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Student Discipline Guidelines/Policy

Student Discipline Guidelines/Policy

at aLphabet international school

Overview

In line with the mandate of the State Government of Tamil Nadu pertaining to lifting of COVID 19 pandemic related lockdown for schools, aLphabet international school is reopening the school campus for teaching and learning programs for students and
teachers in the Early Years, Primary Years (PYP), and Middle Years Program (MYP) and is outlining the student discipline guidelines to facilitate safe and secure school campus operations and provide an environment that is stimulating and exciting
and filled with learning.

aLphabet Vision

aLphabet’s vision is to provide a stimulating learning environment for children and develop a sense of “yearning for learning” amongst young minds by nurturing the uniqueness of each child. We achieve this in myriad ways right from our classroom environment
to our pedagogy which is upgraded regularly. We aim at imparting a holistic education, fostering every child in becoming a confident, independent and a self-esteemed individual.

aLphabet Mission

To develop compassionate and young life-long learners in a stimulating environment of academic excellence. We strive to instill values of mutual respect, honesty, empathy and open-mindedness. With tolerance, our learners will become humane and knowledgeable
citizens of the world, understanding various cultures thus promoting unity.

aLphabet Philosophy

Each child is born with a set of culture and values which have to be an intrinsic part of their teaching and learning process. Complete education should enhance qualities like tolerance, compassion, respect, and co- existence leading to a peaceful
life on this planet. aLphabet international instils leadership qualities to surge into the evolving century. The school creates an environment of continuous learning, critical thinking and excellence in academics. The holistic development of the
learner is also dependent on the creative expression in all forms. The school will grow as a well-knit community with the core team of learners, namely-teachers, students and the parents working hand in hand in an open environment, promoting international-
mindedness.

IB Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools,
governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand
that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Student discipline guidelines at aLphabet:

aLphabet international school is committed to providing holistic education and learning aimed at making students responsible, empathetic, independent, self-reliant, principled, balanced, reflective, knowledgeable individuals capable of problem solving
and appreciating the aesthetics of life. At aLphabet, as an IB World School (Authorized PYP & MYP) and an aspiring DP School, students are expected to develop independent learning strategies as well as the attributes of the healthy learner.
All students must therefore understand that access to the school campus, its network and facilities is a privilege that is tied to responsibilities. Complete adherence to the following discipline guidelines is necessary for the continued privilege
of access to these resources. Any and all non-compliance of the Discipline guidelines will be informed to the concerned parent/s and /or guardian/s by the school management; the con-compliance will be addressed by the school management in line
with applicable norms and procedure of the school and the decision of the Head of School will be final in these matters.

As part of the Discipline Guidelines, Students at aLphabet must ensure compliance to the following:

