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Kozak Korner #24. February 28th, 2025 

| Director's Message

Dear Families,

We have had a week of beautiful weather, and it has been a pleasure to see so many students enjoying our playgrounds and fields! Looking forward to springtime – it's coming!

There are many questions from parents and students about Generative AI and the way this may be used at KIS. Generative AI has many wonderful uses; however, it doesn’t replace our own creative ideas and thoughts. Students ages 10+ sign an academic integrity agreement which reminds students to ask these questions before turning work in:

  • Did you think it? (If not, did you cite your source?)
  • Did you create it yourself? (If not, did you quote/cite your source?)
  • Can you explain it to someone without your computer/paper?

We hope these questions help students understand the importance of thinking, creating, drawing conclusions, making decisions and learning!

March is a busy month at KIS. Please note the following events:

  • March 3-31 Scholarship window for 25-26.
  • March 10th Professional Development for Teachers. No school for students.
  • March 20th Francophonie Day.
  • March 19-21 KIS Dramatic Performance: Rules of Comedy.
  • March 21-24 Visit from Regional Director, Luke Woodruff.
  • March 28th Bingo Night.

You can always contact us by calling +38 044 452 2792.

Best regards,
Rachel Geary 
rachel-geary@kyiv.qsi.org

 

| Scholarship 2025-2026 (New Applicants)

KIS will have a limited number of new scholarships to offer for the 2025-26 school year. These are based on financial need. The application form is available on the website during the application window, from March 3rd to March 31st.

The Advisory Board will meet on April 15th to consider the applications and families will be notified by May 1st. If you have questions about the scholarship application process, please email: scholarship@kyiv.qsi.org 

| Welcome New KIS Teacher for 2025-2026

Jan Scott | English Language & Literature

Hello everyone! I am thrilled to be joining KIS this upcoming school year as an English Language & Literature teacher. I have been teaching in an IB World School in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for a number of years and I am excited to branch out with both familiar and new teaching approaches. My favorite aspect of teaching in the classroom is seeing and learning from all the unique connections that students make between their texts and the wider world. Apart from my love of literature, I also love learning languages and I am looking forward to learning Ukrainian in the near future! 

| Preschool Admissions Open For 2025 - 2026

 

Pre-K Admissions Open!

Do you have a little one who will be 2, 3, or 4 years old next school year? We’re glad to announce that Admissions for Preschool 2025-26 are now open!

Secure your spot early! We’re offering this opportunity to our KIS community first before opening it to the public, but seats are limited!

If you’re planning to enroll your child in our preschool, don’t hesitate! Reach out to our Admissions Officer or Nataliya Yegorova to learn more and secure your spot.

| KIS Talent Show

 

ALL CALL FOR STUDENTS WHO WISH TO SHOW OFF THEIR STAGE WORTHY TALENTS!

KIS is hosting Talent Show during the KIS Art Fest on Wednesday, APRIL 16, in Auditorium.

All students in the 5-year-old through secondary classes with any musical, instrumental, dancing, acting, etc. talents and a strong desire to perform those talents are invited to participate.

This is a fun event for the whole family and a great chance for you to let your talents shine!

If you cannot present your talent or achievement on stage, please, share the most memorable moments of your performance or competition with Mrs. Olga Golitsyna and Mrs. Svitlana Ionova via e-mail:

👉🏻 olga-golitsyna@kyiv.qsi.org
👉🏻 svitlana-ionova@kyiv.qsi.org

Please plan to limit your performance to 3 minutes in total (including video performance).

SIGN UP FOR TALENT SHOW – February 10-April 1.

Please, fill out the FORM.

Anyone missing the April 1 deadline will have to try again the following school year.

*Please, note: any songs sung must be school appropriate. 

Key Dates

Spring - Summer:

  • 3 - 31 March - Scholarship application window
  • 10 March -  Professional Development - no school
  • 19-21 March - School Play Premiere
  • 20 March - Francophonie Day
  • 28 March - Bingo Night (PTO event)
  • 12 April - PSAT
  • 16 April - Celebration of the Arts + Talent Show
  • 1 May - Labor Day - no school
  • 3 May - SAT
  • 5-16 May - AP Exams
  • 8 May - Memorial Day - no school
  • 16 May - Student-Led Conferences
  • 19 - 23 May - MS WWW
  • 7 June - Sec IV Graduation
  • 9 - 14 June - HS WWW
  • 20 June - Last Day os School

School Calendar 2024 - 2025 

School Calendar 2025 - 2026

Event Calendar

Policy and Procedures

 

| Snack Time

 

Snack Time!

While we love to see our Kozaks sharing and showing concern for others, we ask that students do not share the food they have for snack-time. Families have different dietary choices, and we want to ensure that we respect these. Food can still be brought for celebrations, but please ensure that you communicate with the teacher beforehand.  

Thank you for understanding.  

  

| LOE: French DELF Exams

DELF Exams 

Several times a year, the French Institute and the Alliance Française in Ukraine organize the language tests for kids from 7 to 12 y.o. (DELF Prim), for 12-17 y.o. students (DELF Junior) and for adults (DELF Tout public). You can use the following LINK to find more information.

