April 30, 2026
April 30, 2026
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Dear Parents
When I was growing up in the UK, my grandmother used to say "April showers bring May flowers". So I'm hoping that the recent rain will bring lots of flowers!
Hong Kong weather can bring a lot of disruptions to daily life. So here is a reminder of the guidelines for schools and when the Education Bureau is likely to close Kindergartens.
Rain
Thunderstorm Warning / Amber Rainstorm
When either the Thunderstorm warning or Amber Rainstorm signal is in force, Kindergarten will have regular classes and school buses will operate as usual. For bus riders, the bus moms and ICS staff escort the children under the cover of large umbrellas to or from the buses.
Sometimes parents are kind and offer to help, however as part of our child safeguarding, only known adults are permitted to escort the children -these are the bus company staff (Bus mom or drivers) wearing the bus company vests, or ICS Kindergarten employees (we are all wearing the ICS staff IDs).
As the bus riders need to hold hands, we ask that on rainy days, please do not send umbrellas with your child. We are happy to help the children to put on raincoats.
If any child arrives at school wet, we will change their clothes. Please make sure you return a clean set of clothes (including socks) as these are getting used a lot during the rainy arrivals.
Any clothes items borrowed from ICS should be washed and returned as soon as possible.
Red or Black Rainstorms
If the red or Black rainstorm signal is issued or still in force before school. The Education Bureau (EDB) will issue a statement to say schools are closed. For ICS Kindergarten, if the signal is in force at 6:30am up to 8:00am and AM and Whole day schools will be closed, our morning session will be cancelled. BUT we could still have the Afternoon classes.
If the Red or Black rainstorm signal is in force at 10:30am, then the PM classes will be cancelled.
If the Red or Black rainstorm signal is issued during school hours, the children will remain at school. If the signal is still in force at dismissal time, we will keep the children in school until the signals have been lowered and it is safe to dismiss children.
For Typhoon/ Strong Wind Signals
T1 – All classes will be in session.
T3 or above – Kindergarten classes will be suspended.
Our Communications Department will send out emails to parents notifying you of any closures once the EDB has issued their notification of school closures.
During bad weather, if the rainfall, flooding or the traffic situation is unsafe where you live and you are not able to bring your child to school, please submit an absence on PowerSchool. and we will approve your child’s absence. Our phone usually get very busy!
Enjoy your long weekend.
Blessings
Gillian Wu
Kindergarten Assistant Principal
Important Dates
May 1 (Fri): Labour Day
May 15 (Fri): R1 Parent Information Evening
May 25 (Mon): Buddha’s Birthday
If a different adult is coming to pick up your child from school, please notify the Kindergarten Office giving us their full name, Hong Kong Identity card number and their telephone number.
All people coming to pick up your child must:
Be on the authorized list on PowerSchool i.e. a parent has given us permission to release their child to that person.
Bring the purple pick-up card (original card, photographs will not be accepted).
In absence of the pick-up card, for persons we do not recognize we will either - check their Hong Kong Identity Card or call the phone number you have given us.
If we are unsure of the identity of the person picking up your child, we will check their identity.
If the person is not listed on PowerSchool, and you have not informed us, we will call parents to confirm.
If your child usually takes the bus home and changes to being picked up from school, please notify us. Please ensure that the person coming to school is on our authorized list. If in doubt, please give us their name
If you change or employ a new Domestic Helper, please remove your previous helper or add a new helper to the pick-up contacts on PowerSchool.
Parents, be empowered and equipped with the knowledge and resources you need to support your child's growth and success. This page provides resources, and we hope to help parents navigate the challenges of parenting and support your child's overall well-being. Make sure to check out our parent page HERE!
If your child is sick, please keep your child at home to rest and recover and notify the school by completing the relevant e-collect form on PowerSchool of:
Your child’s absence / number of days your child is likely to be off school
Your child’s body temperature (please state actual temperature, not just “has a fever”)
Once recovering from a fever (38C or above), please let us know the day and time your child’s fever subsided without medication. If you do not specify a time, we will use the time from your email. We can then specify how soon your child may return to school (48 hours after fever subsided).
Your child’s symptoms (not just “unwell”).
If your child has Chickenpox, Hand Foot and Mouth or other notifiable disease - please send in a doctor’s note confirming diagnosis. We also require a doctor’s note stating that your child is fit to return to school.
Red Eyes—conjunctivitis can be very infectious. If your child has red eyes, please give us a doctor’s note stating that your child is not infectious before they can come to school.
Department of Health requirements state that if a child has a fever (38C or above), or repeated diarrhea they need to stay home for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have subsided (without medication).
Even though your child’s fever may have gone, a child may still have a runny nose or bad cough and are not fit to return to school. Please keep them at home to rest.
Please do not send your child to school if they are still taking medication following an illness. The medicine may make your child sleepy and they still need time to recover and rest at home.
If your child has recovered but still has a mild cough (not chesty or coughing up phlegm), they may return to school but should wear a face mask.
International Christian School – Kindergarten
852-3156-1234 | kindergarten@ics.edu.hk | G/F, Kam Ho House (Block H), Kam Fung Court, Ma On Shan, N.T., Hong Kong
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