CDS Phoenix Rising
Cheongna Dalton High School's Weekly Newsletter
October 4th, 2019
From the Assistant Director
We are settling into a routine here at CDS which is comforting as the early part of the year presented our students with numerous changes. This week we had our first Parent-Teacher Forum, our student council held their first town hall meeting, and both our Cross Country and Volleyball teams had successful match ups. The end of the term is quickly approaching which means that our first parent-teacher conferences are coming up! Soon we will be sending out information about how parents can sign up to talk about their children's academic performance during our October 23rd conferences.
This weekend our school is also hosting the SAT, so many of our students are looking forward to the weekend with nervous anticipation. The approaching SAT is a sign post calling for reflection about just how hard our students work towards their goals and potential futures. When I ask our students about their weekend on Monday mornings, I receive responses like "Hagwon all day," or "I just did homework." I find this unsettling, as it is also important for our students to explore, relax, and socialize.
It is certainly important for children and students to set themselves up for success, yet, I hope that our students are able to take some time to do things they love during this weekend. This could involve relaxing, being with friends, or spending some quality family time without the pressures of academics looming over them. As a community, I hope we can support them in this endeavor.
Next week our school will hold one of its most important culture building events - We Run Cheongna - at Lake Park in Cheongna! I'm really looking forward to seeing our students be active and come together as one. Students will have the option to walk or run around the park, enjoy the great outdoors, and be with their friends. It is always one of my favorite events and it gets better every year!
That is all for now, have a great weekend!
All the best,
Mr. Jason Musselman
Dalton Rising Weekly Roundup
Our First Parent Teacher Forum
This meeting was a productive one and we identified four areas that we wish to focus in on in the future. Those areas are bullying, lunch, school reputation and ensuring student wellbeing and balance.
Out next forum will be held on October 17th from 3-4pm. We hope you can join us and work together to build a better school for our students and children!
Hands on Experiments in AP Biology
This week in AP Biology students investigated the main properties of water through a range of observations and experiments. Students demonstrated different properties of water such as surface tension, capillary action, and water as a temperature buffer and how living systems depend on these properties for biological function. Through this lab students were able to get a better understanding of the unique properties of water and how they contribute to the survival of living organisms. Students were also able to demonstrate that the properties of water are observable in our everyday lives.
Students also constructed and refined their representations of macromolecules out of smaller subunits in a hands-on, student-directed activity. Students built and manipulated macromolecules in a series of activities and used these models that they created and manipulated to predict and justify how the macromolecules’ shapes affect their functionality. Through this activity students were able to describe the structure and function of the different macromolecules and explain how a change in the subunits of polymers may lead to changes in structure and function of the macromolecule. Students were able to understand the importance of biological molecules and their functions necessary for survival and growth of living organisms.
Cross Country - First Home Meet
Luckily, however, the runners were met with only a slight drizzle that would play little part in impeding their performance. The varsity girls started things off as they were eager to compete and try to set some new personal bests. Leading the way for the CDS girls was Chaeyeon Kim who managed to place 11th among all girls once again while also setting a new personal best.
The next CDS girl to come in was 10th grader Linda Hwang who was also able to set a new personal record. For the boys varsity, 10th grader Yoonho Myoung led the way for the CDS runners followed seconds behind by 9th grader Siyoon Kim. Both boys were able to set personal records as they put in some strong performances.
The CDS cross country team has a few weeks to train and try to improve their times until their next meet as the season’s end rapidly approaches. Go Phoenix!
Dalton Volleyball @ Dulwich
On Wednesday September 25th, CDS traveled to Dulwich to play their 5th regular season match. Going in with a 4-0 record, the girls were eager to keep their winning streak alive.
The first set started off slow, as the girls needed time to get into a rhythm. Once they regained their composure, they were able to work together to grind out a victory. Libero Jean Shim led the team with strong passing and 20 good serves. Sophomore Jueun Lee led the way with 7 aces and tied for the team lead in kills. Junior Jiyeon Jun also tied for the lead in kills in a game that was mostly dominated by serves.The girls will have two weeks off, as their next game will be on October 16th. Come watch them at home as they take on the 2nd place team from ICS-P in an attempt to maintain their unbeaten streak.
The CDS Phoenix boys traveled to Dulwich College for their 5th match of the season. Coming off of a tough loss to ICS-P, the boys were determined to have a fiery performance on the court, despite the gloomy weather outside. QUickly getting to work in the first set, setter Heemin Lee established a strong connection with middle hitters Anton Zaitseva and Leo Hwang for several strong attacks that resulted in kills. The boys handily won their first set.
