From the High School Counsellors

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Dear UNIS Parents & Community,

Thank you to the MS/HS community who were able to attend Thursday morning’s sessions. Please feel free to reach out to any of the counselors if you have additional questions.

GRADE LEVEL UPDATE

Grade 12 update

  • All students with applications to universities should pay close attention to the deadlines and let their counsellor know well in advance
  • Grade 12 students, please update your Cialfo with the status of your application
  • Please keep your child’s counsellor updated if you are concerned about their emotional or academic progress.

Counsellors: Franko Cifizzari & Brenda Manfredi

Grade 11 update

  • Students are meeting with their counsellors, discussing their Uniquest research project and sharing thoughts about degree choices, countries of study, and universities that they may apply to next year.
  • Please keep your child’s counsellor updated if you are concerned about their emotional or academic progress.

Counsellors: Franko Cifizzari & Brenda Manfredi

Grade 10 update

  • Below is information that was included in a letter sent out to Grade 10 parents related to Career Fair (March 19th) and the Work Experience Programme (June 1-5).
  • Please keep your child’s counselor updated if you are concerned about their emotional or academic progress.

Career Day

The goal of the annual Career Day at UNIS Hanoi is to engage students in a collection of creative presentations about work in the modern world. These mini-presentations will be delivered by professionals working and living in Hanoi. Additionally, the day will include networking opportunities for students to visit with presenters in a ‘marketplace’ format. This fast and friendly format of presentations will expose students to familiar careers and hopefully some careers they have never imagined. The Career Carousel is designed to expand the conversation around work and career.

Career Day Goals…

  • To connect academic pursuits and potential professional endeavors in the future
  • To help students gain more insight for their future study path
  • To develop more meaningful and personal connections between students, our alumni and the local community.

Career Day will take place on the morning of March 19 during the regular school day.  Students will prepare for this learning experience through a number of career related activities in their Counselling classes. Constructing resumes and cover letters for their work experience placement.

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in supporting our Career Day by sharing your profession with our Grade 10 students, please contact Giang Pham in our Advancement Department pngiang@unishanoi.org by the end of the month. Your support is VERY much appreciated!

 Work Experience Programme

The goal of the annual Work Experience Programme is for students to develop a better understanding of the links between school and the skills students will need in their working life.  This Work Experience will also give students a chance to meet working professionals to inquire about the daily tasks, responsibilities, working day structure, qualifications needed and to learn more about how they arrived at where they are today in their profession.  We feel confident that students will enhance not only their communications and leadership skills, they will learn more about their own strengths and interests throughout this process. Work experience may also help students navigate future university and career decisions.

The Work Experience Programme will take place June 1-5 the final full week of school.  Work Experience is compulsory for all Grade 10 students and will function as the cumulation of their MYP learning journey.

We are requesting that all Grade 10 students secure a meaningful work experience internship from June 1- 5.  We have found the most meaningful internship experiences have been secured by students seeking their own placement with the assistance of their family and friends within the community.

Work Experience Internships may take place in the same company/organisation in which the parent is employed, however we request that the student be placed in a separate department for a more authentic learning experience. Once a work experience internship placement has been secured, each student will complete their Work Experience Placement Form and Parent Permission Form which is due on April 1st.

Resources to support you and your child:

A more detailed description of what is required or might be appropriate for a work experience placement can be found on the Work Experience Programme Website under the student and company pages. We have a handbook for students and also a guide for potential work experience providers. Your support is VERY much appreciated!

If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please contact your child’s school counsellor.

Counsellors: Franko Cifizzari & Brenda Manfredi

Grade 9 update

Please keep your child’s counsellor updated if you are concerned about their emotional or academic progress.

Counsellor: Anwer Kamal

 

TESTING

The ACT’s/SAT’s can only be taken by Grade 11 & 12 UNIS Hanoi students. Please see below for more information including testing dates for 2019-2020.

PSAT Results arrive in early December.

SAT – Important:
College Board has taken extra security measure in test taker fraud. If a student receives an email from the College Board to complete a survey or questionnaire, please do NOT ignore the email. It must be completed. Failure to do the survey would result in the student being removed from the test center roster and forbidden to take the exam that they have registered for.

Please note that this is a random selection process, and students do not need to panic if they do not get an email. We would like to remind students to check their junk inbox in case the College Board emails get delivered there by accident. Any questions, please see your counsellor!

International testing dates for the SAT are in October, December, March, and May. SAT Subject Tests will be available in October, November, December, May, and June. Students cannot sit the SAT and SAT Subject Tests on the same day. If you have any questions, please see your counsellor.

