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Kozak Korner #13. November 14th, 2025 

| Director's Message

Dear parents,

I know that the High School Football team are having a wonderful time and we are all so proud of the students and teachers for continuing to enable this to happen after so many years away from CEESA event participation.

The momentum continues next weekend when students and teachers will represent KIS at the CEESA Speech and Debate event. A special shout-out to Mr. Jan Scott who will return from chaperoning the High School Football team, be at school for a day, and then take on a second trip as he will be one of 3 KIS teachers chaperoning the Speech and Debate team. 

A couple of other matters this week. At the end of quintile 2 you will receive status reports that provide updated information about your child's progress, both academically and in relation to Success Orientations. Narrative comments will be shared with you at the end of quintile 3, this year, as well as at the end of quintile 5.

I appreciate that with power outages and air raid sirens it is sometimes difficult to arrive at school on time, however it is important that students endeavour to do so. The morning sound plays at 8:25am to give students and teachers time to be in their classrooms ready to learn by the beginning of period 1, at 8:30am. Students will be marked absent if they do not arrive on time.

Please note that due to some urgent pipe repair work this week the road needed to be dug up around the perimeter of the school. This means that for a few days there will be no vehicular access onto campus and teachers and other staff will park their cars in the parking area outside the school fence.  As always, please be mindful to follow the direction of traffic flow and pay attention to our guards as they guide you.

With plans well under way for various happenings and events in December, please do make sure that you let teachers know if your child will be absent. 

Kindest regards and stay safe,

Susan Tilney
susan-tilney@kyiv.qsi.org

 

Professional Development Days

Thursday and Friday, November 20–21, are Professional Development Days for our teachers and staff.
There will be no school for students on these days. Thank you for your understanding!

| PE Class Reminder: Indoor Shoes Required

 

Dear Parents,

We would like to remind you of an important rule regarding the use of our gym facilities:

Students are not allowed to wear outdoor shoes on the gym floor at any time—whether during PE classes or lunch/recess, including MS/Secondary students. Outdoor shoes bring in dirt and moisture, which can damage the gym floor and create safety hazards.

For PE classes, please ensure your child has appropriate indoor athletic shoes. The following footwear is not permitted:

  • Boots
  • Crocs

  • Participating in socks is not allowed

  • Any shoes not designed for sports activities

✅ What to Bring for PE

Thank you for helping us maintain a clean and safe environment for all students.

 

Key Dates

November - December:

  • 10-17 November - CEESA HSB Football-Sarajevo
  • 15 November - PTO Wine & Cheese 
  • 19-23 November - CEESA HS Speech & Debate, Prague
  • 19-24 November - CEESA HS Math, Budapest
  • 20-21 November - Professional Development Days - no school for students
  • 26 November - PTO Bake Sale
  • 04-05 December - Book Fair Fest
  • 04-05 December - KIS Drama Premier - WILLPower
  • 06 December - SAT Testing
  • 10 December - Pre-K and Elementary Concerts
  • 10 December - Winter Festival & PTO Bake Sale
  • 11 December - school half day
  • 12 December - 11 January - Winter Break
  • 12 January - students are back at school

School Calendar 2025 - 2026

Policy and Procedures

 

| PTO & Community Engagement

PTO Wine & Cheese Evening – Adults ONLY!

Dear KIS Community,

Our PTO Wine & Cheese Event is tomorrow! We can't wait to see everyone who decided to join us! 🥂

Just a reminder:  We meet on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 16:00 at The Roof (see location here) Restaurant.  

This is a perfect occasion to look your best, relax, and connect with fellow parents, KIS staff, and teachers in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

See you there! 

Sincerely,
PTO

 

Who We Are

What is KIS Moms & Dads? 

KIS Moms & Dads is a private Facebook group for KIS parents and the PTO. It's a place to discover ways to get involved in school activities, PTO events, and volunteer opportunities, as well as to share ideas, feedback, and suggestions with the school and PTO. To join, please complete the membership questions.

How to join PTO? 

