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AISCTParent-StudentHandbook2016–2017

TheAmericanInternationalSchool-CapeTown–

RevisedAugust2016

TableofContents

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INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................5AISCTVISION.....................................................................................................................................................................6AISCTMISSION..................................................................................................................................................................6ESLRs.................................................................................................................................................................................7AGREEMENT...................................................................................................................................................................8

I.GENERALBACKGROUND.............................................................................................................................................10INTRODUCTION,GOVERNANCEANDMISSION............................................................................................................10INTERNATIONALSCHOOLFOUNDATION.....................................................................................................................11MISSIONSTATEMENT...................................................................................................................................................11PHILOSOPHY.................................................................................................................................................................11GOALS...........................................................................................................................................................................12OBJECTIVES..................................................................................................................................................................12STRATEGICTHEMES(OVERALLPLAN)..........................................................................................................................14

II.SCHOOLCHARACTERISTICS.................................................................................................................................14THECAMPUSANDITSFACILITIES.............................................................................................................................16THESCHOOL’SEXPECTATIONSOFITSSTUDENTS....................................................................................................16WHATSTUDENTSCANEXPECTFROMTHESCHOOL.................................................................................................16WEVALUE..................................................................................................................................................................17THEINTERNATIONALSCHOOLFOUNDATION..........................................................................................................17

III.DAY-TO-DAYPROCEDURESANDSYSTEMS...............................................................................................................17ACCREDITATION...........................................................................................................................................................17ACRONYMS...................................................................................................................................................................17ADMINISTRATION........................................................................................................................................................18ADMISSIONSPOLICY....................................................................................................................................................19ADVANCEDPLACEMENTEXAMINATIONS....................................................................................................................20AFTER-SCHOOLACTIVITIESVISION..............................................................................................................................20ALCOHOLPOLICY..........................................................................................................................................................20ASSEMBLYBEHAVIOR...................................................................................................................................................20ATHLETICPHILOSOPHY.................................................................................................................................................21ATTENDANCE...............................................................................................................................................................21AWARDSCEREMONIES.................................................................................................................................................22BACKTOSCHOOLNIGHT..............................................................................................................................................22BIRTHDAYS...................................................................................................................................................................22CAMPUSSECURITY.......................................................................................................................................................23CELLPHONESandotherELECTRONICDEVICES............................................................................................................23CHEWINGGUM............................................................................................................................................................23CHILDABUSEANDNEGLECT........................................................................................................................................23CHILDPROTECTIONPOLICY..........................................................................................................................................23COACHINGPOLICY........................................................................................................................................................23COMMUNICATION:EMERGENCY................................................................................................................................24COMMUNICATION:PARENT-TEACHER........................................................................................................................24COMMUNICATIONPROTOCOL.....................................................................................................................................24COUNSELING................................................................................................................................................................25COMPOSITECLASSES....................................................................................................................................................25DECISION-MAKING.......................................................................................................................................................25DIFFERENTIATION........................................................................................................................................................25DIPLOMAS....................................................................................................................................................................26DISCIPLINE....................................................................................................................................................................26BULLYINGPOLICY.........................................................................................................................................................28DisciplinaryHearing..................................................................................................................................................29

CAMPUSUSE................................................................................................................................................................31DISPLAYSOF(PUBLICAFFECTION)...............................................................................................................................31DISMISSAL....................................................................................................................................................................31DOCUMENTEDLEARNINGDIFFERENCES......................................................................................................................31DRESSCODE/UNIFORMS............................................................................................................................................32DROP-OFFANDCOLLECTIONOFSTUDENTS................................................................................................................34EMAILADDRESSES........................................................................................................................................................34

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EMERGENCYPROCEDURES..........................................................................................................................................34ENGLISHLANGUAGELEARNERS...................................................................................................................................37ENGLISHLANGUAGELEARNERS–FEES........................................................................................................................37EXAMINATIONS............................................................................................................................................................38EXTRATIMEANDOTHERCONCESSIONS......................................................................................................................38FACILITIES:USE.............................................................................................................................................................38FIELDTRIPS...................................................................................................................................................................39FINANCIALAID..............................................................................................................................................................39FOOD............................................................................................................................................................................40GIFTSANDSOLICITATIONS...........................................................................................................................................40GOODMANNERS..........................................................................................................................................................40GRADELEVELPLACEMENT...........................................................................................................................................41GRADUATIONREQUIREMENTS....................................................................................................................................41GUARDIANSHIP............................................................................................................................................................42HOMEWORK.................................................................................................................................................................42HONORCODE...............................................................................................................................................................43INFORMATIONTECHNOLOGYUSE-OFFCAMPUS.......................................................................................................45IPADPERMISSION........................................................................................................................................................45IPADUSEGUIDELINES..................................................................................................................................................45LEAVINGCAMPUS........................................................................................................................................................46LIBRARY........................................................................................................................................................................46LIBRARYMATERIALSSELECTIONPOLICY......................................................................................................................47LOCKERS.......................................................................................................................................................................47LOSTANDFOUND........................................................................................................................................................48MEDICATION................................................................................................................................................................48MONEYANDVALUABLES.............................................................................................................................................49NEWSLETTER/FRIDAYNEWS........................................................................................................................................49NORMSOFCOLLABORATION.......................................................................................................................................49NUT-SAFECAMPUS......................................................................................................................................................49OPENHOUSE/BACK-TO-SCHOOLNIGHT......................................................................................................................49PARENTSANDTEACHERSASSOCIATION(PATA)(ThissectioncurrentlyunderreviewbyPATArepresentatives)......49PARENT-TEACHERCONFERENCES&STUDENT-LEDCONFERENCES.............................................................................51PASSPORTANDVISAREQUIREMENTS.........................................................................................................................51PETS..............................................................................................................................................................................51RAINY-DAYPOLICY.......................................................................................................................................................51RELIGIOUSPOLICY........................................................................................................................................................52REPORTCARDSANDACADEMICRECORDS..................................................................................................................52RESPONSIBILITIES.........................................................................................................................................................53RESTORATIVEJUSTICE..................................................................................................................................................53SCHOOLCOMMUNICATOR...........................................................................................................................................54SCHOOLCOUNCIL.........................................................................................................................................................54SCHOOLHOURS............................................................................................................................................................54SCHOOLLEADERSHIPTEAM(SLT)................................................................................................................................54SECURITY......................................................................................................................................................................54SICKNESS/ACCIDENT...................................................................................................................................................54SKATEBOARDS.............................................................................................................................................................55SMOKING.....................................................................................................................................................................55SPORTSCOUNCIL..........................................................................................................................................................55SPORTSELIGIBILITY......................................................................................................................................................55STUDENTCOUNCIL.......................................................................................................................................................55STUDENTDRIVERS........................................................................................................................................................56STUDENTSWITHACCOMMODATIONS.........................................................................................................................56SUBSTANCEABUSE.......................................................................................................................................................56SWIMMINGPOOLRULES.............................................................................................................................................57STUDENTSUPPORTTEAM(SST)...................................................................................................................................57TARDYPOLICY..............................................................................................................................................................57TELEPHONE..................................................................................................................................................................58TEXTBOOKSANDSCHOOLMATERIALS.........................................................................................................................58

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TOBACCOANDALCOHOL.............................................................................................................................................58TRANSPORTATION........................................................................................................................................................58TRIPSANDTOURS........................................................................................................................................................60TRUANCY......................................................................................................................................................................61TUITIONANDFEES.......................................................................................................................................................61TUTORING....................................................................................................................................................................62VHS/ONLINECLASSES...................................................................................................................................................62VISITORSTOCAMPUS..................................................................................................................................................62WEBSITE......................................................................................................................................................................63WITHDRAWALFROMAISCT.........................................................................................................................................63

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INTRODUCTION DearParentsandFriends,WelcometotheAmericanInternationalSchoolofCapeTown.Ourcampusfirstopeneditsdoorsin1997,andsincethattimehasexperiencedphenomenalsuccess.Adynamicinternationalcommunityofteachers,students,andparentsandaholisticapproachtoteachinghaspropelledustotheforefrontofeducationinCapeTown.AtAISCT,youwillfindanacademicallyrigorous,college-preparatoryprogrambalancedagainstourdesiretofosterstudents’artistic,athleticandglobalcitizenshipendeavors,withourultimategoaltoprovideallstudentsopportunitiesforsuccess.AISCTisandalwayshasbeenafamilyschool,andthroughourgrowthandchange,wehavekeptthiscorebeliefthatschoolisanintimateplacewhereeachstudentisnurturedandchallenged.Ourdistinctivesettinginthisdynamiccityaffordsusastudentpopulationconsistingofover40nationalities,creatinganexceptionalenvironmenttodevelopanunderstandingofpeoplefromaroundtheworld.Consideringtheabove,itisonlynaturalthatourschoolbecomesthefabricweavingourcommunitytogether.Itisthisuniquecombinationofinternationalism,strongacademics,variedactivitiesandarts,warmatmosphere,andpersonalizedapproachthatmakeussuccessful.AsHeadmasteratAISCT,Iwouldliketoextendawarmwelcometoyouandyourfamily,whetheryouarejoiningusforanotheryearorareenrollingforthefirsttime.IinviteyoutoexplorethepagesofthishandbooktolearnmoreaboutwhatmakesAISCTsuchanexcellentplaceforourstudentsbetweentheagesof2and18.Weanticipatetheinformationavailablewillmeetyourneeds,butifyouhavefurtherquestions,pleasedonothesitatetocontactus.Allthebest,

Dr.DanielJubertHeadmaster

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AISCTVISION

Aninspiringeducationforoutstandinglife-longlearners.

AISCTMISSION

Themission of the American International School of Cape Town is to provide itsstudentswiththeopportunities, resources, instructionandenvironmenttopursueacademicandpersonalexcellencethroughaninternationalschoolcurriculumwithaUS orientation, and to help them form the basis from which to become lifelonglearnersandproductive,involvedcitizensinachangingglobalsociety.

