AHIS Student & ParentHandbook Qatar2014-2015

Al HekmaInternationalSchool

STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK

QATAR

2014-2015

Motto “dedicating our lives and hearts to building confident and motivated life- long learners.”

Mission:To be a leading international school, in which students receive a comprehensive balanced education, based on technology and academics; while taking into account their social and cultural development. Al Hekma strives to create a confident and motivated lifelong learner who will further his/her aspirations and those of the world community.

Philosophy: The philosophy of the school focuses on the culture, beliefs and values of hospitality, openness and tolerance towards others. Al Hekma International School offers an educational program that allows students to work to improve and build abilities. This creates an environment that nurtures high-motivation, low-anxiety and a sense of belonging.

ACCREDITATION AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Al Hekma is currently accredited AdvancED (North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement)and Qatar National Standards Accreditation (QNSA). Al Hekma is a member of NESA (Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools), AAIE (Association for the Advancement of International Education), NBOA (National Business Officers Associates), NAIS (National Association of International Schools), ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), and PTC (Principal Training Center).

“Dedicating our lives and hearts to building confident and motivated life-long learners”

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AHIS Student & ParentHandbook Qatar2014-2015

Table of Contents

2014-2015

Introduction
President’s Welcome / 6
Principal’s Welcome / 7
Where to go for help / 8
School Contact Information (telephone, land address, email address, web address) / 8
SECTION I IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Entrance Requirements / 8
Registration and Payment Information / 8
Parental Involvement/ Working together / 8-9
Parents as Role Models / 9
Parent Teacher Association / 9
Gifts / 10
Student Information Data / 11
Contact Hours and Parent Meetings / 11
Grading Guidelines / 11
Report Cards/Progress Reports and Conferences / 11-12-13
Grade Point Average / 13
Grading System / 13-14
School Wide Grading Policy / 14
Extra Credit Policy / 14
Academic Probation / 15
Assessments / 15
Homework Guidelines / 15
Weekly Agendas / 15
Parent Conferences / 16
Promotion and Retention / 16
Remedial Classes / 16
SECTION IICURRICULUM RELATED INFORMATION
Academic Programs / 16
Awards and Honor Roll / 17
Computer Access, Acceptable Use and Code of Conduct / 17
Extracurricular Activities and Clubs / 17-18
Physical Education / 19
Textbooks / 19
Notebooks / 19
Standardized Testing / 19
SECTION III GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS
Attendance / 19-20
Attendance for Credit / 20
Tardy Policy / 21
Passes / 21
Leaving and Returning to School / 21
Makeup Work After an Absence / 22
Incomplete work / 22
Student Conduct / 22-23
Rules and Regulations / 23
Conduct Before and After School / 24
Unstructured Time / 24
Procedures for Discipline / 24
Cheating/Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty / 25
Citizenship and Sportsmanship / 25
Detention / 25
Entering and Leaving Class / 25
Disruptions / 26
Bullying and Taunting Behaviors / 26
Smoking / 26
Weapons / 26
Distribution of Published Materials and Documents / 26
Teacher and Student Announcements / 26
Bulletin Board / 26
School Materials / 26
Use of School Name / 27
Non-School Materials / 27
Approval Required / 27
Posters / 27
Dress and Grooming / 27
Birthdays / 28
Toys / 28
Field Trips / 28
Organizations / 29
Student Council / 29
Athletics / 29
Fund Raising / 29
Qatar National Anthem / 29
Safety / 30
Drills: Fire, and Other Emergencies / 30
Emergency Medical Treatment Information / 30
School Facilities / 30
Cafeteria / 31
Library / 31
Printing Service / 31
Teaching Resources / 31
Electronic Devices on Campus / 31
Lost and Found / 32
Vandalism / 32
Transportation on Buses or Other School Vehicles / 32
Videotaping/Photography of Students / 32
Visitors to the School / 32
Student Drop-off/Pick-up / 33
Do’s and Don’ts / 33

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Dear Parents and Students,

On behalf of the administration and faculty, it gives me great pleasure to welcome parents and students to Al Hekma International School. Our school’s commitment to our children has become a tradition in the State of Qatar. This year, we are complimenting our excellent educational standards with:

  • A serene, beautiful and educationally captivating environment
  • Tenured and experienced teachers
  • Academic support
  • Standardized testing
  • Extra curricular activities / clubs
  • Student involvement

Our goals are attainable! We prepare our students for higher educational institutions.

We provide an excellent quality of education in a positive learning environment. We teach good citizenship to help strengthen the student’s identity and ability to participate in society. We stress moral and behavioural discipline. We maintain high standards through constant improvement of teaching methods.

We anticipate your full cooperation and appreciation of our school to implement the many programs supported by the enthusiasm and the ever relentless efforts of our qualified staff. The academic future of your children is very important to us. We shall save no efforts in paving the way for them to excel and be prepared for higher education armed with proper knowledge.

