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Parents Guide

2016-2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents……………………………………………………………..……………………………….….

Welcome Letter……………………………………………….. ……………………………………………...…

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Al- Ibdaa Mission and Vision Statements and

Policy…………………………………………………………………………

Administration and staff Organization 2016-2017……………………………………………………………...

Procedures and Information A-Z…………………………………………………………………………………

English Department………………………………………………………………………………………………

Math Department………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Science Department………………………………………………………………………………………….......

Social Studies…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WELCOME LETTER

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“Success is not a place at which one arrives, but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey.”

Dear Parents:

It's hard to believe but it's that time of the year again - the beginning of a new school year. Welcome back! And while you aren't part of the teaching

staff you are just as important to your children's education as we are.

Your children receive the best education when you and our dedicated teachers work as a team. It's a parents enthusiasm, support and involvement that

inspires children to do their best; and a teacher's ability to teach what they need to learn. Together we can achieve wonderful things.

There's a lot of excitement ahead of us, including new teachers to meet, new books to read, new friends to meet and new skills to master...and I look

forward to you sharing in those exciting times. As a parent myself, I know how fast time goes by. One year your child's in 1st grade and seemingly in

the blink of an eye they're in middle school, or in their senior year of high school for that matter.

In closing, I encourage you to fully embrace the moment and urge you to take the time from your busy schedule to become familiar with our school, as

well as create a homework-friendly home environment that will allow your children to excel.

Thank you for your commitment to your child's education and I look forward to seeing you in the very near future.

Best Regards,

International Section Department

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INTRODUCTION

Your children‟s school years are extremely important and none can be more important than the elementary years. It is where your children get their

start on the journey of formal learning.

Al- Ibdaa welcomes students from every country in our international Department. This provides an excitingly diverse learning environment for

children to learn and grow in. To meet the needs of such a diverse learning community, Al- Ibdaa has been one of the best bilingual schools in Jeddah

to offer the focus on both Arabic and English languages beside the focus on teaching Quran in the same strength. Al- Ibdaa has a good history of

implementation of this world-renown international curriculum and we place special emphasis on continued professional development to improve its

implementation.

You will find throughout our School, committed and dedicated teachers who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in international education. It

enriches our lives as we hope that being a part of the Al- Ibdaa community will enrich the lives of your daughters.

I hope this handbook will give you an initial overview of the programs and policies at our School. The office staff, the teachers and I welcome your

questions at any time. Please do not hesitate to let us help you if you need further explanation.

Academic Coordinator,

Mrs. Reem Saleh

Vision

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Al Ibda‟a Schools becomes a top model school for academic excellence where students acquire skills that unlock creativity and innovation necessary to nurture and

meet the needs of a strong leading Islamic nation.

Mission

Al Ibda‟a Private Girls‟ Schools are committed to pursue the highest standards in academic achievement and organizational performance. We are dedicated to

provide outstanding educational service, passionate experienced teachers, a thoroughly engaging curriculum, a positive safe learning environment, and up- to- date

equipment that enhance research skills and promote creativity and innovation. Following the guidelines of the Ministry of Education, we share the responsibility of

rigorously preparing our students to be exemplary Muslims and lifelong learners with strong academic skills, breadth of knowledge, depth of understanding, and

strong passion to play a leading role in the global community.

Policy

We strive to remain at the forefront as model schools that provide outstanding quality education to all school‟s levels and offer the latest in computing technology (

educational programs, Hardware, software and Internet) thus preparing our students to lead organizations and communities across boundaries and compete in the real

world. To achieve our goals, we diligently implement the following policy:

1- Develop continuously our plans and the educational programs so that our schools are supported by world-class organizational practices.

2-Raise the standards for students‟ achievement so that our students‟ performances meet the international educational standards in literacy, Arabic, math,

English, science, and computing technology.

3-Provide our students, educators, and staff member with a safe, cherishing learning environment.

4- Develop the character, knowledge, and skills of the students to become good citizens and world-class leaders that strive to place our nation among the

world leading nations.

Develop the knowledge and skills of the educators, administrators, and staff members. 5-

6-Foster a strong sense of community and responsibility in our students and staff and cultivates a desire to become a life-long learner. .

7-Provide ongoing professional development and develop effective personal and interpersonal communication skills that are important to interact

successfully with our communities and global educational institutions.

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8- Respond immediately to any creative ideas, suggestions, demands, or complaints.

We implemented ISO 9001:2008 to ensure that our schools meet the requirements for a global quality management system. By complying with the statutory and

regulatory requirements, we regularly improve the system; provide product that meet the customer needs; and work on enhancing our customers‟ satisfaction.

