Lower School Handbook 2021/22
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Lower School Handbook 2021/22 Lower School Handbook 2021/22 1
Table of Contents
3 ZIS Vision and Mission 15 Practical Information
15 How is the day organized?
4 ZIS Learning Principles 15 Arrival
15 Dismissal
5 ZIS Character Standards 16 School transportation service
5 Dispositions 16 What will your child need at school?
5 Values 16 What will your child eat at school?
17 Absence, late arrival or change in your child’s
6 Welcome to the Lower School normal routine
17 Address list
7 School Year Calendar 2021/22 17 Before and after school care
18 After school activities – ATAC Program
8 Administrative Structure (Directory) (AThletics and ACtivities)
18 Assemblies
9 The Structure of the ZIS Lower School 18 Animals at school
18 Birthdays
10 How Will I Know My Child Is Progressing? 18 Visitors
10 Parents as partners 18 Health matters
10 How will I know my child is progressing? 19 Emergency procedures
19 Library and book exchange
11 What Can I Do As a Parent? 20 Lost property
11 Home learning 20 Field trips and residential trips
11 Parent volunteers 20 Photos
11 Parents’ Association 20 Policies and procedures
21 Important telephone numbers
12 What if I Have a Concern?
12 Contact 22 Code of Conduct
12 Process for the retention of primary students 22 Disrespectful or disruptive behavior
12 Process for promotion of primary students 22 Bullying
22 Inappropriate items
13 Single Subject Lessons 22 Mobile phones and smart watches
13 German 22 Hats
13 Arts 22 Dress code
14 Physical education 23 Chewing gum and sweets/candy
23 Behavior
23 “Parents/Guardians and ZIS Partnership” and the
Temporary Guardianship Form
24 Information Technology Policy and Guidelines
24 Responsible Use Agreement
26 Educational Technology in the ZIS Lower School
26 Parent/family responsibilities
26 Parents’ guide to student use
27 Liability
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 2
ZIS Vision and Mission
Vision
Our vision is for all ZIS students to join and strengthen a global community of citizens, determined to make a
difference to the organizations and communities in which they work and live. We’re committed to ensuring our
students develop the intellect, skills and character to become caring individuals and adaptable and independent
thinkers.
Mission
We are a learning community of students, faculty, staff, and parents. At ZIS, educational excellence commits us
to Learn, Care, Challenge, Lead.
Learn
• We learn by creating meaning, developing habits of mind, and acting on values.
• We teach to multiple learning styles.
• We learn to understand and to become imaginative thinkers.
• We believe that effective teaching leads to meaningful learning,
and that effective teachers continue to be learners.
Care
• We provide a caring environment for the social, emotional, physical,
and intellectual development of our students.
• We care for the world around us and our planet.
• We value diversity and plurality of voices.
• We are committed to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
Challenge
• We challenge ourselves to be open to risk, change, and innovation.
• We challenge ourselves to ensure the success of each student.
• We challenge our students and teachers to share the responsibility for learning.
• We challenge our students to exceed their own academic expectations.
Lead
• We enable students, faculty, and staff to become confident and responsible leaders.
• We lead with a clear sense of direction and purpose.
• We lead through best practice and educational innovation.
• We aspire to lead by example.
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 3ZIS Learning Principles The ZIS community shares the following Learning Principles: We have a shared understanding of learning. All students can and do learn. Learning is a purposeful process of extending conceptual understanding, mastering competencies, and developing character traits. Everyone can learn how to learn. When students learn how to learn, they become confident and independent, able to own, and direct their learning. Lifelong learning is a valuable skill. Authentic contexts make learning meaningful. Learning is more meaningful, engaging and enduring when students inquire into real world issues, dilemmas, and perspectives. The quality of learning is more important than the quantity of content. Content coverage alone does not equal learning. Extension of conceptual understanding, mastery of competencies, and development of character traits requires selective use of illustrative content. Learning is personal. Individuals have different starting points, different interests, and will follow different learning pathways. We personalize learning by providing appropriate challenge, choice, constructive feedback, and opportunities to act on that feedback. Learning is social. We learn from one another in safe environments when we are connected through positive, caring relationships. Interaction and collaboration form an important part of learning. Everyone learns. Our principles of learning apply to all members of the ZIS community. Lower School Handbook 2021/22 4
ZIS Character Standards
The following character standards describe the Learners are REFLECTIVE
dispositions and values we strive to promote and They:
nurture amoung our community of learners. • think before acting, considering options for
achieving a goal based on analysis of that goal.
Character Standards • monitor progress, make adjustments and adapt
Character Learning is happening when students are: strategies appropriately whilst engaged in
• considering the potential impact of applying learning situations.
dispositions and values in specific authentic • increase self-knowledge of strengths, weaknesses
contexts and areas for growth through considered reflection
• acting as a result of these considerations on particular strategies or actions used in
• reflecting on the effects of these actions learning situations.
Dispositions Values
Learners are OPEN-MINDED Learners value INTEGRITY
They: They:
• initially withhold judgement, recognizing how past • identify and refine what they believe is right in light
experiences influence reactions. of our school’s mission and values.
• are receptive to information and ideas which may • do what is right even when no-one is watching.
challenge their beliefs. • articulate how their beliefs influence their actions.
• identify and investigate alternative perspectives • translate their beliefs into local and/or
• attempt new ways of doing things. global actions.
• recognize when their actions contradict their beliefs
Learners are RESILIENT and reflect on why that discrepancy occurred.
