Parents Handbook

These rules aim to make each student aware of the value of self-control, orderliness and the need to cultivate a sense of responsibility for their own conduct and for the larger community of which they are part.

There is an expectation on all students to accept, uphold and practise good manners and behaviour appropriate to the occasion — and students and parents are expected to support the school in this area.

During arrival and dismissal times, teachers are available to welcome each child at the gate and to lead them to their parents/drivers at the end of the day.

The parent/driver is responsible for ensuring the student is seated properly in their car seat and that all seat belts are fastened. If you need to come into the school, please park away from the pick-up/drop-off zone.

There is no school uniform requirement at AKIS. However, students must come to school dressed modestly and neatly, with weather-appropriate clothing throughout the year. We ask that students keep a sweater in their backpack to wear when needed during the colder months.

All students' clothes and belongings brought to school must be clearly labelled with their names for easy identification. We strongly suggest that backpacks, lunch containers and clothing items be marked as well.

During Show & Tell, items brought to school must meet the guidelines indicated by the teachers. Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the classroom.

All items brought to school are the students' responsibility, and AKIS will not be responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen items. A Lost & Found box is kept in the office; unclaimed items are donated to charity at the end of each school session.

Please ensure your child comes to school with a healthy lunch; sodas and carbonated drinks are not welcome. You will be notified if your child forgets to bring lunch.

All lunches must be brought in insulated lunch packs and contain an ice pack to keep food from spoiling. The lunch bag must be clearly labelled with the student's name. See your child's teacher for further details.

Families wishing to celebrate their child's birthday at school are kindly asked to provide the class with a healthy snack — please consult your child's teacher about what is allowed in the classroom. Any birthday invitation shared at school must include every child in the class. If you prefer a private celebration at home, please do not share the invitation at school. Your cooperation is much appreciated.

At AKIS, our goal is to help students develop inner discipline. We want students to be responsible for their actions and the consequences that follow. We believe in positive interactions and in redirecting students with respectful, supportive language, helping them understand virtues and the feelings of others so they become accountable and respectful citizens.

If a student has behavioural difficulties, the teacher will redirect and encourage appropriate behaviour, and will notify the parent/guardian if inappropriate behaviours persist. Teachers and parents are always expected to work together to help the student understand behavioural expectations and enjoy a positive experience at AKIS.

Should behaviour become violent — physical fighting or any physically harmful act — parents/guardians will be notified immediately and students will be given Action Plans to complete, with the understanding that repetition will lead to suspension. Teasing and verbal or emotional abuse are considered bullying and are handled in the same manner as physical violence.

Where inappropriate behaviour persists with a history of unacceptable conduct, AKIS reserves the right to ask the family to seek a new school environment — a conclusion reached only after all avenues have been explored, or where the safety of other students is jeopardised.

When dealing with challenging behaviour, the staff of AKIS will never:

• Use corporal punishment on a child (e.g. slapping, kicking, punching, pushing, grabbing, pulling, spanking, ear pulling, biting).
• Use deliberate harsh or degrading measures that humiliate a child or undermine their self-respect, dignity or self-worth.
• Humiliate, shame, frighten or threaten a child.
• Confine a child in a locked room or a device (e.g. car seat, high chair) as punishment or supervision, or send a child out of the teacher's view.
• Deprive a child of basic needs, including food, drink, shelter, sleep, toilet use, clothing or bedding.
• Inflict any bodily harm, including forcing a child to eat or drink against their will.

All preschool (Daycare) students nap at school. AKIS provides a soft nap mat for each student; parents provide a covering sheet, a pillow and a blanket from home. All items must be clearly labelled and taken home each Friday to be washed and replaced.

Teachers encourage napping and provide a quiet environment. If a student is not sleeping after an hour of resting, teachers offer quiet activities that do not disturb others. If you do not want your child to nap at school, please submit your request in writing with a reason. If staff feel the child would benefit from rest, they will inform you and reach a joint decision.

An Incident Note is completed whenever a student is involved in an accident or injury — for any first-aid treatment, not only severe injuries. It is crucial that parents are aware an injury has occurred, even a minor one. The Incident Note is signed by the parent/guardian and kept in the student's file.

In the event of a serious occurrence or questionable injury, it may be necessary to take a child to hospital by emergency vehicle or taxi. The Head Teacher, classroom teacher or one additional teacher will accompany the child, and parents/guardians will be contacted immediately. If parents cannot be reached, the emergency contacts will be notified.

Students who are ill and unable to participate in the full daily programme (including outdoor recess) are expected to stay home until able to do so. If a student will be absent, please call the teacher or Head of School to report the absence.

