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Kozak Korner #30. April 24th, 2026

| Director's Message

Dear Parents,

At this time of year, schools are always exceptionally busy places and KIS is certainly no exception! As we move to the last week of Quintile 4 next week we have many plans and events well underway for Quintile 5.

Next week we will begin MAP testing for students from 5 year olds. Quintile 4 Status Reports will be sent to you on Wednesday. Also, remember no school on Friday 1st May as it's a public holiday.

Upcoming in May will be "Baha Yaha" on 5th, no school due to a public holiday on 8th, CEESA Middle School and High School Volleyball trips to Riga, Vilnius and Krakow, Talent Show on 13th,  Student Led Conferences on 15th, and International Night on 23rd.

The new Kozak Cash positive behaviour system continues with noticeable improvements across the school. Each week more and more students are earning these recognitions which is extremely encouraging. 

In addition, there is an improvement (in some cases a significant one) in students arriving on time to school in the morning and to classes throughout the day. This in turn helps students to fully engage and participate in all learning in all classes from 8:30am to 4:00pm. Thank you parents for everything you have done, and are doing, to bring about this change. 

Please note that the deadline for re-enrollment for the 2026-27 academic year is May 1st. If you haven't already done so, please complete the re-enrollment form. If you have any difficulties or queries please contact Admissions. We know that sometimes families move on, although we sincerely hope you will stay with us. If you know that you do not plan to return to KIS in August we would appreciate it if you could let us know. 

Thank you.

Have a good weekend, and stay safe. 

Very kindest regards,

Susan Tilney
susan-tilney@kyiv.qsi.org

 

HS Registration Meeting - 13 YO

13YO Parent and Student High School Registration Meeting

  • When: Tuesday, April 28th at 8:30
  • Where: Auditorium

Ms. Zoromski will meet with all 13YO students and parents about high school graduation requirements, class choices, and other information related to the high school curriculum. Please join us.

HS Registration Meeting - Sec 1

Secondary 1 Parent and Student High School Registration Meeting

  • When: Wednesday, April 29th at 8:30
  • Where: Auditorium

Ms. Zoromski will meet with all Secondary 1 students and parents about high school graduation requirements, class choices, and other information related to the high school curriculum. Please join us.

Key Dates

April - June:

  • 25 April - PSAT 9/10
  • 1 May - National Holiday - no school
  • 2 May - SAT Testing
  • 5 May - "Baba Yaha" Drama Show Premiere
  • 4-8 May - AP Exams

  • 5-11 May - CEESA MSG Volleyball, Vilnius

  • 8 May - National Holiday - no school

  • 11-15 May - AP Exams

  • 12-18 May- CEESA HSG Volleyball, Riga

  • 13 May - Talent Show

  • 13-18 May - CEESA HSB Volleyball, Krakow

  • 15 May - Student-Led Conferences

  • 23 May - International Night & Open House

  • 26 May - MS Band Concert

  • 2-5 June - MS WWW

  • 13 June - Class 2026 Graduation (Sec IV)

School Calendar 2025 - 2026School Calendar 2026 - 2027
 

| Baba Yaha: Enter The Forrest If You Dare

 
Something unusual is growing in the forest.

On May 05th come and see what the forest has to offer...

Devised by our Drama I students and brought to life by over 30 elementary performers, this original piece reimagines the Baha Yaga tale through a Ukrainian lens...playful, and full of surprises.

This is not a traditional play.
It’s an devised experience built for and with children.

The forest moves.
The wind whispers.
The trees are watching.

Audience members won’t just sit and watch, they’ll be invited to participate, respond, and reflect as the story unfolds around them. Every performance shifts, changes, and breathes differently.

At its heart, this work celebrates imagination, courage, collaboration, and the magic of older and younger students creating together.

Performance Date: May 5

  • 9:30 AM – School community
  • 5:30 PM – Families and friends welcome

Step into the forest.
Follow the path.
Listen closely.

And remember…
Baba Yaha is always watching.

| KIS Athletics: Thank You!

 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each coach, assistant coach, and chaperone for the time, energy, and dedication you have given to our students. Your commitment goes far beyond after-school hours - you are building character, resilience, and pride in every student you work with.

This year, KIS proudly offered 20 different after-school sports and activities, creating countless opportunities for our students to grow, compete, and represent our school. This is an achievement we should all be truly proud of.

This year’s after-school sports and activities included:

  • MS/HS Cross Country – Mr. Logan, Ms. Rachel Musser, Ms. Rabchun
  • MS Football – Mrs. Prima, Ms. Stetskova
  • HS Football – Mr. A. Prima, Ms. Zoromski, Mr. Scott
  • HS Math – Ms. Chemeris, Mrs. Prima, Mr. Scott
  • MS/HS Choir – Ms. Ionova
  • HS Speech & Debate – Mr. Scott, Ms. Hanna, Mr. Amith
  • HS Fitness – Mr. Logan, Mr. Amith
  • MS Cooking – Mr. Berezhny, Ms. Bizhyk
  • HS Girls Volleyball – Ms. Rabchun, Ms. Hume
  • HS Boys Volleyball – Ms. Zoromski
  • MS Volleyball – Mrs. Prima, Ms. Rachel Musser, Mr. A. Prima, Mr. Logan
  • HS Knowledge Bowl – Ms. Carren Musser, Mr. Amith
  • MS Basketball – Ms. Musser, Mr. Amith
  • MS/HS Pickleball – Mr. Bereziuk, Ms. Munteanu
  • MS/HS Kozak Musicians Ensemble – Mr. McGrew, Ms. Ionova
  • MS/HS Linoprint – Ms. Carren Musser, Ms. Hvozdyk
  • MS/HS Sewing Club – Ms. Tanya, Ms. Alla Y, Ms. Titova
  • Drama – Ms. Hume, Mr. Hume, Ms. Zakharova, Ms. Bykova, Mr. Theo, Ms. Golitsina
  • HS STUCO – Mr. Hume, Ms. Hume
  • MS/HS Track & Field – Mr. Logan

