American International School

Student and Family Handbook 2007-08

3.0 General Policies

The American International School is committed to maintaining an inviting, safe and supportive environment that reflects courtesy and respect among students, teachers, administrators and all members of staff.

Every student at AIS is accountable for their conduct and is expected to behave properly and responsibly at all times. Students are expected to maintain an atmosphere of respect at all times. It is expected that behavior complying with AIS rules and regulations will be the norm. Everyone should be proud of their school and respect it by behaving appropriately, both on and off the school campus.

On campus every student is responsible for using classrooms, facilities and all other areas properly.

Vandalism negatively affects morale and should be reported immediately. Repair or replacement of damaged or lost school property, resulting from actions other than ordinary use, will be the responsibility of the individual(s) involved.

Off-campus, AIS students are also expected to behave properly and responsibly at all times. This includes being courteous, orderly, well-behaved and polite in transit to or from school, regardless if they are using public or private transport, or the AIS school bus services.

Students are expected to attend to their personal appearance in support of the AIS uniform regulations. In the event of any dispute, the AIS Administration Team reserves the right to define what is appropriate and inappropriate for school.

Female Students

Facial or body make-up is not allowed
Hair must be of natural color and style at all times (no excessive gelling)
Body jewelry is limited to one pair of earring studs, one bracelet, and one small neck chain at any one time
Tattoos may not be visible
Winter uniform blouses must be tucked in at all times
Hats may only be worn on campus during Physical Education classes, or when weather conditions make it necessary

Male Students

Hair must be neat and cut above shirt collars
Hair should be of natural color and style at all times (no excessive gelling)
Body jewelry is limited to one bracelet and one small neck chain at any one time, ear-rings are not permitted
Tattoos may not be visible
Only plain white tee shirts may be worn underneath school uniform shirts
Winter uniform shirts must be tucked in at all times
Hats may only be worn on campus during Physical Education classes, or when weather conditions make it necessary

Regulation school uniforms are available for purchase during Registration and throughout the year from the School Office. All uniforms must conform to a tidy and neat fit for each student. All students must arrive and leave school wearing the regulation school uniform. Regulation uniforms must be worn throughout the school day, except during Physical Education classes when Physical Education uniforms are required.

Students are advised to have names or nametags printed or sewn into uniforms (e.g., trousers, shirts, blouses, sweaters and Physical Education uniforms) to assist in returning lost articles.

The change from Summer Uniform to Winter Uniform depends on weather conditions. Appropriate dates for changes will be announced in advance. However, summer uniforms are usually worn from August through mid-November.

When temperatures fall, students may wear the red AIS blazer. They may also purchase a solid navy blue, close knitted sweater to wear with a regulation AIS pin. An AIS pin is available for purchase from the School Office. Sweaters should be hip-length cardigan or V-neck pullover style. Sweaters with logos, emblems, symbols, hoods, or turtlenecks are not acceptable. Students will only be allowed to wear an AIS blazer or school sweater on campus.

Table 1: Summer Uniform

AIS Summer Uniform Grade 1-Grade 12
Girls	Boys
White short-sleeved AIS shirt	White short-sleeved AIS shirt
Navy blue AIS culottes or AIS trousers	Navy blue AIS shorts (Grade 1 thru 5) Navy blue AIS trousers (Grades 6 thru 12)
Plain white ankle socks	Plain black belt
Plain black leather school shoes	Plain navy/black socks
	Plain black leather school shoes

Table 2: Winter Uniform

AIS Winter Uniform Grade 1-Grade12
Girls	Boys
White long-sleeved AIS shirt	White long-sleeved AIS shirt
Navy blue AIS culottes or AIS trousers	Navy blue AIS trousers w/black leather belt
Plain white ankle socks, or Navy blue/black tights	Plain navy/black socks
Navy blue school sweater – V-neck, plain knit	Navy blue school sweater – V-neck, plain knit
Plain black leather school shoes	Plain black leather school shoes
American International School blazer	American International School blazer

Table 3: Early Childhood/Grade 1 Junior Uniform

Early Childhood / Grade 1 Junior
Summer	Winter
Students are required to wear their AIS Summer PE uniforms daily	Students are required to wear their AIS Winter PE uniforms daily

Temperatures in Hong Kong during the winter months seldom drop below 10 degrees Celsius. On occasions when temperatures do go below 10 degrees, students are permitted to wear an overcoat coming to school. All overcoats should be appropriate in color and style for school. Students are not permitted to wear overcoats on campus or in class.

Winter scarves and woolen hats are rarely required in Hong Kong, but on occasions when parents feel it is cold enough for their children to wear them, then these must be plain navy blue.

In the event of any dispute, the AIS Administration Team reserves the right to define what is appropriate and inappropriate for school.

Physical Education Uniforms (Grade 1 – Grade 12)

Regulation AIS Physical Education (PE) uniform is required for all PE classes. AIS PE uniforms may be purchased during Registration or through the School Office.