They:
• recognize and manage distractions. Learners value FAIRNESS
• identify and use strategies for overcoming They:
obstacles to achieve goals. • consider the impact of a decision or action on
• persevere through difficulties when it is productive others.
to do so. • recognize that fair does not always mean equal
• learn from failure or mistakes by reflecting and rather fairness depends on the circumstances and
altering strategies for success. who is involved.
• formulate goals and work to attain them over • can make and justify a decision based on how fair it
sustained periods. is for all concerned.
Learners are PLAYFUL Learners value COMPASSION
They: They:
• take risks when approaching new situations and • are able to sense other people’s emotions and able
learning experiences. to empathize.
• creatively engage with ideas and materials, • actively attempt to understand why people hold
experimenting with them in novel and possibly certain perspectives, are in certain circumstances,
counter-intuitive ways. and/or feel particular emotions.
• avoid drawing conclusions too soon. • feel motivated to relieve another person’s suffering.
• explore imaginative alternatives and possibilities by • work to understand the needs of others in order to
wondering “what if?”. achieve desirable outcomes for all.
• consider actions that will have a positive impact
on others.
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 5Welcome to the Lower School Dear Parents and Caregivers, I would like to welcome you to the ZIS Lower School Campus for students in Early ZIS to Grade 5. Your child is now part of a family of learners, where everyone’s uniqueness is embraced and valued. In the Lower School, we all learn by creating meaning, developing habits of mind, and acting on values. Developing strong, caring relationships is important to us, and we challenge each other to share the responsibility for learning to reach our true potential. We are in close partnership with you in wanting the best for your child. This handbook, which is an integrative part of your agreement with ZIS, contains information about our school’s guidelines and procedures, and outlines our expectations. You will find here an outline of the Lower School values, goals and organization. It provides general information that you will require; curricula are outlined in our Program of Studies which is also available on our website. Kind regards, Catherine Jolly Lower School Principal Catherine Jolly Janna Trontvet Lower School Principal Assistant Principal cjolly@zis.ch jtrontvet@zis.ch Lower School Handbook 2021/22 6
School Year Calendar 2021/22
July (2021) January (2022) Comments
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun 2021
1 2 3 4 1 2 August 1: Swiss National Holiday
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 August 3: New faculty report
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 August 9: LS, MS, US, HoD and
TL report
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
August 10: LS, MS, US returning
26 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
faculty report
31 August 13: MS new student
August orientation
February August 16: LS, US new student
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
orientation
1 Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun August 17: First day of classes for
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 LS, MS, US
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 October 11–15: Fall break
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 October 18–19: No school, Professional
30 31 28 Development Days (1 + 2)
September March November 19: No school
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun December 17: Last day of classes
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 December 20–31: Winter break I
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
2022
27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 January 1–7: Winter break I
January 10: 2nd semester begins
October April
February 14–18: Winter break II
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
February 21–22: No school, Professional
1 2 3 1 2 3 Developments Days (3 + 4)
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 April 11–22: Spring break
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 April 17: Easter Sunday
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30
May 1: May Day, Swiss Labor Day
November May May 26 & 27: No school, Ascension
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun June 4: US Graduation
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 June 6: No school, Pentecost
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (Whit Monday)
June 16: Last day of classes
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
June 17: Faculty work day
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
December June
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Color key:
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
New and returning faculty report
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 New student orientation
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Semester begins (first day of classes)
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Semester ends (last day of classes)
27 28 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 No school
Faculty work day
July US Graduation
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun Abbreviations:
1 2 3 EC = Early Childhood
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 LS = Lower School
MS = Middle School
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
US = Upper School
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 HoD = Head of Department
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 TL = Team Leader
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 7Administrative Structure (Directory)
Positions of Responsibility Positions of Responsibility
Lower School ZIS
Principal Director
Catherine Jolly Lisa Lyle
cjolly@zis.ch llyle@zis.ch
Assistant Principal Chief Operating Officer
Janna Trontvet Stefan Muehlemann
jtrontvet@zis.ch smuehlemann@zis.ch
Curriculum Development and Instructional Coach Deputy Director
Katherine Deutsch Mark Schulz
kdeutsch@zis.ch mschulz@zis.ch
Sustainability Curriculum Development and Director of Community Relations
Instructional Coach Michaela Seeger
Kristie Lear mseeger@zis.ch
klear@zis.ch
Director of Student Life
Student Support Coordinator Nick Bentley
Jacqueline Langford nbentley@zis.ch
jlangford@zis.ch
Learning and Technology Coach
Will Kirkwood
wkirkwood@zis.ch
Lower School Office
ls_office@zis.ch
ls_attendance@zis.ch
After School Activities
Marie-Therese Malina
mtmalina@zis.ch
Bus Coordinator
Roland Gaehwiler
bus@zis.ch
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 8The Structure of the ZIS Lower School Basic organization Typical class size is between 18–22 students. Class size may vary depending on the grade level and other circumstances. Grade Level Age Group Early ZIS 3 before the 1st of the month that they begin Pre-School 3 by 31 August Pre-Kindergarten 4 by 31 August Kindergarten 5 by 31 August Grade 1 6 by 31 August Grade 2 7 by 31 August Grade 3 8 by 31 August Grade 4 9 by 31 August Grade 5 10 by 31 August Lower School Handbook 2021/22 9
How Will I Know My Child Is Progressing?
Parents as partners answer questions, teach concepts and reflect on
their learning behaviors.
Your child’s happiness and progress is highly • Optional End of the Year Snapshot Conference:
important to us and we see ourselves as partners in At the end of the school year, there is an optional
this learning journey. short conference where you can discuss your
child’s progress or ask any questions you may have
Campus meetings, parent cafes and other parent before summer holidays.
educational opportunities will be offered throughout • Written Reports: A mid-year and end of year written
the year. All parents are invited to attend to learn more report is shared with you. These reports are formal
about the school as well as any new developments student records which addresses your child’s
at ZIS. progress, focusing on “what your child can do now”.