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ESLRs(ExpectedSchool-wideLearningResults)

Everystudentwilldemonstrate:1. EffectiveCommunication(Communicating)• Icanlistenandwatchotherstounderstandmeaning.• Icanreadwhatothershavewrittentounderstandmeaning.• IcanspeakandwriteclearlyandconfidentlytotellotherswhatIwantthemtounderstand.• Icanusemycreativitythroughmusic,art,andmovementtohelpothersunderstandwhatI

wantthemtounderstand.2. HighLevelThinking(Thinking)• Icanusedifferentthinkingskillstoseerelationships,evaluate,makedecisions,andsolve

problems.• Icanthinkcreatively.Iapproachtopicsandproblemswithdifferentideas.3. ASolidFoundationofKnowledge(Knowing)• Academic–Iworkhardwithmystudiesandmyhomework.• Artistic–Iliketotrynewideasandworktobecreative.• Physical–Iworkhardtoexercisemybodyandbepartofateam.• Technological–IpracticemycomputerskillsandIamnotafraidtolearnnewprograms.4. PositiveLearningAttitudesandBehavior(Behaving)• IcansetgoalsinareasthatIneedtoimproveon.Icanplanwaystoreachmygoals.Ican

reflectonmygoalstoseeifIimproved.• Icanworkwellwithmypeerstosolveproblems.• Icanmakemyworklookgreat!Iamorganizedandpreparedtobeagoodlearner.5. GlobalandCommunityAppreciation(CaringandSharing)• Iamagoodfriend.Igetalongwithpeople.• Icanhelpmycommunitybecomeabetterplace.IunderstandthatIcanmakeadifference

intheworld.

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AGREEMENT

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CAPE TOWN

The AISCT Learning Academy, Registration No. 2001/007306/08 42 Soetvlei Avenue, Constantia 7806, Cape Town, South Africa

TEL: +27 21 713-2220 FAX: +27 21 713-2240 www.aisct.org

The signing of this form acknowledges that you and your child agree to read and abide by the expectations and agreements shown below. All the documents associated with these expectations and agreements are included in the AISCT Parent-Student Handbook which can be found on the AISCT website: www.aisct.org. Student’s Name (print legibly): _______________________________________________________________________ Student’s Grade: ___________________ Date: ____________________________ A. School Rules and Student Expectations Agreement I agree to read the AISCT Parent-Student handbook and understand the expectations of students attending AISCT. I agree to the terms and conditions therein. I understand that if a student is found to have violated any school rules, he/she will be given the consequence deemed appropriate. This may include, but is not limited to, loss of school privileges, detention, suspension, and expulsion. Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________________ B. Information Technology Use Agreement I agree to read the Information Technology Acceptable Use Agreement and agree to the terms and conditions therein. I understand that if a student is found to have violated the Information Technology Acceptable Use Agreement, he/she will be given the consequence deemed appropriate. This may include, but is not limited to, loss of computer privileges, detention, suspension, and expulsion. Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________ C. Honor Code Agreement I agree to read the Honor Code Agreement and agree to the terms and conditions therein. I understand that if a student is found to have violated the Honor Code Agreement, he/she will be given the consequence deemed appropriate. This may include, but is not limited to, loss of school privileges, detention, suspension, and expulsion. Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________________

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D. Student Locker Agreement I agree to read the Student Locker Agreement and agree to the terms and conditions therein. I understand that if a student is found to have violated the Student Locker Agreement, he/she will be given the consequence deemed appropriate. This may include, but is not limited to, loss of school privileges, detention, suspension, and expulsion. Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________ E. Media Consent Agreement I agree to the taking of photographs, movies and video of my child for use by AISCT on their website and in publications. I also grant the right to edit, use, and reuse said products including use in print, on the AISCT website, and all other forms of media. I release AISCT and employees from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever in connection with the above. Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________ F. Excursion/Activity Indemnity Agreement I give consent for my child to partake in and attend any and all educational and sporting activities and excursions on and off campus arranged by AISCT while s/he is a student at the school. I understand that my child will be transported in either the school bus or in an automobile driven by school personnel or AISCT parents and will be properly restrained by a seat belt while riding in the vehicle. I indemnify and absolve AISCT and its representatives against all claims whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of my child’s participation in the aforementioned activities. I give this understanding on behalf of myself and my child in the knowledge that the headmaster, staff, and parents will nevertheless take all responsible precautions for the safety and welfare of my child. Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________ G. Substance Abuse Policy Agreement I agree to read the Substance Abuse Policy Agreement and agree to the terms and conditions therein. I understand that if my child is found to have violated the Substance Abuse Policy Agreement, s/he will be given the consequence deemed appropriate. This may include, but is not limited to, counseling, loss of school privileges, detention, suspension, and expulsion. Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________

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I.GENERALBACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION,GOVERNANCEANDMISSIONTheAmericanInternationalSchoolofCapeTownisanindependent,co-educationalschoolforexpatriateandSouthAfricannationalswishingtopursueaninternationalschoolprogram.AISCTisestablishedundertheaegisoftheInternationalSchoolFoundation;anot-for-profitorganizationaccorded501c3statusbytheInternalRevenueServiceoftheUnitedStatesgovernment.ISFisdomiciledinLansing,Michigan,andisdirectedbyLarryBall.AISCTisoverseenbyaBoardofGovernorscomprisingLarryBalli,WillemBurhmannMichaelDougherty,PaulduToit,PatriciaGorvalla,AnnaRangkuti,andKristySeng,whohavebeenappointedaccordingtothebylawsofitsDeedofFoundation.TheBoardisresponsiblefortheschool’sfiscalsolvencyandoverallsuccess.Itsresponsibilitiesinclude:

• Overseeandpromotetheoverallsuccessandfiscalhealthoftheschool;• AppointandevaluateannuallytheHeadmaster,whoadministersschoolpolicy;• Develop,approve,andinsuretheimplementationofschoolpolicy,andinsureefficientandlogicalallocation

oftheschool’shumanandmaterialresources;• Monitortheuseoftheschool’sexistingfacilitiesanddevelopnewoneswhichmightenhanceprogram

delivery;• Ensurethemaintenanceoftheschool’sgoodrelationshipswiththegovernmentoftheRepublicofSouth

AfricaingeneralandtheMinistryofEducationinparticular;• MeetperiodicallyinaccordancewiththestipulationsoftheArticlesofAssociation.Themeetingsare

managedaccordingtotheDeedsofFoundation.

Theself-perpetuating,“corporategovernance”modelusedatAISCTanditssisterschoolsinChinahasbeensupportedformanyyearsbytheEuropeanCouncilofInternationalSchoolsintheUnitedKingdomandbyInternationalSchoolsServicesintheUnitedStates.ItisthegovernancemodelendorsedbytheNationalAssociationofIndependentSchools,thelargestorganizationforindependentschools--definedasschoolsthatare“notundergovernmentcontrol”--intheUnitedStates.Initsstatementongovernance,NAISreviewstheothermodels,detailstheproblemswithanannuallyshifting,parent-electedboard(especiallyforinternationalschoolswiththeirmoretransientpopulations),andthensaysthis:“Thecorporatemodelofaself-perpetuatingboardiswhatNAISadvocates,wheretheboardchoosesitselfanditssuccessorsandisfocusedlargelyonthestrategicfutureoftheschool.Itseesitselfashavingonlyoneemployeetohire,evaluate,andfire(theheadofschool),anditscrupulouslyandthankfullyredirectsallconstituentcomplaintstotheproperauthority,theheadofschool,thensupportstheheadofschoolinhisorheradjudicationofanychallenges.This‘abovethefray’approachfreestheboardtofocusonthelargerissuesofinstitutionalstabilityandgrowthandsendsastrongsignaltothecommunitythattheboardhasconfidenceintheleadershipoftheschool,neverallowingitselftobecome‘thecourtoflastresort’toadjudicateconflictandoverrulemanagementdecisions,knowingthatifitdoesso,itwillreverttothefirstmodelofgovernanceindicatedaboveandforeverafterberelegatedtooperationaloversightratherthanvisionandstrategyandgenerativethinking,itsproperrole.”ThreeoftheBoardMembersaredesignatedas“Directors”byvirtueoftheirhavingestablishedtheschoolandfinanceditsstartupinthemid-1990sThesethreeareLarryBalli,MichaelDougherty,andKristyDewiRisjad.IntheeventthataBoardMemberresigns,heorshewillbereplacedbyappointmentoftheBoardDirectors.Thecriteriaforselectioninthatcasewillbe,asitwasfortheexistingmembers,aninterestinsupportingAISCT,awillingnesstoinvesttimeformeetingsandactivities,andthebackground,connections,andpositiontoadvancetheschool’smission.

TheBoardevaluatestheHeadofSchoolannually.Parents,teachers,andstudentshavetheopportunitytocommunicatewiththeBoardattheAnnualParentGeneralMeetingand/orviatheSchoolCouncil/Administration.BoardmembersvisitAISCTtwiceperannumtocommunicatetheschool’sfinancialpositionandplansforthefuture.

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AISCTalsoconvenesa“SchoolCouncil”throughoutthecourseoftheyear.TheCouncilconsistsofsevenmembers,threeofwhicharecommunitymemberselectedbytheschoolconstituents,threeofwhichareappointedbytheISFBoard,andoneteacherrepresentative.TheCouncilservestoadviseandhelpguidethedirectionoftheschool.TheAISCTHeadmasteralsohasastandinginvitationtoattendallmeetings.

INTERNATIONALSCHOOLFOUNDATIONTheInternationalSchoolFoundation(alsoregisteredastheInternationalSchoolDevelopmentFoundation)isanot-for-profitfoundationestablishedinLansing,Michigan,USA,asa501c3charitablefoundation,philanthropiccontributionstowhichmaybeclaimedagainstU.S.taxes.ThemissionoftheFoundationistoassistinthemanagementanddevelopmentofsmallinternationalschoolswithaU.S.orientationinlocationshavingasustainablepopulationforschooldevelopment.TheISFalsohasaninterestineducationalprogramsintheUnitedStatesthatwouldattractinternationalstudents.ISFhasassistedwiththeestablishmentofschoolsinAustralia,China,IndonesiaandSouthAfrica,TheISFcurrentlymanagesHangzhouInternationalSchool(HIS,establishedin2002),ShanghaiCommunityInternationalSchool(SCIS,establishedin1996,withtwocampusesinHongqiao,oneforPreK-12thGradecampusandtheotherexclusivelyforEarlyChildhood,andtwocampusesinPudong,oneforUpperSchoolandtheotherforLowerSchool),andtheAmericanInternationalSchoolofCapeTown(AISCT,establishedin1997).AlloftheseschoolshavebeenaccreditedbytheWesternAssociationofSchoolsandColleges(WASC).ISFisalsointheprocessofestablishingBayValleyInternationalAcademyinBayCity,Michigan,asatransitionalprogramforforeignstudentswhowishtorefinetheirEnglishlanguageskillsandadapttolifeintheUSApriortomatriculation.EachISF-affiliatedschoolwasestablishedandisregisteredaccordingtoitsownDeedofFoundation,preparedaccordingtothelawsoftheMinistryofEducationineachrespectivecountry.Eachschooloperatesonanot-for-profitbasis,andeachhasitsownBoardofGovernors.TheInternationalSchoolDevelopmentFoundationiscurrentlyunderthesoledirectionofLarryBalli.Previousco-directorsincludedMichaelDoughertyandKristyDewi,andthesethreecontinuetositontheindividualschoolboardsofAISCT,HIS,andSCIS.Mr.Ballihasbeenateacherandadministratorininternationalschoolssince1972,andisaformerHeadmasterofJakartaInternationalSchool,oneofthelargestsuchschoolsintheworldduringhistenure.Mr.Doughertyhasbeenateacherandadministratorininternationalschoolssince1976,andwasthefoundingHeadmasterofNorthJakartaInternationalSchool,whichheheadedforelevenyears.Ms.Dewihasworkedininternationalschoolsinvariousadministrativecapacitiessince1984,andwasinvolvedinthefinancialmanagementoftheISF-affiliatedschools.Mostoftheindividualschoolboardsalsocompriseadditionalmembersoftherespectivelocalcommunities,bothexpatriateandhostcountry.Thismodelofinternationalschoolgovernance(ascontrastedwithannualelectionsfrominterestedmembersoftheparentcommunity)isreferredtoasthecorporatemodel,andhasbeenendorsedbytheNationalAssociationofIndependentSchoolsasthemosteffectiveschoolgovernancemodel.Governanceprotocolincludesparentinputviavariouschannelsofcommunicationestablishedateachschool,surveys,andparentorganizations.

