Start of School Guide 2021-2022
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Start of School Guide 2021-2022
Contents
02 Health and Safety Measures and School Schedules
03 Welcome to the Lower School
What Happens on the First Day of School?
Start of School for Early Years
Start of School for Preparatory
Lower School Virtual Meet and Greet and New Parent Orientation on Friday, August 13
07 Welcome to the Upper School
Upper School New Student Orientation on Thursday, August 12 and Friday, August 13
09 MacBook and iPad Programme
11 Nurse's Office
Medical Forms
Student Health and Travel Declaration Form
Daily Temperature Check
12 Athletics, Clubs and After-School Activities
13 School Lunches
14 School Uniform
15 School Fees
This guide is current as of
Friday, June 4, 2021.
Any updates will be emailed directly to parents,
included in the Flash e-newsletter, and
updated on the CDNIS Covid-19 Information
section of our website.
01
Health and Safety Measures and
School Schedules
Health and Safety Measures
The health, safety and well-being of everyone on our campus is a top priority. Our cleaning and
COVID-19 preventative measures meet or exceed the Centre for Health Protection guidelines. Please
take a moment to familiarize yourself with the health and safety measures we have undertaken and
what families can expect when students are on campus.
• Mandatory completion of Health and Travel Declaration Form prior to entry on campus.
• Mandatory temperature checks, hand sanitizing and wearing of masks on campus and school
buses.
• Enhanced and regular cleaning of all classrooms and common areas throughout the day
using hospital standard 1:49 bleach concentration.
• Touchless soap dispensers and additional paper towel holders for hand drying.
• Fumigation of campus every two-weeks and during school holidays.
• Campus-wide treatment with Germagic MAP-1 Smart Coating every 90 days.
Our most current health and safety measures can be viewed on the CDNIS Covid-19 Information
website.
School Schedules
Early Years AM 7:50am-10:20am
Early Years PM 11:50am-2:20pm
Lower School 7:50am-2:20pm
Upper School 8:55am-3:55pm
02
Welcome to the Lower School
Moving schools can be a big deal for children and parents too. Together, we can ease any insecurities
your child(ren) may have about starting at CDNIS by ensuring there are support structures in place
on the first day.
Before the first day of school, there are some strategies you can put in place early on at home:
Involve them in the Process
Empowering your child by including them in the process will alleviate any anxiety they may be feeling
about the change. If possible attend the New Parent Orientation on August 13 together. Older
children might appreciate the opportunity to follow their schedule and young ones may just need to
see their new environment with their own eyes.
Seek New Knowledge Together
Seek the positive about the change. Visit the school website for facts and photographs, lists of
interesting classes, extracurricular activities and sports activities.
Meet Future Friends
Start socializing early on. Make contact with other students in the year group and invite someone over
for a playdate. Socializing at home one-on-one can be less threatening for children. Future friends are
everywhere. Sign your child up for one of the great CDNIS Summer Programmes (June 15 - August 6)
and classes at CDNIS. They’ll feel less nervous on the first day if they see some familiar faces. Young
children may need help meeting new friends, so through role-play rehearse the dialogue your child
may need when engaging with new friends.
Communicate
Remind your children about other “firsts” they have experienced in their lives and how well they
handled them. Find opportunities to talk about successes they have experienced and the advantages
of taking that first step — like meeting a new friend or learning a new skill. This will build confidence
and remind them that taking risks can pay off.
03
Welcome to the Lower School
Be patient. Children are extremely adaptable, but it may take a period of time for the transition to
happen, to the point where they are settled and comfortable. If you have any concerns about your
child’s transition to CDNIS, please speak to one of our school counsellors; however, odds are he or
she will adjust just fine.
Whether your child is worried about making new friends, losing touch with old ones, you can help. Be
an active communicator by asking questions and listening.
Get Involved in the School
There are many ways to get involved in the school. If you’re able to volunteer in the classroom, you’ll
get to know the teacher and your child’s classmates. Networking with other parents can be a great
way to meet other kids, too, and to feel a part of the CDNIS community.