White AIS PE T-shirt
Appropriate sports shoes
Navy blue AIS PE shorts
White sports socks

AIS PE sweatshirt and AIS track pants may be worn when the weather is cold

On days when Elementary students have PE, they may wear their PE uniforms to school and remain in PE uniform for the whole day.

Students are reminded that wearing jewelry during PE class can be dangerous. The PE teachers will request all jewelry to be removed and placed, along with any other valuables, in the secure lock-box that all PE teachers bring with them to every class. Any jewelry or valuables will then be returned safely at the end of the lesson.

In supporting a vibrant school spirit, Non-Uniform (Free Dress) Days are occasionally announced in conjunction with a special event, activity or celebration.

Students and families are reminded of the following guidelines for Non-Uniform (Free Dress) Days:

Students are not allowed to wear very tight or revealing clothing, including mini-skirts, hot-pants, crop tops or clothing which is see-through
Students are not allowed to wear any article of clothing which carries obscene language, pictures or symbols
Students are not allowed to wear clothing that is torn, ripped or ragged

In the event that a student arrives to school on a Non-Uniform (Free Dress) Day wearing clothing that is considered inappropriate by the school’s administration, the student will be excluded from classes. Parents or guardians will be contacted and asked to bring the student home to change before they will be admitted to class.

The following procedures will be followed if students are not conforming to AIS expectations.

3.5.1 Development of Rules

Classroom Rules:

Developed by students and the teacher

Include behaviors to help students become successful individuals and good citizens

Displayed prominently in the classroom

Reviewed at the beginning and periodically throughout the semester

Department Rules:

Developed by Department Heads in consultation with the respective teachers

Relate to health& safety, hygiene & cleanliness, protection of property, respect for people

Displayed prominently in classrooms and available to all members of the department

Reviewed at the beginning and throughout to the end of each semester

School Based Rules:

Developed by the Administrative Team in consultation with faculty, students, and parents.

Relate to

student discipline
subject curriculum
extra curricular activities
organizational goals & objectives
organizational climate
community surveys
Published in Student & Family Handbook

Reviewed and updated each school year

Organizational Rules:

Developed by the Administrative Team and School Supervisor in accordance with regulations and policies of the HK Education and Manpower Bureau

Relate to:

drugs & alcohol
theft
vandalism
bullying
other serious issues

Maintained as part of the AIS Policies and Procedures

Reviewed annually

3.5.2 Mediation of Rules

Issues dealt with by the Teacher:

Classroom:

homework
tardiness
absences
truancy
rudeness
littering
uniform

School:

uniform
chewing gum
swearing
displays of affection
littering
coercion games

Issues dealt with by Department Heads:

Academic:

cheating
plagiarizing
exams

Teacher-student conflicts Referrals from teachers

Issues dealt with by Principals:

Referrals from Department HeadsAnd:

fighting
drugs
smoking
theft
alcohol
bullying
depression
gambling
vandalism
fire crackers
acts of violence

Issues dealt with by the Head/Admin:

Referrals from Principal

3.5.3 Resolution Procedures

Step 1: Teacher

talks to the student
explores reasons for misbehaving
explain consequences
seeks a solution agreeable to both parties
requires the student to write a letter explaining how the student promises to reform
both student and teacher sign the letter
provides a copy of the letter to the student
retains a copy for student records

If the student fails to follow guidelines, the teacher refers the case to the Department Heads.

Step 2: Department Heads

talk to the student
explore reasons for the persistent misbehavior
seek a workable solution to the problem
require the student to write the student promises to reform
both student and teacher sign the letter
provide a copy of the letter to the student
retain a copy for student record

If the student fails to follow his or her own guidelines the case is referred to the respective Principal.

Step 3: Principals

talk to the student
explore reasons for the students’ refusal to cooperate and follow their own promise to change
contact parents and seeks their co-operation to bring about a change in the behavior
require the student to commit to an action of reform by requiring the student to serve:
- detention(s)
- a performance
  contract
- suspension(s)

If the student fails to follow his or her own guidelines to reform, the case is referred to the Head of School

Step 4: Administrative Team

reviews the case
makes a decision
informs the parents in writing
decides a course of action that may require the student to:
- leave school for a designated period of time
- be expelled
- another decision

AIS students may bring a mobile phone to school. Once students enter the AIS campus, mobile phones may not be used again until school ends. Mobile phones must be switched off when students arrive in school and stored safely out of sight until the student leaves the campus. All mobile phones must remain out of sight on the school campus during the school day, including recess and lunchtimes. Any mobile phones being used in school will be subject to confiscation. Confiscated phones will be returned at a date decided by the Head of School. In the event of emergency, students needing to use a phone should go the main office.

AIS students are not allowed to bring electronic games to school. Electronic games brought onto the school campus will be subject to confiscation. Confiscated electronic games will be returned at a date decided by the Head of School.

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