• Seesaw Journal: Class and student-specific
All administrators in the Lower School have an open information is available on each child’s Seesaw
office policy. Please feel free at any stage to make journal. When a child joins a class, parents will
an appointment to discuss your child by directly gain access to their Seesaw journal. These are
contacting the Lower School Office to set up a meeting. updated regularly for you to keep up-to-date with
developments within the class and your child's
Individual appointments to talk to your child’s teacher learning. Once you have gained access to the
are always possible. Contact your child’s teacher Seesaw journal, you will receive notifications when
by email, using an address made up of their initial a new post is made.
followed by their surname, i.e. cjolly@zis.ch (check the • End of Unit Checklist: At the end of each unit, your
faculty directory within the Community Portal). child will bring home an end of unit checklist and
evidence of your child’s learning, corresponding to
the checklist.
How will I know my child
is progressing? In addition to these opportunities, specific grade
levels complete external assessments. ZIS participates
• Meet the Teacher Night: At the beginning of in these assessments in order to have an international
the school year we have a grade level Meet the academic comparison, thus maintaining our high
Teacher Night. Teachers share grade level learning educational standards.
and expectations with all parents and answer any • International Schools’ Assessment (ISA): Grades
questions you may have. 3 and 5 complete the ISA in reading, writing and
• Beginning of the Year Snapshot Conference: mathematical literacy once per year in February.
At the beginning of the year you may sign up for a Results are shared with families in Spring.
brief “snapshot” conference. At this conference, you • Measures of Academic Progress (MAP): Grades
can share relevant information about your child with 4 and 5 complete the MAP assessment in
their teacher. mathematics twice per year, in September and
• Family Conferences: There are two family April. Results of the MAP are shared with families
conferences where the teacher will discuss your after the Spring testing session.
child’s progress and share next steps in their
learning. Please refer to our Lower School curriculum at
• Student-Led Conference: There will be a student- www.zis.ch/campuses/lower-school/curriculum
led conference in the spring in which your child for more detailed information on assessment and
will have the opportunity to explain their learning, how your child’s teacher continually monitors their
academic progress.
How will I know my child is progressing?
August October January April June
Snapshot Family Mid-Year Written Student-Led Written Summary
Conference Conference Report and Conference and Report and Optional
Family Conference Teacher Check-in Snapshot Conference
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 10What Can I Do As a Parent?
We encourage all parents to take an active role in their Parent volunteers
child’s education. There are many ways to do this.
What can I do as a parent?
Support your child If you would like to share a skill, attend class trips,
Talk to your child about school, what they like and assist with science and social studies units, listen
what they are finding challenging. Encourage your to children read, or simply help out in your child’s
child to ask questions and support your child’s classroom, please contact the class teacher.
passions or what they find interesting. If you speak a
different language at home, you may want to discuss A number of parents also coach our sports teams or
school matters in this language so that your child will teach a specific activity. If you wish to coach or teach
gain the same vocabulary in both languages. an after school activity, please contact our After
School Activities Coordinator, Marie-Therese Malina at
Read with your child mtmalina@zis.ch.
Your child should either be reading or being read
to daily. Teachers will provide guidance for book Room Parents
selection as well as an amount of time that is The Room Parents liaise between the class teacher,
recommended for your child’s grade level. Reading in the Parents Association (PA) and parent community.
your home language is also encouraged! As with all Room Parents encourage the integration of new
things, the more we practice the better we become at parents into the ZIS community, and help organize
certain skills. classroom or grade level celebrations. They also
arrange morning coffees, parent evenings or other
social gatherings for the classroom or grade level.
Home learning Please let your child’s teacher know at the beginning
of the school year if you are interested in contributing
Home learning at ZIS is different for every child in this way. We try to have two Room Parents for each
according to their needs. This is what you can expect class, ideally one with experience of life at ZIS and the
for your child: other newer but eager to be involved.
• Reading is the cornerstone of home learning.
Teachers will help monitor that students are reading
developmentally appropriate material. Reading at Parents’ Association
home includes being read to, children reading by
themselves or with parents, and children discussing The ZIS Parents’ Association (PA) consists of
the content of the texts they read. It is expected volunteers who wish to work together to enrich the
that students will read at home daily. program for students and to support our families.
• Differentiated learning tasks to be completed at Upon the arrival of a new family, Parents’ Association
home will only be given by the teacher where there members will contact you. Over the years, our
is a specific educational need based on teacher proactive PA has raised funds for a wide variety of
assessments completed at school. equipment, organized multiple social activities, and
• We encourage children to participate in the Swiss provided various orientation and social opportunities
community, join our wide After School Activities for new families. You can contact the Lower School
program, play sports, play an instrument, learn to representative at pa_cc_LS@zis.ch.
swim, cook, shop with parents, discuss current
events at home, visit museums and take part in
cultural events.
• We strongly believe that all Lower School students
should have the opportunity to play in structured
and unstructured contexts at home or in the
community.
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 11What if I Have a Concern?
If you have a concern, please do not hesitate to Process for the retention of
contact us right away. primary students
At ZIS, a child normally progresses from one grade
Contact level to the next according to age as each grade level
offers a variety of learning experiences designed to
1st meet individual needs and abilities. However, from
Your child’s classroom teacher or single-subject time to time, situations may arise when it would be
teacher in the child’s best interests to continue in the same
grade level for an additional year. This would usually
2nd be due to developmental or social issues which would
Position of Responsibility (see page 8) prevent the student from drawing the maximum
benefit from the subsequent year’s programme.
