Jump Start Handbook

MISSION STATEMENT Jump Start introduces new students to AISC through a variety of interactive activities to explore new ideas, be creative, build confidence, and make new friends.

Together we inspire the love of learning.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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PROGRAM GOALS

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION Students’ preparation for each day Attendance Communication Behaviour Management Policy

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RAPTOR SAFE PROTOCOLS

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JUMPSTART ADMINISTRATION

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Together we inspire the love of learning.

Welcome to the EAL Jump Start Program!

This handbook is designed to give parents a helpful insight into the American International School Chennai’s January 2022 Jump Start Program, its activities, procedures, and policies. Please read this handbook carefully for future reference

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION In order to give new students a greater chance to experience school, meet AISC students, learn school routines, experience and enjoy the campus, American International School Chennai (AISC) offers a 1 week-long camp from 3 - 7 January 2022 which includes extracurricular activities, academic games and basic introduction to school. The Jump Start Program helps new AISC students acclimate to school routines while meeting existing AISC students.

Jump Start is for any new KG to Grade 8 student. This program is staffed by AISC teachers, teaching assistants and ASA Instructors. Enrollment is free to all participants. Many activities occur in conjunction with fee-based programs that include students that are not new to AISC. Jump Start programs are generally organized by grade level: Grade 1 and 2 are together; Grades 3 through 5 are together, and Grades 6 through 8 are together. It is structured around a variety of classroom and other co-curricular activities. Students get an opportunity to meet new friends, experience school regardless of the activity or language clusters they may form.

This year, Jump Start will run from 3-7 January 2022 and will be in-person.

PROGRAM GOALS Jump Start participants will: ● ● ● ● ●

Participate in small group activities to build community Have access to school facilities and other school items Make friends with other students before the first day of school Learn about classroom expectations that may differ from home country Have exposure to the school’s culture and routines

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● Play

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Dates: 3- 7 January, 2022 Grades admissible: Elementary & Middle School Timing: Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. IST Breaks: Students will be given breaks in the morning and afternoon for snacks apart from their lunch break.

Student preparation for each day ● ● ● ● ●

Charged laptop (charger on standby) - For Grades 3+ Water bottle Snack Lunch Additional masks ● Change of clothes (for younger students) ● A sweatshirt (AC will be running and windows and doors open) ● Ask for guidance, when needed

Attendance Attendance will be marked every day. Unless your child is sick, please plan to attend on all days. If a student is sick and is not able to attend Jump Start classes on a particular day, parents are requested to send emails to both Ms Seema (tseema@aischennai.org) and Ms Monicka (dmonicka@aischennai.org). This information will be passed onto the respective teacher.

Communication Parents can email Ms Seema (tseema@aischennai.org) and Ms Chandini (jchandini@aischennai.org) if you have any queries.

Behavior Management Policy We believe in providing a positive environment where children are supported in being the best that they can be. We have three simple rules: ● Be Respectful ● Be Responsible ● Be Safe The students and staff of the Jump Start Program are asked to treat each other with respect, tolerance, kindness, and consideration. The rules and behavior expectations will be explained to the

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students clearly and reinforced consistently. Students will be given reminders and redirection to encourage positive behavior. A student who is unkind verbally will be asked to apologize. If a student is disruptive or needs time to regain self-control, he or she will be timed out. Time out periods will last approximately three to five minutes. After a time out, the teacher and student will discuss behaviour options before the student returns to the group.

Raptor Safe COVID-19 Protocols In order to ensure the greatest chance of participating in in-person programs, AISC has made significant effort to ensure the safety of all students, faculty, and staff as well as their family members.

Health - All adults that enter campus must be fully vaccinated. Everyone that enters campus will have conducted a RT-PCR or rapid antigen test in the week prior to entering campus. Anyone not feeling well is asked to remain home. Everyone entering campus must attest daily to feeling well via the ParentLocker Connect App, or at the gate. Temperature screening is done when entering campus.

Masks - Everyone must wear a mask at all times while on campus. The only exception is while eating or drinking. Masks should fit well and not have a valve. If engaging in activities that may lead to the mask becoming unusable because of sweat, damaged, or otherwise unusable, plan to bring extra masks, though the school also has cloth masks, surgical masks and N95 style masks available for free to anyone that requires them. Fit of the mask may not be optimal though.

Ventilation - AISC has HEPA filtration in the air handling units, ultraviolet treatment in the ductwork and split AC units, and portable or wall-mounted HEPA filters in all offices and classrooms. These will be running at all times, regardless of the temperature. All rooms also have windows and doors with screens which will be opened to let fresh air inside and screens closed to keep insects out.

Sanitizing - Individuals should hand sanitize while entering campus and during or between activities.

All faucets and water dispensers are touchless. Hand sanitizer stations are positioned inside and outside of every room as well as many outdoor locations. AISC has regular deep cleaning of facilities.

Distancing - Reminders throughout campus to keep 6 feet of distance include floor markings, signs, and the positioning of desks. We recognize that this is not possible for all activities, so have only strict enforcement while students are maskless and eating.

Response - AISC conducts contact tracing of any member of the community that has been on campus and informs anyone that may be a close contact of the need to quarantine. There is a dedicated isolation room used for rapid antigen testing of anyone exhibiting symptoms, and health office staff available for support and guidance in the event of a positive case.

The safety of community members is our greatest concern.

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Together we inspire the love of learning.

Jump Start Administration: ➢ Ms Seema Thomas, Admissions Assistant, tseema@aischennai.org ➢ Ms Chandini Jude, EAL Program Assistant, jchandini@aischennai.org ➢ Ms Monicka Davi , JS Program Coordinator, dmonicka@aischennai.org

Thank you and welcome to AISC!

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