Our Vision
ESF strives to develop motivated, responsible life-long learners who make a difference to our world.
Our Mission
Inspiring and challenging young minds as a caring and committed international community to achieve excellence, assume responsibility and pursue life-long learning.
European School in Armenia was founded in 2011 to serve students (Grade 1to Grade 9), see Appendix 1, from the multinational community and its surrounding areas. The total enrolment is approximately 150, representing over 4 nationalities.
THE FOUNDATION of EUROPEAN SCHOOL in ARMENIA
European School in Armenia is a non‐profit foundation with an elected Board of Trusteeship Council. Current Board members are Chairman Anna Bagdasaryan, Vice‐ Chairman Vahan Arakelyan, Treasurer Mariana Eghiazaryan and General Members Ani Zaroyan, Kristine Ghukasyan, Hasmik Torosyan.
CAMPUS and FACILITIES
Located as it is in a beautiful area on the outskirts of a peaceful City, about 8 kilometers north of the city of Yerevan, European School in Armenia is ideally placed to provide our students with a calm, high quality learning environment.
SCHOOL LAYOUT
Some of the Secondary School classrooms are established on the second floor and Primary School Classrooms and administrative offices are housed on the first floor. Art and Music facilities have been developed on the ground floor, computer laboratory has been established on the second floor, in addition to the numerous computers to be found in the work areas around the School. Lockers are housed on the main entrance hall.
The Doctor’s office is located close to our Reception in European Campus. Sports Hall is located on the ground floor and outdoor sports pitch is also available. Our school facilities also include cafeterias on the first & second floors, main entrance and foyer area.
STAFF
ESA employs over 50 well‐qualified and experienced teaching staff representing different countries. They are organized into the Primary School (Grades 1 to 4) and the Secondary School (Grades 4 to 9). There are approximately 12 administrative and support staff.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
The International Pearson Primary Years Programme ‐ We are authorized to teach the Pearson iPrimary. This programme is an international curriculum framework, which combines the best research and practice from UK school systems with the collective knowledge and experience of international schools to provide an excellent educational programme for children aged 5‐12. It provides an age‐appropriate programme for children from diverse cultures and language backgrounds, and is transferable within national and international systems. The Pearson iPrimary focuses on the development of the whole child: academic, social, physical, emotional and cultural. This is expressed in the overall aims of the Pearson iPrimary, outlined in the iPrimary Learner Profile.
iPrimary Learner Profile
The aim of all iPrimary programme is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet help to create a better and more peaceful world. IPrimary learners strive to be:
Inquirers
They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Knowledgeable
They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in‐depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
Thinkers
They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions. Communicators
They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Principled
They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Open‐minded
They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring
They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
Risk‐takers They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
Balanced
They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well‐being for themselves and others.
Reflective
They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.
The International iPrimary written curriculum framework incorporates five essential elements: Concepts, Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Action. The elements related to Concepts, Skills, Attitudes and Actions are relevant across all subject areas and provide a framework for structured inquiry‐ an ideal vehicle for learning. The remaining element is Knowledge. The
emphasis in the iPrimary is not the acquisition of isolated facts and skills but a holistic understanding of ideas.
Therefore, knowledge is not only seen as separate curriculum documentation but as the development of transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry in a whole school Programme of Inquiry. The programme strives for a balance in the acquisition of knowledge, the development of skills and the search for understanding.
Concepts ‐ What do we want students to understand?
Eight fundamental concepts, expressed as key questions, propel the process of inquiry. They are broad in scope and drive transdisciplinary units of inquiry and all classroom engagements. The key concepts are:
Form ‐ What is it like?
Function ‐ How does it work?
Causation ‐ Why is it like it is?
Change ‐ How is it changing?
Connection ‐ How is it connected to other things?
Perspective ‐ What are the points of view?
Responsibility ‐ What is our responsibility?
Reflection ‐ How do we know?
Skills ‐ What do we want students to be able to do?
The five areas of skill development acquired in the process of structured inquiry are Thinking, Communication, Social, Research and Self‐management.
Attitudes ‐ What do we want students to value and feel?
The program promotes and fosters a set of attitudes including Tolerance, Respect, Integrity, Independence, Enthusiasm, Empathy, Curiosity, Creativity, Co‐operation, Confidence, Commitment and Appreciation. These attitudes directly relate to the development of the attributes listed in the Learner Profile.
Action ‐ How do we want students to act?
Students are encouraged to reflect, to choose wisely and to act responsibly with their peers, school staff and in the wider community, based on their learning experience/ construction of meaning.
Curriculum Summary
The Pearson Edexcel iPrimary focuses on the heart as well as the mind of learners and addresses social, physical, emotional and cultural needs as well as academic needs. In addition to this, traditional academic subjects are valued. There is also an emphasis on the balance between the acquisition of essential knowledge and skills and the search for meaning and understanding.
The programme provides opportunities for learners to construct meaning through an inquiry approach which incorporates a range and balance of teaching strategies. The threads of children’s learning are brought together in the transdisciplinary programme of inquiry, which in turn allows them to make connections with life outside school.
The Pearson Edexcel iPrimary enables children to develop sensitivity to the experiences of others through the curriculum, the attributes listed in the Learner Profile and the expectation of socially responsible action as a result of learning experiences.
DAY to DAY ACTIVITIES and PROCEDURES Admissions Policy / Grade Level Placement
The European School Foundation in Armenia is open for admission to native and international students. The school accepts students who will benefit from its programmes. The school is unable to offer programmes to meet the needs of students with significant mental, emotional, or physical handicaps or who have significant learning difficulties. The granting or denial of admission is the joint responsibility of the Director and Head of Admissions in collaboration with the Principal. Applications for admission will be accepted throughout the school year. The maximum class size is 16.
Applicants are placed into a grade level according to birth date guidelines. Maturity, educational background and level of achievement are considered, but the school reserves the right to place each child in the class and grade level deemed to be the most appropriate and beneficial to that child. An observation period will occur to confirm the initial placement decision. Children proceed from the Primary School to the Secondary School on successful completion of Grade 4.
After School Activities
After School Activities offered in the past have included physical activities such as Dancing, Gymnastics, Karate, Choir.
Please be advised that parents are responsible for the supervision of their children after dismissal at 18:00 on Monday to Friday. Teachers are not on duty after dismissal time. Transportation is provided for students who choose to take that service. European School teachers who teach from 17.00 to 17.40 take responsibility for students to accompany them to the main entrance at 17.50 and wait until 18.00.
Arrival and Dismissal
The school day begins at 8:30 and finishes at 18:00 on Monday through Friday. The school is open from 8:15 until 18:00.
Upon arrival, students should deliver their belongings to their lockers, change their shoes and then go directly to their classrooms. From 8.30-9.00 from Monday to Friday breakfast is available.
If students arrive after 9:00, they must report to the School office to sign in and then report to their class. Students arriving after 9:00 will be marked as late.
Students are expected to remain on campus during the school day. Students, who need to leave school early, before normal dismissal time, must have a note from a parent and they must be signed out at the School office by a parent/guardian. In some emergency cases parents can make a call to the Administration for early leavings. Parents who come to collect their child early must come to the School office to sign them out. If someone other than the parent/guardian is collecting the student, the school must be informed before the student will be allowed to leave the school. Administration Assistant must inform the teacher (who is running the lesson at that time) about early dismissal of a student.
For dismissal, parents wait to meet their children in the Foyer area in the designated sections.
Students who take the school buses home are dismissed at 18.00 on Monday through Friday.
Buses depart at 18:10 on Monday through Friday.
Assessments
In May, the Primary School will administer a series of benchmark assessments to all Grade 4 students.
These benchmark assessments are based upon internationally endorsed reading and mathematical literacy frameworks developed by the Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) These assessments contain a broad cultural base and will measure student performance in the areas of Reading Literacy, Mathematical Literacy and Writing. The results of these assessments will provide parents and teachers with valuable information on each individual student’s level of achievement, identify areas of strengths and weaknesses and diagnose gaps in the above‐mentioned areas. This important information will help teachers meet the academic needs of individual students which will result in the improvement of student learning. Further, the results of these assessments are normed which means that Pearson Edexcel iPrimary will be able to compare the performance of our students with those students who attend other international schools throughout the world. Pearson Edexceli Primary will be able to use this assessment data, in its aggregate form, to evaluate curriculum and instruction in relation to objective evidence of student performance.
In May, the Secondary School will administer a series of benchmark assessments to all Grade 9 students.
In May Grades 2,3,5,6,7,8 take achievement tests in all subjects.
Attendance / Absences and Make Up Work
Students are expected to be in attendance each school day. The school is aware that students on a few occasions will be unable to be in attendance due to illness, family matters or emergencies.
It is strongly recommended that travel and vacation plans be scheduled to avoid missing any school days.
Under Armenian law, students must attend a minimum of 85% of all school days to successfully complete the requirements for that grade and to be promoted to the following grade.
Parents are asked to please notify the appropriate school office in writing or digitally, ahead of time, if a student is to be absent. If an email is sent to the teacher to notify sickness or unexpected leave, please CC the School office ([email protected]).
In the case of illness or some other unexpected absence, parents are required to email or make a telephone call to the office on the morning of the absence. Upon return to school a note signed by the parent explaining the reason for the absence is required. In some cases a doctor’s note stating any restrictions may also be required.
Students who miss school for a few days for any reason, should arrange to get assignments, (assuming they are well enough to do the work), from a friend in the same class, or the teacher may send a copy home with a sibling or via email. Students who miss school for extended periods, (whether due to illness or other reasons), can request a list of assignments and recommended work to make re‐entry as smooth as possible. However, a lot of what happens in school is work which cannot be made up later. The interaction with the teacher, other students, and doing hands on activities, etc., cannot be recreated.
Teachers are NOT expected to create extensive individual programmes for students who miss school for extended periods.
Birthdays
Teachers will recognize student birthdays as appropriate for the age in question. Invitations to private birthday parties may be distributed at school only if all children in the class are invited. European School discourages special arrangements made by parents for parties at school during the day.
Parents who would like their child’s birthday celebrated must make arrangements with the School in advance. The celebration must be limited to cupcakes and a drink ‐ no gifts or treat bags ‐ and last no longer than 20 minutes.
Cafeteria and Food
- European School provides breakfast, lunch and snack. Students should bring their own water bottles.
