Parent / Student Handbook • 2025-2026

A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENERAL

DIRECTOR

Dear Students and Parents:

Welcome to a new school year at EA! I am sharing the 25-26 Handbook.

We begin our 79th year as a premier academic institution in El Salvador. Our unique school, with its history of excellence, is a source of honor and pride for those who have experienced it and contributed to its growth.

EA is a family built upon mutual respect and support. This handbook recognizes and reflects the strong values that bind us together. It contains a wealth of information. Please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions you may have.

So, it is with a re-invigorated dedication to our mission: For a Whole Life, Connect • Create • Explore, that I welcome you to our EA Handbook.

With best wishes for the upcoming school year,

Ms. Nelyda Miguel General Director

PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AGREEMENT

Collaboration between families and staff is a fundamental characteristic of Escuela Americana. Our collaborative willingness to establish and abide by important guidelines, policies, and rules binds us together in a very special effort that provides the model we wish our children/students to follow. For this reason, we make this signed agreement one of the conditions for both initial enrollment and continued enrollment at Escuela Americana (“EA”).

As a family (Parent and Student), we have read the Parent /Student Handbook and agree to abide by the rules and expectations, policies and procedures, codes, and guidelines contained in this publication.

I understand further that the final interpretation of policies and procedures rests with the Administration of EA and its Governing Body.

In addition, I understand that policies and procedures may change from time to time as decided by the EA Administration and its Governing Body, which will be opportunely informed to the students and parents.

Parent Signature

Student Signature (Grades 4-12)

Student Name Date Date

ALL SCHOOL

Escuela Americana El Salvador

ALL SCHOOL

� ESCUELA AMERICANA MISSION AND VISION

FOR A WHOLE LIFE CONNECT

CREATE

EXPLORE WITH: RESPONSIBILITY, INTEGRITY, COURAGE, AND KINDNESS

� PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

An EA Graduate is a young person who:

• THINKS: Explores critically, solves problems creatively, has a growth mindset, and is a lifelong learner

• ACTS: Is a resilient and independent risk-taker who upholds high moral values.

• INTERACTS: Is compassionate and respectful, collaborating and communicating efficiently..

• BELIEVES: Is empowered to act as a responsible, authentic, and balanced community member.

� SHARED DEFINITION OF HIGH-QUALITY LEARNING

High-quality learning at EA nurtures the mindset for students to become impactful global citizens with agency to take risks, ask questions, solve problems, and learn collaboratively.

� ACCREDITATIONS

Escuela Americana is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Ministry of Education (MINED).

It is vital for private schools to be accredited by organizations that support the learning, growth, and development of institutions around the world. Accreditation demonstrates that Escuela Americana is an outstanding institution, and we all should be very proud of our school.

NEASC is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization that connects and serves over 1500 public, independent, and international schools in the US and worldwide. Founded in 1885, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) has been working to establish and maintain high standards for all levels of education longer than any other accreditation agency in the United States.

NEASC is made up of three Commissions that work in close partnership to ensure quality education for all students.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS

Main School Receptionist 2528-8300

General Director’s Office 2528-8301

Divisions Elementary School 2528-8200

Middle School 2528-8276

High School 2528-8250

Athletic Office 2528-8231

Admissions 25288-8234 | 7855-3314

Business Office 2528-8313

Name & Address Updates / Database Information Management 2528-8390

Elementary School Sports Program 2528-8231

Bachillerato Diploma Program 2528-8285

PowerSchool Questions 2528-8300

Website Questions 2528-8322

Human Resources 2528-8307

External Relations / Alumni Office 2528-8305

Counselors

Elementary School 2528-8206

Middle School 2528-2257

High School 2528-2256

Nurse Elementary School 2528-8210

Secondary School 2528-8276 | 2528-8279

Libraries Elementary School 2528-8211

Secondary School 2528-8289

Trojan Store 2528-8293

Main School Fax 2528-8321

Business Office Fax 2528-8320

Athletic Office Fax 2528-8238

PrintEA Department 2528-8366

Extension Program 2528-8375

� BELONGING AND ACCEPTANCE

At EA, we are committed to building and supporting an open, welcoming community dedicated to the values of responsibility, kindness, courage, and integrity.

Living by this philosophy ensures that our students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be productive and responsible global citizens so they can excel and make an impact in an increasingly complex world. Acceptance and belonging go beyond tolerance. At EA, we strive for acceptance, which takes place when we respect the individual traits of others, recognize the value of each person’s uniqueness, and genuinely welcome people different from ourselves into our community.

At Escuela Americana, we recognize that all children and adolescents are equal before the law. Therefore, we welcome belonging and strive to build a community of dignity. We recognize the paramount importance that all students have the right to feel safe, secure, and respected when they come to school. As a community, our definition of belonging and acceptance is encompassing. Acts of discrimination by a member of our community onto another– including bullying, online harassment, taunting, violence, disrespect, or intimidation- on or off campus are obstacles to the wellbeing of students and the community. Article 57 of Ley Crecer Juntos states that students must receive an “education based on tolerance, mutual understanding, respect, and solidarity”.

Acts of discrimination within the school violates EA’s community values: Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, and Kindness. To that end, we condemn and strictly prohibit all forms of discrimination and harassment. Escuela Americana reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to discipline or dismiss any student or family whose actions violate this policy and will adhere to the Escuela Americana Discipline System.

This policy is in accordance with Article 57 of Ley Crecer Juntos.

� CODE OF CONDUCT

Escuela Americana expects the community to act in accordance to our values of Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, and Kindness.

• BRINGING DISREPUTE TO EA

EA has a long and rich tradition of educational excellence and outstanding citizenship among its students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff, Board, and the wider community. Actions by any member of the community that bring discredit or shame to EA endanger the good name and reputation of the school and all of its members. In such a situation and following this Handbook, the Bylaws, and other legal provisions, EA reserves the right to apply sanctions up to and including separation from the Community.

Bringing disrepute to EA can be an issue when students exercise poor judgment in violating school expectations - for example, smoking or consuming alcohol, or other negative behaviors, including social media representation, or bullying of any type, on or off-campus.

Furthermore, students are reminded not to wear a school uniform or other school items in any manner that could be perceived as negatively representing the school.

• SELLING ON CAMPUS

Students are not permitted to buy, sell, or barter with their personal effects or any type of items on campus at any time. This includes items/tickets for non-school-sponsored events.

• SUBSTANCE USE

Drugs, alcohol, vaping, tobacco products, and e-cigarettes have profound negative effects on the physical and mental development of children and young adults. For this reason, Escuela Americana is a drug, alcohol, vaping, and tobacco free campus. These products are not permitted on campus or at any event in which the school participates. In addition, students in possession or under the influence of these items are subject to our most severe disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal from the School. EA’s counselors will help students and families find professional counseling in the community to deal with situations of abuse or dependency when the family or student brings these situations to our attention.

The EA community of professional educators realizes that the use of these products can lead to dependency that is very difficult, if not impossible, to manage alone. In addition, peer pressure can play a particularly powerful role in influencing youth towards the abuse of these products. The school wants to help.

Therefore, EA takes a counseling approach in two very specific ways:

1. EA will provide drug and substance education;

2. EA’s Counselors will help students and families find professional counseling in the community to deal with situations of abuse or dependency when the family or student brings these situations to our attention.

• VAPING

Escuela Americana implements cutting-edge technology to identify instances of vaping. This advanced system comprises vaping detectors, a comprehensive communication network, and a high-quality camera surveillance system. Whenever vaping activity is detected, the system promptly notifies the administration and records the incident on camera. In the event that If a student is found to be involved in a vaping incident and is captured by the vaping and camera system, they will be subject to a Major infraction.

� PARENT OBLIGATIONS AND PERMISSIONS

A positive and constructive relationship between the School and Family Members (defined as the father, mother, legal guardian, or any person in charge of the student) is essential to the School’s educational purpose and its responsibilities towards students. If any Family Member engages in behavior, communications, or interactions on or off-campus that are disruptive, intimidating, overly aggressive, or reflect a loss of confidence in or disagreement with the School’s policies, methods of instruction or discipline, or otherwise interferes with the School’s safety procedures, responsibilities, or accomplishment of its educational purpose or program, the School reserves the right to dismiss or expel the father, mother, legal guardian, or any other person in charge of the student. The School may also place restrictions on the involvement of any of the previously mentioned people for other reasons that the School deems appropriate.

Any determination under this clause shall be at the School’s sole discretion. The School also reserves the right to withdraw an offer of enrollment or re-enrollment at any time, to offer re-enrollment with conditions, and to void the Enrollment Contract.

• RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

Escuela Americana is a secular, non-religiously affiliated school that recognizes and supports freedom of creed for all. It is our practice, when time and space permit, to allow school parents of various faiths to offer religious instruction classes on campus. The general guidelines for such activities are as follows:

• Students will not be released from scheduled classes to receive religious instruction.

• If space is available and the schedule permits, the School premises may be used.

• Written parental approval is necessary for participation.

• Participation notice will be communicated during the registration at the start of the school year.

• School media and communications may not be used for the communication of religious activities

• SURVEYS

EA believes in optional surveying within our community about a variety of topics in order to prepare programming for students and families. If you do not wish your students to participate in surveys about social-emotional well-being, happiness at school, chemical awareness, athletics, college counseling, service, or mental health awareness, please contact the Director of the Division in writing via email to notify each school year.

• NAMES, VIDEO AND PHOTOS

As part of our efforts to recognize and promote our students’ activities, talents, and achievements, Escuela Americana will use student images, in either pictures or video, and in diverse media. These may be internal communications (school newsletters, website, internal publications, or other materials) or external (national newspapers, magazines, brochures, electronic media, and other materials.) The student’s image will be used either in whole or in part, in original or modified form, alone or in conjunction with other images and visual or written material. The parents have granted express consent to use these images in the Enrollment Contract, and no image will be used against the will of the student.

