THE ENGLISH SCHOOL, HELSINKI PRESCHOOL 2 HANDBOOK ACADEMIC YEAR

Transkriptio

1 THE ENGLISH SCHOOL, HELSINKI PRESCHOOL 2 HANDBOOK ACADEMIC YEAR PRESCHOOL 2 MÄNTYTIE HELSINKI 1

2 1. Staff and Administration Teachers Andrea Kaufmann Saarinen Anneleen Burmansson Assistants Mikko Perkowsky David Oakley Principal Petri Vuorinen Vice Principal Päivi Lucander Administrative Director Minna Akkanen Secretaries Maija Akkanen

3 2. PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION AT THE ENGLISH SCHOOL The basic values of our school are grounded in Christian values that guide us to examine humanity and the human being. Human beings have been given the ability think and to aim for good. We honour the relationship with God. We find great value in Christian life respectful of other outlooks. We find that it is important to grow, develop, and follow one s conscience regardless of philosophical views. Love for one s neighbour, compassion, and an accepting and loving attitude to oneself and to others enable the growth as a human being. This includes the growth into a responsible member of society, the development of society, and action in accordance with the rights and responsibilities commonly agreed upon. An individual grows as a human being and member of society through the membership of their family. The family with its values provides the foundations for growth. Having knowledge of one s own history, culture, and the guiding values builds the individual s value awareness and foundation of identity, and gives rise to self- knowledge and self- esteem. The school environment broadens and increases the opportunities for growth. The amount of diversity increases in a larger community, and there is a greater need for more tolerance, respect,and acceptance and appreciation of difference. The promotion of fairness and good treatment of oneself and others is a natural way to combat bullying. Other people and their belongings are respected. We build respect through knowledge and understanding of other cultures and by embracing various cultures as natural parts of our daily lives and celebrations at the school. As the world opens up and societies become more globalized, the definitions of citizenship and nationality are changing. A world citizen thinks broadly and is involved in the challenges concerning the whole world. Global humanity consists of an understanding of how society and societies operate, what the common resources are and where they come from, and the respect and appreciation of nature and the environment. Students learn to value what society offers and have a willingness to work for a better society. Economic efficiency and moderation are intricate parts of our practices. Ecological sustainability and other sustainable values are emphasized. The international faculty and multicultural student body of The English School provide a concrete framework for intercultural cooperation and growth. Multiculturalism and the acculturation strategies of various individuals and families are acknowledged as parts of the formation of our community. Tolerance and the ability to work with others require broadmindedness and openness. Studying in the school's two language cultures and building an understanding of the world on their basis provides starting points for the interpretation of and view on how different societies are formed and developed and how an individual can participate in the handling of common matters in society. Our daily behaviour reflects our respect for others. We place high value of the social skills of self- control, emotional intelligence, and good manners that lay the foundation for zero- tolerance on bullying. 3

