ISSUE 1

JANUARY 2022

THE DP EXPRESSTHE OFFICIAL STUDENT-LED OKINAWA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

What is DP?
BY KIRARA TAKEKURA (DP1 STUDENT)DP stands for the Diploma Programme from the International
Baccalaureate (IB). It is a 2-year program for students aged 16 - 19, andstudents must complete six subjects and the DP core: Theory ofKnowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and Extended
Essay (EE). Out of the six subjects, at least three must be taken in higher
levels, and the rest in standard levels. The IB uses both external andinternal assessments to calculate the student’s final grades, and thestudent’s path for further studies will depend on their grades and thequality of the DP core. Currently, OIS offers Language A (nativelanguage) (English/Japanese), Language B (second language)(English/Japanese), History, Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches,
Chemistry, and Visual Arts. However, since group six subjects (theArts) are optional, OIS students who prefer taking other subjects fromthe languages, sciences, or humanities may choose to take classes
online. The online curriculum (PAMOJA) will be discussed in theschool newsletter next month.

THE OFFICIAL OIS STUDENT NEWSLETTERIn this issue
WHAT IS DP?
HEALTH: FITNESSETHICS/HISTORY:SDGS/ THIS DAY
IN HISTORYENTERTAINMENT:FILM
RECCOMENDATIONISSUE 1 //JANUARY 2022

HEALTHISSUE 1 //JANUARY 2022

Staying Active Amid Pandemic
BY KIRARA TAKEKURA (DP1 STUDENT)

Since 2019, many people lost their opportunities to exercise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack ofregular sporting may result in challenges to the immune system & physical health including thecommencement of or exacerbating existing diseases that have their roots in a sedentary lifestyle.

How can we improve our physical health amid COVID-19?
WHO (World Health Organization) recommends "150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes ofvigorous-intensity physical activity per week"
Follow online exercise class
There are many online exercise tutorials that are free and can be found on YouTube. However, becautious and aware of your limitations.
Try to exercise on your own
You may try the home-based exercises provided by WHO/Europe.
Walk! walking requires little effort but is very effective in keeping you active.
Create a fitness chartAs a part of my CAS project, I have set a goal to consume 7200 kcal in 3 weeks. I recorded myexercises on the fitness chart using my Apple Watch, Health app, and Fitness app. These tools canhelp you track your activities and calorie consumption.
By recording the data on your fitness chart, you will be motivated to exercise to meet your goal!

References:
United Nations. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on sport, physical activity, and well-being and its effects on social
development. https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/2020/05/covid-19-sport/
World Health Organization regional office for Europe. (n.d.). Stay physically active during self-quarantine.
https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/publications-and-technicalguidance/noncommunicable-diseases/stay-physically-active-during-self-quarantine

THE OFFICIAL OIS NEWSLETTERISSUE 1 //JANUARY 2022

ETHICS/HISTORYISSUE 1 //JANUARY 2022

Ethical DilemmaThis Day in History

BY KIRARA TAKEKURA (DP 1 STUDENT)

BY KELLY SHIN (DP 1 STUDENT)The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
were set up by the United Nations General
Assembly in 2015, which aims for asustainable future for us all. Hence, lab-grownmeat and plant-based meat are gathering
attention as environmentally-friendly andsustainable alternatives for “regular” meat.

36 years ago today, January 28th, 1986
The U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded 73

Which raises the question of “Do lab-grownmeats and plant-based meats pass the ethics
test as the best moral choice for health, animal
welfare, and sustainability?”
Please take a moment to think about thisquestion and let us know in the comment
section!

seconds after liftoff from Florida, killing all seven
aboard, including a school teacher who had beenchosen as the first American civilian to travel inspace. How tragic a brave and exhilarating
experience turned into a nightmare...
20 years ago today, January 28th, 2002
Many of you may have read Pippi Longstocking, abeloved tale of a red-haired, freckled 9-year-oldgirl, as a child. Pippi is known as the strongest
girl in the world, both buoyant and independent. I
myself used to enjoy watching her on televisionand envision life like hers. In 2002, the Swedish
children's writer Astrid Lindgren, who wrote
Pippi Longstocking, passed away at the age of 94.
Perhaps this is a great opportunity for you to gopick up her books in the library today!

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). This Day in history:
January 28. Encyclopædia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/January-28

THE OFFICIAL OIS NEWSLETTERISSUE 1 //JANUARY 2022

ENTERTAINMENTISSUE 1 //JANUARY 2022

A still from Ophelia

MOVIE REC: OPHELIABY KELLY SHIN (DP1 STUDENT)

Film: Ophelia (2018)
Directed by: Claire McCarthy
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Naomi Watts, Clive Owen, George Mackay
My rating: ✯✯✯✯ / 5Plot: As a rebellious and motherless child, Ophelia (Daisy Ridley) is brought into Elsinore Castle byQueen Gertrude (Naomi Watts) as her ladies-in-waiting. Not long after, Ophelia gets involved in apassionate, clandestine romance with the young Prince Hamlet (George Mackay). Alas, the kingdom is on
the verge of a war due to its internal divisions and betrayal. With Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle (Clive Owen),
seducing the Queen and seeking the throne, the King is murdered and the country is brought into chaos.
Will fate be on Ophelia’s side?

“Flawed yet intriguing, Ophelia uses Hamlet as the starting point for a noble attempt tooffer a misunderstood character long-overdue agency.” - Rotten Tomatoes
The film I would like to recommend for this month is the 2018 film Ophelia by Claire McCarthy, which isbased on the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. My love for Shakespeare led me to this film, and I
wanted to share it with everyone as it is thoroughly enjoyable and unconventional. What really stood out
to me was that the film portrayed the story through the lens of a female character who was only shown
through the narratives of a male protagonist in the original play. Although the plot is based on theShakespearean play, I believe that anyone, even without having read the play or seen it, would be able toenjoy it. The exquisite cinematography and costumes, the relatively fast-paced narrative, and admirable
acting really kept me engaged until the end. Ophelia’s monologue scene in which she pretends to go madafter the death of her father was breathtaking, and I especially found this scene impactful owing to its
implications for the future occurrences in the film. The betrayal, loss, retaliation, and freedom are aspects
that make this film worthwhile to explore.
THE OFFICIAL OIS NEWSLETTERISSUE 1 //JANUARY 2022