Escuela Americana will not use the students’ names in combination with their pictures in public external media without parental consent or against the will of the student. If a parent prefers that his or her child’s name not appear in school publications, the parent should notify the Institutional Advancement Office or the Division Director

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� PARENTAL RIGHTS, SCHOOL RECORDS, AND INSURANCE

Escuela Americana has adopted policies regarding communication with students’ parents consistent with the dictates of Salvadoran law. In general, parents, whether custodial or non-custodial, are entitled to copies of communications and/or report cards and grades concerning the academic standing and progress of their child.

In cases of divorce or separation of parents, Escuela Americana defines the primary parent as the parent with custodial care of the child. The custodial parent is not necessarily the parent who is responsible for paying the tuition. A non-custodial parent is considered the secondary contact person for all EA purposes. A non-custodial parent is entitled to receive copies of all school communications upon request.

A non-custodial parent’s rights to such school communications and visitations cannot be limited by the desires of the custodial parent, whether verbal or written. The only legal and procedurally authorized way to limit the communications of school records or visitations is through a court order. In the event that a legal court order is presented to Escuela Americana concerning custody or communications with parents, Escuela Americana will comply wholly with the text of the order of the court and will not interpret court orders.

TRANSCRIPTS

Parents in need of student transcripts or official school documents may contact each Division Office or Registrar's Office at saprissa.angelina@amschool.edu.sv. All documents for families transferring from Escuela Americana are shared directly with the new school via email upon the parent’s request. Official letters and enrollment verification letters will also be provided upon parent request from each Division Office or the Registrar's Office at saprissa.angelina@amschool.edu.sv

INSURANCE

Accident and tuition guarantee policies are available for all students. For further information, parents should contact the Business Office.

� MINISTERIO DE EDUCACIÓN, CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA (MINEDUCYT)

EA must report all grades earned by students to the MINEDUCYT as soon as Summer School opportunities have finished. The minimum required passing grade for EA is 65, and the MINED passing grade is 5 (scale 1 – 10) for grades 1st – 9th and 6 (scale 1 – 10) for grades 10 and 11. If, for any special circumstance, the student does not accomplish the minimum grade required by the School for one or more subjects during the school year but accomplishes a passing grade for the MINED and he/she needs to take the course(s) again during the following school year, the new grade(s) the student obtains will be used for school purposes only. Grades that have been reported to the MINED cannot be changed retrospectively.

� EMERGENCIES

When possible, emergency information will be addressed through the local media (Television: TCS Canales 2, 4, and 6, and Radio Station YSKL 104.1 FM) if necessary.

The school will be in contact with the Parent Association to start the telephone tree system, and messages will be posted on Social Media, the website, and the EA App.

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

GENERAL DIRECTOR

General Coordinator. Remains near the Central Office in order to give clear or further instructions.

DIVISION DIRECTORS

Coordinate activities in several gathering areas. Maintain contact with the General Director via walkie-talkie.

ASST. DIVISION DIRECTORS

Check that everyone has left the buildings and then report to the Division Director.

SECRETARIES

If directed, begin the parent telephone tree.

OFFICE ASSISTANTS

Check all bathrooms.

TEACHERS

Keep students calm and constructively occupied as they wait for their parents to arrive. Keep them away from the buildings.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

• GENERAL PLAN

In case of an emergency or a simulated drill (indicated by the alarm being sounded), students, teachers, and ALL other persons in the building(s) must follow the indicated procedure. Exact evacuation routes have been devised and posted in each room. Everyone should be familiar with these routes.

1. Walk quickly, quietly, and in an orderly manner to the Elementary School sports field.

2. Students in the Secondary athletic area should assemble in a clear area of the field and wait for direction from an Administrator.

3. Students should not stand still in the halls waiting for the teacher to come out and lead the line, as this causes delay

4. Adults should leave doors unlocked.

5. Teachers must take their emergency folders, instruct students to remain silent in their assigned area, and take roll call upon arrival. Any absent students should be accounted for and reported to the Database Collection Point.

6. Students in the Cafetorium or at recess should line up and follow their Supervisor’s instructions.

7. Those in the bathroom or hallways should walk directly to the Elementary School sports field, where they should line up with their classmates.

8. All administrative personnel should take their class lists with them and bring their megaphones if they have them.

9. Special care must be taken by teachers to see that physically injured children are taken to the field.

10. The “Pasarela” area is not to be used during any emergency. Students on the Athletic Field side should remain there and report to the soccer field area.

11. It is very important that all drills be treated seriously. All school personnel must evacuate to the sports field and insist that visitors do the same.

12. Please note that the use of cell phones by students during evacuations is highly discouraged until specifically authorized by School Officials. Cell phone usage by students during an emergency interferes with vital communications and directions to students, and cell phone radio waves can cause particular problems in the event of a bomb threat.

13. In the event of an emergency, as soon as safety, order, and accountability are established, students will be permitted to use their cell phones to contact their parents. Parents, please do not call your child’s cell phone during an evacuation. We will have them contact you, or contact you ourselves, as soon as possible in the event of a real emergency.

•

EARTHQUAKE

1. Students and teachers should protect themselves beneath or crouching beside their desks or tables to avoid injury from falling glass or ceiling tiles.

2. The teacher should conduct a quick inspection to establish the safety of the room and follow the general plan

• HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Lightning is a life-threatening weather condition. For the safety of the EA community, all outdoor activities will be canceled immediately when there is thunder or lightning – whether it is raining or not.

In planning for outdoor events where the possibility of thunderstorms exists, event planners should be prepared with alternate plans for the event. It is the responsibility of the adults working with an event to ensure that the activity is ended when thunder is heard or lightning is seen and that those in attendance move to safety until the storm passes.

Safe shelters in a thunderstorm include areas under roofs and automobiles; trees or sitting in the stands are not safe shelters.

An event may resume 30 minutes after the last lightning is viewed or thunder is heard.

Rain unaccompanied by a thunderstorm does not necessitate the cancellation of an EA event. The advisability of continuing an event when raining is a determination that will be made by the Administrator or responsible school personnel at the event.

In the case of a thunderstorm at the time of school dismissal, students will be retained within the school (including classrooms and other safe areas) until the storm passes and students can be dismissed safely.

In such an event, the School gates will be closed, and no cars will be allowed in or out until the storm passes.

• LOCKDOWN

In the case where there is an intruder or any other threat to the campus that requires school action, the following lockdown procedures will be used.

1. An announcement of a special code will be made. which means one of the following three conditions exists:

a) There is a threat outside of the school building.

b) There is an intruder on campus.

c) There is a need to clear the campus or a particular area for emergency response.

When a “lockdown notification” is announced, the following steps are to be taken immediately:

1. The building administrator will order and announce the special notification.

2. All students, staff, and visitors into the nearest classroom or secured space, away from the hazard.

3. Teachers will scan outside of their classrooms quickly and bring any students or other members of our school community in the area into their classrooms.

4. Classes that are outside of the building SHOULD NOT enter the building. Groups of students outside will seek a safe, out-of-sight location, as far away from the buildings as appropriate.

5. The doors to all classrooms, offices, and learning spaces should be closed and locked until the special code is announced.

6. Turn off lights and pull down blackout curtains. Keep out of sight.

7. DO NOT respond to anyone at the door until the special code is announced.

8. The building administrator will announce another special code to end the lockdown.

9. In the event of gunfire and/or explosion, all individuals in classrooms are instructed to sit against the wall, away from windows, and await further instructions from an Administrator.

A lockdown may be initiated in non-threatening circumstances to keep people away from areas where there may be a medical emergency or disturbance. Immediately following the incident, messages will be sent to the families via the phone tree system to explain what has taken place.

The special code will be given by the General Director or his/her Designate in his/her absence and communicated through the Division Offices.

In all cases, faculty will use their best professional judgment, with the safety of their students as their primary concern. If faculty and students find themselves at a distance from a building at the time of a lockdown, the faculty member should find the closest and most convenient space to gather the students out of sight and await further instructions.

Please see the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt9VMbFvvFo&feature=youtu.be for a detailed simulation of evacuating students by automobile in case of an emergency.

• OTHER EMERGENCY CONTINGENCIES

• In an earthquake, electricity may be cut off, and consequently, the alarm may not ring.

• Individual teachers would have the responsibility of directing students to take cover under their desks or crouching beside their desks, followed by evacuation

• If the teacher feels an evacuation is appropriate, be aware that planned routes might be blocked or dangerous. Teachers must use discretion in following or changing these routes as they lead their classes to the sports field.

• Depending on the severity of the emergency, the General Director or administrator on duty will indicate whether students will be dismissed from campus, and the communication procedure to parents will be activated.

• Students will be discharged as parents arrive at either the Secondary School Lobby or Secondary FieldEntrance. To avoid confusion, a bilingual employee will be available at each exit.

• Parents with multiple children might be required to pick up their children at more than one exit.

• To ensure the success of this dismissal plan and control of traffic, parents will not be allowed to enter the school grounds.

• Teachers must stay with their class until released by the Division Director. Students who are not picked up will remain under the supervision of the Division Director or assigned teacher.

• In case of an emergency, students with walkout passes will not be allowed to leave the campus through the pedestrian exits.

• IN CASE OF AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY

In an earthquake, electricity would most likely be cut off, and consequently, the alarm would not ring. Individual teachers would have the responsibility of directing students to take cover under their desks or crouching beside their desks, followed by evacuation. If the teacher feels an evacuation is appropriate, be aware that planned routes might be blocked or dangerous. Teachers must use discretion in following or changing these routes as they lead their classes to the sports field.

Depending on the severity of the emergency, the General Director or administrator on duty will indicate whether students will be dismissed from campus and the communication procedure to parents will be activated.

Students will be discharged as parents arrive at either the Secondary School Lobby or Secondary Field Entrance. To avoid confusion, a bilingual employee will be available at each exit. Parents with multiple children might be required to pick up their children at more than one exit. To ensure the success of this dismissal plan and control of traffic, parents will not be allowed to enter the school grounds.

Teachers must stay with their class until released by the Division Director. Students who are not picked up will remain under the supervision of the Division Director or assigned teacher.

In case of an emergency, students with walkout passes will not be allowed to leave the campus through the pedestrian exits.

