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Kozak Korner #17. December 11th, 2025 

| Director's Message

Dear parents,

Please accept my sincere thanks for your ongoing support of our truly exceptional school. As we head into the Winter break I send you my very best wishes for a restful time spent however you choose to spend it, refresh, relax and stay safe. I look forward to seeing everyone again on Monday, the 12th of January. 

I will be taking a break in warmer climes however if you do need to contact me, I will be responding to e-mails although not as regularly as usual.

Please note a date change for the Secondary parents meeting after the break, it will now be held on TUESDAY 20th JANUARY, see below:

  • Wednesday 14th January at 8:45am - Elementary School (5-10 year olds)
  • Thursday 15th January 2026 at 8:45am - 11,12 and 13 year olds
  • Tuesday 20th January 2026 at 8:45am - Secondary 1 to IV.

May the New Year bring peace and harmony.

Kind regards,

Susan Tilney
susan-tilney@kyiv.qsi.org

 

Short Week Before Winter Break

Thursday, December 11th was a half day and the last day of school before winter break. There is no school on December 12th. 

| Important Notice: Payment Deadlines Before Winter Break

Dear Parents,

This is a kind reminder about the upcoming tuition fee deadlines.

According to QSI policy, students whose Term 1 and Term 2 fees are not fully paid by the respective deadlines will not be able to return to school after the Winter Break.

Please note the due dates:

  • 1st Term: 22 August 2025

  • 2nd Term: 12 December 2025

  • 3rd Term: 27 March 2026

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Business Office at your convenience - businessoffice@kyiv.qsi.org

Thank you for your cooperation.

Kind regards,
KIS Business Office

Key Dates

 Winter:

  • 12 December - 11 January - Winter break
  • 12 January - students are back at school
  • 14 January - Elementary Parent Meeting
  • 15 January - Middle School Parent Meeting
  • 16 January - Student-Advocacy Conferences - normal school day
  • 20 January - Secondary Parent Meeting
  • 13 February - International Night

School Calendar 2025 - 2026

School Calendar 2026 - 2027

Policy and Procedures

 
The image shows two smiling individuals, a man with curly hair and a woman with blonde hair, standing in front of a backdrop that includes the logos of QSI and Kyiv International School.

| International Night 2026

Dear KIS Community,

We are delighted to announce one of the most beloved traditions of our school year — International Night! This long-awaited celebration brings together our entire KIS community to honor the rich cultural diversity that makes our school truly special.

On Friday, February 13th, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, the KIS Gym will transform into a vibrant tapestry of cuisine, traditional attire, music, cultural displays, and our iconic Flag Parade. It is an evening where families proudly share the flavors, stories, and traditions of their home countries — and where we celebrate what unites us as one global community.

We warmly invite all families to participate and represent their country. Whether through food, dress, a cultural display, or simply joining the Flag Parade, your involvement helps make this night unforgettable.

If you would like to take part, please complete THE PARTICIPATION FORM and let us know which country you will represent. Form submissions are requested by January 16th.

If you have any questions or proposals, please reach out to Ms. Olga Kardash at olga-kardash@kyiv.qsi.org.

Thank you for helping us celebrate the beauty, diversity, and unity of our KIS family.  We look forward to creating another memorable International Night together!

Warm regards,
International Night Committee

| Winter Reading Challenge

Dear Students,

The much-deserved winter break is just around the corner!

As you enjoy your favorite books, we invite you to join our Winter Break Reading Challenge. Complete the challenge and return the completed form to your librarian, Alla Yarmolenko, to receive an ice cream coupon or another small gift from your library.

👉🏻 CLICK TO GET THE FORM

Rules:

  • Middle School & Secondary:
    Read at least three novels from different genres.

  • Upper Elementary:
    Read three chapter books.

  • Lower Elementary:
    Read as many picture books as you can—but no fewer than 5!

📚 Enjoy your reading adventure!
🎁 Prizes await!

Have Questions About Winter Reading Challenge?

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

| WILLPower: Deep Gratitude from the KIS Kozaktors

The image depicts a series of scenes, including two individuals in dark clothing against a purple background, a group of dancers performing on a stage, and a group of people sitting at a table in a dimly lit setting, with a large projection screen in the background.

Dear Kozak Community,

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your support of all 47 or so of us "Kozactors" who worked from September until last weekend on our beautiful and powerful production of Willpower.

Our KIS students used their voices, their minds, their hearts, and their whole bodies to share ideas and themes that have touched people for hundreds of years. Through their work, they connected our Kozak community to something eternal, important, and truly beautiful.

This group of young artists showed incredible resilience and determination. They built this production during a time when the future often feels uncertain, and when timelines and plans can change without warning. Still, they came together, they created, they expressed themselves, and they kept moving forward.
And as we all know: expression is the opposite of depression, and action is the antidote to despair. Our students lived this truth every day of this formidable process.

A huge thank-you to our administration for believing in this project and supporting it from the very beginning. Thank you to all the teachers and staff who helped in big and small ways...you made this production possible. A massive thank you to our wonderful community for coming to the show, cheering for our students, celebrating KIS art and artists... and clapping so loudly.

We are proud, we are grateful, we are ready for break...AND
We are excited to see what our Drama I students will create this spring.

Applause, applause, applause!
Bravo, and many thanks!

👉🏻 THE COLLECTION OF PHOTOS OF THE SHOW CAN BE ACCESSED HERE

| Sports & Activities

Have Questions About "Learn Trough Play"?

Feel free to reach out to our "LTP" elementary activities Coordinator, Mrs. Dana Horbunova at dana-horbunova@kyiv.qsi.org

Have Questions About Afterschool Sports & Activities?

Feel free to reach out to our Athletics Director, Mr. Anatoly Prima at anatoly-prima@kyiv.qsi.org

| Week Highlights

 
Winter Concerts At KIS

PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY: WINTER CONCERTS THAT WARM THE HEARTS

This week, KIS was wrapped in sparkle, music, and pure seasonal joy as our Preschool and Elementary students lit up the stage with their Winter Concert performances. From the tiniest dancers in Preschool—proudly waving to their families—to our

Continue reading about Winter Concerts At KIS

| PTO & Community Engagement

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.

| Integrated Technology Platforms

| 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.  

| 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.

A festive red background with white polka dots and the text %22Happy Holidays!%22 overlaid on a silhouetted forest of pine trees.