CHAPTER VI SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

CHAPTER VI. SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

Article 95. Meetings between Teachers and Parents. Meetings between parents and teachers are essential for a continuous understanding of the student's development and progress. The secretary of each section will make the necessary arrangements to schedule these meetings. When necessary, professionals of support (counselors, specialists) and/or the Section Principal will participate in these meetings.

Article 96. School Communications: The school has established communication channels such as the website www.colegiobolivar.edu.co, the Bolivar Connected APP, the "Make Bolivar Better" suggestion box, the Direct or's Letters, online school newsletters and magazines, the Tribuna magazine, and the Annual Calendar. The school also has a messaging channel through institutional WhatsApp and emails sent from different departments. Through these means, various events taking place at the school and news of interest to the Bolivar Community are communicated.

Article 97. Access to Students or Teachers during Class Hours: As a general rule, teachers and students should not be interrupted during class hours. If a parent needs to deliver an item to one of the students, they should hand it over to the secretary of the corresponding section, who will ensure its delivery at the appropriate time. The best way to resolve any problem in this regard is to ensure that students have everything they need for the day prepared before leaving home: notebooks, textbooks, materials, PE uniforms, money, permissions, etc. It is prohibited for parents to visit their children when they are in class.

Article 98. Separated or Divorced Parents: The parent who has legal custody of the child must inform the school, by letter accompanied by a copy of the legal documents, to be added to the student's file. Unless there are written agreements and the secretary of the corresponding section is informed, the student may only leave the school on the assigned bus or in the company of the parent who has legal custody. If the other parent wishes to pick up the child from school, they must bring a letter signed by the parent with legal custody.

If there is a document demonstrating shared custody by both parents, both have the same rights to pick up their child, when necessary, without needing written authorization from the other parent.

Separated parents who do not live with the student and wish to receive information from the school must make their request in writing to the Office of Development and Community Well-being.

Article 99. Change of Address: A written notice must be given to the Office of Development and Community Well-being when there is a change of address or phone number.

Article 100. Permissions and Passes: To travel in a bus or car different from the assigned one, the student must submit a written request from the parents to the secretary of the corresponding section no later than 11:00 a.m. on that day, in order to obtain authorization from the section principal. These authorizations will be limited according to the availability of space on the buses. Permission will not be issued if the request is made by phone.

Students may only leave the school on the assigned bus or authorized car.

The use of passes for leaving school is regulated by the Student Handbook of each section. Passes are issued only with written authorization from the parent.

Article 101. Celebrating Birthdays at School: Birthday parties or any other celebrations are not allowed at the school. It is acceptable for parents to bring or send a cake to share with classmates. Invitations, entertainers, surprises, or decorations for the classroom are not allowed. It is prohibited to distribute invitations that are not extended to the entire group to which the student belongs.

Article 102. Lost and Found: Lost and found items within the school should be taken to the respective office, where owners can claim them upon identification. After two weeks, if they are not claimed, these items will be donated to one of the institutions in the school's social service program.

Article 103. Textbooks and Reading Books: The school provides most of the textbooks and reading books to the students. The care of loaned books is the responsibility of the student. In case of loss or damage, the value will be determined according to the market price of the book, and parents will be required to pay for it. Causing damage to the books used for instruction in different subjects is considered a violation of the school's regulations.

Article 104. Makeup Work and Exams: Teachers will give students the opportunity to make up for missed assignments and exams due to an absence, provided there is a written excuse that, in the opinion of the section principal, is valid (illness, force majeure, etc.), and it is submitted within five (5) calendar days following the date of the absence. The dates for submitting the makeup work or taking missed exams must be arranged with the teacher of each subject.

Article 105. Transfer to Another School: When a student's transfer to another educational institution is decided, it must be informed in advance to the Admissions Office, the Office of Development and Community Well-being, and the corresponding Section Principal. This allows for the timely delivery of legal papers and academic certificates.

Article 106. Student Records: The cumulative file kept for each student consists of all official records and data directly related to the students, including all material incorporated year after year. It is for internal use by the school and is absolutely confidential. The information specifically includes identification data, completed academic courses, level of performance, grades, standardized test results, observations from teachers and counselors, as well as reports on behavior.

Article 107. Access to Records:

1. Parents or legal guardians of the student may access these records by submitting a written request to the Section Principal or School Director

2. Parents or legal guardians of the student, or the student themselves if they are 18 years of age or older, may request an interpretation of the records and have the right to request explanations about them, upon written request. If differences of opinion arise, parents may file a letter stating their position in the student's cumulative file.

3. Only individuals authorized by the school have access to these records. All school data will be handled in accordance with the policy established for this purpose.

Article 108: Transmission of Information to other Individuals and/or Institutions (Transcripts):

1. In order to transmit student records to another school in which they wish to enroll, parents or guardians, or even the student if they are of legal age, must submit a written request to the Office of Development and Community Well-being.

2. To receive any certificate and/or student record, the individual must be in good standing with the institution.

Article 109. Sale of Items: It is prohibited to sell any type of item within the school. The Section Principal may authorize sales on certain occasions for charitable purposes.

Article 110. Fundraising for School Activities:

1. Students may carry out fundraising activities in the school, provided they have the express authorization of the Principal of each Section.

2. The sale of items for personal benefit is considered a violation of the school's regulations.

3. Fundraising for a student or teacher organization must be approved by the respective Section Principal and must be supervised by a sponsoring teacher.

4. Ten percent (10%) of the funds raised by any student organization at Colegio Bolivar must be donated to projects of the school's Social Service Program.

Article 111. Organizations and Publications: It is important for students to participate in clubs, publications, projects, and other productive activities. The formation of student organizations and all publications must be approved by the Section Principal and must adhere to the community's acceptance limits and must not contain offenses or defamation. The school reserves the right to edit all publications generated within the institution.

Article 112. Use of Phones and Media in the School: Students must request permission from the Section Principal to use the phone in the offices, as its use is only for emergencies. The same applies when a phone call is received for a student who is in class. Regarding the use of cell phones, Preprimary and Primary students should not bring electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) to school. Middle and High School students are not allowed to use cell phones during school and extracurricular activities. Cell phones must be turned off and stored during class hours, unless expressly authorized. Improper use of cell phones may result in confiscation. More detailed information can be found in the handbooks of each academic section.

Article 113. Policies on Proper Use of Technology: Students are responsible for the ethical use of their access accounts to the school's network, computers, and other electronic devices. The purpose of the following policy is to guide students towards the correct use of these resources. The school may restrict or cancel access to such resources at any time if deemed necessary to safeguard the security and availability of the systems. Other disciplinary measures may be imposed as indicated in the code of conduct, the manuals of each section, or as explained in this document.

Students must respect the use of technology resources in the school and follow the instructions of the personnel from the Systems Department, teachers, and Technology Assistants (TAs). This includes following the following guidelines:

• Do not consume food, candy, or beverages in areas where computer equipment is located.

• Report any software or hardware issues to your teacher immediately.

• Remember that rough games or inappropriate jokes can cause harm to other students or the equipment. • Use only your access account to the network. Protect your password, do not share it, and change it periodically.

• Immediately report to the Systems Department any loss, theft, or damage to your account or password.

• Use only the programs authorized by the school. If you need to install a program, software patches, or updates, please contact the Systems Department.

• Save all your files only in your personal network folder unless your instructor requests another location for storing information.

• Unnecessary information should be deleted or transferred to removable digital media (CDs, DVDs, USB drives, etc.).

• You are responsible for the websites you visit, the files in your personal folder, and all the material you receive through your network account.

• When using technological resources, adhere to the regulations of national laws and the school regarding plagiarism and the appropriate use of information resources and citations.

• Use technology devices in a way that does not violate the privacy of others or interfere with the productivity of other users.

• Personal use of computers and email should not interfere with the use of computers by students who need them for schoolwork.

