Bullying

Bullying is the unwelcome repeated and targeted verbal, written, published or physical act directed at a student by another and has the intent or effect of:

• physically, emotionally or mentally harming a student.

• damaging, extorting or taking a student’s personal property.

• placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional or mental harm.

• placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property.

• creating an intimidating environment that substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities.

Our objective is to ensure a safe, positive and supportive environment for our students.  Therefore, any student who has been determined by MS Administration in consultation with the MS Counselor as having "bullied" another or others, may be referred to the counselor for counseling and subject to disciplinary action that may include a parent/guardian conference, Behavior Improvement Plan, in-school suspension, and/or out of school suspension. Should behaviors continue, a Student Support Team may recommend an Educational Psychological Evaluation and/or "no program." The AIS-R approach to managing bullying and harassment is restorative and reflective, which includes partnering with respective families, teachers, counselors as needed to determine the best course of action. 

We do not tolerate intimidation and/or harassment of any kind at AIS-R. Any written or verbal language, or physical gesture directed at a teacher or at another student which is insolent, demeaning, abusive, or implicitly or explicitly implies a threat of bodily harm is totally unacceptable.  Such actions will be dealt with immediately. This includes actions in online e-forums such as social networks, chats, blogs and the like. The consequences for intimidation and harassment range from after-school reflection to out-of-school suspension.

Cyberbullying / Online Harassment 

Cyberbullying is when a student is threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another person online. We do not tolerate intimidation and/or harassment of any kind at AIS-R. Any written or verbal language, or physical gesture directed at a teacher or at another student which is insolent, demeaning, abusive, or implicitly or explicitly implies a threat of bodily harm is totally unacceptable.  Such actions will be dealt with immediately. This includes actions in online e-forums such as social networks, chats, blogs and the like. The consequences for intimidation and harassment range from after-school reflection to out-of-school suspension.

Identity-Based Harm 

Identity based harm is any form of bullying related to characteristics associated with someone’s identity. Offensive comments related to someone’s identity are sometimes referred to as culturally insensitive comments or identity based harm. This may include but is not limited to comments about a person’s race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, body type, socio-economic class or ability.  Such comments can be very traumatizing to those on the receiving end even if the person saying them thinks it is “just a joke”. To be clear, these comments are considered offensive and unacceptable in any community, and particularly in a diverse setting such as AIS-R’s international school community. Any actions, including comments shared on social networks, chats, blogs and the like will be addressed by the school if a pattern of behavior is identified or evidence is provided to the school. The consequences for culturally insensitive and offensive comments and ‘jokes’ range from mandatory reflection sessions, meetings with parents, suspension and possibly expulsion depending on the severity or repeated patterns of behavior.

Intimidation and Harassment 

Any written or verbal language, or physical gesture directed at a teacher or at another student which is insolent, demeaning, abusive, or implicitly or explicitly implies a threat of bodily harm is considered intimidation or harassment. Such actions are unacceptable at AIS-R and will be handled seriously. This includes actions in online e-forums such as social networks, chats and blogs. The consequences for intimidation and harassment range from after-school reflections to out-of-school suspension.

Sexual Harassment 

Sexual harassment is defined as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, made by someone from or in the educational setting.” This can also include, but is not limited to, sharing inappropriate pictures via email and on the Internet and inappropriate sexual advances conveyed in online forums such as social network, chats and email. Board policy makes it clear that a student may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the Superintendent and the Principal determines that the student has committed sexual harassment.

Fighting 

To contend through physical contact or altercation is considered fighting.  All who participate, regardless of who initiates the contact are responsible. This includes “fooling around” or “play” fighting. Consequences for fighting range from missing breaks to suspension. Repeated offense may result in a Principal recommendation to the Superintendent for an expulsion.

Vandalism 

Vandalism is the deliberate destruction or defacement of property, and it can have serious consequences for individuals and the school community. Vandalism comes in various forms, including graffiti, property damage, and littering. 

Theft 

Theft is not tolerated under any circumstances. Students will be held responsible for this behavior (regardless of their intent) which may or may not result in the damage or loss of school property or the personal property of another community member. 

Phone Usage

Students are expected to have phones “away for the day”. Phones will be stored in backpacks in lockers with the ringer turned off once they arrive on campus. Students may take their phones out of their lockers when the school day is finished at 3:30pm. When an MS student needs to call their parents during the school day they should go to the MS Office to use the office phone under adult supervision. Likewise, if a parent needs to reach their child, they should contact the MS Office. 

If a student takes their phone out of their locker before the end of the day, it will be held in the MS Office for the remainder of the day. If there are three or more offenses, the MS Office will keep the phone in a secured location until the parent is able to pick it up in person. Following this, students who do not honor these expectations will be asked to turn their phone into the MS Office each morning to be picked up at the end of the day for a period of time determined by the MS Office, which may be several days, weeks or indefinitely. Please note this rule applies to any smart device, including smart-watches as well.

In summary: 

1. First Offense: The cell phone will be confiscated and held in the office for the remainder of the day. It may be collected no earlier than 3:30 pm. Additionally, this incident will be recorded in PowerSchool.

2. Second Offense: The cell phone will be turned in to the Middle School Office each morning for one calendar week. It may be collected no earlier than 3:30 pm each day. The incident will be recorded in PowerSchool.

3. Repeated Offenses or Keeping the Phone When Expected to Be Turned In: The cell phone may be collected until parents are able to pick it up. 

Dress Code

AIS-R takes pride in the appearance of its students.  We know that student dress and appearance are directly related to school atmosphere, student conduct and the quality of schoolwork. In keeping with the traditions and customs of the host country, modesty in school attire must be maintained. It is impossible to develop guidelines for every fad regarding dress and appearance. Please use the following guidelines in selecting appropriate clothing and determining a suitable appearance for your child.

• Clothing worn to school must be clean and well-maintained.  Students must keep pants on their hips without bare midriff or buttocks exposed. 

• Clothing must be without chains or excessive rips, tears, and/or holes that create revealing clothing.

• Clothing that is sheer or mesh or undergarments that are visible, including ripped shirts, or ‘cold shoulder’ shirts and tops are not allowed

• Clothing that displays offensive or distracting pictures or words or adult advertising will not be permitted.

• Shirts, blouses or dresses must have sleeves that cover the shoulders and upper arms

• Shorts, dresses or skirts must be an appropriate length (to the knee) and modest.

• Distracting hairstyles, hair colors or tints are not appropriate in the Kingdom or at school

• For safety, students must wear closed-toed footwear to school. Shoes that are secured on the feet are best for play and running at school. “Slides”, crocs and foam running shoes are not permitted in the MS. A doctor’s note will be required if any student requires special permission to be excused from wearing closed-toed footwear.

• Caps, hats and sunglasses may be worn outside and removed once inside the school buildings to the discretion of the teacher. Sunscreen is highly recommended!

• Abayas and Thobes are not to be worn during school unless otherwise permitted by the MS Administration on select days.

When students are found to be in violation of the dress code, they may be sent to the Middle School Office and asked to change their clothing depending on the nature of the violation. The Principals will decide the appropriate action for all dress code violations, which may include the following consequences.

• 1st Offense: Student receives a warning and the violation is recorded internally and notification is emailed home.

• 2nd Offense: Dress code violation is recorded internally. A letter is emailed home and parents are asked to respond that the dress code has been addressed at home and will not continue to be an issue. Student may sit out of both breaks in the office the following day.

• 3rd Offense: Dress code violation is recorded internally. Principal phones home to speak with parents. Student loses the right to abide by the AIS-R dress code and must wear AIS-R polo shirt and/or appropriate pants for 2 weeks. 

• 4th Offense: Parent/student conference with Principal. Dress code violation is recorded internally. Student loses the right to abide by the AIS-R dress code and must wear AIS-R polo shirt and/or appropriate pants, purchased from the EAGLE’s Nest store for one month.

Gum Chewing

Chewing gum is not permitted on campus on school days from the time a student arrives on campus until the student departs. The consequence for each offense is a break reflection session. After the third reflection, the student may be required to attend after school reflection sessions at the discretion of the Grade Leader or MS Administration.

Prayer 

The Middle School provides a supervised area for students to pray, which is located outside of the Dining Hall in the two designated prayer rooms. Students are allowed to pray during regularly scheduled break times at snack and lunch, and are expected to finish praying by the time the bell rings and it is time to go to the next class. Students are expected to pray in the prayer rooms. This is not a space to socialize with friends. If students misuse the prayer space they may be asked to leave the space and parents will be involved to discuss a logical consequence.

Behavior Off Campus

It is not uncommon for interactions between students outside of school to impact our learning environment on campus at AIS-R. This is particularly true given how many people in our school community live together in various compounds in Riyadh. The school may assign disciplinary consequences if there is evidence of inappropriate behavior off campus that in any way impacts the ongoing culture and operations of our school. This includes ongoing bullying, harassment, vandalism, theft or any other inappropriate acts that are directed toward another AIS-R student off campus and is known at school. AIS-R Eagles are expected to uphold our Core Values and Profile of an EAGLE off campus.

Behavior Improvement Plans 

The MS Administration, Counselors and Grade Leaders will determine which students may be placed on a Behavior Improvement Plan based on multiple data points, including behavior referrals and quarterly evidence of students’ Transdisciplinary Transfer Goals (TTGs). Behavior Improvement Plans are designed to support students with ongoing behavioral challenges in one or more areas and include specific growth targets and progress monitoring agreements.  

If a student has multiple “Sometimes Evident” (SE) or “Rarely Evident” (RE) in a particular course or multiple courses, they may be placed on a Behavior Improvement Plan at the discretion of the MS Administration.