Please support us in encouraging a healthy lifestyle by not sending chocolate, candy or fizzy drinks to school at any time.
Calendar
The 2018/2019 school calendar has been approved by the Board and can be found in the Appendix 2 as well as on the school website.
Important events are published regularly in the school News and Notes or details are emailed direct to your email account.
Change of Address
Please notify the school immediately of any changes to your address, telephone number or email.
Class Placement Policy
Towards the end of the school year it is our policy to make initial tentative placements of students in classes for the coming year, according to a set of clear and fairly managed criteria, which include:
Academic range and balance
Balance between new and returning students
Behaviour issues
Friendships / optimal peer relationships
Gender (in order to maintain a balance in the class)
Size of the class
Special needs requirements within the class
Teacher’s professional judgement / experience / detailed knowledge of child, considering academic and personal abilities and needs
These recommendations are given very careful consideration by the teachers and will remain tentative until after the arrival and assessment of new students is completed at the commencement of the next year. Furthermore, until numbers are known close to the start of the new school year, it is even possible that extra classes may have to be established in some cases.
Class lists are initially developed independent of who specific teachers may be. At school there is always a certain amount of movement amongst the faculty as new teachers arrive and depart, and even those teachers who remain may request a change to teach at a different grade level. Depending on enrolment, sometimes new classes are even added over the summer vacation. There are times, however, when the school will decide on a placement for a specific student with a specific teacher and this is usually done in conjunction with our Learning Support teachers in special cases.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter, and please be assured that we have your child’s interests at heart in all such decisions.
Code of Conduct
At European School in Armenia, we believe in the development of each student’s potential for learning in a positive, safe and orderly school environment. We are proud of the excellent behaviour that has been displayed by students over the years. The following section in no way should indicate that misbehaviour is an ordinary occurrence. However, in fairness to
students and parents who are arriving from many different schools throughout the world, we believe that we must state behavioural expectations and discipline procedures in a manner most likely to be read and understood.
Discipline at European School in Armenia is based upon the following assumptions:
All students are innately good and have the capacity to behave responsibly and make good choices.
A school environment, in which appropriate behaviour is consistently expected and recognized, creates a sense of security for students that will increase their attention to learning and to self‐responsibility.
Disciplinary consequences should be productive, reasonable and related to inappropriate behaviours.
Students benefit from the educational process best when teachers, administrators, counsellors and parents work cooperatively to ensure that students gain the most from their mistake.
The aims of discipline procedures at European School in Armenia are as follows:
To help students recognize that freedom and responsibility go hand‐in‐hand.
To help students learn from their mistakes.
To help students develop effective communication skills, problem solving skills and other important social skills
The European School in Armenia has developed a Code of Conduct, as a positive means of encouraging appropriate behaviour. The Code of Conduct includes five statements. These are written in a positive manner, and represent the desired behaviours and habits that students are expected to model and practice on a daily basis. We will consistently challenge students to consider their behaviour and contributions to school life in terms of the Code of Conduct.
Student Code of Conduct
As European School students, we are committed to these values in conjunction with our mission statement:
Our international understanding
Explore different perspectives by engaging with your peers
Share your personal heritage
Our community of individuals
Enrich our community with your different perspectives and opinions and respect those of others Nurture your own talents and value those of others
Our wealth of opportunity
Take full advantage of the privileges provided by the school
Strive to fulfill your potential
Our commitment to serving others
Hold and spread an awareness of people in need
Proactively contribute to the enrichment of the community
Our community‘s supportive spirit
Respect individual learning
Offer a helping hand
Problem Solving Steps
Students are encouraged to use the following steps to help them solve problems. Stop
Talk
Walk
Help
Other Important Expectations
Personal Appearance
Students are expected to wear suitable clothing and safe footwear at all times and to maintain an appropriate level of personal hygiene. Clothing that a student chooses to wear must be in good taste. When choosing clothing to wear to school, students should consider the cultural and religious sensitivities of all members in our school community. Clothing should be in good repair and free of displays of language and substances that are not acceptable in our school community. A student who is unsuitably dressed may be asked to return home to change clothing.
Personal Stereo, Electronic Toys and Mobile Phones
Students are not allowed to use personal stereos, electronic toys or hand phones during the school day.
If a student uses a personal stereo, electronic toy or a mobile phone during class or break time, it is considered a disturbance and the equipment will be confiscated by the teacher.
Movement around Campus
Students are expected to walk on the right hand side of the hall and staircases and move quietly and carefully throughout the building.
Food
Students should not chew gum, or consume chocolate or candies during the school day.
European School Discipline Procedures
The ESF reserves the right to take appropriate disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, for activities of a student, whether on‐campus or off‐campus, which are considered detrimental to the welfare of the school, student body or individual. A suspension means students are removed from school temporarily for a specific period of time. Students may be suspended for a period of time ranging from one (1) school day to five (5) school days.
- European School students are subject to school rules and disciplinary responses for incidents of misconduct or breaches of discipline occurring during school or while attending school sponsored activities.
- European School students are subject to school rules and disciplinary responses while away from school should actions by them be considered detrimental to the welfare of themselves, others or the school.
Breaches of discipline shall be dealt with by applying progressively serious measures, which appropriately meet the seriousness of the offence. These may include behavioural or academic issues.
