Spring Partner Newsletter May 2022

SPRING 2022

Partner Newsletter

issue 9 m ay 2 0 2 2

m ay 2 0 2 2

A Message from Mariko

D

ear Partner Agents and

Our students’ mental health is something we

Friends,

cannot ignore, and it is a growing concern

The end of the 2021-2022 school year is coming up quickly. The energy levels and happiness of our students are rebounding as COVID-19 restrictions have relaxed, although

due to the impact of COVID-19. Both the Office of International Education and Counseling Office are working together to support our students.

we continue to see the impact of COVID-19

There is no magic cure for this, but students’

in our daily lives.

active involvement in the campus activities,

Although masks are now optional for everyone on campus, I see that nearly all international students (IE students) are still wearing masks.

events, and sports is an important key to maintaining mental health and helping students to adjust to this “new normal” period.

I asked several of them, “Why?” Many

In this issue, we are highlighting stories and

responded that they feel “strange” if they don’t

pictures of IE students actively participating

wear it. “It is good manners,” Kosei, one of

in school sports, activities, and events. We are

our Japanese students said. This appears to be

also featuring IE student leadership activities

the “new normal,” along with increased use of

and IE students’ college admissions.

zoom for conferences, workshops, and seminars.

While we cannot avoid the effects of COVID-19, we are committed to making a positive impact.

Take a look, and you’ll see.

Sincerely,

Mariko Fujiwara Director, Office of International Education

It’s not too late to apply!

Still accepting applications through the end of May 2022 to begin school August 2022!

APPLY NOW FOR FALL 2022!

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 SPRING SEMESTER, JANUARY 2023!

Priority Deadline For Applications Sept. 30, 2022 for January 2023.

SEPT

30

APPLY NOW!

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 the Practice Test: • If the student does not have a TOEFL/ English score • I f the student has a low TOEFL or equivalent test score below 42 • If you are unsure of the student’s English skills and you want to determine their comprehension level

2022-2023 ANNUAL SCHOOL FEES Cost per school year Tuition: $35,000 Housing: $12,000 + $300 (one time set up fee) Enrollment Fee: $550 Capital Building Fee: $500 Total: Approximately* $48,350 (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.

ADMINISTERING THE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY PRACTICE TEST Please copy and paste the following address to ensure you reach the correct page: https://testflight.kaplanenglishtest.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.

2022-2023 school year

Important Dates FALL 2022

SPRING 2023

• Airport arrival for new students (from overseas and out of state): August 13

• Classes start Friday, January 27, 8 am

• Housing check-in for new students (from overseas and out of state): August 13

• Return to school Tuesday, February 21, 8am

• No school for students Monday, August 15 • In-Person New Student Orientation: August 16-19 • Optional Parent Orientation: August 16, 1:30pm • School starts: Thursday, August 25, 8am HOLIDAY BREAKS Thanksgiving Break • Starts Friday, November 18 after school • Return to school Monday, November 28, 8 am • Dorm remains open Christmas Break • Starts Friday, December 16 after school • Returning students January 2023 • Student housing check-in Sunday, January 1 • Return to school Tuesday, January 3, 8am

• Starts Thursday, February 16 after school • Easter/Spring Break starts Thursday, April 16 after school • Return to school April 17, 8am • IE Celebration Dinner: Thursday, June 1 • Graduation: Friday, June 2 • School year ends Thursday, June 8 • Dormitory move out by Sunday, June 11, 10 pm • Dorm closed Monday, June 12 • Homestay student move out Thursday, June 15

i n t e r nat i o na l s t u d e n t s u p p o rt

Peer Mentors

T

he purpose of the Peer Mentor program is to provide support for new international students in their transition to high school at Kennedy Catholic. Peer mentors are usually juniors and seniors who have shown an interest in and capacity for helping others.

All peer mentors are matched with student mentees based on skills and interests.

IE Student Tutors

Kai W. | Japan Class of 2023

Some peer mentors provide tutoring, others interact around shared interests, sports, activities and organized field trips, and some talk during free periods, by phone, email, text or social media apps.

Students meet four afternoons each week to work on improving their English skills. Kosei A., Grade 10, from Japan, is taking Integrated English and said, the most helpful activities are the writing exercises. “It’s very helpful to improve my English! I am thankful to Leo and Kai (tutors).”

Leo K. | Japan Class of 2023 The program addresses the major issues of transition and adjustment for our international students to American high school and the “tasks” of adolescence. In addition, the support efforts focus on academic requirements, expectations and the realities of joining a high school program. Time management, stress management and setting priorities are also addressed.

Discussions also focus on support and resources at Kennedy Catholic and how to access them including academic assistance from teachers and also accessing socialemotional support. Each peer mentor has student mentees to whom they are assigned.

The peer mentors assist the IE Office and are available to connect with their mentees.

Ho Ip (Louis) Y., grade 9, from Hong Kong, is an Integrated English student and said the working on writing and reading newspaper stories has been very helpful. “The tutors explain things clearly. It makes me improve my writing and pronunciation.”

student profiles

Lancer Ambassadors Leo K., Class of 2023 | Japan Leo K. introduced the idea and organized a new after-school tutoring group. He enlisted the support of his friend Kai W. to lead the Peer Mentor Program. More students have joined for tutoring support since its initiation and there have been positive impacts seen by both teachers and students.

