EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY

Chapter Iii Educational Community

In accordance with the Political Constitution of Colombia and the General Education Law (Law 115 of 1994), the educational community is understood to be composed of students, parents or guardians of students, graduates, teachers, educational directors, and school administrators.

Article 37. Parents or Guardians: Parents of the student, according to the norms of the Colombian Civil Code, are considered Parents of the Colegio Bolívar. Guardians are those who have legal representation of the student, even if they are not their parents.

When referring to Parents in this handbook, it should be understood that guardians of the student are included in this category.

Parents and guardians are jointly obligated to attend all meetings convened by the school to discuss matters related to the student's education and to participate in meetings called by the school.

It is understood that either of the parents or guardians can act as the representative of the student before the institution. Therefore, if they are summoned to the educational institution, the presence of one of them will be sufficient to consider all actions completed.

Article 38. Rights of Parents or Guardians: Parents must provide the necessary collaboration and support to the institution in order to carry out its mission, following the goals and principles it has established, with the aim of providing their children with the best education and training possible. The school has policies regarding the communication channels that should be established between parents and the school, whether through meetings, phone calls, emails, or correspondence. Parents must guarantee their children the rights outlined in the Political Constitution of Colombia, Law 115 of 1994, Decree 1860 of 1994, and those stipulated in the Code of Childhood and Adolescence.

Additionally, regarding the pedagogical process of their children, Decree 1290 of 2009 establishes the following rights of parents or guardians:

1. Be aware of the Evaluation and Promotion System for students: criteria, procedures, and assessment instruments from the beginning of the school year.

2. Monitor the evaluation process of the students.

3. Receive periodic evaluation reports.

4. Receive timely responses to concerns and requests regarding their children's evaluation process.

5. Receive clear and timely information about their child's academic, disciplinary, socio-emotional performance, and overall well-being.

6. Be treated with respect and dignity, without discrimination, by all members of the educational community.

7. Make suggestions, using regular channels, for the improvement of institutional processes.

8. Other rights recognized by Colombian law and the school.

9. Choose and be chosen in the bodies of participation and community representation within the school governance.

Article 39. Duties of Parents or Guardians: The duties of Parents and Guardians are as follows:

1. Participate, through instances of school governance, in defining the criteria and procedures for student assessment and promotion.

2. Continuously monitor their children's evaluation process.

3. Analyze the periodic evaluation reports.

4. Treat all members of the educational community with respect and dignity, without discrimination.

5. Punctually attend assemblies, conferences, talks, meetings, and appointments called by the school.

6. Comply with and enforce the school's rules and regulations, as well as follow academic or disciplinary recommendations established by the school.

7. Pay financial obligations to the school by the established dates.

8. Communicate concerns to the appropriate individuals following the regular channels.

9. Read all communications (letters, notes, circulars, email, school website) sent by the school and return the detachable portions duly completed when required.

10. Promote the positive image of the school by sharing information about its programs, projects, and activities. Refrain from sharing information through channels other than those used by the school, such as WhatsApp or private social media groups, where there is no representation from the school.

11. Contribute to harmonizing the educational service with the exercise of the right to education and in compliance with its social and legal purposes.

12. Fulfill the obligations assumed at the time of enrollment and in the Code of Conduct to facilitate the educational process.

13. Punctually fulfill all financial obligations and commitments made with the educational institution.

14. Pay for damages caused by their children to other people, as well as to the physical facilities or property of the educational institution.

15. Contribute to creating an atmosphere of respect, tolerance, and mutual responsibility that promotes the education of their children and better relationships among members of the educational community.

16. Promptly report any irregularities they become aware of, including child abuse, sexual abuse, trafficking or use of illicit drugs, to the appropriate authorities, initially to the school. If a timely response is not received, they should turn to the competent authorities.

17. Support the school in developing actions that lead to the improvement of the educational service and enhance the quality of learning, especially in the formulation and development of institutional improvement plans.

18. Accompany the educational process in fulfilling their responsibility as the primary educators of their children, to improve personal guidance and the development of civic values.

19. Participate in the annual self -evaluation process of the educational institution.

20. Assume responsibility for their children's proper upbringing as the primary educators at home and fulfill the responsibilities outlined in Article 7 of the General Education Law regarding the family and the stipulations of Law 1098 of 2006 under the parameters of ethics and good moral conduct.

21. Contribute in solidarity with the educational institution in the education of their children.

22. Foster respect for others, authority figures, institutions, and legitimate forms of authority at home, setting a good example for their children.

23. Collaborate in teaching good manners to their children both inside and outside the school and set an example of good behavior at all times and in all places.

24. Treat directors, teachers, students, and employees of the educational institution with courtesy and respect.

25. Avoid using insults and/or threats against the school's directors, teachers, and administrative staff, whether in person, by phone, in writing, by email, or in front of third parties, for any reason.

26. Respect the regular channels proposed in this code of conduct and use them for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and good social coexistence within the educational community.

27. Be objective and fair when making complaints, refrain from making inappropriate or unfounded complaints, and avoid making angry demands.

28. Refrain from participating in comments that affect the image of the Institution in the community. In case of concerns or disagreements, express them directly to the people involved or the school management, with due respect.

