School policies

COMMUNICATION POLICY FOR PARENTS

INTRODUCTION

The school gives major importance to clear communication within the school and to a positive partnership with parents.

GOAL- WHAT IS THE POLICY INTENDED TO ACHIEVE?

The school always welcomes contact with parents and guardians because this fosters mutual understanding and support which has a positive effect on student performance.  Communication promotes a partnership.

The School wants to ensure that parents and guardians always have an appropriate and helpful response to their communications. However, the professional duties of School staff members can make it difficult for them to speak or meet with parents and guardians during the academy day. So in order to achieve the most effective balance for students, parents, guardians and school staff, we will follow the following principles:

  • Welcoming contact from parents and guardians
  • Responding as quickly and as fully as possible to parents and guardians
  • Sharing information as often and as fully as possible with parents and guardians Procedures
  • Student diary: On a daily basis, parents can communicate with the school and teachers using the student diary/ handbook as a medium. The teacher or the school will reply using the same medium as quickly as possible. Consequently, we hope a two way process exists and that parents and guardians communicate with the tutors using the diaries. Parents wanting appointment to meet teacher or coordinator can send a note in the diary.
  • Email to support desk: Parents are most welcome to communicate by sending a mail to support desk at [email protected] , the school will always try to acknowledge letters and emails received from parents and guardians within two working days.

 

  1.  If more time is required to provide a fuller response or to arrange a meeting, school staff will try to include in the acknowledgement details of when these will happen. Taking an appointment via mail or student diary is mandatory for meeting the teacher or coordinator. All meetings with teachers other than PTM /SLC will be happen in the presence of the coordinator.
  2. Members of staff will try to respond to the most pressing concerns of parents and guardians as quickly as possible. It is our intention to try to respond to any letter or e-mail as soon as we can and within 7 working days.
  3. Please ensure to check your spam/ junk email folder for mails from [email protected] and mark them as not spam

 

  • Phone call (in case of emergency to school reception only on 0422-6656555 (10 Lines)): In emergencies or at other times when it is unavoidable, reception staff will help parents and guardians by taking messages via phone. Unfortunately, due to the busy nature of the day and volume of calls there can be no guarantee of passing on messages though we will endeavour to see this happen.
  • Website: The school seeks to put as much up-to-date information as possible on its website. Most general information that parents and guardians would seek can be readily found by logging on at www.manchesters.in  

 

  • Newsletter: The school will also communicate via newsletters which are produced online and sent as email. Parents and guardians are encouraged to read the newsletter which is sent monthly.
  • Circulars: Some Information will be sent via circulars (hard copies) with the students, parents are required to ask the students or check diaries regularly for such details.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

The goals of the M. Kids Behavior & Discipline Policy are to create a safe and orderly environment that is conducive to learning for all students, and to develop in our students an awareness of how their personal actions affect others and the overall school community. The relationship between rights and responsibilities is pivotal to behavior expectations of our students. In order for each of us to exercise our rights, it is necessary for us to uphold and honor our responsibilities to preserve these rights for everyone. We will use a problem-solving approach in order to develop life skills specifically linked to the IB Learner Profiles that are necessary both in and out of school. Classroom rules and procedures are established in alignment with school-wide expectations and support the development of the IB Learner Profiles. Students will receive positive reinforcement as well as clear and consistent consequences that focus on students taking responsibility for their own behavior as appropriate.

Class Rules

  • Always speak in English
  • No interfering with the teaching and learning of others.
  • Respect personal space, rights and property of others.
  • Follow directions of all teachers.
  • Come to class prepared with all supplies and homework completed.
  • Come to class on time.
  • Leave your bags outside the class.
  • Be respectful of yourself and others.
  • Raise your hand before you speak during a classroom lesson.
  • Listen quietly while others are speaking.
  • Obey all school rules.
  • Be polite, courteous and respectful at all times.
  • Complete all assignments neatly and on time.
  • Leave your seat only when necessary.
  • Keep your hands to yourself.
  • Be quiet in lines, hallways and restrooms.
  • Water Sippers can be kept in the classroom but students can drink water only with the teacher’s permission.
  • All Students should stand up to greet the teacher when the teacher enters the class at the start of the period and stand up to thank the teacher when the teacher leaves the class at the end of the period.
  • Students should be neatly dressed at all times inside the classroom and come in full uniform.

Procedures to deal with discipline

  • Procedures should be designed to make clear to the children how they can achieve acceptable standards of behaviour.

Rewards

Our emphasis is on intrinsic motivation rather than extrinsic. There are schools of thought both for and against the use of reward systems and we leave it to teachers to find the balance. Rewards like giving cookies or sweets are not advised. We encourage group goal setting in all classes so children can work together as a learning community and experience the satisfaction of attaining their goals

We encourage good patterns of behaviour by using

  • non verbal signals
  • positive verbal comments and praise
  • positive feedback written in books
  • giving children responsibility
  • sharing positive aspects with others
  • appreciation certificates
  • informing parents of achievements
  • goal setting
  • reflection sheets

Sanctions /Consequences

Students need to develop an understanding of the fact that their actions have consequences – either good or not so good! Where we do not support “punishments” we do support consequences which are often set in conjunction with students, teachers and parents depending on the severity of the action.

