Pre-departure Guide

Kennedy Catholic High School

PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDE

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OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION (IE) Welcome to Kennedy Catholic High School!

CONFIRM PLACEMENT AND OBTAIN VISA

IE OFFICE LOCATION

• Students must apply for an F-1 visa with the local US Embassy or Consulate.

Kennedy Catholic High School, 2nd Floor 140 South 140th Street Burien, WA 98168 USA

• Students should apply NOW for their visa.

• Before making an appointment for an interview at the US consular office, accepted students must pay their SEVIS fee online. The wait time for an interview varies from country to country. Check the US State Department website to learn more about preparing the visa application. Note: US Embassy/Consulate will be closed for holidays (i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day) • Students will then complete an interview to demonstrate their ties to their home country, ability to pay for their education, and seriousness as a student.

• Once the visa application has been approved, the remaining balance of tuition and fees will be due at a date indicated by Kennedy Catholic prior to student arrival.

• If the visa is not approved, the student will receive a refund of the enrollment deposit, upon sending a copy of the denial letter.

Telephone: +1 206.957.9757 Website: www.kennedyhs.org/int Email: INT@kennedyhs.org Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-3:00 pm Virtual Advising Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:00-9:00pm Emergency Contact After Hours: Housing Issues: +1 206.972.3291 Academic Issues: +1 206.972.2981 APPs: WeChat, Viber, Line, WhatsApp

Mrs. Vilai Whatsapp

Mrs. Vilai WeChat

Mrs. Vilai Line

Mrs. Vilai Viber

Mrs. Vilai Kakao

Mrs. Suttell WeChat

ORIENTATION Please arrive at the school on the first day of Orientation Week: Monday, January 13 at 9:00am. Check in at Dillman Center (located to the right when you enter the main front door).

Please bring the following: • Passport and Current Visa

• Immunization Form and Records

• I-20

• Sports Physical

• New US Address and Phone Number

• Original Bank Statement

• Email Address

• Original/Official Transcripts

ARRIVAL INFORMATION Getting to Kennedy Catholic High School in three easy steps:

1

Book a Flight Book a flight to Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) International Airport. Please plan to arrive on Saturday, January 11. If arrival date is different, contact housing@kennedyhs.org for approval.

If arriving early, or if traveling with friends or relatives, please make hotel arrangements. Refer to the online Lodging Guide for local recommendations. www.kennedyhs.org/directions

2

Arrival Information If you requested homestay or dorm placement, please e-mail housing@kennedyhs.org the following information by Friday, December 27, 2019: • Date of Arrival • Time of Arrival • Flight Number • Airline Name A greeter holding a Kennedy Catholic sign will meet you upon arrival at the airport.

3

Airport Pick Up Airport pick up is arranged for international students who apply for Kennedy Catholic housing. The service is included in your housing placement fee.

Your host family or airport greeter will be at the baggage claim area (#1 for international arrival).

Friendly, helpful staff will make sure you get to your destination trouble-free. If you are delayed or cannot find your airport greeter, please contact the housing team +1 206.972.3291 or by App (WeChat, Line, Viber, WhatsApp).

CONTACT INFO: In Vilai Associate Director, Office of International Education +1 206.957.9628 vilaii@kennedyhs.org

ASSESSMENT AND REGISTRATION All new students take an assessment for math and English skills during Orientation Week. Your assessment scores will determine math and English class placement, and other semester courses. To learn more about the English language assessment, visit the KITE website: www.takekite.com Students who have completed both assessments are eligible to register for classes. Your international advisor and a guidance counselor will share more about the US education system, diploma credits and graduation requirements before class registration.

Midway through first semester, a personal education plan will be created with the support of the advisor.

It will include major areas of interest, destination universities and a course plan.

WHAT TO WEAR Students and faculty dress casually at Kennedy Catholic. A typical winter outfit is jeans and a pullover or shirt; in the warm summer months, many students wear short pants to class. A light jacket is good to have any time of year. A warm coat is necessary during the winter. Semi-formal attire is required on some occasions during the school year.

ATHLETICS A physical exam is required for participation.

A physical form must be signed and dated by a physician, stating the student is ‘cleared for all sports without restriction,’ and include parent/guardian authorization for medical treatment. Students should make an appointment in their home country prior to arrival.

If you are interested in sports, email INT@kennedyhs.org and we will help explain how to complete your registration.

ADVISOR After admission to Kennedy Catholic, an international advisor will be assigned. Your advisor will send a welcome email before orientation.

You are welcome to contact your advisor with any questions.

IMMUNIZATIONS Once you receive your visa, email your completed immunization form to INT@kennedyhs.org. The state of Washington requires this to be on file for students to attend school in January.

ORIENTATION WEEK JANUARY 13-17, 2020 Your team at the Office of International Education is excited to see you. Orientation Week will provide a comprehensive introduction to Kennedy Catholic including: placement tests, class registration, campus tour, immigration, insurance, ID cards, fun activities each day and a field trip. Light refreshments are served while students meet advisors, student leaders, instructors and staff. Attending orientation is mandatory for all incoming students at Kennedy Catholic. It is very important to attend Orientation Week to make new friends and have a successful start to your academic journey.

MOUNTAIN TRIP SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 The first week will include a visit to the mountains with student leaders and staff from Kennedy Catholic for a fun day of recreation and snowtubing.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR • Housing arrival for new students: January 11 • Orientation starts: January 13 at 9am • Parent orientation session: January 13 at 9am • Orientation ends: January 17 at 3pm • Easter Break: Starts April 10 at 3pm Return date: April 20 at 8am • International senior graduation dinner: May 27 at 6pm • Graduation: May 28 at 6pm • Year end: June 5 at 3pm

VISIT KENNEDY CATHOLIC Please visit our website for directions and lodging information.

Lodging: www.kennedyhs.org/directions

By Air: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

SEA-TAC is located 5-10 minutes from campus.

By Bus: The Greyhound bus station located at 503 S. Royal Brougham Way, Seattle, WA 98134.

Travel time to school: 20 minutes, Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km) Public Bus Transportation: Bus #131 stops near the school (on 1st Avenue and S. 140th) http://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/ schedules-maps.aspx Sea-Tac Link Light Rail Station: Travel time to school: 5 minutes, Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km) Closest station: Tukwila International Boulevard station.

By Car: Burien is 20 minutes south of Seattle Distance: 10 miles (16 km) Three hours south of Vancouver, BC, Canada Distance: 155 miles (250 km) TRANSPORTATION Kennedy Catholic High School provides transportation from Seattle International Airport (SEA), the Sound Transit Link light rail, and the bus station, all located in the city of Seatac, Washington which is just 5 minutes from campus. Please do not hesitate to call, text, or email anytime (day or night) during your travel from home to Kennedy Catholic should you have questions or concerns.

Always contact us if you miss a flight or your arrival time changes.