• Conserve consumable resources such as paper, ink, and floppy disks.

• Do not disclose personal information, such as password, full name, address, telephone number, and credit cards, through the school network.

• Report any suspicious behavior or privacy violation to the teacher, Systems Department, or TA.

• Disconnect from the network once you have finished and leave the workstation organized.

• Cell phones must be turned off during class hours.

• The use of laptops, music players, USB drives, and other digital devices is not allowed during class or exams unless explicitly permitted by the teacher.

Students should not inappropriately use the available technology resources at the school in ways that distract or attempt to cause problems for other users, are illegal or defamatory, interfere with the normal operation of the school's systems, incite hatred or violence, jeopardize the safety or well-being of others, promote drug use, promote pornography or obscene material, incite dangerous or antisocial behavior, are threatening or offensive, or could harm the reputation of the school.

Students are advised that there will be consequences if they engage in inappropriate activities as described below:

Category 1 – Inappropriate activities that will result in disciplinary measures:

Students who engage in any of the following inappropriate activities will be disciplined. This may include conferences with parents, loss of computer use privileges, loss of goals, suspension from classes, or expulsion from the school. The activities included in this category are considered serious as they int erfere with the normal operation of our system or may be harmful to members of our community. Even first-time offenders may face serious consequences.

• Hacking: Under no circumstances should students attempt to modify network resources without authorization. Students engaging in suspicious activities such as tampering with the school's security software, snooping, falsifying their identity, or hiding files will be considered a threat to the school's network security.

• Files: Students should not store inappropriate files in their directories or on any of the school's computers.

• Privacy: Students should not attempt to use or interfere with others' private resources, such as their account, access password, email, or files. Students should not take images of other community members without their explicit consent. Students should not distribute images of community members without their consent.

• Games: Students should not install games on school computers. Students should not play games unless authorized by a teacher as part of an academic activity. Students should not save game files on the school network.

• Email: Students should not send inappropriate messages via email.

• Internet: Students should not access inappropriate websites or create pages that threaten the integrity of the Bolivar Community or promote antisocial attitudes.

• Dishonesty: Students should not engage in activities that promote dishonesty, including plagiarism, sharing files for cheating, or stealing others' electronic work.

• Copyright: Students should not copy and paste texts, graphics, or photos from copyrighted websites without proper recognition or permission from the intellectual author.

• Licenses: Students should not use programs for which the school does not have a valid license.

• Security: Students should not send information about other individuals that may jeopardize their safety.

Category 2

–

Inappropriate activities that will be reported:

Students engaging in the following activities cause annoying problems and interfere with the use of computers by others. Often, these actions distract the resources and time of the technology staff to restore network resources.

These students can expect to be summoned by the Section Principal, have a report prepared by the Systems Department, and may lose the privilege of computer use. Repeat offenses may result in Category 1 consequences.

• Students should not install or download programs without the authorization of the teacher or Systems staff.

• Students should not change the computer settings, such as the cursor, color, screensaver, or wallpaper.

• Students should not send emails that cause annoyance to others, such as spam, chain emails, or junk mail.

• Students should not use school computers for commercial purposes (e.g., creating a website and selling advertisements).

• Students should not use their network folders to store personal documents unrelated to the school, such as MP3 files, music videos, and personal photos.

• Students should not use computers as entertainment centers for listening to music.

• Students should not use websites for chatting unless authorized by the teacher for academic use.

Rules for the proper use of ICT:

• Updates to the "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) policy may occur at any time. The latest version of the BYOD policy always prevails and supersedes previous versions of the policy.

• The use of laptops will be allowed at the discretion of teachers and school counselors.

• Student lockers are the only secure facilities for storing laptops and are the students' responsibility.

• Students are responsible for their personal devices at all times. School staff do not assume responsibility for lost or damaged devices. Any defective or damaged laptops must be left at home.

• The purpose of using laptops in school is strictly educational. Playing on laptops is NOT allowed.

• Laptops are only for use during instructional time.

• Laptops are a daily requirement and the only permitted device. Tablets are not acceptable (unless acting as a temporary replacement).

• Any unauthorized creation or distribution of videos or images of students and staff is strictly prohibited.

• Hacking of any kind is prohibited. Any attempt to bypass the school's network security and/or filtering, circumvent security, create hotspots, or access and configure proxies or virtual private networks (VPNs) is strictly prohibited and considered a serious offense.

• Seeking to obtain or obtaining unauthorized access to information resources, making copies or modifications to files or other data, or obtaining and communicating passwords belonging to other users is strictly prohibited and considered a serious offense.

• Using technological resources to harm other members of the community or using technology that causes harm to others is strictly prohibited and considered a serious offense.

• Presenting, publishing, creating, using, or displaying any defamatory, inaccurate, racially offensive, abusive, illegal, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, or threatening material, whether public or private, is strictly prohibited and classified as a very serious offense.

PROHIBITED USE:

• Allowing anyone else in the school to use your laptop.

• Using the laptop in school for any purpose other than learning.

• Using chats, web messages, emails, or social networks to send or post offensive, defamatory, threatening, or inappropriate messages harmful, disrespectful, or threatening to others.

• Carrying the laptop while the screen is open.

• Using the laptop in the courtyard during recess and lunchtime, or on the way to or from school. Students can only use laptops outside of class with explicit instructions from the teacher.

• Accessing inappropriate websites, data, or images on their laptops.

• Using the laptop to access social networks or play games at any time while on school premises.

• Using the Internet to harass, harm, discriminate, or threaten the safety of others.

• Using the laptop to take photos/videos at the school, unless the teacher grants permission for use in a class activity.

PRIVACY:

The software and online platforms, content residing in the "colegiobolivar.edu.co" / "colegiobolivar.org" domain through Google Apps, and Internet browsing conducted during school hours may be reviewed. Students and parents should be aware that laptops are subject to inspection by school administrators if there is suspicion of the laptop violating the student code of conduct. If the laptop is locked or passwordprotected, the student may be asked to unlock the laptop (which can be done by the section principal). The aforementioned circumstances will always be accompanied by the Student Representative and the section counselor. The school may cancel a subscription or change a student's password at any time.

Article 114. Evacuation Procedure: The school has an evacuation plan for emergencies such as fire, earthquakes, floods, threats, and public order situations. Each Academic Section Principal or Administrative Department must announce the need for evacuation within a pre-established area. During such an event, students must leave their books in the classrooms and proceed to the designated area. The details of the evacuation procedures can be found in the handbooks of each academic section and on the school's website.

Article 115. Bodyguards: The school is aware of the concerns some parents have for the safety of their children, which leads them to take precautions such as having permanent bodyguards for their travel. However, it is the school's policy that no one may enter the school premises carrying any firearms. All bodyguards must be registered with the school's Security Office.

Article 116. Carrying Weapons: To ensure the safety of all individuals on the school campus, the carrying of any kind of weapons, including knives, firearms, or blunt weapons such as bats, brass knuckles, martial arts weapons, or chains, is strictly prohibited. The only possible exception may occur when short sharp or blunt instruments are used by students in academic or sports activities, always under the supervision and approval of the respective teacher. In the event of a reported and proven violation of this provision by a student, immediate expulsion of the student should be considered.

Article 117. Use of School Buses: The Student Code of Conduct also applies during the time that students are on the school bus for daily routes, extracurricular activities, or field trips. A monitor accompanies the students on all routes to help them follow the rules of good behavior and maintain the safety of everyone. Students who do not behave according to the established rules (see section handbooks) will be reported to the principals of their respective academic sections. If necessary, the section principals will communicate with the parents regarding the suspension of transportation service for a few days.

When students disembark at locations other than their home, they must carry the corresponding permission slip in their hand and hand it to the monitor or driver when boarding the bus. The same applies to permanent passes. Preprimary students cannot use a different bus than the one assigned or disembark at a location other than their home. These route changes are subject to the available capacity on each bus. Parents should refer to the handbook of their respective section.

Article 118. Medical Service: Colegio Bolívar provides a well-equipped medical service to attend to emergencies that may occur during school hours. This clinic is staffed by a doctor. The school recognizes that some students may require the use of prescription medications. In such cases, the school doctor is the only authorized person to administer these medications. It is the responsibility of parents to keep their children's medical records up to date.

Article 119. Use of Lockers: Each Middle and High School student is assigned a locker to securely store their belongings and materials related to schoolwork. The rules governing the use of lockers will be provided to students at the beginning of the school year. It is essential to use locks for added security. The lockers are the property of the school, and the school has access to them even without the student's permission.

Article 120. Attendance:

A. School Schedule

El Nido: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (extracurricular activities until 2:30 p.m.)

Kinder 4 to Grade 12: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Extracurricular Session: 2:40 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.

Students may arrive at the school a maximum of thirty (30) minutes before the start of classes (7 a.m.). They should not remain before or after classes without explicit authorization from their teacher or Section Principal and with a specific purpose. Any student arriving after 7:30 a.m. must report to the office of their corresponding section to collect an admission pass to class.

Colegio Bolívar requires an 85% attendance rate. Learning takes place at school, and as a result, absences hinder students' learning. A student fails the school year if they have been absent, excused or unexcused, for 15% or more of the allotted time, except in the following cases:

• Decree 2845 of 1984 (Article 48).

• Educational trips, academic trips, and sports trips that have been approved by the Section Principal

Each academic section will specify when an excuse is considered valid and how absences will be counted for compliance with the law.

Extracurricular Session. The school offers voluntary extracurricular sports and recreational activities to students. This session starts at 2:40 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.

B. Justified Absences

In cases of illness, legal matters, sports representation, or domestic calamities, absence is considered excused. The following should be noted:

• When a student is sick, they should stay at home. If the condition lasts for more than three days, the section secretary should be notified, explaining the circumstances and attaching the appropriate medical certificate

• In the case of a contagious or serious illness, a medical certificate must be provided for readmission to class.

• When a legal matter must be attended to or a family calamity occurs, the corresponding section secretary should be informed.

• When a student participates in a sports activity representing the city, department, or nation, permission will be granted as long as they inform the relevant office at least two days in advance, allowing for the planning of academic catch-up work.

• In all cases, upon returning to school, the student must submit a note from the parents explaining the reasons for the absence.

• It is the student's responsibility to catch up on all academic assignments by seeking support from teachers when necessary.

C. Tardiness

Each section of the school will determine, according to its Student Handbook, the actions to be taken in the case of tardiness. The policies defined in this regard should be clearly communicated and understood by students in the respective sections.

D. Avoiding Attendance at School

Not attending school when parents and teachers expect the student to be present in the institution is a safety and disciplinary issue. Such cases will be considered a serious offense.

E. Other Absences

Extending vacations or long weekends seriously interferes with the academic progress of the student and the group while promoting an irresponsible attitude toward commitments. The school expects parents not to plan vacations or different activities when the student should be at school. Each academic section has established procedures to handle this situation, outlined in its handbook

F. Excuses After an Absence

After an absence, students must submit a written excuse on the first day they return to school. Only students who bring an excuse signed by one of the parents or the guardian will be allowed to make up academic work that was not completed during their absence.

G. Leaving School Before the End of the School Day

Students may leave school before the end of the school day only when they have permission.

H. Pedagogical Outings

The school periodically schedules pedagogical outings to complement academic work. Every student must have written authorization from their parents or guardians to attend these outings. Students who are not authorized by their parents must attend school to engage in academic activities.

The behavior of the school's students reflects their image in any place, activity, and social group they are part of. In this case, all discipline rules and regulations valid within the school apply. There are also specific regulations that govern the steps and precautions to be taken before, during, and after the trip, as well as during the stay at hotels and participation in events. These regulations will be communicated to students and parents when they participate in the mentioned activities.