Last updated May 2022 PRIMARY PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME.......... 6 THE VIS CORE ..................................................... 8 OUR MISSION..............................................................................................8 OUR VISION .................................................................................................8 OUR VALUES................................................................................................8 THE VIS LEARNING PRINCIPLES.......................................................8 IB LEARNER PROFILE................................... 10 VIS GOVERNANCE........................................... 11 PRIMARY SCHOOL INFORMATION......... 12 PRIMARY SCHOOL TEAM .................................................................... 12 CONTACT INFORMATION.................................................................... 12 HOME AND SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS ................................... 12 CHANGE OF CONTACT DETAILS ...................................................... 12 PLACES TO KNOW................................................................................... 12 SCHOOL HOURS....................................................................................... 13 PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM........... 14 IB PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAM ....................................................... 14 THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT........................................................... 14 HOMEROOM CLASSES........................................................................... 15 SPECIALIST CLASSES ............................................................................ 15 LANGUAGES .............................................................................................. 15 INTERNATIONAL MINDEDNESS...................................................... 16 HOME LEARNING ................................................................................... 16 SECURITY, HEALTH & SAFETY ...................17 GENERAL INFORMATION & CAMPUS ACCESS* ........................ 17 TRAVEL TO SCHOOL & BACK * .......................................................... 18 HEALTH SERVICES................................................................................. 20 * Please refer to the VIS COVID-19 Communiques site for recent updates OUR COVID COMMUNITY PROTECTION PLANS.......................22 ATTENDANCE ...........................................................................................22 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES .................24 INCLUSIVE LEARNING SERVICES...................................................24 SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY .............................................24 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (ELA) SERVICES...........25 COUNSELING ............................................................................................25 REPORTING TO PARENTS ...........................26 CONFERENCING* AND REPORTING TIMELINE ...................... 26 HOPES & DREAMS MEETINGS.......................................................... 26 THREE-WAY CONFERENCES............................................................. 26 PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES............................................... 26 STUDENT LED CONFERENCES (SLCS).......................................... 26 WRITTEN REPORTS................................................................................27 STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS.......................................................27 PRIMARY COMMUNITY GUIDELINES....28 VIS VALUES IN ACTION....................................................................... 28 EXPECTATIONS FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS................................ 29 PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SAFETY ..........................................32 IS IT CONFLICT? RUDE? MEAN? OR BULLYING?......................33 STUDENT CURRICULUM .....................................................................34 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................35 REPORTING A CONCERN ....................................................................35 CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS .................. 35 CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES * ........................................................35 FIELD TRIPS...............................................................................................36 STUDENT COUNCIL................................................................................36 LIBRARY & TECHNOLOGY..........................36 LIBRARY * ...................................................................................................36 TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNING .......................................................37 RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY...........................................37 PARENT ACCESS TO DIGITAL PLATFORMS.................................37 PARENT GUIDELINES............................................................................38 TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRIMARY PRINCIPAL WELCOME LETTER 6 PRIMARY PRINCIPAL WELCOME LETTER 7 Dear Families, Welcome to Vientiane International School! We are looking forward to the adventures and to the learning this school year will bring. The primary years of education are a special and unique time for children. As parents and as educators, we honor this time by providing an environment for children in which they feel safe to learn, to take risks, to fail, to grow, to create, and to be who they are. Focusing on the whole child, we foster children’s academic development as well as nurture and build the dispositional skills they will use throughout their learning and throughout their lives. Our mission to challenge, inspire, and empower, along with our values and learning principles, are fundamental in guiding all the decisions we make as a school. In this handbook, you can read more about our VIS Mission, Vision, Values, and Learning Principles as well as learn more about our programs and procedures. We know and understand that communication is vital to our collective success and we encourage you to reach out with any questions, thoughts, or concerns you might have. Our partnership with you, as parents, is essential for us to best support your children. As we move through this school year, we will celebrate our successes and face whatever challenges come our way, together, as a community. I look forward to working alongside you in support of your children and their learning. Warm regards, Regina Alcorn Primary Principal
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