General manger School Principal – quality representative

Raja Kalajo Nada Alsadat

ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF ORGANIZATION 2016-2017:

Administrative Structure

:Administration

School Principle: Mrs. Nada Al-Sadat Student Counselor: Mrs. Eman Hamada Administrative Supervisor: Mrs. Siham Al-Kurdi Hall Monitor: Mrs. Ward Al-Amawi, Somia Al-Jefri

m 9:45 to 10:15For teacher’s contact kindly take an appointment with the student counselor Eman Hamada ext. 299 or during the break time fro

To contact the administration ext. 230 ext. hall monitor 228 - 227ext. registration 231 ext. student counselor 229, for inquiry: school phones 66995775- 6221899-

6225995- 0505584150

Registration: Mrs. Najlaa Al-Gamdi/ Sahar Al-Talhi Academic Supervisor and the English Language Coordinator: Mrs. Reem Saleh Math Coordinator: Mrs. Basant Al-Najar Science Coordinator: Mrs. Rasha Ahmed

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www.ibdaaschools.comSchool Website:

bdaa.edu.sawwwwwwwWWW.iVisit the school website to check the weekly plan:

Teaching Staff:

Class Teache

r

Arabic English Math Science Social Studie

s

Twheed Quran Solook Fekih Tajweed Tafseer

Art Arabic Social

Computer

G1 Athaar Al-

Gethmi

Hanadi Al-

Mokhtar

ManalBarzak

Wala’aKamel

Ala’a Musallamy

Athaar Al-

Gethmi

Shrooq Al-Saygh

Shimaa Al-Ymani

Wala’a Al-Malki

Shrooq Al-Saygh

- - MaysamFida

- Sobia Mughees

G2 Shimaa Wafaa Zyarh

ManalBarzak

Wala’aKamel

Ala’a Musallamy

Shimaa Nahla Al-Sari

Wala’a Al-Malki

Wala’a Al-Malki

Nahlah Al-Sari

- - MaysamFida

- Sobia Mughees

G3 AlaaMusallami

Laila Al-

Samrah

DouniaMestasi

Wala’aKamel

Ala’a Musallamy

Doa’aMimeni

Rafah Tbaa

Shrooq Al-Saygh

Wala’a Al-Malki

Rafah Tbaa

-

- MaysamFida

- Sobia Mughees

G4 Doa’a Mimani

Rania Al-Sagheer

DouniaMestasi

Yasmen Dashan

Nesreen Mohammed

Doa’aMimeni

Eiman Al-

Dowaik

Eman Al-

Dowaik

- Eiman Al-

Dowaik

- - Rawan Hariri

Amal Al-Shaikh

Sobia Mughees

G5 Rahema

Hanter

Rania Al-Sagheer

RahemaHantor

Yasmen Dashan

Nesreen Mohammed

Doa’aMimeni

Nouf Al-Gamdi

Eman Al-

Dowaik

- Nouf Al-Gamdi

Nouf Al-Gamdi

- Rawan Hariri

Amal Al-Shaikh

Sobia Mughees

G6 Nesreen

Mohamed

DohaaShabaani

RahemaHantor

Yasmen Dashan

Nesreen Mohammed

Doa’aMimeni

Shrooq Al-Qhtani

Eman Al-

Dowaik

- Shrooq Al-Qhtani

Shrooq Al-Qhtani

- Rawan Hariri

Amal Al-Shaikh

Sobia Mughees

G7 Sobia

Mughee

s

Nora

Al-Gamdi

Hala,

Maha Basant

Al-Najar

Rasha

Ahmed

Doa’aM

imeni

Ala’aBlh

mar

Ala’aBlh

mar

- Ala’aBlh

mar

- Ala’aBl

hmar

Reem Amal Al-

Harbi

Sobia

Mughees

GENERAL PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION: A-Z

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1. Absence/Tardiness

It‟s important that students attend school each day. They are also expected to be on time for school and for each class throughout the day.

When a child arrives late, needs to leave school early, or wishes to go home, s/he must give the supervisor a note from the parent or guardian.

When you are leaving early with your child, please get a pass in the Administration office. This helps us to know where students are at all

times.

If your child will be away from school, please phone the school by 7:30 A.M. each day to inform us.

If your child travels on the school bus and is absent for any length of time, please notify the school.

2. After-School Hours

We ask you please to be punctual in picking up your child from school not longer than 3:00 p.m. We appreciate your support in this matter.

3. Appointments/Communication:

If you need to make an appointment with any of your child‟s teachers, the most effective way to do this is by calling the administration or

student counselor to arrange a meeting for you. You need to state the reason for the visit.

If you would like to visit the school, again, please let us know.

You can communicate with all your child‟s teachers via the daily agenda, or Ms. Eman, the student counselor.

There are times when you feel that you need to discuss an issue or make a comment with the school principal. We want to be available to

parents and while a drop-in meeting is not always possible, you may at any time make an appointment through the secretary.

There will be 3 parents- teachers meetings all over the year. The purpose of such conferences is to discuss student progress and to plan

appropriate methods for maintaining or improving the present standard of achievement. Parents may also contact teachers at any time to discuss

their child‟s education.

4. Arrival Times/School Day

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The school day officially begins at 7:10 A.M. and runs until 2:35 P.M.