    1. Dress Code:
      • Students must attend school wearing the designated school uniform.
      • School uniform policies can promote school safety, improve discipline, and enhance the learning environment. The potential benefits of school uniforms include:
        • Instilling students with discipline
        • Helping parents and students resist peer pressure
        • Helping students concentrate on their school work; and
        • Helping school officials recognize intruders who come to the school
      • No student shall be denied attendance at school, penalized, or otherwise subject to compliance measures for failing to wear a uniform by reason of:
      • Insufficient time in which to procure uniforms to comply with this policy
      • Financial hardship
      • Written objection by the student’s parents on religious grounds to the student’s compliance with this policy or the applicable uniform.
      • In the event of the school not having the school uniform size of your child or in event of delay in procuring school uniform:
      • For Top and Bottoms:
        • Students can attend school in a comfortable tee shirt/ Shirt worn over track pants (preferably black color) or jeans
      • For Footwear:
        • Flip flops/ heels/ rollers/ slippers/ open toes or backless shoes are not allowed unless there is a leg or toe injury.
        • Students must always wear white colour non marking shoes/sneakers which must fit securely on the foot
      • Head-coverings
        • Caps, hats, scarves, doo-rags, and berets are not allowed. Students may wear attire that is part of their religious practice
    2. Punctuality and Attendance:
      • Currently, aLphabet is providing blended classroom structures where the school timings (reporting and dispersal) and timetable across grades has been designed keeping in mind the health and safety conditions and social and emotional well-being
        of both sets of students: those who will attend in-person school and those who will continue to access sessions
      • All students must follow the reporting and dispersal timelines and the defined timetables as has been/ will be communicated by School Desk to parents and student. The school reporting time is 8am for all grades currently. The dispersal timings
        are staggered by grades as follows keeping mind the current COVID 19 health and safety protocols including maintaining social distancing:
Grade I 8am -11:30am
Grade II 8am -11:45am
Grade III 8am -12pm
Grade IV 8am -12:15pm
Grade V 8am -12:30pm
Grade VI – IX 8am -12:45pm
    • Parents and students are encouraged to wear masks and maintain social distancing norms as has been informed vide email by School Desk when dropping students to campus or picking them up during dispersal time so that there is no congregation
      and congestion.
    • Students in any grades with elder siblings will be seated in their respective classrooms duly supervised by faculty till the dispersal time commences for the applicable senior grade. The younger sibling can utilize the time to complete any
      applicable class work/homework/assignment in the designated classroom or alternatively, be in the designated play sections on the ground floor.
    • Any & all changes to the school timings and time-table will continue to be informed to students and parents by School Desk
    • Students are encouraged to arrive at Campus 5 minutes before 8am on all 5 days from Monday to Friday.
    • Students arriving after scheduled time on 3 consecutive occasions will need to abide by the decision taken by School Management related to this non-compliance. Decision taken by Head of School will be final in these matters.
    • On special occasions, including preparations for events, students may be asked to come on Saturdays or have after school hour practice sessions and during those exceptional times, the school timings and routine would vary. These would be intimated,
      as appropriate, by e-mail. The school will take into account the prevailing health and safety mandate.
    • Students are encouraged to attend the first (1st) and the last day of school (i.e. before and after every vacation). If for some unavoidable reasons they are unable to do so, written permission needs to be obtained from the Head of School
      for the same.
    • For any other day of absence, the parents/guardians should send an email to the School Desk. If sick leave is being mentioned, the parent should submit a doctor’s certificate once the child resumes school.
    • When a long-term absence is anticipated, parents/guardians should obtain written permission from the Head of School. We encourage students not to take leave for family vacations, festivities, ceremonies, overseas trips, etc. during the academic
      session
    • No summative assessments will be rescheduled or re-conducted to accommodate students’ absence unless in event of medical or personal emergency situations in which case, parents/guardians need to inform the Head of School with medical certificate
      (where applicable) and decision of Head of School will be final in these matters.
    • In case of national/regional declaration of closure of educational institutions for any exigency, the school would be closed for students to ensure that any undue risk to them in the commute or within school campus is averted. Information
      will be sent by School Desk on the same. When in doubt on such notifications in the news, please contact the school to confirm the same
  1. Classroom etiquette:
    • The students must ensure that they limit their movements to their designated classrooms in compliance with the health and safety protocols for COVID 19 situation