If a student begins vomiting, experiences diarrhoea or develops a temperature at school, the parent/guardian will be notified and asked to collect their child immediately.

If a student contracts an infectious disease, please inform the school immediately. Students should be excluded if they have a condition that may be communicable (e.g. rash, sore throat, or any suspected infectious disease). A student may return to class once exclusion requirements are met, the condition has cleared, or a doctor has given written permission stating the illness is no longer communicable. Any cost to obtain a doctor's note is the responsibility of the parents/guardians.

During the year it is sometimes necessary to have a child taken home because they are ill or suspected of having a communicable disease. If your child complains of feeling unwell before school, please keep them home.

If the family doctor feels the stated exclusion period is not necessary, a certificate to that effect will be required.

Parents/guardians must provide AKIS with details of their child's medical conditions. All allergies must be disclosed to the teachers.

AKIS staff may not administer any over-the-counter medication that has not been explicitly prescribed to the child by a doctor. Proof of prescription is required (pharmacy label or doctor's note). Before staff can administer any prescribed medication:

• Provide details of all known long-term conditions and allergies on the enrolment form, under the Medical Conditions section.
• Authorise consent with your signature on the Medication Form, indicating the amount and time to administer.
• Release medication only to the class teacher (or the school nurse), indicating if it must be refrigerated.
• Ensure any medication is in its original bottle, labelled with the student's name.

All entrances remain locked to ensure the security of students and staff during the school day and are monitored by video camera. All visitors must use the main entrance and ensure proper visibility on the camera upon entering. Loitering in the hallways is prohibited. The office must be aware of anyone entering the premises, and all visitors must report to the gate to sign in before entry. Parents/guardians wishing to observe their child after 8:00 am must also sign in at the front entrance.

Emergency closure due to political issues, civil protest or other unforeseen reasons will be decided between 6:30 am and 8:00 am of that school day. Please refer to our community WhatsApp group for instant updates. AKIS has a detailed Evacuation Procedures Policy that all staff follow when an emergency is confirmed; a copy is available for parents to review in the school office.

AKIS PreK–8 students have Communication Folders used to carry school communications home. Parents/guardians are welcome to place responses in the folder for teachers to retrieve, and to leave messages regarding lateness, absences or other matters.

We encourage parents/guardians to share ideas, questions and concerns. Please direct concerns to your child's teacher first; if a resolution is not reached or further clarification is needed, a formal meeting will take place with the Head Teacher or Director present. Teachers' email addresses and phone numbers are shared at the beginning of the year.

Staff avoid "at-the-door" interviews and will set a mutually convenient time to meet. Concerns may be raised verbally or in writing, and the appropriate person will respond within two business days — urgent matters (such as allegations of abuse or mistreatment, or questions regarding accidents/injuries) are addressed immediately. All investigations are fair, impartial and respectful, and confidentiality is maintained except where disclosure is legally required.

Harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated from any party. If anyone involved in resolving a concern feels uncomfortable, threatened or compromised, they may end the conversation immediately and seek assistance from the school administration.

Our reporting system notifies parents/guardians of individual achievements as well as strengths and areas for growth. Parents and teachers are encouraged to meet during scheduled parent/teacher conferences to discuss reports and plan ways to enrich the student's progress. If you have questions about programming or school procedures, please contact the classroom teacher without delay to make an appointment.

A progress report is issued at the end of each trimester from the AKIS Grading System. The school is closed to students on the dates of parent/teacher conferences.

A variety of after-school activities are offered throughout the year and announced at the start of the school year. Students may sign up for any activity on a first-come, first-served basis where spaces are available; we always try to admit students to at least one of their chosen sessions. Additional activities may be added and announced during the year.

Students not registered in after-school care who take part in an activity must be collected when the session ends. Students not collected will report to after-school care, and a fee will apply.

An open invitation is extended to all parents/guardians to volunteer during school functions. Volunteers are valuable assistants to staff and students alike. If you are interested, please notify your child's teacher before the event. We welcome parents/guardians to participate and help build a strong school community.

All information requested to complete each student's file is used solely for school purposes. AKIS staff do not share private information with other parents/guardians or visitors unless required by law.

The following acknowledgements are completed and submitted with the enrolment forms (Student Name · Class · Date):

Please use the checklist below to ensure you have completed all of the requirements to enrol your child at AKIS:

• Initial tuition & fees deposit — receipt from the school bank, or paid at school with a receipt issued.
• Completed enrolment forms, including the Medical Conditions section.
• Signed consent forms (lunch, field trips, photograph/video, volunteering).