PARENT HANDBOOK 2 Dear families, Welcome to the Q.F.I. School community. Your child’s school years are extremely important and particularly the early years when your children start their journey of formal learning. Bringing up children is always a joint venture and we at Q.F.I. School want to take this journey together with you. We hope that this handbook will help you to organise your daily lives and find common understanding in educating your children. These are some of the practices and procedures we have in our school. However, the most important thing for your children is that they feel that parents are interested in their education and share the joy of learning. Wishing a good academic year 2014- 2015. Sincerely, Mr. Juha Repo Principal Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 3 Contents Vision4 Our mission4 Vision, Mission, Values and Concept of learning 4 Curriculum5 Assessment6 Support8 Home – School Cooperation 9 Staff10 Attendance Policy12 Practical Issues20 Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 4 VISION, MISSION, VALUES AND CONCEPT OF LEARNING Vision Q.F.I. School is a unique state-of-the-art school, a safe environment, and a supportive community for learning and growth enabling each child to reach their full potential. Our mission Providing high-quality teaching in Qatar through encouraging your child to take an active and responsible role as a learner. Creating learning opportunities, which support all your child’s educational needs as an individual, a member of the community, and a conscious global citizen. Offering our young learners a motivational, inspiring, and secure environment with future technology and versatile learning materials enhancing academic achievement and creativity. Modelling an exquisite combination of educational excellence and support of holistic wellbeing of our students, staff and parents. Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 Establishing a forerunner institution which serves key Qatari stakeholders committed to achieving educational excellence according to the Supreme Education Council (SEC) Outstanding Schools Program. 5 CURRICULUM Building the foundations for our young learners… Step by step The Q.F.I. School curriculum provides a well-balanced system incorporating highly academic skills and strong self-expression and creative skills. The curriculum combines the Finnish National Core Curriculum with the Qatari curriculum standards. Our teaching approach is thematic, integrated and child-centred. The instruction provides opportunity for successful academic achievement alongside nurturing your child as a whole person. Our teachers have high level content knowledge combined with strong pedagogical skills, a variety of methodological tools and approaches to serve the individual needs of your child. Apart from enhancing academic achievement, we work to support the development of the following cross-cutting skills: • • • • • • • Higher level cognitive skills, learning to learn Cultural competences, interaction and self-expression Looking after oneself, managing daily activities, and safety Multi-literacy ICT competence Working life skills and entrepreneurship Participation, empowerment and responsibility Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 6 ASSESSMENT Tools In addition to academic skills the school will monitor and report on the development of students’ working skills and behaviour. The most important data for student assessment comes through continuous teacher observations and formative assessment. In these processes the teacher is able to collect information about student progress through versatile sources. Observing student’s daily work and using continuous formative assessment on a daily basis gives the teacher realistic and up- to-date information about student’s academic achievement, working skills and behaviour. Peer- and self-evaluation are used as a natural part of daily routines and group activities. The use of these methods will enhance the understanding between learning and assessment and promote the construction of a stronger and more realistic self-image. The school year is divided into three terms. Students will receive an End of Term Report at the end of each term. The students and their families will also receive a Mid-Term Review, which provides additional information about student progress. When feasible, the results and products describing the student progress can be seen in an ePlatform which will also work as a link between the teacher and the parents. In the early education (Grades 0-2) the evaluation is written and descriptive. When the students get older an increasing number of academic subjects will be graded on a numeric scale from 4-10, 4 being failed and 10 being outstanding. Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 7 Behaviour: Criteria for positive reinforcement The aim is to create an atmosphere where the student can daily have positive learning experiences. However, emphasis is put on creating an inner motivation mechanism contrary to an outer reward mechanism. Positive reinforcement should come through a realistic picture of one’s actions. This picture is built based on reflection coming from the child himself, the teachers and the peer group. Actions used for positive reinforcement include: • • • Student appraisal – noticing and appreciating good behaviour continuously Student rewarding methods – individual recognition of good behaviour at group, class, module and school level Group rewarding methods – recognition of good behaviour at societal level promoting the sense of shared responsibility in the group. This is extremely important when guiding children towards effective group skills. Being heard and understood is known to positively reinforce students’ behaviour. More detailed criteria for good behaviour are defined in school rules. When evaluating behaviour, it is taken into account that the student personal responsibility increases with age. Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 8 SUPPORT Learning support Q.F.I. School is implementing a new systematic way of organizing support. The focus is on earliest possible support in order to prevent the emergence and growth of problems. Support for growth, learning and school attendance is shaped into three categories: general support, intensified support and special support. Everyone is entitled to general support. It is a natural part of everyday teaching and learning process. Intensified and special support categories are based on careful assessment and long-span planning in multi-professional teams and on individual learning plans for students. If in addition to general support further measures are needed, pedagogical assessment shall be done and a plan for intensified support will be discussed and finalized in the student welfare group of the school. Following this a learning plan is drawn up for the student. Support for the student is provided as early as possible, in a flexible manner in solid co-operation between different stakeholders and emphasizing the role of the teachers. The teachers plan and implement the support actions in close collaboration with the student welfare team. The team consists of the School Counsellor, Special Needs Teacher and Vice Principal. School nurse School nurse is available in the school every school day for emergencies and other health matters. Please contact the school nurse for appointment or enquiries. Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 9 HOME – SCHOOL COOPERATION In the Q.F.I. School, we believe that the responsibility for learning is shared between students, teachers and homes. Whilst as a parent you are primarily responsible for the upbringing of your child, we support you by taking responsibility for your child’s education at school. You as parents are welcome to our school to visit classes, talk to staff and to contribute to our community-building. We hope that you will be an active partner in supporting all aspects of your child’s learning, in and outside of school. If you are visiting the school, please check in at the school office. All of our teachers are more than happy to discuss any issues concerning your child’s learning or any other school matter that you might have in mind. We kindly request you to call either the school reception or your child’s class module before school (7.00-7.30) or during break times. You can also e-mail your child’s teacher. There will be an organized Parent Association later on. Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 10 STAFF All e-mail addresses follow the form [email protected] Mr. Juha Repo Principal tel: +974 66795973 Ms. Piia Parviainen Vice principal Ms. Minna Repo Pedagogical coordinator Ms. Sarah Kahoul Reception tel: +974 50 322 893 Mr. Esa Sinivuori Class teacher Ms. Eeva Salmela Class teacher Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 Mr. Aki Halko Finance manager tel: +974 50322894 Ms. Hanne Patomäki Class teacher 11 Ms. Kaisu Helminen Class teacher Mr. Oskari Koskela Class teacher Ms. Salla Halko Class teacher Ms. Tuovi Wallen Class teacher Ms. Anne Piippo Special needs teacher Ms. X School nurse Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 12 Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 13 ATTENDANCE POLICY It is important that students attend school every day. They are expected to be on time for school and for each class. When your child arrives late or needs to leave school early s/he must give a note from the parent/guardian. If school leaving schedule changes during the day, you must contact the school office to inform us. There is a limit of 25 absences (maximum total per year) for any reason, excused or unexcused, (except for prolonged illness, medical certificate required), beginning on the first day of school. The following communications will take place: • • • 8th absence: notification letter and phone call from vice principal 16th absence: parent conference with principal more than 25 absences: notification that student is not invited back for the following academic year Structure of Academic work The first day of school is Sunday 7th September – This date might be subject to change based on Supreme Education Council processes. During the first school week the school begins 07.30 and ends 12.00 for all students. Students and parents receive schedules for the rest of the year by the end of the first school week. Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 14 School calendar September 2014 Sunday First day of school for students Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 October 2014 Sunday Monday 5 Tuesday 6 Wednesday 7 Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 --------------------------------- Eid-Al-Adha Break --------------------------------- 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 15 November 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 December 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday 1 2 3 7 8 9 10 14 15 16 21 22 23 Last day of Term 1 17 24 Thursday Friday 4 5 6 11 12 13 18 19 20 25 26 27 Non-instructional day Qatar National Day Saturday ------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Break ------------------------------------------------------------------ 28 29 30 31 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 16 January 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 Saturday 2 3 Winter Break ------------------------------------------First day of Term 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February 2015 Sunday Monday 1 Tuesday 2 Wednesday 3 Thursday 4 Friday Saturday 5 6 7 ---------------------------------Half-Term Break --------------------------------- 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Qatar National Sports Day Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 17 March 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Non-instructional day April 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday 1 5 6 7 8 Thursday Last day of Term 2 Friday Saturday 2 3 4 9 10 11 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Spring Break ------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Spring Break -----------------------------------------------------------------First day of Term 3 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 29 30 Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 24 25 18 May 2015 Sunday Half-term break day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 June 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 Last day of school for students End of year celebrations 24 Non-instructional day 30 Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 19 Please note! We reserve the right to amend the school calendar according to special circumstances. September 2014 Su Mo Tu We October 2014 Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Su Mo Tu We December 2014 Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Su Mo Tu We Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 5-9 | Eid Al-Adha break 7 | First day of school for students November 2014 Su January 2015 Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 30 February 2015 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1-5 | Half-term break 10 | Qatar National Sports Day Mo Tu 1-3 | Winter break 4 | First day of Term 2 March 2015 April 2015 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 26 | Non-instructional day May 2015 Su 11 | Non-instructional day 17 | Last day of Term 1 18 | Qatar National Day 21-31 | Winter break Su Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Su Mo Tu We Th We 2 | Last day of Term 2 5-18 | Spring break 19 | First day of Term 3 Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 24 | Half-term break day Tu Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 June 2015 We Mo 24 | End of the year celebrations 25 | Non-instructional day 30 | Last day of school for students Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 20 PRACTICAL ISSUES SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Assembly Lesson 1 Assembly (Principal) Lesson 1 Assembly 7.30-7.45 Lesson 1 Lesson 1 Lesson 1 Lesson 1 PE 7.45-8.30 Break Break Break Break Break 8.30-8.50 Bacademics (lessons 2&3) Bacademics PE Bacademics Own class activities Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch 10.20-10.45 Long break (Breakies) Long break (Breakies) Long break (Breakies) Long break (Breakies) Long break (Breakies) 10.45-11.25 Lesson 4&5 Lesson 4&5 Lesson 4&5 Lesson 4&5 Golden time (class reward or Lesson 4&5) 11.25-12.55 Mini break/ home Mini break/ home Mini break/ home Mini break/ home Mini break/ home 12.55-13.10 Extra curricular activities Extra curricular activities NOTES B TIME 8.50-10.20 13.10-14.45 B: Some classes have Bacademics in the morning (lessons 2&3) and some in the afternoon (lessons 4&5) Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 21 Lunch The students are expected to have healthy, nutritious packed lunches with them. Soft drinks, chips/crisps, chocolate or other sweets are not allowed. The school is considering an option to open a canteen later on. Drop off/pick up Our school does not provide transportation during the first year. The parents are asked to note that all students should be dropped off and picked up using the transportation gates in and out. The security of our students is on top of our priority list! School Uniform The Q.F.I. School Uniforms can be ordered at the actual school location every working day between 8am- 2.45pm. Samples are available to see and try on. The colour of the polo shirt is defined by grade level as follows: Grade 0: Yellow Grade 1: Green Grade 2: Orange (Grade 3: Red) (Grade 4: Turquoise) (Grade 5: Maroon) (Grade 6: White) We offer families a uniform package for QAR 500. The package will be paid at the time of order and it includes the following: • 3 polo shirts with the school logo • 2 pairs of Gabardine pants or 2 Gabardine skorts (combined shorts and skirt) or 1 pair of pants + 1 skort • 1 pair of PE shorts • 1 white PE T-shirt with the school logo • 1 navy blue PE jacket with the school logo Parents can also buy additional pieces of clothing for additional cost. Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 22 RIGHTS AND REGULATIONS Q.F.I. School Rights • • • • • I have a right to feel safe in our school I have a right to be a positive learner and study in peace I have a right to feel friendship, equality and respect I have a right to be in a clean and well looked after school I have a right to start and finish activities in time Disciplinary Process 1. Use of basic class room management skills a. Verbal recognition of misbehavior b.Sanction i. Note of incident in the student E-report --> parents informed ii. Alternate break times, seat change, loss of privileges… 2. Guidance / reflection time (With a pedagogical staff member) 3. Referral to School Counselor / Special Needs Teacher a. Parents contacted for intervention meeting 4. Referral to vice-principal 5. Referral to principal 6. Suspension (principal) 7. Expulsion (principal) Depending on the severity of the incident and the age of the child, this process will evolve accordingly. Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014 23 Qatar-Finland International School © | 2014