SAT test dates for 2019-2020 are:

SAT Test Dates

  • March 14, 2020
  • May 2, 2020
 Registration Deadline Date

  • Feb 14, 2020
  • April 3, 2020

SAT Subject Test Dates:    

  • May 2, 2020
  • June 6, 2020
 Registration Deadline Date

  • April 3, 2020
  • N/A

** Please note that language tests with the listening component can only be taken on the November date.

The College Board website is www.collegeboard.org

ACT Test dates 2019-2020 are:

ACT Test Date:

  • April 4, 2020
  • June 13, 2020
 Registration Deadline Date

  • February 28, 2020
  • May 8, 2020

UPCOMING UNIVERSITY VISITS

Please check the calendars for the most up to date list of visitors.

Great Ways to Support your MSHS Child with their Distance Learning

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Structure their Day: 

  • In the evening  (lessons are posted after 3:00 pm for the following day) or when your child wakes up, check their Veracross calendar with them and make a to-do list. 
  • Set time limits for each class.
  • Plan breaks.
  • Calender their synchronous tutorials for English, Math, I & S, Science, and Foreign Language. 

Check-in with them:

  • If you work, take a break and video call and check on their progress.
  • Spend a few minutes in the evening discussing the next steps for bigger tasks.
  • Ask when their next meeting is with their homebase mentor.

Organize Study Buddies:

  • Get your child to invite a friend over to study together at the kitchen table.
  • Form study a group with regular hours. 
  • Be their study buddy, do some of your own work next to them while they work.

Get Help:

  • Watch teachers’ screencasts from their lesson plans. 
  • If your child is struggling or has a question encourage them to email the teacher or message them on their school Gmail chat.

Wellness:

  • Make sure they have healthy options for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
  • Give them opportunities to spend some time outside.
  • Encourage time for exercise.

From the HS Counsellors

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Counselling Services have continued during our Distance Learning time period in both the Middle and High School via digital communication (email, google chat and google hangouts). Counsellors have helped guide students this week who may be experiencing anxiety and confusion as well as continuing to support the ongoing university application process in Grade 12. The Counsellors remain committed to supporting our students throughout the Distance Learning time period. If parents feel that their child could benefit from a counseling session via one of the digital communication avenues, please contact your child’s school counselor directly via email.

Official school documents related to Grade 12 and the university application process continue to be sent out and we have contingency plans for any documents that need to be delivered by courier.  We are also sharing some of the different social/emotional resources that have been shared with students. Google Chat has become an active tool for video conferencing and counseling that we have also put into action this past week.

Please check out some useful applications for managing stress here.

GRADE LEVEL UPDATE

Grade 12 update

  • All students with applications to universities should pay close attention to the deadlines and let their counselor know well in advance
  • Grade 12 students, please update your Cialfo with the status of your application.

Counsellors: Franko Cifizzari & Brenda Manfredi

Grade 11 update

Students are meeting with their counselors, discussing their Uniquest research project and sharing thoughts about degree choices, countries of study, and universities that they may apply to next year.

Counsellors: Franko Cifizzari & Brenda Manfredi

Grade 10 update

  • Students  should have completed their final Course Request for Grades 11 and 12.
  • Below is information that was included in a letter sent out to Grade 10 parents related to Career Day (March 19th) and the Work Experience Programme (June 1-5).

Career Day

The goal of the annual Career Day at UNIS Hanoi is to engage students in a collection of creative presentations about work in the modern world. These mini-presentations will be delivered by professionals working and living in Hanoi. Additionally, the day will include networking opportunities for students to visit with presenters in a ‘marketplace’ format. This fast and friendly format of presentations will expose students to familiar careers and hopefully some careers they have never imagined. The Career Carousel is designed to expand the conversation around work and career.

Career Day Goals…

  • To connect academic pursuits and potential professional endeavors in the future
  • To help students gain more insight for their future study path
  • To develop more meaningful and personal connections between students, our alumni and the local community.

Career Day will take place on the morning of March 19 during the regular school day.  Students will prepare for this learning experience through a number of career related activities in their Counselling classes. Constructing resumes and cover letters for their work experience placement.

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in supporting our Career Day by sharing your profession with our Grade 10 students, please contact Giang Pham in our Advancement Department pngiang@unishanoi.org by the end of the month. Your support is VERY much appreciated!

 Work Experience Programme

The goal of the annual Work Experience Programme is for students to develop a better understanding of the links between school and the skills students will need in their working life.  This Work Experience will also give students a chance to meet working professionals to inquire about the daily tasks, responsibilities, working day structure, qualifications needed and to learn more about how they arrived at where they are today in their profession.  We feel confident that students will enhance not only their communications and leadership skills, they will learn more about their own strengths and interests throughout this process. Work experience may also help students navigate future university and career decisions.

The Work Experience Programme will take place June 1-5 the final full week of school.  Work Experience is compulsory for all Grade 10 students and will function as the cumulation of their MYP learning journey.