• PARENTS DURING AN EMERGENCY

The safety of your children and the staff is critical to Escuela Americana. It is scary as a parent when you hear things like “bomb threat.” But neither your child nor this school nor any society is well served by panic reactions to natural disasters or provocations like threats. We always get the best information and the best advice to guide our actions, especially regarding safety issues. If we need you to pick up your child, be assured that we will contact you. If the threat is a hoax, as almost all are, then it is better for your child to simply go forward with the rest of the school day as we get about our business.

In the case of an evacuation, and particularly with younger students, we typically will not tell them that there has been a threat. We handle older students a little differently, but younger students usually lack the maturity to handle such information and simply get very upset. They are typically told that it is a drill.

� WELLBEING AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

• CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Escuela Americana has a formal child protection policy which is in Appendix 2 of this document and you can find an executive summary. HERE

• PHYSICAL HEALTH

At Escuela Americana, our Students’ health and well-being are our foremost concerns. We take every step to integrate a holistic approach to their physical, emotional, and social health as an essential complement to their academic success.

• FORMS

An updated “Brief Medical History Form” (pink form) must be kept on file. The first form will be completed as part of the admission process. The form must be updated at the start of each school year. An updated Immunization record is part of their medical form, and the form must be completed and signed by a physician. The school employs certified nurses to address the health needs of students.

• IMMUNIZATIONS

It is the parent’s responsibility to maintain the required updated immunizations and have the child’s physician complete the appropriate section in the Brief Medical Form at the start of each school year.

• ILLNESS WHILE IN SCHOOL

Some illnesses and situations require a child to be absent from school to prevent the spread of infection to other students and staff. If a medical provider recommends that your child to stay home for a certain number of days, you must comply with this recommendation. If a student arrives at school with symptoms or during the school day, begins to show symptoms indicative of an illness, the school nurse will contact you to pick up your student.

An elementary student who feels ill during the day will be sent to the nurse by the teacher. Older elementary students will be sent with a pass, while our youngest students will be accompanied by an adult. Secondary students must get a pass from his/her teacher or the division office and go directly to the Nurse’s Office. Students are encouraged to see the nurse during Break or Lunch times in order to limit the disruptions to their learning. Students should only request a pass during class time in case of emergencies. Students are not allowed to loiter in the Nurse’s Office nor to use it as a lounge.

• If a student becomes ill during the school day and presents with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (such as vomiting or diarrhea), or flu-like symptoms (including chills, body aches, fatigue, or persistent cough) the student will be sent home.

• The nurse will determine whether to send the student back to class or to have the student go home.

• The nurse will not diagnose illnesses or prescribe internally ingested medications.

• The nurse may dispense medications that are brought in with a physician’s prescription and permission for administration.

• The nurse may provide minor first aid for cuts/abrasions, insect bites/stings, and mild head or stomach aches.

• The nurse may dispense over-the-counter, non-prescription medication for headaches and stomach upset without written permission from the child’s physician, as long as consent has been given in the school’s Medical form by the parent (s) or guardian. Otherwise, parents must be contacted, and consent obtained in writing before any medication can be given.

• If a child needs to take medication sent from home, he/she must bring a prescription or a note from a healthcare provider stating precisely when the child should go to the nurse to take this medication. Children will not be allowed to go to the nurse to take medication without this documentation.

• Students may not carry any type of medication with them or self-administer it.

• Individual medication administration records will be maintained for all students receiving medications, whether prescriptive or non-prescription. The date, time, dosage, and mode of administration, as well as the name of the person administering the medication, will be recorded. Parents will be properly notified of any medication administered.

• MEDICATIONS

For the safety of all students, the school medical office follows strict guidelines when administering medications during school hours:

If a parent/guardian would like the school nurse to administer any medication sent from home (including prescription or over-the-counter), the following is required:

• A written prescription or note from a licensed healthcare provider indicating the medication, dosage, time of administration, and any special instructions.

• The medication must be in its original container, clearly labeled with the student’s name.

• A completed parental authorization form must be on file.

Medications will be administered only in accordance with the exact medical orders provided by the healthcare provider. Without a valid prescription, the school nurse will not be able to administer the medication.

Medications Provided by the School:

Medications administered during school hours should be kept to a minimum. The student in need of medication to sustain his/her attendance in school may have a chronic health condition, an acute health condition, or a special health care need requiring prescription medication administered during school hours. In this case, the following policy applies:

• Any new medical condition should be reported to the Medical Office.

• A student with an acute condition may be required to take medications such as antibiotics for short periods of time. Every effort should be made so that medication can be given at home, before or after school hours.

• If prescription medications must be taken during school hours, a doctor’s prescription must be submitted to the nurse and signed by the parent before the medication can be given by the school nurse or her designee.

• Students with pre-existing health conditions will be allowed to keep needed, prescribed medications such as inhalers, Epi-pens, and Insta-glucose with them in the classroom for immediate administration if deemed necessary. An updated medical prescription and written permission from the student’s physician and parents must be included in the school’s Medical form.

• At no time shall the student self-medicate with any kind of medication without prior authorization as stated above and communication regarding such self-medication with the Division Director, Counseling, and the School Nurse.

• At no time shall a student provide medication of any kind to another student.

• All prescription medications will be kept in a locked cabinet in the Nurse’s office.

• EA wheelchairs are available on school property for emergency use only. In cases where a doctor prescribes a wheelchair, parents will need to make arrangements for a wheelchair for their child’s private use.

• The School will abide by the provisions of Article 19 of Ley Crecer Juntos in cases of medical emergencies that endanger the life or may cause irreparable damage to the student in case of inaction.

The nurse and teachers must report chronically sick children or any health-related concerns to the Medical Office.

If deemed necessary for the student’s well-being and the safety of others, the parents will be contacted and asked to have a physician or health professional evaluate their children.

The only medications that the school nurse is authorized to administer without a doctor’s prescription are:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

• Loratadine (Claritin)

• Topical ointments (such as antibiotic cream or antiseptic cream)

These are provided by the infirmary and will only be given with prior parental consent on file.

Emergency Medications:

Students who require emergency medications such as inhalers or EpiPens must have a doctor’s order and parental consent on file. These medications must be provided in their original packaging and will be stored in the nurse’s office unless otherwise authorized. Students may carry their emergency medications only if permitted by both the healthcare provider and parent, and with proper documentation provided to the school.

• STAY HOME ILLNESS

To protect the health and well-being of all students and staff, the school follows the medical office’s guidelines regarding illness:

Students must remain at home and may only return to school after being symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication (such as fever reducers, anti-diarrheal, or anti-nausea medicine). Children will not be allowed to attend school or school-related activities if they have anything contagious such as, but not limited to, the following symptoms/diseases:

FEVER

May return to school when fever-free (under 100ºF or 38ºC degrees) for 24 hours, without medication.

HEAD LICE

May return after treatment and removal of all live lice and nits from hair.

DIARRHEA / VOMITING

May return when symptom-free for 24 hours.

RINGWORM

May return after treatment begins; area should be covered while in school for the first 48 hours of treatment.

STREP THROAT

May return after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and no fever for 24 hours.

IMPETIGO / STAPH / METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA)

May return 24 hours after treatment starts; the wound must be covered with dressing taped on all 4 sides.

CONJUNCTIVITIS (PINK EYE)

May return 24 hours after treatment begins and eyes are free of discharge.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

(SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO - INFLUENZA, CHICKENPOX, MEASLES, MUMPS, PERTUSSIS, MENINGITIS, MONONUCLEOSIS):

May return when cleared by their medical provider.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

• CONTAGIOUS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Reportable diseases

To ensure the health and safety of our school community, certain contagious illnesses must be reported to the Medical Office. These include, but are not limited to:

• Chickenpox

• COVID-19

• Influenza

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella

• Tuberculosis

• Hepatitis A, B, C

• Meningitis

• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

• Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

• Gastrointestinal illnesses (e.g., Norovirus, Rotavirus)

Parent/guardian responsibilities:

If your child is diagnosed with a reportable disease:

• Notify the Medical Office immediately.

• Keep your child at home until cleared by your doctor

• Please contact the Elementary Office to arrange a meeting with the Elementary Director to discuss long-term absences.

School Action

The Medical Office will work with health authorities as needed and may inform affected families.

• EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

EA believes emotional wellbeing is as important for learning as physical health. Therefore we have a curriculum that addresses social emotional and executive skill development for all ages.

� COUNSELING

The EA Counseling Department is closely aligned with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards. Counselors help students develop essential social-emotional skills, support families when it comes to their children’s overall well-being, and cultivate students’ personal, social-emotional, and academic growth. Through individual sessions, group work, and classroom lessons, counselors promote essential social-emotional skills and EA’s community values. Using the Whole Child Approach, the EA Counseling Department serves to help each student achieve their full potential.

The EA Counseling Department promotes social and emotional learning (SEL) in all grade levels. Counselors work directly with teachers, parents, students, and staff to determine the most appropriate ways to help students. Counselors promote a nurturing, predictable, reinforcing, and responsive school environment and support the developmental needs of our students.

The counselors work with students in small groups, in individual sessions, and consult with parents, teachers, and staff members. Counselors deliver professional development to staff and participate as speakers in the Family Education Program. The EA Counseling Department is an active member of several recognized organizations related to mental health and school counseling, such as the American Psychological Association, the American School Counselor Association, and the National Association of School Psychologists.

Severe Emotional Concerns

The School takes reports of concerns with mental health seriously and prioritizes student well-being. If a student discloses thoughts related harm to self or others, EA will notify the parents or legal guardians immediately as part of the school’s “Duty to Warn” Counseling protocol. If in school, the parent will be called to a meeting with the counselor. The student will be required to wait in the counseling office until the parent arrives. The student will be required to leave campus accompanied by the parent or legal guardian. In distance learning, the counselor will notify the parent or legal guardian via telephone.

