Other Items Children are expected to have the following items: • Black school shoes • Plain white or black trainers • A rucksack style school bag • A plain, dark coat – either navy or black Foundation Stage / Kindergarten An ICS Book Bag is required. For a full description of the Dress Code Policy, please visit the school website: Navigate: mushrif.icschool-uae.com -> For Parents -> School Policies MOBILE PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES Privately owned electronic devices such as mobile phones, smart watches, and virtual reality devices have become a common means of communication and information access in today’s society. However, these devices have the potential of disrupting the orderly operation of the school in general and the learning process in particular as being a possible source of distraction. Therefore, the school has created this policy to govern the possession and use of privately owned electronic devices on school premises, during school hours, and on school transportation. Guidelines: • Mobile phones and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited in school. • Students must leave their mobile phones and electronic devices at home. • On a case-by-case basis (exceptional circumstances) in Grades 9-12, parents may request permission from the supervisor for their son/daughter to bring the mobile phone to school. If permission is granted, the phone must not be used anywhere on campus and must be handed in to the supervisor by the first period bell. Phones are returned after the final bell of the school day. • The school bears no responsibility for lost/stolen mobile phones and other electronic devices. Confiscation: If a student violates this policy, his/her mobile phone and/or electronic device will be confiscated. When a teacher or any other staff member confiscates a device, he/she shall take reasonable measures to label and secure the device and turn the device over to the concerned supervisor. The device will only be released to the student’s parent or guardian after the student has complied with any other disciplinary consequence that has been imposed. The school has adopted a progressive disciplinary approach in regard to the implementation of this policy. Phones not submitted to the supervisor upon entering school campus will be confiscated by the supervisor and handed in to the administration: • 1st Offense ჿ Hold until the end of the day ჿ Parent must pick it up and sign an Undertaking • 2nd Offense ჿ Hold 5 school days ჿ Parent must pick it up and sign a Warning Letter • 3rd Offense ჿ Hold remainder of the school year (SIM card returned to parents) ჿ Parent can collect with the end-of -year Report Card 51
CHAPTER 7 HEALTH AND SAFETY 52
CHILD PROTECTION ICS creates a safe environment for students in all aspects of its work and operation, where children are respected, protected and empowered as their capacities evolve to contribute actively to the development of Child Protection measures within ICS. This policy aims to ensure that teaching staff, non-teaching staff, associates, and visitors, as appropriate to their engagement with ICS, are skilled, confident, understand, accept and are well supported in meeting the Child Protection responsibilities and engage positively with children in ways that enhance the realization of children’s rights to be protected from harmful influences, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Purpose and Regulatory Considerations: The purpose of this policy is to conform to Policy 3: Student’s Protection of the ADEK Private Schools Policy and Guidance Manual, Corresponding to Article (5) of the Organizing Regulations and ensure that the International Community School has student protection measures in place to: 1. protect them while in the school’s care from all acts and omissions constituting physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect, and bullying; 2. identify and support those students who may have suffered such abuse or neglect, as strongly enforced by the UAE Federal Law No.3 of 2016 on Child Rights, Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 on Penal Code, and other relevant UAE laws; 3. emphasize that all school staff are mandated reporters of cases of abuse and/or suspected abuse inside and outside the school; and 4. define duties and responsibilities of the School Principal and school staff for responding to suspected cases of child abuse and/or neglect. Associated Documents and Useful Links: This policy should be read in conjunction with the following documents: For a full description of ADEK’s students protection policy, please read Scan QR pages 21-24 of this guide: https://www.adek.gov.ae/-/media/Project/ TAMM/ADEK/Downloads/Private-schools/Private-Schools-Policy-and- Guidance-Manual.pdf For a full description of the UAE Federal Law No.3 of 2016 on Child Rights, please read this guide: https://www.khda.gov.ae/CMS/ WebParts/TextEditor/Documents/Children_Law_English.pdf Scan QR For a full description of the Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 on Penal Code, please read this guide: http://www.mublegal.com/wp-content/ uploads/2014/07/federal-law-penal-code.pdf Scan QR Our school publishes the Child Protection policy in the Student-Parent Handbook and on the school’s web page to protect students from any abuse and neglect provided it meets the minimum standards of what is included in this policy and does not contradict any of its provisions. The school and school Principal are guardians of the right of students to not be exposed to abuse and neglect. The school Principal agrees to act as the guardian of all students while they are under school’s care and has to take responsibilities that fall under this role. All students have equal rights for protection, safety, and security in all public and private schools. Schools are fully responsible for the safety and protection of students while they are in the school’s care, travelling to and from the school using school transport, and moving between, waiting for, and taking part in all activities organized by the school inside and outside the school. 53
