Family Handbook Family Handbook - Anglo-American School of Sofia

84 Pages·2014·13.6 MB·English

Anglo— American School of Sofia
2014-2015
Family Handbook
Family Handbook
The AAS Mission
We engage, support and
prepare each student for today
and tomorrow.
We…

Foster a love of learning, healthy living
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1 and international community
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Develop the knowledge, skills and val-
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1 ues to communicate, find solutions and

innovate
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Enhance critical thinking, resourceful-
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ness and creativity
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Cultivate leadership, compassion and
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n responsible citizenship in both attitudes
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Nurture the abilities to interact effec-
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ently with confidence
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Welcome
Dear Anglo-American School Community / Уважаеми родители и приятели на ААУ,

Добре дошли - On behalf of the Anglo-American School
of Sofia team, I extend best wishes to all students and their
families as we start the 2014-2015 school year.
This AAS Family Handbook and other school publications
are available throughout the year on our website –
www.aas-sofia.org. In order to facilitate an excellent
learning environment of growth and change, we
continually examine the work we do to ensure our
practices are commensurate with best practices around the world. The
procedures and practices outlined in this handbook are a result of considerable
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thought and deliberation by our staff in conjunction with student and community
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input. We are very pleased that you have chosen to join us during this school year
and beyond. Please take the time to review this handbook as it provides a
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common framework and language for our school community and thus fosters a
stronger partnership.
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Such partnerships are critical for a school and community to be supportive of one y
another. A key component of a good partnership is effective communication.

Please remember that our door is open to comments, concerns or compliments. H
When we work together each student’s learning experience is enhanced as they
engage and explore new skills, hone strengths, and strive to be confident, happy a
and caring citizens in their quest to make our world an even better place.
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Once again, welcome to the 2014-2015 school year! b
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In Partnership,
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Jim Urquhart

Director - Anglo-American School of Sofia 1
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www.aas-sofia.org 3
Contact Information
Telephone: [phone], 11
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.aas-sofia.org

Reception: Ivanka Papazova [email protected]

Admissions: Maria Mihailova [email protected]

Elementary School Assistant: Violeta Miteva: [email protected]

Elementary School (ES) Principal: Tim Fries [email protected]

ES &6 Counselor: Laura Giosh-Markov [email protected]

Middle & High School Assistant:
Krasimira Kodzhabasheva [email protected]
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Middle and High School (MS/HS) Principal:
1 Jeff Marquis [email protected]

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HS Counselor: David Stephenson [email protected]
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MS/HS Athletic Director / MS Counselor: [email protected]
1 Andie Urquhart

IB Diploma Coordinator: Kaylene Connell [email protected]
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Registrar: Dola Kay [email protected]
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Director of Teaching and Learning:
o Shary Marshall [email protected]

b Facilities/Operations Manager: Todor Todorov [email protected]

d Cafeteria: Petar Gavrilov (Liberty Foods) [email protected]

n Bus Coordinator: Zhivko Vichkov [email protected]
Tel: [phone]
a Business Manager: Marchela Ignatova [email protected]

H Director: Jim Urquhart [email protected]

Director’s Secretary: Elise Staevska [email protected]

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l Please visit our website on www.aas-sofia.org to find the latest information about
i our school.
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Become a fan of the Anglo-American School of Sofia on Facebook or follow
@AAS_Sofia on Twitter.
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Table of Contents
CONTACT INFORMATION 4
THE AAS MISSION 8
We engage, support and prepare each student for today and tomorrow.
OUR CORE VALUES 8
Commitment, Respect, Excellence
IB Learner Profile 10
AAS AT A GLANCE 11
History and Overview
Accreditation
SCHOOL BOARD 13
FAQ about the Beginning of the School Year 14
PARENTS AS PARTNERS 16
Visiting the School
PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO) 17
ADMISSIONS 19 F
General Placement in ES
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General Placement in MS/HS
Application m
Placement
Withdrawals
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Partial Year Enrolment or Early Withdrawal l
PROGRAM OVERVIEW 22 y
The School Day

Instruction H
Learning Environment
Assessment a
Assessment Practices in Action
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Late or Incomplete Work
Academic Program 25 d
Athletics and Activities 29
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Arts 30
Service 30 o
Education Outside the Classroom 31
Middle School and High School Cultural / Class Trips 32 o

School Representation Travel (Team / Ensemble Travel) 34
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SERVICES 35
Library
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Resource Center
Counseling Services 4
Health Services
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Other Support Service on Campus
Families in Transition 1

