We have had a wonderful four-day week, and it feels like autumn might finally be arriving with a break from the heat and humidity.
We are excited to share that HIS has partnered with Shudo University. Over the next 10 weeks, some of their students will join us every Friday to learn what it takes to be a teacher. We are happy to welcome them into our community.
A quick reminder about drop-off and pick-up: please be mindful of the buses during these busy times. They need full access, so please make sure that the cones and front entrance are not blocked. Feel free to pull up, and we will assist the students exiting the vehicle.
Upcoming Parent Coffees: ☕
Wednesday, September 24, 7:00 pm
G11 Parent Coffee, DPC and Math, online-Google Meets
- Who it is for: Grade 11 families
- Focus: IB Diploma overview for Grade 11, assessment calendar, Extended Essay launch, math pathways and expectations
- Join: Online link will be sent out to 11th grade families
Thursday, September 25, 8:45 am
PYP Overview, in person, Library
- Who it is for: EC to Grade 5 families
- Focus: How inquiry works in the PYP, units of inquiry this term, literacy and numeracy foundations, portfolios and reporting
- Location: Library
Thursday, September 25, 7:00 pm
G12 Parent Coffee, DPC and University Counseling Office, online Google Meets
- Who it is for: Grade 12 families
- Focus: Final IB deadlines, predicted grades, university application timelines, recommendations, testing, financial aid basics
- Join: Online link will be sent to 12th grade families
Thursday, September 25, 7:00 pm
G10 Personal Project, online
- Who it is for: Grade 10 families
- Focus: What the Personal Project is, timeline and checkpoints, assessment criteria, how parents can support without taking over
- Join: Online link will be sent to 10th grade families
Friday, September 26, 8:45 am
MYP Overview and Grading, in person, Library
- Who it is for: Grades 6 to 10 families
- Focus: How MYP criteria and 1–7 grades work, semester reports, ATL skills, how feedback supports growth
- Location: Library
What to Look Out For
Sign up for conferences coming out the week of September 29. All Secondary students are required to attend the conferences with their parents.
Accreditation
HIS will host a CIS/IB accreditation visit from November 15–25. Ten visitors will spend time with us to see what makes HIS unique. Parents and students will play an important role during this process, and we will share more information soon on how you can get involved.
Programme Updates
DP (Diploma Programme)
Last Friday’s shift to online classes was not without its challenges, but DP students showed patience and flexibility. They stayed engaged in their lessons, adapted quickly to the situation, and supported one another along the way. It was uplifting to see how well they coped, especially at this early stage of the programme. As DP students continue their journey through the Diploma Programme, support at home remains so important. Simple moments like checking in with them, celebrating their efforts, and helping them keep balance in their routines can give them the confidence to move forward. With school and families working together, students can meet the challenges of the programme and feel proud of how much they are growing along the way. The DP Coffee Corner meeting next week will be a chance for parents to connect, share updates, and have questions addressed. Parents are encouraged to send in questions ahead of time so the discussion can be as useful as possible. The encouragement and care families give each day makes a real difference in helping DP students thrive.
MYP (Middle Years Programme)
We are pleased to invite our HIS parents, guardians, and community to join our upcoming MYP Coffee Mornings. Families interested in learning more about the MYP Personal Project can join our online talk beginning at 7:00pm on Thursday September 25, 2025. On Friday, September 26, beginning at 8:45 in the HIS library, we will be discussing an overview of the Middle Years Program, answering your questions relating to grading and providing some guidelines of your role in your child’s MYP life. To provide you with a customized experience, we invite your questions by filling in this form , which we can then answer during our talks. Many thanks to those who have already responded, and we look forward to your attendance at these two information sessions.
PYP (Primary Years Programme)
It has been wonderful to have our students back on campus this week after last Friday’s online learning day. Even though it was a shorter week, the joy of seeing everyone in person again has been clear in the classrooms and hallways. A sincere thank you to all parents for the support and assistance you provided to help your children access their learning during those unexpected circumstances. I would also like to extend a big thank you to our teachers for their adaptability and flexibility.
