PHILOSOPHY OF COLEGIO BOLÍVAR

Chapter I Philosophy Of Colegio Bol Var

Article 1. History and Characteristics: Colegio Bolívar was founded in 1947 as a private, coeducational, non-denominational, non-profit day school. Since then, it has offered a bilingual, bicultural, and binational education to Colombian families who seek this type of education for their children, as well as to the children of American and other international families residing in Cali. Colegio Bolívar values the potential and creativity of its students and promotes excellence in education through a cutting-edge program that emphasizes research, technology, and resources.

Currently, the school provides early childhood education inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy to over 50 children at its Early Childhood Center, El Nido. Likewise, it offers formal education in both English and Spanish to over 1,300 students from Kindergarten 4 to Grade 12, which is comparable and compatible with the best schools of this category in Colombia, the United States, and international communities worldwide. Throughout its history, Colegio Bolívar has operated under the authority and with the support of its General Bondholders Assembly, the founding companies of the school. This Assembly elects a Board of Directors composed of ten parents of enrolled students, who ensure the fulfillment of the school's mission, vision, and objectives. The Board of Directors operates in accordance with the law and ensures the participation of the entire educational community.

Colegio Bolívar offers a comprehensive bilingual academic program with the highest international quality standards, preparing its students for successful continuation of their education in local and international schools and universities.

Administrative and financial matters are handled by the legal entity and its governing bodies, while academic and disciplinary matters are managed by the educational institution through the school governance bodies provided for by law.

The curricular and extracurricular programs at Colegio Bolívar comply with all applicable Colombian and American regulations and draw from the educational traditions of both countries, as well as the knowledge of the highly qualified bilingual teaching staff.

Article 2. Mission: Colegio Bolívar is a bilingual community of creative learners which inspires its members to live our school values as catalysts of change who incorporat e multiple perspectives and commit to the highest aspirations for the welfare of the individual, society, and Earth

Article 3. Vision: Where do we want to go?

Colegio Bolívar will be an exemplary learning community with individuals highly prepared to positively impact Earth and society.

Article 4. Values:

Respect: Show consideration for the feelings, wishes, and rights of others.

Integrity: Act with our values in mind, even when no one is watching.

Personal Best : Believe in yourself , give your best in everything you do.

Curiosity: Observe, discover, question, and learn with passion.

Autonomy and Responsibility: Pause, decide, and be responsible for your words and your actions.

Sense of Bolívar Community: Cultivate belonging and collaborate to meet your needs and those of others. Social Commitment: Be an empathetic, critical, and active citizen committed to the needs of others and the environment.

Article 5. Common and Specific Commitments:

Common

1. I contribute to fulfilling the institution's mission and vision.

2. I care for members of the educational community, respect differences, and promote inclusion of diversity.

3. I face challenges with a growth mindset and hope.

4. I take care of the environment, the campus, my belongings, and those of others.

5. I listen attentively and use responsible verbal, non-verbal, and digital communication.

6. I comply with the school calendar, schedules, policies, and established agreements.

STUDENTS:

1. I cultivate joy, passion, and a desire for learning.

2. I continuously develop personal, social, digital, and academic skills.

3. I take responsibility for my actions and reactions.

4. I develop critical, creative thinking and teamwork skills.

5. I maintain discipline, perseverance, and effort.

6. I make connections between what I learn and the situations I encounter.

PARENTS:

1. I am aware of the importance of my role as a parent.

2. I accompany my child in building the foundations of their personality, helping them deal with emotions and conflict resolution.

3. I promote my child's socialization and transmit family values and cultural traditions.

4. I foster a passion for learning, responsibility, and autonomy in my child.

5. I respect the privacy, emotions, and relationships of my child and their classmates.

6. I exercise authority with love and consistency, setting clear boundaries.

7. I commit to attending and participating in meetings, educational programs for parents, and preventive and formative events, being an ally of the school in my child's education.

TEACHING STAFF:

1. I cultivate joy and passion for the educational practice.

2. I maintain an open, investigative, and continuous learning attitude personally and professionally.

3. I demonstrate teamwork skills and build support networks.

4. I am a model of respect, responsibility, inspiration, and admiration for my students through my teaching practices, relationships, and interventions.

5. I focus my professional practice on the student, ensuring the construction of a bond and providing necessary learning conditions.

6. I promote an educational model of critical and reflective learning that includes multiple languages, fosters transferability, and creates a culture of well-being.