The school must also ensure the supervision of students 45 minutes before the start of the school day and 90 minutes after school hours. For safety and life reasons, all school staff shall never leave children unattended at any time. The school shall provide counseling and school support services, enabling students to have access to a trusted social worker. The school shall ensure the provision of on-going First Aid training and dissemination of knowledge regarding all health, safety and prevention matters so that all school staff know what is expected of them and what to look out for in regard to the protection and safety of students. All school staff – including any person who, in the performance of his/her duties has regular or temporary contact with students and who provides services to students or school – are authorized and mandated by ADEK to report all cases of suspected abuse and/or neglect (conducted by any perpetrator inside or outside of the school) directly to the Ministry of Interior – Child Protection Center within 24 hours upon suspicion. It is imperative to report using the telephone hotline (116111) and the electronic reporting link available on the ADEK website: https://www. adec.ac.ae/ar/Pages/childabusereportingabu-dhabiedusector.aspx Scan QR The information submitted electronically through the above link is transferred directly to the Ministry of the Interior – Child Protection Centre which can also be contacted directly by email ([email protected]) or by phone on 02-3333903. If a child is in immediate danger (risk of serious harm), the police should be called using the 999 service, followed by reporting to the Ministry of Interior – Child Protection Center within one hour upon discovery of the case. In addition, school staff must inform the school Principal immediately when they suspect the exposure of any student to any form of abuse and/or neglect. No school Principal or school staff shall impede or inhibit reporting of a suspected case of child abuse and/ or neglect by a third party, nor shall they take any actions against the reporter, or threaten to do so. The Ministry of Interior–Child Protection Center shall conduct the case intake, immediate communication with parents/guardians, investigation, and referral for treatment and rehabilitation of affected child and families, if required. 54
The ADEK Division in charge of Student Protection in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior – Child Protection Center shall provide guidance to school staff for further immediate actions, taking into account confidentiality and privacy of the students and families affected, and laws, regulations and procedures relevant to the incident. For a full description of the Child Protection Policy, please visit the school website: Navigate: mushrif.icschool-uae.com -> For Parents -> School Policies SCHOOL CLINIC The Health and Safety of students at ICS is of paramount importance. The school clinic is well staffed with a part-time Medical Doctor, and a full-time School Nurse registered and licensed with the Health Authority Abu Dhabi. If children are unwell while at school, they will be cared for at the clinic until collected by a parent or guardian. The clinic team provides first aid to sick and injured students during school hours. The clinic is well equipped with an automated electric defibrillator, a nebulizer and oxygen apparatus, which all help provide appropriate medical first aid response. The school participates in health campaigns with the School Nurse in giving regular health talks to students and staff to promote healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the HAAD nurse will conduct vaccination programs for students once or twice per school year. The role of the clinic is to address minor and/or temporary ailments. Students who require care that exceeds the expectations of our nurses, or whose illness prevents them from returning to class in a timely fashion will be sent home with a parent. If a student has special health needs (medication, chronic illness or condition, allergies or requires a special procedure or intervention), the parent is encouraged to schedule a time to meet with the school nurse to arrange for these needs to be taken care of during the student’s school day. 55
MEDICATION Administration of medications, especially short term, should be done at home whenever possible. However, if a student is required to take prescription or non-prescription medication during the school day, the following guidelines must be met: • Physician, dentist or practitioner-prescribed medications must be clearly transcribed and all medication forms should state the student’s name, the name of medication, the dosage, the time, the route (oral, inhaled, patch, etc.), and the duration of time that it is to be given (e.g., one week, the school year, etc.), along with the parent’s/guardian’s signature. Medication forms are available for your convenience in the school clinic. • Medication must be in the original packaging by the pharmacy and not out of date. Over-the counter medication to be held in the clinic must be in a sealed, unopened, new bottle. • The parent/guardian, not the student, must deliver medication to the school clinic. • All medicine must be picked up by a parent at the end of the school year. In the case of students with asthma, severe allergic reactions or diabetes, a physician-signed report to administer treatment(s) will be required. If your child has a short-term or chronic illness which requires any medical intervention/procedure