What Happens on the First Day of School?
• In order to identify new students in Prep to Grade 2, a nametag will be provided during
Open House. Please ensure your child wears his or her nametag for the first day. EY1 and
EY2 students will not require a nametag as the bus mothers and/or parents will escort them
directly to their homerooms.
• Lower School teachers will greet new students upon arrival on the 6/F and 9/F with grade
level signs. Students should find the teacher holding their grade level sign. Teachers will
escort new student groups to their respective playground. When it’s time for classes to begin,
teachers will escort the students to their homerooms.
• Throughout the week, teachers will ensure new students are familiar with key areas including
the cafeterias, play areas, single subject classes, school nurse, etc. They will also visit
emergency evacuation routes and exit points.
• Homeroom teachers will match new students with a ‘buddy’ who will spend free time with
them and show them around the school. New students will attend a welcome session during
the first full week of school with guidance counsellors, at which they are welcome to bring a
‘buddy’.
• For morning and lunch breaks, all students will be taken to their respective cafeterias where
routines will be modeled.
• At the conclusion of the school day our class teachers, educational assistants and bus moms
will assist all students to find their buses or meet parents/helpers who have private pick up
arrangements.
Start of School for Early Years (EY1 and EY2)
The Early Years are often a child’s first experience of school and we want our youngest students to
know first and foremost that learning is fun. It is through play that children learn about their world.
Research shows that play helps children learn how to work with others and solve problems. Play
promotes executive functioning, imagination, independence and creativity. Children gain confidence
and learn about risk-taking.
Relationships are at the heart of our programme. Children need to feel safe, secure and cared about
in order to achieve their full learning potential. We spend a lot of time getting to know children.
Conversations take place all day, every day, in multiple languages and all situations; we truly value
the time we spend with our students.
04
Welcome to the Lower School
There are opportunities for parents to be partners in their child’s learning through parent observation
sessions, Learning Conversations, parent workshops, Curriculum Day and more. We encourage you
to participate and become involved in the school community. Event dates are provided in our weekly
school newsletter The Flash and through class announcements.
In spite of reading all this, the first day of school can be an anxious time for parents. Try not to let
your anxiety show, as your child will pick up on this. Please be assured that the school staff is very
experienced and will provide plenty of support for your child. Here are some guidelines to help start
the school year positively and to make the transition easier for you all:
Early Years Arrival and Hours of Operation:
Children traveling to school by car should be dropped off at the 9/F after 7:30am and 11:30am.
Children taking the school bus will be brought to the classroom by the bus mother. Name tags will be
given to the children upon arrival in the classroom.
When you are ready, please say goodbye to your child. Leaving when they are not looking, to try and
prevent tears actually breaks their trust in you. Say goodbye and that you will see them later. Then
leave as quickly as you can so they can adjust.
Washroom
Your child will be required to use the toilet independently. Please work on this at home in the weeks
preceding the start of school. We understand that accidents may happen, so please send a clean
change of clothes, including underwear and socks, all clearly named, in a plastic bag inside your
child’s school bag.
School Bag
A student school bag or backpack should be large enough to hold a plastic zip pouch and easy
enough for your child to open and close independently. A small backpack is available for purchase
through the uniform shop. Please do not send in large ‘suitcase-type’ bags with wheels, as they do
not fit in our cubbies. Please ensure that your child’s belongings are all clearly named.
Snack
Please send a nutritious snack to school. We strongly discourage packaged, processed foods.
Sandwiches, crackers, fruit, vegetables and sushi are examples of nutritious snacks that help little
minds and bodies to function at their peak. Please ensure that your child’s snack containers are
easy for them to open and close independently. A small, easy-to-open water bottle should also be
included. Again, please ensure that your child’s name is clearly written on their snack container/s and
water bottle.
Personal Items
Please label all items of clothing and personal belongings with your child’s full name and class.
Toys and Money
Children are discouraged from bringing toys and jewellery to school unless requested by the teacher.
Your child may need to bring money to school from time to time. Please make sure it is in an
envelope clearly marked with your child’s name and class.