Disciplinary Measures
Verbal warning
Time out
Complete “Reflection and Action Plan” (see Appendix) and /or Letter of Apology Loss of privileges or do extra jobs in class
Visit with Primary School Principal or Deputy Principal Conference
The teacher or European School Principal will confer with the student. The parents may be conferred with in person or by phone. As a result of the conference process, one or more of the following consequences may be imposed as a result of a student’s inappropriate behaviour.
Weekly Progress Report
The European School Principal or Deputy Principal may place a student ʺon reportʺ due to academic and/or behavioural concerns. We will closely monitor the student’s academic performance and/or behaviour for the week. A student on report will be required to have his/her teachers complete a report at the end of each lesson for the entire week. After the report is completed, the student will sign it and acquire the signature of parents.
Contract
A formal written contract between the school, parents and student may be required which specifies expectations and consequences of behaviours.
Detention / In School Suspension
Detention/In School Suspension shall mean a disciplinary measure, which requires a student to remain in a designated and supervised area of the school for a specified period of time. Students may be assigned specific work during a detention. Detention imposed by the faculty or the Leadership Team.
Suspension of student
Behaviour judged to consistently deviate from accepted standards, or in a single more serious incident, will lead to suspension by the European School Principal for a period of from one to five days. Consistent unacceptable behaviour or serious infringements of the rights, safety or welfare of others may result in suspension. The Director and the parents will be advised of the circumstances and action to be taken. A suspended student may not return to school until a conference is held between the administration and the student, parent(s) or guardian. A student shall be referred to the Counsellor on returning to school.
Probationary enrolment
A student shall be placed on probationary enrolment as a consequence of behavior judged sufficiently serious that repeated similar behaviour will result in automatic recommendation for expulsion.
Expulsion of student
Very serious and/or chronic offences may lead to expulsion, resulting in a student being removed from the school register.
A student can expect to be expelled in the following cases:
- a) A student is found to be in possession of, using or selling prohibited substances.
- A student commits an offence in relation to firearms or dangerous weapons.
- A student commits a serious offence in relation to theft or property damage.
- A student’s actions and attitude demonstrate that his or her presence in the school has been or may be detrimental to the safety and well‐being of others.
Financial Reimbursement
A student and his/her parents may be required to reimburse individuals or European School for damage to or destruction of property.
Appeal
The parents will be advised of their right to appeal to the School Board against the decision to expel the student. Any appeal must be lodged within five working days after receipt of notification. On receipt of an appeal, the Board shall meet as soon as is practical to consider its decision.
The student and his/her parents may present their appeal to the Board in person. The Board shall consider the appeal in light of all information presented and notify the student’s parents of its decision as soon as possible.
If, after expulsion procedures have commenced, the parents elect to withdraw the student from the school, expulsion procedures may cease.
Once expelled, a student may not seek re‐admission to European School for a period of at least twelve months.
Consideration for re‐admission would be given on the basis of probationary enrolment, taking into account the student’s personal and academic record during the period of absence from the
school.
Communication: Home and School
As professional educators we feel strongly that to maximize learning for our students, we need effective communication with parents in order to work together to benefit our students. We maintain close communication with parents in the following ways:
European School Intranet
The past few years have seen the development of the school Intranet site. This site is our major communication outlet. At present there is detailed information on the School curriculum and our assessment policy available on the site.
Parent / Grade Level Mass‐mailing
As we move towards utilizing digital communication more, we now have the facility to mass mail groups of parents. We will use this mass mailing system for a number of information bulletins. These will include: information related to student learning within a specific class; when student work is available online;
etc. In order to receive these mass mailings, it is extremely important that you keep the school’s Admissions Office informed of any email changes. Parent Information Sessions
Parent Information Sessions are scheduled in early September to enable parents to meet the teachers and learn about the programmes and expectations. Attendance is very important. Details related to these sessions will be sent in your Parent and Student Welcome Pack
Conferences
As part of our regular reporting procedures, conferences involving the Student, Parent and Teacher will be scheduled twice a year. These conferences are held during school time on December 26th and 27th 2018 and May 30th, 2019.
Open Days
These are opportunities for parents to come into the school during a normal school day to observe their child and participate in the learning activities. Each parent is allowed to take part in it once a year, which is arranged beforehand.
Homework Diary and Home/ School Folder
Please check this book and folder regularly as they could contain important notices and messages for you. If there is information to be shared which is confidential, please send a separate note or email the teacher directly.
Open Door Policy
European School teachers are available to speak to parents at regular times each week. If parents wish to make an appointment to meet with a particular teacher they should make an appointment directly with the teacher concerned. Parents must communicate directly with the administration. If a parent at any other time wishes to meet with a teacher it is only necessary to arrange a time.
Dress Code
Girls
Skirts – minimum length when straight‐arm by side and hand stretched out.
Shorts – minimum length when straight‐arm by side and hand stretched out.
No bare mid‐riff or cut outs in shirts/blouses.
‘Tank top’ straps must be at least three fingers wide on all occasions.
No blouses off the shoulder.
Avoidance of cleavage (at the interpretation of female members of staff).
Leggings worn as trousers are only allowed if the top is long enough. These should not be thin enough to be tights. Fishnet tights are not to be worn.
No flesh hugging t‐shirts with leggings.
No underwear visible at any time.