Read Leo’s full story here >>

Tanya L., Class of 2022 | Taiwan (ROC) Tanya L. has attended Kennedy Catholic for 4 full years and has taken a strong leadership role in IE events, activities, and new student orientation. She served as an IE marketing assistant, was co-founder and also co-leader of the “Dance Yourself Club.” Tanya has participated in many school activities including cheer, choir, swim team, tennis, theater, and the cultural assembly this year. She is also a teacher’s assistant for the IE Support class.

Read Tanya’s full story here >>

Kai W., Class of 2023 | Japan Kai W. has enhanced his communication skills and made new connections with teachers and students as a Peer Mentor this year. He enjoys spening time with his fellow international students and has gained a new sense of motivation and pride through giving his time and energy to help others.

Read Kai’s full story here >>

Mana O., Class of 2022 | Japan Mana participates in many activities with IE students. She joins almost every event and enjoys the community building trips. She plans to study Kinesiology at Michigan State University this fall. Mana said her Psychology and Performance of Sport class and attending the Search Retreat were very impactful.

Read Mana’s full story here >>

sports teamwork

Tim H. | Vietnam Boys Tennis

International Student-Athletes

S

ports help create a better study abroad experience for international students and raises them to be future leaders.

Playing sports significantly enhances our international students’ experience while they attend Kennedy Catholic high school in the U.S.

Ko Y. | Japan Varsity Baseball .

Not only does physical activity improve their physical health. It releases endorphins that boost their mood and reduce stress. Plus, socializing with friends and coaches, and returning to a more structured routine after online learning last year, has been a great boost to their mental health.

Many international students compete in high school athletics to learn more about American culture and enjoy friendly competition. Track and Cross Country are two of the most popular sports among our international students. Basketball, tennis, soccer, and baseball also top the list.

Participating in a sports team can bring a sense of belonging for international students. Through training and competing with their teammates, international students build up a stronger community and support system surrounding themselves as they study abroad. This is especially important for young high school students who are not used to living away from home.

American culture is huge on sports. Most American students talk about their favorite sports and teams, even if they are not athletes. Playing and understanding sports helps international students engage better in day-to-day conversations with their American friends and teachers, even creating a special bond within their peers.

Continued >>

Sehyeon J. | Korea Junior Varsity Boys Soccer

Diego C. | Spain Varsity Boys Soccer

Photos courtesy of Mike Tedesco @ReactionPhotog

Hitomi T. | Japan Varsity Girls Tennis .

sports teamwork High school students’ athletes are highly favored by top U.S. university admissions officers As an extremely sports-focused country, top American universities value candidates who show a strong athletic record in their application. The Washington Post released a report of enrollment data from Top U.S. Universities recently that showed Varsity Athletes accounted for up to 19% of students successfully enrolled in Princeton University, 16% for Harvard University and 15% for Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Thu N. | Vietnam Junior Varsity Girls Tennis

Duyen P. | Vietnam Junior Varsity Girls Tennis

Our school administrators considered the risks involved during the pandemic and made sure the chance of being exposed to and spreading the virus was kept to a minimum this school year.

The IE Office staff invites all our students to join activities, clubs, and sports when we welcome them to school each semester, but it’s our ambassadors who are great at encouraging their news friends and best able to influence them. Their passion and participation make them great role models and it’s natural for them to promote the benefits for our international students.

They don’t view their responsibilities as a burden, but instead see this as a great learning opportunity that can be used for future life success. Joining sports and clubs gives them the challenge of identifying and solving problems, collaborating with team members, overcoming adversity, and instilling pride in the school and community. They are gaining great life experiences that helps them to develop as better people, not simply better athletes.

Rui T. | China Varsity Girls Tennis

Zoe Y. | China Junior Varsity Girls Tennis

Tanya L. | Taiwan .

Junior Varsity .

Girls Tennis

Suan C. | Korea Junior Varsity Girls Tennis

Fun with Friends Shirley O. | China Class of 2022

Girls Bowling has given senior girls, Sunny Y., Maggie L., and Shirley O. a chance to meet great teammates and lifelong friends!

Maggie L. | China Class of 2022

Sunny Y. | China Class of 2022

Our all-boys St. Edward’s Dormitory hosts ping-pong night, a fun opportunity for our students. They enjoying playing with one another and sometimes get to play against their teachers too!

communit y service

Giving Back at Food Lifeline We welcomed five new students from Korea, China and Vietnam in January!

These students spent a day with Food Lifeline to sort and repackage apples for distribution to food banks, shelters and meal programs in our area.

This volunteer effort helps our new students connect with the community, and to the Lancer experience. We are so excited they are here for second semester!

r e c r e at i o na l f u n !

Olympic-Style Tournaments Kennedy Catholic international students and their friends played some Olympic-style tournaments in the gymnasium. It was a memorable time for our students to get de-stress, have fun and enjoy recreation with their classmates. International Olympic Games included tournaments in volleyball, badminton, dodgeball and basketball.

PHOTO ALBUM >>

Extraordinary American Experiences We took students for an ice skating outing at nearby Kent Valley Ice Centre!

140 S. 140th Street Burien, WA 98168-3496 USA

c o n ta c t u s t o day ! i n t e r n at i o n a l a d m i s s i o n s Email: INT@kennedyhs.org Phone: USA (+1) 206-957-9757 Website: www.kennedyhs.org/int