This is a great opportunity to check your level of French, to communicate with other Francophones staying in Kyiv and students of your age learning the same language at different schools. Finally, you will obtain a document proving your mastery that is recognized around the world and needed for studies and work in countries where French is spoken. 

DELF Junior

The registration for the DELF Junior examination session that will take place in April has started. There are two parts: the first day - the listening, reading and writing will be assessed (the dates are below) and the second - your speaking skills (the date and time will be chosen for each candidate individually).

  • A1 - April 2nd, 2 pm
  • A2 - April 2nd, 4 pm
  • B1 - April 3rd, 2 pm
  • B2 - April 4th, 2 pm

Levels (A1, A2, B1, B2)

The standards are the same, and QSI LOE courses are aligned to the international scale of foreign languages: 

  • A1 – Elementary Intermediate I/II, French 1 (Secondary) 
  • A2 – Elementary Advanced I/II, French 2
  • B1 – French 3/4, IB French B Year 1 
  • B2 – IB French B Year 2. 

In class, we have already taken or will take the next week some practice exams and our students know their levels. If you speak French but don't attend regular classes this year, please, talk to French teachers, Anastasiya Rabchun or Sergey Berezhny, and they will help you to identify yours.

Registration

The final deadline is March 15th. You should register yourself online:

https://institutfrancais-ukraine.com/news/delf-junior_avr_2025 

and pay the fees by a bank transfer:

  • A1 and A2 - 1.180 hryvnas
  • B1 - 1.440 hryvnas
  • B2 - 1.700 hryvnas

If there are more questions, you can visit the French Institute (84 Olesya Honchara Str.) and discuss them with the DELF/DALF Coordinator, Yassine El-Chehab or contact him (phone: 044.482.23.71, email: delfdalf.kiev@gmail.com). 

Bonne chance! 

| Sports & Activities

 

Pysanka After-School Activity

Pysanka After School Activity For All!

Who: KIS students, Staff and Parents (Elementary students must be accompanied by a parent)  Limit of 15 participants each week.

What: Master Classes with Internationally recognized master Zoya Stashuk. 

Create a Pysanka egg each class or try more complicated designs over several classes. All materials provided.

When: Wednesdays from 4:15 - 6pm. March 5 - April 9.

Where: Room 302.

Why: Make presents or decorations for your own home.  Learn different designs and symbols. Pysanka is great Art Therapy!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Helen Garbuz at helen-garbuz@kyiv.qsi.org. 

| Voices Around The Globe

 

KIS joins Voices Around The World

“Shine a Little Light On Me!” is a newly written and inspiring song for the Voices Around The World, 2025 worldwide song project for school choirs and youth organizations in 65 different countries. Young participants learn the song, record the vocal tracks and make short video clips which will be mixed into international song/video release. If you are interested in participating and becoming an international song/video superstar, please use THIS LINK to start working on the song.  

If you have any questions, contact to Svetlana Ionova at svitlana-ionova@kyiv.qsi.org  

| "Empower" Lesson Plans

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.

| 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.  

| Week Highlights

 

| PTO & Community Engagement

Who We Are

Parent-Teacher Organization

The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), a non-profit group, brings together parents, teachers, and administrators to enhance the school experience for our students. PTO Lobby Shop raises funds to support school events, gifts, and surprises for students, teachers, and staff. Any KIS parent is welcome to join.

Learn more about Parent-Teacher Organization

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

| Extra Services

 

| Announcements

 

Book Club For Adults

KIS has started a book club for adults, and you are invited to join!  

Here are the plans: 

  1. Read one book per month and be ready to discuss it in English. 
  2. Each month one person in the club chooses three titles and we will vote for which one we want to read. We will have one month to read the chosen title before our next meeting. 
  3. That book host/hostess of the month will also choose the restaurant or cafe where we will meet to discuss the book and enjoy each other’s company. 

If you are interested, please contact Diane Baima at  diane-baima@kyiv.qsi.org 

 

 

 

English  Tutoring!

Are you looking for a tutor to enhance your child's English language skills? Look no more!

KIS teacher, Ms. Nataliya Rudenko offers:

  • Customized Lessons: Tailored to meet your specific needs and goals
  • Flexible Scheduling 
  • Focus Areas - Elementary, Kindergarten:  grammar, reading, writing, and math!

Why to choose Ms. Rudenko?

  • She is an ESL tutor with 10 years of teaching experience. 
  • Proven track record of helping students achieve fluency. 
  • Passionate about helping students succeed in a comfortable and supportive setting. 

If interested, please contact her at +38 067-665-36-97. 

English For Parents!

KIS is delighted to offer English Classes For Parents! 

Class starts at 10:15 am in Room 204.  

  • Tuesday, Thursday: Beginner learners
  • Wednesday, Friday: More advanced​ learners

Got questions? Please contact: natasha-kuzovleva@kyiv.qsi.org

Please follow the links below to access the Classifieds: 

If you have an announcement that you would like us to publish, please reach out to kozakconnect@qsi.org .