This handbook is designed to provide parents with the information they need regarding the daily routines and guidelines at ISB. The information found in this handbook is in line with The ISB Board of Trustees Policy.
Country Code - +381
City code –(0)11
ISB Main Line – 206 9999
Primary School Office – 206 9910
Primary School Fax - 206 9940
Business Office- 206 9999
Business Office Fax – 206 9944
Dr. Jimena Zalba, Principal - jzalba@isb.rs
Ivana Jovanovic, Primary School Secretary - ijovanovic@isb.rs
Snezana Hasanovic, Finance and Business Director - shasanovic@isb.rs
Gordana Zarubica , HR Coordinator/Accounts Manager - gzarubica@isb.rs
Natasa Radonic, Lead Accountant - nradonic@isb.rs
Jasmina Nikolic, Supply and Logistics Specialist - jnikolic@isb.rs
Milan Nikolic, Transportation/Purchasing Manager - mnikolic@isb.rs
Milan Tepavac, Accountant - mtepavac@isb.rs
Be sure to bookmark the school website and refer to it frequently for access to comprehensive information.
It is critical that the school has the most up-to-date contact details in case of an emergency.
Parents are asked to contact the Admissions Officer at admissions@isb.rs whenever there is a change in contact information (e.g., email address, telephone numbers, billing addresses).
ISB uses locally contracted providers for its food services.
Catered lunch service is compiled according to students, parents and faculty suggestions and requirements and is available online at http://intranet.isb.rs/catering. The web-based application (ISB Catering) is used for placing monthly lunch orders online. Payment for school lunches can be done by credit or debit card. Orders become active once they have been paid for. Lunches from the school food provider are delivered to the classrooms. For more information, please go to Food Services.
The ISB PTSA arranges special events and activities to supplement the academic program, enhance the school’s sense of community and serves as a liaison to facilitate communication between ISB families, administration and staff. The PTSA is governed by the Executive Committee in which teacher representatives and administration are invited to participate. More information about the PTSA can be found on the PTSA section of the ISB website.
ISB is a smoke/vape-free environment. Teachers, parents and guests are asked to refrain from smoking and/or vaping whilst on campus. Students are not permitted to smoke, vape or be in possession of tobacco products on school grounds or at school-sponsored activities.
Students and parents are discouraged from a routine presentation of gifts to employees of the school. If a student wishes to present a gift to an employee, the gift should not be elaborate or expensive. Simple remembrances expressing affection or gratitude will not be regarded as violations of this policy.
At the beginning of the school year, the Transportation Manager determines bus routes and sends the details to parents. Organizing bus transport is through the Business Office, and the transportation manager can be contacted at transportation@isb.rs.
Buses leave immediately after school. Students know to go directly to the school bus. If a student misses the bus, the parent will be called to come as soon as possible and collect the child.
If your child does not need to use the bus on a particular day, please let the Transportation Manager know directly. They will inform the bus monitor and the bus driver.
Each bus has a bus monitor who is responsible for maintaining order. Students are expected to remain seated at all times. Any difficulties with children whilst they are on the bus are reported to the Principal. Students should:
• Be on time and enter the bus in an orderly manner;
• Remain seated at all times;
• Avoid behavior that is inconsiderate to others;
• Avoid placing any part of the body outside of the window;
• Not bring friends on the bus who are not regular commuters;
• Keep aisles clear;
• Wear seatbelts at all times.
Students who are unable to adhere to behavioral expectations:
• 1st offence: Discussion between student and a bus monitor.
• 2nd offence: The bus monitor will issue a behavior ticket to the student, with a copy to the Principal for action.
• 3rd offense: The Principal will meet with the bus monitor, parents, and a student for possible disciplinary action or exclusion from riding the school bus.
Traffic conditions can sometimes cause delays, and parents are kindly asked to be patient before contacting the Transportation Manager.
Important: If a transportation change needs to be made during the school day, parents are required to email or call the Transportation Manager at +381 62 8056 109 before 2:00pm. This will ensure that the bus departs at its assigned time. If there is no email or a phone call, it will be assumed that the child is taking the indicated bus as per normal. If the child misses the bus, it is the parents’ responsibility to collect their child. For further transportation information please go to Transportation Services.
Primary School students are welcome to travel to and from school on bicycles, skateboards or scooters, on the condition that they wear a helmet. Bicycles, skateboards and scooters may be parked in the bike racks near the Collaboration Room.
For the safety of all our community and in respect of cultural consideration, pets are not allowed on our ISB campuses.
There are some potential benefits in allowing students to bring certain toys and personal items from home. Some of these benefits include stress relief, strengthening social interactions, learning how to share, negotiating, sharing interests and including others in your play.
Though we do not encourage students to bring items from home, we understand that sometimes children might want to share a toy with their friends. As a result under specific guidelines we allow students to sometimes bring toys and items from home. Items brought from home may include trading cards, stuffed animals, games or puzzles, and sports equipment. Items and toys not allowed at school include electronic or smart toys (e.g. remote control or digital gaming devices), toys that resemble weapons and items that may (unintentionally) cause harm to others. Educators at school will determine if a toy is not appropriate and have a conversation with the student and possibly the parent. Furthermore, if toys and items are creating a disruption to learning or relationships the teacher/principal will ask children not to bring them to school.
If you choose for your child to bring a toy from home to school, please note that the school does not take responsibility for lost, damaged or misplaced toys or items. Please note that this guideline will be revisited regularly and might be adjusted as issues arise.
Please note that this guideline will be revised regularly and might be adjusted.
Birthdays are an important part of children’s lives and we recognise that birthday parties can be a big deal – very important to the child celebrating the birthday, and almost as important to the children invited – or not invited - to the party. To prevent hurt feelings, we ask parents to keep in mind these guidelines for birthday parties:
If your child is going to invite only some children from the class or grade to their birthday party, please do not hand out invitations at school. Call the invited families on the phone, send emails, or use other forms of social media such as WhatsApp or Viber.
If you would like to hand out invitations at school please plan to invite the whole class or whole grade.
If you are planning on bringing a treat to celebrate your child's birthday at school we ask that you bring individual items such as cupcakes, muffins, or doughnuts. This is easier to distribute and handle. We also ask that party gift bags (including toys and other forms of sweets) are not brought and distributed at school. We believe that these guidelines will support the school’s values related to fairness and inclusion.
Moreover, external entertainers are not permitted to celebrate students' birthdays within the school premises.
Student class placement is an important staff responsibility. It is crucial that classes are balanced in terms of criteria that affect classroom instruction and students’ learning. In placing students, teachers consider student achievement, social-emotional needs of individual children, behavior, and home language, and support programs. They also consider gender ratios and combinations of students who do well or poorly together.
The teachers are experts at optimal placement for the good of all students. They see that the above criteria are met and individual needs are reflected in student assignments. In May, just before we begin with class placement assignments for the following school year, parents have an opportunity to share information about their child(ren) that would like us to consider when making placements. While the final decisions for placements must take into consideration all of the above factors, including your perspectives, please note that we do not take requests for a particular teacher.
The criteria for promotion/retention include age, achievement, social adjustment, availability of alternative programs, and teacher recommendations. Parents will be consulted no later than 45 school days before the end of the school year in cases where retention is being considered. The decision regarding promotion/retention is the responsibility of the Principal.
To request withdrawal from school, parents need to contact the Admissions Officer in writing. The Admissions Officer will arrange a checkout procedure for the student. If tuition and/or fines have not been paid, school records will not be released. Parents are asked to allow the school five business days’ notice in order to prepare report cards and records.
If the occasion arises that warrants the closing of school, official notice will be issued from the Director’s Office. The decision to close school is made by the Director in consultation with the Chair of the Board of Directors.
Procedure:
∙ The Director will notify the teaching faculty.
∙ An SMS message will be sent to all parents.
∙ It should be assumed that school will resume the following day.
∙ The SMS messaging system will be initiated for each consecutive day that school is cancelled.
Inclement Weather Policy: Every winter we have a few days of heavy snows and/or cold temperatures. On days such as these, the administration contemplates the following factors in the decision-making process of whether to hold school or cancel classes.
∙ Current road conditions in Belgrade,
∙ Accessibility to and from Lower School and Upper School campuses,
∙ Safety of ISB community members when going outside in cold temperatures and potential icy conditions,
∙ Outside temperature,
∙ Consultation with other local independent/international schools,
∙ Possible consultation with Embassies,
∙ Instructions from the Serbian government,
∙ Operation of Belgrade public transportation, and
∙ Operation of school bus transportation.
The decision passes through multiple filters of consideration. Moreover, the school’s Director communicates with the Chairperson of the ISB Board of Trustees prior to any decision related to school opening/closure. The school will communicate any decisions in the following manner:
∙ The initial SMS notification to the community will be made no later than 6:15am on the morning of school. Available information about potential delays in school transportation will occur at 6:15am. as well. Further transportation updates will be provided periodically to affected families throughout the morning period,
∙ The administration will also consider an early dismissal during period of inclement weather, and/or cancel after school activities as well. This will be communicated through SMS and email in a timely manner.
The school has defined procedures for emergencies such as fire, earthquake and lockdowns. These procedures are explained to students at the beginning of the year and are practiced each semester to ensure appropriate familiarization. Emergency Response protocols are also posted by the classroom door/ phone in every classroom. Furthermore, these procedures can be found in Moze.
The school features a designated space for managing lost and found items, conveniently situated at the entrance of the main villa. Several times throughout the semester, we display the lost and found items for parents and students to reclaim. Notifications about these showcases are communicated through Dragon Dispatch to keep parents informed. As a practice, at the conclusion of each semester, specifically in January and June, any unclaimed lost and found items are graciously donated.
The ISB vehicle identification.
Families are required to register their car license plate in Moze. Once your vehicle has been registered, our license recognition system will allow your car to enter the campus.