It's simple - just send an email at pto@kyiv.qsi.org or talk to one of the PTO members at the PTO Shop.

| College and Counseling

 

Secondary 3 and Secondary 4 Students – SAT Testing Opportunities

The image shows a smiling young man wearing glasses and a red backpack, standing in front of a poster advertising the SAT test dates at a school.

KIS is an official SAT testing site, providing our students with the opportunity to take the SAT conveniently on campus.

The SAT is an important step for students planning to apply to universities abroad, especially in the United States and Canada. Taking the SAT early helps students become familiar with the test format, strengthen their university applications, and open doors to a wide range of international study opportunities.

KIS will host the SAT on the following dates this school year:

  • December 6th

  • May 2nd

If you would like to take the SAT on a date other than those offered at KIS, you may register at another official testing site in Ukraine.

The next available test date at KIS is December 6th, and registration closes on November 21st — don’t miss your chance!

Click HERE to see all SAT registration deadlines and register.

| Meet Your School Counselor

To schedule a meeting with Ms. Zoromski, our school counselor, please click here.  Her email is: chelsey-zoromski@kyiv.qsi.org. 

As a reminder, she works with all students in our school to support them academically and emotionally.  

Have Questions About SAT?

Feel free to reach out to our AP Program Coordinator, Ms. Alina Filipchuk at alina-filipchuk@kyiv.qsi.org

| Teacher's Tips

 

Why Reading to Your Child Every Night Matters

In our busy lives, it’s easy to overlook these quiet moments. But bedtime reading is more than just a pleasant routine—it’s a gift that shapes your child’s future.

First, it strengthens your bond. When you read together, you create a safe, loving space where your child feels valued and secure. These moments of closeness are priceless.

Second, it builds language and literacy skills. Every story introduces new words, ideas, and ways of thinking—children who are read to develop stronger vocabularies and perform better in school regularly.

Third, it sparks imagination and creativity. Stories transport children to magical worlds, teaching them to dream big and think critically.

Fourth, it helps establish a healthy routine. Reading signals that the day is winding down, helping children relax and sleep better.

And finally, it teaches life lessons. Books are full of messages about kindness, courage, and empathy. Discussing these themes helps children grow into thoughtful, compassionate individuals.

So, how can you make this habit stick?

  • Choose books your child loves. Our school library is a good source.
  • Create a cozy reading space.
  • Ask questions and make it interactive.
  • And most importantly—be consistent. Even ten minutes a night makes a difference.

Parents, bedtime reading is not just about stories—it’s about connection, learning, and love. Tonight, pick up a book, snuggle in, and let the magic begin.

- Ms. Alla, your school librarian

Have Questions About Library Class?

Feel free to reach out to our school librarian, Mrs. Alla Yarmolenko at alla-yarmolenko@kyiv.qsi.org

| "Empower" Program

 

The Empower curriculum integrates the Success Orientations, Social Emotional Learning concepts, and Child Protection principles into individual lessons throughout the year. These lessons will be delivered during a dedicated weekly EMPOWER class time. This approach aims to equip students with a comprehensive set of skills applicable throughout their lives. Specific lessons tailored to each grade level ensure developmental appropriateness. While some concepts may be revisited annually, the lessons will vary based on the students' age. For more information, please see the QSI Empower statement.

Teachers will keep parents informed about the upcoming lessons for their child, and for certain grades, the lesson plans will be accessible in this newsletter. Click on the post below to view the message from the teacher.

Have Questions About "Empower"?

Feel free to reach out to our Empower Program Coordinator, Mrs. Alla Titova at alla-titova@kyiv.qsi.org 

| Week Highlights

 

| Integrated Technology Platforms

| How To Contact Us

How to Contact Your Child During the School Day:

If you need to talk to your child during the school day, please contact reception and a message will be delivered to them. Please do not call or text your child directly during the school day.

Contacting School Staff

Staff hours are 8:10am-4:15pm Monday-Friday. If you email a teacher outside of these times you may not receive a response until the following day. We endeavour to respond within 24 hours.