Dear KIS Community,

Kyiv International School is planning to gradually reopen the school campus following the winter break (read the document in Ukrainian language). We understand there may be many difficulties and challenges connected to this, but we would like to take these next steps. We also understand that we must plan to be flexible and adaptable for the needs and concerns that may arise.

We will be sending out a separate survey for parents and having several community meetings to discuss these plans. Online access to learning will continue to be offered throughout the school year.

Teacher Assignments
We are shifting our teaching assignments around to make sure that we have staff positioned to support each age level on campus. This means there may be some changes of teachers for your children. This is necessary for us to support on campus supervision.

Safety Shelter Preparations
We are setting up our basement to have classrooms and function as a safety shelter during air raids. Emergency supplies will be placed in several different areas of the basement. All individuals on campus will be expected to use the safety shelter during these times.

Emergency Procedures and Policies
KIS has added emergency procedures connected to air raids to ensure that anyone on campus is able to access the safety shelter in a timely manner and do an accountability check.

Phases For Reopening the Campus
Below is a timeline and explanation of the expected three-phase approach for opening the campus.

Phase 1 – Community Events (December-January)
Phase 2 – Community Center (February-April)
Phase 3 – Traditional School (May-June)

A Community Center At KIS
One of the best things about KIS is our community. During the Community Center Phase, KIS will be allowing parents to bring their children to school and stay on campus to do other activities while their children join classes. There will be a dedicated space for parents to connect to WIFI and work, use the fitness room, participate in parent classes, and use other parts of the facility. Parents may decide to stay on some days and not on others, but want this option to be available for those who feel uneasy leaving their child(ren) at the beginning.

PHASES OF REOPENING THE KIS CAMPUS

KIS SAFETY SHELTER AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

BASEMENT SHELTER
KIS has a basement space that qualifies for a bomb shelter. In case of an emergency, the basement area will also be stocked in for different areas the following resources for a duration of 72 hours:

1. Food & Water
2. Battery packs, Flash Lights, Matches and Candles
3. Blankets and Yoga Mats
4. First-Aid/Medical Kits
5. Fire Extinguishers
6. Utility tools – shovels, crowbars, sledge hammers, saws, etc
7. Means of communication and contact information

Basement Exits – The basement has 4 different exits.
Basement Toilets – The basement has 4 different toilets spread out in the different areas.

Basement Layout For Classrooms and Learning Spaces

AIR RAID SIREN PROCEDURES
Air Raid sirens indicate the danger of missile strikes and that everyone on campus should go to shelters. The KIS basement is set up with classroom resources and emergency supplies to support staff and students for 72 hours.

Classrooms will be set up as an alternative site with all of the necessary school supplies and technology needed to continue learning.

In the event of an Air Raid, the following steps should be taken when on campus:

1) Air Raid Notification
Given the frequency of air raids, there will be a staff member who is responsible for the daily monitoring of air raid alerts and notification system using the school PA.

2) Gather Resources
Teachers should take into consideration the minimum amount needed to move to the shelter.

3) Move to Shelter
All persons should move to the appropriate area in the shelter for an accountability check. They should use the quickest route to the basement from their current location.

4) Accountability Check
Staff will check-in using the flow chart to report everyone is safe and in the appropriate location.

5) Continue With Class
Learning may resume, once everyone is safe and accounted for within the class. Students may continue with class activities while teachers are reporting to leadership.

6) Wait For All Clear
Once the all clear is given, students, faculty, and parents may exit the bomb shelter and return to other areas. At the teachers discretion, they may finish the class period in the shelter location before returning to the classroom, in order to minimize the loss of time transitioning. If any section of the campus is impacted by direct or nearby explosions there are separate procedures for potential evacuation of the building, accountability checks, and communication with parents.

We know that we will face some challenges as we move in this direction, and hope that the timing of this transition will also coincide with an improving situation in Kyiv and Ukraine.

On December 7th, we planning to have a Coffee Chat at 2:00 pm (Kyiv). 

Please use the following Zoom details: 

Topic: KIS Community Coffee Chat
Date and Time: 7 December 2022 at 14:00 (Kyiv)

Join Zoom Meeting: LINK 
Meeting ID: 853 8633 3031
Passcode: 485754

Sincerely,

 

 

Luke Woodruff
Director
Kyiv International School

 

Dear Elementary and Middle School Families,

We have two busy school weeks left before winter break! Our second quintile of school ends before the break as well. That means that students will be quite busy wrapping up units and perhaps even catching up on old assignments. Next week you get more details about accessing the 2nd Quintile status report and Narrative report for your child.

During the week of December 12, we will have combined class Morning Mindset time each morning. Students will get instructions from their homeroom teacher about how to join. The Student Council students will be leading different activities each day – it is sure to be a lot of fun!

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Carla Grossman

 

 

Carla Grossman
Director of Instruction
carla-grossman@kyiv.qsi.org

What’s Going on in Secondary?

Times are dark, both literally and figuratively, in Ukraine. On the other hand, there is also so much light and warmth, which is spread by kindness and community. I want to share with you how incredibly impressed I am with our secondary students’ resilience, their ingenuity, their perseverance and their commitment to their education and their community.

While it would be easy for our students in Ukraine to step back and opt out, we are instead, seeing them rise to every challenge – to find ways to come to class, to finish their work, to join their peers. They remain engaged and involved in the classroom and in the community. Our priority is the mental and physical well-being of our Kozaks; we recognize that sometimes students cannot “show up” for a wide variety of reasons. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that everyone finds success this year, to the best of their ability, both in the classroom and outside of it.

I encourage you to reach out to me if you or your child needs adjustments in their schedule or other kinds of support. Ideally, we would like to see every student take a break from schoolwork over the winter break – if you would like to ensure that happens, but worry that it won’t, please get in touch!

IB and AP 2023-2024
Although we will see some changes in staffing next year, KIS remains committed to our IB and AP programs on campus. 

P.S. Students and Families,
If you have things you would like to retrieve from the secondary lockers, please contact: marianna-kotelnykova@kyiv.qsi.org

Sincerely,

 

 

Rachel Geary
Director of Instruction
rachel-geary@kyiv.qsi.org

 

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- Sasha F. 

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