3rd Academic issues could also play a role.
If necessary, Assistant Principal Janna Trontvet
Remember Process for promotion of
Contact is important and welcome. If it is an important primary students
issue, it is essential that you let us know. We cannot
do anything to help or reassure you if we do not know At ZIS, a child normally progresses from one grade
of a problem. level to the next, according to age as each grade
level offers a variety of learning experiences to
Making an Appointment meet individual needs and abilities. The School only
If you would like to make an appointment, please recommends that a child is promoted when he or
directly contact the teacher or contact the Lower she is: old for the class, will cope with the social and
School Office to make an appointment with emotional demands of a higher grade, is physically
administration. By making an appointment, we can similar in size to the children in the grade above, and
make the most of your pre-arranged time. will academically thrive in the grade level above.
Generally, however, the School believes that children
are best placed with children of a similar age and that
the development of a differentiated programme is
more desirable than promotion.
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 12Single Subject Lessons
Every week your child attends single subject classes • Grades 1: 60 minutes
taught by teachers who have expertise in specific • Grades 2: 45 minutes
subject areas. Please see the LS Program of Studies • Grade 3: 45 minutes with recorder and
for further curricular information on each single ukulele instruction
subject area. • Grades 4 and 5: 45 minutes with ukulele
instruction
German
For Grades 4 and 5, children participate in an
All children from Early Childhood to Grade 5, in our additional 45 minute ensemble each week. A choice
International Pathway, participate in German classes. of concert band, string ensemble or choir is offered.
As children get older, the time spent in German • Participation in ensemble is a year-long
classes increases. The amount of minutes is based on commitment.
authority guidelines. Time for weekly German class • Children who enter ZIS after the first nine weeks
are as follows: may enter the curricular ensemble program only
• Early Childhood when they have demonstrated instrumental
and Kindergarten: 150-180 minutes; proficiency at the level of their grade-level peers
daily German experience currently in the program. Private instruction through
• Grades 1, 2 and 3: 180 minutes; four classes the ZIS Music Academy or a local music school is
• Grades 4 and 5: 225 minutes; five classes recommended to reach this level. Until proficiency
is met, those children will participate in the choir
In Early Childhood and Kindergarten classes, German ensemble program.
takes place in the child’s homeroom class. There are • Transfers to instrumental ensembles of such
also some differentiated opportunities for fluent and students of sufficient proficiency usually occur at
proficient German speakers in these grades. From the beginning of the second semester.
Grade 1, our German program is organized into two • Your child is expected to practice their chosen
distinct tracks: a Fluent Speaker Track and a Foreign instrument at home for a minimum expectation of
Language Track according to assessment data. Within 10–15 minutes three times each week.
the Foreign Language Track, proficient speakers form • Your child must have their instruments and music
their own class made up of students from different book at school on the day of their ensemble lesson.
homeroom cohorts. • If your child participates in concert band or strings,
they will be issued an Elements of Music Book for
If you have a question or concern, do not hesitate to their instrument. This book is yours to keep and is
contact us. Please email Elena Salassa at used throughout the year. If this book is lost, there
esalassa@zis.ch is a CHF 25 replacement fee. A replacement book
will be issued when the fee is paid. If the original
is found and brought to school before the last
Arts student day of the school year, the CHF 25 will be
refunded when the replacement book is returned.
Creative Arts
In Early Childhood and Kindergarten, children Each Grade 3 student is issued a recorder to practice
are taught as part of an integrated Creative Arts on at home during the school year. This recorder must
experience which includes dance, movement, music be returned at the end of the school year.
and visual arts. Your child will perform at least
once per year. These performances are part of the Lower School general music classes and music
curricular program and serve to demonstrate growing ensembles generally perform at least one to two
knowledge, skills and confidence. All students are times per year. These performances are part of the
required to attend these performances. curricular program and serve to demonstrate growing
musical knowledge, skills and confidence. All students
Music are required to attend these performances.
All children in Grades 1–5 attend a general music
class, which include experiences in creating, Students also have the possibility to have private
performing/presenting/producing, responding and music tuition at their own cost. You may find a list of
connecting. Time for weekly general music class are these teachers on the Community Portal. ZIS will do its
as follows: best to arrange for the private music tuition pursuant
to your request but can only do so within the given
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 13availability. Any such private tuition does not replace PE Health and Safety
the curricular lessons. • Short term Illness or injury: please email the PE
teacher directly to inform them your child will not be
Visual Arts participating. Students will still attend PE and learn
All children in Grades 1–5 attend a visual arts class: in various ways.
• Grades 1 and 2: 45 minutes • Long term illness or injury: please email the
• Grades 3, 4 and 5: 60 minutes doctor's letter and a plan will be made with the
class teacher and parents on the best learning
Art units are planned for students to have experiences approach for each child.
in creating, performing/presenting/producing, • Long hair: must be tied back for all activities.
responding and connecting. Students participate • Jewelry: studded earrings may be worn, however
in a visual arts exhibit which is part of the curricular done so at your own risk. All other jewelry must
program. be removed prior to the lesson (e.g. necklaces,
bracelets, watches, long earrings)
Physical education Selection to our competitive sports program
Selection is an integral part of our competitive sports
All children attend Physical Education (PE) classes twice program. We provide opportunities for all students
per week, two classes of 30-45 minutes. All students to be able train, and be included as part of a group,
are taught in their homeroom mixed ability groups. Often, we are able to offer a competitive experience
for all by hosting an inter school event. However,
Students should come to school already changed not everybody is able to travel and participate in the
into ZIS PE clothing on PE days, and change into additional fixtures and tournaments. For the integrity
sports shoes before PE. This saves precious time and of the competitions we enter, we aim to select a team
changing room space is minimal. which is as strong as possible. Selection will take
into consideration performance in training and in
Requirements for all Early Childhood to Grade 5 physical education as well as behavior and attitude
to wear the following clothing and sports shoes around school. There is no rotation policy and the
for PE: students are made aware that coaches will make final
selections based on a combination of the following:
Upper body – exclusively ZIS clothing • individual ability level
• ZIS t-shirt or ZIS polo shirt or ZIS long • physical readiness of the athlete
sleeved t-shirt • an ability to listen, understand and apply
• ZIS hoodie or ZIS sweatshirt or ZIS fleece or instructions
ZIS tracksuit top (new requirement) • the need to be a good team member
• the specific needs of the team (athlete
Lower Body combinations, positions, etc.)