In such cases, the School will require that the student be evaluated accordingly by a mental health professional. The student may not be able to return to campus until the parents or legal guardians present a medical clearance that he/she is safe to return to campus in order to ensure his or her safety as well as the safety of others. The same guideline applies in case a student is scheduled to travel with a school delegation, such as AASCA, travel abroad, or Leadership Experience. The student may not participate in the trip until the medical clearance is presented. Student absence in the meantime will be marked as excused.

� SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS

Social-Emotional Learning is “the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.” - CASEL

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) skills include social awareness, relationship skills, personal responsibility, decision-making, and optimistic thinking. These skills are supported by the development of Executive Skills (see below).

The Social-Emotional Learning Program will include the school’s Community Values (RICK), Yale’s RULER Approach, Character Strong, and Yale’s Science of Wellbeing for Teens.

The RULER approach is a school-wide (PK-5) approach developed at the Center for Emotional Intelligence, Yale University. RULER aims to increase emotional literacy and create a space where emotions become central to learning and teaching. RULER’s services help leaders lead, teachers teach, students learn, and families support students. RULER promotes the development of five key emotion skills: recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating.

In our Secondary School, we implement the Character Strong Program, a research-based SEL curriculum grounded in the CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) framework. This program focuses on five core competencies:

• Self-Awareness,

• Self-Management,

• Social Awareness,

• Relationship Skills,

• Responsible Decision-Making

For older students, The Science of Well-Being for Teens is a self-paced online course that allows students to explore ways to boost happiness, reduce stress, and build healthier habits through research-backed lessons.

Teachers and counselors provide age-appropriate social and emotional learning opportunities throughout the year in their classrooms, in Morning Meeting time (Elementary), and during B.E.A.T. Time in Middle School and during Community Time in High School. SEL skills and practices will be continuously reviewed with teachers, counselors, administrators, and students.

� EXECUTIVE SKILLS

Executive Skills are the skills necessary to succeed in life. While these skills are taught implicitly in the classroom. EA presents them at the elementary level explicitly in order to have a shared understanding in the community of these skills by using the same language throughout Middle and High School. EA defines and models these skills explicitly in and out of the classroom.

We help students identify their own executive skill profile and create strategies to strengthen their weaker executive skillsLearning Executive Skills continues until the mid-twenties. At EA, we establish a solid foundation for Executive Skills based on self-knowledge and reflection.

We base our program on the research by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare. Withover 30 years of clinical research and practice, Drs. Peg Dawson and Richard Guare have r helped develop executive skills in thousands of students who struggle with school. They have identified 11 executive skills. These skills are fundamental for socio-emotional functioning and academic performance. The 11 Executive Skills appear at different stages of development. The first six in elementary and the others in secondary school.

� HOMEWORK

• PURPOSE

Educational research correlates homework with better standardized test results. Better test results matter for college application. The type and length of homework are important.

• TYPE AND LENGTH

• Aligned with standards and learning goals.

• Practice of school learning

• Preparation for class

• Moderate amounts (10 minute rule -10 minutes more per grade level. 6th grade =60 minutes and 12th grade no more than 120 minutes)

• Students should read for pleasure for 20-30 minutes every day

• Not to complete classwork

• If possible, real-life applications

• No homework due Mondays or after a

• MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY

While homework is not graded, it reinforces and prepares students for learning. Homework that is not handed in, is Incomplete, or poorly done demonstrates lack of executive skills on the part of the student. As such, the homework will be completed in the student’s free time or athletic time with the appropriate support.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� CAMPUS

• CAMPUS LIMITS

A student at Escuela Americana may not leave campus during the school day without parental permission and the Division Director’s permission. The student must sign out in the Division Office before leaving the campus, other than at the end of the day.

Campus limits are generally known as within all walls and fences surrounding the EA structure. Regarding the upper parking lot, students are not to be in the parking lot during school hours, including the time between classes and lunch periods.

Students who need to go to the parking lot during school hours must first obtain permission from the Division Director. Wooded areas around the upper field and other parts of the campus, as well as maintenance areas behind and around buildings, are off-limits to students at all times.

The penalty for being off campus or in the parking lots without proper permission is a Major Infraction and may result in long-term suspension.

• ACCESS TO CAMPUS AFTER SCHOOL

It is strictly prohibited for students to return to campus once they have left for any reason, including but not limited to breaks, emergencies, or personal reasons without permission from the Division or Athletics Director.

This policy will be enforced through a variety of means, including monitoring of campus entrances and exits, regular checks of student attendance, and communication with students and their families. Any student found in violation of this policy may face disciplinary action.

• CARE OF THE CAMPUS

The entire EA community is responsible for the care and cleanliness of our campus, not just our maintenance and cleaning service teams. Intentional or careless abuse of property is not allowed.

Students will be required to help clean up and maintain the appearance of the School. In some cases where items are defaced or vandalized, students will be responsible for payment to repair or replace the damaged item(s).

Certain occasions may call for large banners or class projects to be displayed in areas other than the ones designated. In such cases, permission from the Division Director is required. The maintenance staff will be available to help assist with the placement of the banner or project.

Outdoor signs and posters are not to be displayed on any walls or buildings without the prior approval of the Division Director. There are restrictions as to the content, size, number, and duration of the display.

� FOOD SERVICE / CAFETERIA

The main goal of Escuela Americana’s food services is to contribute to the students’ overall health and well-being so they can be more productive academically and in their physical activities. Our food service offers balanced, nutritious meals within an accessible price range and in a comfortable environment. Our cafeteria services will offer daily food options that students can choose from.

There are 2 main cafeterias. One serves the Elementary School and is located in the Elementary School Cafetorium. The others serve the Middle School and High School, and they are located in the 8th-grade and 6th-grade building areas.

Students should purchase items from the cafeteria only during authorized times, namely, during break and lunch times. If a purchase is necessary at any other time during the school day, the student must obtain written permission from the appropriate Division Administrator. Purchases in the cafeteria will only be permitted using the School ID. Students are required to present their physical ID card to the cashier; simply providing the ID number will not be allowed.

• FOOD DELIVERY

Food delivery is strictly prohibited during school hours, including breakfast, lunch, and any scheduled breaks. Any exceptional circumstance must be approved by the Division Director. All after-school-hour deliveries must be inspected by security before any student has access to them.

� LIBRARY AND MEDIA CENTERS

The Library Media Centers (LMCs) operate within a collaborative learning community of students, teachers, administrators, and parents to provide students with the information literacy skills essential to becoming lifelong, independent learners. The LMCs are organized around a student-centered program that provides authentic, creative learning activities that support the teaching process and a broad range of support services that foster competencies in acquiring and using information and ideas, as well as reading for pleasure.

The Escuela Americana Library Media Centers are housed in separate facilities, which are centrally located in the Elementary School and Secondary School. The Elementary School library serves students in grades PK through 5th.

The Secondary Library serves grades 6-12. Each Library Media Center has been designed to meet the needs of its users, promoting activities such as seminars and exhibits, and providing the use of materials and equipment.

The materials include excellent collections of general reference materials, which are regularly updated. There is also online access to licensed resources (Encyclopedia Britannica, SIRS Mandarin, and Grolier). In general, the curriculum for each grade level is supported by library resources.

Students are encouraged to use the library as often as possible to read, study, and research information in order to become independent learners and users of information. Books and library resources must be used responsibly. Any damaged or lost materials must be replaced by the student or family.

Students with overdue books, unpaid fines, or any other library obligation are ineligible for re-enrollment until all books have been returned, lost books paid for, fines paid, and any other obligation met.

� COPYRIGHT MATERIAL AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

1. Unauthorized duplication, installation, alteration, or destruction of data programs, hardware, or software is prohibited.

2. Data, programs, hardware, software, and other materials protected by copyright may not be transmitted or duplicated.

3. Do not plagiarize. To do so is a violation of the Honor Code. If unsure of how to cite a source, ask a faculty member or a librarian. Do not represent another’s work as your own. Any use of other sources and ideas must be acknowledged. Plagiarism is fraud and has very negative consequences related to university admissions.

� TECHNOLOGY

Escuela Americana is committed to preparing its students for working, living, and learning as modern leaders, and since what is considered high-tech, top-of-the-line today, is often passed next month, we seek to create an environment where students, faculty, and staff, effectively and responsibly, utilize innovative technology. Technology enhances the way we teach, learn, and communicate with one another and the rest of the world here at Escuela Americana.

Excellence in technology education promotes higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills, motivates students, and provides alternative pathways to learning. Faculty members benefit from the exchange of new methodologies, resources, and ideas to implement the curriculum.

Technologically, the entire campus has Internet access. Each classroom connects to the school’s network. Students and faculty have access to major research programs by accessing numerous magazines, newspapers, and articles. The Secondary School has Digital Design computer labs, where specialized programs are used for instruction.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

• USER RESPONSIBILITIES AND RULES

1. Responsibility: Students are responsible for taking care of any technological equipment issued to them. This includes but is not limited to iPads, laptops, Chromebooks, and other devices.

2. Safekeeping: Students should keep the devices in a safe place when not in use. They should not leave devices unattended or lend them to others without authorization.

3. Handling: Students should handle devices with care, avoiding dropping them or exposing them to extreme heat or cold. They should also avoid touching the screens with sharp objects or dirty hands. When using laptops or Chromebooks, students should be especially careful with the keyboard, as it is a sensitive component that can easily be damaged.

4. Keyboard Care: Students should avoid eating or drinking near technological equipment, especially laptops and Chromebooks, as spills can cause serious damage to the keyboard. They should also avoid pressing the keys too hard or using the laptop with dirty or greasy fingers. If a key becomes stuck or unresponsive, students should report the issue to their teacher or school technology staff.

5. Tag Care: Students should not remove or damage any tags or labels attached to the devices, as these are used to track and identify the equipment. If a tag becomes damaged or detached, students should report the issue to their teacher or school technology staff.

6. Respectful, safe behavior on devices and the internet should be followed at all times, upholding the EA Disciplinary Policy.

7. Responsible use of the school network will prevent the transmission of computer viruses and malware. All methods of “hacking” and tampering with the school network are strictly prohibited on both individual and school devices.