The heel on shoes and boots should not be higher than 5 centimeters.
Boys
Trousers should be worn around the waist i.e. no underwear visible at any time.
Facial hair should be neat, clean, closely trimmed.
Rules applying to both genders
No inappropriate t‐shirt prints (swear words, drugs, nudity etc.).
No hats are to be worn in classrooms, although they are permitted to be worn in corridors and outside.
Transparent material on clothing is not acceptable.
Shirts or tops must touch the waist of pants or skirts at all times (i.e. when in movement, when arms are extended or raised, and when in seated position, etc.).
Hair should be neat, tidy and not distracting to other students (i.e. if dyed, then it must be a natural colour).
The above guidelines are provided to help ensure fairness and clarity. Students may be asked to remove, cover or adjust other clothing where it is clearly unacceptable or in breach of the spirit of the Dress Code.
Trips
There will be a number of school‐sponsored trips at each grade level throughout the year.
Parents/guardians are required to sign a general permission at the start of the academic year allowing their child to leave the school campus, on foot, to participate in activities or projects, relevant to a particular topic being studied, as well as day trips in the region using public transportation or school buses. Parents/guardians will be informed in advance of all day trips planned.
No further response will be needed unless the parent wishes to withhold permission for the specified activity. Students cannot participate in trips unless they have the written permission of their parent/guardian. Since the written parental permission is a legal requirement, we ask for your cooperation in ensuring that the signed slips are returned promptly.
Students in Grades 5,6,7,8 and 9 will have the opportunity to participate in overnight trips. A parent information session is held well in advance of the trip to inform parents of the itinerary for these overnight trips. Special permission forms are required for these trips. The school provides part of the total cost for these overnight trips and parents are required to pay an additional amount to contribute to the total cost.
All Trips will begin and end at the school. We request that parents arrange to have their children at school to begin the Trip and the Trip will not officially end until all students have returned with their teacher to the school.
Guests
From time to time we receive a request for a child to attend our school for a short period (typically one or two days) with one of our ES students, who is a friend or relative. Parents of the ES child are required to submit a written request at least three days in advance to the Principal, stating:
‐ Their child’s name and class.
‐ The name of the visiting student and the relationship to the ES student.
‐ The date of the requested visit.
The School Principal consults with the ES student’s classroom teacher(s), checks dates,
class size and other factors. Parents will be notified of the approval or otherwise. If approved, prior to the visit, the parents of the visiting child must write a note, which includes an acknowledgement that their child must conform to ES Code of Conduct. The visiting child(ren) is (are) to be signed in as Visitors at the Main Reception office on arrival at school and then should report to the Primary School office to be shown to class.
Guardianship
If parents leave home temporarily and leave their child(ren) in the care of someone else, it is required that parents notify the school giving all dates, names, numbers and pertinent information in advance.
The Health Department
The following information is provided to inform parents of the school health activities and policies as well as the type of medical assistance available through the Health Department. Familiarity with this information is absolutely necessary in order to provide students with the best possible health care.
We have one full‐time doctor working at European Campus and she is a registered doctor with active license to practice in Armenia. The Health Department is located in the middle building on the ground floor of European Campus. The Health Department is open from:
Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm
Students may visit the Health Department at any time of the day but they must inform their class teacher before visiting, unless it is an emergency situation.
School Health Records
It is essential that health records be completed prior to the student entering the school. Any relevant medical information, addresses, telephone numbers, immunization or other information must be brought to the Administration. Parents must be sure emergency information is current, and help in keeping the records up to date. Teachers and staff involved with a student with specific health problems are informed on a confidential basis about medical conditions.
You will receive in your welcome package the” Permission Form” and the “Medical Form for Field‐ and Athletic trips”. Please be so kind and fill these papers out for the first day of school and send them a.s.a.p. to the Administration.
Medication at School
Emergency Medication
With parent’s advance written permission, students may be given non‐prescription medication during the school day to treat mild conditions such as headache, menstrual cramps or a sore
throat. A medical evaluation will be requested if a student requires non‐prescription medication more than three times per month for the same symptom.
Daily Medication
Students with diagnosed medical conditions may need emergency medication during the school day.
These medications are kept locked in the health department, together with the student’s name, class, condition and dosage. A parental permission slip and a doctor’s permission slip are required along with these medications authorizing their use.
If a short‐term illness requires the use of antibiotics or other prescription drugs, the parents should, if possible, arrange for such medication to be taken before or after school.
If medication must be given during school hours it must be labelled with the student’s name, a current medication form stating the dose, the time it is to be given and parent’s signature. The medication will be kept in the Administration.
The responsible person at school will assist in giving the student the medication. Please be aware Primary and Secondary School students are not permitted to carry their own medication in school ordering school trips. In special circumstances please contact the registered doctor.
Immunisation
The following minimum immunisations are recommended prior to starting school:
polio/diphtheria/pertussis, tetanus, and measles/mumps/rubella and hepatitis B. Please be aware that some of these vaccinations have to be given more than once.
Medical Care
Accidents & Illness
In the event of an accident, parents will be notified, and if needed an ambulance will be called. If treatment is necessary but it is not an emergency, parents will be called to take the student for medical care.
An accident report will be completed by the Administration. It is important that parents cooperate in providing information for the report at the earliest time possible.