during the school day, you should contact the School Office and School Nurse to make the necessary arrangements. (For example: blood glucose monitoring, dressing change, tube/ catheter management, etc.) If medication is to be hand-carried, a back-up should also be kept in the school clinic. These situations require written health care plans along with other specific details for care. When necessary, the nurse will accept verbal consent via phone to administer an over-the-counter (not prescription) medication. Medication will not be dispensed without written parental permission. If a student plans to participate in competitive sports at school, then parents should notify the School Office and School Nurse of any medical condition(s) that may affect their child’s health prior to the commencement of that sport. For a full description of the School Clinic Policy, please visit the school website: Navigate: mushrif.icschool-uae.com -> For Parents -> School Policies 56
IMMUNIZATIONS The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) promotes a successful immunization program and the Emirate is free from vaccine-preventable diseases. Parents are required to submit applicable vaccination documents to the School Nurse (or Registrar) for record purposes. Any parent who wishes to discuss their child’s immunizations with the School Nurse is welcome to do so. EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS OF PARENTS The School Registrar, the School Office and the School Nurse should always have current details of parents’ address, email, telephone number and mobile number(s). The accuracy of this information is vital in the case of an emergency. We also request a phone number of a friend we can call if we cannot reach the parents. When able, make sure your child knows how to reach you during the day. If your details change, it is your responsibility to give the updated information to the School Office, preferably by email. FORMS Each year the School Nurse will check and update the Health Declaration Form for all students. The Health Declaration Form includes all the essential information regarding each student’s medical condition(s) as well as the parents’ consent for the administration of medication by the School Nurse. Parents of new students will be required to fill out the Health Declaration Form and provide their child’s personal Immunization Record. ILLNESS OR INJURY If you are contacted by the school to pick up your sick child, please make every effort to do so promptly. The School Nurse will inform parents of any accident or injury sustained by a student, and any first aid treatment given, on the same day. Students with contagious infections need to stay home so they will not expose others. If your child is home with a communicable illness, please contact the School Nurse so the parent(s) of other classmates may be alerted of symptoms. Reporting to ADEK and Child Protection Agencies: The Principal/CPO/HSO will notify ADEK of any serious accident, illness or injury to, or death of, a student while in the school’s care. This will happen as soon as is reasonably practicable, in line with the Child Protection Policy. 57
The Principal/CPO/HSO will also notify the MOI Child Protection Services of any serious accident or injury to, or the death of, a pupil while in the school’s care. Your child must stay home for any of the following: • A fever > 37.5 C (100 F); must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever medication • Vomited more than once; feeling of nausea • Diarrhea (return to school after 48 hours or 24 hours on medication) • A frequent cough; productive cough • Persistent pain (ear, stomach, etc.) • A widespread rash; contagious rash or skin spots • Head lice (Pediculosis): please notify the school nurse to be given proper instructions • Bacterial conjunctivitis/Pink Eye; awakens in the morning with thick or sticky eye drainage; eye lashes stuck; redness of the whites of the eyes throughout; can return to school after 24 hours of physician prescribed treatment. For a full description of the Health and Safety Policy and Child Protection Policy, please visit school website Navigate: mushrif.icschool-uae.com -> For Parents -> School Policies HEALTHY EATING AND NUTRITION ICS aims to be a healthy eating school. We encourage children to eat a balanced, nutritious diet which will help them to enjoy long-term health and physical, mental and social wellbeing. We ask that students do not bring in sweets, crisps, cakes, pastries, nuts, chocolate, biscuits and fizzy drinks. Where possible effort should be made to ensure your child’s packed lunches are: • Reduced in fat, sugar and salt; • High in fibre; • Full of a wide range of freshly prepared salads and vegetables; • Include tinned fruit in natural juices or fresh fruit • Include healthier options such as yoghurts. ICS has an onsite canteen, where snacks, in line with ADEK regulations, are available to purchase. These are fresh each day and include items such as pasta pots, salads and fruit pots. For a full description of the Healthy Eating and Nutrition Policy, please visit school website: Navigate: mushrif.icschool-uae.com -> For Parents -> School Policies CYBER BULLYING Cyberbullying may be defined as ‘the use of electronic communication, particularly mobile phones and the internet, to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature: children and adults may be reluctant to admit to being the victims of cyberbullying’. It can take a number of different forms: threats and intimidation, harassment or ‘cyber-stalking’ (e.g. repeatedly sending unwanted texts or instant messages), sexting (e.g. sending and receiving sexually explicit messages, primarily between mobile phones) vilification/defamation, exclusion/peer rejection, impersonation, unauthorized publication of private information/images and ‘trolling’ (abusing the internet to provoke or offend others online). It can be an extension of face-to-face bullying, with technology providing the bully with another route to harass their target. As with all forms of bullying the best way to deal with cyberbullying is to prevent it happening in the first place. There is no single solution to the problem of cyberbullying but the Principal, who is named a Child Protection 58