4 We take care of public property, and this also reflects in the tidiness of our environment. Our community skills include the ability to take turns and share. At its finest, our sense of community is manifested in the encouragement we give to one another with the aim to support their flourishing. In our school community, we work with a positive attitude, take responsibility for our own actions, and share responsibility. In our school, education means respect for diversity, different outlooks, opinions, and philosophies. It consists of openheartedness, humanness, and finding meaning in life through matters important to us. It also includes ecosocial education and global systems thinking with respect to the principles of sustainable development. Our education also consists of the fostering of our common environment. We work as equals and promote equality through our working habits. The starting point for equality in our work is the perception that all cultures, outlooks, ages, genders, and areas are equal. KOULUN ARVOPERUSTA Koulumme arvoperusta pohjautuu kristillisiin arvoihin, jotka ohjaavat meitä tarkastelemaan ihmisyyttä ja ihmistä. Ihmiselle on annettu taito ajatella ja taito pyrkiä hyvään. Kunnioitamme suhdetta Jumalaan. Kristittynä oleminen ja eläminen muita näkemyksiä arvostaen on arvokasta. Katsomuksesta riippumatta omantunnon kehittäminen ja kasvattaminen sekä sen mukaan eläminen on tärkeää. Lähimmäisen rakkaus, myötätunto ja hyväksyvä, rakastava asenne itseä ja kanssaihmisiä kohtaan toimivat kasvun aineksina kohti hyvää ihmisyyttä. Hyvä ihmisyys sisältää vastuulliseksi yhteiskunnan jäseneksi kasvamisen, yhteiskunnan kehittämisen ja yhteisesti sovittujen oikeuksien ja velvollisuuksien mukaan toimimisen. Ihmisyyteen ja yhteiskunnan jäsenyyteen kasvetaan perheen jäsenyyden kautta. Perhe ja perheen arvot antavat pohjan kasvulle. Oman historian, kulttuurin ja niiden toimintaa ohjaavien arvojen tunteminen luovat yksilön arvotietoisuuden ja identiteetin pohjan ja antavat ainekset itsetuntemukselle ja itsetunnolle. Kouluympäristö laajentaa ja lisää kasvun mahdollisuuksia. Suuremmassa yhteisössä erilaisuuden määrä lisääntyy ja tarvitaan suurempaa määrää suvaitsevaisuutta ja erilaisuuden hyväksyntää, kunnioittamista, arvostamista. Oikeudenmukaisuuden puolustaminen ja itsensä ja toisten hyvä kohtelu toimivat luonnollisena kiusaamisen vastaisena työnä. Kunnioitetaan toista ja hänelle kuuluvaa. Kunnioitusta rakennamme tiedolla ja ymmärryksellä muista kulttuureista ja sillä, että eri kulttuurit ovat luonnollinen osa arkeamme ja juhlakulttuuriamme. Kun maailma avautuu ja yhteiskunnat kansainvälistyvät muuttuvat kansalaisuuden ja kansallisuuden merkitykset. Maailman kansalainen ajattelee laajasti ja tulee osalliseksi koko maailmaa koskettavista haasteista. Ymmärrys siitä, miten yhteiskunta ja yhteiskunnat toimivat, mitä yhteiset varat ovat ja mistä ne tulevat, ympäristön ja luonnon kunnioitus ja arvostus ovat osa globaalia ihmisyyttä. Opitaan arvostamaan sitä, mitä yhteiskunta tarjoaa, ja halutaan tehdä työtä paremman yhteiskunnan hyväksi. Taloudellisuus ja kohtuullisuus ovat osa toimintaamme, jossa ekologisuus ja kestävät arvot korostuvat. 4

5 Englantilaisessa koulussa kansainvälinen henkilökunta ja monikulttuurinen oppilaskunta antavat konkreettiset puitteet kulttuurien väliselle yhteistyölle ja kasvulle. Monikulttuurisuus ja eri yksilöiden ja perheiden kultturaatiostrategiat tiedostetaan osaksi yhteisömme rakentumista. Suvaitsevaisuus ja kyky toimia toisten kanssa edellyttää avarakatseisuutta ja avoimuutta. Koulumme kahdessa kielikulttuurissa opiskelu ja niiden mukaisten maailman ymmärryksen rakentaminen antavat lähtökohdat tulkinnalle ja näkemykselle siitä, miten erilaiset yhteiskunnat muodostuvat ja kehittyvät ja miten niiden kautta yksilö voi osallistua yhteisten asioiden hoitamiseen. Toisten kunnioittaminen välittyy arjen käyttäytymisestä. Meille on tärkeää sosiaaliset taidot, joihin sisältyy itsesäätely, tunneälykkyys, hyvät ja kohteliaat käytöstavat, jotka kaikki luovat pohjan kiusaamisen nollatoleranssille. Pidämme huolta yhteisestä omaisuudesta. Tämä näkyy myös ympäristön siisteytenä. Yhteisöllisyystaitojamme ovat kyky vuorotella ja jakaa. Parhaimmillaan yhteisöllisyys ilmenee toisen kannustamisena, joka tähtää toisen kukoistuksen tukemiseen. Kouluyhteisössämme tehdään työtä positiivisella asenteella, kannetaan vastuu omasta toiminnasta ja jaetaan vastuuta. Sivistys koulussamme on erilaisuuden, erilaisten näkemysten, mielipiteiden ja elämänkatsomusten kunnioittamista. Sivistyneisyyttä on sydämen sivistys, inhimillisyys ja elämän merkitysten löytäminen itselle tärkeistä asioista. Sivistykseen kuuluvat ekososiaalinen sivistys ja globaali systeemiajattelu kestävän kehityksen periaattein. Sivistys on myös yhteisen ympäristön vaalimista. Työskentelemme tasa- arvoisesti ja edistämme työskentelyllämme tasa- arvoa. Lähtökohtana tasa- arvoiselle työskentelylle on kulttuurien, näkemysten, ikä- ja sukupuolten välinen sekä alueellinen tasa- arvoisuus. 5

