Welcome to KIS International School's Kindergarten Distance Learning Program!
Our faculty and staff have been hard at work preparing to transition our program to an online format for students abroad.
We've attended numerous trainings and meetings the past two months in preparation of finalizing the details to ensure our program is mission consistent--mindful of the academic, developmental, social and emotional needs of our students.While distance learning looks and feels different from in - person instruction, the program we have developed will ensure that our students continue to meet the learning benchmarks in all aspects so that students are academically prepared when returning to in-person classes.

In this letter, I will provide you with a high-level overview of what you need to know in order to have a successful distance learning experience for your child.


Brief Overview of Distance Learning

Our distance learning program is designed to ensure that students are engaged in English enriched virtual lessons, Monday through Friday. We've created a schedule that is responsive to the developmental needs of our kindergaten students. Your child's homeroom teacher will teach all core classes solely specific for distance learning students via livestream from their KIS International School classroom.

The program will utilize two different learning management systems to keep our students engaged, including Seesaw, and ZOOM. If you don't know how to use these resources, do not worry, your child's Homeroom teacher or our support staff will help you. We have structured the program during certain hours each day to mirror our in-person program as much as possible. Students are expected to join their classes via Zoom at a specific time each day.


Distance Learning Plan

What is Distance Learning?
We use the term "distance learning" deliberately because we do not believe that meaningful learning opportunities should require students to sit isolated in front of a screen for hours each day. Instead, our approach is to use technology to help students maintain connections with each other and their teachers and to allow students to engage in authentic learning experiences across all subjects.

KIS's approach to distance learning begins with the understanding that the learning experiences teachers design for in-person instruction cannot be simply replicated through distance learning. In particular, the invaluable social interactions and mediation that occur naturally among students and between teachers and students cannot be recreated in the same way.The end-goal is to create digital and experiential learning in ways that bring our curriculum to life, allow our students to continue to progress and thrive in their academic studies, and ensure that all students continue to meet the learning objectives set for kindergarten.

Our distance learning model will require flexbility from all of us as we explore and pilot new ideas and approaches; we will make adjustments as necessary. Our intention is to continue to live our mission as an educational community and to continue preparing our students to respond to an ever-changing world. Learning will remain responsive, adaptive, and relation-based as we continue to encourage our students to reach for their next challenge.


Staying in Communication Throughout Distance Learning

While distance learning is serious business, we still want to have some fun and maintain a sense of levity throughout the upcoming months.The Administration Office and Teachers will use Wechat as our main form of communication regarding the distance learning program.

Hours of Operations

Our hours of operation are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the caveat that teachers and staff are also balancing their own family and work responsibilities and therefore, may not be able to respond immediately to inquiries. These hours define the window of time that school business will be conducted.

Attendance During Distance Learning

We need parents to inform their child's homeroom teacher if their child will miss a class. In order to keep your child on track and prepared for the spring semester and beyond. Students are expected to attend the majority of their classes to achieve academic success.

Distance Learning Materials

To assure academic success, all materials including textbooks, student workbooks,and journals will be sent to the address that we currently have on file. Please allow the necessary time for materials to arrive.

Roles and Responsibilities During Distance Learning

Parent Expectations
· Set up a study space, including the technology required. · Be prepared for slow speed internet or technical issues that may arise. · Review the assignments with your child. · Agree on incentives or consequences for completing or not completing their work. · Help your student maintain a regular study schedule. · Monitor your student’s progress and assure that all assignments are completed on a daily/weekly basis. · Don’t interfere or participate in the class. · Respect the teacher office hours.
For questions about…	Contact:
Tuition	Mrs. Lily: info@kis.org.cn WeChat:  szkis2005
Program or other issues related to distance  learning	Ms. Charles’ WeChat or Email:  mscharles@kis.org.cn
Attendance, personal, academic, or social-  emotional concerns	Homeroom Teacher

Time Frames for learning:

Kindergarten Core Classes
Phonics/ Phonological  Awareness	Daily 5x/ week
Literacy (Reading/ Writing)	Daily 5x/ week
Math	Daily 5x/ week
Kindergarten Enrichment Classes
Chinese	3x week
Yoga	1x/ week
Drawing	1x/ week

Distance Learning Class Schedule:

Period	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Homeroom  8:30-8:45	Circle Time	Circle Time	Circle Time	Circle Time	Circle Time
Period 1 8:45-9:45	Phonics	Phonics	Phonics	Phonics	Phonics
Period 2 9:50-10:50	Literacy	Literacy	Literacy	Literacy	Literacy
Lunch Break  10:50-11:50
Period 3 11:50-12:50	Math	Math	Math	Math	Math
Period 4 12:55-1:55	Chinese	Yoga	Chinese	Drawing	Chinese
1:55-2:10	Daily Recap	Daily Recap	Daily Recap	Daily Recap	Daily Recap