29. Refrain from making negative comments about the institution or its members to members of the educational community or to individuals outside the school that would harm the institution or its staff.

30. Refrain from consuming alcohol or smoking within the school premises in the presence of students.

31. Use the films, photographs, or videos that they are allowed to record during school activities privately and appropriately.

Article 40. Prohibitions for Parents or Guardians: Parents or guardians of the institution are prohibited from:

1. Initiating reckless legal or administrative actions against Colegio Bolívar with the purpose of causing harm to the institution.

2. Showing up at the institution under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances.

3. Applying physical or demeaning punishment to their represented children due to their performance in the institution.

4. Using vulgar or offensive language towards their represented children or any member of the educational community within the institution.

5. Insulting and/or threatening the school's directors, teachers, and administrative staff in person, by phone, in writing, by email, or in front of third parties, for any reason.

6. Using false documents or information for enrolling students.

7. Spreading malicious or unfounded information related to the institution

8. Misappropriating funds or assets of the parents’ association.

9. Sexual ly harassing any member of the community

10. Using leadership positions in councils or associations, or institutional assets for political proselytizing.

11. Taking actions that hinder the normal academic development of the institution.

12. Entering classrooms to resolve issues with students, disregarding established procedures.

13. Recording and sharing photographs or videos of everyday activities within the institution, especially of students and employees, except for special activities of the school, such as festivals, special day celebrations, or birthday parties, where the registration of photographs or videos is authorized, understanding that their private and appropriate use will be the responsibility of the parents who recorded them.

Article 41. Parental Participation in School Activities: Current education requires increased commitment from parents in the comprehensive education of their sons and daughters, which promotes unity of criteria between parents and educators.

The school offers various participatory opportunities to parents through their involvement as Group Representatives or members of different committees and improvement organizations.

Parental collaboration in educational outings (fieldtrips), talks, organizing and supporting educational programs is highly appreciated. As parents are invited to many special events throughout the school year, it is important that they accompany their children to these events.

The authorization given by parents for their child(ren) to participate in the special activities of the school (festivals, special day celebrations, birthday parties, etc.) implies implicit consent for their child(ren) to be photographed by other members of the educational community, who will be responsible for using such documentary records privately and appropriately.

Article 42. Student Status: To become a student at Colegio Bolívar, it is necessary to have been officially admitted, to accept, either personally or through their parents, legal representatives, or guardians, the institutional philosophy and regulations, as well as sign the respective enrollment contract.

Article 43. Student Rights: Colegio Bolívar considers a right as the faculty that a person has to act, decide, or demand something, taking into account the limitations imposed by the rights of others, always respecting the rules and agreements that contribute to establishing order in interpersonal relationships and promoting healthy coexistence.

Within the educational programs offered by the school, students have the right to:

1. Receive education in accordance with the Constitution, the Law, and the Institutional Educational Project - PEI.

2. Be recognized in their dignity and be treated with respect and courtesy by all members of the Educational Community.

3. Not be discriminated against, in accordance with the definition of justice contained in the principles and values of this handbook, the Constitution, and the Law.

4. Express their ideas respectfully and participate in the life and functioning of the institution.

5. Receive support from the school for the development of their individual talents.

6. Feel safe and enjoy certainty about their personal integrity.

7. Due process in decisions that affect them.

8. Be evaluated fairly, in accordance with the parameters of the Institutional Educational Project - PEI.

9. Choose and be elected to representative bodies of students to participate in decision-making that affects the development of school life.

10. Be assessed comprehensively in all academic, personal, and social aspects.

11. Know the evaluation criteria, procedures, and instruments for assessment and promotion from the beginning of the school year.

12. Know the results of the evaluation processes and promptly receive responses to concerns and requests regarding them.

13. Receive guidance and support from teachers to overcome learning weaknesses.

14. Enjoy honor and a good reputation; freedom of conscience and worship, as long as they do not violate the established law and order.

15. Benefit from the facilities, human resources, materials, and technological equipment of the school, in accordance with the rules and regulations for their use.

16. Represent the school in all types of events for which they are elected or selected.

17. Other rights recognized by the Constitution, the Law, and the Regulations of the school.

Article 44. Student Responsibilities: To achieve the goals set by the school, students must:

1. Be responsible for their actions within and outside the school.

2. Refrain from resorting to physical, verbal, or virtual aggression as a way to resolve differences and conflicts that arise.

3. Independently complete assigned tasks.

4. Be punctual to start or finish any activity and to submit assigned work.

5. Respect others' property.

6. Always make their best effort.

7. Show solidarity with their classmates, helping them achieve their best.

8. Use their time in the best possible way.

9. Use appropriate language, free from obscene and vulgar words.

10. Maintain proper personal presentation, respecting the dress code appropriate to the school context.

11. Fulfill academic and coexistence commitments defined by the school.

12. Comply with recommendations and commitments made to overcome weaknesses.

13. Know and comply with the Institutional Educational Project, and especially with this Code of Conduct.

14. Demonstrate loyalty to the school and respect its name, uniform, and institutional emblems at all times, activities, and places. Promote the school positively by spreading its programs, projects, and activities.

15. Refrain from sharing information through channels other than those used by the school, such as WhatsApp or private social media groups where there is no school representation.

16. Attend classes or school activities punctually during the school year and promptly provide justified excuses for tardiness and absences.