Communication
Communication between teacher and parents will be through email, Seesaw and telephone calls.
Class announcements will be posted regularly via Seesaw.
05
Welcome to the Lower School
Staggered Start
CDNIS uses a staggered entry model for all Early Years students. Staggered entry starts on Monday,
August 16, when only half of each EY class attends school at a time. This allows for students to
settle into school as part of a smaller group during the first week, which helps them to be able to
foster meaningful relationships with their teachers and peers. Staggered entry respects the different
needs and experiences of all children and families beginning school. It also allows teachers a better
opportunity to recognize any children that may need help adjusting to the transition and provide
them with ample reassurance and support.
During staggered entry, children will be organized into two groups. In early August you will receive
an email advising you of your child’s assigned staggered entry group.
Please be advised that children will not be marked absent for days on which they are not at school in
the first week. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office at
(+852) 2525 7088.
Start of School for Preparatory
Communication
Communication between teachers and parents is primarily through email and Seesaw. Class
announcements are posted regularly via Seesaw.
Staggered Start
CDNIS uses a staggered entry model for Prep students, to smooth the transition to full day school.
Staggered entry starts on Monday, August 16, when only half of each Prep class attends school at
a time. This allows for students to adjust to their new daily routines, teachers and venues as part of
a smaller group. This means the transition is less overwhelming and enables teachers to quickly form
meaningful relationships with the students. Friday, August 20 will be the first day with the whole
Prep class attending.
During staggered entry, children will be organised into two groups. In early August you will receive an
email advising you of your child’s assigned staggered entry group.
Please be advised that children will not be marked absent for days in which they are not in school in
the first week. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office at
(+852) 2525 7088.
Lower School Virtual Meet and Greet and New Parent Orientation on
Friday, August 13
The Virtual Meet and Greet is the first part of the settling-in process. All students and parents
are encouraged to attend and meet the teachers via Zoom. Please join us on Friday, August 13
between 2pm-2:30pm. More information, including the Zoom link, will be sent to parents by your
child's homeroom teacher in August.
The New Parent Orientation for families joining Prep to Grade 5 will be held on Friday, August 13
from 9am-11am. All new Prep to Grade 5 parents who will attend the New Parent Orientation are
asked to sign up via this link no later than Monday, August 9.
As the Early Years has a very large number of families all new to CDNIS, different arrangements
are being made including a Virtual New Parent Orientation (via Zoom) on Thursday, August 12,
followed by classroom visits on Friday, August 13. We will be staggering the number of families
visiting at one time. A detailed schedule with your allocated time slot will be shared in August.
Mandarin Placement Assessment
All new Grade 1-5 students will study Chinese in the Lower School and need to sit the Mandarin
Placement Assessment in the Chinese Cultural Centre (CCC) on Friday, August 13 from 10am-
11am. If you have any questions about the Mandarin programme, please contact the Director of
Chinese Studies, Ms Penny Pan.
If you have any questions about the Lower School, please contact Winnie McCarthy.
06
Welcome to the Upper School
A number of new students will join CDNIS every fall in Grades 6 to 11 and parents can expect
support in this transition from classroom teachers, guidance counsellors, and student leaders.
Grades 6 to 8 Supply and Materials List
Students in Grades 6 to 8 will need to purchase a number of items before the first day of school. This
supply and materials list for Grade 6-8 students lists everything students will need for the 2021/22
academic year.
Grade 6 to 8 Experience Week
All students in Grades 6 to 8 will participate in Experience Week in March 2022. This year, Experience
Week will focus on local experiences only. Students in Grade 6 will participate in an Outward Bound
camp experience and Grades 7 and 8 students will participate in various daily activities focusing on
creativity, action and service.
Grade 6-11 New Student School Laptop Collection
New students should plan to visit the school between Monday, August 9 and Wednesday,
August 11 to collect their school laptop from OneDoor, our tech support station at CDNIS. Please
see “MacBook and iPad Programme” on page 13 regarding Upper School laptop requirements. If a
student was unable to order a school laptop on time, the school will provide a “loaner” laptop until
the order is fulfilled.
