High School Student- Parent Handbook
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High School Student- Parent Handbook American International School Dhaka 12, United Nations Road, Baridhara, Dhaka - 1212, Bangladesh Phone: 880-2-882 2452 Fax: 880-2-882 31 Contents Mission and Vision . .3 Welcome . 4 Who's Who . .5 History and Governance . 7 On Being an Inclusive School. .8 Parent Involvement . 8 The IB Learner Profile . 9 Communications . .10 The High School Program. .12 High School Diploma Options. .18 Co-Curricular Programs . 22 Extracurricular Programs . .24 1 Student Support Services. 28 Guidance and Counseling. .29 Academic Expectations . .30 Assessment and Reporting on Student Performance . .34 Student Life and Routines . .37 Student Behavior. 43 Technology. 51 Digital Citizen Guidelines. 53 2 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DHAKA MISSION STATEMENT AISD provides a program based on American educational principles to students from an international community. We create an academic and social environment that challenges students to achieve their potential, become lifelong learners and contribute to a changing global society. VISION Preparing students to become stewards of a just and sustainable world. CORE VALUES We are a compassionate, caring and diverse community. We act with integrity and respect. We embrace creativity and balance. We are proud of our diversity and willingness to collaborate. We hold each other accountable to these values. Welcome The American International School Dhaka (AISD) is a Pre-K-Grade 12 institution. It is committed to the realization of students’ potential through a holistic program, instructional differentiation, and recognized international standards of achievement. During the admissions 3 process, the school attempts to verify that AISD is an appropriate educational environment for each new student through extensive admissions testing and one-on-one meetings between the registrar, counselor, where possible the principal and the potential students and parents. As a school, we work in partnership with our diverse local and international community. Our academic programs and facilities are guided by the philosophical principles of American education. The board, administration, and faculty strive to offer an exemplary educational experience to all student we serve and hold a strong belief in fulfilling our stated mission and vision. Who's Who Kristen Page Botelho Administration IB Envi. Systems/Bio M. Ed. ( University of Oregon) John Gates Heather Bretzfield Interim Superintendent Physical Education Master of Science (State University of New York College at Buffalo Nigar Rahman Dean Brooks Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Economics 4 B.S.S.(University of Dhaka) M.B.A. (Vanderbilt University) Ben Marsh Betty Chang High School Principal Chorale / IB Music, Masters of Music in Music Education (University M.Ed. (University of Portland) of Southern California) Imelda Chowdhury Mark Condon Administrative Assistant to the HS Principal English, IB Coordinator HS Diploma (Capiz National High School, The Philippines) M.A. (University of Texas Tim Stokes Michele Curley High School Counselor French Master of Science (UW-Stout) B.Ed. (University of Regina) M.Sc. (Nova Southeastern) Lauren Zimmerman Lisa Daniels Grade -9 Counselor Spanish, HS Curriculum Coordinator M.Ed Counselor in Education B.A. Spanish, History (Duke) M.A. Spanish (UCLA) Iftekhar Syed Jon Denhartigh Dean of Students Art M.A. Educational Administration (Cal State Northridge) Master of Arts in Teaching (Minnesota State University) M.A. Sec. Education - Math Lubna Sattar Lucas Rank HS Counseling Office Manager PE / Health LLB Law ( Queen Mary Westfield College, London) M.. Ed. (University of Framingham State University) Hamida Saleh Chris Galaty HS Counseling Office Manager/HS Study Hall Coordinator Math/IB Math B.A. Meredith College M.A. (The University of Illinois) Randall Girdner Faculty HS IB English B.A. (Northern State University) Gina Corneille Jim Heister Learning Support / Freshman Seminar HS IB Math M. Ed ( The George Washington University B. of Sci. in Math (Salisbury State University) John Libby Curtis Hendricks Learning Support/ Freshman Seminar/ Geography Science/Math B. S (University of Maine at Famington) M. Ed. (University of Maryland) Sabahat Jahan Tracey Ramsey English MS/HS IB Instrumental Music M.A. (Baylor University) B. Ed. (Queen’s University, Canada) Purnima Kine Jose Roura Biology / IB Biology IB Spanish M. Ed. (University of Phoenix M. Ed. ( Universidad of Alcala de Henares) David Locke Michelle Ruffle Chemistry / IB Chemistry IB History/Modern World History University of Kings College Nove Scotia, Canada M.Ed. (Framingham State College) 5 Michael Lomax Sadia Syed Physical Education Math, IB Math