    • Students are not allowed to bring any food/snack/beverage items into the classroom except their drinking water bottles. All food/snack/beverage items must be vegetarian and carried in designated and tagged lunch /snack bags and placed in the
      designated spot in the cafeteria area alone.
    • Students cannot consume any food/snack/ beverage items in the classroom
    • Students must ensure that the classroom soft board is maintained and they do not tamper with it or the material displayed on the board.
    • The school bags, books, stationery and all other items are required to be kept in their designated place for smooth functioning of the class.
    • The students should not disturb the classroom furniture setting without prior permission from the teacher and also must not cause damage to classroom furniture, whiteboard and whiteboard marker.
    • The students need to ensure that the smart TV, its remote, fans, lights, speakers, sound box are kept safely and they don’t damage any of these equipment.
    • In event of any loss/ damage to any Classroom equipment/furniture, the same will be informed by HRT/ Subject Faculty to the School Desk and the concerned individual will need to either replace the item or provide the necessary financial component
      as would be defined by the School Desk
  2. School Corridor & Staircase etiquette:
    • Students are encouraged to walk in the corridors and staircase and in case of the latter, preferably to the left on the staircase
    • Students should not push/ run while on the staircase/in the corridors as it might be disturbing to their peers and other sessions in progress on the floor
    • Students are expected to respect the displays in the corridor and elsewhere in the school campus and not tamper them in anyway whatsoever.
    • The students would need to be careful while navigating the corridors and staircase. If hurt or injured, Faculty/ Supervisors present at location must be notified immediately for addressing the injury, including administration of first aid,
      shifting to school infirmary, being treated by the Infirmary Nurse, notification to School Desk and parents/guardian; in event of the injury being deemed serious by the Infirmary Nurse, the Head of School will be notified and School Management
      will do the needful as would be advised by the affiliated/ nearest hospital; parents/ guardians will be notified of all details immediately
    • Library Etiquette:
    • The Library is a silent zone not meant for socializing. The students, faculty and all visitors are to maintain silence at all times when in the Library
    • Books, displays and equipment in the Library are to be taken utmost care of and not tampered with or vandalized.
    • Students must take care to return the material they read in the Library to the designated section and shelf in line with the numbering system followed for the books.
    • Books will be issued to students and faculty in line with the process that will be the remit of the Librarian alone; students can re-issue the books but they must first return books within the defined timelines prior to reissuance by the Librarian.
    • All instructions of the Librarian/ Faculty in the Library must be complied with by students when in the Library
    • In event of any loss/ damage to any Library item, the same will be informed by Librarian to the School Desk and the concerned individual will need to either replace the item or provide the necessary financial component as would be defined
      by the School Desk
    • Laboratory, Music Room and Dance Studio Etiquette:
    • Students must follow all the written and oral rules (safety procedures) set forth by the subject group teacher/ school administration in each of the Laboratories, the Music Room and the Dance Studio including apparel and eye wear where applicable
    • They are expected to be aware of the locations and operation of emergency equipment (kept in labs), including the eyewash, safety shower, fire extinguisher, emergency switch and fire blanket; Students are expected to notify the teacher immediately
      of any emergency
    • Students are expected to act in a responsible manner at all times in all areas of the Laboratories, Music Room and Dance Studio, including keeping the premises clean, disposing waste/unwanted material with care and permission from the teacher/s
    • Students are expected to never work alone or without teacher’s/lab attendant’s supervision in the laboratory, including handling live or preserved specimens, chemicals, paints, equipment
    • The students would need to be careful while navigating the Laboratories, Music Room and Dance Studio. If hurt or injured, subject Faculty/ Supervisors must be notified immediately for addressing the injury, including administration of first
      aid, shifting to school infirmary, being treated by the Infirmary Nurse, notification to School Desk and parents/guardian; in event of the injury being deemed serious by the Infirmary Nurse, the Head of School will be notified and School
      Management will do the needful as would be advised by the affiliated/nearest hospital; parents/ guardians will be notified of all details immediately
    • In event of any loss/ damage to any Laboratory, Music Room and Dance Studio item, the same will be informed by subject faculty/supervisor to the School Desk and the concerned individual will need to either replace the item or provide the necessary
      financial component as would be defined by the School Desk
    • Physical and Health Education facilities/ Play Area etiquette (indoor and outdoor):
    • Students of designated grades alone (as would be defined by the School Desk) are expected to use the PHE and Play Area facilities (both indoor and outdoor) only at designated times and otherwise only with a PHE staff.