In the event of severe illness the nurse will notify the School Office and the parents. Parents are required to make arrangements to transport their child to a physician for treatment. If, however, the illness is so severe that there is not sufficient time for the parents to come to the school, an ambulance will be called and the student will normally be taken to the nearest hospital. Sick students may expose all staff and students they come into contact with the illness.
Therefore it is the parents’ responsibility to be contactable during school hours to take their sick child home. If the parents cannot be reached, there must be an alternative emergency contact
person who is able to take the sick student home.
No student is permitted to leave the school on account of sickness without contacting the health department.
Students should not contact their parent’s due to sickness during school hours, they should be assessed by the doctor and the parents will be contacted if necessary.
Excluding a sick student from School
Sick students should be kept home for a number of reasons. Attending school when sick can lead to the illness worsening, an increase in recovery time and spreading the illness to others. Regardless of the illness type, a sick student will always need rest.
The following are the school health guidelines for excluding a student from school:
Temperature of 37.5°C or above
Nausea, vomiting or severe abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Acute cold, sore throat, persistent cough
Red inflamed, or discharging eyes
Acute skin rashes or eruptions
Suspected scabies or impetigo
Swollen glands around jaws ears or neck
Earache
Any weeping skin lesions unless protected and diagnosed as non‐infectious
Head lice
Other symptoms of severe illness
Excluding a student from Activities (Physical Education)
If for some reason, (illness or physical disability) a student cannot participate in physical education activities, he or she must bring a doctor’s or parent’s note to school stating the condition and length of time the student is excused from this activity. The nurse will only issue such excuses under very special circumstances.
Students Returning after Illness
Please report any infectious conditions such as chicken pox, infectious diarrhoea, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, impetigo, meningitis, mononucleosis/glandular fever or hepatitis before the student returns to school. Students with these conditions should return with a doctor’s note stating they are no longer contagious, or stating which special precautions must be taken. Students with head lice should not attend school until they are effectively treated. They should return with a doctor’s note stating they are lice free. This procedure is necessary to ensure the health of the others in school.
Homework
Homework is an important part of the educational programme at European School. It provides the student with opportunities for independent practice, skills reinforcement, research, independent projects and also promotes the development of good time management and responsibility. All School students from Grade 1 through to Grade 9 are assigned a Homework Diary to assist them with organizing their time. This diary may also be used for communication between home and school preparatory classes. Students must take part in Preparatory Classes. All the school subjects are prepared at school after the main Periods.
The following guidelines have been developed to ensure that homework assignments remain manageable:
- Grade 1 should spend 30-60 minutes working together with their parents on reading or assigned activities on week-ends.
- Grades 2 and 3 should spend 60-90 minutes on week-ends.
- Grades 4 and 9 should spend 90-120 minutes to an hour on week-ends.
- All students are expected to read each night as part of their assigned homework.
In Grade 1, the students are not expected to complete homework assignments independently. The focus is on developing decent work habits and learning to read and write with teacher support. For Grades 1-9 European School is responsible for homework assignments to be done at school. The school doesn’t take responsibility if a student leaves school earlier than expected (before six o’clock). Parents, taking their children from school before the finish of school day, have to sign a paper that is written the day and hour that the child has been taken from school.
The aim is to have students view homework as a part of school life. Developing good work habits at an early age, gradually increasing the responsibility and workload over time is the position ES holds.
Library
The library is situated on the first floor of our European School facility. It currently houses the European School library collection.
Opening Hours
The library is open between 9:30 and 18:00, Monday to Friday. It is not open on the weekends, school holidays or public holidays.
Library Behaviour Policy
The library is shared by students, staff and other members of the ES school, thus all users are requested to behave responsibly and respectfully. The eating or chewing of any food or drink is not allowed; neither are unruly behaviour and any actions which result in damage or injury. In order to maintain a pleasant and enjoyable learning environment we also ask that users clean up after themselves. The computers in the library are for educational use and student research. If a student wishes to use any computer programme they must request permission from the librarian.
Lost and Found
There is a large cupboard on the ground floor for Lost and Found items. Parents are welcome at any time to check this for lost items. Often items are put out on display at assemblies or during Student, Parent and Teacher conference times. Unclaimed items are eventually donated to a charitable organization after a reasonable amount of time. In order to reduce the number of
lost items stored, we would appreciate if student’s belongings are clearly labelled.
Parent Volunteers
A child’s school life is greatly enriched by a family that is well‐informed and active in school affairs. ES welcomes parent involvement and encourages close ties between parents and the school. Early in the school year parents are asked if they are interested in volunteering at the school, as a Room Volunteer for a specific class, as a classroom helper, acting as a mentor for the Exhibition, organizing special projects or reading in the Library. There are many ways in which parents can assist in the School. We would love for you to be involved!
Personal Belongings
Students and parents are asked to PLEASE LABEL ALL personal belongings, which come to school. If items are misplaced this enables us to return them to the correct owner.
Students are discouraged from bringing expensive personal items to school such as mobile phones, computers, iPods, Nintendo game consoles or money. Parents are asked to please discuss this issue thoroughly with their children and encourage them to be responsible with their personal belongings. ES takes no responsibility for the damage to or loss of personal belongings.