17. Fulfill curricular and extracurricular obligations planned by the school.

18. Timely deliver correspondence (grades, reports, circulars, etc.) that the school sends home, and vice versa.

19. Preserve, take care of, and maintain the school's property, belongings, and equipment in good condition, taking responsibility for any damages or losses.

20. Comply with the disciplinary and coexistence rules established.

21. Participate positively and collaborate in all school activities, demonstrating exemplary behavior.

22. Inform their superiors about any activity they are aware of that affects the normal functioning and well-being of themselves and/or the educational community.

23. Respect national symbols, both Colombian and those of any other country or culture.

24. Act at all times in accordance with the criteria and values established by the fundamental principles of community life, both inside and outside the school.

25. Arrive at classes and school-related activities in full possession of their physical and mental faculties.

26. Communicate their concerns to the appropriate individuals, following the school's organization and chain of authority.

27. Dignifiedly represent the school in any public or private activity.

28. Preserve life, abstaining from consuming, selling, or carrying alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or similar substances.

29. Not carry firearms or sharp objects at any time, as well as magazines and pornographic material.

30. Fulfill the responsibilities that come with being elected as a member of the school's governing bodies.

31. Behave appropriately inside and outside the school, upholding the school's good name.

32. Provide support, seeking the common good of the members of the community and those they aim to serve.

33. Comply with other guidelines and duties established by the Law and this Code of Conduct.

34. Fulfill the responsibilities of national or international academic tests such as SABER, SAT, TOEFL, with their best effort and attitude.

Article 45. Prohibitions for Students: Students at Colegio Bolivar are expressly prohibited from:

1. Entering or leaving the school premises on foot, except when the student resides near the school and when parents make an explicit request.

2. Leaving the school without proper authorization.

3. Driving a vehicle within the school premises, except in cases authorized by the institution.

4. Entering or leaving the school at hours other than those established or on non-working days, except with authorization from a representative appointed by the institution.

5. Entering restricted areas without express authorization.

6. Presenting themselves at the school under the influence of alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any prohibited substances; using or distributing them, or possessing them within the school. Smoking or having cigarettes in school, including electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, etc.

7. Bringing into the school, looking at, or circulating within it magazines, books, brochures, or any other pornographic material, as well as accessing such content on the internet. Wearing t -shirts or other garments with obscene, derogatory, or references to psychoactive substances is not allowed.

8. Disturbing the normal development of academic, cultural, or sports activities.

9. Using electronic devices during school hours that are not necessary for academic work and that distract or harm them.

10. Stealing, appropriating, hiding, or taking books, notebooks, school supplies, computer files, or any kind of objects from their classmates, teachers, administrators, or any other person, without their consent, and engaging in any other behavior that violates discipline and the moral standards required by the school.

11. Engaging in commercial activities within the school, unless it is a community activity scheduled by the school authorities or has express authorization from them.

12. Altering, tampering with, or falsifying documents, engaging in fraud or any conduct that constitutes a contravention or criminal offense according to Colombian legislation, or committing fraud, cheating, or plagiarism in assessments, academic work, or other academic activities.

13. Engaging in, promoting, or participating in subversive activities or illegal groups, using obscene or vulgar language.

14. Carrying, supplying, or using weapons or items that endanger the physical, social, or moral integrity of the members of the educational community.

15. Committing or engaging in sexual acts against another person, inducing them to abusive, demeaning, dishonorable practices, or in any way violating their sexual freedom or negatively influencing their sexual education.

16. Inducing, manipulating, coercing, or forcing another person to commit academic or disciplinary infractions, or in any way acting against the morals, the law, health, and good customs required by Colegio Bolivar.

17. Physically or verbally assaulting any member of the community, as well as displaying offensive, disrespectful, or discriminatory attitudes towards any of them.

18. Repeatedly disobeying, being insubordinate, or openly defying the authority of any teacher or administrator.

19. Causing harm or attempting to cause harm to the school's facilities and belongings or to those of other individuals.

20. Engaging in gambling or betting.

Article 46. Teacher Rights: Teachers have the right to develop their professional and personal capacities and characteristics, to be recognized for their merits and dedication, to receive an objective evaluation of their work, and to be treated with respect and kindness by all members of the Colegio Bolivar community. The rights of teachers are also covered by labor and educational laws and the Teacher's Handbook

Article 47. Teacher Responsibilities: Teachers at Colegio Bolivar must serve as models of the principles and values that the school aims to promote in students and work together with parents and other members of the community to achieve the Mission, goals, and objectives of the institution. Teachers must also enforce the provisions established by the school and follow the necessary educational procedures to obtain the greatest benefits in student formation. The specific duties of teachers include:

1. Foster a safe classroom environment that promotes social and academic learning.

2. Approach discipline in a positive sense, maintaining student interest and engagement in their duties.

3. Handle disciplinary situations on an individual basis, promoting individual and social responsibility.

4. Participate in meetings with the Section Principal, Section Counselor, students, and parents when necessary.

5. Assume the obligation to always govern their professional practice in accordance with ethical and scientific principles inherent to teaching and/or their profession.

6. Respect political ideas and opinions, as well as private life, regardless of nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social or economic status, political beliefs, academic performance, or physical limitations of the individuals they professionally interact with.