We ask that parents do not arrive before 6:40 A.M. and do not be late more than 3:00 P.M as there is no supervision for students.

5. Morning Assembly

Students in all grades must attend assembly every day from 7:00 A.M. to 7:10 A.M. Please be punctual in bringing in your child to school!

6. Behavioral Expectations

The students‟ behavioral expectations are written in the form of student agreements that are developed in the classroom and are based on respect for the

individual and for the learning environment. We recognize that self-discipline and the development of responsibility and judgment is a continuous

learning process. Teachers structure a consistent and safe environment for children where we all model appropriate and respectful interactions.

7. Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA)

Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) are offered all over the year in all subjects and fields. There is a special activity period every Wednesday in which

students perform different activities under the supervision of their teachers.

There is an Activity Committee under the leadership of Ms. Ghada Almadani to observe all school activities.

Activities are organized directly within school time and are held on the school campus whenever possible.

Information regarding specific activities will be sent out regularly.

We encourage parents to provide suggestions to ECA‟s committee.

8. Field Trips

During the school year, field trips will be taken to supplement and extend learning in the classroom. Teachers will notify parents of upcoming

trips.

Permission forms for field trips MUST be signed and returned on time.

Field trips will be both educational and for fun.

9. Grading System

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Students from G.1- G.8 will have continuous assessment with term exams. They will have the following major exams within this academic

year:

a) Mid Term 1 Exams: 15 marks

b) Mid-Year Exams: 30 marks

c) Mid Term 2 Exams: 15 marks

d) Final Exams: 30 marks

There will be 60% of students effort put into his final grading marks including (5) marks on homework, and (5) marks on class work. This gives

a total of 100 per semester. An average of the two semesters will be taken at the end of the year.

Writing and Computer are continuous assessment programs from G.1- G.3.

Speaking and Listening are continuous assessment from G.1- G.8.

10. Health/Nurse

Our school has a full-time nurse on duty (7:00 A.M. to 2:35 P.M.) and a doctor (9:00 A.M- 12.30 P.M)

New students to Ibdaa are required to complete and return the school medical forms that will be sent all the times from the nurse.

A physical examination is strongly recommended at least every other year.

It is extremely important that the school must be informed about any updates in a physical condition or any special health or any medical

attention the child requires. For example, we have students that have specific allergies toward certain food or medication. All Ibdaa faculty and

staff need to be aware of these students and their medical needs. Please make sure that you contact the school nurse if your child requires

specific medical attention.

11. Homework

The school believes that completion of homework assignments, encouraged and monitored by parents, is part of the learning experience. Assignments

are set in order to extend learning, reinforce skills, and establish independent habits of study. The amount of homework increases with age and grade

level. The following guidelines outline the fundamentals of the homework policy:

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GUIDELINES

Homework will be prepared in a way that is:

o Relevant to the school program

o Appropriate to the student‟s abilities

o A consideration will be taken during exams time.

Students and parents should be aware of the expected time of the activity, and this will be consistent within year levels.

Year level information will include homework expectations at the start of each year.

Reading should be encouraged on a nightly basis, not necessarily confined to school based resources.

Where method is important, an example should be provided for students.

Work set will be introduced and explained by the teacher and followed up with students at the completion of the task.

Feedback on student‟s achievements, difficulties, participation etc. will be regularly provided by the teacher, student and parent.

Under special circumstances, more time may be required to complete requirements.

It is the teacher‟s responsibility to evaluate the homework and to notify parents if a student is not doing what is required.

Each student will receive a daily agenda and weekly plan to make it easier for parents to follow up with their kids. It is the responsibility of

parents to check and sign the daily agenda every day to monitor student‟s performance.

Parents are not to do the homework or given tasks instead of their daughters.

Please consult the subject teacher via the daily agenda; subject coordinator, or Ms. Eman ,via the school phone, if you have any questions or

concerns regarding homework issues.

12. Immunization

Please check your health records and make sure your child has received all necessary immunizations. During the school year, the nurse will be

reviewing the immunizations and may contact you to update if needed. We will inform you in case we have any immunizing visit from Ministry of

Health.

Illnesses/Diseases

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As in any school, we often have students with infectious diseases, and we will alert you when a student has been diagnosed with such disease.

We will use the local health guidelines when these cases arise.

In case of any absence due to illness, parents must inform the school‟s administration and provide a medical report.

13. Medication

Medication can be brought to school if it is essential to the health of the student. The medicine or accompanying written statement must be clearly

marked with the student‟s name, correct dosage, and parent‟s signature. This prescribed medicine must be sent to the school nurse‟s office. The school

nurse is the only person who will administer prescribed medicine.

14. Learning Resource Centre (Library)

Our campus has a LRC appropriate to the age range of students. The LRC teacher will work with each class teacher to develop our children‟s

interest in books and refine their research skills.

On a chosen day each week, students will visit the library to borrow books. The LRC teacher will notify parents when their child has not

returned his/ her borrowed books.

If a student is unable to return the book after a set period of time, it will be the parent‟s responsibility to buy a similar book to replace the lost

book.