7. I encourage students' emotional regulation skills and conflict resolution.

8. I promote the development of resilience in students necessary to face the effects of the current world.

NON-TEACHING STAFF:

1. I perform my duties with enthusiasm, recognizing the needs of the different members of our educational community.

2. I maintain an open and continuous learning attitude personally and professionally.

3. I build support networks with community members.

4. I cultivate teamwork skills.

Article 6. Principles:

Considering the prevalence of the rights of minors, as well as the fundamental rights to privacy and good reputation, equality and non-discrimination, due process, free development of personality, and access to education, the Educational Community of Colegio Bolívar supports its mission committed to the following principles:

1. Education is the most valuable tool for improving quality of life.

2. Practicing democracy is a guideline that promotes dialogue, respect, and a sense of community.

3. Personal excellence is supported by the educational environment of the school.

4. Language proficiency is crucial for learning.

5. The school has the responsibility to address the needs and support the individual talents of students, regardless of learning style, race, religion/creed, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

6. Assuming responsibility for oneself, the environment, and society is an obligation of every educated person.

7. Creating a community involves generating a safe environment, with special consideration for vulnerable children and adolescents, as well as fostering relationships of affection and trust among all its members. ***A safe environment means free from any type of prejudice, discrimination, harassment, violence, aggression, mockery, contempt, intimidation, or exclusion.

Article 7. Goals:

a) To value education, we: b) To implement democratic practices, we: c) To uphold excellence, we: d) Recognizing the importance of language, we: e) To respond to individual students' needs, we: f) To meet social responsibilities, we: g) To develop a sense of community, we:

• Foster a desire for learning. We focus on the intellectual, ethical, and social development of our students.

• Live by a code of honor based on honesty and integrity.

• Dedicate time and resources to educate children, supporting their strengths and potential.

• Develop an environment conducive to dialogue and processes that promote respect, tolerance, collaboration, and discipline.

• Recognize and celebrate cultural, religious, and social diversity within the school community.

• Create structures for participation and decision-making.

• Provide students with freedom of choice commensurate with their stage of development and hold them accountable for the consequences of their decisions.

• Promote a learning style that is active, self -directed, discovery-based, and engaging for students.

• Provide experiences where students can strive for excellence, recognizing the value of hard work and commitment.

• Implement performance standards based on a curriculum that defines essential learning outcomes.

• Use effective assessment methods that help students focus, direct, and reflect on their own learning.

• Acquire essential technologies and resources to enrich learning in all areas.

• Prepare students for future professions.

• Provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing school environment and physical infrastructure.

• Provide students with a comprehensive bilingual educational program.

• Develop language skills in the broadest sense: verbal, mathematical, scientific, and artistic.

• Address individual students' needs in the areas of language, reading, and writing.

• Provide health and psychological counseling programs to students in collaboration with parents.

• Provide enrichment programs and services integrated into the classroom.

• Address support and guidance for special learning needs through a multidisciplinary support services program.

• Promote a program of complementary activities for the development of student talent.

• Provide active protection to students to prevent and address any form of prejudice, discrimination, harassment, violence, aggression, mockery, contempt, intimidation, or exclusion.

• Create awareness and social responsibility, caring and respect for oneself and others.

• Provide opportunities for all students to experience the value of helping others through an extensive community service program.

• Emphasize environmental aspects and prepare students to confront the reality of the growing human capacity to alter the environment.

• Value all members of the school community and promote solidarity, tolerance, and respect for differences through multiple institutional programs.

• Create dynamics of community at the classroom, grade, and section levels.

• Promote teamwork strategies among the different stakeholders of the educational community.

• Partner with parents as essential collaborators in the educational process and vital members of the community.

Article 8. Our Strategic Purposes

Well-being: Ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental aspects of our community as we foster a school culture of socio-emotional well-being for everyone.

Personal Excellence: Assure that all student s have the opportunity to fulfill their potential and meet the expectations of the Colegio Bolívar Graduate Profile.

Innovation: Provide a challenging environment where learners innovate and create to navigate a complex and changing world.

Sustainability: Lead our community to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all through knowledge building and problem-solving.

Article 9. Graduate Profile

With our Colegio Bolivar graduate’s success and wellbeing in mind, we have developed this profile that specifies the personal, cognitive, and social capabilities that alumni need, as agents of their own learning. Co-constructed with the input of all stake holding groups, this document provides a clear north for what we do in school. As part of our institutional philosophy, this profile aligns with our mission, vision, values, and Deeper Learning principles. It must be communicated to the entire educational community ensuring that we have a shared compelling purpose.

As graduates of Colegio Bolívar, our students will:

Exemplify Good Character: Live our Bolivar values of Respect, Integrity, Personal Best, Curiosity, Autonomy & Responsibility, Sense of Bolivar Community, and Social Commitment.

Embody a Growth Mindset: Pursue continuous learning and meet challenges with resilience and hopefulness.

Transfer Knowledge and Fundamental Skills: Apply the competencies of Bilingualism, Communication, Collaboration, Character, Citizenship, Creativity, and Critical Thinking in contexts beyond the school setting.

Be Catalysts of Change: Take action to positively impact the welfare of the individual, society, and the Earth while incorporating multiple perspectives.

Chapter Ii

ACADEMIC ORGANIZATION, ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION SYSTEM, AND LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES