The Dragon's Tale

2020-2021, Issue #1: August 10

Dear KAS Families,

親愛的家長您好：

Welcome to the 2020-21 school year at KAS! This has been a wonderful week where students have been able to reunite, reconnect, and build on their strengths as part of the KAS school community. During these challenging global times we keep safety at the forefront of everything we do, and we are so proud to see our students taking appropriate precautions like wearing masks, frequently washing their hands, and properly distancing during lunch. Together, we are keeping the KAS community safe and learning, and we thank you for your continued support in making that possible.
歡迎來到KAS的2020-21學年！本週是非常棒的一週，看到學生能夠團聚、重新建立聯繫並發展自己的優勢。在這個全世界都很艱難的時刻，我們還是把學生的安全放在第一順位。我們很驕傲能看到我們學生仍採取適當的防疫措施，例如戴口罩、勤洗手和在午餐時間保持適當的社交距離。

KAS’s focus is fulfilling our educational mission for students, and we know that teachers are the most important in-school factor that affects student learning. We are pleased to share with you more information about our faculty. We are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the world right here at KAS, and you can learn more about them in the faculty profiles at www.kas.tw/faculty. In recent years our teachers at KAS are staying longer and longer, and this year is no exception with only a few new teachers. You will also have a chance to learn more about our new teachers and all of our teachers at our upcoming open house.
KAS著重於履行我們對學生的教育使命，我們也知道老師是影響學生在學校教育裡面最重要的一個元素。我們很開心能在此和您分享我們的師資。我們很幸運能擁有一些世界上最好的老師，您可以在學校官網的這個頁面上瀏覽教職員的資訊。在這幾年來，KAS的老師離職率越來越低，今年也不例外，我們僅有少數幾個新老師。您可以在接下來的open house活動去多認識我們的新老師和其他老師。

This year’s open house will be different from previous years, due to our closed campus safety measures for COVID-19. Parents are our most important partner in education, and we want to create a way to welcome you into discussion with your children's teachers and other faculty. To achieve that goal, we are creating a virtual open house, where you will have the opportunity to both view a welcome video created by each teacher for each class, and also have the opportunity to ask questions and have discussions directly with teachers using Google Meets.

今年的open house將會和以往不同，因為現在校園還是因疫情而關閉。家長是我們在教育方面最重要的合作夥伴，我們希望可以提供一種方式來讓您有機會與孩子的老師和其他教職員討論孩子的學習。 為了實現該目標，我們將創造一個虛擬的open house活動，您將有機會觀看每位老師為每個班級所製作的歡迎影片，並有機會使用Google Meets與老師直接提問和進行討論 。

Here are the date/times of the open house:
以下是open house的日期和時間：

PK, K, and G1: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Thursday, August 27
PK, K, 和一年級: 8月27日星期四下午四點～五點

G2 - G5: 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm on Friday, August 28
二到五年級：8月28日星期五下午四點～五點十五分

G6 - G12: 3:15 pm - 5:15 pm on Friday, August 28.
六到十二年級：8月28日星期五下午三點十五分～五點十五分

All open house activities will happen virtually, so please plan to join us using your preferred electronic device from the comfort of your home or office. Principals will share more details in the time ahead.
所有open house的活動都是虛擬的，所以請您用一個您喜愛的電子裝置，在家裡或您的辦公室找個舒適的地方來參加。各部門校長之後會再分享更多資訊給您。

Kind regards,

Dr. Ploeger, Superintendent 總校長

Dear KAS High School Families,

親愛的高中家庭您好：

In the High School we have had a tremendous first week of school. It has been wonderful to see the smiling faces of our students, even if it is only the top half of their faces! Clubs and activities will be getting going soon, and we encourage you to talk to your son or daughter about what interests them. At this point, we are uncertain about what athletics will look like here in Taiwan in our TISSA league. We will be sure to inform you as soon as we know more. Please be reminded that all students must have their KAS ID with them each day if you have paid for lunch for the semester.
在高中部，第一週上課是非常棒的。很開心能夠看到學生臉上的笑容，即使是只有看到他們的半張笑臉，我們還是有感受到。社團和課後活動很快就要開始，我們也鼓勵您多跟您的子女聊聊他們有興趣參加的項目。此時，我們也不確定台灣區的TISSA聯賽會是如何，但我們會確保在我們得到相關資訊時就盡快與您分享。在此提醒所有訂購學校午餐的學生，在取用午餐的時候一定要攜帶他們的KAS學生證。

Sincerely,

Ms. Rock, High School Principal 高中校長

Dear KAS MS Families:
親愛的中學家庭您好：

I hope you had a nice summer. I am delighted and honored to be returning to my second year as middle school principal. I have learned a profound respect for this beautiful island and its distinctive culture. I am excited to work with our unique students and families again in service to our school mission.
希望您都有一個愉快的暑假。我很開心第二年在KAS擔任中學部校長。我對於台灣這個美麗的島嶼和其特有的文化深表敬意。我很開心能再次與我們獨特的學生和家庭一起完成學校的使命。

Please help me in welcoming our new staff to the middle school:
請和我一起歡迎我們新加入KAS中學部的老師：

Mr. Gu Las, Humanities 人文學科

Mr. Mike Razzari, Humanities 人文學科

Ms. Emili Mendoza, Spanish 西文

Mr. Jacob Fielder, Physical Education 體育

Ms. Renee Foster, Learning Support 學習協調老師

Ms. Kristi Bell, Librarian 圖書館長

It has been my pleasure to supervise the outstanding MS faculty. Out teachers are committed to the International Baccalaureate program that has shown such excellent results for our school. It is my goal that all current KAS MS students will graduate from KAS with the IB Diploma.
我很榮幸能帶領這麼優秀的中學團隊。我們的老師都是致力於國際文憑課程，這課程也為我們帶來了很多卓越的學業成果。我的目標是讓所有目前的KAS中學部學生都能在畢業時獲得IB文憑。

Those who know me from last year know that I strongly value collaboration and communication among myself, school staff, parents, and students. I believe that KAS middle school can be a place where our students can realize their best selves given our love and support.
去年就已經認識我的家長應該都知道，我非常重視自己、學校教職員、家長和學生之間的合作與溝通。我相信KAS中學可以是一個可以讓學生在我們充滿愛的支持下去實現最佳自我的地方。

See you soon, and I look forward to a great year.
再見，我也期待一個美好的一年。

Mr. Payne, Middle School Principal 國中校長

The Payne-Huang Family (and Xiao Ma) in Alishan, July 2020
2020 7月Payne-Huang家庭(和愛犬小馬)在阿里山的合影

Dear KAS ES Families:

親愛的小學家庭您好：

It has been a joy to welcome our youngest students back to the Elementary School. Our classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds are once again filled with laughter and learning. We are excited to welcome three new teachers to the Elementary School this year. Jennifer Etherton will be our new ES Inclusion Coordinator/Literacy Specialists, Emeilia McNally is our new 4th grade teachers, and Krist Bell will be our new PK-12 Librarian. Please join me in welcoming them and all of our new families to KAS. Regular communications from teachers will be shared with parents to keep them updated on their child’s school experience. If you have any questions or would like more information please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher first. We look forward to collaborating with you to support all of our students to have a wonderful school experience.

很開心歡迎我們全校最年輕的學子回來小學部。我們的教室、走廊、和遊樂場再次充滿了學習與歡笑。我們也很開心歡迎今年加入小學團隊的老師。Jennifer Etherton是我們新的小學語文協調老師

。Emelia McNally是我們新的四年級老師。Kristi Bell是新任的圖書館長。請加入我一起歡迎他們及所有新的KAS家庭。老師會定期的跟您通訊，讓您了解孩子上課的經歷。如果您有任何問題或是需要更多資訊，請您先跟孩子的老師聯絡。我們期待與您合作，一起支持我們的學生有一個美好的學習經驗。

Mr. Coyle, Elementary School Principal 小學校長

Dear KAS Families,

親愛的 KAS 大家庭

Welcome to KAS Athletics 2020-21. We are very excited about this new school year in dragons athletics where we look forward to expanding athletics experiences to all KAS student-athletes. Soccer, volleyball, and basketball will be 3 main sports being offered in 3 seasons to Elementary school, Middle school, and High school. We encourage you all to join our program and build up KAS dragons’ pride together with us all.

歡迎來到體育活動2020-21新學年。 我們非常期待新學年的體育活動安排會帶給所有的同學們在體育運動技巧上有學習與進步的機會。我們在本學年開始將開始提供從小學、中學、 至高中系統性的體育團隊活動練習， 透過足球、排球、 與籃球三個主要不同的球季來進行。 我們鼓勵大家踴躍報名參加，一起建立屬於KAS Drgaons的榮耀。

To ensure the health of our students are being carefully monitored, we will delay the start of our sports seasons for now until we are cleared to move forward. The campus will remain closed after school for sports activities for now as well. We thank you for your understanding and patience and look forward to bringing the exciting athletic experience to our KAS community soon. You are welcome to visit us at our athletic website or download our athletics app as shared below anytime for more information, thank you: http://kas-dragons.tw

在確保所有學生們回到校園初期的健康安全前提下，我們將暫時延後本學年課後體育團隊活動開始的時程。 同時放學後校園場地也將暫時不開放提供學生們進行體育活動。 在確認大環境疫情對學生們健康無虞的情況後， 我們將盡快恢復進行相關課後體育活動報名、練習與比賽事宜。非常謝謝大家的體諒與對我們體育活動的支持與鼓勵.。歡迎您透過體育部門網站或新設立體育部門app，做相關活動資訊查詢， 謝謝您。

With appreciation,

感謝您

Mr. Ken Su, Athletic Director 體育組長

Congratulations Class of 2021! We are so excited to work with you this year and are very proud of all you have achieved. Parents are a critically important part of our team effort to support students in their journey after KAS and toward higher education. The College Counseling team at KAS offers parent programming frequently for students from rising G8 students through senior year. These events include visits from colleges and universities (virtual this year), parent coffee meetings, grade-level meetings, student workshops, and individual appointments with your child’s counselor. We invite you to meet with us in person to answer questions and plan for higher education.

恭喜2021年畢業生！今年很高興和你們一起努力完成目標。家長是和我們一起支持學生的重要團隊成員，協助學生在KAS畢業後接受更高等的教育。 KAS的大學輔導團隊可以為8年級到12年級的學生提供諮詢規劃。包括來自全球各大學的訪問，家長說明會討論，各年級說明會，以及與您或貴子弟的個別約談等。

Find your student’s college counselor.

Last name letter starts with:

根據姓氏排序認識您的大學輔導：

字母A-L Cerise Roth-Vinson, crothvinson@kas.tw

字母M-Z Jill Newman, jnewman@kas.tw

We welcome Ms. Cerise Roth-Vinson to KAS as our new, full-time College Counselor this year. She is already working closely with our students on college admissions essays, applications, and decisions and is very excited to have such wonderful students here at KAS.

我們歡迎 Ms. Cerise Roth-Vinson 加入 KAS成為我們今年新任的大學輔導，她已經和學生們討論過有關申請表，自傳論文，和大學目標等的內容，她很開心KAS的學生都相當優秀。

Juniors, welcome to a new curriculum in the form of IB courses and using CIALFO to get started; Sophomores we know you are busy perfecting your daily routines and showcasing your MYP Personal Projects. Lastly, welcome to our Grade 9 students entering high school! All of you will have a busy year ahead but together we will all get you through it! Students can make appointments to meet with their counselor through CIALFO Meetings.

11年級，歡迎進入新階段開始你們的IB課程，同時啟用你們的CIALFO帳號；10年級，我們知道你們忙著找回學校生活步調以及準備MYP的個人報告；最後歡迎各位新升上高中的9年級們，今年可預期大家都會相當忙碌充實，但是我們會一起度過的！學生們若有需要也可經由CIALFO和你們的大學輔導約時間面談。

Seniors should be finalizing their college lists and completing any essays and personal statements required. We recently completed an intense workshop with seniors to make significant progress on their applications. We are checking in with each student actively to make sure all deadlines are met and to provide advice on their applications.

12年級生需要盡快完成他們申請大學的初步相關自傳或論文，我們最近剛結束一個很重要的說明會，學生們的申請表應該都向前了很大一部份，我們正密切留意他們的進度，希望能在所有時限前完成該做的部份，也會在他們需要時提供適當的意見。

College visits from in-person representatives are generally canceled due to COVID-19, however, we are arranging virtual meetings with university admissions officers just for KAS students and parents. Virtual college visits are published on the KAS Public Calendar and also in CIALFO for your students. Please participate in these events as they are a great way to learn about a university and make a personal connection!

今年由於COVID-19，大學代表們都取消了參訪行程，但我們試著安排這些代表們為KAS的學生和家長們進行線上說明，這些線上說明會的日期時間都可以在KAS的公開行事曆看到，或是CIALFO系統上，請各位踴躍參與這些難得的機會。

Parents, we welcome you to come to talk with us anytime about your student. Due to COVID-19 safety procedures, we ask parents to please request an appointment by email so that we can notify security to allow you as a visitor to campus. More information about college counseling at KAS is available on the website.
家長們：我們隨時歡迎您來學校與我們討論您孩子的學習。 根據新冠肺炎疫情的校園安全防範措施，我們請家長事先透過電子郵件與我們預約，以便我們通知警衛，方便您入校拜訪。 有關KAS的大學輔導的更多訊息，請參考我們的官網。

KAS challenges students to achieve academic excellence and prepares them to be balanced individuals, independent learners, and global citizens.

Kaohsiung American School (KAS) is a private, non-profit, co-educational Pre K – 12 institution offering an American, college preparatory program leading to a US high school diploma and the opportunity for an IB Diploma.

KAS is located in the northern area of Kaohsiung city, the second-largest city in Taiwan with 1.5 million inhabitants. Kaohsiung American School was established in 1989 as an elementary school serving the needs of local and expatriate families with children.

Email: admissions@kas.tw
Website: www.kas.tw
Location: 813, Taiwan, 高雄市左營區翠華路889號
Phone: 07-586-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaohsiungAmericanSchool/
Twitter: @kaohsiungas