15. Parent Contact/Emergencies

It is essential that parents keep the class teacher and the office informed of any changes to your phone numbers, emails and emergency contact

numbers. Each family fills in a form as they enter the school, but this data may often change during the school year. In order the school will be able to

contact you at any time regarding your child, please always give this new information to school.

In case of a serious injury, the nurse or school representative will:

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1st – call an ambulance/and or transport the child to emergency services at the nearest hospital

2nd – notify the parents

3rd - call the emergency contact if the parents are not available

If a doctor is required, the nurse or school representative will:

1st – call the parents

2nd – call the emergency contact if the parents are not available.

16. Parent Support

The research overwhelmingly demonstrates that parent involvement in children's learning is positively related to achievement. The research shows that

the more intensively parents are involved in their children's learning, the more a child achieves and works to his/her potentials. Further, parents‟

involvement is positively related to benefits other than student achievement. These benefits include attitude toward school or toward particular subject

areas, self-concept, motivation, classroom behavior, time spent on homework, and expectations for one's future. Given the importance of parent

involvement, Al Ibdaa expects parents to support their child‟s education in the following ways:

A. Support the Developmental Needs of Your Child

Be patient and supportive.

Do not compare your child with others. Each child is unique and learns differently.

Make sure your child gets enough sleep (8-10 hours per night) and eats nutritious, balanced meals, especially breakfast.

Be open to discussion of your child‟s academic, as well as, social, and personal successes and struggles.

Communicate with your child and tell him/her that his/her effort, progress, and achievement are equally valued. Students will do their best by

doing their own work.

B. Establish a Family Culture of Learning

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Ask your child about his/her school day. Ask about the day‟s lessons and what your child learned. Show an interest as your child describes the

school day. Share your own learning experiences and show your child resources that you may have in your own home that are related to your

child‟s learning experiences.

Ask your child what homework s/he has to do each evening and offer your help and support.

Provide a quiet and comfortable space and time for your child to do homework.

Encourage your child to bring home books to read from the school library.

Set aside at least 20 minutes a night for the whole family to read together or independently, in English or in your native language. Take some

time to discuss what you are reading.

Encourage your child to write letters to family and friends.

Communicate the importance of education and school attendance to your child. Arrange family holidays around the school calendar.

17. Personal Property

Please label all the items students bring to school to help ensure that items can be returned if they are misplaced.

We ask that students do not bring expensive toys or fragile objects to school. If teachers request these objects, they will remain in the

administration office or with Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Somaia, the supervisors.

If personal items become a distraction or annoyance in the classroom, they will be taken and returned when the student is dismissed from class

at the end of the school day.

Students are also asked not to bring big amount of money to school unless there is an organized event.

18. Report Cards

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Report cards will be sent home with students two times during the school year, in January and at the end of the school year. The purpose of the report

card is to:

Interpret student achievement and effort relative to the student‟s abilities.

Highlight areas of merit or concern.

Strengthen communication between the school and the home.

You are encouraged to discuss the report card with your child and to contact the student counselor and subject coordinators if you have any

questions or would like to discuss it further.

Mid- Term1 and Mid- Term 2 reports will be sent as well at the end of Quarter 1 and Quarter 3.

19. Breakfast/ Snacks

During the course of the day, each student will need a snack for mid-morning break. We ask that students bring nutritional snacks and breakfast food.

Eating sugar and processed food can have a detrimental impact on some children‟s cognitive ability. We appreciate your concern and care in this issue.

All students need to have several drinks for this hot; humid climate and many students (starting at Grade 1) bring a filled water bottle, which they can

re-fill at school.

20. Telephone

If students must contact home, they may use the telephone in the office after gaining permission from the supervisor to do so. The use of the telephone

will be restricted to important issues. If you need to leave a message for your child, the section‟s supervisor will take the message and will pass it to the

student at a suitable time.

21. Transportation

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Busing can be arranged by contacting the school‟s administration.

Parents may make other arrangements in order to ensure that their child arrives and leaves school at the appropriate times.

Buses will depart from the school ten minutes approximately after classes are dismissed. If children are not using the bus services, parents must

arrange to have them picked up within this ten-minute period.

If a student who regularly commutes by school bus intends to use alternative transportation on a given day, please ensure that a note is sent to

the supervisor‟s office.

Please address any concerns regarding the school bus service to school’s reception.

The school has developed the following agreements for students’ behavior while on the bus:

We would like our bus trips to be enjoyable and safe for all who ride on them.

Therefore, at Ibdaa we:

always sit with our seatbelts on

listen to and respect any adult giving us instructions

speak quietly

do not eat or drink on buses

use appropriate language

tell bus workers if there are any problems

Parents will be informed when students are having behavioral challenges on the bus.

22. Uniforms

A. - Uniforms are required in the styles and colors prescribed by the school. Students should be in uniform within one week from the date they begin

school.