• ZIS shorts (worn when weather is appropriate or
with leggings underneath) or
• Other appropriate sportswear: leggings,
sweatpants, track pants (this does not need to be
ZIS clothing, however it is advised.)
• Sports shoes with velcro or laces (recommended
indoor and outdoor)
• Water bottle – reusable and non breakable bottle
Optional
• ZIS athletic leggings tights, ZIS sweatpants,
ZIS track pants, ZIS long polo
• ZIS sun cap, ZIS wooly hat, ZIS water bottle, ZIS bag
All ZIS PE clothing can be bought through the online
store on the main ZIS website through the community
portal and it is delivered directly to your home.
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 14Practical Information
How is the day organized? markings and crosswalk to wait directly to the front of
the building.
You will find your child’s timetable under the Class
Information folder of your child’s Seesaw journal, Bus and Grade 5
which will be posted the first week of school. If arriving by car, children in Grade 5 need to be
dropped off at the back entrance along with all
Early Childhood to Grade 5 children taking the bus to school. Children will walk
08:00–08:20 arrival directly up the back steps into the building, walking
08:20–08:30 transition to class immediately out the front music door to wait in front of
08:30 classes begin the building.
10:25–10:45 snack and outdoor recess
12:25–13:25 lunch and outdoor recess When dropping your child off, drive through following
15:20–15:40 dismissal the guided markings and instructions from staff. If you
wish to come into school, please park your car either
Wednesdays: Please note, dismissal is one hour outside the gate or by the Waedi Woesch. Parking at
earlier: 14:20–14:40 the Waedi Woesch must be paid for. You may park
on ZIS grounds if you display a ZIS sticker, however,
Before and After School Care is available from 07:00 parking spaces and allowed parking time is limited.
and until 18:00 – please see page 17 for details.
If you walk your child into school, parents must wait
in the designated waiting areas until the bell rings
Arrival at 08:20. All parents must exit classrooms and other
learning spaces by 08:30 so classes can begin on
Children need to be at the Lower School between time.
08:00 and 08:20. The bell will ring and the doors
to the main entrance of the school will unlock at
08:20. There will be a ten minute transition period Dismissal
to class before classes begin promptly at 08:30 with
morning meetings. Classrooms are closed to children All vehicles must have a visible sign in the window
and parents until 08:20 unless a pre-arranged which contains the name of each child, their grade
appointment has been made. Children will be level, and teacher’s name. These will be provided to
registered as late if arriving to class after 08:30. new families.
Children have a designated drop off area if they are Early ZIS to Grade 1
arriving by car. The designated area is determined by Early ZIS and Preschool children who stay half days,
the grade of the youngest child in the family. There can be picked up at 12:30 from the main entrance.
is a teacher on duty at all designated areas between Preschool to Grade 1 students, including their older
08:00–08:20 to assist with arrival as needed and siblings, need to be picked up at the front entrance at
guide students to their designed waiting areas until 15:20.
08:20.
Grade 2 to Grade 4
Early ZIS to Grade 1 Children in Grade 2 to Grade 4, including their older
Children in Early ZIS to Grade 1, including their siblings, need to be picked up at the Waedi Woesch at
older siblings, need to be dropped off at the front 15:20.
entrance. Early ZIS to Kindergarten students will walk
directly down for supervision at the Early Childhood Bus and Grade 5
playground, through the gate at the front entrance. Children in Grade 5 need to be picked up at the back
Grade 1 students will walk directly to the front of the entrance at 15:20. Children travelling on buses will be
building to wait. escorted to their correct bus.
Grade 2 to Grade 4 Wednesdays: Please note all dismissals are one hour
If arriving by car, children in Grade 2 to Grade 4, earlier.
including their older siblings, need to be dropped
off at the Waedi Woesch. Children will follow the
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 15Once your child is safely secured in your car, please What will your child need at school?
proceed with driving to allow other parents to
safely collect their children, following the signs and The school provides all supplies necessary for
directions from staff. If you have parked your car, academic learning. Parents are asked to supply the
please vacate the parking space immediately, allowing following items:
the next vehicle to park. • Indoor shoes (e.g. slippers or indoor trainers;
no flip flops)
Families are encouraged to use the school • Outdoor shoes appropriate for PE and recess
transportation services, carpool or use public • Lunch box, snack box and drink bottle
transportation to help with traffic congestion as well • Bag/rucksack suitable for carrying books/snack
as environmental impact. boxes and personal things
• Grade 1 and below: change of clothes to keep
Gate Closure at school
The gate is closed each day from 09:00 to 15:00 • Outdoor Learning kit for Early Childhood and
(14:00 on Wednesdays) for the security of the children. Kindergarten children: waterproof ZIS trousers and
If you intend to be in the school building after 09:00 it jacket
is essential to park outside of the gate. • Early Childhood to Grade 5 all require ZIS PE
clothing and sports shoes (see PE information on
page 14)
School transportation service • In fall and spring they will also need: raincoat and
waterproof shoes
Children may be transported to and from school by • In winter they will also need: snow pants, snow
buses organized by the school. This is a private bus boots, hat, scarf and waterproof gloves
service and a fee is charged by the bus company,
which will be invoiced to the parents using the service. Please ensure all items are marked with your child’s
All buses consist of a modern fleet with seat-belt- name and grade level.
equipped, forward-facing, padded seats. For more
details including available routes and restrictions go
to the Community Portal where you will find the ZIS What will your child eat at school?