I sincerely thank all the parents and friends who support us with kind words, simple visits, and warm thoughts. Here at Al Hekma International School we are honoured to have you as part of our family!

Dr. Mona R. Al-Zayani

Founder & President

Al HekmaInternationalSchool

PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to school year 2014–2015! For this year to be successful, we must all work together: students, parents, teachers, and other school staff members. Education at Al Hekma International School is designed to meet the needs of each individual student. The administration and staff believe that every student is a unique and special individual who can learn. We believe it is our responsibility as educators to nurture and develop every student’s maximum potential. This includes the academic, physical, social, and emotional development. We are committed to providing lessons and activities that will assist you/your children in making self-directed, realistic, and responsible decisions when solving problems that you may encounter in our multicultural, ever-changing world.

The Al Hekma International School Parent Student Handbook is designed to provide a resource for some of the basic information that you and your child will need during the school year. In an effort to make it easier to use, the handbook is divided into three sections:

Section I—IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS—with information all parents will need about assisting their child and responding to school-related issues;

Section II—CURRICULUM-RELATED INFORMATION—providing information to students and their parents about required courses, extracurricular, and other activities; and

Section III—GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS—describing school operations and requirements such as safety procedures, student conduct, the dress code, discipline, transportation and the campus environment.

Both students and parents must be familiar with the Al Hekma Student Code of Conduct, which is intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning. Please be aware that the student handbook is updated yearly, while policy adoption and revision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policy will be made available to students and parents through newsletters and other communications.

I strongly recommend that parents review the entire handbook with their children and keep it as a reference during this school year. If you or your child has questions about any of the material in this handbook, please contact a teacher, the Supervisor or the Assistant Principal. Also, please complete and return the parental acknowledgment and consent forms so that we have a record.

Ultimately, each student will gain from school according to the effort he/she applies. To increase the degree of educational success, it is important that teachers, parents, and administrators communicate openly and frequently. By working together, we can make Al Hekma International School an excellent place for you to learn.

Opening day traditionally marks the beginning of a new year.

We're looking forward to a great year!

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

When do I call one of my son’s/ daughter’s teacher(s)?

Contact your child’s teacher through the school switchboard/reception when you have questions about his/ her academic performance, grade on report card, issues regarding classroom activities, homework or class work. You need to leave a message and the teachers will try to contact you as soon as possible.

Important:Parents are not allowed to communicate with students other than their own children. If they have any complaints against any student, they are encouraged to contact the student affairs dept or principal at the school to discuss their concerns. Under no circumstances are parents allowed to take matters into their own hands and address students or parents of other students. Such communication must be done through the school administrators

SCHOOL CONTACT NUMBERS

Tel: 4493 5522, 4493 5731 Fax: 4493 5533 P.O.Box 11157, Dafna, Qatar

E-mail: - Website:

Tel: 44171311, 44711314 Fax: 44171303 P.O. Box 11157, Maamoura (Main Campus), Qatar
E-mail: - Website:

Tel: 4017574, 40175749, Fax: 40175751, Izghawa, Qatar

E-mail: - Website:

Tel: 44171303, 44171309, Fax: 44171310, P.O. Box 11157, Maamoura (KG Campus), Qatar

E-mail: - Website:

SECTIONI

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

This section of the Al Hekma International School Student Handbook includes information on topics of particular interest to you as a parent.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

To attend Al Hekma International School, parents must provide a record showing

  • Your child’s birth certificate
  • A copy of your child’s passport and RP card
  • A copy of Father’s Passport
  • A copy of Mothers Passport
  • Previous school records (transcripts)
  • Your child’s immunization record