8. While students are on campus, they must access the internet through the school network. Hot spotting or accessing through their own data plan is strictly prohibited.

9. Attempting to subvert or avoid any access-control software or firewalls that may be operating or installed at a future date is prohibited. Assisting others in violating these rules by sharing information or access is also considered a violation of EA’s Disciplinary Policy.

10. Downloading programs or files that may change the school’s network or which violate copyright laws is prohibited.

11. Downloading, printing, transmitting, or viewing objectionable material (including pornography, obscene language, sounds, or imagery that offends or tends to degrade others) is strictly prohibited. *The administration invokes its discretionary right to determine what qualifies as objectionable material.

12. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden, including threats, harassment, stalking, and fraud.

13. Respect the rights to privacy of all other users. Students may not at any point touch another community member’s device or use someone else’s account without permission

14. Taking photographs, or audio, or video recordings of other community members may only be done for academic purposes as determined by the teacher and with the consent of all parties involved.

15. Use of an assumed or anonymous Internet identity is prohibited - all use must be under one’s own account. You are responsible for the use and access of your own account and equipment and may not attempt to capture another’s account information.

16. Sharing other students’ personal information, such as home addresses or phone numbers, is prohibited.

*The Administration reserves the right to check any electronic device on campus and network use if there’s reasonable suspicion of misuse. The Parents have agreed to any search of the student´s property in the Enrollment Contract.

• ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

At EA, we recognize the growing significance of artificial intelligence (AI) and the pivotal role it plays in shaping modern education. In our commitment to upholding our core values of Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, and Kindness (RICK) we are pleased to present our preliminary guidelines for responsible and ethical AI use by students, faculty, and staff.

A Generative, or Large Language Model, AI harnesses the potential of machine learning models to create original content, spanning text, images, and music. Large language model AI includes websites such as, but not limited to: ChatGPT, GPT-4, LaMDA, Apple – Ajax, and others. These preliminary guidelines are carefully crafted to strike a balance between embracing the opportunities that AI offers and safeguarding against potential pitfalls. By adopting AI, we uphold our values of courage in embracing new technologies, kindness in using them for the greater good, responsibility in adhering to ethical standards, and integrity in ensuring academic rigor.

At EA, we value and foster a student's ability to create original work. The purpose of classwork and homework is to build the skills and knowledge necessary for academic success. If AI is used to complete this work so these skills are not practiced and honored, the student is being put at a disadvantage for future success. Furthermore, it becomes difficult for a teacher to assess a student’s learning progression to provide just-in-time learning to move the student to the next level. In addition, it is our purpose as an academic institution to promote independent learners capable of tackling increasingly complex tasks on their own without relying on classroom teachers, tutors, parents, or technological tools like AI to do the work for them.

Therefore, it is up to the teacher to explicitly state when and how AI should be used for any work assigned. Teachers will look for opportunities for students to build their proficiency with AI tools within the classroom and share examples of ethical use to help students learn about digital literacy. Teaching digital literacy skills to students allows them to understand the pros and cons of technology in a learning environment. However, it is not appropriate for AI to be used with every assignment, and teachers should be explicit about how and when AI may or may not be used by students for educational purposes. Furthermore, by explaining their rationale to students, it provides the opportunity for teachers to underscore the learning objectives and educational goals.

It is expected that students will adhere to these guidelines and refrain from using generative AI when not explicitly authorized to do so.

Each student is responsible for the work they produce, regardless of the tools employed. When using generative AI, it is essential to scrutinize the content for errors and biases thoroughly. AI-generated material can sometimes be misleading, outdated, or even false. Caution is warranted as AI-generated material is entitled to copyright protection* and can be considered a violation of academic integrity if not presented and/or cited as an AI-generated product.

We promote a flexible approach where teachers have the autonomy to decide whether to allow, prohibit, or encourage the use of generative AI in their courses. For specific guidelines, please consult your teacher and their course syllabus.

By adhering to this policy, EA can confidently embrace the transformative potential of AI while staying true to our core values. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your specific teacher or division director. Together, we can harness the power of AI responsibly and ethically, contributing to a brighter future for our EA community and the world beyond.

*The Administration reserves the right to check any electronic device on campus and network-use, if there’s reasonable suspicion of misuse. The Parents have agreed to any search of the student´s property in the Enrollment Contract.

• CONSEQUENCES

To abide by the school’s Acceptable Use Policy will result in disciplinary action as determined by the School Administration, including but not limited to the temporary or permanent loss of the privilege to use electronic devices and/or the internet at the school. The EA Disciplinary process further outlines Consequences.

Every student from 6th through 12th Grade must have their own personal electronic device. The school requires the following specific devices: MacBook, laptop, or Chromebook. See each school division for more information on requirements and restrictions of personal devices.

The Parents or Legal Guardians acknowledge and accept that the use of electronic devices allowed by the School for the functions and uses indicated above are the responsibility of the student and that the School is not responsible for the loss or damage of such devices.

� DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

• GOOGLE CLASSROOM ONLINE LEARNING COMMUNITY

Google Classroom is an innovative learning management system for creating, hosting, and editing online learning resources. It is a secure, worry-free platform that EA has adopted as a mechanism for online learning and to facilitate communication between teachers and students. Students in higher elementary and secondary school will have assignments posted on Google Classroom. We recommend that students have access to a device at home to access classroom information.

• PARENT PORTAL

The Parent Portal through MyEA allows authorized parents and guardians to log in to their accounts and review all teachers’ communication. This may include access to Zoom links, schedules, Newsletters, Announcements, and/or highlights. For parents to access the Parent Portal, they need to log in to the MyEA Platform.

• POWERSCHOOL AND GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

PowerSchool is a web-based student information system that EA has adopted as a mechanism to facilitate communication between the School, its faculty, students, and parents. Parents with children in grades 9-12 can access the Power School Student and Parent portal to keep track of their children’s academic progress. However, all parents will receive their child’s report card/progress reports via email on specified dates.

• USE OF VIDEO TECHNOLOGY

As a general rule, no one may take photos or videos (including digital imagery) while on the grounds of Escuela Americana without authorization from the school. There must be a valid educational rationale for this technology to be allowed on campus, such as accomplishing a particular assignment for a course here at Escuela Americana. EA reserves the right to use cameras and other surveillance methods on the campus to ensure school safety and security.

Only authorized personnel have access to surveillance equipment on campus. Surveillance footage will only be used internally and will not be shared.

ACCESS TO PHONE

Students have access to telephones in the office for emergencies. Students are not to make personal calls to request their forgotten homework, books, projects, P.E. uniforms, lunch boxes, etc., and parents should not call or text students during school hours. All communication between students and parents during school hours must go through the Elementary, Middle, or High School Offices.

Messages from home will be delivered to students in class when there is an emergency or a crisis.

• ACCESS TO PRINTEA

PrintEA provides printing services for all of its divisions and departments. Students can have their work printed at PrintEA for a fee that can be paid only through their IDs with the Trojan Bucks.

• SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media is any form of online publication/application that allows interactive communication including but not limited to social networks, apps, blogs, photo sharing platforms, websites, and forums.

Examples of these varieties of social media include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Twitter or X, SnapChat, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Flickr. Interactive communications/electronic messages include the creation, storage, exchange, validation by “liking,” and management of text, images, video, voice, email, and fax over a communication network facilitated by the Internet or other broadcast mechanisms.

While social media/electronic messaging can provide innovative educational opportunities that allow us to communicate and share information in meaningful and exciting ways, these tools can also provide a forum for unkind words or images that can quickly circulate and inflict untold harm on innocent victims.

At EA, we apply our community values of Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, and Kindness to our use of social media. All members of our community should be mindful that infractions outlined in the EA Parent-Student Handbook prohibiting certain types of communication and actions also apply to social media and messaging.

Any postings or messages that negatively impact the school community or its members may be met with disciplinary consequences equal to those applied when / where the statements are made person to person to person in person while on campus. These consequences may include, but are not limited to formal apology, parent conferences, detentions, suspension, dismissal, and/or referral to legal authorities.

Some specific violations of school policy that may require the application of these discipline consequences for inappropriate use of social media both on/off campus include:

• Threatening/Demeaning participation within an electronic community

• Violations of school policy while participating in any school-sponsored activity

• Behaviors that endanger members of the EA Community or school property

• Behaviors that disrupt the educational opportunities for our students

• Behaviors that bring disrepute to the EA Community

• Infractions involving the “EA Acceptable Technology Use Policy” such as “sexting” and accessing inappropriate websites

� PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Items from home often create a nuisance or undue distraction at school. Personal entertainment items such as (but not limited to) playing cards, toys, computer games, skateboards, bicycles, and other riding equipment are not permitted at school without prior approval. Headphones/earbuds connected only to the student’s personal laptop may be used in the classroom with the teacher's permission and supervision. Any items that are brought from home to school for an approved purpose should be clearly marked with the student’s name and returned home at the end of the day.

Students are not permitted to bring personal entertainment systems on campus without permission. The reasons for this rule are basic. Those items are often easily broken, easily taken, and run counter to our expectations for student interactions during the course of the school day.

Students who use such items in transit to the School should safely store them before getting out of the bus, van, or car. The School is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

Students should not bring large sums of money or other items of value to the School. In any of these above cases, the School cannot and will not assume responsibility for any items brought to school.

Please see each division’s rules for personal items.

• LOST AND FOUND

• Students' names should be printed on all personal items brought to school: gym bags, sneakers, clothes, lunch boxes, etc.

• All items found in the school are kept in the Lost and Found in the closest Division Office as well as the Athletic Office.

• All unclaimed items, including school uniforms, will be donated to charity at the end of each quarter.

• The School will not assume responsibility for the lost personal effects.

• Students taking items from the Lost and Found that don’t belong to them and without the owner's permission will be subject to disciplinary consequences.

� TRAFFIC AND PARKING REGULATIONS

The morning and after-school traffic situation can become hectic at times. Patience and politeness are requested from all drivers.

If the following procedures are followed, the traffic flow will be faster and more efficient. Also, if you send your children to school with a driver, please inform the driver of these rules.

• Make sure that your vehicle displays the school sticker.