B. Shoes: Children are expected to wear sensible shoes (black, white or grey) as part of their school uniform and for safety reasons. These must be

close-toed. No sandals or „crocs‟.

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C. P.E Shoes: must be comfortable and grey or black.

23. Jewelry:

Lower School students are not encouraged to wear jewelry other than a wristwatch. Children with pierced ears need small, non-dangling earrings. In

the interest of safety, no jewelry may be worn during P.E. class. The school will not be responsible for any loss.

24. Physical Education:

Uniforms are also required for the PE program. At the beginning of the school year, your child‟s class teacher will give you a copy of the PE schedule

and students should wear their uniform to school on this day. PE classes are held in the playground and School‟s Gym.

25. Withdrawal from our International Section:

If you need to withdraw from our section at any time during the school year, please let the administration office know immediately of your withdrawal

date. They will pass a Leaver’s Form to you that will need to be filled out and returned to the office. You need to contact the registration department;

Miss. Sahar for G.1-3, Mrs. Najlaa for G.4- 6, Mrs. Kadeejah for G.7-9. You should contact the Accounting Office directly (Mrs. Hanna) regarding

any deposit or payment issues.

Dear Parents,

You will find enclosed in this guide, all the needed details in each subject, school calendar, and the school‟s disciplinary system.

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We wish that we can offer the best education and environment to our students, and we are looking forward to your continuous cooperation and help to

support our daughters‟ progress.

A. English Department:

I would like to welcome you at the beginning of the academic year 2016- 2017.

In this letter, I would like to clarify things for you that will make it easier to follow up with your daughter in English Language.

In addition to that, I would like to explain the main points that you need to focus on while studying any skill.

Why do students learn English?

The answer is easy. English is now a universal language. The world has changed. We can no longer live alone in our country anymore. If you want to

learn the world you need to learn English.

Why do students learn Literature?

Literature should be studied for a richer life. Without it, we miss out on so much. Think of all the places we get to go, people we get to meet, and

situations we get to experience without ever leaving our living rooms! Without reading about these people, places, events, we quite possibly would

never experience similar situations. By reading about them, discussing them with others, thinking about how we would react in similar situations, we

are learning. We are gathering information and tools for our life toolbox. Every book you read changes you...even if it is a slight change. Literature is

a way in which we can capture and interpret what has happened and is happening to us personally and to the world as a whole. An entire culture exists

in the written word, documenting the collective thoughts of everyone who cared to share them with the world.

We at Al Ibdaa School, English Department teach Reading Street, Scott Foresman for grades 1-6; Prentice Hall (PH) Literature for grades 7&8;

Harcourt Elements of Language for 7& 8

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A. Reading: It is a very important and vital skill in the English Language. It will be taught daily along with the writing, grammar, and

spelling. We are going to cover 4 selections at least during this semester. Each selection will last for 3 weeks. The selections are varied

and cover different focus skills and study genres.

It is expected from our dear students to study regularly in order to achieve better. To do so, they should listen attentively to their teachers

and read the selections regularly without delaying till the test's night. Our teachers are willing to repeat the demonstration for our students

whenever is needed.

To achieve the highest marks, students should:

1. Read the selection (lesson) 2. Understand the vocabulary and memorize their meanings. 3. Study the focus skill of each reading

lesson. 4. Study the Reading Booklet. 5. Study the think critically questions that come after each lesson. 6. Encourage your daughter to

learn new vocab and write them down in her personal dictionary.

daughter to summarize the main events of the selection for you or to tell you what it talks about. Kindly ask your

To achieve the highest marks, students should A very important skill that helps the students to form correct sentences.B. Grammar:

grammatical rules and apply them correctly, practice solving as much questions as they can. Do the grammar homework.understand the

C. Writing: A very important skill that works with reading to form the student's base in English language. That is why we do insist on

teaching this skill. This skill needs plenty of time and patience to be mastered. Therefore, do not haste in collecting its results. Students

will learn to:

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write different topics of different genres

follow the writing process

Learn to assess themselves through holistic scoring, rubrics.

Improve their ideas and express themselves using vivid words

(A rubric is an assessment tool for communicating expectations of quality. Rubrics support student self-reflection and self-assessment.)

rks, students should use all the vocab that they have learnt in writing, pay attention to all teacher's notes, avoid To achieve the highest ma

the mistakes that they did from before, and take it seriously!

Your daughter will be evaluated according to the following points:

1. Ideas: they must be complete, satisfying, and related to the topic.

2. Organization: The ideas must be organized in a paragraph or more; related to each other and follow a sequence of events.

3. Voice: Your daughter must express her feelings, thoughts, and actions in her writing. Her personality must appear by telling her

opinion all the time.

4. Word Choice: choosing the correct words are really important in expressing the ideas and feelings. The words must be strong and

used correctly.

5. Sentences: they must be correct, varied, and related.

6. Conventions: Students must pay attention to:

a. Spelling Mistakes

b. Grammatical Mistakes

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c. Punctuation (ending marks, indention, commas, semi- colon…etc.)