School Bus Service Terms and Conditions or contact
the Bus Coordinator, Roland Gaehwiler at bus@zis.ch Morning snack
All classes have a mid-morning snack. This snack is
School bus safety rules eaten in the classrooms or on the playground, based
• Sit in my seat facing forward with the safety belt on your child’s grade level. Your child will eat the
firmly secured throughout my entire trip snack you have sent to school, however, the snack
• Speak in a quiet respectful voice on the bus should not replace breakfast or lunch. Snacks should
• Keep my hands and feet to myself be compact and drinks should be in plastic containers
• Take my litter and belongings with me off the bus or cartons. No glass bottles or cans, please. Healthy
• Keep the atmosphere in the bus, friendly, fun and snacks are encouraged – no fizzy drinks or sweets.
caring Please make sure that snack boxes and drink bottles
• Keep water and food in my backpack are clearly labelled.
There are consequences for poor behavior on the bus, Lunch
followed up by the Assistant Principal and Bus Coordi- Your child may bring a packed lunch, or order lunch
nator, which could lead to a child not permitted to use from the school cafeteria. Children have between
bus services. 20-30 minutes to eat their lunch, based on their grade
level. If your child should be without lunch, they can
Children must ensure that they are on the bus at the pay on the day in the cafeteria, or you will be billed for
appropriate times. If your child misses the bus in the this. (Late payment will incur a significant increase).
morning, you must contact the bus company directly. Lunches and bundles of lunch tokens are ordered
via the Community Portal at http://passionfood.ch/
register. Please make sure that lunch boxes and drink
bottles are clearly labelled.
Children will need to bring their own reusable drink
bottle to use in their classroom or at single subjects.
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 16Absence, late arrival or change in All changes of address and phone numbers must
your child’s normal routine be notified via www.zis.ch/information-update
immediately. This is a very important procedure in
• Please e-mail Lower School Office at ls_office@ case of emergency.
zis.ch or phone the school by 08:30 to report an
absence or lateness. If your child travels on the bus
please inform the bus company by phone as well. Before and after school care
• If your child arrives late (after 08:30) they must sign
in at the Lower School Office before going to class. We offer a before and after school care program, for
• All changes in a child’s routine must be an additional fee.
communicated to Lower School Office by using the
Change of Routine form found under Quick Links on The Before School Care program is offered from
the homepage of the school website. This ensures 07:00 to 08:00. The After School Care program
that a message is received reliably. operates between the hours of 15:20 and 18:00, with
• No child may leave ZIS during school hours without the exception of Wednesdays when it operates from
the permission of a staff member. If a student 14:20 to 18:00. Children can attend on a regular basis
leaves school during the day, they must be signed or on a daily, casual basis. For regular days, parents
out at the Lower School Office before leaving the can pre-register online through our Community Portal,
building. in the Student Life section; for a daily casual change
• Any child wishing to be excused from school, parents can fill out the “Change of Routine form” on
except for medical and dental appointments, must that day, in the Community Portal.
obtain prior permission. If the absence is to be of
some duration (more than 1–2 days), approval must All children must be supervised at all times by an adult
be sought well in advance from the Lower School after 15:20 (14:20 on Wednesdays). Should a child be
Principal. found unsupervised, they will be taken to After School
• If a child has 15 absences or 15 late arrivals, a Care and the parent will be charged for this. This also
letter will be sent to you to inform you of this. At 20 applies to students attending Music Academy lessons
absences or 20 late arrivals, a further letter will be or where an Athletics and Activities (ATAC) session
sent to you and you will be invited to discuss this starts later than the finishing time of school.
with the Lower School Principal.
• Parents are expected to arrange their vacation Students may not use the school telephone to make
trips in accordance with the school calendar. To after school arrangements. Permission may be given
ensure the integrity of ZIS’ academic purpose, by a teacher in an emergency.
permission may not be granted for early departure
or later returns except in family emergencies. It is
not possible for us to authorize additional holidays
taken outside of the school calendar, therefore
these will be marked as unauthorized absences.
Address list
The school publishes an electronic School Directory
through the Community Portal, which includes parent
contact details. You can choose not to have your
personal details published within your profile settings.
It can be very advantageous to have your details
published to enable other parents to make contact
with you and to include your child/ren’s details (under
“relationships”).
Please ensure that you input your details and keep
them updated.
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 17After school activities – boys/all girls within the class. Otherwise invitations
ATAC / Co-curricular Program need to be sent by email or post.
The Lower School runs an extensive after school co-
curricular program for children in English and German. Visitors
Activities are available in many areas such as the arts
and STEM. As part of our activities program we also All visitors are asked to report to the Lower School
offer a competitive and non-competitive athletics Office upon entering the building. Visitors are required
program, challenging leadership opportunities, to sign in and wear a visitor’s badge for the duration of
as well as opportunities to represent the school. their visit. Please hand your badge back and sign out
Details of the activities are listed in the co-curricular before you leave.
software accessible via PowerSchool prior to each
of the three designated terms, to allow parents to Alumni students, no longer living in Switzerland, may
sign-up on-line. Restrictions apply. Students may enter visit the school for one day so that they can reconnect
individualized (such as private instrumental) activities with their former peers. Other visiting children may
and private mother tongue language clubs. For further be given a school tour or stay for lunch, but may not
information, go to the Activities information on the stay for instructional time. Arrangements need to be
Community Portal, in the Student Life section. For made in advance. To arrange a visit, please contact
supervision options see Before and After School Care Assistant Principal Janna Trontvet at jtrontvet@zis.ch
on page 17.