07
Welcome to the Upper School
Grade 6 to 8 New Student Orientation
New students will be welcomed to school for an orientation on Friday, August 13 from 2pm to
4pm. During this time they will meet Upper School administrators, their counsellors, and homeroom
teachers. Students will enjoy a brief tour of the school and meet with their homeroom teachers
to review their schedule and familiarise themselves with the start of school procedures. You will
receive more detailed information during the summer. Parents will also be invited to attend an online
orientation in early August.
For new students who have not done their Mandarin Placement assessment, please go to CCC
(Chinese Cultural Centre) on Friday, August 13 at 1pm. Depending on your proficiency level, this
assessment can take from 10 to 60 minutes.
Grade 9 to 11 New Student Orientation
New students will be welcomed to school for an orientation on Thursday, August 12 from 10am
to 12noon. During this time they will meet Upper School administrators and will have a session with
the Guidance Team. Students will enjoy a brief tour of the school. More detailed information of the
New Student Orientation will be communicated during the summer. Parents will also be invited to
attend an online orientation in early August.
For new students who want to study Mandarin, but have not done their Mandarin Placement
assessment, please go to CCC (Chinese Cultural Centre) on Thursday, August 12 at 9am.
Depending on your proficiency level, this assessment can take from 10 to 60 minutes.
First Day of School
Grade 6 students should go to the 8/F and Grade 7 students to the 7/F, where there will be staff to
welcome students and direct them to their homeroom. Grade 8-12 students will find their homeroom
posted in the 6/F cafeteria. Once students find their homeroom, they should proceed to that
classroom for 8:55am. All students will spend the first block in their homeroom, then Grades 9-12
will proceed to the LLAC for a Welcome Assembly at 9:10am. The Grade 6-8 Welcome Assembly will
be held after lunch on this first day.
This guide is current as of
Friday, June 4, 2021.
Any updates will be emailed directly to parents,
included in the Flash e-newsletter, and
updated on the CDNIS Covid-19 Information
section of our website.
08
MacBook and iPad Programme
CDNIS is an Apple Distinguished school. The use of an iPad and MacBook is a core feature of our
school’s learning and teaching experience. All students in Grades 1 to 3 will use their own iPad, while
students in Grades 4 to 12 will use their own MacBook.
The iPad and MacBook is purchased individually by parents and managed by the school to ensure
personal ownership and high levels of systematic support; both key factors in ensuring such a
programme achieves the highest learning outcomes possible.
The academic year sees the recommendation of the following Apple iPad or MacBook device for
students:
10.2-inch iPad Wi-Fi 128GB (latest generation or equivalent)
13-inch MacBook Air - Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 7-Core GPU, 8GB Memory,
256GB Storage (or equivalent)
13-inch MacBook Pro - Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, 8GB Memory,
256GB Storage (or equivalent)
AppleCare+ is recommended for all student MacBooks for added protection. AppleCare+ for Mac
extends the limited one-year hardware repair warranty to three years from your AppleCare+
purchase date and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months, each
subject to a service fee. More information about AppleCare+ can be found on the Apple website.
Detailed information of the 1:1 iPad and MacBook programmes and online ordering procedures can
be found on the OneDoor website starting Tuesday, May 18.
Parents can purchase the iPad or MacBook from a store of their choice (e.g Apple Store), or from the
school's 1:1 programme partner, Senco-Masslink. Parents of new students who plan to order an iPad/
MacBook with Senco-Masslink should make their purchase before Saturday, June 12 to ensure the
iPad/MacBook are processed and delivered in time for the commencement of the new school year.
Late orders after Saturday, June 12 are still accepted, but on-time delivery is not guaranteed.
09MacBook and iPad Programme
Grade 1-3 students are required to buy an iPad cover and headphones. Grade 4-5 students are
required to buy a plastic cover to protect their MacBooks. These accessories are specifically selected
by the school. Parents can visit Senco's eshop (www.eduoffer.com/eshop/school/cdnis) to purchase
these items.