MISSIONSTATEMENTThemissionoftheAmericanInternationalSchoolofCapeTownistoprovideitsstudentswiththeopportunities,resources,instruction,andenvironmenttopursueacademicandpersonalexcellencethroughaninternationalschoolcurriculumwithaU.S.orientation,andtohelpthemtobecomelifelonglearnersandproductive,involvedcitizensinachanging,globalsociety.

PHILOSOPHYSchoolingshouldbeamultifacetedexperiencewhichallowsstudentstolearntothinkcreativelyandcritically,togainpracticalskillswhichwillequipthemforensuingstagesofeducationandlifeingeneral,toexploreareasofinterest,includingtheirownselves,andtolearntoworkwithandappreciateotherpeople.Werecognizethatinadditiontopreparingstudentsforeachsuccessivestageoftheireducation,schoolingformsasignificantchronologicalsegmentofaperson'slifeand,therefore,hasitsownintrinsicvalueandimportance,avaluebeyondsimplypreparingforthenextchapterorthenextgradelevel.Thislendsanaddedsignificanceandresponsibilitytoalloftheworkweoutlinebelow.

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Ouraimineveryclassroomistocreateadynamicandinteractivelearningenvironmentwithchallengesandexpectationsappropriatetothecomplexworldourstudentswillinhabit.Wefocusonthedevelopmentofeachstudent'sskills,senseoflogic,andgeneralacademicandsocialdiscipline.Mostimportantly,weaimtofosteralastingloveoflearningthatwillextendoutsidetheschoolcurriculumandbeyondthestudent'syearsatAISCT.Ourstudentsareinheritingarapidlychangingworldinwhichthediscovery,assimilation,understanding,andmanagementofnewinformationwillbevitaltothem.Ourgoal,accordingly,istoreachbeyondacontent-orientedcurriculumandtoprovidestudentswiththeacademicskillsandintellectualconfidencetoapplyknowledgetothoroughlynewproblemsandsituations.Indoingso,weseektotakeadvantageofthemanylearningopportunitiesuniquetotheinternationalschoolsettingand,specifically,toourlocationinSouthAfrica.Studentswithanunderstandingandappreciationofthediversityofnationalitiesandculturesarebetterpreparedtotacklethechallengesanincreasinglyinterdependentworldpresents.

GOALSTheAmericanInternationalSchoolofCapeTowniscommittedtobeinganinternationalschoolwhich:

• Stimulateseachstudent'sloveoflearningandconsiderslearningalifelongprocess

• Identifiesthephysical,intellectual,social,emotional,andmoralneedsofitsstudents,prescribedbythephilosophiesoftheschool

• Providesasafeandpleasantenvironment

• Encouragesstudentstobeactivelearners,creativeproblemsolvers,andindependentthinkers

• Developseachstudent'slistening,speaking,reading,writing,andthinkingskills.Helpsstudentstoaccess

informationandutilizeknowledge• Buildsonsuccessesofearliereducationandpreparesstudentsforfuturelearning

• Helpsstudentsdiscoverrelationshipsamongdisciplines

• Addressesindividualdifferenceswithintheparametersofouradmissionspolicyandallowsstudentsto

realizestrengthsandfulfilpotential

• Helpsstudentsbuildconfidenceandself-esteem,andnurtureresponsibleattitudestowardslearning,theschool,andthelargercommunity

• Fosterscooperation,goodmanners,andconsiderationofothersinallsituations

• Promotesinter-culturalunderstanding,inlightofamoreglobalizedsociety

• Strivestobuildmutuallybeneficialandpositiverelationswithourhostcountry

• Welcomesparentalcommunicationandinvolvement

• Maintainsaquality,appropriately-resourcededucationalsettingforchildren

• Modelsthevaluesimplicitintheschool'sphilosophy,goals,andobjectives

• PromotesEnglishlanguageusageandproficiency

OBJECTIVES

1. Tostimulateeachstudent'sloveoflearning,AISCTwill:

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• provideanattractiveclassroomenvironmentconducivetolearning• engagestudentsinavarietyofmeaningful,interesting,andchallenginglearningexperiences,bothon

andoffcampus• employarangeofteachingstrategies,situations,andresourcestomotivatestudents,enhancelearning,

andencouragestudentstobecomeindependent,lifelonglearners2. Toadequatelyaddressthephysical,intellectual,social,emotional,andmoralneedsofitsstudents,AISCTwill

providesafeandappropriatefacilities,anoutstandingteachingfaculty,adequateeducationalresources,andaprogramsubjecttoconstantreviewandimprovement

3. Tomaintainasafeandpleasantenvironmentattheschool,theschooladministrationwillperiodicallyassessthe

campusandtheconditionsrequisitetoprecedingPoints1and24. Toencouragestudentstobeactivelearners,problemsolvers,andindependentthinkers,AISCTwill:

• maintainanatmosphereofopeninquiry• engagestudentsinhands-oninvestigativeactivities• devisestimulatingandchallengingassignments• allowstudentstogenerateandsolveproblemsindependentlyandinsmallgroups• Programopportunitiesforstudentstocollect,analyse,andapplydata

5. Todevelopeachstudent'slistening,speaking,writing,reading,andthinkingskills,AISCTwillensurethatacross

thecurriculum,basicskillsofcomprehensionandarticulationareatthecoreofallcoursework6. Tohelpstudentsaccessinformationandutilizeknowledge,AISCTwillensurethatthereare:

• ampleinformationsourceswithintheclassroomsandlibrary• timeandopportunitiestolearnhowtogainaccesstothem• regularassignmentsthatrequirestudentstoassesswhatinformationisapplicabletoagiventask,and

thenaccumulate,select,andutilizethisknowledge7. Tobuildonthesuccessesofearliereducationandpreparestudentsforfuturelearning,AISCTteacherswill:

• assessstudentseffectivelytounderstandtheircurrentskilllevels,toensurereadinessforthenextlevelsofcoursework,andtoguidefuturelearningprograms

• throughon-goingcurricularreview,ensurethesequenceofcourseworkfromgradetograde8. Tohelpstudentsdiscoverrelationshipsbetweendisciplines,AISCTwill:

• integratethecurriculum,andplantasks/activitiesthatencouragestudentstousearangeofskills9. Toaddressindividualdifferenceswithintheparametersofouradmissionspolicyandallowstudentstorealize

strengthsandfulfilpotential,AISCTwill:

• tailorlearningstrategies,activities,resourcesandassessmenttoindividualcapabilitiesandstyles• limitclasssizetooptimizeopportunitiesforindividualattention• provideESLsupport• serveasaresourcetooutsidespecialistsforstudentswithspecialneeds

10. Tohelpstudentsbuildconfidenceandself-esteem,AISCTwillprovideopportunitieswithintheclassroom,and

throughactivitiesandelectiveclasses,alloweachstudenttoexploreareasofinterestandpersonalaptitude11. Tonurtureresponsibleattitudestowardslearning,theschool,andthelargercommunity,AISCTteachersandstaff

will:

• valueandrewardacademicachievement

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• modelrespectoftheschoolanditsproperty,thehostcountryanditsownvalues,andthemembersoftheschoolcommunityandthecultureswhicharerepresentedtherein

12. Tofostercooperationinlearningandplay,AISCTteacherswillincludecollaborativeactivitiesandgamesintheir

lessonplans,whichwillcomplementmoretraditionallycompetitiveones13. Topromoteinterculturalunderstanding,AISCTteacherswill:

• strivetorecognizeandlearnfromeachnationalgrouprepresentedintheclassroom• strivetofeatureamultiplicityofnationalandethniccelebrationsandfocusesduringtheschoolyear

14. Tobuildmutuallybeneficialandpositiverelationswithourhostcountry,AISCTwill:

• emphasizeastrongcurriculuminthecultureofSouthAfricaforallstudents• strivetomaintainaclimateinwhichstudentsdeveloprespectfortheSouthAfricanstaffandareexposedto

accomplishedSouthAfricanfiguresfromtheoutsidecommunity15. Toensuregoodparentcommunicationandinvolvement,AISCTwill:

• publishanewsletterinformingparentsofupcomingeventsandopportunitiestobecomeinvolvedintheschool

• provideopportunitiesforparentstoassistasvolunteersinavarietyofareas,suchasthelibrary,classrooms,andadvisorycommittees

16. Toensurequality,appropriately-resourcededucation,theAISCTadministrationwill:

• trytoattractthebestpossibleteachingstafftotheschool• reviewfeesannually,withacommitmenttosetfeesaslowastheschool'sfinancialstatewillallow• keepabreastofcurrentteachingtrendsbysubscribingtoprofessionalteachingassociationsandproviding

opportunitiesforfacultytoattendprofessionaldevelopmentcoursesandconferences• provideprofessionaldevelopmentactivitiesandopportunitiesorganizedbyAISCT

17. Forschoolpersonneltomodelinallwedothestatedvaluesoftheschool,theAISCTadministrationwillensure

thatallfacultyandstaffareawareofschoolgoals,objectives,andphilosophyeachyear

STRATEGICTHEMES(OVERALLPLAN)1. Providinganoutstandingeducationalprogram2.Developmentofaglobalperspective,character,serviceandleadershipamongstourstudents3.Fosteraninclusiveanddiverseschoolcommunity4.Long-termfinancialstabilityandflexibility5.Developmentofappropriatefacilitiesandresourcestomeetfutureneeds

II.SCHOOLCHARACTERISTICSTheAmericanInternationalSchoolofCapeTownwasfoundedtoprovideanoutstanding,American-basededucationalprogramforthechildrenofexpatriatesresidingtemporarilyinSouthAfricaaswellasSouthAfricannationals.Thefollowingschoolcharacteristics(initalics)withcommentaryprojecttheschool’sintendedpurposeandthephilosophyguidingitsdirection:1. Excellenceinaninternationalschoolacademicprogram,withanAmerican/internationalschoolcurriculum,using

primarilyUSA-sourcedtextsandmaterialsandteachingfacultyrecruitedfrombothSouthAfricaandoverseas.

