2.7. Admissions 

Contact information 

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). It is critical that the school has the most up-to-date contact details in case of an emergency. 

2.8. Campus Hours

The outdoor campus grounds are open to parents and students between 7:50am and 4:30pm.  

There is supervision for students from 7:50am.  The playgrounds are not supervised until 7:50am.  Hence, students may not be dropped off alone before 7:50am, however you are  welcome to stay with your child if you arrive early.   

The school day officially starts at 8:10am. Students arriving after 8:15am will be considered late and must check in with the  Primary School Receptionist in the main villa. 

Classes finish at 3:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.   There is a 3:15pm dismissal on Wednesdays.  After School Activities take place on Tuesdays through Friday from 3:15pm to 4:15pm (and 3:30pm-4:30pm on Wednesdays).   All students will be supervised on the "Grey Top/Parking Lot" until they are collected.  Students who  are not collected by 3:10pm will wait in the Primary School Reception area. 

After-school activities teachers are only responsible for the supervision of their students until 4:15pm (or 4:30pm on Wednesdays). Students who are not  collected on time will wait to be picked up at the Lower School Reception for 15-20 minutes.  

School buses are available for students  completing their After School Activities at 4:15pm. 

Any  parents wanting to use the Primary school facilities after hours, please contact the Ms. Ivana Jovanovic, Primary School Secretary - ijovanovic@isb.rs. 

2.10. Dismissal & Changes in Going Home Routines 

Any time students change their normal going-home routine their parents need to inform the school via e-mail.  Parents are kindly asked to send an e-mail to their child's homeroom teacher and/or Primary School Secretary Ms. Ivana Jovanovic at ijovanovic@isb.rs well in advance of dismissal (before 2:30pm).

If there is no written communication, it will be assumed that your child will follow their usual dismissal plan. Consequently, we will not release a child to any other adult without prior notification. 

2.11. Cater Lunches  

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.

2.12. Parent/Teacher/Student Association 

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.

2.13. Smoke/Vape-Free Campus

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.

2.14. Gifts for Employees

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.  

2.15. Bus Transportation 

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. 

2.16. Bus Regulations 

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. 

2.17. Changes in Going Home Routine (Buses) 

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.

2.19. After School Playground Use 

After School Use of School’s Playgrounds

• Parents and students can use the school's playgrounds after school until 4:30pm daily.  There are two age appropriate playgrounds: 

  • 6+ playground - children below the age of 6 cannot use this playground

  • 3 - 6 year old playgrounds (the EY playground behind the Music room)

• The school does not provide supervision services at this time as teachers are busy in classrooms and meetings preparing for the next day’s learning. 

• Children playing on school campuses after school must be closely supervised by their parents or care-giver. 

2.20. Walking Home 

Students are allowed to walk home with written permission from their parents.  If parents wish to grant such permission to their child, they are kindly requested to send a short statement to Ms. Ivana Jovanovic, Primary School Secretary, at ijovanovic@isb.rs.

The permission is valid for the current school year and it needs to be renewed at the beginning of each following school year.

2.21. Bikes and Skateboards

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. 

2.22. Classroom Visitor Permission 

Sometimes we have requests for students outside ISB to visit the school. This might be family members who are visiting on holiday or returning students. In these situations, we welcome children for a half day at the discretion of the Principal. The application must be in writing, explaining the relationship of the visitor to ISB and also which grade level the child would like to participate in. Visitors may not go on field trips or attend Co-Curricular Activities. 

In our effort to make our school secure for students the following procedures are in place: 

• All visitors to the campus will be required to sign in with the guard. 

• Visitors must wear their given visitor’s badge at all times. 

• Upon leaving, visitors will sign out with the guard and return the visitor’s badge. 

• Any visitor to the campus after school hours will be required to sign in with the guard.

2.23. Lost Property  

Any items of lost property will be returned to the Primary School foyer and placed in the Lost Property Box. Items not claimed by the end of each academic quarter will be donated to charity. Named items will be returned to the owner so please name all of your child’s clothing, lunch boxes, drink bottles and other miscellaneous items.

2.24. Pets 

For the safety of all our community and in respect of cultural consideration, pets are not allowed on our ISB campuses.

2.25. Toys at School 

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. 

2.26. Birthday Party Invitations & School Celebrations 

Birthday Party Invitations

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. 

Birthday Celebrations at School

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.

2.27. Classroom Placement of Students 

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.

2.28. Promotion and Retention

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. 

2.29. Withdrawal from School

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. 

2.30. Closing of School 

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. 

2.31. Emergency Response Procedures

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. 

2.32. Lost & Found

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.