During the 5th grade summative assessment for the Communication Unit, Jiwon Choi and Mina Kim confidently presented their learning to their peers. As part of this task, students explored and showcased a variety of historical communication artifacts, including typewriters, old radios, audio and video cassettes, Discman players, and early telephones.…
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Meet the Jaguars: Karla Mendoza
Karla Mendoza is a Spanish teacher and a member of the SWAS (School Within a School) program at JFK. In this role, she supports students as they transition into a new academic, linguistic, and cultural context, providing structured language instruction and personalized guidance that promotes academic development, confidence, and integration…
Celebrating Our SWAS Graduates
This semester, six students completed the SWAS program. Their progress reflects months of effort, growth, and perseverance, and it has been truly rewarding to witness the development of their confidence and skills over time. We are proud to recognize our graduates—Eleanor and Theodor Kliewer, Yirang Park, Tai Leach, Erinnah Shin,…
Discovering Identity Through Language
As part of their English learning process, SWAS students participated in the activity “All About Me,” which promoted intercultural communication and helped them develop their speaking skills. By talking about themselves, students practiced using personal vocabulary and presentation structures while expressing their unique identities. They also shared aspects of their…
Exploring Migration Stories in Grade 5
As part of the transdisciplinary theme “Where We Are in Place and Time,” fifth-grade students explored the central idea that migration is a response to challenges, risks, and opportunities that transform both people and societies around the world. Through reflection and discussion, students shared their own experiences with migration —…
Invention Convention: Little Great Inventors!
During the first Unit of Inquiry, SWAS third-grade students explored topics related to space, inventions, and the scientists whose ingenuity and curiosity have allowed us to learn more about the universe. Through readings, experiments, and creative activities, students discovered how ideas can transform the world and open the doors to…
SWAS Students Bring Calaveritas to Life!
To celebrate Día de Muertos, SWAS students worked in teams to create their own literary calaveritas — a beloved Mexican tradition that combines humor, rhyme, and reflection on life and death. Through this activity, they not only explored their creativity, but also learned about the cultural richness and deep meaning…
Film project proves limits of knowledge in TOK
As a Humanities teacher, it was incredible to observe how a recent Theory of Knowledge (TOK) assignment not only showcased the talent of SWAS students, but also powerfully explored the limits of knowledge by providing a significant learning experience. The assignment, which culminated in the short film “Don’t Judge Others…
Learning has never been so sweet!
Our 3rd-grade SWAS students explored the phases of the Moon in the most fun and tasty way: with Oreo cookies! They didn’t just observe the Moon’s changes; they recreated each phase while enjoying science in a playful, memorable way. The activity sparked curiosity, blended learning with play, and, of course,…
SWAS Graduation Ceremony – Congratulations, Jaguars!
Yesterday, we celebrated the graduation and diploma ceremony for our SWAS students — a proud milestone that marks their transition into regular classes. Each student received a diploma in either Spanish, English, or both, demonstrating their growth and language development. Congratulations to:Ajung Hur (Spanish & English)Chloe Leach (Spanish)Jiwan Song (Spanish)Greta Cimino (English)Desiree Delabella (English) The SWAS…