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Itisthegoaloftheschooltoprovidestudentswithastimulatinganddynamiceducationalprogramthatwillenablethemtotransfersuccessfullytosimilarinternationalschoolselsewhereortoschoolsintheirhomecountries.ItistheBoard’sintentionthattheschoolaccommodateandaddresstheneedsofstudentsfromwidelyvaryingeducationalsystemsandbackgrounds.However,theschoolmustmaintaintheintegrityandcohesionofitsownprogramandcurriculum,andthusmustbasesomeactions,suchasgradeplacementandevaluations,onitsownsystemandpoliciesratherthantrytosimulateoraccommodatethoseofthemanynationalitiesitserves.ThefacultyandadministrationwillstayabreastofcurrenteducationalandpedagogicalthinkingandresearchintheUSAandelsewhereandwillavailitselfofthosestrategies,techniques,andmaterialsfromothercountries,particularlyEnglish-languagecountries,whenthesecanenhancetheAISCTcurriculumandprogramwithoutdilutingorfragmentingit,andwithoutjeopardizingtheiroverallcoherence.Inarelatedvein,theprogramwillbeenhancedthroughtheregulatedinfluxofnewteachers,whoarepracticingthesecurrenttechniquessuccessfullyintheUSAandelsewhere.2. Amoderatelysizedschoolcommunity,inwhichfacultyandadministrationknowthemajorityofstudents.Two-

storybuildings,smallclasssizes,overalllimitofstudentsPre-Kindergarten-Grade12(2006)pendingannualreviewoffacilities.Thesecharacteristicsaredirectlyrelatedtotheprimarygoalofacademicexcellenceandtheschool’sabilitytoaddresseachstudenteffectivelyinasmallschoolcontext.

3. Highacademicandbehavioralexpectationstemperedwithunderstandingofthedifferentbackgroundsfrom

whichinternationalschoolchildrencome,andthedifferentlearningstyleswhichallchildrenmanifest.4. Fiscalefficiencyandreasonablefees. ItistheintentionofthefoundingBoardthattuitionandfeesbemaintainedatalevelthatwillallowafirst-class

program.Atthesametime,theBoardwillannuallyreviewfiscalpoliciesandschoolrequirementsandindebtednesstoensurethemaximalefficiencyoftheuseofthetuitiondollartokeeptuitionfeesasaffordableaspossible.Additionally,thisshouldhelpmakesometuitionconcessionsavailabletoalimitednumberofworthystudentswhoseparentswouldnototherwisebeabletoenroltheirchildrenintheschool.

5. Thedeferralofeducationalmatterstoprofessionalsinthatfield,withconcomitantchannelsforparentinput. InestablishingAISCT,thefoundingBoardhasintentionallyanddeliberatelyinstitutedasuccessionpolicyof

appointmentratherthanbypopularelection.TheBoardwillberesponsibleformacro-management,nottheday-to-daymicro-management,oftheschool.Theday-to-dayrunningoftheschoolshallbethedomainandresponsibilityoftheschooladministration(Headmaster)appointedandreviewedannuallybytheBoard,andtheprofessionalteachingfacultywhotheadministrationhires.TheBoardbelievesthatitisinthebestinterestsoftheschooltodefermattersofeducationalpolicyandadministrationtoprofessionalstrainedandexperiencedinthisfieldandvocation.Basedoncollectiveobservationofmanyschoolboards,bothnationalandinternational,theBoardhasunanimouslyselectedthepresentmodelforthereasonsstatedaboveandbecauseitbelievesthatthismodelallowsforthemostefficientandproductiveuseofadministrativetimeandenergy.

Atthesametime,theBoardrecognizesthatitisvitallyimportantforparentsoftheschoolcommunitytohave

theopportunityandchannelstoexpressthemselves,tovoicecomplaints,andtomakesuggestions.Tothisend,theBoardencouragestheformationofaParents'Associationtoserveinthiscapacity.AlthoughitisexpectedthatthisAssociationwillconductmostofitsdealingsdirectlywiththeadministration,itshouldhaveaccessdirectlytotheBoardwhenparentsfeelthattheirpointsneedtobeaddressedatthislevel.

PolicieshavebeendevelopedthroughconsensusoftheBoard.6. Afacultythatisaucourantandfullofvitality. TheBoardrecognizesthatinternationalschoolseverywhereemployteachersonarelativelyshort-termbasis,

withaverageinternationalschooltenureoftwotothreeyears.Schoolsaccruesomeadvantagesfromtheperiodinfluxofnewteachersandideas,buttheymustdevotetimeandenergytostrongorientationandin-serviceprogramsandensurecurricularcontinuity.Teachersarehiredonaninitialone-yearcontract.Successfulteachers

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whohavecontributedtothelifeandspiritoftheschoolandareenthusiasticaboutreturningtoAISCTforathirdandsubsequentyearsmayreceivecontractextensions,providedenrollmentprojectionswarrantit.

THECAMPUSANDITSFACILITIES

LocatedinaresidentialareainthesouthernsuburbsofCapeTown,theAISCTcampusprovidesaspaciouslearningenvironment.Thefacilitiesincludemorethan35classrooms;alibrary;theatre;largehall;musicroom;sciencelabs;artroom;andtwocomputerlabs.Adjacenttothisarelargeplayingfields,asportscoveredarea,aswellasa25-metreswimmingpoolwithchangingrooms.Theschoolalsohasalunchroomwithcateredmealsavailable.

THESCHOOL’SEXPECTATIONSOFITSSTUDENTS

Weexpectstudentsto:

• Behaveinawaythatisconducivetoaproductiveeducationalatmosphere.Thismeansthatstudentswillnotonlystrivetotakefulladvantageoftheirownopportunitieshere,butalsodonothingthatmightinterferewithothersstrivingtodothesame.

• RespecttheirteachersandtheAISCTstaff.

• Arriveontimeeachmorningreadytolearn.Thismeansthatstudentshavespentthenecessarytimeonthepreviousday’shomework,havehadsufficientsleep,andhavehadbreakfast.

• Showconsiderationforothersandtotolerateandappreciatepeoplefromotherraces,creeds,and

backgrounds.

• Showrespectbyrefrainingfromboisterousbehaviorandtheuseofvulgar,obscenelanguage.Thisalsoincludesrespectforthoseperformingorspeakingduringassembliesorperformances.

• BesensitivetothefeelingoftheSouthAfricancommunityandrespectfulofSouthAfricanlawinsettingtheir

ownstandardsofbehavior.

• Workandplaytogetherharmoniously,tohelpothers,andtoshowgoodsportsmanshipingames.

• Showcarefortheproperty,building,andfloraoftheschoolandtoexerciseresponsibilityappropriatetotheirage.

• ModelthethreePillarsofCharacter:Respect,Responsible,andIntegrity.

• Followallschoolrulesandpoliciesofteachersandadministration.

• EndeavourtospeakEnglishasalanguageofinclusionatalltimes.

WHATSTUDENTSCANEXPECTFROMTHESCHOOL

Studentscanexpectthat:

• TheteachersandadministrationofAISCThavetheirsafetyandwell-beinginmindatalltimes.

• Theteacherswillbedevotedtohelpingthemlearnandgrow.

• Theteacherswillapproachtopicsfromavarietyofanglestoensurethatstudentswithdifferentlearningstyleswillhaveeveryopportunitytovisualizeandgraspnewcurricularmaterial.

• Theteacherswilllistentothemandtrytounderstandthem,althoughteachersmaynotalwayscondonea

student’sbehaviororagreewitheverythingastudentsaysorwants.

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WEVALUE

• Anatmosphereofopeninquirytemperedwithasenseoforderandconsiderationforothers.

• TheappreciationofdiversityandtheopportunitytolearnfromthemultitudeofculturalbackgroundsrepresentedatinternationalschoolslikeAISCT.

• Werecognizetheindividualnatureofeachstudentandvalueacommunityinwhichtheseindividualscan

learntogetherharmoniously.

• Theopportunitytostimulatetheloveoflearningwhich,webelieve,isinherentineverychild.

• Creativeandinventivethinkingandtheabilitytoapproachproblemsfromdifferentangles.

• TheopportunitytolearnaboutSouthAfrica,ourhostcountry,andtheimportanceofourSouthAfricanteachersandstaff,whoserveasourmostimportantlinktothiscountry.

• Thehumanrelationshipsthatconstituteourcommunityandfosterlearning:relationshipsbetweenteachers

andstudents,betweenstudents,betweenteachersandparents,andbetweenparentsandtheirchildren.

• Parents’ideas,involvement,andcontributionstothelifeoftheschool.

• Thedevelopmentofcharacterandintegrityineachofourstudents.

THEINTERNATIONALSCHOOLFOUNDATIONTheInternationalSchoolFoundation(ISF)hasbeenestablishedinLansing,Michigan,USA,asanot-for-profitFoundationandisregisteredbytheInternalRevenueServiceoftheUnitedStatesgovernmentasa501c3charitablefoundation.ThemissionofISFistodevelopinternationalschoolswithaU.S.orientationinlocationsthatwillprovideasustainableschooloperation.TheFoundationDirectors,LarryBalli,KristyRisjad,andMichaelDougherty,overseethehiringofteachersforalloftheschoolsunderitsumbrella,aswellasthetransfersofteacherswishingtoworkatoneoftheotherschoolswithinthenetwork.(StudentshavealsooccasionallytransferredtootherschoolswithintheFoundation.)Orderingoftextsandsupplies,airtravelforteachers,healthinsurance,professionalgrowth,auxiliaryservices,andotherprovisionsaremadeundertheaegisoftheFoundation,allowingthesmallschoolstoenjoy"bigschool"volumediscountsandbenefits.TheschoolsestablishedbyISFincludetheAmericanInternationalSchoolofCapeTown,HangzhouInternationalSchool,theInternationalSchoolofPerth(nowtheInternationalSchoolofWesternAustralia,overseenbytheChevronCorporation),NorthJakartaInternationalSchool,andthefourcampusesoftheShanghaiCommunityInternationalSchool.