Officer (CPO), will do the following as a minimum to impose a comprehensive and effective prevention strategy: • ensure that all incidents of cyberbullying both inside and outside school are dealt with immediately and will be managed and/or escalated in line with the procedures set out in the school’s Anti-bullying Policy, Behaviour Policy and Child Protection Policy, and procedures Allegations against a Child and Allegations against a Staff Member. • ensure that all policies relating to Child Protection, including cyberbullying are reviewed and updated regularly ensure that all staff know that they need to report any issues concerning cyberbullying to a Named Child Protection Officer. • ensure that parents/carers are informed and attention is drawn annually to the cyberbullying policy so that they are fully aware of the school’s responsibility relating to protecting pupils and their welfare. The Cyberbullying Policy is available at all times on the school website, • ensure that at the beginning of each term, cyberbullying is revisited as part of student safety and that pupils know how to report a concern. • ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities by providing clear guidance for staff on the use of technology within school and beyond. All staff should sign to say they have read and understood the Staff Code of Conduct. For a full description of the Cyber Bullying Policy, please visit school website: Navigate: mushrif.icschool-uae.com -> For Parents -> School Policies E-SAFETY The use of information technology is an essential part of our lives; it is involved in how we as an organization gather and store information, as well as how we communicate with each other. It is also an intrinsic part of the experience of our students and is greatly beneficial to all. However, it can present challenges in terms of how we use it responsibly and, if misused, either by an adult or a young person, can be actually or potentially harmful to them. We will seek to promote e-safety by: • Appointing an e-safety coordinator. • Developing a range of procedures that provide clear and specific directions to staff and volunteers on the appropriate use of ICT; • Supporting and encouraging the young people using our service to use the opportunities offered by mobile phone technology and the internet in a way that keeps themselves safe and shows respect for others; 59
• Supporting and encouraging parents and guardians to do what they can to keep their children safe online and when using their mobile phones and games consoles; • Incorporating statements about safe and appropriate ICT use into the codes of conduct both for staff and volunteers and for children and young people; • Developing and e-safety agreement for use with young people and their guardians. • Use our procedures to deal firmly, fairly and decisively with any examples of inappropriate ICT use, complaints or allegations, whether by an adult or a child/young person (these may include breaches of filtering, illegal use, cyberbullying, or use of ICT to groom a child or to perpetrate abuse); • Informing parents and guardians of incidents of concern as appropriate; • Ensuring that names, logins and passwords are used effectively; • Using only official email accounts provided via ICS and monitoring these as necessary; • Ensuring that the personal information of staff, volunteers and students at ICS (including students names) are not published on our website; • Ensuring that images of children, young people and families are used only after their written permission has been obtained, and only for the purpose for which consent has been given; • Any social media tools used in the course of our work with children, young people and families must be risk assessed in advance by the member of staff wishing to use them; • Providing effective management for staff and volunteers on ICT issues, through supervision, support and training; • Examining and risk assessing any emerging new technologies before they are used within the organisation. ENVIRONMENTAL ICS recognizes its responsibilities in shaping the values HEALTH AND SAFETY of future generations and aims to ensure its sustainability as a school through proactive leadership in the protection 60 of human health and safety and preservation of our surrounding environment. For this purpose, we are committed to: • promoting a culture of responsibility and accountability toward protection of the environment and human health and safety; • managing environment, health and safety impacts, hazards and risks arising from our work activities and operations; • promoting awareness and encouraging participation through effective communication and consultation with staff, students, contractors and concerned stakeholders; • providing ongoing training in relevant environment, health and safety issues and ensuring that all staff and contractors maintain the required level of competency; • preventing injuries and causes of ill health and environmental pollution; • maintaining a clean environment, and healthy and safe working conditions at all times; • complying with applicable EHS laws, regulations, standards and best practice; • providing adequate resources for the implementation of our EHS Management System; • preserving and improving the cultural, natural and built environment in which we operate; • achieving continual improvement in our EHS performance.