6 3. Practical Matters Punctuality The children are expected to arrive to and be picked up from school on time. The door will be opened at 8.00 sharp and closed as soon as all of the children in line have come inside. If you arrive between 8:00 and 8:15, please use the doorbell. If you arrive later, please use the main door and press the buzzer so that the secretary knows to let you in. If you are late picking your child up, please call or text us. It may be that you need to come and get your child from school instead of the park. Slippers The children need to wear slippers in school as the floors are slippery and quite cold in the winter. The slippers also protect the children's feet in the lunchroom and are necessary in the event of needing to go outside suddenly. The groups have boxes for their slippers, so they can be kept at school all year long. Backpacks The children also need to have a backpack where they can keep their dictionaries, spare clothes and any informational papers. Please, make sure an A4- size book can fit in the backpack. Rain gear We do not have enough space for storing rain gear at school. We will stay indoors if it rains heavily. If there is only a light drizzle, we will go outside as usual. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. 6

7 4. Calendar for Academic Year While we have taken care to be accurate with our scheduling, the dates are subject to change. In the event of this, we will inform as soon as possible. August Thursday 10 August Tuesday 22 August Thursday 31 August First day of school Swimming lessons begin Class photo day October Monday 16 October Friday 20 October Monday 30 October - Friday 10 November Autumn Holiday Parent- Teacher Conferences November Thursday 2 November Friday 10 November Halloween Party Father s Day Coffee December Tuesday 5 December Wednesday 20 December Independence Day Celebration (formal clothing) Christmas Concert for Parents (Normal pickup time at is available) Friday 22 December Friday 5 January Christmas Holiday 7

8 January Monday 8 January Spring semester begins February Tuesday 13 February Wednesday 14 February Monday 19 February Friday 23 February Shrove Tuesday Valentine s Day Ski Holiday March Monday 12 March Friday 23 March Thursday 29 March Friday 30 March Monday 2 April Parent- Teacher Spring Conferences Easter Party Easter Holiday April Monday 30 April May Day Party May Tuesday 1 May Thursday 10 May Tuesday 22 May Friday 25 May Friday 1 June Vappu Holiday Ascension Thursday Holiday Visit First Grade Preschool Graduation / Concert Spring party; Last day of school Please note, we try to organize trips for the children. Information about their exact dates will be given out as they are booked. 8

9 5. Monthly Themes August: September: October: November: December: January: February: March: April: May: All About Me Senses A magical world Finland 100 th year Christmas Space Winter Wonderland Watch things grow Circus & Theatre Year in Review 6. Daily Schedule Wake- up activities Circle time 8:45 9:45 Focused Learning Activities Lunch Preparation Lunch Free Playtime Story time Outside Playtime 9

10 7. Parent Teacher Collaboration Cooperation between the parents and teachers is extensive and frequent. The parents are considered as partners who work with the teachers in order to give their child the best education possible. Parent- Teacher conferences are held twice a year, once in the fall term and once in the spring. If the parents or teachers think there is a need for additional discussions, however, these can be arranged anytime. Teachers communicate mainly by e- mail or Wilma but in urgent matters by phone. Text messages are a better way to notify us of absences during the times we are with the children. 8. Absence Policy Preschool follows the same holidays as the rest of the school. Regular attendance is also expected, and the parents are requested to inform the teachers if and when their child is unable to attend school. Family holidays and trips cannot always be timed according to the school holidays. A holiday planned for another time needs to be discussed with the teacher. If the absence from school lasts three days or fewer, the teacher can grant the request. If the absence is more than three days, the principal needs to approve it. The principal also has the right to decline the absence request if he thinks that granting it would have a negative impact on the child s learning and schoolwork. 10

11 If the children belong to an ethnic or cultural minority group and do not share the same religious holidays and celebrations as those in the Christian faith, they can be excused from those celebrations (e.g. Christmas, Easter, Halloween.) 9. Assessment The assessment in preschool is based on how well the general objectives and potential child- specific objectives are reached. Our assessment is an ongoing process; it happens during the interaction between the teacher and the child when the child is in action and as the child s learning progresses. The teachers monitor the child s development and progress in all of our learning areas, and feedback is given to the parents and to the child, himself, regularly. The teacher promotes and supports the child s ability and readiness for self- assessment, which helps the child build his self- image and perception of himself as a learner. The assessment emphasizes the overall learning process and the child s progress, rather than the results or how well specific objectives have been reached. In spring every child undergoes an assessment of their English abilities. This is to ensure that they are ready for continuing in the bilingual educational atmosphere of our school. Prior to the assessment, it is the teachers responsibility to alert parents if a child isn t progressing as much as necessary. If that is the case, then collaboration between school and home will be coordinated. At the end of the school year, the children will receive a personal certificate and a progress report. 11

12 Rules of The English School Mäntytie 14 The goal of the English School is to offer an environment that supports a genuine growth of a student as a human being. The essential elements of this environment are a mutual respect that, instead of mere toleration means true valuing, belief, responsibility and good will towards others. A commitment to truth, justice, self-discipline, high work ethics, persistence and willingness to serve are values that correspond with the principles of the school and are in accordance with the development of a student's spiritual, moral, intellectual, aesthetic, social and physical assets. Parents are seen as the primary agents in the nurturing of a student. They have an essential role in the up-bringing of a student and without their support and co-operation the goals of the school can not be fully achieved.(curriculum of the English School, 1.1 Values) These rules have been set to promote the values of the curriculum. 1. Adhere to the school work days. Your presence is required on all school days (including Sports Day, class trips and other special days). 2. After each absence it is the duty of the student to contact each teacher to negotiate how missed work and tests are to be carried out. 3. Be in class on time. Be polite and tell the reason why you are late to the teacher. 4. Give others a chance to work in peace. Move quietly inside the school, do not disturb the classes in session. 5. During a school day you will only need equipment for studying. Mobile phones are switched to silent or shut down and out of sight for the whole day. Avoid bringing money to school if it is not needed. 6. The school is a student's place of work, where appropriate dress is expected. All students must have indoor shoes. For school celebrations and other festive occasions students must dress accordingly. 7. Enter the school yard at the earliest 15 minutes before the first lesson. 8. Recesses are spent in the school yard. Skate boards, other such equipment and all electronic gadgets are not to be used during the school day. 9. Leaving the school yard during a school day is only allowed with permission from the class teacher or principal. 10. After the school day is over you are to leave the premises immediately. Those attending afternoon care will be picked up at an agreed spot. 11. Follow directions and orders given by all adults at the school. 12. Bullying is not accepted in any form. 13. Be polite and greet when you meet someone. 14. All students must take good care of school property, equipment and also maintain the building and the cleanliness of the school yard. 12

13 A student is expected to follow the rules of the school, to carry the responsibility of their own behavior and accept the concequences of their actions. If a student does not adhere to the expectations set for their behavior, he or she must face the concequences, which vary according to the infraction. Disciplinary actions will follow the Basic Education Act, 36. (Chapter 7, Compulsory education and the pupil's rights and duties) 13