We are requesting that all Grade 10 students secure a meaningful work experience internship from June 1- 5.  We have found the most meaningful internship experiences have been secured by students seeking their own placement with the assistance of their family and friends within the community.

Work Experience Internships may take place in the same company/organisation in which the parent is employed, however we request that the student be placed in a separate department for a more authentic learning experience. Once a work experience internship placement has been secured, each student will complete their Work Experience Placement Form and Parent Permission Form which is due on April 1st.

Resources to support you and your child:

A more detailed description of what is required or might be appropriate for a work experience placement can be found on the Work Experience Programme Website under the student and company pages. We have a handbook for students and also a guide for potential work experience providers. Your support is VERY much appreciated!

If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please contact your child’s school counsellor.

Counsellors: Franko Cifizzari & Brenda Manfredi

Grade 9 update

Please keep your child’s counsellor updated if you are concerned about their emotional or academic progress.

Counsellor: Anwer Kamal

 

TESTING

The ACT’s/SAT’s can only be taken by Grade 11 & 12 UNIS Hanoi students. Please see below for more information including testing dates for 2019-2020.

PSAT Results arrive in early December.

SAT – Important:
College Board has taken extra security measure in test taker fraud. If a student receives an email from the College Board to complete a survey or questionnaire, please do NOT ignore the email. It must be completed. Failure to do the survey would result in the student being removed from the test center roster and forbidden to take the exam that they have registered for.

Please note that this is a random selection process, and students do not need to panic if they do not get an email. We would like to remind students to check their junk inbox in case the College Board emails get delivered there by accident. Any questions, please see your counsellor!

International testing dates for the SAT are in October, December, March, and May. SAT Subject Tests will be available in October, November, December, May, and June. Students cannot sit the SAT and SAT Subject Tests on the same day. If you have any questions, please see your counsellor.

SAT test dates for 2019-2020 are:

SAT Test Dates

  • March 14, 2020
  • May 2, 2020
 Registration Deadline Date

  • Feb 14, 2020
  • April 3, 2020

SAT Subject Test Dates:    

  • May 2, 2020
  • June 6, 2020
 Registration Deadline Date

  • April 3, 2020
  • N/A

** Please note that language tests with the listening component can only be taken on the November date.

The College Board website is www.collegeboard.org

ACT Test dates 2019-2020 are:

ACT Test Date:

  • April 4, 2020
  • June 13, 2020
 Registration Deadline Date

  • February 28, 2020
  • May 8, 2020

UPCOMING UNIVERSITY VISITS

Please check the calendars for the most up to date list of visitors.

Grade 10 Career Day – March 19

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We are looking forward to another enriched and meaningful Career Day for our Grade 10 students where they can engage in a collection of creative presentations about work in the modern world and gain more insight on their future career areas of interest. Each year we welcome an amazing lineup of professionals working in different fields to share their success stories with our students.

This year Career Day will take place on the morning of March 19 during the regular school day. We will again ask presenters to use the creative Pecha Kucha presentation format and we will also host small-group discussions between students and working professionals.

We are looking for parents who are willing to deliver Pecha Kucha presentations as well as to talk to students in small groups informally about their careers. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in supporting our Career Day by sharing your profession with our Grade 10 students, please contact Giang Pham in our Advancement Department at pngiang@unishanoi.org by the end of the month.

Your support is VERY much appreciated!

Pham Ngan Giang
Events Coordinator

HS Spring Musical – Pippin

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We are very excited to announce auditions for this years Spring Musical – PIPPIN, book by Roger O’Hirson and Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

Pippin is a fun, zany, ensemble based musical that follows the story of Pippin, the son of fabled Emperor Charlemagne, who longs to find passion and adventure in his life.

Auditions will be a little bit different this year, the individual auditions will be via video and then we will all come together for the group dance and call back audition.

Individual auditions will need to be shared with Ms TP by 17.00 on Thursday February 27th, with the dance audition/callback on Tuesday March 3rd in the Theatre at 15:45.

What do you need to do to audition? 

Step 1:  Email me (ktwynamperkins@unishanoi.org) to express your interest and I will send you the audition form and rehearsal schedule.

Step 2: Select a song and start practicing. We would like it to be a song from a Musical – Disney is a great place to start. You don’t need to learn all of the song, 1 verse and 1 chorus is enough.

Step 3: Video yourself performing your song. I would suggest recording it a few times and selecting the one that shows your vocal ability the best.

Step 4: Share the video with Ms TP before 17:00 on Thursday February 27th.

Step 5: Attend the dance audition on Tuesday March 3rd at 15:45 in the Theatre. You will need to return your completed and signed audition form at this time.

If you are interested in auditioning for cast or signing up for backstage, crew, production design please watch this short video from Ms TP for further information:

Pippin Audition announcement.mov

 

We are also looking for musicians interested in playing in the Pit Orchestra. Mr D is looking for many different instruments. Have a look at the full list in the attached slideshow.