Health matters
Assemblies
Insurance
Assemblies take place on designated Friday As Swiss law requires parents to carry accident and
afternoons during the school year. Parents will be health insurance for all children, the school does not
notified when and given a general overview of an provide any. Therefore the school assumes parents
assembly via My ZIS Weekly News. Assemblies are have fulfilled this obligation and that, in the event of
important in building a school community. They an accident, the costs will be covered. In addition,
are usually a time for our campus to be together to the school strongly recommends that parents carry
celebrate and share what is happening in our learning an additional personal liability policy for each of their
community, welcome and say good-bye to students children. Such a policy can be purchased from your
and staff, and create an awareness of the values we insurer at a minimal premium.
cherish as a school.
Medical records
The school keeps records on each child’s medical
Animals at school history, allergies, family doctor, and emergency
contact on PowerSchool. It is the parents’
Animals are not permitted inside the school building responsibility to ensure that these records are up
unless a prior arrangement has been made with the to date. To update records complete this form in
classroom teacher or the administration. PowerSchool.
Medication in school
Birthdays If your child needs to take medication during school
hours, whether regularly or for a short period of
If you wish to bring something in for your child to time, parents are required to bring this medication to
celebrate with their class please contact your child’s the school nurse office with detailed administration
teacher in advance to make arrangements. Healthy instructions. Administration of medication at school
birthday treats are encouraged, such as fruit or form needs to be completed and signed – this can be
muffins. Please ensure that treats are appropriate found on PowerSchool under “forms”.
portion sizes and easy to serve and that student
allergies have been taken into account.
Invitations for birthday parties can be sent into school
only when they are to either the whole class or all
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 18Illness teachers will review the necessary procedures with
Please notify the school immediately about any the students in an age appropriate manner.
contagious disease your child has contracted.
Children who need to take antibiotics for an infectious Emergency school closure
disease must remain at home until they have taken a If school is cancelled, the school will put a notice on
full 48 hours of antibiotics and feel well, to ensure that the homepage of the website (www.zis.ch) by 06:30
they are not contagious. Students must be symptom in the morning. In the case of a school emergency
free for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to outside of normal school hours, the ZIS Director, the
school after illness. The nurses may inform the parents Lower School Principal or Safeguarding Coordinator
of other students who may have been exposed to a act as the communication contact point (see
contagious disease so that they can be aware of the Safeguarding Team below).
symptoms.
Safeguarding team
Head lice The school maintains a safeguarding team that is able
Head lice, which do not carry disease, are most to respond to any serious emergency faced by the
prevalent during the autumn and winter months. school. Responsibilities for this team are established
Parents are required to inform the school nurses if at the beginning of each school year. In the event of
they find head lice on their children. The nurses will a serious crisis or emergency, the team, led by the
send home a treatment plan, and take measures to ZIS Director, will provide appropriate information
prevent a larger outbreak. Students who have been to parents as quickly and comprehensively as
treated at home and return to school for the first time reasonably possible. This will include giving details on
must see the school nurse for a lice check before the school’s web site at www.zis.ch/emergency
going to class.
Attendance Library and book exchange
If a child is well enough to attend school they will
need to attend all classes and be able to go outside Each class visits the library at least once per week.
at recess. If this is not the case, children should stay These times are planned purposefully, composed of
at home unless otherwise arranged. For any absence instruction led by the librarian and a time to browse,
please complete the “LS notification of absence form” receive recommendations and check out books to
which can be found on the community portal. take home. Homeroom teachers and/or assistant
Note: this is different to the “Change of Routine” form teachers attend library sessions with their classes.
which is for notifications other than absence.
Students are also able to use the library during
designated lunch breaks as well as before and after
Emergency procedures school to exchange library books. Library books
should be returned in a timely manner. For younger
In the case of a serious emergency, the school will readers, books should be returned weekly, on or
contact emergency support services and assure before the set library day for the class. Any books
the safety and wellbeing of students as first priority. which are lost or damaged, are charged at a standard
Parents will be notified as soon as possible thereafter. CHF 25 replacement fee.
In the event of an illness, accident, or medical
emergency, and when the parents can not be reached Parents are welcome and encouraged to use the
by telephone, the school may act in loco parentis library and can check out up to 10 items for their
until one or both of the parents can be reached. It is children. We have an online book request system and
the parents’ responsibility to ensure that the school a Grab and Go that runs at morning drop off for Early
has their current contact information as well as the Childhood parents. The library has a comprehensive
telephone numbers of their non-parent emergency online library which you are also welcome to join.
contact and family doctor. Parents are invited to use our other campus libraries
also as we have inter library loans available. Please
Fire drill and lock down check with your campus librarians for open hours.
The school maintains a regular schedule of fire drills
and lock down practices. At the beginning of each
school year and before the first drill, the classroom
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 19Lost property teacher and counselor. If the decision is made for your
child not to attend the residential trip, they will need to
We encourage children to take responsibility for their stay home and no home learning will be provided.
own property. Please ensure that all property your
child brings to school is clearly marked or labelled. Residential trip dates will be on the on-line calendar
All articles found which are clearly marked with your at the beginning of the school year, when possible,
child’s name will be returned to them. allowing you to plan in advance. For residential trips,
you will be given trip specific information by the
Lost Property centers are maintained in the Grade grade-level teams at least two weeks in advance.
