YOUR KINGDOM in the NETHERLANDS a Small Survival Guide for Living in Holland from Your PTA
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The International School of Amsterdam YOUR KINGDOM IN THE NETHERLANDS a small survival guide for living in Holland from your PTA Several people have volunteered their time and effort to ensure the information contained in this document is efficient, effective and accurate. However, if you find any inaccuracies, or if you have suggestions for additional information, please inform the ISA PTA president who will relay your comments to the Guide‘s editor. This booklet is not intended to be completely comprehensive. We hope to provide information to help all families, new and old, unlock the secrets, and not-so-secret information, crucial to an educational and fun experience in this new culture. We wish you all good luck on your journey! Newcomer‘s Committee PTA (updated May 2009) Parent Teacher Association International School of Amsterdam PO Box 920 Sportlaan 45 1180 AX Amstelveen The Netherlands Tel: +31 20 347 1111 Fax: +31 20 347 1222 TABLE OF CONTENTS EMERGENCY INFORMATION 01Who do you call when you find yourself in a critical situation? BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THIS LAND AND THE PEOPLE 02Do enough research and you will be impressed and amazed by the Dutch influence. ATTRACTIONS / SIGHTSEEING 04There is so much to see and do. Find out about museums, parks, zoos and more. BIRTHDAYS 12The Dutch have a special way to celebrate. CHILDREN 13Everything from having a baby here to options prior to their school years. CUSTOMS 14Receiving or bringing goods in and out of the Netherlands. DUTCH & ENGLISH LANGUAGE 14Do you need to bother learning the ‘g’ sound without spitting all over listeners? EDUCATION - BEYOND ISA 16The Dutch school system and educational opportunities for parents. EMBASSIES & CONSULATES 17Addresses, phone numbers and some services they provide. FINANCIAL DISTRICT 20All about: the Euro, PIN transactions, ChipKnip, credit cards and paper checks. GARBAGE 21Enter the world of re-cycling and proper trash disposal. HEALTH CARE 22Choosing your huisarts or any specialist. Hospitals and medicines. HOLIDAYS 24Important dates recognized in the Netherlands. HOUSING 26Should you rent or buy? KITCHEN AIDES 27Food translations and various measurement conversions. PERMITS 33Residence and tax expectations. PETS 33The world for your furry (or not) family member. POST OFFICES 33Stamps and stationary. READING RESOURCES 34Recommended books and bookstores.. SHOPPING 36Size chart conversions and other bits. SOCIAL GROUPS 38Kids go to school and spouses go to work . find out some places YOU can go. TAXES (BELASTINGEN) 39Taxes. One of life’s certainties. TELEPHONE 40 TRANSLATIONS 41Speak easy. TRANSPORTATION 43 Rules of the road (and sidewalk / pavement). Car, Bicycle, Tram, Bus, Taxi and Help via Internet. WORSHIP 51Some places where you can go worship. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 53Telephone numbers, conversion charts, & general websites on Holland. NOTES PAGES 54Blank pages for you to jot down your additional, necessary findings. EMERGENCY INFORMATION The emergency number for all of the Netherlands is 1-1-2 . State the town / place you are calling from and what kind of assistance you need (police, ambulance, fire). The operator will put you through to the appropriate organization. If you find yourself in a critical, but NOT life-threatening situation, call the following number for police assistance: 0900 - 8844 OTHER IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Police Station Amstelland: 0900-8844 Foreign Police (Vreemdelingen Politie): 0900-8844 24-hour Medical Service: 0900-503-2042 (doctor) 0900-821-2230 (dentist) Gemeentehuis (City Hall): Amsterdam: 020-552-9111 Amstelveen: 020-540-4911 EMERGENCY INFORMATION INFORMATION EMERGENCY Amsterdam Hospital Amstelveen Hospital Amsterdam Hospital The VU Medical Centre Kieken Huis Amstelland The AMC Medical Centre De Boelelaan 1117 Laan van de Helende Meesters 8 Meiberg Dreef 9 1081 HV Amsterdam 1186 AM Amstelveen 1105 AZ Amsterdam Tel: 020-444-4444 Tel: 020-347-4747 Tel: 020-566-9111 Pick up a brochure about disaster relief from your local city hall (Gemeentehuis). Sirens are tested once a month (check which day for your area). If you hear the siren at any other time, close the doors and windows of your house. If you are not at home, seek shelter inside a building as soon as possible. Do not use the telephone – keep the line clear for emergency services! Tune your radio to the following frequencies for additional information: Amsterdam – 93.3 FM or 95.2 FM Utrecht – 100.7 FM Den Haag – 88.4 FM Rotterdam – 93.4 FM YOUR KINGDOM IN THE NETHERLANDS - PAGE 01 BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THIS LAND AND THE PEOPLE The Netherlands is surrounded by the Holland is not the proper or official name of North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the country. North and South Holland are the south and Germany to the east. merely two of the most populated of 12 provinces. The official name of this country The Queen symbolizes the