• The speed limit on campus is 5 miles per hour (10 km per hour).

• Please obey the people controlling traffic. They are there to help avoid traffic problems.

• Do not park in restricted areas.

• Drivers at the Secondary Field parking lot should wait in the designated area or inside the vehicle.

• Armed individuals are not allowed inside school grounds.

• ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE

• Please leave and pick up PK3, PK4, Kinder, and Grade 1 students near the Early Childhood Center (ECC) entrance via Lane B (the middle lane).

• Students in Grades 2 - 5 should be let off at the Cafetorium door. Pull up as far as possible before you stop to let children out. That way, several cars can drop off children at once. Enter via Lane A (the curb lane).

• Do not cut in line. Please maintain your position in line.

• Please allow teachers and staff to pass in front of you when they are entering the teacher’s parking lot.

• During pick-up time, be sure to have your name sign visible or give the walkie-talkie attendant your child's name.

• Do not get out of your car. Your child will come to you.

• For the safety of children and teachers, no parents should drop off or pick up students in the faculty parking lot.

• MAIN SECONDARY ENTRANCE

• When dropping off in the Main Lobby Area, please ask your drivers to pull forward in the main dropoff area before they let the students out. If cars pull around to the speed bump in front of the “Caja” before letting students out, the number of cars we can move efficiently, quickly through the dropoff will increase dramatically.

• Please do not stop in front of the stairs of the Middle School building to drop off students; you should pull all the way around as directed by the security.

• AV. EL ALMENDRO ENTRANCE

• The gate at Avenida El Almendro by the Pasarela will be open only in the mornings as an alternative entrance to drop off students.

• Vehicles must enter through the gate and follow the street until they reach the main lobby, where they can drop off the students.

• The exit will be through Calle 3 only.

•

ATHLETIC FIELD ENTRANCE /GYM PARKING LOT RULES

• Only students in grades 10-12 are allowed to drive and park on campus. All students wishing to drive to school and park must complete an application and be approved by the Athletic Department.

Students will be allowed to park in the Gym Parking lot area after submitting a copy of their driver’s permit. Parking on campus is a privilege, not a right. Please keep this in mind and abide by the following guidelines and rules:

1. Students must possess a valid driver’s license.

2. After completing mandatory procedures, students will be required to buy a sticker that must be displayed on the car’s front windshield at all times.

3. The green spaces numbered 1-55 have been assigned to seniors, and the blue spaces numbered 1-30 have been assigned to underclassmen.

4. On a “first-come, first-served” basis, please park only in the areas that have been assigned to your grade level: green or blue spaces.

5. Respect guards and authorized personnel.

6. Inside parking lot facilities, respect traffic signals and follow the traffic lines to enter and exit the lot properly.

7. Please keep in mind that the speed limit on campus is 10 km per hour (5 miles per hour).

8. Students are not to be in the parking lot during school hours, including the time between classes and lunch periods. Students who need to go to the parking lot during school hours must first obtain permission from the High School office.

9. Should students not abide by the school’s parking and traffic rules, they may be denied the privilege to park on the Escuela Americana premises.

10. Late arrivals: Students must report to the Division Office to obtain the Late Arrival slip that will allow them to enter class.

• CARPOOL

Due to the number of cars visiting campus each day, many families have made carpool arrangements to help multiple families and students arrive/leave together each day. Please communicate the names of the parents/drivers your child(ren) can carpool with to the Division Offices at the start of each school year. If you need to update the names of those permitted to transport your child(ren), please contact your Division’s Office.

Parents are welcome on campus but should not visit teachers’ classrooms unless they have an appointment or have been previously invited by the teacher. Also, parents should avoid congregating in groups on campus, as this practice can affect the use of space by students.

• ALUMNI ON CAMPUS

EA is a welcoming community for all current families and alumni. However, maintaining an environment conducive to good order and learning is important in any educational setting.

Therefore, we do not allow alumni on campus during the school day, athletic practices, or after-school activities unless they are specifically invited by the Division Office or the Alumni Office or if they are conducting official business with the school.

Any current student who would like to invite a former EA student or a relative visiting the country to come to school must submit a request from their parent(s) and must receive approval from the Division Office before bringing the former student to school.

All Alumni will be issued a digital ID that must be presented to enter our campus. They are expected to follow all EA rules while on campus. Failure to comply will result in the loss of the privilege to be on campus. Alumni may not bring friends who are not EA community members to use our facilities.

• USE OF TRACK AND FIELD BY ALUMNI

Alumni have the privilege of using Escuela Americana’s track and field under the following schedules:

MONDAY - FRIDAY

5:00 to 7:00 a.m 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY

5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Alumni can use the Fitness Center during special hours by paying a $150 yearly fee.

• USE OF FITNESS CENTER BY ALUMNI

MONDAY - FRIDAY

5:00 - 7:00 am. 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY

6:00 am - 12:00 m.

Parking is available at the Athletics entrance only upon presentation of the digital ID.

� ESCUELA AMERICANA EXTENSION (EAX)

Escuela Americana Extension (EAX) encompasses the following areas: Languages and Continued Education. EAX has a team of experts who work in the creation of new services and the implementation of a wide range of courses offered in each program. EAX offers courses in a variety of computer systems and programs to individuals, institutions, and businesses. It also offers continued education courses to EA staff and various courses to other EA community members such as parents.

The EAX Language Program offers in-house and off-campus English and Spanish courses to individuals and businesses. EAX teachers are part-time staff members of EA. The Program offers courses ranging from Beginner proficiency levels to Conversational English and Spanish. Classes are offered on a cyclical basis and serve students ages 6 to adults.

• THE CONTINUED EDUCATION PROGRAM

Offers EA Faculty and the community a rich array of educational opportunities via services, training, seminars, and workshops, as well as web-based learning. This program enhances the use of English through technology and ESP (English for Specific Purposes) for Call Centers and provides an assessment instrument to certify the English level of our customers and business personnel.

ELEMENTARY

PK3 - 5TH GRADE

2. ELEMENTARY PK3 - 5TH GRADE

Our Elementary School Program is built on our school’s mission, vision, and whole-child approach, ensuring that students, teachers, and families work together to create a safe and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.

At the Elementary level, we focus on your child’s social-emotional, age-appropriate developmental needs, physical fitness, and academic needs to encompass the whole child. Throughout your child’s time in the Elementary program, he/she will be provided a variety of engaging standards-based activities and lessons as part of our rigorous curricular program.

Our Elementary program offers a dynamic and personalized learning experience. By utilizing a standardsbased, inquiry-driven approach, and the workshop model, we foster critical thinking, creativity, and a love for learning. Our approach includes mini-lessons, independent practice and collaborative learning, and debriefing to enhance metacognition. Children learn academic, social and executive skills as well as socialization and motor skills.

Beyond the classroom, we offer a variety of inspirational opportunities such as day trips and community service activities, promoting self-awareness, personal growth, global awareness, and a sense of community. We believe in nurturing well-rounded, responsible young citizens who are prepared to excel both personally and academically.

Families play a key role in this journey. By reinforcing the values of integrity, responsibility, and respect at home, at the child’s developmental level, parents and guardians help strengthen the lessons students learn at school.

By working together—children, teachers, and families—we create an environment where children thrive. They take the first steps to discover the world and become prepared in a lifelong journey of learning and self-discovery.

� CONTACTS

ATTENDANCE OR ABSENCE QUESTIONS

FIRST CONTACT

NEXT CONTACT

SEL CONTACT

LAST CONTACT

Emely Elias elias.emely@amschool.edu.sv 2528- 2201

HOMEROOM TEACHER

ASSISTANT DIRECTORS

Rebeca Salinas salinas.rebeca@amschool.edu.sv

Florence Lemus lemus.florence@amschool.edu.sv

PK4 & KINDER Florence Augspurg augspurg.florence@amschool.edu.sv

1ST GRADE & 2ND GRADE Anna Catani catani.anna@amschool.edu.sv

3RD GRADE, 4TH GRADE & CHILD PROTECTION SUPERVISOR Ana Mejía mejia.ana@amschool.edu.sv

5TH GRADE, PK3 Maya De la O Hernandez delao.maya@amschool.edu.sv

Tami Ballard ballard.tami@amschool.edu.sv

� SCHEDULE

• School is open

• PK 3

• PK 4 – Grade 5

7:00 am

8:00 am - 12:20 pm

8:00 am - 3:10 pm Starting 2nd Semester Optional

8:00 am - 3:10 pm

Elementary students will follow an 8-day block rotation. Teachers adjust their schedules to integrate projects and include more time for experiments or special projects. Reading, math, and writing are included in each day’s schedule, with Science and Social Studies included throughout the rotation. Specials’ blocks are 45 minutes each day, and Spanish is 45 minutes (PreK3 and PreK4) and 60 minutes (Kinder-Grade 5) daily.

All Elementary students will have two recess breaks throughout the school day, during the mid-morning and lunch recess. Homeroom classes begin with a Morning Meeting activity. Morning Meetings have four key components: Greeting, Sharing, Activity, and daily messages. Social-Emotional Learning blocks have been scheduled for every grade level during the rotation for students to enjoy non-academic community-building time with their Counselor and teachers. The RULER Program will be provided during the SEL blocks and morning meeting times.

� AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

• COMPETITIVE SPORTS PROGRAM

• Variety of Sports (Grades 1-5 Only)

3:10 pm - 4:30 pm

• Late Pick-up Begins 4:45 pm

The Competitive Sports Program is offered Monday through Friday (depending on the sport) from 3:104:30 p.m. for students in Grades 1 - 5 only. A variety of age-appropriate sports are offered, which include including Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Handball, Table Tennis, and Track and Field. This program is organized and monitored by the Athletics Department.

Timely student pick-up is expected for all students participating in Competitive Sports. Late Pick-up tickets will be issued to parents/guardians that arrive after 4:45 p.m. After 3 documented Late pick-up tickets, your child will be removed from Competitive Sports for the school year and normal pick-up at 3:10 p.m. will be expected.