Consequences issued:-

  • should be transparent  (as to the process and reason)
  • should outline what changes in behaviour are required to avoid future consequences.
  • Should reflect a distinction between minor and major offences.
  • Should address the behaviour rather than the person that is facing them.

Consequences can range from writing reflections, expressions of disapproval through withdrawal of privileges, referral to coordinators & Head of School, letters to parents, imposing of fine and in extreme cases, exclusion (following the school guidelines). Most instances of poor behaviour are relatively minor and can be adequately dealt with through minor consequences. It is important that the consequence is not out of proportion to the offence. Where anti-social, disruptive or aggressive behaviours are frequent, consequences alone may be ineffective. In such cases additional specialist help and advice from the SDP head / Counselor may be necessary.

Some strategies for dealing with unwanted behaviour:

  • planned ignoring
  • non verbal signals
  • verbal warning, reminding the child of our aims/rules
  • private discussion about why the behaviour is unacceptable and giving the consequences of further poor behaviour
  • change of position within the learning environment
  • separating the child from a group or the class
  • loss of privilege
  • referring the child to the PYP Coordinator/ Head of School
  • time out procedures
  • contacting parents to discuss ways of helping the child to improve his/her behaviour
  • referring the child to the Head of School with a view to devising an “individual behaviour programme” (Probation) to help the child learn appropriate social behaviour in school

When the procedures don’t work

If the procedures appear to be failing to help a child control his or her behaviour, a meeting is called.  This involves the class teacher, coordinator, child and parents.  It may also involve others such as the SDP Head/ school counselor. The aim of this meeting is to devise a plan of action to help the child improve his/her behaviour.  Behaviour targets will be set and a review date agreed.

Communication and parental partnership

We give high priority to clear communication within the school and to a positive partnership with parents since these are crucial in promoting and maintaining high standards of behaviour. Where the behaviour of a child is giving cause for concern it is important that all those working with the child in school are aware of those concerns, and of the steps which are being taken in response. The key professional in this process of communication is the class teacher who has the initial responsibility for the child's welfare. Early warning of concerns should be communicated to the Head of School/Coordinator so that strategies can be discussed and agreed before more formal steps are required. A positive partnership with parents is crucial to building trust and developing a common approach to behaviour expectations and strategies for dealing with problems. Parental participation in many aspects of school life is encouraged. This participation assists the development of positive relationships in which parents are more likely to be responsive if the school requires their support in dealing with difficult issues of unacceptable behaviour. The school will communicate policy and expectations to parents. Where behaviour is causing concern parents will be informed at an early stage, and given an opportunity to discuss the situation. Parental support will be sought in devising a plan of action within this policy, and further disciplinary action will be discussed with the parents.

Consequences and Rules for early years of MIS

COMMUNICATION

  • Pre KG and LKG kids should not be encouraged to speak in other languages except English, during the first 3 months of observation.
  • Kids will be rewarded for their improvement in communication every week.
  • Kids are not allowed to use nick names / bad words/ other slangs.
  • Kids will be warned for the first time. Co-curricular activities will be skipped for the 2nd time.

UNIFORM + DISCIPLINE

  • Big and gold ornaments for girls are not allowed. Except on special occasions.
  • Girls are supposed to use only white normal head bands.
  • The uniform should be ironed and tidy. In case, if fails the child will be warned for the first time. If it happened for the second time, a note will be sent to the parents.
  • Boys are supposed to have a formal boy cut. In case fail to follow, warning will be given for the 1st time and a memo will be sent for the 2nd time.
  • Socks should be washed regularly. Shoes should be polished and school bags should be washed regularly. Nails should be trimmed.
  • No nail colours will be encouraged. Oily hairs and extra accessories and make ups will be strictly warned.
  • Kids will be trained to move in a proper line with hands tied at their back. The teachers will move in the front followed by the kids until they get used to it.
  • Nail biting is strictly not allowed.
  • Washing hands before and after food and also after back from play area is compulsory.
  • Kids should raise the hands to share their point. If not the child will not get her/his chance to speak in the class.
  • Books/Worksheets/ Fill up forms sent home must be returned safely, if not, teachers are not responsible for the same.
  • Kids will be given badges every week based on their performance (class leader, bag leader, communication leader).
  • Kids not returning the badge will be fined Rs. 500/-.

PUNCTUALITY + HOMEWORK

  • If the home work is not done,
    1. 1st time – child will be warned.
    2. 2nd time – home work will be sent back repeatedly until completed / Meet the parents.
    3. 3rd time – Parents will not be invited for the PTM.
  • If the child is late to school
    1. 1st time – child will be warned.
    2. 2nd time – parent will be warned.
    3. 3rd time – The child will be sent back home immediately.
  • Smiley stickers will be stuck in the diary of the child for being responsible in all her/his daily duties.

HARMING OTHERS

  • Kids disturbing their peers during class hours will be warned for the first two times. If it continues the child will be put in the naughty corners.
  • Harming others physically (biting, pinching, poking, hitting, kicking etc) will be isolated with in the class / taken to the co-coordinator.

Establishing policy is at the heart of the responsibilities of a school committee. When policies are clear, well documented and well organized in an easily accessible form, the task of carrying out these policies by school administrators, staff, and school committees is made much easier.  Various educational policies are the backbone for any school to function effectively. All our other academic policies are clearly prescribed in the curriculum handbook which can be downloaded from MIS connect.