We are going to follow the following steps in writing:

1. explanation for the skill and the model (1st period)

2. writing a sample in the class and a draft at home (2nd period)

3. proofreading (3rd period)

4. lesson’s evaluation (4th period)

Kindly drag your daughter's attention to make sure that she:

1. writes a title for her paragraph.

2. starts the paragraph with indention (leave a space of a word at the beginning of the paragraph)

3. avoids writing a run- on sentence (a very long sentence with plenty of "and' or ", ")

4. makes sure to write different, strong, and correct vocabulary words.

5. pays attention to her spelling mistakes.

6. writes different types of sentences.

7. uses vocab and spelling words in her writing.

D. Spelling: This skill enlarges our student's knowledge of vocabulary and teaches them how to apply spelling rules correctly. Dictation

is a very important part of spelling. Students must study all spelling words to be ready for dictation and achieve the full mark.

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but not to memorize the meanings. 2. spelling words, understand the meaning of the tudents shouldTo achieve the highest marks: 1. S

tudy the dictation of the spelling words.the book's exercises. 3. S Practice

e of the sentence is clarified.the vocab paper that is given by the teacher in which the correct us readStudents should

E. Presentation Skill/ Show and Tell: Our students from grade 1 to 6 will be trained to master performance skills such as presentation.

Each student must prepare a 2- 3 minutes topic that she would present. The students are going to master the skill of speaking in front of

audience facing them eye-to-eye, speaking eloquently, and confidently.

Each one will be out of Students will have two presentations (or show and tell) during the month. It means four presentations per quarter.

taken for the student. You should ask your daughter to present her topic in front of you or in front of her mark will be average10. The

No reading from a paper will be accepted. However, she can use her notes in presenting to remind her with the basic notes.family.

F. Speaking and Listening: A new skill that will be introduced this year as a main skill. It will be a continuous assessment skill. The

students will get the results at the end of each semester. In this skill, we will focus on improving our students’ abilities in using English

language in their everyday life.

Kindly encourage your daughter to listen and speak more English in her daily routine.

All English language skills complete each other and are interrelated. What the student learn in one skill will be useful and will

be used in another one

Grading system:

Why do we use an assessment system?

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Traditionally, we use assessments to measure how much our students have learned up to a particular point in time and to see whether our students are

meeting the standards.

1- Initially, the department provides a balanced system of both formative and summative assessments to track the student progress and to provide

teachers and students with data to help identify gaps in student learning.

(Summative exams are like quizzes, the end-of-unit exams and quarter exams. However, the formative assessments help us differentiate instruction and

thus improve student achievement. They include opportunities for both individual and group work.)

4- Our students in grades 1 to 8 are going to be assessed through monthly quizzes, unit tests, and four quarter exams, which conclude the assessment

process for the academic year.

5- The students of grades 1 to 6 are going to have dictation after the spelling lessons.

6- Students from grades 4 to 6 are going to be dictated sentences. (unseen dictation) while students from grades 1-3 will have it seen.

7- One mistake is allowed in the dictation and a quarter mark is going to be deducted; two mistakes for half a mark. More than two mistakes in the

word is going to be scored as zero.

8- Students will have 1 test per quarter in Reading, Grammar, and Spelling; two oral reading evaluations; two presentations (Show& Tell); one- two

reading comprehension tests. Pop quizzes in Grammar will be conducted during quarters.

Dear Parent,

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Kindly make sure to arrange your daughter's schedule according to the weekly plan. All important notes, dictation sentences, writing

topics, presentation/ show and Tell topics and tests dates and materials will be included in the weekly plan.

to be signed by you. s will be sent biweeklyictation copybookregularly to be signed. D will be sent All exam papers

We wish all our lovely students the best in this academic year.

Kindly don't hesitate to contact me whenever is needed.

English Coordinator

Mrs. Reem Saleh

B. Math Department

Dear Parents,

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You are an important partner in your child‟s education. This guide is intended to help you work with your child to improve her achievement in

mathematics. I have included different websites in this guide that will help your daughters to improve in Math, and as a parent, you can use them with

your child to explore mathematics at home and within your local community. It will be most useful for parents of children in Junior Kindergarten

through Grade 8.

Why Is It Important for My Child to Learn Mathematics?

Mathematics knowledge and skills contribute to a child‟s success – both at school and in everyday life. Understanding mathematics also builds

confidence and opens doors to a range of jobs and careers.

In our everyday lives, understanding mathematics enables us to:

solve problems and make sound decisions;

explain how we solved a problem and why we made a particular decision;

use technology (for example, calculators and computers) to help solve problems;

understand patterns and trends in the world around us in order to make predictions (for example, keep track of how much milk is consumed to

know how much milk to buy each week, notice the times when traffic is heavy to decide on the best time to travel);

Manage time and money, and handle everyday situations that involve numbers (for example, calculate how much time we need to get to work,

how much food we need to make meals, and how much money we need to buy the food).

How Will My Child Learn Mathematics?