In addition, numerous internal events, including the Cross Country race, the High School “Stand with Ukraine” football tournament, the recent KOZAK Unity Volleyball Fest, many friendly football, basketball, and volleyball matches, and spirited teachers vs. students lunch tournaments brought our community together and created moments of joy, pride, and unity.

Additionally, we have proudly represented KIS internationally on five CEESA trips:

  • MS Girls' Football — Krakow
  • MS/HS Cross Country – Bucharest
  • HS Math Competition – Budapest
  • HS Speech & Debate – Prague
  • HS Boys Football – Sarajevo

And we are not stopping there. In May, we will continue this momentum by sending three more CEESA volleyball teams:

  • Middle School Girls – Vilnius
  • High School Girls – Riga
  • High School Boys – Krakow

In June, Middle and High School students and teachers will be involved in the annual Week Without Walls program. Around 60 students will be traveling to the Carpathians, while the other students will participate in local trips and activities. This is another important opportunity for learning, growth, and community building beyond the classroom.

All of these accomplishments have taken place under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Teaching, coaching, and supporting students during a time of war—while navigating bomb shelters, power outages, and constant uncertainty—demonstrates a level of resilience and dedication that is nothing short of remarkable. What you have achieved this year is something to be deeply proud of.

We also recognize the High School Knowledge Bowl team and their coaches. Although they were unable to travel to the CEESA competition in February, their preparation, commitment, and perseverance represent the very best of KIS.

A special thank you as well to our elementary teachers — Ms. Musser, Mrs. Prima, and Mr. Theo — for representing KIS in the QSI online Spelling Bee competition among 16 schools worldwide. 

A special thank you to Alina F for her commitment to capturing our journey—photographing matches and preserving the memories that reflect the spirit of our community.

A big shout-out to all KIS students who took part in after-school sports and activities and represented the school at CEESA events. Your effort, dedication, and school spirit are what make all of this possible.

I would also like to extend a sincere thank you to Ms. Tilney, the KIS director, for consistent support of the athletics and activities department.

Thank you for everything you do for making these events happen.

With appreciation,

Anatoly Prima
Athletic Director & Activities Coordinator

| Visit to Sirius Animal Shelter

CollagesCAS (PDF)

A couple weeks ago week, a group from our school visited the Sirius Animal Shelter after finishing the Animal Supply Drive.

On Wednesday, we delivered all the donations we collected, along with the leftover lunch food that our school has been regularly sending. It was really nice to finally see where everything goes and how it helps.

A big part of our support also came from the school French Café, which raised approximately 22,780 hryvnias for the shelter.

We spent some time at the shelter, saw many of the dogs, and got a better understanding of the work that is being done there every day. It felt especially meaningful to see the results of what our school has been doing since last year.

We also had the chance to talk to the people working at the shelter. It was great to meet them in person and see how much care and effort they put into helping the animals.

If you would like to see more, you can check the shelter’s Facebook post here:  LINK

It was a really good experience and a reminder of why this kind of support matters.

| College Board Assessments and Exams

 

PSAT This Saturday

A friendly reminder that the PSAT testing is scheduled for this Saturday, April 25th.

Testing start time 9:00 am (sharp). Please ensure you arrive on time, as students who arrive after the testing has begun will not be admitted. To avoid any issues, we kindly ask all students to be at school by 8:50 a.m.

Testing will take place in the school safety shelter, providing a safe and uninterrupted environment in case of air-raid alerts. Since the central heating is off and the weather is quite cool, please make sure you are dressed warmly. 

Testing timing:

  • Reading and Writing: 64 minutes (54 questions)
  • Math: 70 minutes (44 questions)

Total: 134 minutes

There will be a 10-minute break between sections. The timing of the instructions will depend on how quickly the group is ready, but all students will begin the test simultaneously.

Please plan your Saturday schedule accordingly.

Once again, remember to bring your fully charged testing device:

  • Windows laptop or tablet

  • Mac laptop

  • iPad

Mobile phones are not allowed. 

What Else to Bring:

  • A valid ID

  • A pen or pencil for scratch work

Optional:

  • Power cord or portable charger

  • Snacks and drinks (which must be under your desk during testing).

  • External mouse or keyboard (tablets only)

  • An acceptable calculator for the Math section (if you prefer using a handheld calculator to using the embedded Desmos calculator in Bluebook). 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to alina-filipchuk@kyiv.qsi.org.

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to a smooth and successful PSAT testing day!

 

Have Questions About College Board Assessments?

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

| 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

 

| 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.

If you need to contact the school during an air raid alert, please use the following mobile phone number:
+38-067-477-2918 - Reception

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.

Policy and Procedures