• KIDS CLUB

This program is offered after school from 3:10-4:30 p.m. for students in PK - 1st grade.

The Kids Club is the perfect place for PK, Kinder, and 1st-grade students to explore, create, and grow. In a safe and nurturing environment, children enjoy hands-on activities such as arts and crafts, music, simple experiments, storytelling, and outdoor play, while developing creativity, confidence, and essential life skills.

Registration is available year-round through your MyEA account.

• DROP INS

Our drop-in service is a great option for busy families or last-minute schedule changes. Simply register before 12:00 p.m. on the day your child will attend, and we’ll take care of the rest!

� ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

• Early pick-up Ends 2:00 pm

• Late Pick-up Begins 3:45 pm

• LATE ARRIVAL

We believe students need to be at school on time. All students are expected to be at school by 7:50 a.m. and are required to be in class by 8:00 a.m. Our school day begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. with our Morning Meeting. During this time, children are introduced to what will happen during the day, build positive connections with their classroom community, and work on social-emotional skills development. If students arrive after 8:00 a.m., they will miss out on this very important time, which can lead to a less productive and engaged student. Students arriving after this time will be marked tardy.

Each student has 3 Late Arrival Tickets per semester. If a student is late one more time, the student(s) will be suspended from campus for one school day and must remain at home.

Patterns of late arrival and tardiness will require meetings with the Elementary Director and could result in student retention depending on the severity and frequency of missed classes or dismissal from Escuela Americana for the following school year.

*This policy applies only to students without pre-approved Late Arrivals from the Director or Assistant Directors.

• LATE DISMISSAL POLICY

Students should are picked up from campus on time at 3:45 p.m. Habitual late pick-ups create a negative impact on children and those watching them. Please be on time to pick up your child. Continued late pick-up patterns will result in suspensions and a conversation with the Director.

• SUPERVISION

Students are required to leave campus by 3:45 p.m. or directly after a special event and/or activity. Supervision by school personnel will be provided as follows:

• Students on campus between the hours of 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.

• Students on campus between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

• Students must report directly to their Homeroom teacher when they arrive at school at 7:30 a.m. NO unsupervised playground time is permitted throughout the school day.

• A school-sponsored event where a student is on school premises participating with authorization

• While the student is being transported by the school during a school-sponsored activity/ event/ field trip.

• Students at the ECC or Cafetorium gates during dismissal from 3:10 - 3:45 p.m.

• Under no circumstances may students be in the Secondary Field parking area without their secondary sibling.

• The wooded areas of the campus are off limits at all times during or after school hours without teacher supervision.

• A student at Escuela Americana may not leave campus during the school day without parental permission and the Division Director’s permission. The student must sign out at the Reception desk before leaving the campus, other than at the end of the day.

� ATTENDANCE

At Escuela Americana, we believe schools should provide a safe, success-oriented, and caring environment. Research shows that there is an irrefutable connection between classroom attendance and achievement and learning. School success is predicated on three basic principles: attendance, participation, and involvement in the classroom. Class discussions, experiments, labs, and research are just a few examples of classroom activities that cannot be replicated through make-up work. The student must be in class to experience these types of activities. Therefore, every effort should be made to see that students attend every class every day of the school year.

At Escuela Americana, we believe schools should provide a safe and caring environment. We have fulltime nurses to support your child’s health on campus, and we ask for your support from home to keep our whole EA community healthy.

• •

EXTENDED ABSENCE POLICY

The Division Director must be made aware of pre-arranged absences for extraordinary situations. Plan to schedule all necessary medical, dental, or other appointments outside of school hours to help maintain your child’s attendance. Teachers are not expected to provide assignments before the prearranged absences, and it is the responsibility of the parent and student to communicate directly with their child’s teacher about missing assignments.

EA’s policy states that students must be in attendance for 90% of the school year in order to receive

academic credit. They may not have more than four (4) absences per academic Quarter. Both excused and unexcused absences contribute to this total. In the event a student exceeds the limit, each such case will be reviewed by a Division Director, and a recommendation regarding promotion or retention will be made to the General Director. The decision of the General Director is final. PowerSchool will automatically email families, notifying them of the number of absences. This communication is to inform and help families keep track of their total number of absences so they can stay within the allotted number.

Please note that there are two categories for absences:

Excused Absences

Absences due to illness, participation in school-sponsored activities, and participation in government-recognized/national federation events in representation of the student’s country are generally considered excused.

Unexcused absences

Any other absence will be considered unexcused absences, including family trips, non-school sponsored events, late pick-up suspensions, or non-government sponsored activities. If the school is not notified of the reason for an absence, it will be considered unexcused

• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS

Throughout the year, Escuela Americana faculty members participate in Professional Development (PD) days. On these dates, school will be in session for teachers and administrators, not in session for students. Our professional development days provide a valuable opportunity for faculty to collaborate and further enhance the quality of teaching and learning at Escuela Americana.

� PARENT-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

Scheduled conferences between Parents and Teachers are held to establish thorough and efficient communication regarding student academic and/or behavioral issues. However if concerns arise between conferences, these should be addressed directly with the teachers first. Teacher concerns should also be addressed directly with parents. These concerns can be addressed on the phone, by making an in-person appointment, or by email. However, we should all be aware that email does not always convey tone and can make communication difficult. Addressing concerns in the form of questions rather than accusations is very helpful to maintain open communication.

If the matter is not resolved to the parties’ satisfaction, the concerns should be addressed to the division assistant director/director. The issue will be referred to the Parent Handbook if appropriate and the rules in the Handbook will apply. If the issue is not part of the Handbook, the assistant director/ director will work to address the issue with the parents.

If the issue is still outstanding, the parent can ask for a meeting with the General Director.

� COMMUNICATION EVENTS

• ORIENTATION

Parent Orientation Meetings are held in August for parents whose children are newly enrolled. The purpose of this time is to share information with parents concerning the Elementary School curriculum, classroom procedures, homelearning policy, discipline policy, and opportunities for parent involvement.

• OPEN HOUSE

Open House provides an opportunity to become familiar with the program at your child’s grade level and meet the teacher. The event is a whole-school event and is scheduled early in the school year to enable parents to learn more about the school programs and meet your child’s teachers, and administrators, and to visit with other families.

• HOPES AND DREAMS CONFERENCES

At the beginning of the school year, Early Childhood parents are invited to meet with teachers for a short conference focused on the sharing of information, ideas, hopes, and dreams in regard to their child. These meetings are scheduled by classroom teachers and provide an opportunity for a more intimate conversation between parents and teachers.

• PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES (PTC)

Parent-teacher Conferences are held at the end of Quarters 1 and 2. Parentteacher conferences are 30-minute meetings between the parent/guardian/ student and teachers with a clear focus on sharing information on academic growth, social-emotional development, and the support your child(ren) needs from home.

While school-initiated conferences are frequently scheduled, Escuela Americana encourages teachers, parents, and students to request additional conferences when appropriate or necessary throughout the year to discuss concerns about a student’s academic, social, emotional, and/or disciplinary well-being. Parents who sense a change in their child’s behavior or who have a concern about an academic, social, emotional, or disciplinary matters, should feel free to contact teachers and counselors for an appointment.

• STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES (SLCs)

Student-led conferences engage students in the process of learning by empowering them to showcase their own learning and academic growth. Student-led conferences present opportunities for students to prepare, reflect on, and discuss evidence of their learning and growth supported by the work they have completed throughout the Quarter and/or school year.

� PARENT-STUDENT COMMUNICATION

During the school year, all communication between students and parents must go through the Elementary Office. Students are not to make personal calls home to request their forgotten homework, books, projects, lunch boxes, etc., and parents should not call or text students directly during school hours.

We encourage students to keep their mobile phones at home. No cell phones or smart watches may be used by students during the school day. If you need to communicate with your child during the school day, please contact the Elementary Office (2528-8201). If your child brings a cell phone to school by mistake, it must remain in their backpack and be switched off during the course of the school day.

Please note that mobile cell phones on campus are the individual’s responsibility. Escuela American is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen cell phones.

� FIELD TRIPS

Field trips provide an exciting learning experience for our students! The school organizes 1-2 off-campus field trips per school year for students to experience and engage in activities and places that support our academic curriculum program. Escuela Americana works with Bus Companies that are vetted and bonded to ensure our students, parent chaperones, and teachers are safe. Private security is organized to accompany our field trips. The security team remains with the school group until they return to EA.

Parent chaperones are needed for successful field trips. We appreciate our parent community for supporting our field trips! Please note the following guidelines for parent chaperones:

• Please be on time to school so we can leave on time for the trip.

• Parents are reminded that photos and videos of students must follow our social media guidelines.

• No ‘special treats’ or additional food and/or drinks may be purchased or brought in for special student groups.

• The Assistant Directors will meet with all grade-level parent chaperones and grade-level PA representatives prior to the bus departure to share the chaperone expectations and guidelines for a successful trip.

• LUNCH AND SNACK

Students will have one morning snack break and one lunchtime. Food can be purchased from the food service provider or students can bring food from home. Elementary students need healthy choices to maintain focus throughout the day. Energy drinks, carbonated sodas, candy, cookies, and chocolate should not be sent for student snacks.

� SPECIAL EVENTS

• ART EXHIBITS

During the school year, our Performing and Visual Arts department will organize and share a variety of Arts events for families to enjoy that will showcase student work in Visual Art, Music, and Band classes. The exhibit is open to the entire school community and serves as a tribute to the creativity of our children. Specific event details will be shared with families via email when appropriate.

• ASSEMBLIES

Grade-level community-building activities are scheduled throughout the school year.

• BOOK FAIR

Organized by our Library Staff, the annual Book Fair provides students and families with the opportunity to expand their personal libraries.

• CELEBRATIONS ON CAMPUS

We have many special events and holiday celebrations on campus throughout the school year. Parents and families wishing to share their family’s cultural traditions with their child’s class may do so once the presentation is approved by the Division Director, and the day and time are approved by the classroom teacher.