What do you need to do if you are interested in playing in the Pit?

Step 1: Attend the Mandatory information meeting on Tuesday 25 February at 2.15pm in Mr D’s room (B10-G14)

Step 2: Follow the instructions Mr D gives at the meeting.

If you are interested in playing in the Pit, see the following video from Mr D for more information.

Pippin Pit.webm

We have put together a slideshow with all the information for you to go back to when needed. See the below slideshow:

Pippin Auditions

 

We are really excited about the show and are looking forward to working on it with you.If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Ms TP (cast and crew) or Mr D (Pit).

 

High School Students benefit from Virtual Classroom Experience

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To make sure Grade 12 students remained on track with their learning during the campus closure, teachers hosted multiple ‘synchronous small group tutorials’ this week. Achieved thanks to technology, these small group tutorials offered a virtual classroom experience and was another way for teachers to give personalised teaching while maintaining contact with their students. 

Teachers cultivated virtual authentic learning experiences for other high school students as well.

“It’s been a positive thing to see the ownership of learning and responsibility of the students come to life,” said Mr. Aitor (HS Language Acquisition teacher). “Student engagement of the learning activities seems to be high.”  

Teachers like Mr. Rey stayed in constant communication with students, regularly supporting and providing scaffolded instruction through a variety of web-based educational resources such as FlipGrid, Youtube, and Google Hangouts. Further proving that the UNIS Hanoi community can rise up to the challenge of finding new ways to learn during situations that require flexibility.

G10 Course Requests

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Students in Grade 10 have been submitting their requests for academic courses in 2020/21. Grade 10 students were able to do this remotely by completing a Google Form shared by the DP Coordinator.

Since autumn 2019, Grade 10 students have been involved in a series of events and conversations aimed at supporting their pathway to graduation. This included Q&A sessions during High School Counselling lessons, the G10 Carousel, a discussion led by a panel of G12 students, the G10 Parents Information Evening, individual consultations with their High School Counsellor, as well as many conversations with DP teachers and DP students. The High School will now begin the process of scheduling students based on their requests for academic courses.

Online resources from your library!

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ONLINE DATABASES:

Did you know we have thousands of fabulous reference materials, current newspaper articles, periodicals, videos, and more available to families?

Check out the database listings HERE. Students know the usernames and passwords for access.

ONLINE ACCESS TO DIGITAL MAGAZINES FOR LEISURE READING:

UNIS Hanoi library provides access to 25 digital online magazines for parents and students. Click HERE for information about how to register and access the magazines.

Happy reading.

Kate Hodgson
MSHS Teacher Librarian

Teachers Learn Ways to Design Concept-Based Curriculums

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As part of plans to further develop concept-based curriculums to UNIS Hanoi, Middle and High School teachers spent their professional development time last week evaluating how students learn. 

In collaboration with Michelle Kuhn, a concept based curriculum specialist, teachers were asked to consider why they want students to know key facts or why students should be able to perfect a particular skill. According to experts of the concept-based curriculum approach, learning should be more than memorizing facts, figures and dates; learning should encompass big ideas. These ideas say experts, lead to ‘broader and cross-curricular’ learning. 

Throughout last week, workshops were held subject by subject, enabling subject teachers from Grade 6 to 10 a chance to review what each grade level delivers and how they could further align their units to ensure the student experience was seamless across the Middle Years Programme (MYP). IB Diploma teachers also met with Michelle and focussed on making sure topics taught in the IB Diploma aligned with the MYP while also being useful in real life scenarios.  

Learn more about concept based learning here: https://www.onatlas.com/blog/concept-based-learning-curriculum

Closing the Distance through Face-to Face Contact

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Making personal contact with students by scheduling conference calls has provided opportunities for engagement, feedback and personal connections this week. On Monday, the MSHS Grade level mentors set a goal to reach out to each one of their mentees this week. One teacher shared that her conference calls with her students have felt very special, “I got to tell them that I’m missing them at school and we had a chance to talk one-on-one like we don’t usually have time for”. A Grade 10 student during their video call told one mentor, “I love the online learning week because it’s fun using video to chat with my teachers–and I get to wake up later! I enjoy the challenge of working my schedule on my own”.

Some of the things that MSHS students are saying about distance learning :
  • “I think Distance Learning has been developed well.” – Grade 7 Student
  • “Being able to wake up later but still get work done.” – Grade 9 Student
  • “Freedom to make your own schedule throughout the day” – Grade 11 Student
  • “I can be flexible with the amount of time I spend on each assignment” – Grade 12
  • “The ability to manage our own time/do whatever work we want in any order.” – Grade 8
  • “Seeing the teachers even if I’m not in school.” – Grade 11 Student