At school, our classes have continued to engage deeply with their Units of Inquiry. Grades 3 and 4 have been working on their first presentations of the year, while Grade 5 are digging into the history of ancient civilizations. It is exciting to see such diverse interests and real student agency as learners select the civilizations they are most curious about.
In Grades 1 and 2, we are seeing excellent growth both academically and socially. The students have made impressive progress in their hallway behaviors, and this commitment to positive actions is clearly reflected in their classroom learning. We are proud of how quickly they have set high expectations for themselves and each other.
In our EC/KG classrooms, kindness and friendship continue to shine at the heart of everything they do. It has been heart-warming to watch our youngest learners step up as leaders by helping new classmates settle into life at HIS. With kindness as a strong focus, EC/KG are setting a powerful example for our whole community.
Looking ahead, please note that next week will once again be a four-day week, with Tuesday as a no-school day. We wish you a restful long weekend and look forward to another week of joyful learning together.
Student Highlights
Well done to our Girls Volleyball 🏐 team on a great game against MC Perry! Best of luck 🍀 to the Boys team as they head to FIS for their match on Saturday!
We are excited to announce the cast and crew 🎭 for this year’s production of Hairspray! We are so proud of our students for stepping up with such energy and enthusiasm, and we cannot wait to see the show come to life. Please note that a great deal of thought and care went into connecting each student with their role. Even if your child did not receive the part they hoped for, every role is an important part of the production, and we are confident that each student will shine in their own way. It is an amazing performance including every student in HIS! We look forward to a wonderful journey ahead as we prepare for this performance together!
Counseling Corner
This week, students have begun reflecting on the difference between kindness driven by internal motivations or conditional/superficial kindness. While both may initially look similar on the outside, the intention behind the action makes a difference. Students are learning that kindness grounded in true care and compassion feels more meaningful, for themselves and for others, than kindness driven by wanting something in return or trying to fit in.
College & Career Counseling Update
For our Grade 12 families: students should continue gathering required documents for their applications. As of today, students who have not already done so have started sending recommendation letter requests to their teachers, please follow up with your child to make sure they’ve completed their part of the process.
Application opening dates are approaching quickly, and in the coming weeks we will begin focused work on personal statements and college essays. I request your support by encouraging steady progress and checking in regularly with your child about timelines and deadlines.
Counseling Parent Coffees
Please keep a lookout for upcoming session dates on Toddle and complete the sign-up forms for our SEL and UCC Parent Coffees. These sessions are valuable opportunities to strengthen the school-home partnership. In the SEL coffees, I will share evidence-based insights into child development and behaviour, along with practical strategies for supporting children at both school and home. In the UCC coffees, we will focus on application processes, supporting documents, and ways to strike the right balance between encouragement and independence with your children. When school and home are aligned, our support for students is most effective.
As always, thank you for partnering with us to support both the emotional growth and academic journey of our students. When school and home work hand in hand, we create the strongest foundation for their success. 💛
Save the Date: 📆
- October 10 and 13- Parent Teacher Conferences
- October 15-17- Secondary Camp
- October 20-24- October Break
- October 31- Halloween🎃
- November 14- Bonfire Night 🔥
- November 15- Accreditation team arrives
PTA Wolfpack
We are excited to share some upcoming community events!
Halloween (October 31)👻
Halloween will be led by Millay’s mom (G3), Sawako, and Ryoko. We will send out information next week if you have any questions.
- 3:30–5:30 pm: STUCO will host a movie afternoon for Secondary students.
- 5:00–5:30 pm: Primary students will enjoy games in the gym, led by Middle School students and Shudo interns.
- 5:00–6:30 pm: Trunk Trick or Treat for all.
- 5:30–6:30 pm: Trick or Treating begins.
Bonfire Night (November 14)🔥
We are looking for parents to take the lead in organizing this event. If you are interested, please contact Sayaka or Ryoko.
PTA Updateℹ️
We will be sending out an email soon with details about an upcoming PTA meeting. At this meeting, we will discuss how to get involved and opportunities for parents to take on leadership roles. Thank you for your patience as we continue to rebuild and shape the PTA together.
The Crane Photo Album
Follow the link to view.