Under normal circumstances, it is intended for security and safety reasons that the Grade 1-3 iPad
will not go home every day. It will be sent home in the summer holiday. MacBooks in Grade 4-5 will
be kept securely at school and be sent home in long holidays. Grade 6-12 take their laptops home
daily. This arrangement is subject to review and parents will be notified with the changes.
Families who plan to use a pre-owned Macbook or iPad need to contact OneDoor at 2240 6328 or
via email at onedoor@cdnis.edu.hk with their model and purchase year to confirm the compatibility
of the hardware and software. Pre-owned MacBooks are recommended to meet the following
specifications – 13″ MacBook Pro or MacBook Air with 256GB storage and purchased within the last
3 years. Pre-owned iPads that are 2018 6th generation or newer with minimum of 128 GB storage
can be used but must first be confirmed by OneDoor. Upon confirmation, students can bring their
Macbook or iPad to OneDoor at the beginning of the new academic year for re-imaging / registration.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact OneDoor at onedoor@cdnis.edu.hk for more
information at anytime.
This guide is current as of
Friday, June 4, 2021.
Any updates will be emailed directly to parents,
included in the Flash e-newsletter, and
updated on the CDNIS Covid-19 Information
section of our website.
10Nurse’s Office
Medical Forms
At the start of every school year, every student’s medical record must be reviewed to ensure CDNIS has
the most up-to-date information about any important student health matters, as well as emergency
contact information. This includes contact information for any caregiver who may be responsible
for picking children up from the bus. Medical forms must be completed in order for students to
participate in after school activities, field trips and other events.
Student medical records can be accessed through the Parent Portal. New families will be provided
login details in August.
Student Health and Travel Declaration Form
Parents must complete the Student Health and Travel Declaration form for each child before they
return to campus after each school holiday. Forms are emailed to parents at the start of a school
holiday or approximately 10-days before students return to campus.
Daily Temperature Check
Parents must check and record their child’s temperature in the Parent Portal each day before the
child enters the campus. This is a requirement by the Education Department Bureau, EDB. Failure to
do so may result in your child not being permitted on campus.
If you have any questions about the above items or other medical topics, please email nurse@cdnis.
edu.hk.
11Athletics, Clubs and After-School Activities
The physical and emotional well-being of a child is crucial to effective learning. As we challenge and
inspire students to love learning, we also help our students to be healthy in mind and body as we
take the development of the whole student seriously. Students are encouraged to get involved in
the many activities and teams on offer at CDNIS as this is an ideal way to meet other students with
common interests.
After-School Activities
The ASA Programme offers a diverse range of activities and is open to CDNIS and non-CDNIS
students aged 6 months to 18-years old. The programme runs across two terms, while the holiday
programmes run during the Mid-Term Break, Winter Break, Chinese New Year, Spring Break and
Summer. Visit the ASA website for further information, programme and registration details.
Timba Swim School
Yes – CDNIS has a pool! The Timba Swim School offers one of the best learn to swim programmes
in Hong Kong and has classes for babies on up. Infant aquatics, learn to swim programme, swim for
fitness, swim team, water polo and more. Sessions run Monday to Saturday (during the school term)
and camps during school breaks. CDNIS and non-CDNIS students are welcome. Dive into the pool
at the Timba Swim School! Visit the Timba Swim website for further information, programme and
registration details.
Athletics and Clubs
Season 1 Timberwolves try-outs are held the second week of school. Students can learn more about
the athletics programme through the Timberwolves website. In early September, CDNIS will hold a
Clubs Fair to introduce students to the wide variety of school clubs and activities.
Timberwolves Wolfpack Gear
Order your official Timberwolves gear by visiting the Join the Wolfpack Online Boutique.
Gear includes hoodies*, polo shirts, t-shirts, baseball caps, drawstring bags and backpacks.
*Please note that only the hoodies can be worn as part of the school uniform.
12School Lunches
School Lunches
CDNIS has two cafeterias, one located on the 6/F and also on the 12/F, serving hot meals as well as
a variety of salads, snacks and drinks. The 6/F Maple Café offers quality coffee, assorted sandwiches,
snacks, pastries and beverages. Everyone is welcome to purchase refreshments and meals from the
school’s food services.