Physical Education (P.E.) Requirements
Students must wear the P.E. uniforms for Physical Education classes, for school sport activities and competitions. For safety reasons no jewellery should be worn during P.E. lessons and students whose hair is below shoulder length must have their hair tied up. Students who do not have appropriate clothing and/or footwear will not be able to participate in Physical Education classes.
Students are required to change into their P.E. uniforms in the changing areas in the gym. If a student is not able to participate in their P.E. lesson for any reason a letter from the parent or a doctor is required.
Child Protection
PURPOSE
An effective whole-school child protection policy is one which provides clear direction to staff and others about expected behaviour when dealing with child protection issues. An effective policy also makes explicit the school’s commitment to the development of good practice and sound procedures. This ensures that child protection concerns, referrals and monitoring may be handled sensitively, professionally and in ways which support the needs of the child. INTRODUCTION European School in Armenia takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in its care. “The welfare of the child is paramount” (Child Right Act). 2.2 The Child Right Act (2003) places a statutory responsibility on the governing body to have policies and procedures in place that safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are pupils of the school.
There are three main elements to our child protection policy;
- Prevention through the creation of a positive school atmosphere and the teaching, and pastoral support offered to pupils.
- Protection by following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to child protection concerns.
- Support to pupils who may have been abused.
This policy applies to all pupils, staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to ESF
Prevention of Abuse
We recognize that for our pupils, high self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and clear lines of communication with a trusted adult helps to prevent abuse. Our school will therefore:
- Establish and maintain an environment where pupils feel safe and secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
- Ensure that pupils know that there are adults within the school who they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty.
FRAMEWORK
Child protection is the responsibility of all adults and especially those working with children. The development of appropriate procedures and the monitoring of good practice are stated in the Child Right Act 2003.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to protect them.
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
Statement of Intent
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for young people so they can enjoy their involvement with European School in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unaccepted within European School. This includes bullying of young people by adults and bullying of young people by other young people. If bullying does occur, all young people should know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Procedures Report bullying incidents to a member of staff. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying will be investigated.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
The Head Teacher and all other staff who work with children will undertake appropriate child protection awareness training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities for child protection effectively. Support will be available for staff from the psychologist in the first instance, and from members of the school’s leadership team where there are concerns about queries about child protection.
PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidentiality is an issue which needs to be discussed and fully understood by all those working with children, particularly in the context of child protection. The only purpose of confidentiality
in this respect is to benefit the child. A member of staff must never guarantee confidentiality to a pupil nor should they agree with a pupil to keep a secret, as where there is a child protection concern this must be reported to the Principal and may require further investigation by appropriate authorities. Staff will be informed of relevant information in respect of individual cases regarding child protection on a” need to know basis” only. Any information shared with a member of staff in this way must be held confidentially to themselves.
RECORDS AND MONITORING
Well-kept records are essential to good child protection practice. Our school is clear about the need to record any concern held about a child or children within our school, the status of such records and when these records should be passed over to other agencies. Any member of staff receiving a disclosure of abuse or noticing signs or indicators of abuse, must make an accurate record as soon as possible noting what was said or seen, putting the event in context, and giving the date, time and location. All records will be dated and signed and will include the action taken. These file notes are kept in a confidential file, which is separate to other files, and stored in the Executive Director’s office. In the same way notes must be kept of any pupil who is being monitored for child protection reasons.
If a pupil transfers from the school, these files will be copied for the new establishment and forwarded to the pupil’s new school marked confidential.
SAFE SCHOOL, SAFE STAFF
It is essential that the high standards of concern and professional responsibility adopted with regard to alleged child abuse by parents are similarly displayed when members of staff are accused of abuse.
Only authorized agencies may investigate child abuse allegations.
Professional Development (PD)
Throughout the year teachers participate in a variety of Professional Development activities to enhance their practice and improve student learning. As well as attending conferences in various international locations, this year the staff will have PD days on: On July 23, 24, 25 -Pearson iPrimary Curriculum, on August 16,17,18-STEP BY STEP Programme.
Tests
Teachers are supposed to submit their progress and achievement tests 2 weeks before to the exact department. Teachers take responsibility to print and copy their tests a week before the arranged day.
Missing of Classes
Teachers who do not come to their classes and do not inform the department must pay penalty, which amounts to 3000 AMD for each academic hour.
Teachers who have serious excuses for missing classes or being late, do not pay penalty if the administration is informed beforehand.
Recess Break
Students have been supervised outside break times during the school day and they are expected to go outside to play. Everyone is expected to dress appropriately for the weather. In cold weather, snowsuits and boots, hats and gloves are essential. In rainy weather an appropriate coat is required. In sunny weather, a hat is essential. On the occasional day when the weather is considered inclement, outside play will be cancelled. During outside play students are expected to remain in the designated supervised areas and play safely.
Religious Holidays
The school understands that students of various religions within the school observe diverse holidays. The school respects and accepts these needs and asks parents to inform us of plans for absences or special observances/customs that the child needs to adhere to.
Reporting
At ESF, we see the child, parent and teacher as partners in the learning process. All parties have goals for the child’s learning and these will be most effectively realized as the result of open communication.
The child, teacher and parents work together to assess and evaluate the child’s progress, identify observed strengths and areas to develop, discuss concerns and set future goals to meet the student’s needs.
