PDG

Pre-Departure Guide

Kennedy Catholic High School!

Welcome to Kennedy Catholic High School and the Lancer Family! The Office of International Education (IE) is here to help you every step of the way. We want to make your arrival to Kennedy Catholic as easy as possible! Please review this Pre-Departure Guide in its entirety to prepare your student for their arrival to the U.S.A.

We are so glad you’ve chosen Kennedy Catholic for your high school education, please reach out if you have any questions and we’ll be happy to assist.

IE OFFICE LOCATION & CONTACT INFO

Kennedy Catholic High School, 2nd Floor 140 South 140th Street Burien, WA 98168-3496 U.S.A.

Telephone: +1 206.957.9757 Website: kennedyhs.org/int Email: INT@kennedyhs.org

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am - 3pm Virtual Advising Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7-9pm

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY

CONTACT:

Housing Issues: +1 206.972.3291 Academic Issues: +1 206.972.2981

APPs: WhatsApp, Line, Viber, Kakao, WeChat, Zalo Scan QR codes below to be connected to Mrs. Vilai or Mrs. Suttell

Mrs. Vilai WhatsApp Mrs. Vilai Line Mrs. Vilai Viber

Mrs. Vilai WeChat Mrs. Vilai Kakao

Mrs. Suttell WeChat

Housing Zalo

getting to burien, washington steps prior to arrival

Arrival Steps Placement & Visa

BOOK A FLIGHT

CONFIRM PLACEMENT AND OBTAIN VISA

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

• Students must apply for a visa as soon as possible in advance of the program start date of January 23, 2023. Students will not be allowed to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date (December 24, 2022).

• Before making an appointment for an interview at the US consular office, accepted students must pay their SEVIS fee online HERE. 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.

• 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.

Book a flight to Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) International Airport. Please plan to arrive on Saturday, January 21, 2023. If your 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: kennedyhs.org/directions

ARRIVAL FOR DORM AND HOMESTAY STUDENTS

If you requested homestay or dorm placement, please e-mail housing@kennedyhs.org the following information by Monday, January 9, 2023:

• Date of arrival

• Time of arrival

• Flight number

• Airline name Flight information is required in order to confirm airport greeter and transportation.

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. Go to Baggage Claim #1 to meet your greeter.

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 (WhatsApp, Line, Viber, Kakao, WeChat, Zalo).

IE CONTACT INFO

In Vilai

Associate Director, Office of International Education: +1 206.972.3291 housing@kennedyhs.org

Transportation

Upon arrival, Kennedy Catholic provides transportation from Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) International Airport (SEA) to the designated housing assignment.

The airport, Sound Transit Link light rail, and the bus station, are all located in the city of Seatac, Washington which is just five minutes from campus. Please do not hesitate to call, text, or email anytime (day or night) during your travel from your home to Kennedy Catholic should you have questions or concerns.

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

VISIT KENNEDY CATHOLIC...

Please visit our website for directions and lodging information at kennedyhs.org/directions

By Air

• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) 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: nine miles (14.5 km)

By Public Bus

• Bus #131 stops near the school (on 1st Avenue and S. 140th)

• View public bus transportation schedule here

By Sea-Tac Link Light Rail Station

• Travel time to school: five minutes. Distance: four 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)

Orientation

ORIENTATION

JANUARY

WEEK:

23-27, 2023

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, and fun activities each day. Light refreshments are served while students meet advisors, student leaders, instructors, and staff.

Please be ready to be at school on the first day of Orientation Week: Monday, January 23 at 9am Staff will check in with you upon your arrival to the U.S. and collect your documents. Please bring the following:

• Passport and Current Visa

• I-20

• New US Address and Phone Number

• Email Address

• Immunization Form and Records

• Sports Physical

• Original/Official Transcripts

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!

ASSESSMENT AND REGISTRATION

All new students take an assessment for math and English skills after arriving in Seattle. Your assessment scores will determine math and English class placement, and other semester courses. To learn more about the English language assessment, visit our website

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.

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. We recommend that all immunizations be secured in your home country, including the flu shot, prior to your arrival in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?

Students and faculty dress casually at Kennedy Catholic, there is no uniform. 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.

WHAT FORMS ARE REQUIRED TO PLAY SPORTS?

Students who want to play a sport are required to complete a physical exam in order to participate. 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 the IE team at INT@kennedyhs.org and we will help walk you through all of the necessary steps for registration.

WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO ACCLIMATE TO KENNEDY CATHOLIC?

After admission to Kennedy Catholic you will be assigned an advisor who will help you successfully transition to life at Kennedy Catholic. You are welcome to contact your advisor any time with questions by emailing INT@kennedyhs.org.

spring semester - 2023

Important Dates

NEW STUDENT ARRIVALS

• Housing check-in for new students (from overseas and out of state): Saturday, January 21

• In-person new student orientation: Monday, January 23, 9am

• Orientation ends Thursday, January 26, 3pm

SPRING SEMESTER BEGINS

• Classes begin Friday, January 27, 8 am

MID-WINTER BREAK

• Mid-winter break starts Thursday, February 16 after school

• Return to school Tuesday, February 21, 8am

SPRING/EASTER BREAK

• Easter/spring break starts Thursday, April 6 after school

• Return to school April 17, 8am

YEAR-END

• Graduation: Friday, June 2, 6pm

• 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

*Dates are tentative and subject to change

Bring Your Own Device

For the 2022-2023 school year, Kennedy Catholic will be adopting a 1:1 BYOD program. BYOD is the acronym for Bring Your Own Device.

All students will be required to have a device the meets a minimum set of requirements and specifications. The program will include a financial model that will ensure universal access for all students. Our goal is to teach the mindful use of technology in our community so students are prepared for college and career life.

Families will be responsible to purchase or provide a laptop for their student based on the minimum required specifications.

It is our plan to offer devices at discount rates through our vendor partnership. Families should also be able to off-set costs with electronic book options – but hard copies of books will still be available and acceptable. Thank you for your patience as we adjust the process.

WINDOWS MAC

Operating System Windows 10 or newer OSX 10.8 or newer

Minimum Screen Size 11in 11in

Minimum Ram 4GB 4GB

Minimum Hard Drive Capacity 64GB Recommended: 256GB or more

64GB Recommended: 256GB or more

Minimum Battery Life 6 hours 6 hours

Anti-Virus Windows Defender (built in)

Recommended Additions

Multi-year (3) warranty Accidental damage coverage Potective Case Headphones Keyboard (if Surface)

Built-in default OSX security acceptable

Multi-year (3) warranty Accidental damage coverage Potective Case Headphones Keyboard (if Surface)

preparing for your stay

Packing Checklist

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Passport (should be valid at least 6 months from the date of the entry to the U.S.)

Valid F-1 VISA (in your passport)

I-20 from Kennedy Catholic High School

Original bank statement

Original/official transcripts

Immunization Form and Records (Including record of the COVID-19 vaccine and 2022 flu shot if taken in home country)

Sports Physical (if you plan to play sports)

HEALTH-RELATED ITEMS

Medications and contact lenses (if applicable) and prescription from your doctor (if you need to refill it in the U.S.)

Doctor’s note in English if you have any illnesses (in case you need to see a doctor in the U.S.)

Travel insurance (if applicable)

OTHER ITEMS

*Laptop computer: Please plan to bring a computer that meets our BYOD school requirements HERE

Headphones, camera, and microphone for laptop computer (review Learning Plans for updated information HERE)

*Mobile phone that works in the U.S. There is a T-mobile phone store near the school. You can learn about the phone and SIM card if you plan to use your phone from your home country HERE

Dictionary/study guide in your language

Photos of your family, friends, and country to introduce yourself to people in the U.S.

National costumes/dress (Every year the school has a cultural assembly to celebrate diversity in March. Those who bring their national costume can wear it on that day to represent their country)

*Comfortable shoes (one pair dress shoes, one pair walking shoes, one pair sport shoes)

*Semi-formal dress (Suit and tie for boys, dress or suit for girls) to attend a formal event

*Non-jeans/dress pants to wear in school (two to three sets)

*Winter coat

*Sports equipment, like a tennis racket (fall sports for boys and spring for girls) and baseball gloves (spring sport), if you plan to try out - check out sports offerings HERE

*Portable musical instrument if you own one and want to play in the U.S.

*Favorite polo shirts and T-shirts Debit card that is valid in the U.S. You can obtain a “CashPassport”(debit card) before arrival in your home country (limited countries) HERE. If you carry a CashPassport, your parents can add money in your home country to the debit card account so you can get cash overseas. No need for you to set up a local bank account.

*Items that you can also buy in the U.S. upon arrival