Family Handbook the AAS Mission
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Anglo— American School of Sofia 2013-2014 Family Handbook The AAS Mission We engage, support and prepare each student for today and tomorrow. We… Foster a love of learning, healthy living 14 and international community - Develop the knowledge, skills and val- ues to communicate, find solutions and innovate Enhance critical thinking, resourceful- ness and creativity Cultivate leadership, compassion and responsible citizenship in both attitudes and actions Nurture the abilities to interact effec- tively with others and to act independ- ently with confidence Family Handbook 13 2 www.aas-sofia.org Welcome Dear Anglo-American School Community / Уважаеми родители и приятели на ААУ, Добре дошли - On behalf of the Anglo- American School of Sofia team, I extend best wishes to all students and their families as we start the 2013-2014 school year. This AAS Family Handbook and other school publications are available throughout the year on our website – www.aas-sofia.org. In order to facilitate an excellent learning environment of growth and change, we continually examine the work we do to ensure Family Handbook 13 our practices are commensurate with best practices around the world. The procedures and practices outlined in this handbook are a result of considerable thought and deliberation by our staff in conjunction with student and community input. We are very pleased that you have chosen to join us during this school year and beyond. Please take the time to review this handbook as it provides a common framework and language for our school community and thus fosters a stronger partnership. Such partnerships are critical for a school and community to be supportive of one another. A key component of a good partnership is effective communication. Please remember that our door is open to comments, concerns or compliments. When we work together each student’s learning experience is enhanced as they engage and explore new skills, hone strengths, and strive to be confident, happy and caring citizens in their quest to make our world an even better place. Once again, welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! In Partnership, - Jim Urquhart 1 Director - Anglo-American School of Sofia 4 www.aas-sofia.org 3 Contact Information Tel: (+359 2) 923.8810, 11 Fax: (+359 2) 923.8859 Web: www.aas-sofia.org Reception: Ivanka Papazova [email protected] Director: Jim Urquhart [email protected] Director’s Secretary: Elise Staevska [email protected] Business Manager: Marchela Ignatova [email protected] Elementary School (ES) Principal: Edgar Miranda [email protected] ES &6 Counselor: Laura Giosh-Markov [email protected] Middle and High School (MS/HS) Principal: Jeff Marquis [email protected] 14 College and HS Counselor: David Stephenson [email protected] - MS/HS Athletic Director / Activities Coordinator: [email protected] Andie Urquhart IB Diploma Coordinator: Kaylene Connell [email protected] Admissions: Maria Mihailova [email protected] Registrar: Dola Kay [email protected] Director of Teaching and Learning: Shary Marshall [email protected] Facilities/Operations Manager: Todor Todorov [email protected] Cafeteria: Liberty Foods Bus coordinator: Kiril Krainov Tel: 0889 901 916 [email protected] Note: To contact a member of staff by telephone, please call the reception number. Please visit our website on www.aas-sofia.org to find the latest information about our school. Become a fan of the Anglo-American School of Sofia on Facebook or follow @AAS_Sofia on Twitter. Family Handbook 13 4 www.aas-sofia.org Table of Contents CONTACT INFORMATION 4 THE AAS MISSION 7 We engage, support and prepare each student for today and tomorrow. OUR CORE VALUES 7 Commitment, Respect, Excellence IB Learner Profile 9 AAS AT A GLANCE 10 History and Overview 10 Accreditation 11 SCHOOL BOARD 12 PARENTS AS PARTNERS 13 Visiting the School PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO) 14 ADMISSIONS 16 Admissions and Withdrawals 16 Application 17 Placement 18 Withdrawals 18 Partial Year Enrolment or Early Withdrawal 18 Family Handbook 13 PROGRAM OVERVIEW 19 The School Day 19 Instruction 19 Learning Environment 19 Assessment 20 Assessment Practices in Action 20 Late or Incomplete Work 21 Academic Program 22 NB: For the fully detailed Acceptable Use Policy please see the AAS website for – Acceptable Use Policy. Athletics and Activities 26 Arts 27 Service 27 Education Outside the Classroom 28 Ski-Week 29 NB: It is important to note that the school wide ski-week involves additional cost. This cost information is shared on the website and via specific meetings and communication regarding these trips. Middle School and High School Cultural / Class Trips 32 NB: It is important to note that the MS and HS Cultural / Class trips that are overnight due