Ordering Lunch
Students in Prep to Grade 4 can order lunch using the lunch order forms, made available in Flash.
Students in Grades 5 to 12 may purchase their lunches at the cafeteria on a daily basis. Cash and
Octopus cards are welcome for payment. Please stay tuned to Flash on August 2 for the lunch order
form and menu.
Maxim’s Catering Limited is the school’s food service provider. All inquiries, including menu requests
and questions about ordering, should be made to Maxim’s at catering@cdnis.edu.hk.
Lunches from Home
Many students choose to bring lunch from home. There are several microwave ovens available in
each cafeteria for reheating food.
This guide is current as of
Friday, June 4, 2021.
Any updates will be emailed directly to parents,
included in the Flash e-newsletter, and
updated on the CDNIS Covid-19 Information
section of our website.
13School Uniform
All online orders can be picked up at the school or delivered by SF Express to a
designated Hong Kong address (free delivery for orders over $800 or cash on
delivery for purchases under $800).
All students are required to wear the school uniform supplied by uniform station, the school uniform
supplier. Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, we do not expect the on-campus shop will open ahead
of the start of school in August and parents may either visit the off-campus shop or order online.
If the on-campus shop cannot open before the start of school
The school will place sample uniform items just inside either the 9/F or the LLAC entrance from
August 2-6 and August 9-13 from 8am until 3:45pm to assist parents in ordering the appropriate
size. Parents/students will not be allowed past the uniform set-up and no changing facilities will be
available. Hard copies of the uniform order forms will be available so parents may mark down what
they need to purchase when placing their online order.
If the on-campus shop can open before the start of school
The uniform shop will relocate all services to the 3/F small gym August 9, 10 and 11 from 10am-
4pm and August 12-13 from 8am-4pm. Parents/students will be permitted to try on and purchase
uniforms only after pre-registering for a specific date and time. Payments can be made by cash,
cheque or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Union Pay).
The Jordan shop will be open for the whole month of August from Monday to Saturday 10am–6pm,
and Sunday 11am–6pm.
Normal trading days and hours at Jordan are Monday to Saturday 10am–6pm, closed on Sunday,
public holidays and resume as of Wednesday, September 1.
Uniform Station
2/F, Will Strong Development Building 59 Parkes Street, Jordan, Kowloon
Telephone: (+852) 2523 2517 | Fax: (+852) 2526 4455
Online Order Hotline: 3612 9552
Website: cdnis.ufsonline.com.hk
Email: uniform_info@midasltd-hk.com
Customer Service Hotline: 9540 2814 (WhatsApp & WeChat only)
14School Fees
Invoice Date Payment Deadline
Tuition Fees for the first term, Annual
Tuesday Wednesday
Capital Levy, and the Entry Fee for
June 1, 2021 June 30, 2021
new students
Monday Friday
Tuition Fees for the second term
October 4, 2021 October 29, 2021
All students must either pay the Annual Capital Levy or be covered by a Capital Debenture.
The school will not reserve a seat for a student if the relevant fees have not been paid in full on or
before the respective payment deadline. Students will not be allowed to attend classes if Tuition Fees
(including Annual Capital Levy and Entry Fee) are not paid.
Invoices and Statements
CDNIS is highly committed to its environmental responsibilities. As such, invoices/statements will be
emailed to the parents' CDNIS email accounts for all existing students, and to the parents' personal
email accounts for new students. For those who must have a paper copy of your invoices/statements,
kindly print from your email directly.
Deposit for the next school year
A deposit is required to be paid when reserving a school place. Parents will receive communication
from the school regarding the deposit payment for re-enrollment in February 2022. The payment
deadline for the deposit is in March 2022.
If you have any questions, please email to accounts@cdnis.edu.hk or call the Finance Department at
(+852) 2525 7088.
15Canadian International School of Hong Kong
36 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Phone: (+852) 2525 7088 Fax: (+852) 2525 7579
schoolinfo@cdnis.edu.hk
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