COUNSELING ICS is committed to empowering their students to be confident, self-reliant and resilient. We aim to ensure that students have a positive mental wellbeing. The counseling service provides a confidential, safe, nurturing and personalized approach for students to explore difficulties they may encounter, complementing the pastoral support within the wider school community. The service is available to any parent within the school community to discuss any concerns they may have regarding their son/daughter. Our counselors are trained to listen, without judging, and to help the person to resolve their thoughts and feelings and gain a greater understanding of themselves and their situation. The counseling sessions are dictated by the individual, and the common issues for students are bullying, parental separation, stress, friendships, change, bereavement, distressing traumatic events and anger. The counseling sessions are treated with confidentiality. However, in the event that there is a child protection concern about a student’s welfare, then this information will need to be shared. The counselor will endeavor to seek the student’s views and consent before sharing the information and will also explain the possible consequences of third party involvement. Where a student is at risk of significant harm, the counselor will initiate ICS’s Child Protection procedures (please refer to the Child Protection policy). As an integral part of the pastoral system within ICS, the Principal and Vice Principal are aware of students accessing the service but they are not party to the information discussed within the sessions, unless the Child Protection procedures are initiated. For a full description of the Counseling Policy, please visit school webSite Navigate: mushrif.icschool-uae.com -> For Parents -> School Policies For more information regarding the counseling service, please contact the social worker at [email protected]. 61
EMERGENCY DRILLS As an essential component of the safety plans, emergency evacuation drills are scheduled at different intervals throughout the school year. Teachers, in collaboration and consultation with the HSO, will give their classes specific instructions on the evacuation procedures. Each classroom has an evacuation plan posted near the exit door. Teachers will ensure that all students are familiar with the proper evacuation procedures. INCLEMENT WEATHER The purpose of this policy is to reduce the risk of illness, injury or fatality to students, staff members, volunteers and contractors under the direct school supervision from heat related illnesses (e.g. heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke). Relying on the Heat Index reading, the following actions will be taken: • Heat Index (35° C – 40° C) a) Outdoor Physical Activity: Students who do not have a hat and water bottle will forfeit participating in physical activity and will be provided with alternative work. Teachers use discretion in modifying activities so that students participate in moderate-lower intensity activities. Regular water b) breaks will be offered. b) Breaks & Lunchtime: Students are advised to stay under shade during breaks and lunchtimes. Discretion is advised. • Heat Index (40° C – 45° C) a) Outdoor Physical Activity: Lower intensity activities are to be included only and for a maximum of ten minutes. 5-minute water breaks should be taken between activities. b) Breaks & Lunchtime: Students should remain indoors during break and lunchtimes due to activities being uncontrolled. • Heat Index (above 45° C) a) If the temperature and humidity moves into ‘serious danger’ and ‘death danger’ according to the heat index, any physical activity, lunch & break times should be moved into an indoor space with air conditioning. 62
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CHAPTER 8 MISCELLANEOUS 64
LOST AND FOUND Personal items found in the school are collected and placed in the lost and found box. Parents are encouraged to label all items, especially water bottles and lunch boxes, and to check the lost and found box frequently. Even unattended school books will be in placed in the lost and found box. At the end of each semester, all lost and found items are donated to charity. COMMUNITY SERVICE ICS community supports a growing number of organizations and charitable causes. These provide valued opportunities to our students to demonstrate initiative and further develop their leadership and citizenship skills. All monetary fundraising goes to the Red Crescent. Charitable initiatives and community service activities are often organized through the student council. It is important that charity work is carefully planned and strongly supported so that activities can be effective and resourceful. Ideas for service projects are usually proposed by the student council or other student groups and are then presented to the Principal, Academic Advisor, and Head of Section for approval. Generally, the student council will meet early Term 1 to decide what charities will be the foci of activities and events for the school year. However, proposals can be considered at any time of the school year, especially if the proposal relates to an emergency aid situation. 65
REQUESTS Type of Request Contact Email Address SAT registration students′ mushrif.consultant@ EmSat registration consultant icschool-uae.com Recommendation letters Predicated Marks Common application for American universities NAPO application (MOE)- UAE students only Student report details All supervisors mushrif.supervisors@ Academic progress plan icschool-uae.com Registration documents Administration mushrif-registration@ Student transcript and registration icschool-uae.com Transfer letter School fees letter Accountant accountant@icschool-uae. Attestation of grade 12 certificates com Receipts Invoices Bank details for fees transfer Student statement of account 66
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24th Street, Al Mushrif Area Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates PIN: 55022 Phone : +971 2 633 0 444 Email : [email protected] Al Mushrif | Abu Dhabi | UAE | P.O.Box: 55022 Tel: 02 633 0444 Email: [email protected] mwuwswhr.ifc.isccshcohoolo-ul-auea.ec.ocmom @icsabudhabi @icsmushrif @icsabudhabi @icsmushrif
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