III.DAY-TO-DAYPROCEDURESANDSYSTEMS

ACCREDITATIONAISCTisfullyaccreditedbytheDepartmentofEducationintheWesternCapeandbytheWesternAssociationofSchoolsandColleges(WASC)intheUnitedStates.AISCTwasawardedthemaximumsix-year(2014-2020,fullTerm)accreditationperiod.OurworkwithWASCisongoingandinvolvesannualaudits.

ACRONYMSAISA AssociationofInternationalSchoolsinAfricaAP AdvancedPlacementCLC CapitalLevyCertificateELL EnglishforLanguageLearnersEMT EmergencyMedicalTrainingES ElementarySchool

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ESLRs ExpectedSchoolWideLearningResultsHS HighSchoolISA InternationalSchools’AssociationISF InternationalSchoolsFoundationMADD Music,Art,DramaandDanceMS MiddleSchoolMUN ModelUnitedNationsPATA ParentsandTeachersAssociationPLC ProfessionalLearningCommunityPSAT PreliminaryScholasticAptitudeTestRSA RepublicofSouthAfricaSAT ScholasticAptitudeTestSLT SchoolLeadershipTeamSTUCO StudentCouncilUS UpperSchoolWASC WesternAssociationofSchoolsandCollegesWS WholeSchool

ADMINISTRATIONFollowingisabrieflistingofschoolpositions:TheAdministrativeOfficerprovidestypingandclericalsupporttotheSchoolAdministration.He/shereceivesvisitorstotheschoolandisinchargeofdirectinginformationandquestionstotheappropriatepersonoroffice.ConcernsorquestionsaboutschoolrecordsorpaymentsmaybechannelledthroughtheAdministrativeOfficer.He/sheisresponsiblefortheapplicationandenrolmentprocessofprospectivestudentsoftheschool.He/sheisalsoresponsibleforthecollectionanddataentryofimmigrationdocumentationofallenrolledstudentsandtheirparents,asrequiredbytheGovernmentofSouthAfrica.He/shewillassistinsettingupappointmentswithteachersorinhavingmessagesdeliveredtostudents.TheAccountsOfficerhandlesallfeedepositsanddisbursementsofstudentandPAFAaccounts.Shefieldsqueriesabouttuitionorotherparentpayments.ThebookkeeperprocesseschecksandtransferswrittenbyAISCT.TheBusinessManagertakescareofthebusinesssideoftheschool’soperationincluding,transportservices,visaandworkpermit,procurement,humanresources,facilitydevelopment,etc.TheFacilitiesManager/Caretakerisinchargeoftheschool’sphysicalplantandutilitiesanditsleasedfacultyhousing.Hesupervisesalltechniciansandcustodialstaff,assistswiththedesignofnewbuildingsorotherconstruction,andmonitorstheschool’senergyandwaterutilitiesandmechanicalequipment.TheHeadmasteristhechiefexecutiveofficeroftheschoolandtheinstructionalleaderofthestaff.Assuch,Headmasterhasoverallresponsibilityforallaspectsoftheschool’seducationalprogram,management,anddevelopment.TheHeadmasterisresponsiblefortheon-goingreviewandarticulationoftheAISCTcurriculumandforschedulingmeetingsandassigningtasksbydivisiontothisend.TheUpperSchoolPrincipalistaskedwiththesupervisionoftheupperschool,itsprograms,teachersandstudents.TheElementarySchoolPrincipalistaskedwithsupervisionoftheelementaryschool,itsprograms,teachersandstudents.TheReceptionist/AdministrativeAssistantassiststheHeadmaster,Vice-Principal,ElementarySchoolCoordinator,BusinessManagerandtheAdministrativeOfficerwithclericalandtypingsupport.He/sheisinchargeoftheswitchboardandreceivesvisitorstotheschool,preparesactivitiessign-ups,andmaintainsportionsoftheschoolrecords.

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ADMISSIONSPOLICYAISCTisopenforadmissiontoexpatriatestudentswhoseparentorparentshaveaforeignpassportandavalidworkandresidencepermitorasotherwiseapprovedbytheGovernmentoftheRepublicofSouthAfrica.Forastudenttobeeligible,theschooladministrationmustagreethatthestudenthasareasonableexpectationofacademicandpersonalsuccesswithintheAISCTprogram.Theadmissionsprocessisbasedonpreviousacademicrecords(exceptinPre-KindergartenandsomecasesinKindergartenandeveninGrade1),aninterview,andtheschool’splacementassessment.(CompletebeginnersinEnglishmaynotbeabletotakeplacementassessments;inthesecases,AISCTmustdependsolelyonpreviousschoolrecords,aninterviewwhenpossible,andtheinformationsuppliedbyparents.)AISCToftenadmitsstudentswhoarecompletebeginnersinEnglish.AISCTwillenrolchildreniftheyshowevidenceofbeingabletoadapttothelanguageandprogramevenifthiswillrequireaconsiderableperiodoftransition.BecausetheabilitytolearnEnglishisessentialforacademicandsocialsuccessatAISCT,theschoolreservestherighttorestricttheadmissionofnon-Englishspeakingchildreninagivenclassorgradeifitisfeltthatadditionalnon-Englishspeakingchildrenatthisgradelevelwouldbedifficulttoaccommodateeffectively.AISCThas,inpractice,deniedadmissiontothosestudentswhocanbedetermined,onthebasisoftheabovecriteriaandotherinformationwhichmaybeavailable,tohavelearningdifficultieswhicharebeyondthescopeoftheschool’seducationalprograms,orwhohavenotperformedadequatelyatthepreviousschool(s),regardlessofthereason.Theschoolexpectsallteacherstocatertotheirstudents'individualneeds,and,ofcourse,withtherangeoflanguageproficienciesataschoollikethis,eachteacheriscalledontodevelopindividualizedprogramsandexpectations.AISCTwillcontinuetoadmitstudentswhohaveadesireandmotivationtosucceedandwhoselearningdifferencestheschoolhasjudgedasabletobeaddressedwithinthenormalframeworkoftheschool’sclassroomprogram.Iftheexpectationsandperformanceofthesestudentsaresignificantlydifferentthanthoseoftheotherstudentsintheclass(es),theschoolProgressReportwillsoindicatethis"ModifiedProgram"toensureclearcommunicationwithparentsandothereducationalinstitutions.However,iftherequirementsorindividualneedsofastudentaresogreatastodemandaninordinateamountoftimeandattentionfromteachers,tothedetrimentoftheotherstudentsintheclass(es),thenadmissionwillnotbeofferedtothatchild.Inoldergradesparticularly,poorpastperformance,whetherduetolearningdifferencesorotherproblems,canresultindenialofadmissiontoAISCT.If,afterachildhasalreadybeenenrolled,theschoolbecomesawareoflearningdifferencesoutsideoftherangedescribedabove,theschoolreservestherighttowithdrawtheofferofenrolment.Thisadmissionrevocationisparticularlyapplicableiftheparentshavenotbeencompletelyhonestinthepresentationofinformationatthetimeofapplication.Sometimes,learningdifficultiesareobscuredbylanguagedifficultiesanddonotbecomeevidentforseveralmonths,orastudentwhoisachievingatfirstandsecondgradelevelwithintherangedescribedaboveisnotabletoachieveinthethirdgradefordevelopmentalorotherreasons.IncasesofstudentsalreadyenrolledatAISCTwhosubsequentlyevidencelearningdifferences,thecriterionforcontinuedenrolmentbecomesthis:"Arewedoingthischild,ortheotherchildreninher/hisclass,adisservicebycontinuingtoenrolherorhim?"Thefirsthalfofthisquestionisoftencomplicatedbythesubsequentconsideration,"Whatwilltheparentsdoifthechildisaskedtowithdraw?"However,theschoolmustmakeitsdeterminationonthebasisofwhattheparentshoulddointhechild’sbestinterest,whichinsomecasesmeansleavingSouthAfrica.Thusfarinsuchcases,theadministrationandteachersinvolvedhavebeenabletoworkwiththeparentstopursuealternativeprogramsatleastseveralmonthspriortowithdrawalfromAISCT,andthechildreninquestionhaveusuallybeenabletocompletetheschoolyearatAISCT.AISCTdoesnotemployaschoolpsychologistorpsychiatristandhasnoprogramspecificallyforchildrenwithsignificantlearningdifferences.Assuch,thestudentstheschooladmitsareexpectedtobeabletosucceedtosomedegreewithintheexistingprogram,withonlythesortofsupportroutinelyexpectedofaninternationalschoolteacher.“Succeed”meanslearnandshowacademicandsocialprogress.“Routinely”meansthesamelevelofextrasupportthatateachermightbeexpectedtoprovideabeginningEnglish-speakingstudent.

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AISCTwillcontinuetoreferchildrentoqualifiededucationalpsychologistswhentestingcanprovideinformationwhichwillhelpwithanadmissionsdecision,orincaseswhentestingwillhelptheschooltoworkmoreeffectivelywithstudentsalreadyenrolled.Studentswithemotionalorbehavioralproblemsbeyondtherangethattheschoolisqualifiedtoaddresshavebeenrequiredtoundergocounsellingasaconditionofcontinuedenrolment.AISCTreservestherighttorefuseadmissiontoanystudentforwhomanappropriateeducationalprogramandsupportservicesarenotcurrentlyavailable.

ADVANCEDPLACEMENTEXAMINATIONSEnrolmentinAPclassesisdeterminedbystudentperformanceinpreviouscourses(prerequisiteminimumgradesneeded)orbyteacherrecommendation.StudentsandparentsareexpectedtoattendtheAPIntroductionMeetingatthestartoftheyearandwillberequiredtosigntheAPAgreementform.Thereisa2weekprobationaryperiodatthestartoftheyeartoensureallstudentsenrolledinAPcoursesaresuitablymotivatedforthislevelofstudy.DuringSemesterI,studentperformanceinAPclasseswillbemonitoredtoensuretheyarecopingwiththecourse.StudentgradeswillbeevaluatedattheendofSemesterIandrecommendationswillbemaderegardingenrolmentforSemesterII.ItisexpectedthatallstudentsthatareenrolledinAPcoursesatthestartofSemesterIIwillsitthefinalAPCollegeBoardexaminationsinMay.AdecisionnottotakethefinalexaminMaycouldresultintheremovaloftheAPdesignationfromstudenttranscripts.ThosestudentstakingtheexternalAPexampaperinMayarenotrequiredtositaninternalfinalexamatAISCTinJune.Inthiscase,SemesterIIgradesarecalculatedonaterm3and4average.InJanuary,parentswillbebilledforeachAPExamthattheirchildintendstotake(therandequivalenttotheCollegeBoardcosttoschoolinUSD).OncewehavereceivedconfirmationandpaymentforAPexams,theschool’sAPCoordinatorwillplacetheexamorderwithCollegeBoard.AnystudentinSemesterIIAPclassesisrequiredtositthemockAPexamsinAprilregardlessoftheirintentiontotaketheAPfinalinMay.(PleasenotethatAPmockandfinalexamdayscountasregularschooldaysandfull-daystudentattendanceisexpected).