involve additional cost. This cost information is shared on the website and via specific meetings and communication regarding these trips. School Representation Travel (Team / Ensemble Travel) 34 SERVICES 35 Library 35 Resource Center 35 Counseling Services 36 Health Services 36 Other Support Service on Campus 37 Families in Transition 38 School Materials 38 HOMEWORK 39 ATTENDANCE 40 - CITIZENSHIP, COMMUNITY AND CONDUCT 42 AAS Statement of Rights and Responsibilities 42 1 Language Statement 43 The Essence of Character 43 4 Citizenship Ideals 43 www.aas-sofia.org 5 Table of Contents Helpful Community Conduct Hints 44 Wise Choices and Sound Decisions 45 Dress Appropriately for School 46 Disciplinary Procedures Information 46 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 48 COMMUNICATION 49 Calendars 49 Channels of Communication 50 External Communication 50 Mail (Snail Mail) Address and Physical Address 51 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) DETAILS AND USE 52 SAFETY, SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 54 Specific Rules of Exit and Entry 54 Privacy 55 Emergencies 55 FACILITIES 57 Community Use 57 Facilities Use Procedures (After Hours) 57 Parking 58 TRANSPORTATION 59 Changes In Travel Arrangements for the Beginning and End of the School Day 59 14 Traveling on the School Bus 59 Bus Departures 60 - Arrival or Dismissal of Students 60 FOOD SERVICE 61 OTHER INFORMATION 61 Indoors Shoes Knapsacks/Bags, Snack and Lunch Containers Changing for Physical Education (PE) Lost and Found FURTHER DETAILS SPECIFIC TO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL 62 Middle School: A Brief Overview 62 Middle School Courses 63 Wolf Pack Time - MS 64 Student Support 65 High School: A Brief Overview 65 AAS Graduation Requirements 65 Wolf Pack Time - HS 66 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) 66 Middle School and High School Athletics and Activities Guidelines 70 FINANCIAL INFORMATION 72 Fees Other Than Tuition, Registration and Capital Fees CODE of PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 723 NB: For the fully detailed Code of Professional Conduct please see the Code of Professional Conduct found on the AAS website. SUSTAINABILITY 75 Sustainability Pledge AAS SCHOOL SONG 76 AAS CALENDAR 77 AAS LOGO AND ATHLETIC MASCOT 78 Family Handbook 13 6 www.aas-sofia.org Mission & Core Values THE AAS MISSION: We engage, support and prepare each student for today and tomorrow. We… ● Foster a love of learning, healthy living and international community ● Develop the knowledge, skills and values to communicate, find solutions and innovate ● Enhance critical thinking, resourcefulness and creativity ● Cultivate leadership, compassion and responsible citizenship in both attitudes and actions ● Nurture the abilities to interact effectively with others and to act independently with confidence Family Handbook 13 OUR CORE VALUES Commitment, Respect, Excellence Commitment… ● Academics, athletics, arts, service and sustainability collectively support our mission ● We believe that learning is a life-long journey that is transformative, collaborative and explorative ● We appreciate and celebrate that the achievements of our holistic approach promote continuous growth ● Self-awareness, willingness to push beyond limitations, and the desire to see things through to completion contribute to intellectual, social, emotional and physical well- being ● “[One learns] the value of hard work by working hard.” - Margaret Mead Respect… ● Integrity, empathy, mutual respect and consideration, and an ethical environment commensurate with the United Nations Declaration of Human - Rights support our mission 1 4 www.aas-sofia.org 7 Core Values ● We believe that embracing a mix of cultures, talents, experiences and socioeconomic diversity makes AAS an authentic and fulfilling place in which to learn ● We appreciate and celebrate people as individuals with unique talents and abilities ● Wisdom and caring promotes the development of attitudes, values, self- regulation, relationships and responsible citizenship ● “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” - Sir Winston Churchill Excellence… ● Challenging, authentic and connected curricula, programs and assessments 14 draw on the best international practices, help students develop the IB Learner - Profile traits, and meet the requirements of our accreditation agencies to support our mission ● We believe in encouragement, perseverance, cooperation, acceptance of individual responsibilities, and the provision of diverse and engaging learning opportunities for students ● We appreciate and celebrate that successful learning and achievement takes many forms ● Graduates leave AAS with more than experience and knowledge; they leave with confidence and an understanding of the role they may play in shaping the future ● “We