School Materials 5

www.aas-sofia.org 5
Table of Contents
HOMEWORK 39
ATTENDANCE 40
CITIZENSHIP, COMMUNITY AND CONDUCT 41

AAS Statement of Rights and Responsibilities

Language Statement

The Essence of Character

Citizenship Ideals
Helpful Community Conduct Hints
Wise Choices and Sound Decisions
Dress Appropriately for School
Disciplinary Procedures Information

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 47
5 COMMUNICATION 48
1 Calendars
Channels of Communication
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External Communication
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Mail (Snail Mail) Address and Physical Address
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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) DETAILS AND USE 52
SAFETY, SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 54
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Specific Rules of Exit and Entry
o Privacy

Emergencies
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FACILITIES 57
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Community Use
d Facilities Use Procedures (After Hours)
Parking
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TRANSPORTATION 59
a Changes In Travel Arrangements for the Beginning and End of the School Day 59
Traveling on the School Bus 59
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Bus Departures 60
Arrival or Dismissal of Students 60
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FOOD SERVICE 61
l OTHER INFORMATION 61
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Indoors Shoes
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Knapsacks/Bags, Snack and Lunch Containers
Changing for Physical Education (PE)
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Lost and Found
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Class Lists

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Table of Contents
FURTHER DETAILS SPECIFIC TO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL 63
Middle School: A Brief Overview
Middle School Courses
Wolf Pack Time - MS
Student Support
High School: A Brief Overview
Wolf Pack Time - HS
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP)
AAS Graduation Requirements

Middle School and High School Athletics and Activities Guidelines
FINANCIAL INFORMATION 76
Fees Other Than Tuition, Registration and Capital Fees
CODE of PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 77
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SUSTAINABILITY 78
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Sustainability Pledge

AAS SCHOOL SONG 80 m
AAS LOGO AND ATHLETIC MASCOT 81
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AAS CALENDAR 82 l
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Mission & Core Values
THE AAS MISSION: We engage, support and prepare each student for
today and tomorrow.
We…
● Foster a love of learning, healthy living and international community
● Develop the knowledge, skills and values to communicate, find
solutions and innovate
● Enhance critical thinking, resourcefulness and creativity
● Cultivate leadership, compassion and responsible citizenship in
both attitudes and actions
● Nurture the abilities to interact effectively with others and to act
independently with confidence

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1 OUR CORE VALUES

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Commitment, Respect, Excellence
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Commitment…
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● Academics, athletics, arts, service and sustainability collectively support our mission
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● We believe that learning is a life-long journey that is transformative, collaborative
o and explorative
● We appreciate and celebrate that the achievements of our holistic approach
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promote continuous growth
d ● Self-awareness, willingness to push beyond limitations, and the desire to see things
through to completion contribute to intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-
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being
a ● “[One learns] the value of hard work by working hard.” - Margaret Mead

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Respect…

y ● Integrity, empathy, mutual respect and consideration, and an ethical
environment commensurate with the United Nations Declaration of Human
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i Rights support our mission
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Mission & Core Values
● We believe that embracing a mix of cultures, talents, experiences and
socioeconomic diversity makes AAS an authentic and fulfilling place in which to
learn
● We appreciate and celebrate people as individuals with unique talents and
abilities
● Wisdom and caring promotes the development of attitudes, values, self-
regulation, relationships and responsible citizenship
● “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” - Sir Winston Churchill

Excellence…
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● Challenging, authentic and connected curricula, programs and assessments
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draw on the best international practices, help students develop the IB Learner
Profile traits, and meet the requirements of our accreditation agencies to support m
our mission
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● We believe in encouragement, perseverance, cooperation, acceptance of l
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individual responsibilities, and the provision of diverse and engaging learning
opportunities for students
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● We appreciate and celebrate that successful learning and achievement takes
many forms a
● Graduates leave AAS with more than experience and knowledge; they leave n
with confidence and an understanding of the role they may play in shaping the d
future
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● “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” -
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Aristotle
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IB Learner Profile
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
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more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work
1 effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

- Principled
4 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
1 their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

Open-minded
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They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are
o 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
o willing to grow from the experience.

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Caring
d 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
n difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

a Risk-takers
They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought,
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and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They
are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

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Balanced
l They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to
i achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
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Reflective
a 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
F learning and personal development.
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