B. S. Industrial Engineering ( Prairie View A&M University) M.A. Technology in Math & Science Education (California State University, Northridge) Gerard Merchant Gilian Ani Math Theater/IB Theater M.S. (University of London) M. Ed ( University of Phoenix) James Morris Corey Hill Watlington MS/HS Design Technology IB English/IB Core?Yearbook B. Sci. (University of Texas) MS Ed. (Norhtwestern University) Farhana Azmi Johannes Schwerk Science Department Aid IB Core/ HS Social Studies M.Sc in Applied Biotechnology (McGill University) M. Ed (University of Oregon in Eugene) Lisa A. O’Donnell Yurika Bhuiyan HS EAL Study Hall Coordinator M. Ed. ( George Mason University) MBA Durham University UK Other Admin Support Staff Rob Switzer Mark Page- Botelho Activities and Athletics Director 6 - 12 Tech Integrationist B.A. McMaster University B. S. University of Oregon Joya Ambarin Teresa Fry Student Activities Coordinator Director Teaching & Learning B.S. (Dhaka University) B. A. Gonzaga University, Spokane Washington Bassema Karaki Reaz Shaheed School Nurse Technology Coordinator America University of Beirut M.B.A. (East West University, Dhaka) Carolyn Gaskell Speech and Language B.S. (Regent College, British Colombia) Matthew Ruffle Development & Communication Officer Billie Jo Heister Kg - 12 Counselor B. A. ( Salisbury State University) History and Governance History The American International School (AISD) has existed in the nation of Bangladesh since 1972, but its history goes back as far as 1963 when, in the former East Pakistan, it was known as the Dhaka American Society School. Over the years this educational institution has gone through various changes. AISD was first accredited in 1984 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS) for grades KG to 8. The high school program (grades 9 to 12) was added in 1988, and the first class of seniors graduated from AISD in 1991. The Pre-K program was added the following year. 6 AISD was re-accredited in 1994 by the MSACS and ECIS for KG-12. AISD received new accreditation in 2004 by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) for grades Pre-K to 12. School Profile The American International School strives to provide students with the knowledge and attitudes which will prepare them for continuing education and participation in the affairs of life to the maximum of their capabilities. AISD is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). AISD is a Pre-K to grade 12 school with teachers from 10 different countries that serves students from over 60 nations. Though housed on the same campus, the elementary, middle and high schools occupy separate areas and have independent, age- appropriate programs. AISD is governed by a 9-member Board of Education and offers an American style curriculum adapted to an international setting. High School enrollment is approximately 220 students. A special program serves EAL (English as an Additional Language) students, and Learning Support specialists assist students with mild learning difficulties. There is a guidance/counseling program, a School Psychologist, a part-time consulting Speech Language therapist and a full-time nurse. The academic program is supplemented throughout the school year with field trips in Bangladesh and abroad. Additionally, the school functions as the center for the community and offers many after-school and evening programs. The buildings are situated on a 4.5 acre campus, are air-conditioned and house elementary and secondary libraries, numerous classrooms, special facilities for art, science and computer studies, two gymnasiums and a 25-meter pool. Governance The AISD School Board has been authorized by the Articles of Association and the By-Laws to govern the school. The main functions of the School Board are to hire a Superintendent to oversee the day- to-day running of the school; to create, approve and maintain School Board Policy; and see that the school is adequately financed to carry out its stated Mission and Objectives. The School Board is comprised of nine voting members: five Americans, at least three of whom are direct hires of the US Embassy, and four open to all nationalities. There is one non-voting member who is the representative of the US Ambassador. A School Board member must be a parent of a student enrolled at the AISD. They are elected or appointed to serve an initial two- year term at the spring meeting of the Parent’s Association, usually held in March of each year, and may be extended to serve to a total of five years by invitation from the Board. Board meetings are held monthly, usually on the second Monday of the month. Meetings are open and members of the association are invited to attend. Agendas and minutes are posted on the school’s website. The School Board Policy Statement, as well as supporting