7. Respect the physical and mental integrity, especially of their students, colleagues, coworkers, and parents, avoiding manipulation and obtaining personal benefits that harm their students or others.

8. Maintain a professional relationship and mutual respect with their students, avoiding attitudes and actions that suggest seduction or personal harassment.

9. Refrain from initiating, promoting, or maintaining romantic relationships with Colegio Bolivar students.

10. Not engage in personal contact and communication with students through the internet, electronic media, and social networks, unless strictly related to academic matters and permitted by the institution.

11. Avoid any form of inappropriate physical contact with Colegio Bolivar students.

12. Refrain from providing information about their students and/or parents that is not within their competence or that is confidential, as well as avoiding making comments that discredit students and/or their families, such as labeling, humiliating, or mocking them, etc.

13. Not exercise their profession when their professional capacity is impaired by alcohol, drugs, illnesses, or physical and/or psychological disabilities.

14. Comply with the Dress Code established by Colegio Bolivar.

15. Strive for punctuality and make the most of the time allocated to the educational activities under their responsibility.

16. Not use their position or the name of Colegio Bolivar to obtain personal benefits or to influence inappropriate decisions regarding students or the institution.

17. Maintain absolute confidentiality, unless expressly authorized by the school, regarding all information that becomes known to them in the course of their work and is of a private nature.

18. Dedicate their full work capacity exclusively to the performance of the duties for which they were hired, including related and complementary tasks, in accordance with the current job and procedure manuals, the Internal Work Regulations, and, in general, the orders and instructions issued by Colegio Bolivar or its representative.

19. Strictly observe the rules set by the institution for carrying out the work for which they were hired.

20. Maintain complete harmony and understanding with students, parents, superiors, and colleagues in their personal relationships and in the execution of their work.

21. Permanently comply with a spirit of loyalty, collaboration, and discipline towards the institution.

22. Not attend to matters other than those assigned by the school during working hours without prior authorization.

23. Not provide direct or indirect labor services to other employers, nor work on their own account in the same profession during the validity of the employment contract.

24. Abstain from performing activities outside working hours that affect their mental or physical health and cause excessive wear and tear on their bodies, impeding them from effectively providing the agreed-upon service.

25. Permanently comply with a spirit of loyalty, collaboration, and discipline towards the institution.

26. Not attend to matters other than those assigned by the school during working hours without prior authorization from the school through its representatives.

27. Not provide direct or indirect labor services to other employers, nor work on their own account in the same profession during the validity of the employment contract.

28. Refrain from performing activities outside working hours that affect their mental or physical health and cause excessive wear and tear on their bodies, impeding them from effectively providing the agreed-upon service.

Article 48. Prohibitions for Teachers: Teachers at Colegio Bolivar are expressly prohibited from:

1. Harassing, whether sexually or not, students or colleagues.

2. Engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with students.

3. Exposing students to situations that jeopardize their physical, psychological, and moral integrity.

4. Discriminating based on sex, gender, age, race, religion, socioeconomic status, political beliefs, academic performance, or physical limitations.

5. Introducing or allowing the introduction of toxic and hallucinogenic substances into the educational institution that endanger health, morals, good customs, and individual or collective security.

6. Presenting themselves at the educational institution without the appropriate personal appearance suitable for their professional condition.

7. Providing the student with part or all of the test prior to the examination.

8. Arbitrarily promoting or failing students without complying with the respective evaluation criteria.

9. Requesting or accepting gifts or rewards as a retribution for their job duties.

10. Directly or indirectly collecting money, contributions, or economic collaborations from students and parents for any purpose.

11. Engaging students in personal matters.

12. Requiring the purchase of books or school supplies from students for personal profit.

13. Discussing confidential matters of the school or personal labor situations of other students, parents, or teachers of the institution with students or parents.

Article 49. School Responsibilities: Regarding the evaluation and promotion system for students, the school has the following responsibilities:

1. Define, adopt, and disseminate the Institutional Student Evaluation System after its approval by the Academic Council.

2. Incorporate into the institutional educational project the evaluation criteria, processes, and procedures; strategies for overcoming students' weaknesses and promoting them, defined by the Board of Directors.

3. Conduct meetings with teachers and educational administrators to analyze, design, and implement ongoing evaluation strategies and support for students' weaknesses, and provide recommendations to students, parents, and teachers.

4. Promote and maintain communication with parents and students to present periodic evaluation reports, the plan of support activities for overcoming weaknesses, and establish commitments by all involved parties.

5. Establish committees or other bodies to monitor the evaluation and promotion processes of students if deemed necessary.

6. Attend to the requests of parents and students and schedule meetings with them when necessary.

7. Through the Board of Directors, serve as an instance to decide on claims presented by students or their parents regarding evaluation and promotion.

8. Periodically analyze evaluation reports in order to identify school practices that may be affecting students' performance and introduce necessary modifications for improvement.

9. Submit all enrolled students in the evaluated grades to the SABER census tests and collaborate with them in the registration and application processes as required.

Colegio Bolivar complies with the obligations stipulated for educational institutions in Articles 42, 43, and 44 of Law 1098 of 2006, the Code of Childhood and Adolescence.

