Office of International Education Newsletter ISSUE 6, DECEMBER 2020
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New leadership is tackling challenges and creating stability to ensure the Lancer experience remains extraordinary.
Dear Partner Agents and Friends, We have many reasons to feel encouraged, after a year of unusual difficulties. The US presidential election is over, a COVID-19 vaccine should be available soon, US embassies are opening up and travel bans are being lifted. People everywhere are eager for a return to normal life, in particular classroom education for children. This past year has been one of the most challenging times of my 25 years in International Education. Because of this experience, I feel stronger and more confident: the stability of Kennedy Catholic’s International Education (IE) team and the support from our new school leadership
has made it possible to accommodate our international students’ needs throughout the pandemic. Kennedy Catholic welcomed a new president, Mr. Matthew Mohs, after Mr. Mike Prato retired at the end of 2019-2020 school year. The school also welcomed Dr. Sara Bruins, Assistant Principal of Academics. I am very happy to inform you that they are very supportive of International Education. Mr. Mohs and his family hosted a student from Korea for 4 years, so he fully understands the value that international students can bring to the institution. One of Dr. Bruins’ daughters is currently studying in Latin America, so she is also strong believer in International Education. Continued >>
Flexibility and individual support of international students and their families became especially important during this pandemic period. At Kennedy Catholic we have a group of international students who are taking courses in their home countries, and another group of students taking courses in Seattle. Every class has been recorded and posted on our learning platform, so that students can follow the instruction in any time zone. IE staff members as well as teachers have been quite busy supporting students in multiple time zones. No child will be left behind at Kennedy Catholic. For international seniors, college admissions is top priority. We are finishing up one-on-one senior application support, and began holding a college admission preparation seminar for 10th and 11th grade international students in mid-November. Our goal is 100% College Admission: we guide our students to suitable universities around the world based on their abilities and career goals.
INTRODUCING
Mr. Matthew Mohs President/Principal
We are offering a complimentary “US High School Preparation Course� to prospective students of our partner agents each month through early spring. Please take advantage of this marketing tool to encourage your students to apply to Kennedy Catholic. Contact us if you want us to customize the flyer for your company. We appreciate your support and dedication, especially during this challenging time. Sincerely, Mariko Fujiwara Director, Office of International Education
Dr. Sara Bruins Assistant Principal of Academics
WE ARE HERE TO HELP! FREE US High School Prep Course. Invite your students to register here. Contact INT@kennedyhs.org for more information.
FOLLOW US Follow us on social media to stay up to date with Kennedy Catholic and the Office of International Education. Click the icons below.
INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS Join us for a virtual tour of our campus here!
ADMINISTERING THE KITE PRACTICE TEST Please copy and paste the following address to ensure you reach the correct page: https://testflight.takekite.com/register/kennedy8547 Students are anonymous users when they take this practice assessment. There’s no record of their results, aside from the screen displayed when the assessment is complete. The student should take a screen shot of the final screen and capture the information in order to share the results.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR!
FEB
15 APPLY NOW!
2021-2022 AND 2022-2023 ANNUAL SCHOOL FEES (cost per school year)
Priority Deadline for Applications September 30, 2020 for January 2021
Tuition: $35,000
February 15, 2021 for August 2021
Capital Building Fee: $500
Admissions Fact Sheet Review fact sheet here for application timeline, deadlines, criteria, and other details. Online application and instructions found here. Admissions and Placement Test Read here to learn more about our Admissions and English Placement test. When to Give the KITE Practice Test: •
I f the student does not have a TOEFL/ English score
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I f the student has a low TOEFL or equivalent test score below 42
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I f you are unsure of the student’s English skills and you want to determine their comprehension level
Housing: $12,000 + $250 (one time set up fee) Enrollment Fee: $550
Total: Approximately* $48,300 (including tuition, housing, and fees) *Approximate total due to exchange rates and bank fees
Note: January students must pre-pay the following spring semester tuition.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR •
hristmas break starts Friday, C December 18 after school
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orm closed Sunday, December 20 D at 10pm through Friday, January 1
Current Students •
Dorm opens Saturday, January 2
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eturn to school start date Monday, R January 4 at 8am
ALUMNI PROFILE We are always delighted to see the faces of alumni. Recently, Lancer Graduate, Dennis Zhou from the class of 2020 returned to campus. He will start his undergraduate study majoring in Marine Biology at the University of California San Diego. He is excited to begin conducting research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Read the full story here. Lancer Graduate Dennis Zhou, ‘20
New Students for Spring/January 2021 (second semester) •
Housing arrival Saturday, January 9
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rientation starts Tuesday, January 19 O at 9am
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rientation ends Friday, January 22 O at 4pm
Freshman at UCSD
Spring/January 2021 (second semester) •
lasses start Monday, January 25 C at 8am
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pring/Easter break 2021 starts Friday, S April 2 after school. Return to school Monday, April 12 at 8am
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I nternational Senior Graduation Dinner Thursday, June 3, 2021
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Graduation Friday, June 4, 2021
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Year ends Thursday, June 10, 2021
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ormitory move out Sunday, June 13 D by 10pm
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Dorm closed Monday, June 14
CHRISTMAS BREAK Dorm students must make arrangements to leave the dorm by the evening of December 20. Those who need alternative housing arrangements during this period must submit their request in advance to the IE Office. Mr. Van Vleet, host parent for Mana O., grade 11 from Japan and Suan C., grade 9 from Korea
BACK TO SCHOOL Our Link Crew leaders and cheerleaders helped make an unforgettable orientation experience for new students! Staff, leadership students and teachers joined together to give new students and parents a warm welcome into the Lancer Family.
EXTRAORDINARY ON-CAMPUS EXPERIENCES The Office of International Education hosted a special on campus event for new and returning international students in September. It was exciting to welcome students back-to-school for team-building activities, group games and fun. All activities were conducted with social distancing and safety in mind. Students formed teams and carved pumpkins at the October Harvest Fest.