Children learn mathematics best through activities that encourage them to:

investigate;

think about what they are investigating;

gather information, organize it, and act on it;

use information that they have gathered from a variety of sources to solve problems;

Explain how they reached their solutions.

Children learn more easily when they can connect mathematics concepts and

Procedures with their own experience. By using common household objects

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(Such as measuring cups, bathroom scales, a deck of cards) and observing everyday events (such as weather trends over the course of a week), they can

“see” the ideas that are being taught.

An important part of learning mathematics is learning how to understand and solve problems. Children are encouraged to use systematic trial and error

and variety of other strategies to develop their reasoning and to learn how to go about problem solving. They learn that there are many ways to solve

problems and there is often more than one solution to any given problem. They also learn to communicate clearly as they explain their solutions. It

does not matter what language they use when they are talking about mathematics.

At school, children learn the concepts and skills identified for each grade in the mathematics curriculum in five major areas, or strands, of mathematics.

The names of the five strands are: Number Sense and Numeration, Measurement, Geometry and Spatial Sense, Patterning and Algebra, and Data

Management and Probability

What Tips Can I Use to Help My Child?

Be positive about mathematics.

Be positive, and talk about the ways you use mathematics every day. Sharing negative experiences (by saying, for example, “I was never good

at math”) will not encourage your child to engage in mathematics and be confident about taking risks as he or she solves problems. Instead, try

statements like this: “Okay, we can solve this if we work it out together. What are you thinking?”

Let your child know that you think mathematics is important.

Point out the ways in which different family members use mathematics in their jobs and at home.

Let your child know that everyone can learn mathematics.

Praise your child when he or she makes an effort and understands something for the first time, and share in the excitement when you and your

child solve a problem together. Encourage your child to be persistent when a problem seems difficult.

Make mathematics part of your child’s day.

Point out to your child the many ways in which mathematics is used throughout his or her day.

Encourage your child to tell or show you how he or she uses mathematics.

Include your child in everyday activities that involve mathematics – making purchases, measuring ingredients, counting out plates and utensils

for dinner, measuring and calculating the area of a room.

Play games and do puzzles with your child that involves mathematics. Such activities may focus on direction or time, logic, reasoning, sorting,

classifying, and/or estimating.

Work with your child to solve mathematics problems such as the ones in this guide. Problem solving helps your child develop mathematical

thinking and reasoning.

In addition to mathematics tools, such as a ruler and a calculator, use household objects, such as toothpicks, a measuring cup, and containers of

various shapes and sizes, when doing mathematics with your child.

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Encourage your child to give explanations.

When you and your child are trying to solve a problem, have your child share his or her thinking aloud and talk about the strategies that he or

she used to reach a solution. If some of your child‟s ideas are puzzling, ask your child to explain further. As children talk about their ideas and

how they reach solutions, they are learning to reason mathematically.

Suggest that your child act out a problem or draw a diagram to solve it. Have your child show how he or she reached a conclusion by drawing

pictures and moving objects as well as by using words.

Treat errors and misconceptions as opportunities to develop reasoning skills and new ideas. Identify which part of your child‟s reasoning is

convincing and which part is less convincing. For example, “I like the way you organized the information. Can we look at the chart again to see

if the numbers are accurate?” Also, prompt your child to think of another way to solve the problem.

What I have to send with my child in math class?

You should send with your child:

pencils, a ruler, a pencil sharpener and an eraser, colors and scissors. These should be placed in a pencil case.

Department Objectives

The objectives of teaching and learning mathematics are to encourage and enable students to:

recognize that mathematics permeates the world around us

appreciate the usefulness, power and beauty of mathematics

enjoy mathematics and develop patience and persistence when solving problems

understand and be able to use the language, symbols and notation of mathematics

develop mathematical curiosity and use inductive and deductive reasoning when solving problems

become confident in using mathematics to analyze and solve problems both in school and in real-life situations

develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to pursue further studies in mathematics

develop abstract, logical and critical thinking and the ability to reflect critically upon their work and the work of others

develop a critical appreciation of the use of information and communication technology in mathematics

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appreciate the international dimension of mathematics and its multicultural and historical perspectives.

Grading system

Initially, the department provides a balanced system of both formative and summative assessments to track the student progress and to

provide teachers and students for identifying gaps in student learning.

The students from grade 1 and 2 will have Graded Class Work at the end of each chapter followed by chapter test. Our students are going to be

evaluated and promoted to the following year upon this evaluation system.

Our students in grades 3 to 8 are going to be assessed through Chapter tests, and four quarter exams, which conclude the assessment process for the

academic year.

Progress report cards for all students from grade 1 to 8 are issued after each quarter‟s examination.

Students who do not meet the grade level expectations by the end of the year are required to do a makeup exam that is scheduled by the administration.

Curriculum

It has been decided to adopt the Envision Math for grades 1 to 6, Course 2 for grade 7 and Algebra Readiness for grade 8

The distribution of the marks

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1st Quarter

2nd

Quarter

Homework 5

Total 30 Classwork 5

Quizzes(Graded Class Work

for grades 1 and 2)

5

IXL 5

Tests 10

End of Quarter 1 Exam 15

Quarter 1 Total

Homework 5

Total 30 Classwork 5

Quizzes(Graded Class Work

for grades 1 and 2)

5

IXL 5

Tests 10

End of Quarter 2 Exam 25

Quarter 2 Total

1st Term /100

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Some Internet Resources for Young People

The following website addresses are active at the time of publication. We suggest that you preview sites to determine whether the content is suitable

for your child. Browsing sites with your child will increase his or her enjoyment and will also help your child develop the confidence to access

websites independently later.

www.adaptedmind.com

www.brainpop.com

www.ixl.com

www.khanacademy.org

Thanks for your cooperation and don’t hesitate to contact me at any time.

Mrs. Bassant El Najjar

(Yasmine Dashan)

Math Coordinator

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C. Science Department

Our students will be studying Pearson’s Interactive Science from G.1-8 to cover what is needed in next Generation Standards.

To succeed in this science course and, more specifically, to answer some of the questions on the first exam, you should be familiar with a few of the concepts regarding the definition of science, scientific thinking, and the methods of science. Most textbooks do an inadequate job of this task, so this essay provides that information. This information in its present form is not in your textbook, so please read it carefully here, and pay close attention to the words in boldface and the definitions in italics.

The science curriculum, KG to grade twelve engages students in hands-on investigations that allow them to draw upon their prior

knowledge and develop the understanding and skills that they will need to be scientifically literate citizens in the twenty–second

century.

A good foundation in science strengthens many of the skills that people use every day, like solving problems creatively, thinking

critically, working cooperatively in teams ,using technology effectively, and

Valuing life-long learning.

C. Why should my daughter learn Science?

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Children ask their parents hundreds of questions such as "Why is the sky blue?" and "What makes sound possible?" Curiosity is natural for children,

but they need help making sense of what they see and relating observations to their existing knowledge. Parents can help their children turn curiosity

into an understanding of science by encouraging their children to ask questions, make predictions, and explore in a safe environment. This support

helps children become successful students and scientific thinkers.

Today's children are growing up in an increasingly technological society that requires far more advanced instruction in science and technology than

their parents received. The good news is that parents do not have to be scientists or have college degrees to help their children learn science. It is far

more important for parents to nurture their children's natural curiosity and take time to observe and learn together.

D. Tips for working with teachers and schools

Visit your child's school. During your visit, look for clues as to whether the school values science. Do you see science learning centers or

displays? Are there plants, aquariums, or collections (of rocks or insects, for example) in the classrooms?

Find out about the school's science curriculum. Ask for a school handbook. If none is available, meet with the school's principal and ask

questions such as the following: What methods and materials does the school use for science instruction? Are the science teachers highly

qualified? Are activities available that parents may use at home to support instruction?

Meet with your child's teacher. Schedule an appointment and ask how your child approaches science. Does he or she understand assignments

and do them accurately? If the teacher indicates that your child has problems with science, ask for specific things that you can do to help your

child improve.

Find out if the school has a Web site and, if so, get the address. School Web sites can provide you with access to all kinds of information,

including homework assignments, class schedules, lesson plans, and test dates.

Get actively involved. Attend parent-teacher meetings. If you are unable to attend, ask school staff to mail you notes from the meetings. You

also may request that school staff post minutes and other handouts from the meetings on the school's Web site. If your schedule permits,

volunteer to help with the science program.

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loohy scrtanemelE

Elementary and middle school students are taught integrated science: earth science, life science, and physical science .The course of

study enables them to sequentially build on information gained at each stage. Interactive teaching methods increase student interest in

this subject which incorporates hands-on

Activities, projects and presentations.

loohce siddlM

Students study four modules each year which provide a sound background in preparation for High School sciences. Each module

clearly illustrates the relationship between science and our daily lives.

Developing further their investigative skills, students use the scientific method to plan and execute investigations. Students use

mathematical skills in problem solving tasks they are taught to analyze data and draw scientific conclusions.

SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS Science process occurs naturally, spontaneously in our minds. By logically breaking down the steps in our thinking, we can use science process to find out how to answer our questions about how the world works. Science process is not just useful in science, but in any situation that requires critical thinking. Science process skills include observing qualities, measuring quantities, sorting/classifying, inferring, predicting, experimenting, and communicating.

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Science Department Grading System: Students will have the following distribution of marks:

1st Quarter

Homework 5

Total 30

Classwork 5

Quizzes (Activity class for G.1-

3)

5

Project 5

Tests 10

End of Quarter 1 Exam 15

Quarter 1 Total

Homework 5

Classwork 5

35

2nd Quarter

Science Coordinator

Mrs. Rasha Ahmad

Quizzes (Activity class for G.1-

3)

5 Total 30

Project 5

Tests 10

End of Quarter 2 Exam 25

Quarter 2 Total

1st Term /100