Article 50. Special Obligations of Educational Institutions: In order to fulfill their mission, educational institutions have the following obligations, among others:

1. Facilitate access of children and adolescents to the system and ensure their retention.

2. Provide relevant and quality education.

3. Respect the dignity of all members of the educational community under all circumstances.

4. Facilitate student participation in the academic management of the educational institution.

5. Establish communication channels with parents to monitor the educational process and foster democracy in relationships within the educational community.

6. Organize programs for leveling students who present learning differences or are lagging behind in the school cycle and establish psycho-pedagogical and psychological guidance programs.

7. Respect, allow, and promote the expression and knowledge of diverse national and foreign cultures, and organize extracurricular cultural activities with the educational community for this purpose.

8. Encourage the expression of cultural inclinations and talents in children and adolescents, and promote their artistic, scientific, and technological production.

9. Ensure the use of technological means to access and disseminate culture and provide the establishment with an adequate library.

10. Organize activities to promote knowledge, respect, and preservation of the national environmental, cultural, architectural, and archaeological heritage.

11. Promote the study of national and foreign languages and special languages.

12. Avoid any form of discrimination based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, creed, socioeconomic condition, or any other factor that affects the exercise of their rights.

Article 51. Fundamental Ethical Obligation of Educational Institutions: Primary and secondary educational institutions, whether public or private, have the fundamental obligation to guarantee full respect for the dignity, life, physical, and moral integrity of children and adolescents within the school community. To this end, they must:

1. Educate children and adolescents in respect for the fundamental values of human dignity, human rights, acceptance, and tolerance towards differences among individuals. They must foster respectful and considerate treatment towards others, especially those with disabilities, special vulnerabilities, or outstanding abilities.

2. Effectively protect children and adolescents from all forms of abuse, physical or psychological aggression, humiliation, discrimination, or mockery by their peers or teachers.

3. Establish appropriate dissuasive, corrective, and re-educational mechanisms in their regulations to prevent physical or psychological aggression, as well as behaviors of ridicule, contempt, and humiliation towards students with learning difficulties, language impairments, or those with outstanding or special abilities.

Article 52. Complementary Obligations of Educational Institutions: School directors, teachers, and the educational community, in general, must implement mechanisms to:

1. Verify the registration of the birth certificate.

2. Identify and provide support and guidance in cases of malnutrition, mistreatment, abandonment, sexual abuse, domestic violence, economic and labor exploitation, contemporary forms of servitude and slavery, including the worst forms of child labor.

3. Ensure that students are affiliated with a health insurance system.

4. Guarantee the full respect for the dignity, life, physical, and moral integrity of children and adolescents within the school community.

5. Effectively protect children and adolescents from all forms of abuse, physical and psychological aggression, humiliation, discrimination, or mockery by their peers and teachers.

6. Establish appropriate dissuasive, corrective, and re-educational mechanisms in their regulations to prevent physical or psychological aggression, as well as behaviors of ridicule, contempt, and humiliation towards children and adolescents with learning difficulties, language impairments, or those with outstanding or special abilities.

7. Prevent the trafficking and consumption of all types of psychoactive substances that produce dependence within educational facilities and request effective sanctions from the competent authorities against trafficking, sale, and consumption around educational institutions.

8. Coordinate the necessary pedagogical, therapeutic, and technological support for the access and educational integration of children and adolescents with disabilities.

9. Report to the competent authorities any detected situations of abuse, mistreatment, or worst forms of child labor in children and adolescents.

10. Provide guidance to the educational community for education in sexual and reproductive health.

Article53. General Duties of All Members of the Educational Community: The following duties apply to all members of the educational community:

1. Familiarize themselves with the philosophy and respect the institutional values defined in this handbook

2. Acquire knowledge and comply with the guidelines of the Institutional Educational Project (PEI), the Code of Conduct, and other regulations of the institution.

3. Work consistently and collaboratively within the community to achieve the designated goals and fulfill the institutional mission.

4. Attend meetings convened by the school's management and administration, ensuring harmonious work, participation, and the preservation of proper communication channels among members of the educational community.

5. Promote the well-being of all members of the educational community and respect the dignity and rights of individuals within it.

Chapter Iv

SCHOOL GOVERNANCE, INSTITUTIONAL ORGANIZATION, AND STUDENT AND PARENT PARTICIPATION BODIES

CHAPTER IV. SCHOOL GOVERNANCE, INSTITUTIONAL ORGANIZATION, AND STUDENT AND PARENT PARTICIPATION BODIES

Organizational Structure

Article 54. Bondholders and Board of Directors: The Board of Directors of Colegio Bolivar represents the highest authority of the institution, that is, the General Assembly of Bondholders. It exercises legislative authority over the school as a legal entity, in accordance with the laws in force in the country, and all members of the educational community must submit to its authority. It determines policy, delegates executive supervisory and instructional authority to its employees, and measures the results obtained in light of the goals of the school system. The Board of Directors is composed of 10 members, elected for a term of one year by the General Assembly of Bondholders. Its members must be parents of students formally enrolled in the school.

Colegio Bolivar is accredited by COGNIA, formerly AdvancED (Advancing Excellence in Education Worldwide), the world's largest educational community since 1961, and the Ministry of National Education. Its structure provides an educational environment with high academic motivation and a range of opportunities for the comprehensive development of its students in all areas; a space for creating bonds, exploring, discovering, and shaping individuals who make a difference in the world.