    • At all other times the PHE and Play Area facilities is out of bounds.
    • Students must conduct themselves with decorum when using the PHE/Play Area facilities. This includes (but not limited to) not pushing other students, not using abusive language and not damaging sports equipment/s.
    • Students should always follow the instructions of the PHE staff or any other staff member on the ground supervising them
    • The students would need to be careful while navigating the sports ground as they might get hit by a ball or similar sports equipment/s. If hurt or injured, PHE Faculty/ Supervisors must be notified immediately for addressing the injury, including
      administration of first aid, shifting to school infirmary, being treated by the Infirmary Nurse, notification to School Desk and parents/guardian; in event of the injury being deemed serious by the Infirmary Nurse, the Head of School will
      be notified and School Management will do the needful as would be advised by the affiliated/ nearest hospital; parents/ guardians will be notified of all details immediately
    • All students must respect the rules for games as laid down by PHE staff.
    • All staff members on the playground must be shown respect by the students at all times.
    • In event of any loss/ damage to any PHE / Play Area facility and items, the same will be informed by subject faculty/supervisor to the School Desk and the concerned individual will need to either replace the item or provide the necessary financial
      component as would be defined by the School Desk
    • Co-Curricular Activities etiquette:
    • aLphabet believes co-curricular activities are an integral part of holistic/all-round education and learning.
    • Through participation in these opportunities, students can have experiences and training in events not ordinarily obtainable in the general curriculum.
    • Students must participate in all co-curricular activities being planned for by School.
    • Participation in co-curricular programs is a privilege, not a right. Student participation carries with it certain responsibilities and expectations that promote growth toward becoming a responsible member of society.
    • Participants must abide by the rules and responsibilities that apply to each co-curricular program in which they are involved in order to continue participation in these activities, including preparation formalities, logistics planning and
      time management
    • We expect students to be a credit to themselves, their family, school and community. Students choosing to participate in co-curricular activities agree to act in a manner that positively represents themselves, their team/group, the school
      and the district.
    • Students shall refrain from any conduct or act that is in violation of school rules or is generally considered to be immoral, socially unacceptable, and unbecoming of a student.
    • Any violation of the defined rules for co-curricular activities will elicit consequences that will be administered by the School Management/ Head of School as would be deemed appropriate and decision of Head of School will be final
  1. Library Etiquette:
    • The Library is a silent zone not meant for socializing. The students, faculty and all visitors are to maintain silence at all times when in the Library
    • Books, displays and equipment in the Library are to be taken utmost care of and not tampered with or vandalized.
    • Students must take care to return the material they read in the Library to the designated section and shelf in line with the numbering system followed for the books.
    • Books will be issued to students and faculty in line with the process that will be the remit of the Librarian alone; students can re-issue the books but they must first return books within the defined timelines prior to reissuance by the Librarian.
    • All instructions of the Librarian/ Faculty in the Library must be complied with by students when in the Library
    • In event of any loss/ damage to any Library item, the same will be informed by Librarian to the School Desk and the concerned individual will need to either replace the item or provide the necessary financial component as would be defined by the School Desk
  1. Laboratory, Music Room and Dance Studio Etiquette:
    • Students must follow all the written and oral rules (safety procedures) set forth by the subject group teacher/ school administration in each of the Laboratories, the Music Room and the Dance Studio including apparel and eye wear where applicable
    • They are expected to be aware of the locations and operation of emergency equipment (kept in labs), including the eyewash, safety shower, fire extinguisher, emergency switch and fire blanket; Students are expected to notify the teacher immediately
      of any emergency
    • Students are expected to act in a responsible manner at all times in all areas of the Laboratories, Music Room and Dance Studio, including keeping the premises clean, disposing waste/unwanted material with care and permission from the teacher’s
    • Students are expected to never work alone or without teacher’s/lab attendant’s supervision in the laboratory, including handling live or preserved specimens, chemicals, paints, equipment
    • The students would need to be careful while navigating the Laboratories, Music Room and Dance Studio. If hurt or injured, subject Faculty/ Supervisors must be notified immediately for addressing the injury, including administration of first aid,
      shifting to school infirmary, being treated by the Infirmary Nurse, notification to School Desk and parents/guardian; in event of the injury being deemed serious by the Infirmary Nurse, the Head of School will be notified and School Management
      will do the needful as would be advised by the affiliated/nearest hospital; parents/ guardians will be notified of all details immediately
    • In event of any loss/ damage to any Laboratory, Music Room and Dance Studio item, the same will be informed by subject faculty/supervisor to the School Desk and the concerned individual will need to either replace the item or provide the necessary
      financial component as would be defined by the School Desk
  1. Physical and Health Education facilities/ Play Area etiquette (indoor and outdoor):
    • Students of designated grades alone (as would be defined by the School Desk) are expected to use the PHE and Play Area facilities (both indoor and outdoor) only at designated times and otherwise only with a PHE staff.
    • At all other times the PHE and Play Area facilities is out of bounds.
    • Students must conduct themselves with decorum when using the PHE/Play Area facilities. This includes (but not limited to) not pushing other students, not using abusive language and not damaging sports equipment’s.
    • Students should always follow the instructions of the PHE staff or any other staff member on the ground supervising them
    • The students would need to be careful while navigating the sports ground as they might get hit by a ball or similar sports equipment/s. If hurt or injured, PHE Faculty/ Supervisors must be notified immediately for addressing the injury, including administration of first aid, shifting to school infirmary, being treated by the Infirmary Nurse, notification to School Desk and parents/guardian; in event of the injury being deemed serious by the Infirmary Nurse, the Head of School will be notified and School Management will do the needful as would be advised by the affiliated/ nearest hospital; parents/ guardians will be notified of all details immediately
    • All students must respect the rules for games as laid down by PHE staff.
    • All staff members on the playground must be shown respect by the students at all times.
    • In event of any loss/ damage to any PHE / Play Area facility and items, the same will be informed by subject faculty/supervisor to the School Desk and the concerned individual will need to either replace the item or provide the necessary financial component as would be defined by the School Desk
  1. Co-Curricular Activities etiquette:
    • aLphabet believes co-curricular activities are an integral part of holistic/all-round education and learning.
    • Through participation in these opportunities, students can have experiences and training in events not ordinarily obtainable in the general curriculum.
    • Students must participate in all co-curricular activities being planned for by School.
    • Participation in co-curricular programs is a privilege, not a right. Student participation carries with it certain responsibilities and expectations that promote growth toward becoming a responsible member of society.
    • Participants must abide by the rules and responsibilities that apply to each co-curricular program in which they are involved in order to continue participation in these activities, including preparation formalities, logistics planning and time management.
    • We expect students to be a credit to themselves, their family, school and community. Students choosing to participate in co-curricular activities agree to act in a manner that positively represents themselves, their team/group, the school and the district.
    • Students shall refrain from any conduct or act that is in violation of school rules or is generally considered to be immoral, socially unacceptable, and unbecoming of a student.
    • Any violation of the defined rules for co-curricular activities will elicit consequences that will be administered by the School Management/ Head of School as would be deemed appropriate and decision of Head of School will be final.
  1. Restroom etiquette:
    • Students must ensure that the restroom facilities are used as per instructions, being conscious all the time of the need to maintain clean and hygienic restrooms
    • Restroom facilities must be used with care and not vandalized
    • Water should be used judiciously and students should take care not to wet the floors
    • Students should refrain from talking loudly in restrooms
    • In case any item is not working or damaged or the restroom premises are noted to be dirtied, students should inform the designated housekeeping staff and any faculty member or even School Administration Desk for corrective and appropriate action to be taken
  1. Conflict situations and solutions:
    • Academic Honesty:
      • Students are encouraged to learn to work independently and in groups where they are expected to ensure they don’t engage in plagiarism including:
        • Using outside help or materials in an independent assignment.
        • Copying from other students or submitting other’s work as their own.
        • Passing on of information on tests already held in one’s class to others.
        • Copying information from resources without acknowledging the source.
        • The consequences of the above actions will be as per the Academic Integrity Policy of the school.
    • Theft:
      • Students must respect the belongings of others in campus and not appropriate items that do-not belong to them
        • Students are encouraged to label and tag the possessions they bring to school to avoid inadvertent possession
        • Students are encouraged not to bring money (unless required and in the requisite amount for school events or registration purposes as would be intimated by School Desk to Parents/ Guardians)
        • Student are encouraged not to wear expensive jewellery