Not willing to go away quietly, Dulwich battled back hard in the second set, gaining an early advantage and holding throughout, despite several charges from the Phoenix. The second set went in favor of DCS. The next set was close as well, with CDS coming out on top, largely due to the incredible service runs from Heemin Lee and Dongmin Seo.
CDS was able to carry their momentum into the fourth set, coming out on top with a match victory of 3 sets to 1. The next match for the CDS volleyball program will be on October 16, when we host ICS-P.
House Trivia
Student Council's First Town Hall Meeting
Student Council's First Town Hall Meeting
Student Organization - Yolo Productions - Presents Media For House
What ARE we doing in World History II?
In a twist of the old Station-to-Station drill, in World History II, we are taking a look at Histories Mysteries. Students are given several (8-10) exhibits curated by the teacher. They then go around and answer questions that guide them toward a conclusion to solve the various mysteries. For instance, what happened to the settlers of the Lost Colony of Roanoke? Did the Spanish kill or capture them? Did the Native Americans capture, kill, or assimilate them? How did this occur?
When the students have finished answering the questions from each exhibit, they are then to make an Assertion (I believe the settlers…). This is where they state what they believe happened to the settlers based on the evidence provided. Then they must give a Reason (I believe this because…). Finally, they cite the Evidence (prove your claims) where they list the exhibit AND write what in that exhibit was so compelling to support the Assertions and Reason.
The overall lesson does several things. It causes students to analyze the data presented and evaluate what is or is not reliable. It requires them to synthesize different exhibits and link them together. They have to justify their answers. Finally, this is a basis for creating an essay, which will be needed in not only my class, but others as well.
Some of the other ARE’s are based in Florence, Paris, WWI, WWII, and the Cold War.
Phoenix Time Recap
Basketball Knockout
Magic
Unwinding With Music
Updates & General Information
College Counseling Updates
This Saturday from 7am - 3pm we will be holding the SAT at CDS. Please be aware that access to the buildings will be restricted at that time.
Colleges around the world continue to visiting our campus! On Friday we welcomed Dartmouth College, one of the oldest and most well known Ivy League schools, who shared information with our students. If you have any questions, please visit us to find out further information.
Next week, Georgia Southern and Northumbria University (UK) are visiting us. Please check our website for more events.
Twice this week 10th-graders met with the College Counseling department in order to complete their PSAT set up for the October 16th test. The PSAT allows students to better understand their strengths and areas of growth in Mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. This will help students when preparing themselves for their future steps and assist counselors in making recommendations about AP courses.
Students recieved a packed containing a practice test, test strategies, and information concerning the test format. We urge students to utilize these resources prior to the exam.
If you were unable to join us for these sessions we would like students to come to the College Counseling Office to complete their set up. Please bring your student ID with you when you visit.
Please make sure to check below about what to bring (and what not to bring) on the PSAT test day!
What to Bring on Test Day:
- Two No. 2 pencils with soft erasers; no pens or mechanical pencils.
(Mechanical pencils are not allowed because they may punch through the answer sheet or may not have No. 2 lead. Mmarks made with the wrong kind of lead don’t scan properly and so may not be scored).
- An acceptable calculator for the Math portion of the exam.
(This will be utilized for the calculator portion of the test only / The memory must be cleared from the calculator prior to the test in order to be used).
- A watch that has no audible alarm or communications/recording capabilities.
- Extra batteries and a backup calculator (if possible).
What NOT to Bring on Test Day:
- Electronic equipment, including phones of any kind; personal computing devices (laptops, notebooks, Bluetooth devices, or tablets); cameras; timers; audio players/recorders; wearable technology; digital watches, including smartwatches, that can be used to record, transmit, or receive information; or any other prohibited devices.
- Highlighters, rulers, earplugs, dictionaries or other books, pens or mechanical/colored pencils, pamphlets and papers of any kind, including scratch paper.
AP Exam Information
Upcoming High School Events
DALTON MODEL UNITED NATIONS - December 13th - 15th
Cheongna Dalton School
Email: jmusselman@daltonschool.kr
Website: www.cdshighschool.kr
Location: Cheongna Dalton Foreign School, Gyeongseo-dong, Incheon
Phone: 82 32-563-0563
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheongnadaltonhighschool/