Rights and Responsibilities - Primary School

Rights and Responsibilities - Primary School

As an IBO World school, the International School of Belgrade prioritizes a safe learning environment that supports student growth and well-being. ISB respects that a child’s education starts in the home and is continued as a partnership between home and school.

ISB students are expected to uphold high standards of behavior at all times. Students are expected to strive to embody the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.

Responsibilities of Parents

1. to show by example that they support the School’s Mission

2. to make sure that their children come to school regularly, on time, correctly dressed and ready to work

3. to take an active and supportive interest in their children’s work and progress

4. to support the authority and discipline of the school, helping their children to develop

maturity, self-discipline and self-control

5. to encourage regular communication with the school as a basis for close co-operation

between the home and school

6. to interact with individuals with respect and dignity.

Responsibilities of Students

1. to attend school regularly, on time, ready to learn and take part in school activities

2. to aim at the highest standards in all aspects of school life

3. to cooperate with the staff and to follow the expected behaviors and rules of conduct

4. to consider and respect the feelings and property of other people both in school and in the wider community

5. to care for the grounds, buildings, furniture, equipment and books provided by the school

6. to interact with individuals with respect and dignity.

With the emphasis on educating and nurturing students to reach their full potential, it is essential that the learning environment be free of disruption. Appropriate behavior therefore is a critical component to achieve this safe and respectful environment. Students at ISB are expected to respect the rights of all members of the school community: teachers, administrators, parents, support staff and peers. Although it is hoped that all students will adhere to our indicated rights and responsibilities, situations may arise where a student’s behavior falls short of expected norms or is contrary to the school’s values, and thus requires staff intervention. Each situation will be addressed on its own merits.

ISB Behavioral Philosophy

As an IBO World school, the International School of Belgrade prioritizes ensuring a safe learning environment for all students. By communicating clearly what the expectations are for behavior, and by supporting students in attaining the expectations, we are mentoring them in their development of the ISB core values and the IB Learner Profile characteristics which will ensure continued success at ISB and beyond.

Home and school communication is vital for positive behavioral management systems, and therefore the teacher will keep in close communication with families if there are behavioral problems at school.

ISB expects all members to act in accordance with the school’s four core values: empathy; integrity; respect and responsibility.

For the students, this means:

Empathy – we understand the impact of our words and actions and act with compassion toward others.

Integrity – we conduct ourselves in ways that bring honor to ourselves, our family, our school and our community.

Respect – we demonstrate respect for ourselves and others’ person and property.

Responsibility – we are responsible for our behavior as well as contributing to a healthy and safe learning environment.

ISB Behavior for Learning

Through a positive classroom-management approach, classes develop essential agreements. In the first instance, behavioral concerns will be managed by the teacher concerned. If the behavior is on-going or is of a mildly serious nature, the teacher will work collaboratively with the counselor in supporting and mentoring the student in creating and maintaining appropriate behaviors. Should the behaviors continue, the final step would be to involve the principal. If a student is sent to the principal’s office for misbehavior, the principal will reflect with the student on details relating to the behavioral incident. Information relating to the students’ behavior will also be sought from the teachers involved, counselor and other students if appropriate. Parents may be invited to the school to discuss possible solutions.

Depending on the severity of the misbehavior, students may face the following consequences:

Verbal Reprimand

In-class consequence designed by the teacher, for example, exclusion from an enjoyable activity.

Phone call to parents and/or email to parents as needed.

Collaborative meeting with parents to support students in appropriate behavioral changes.

For more serious breaches of behavioral expectations, a Positive Behavioral Modification Plan may be implemented.

Problem Solving

Students at ISB are encouraged to find peaceful solutions to conflicts and disagreements. As students interact with one another, they practice PYP attributes such as communication, caring, empathy, self-management and cooperation. At times, however, students may experience conflict or disagreement. Students can choose to “problem solve” whenever they feel the need to voice a concern. Teachers are always available to assist students with the problem-solving process if needed.

Students use the following five steps in problem solving:

1. Cool off and calm down.

2. Explain what is bothering you using “I” messages.

3. Restate what you heard the other person say.

4. Brainstorm solutions and come up with one that satisfies all involved.

5. Forgive/thank and handshake/hug.

Threat of Violence

At ISB, the emotional and physical safety of your children is a top priority. As an IB World school, we are committed to the IB mission of creating a better and more peaceful world.

If a child makes a specific, serious threat of violence, the counselor will investigate to assess the credibility of the threat, and disciplinary action, appropriate to the nature of the threat and the student’s ages may be taken. If action is required, the Principal will be informed.

Primary School Approach to Bullying

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is defined as ‘when a person has been exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more persons’ (Olweus, 1991).

Bullying can take many forms:

• Physical (pushing, shoving, kicking, hitting)

• Verbal (name calling, teasing, laughing at, threatening)

• Indirect means (spreading rumors, excluding someone from a group)

• Electronic (Identity theft, posting insults on social media, spreading gossip on social media, posting unapproved photos on social media)

• Property (taking or vandalizing property belonging to another person).

Bullying is:

• Systematic and on-going (not one-off meanness)

• Done by the more powerful over the less powerful rather than between equals

• Distressing and hurtful to the victim (not a joke or a prank to be good-natured fun)

• One way rather than an exchange.

Anti-Bullying Code:

• All students should feel happy and safe and be wholly accepted at ISB.

• Bullying is not accepted at ISB. It is not an acceptable part of growing up.

• Students should support each other by reporting all instances of bullying to a trusted adult at the school or report it to their parents who can contact the school.

• Reports of bullying will be taken seriously and investigated by the school and appropriate action taken.

The following disciplinary actions can be taken for those students who persist in bullying despite interventions taken:

• Reflection times

• Exclusion from activities

• Suspension (in-school and out-of-school)

• Expulsion

All ISB guidelines apply to excursions and field trips.

Parents will be informed of bullying behavior.

Student Record and Right to Privacy

Student records that include grade reports, test scores, teacher comments, counselor notes, and other related information shall be kept confidential and used only when deemed necessary to help the student with placement, references and relocation. Access to records is strictly controlled.

Mobile Phones - Primary School

Although we understand that many students have a mobile phone, there is no need for Primary School students to use a mobile phone during the school day. Phones must be turned off and kept out of sight during the school day. Students may choose to give their phone to the teacher for safe-keeping, however the teacher cannot be responsible for loss or damage of the phone.

If parents need to contact a student, the parent should call the ISB Primary School receptionist. Important and emergency messages will be delivered at once. If a student needs to return a call to a parent, the student must use a phone at the receptionist’s desk, or if confidential, should ask to use the phone in the Principal’s or Counselor’s office.

Any cell phones seen being used during the school day will be confiscated and given to either the homeroom teacher or the Principal.