AFTER-SCHOOLACTIVITIESVISIONThevisionofAISCTistoexposeourstudentstoasmanyactivitiesaspossibleandgivethemanopportunitytoparticipateinasmuchastheycanandwouldlike.Wetrytohaveabalancebetweenoutdoorandindooractivitieswithvarietybeingafactor.Wedonotrequire,butwedoencourage,allofourstudentstosignupforatleastoneafter-schoolactivityduringeachterm.Werecognizethatonoccasiontherewillbeclashesbetweendifferentactivitiesbutwewilldoourbesttomanagethese.OurvisionintheElementarySchoolandMiddleSchoolistoexpose,buildandpreparethestudentsforhighschool,sothattheycanmakeaninformeddecisionastowhichactivitiestheywouldliketofocuson,withfunandenjoymentbeingthemainpurpose.OurvisionintheHighSchoolistogivethestudentsamorefocusedprogram,wheretheycanimproveandfocusonspecificskillsandknowledge.Oneofourgoalseveryyearistocompeteinmorematchesandtournamentsagainstotherschools.Thismeansthatweareobligedtooffercertainactivitiesandsportsincertainterms.Theseincludesoccerandhockeyinwinter(terms1and4)andbasketball,tennisandswimminginthesummer(terms2and3).

ALCOHOLPOLICYItisthepolicyoftheCounciltopermittheservingofbeerandwineatfunctionsheldonschoolgrounds,providedthattheHeadmasterhasgrantedspecificpermission,andthefollowingguidelinesareadheredto:1. Accesstoalcoholservingandstorageareasmustbesupervised.2. Alcoholuseshouldnotbeencouragedormarketed.3. Fundraisingthroughthesaleofalcoholshouldbelimited.4. Theactivity/eventmustnotbeprimarilyastudentevent(i.e.classplays,dances,graduation,etc.)TheHeadmaster’sdecisionshallbefinalandnotappealabletotheSchoolCouncil.

ASSEMBLYBEHAVIORAISCTprovidesavarietyofopportunitiesforstudentstoviewliveperformancesandtoparticipateinassembliesandactivities.Studentsareexpectedtoconductthemselvesinamatureandresponsiblefashionatalltimesintheassemblyarea.Properassemblyconduct/etiquetteincludes:

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• Turningoffallelectronicdevices(phones,musicplayers,computers,etc.)• Removinghatsandkeepingmovementinseatsandtalkingtoaminimumduringperformances• Keepingfeetoffseats• Refrainingfromcallingoutperformers’namesor“cat-calling”• Recognitionthatapersonstandingatthemicrophonesignalsthestartofaneventandthatquietisrequired

fromtheaudience• Respectingtheperformersandaudiencebynotmovingaboutduringaperformanceandentryordeparture

oftheassemblyshouldonlyoccurbetweenacts• Foodanddrinksarenotallowedintheassemblyarea.Flashphotographyshouldbelimited.

Adherencetotheseguidelineswillensurethatperformancesaremorepleasantforeveryone.

ATHLETICPHILOSOPHYTheathleticpolicyatAISCTispredicatedonthefollowing:participationofasmanystudentsaspossible;exposureofstudentstoasmanyathleticexperiencesaspossible;skilldevelopment;enjoyment;theculturalcontextandcompositionofthestudentbody;and,equityasfaraspossibleintermsofgender,ageandactivity.Theathleticprogramcomprisesthreeelements:PEclassesaspartoftheregularacademicprogram;theafter-schoolsportsprogram;and,thehealthprogram.ThelatterisdeliveredthroughtheHighSchoolHealthprogramandviatheLifeSkillsclasses.ThefocusofthePEprogramis:skilldevelopment(particularlyhand-eyecoordination);fitnessenhancement;thedevelopmentofapositiveattitudetophysicalactivity;knowledgeofthebodyandmovement;andthedevelopmentofteamworkandworkingtogether.Theafter-schoolprogramhasasimilarfocus,butplacesmoreemphasisonteamworkandcompetition,withtheschoolengagingincompetitionwithotherlocalschools.

ATTENDANCERegularattendanceisimportanttotheacademicsuccessofstudents.Studentsareexpectedtobeinattendanceandinclassontimeeachschoolday(8:00a.m.).Whiletheschoolisawarethatstudentsonceinawhileareunabletocometoschoolduetoemergencies,illness,visacomplications,orfamilybusiness,parentsareurgedtoavoidschedulingtripsthatnecessitateastudent’sabsencefromclass.Thereisnoactualsubstituteforclassroominstructions.Tobeconsideredforanexceptionduetoextraordinarycircumstances,parentsareaskedtonotifytheschoolaheadoftimeofthedatesconcerned.Parentsareaskedtobeforthrightintheirjustificationoftheirchild’sabsence.Anystudentwhoisabsentfromschoolisrequiredtobringanoteexplainingthereasonfortheabsenceandsubmitthisnotetothestudent’sclassroomteacheronthefirstdaythestudentisbackinschool.Incasesofprolongedillness(inexcessoftwodaysoutofschool),thestudentshouldbringadoctor’snotetoexcusetheabsence,statinganyrestrictions(medications,diet,andparticipationinsports).Astudentgainsthemostbenefitwhenhe/sheisinattendanceonadailybasisforanentireschoolyear.AISCT’sphilosophyisclear:Educationisthemostimportantpriorityforallitsstudents.Whenstudentsgoonhomeleave,orhaveextendedbreaksfromschool,theymissimportantinstructionandeducationalinteractionswithteachersandclassmates.Whileteacherscanprovideassignmentsandrecommendworkwithadvancednotification,teachersarenotexpectedorrequiredtocreateextensiveindividualprogramsforstudentswhomissschoolforlongperiodsoftime.Studentswhomissadayortwoduetoillnesscangethomeworkfromafriendinthesameclass,haveasiblingbringtheworkhome,orarrangeforapick-upinordertomakere-entryassmoothaspossible.Studentsmustattendaminimumof80%oftheclassperiodsineachsemesterinordertoearnacademiccredit.Forreturningstudents,thisisusuallycalculatedfromthefirstdayofthesemester.Forstudentstransferringintotheschoolthisiscalculatedfromthedateofthestudent’senrolment,assumingthattheyaretransferringintoAISCTwithanacceptableattendancerecordfromtheirpreviousschool.Thismeansthatifastudentmissesmorethan20%oftheclassperiodsinasemester(generally10classes),thestudentmaynotbepromotedtothefollowinggrade,andforstudentsingrades9-12,creditmaynotbegranted.Allstudentabsencesfromclass,irrespectiveofthenatureoftheabsence(illness,suspension,fieldtrip,sportstour,MUN,visawork),willberecordedasa“classabsence”andwillbeincludedinanycalculationoftotalabsencesforthesemesteroryearforthatparticularcourse.Eachclasswillbeconsideredseparately.Anystudentingrades9-12accumulatingatotalnumberofabsencesforasemesterinexcessofthe20%allowedbytheAISCTattendancepolicymaybedeniedcreditforthatcourse.Thestudentandparentsofanystudentexceedingthe20%absenceallocationwillhavetherightofappealandacommitteewillbeconvened,includingtheschooladministration,counselorandtheclassteacher(s)toconsidertheappeal.Thestudentand

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parentswillpresenttheappealinwritingtotheHeadmasterwhowillthenconvenetheattendancecommittee.Thestudentsandparentswillpresenttheappealinpersontothecommitteeandthecommitteewillmakeajudgementastowhethercreditcanbeawarded.Thejudgementofthecommitteewillbebasedonthefollowingfactors:thetotalnumberofabsences,thenatureoftheabsences,theacademicperformanceofthestudentintheclass,andtheeffortsmadebythestudenttomakeupmissedwork.Anabsencerecordthatincludes“unacceptableabsences”,suchassuspensions,truancy,unexplainedabsences,familyvacations,etc.willbelookedonunfavorablyintermsofawardingcredit.Anattendancerecordthatincludesschool-sponsoredtrips,seriousillness,absencesduetovisaissues,etc.willlikelybelookedatmorefavorably.Italsohastobeunderstoodthat,regardlessofthereasonsfortheexcessiveabsences,thecommitteewillnotbeabletoawardcreditshouldthetotalnumberofabsencesbewellinexcessofthe20%allowed.Itishopedthatthisattendancepolicywillencouragethestudenttomonitorhisorherschoolattendancemorecarefullyandtakemoreresponsibilityforattendanceandschoolabsences.ExtendedAbsenceduetounavoidablecircumstances–forexampleVisaRenewalsIfintheeventofunavoidablecircumstancessuchasvisarenewals,astudentisabsentforanextendedperiodoftime,specialarrangementscanbemade.AISCTwilldowhatitcantokeepabsentstudentscurrentwiththeirlearningbutisnotsetuptobeadistancelearninginstitution.Thesectionbelowoutlineswhatisreasonableandpossible(andwhatisnot)intheeventofextendedabsence:

WhatweCANdoifastudentisgoingtobeoutofschoolforanextendedperiodoftime:

-Provideinformationbeforedepartureofallunits/chaptersthatwillbemissed-Makeregularassignments/tasksavailableviaEdmodo(ashappensatpresent)-Provideupdatedinformationaboutclasscontent(uponemailrequestfromparent)-Gradeanyworkthatissubmittedviaemail(ifappropriate)-Emailstudyguidesoutforexampreparation(ifappropriate)-Exemptstudentsfrommissedassessmenttaskssooverallgradeisnotaffected

WhatweCANNOTdo:

-Providedailyupdatesoflessonplans/lessoncontentforeachclassmissed-Expectteacherstoemail/Edmodoeverysinglemissedassignmentsothatstudentmaintainsafullgradebook-Permitoff-campustestingforassessmenttasks/unittests/quizzesetc.