According to the applicable regulations, the following are the bodies of the School Government:

Article 55. Board of Directors: It is the highest instance through which the educational community participates in the academic and administrative operation of the institution. The Board of Directors is governed according to the guidelines stipulated in Article 144 of Law 115 of 1994 and Decree 1860 of 1994.

The Board of Directors, composed of representatives from the Board of Directors, School Administration, Teachers, Parents, Students, Alumni, and the Community in general, ensures the participation of the School Community.

According to the applicable legal regulations, the Board of Directors has the following functions: a) Make decisions that affect the functioning of the institution, except those assigned to another authority. b) Resolve conflicts that arise between teachers and administrative staff with students once the procedures outlined in the School Handbook have been exhausted. c) Adopt the School Handbook and its Regulations. d) Defend and guarantee the rights of the educational community. e) Participate in the planning and evaluation of the Institutional Educational Project (PEI), the curriculum, and the study plan, submitting them for consideration by the Ministry of Education. f) Promote and ensure the proper functioning of the educational institution. g) Establish incentives and sanctions for students' academic and social performance. h) Participate in the evaluation of teachers and administrative staff. i) Recommend the participation of the institution in cultural, sports, and recreational activities. j) Foster academic, sports, and cultural relationships with other educational institutions. k) Promote the formation of parent and student associations. l) Approve the budget of income and expenses. m) Establish its own regulations.

Article 56. School Director: The School Director is the legal representative of the institution and is responsible for implementing the decisions made by the Board of Directors and Academic Council.

According to Law 155 of 1994 and Decree 1860 of 1994, the School Director has the following functions: a) Guide the implementation of the Institutional Educational Project (PEI) and apply the decisions of the School Government. b) Ensure compliance with teaching duties. c) Promote the improvement of the quality of education. d) Maintain relationships with educational authorities, sponsors, and the local community to advance academic progress. e) Exercise disciplinary functions as provided by law, regulations, and the School Handbook f) Foster improvement in the Institutional Educational Project (PEI). g) Promote social benefit activities. h) Implement the provisions of the State for the provision of public educational services. i) Perform other functions assigned by the PEI and the School Handbook

Article 57. Academic Council: It brings together the School Director, section principals, the Director of Learning, teachers, and representatives of the different academic levels and/or areas of the institution. It serves as a technical advisory body to the Board of Directors for curriculum design and decides on the evaluation of students' behavior and academic development and their promotion.

The Academic Council of the school has the following functions: a) Serve as a consulting body to the Board of Directors in reviewing the proposal of the Institutional Educational Project (PEI). b) Study the curriculum and promote its continuous improvement by making modifications and adjustments. c) Organize the study plan and guide its implementation. d) Participate in the annual institutional evaluation. e) Integrate teacher councils for the periodic evaluation of student performance and promotion, assign their functions, and oversee the overall evaluation process. f) Receive and decide on student claims regarding educational evaluation. g) Perform other related or complementary functions attributed by the PEI.

Participation Bodies

Article 58. Student Council: It is the highest collegial body that ensures and guarantees the continuous exercise of student participation, aiming to promote student commitment and responsibility as part of the school government. The student council promotes a series of activities throughout the year and develops leadership skills among its members.

It has representation from Primary, Middle, and High School sections. It is composed of at least one representative from each of the grades offered by the school.

Among its functions are: Establishing its own regulations; electing the representative of the students to the Board of Directors and advising them in fulfilling their representation; inviting students with initiatives on student life development to their deliberations; and performing other activities related to the above as assigned by the School Handbook

Candidates must be perceived as positive leaders, exhibit excellent behavior, and be respected by their peers. They should be familiar with and adhere to the school's code of honor and disciplinary processes. Candidates are expected not to have committed any serious or grave offenses during their school life at Colegio Bolivar. Students with a probationary warning letter from the School Director cannot run for candidacy.

Arti cle 59. Parents' Council: Organized under the auspices of the Parents' Association, it has two representatives for each grade. It meets monthly as a council, and its representatives attend the Advisory Committees of each section of the school periodically. Its function is to ensure the smooth running of the educational process.

According to Decree 1286 of 2005, the Parents' Council is a participation body of the parents of the educational institution aimed at ensuring their continuous participation in the educational process and improving the quality of service.

Among other functions supporting the school's work are: a) Providing support for artistic, scientific, technical, and sports activities organized by the school aimed at improving students' competencies in various areas, including citizenship and fostering a culture of legality. b) Participating in the development of improvement plans and achieving the set objectives. c) Promoting training activities for parents aimed at developing strategies to support students, facilitating the consolidation of learning, promoting extracurricular study habits, improving selfesteem and the living environment, and especially those aimed at promoting children's rights. d) Fostering an atmosphere of trust, understanding, integration, solidarity, and consensus. e) Proposing improvements to the School Handbook f) Collaborating in activities aimed at promoting the physical and mental health of students and detecting problems related to school integration. g) Electing the parent who will participate in the evaluation and promotion committee. h) Presenting proposals for modifications to the Institutional Educational Project (PEI) arising from parents. i) Electing the two parent representatives to the Board of Directors of the school, except when the number of members of the Parents' Association reaches more than half of the parents of the school's students, in which case the Assembly of the Parents' Association will elect one of the two parent representatives to the Board of Directors of the school. j) The Parents' Council exercises the aforementioned functions in direct coordination with the School Director and/or the principal of the academic section and requires express authorization when assuming responsibilities that involve the school with other entities or authorities.

Article 60. Parents' Association: The Parents' Association of Colegio Bolivar, ASOPADRES, is a nonprofit social, cultural, and technical service entity with legal status, formed by the parents and/or guardians of Colegio Bolivar students through the annual payment of membership fees. The executive committee is the governing body of the association and is governed by its own regulations. The executive committee is composed of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and four members with their respective numerical alternates. The members are the coordinators of the working committees established by the executive committee to achieve the association's objectives.

Entities Of Institutional Organization

Article 61. Administrative and Academic Directorate: It is an organ of private educational institutions that assists the School Director in the administrative and financial aspects of the school. The administration of Colegio Bolívar is composed of the School Director, the principals of each Academic Section, the Director of Learning, Financial Director, and Community Development and Well-being Office Director, and they are responsible for the administrative and academic direction of Colegio Bolívar. They are primarily responsible for making decisions regarding the administration of financial, patrimonial, and labor resources, according to the PEI and the statutes of the institution that owns the Educational Institution.

Principals of Academic Sections:

Colegio Bolívar is organized to provide educational services in four sections: Preprimary (including El Nido), Primary, Middle School, and High School. The highest administrative authority within each section is the principal, who is in charge of the implementation and supervision of academic policies and coexistence in each section. They are supported by professionals for the better development of their activities.

Article 62. Student Representative (Personero): It is a student in the senior year, elected by vote, and is responsible for promoting the exercise of students' rights and duties as established in the Constitution, laws, regulations, and the Code of Conduct. The student representative works hand in hand with student representatives of the School Government.

Anyone who wishes to run for the position of student representative must submit their candidacy for consideration by the students and can run for the position along with another student from the final grade who will serve as Vice Student Representative or alternate student representative. All candidates must read and understand the provisions of the Colegio Bolívar Code of Conduct and understand and respect the honor code, the disciplinary policy, and the rules and procedures for coexistence.

According to Article 28 of Decree 1860 of August 3, 1994, the Student Representative has the following functions, among others: a) Promote compliance with students' rights and duties. b) Receive and evaluate claims made by students regarding violations of their rights and complaints about the non-fulfillment of students' obligations. c) Submit the necessary requests to t he School Director or the principal of the respective academic section to protect students' rights. d) When necessary, appeal decisions made by the School Director regarding petitions submitted through the Student Representative.

The student representative will be elected within forty-five calendar days following the start of classes for an annual academic period. For this purpose, the School Director will call all students enrolled in grades 4 to 12 to elect the student representative through a simple majority system and secret ballot. Serving as student representative is incompatible with serving as a student representative on the Board of Directors.

In addition to the roles established by the law, the Student Representative and Vice Student Representative have the following functions: a) The student running for this position must represent the mission and principles of Colegio Bolívar. They should be an honest and respectful person who demonstrates a spirit of collaboration and has the highest aspirations for the well-being of both the individual and the community. b) It is expected that the student representative operates within the limits of their functions to ensure that the school administration considers the voice of the students in an appropriate and respectful manner. c) The Student Representative must maintain strict confidentiality regarding any matter they receive in their position. d) The Student Representative or Vice Student Representative must be available to be involved in disciplinary cases of special severity that may result in temporary suspension or permanent expulsion of a student from Colegio Bolívar. e) The Student Representative or Vice Student Representative must represent Colegio Bolívar excellently when attending meetings with Student Representatives from other educational institutions at the local or national level.

Conditions and Expectations for Holding the Position of Student Representative: a) The candidate must be a student enrolled in the senior year of Colegio Bolívar, meaning Grade Twelve. b) Students with conditional enrollment due to poor academic performance or with a probationary warning letter for disciplinary reasons from the School Director are not eligible to run. c) The candidate must have been a student at Colegio Bolívar since the ninth grade of High School d) The candidate must be perceived as a positive leader, have excellent behavior, be respected by their peers, and be familiar with and respect the honor code, disciplinary procedures, and rules. It is expected that candidates have not committed any serious or extremely serious offenses during their time in grades six to eleven. e) In the event that the Student Representative or Vice Student Representative commits a serious or extremely serious offense during their campaign, the election process, or once elected to the position, the administration may consider this infraction as just cause for removal from their position.

Causes for Removal from the Position of Student Representative or Vice Student Representative:

The Student Representative or Vice Student Representative may be removed from their position in case of the following situations, provided that due process is followed: a) Failure to comply with or respect the code of conduct of Colegio Bolívar, including any of the f ollowing: a. Committing a serious or extremely serious offense according to the guidelines of the Code of Conduct. b. Being in a probationary period or conditional enrollment. b) Failure to meet the minimum grade point average required for the position. c) Failure to comply with the established election process for this position. d) Failure to assume the responsibilities and obligations assigned to this position with the necessary diligence. e) Failure to meet the expectations, objectives, or established profile for this position. In this regard, any member of the educational community may submit a written communication to the Director of Colegio Bolívar informing him/her of dissatisfaction and poor representation by the Student Representative or Vice Student Representative.

Due Process: Once a formal complaint is received regarding the performance or behavior of the Student Representative or Vice Student Representative, the Director of Colegio Bolívar will carry out the following due process: a) The Student Representative or Vice Student Representative must submit a written statement informing the School Director about the situation or event in question. The parents of the student may add their perspective to the statement that will be sent to the School Director b) The School Director will have 5 business days to analyze the facts, evidence, and defense of the student and make a decision. If the School Director considers that the offense or behavior of the Student Representative or Vice Student Representative is serious or extremely serious, they may remove the student from the position while the investigation is ongoing. c) The student representative or vice student representative may appeal this decision to the Board of Directors within 5 days of being notified of the School Director's decision. The Board of Directors will have a maximum of 10 business days to deliberate, request additional evidence, and decide on the case. d) If the decision of the Board of Directors is to remove only the Student Representative from the position, the Vice Student Representative will assume the position immediately. If both the Student Representative and Vice Student Representative are removed from the position, new elections must be held according to the provisions of the Code of Conduct.

Article 63. School Coexistence Committee: The School Coexistence Committee of Colegio Bolívar is guided by the following principles in correspondence with the statements for the National School Coexistence System: participation, co-responsibility, autonomy, diversity, and integrality. The School Coexistence Committee, within the scope of its responsibilities, carries out actions to promote and strengthen education for citizenship and the exercise of human, sexual, and reproductive rights; prevent and mitigate school violence and teenage pregnancy; and address situations that affect school coexistence and the exercise of human, sexual, and reproductive rights through the implementation, development, and application of strategies and programs established by the National School Coexistence Committee and the respective Municipal or Departmental School Coexistence Committee, while respecting the Constitution and the law.

The Board of Directors of the institution will be responsible for establishing the School Coexistence Committee and developing its initial regulations, which must be an integral part of this Code of Conduct.

The School Coexistence Committee is composed of:

• The Director of the School, who presides over the committee

• The student representative

• The teacher with counseling function - Counselor

• The Coordinator of School Coexistence

• The president of the parents' council

• One (1) teacher who leads coexistence processes or strategies.

When deemed appropriate, the Committee may invite members of the educational community or external advisors with relevant information or contributions to attend meetings, although they will not have voting rights.

The functions of the School Coexistence Committee are as follows: a) Identify, document, analyze, and resolve conflicts that arise between teachers and students, administrators and students, and among students. b) Lead actions in the school that promote coexistence, citizenship development, the exercise of human, sexual, and reproductive rights, and the prevention and mitigation of school violence among members of the educational community. c) Promote the school's involvement in strategies, programs, and activities related to coexistence and citizenship development being carried out in the region and that meet the needs of its educational community. d) Convene, when necessary and appropriate, a conciliation space for the resolution of conflict situations that affect school coexistence, at the request of any member of the educational community or at its own discretion in order to prevent irreparable harm to members of the educational community. In these spaces, students will be accompanied by their parent, guardian, or a fellow student from the educational institution. e) Activate the Comprehensive Care Route for School Coexistence defined in Article 29 of Law 1620 of 2013 for specific conflict situations, bullying, high-risk violent behavior, or violations of sexual and reproductive rights that cannot be resolved by this committee according to the Code of Conduct because they transcend the school environment and constitute criminal acts, requiring the involvement of other entities or authorities within the structure of the National School Coexistence and Human Rights Education System, Sexuality Education, and Prevention and Mitigation of School Violence. f) Lead the development of strategies and tools aimed at promoting and evaluating school coexistence, the exercise of human, sexual, and reproductive rights. g) Monitor compliance with the provisions established in the Code of Conduct and submit reports to the corresponding instance within the structure of the National School Coexistence and Human Rights Education System and Prevention and Mitigation of School Violence, on the cases or situations addressed by the Committee. h) Propose, analyze, and implement pedagogical strategies that allow for the flexibility of the pedagogical model and the integration of different areas of study that consider the educational context and its relevance to the community in order to find better ways of building citizenship.

Paragraph 1: The Committee must establish its own regulations, which should cover the procedures for sessions and other procedural aspects, including those related to the selection and permanence of the teacher leading coexistence processes

Paragraph 2: The School Coexistence Committee does not have jurisdiction, within its functions, to address minor, serious, or extremely serious offenses unrelated to situations categorized in this Code as Special Offenses that Undermine School Coexistence.

Article 63. Support and Oversight: When necessary, students can meet with the Coordinator of School Coexistence or the respective Section Principal and/or Dean of Students (in the case of Secondary) to discuss academic, disciplinary, or coexistence problems that may arise. In these meetings, students have the right to present their views and concerns, which will be heard and taken into account. Each academic section will establish the criteria for remaining in student representative positions.

Article 64. Support Services and Complementary Activities: The following areas provide guidance to the School Director, section principals, students, teachers, and parents: a) Counseling b) Career Counseling c) Coordinator of School Coexistence d) Psychometrics e) Academic Enrichment (Optimal Match) f) Secondary School Dean of Students g) Extracurricular Activities h) Learning Support Services i) Social Service j) Support Teachers k) Medical Services