        • Any matter of theft must be informed by student to Faculty/ School Desk; action will be taken to resolve the issue including notification to parents/guardians and depending on the nature of the theft, the Head of School will also be intimated following which decision of Head of School will be final.
    • Skipping classes:
      • If a child has missed a class without the teacher’s knowledge/permission, the student will be counselled and parents will be notified by email from School Desk. If the incident repeats itself, Head of School will be notified, meeting will be taken with the student and parent and decision of Head of School will be final
    • Vandalism:
      • Students are expected to demonstrate respect for school and their own as well as other’s properties
      • For any kind of markings, defacing, destruction, damage to property, the student would be counselled, parents notified and replacement/restoration to original status will be expected
      • In case of repetition of such action, Head of School will be informed whose decision will be final in the matter
    • Bullying:
      • Following are some examples of what would constitute bullying but not limited to it:
        • Pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, pinching, biting or any kind of physical violence, provoked or unprovoked, on any one in the environment.
        • Verbal and/or written/electronically transmitted name-calling, racism, hurtful sarcasm, teasing, rumour mongering, graffiti notes or messages, slurs etc.
        • Emotional exclusion, threatening gestures, cliques/coalition of exclusion etc.
      • Once noticed or notified of the above action, swift and immediate action will be taken by School Management, the student/s will be counselled and parents notified. On repetition of the same, Head of School will take appropriate action and decision by Head of School in this matter will be final
    • Mobile Phones/ Digital Devices:
      • Students are not allowed to use any on the campus unless it is school issued equipment or has a written permission for using the same.
      • Any device that is not permitted by the school will be confiscated and parents/ guardians will be notified.
      • The consequences of the above actions will be as per the Acceptable Use Policy of the school.
  1. Safety Drill etiquette:
    • The school will carry out regular fire and safety drills and all students must comply with the same.
  1. Communication with School etiquette:
    • Students and parents wishing to contact school and or school representatives are requested to use the below mentioned lines of communication:
      • Call the school front desk directly. The staff at the desk will convey your message to the relevant person and they will call back whenever earliest possible.
      • Mail to the school e-mail id with details of your child’s name, class, section and the matter of concern. Any e-mail sent to any other e-mail Id or received by you from any other e-mail Id will not be representing aLphabet
  2. Bearer ID etiquette for student pick up:
    • In event of student requiring to be picked up by individuals apart from parents/ guardians (whose details and contact numbers are registered with the School Desk), parents/ guardians must provide details to the School Desk in advance of the individual bearer, including photo ID details
  3. Birthday celebration etiquette:
    • We at aLphabet would like all students to celebrate their birthday, at school, with their friends and teachers. In the current situation, the celebrations must be carried out accounting for social distancing and applicable health and safety measures.
    • The celebration would include singing the birthday song for the student in class and sharing of individual snacks/cupcakes in the cafeteria premises alone. We will not have any cake cutting ceremonies in view of the COVID-19 related health issues and social distancing norms we need to account for.
    • In view of the various food allergies that some of our students have, we request all parents to inform school, well in advance by contacting the front desk or by sending an email to School Desk.
    • Our intention is to ensure that there is uniformity in all the birthday celebrations and to avoid any health issues amongst our children.
    • Kindly refrain from sending any gifts, balloons or other party favors from home.
    • If you plan to have a birthday party for your child outside the school, teachers will only feel comfortable giving out the invites, in school, if they are given to all the students in the class. Other-wise you may give the invites directly to the children who you would like to invite. Teachers would not be able to distribute invites for any other celebrations related to your child or your family. Teachers, as a policy, will not attend your child’s birthday party or other celebrations.

In the event of a violation of the Student Disciple Guidelines/ Policy, the redressal procedure will be as follows:

  1. The Home Room Teacher/ Teacher will table the violation to the Support Services Coordinator/School Counsellor
  2. The Support Services Coordinator/School Counsellor will speak with the concerned student and a written communication on the same will be sent by School Desk to the parent/s and/or guardian/s
  3. If, despite Step 2, the situation is assessed by Support Services Coordinator/School Counsellor as requiring further intervention, a face-to-face meeting will be taken with the concerned student’s parent/s and/or guardian/s involving the Head of School and the decision of the Head of School in the subject matter will be final

It is to be noted that in any and all matters of violation of the Student Discipline Guideline/ Policy, the decision taken by the Head of School will be final.