AWARDSCEREMONIES

AtAISCT,webelievethatthereisavalueinrecognizingandrewardingstudenteffortandachievementintheacademic,service,cultural,andathleticareasofourprogram.Studentrecognitionandrewardserveasamotivationalforcetoallstudents.AwardsceremoniesoccuroncepersemesterattheElementarySchoollevelandonceperyearattheUpperSchoollevel.AISCTalsorecognizesthesuccessfulcompletionofMiddleschoolbytheGrade8studentsandthesuccessfulcompletionofElementarySchoolbytheGrade5studentsintheirrespective‘movingup’ceremonies.

BACKTOSCHOOLNIGHT(SeesectiononOPENHOUSE)

BIRTHDAYS

Teacherswillrecognizestudentbirthdaysasappropriatefortheageinquestion.InvitationstoprivatebirthdaypartiesmaybedistributedatschoolONLYifallchildrenintheclassareinvited.AISCTdiscouragesspecialarrangementsmadebyparentsforpartiesatschoolduringtheschoolday.Parentswhowouldliketheirchild’sbirthdaycelebratedmustmakearrangementswiththeteacherinadvance.Thecelebrationmustbelimitedtoapieceofcakeoronecupcakeor

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cookie,andadrinkforeachchild--nogifts--andlastnolongerthan15minutes.StudentsattheElementarySchoollevelarepermittedtowearcivviesclothingwhentheirbirthdayfallsonaschoolday.Iftheirbirthdayfallsonaweekendorholiday,thechild/parentcanarrangewiththeteachertowearcivviesonanalternateschooldayclosesttothebirthday.

CAMPUSSECURITYAllschoolbuildingsareclosedtostudentsafter4:30pmonschooldays,unlessunderthedirectsupervisionofanadultorteacherandallstudentsshouldvacatetheschoolcampusby5:00pmunlesssupervisedbyamemberoffaculty.Allvisitorstothecampusareexpectedtosigninandsignoutattheentrancegateonweekendsandafter5:00pmonaschooldayandmustwearavisitor’sbadge.

CELLPHONESandotherELECTRONICDEVICESStudentsarepermittedtopossesscellphonesandotherelectronicdevicesatschool.Allcellphonesmustremainoffandoutofsightwhileschoolisinsessionfrom8:00am–2:50pm.IfanUpperSchoolstudentiscaughtmakinguseofhis/hercellphoneorothercommunicationdeviceduringschoolhours–orthedevicecausesadistractiontothelearningenvironment,a3strikeruleisinvoked:Firstoffence:cellphoneisconfiscatedbyteacherandhandedtoschoolofficewheretheoffenceislogged.Cellphonecanbecollectedbythestudentattheendoftheday.Secondoffence:cellphoneisconfiscatedbyteacherandhandedtoschoolofficewheretheoffenceislogged.Cellphonecanbecollectedbyparent(notstudent)attheendoftheday.Thirdoffence:cellphoneisconfiscatedbyteacherandhandedtoschoolofficewheretheoffenceislogged.Studentandparentsarenotifiedthatthisisthethirdoffenceandthatthestudentmaynolongerbringhis/hercellphonetoschool.Thisbanlastsfortheremainderofthecurrentterm.OtherelectronicdevicessuchaslaptopsandiPadsarepermittedinschoolforeducationalpurposes.ForElementaryandMiddleSchoolstudents,theuseofsuchdevicesisrestrictedtosupervisedactivitiesintheclassroomenvironment.HighSchoolstudentsmaymakeuseoftheirelectronicdevices(butnotcellphones)duringrecessprovidedthattheuseisappropriatetotheschoolenvironment.Forsecurityreasons,AISCTprovidesstudentlockersforsafestorageofallvaluableelectronicitems.Studentsarestronglyencouragedtomakeuseofthisfacility.AISCTcannotbeheldresponsibleforthelossordamageofpersonaldevicesthatarebroughtintoschool.

CHEWINGGUMChewinggumisnotallowedontheAISCTcampus.

CHILDABUSEANDNEGLECT

Intheeventofsuspectedchildabuseandneglect,AISCTteachersandcounselorsaremandatedreportersasperSouthAfricanlaw.Assuch,theywillfollowproceduressetbythesocialservicesdepartment.

CHILDPROTECTIONPOLICYAISCThasaChildProtectionbookletwhichdefinesandcommunicatesourpoliciesandprocedureswithregardstochildprotection.ThisbookletisavailableontheResourcessectionofSchoolCommunicator.Atthebeginningofeachyear,oraspartofjoiningAISCT,allstaff,parents,coachesandothersworkingattheschoolareexpectedtoreadthisbookletandsignaletterofconfirmationaspartofourawarenessprogram.

COACHINGPOLICYAsfaraspossible,sportscoachesandothercoachesareidentifiedandselectedfromwithintheteachingfaculty.Thispolicyservestoensurethattheschool’smission,philosophyandESLRsareadheredto.Theabovepolicyisfollowedevenifthismeansthatthequalityofcoachinginaparticularsportislessthanitmightotherwisebewiththe

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recruitmentofanoutsidecoach.SportingsuccessatAISCTisconsideredlessimportantthansomeotherfactors,suchasstudentparticipation,studentenjoyment,sportingexposure,thedevelopmentofacceptablevaluesandskills,andcollaborationandteamwork.

COMMUNICATION:EMERGENCYIntheeventofanemergencyduringtheschoolday,itmaybenecessaryforallAISCTfamiliestobecontactedbySMS,email,orSchoolCommunicator.Onoccasions,theuseoftheemergency-telephonetreemaybenecessary.Intheeventofanemergencyduringnon-schoolhours,AISCTfamilieswillbecontactedbySMSoremail.

COMMUNICATION:PARENT-TEACHERAnyconcernsaboutastudent’sprogressatschoolshouldfirstbecommunicatedtotheteacherinvolved.If,aftersuchcommunication,theparentfeelsthatfurtherattentionisadvisable,theparentshouldcontacttheschoolsectionPrincipalandortheHeadmastertodiscussthematterfurther.Problemswillbeminimizedandtheschoolclimateenhancedifparentsrespectlinesofcommunication(followingproperchannels),readtheAISCTNewsletter,checkthesourcesofinformationandrumorsbeforedrawingconclusions,andaccentuatethepositive.Weaskparentstoworkcooperativelywiththeschoolstafftoensureasuccessfulschoolexperience.

COMMUNICATIONPROTOCOLInordertobestsupportyourchildintheAISCTeducationalenvironment,weencourageopenlinesofcommunicationbetweenadministration,faculty,andfamilies.Tothisend,thisFrequentlyAskedQuestions(FAQs)documentshouldhelpdirectyoutotheappropriateAISCTpersonnel.Inourexperience,wehavefoundthatcalm,solution-orienteddialoguewithmutualrespectanddiplomacyhasproventobethemosteffectiveapproachtoproblem-solvingandaddressingparentconcerns.We,therefore,suggestthatyouarrangetomeetwithAISCTteachers/administratorsinpersontodiscussmattersconcerningyourchild.Attendance: Mychildisunabletocometoschoolforsomereason.WhomdoItell?Emailyourchild’shomeroomteacherandcopyourschooladministrativeassistants:MicheleBarkwaymbarkway@aisct.org(HighSchool)orTeresaSmithtsmith@aisct.org(ElementaryandMiddleSchool).SchoolTimeAppointments:*Ineedtopickupmychildearlyforsomereason.WhatshouldIdo?Notifyyourchild’shomeroomteacherinadvanceifpossibleandbesuretosignoutyourchildatthefrontoffice.*Mychildwillarrivelatetoschoolforsomereason.WhatshouldIdo?Notifyyourchild’shomeroomteacherinadvanceifpossibleandbesuretohaveyourchildsigninattheappropriateofficeandcollectaLATEPASS.ElementarySchoolstudentsshouldpresentthemselvestothesecretaryinthefrontoffice;MiddleandHighSchoolstudentsshouldpresentthemselvestothesecretaryintheHighSchooloffice.Dropping-OffMaterials:Mychildforgothislunch/PEkit/scienceproject.WheredoItakeit?Pleasedropofanysuchitemsatthefrontoffice.Schoolsecretarieswillensuretheitemsgettotheintendedrecipient.After-SchoolActivities:*Mychildwillbeunabletoattendherafterschoolactivitytoday.WhomdoItell?Pleaseemailtheteacherwhosupervisestheafternoonactivityorleaveamessagewiththeschoolsecretary.*Itisraining,andIthinkmychild’safternoonactivity/sportsmaybecancelled.Whathappensnow?Ifafter-schoolactivitiesarecancelledforsomereason,wewilldoourbesttosendyouamessageviaanalertontheSchoolCommunicatorandviasms.Ifyouareunabletocollectyourchildattheendofschool,yourchildwillbesupervisedforthedurationoftheactivitytime.UrgentMessages:Ineedtogetanurgentmessagetomychildduringtheschoolday.WhatdoIdo?Pleasecontactthefrontoffice.Oursecretarieswillensureyourchildreceivesthemessage.Pleasenotethatstudentsarealwayswelcometouseschooltelephonestomakeurgentphonecallstoparents/guardians.StudentsshouldNOTbeusingpersonalcellphonesduringtheschoolday.AcademicConcerns:*Mychildisstrugglinginaparticularsubjectarea.WhatdoIdo?

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Makeanappointmentwithyourchild’steacherforthatsubjecttoarrangeameetinginpersontodiscussyourconcerns.*Mychildwasunabletocompletehis/herhomeworkforsomereason.WhatshouldIdo?Notifyyourchild’steacherforthesubjectandexplainthesituation.Arrangetomeetinpersonifnecessary.*EmotionalConcerns:Theschoolneedstobeawarethatmychildisgoingthroughadifficultemotionaltimeatpresent.WhomdoItell?Youcanliaisedirectlywithyourchild’steacher,anadministrator,oraschoolcounselor.School-relatedIncident:Somethinghappenedatschooltodaywhichconcernedme.TowhomdoIspeak?Ifthisisspecificallyrelatedtoaparticularteacher/subject,arrangeameetinginpersontodiscussyourconcernsassoonaspossible.Ifthisisspecificallyrelatedtosocialinteractionsbetweenyourchildandotherstudents,arrangeameetingwiththeclass(homeroom)teachertodiscussyourconcernsassoonaspossible.Ifthisisanongoingproblemthathasnotbeenresolvedinpersonwiththeteacherinquestion,makeanappointmentwiththeschoolsectionadministratororHeadmaster.FinancialMatters:Ihaveaquestionaboutfees.WhomdoIcontact?Anymatterrelatedtofeesandfinanceshouldbedirectedeithertotheaccountsdepartmentorthebusinessmanager’soffice.GeneralContact:Iwanttocontactmychild’steachersindividually.WherecanIfindtheiremailaddresses?AISCTemployeeshaveemailaddressesthatallfollowthesameformat:firstinitialfollowedbysurnamefollowedby@aisct.org(example:djubert@aisct.org,avandermerwe@aisct.org).AcompletelistofteacherandkeypersonnelemailaddressesiscompiledannuallyanddistributedthroughtheFridayNewsduringthefirsttermoftheacademicyear.PleaseaskMrs.Smithifyouneedone.