unity of the is the Netherlands. Netherlands as a democratic state. The climate is moderate in temperature More than half of this country‘s residents with the warmest time between June and live below sea level. September. The native language is Dutch, though many Soft drugs are not actually legal. However, natives speak fluent English. It is common to law enforcement does often look the other meet people who know several languages, way when smokers are away from children especially English or German. or the elderly. With a population of approximately 17 The Dutch treasure their religious million people, the Netherlands is the freedom and freedom of speech. most densely populated country in all They exercise a high degree of of Europe. tolerance for diversity of opinions, lifestyles and cultures. The Netherlands is a constitutional Parliament consists of two houses: monarchy, with a parliamentary system. the Upper House. 75 members Currently, Queen Beatrix is the Head of elected by the Provincial Council State. elected members. Under the constitution, ministers (not the the Lower House. 150 members monarch) are responsible for parliament. elected by voters over the age of 18. If you are an EU citizen, you are allowed to vote in municipal elections under the same conditions as Dutch nationals. If you are a non-EU national, you may vote IF you have been a legal resident in the Netherlands for a continuous five years or longer. If you are a member of consular or diplomatic staff, you, your spouse and your children are not permitted to vote in the Netherlands. If you are an EU citizen AND a resident of the Netherlands, you may vote in the European Parliament elections as long as you don‘t vote in these elections in your native country. These are only the basics to voting. There are some other conditions which apply. BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THIS LAND AND THE PEOPLETHE AND LAND THIS OF BRIEF OVERVIEW YOUR KINGDOM IN THE NETHERLANDS - PAGE 02 BRIEF OVERVIEW OF AMSTELVEEN RELATIVE TO AMSTERAM Amstelveen is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It is part of the metropolitan area of Amsterdam. Until 1964, the municipality of Amstelveen was called Nieuwer-Amstel. Amstelveen has a light rail and tram connection with Amsterdam. The municipality of Amstelveen consists of the following cities, towns, villages and/or districts: Amstelveen, Bovenkerk, Westwijk, Nes aan de Amstel, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel (partly). Amstelveen has a population of approximately 78,000 and is considered a small town. General Websites on MAJOR DUTCH CITIES The City of Amsterdam: www.amsterdam.nl City of The Hague: www.denhaag.nl or www.thehague.nl Amsterdam.info: www.amsterdam.info Gemeente Rotterdam: www.rotterdam.info iamsterdam.com: www.iamsterdam.com Gemeente Utrechtt: www.utrecht.nl Time Out Amsterdam: www.timeout.com/amsterdam Gemeente Groningen: www.groningen.nl The Hague Visitors & Convention Bureau: Gemeente Maastricht: www.vvvmaastricht.nl www.denhaag.com The Hague Online: www.thehagueonline.com BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THIS LAND AND THE PEOPLETHE AND LAND THIS OF BRIEF OVERVIEW YOUR KINGDOM IN THE NETHERLANDS - PAGE 03 ATTRACTIONS / SIGHTSEEING: MISCELLANEOUS The VVV tourist offices provide information on local activities, hotels, etc. They have information about cycling or walking routes, sailing and boating, renting bicycles, summer houses, and things to do and see in The Netherlands. Every city has it‘s own office, so if you are visiting a town far away, contact the VVV in that town and they can provide information on the surrounding area. Graafsebaan 133 5248 NL Rosmalen Some models include veteran cars, racing cars, antique Autotron Tel: 073-523-3300 cycles, and many more. Racing films are also shown. www.autotron.nl ATTRACTIONS / SIGHTSEEING: MISCELLANEOUS SIGHTSEEING: / ATTRACTIONS Legmeerdijk 313 Bloemenveiling 1430 BA Aalsmeer The world‘s largest flower auction. Aalsmeer Tel: 029-739-0062 Open year round, days and times may vary. www.vba-aalsmeer.nl Stuurmankade 2 Boat Rental Amsterdam East Rent an environmentally friendly boat, sloop or launch SESA Tel: 020-509-5050 and tour silently and fume-free through the canals. www.sesa.nl Bovenkerkerweg 106 1188 XH Amstelveen Cheese farm and clog factory. Tours provided. Clara Maria Tel: 029-758-2279 Open year round, days and times may vary. www.claramaria.nl Concertgebouwplein 2-6 Every Wednesday afternoon, an entry to a lunch Concertgebouw 1071 LN Amsterdam concert is free. It starts at 12.30 p.m. Amsterdam Tel: +31 20 671 83 45 (September – June only). www.concertgebouw.nl Montageweg 35 Gigantic indoor play land (section designated 1948 PH Beverwijk Dartel Dorp for kids 1-6 years old and 6-12 years old). Tel: 025-126-2626 Open year round, days and times may vary. www.darteldorp.nl Floating Flower www.holland.com/nordic/ Corso (Floats) in cultural/flowers/ Spectacular flower parades April - September. Holland flowerparades/ YOUR KINGDOM IN THE NETHERLANDS - PAGE 04 ATTRACTIONS / SIGHTSEEING: MISCELLANEOUS Stadhouderskade 78 Tours: Mon-Fri 9:30, 11:00 and 15:00.