3–5 stairway next to the Lower School office. Items The notification will include the destination of the
are put on display in the front lobby at the end of each field trip, the purpose of the field trip, departure and
term and if unclaimed will be removed and donated or arrival times, eating arrangements, the method of
disposed of. transportation, and any special conditions applying
to that specific field trip. All buses used to transport
students are equipped with seat belts.
Field trips and residential trips
When your child is on the residential trips, you can
ZIS offers mandatory, curricular field trips and expect to receive the following communication on
residential trips for older students throughout the Seesaw:
school year. • A message when the grade arrives at their
destination
Online Field Trip Form • One message each day outlining the day’s events
At the start of their time at ZIS, all parents are asked • A link to the folder containing group photos from
to fill out the online Field Trip Form. This form gives the trip
permission for children to attend all trips during a
school year while attending the Lower School. Curricular-enriching trips
ZIS offers optional curricular-enriching trips
Field trips throughout the year. Examples of these types of field
Field trips function as an educational element of the trips are offsite choir performances, Model United
curriculum; therefore, all children must attend. If there Nations (MUN), Math Quest and sporting events.
is a reason why your child cannot attend, you must
inform the school in writing of the reasons for your All costs incurred by ZIS for optional, curriculum-
child’s absence in advance. In these cases, your child enriching trips are invoiced to the participants.
will need to stay home. The complexity and duration
of the field trips will increase in the higher grades.
Photos
You will be informed by the grade-level teams of a
field trip at least one week in advance. The notification Formal class and individual photos are taken during
will include the destination of the field trip, the the year. You will be informed of these in advance.
purpose of the field trip, departure and arrival times,
eating arrangements, the method of transportation, Children may be photographed while at school, and
and any special conditions applying to that specific these photos may be used in school publications or
field trip. All buses used to transport students are on the school website. No names are given. Please
equipped with seat belts. contact Rachel Ditchfield at rditchfield@zis.ch and
Catherine Jolly at cjolly@zis.ch should you not wish
ZIS tuition fees include all costs incurred by ZIS for your child’s photo to be used in this way.
mandatory, curricular field trips.
Residential trips Policies and procedures
Children in grades 3, 4 and 5 go on a residential,
overnight trip. Residential trips are considered If you want to know the school policy or procedure on
mandatory, however, should you feel that it is not any issue, please contact reception.
appropriate for your child to attend, we do not
pressurize or force attendance. You are asked to
organise a face to face meeting with your child’s
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 20Important telephone numbers Lower School Office: 058 750 22 00 Catherine Jolly, LS Principal: 058 750 22 04 Janna Trontvet, LS Assistant Principal: 058 750 22 05 It is requested that parents exercise restraint in telephoning the school with messages for their children. This service may be used for urgent messages only. In the event of such an emergency and in order for messages to be delivered in time, parents should endeavour to ring by 12 noon to ensure that the message reaches the recipient. Lower School Handbook 2021/22 21
Code of Conduct
At the Lower School we believe in international • include students who are easily left out.
mindedness and the qualities of an open-minded, • tell an adult at school or at home if they witness
resilient, playful and reflective learner. These qualities bullying.
work to develop citizens who respect themselves, • understand the rules and how they will be enforced.
others and the world around us. • learn pro-social behaviors.
• are responsible for their actions.
Disrespectful or disruptive behavior 2. Intervention
We will investigate all complaints made by students,
Vulgar or profane language and aggressive actions to parents and staff. Counseling strategies may follow
others are unacceptable. that can offer a guided and effective process to assist
students.
Bullying 3. Consequences
When serious infractions occur parents will be
Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power contacted and appropriate consequences will be put
in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/ into place.
or social behaviour that intends to cause physical,
social and/or psychological harm. It can involve
an individual or a group misusing their power, or Inappropriate items
perceived power, over one or more persons who feel
unable to stop it from happening. Students are never to bring to school illegal
substances, or other items considered to be
Bullying can happen in person or online, via various dangerous. This includes any kind of items that may
digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious be used as weapons, including knives of any kind,
(overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is lasers, lighters, matches and the like. Toys may be
repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over brought to school only when deemed appropriate by a
time (for example, through sharing of digital records). classroom teacher.
Bullying of any form or for any reason can have
immediate, medium and long-term effects on those Mobile phones and smart watches
involved, including bystanders.
Mobile phones and smart watches can be brought to
Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, school but must not be used over the course of the
whether in person or online, are not defined as instructional day unless permission has been granted
bullying. by the school administration or teacher. Mobile
phones and smart watches must remain off and in
What bullying is not: backpacks throughout the day.
• single episodes of social rejection or dislike
• single episode acts of nastiness or spite
• random acts of aggression or intimidation Hats
• mutual arguments, disagreements or fights.
Students are not to wear hats or head coverings in
These actions can cause great distress. However, the school buildings unless they are being worn for
they do not fit the definition of bullying and they’re not religious, cultural or health related reasons.
examples of bullying unless someone is deliberately
and repeatedly doing them.
Dress code
1. Awareness
ZIS students: Clothing should be clean and free of offensive
• build positive relationships with others. graphics and language, and large holes or tears.
• pledge to not bully others. Flip flops or wheelies are not to be worn as they are
• talk about the behaviors of bullies, victims, dangerous on stairs. Clothing must be modest and
bystanders and defenders. the principal has the final say on what constitutes
• help students who are being bullied. appropriate clothing. Make-up may not be worn.
Lower School Handbook 2021/22 22You can also read