COUNSELINGTheAISCTCounselingprogramfocusesonstudents’academic,personal/social,andcareerdevelopment.Individualcounselingservicesareprovidedtostudentswhoselearningisbeingaffectedbydifficultiesinanyoftheseareas.Referralscanbemadebyteachers,administrators,orstudentsthemselves.StudentsareabletomakeuseofthecounselingservicesatAISCTwithoutpriorparentalagreement.Longtermindividualcounselingisbeyondtheroleoftheschoolcounselor.Intheinstanceswheretherapeuticinterventionisrequired,thecounselorwillcontactparentsandreferaccordingly.Asfarasconfidentialityisconcerned,sessionsarekeptstrictlyconfidentialexceptwhenstudentsdiscloseinformationthatcompromisestheirsafetyorthatofothers.

COMPOSITECLASSESWhennumbersoracademiccompositionofagroupofstudentswarrantsit,acompositeclassmaybeformed.Insuchcases,studentswillbeclearlycategorizedasfollowingoneortheothergradelevelprogramrepresentedinthecompositeclass.Forexample,inacompositeKindergarten/Grade1class,somestudentswillbeinKindergartenandwillfollowaKindergartencurriculum,andsomewillbeinGrade1andfollowaGrade1curriculum.Attheendoftheyear,thosefinishingtheKindergartenprogramwillbepromotedtoGrade1,andthosecompletingtheGrade1programwillbepromotedtoGrade2.

DECISION-MAKINGDecision-makingatAISCTisintendedtobeinclusive,collaborativeandconsultative.TheschooladministrationandTheSchoolLeadershipTeamarethetwobodieslargelyresponsiblefordecision-makingintheschool.TheSchoolBoardhasultimateauthorityregardingdecisionsmadeattheschool.

DIFFERENTIATIONDifferentiationistheprocessbywhichdifferencesbetweenpupilsareaccommodatedsothatallstudentshavethebestpossiblechanceoflearning.Therearethreecategoriesofdifferentiation:•differentiationbytask,whichinvolvessettingdifferenttasksforpupilsofdifferentabilities•differentiationbysupport,whichmeansgivingmorehelptocertainpupilswithinthegroup

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•differentiationbyoutcome,whichinvolvessettingopen-endedtasksandallowingpupilresponsesatdifferentlevels.TeachersatAISCTtrytouseallthreetypesofdifferentiationtoaccommodatethedifferentlearningstylesandabilitiesintheclassroom,includingthoselessablestudents,themoreable,andalsothoseinthemiddlewhoareoftenneglectedbecausetheyfallintoneithercategory.

DIPLOMASAhighschooldiplomaisawardedatgraduationafterastudenthascompletedallgraduationrequirements.StudentswhomeettheirgraduationrequirementsinDecemberoftheirgraduationyear,areawardedtheirdiplomainDecemberattheendofsemesterassemblyandareinvitedtoparticipateinthegraduationceremonyinJuneofthefollowingyear.ReplacementdiplomasareavailableforafeeofRand100percertificate.

DISCIPLINEAtAISCTwebelieveinrestorativejusticeasamodelformanagingstudentbehavior.SeelaterparagraphonRestorativeJustice.

a. BeliefaboutDiscipline DisciplineatAISCTisdesignedtomaketheclassroomsconducivetolearningandthecampusasafe,

friendly,pleasantplacetostudyandinteractwithothers.Awell-disciplinedenvironmentwithclearexpectationsisessentialinorderthatwemayaccomplishourmostimportantroleininstruction.Atthecoreofourbeliefaboutstudentdisciplinearethethreepillarsofcharacter:Respect,Responsibility,andIntegrity.Bymodellingthesethreepillarsofcharacter,mostissuesthatwefacecanbehandledwithminimaldisruptionstotheeducationalprogram.AISCToffersthefollowingguidelinesandexpectationstoassistteachersinhandlingstudentdiscipline.

MostaspectsofourDisciplinepolicycanbeencompassedinthefollowingstatement: AtAISCT,werespect:

• Learning• AllPeople• Property• PersonalSpace

Respectforallpeoplerunsthroughallaspectsoftheschoolenvironment.Teacherscanexpectthatmembersoftheadministrationwilltreatstaff,parents,andstudentswiththehighestdegreeofrespect.Thefacultywillexpectthatallstudentsnotonlytreatalloftheadultsintheschoolwithrespectbutalsoeachother.Inregardtoteacherinteractionswithstudents,whendiscipliningstudents,thereisnoroomforyelling,degradingordemoralizingastudent.Reprimandsofamoreseriousnatureshouldbehandledinprivateratherthaninfrontofotherstudents.Sarcasmisariskyinteractionwithstudentsandhasnoplaceintheclassroom.Oneneverknowshowthestatementmaybereceivedbythestudent,andalthoughsometimesmeanttobedonewithhumor,sarcasmcanhavedamagingeffectsonastudent’sself-esteem.Withregardtostudentinteractionswitheachother,put-downsorteasingwillnotbetoleratedbetweenstudents,andthosestudentswhoaresoinclinedwillfaceconsequences.Ourexpectationinthisareawillbetomaintainonlypositiveinteractionsatalllevels.

Respectforpropertyaddressestheneedforallequipment,books,supplies,andmaterialsaswellasthefacilityitselftobeproperlycaredfor.Careofourteachingandschoolenvironmentwillhelpusmaintainoursuppliesandmaterialsandthequalityofthefacility.Thereisnoplaceforprofanityofanykindintheschool,andrespectforlanguagemustbemaintained.Respectforeachother’spersonalspaceincludesstudents’desks,backpacks,oranyspacethatisofapersonalnature.Italsomeansthatstudentsmustrespecttheteacher’spersonalspaceaswell.

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Wealwayskeepourhandsandfeettoourselves.Thisisofutmostimportanceinmaintainingthesafetyofeachchild.Instudentinteractionswitheachother,behaviorssuchashitting,kicking,pinching,biting,andsoforth,willresultinseriousconsequencesandwillnotbetolerated.Insummary,highexpectationsforrespectandgoodcitizenshipbyourstudentswillresultinlesstimebeingspentonreactingtoadversebehavior.Inotherwords,wegetwhatweexpect.

b. YellowSlipsThe'YellowSlip'isabehaviourmanagementtoolusedbyUpperSchoolteachers(Grades6-12).Theissuingofayellowslipisoneoftheconsequencesappliedtostudentswhohavemadeapoordecisioninschoolthathasleadthemtoactoutsideofaschoolpolicyorcausedadisruptiontothelearningenvironment.Yellowslipsmaybeissuedforactionssuchasauniforminfraction,chewingguminschool,publicdisplaysofaffection,useofprofanityinthehallways,repeateddisruptionofthelearningenvironmentoranyotherminorinfractionthathasinsomewayinterferedwiththepurposeoftheschool.YellowslipsareissuedbyanyfacultymemberandaresubmittedtotheUpperSchoolPrincipal’sofficewheretheyarerecordedonfile.Anystudentwhoisissuedwith3yellowslipswithinoneschooltermwillautomaticallybeissuedwithadetention.Parentswillbeinformedandtheincidentnotedonthestudent'sfile.

c. DisciplineProcess

Alladultswhoareworkingintheschoolarepartofthedisciplineprocess.Thisistosaythatteachersareresponsibleforallstudents,andnotnecessarilyjustthestudentsintheirclass.Asanexample,ifaparticularstaffmemberhappenstobetheadultwhoseesinappropriatebehaviorbyastudent,itwillbethatstaffmember’sresponsibilitytoaddressthebehavior.Ifitisofaseriousnature,byallmeansthehomeroomteachershouldbeinvolved,butmostofthebehaviorsthatstaffwillexperiencewiththestudentscanbehandledwithfriendlyremindersandclarificationoftheschool’sexpectations.TeachersareexpectedtotryavarietyofinterventionsandconsequencesbeforetheyinvolvetheAdministrationintheirdisciplineprocess.Warnings,withholdingofprivileges(suchasrecess),issuingayellowslips,detention,andparentcontactsareallexamplesofinterventionsthatateachermighttrybeforeinvolvingthePrincipalandHeadmaster.Iftheseattemptshavebeentriedandthestudentisstillhavingdifficultiesmakinggoodbehavioralchoices,theninvolvementoftheAdministrationfordisciplinewillbeencouraged.Whentheteacherconductsadisciplineconferencewithastudent,thisisthegeneralprocessthatwillbeused.Teachersarealsoencouragedtodocumentanyinterventionswithstudents.Step1:IdentifytheProblem Whyareyouhere? Whatchoicesdidyoumakethatgotyouintrouble? Doyouunderstandwhythisbehaviorisinappropriate?Step2:ClarificationofExpectationsandProblemSolving AtAISCT,weexpectstudentsto... Thereasonweexpectthisis... Howdoyouthinkyoumighthandlethissamesituationinthefuture?Step3:AssigningofConsequences Classroomteacherscanassignthefollowingconsequence:

• Verbalwarning• Withholdingofprivileges(recess)• Issueayellowslip(3yellowslips=detention)• ContactParents• Noteinfile

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• Detention• ReferstudenttoPrincipal

AllinterventionsfordisciplinebythesectionPrincipalsandHeadmasterwillfollowasimilarprocessasabove,andallinteractionswilldocumentedintheAdministrativeOfficer’sfilesforpossiblefuturereference.Specificconsequenceswillbeassignedbyadministrationbasedontheseriousnessoftheoffence,thefrequencyofthestudent’sinappropriatedecisionsfortheirownbehaviour,andthestudent’sattitudeduringthedisciplineprocess.Thefollowingoffenceshaveseriousconsequenceswhichcouldincludeout-of-schoolsuspension(1-3days)and/orexpulsionfromAISCT:

• Caused,attemptedtocause,orthreatenedtocausephysicalinjurytoanotherperson.• Possessed,soldorfurnishedfirearm,knife,explosive,orot