Office of International Education Newsletter ISSUE 1, DECEMBER 2020
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Season’s Greetings from your Office of International Education Team!
Dear global Lancer families, friends, and alumni, We are now in December, and Christmas and New Years are around the corner. Normally around this time our international students would be excited to be going home to see their families, but this year it is quite different. Travel restrictions due to COVID-19 remain in effect, and all international students who are currently here are remaining in Seattle celebrating the holidays with their Lancer host families. Host families, thank you for opening your doors to welcome our international students despite the added burdens created by COVID-19. Parents, I understand how difficult and worrisome it is for you to let your precious child study overseas. Thank you for trusting Kennedy Catholic.
Donors, volunteers, alumni, country coordinators, and all Lancer families and friends, thank you for your continuous support and contribution to International Education. 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 Continued >>
school leadership has made it possible to accommodate our international students’ needs throughout the pandemic. Kennedy Catholic has welcomed a new president, Mr. Matthew Mohs, after Mr. Mike Prato retired at the end of the 20192020 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 international students can bring to the institution. One of Dr. Bruin’s daughters is currently studying in Latin America, so she is also strong believer in International Education. At Kennedy Catholic we select only the top 40 candidates each year as incoming international students. Our admission standards are quite high compared to other US high schools and boarding schools. It is extremely important for us to maintain our standards and keep the competitive learning environment for our students. Based on our history, word of mouth recommendations and referrals are the most effective ways to recruit future Lancers! The “International Referral Program for Friends and Family” is included in this newsletter. Please help us promote our school in your network.
INTRODUCING
Mr. Matthew Mohs President/Principal
We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 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 friends to register here. Contact INT@kennedyhs.org for more information.
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INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS Join us for a virtual tour of our campus here!
INTERNATIONAL REFERRAL PROGRAM FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY Kennedy Catholic would like to admit international students REFERRAL AWARD and expand our Lancer Family network around the world! Please refer your friends and family members to us. If the referred student successfully enrolled in the school, we would like to offer you a Lancer Family Referral Award. Contact the Office of International Education E-mail: int@kennedyhs.org Website: www.kennedyhs.org/int
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
Freshman at UCSD
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
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
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
SENIOR PROFILE
JUNIOR PROFILE
Pitchabhon “Pang” is a senior from Thailand. After being an exchange student in Alabama, she asked her parents if she could stay in the U.S. for the remainder of high school. Pang enjoys the Color Guard and Winter Guard team and has advice on what new students should try to do when they come to Kennedy Catholic.
Mana is an 11th grader from Japan. This is her second year studying in the U.S., but her first at Kennedy Catholic. The Catholic faith, chance to be with other Asian students, and the support she received from IE were the reasons she chose to come to Kennedy Catholic.
Read Pang’s full story here.
Read Mana’s full story here.
Pitchabhon “Pang” C., ‘21
Mana O., ‘22 JAPAN
THAILAND
SENIOR PROFILE
JUNIOR PROFILE
Nicknamed June, Minh Truong is a senior from Vietnam. The location, college-level instruction, and chance to improve his English are highlights of why he is glad to be at Kennedy Catholic.
Mai is an 11th grader from Vietnam. She is on the Swim-Dive team, Math team and has some great experiences to share with prospective students.
Read June’s full story here. Minh Troung “June” D., ‘21 VIETNAM
Read Mai’s full story here.
Mai N., ‘22 VIETNAM
AUGUST - WELCOME TO KENNEDY CATHOLIC Students were greeted at the airport upon arrival and taken to their hotel to complete quarantine and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 testing. Each student received a welcome basket full of goodies and new international student leaders were selected!
MEETING HOST FAMILIES! After quarantine and PCR testing, students were matched with their host families! Mr. Van Vleet, host parent for Mana O., grade 11 from Japan and Suan C., grade 9 from Korea are matched this year!
SEPTEMBER - 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.
OCTOBER - 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.
NOVEMBER - EXPLORING Dormitory residents are staying healthy, active, and exploring the beauty that the Pacific Northwest has to offer! This month students hiked up to Poo Poo Point, a popular trail among para-gliders. Students also explored the beautiful scenery offered to hikers at the end of the Franklin Falls Trailhead.
DECEMBER - SHARING THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT To help spread cheer and joy this holiday season, the IE team at Kennedy Catholic did a holiday drive-through, checking in on students and preparing them for a restful vacation.
KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Office of International Education E-MAIL: int@kennedyhs.org
VISIT: www.kennedyhs.org/int