ABC Events, Terms and Practices

Whole School

British / International Educational terms at the ABC

Primary School

ENC (English National Curriculum) is the core curriculum of England and Wales which the school uses as the base for its own curriculum

The Foundation Stage is the Pre-Kinder and Kinder classes,

Key Stage 1 incorporates Prepa and Grade 1 classes

Key Stage 2 covers classes from Grade 2 to Grade 5

IPC (International Primary Curriculum) complements the English National Curriculum

Secondary School

Key Stage 3 is from Grade 6 to Grade 8.

IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is a two year international version of the British GCSE courses which conclude with exams at the end of Grade 10. It is administered by the University of Cambridge

International Baccalaureate Diploma is a two year programme in Grade 11 ans 12 with external exams at the end of Grade 12.

Christmas Fair

Lower Primary usually put on grade Festive shows followed by an Upper Primary show. In the same evening, the Secondary Community Action Service Programme (CAS) promote stalls selling items of interest in aid of their charities.

Guy Fawkes Event

This is a fun event for the ABC Community! It is a traditional annual event to commemorate the failed attempt to blow up the parliament building in London in November 1605. The leader of the plot was called Guy Fawkes. Guy Fawkes night is celebrated widely in the UK on November 5th with bonfires and fireworks. Sometimes an effigy of Guy Fawkes is burned on the bonfire. At the ABC we have an evening party with food and entertainment including a professional fireworks display. We celebrate it a little later as we are usually on half-term holiday on the 5th. Everyone is welcome.

Madres Enlace

The Madres Enlace is a group of mothers who support school events and give up their time in the spirit of creating stronger links amongst the school community. They are an official part of the Parents Association. The Madres Enlaces also run the food stalls at events, issuing tickets for purchasing food and drink. This paper money is usually valid for the following events - so don't throw them away! Every now and again a new set of paper money is issued.

The Summer Carnival

This is a Parents' Association event that takes place in March and is organised by the Parents Association. The objective is to have fair or amusement park rides and games, food and entertainment in a safe setting. It takes place on a Saturday, starting at 9am and finishing at 8pm. There is an entrance fee as well as a payment method for the rides and games.

Salvador Civic Month and Independence Day

During the month of September we celebrate local personalities, celebrities and heroes. This culminates in an Independence Day assembly on the last day in school before Independence Day. This is organised by the Grade 12 Secondary students

Tribes

Each student is a member of a tribe (Aztecs, Incas, Mayas, Pipils) and there are tribal events such as the Football, Swimming, Volleyball and Basketball Competitions. Tribe colours are: Aztecs (red), Incas (yellow), Mayas (green) and Pipils (blue).

Formality and Forms of Address

Students wear uniform and staff have a dress code. In line with Salvadorian cultural expectations, teachers are addressed as Mr Surname or Miss/Mrs/Ms Surname (there are exceptions in Lower Primary with the youngest children who sometimes are asked to use Miss/Mrs/Ms/Mr Firstname).

Primary

"Back to School Nights"

These meetings usually take place at the beginning of the year in August and are a must for all parents. Staff use the events to explain vital information for the year ahead, including class routines, expectations, homework schedules and arrangements, etc. The evenings are an ideal opportunity to meet other parents and discover how you can help your child.

Bake Sales

Madres Enlaces and volunteer parents organise popular 'Bake Sales' in Upper Primary throughout the year to raise funds for Grade Level and Primary School Events. Bake Sales take place at break-times on days advertised in the school calendar. Every effort is made to ensure that students are offered healthy as well as popular food choices.

Curriculum Evenings

Staff in Pre-Kinder through to 1st Grade present special information evenings for parents around October, which detail the content, aims and philosophy of the education programme at the ABC for the coming year. Often these events include the opportunity for parents to experience their child's curriculum at first hand as well as the chance to ask questions and develop a more in-depth understanding of the curriculum.

Spring Fair

This usually takes place on a Saturday in the month of February and is a popular extension of the Primary Curriculum. All students are expected to attend. Students throughout the Primary School help to plan and prepare a series of stalls, helping to manage them on the day in conjunction with adult helpers. All proceeds raised are used to support school projects and scholarships for school support staff.

United Nations Day and Parade

In the Primary School this has traditionally incorporated Upper Primary UN curriculum week culminating with their Food Fair for the children. In Lower Primary the Foundation Stage parades featuring students dressed appropriately for the countries they have been learning about. The day usually includes a special 'food fair' with refreshments related to the countries represented that year, prepared by parents, being enjoyed by students and parents.

School for Parents

The ABC Learning Support Unit offers a programme each year of lectures and presentations on a wide variety of themes associated with parenting, the family and education. Most events require a small cover charge and times vary throughout the year.

School Swimming Galas and Sports Days

These events take place at different times throughout the year and are based on activities and skills developed during the PE programme taught by specialist staff. Events last between an hour and 90 minutes depending on the age of the students and parents are encouraged to attend and add their support wherever possible. As events take place during the school day, students are allowed to go home afterwards if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Secondary

Awards Assemblies

The ABC community understands the importance of motivating students by publicly recognising their achievements. This will be done formally in Awards Assemblies at the end of term 1 (December) and the end of the school year (June) to which parents are invited. In grades 6 - 8 there may also be an internal Awards Assembly at the end of Cal 2. In the end of year Awards Assembly the ABC recognises ROC Awarrds the top students in each academic subject in each year group.

Cals and Parents meetings

The school calendar is divided into three Cal (Calificaciones) periods for the purpose of assessment and reporting to parents. In the Secondary section each Cal counts for 33% of the final grade. Cal 2 includes a formal exam period which contributes significantly towards the overall grade for Cal 2. Cal reports are issued to parents at the end of each Cal. Parents have the opportunity to meet and discuss progress with each of their individual teachers at Parent Teacher Meetings held twice a year (usually at the Know Your School event and in March). If you need to see a teacher during the school term you can make an appointment to do so.

Circus

The 11th graders put on a show - usually dance numbers to some theme and other performances. It is a project which promotes group work and cooperation; plus, it's a fun night out with the kids.

The Graduation Ceremony and associated events

This takes place for Grade 12 students at 5 pm after school one day in June. All staff and students are expected to attend this formal event. School closes at lunchtime on this day. The ring ceremony takes place a week before graduation and involves parents presenting a ring or other symbol to the graduates.

The Headmasters reception is on a Friday night in the PAC before the Graduation and all staff are invited. The Graduation party takes place in a big hotel in the city on the Saturday might after Graduation and staff attendance is by invitation.

"Know Your School" meetings

These are for Secondary parents and provide an opportunity to find out what your son or daughter will be doing in the coming year. The meetings take place in September or October and include an opportunity to meet the teachers of your son or daughter

Model United Nations (MUN) or HACIA Democracy

Every year ABC offers Grade 9-12 students an opportunity to take part in an MUN or HACIA trip. The students prepare every week for the half term prior ro the conference and then attend the conference. The trip lasts 4 - 5 days and may include an educational element in the host country. Participating students help in the ABCMUN which takes place in school for Grade 9 students in June of each year.

Parent Partnership Evenings

A series of meetings for Secondary parents which provide an opportunity to discuss school issues or issues relating to adolescents and/or education.

Teaching Groups

All students are members of a tutor group where they are required to register each morning at 7.00 am. In grades 6 to 8 the students are allocated to mixed ability teaching groups. They are set into ability groups in Mathematics from grade 6 onwards and in Science from grade 8 onwards. In grades 9 and 10 students are taught in their option groups and are setted for Mathematics and Science. In Grade 11 and 12 students are taught in their IB options groups.

UN Week

During the first half term of the first term students prepare for UN week which is usually the last week of the half term. Each tutor group is allocated a country to research at the start of the school year and prepare materials for their classroom display. During UN week students visit each others classrooms to look at the displays and answer questions. At the end of the week there is a UN assembly followed by an international lunch.