The Dragon's Tale

The Biweekly Newsletter of the Kaohsiung American School

2021-2022 Issue #1: August 9, 2021

Big picture

Dear KAS Community,
親愛的KAS家人您好:

The learning has begun! We’ve all looked forward to reuniting the community at Kaohsiung American School, and last week we came together for learning. Even from my perch in an office in Oregon, it was wonderful to see so many faces and to hear the excitement from students, parents and teachers.

開學了!我們大家都很期待重回高雄美國學校的社區,上週我們在一起上課。 即使我坐在俄勒岡州的辦公室裡,也能透過視訊看許多面孔,感受到學生、家長和老師的振奮學習,真是太棒了。

I am humbled to begin the school year as your interim Head of School at KAS. Joining me on the Senior Leadership Team is Kimberly Clark (HS Principal), Barnaby Payne (MS Principal), Jessie Coyle (ES Principal) and Sara Brodhead (IB/Curriculum Coordinator). It is an honor to serve the KAS learning community with these fine educational leaders.

我謙恭的從這學年開始擔任高雄美國學校代理總校長的職務。一起加入這個資深領導團隊的有Kimberly Clark(高中校長),Barnaby Payne (中學校長), Jessie Coyle (小學校長) and Sara Brodhead (IB及課程主任)。非常榮幸與這些傑出的教育領袖一起為高雄美國學校社區服務。

Big picture

We are pleased to welcome our new families and to welcome back those who are returning. Our faculty are excited to learn and grow together in partnership with each learner and family. Now, more than ever before, it is imperative that we build strong partnerships with our families.
我們很開心歡迎新加入的家庭,以及熟悉的面孔繼續回來KAS就讀。我們的教職員都很期待要和每一位學生和家庭一起學習、一起成長。現在,我們比以往任何時候都更需要與家人建立穩固的夥伴關係。


There is anxiousness about reopening school on campus. I know there is a mix of excitement and concern. The KAS Senior Leadership Team will continue to base decisions on three key principles: prioritizing health & safety, prioritizing relationships and the wellbeing of our students and staff, and prioritizing academic excellence regardless of how learning is delivered.

我們知道對於重新開學親自到學校面對面上課可能會有些擔憂。 我們理解這是一種既期待又擔憂的感覺交織。 KAS 領導團隊將繼續根據以下三個重點原則做出決策:優先考慮所有人的健康與安全,優先考慮學生和教職員工的關係和福祉,以及,無論學習方式如何,優先考慮增進學業方面的成就。


Nine of our teachers began the school year online, with partners in the classroom to manage the students and the flow of learning and teaching. We do not know how long this situation will last. The pandemic will be a marathon, not a sprint. We must be gentle with ourselves and with one another. Remember to give one another grace and space. There will be problems and challenges. Remember, we are all learning how to do this together.

我們有9位老師是採網路上課的方式開始這學年,跟在教室裡的合作夥伴一起管理學生跟學習和教學的流程。我們不知道這個情況會持續多久。這個疫情將會是一場馬拉松長跑,而不是短時間能看得見終點的。我們必須溫柔的善待自己和他人。記得給彼此恩惠和空間。可能一直都會有新的問題和挑戰產生。但請記住,我們都正在一起努力學習著。

I am convinced if we stay true to the KAS mission, if we communicate with care and with clarity, if we build strong relationships and partnerships, we can be a vibrant learning community in the coming weeks and months. Let’s all be awesome—let’s be B I G! I know that we can face the challenges that confront us, and develop a united learning community.
我相信,如果我們忠於 KAS 的使命,如果我們謹慎且清楚地溝通,如果我們建立穩固的關係和良好的夥伴關係,我們就能在未來幾周和幾個月內成為一個充滿活力的學習社區。 讓我們都成為很棒的人、成為擁有BIG使命的人!我知道我們可以共同面對即將來臨的挑戰,並發展一個團結的學習社區。


The Board of Directors will be diving into a virtual training and goal setting retreat next week. There will also be an Open Board Meeting beginning at 9 AM on Friday, August 20. Parents and teachers can observe the meeting online at this LINK.
學校董事會將在下星期進行網路線上培訓同時開始設定目標的訓練。在8月20日,星期五早上9點也會有一場公開的董事會。家長及老師可以透過點選這個連結來參觀這個會議。


Are you ready to race into the busyness of the school year? Let’s run this marathon together!

您準備好進入這個繁忙的學年了嗎? 讓我們一起跑完這場馬拉松吧!


In hope and solidarity,


Mr. Laney, Interim Head of School

Ms. Clark, High School Principal

Mr. Payne, Middle School Principal

Mr. Coyle, Elementary School Principal

Athletic Corner

Dear Students and Families,

親愛的各位:


Greetings and welcome to the 2021-22 KAS Athletics. We would like to first welcome Ms. Stella to take on PE Dept. Head to lead day-to-day PE class operations, and Ms. Angela to lead as Aquatic Director with the swimming program. Both of them will continue to work with our Volleyball Team program with you all.

歡迎回家!首先我們歡迎Ms. Stella將帶領各位在PE課程的學習, 同時Ms. Angela成為游泳部門主管來深耕各位的游泳內容學習。 兩位教練同時會繼續領導排球隊的訓練。


Please kindly find the overview of Athletics program below for your quick reference:

請參閱有關運動團隊摘要分享,希望提供給各位對校內體育活動安排有大方向的了解:

Athletics program overview / 運動團隊運作摘要 (中文解說)

Big picture
體育活動練習時間學生仍須全程配戴口罩。我們建議您去購買另一種較好呼吸/可水洗式的口罩。超市、藥局或是便利商店都可以購買的到。 (請參考圖片範例)

*Sports Equipment will only be available to sports teams during after school hours for practices for now per health and cleaning measurement. Thank you.

請注意: 根據疫情個人健康與器材清潔準備, 運動器材在課後時間目前只提供給課後球隊練習使用。謝謝您。



Thank you and welcome back again.

Regards,



Mr. Ken Su, Athletic Director

Welcome seniors from the Class of 2022! We are so excited to work with you this year and are very proud of your work and achievements at KAS. Parents are a very important part of our team as we prepare students for college applications. The College Counseling team at KAS offers parent programming frequently for students from rising G8 students through senior year. Additional events include:

歡迎2022屆的同學們!我們很開心今年將陪伴各位一起申請大學,同時也為你們一直以來的表現感到驕傲。家長在大家準備申請表時會扮演很重要的角色,KAS 的大學申請團隊經常為8-12年級的學生家長們準備各種課程,包括:

  • college and university visits 大學代表參訪學校

  • grade-level parent meetings starting with G8 從8年級開始的各年級家長會議

  • student workshops on essays, financial aid and entry requirements 各種學生研討會如論文,奬助學金或入學要求等內容

  • individual appointments with each student 學生個別大學諮商

  • newsletter updates 各種消息更新

  • parent and student information sessions with the IBDP and MYP coordinator 由IB或MYP主任舉辦的各種座談會

  • advisory class lessons for all high school students 高中部學生 Advisory 課程

  • testing dates and information on standardized testing such as the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, iELTS, IB and AP exams and other language proficiency tests 各種考試資訊如 SAT, ACT, TOEFL, iELTS, IB 和 AP 測驗,及其它語言能力測驗等

As students progress through our high school, they become increasingly more knowledgeable, principled, curious, balanced, independent, engaged and open-minded. The KAS College Counseling team works individually to advise students on university admissions worldwide, including a strong history of admission to many of the most selective and prestigious colleges. We invite you to meet with us in person to answer questions and plan for higher education.

隨著學生們在高中的進步,他們變得越來越博學、有原則、好奇、平衡、獨立、敬業並擁有開放性的思考模式。 KAS 大學申請團隊會個別和學生諮商,為學生提供全球大學錄取方面的建議,包括許多受學生歡迎和最負盛名的大學錄取歷史。我們將邀請各位和我們面對面談話,回答問題並規劃大學生涯。

We welcome Ms. Lori Dietrich to the role of HS Counselor and part-time College Counselor this year. She is already working closely with our students on college applications and advising and brings many years of expertise counseling students with college applications.

We want to give a special welcome to our Grade 9 students entering high school! All of you will have a busy year ahead but together we will all get you through it. Welcome Class of 2025!

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

我們歡迎 Ms. Lori Dietrich 加入大學申請團隊,今年她會負責一部份的大學申請學生。她已經和學生為了申請表和提供大學建議而密切聯繫一陣子了,帶了她多年累積的經驗談給他們。

歡迎 2025屆的 9 年級學生進入高中!你們所有人都將度過忙碌的一年,但我們將協助你們度過難關。


如何找到您的大學輔導?看姓氏字母開頭:

Big picture

College visits with university admissions officers are being scheduled now. College visits are published on the KAS Public Calendar and also in CIALFO for students. Please participate in these events as they are a great way to learn about a university, demonstrate your interest, and make a personal connection!

目前我們正積極安排各大學代表的參訪。參訪時間資訊會公布於 KAS Public Calendar 以及 CIALFO,這樣的活動是認識大學並展現自己,同時和大學保持聯繫的好機會,請大家盡量參與!


Upcoming events 即將到來的活動

Big picture

Parents, we welcome you to come to talk with us anytime about your student. Please request an appointment by email so that we can notify security to allow you as a visitor to campus. 我們歡迎各位家長來和我們聊聊孩子的事,請以email和我們事先預約時間,方便我們通知大門警衛進入學校。

Cerise Roth-Vinson
College Counselor 大學輔導老師


Lori Dietrich

HS Counselor/College Counselor 高中諮詢輔導/大學輔導老師

We Are KAS

KAS challenges students to achieve academic excellence and prepares them to be balanced individuals, independent learners, and global citizens.


Kaohsiung American School (KAS) is a private, non-profit, co-educational Pre K – 12 institution offering an American, college preparatory program leading to a US high school diploma and the opportunity for an IB Diploma.


KAS is located in the northern area of Kaohsiung city, the second-largest city in Taiwan with 1.5 million inhabitants. Kaohsiung American School was established in 1989 as an elementary school serving the needs of local and expatriate families with children.