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

  1. The parent agrees to pay the registration, testing and interview fees and the student will be required to sit for an entrance exam. There is a chance the student will be placed on a waiting list.
  2. If the student is placed on the waiting list the registration fees can be refunded if the registration is not confirmed. However, the testing fees will not be refunded.
  3. If the student is accepted, and the parent chooses not to continue the enrollment process (written notice must be given), the fees of the tests, interview and application will not be refunded. If the parent chose to register the student, they agree to pay the registration fees. When the registration fees are paid, it will not be refunded even if the student did not start school. The parent also agrees to pay a seat booking fee after the registration is paid and it will be deducted from the tuition fees.
  4. If the student is registered and a seat booking fee is paid and the student does not attend school up to 1 week from the start of school, the school will terminate the enrollment and fees paid will not be refunded. Parents must notify the administration in writing of any delays in their children starting school in order to secure their seats.
  5. If the student is rejected, the testing fees are not refunded. In the case registration fee was paid, then it will be refunded.
  6. The parent agrees that if the required documents are not provided in due time, then the registration will be cancelled and the fees will not be refunded.
  7. The school reserves the right to terminate the registration or expel a student if he/she does not abide by the school rules and regulations.
  8. Tuition fees are non-refundable whether the student attended or not. If cancellation of enrollment takes place, fees paid will not be refunded. Cancellation of enrollment must be submitted in writing.
  9. If the student withdraws from AHIS, a full semester written notice must be given, and a full semester fees will be payable.
  10. Any student who left the school, graduated, dismissed, or withdrew is not allowed to re-apply. He/She should submit a re-entry application carrying his/her previous number.
  11. Students are only allowed to submit one application form per year.
  12. If the parents fail to pay school fees in a timely manner; the school will have the right to suspend the child from attending school and no report cards, transcripts or statements will be issued until student’s balance is zero. Transportation services will be suspended as well in this case. The student will not be allowed to attend graduation ceremonies if all the due feesare not paid & he/she will be forbidden to sit for the examinations. If the parent does not pay on time, there will be a fine of 7.5% open forincrease according to the delay in payment. In the case of a bouncing cheque, a fine is added to the value of the cheque, and the cheque issuer will bear the consequences.
  13. If a student needs to travel –The Administration should be informed in writing prior to the student’s departure from school. If the student is absent due to sickness, a medical report needs to be submitted.
  14. During the academic year, the school has the right to terminate the registration of any student that exceeds 15 consecutive days including weekends if the parents don`t have permission from the school or provide any medical records and no money will be refunded.
  15. Unexcused absence by any student, affecting their academic performance will be the responsibility of the parents and not the school. 15% unexcused absenteeism during the academic year will result in zero credits for the subject.
  16. School uniform is mandatory. Otherwise, the student will be sent home and will not be accepted until he/she abides by this rule.
  17. Uniforms – (daily and sports) – are sold at the school. Anything similar to them or tailored outside the school is not accepted in order to maintain uniformity.
  18. A Disciplinary System is applied for morning delays.
  19. Expensive items are not allowed in the school i.e. jewellery, cellular phones, pagers …… etc. In case of loss or damage the School Administration is not responsible. Cellular phones will be confiscated and returned at the end of the year.
  20. The school has the right to withdraw any student from any activity if the rules and regulations are not followed. If the school decides to expel any student for any reason, no school fees will be refunded.
  21. Fees will not be refunded to parents until they have no outstanding amounts in the account at the school and there are no deposited cheques or any unpaid bills.
  22. Any refunds will be processed in the name of the person or company that fully paid the fees.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

WORKING TOGETHER

Both experience and research tell us that a child’s education succeeds best when there is a strong partnership between home and school, a partnership that thrives on communication. Your involvement in this partnership may include:

Encouraging your child to put a high priority on education and working with your child on a daily basis to make the most of the educational opportunities that Al Hekma provides. Ensure that your child completes all homework assignments and special projects. Be sure your child comes to school each day prepared, rested, and ready to learn.

Becoming familiar with all of your child’s school activities and with the academic programs. Monitor your child’s academic progress and contact teachers as needed.

Attendingscheduled parent / teacher conferences and requesting additional conferences as needed.

Participating in our Al Hekma parent teacher organization.

We encourage each parent to communicate with the school in important matters concerning their children in order to ensure their progress. The following procedures were planned to benefit the students and parents in their communication process:

PARENTS AS ROLE MODELS

Parents are the most important teachers and role models for our students. How a parent speaks, drives his/her automobile, and interacts with school personnel sets an important example for our students and larger community. Parent leadership and ambassadorship when within the school and the Qatari community helps us to maintain a high profile as we recruit new students and staff.

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION

Al Hekma parents can apply to become members of the Parent Teacher Association. The purpose of the association is to serve the school’s best interests by supporting the school’s mission, programs and activities. The school needs parent participation in all aspects of school life. Parents are encouraged to be involved.

The Parent Teacher Association:

  • Promotes positive school spirit
  • Nurtures positive parent to parent and school to parent communication
  • Helps with classroom and administrative needs on an invitation basis
  • Raises funds in coordination with school wide development policies and programs

COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING

The school will:

schedule quarterly parent-teacher meetings

respond in as timely a fashion to parent phone calls, emails and notes

provide reports that indicate a student’s progress and performance

publish written and on-line communications that outline important school news

provide opportunities for parent education on issues related to child development, teaching and learning

We ask that parents:

Take advantage of the scheduled parent-teacher meetings to follow- up on their child’s (ren’s) performance and progress at school.

Inform the school before 7:30 a.m. when an illness or emergency keeps students from arriving to school on time.

Read progress reports and discuss them constructively with their child (ren).

Use the AHIS website as a resource for timely information, read school mobile phone SMSs and publications and participate as actively as possible in AHIS meetings and activities.

Contact the school for appointments to meet with teachers or administration. Please remember that teachers might not receive messages until the end of the day.

Pay all school fees.(They must be paid in full prior to student’s receiving report cards.)

Communication Tools:

When students are falling behind in class, are not completing homework, or are demonstrating inappropriate behaviours the teacher will:

  • Contact Registration, in writing, for a phone conference. (Registration will translate to parents that do not speak English.)
  • All calls and contacts are documented for future follow up if problems arise.

Each student is provided with a weekly agenda that lists details of the week’s assignments provided by the school, for each class. This becomes an important communication link with parents.