Our Assessment and Reporting process involves a number of components.
Portfolio
Throughout the year each child will collect work in a Portfolio. The format of this book will be flexible to suit student needs and teacher preferences but the purpose will be the same, to provide evidence of student learning and achievement and to show growth over the course of the year.
Self‐Evaluation / Reflection
Each child will be required to carry out some personal reflection on their work at school and to make their own evaluation of their progress.
Student / Psychologist Conference
These conference times provide regular opportunities for the psychologist and student to have some one‐to‐one time for the purpose of reflecting on the child’s achievements, identifying strengths and areas to develop, discussing concerns and setting goals. The nature and number of goals set at each grade level will vary and reflect the needs and abilities of children at different ages and stages of development. At this time, the child is given a great deal of responsibility for making honest and open comments about his/her own perceptions of himself/herself as a learner.
Progress Report
At the end December and at the end of the year in May, the teacher will complete a formal, written progress report for each child.
Student, Parent, and Teacher Conferences
During the first term on 15th and 16thof December 2018 Student, Parent and Teacher conferences are scheduled during the regular school day. This first conference is a ‘Three Way’ conference when your child and your child’s class teacher will have some time to show and discuss your child’s work. The teacher will highlight particular areas of the child’s growth and progress and address any areas of concern. Parents also contribute!
Conferences will also be held on 30th May / 2nd July 2019 for the second term. Parent Comment
Throughout the year, parents will be asked for written feedback about their child’s development. Our assessment and reporting process values the role of the parent as a vital link in the process.
School Hours
Monday through Friday
Start End Period Description
PIMARY SCHOOL
8:20 – 8:30 Arrival
Students arrive at school.
| 8.30-9.00 | Breakfast Time |
| 9.00 | Attendance is taken. |
| 9.00-9.40 | Period 1 First class of the day begins. |
| 9.45-10.25 | Period 2 |
| 10:30 11:10 | Period 3 |
| 11:15 11:55 | Period 4 |
| 11:55 12:15 | Break Lunch and Recess |
| 12:15-12:55 | Period 5 |
| 13:40—14.10 | Playtime |
| 14:10 – 14:20 | Snack Time |
| 14:20-15:00 | Period 7 |
| 15:05-15:45 | Period 8 |
| 15:45- 16:00 | Dinner Time |
| 16:00- 16:40 | Period 9 |
| 16:45-17:25 | Period 10 |
| 17:25-17:50 | Period 11 |
| 17.50-18.00 | Dismissal / Parent Pick‐up |
dismissed to the Main Entrance/Reception area.
18:10 Bus Dismissal
SECONDARY SCHOOL
8:20 – 8:30 Arrival
Students arrive at school.
| 8.30-9.00 | Breakfast Time |
| 9.00 | Attendance is taken. |
| 9.00-9.40 | Period 1 First class of the day begins. |
| 9.45-10.25 | Period 2 |
| 10:30 11:10 | Period 3 |
| 11:15 11:55 | Period 4 |
| 11:55 12:15 | Break Lunch and Recess |
| 12:15-12:55 | Period 5 |
| 13:00 – 13:40 | Period 6 |
| 13.45-14.25 | Period 7 |
| Preparatory Classes | |
| 14.25-15.00 | Playtime |
| 15:00 – 15:10 | Snack Time |
| 15:10-16:00 | Period 8 |
| 16:00- 16:10 | Dinner Time |
| 16:10- 16:50 | Period 9 |
| 16:55-17:20 | Period 10 |
| 17:25-17:50 | Period 11 |
| 17.50-18.00 | Dismissal / Parent Pick‐up |
dismissed to the Main Entrance/Reception area.
18:10 Bus Dismissal
Security
Safety and security is high on the ESF priority list. Security programmes operate at a number of levels and locations. In addition, we are in close contact with state and local authorities, police as well as accredited foreign representations which keep us informed of any potential security risks. The school is monitored by security cameras.
All visitors are to report to the Reception Office for registration, a visitor badge will be issued and the person to be visited is to pick up the visitor from the Reception.
Visitors interested in admission are to be met at the Reception desk. These visitors will be accompanied by the admissions officer or another member of staff and do not require a visitor’s badge. The admissions officer keeps a record of all potential parents. Parents are not required to wear visitor badges.
Student Support Services
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about your child’s learning in school, meet with your child’s class teacher first. If necessary, a referral can be made for him/her to the Learning Support Teachers. The staff who work in this area are experienced in diagnosing learning differences. They will observe your child in class and may carry out various types of assessment. They may modify your child’s classroom programme with the class teacher and offer extra support in or out of the classroom. They will also make recommendations for ways in which parents can assist at home.
Supplies and School Materials
Please see the Appendix 4 for grade level lists.
Withdrawal from ESF
When a student is to be withdrawn permanently from school, parents of students leaving ESF should inform the Admissions Office in writing as soon as they know they will withdraw. This will enable the office to prepare the students leaving documents. Before such documents can be issued, a withdrawal form must be prepared which checks on such things as library books, outstanding fees, forwarding addresses and so forth.
ESF Accreditations
Our school has approved by the government of Armenia.
We are proud to be authorized to offer the International Pearson Primary Years Programme curriculum from Grade 1 to Grade 5 is recognized worldwide.