admission, 4 - 5 target schools, and 2 - 3 reach or far reach schools. This can be a stressful time as final decisions are made about where to apply. Please know that we are here to talk you through the process and support you at every step! Parents, you are also invited to meet with your child’s college counselor anytime by making an appointment.

我們鼓勵各位家長和孩子們聊聊各自的大學志願列表，一份正常的申請大概會有10-13間大學在列表上，學生們需要列出他們理想以及適合的各大學，其中包含2-3間最可能被錄取的，4-5間一般目標學校，2-3間最理想大學。這個時刻壓力會比較大，因為最終的申請結果取決於如何申請。也請各位記得我們都在學校準備提供各種幫助，也歡迎各位家長和大學申請輔導預約時間，聊聊孩子的申請狀況。

Juniors, now is the time to start thinking about any admissions tests that might be required for your future applications. KAS will offer the SAT on December 3, 2020 and again in May 2021, and ACT in June 2021. These are common tests of college admissions accepted by many schools worldwide, especially in the U.S. With COVID-19, we expect many schools will have a test-flexible or test-optional policy next year meaning the SAT or ACT score may not be required. However, because we are not sure about the impact of COVID on future admissions, we recommend that juniors take either the SAT or ACT at least once sometime this year. You can register for SAT here, ACT here, and either the TOEFL here or iELTS test of English here. Most schools outside the US rely on IB exam scores for entrance to college, so they will be most interested in Predicted Grades and eventually final IB exam results.

11年級生們，現在是時候思考一下，哪些入學考試是你們需要準備的。KAS會在2020年12月3日舉行SAT考試，下一次是2021年的5月，ACT則在2021年的6月。這些是世界上一般大學用來錄取學生的基本標準測驗，尤其是美國。由於新冠肺炎，我們預測很多學校會採自動提出或選擇性提出成績，SAT或ACT成績可能不會被列入錄取標準，由於我們還沒辦法確定會有什麼影響，建議11年級學生們今年至少報考一次的SAT或ACT。可以從這裡報名：SAT here，ACT here，托福 here，雅思 here。大多美國以外的學校都很依賴 IB 成績當成錄取基準，所以他們會對預測成績和實際成果比較感興趣。

Many schools will also accept the IB Diploma as a standardized test of college admission. With a certain score, most universities worldwide will also grant college credit for IB exam subject scores of a 4 or higher in some cases. IBO publishes a University Index with detailed information about which universities recognize the IB Diploma for credit or admission.

大多數學校也接受IB文憑當成基礎測驗的錄取標準，達到某一個分數後，全球大多學校甚至還可以用IB考試成績抵免該科目學分，比如4或更高的分數。IBO會發行大學專刊，其中包含有關哪些大學認可IB文憑以獲得學分或錄取的詳細信息。

Upcoming deadlines:

即將到的期限：

November 1 Early Action and Early Decision

• Parents are required to complete an online Early Decision agreement if your child intends to enter into a binding agreement with a university for early decision admission in the U.S.

November 7 University of Toronto due

November 15 University of Washington and several other colleges due

November 30 University of California, many California State University schools

December 1 Deadline for many schools considering merit scholarships

January 1 - 15 Canada, USA regular decision, UK deadlines

Spring- Summer Deadlines for Australia, Europe, Korea, Japan

Upcoming College Visits to KAS:

即將到來的大學訪問：

10/20/20 08:00AM University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

10/21/20 09:30AM California College of the Arts

10/22/20 10:30AM Beloit College

10/23/20 07:00PM Kenyon College

10/23/20 07:00PM Johns Hopkins University (KAS, TAS, TES)

10/26/20 09:00AM Birmingham-Southern College

All college visits are listed on the KAS Public calendar and also appear at the bottom of the home page on the KAS website. Students and parents are welcome to attend and ask questions.

所有的大學參訪都可以在KAS公開行事曆上找到資訊，或在KAS網站主頁的下方也都能找到。學生和家長都歡迎到場提問。

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.

Miranda Lu, 2019

Recently we caught up with KAS alumna Miranda Lu, who is currently a student at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California. Miranda is studying Business Administration with a double minor in real estate development and applied analytics. She loves living near downtown Los Angeles and USC's famous tailgate gatherings on big game days.

近來我們與校友Miranda Lu取得聯繫。她目前就讀於南加州大學，攻讀於工商管理專業的房地產開發與應用分析專業之雙學位。她喜歡住在洛杉磯市中心附近和參加大型比賽日結束後，南加大著名的派對。

She credits her hard work at KAS with IB HL courses and AP classes with giving her a big advantage when it came to college. Because USC offered her 28 college credits for IB and AP classes, she now has the option of graduating early from university in three years. Her future goal includes a career in Investment Banking.

她把在上大學後能取得巨大優勢歸功於在KAS時辛勤學習的IB高級課程與AP課程。由於南加大提供28個學分給她的IB和AP課程，因此她可以選擇三年內提早畢業。從事投資銀行業務是她未來目標之一。

When asked about a favorite memory from KAS, she surprised us by saying: "As odd as this sounds, I miss being forced to go to the KAS auditorium for assemblies! Not everything is mandatory in college, and I actually had to make so much effort to connect with others, make new friends in a brand new environment, and find a community I truly love while balancing academics and being accustomed to a brand new lifestyle."

當被問到什麼是她在KAS最愛的回憶時，她令人驚訝的說：“聽起來很奇怪，但我懷念在KAS時被迫參加的那些集會。在大學裡，不是所有事情都是強制性的。實際上我必須很努力的與他人建立連結、在嶄新的環境裡認識新的朋友，並找到一個我喜愛的社群團體，同時兼顧學業和全新的生活型態。”

She encourages seniors who are thinking about their future to “just go for it” if you have a specific idea of what you want to study. But if you also are a bit undecided, that is okay too because many colleges offer a well-rounded choice of majors to choose from. Like many of our KAS graduates, Miranda is currently here in Taiwan studying online at USC but hopes to return to campus later this spring.

她鼓勵高年級在思考未來時，如果對於學習有明確目標的話，那就去追求。但是如果你還沒有決定，那也沒有關係，因為許多大學裡都提供全面的專業選擇。與許多KAS的畢業生一樣，Mirada在台灣上南加大的線上課程，但希望能在將到來的春天重返校園。

Thank you Miranda for taking a few minutes to share about your transition from KAS to USC! For more information about KAS Alumni activities, please visit the Official KAS Alumni Facebook page or contact Cerise Roth-Vinson (crothvinson@kas.tw) or Vivien Huang (vhuang@kas.tw).