The school understands that birthdays are important to recognize and celebrate, however, the classroom environment is for learning experiences, and no student birthday parties may be celebrated on campus. Outside cupcakes, candy, treats, or toys are not permitted and will be sent home. We need to utilize our learning time effectively.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Grade-level school supplies can be purchased in the Trojan Store. Online access to the Trojan Store is available once a student is enrolled for the school year. All school supplies can be purchased at the Trojan Store.

� UNIFORMS

• EXPECTATIONS

The School Dress Code policy was created to inform students and families of the required student dress code to be worn to school each day. It is important for families to purchase the required school uniform prior to the first day of school. Please contact the Trojan Store directly for sizing and purchasing details. All students must wear the proper school uniform to school each day.

Daily School Uniform:

PK3 & PK4

• Students wear the PE uniform every day

• Supportive athletic shoes ONLY

K - 5TH GRADE

• All students are required to have at least one formal school uniform consisting of navy blue formal pants, formal shorts or skorts, and a red, white, or blue EA polo shirt. Formal uniforms will be required on certain school days (e.g., picture day), and these days will be communicated to all families.

• Due to our variety of specials, students can wear their PE uniform daily (PE shorts or blue cotton sweatpants and PE shirts) with supportive athletic shoes

• Students may wear the school sweatshirts, hoodies, or school jackets.

• All students must wear supportive athletic shoes - NO soccer cleats.

• Hair should be neat & well-groomed.

• Hair color should be a natural color.

Special ‘No Uniform’ days will happen throughout the school year for celebrations or special themed days (e.g., Pajama Day). Students and families will be notified prior to the day and be provided the information about the acceptable student attire for those days.

• TROJAN HOUSE

COLOR SHIRTS

All Elementary students will be assigned to one of the four Trojan Houses for their entire Elementary years: Orange, Purple, Green, or Yellow. Students are required to have their Trojan House color shirt as part of their PE uniform. The Trojan House shirt will not replace the regular PE uniform. Instead, it is an addition, and it will be worn at designated times throughout the school year, including every Friday and for House Assemblies.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� PHYSICAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

See Health and Wellness in the ALL SCHOOL section.

If your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease, the parent/guardian is required to maintain direct contact with the Elementary Office (2528-8201) and Medical Office so the school can take appropriate steps to protect the entire student population.

Students who have been absent for three or more consecutive days or have a chronic medical condition must provide the office with a physician’s note. Please contact the Nurse’s Office to communicate about your child’s health or ask questions. (2528-8210 • medical_office@amschool.edu.sv)

� CAFETERIA SERVICES

The main goal of Escuela Americana’s food services is to contribute to the students’ overall health and well-being so they can be more productive academically and in their physical activities. Our food service offers balanced, nutritious meals within an accessible price range and in a comfortable environment.

Students should purchase items from the cafeteria only during authorized times, namely, during break and lunch times. If a purchase is necessary at any other time during the school day, the student must obtain written permission from the appropriate Division Administrator.

No lunch or snacks can be purchased at the Coffee Cup or vending machines from the Secondary area.

� TOILET TRAINING

All students are expected to be fully toilet trained. At Escuela Americana, fully toilet trained means that the students are independent in using the bathroom. In the case of an “accident,” assistance will be provided by the classroom teacher, teaching assistant, and/or the nursing staff. Parents will be notified in the event their child has had a toileting accident during the school day.

� COUNSELING

Please see ALL SCHOOL sections.

� SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS

Please see ALL SCHOOL sections.

� EXECUTIVE SKILLS

Please see ALL SCHOOL sections. required to send extra sets of clothes to school clearly labeled with their child’s name.

If a pattern of ‘accidents’ (daily accidents over multiple days) occurs, the Counselor and Assistant Director will meet with the parents to discuss the next steps to ensure all students are fully toilet trained as per our school policy.

� PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Students are not permitted to bring toys, electronic devices, or other personal items to school to use during the school day. The school is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen personal items your child brings to school. Please see in ALL SCHOOL section.

• LOST AND FOUND

Please put your child’s name on all uniforms, lunch boxes, water bottles, extra Clothing, and school bags. All lost items found in the school are kept in the Lost and Found box located at Reception. All unclaimed items, including school uniforms, will be donated to charity at the end of each quarter. Students are cautioned against bringing valuable personal property to school and are reminded that they take responsibility for any damage or loss The school does not make any reimbursement for missing items, nor is it responsible for lost property.

� DISCIPLINE

Escuela Americana works to establish a positive and supportive learning environment in which our students feel safe, secure, and have maximum opportunities to learn. Our desire is to empower students to learn about their responsibility and maintain a respectful environment. An important component of our approach to behavior management is to provide opportunities for students to reflect on their choices and identify and apply alternate strategies. In order to promote and maintain a positive learning environment, we have established some common understandings of what constitutes acceptable behavior.

The Elementary School discipline system is built on responsibility, integrity, courage, and kindness (RICK), and it incorporates an intervention plan to help students modify inappropriate behaviors. The foundation of behaviors are executive skills (see ALL SCHOOL).

The goal is to empower the student to understand his/her executive skill mastery and to take charge of his or her behavior. We provide support and follow-up and do not merely give punitive consequences. It is a collaborative team approach that involves the students, the teachers, the counselors, and the parents working together to follow our Code of Conduct (pg. 1).

We recognize that no two situations are the same and that it is important to maintain flexibility and consider the individuals involved and their circumstances.

Factors to be considered include but are not limited to:

• Seriousness of the offense

• The effect or potential effect

• The student’s age

• Behavior in the school environment

• The frequency of misconduct

If a behavior incident occurs on campus or at a school event, the following steps will be taken:

• The individual(s) involved will meet with the Assistant Director or Director to gather information and decide the next steps.

• The next steps could include:

- Written apology

- Missed recess time

- Removal from class to administration or counseling offices

- Dismissal for the remainder of the school day

- Out of school suspension

• Serious incidents or repeated behavior incidents involving the same student(s) will result in an immediate out-of-school suspension

• Parents will be notified the same day when a serious incident occurs involving their child. Parents must immediately come to school to meet with the Assistant Director or Division Director and then take their child home.

• Serious incidents include:

- Fighting (hitting, punching, kicking, or any other physical altercations)

- Handling or use of a weapon

- Verbal or physical threat against a student or staff member

- Misuse of technology that threatens the safety or well-being of others

- Threatening behavior that makes other community members feel unwelcome or unsafe

- Cheating or plagiarism

- Throwing objects

- Destruction of property

- Repeated disrespectful behavior that disrupts learning

- Possession of illegal substances

• If a student’s behavior results in 3 or more out-of-school suspensions or 3 or more major infractions, the school reserves the right to place the child on a modified schedule. Modified schedules include the child leaving mid-day (12:25 pm), and are in the best interest of the child and based on their developmental needs. For more severe infractions, the student has to complete the school year off the main campus, and the family may not receive an invitation for enrollment for the next school year.

• PARENTS ROLE

Our focus is on building a strong partnership between home and school to reinforce our school’s values and beliefs. As a result, communication with parents is an important intervention strategy.

While parents may not be notified every time a child commits a Minor infraction of the behavior policy, a staff member will promptly notify the parents when a serious infraction or disruption to the learning environment occurs. We appreciate your support in maintaining a learning environment that is positive and supportive for all learners.

� CURRICULUM

• PK3 AND PK4

Research has shown that young children learn best by play. The Creative Curriculum is built on theories of development in young children, that all children learn through active exploration of their environment and, therefore, the environment plays a critical role in learning.

The Creative Curriculum includes developmentally appropriate goals and objectives for children within four main categories of interest: social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language.

• The social-emotional stage helps promote independence, self-confidence, and self-control.

• The physical stage is intended to increase children’s large and small motor skills.

• The cognitive stage is associated with thinking skills. Children learn how to solve problems, ask questions, and think critically.

• The language stage deals with communication. Children learn how to communicate with others, listen and participate in conversations, and recognize various forms of print. In this stage, children begin to recognize letters and words and begin writing for a purpose.

The goal of the Creative Curriculum is to help children become independent, self-confident, inquisitive and enthusiastic learners by actively exploring their environment.

• GRADES K-5

Beginning in Kindergarten, students gain more independence, develop higher-order thinking skills, learn to make connections between topics and subjects, and develop creative and critical thinking skills to delve deeper into personal interests. EA uses the AERO language arts, math, and social studies standards along with the Next Generation Science Standards.

The workshop model is used for reading, writing, and math, which allows the teacher to adjust the components per class based on the instructional needs for that particular unit of study. This framework allows students to integrate between subjects, investigate concepts and develop a deeper conceptual understanding, and learn with their peers.

The workshop model allows teachers to work with students in small groups to provide reteaching, intervention, extension, and differentiation as needed to meet students’ individual needs.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The Physical Education program in the Elementary School begins in Pre-Kinder and is designed to help children direct their energy toward becoming confident with movement and coordination activities. The SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) curriculum includes movement concepts and skills, such as running, hopping, skipping, as well as the correct patterns for kicking, throwing, dribbling, catching, and volleying.

SPECIALS PROGRAM

As part of the Whole Child philosophy, EA offers students a variety of standardsbased Specials classes to introduce and develop students’ physical and artistic skills. All students in PreK-Grade 5 are offered a variety of Specials classes such as Music, Dance, Art, STEAM, and Physical Education. Our Upper Elementary students will also participate in Band classes. With so many Specials class offerings, students' schedules and report cards will show some classes are offered for a semester, while others are year-long.

ELEMENTARY CONCERTS

All students in PreKinder 3 - Grade 5 will have the opportunity and are expected to participate in either a Winter Concert or Spring Concert throughout the school year. The purpose of our concerts are for students to showcase the skills they have acquired in their Arts classes throughout the Semester. Parents and families are invited to attend the concerts to learn more about our Arts program and to see and hear what our students are creating and performing in class.

� ASSESSMENT

Standards-based grading is an intentional way for teachers to track their students’ progress and achievements while focusing on helping students learn and reach their highest potential. It is based on students showing signs of mastery or understanding various lessons and skills. Standards-based grading is a way to view student progress based on proficiency levels for identified standards rather than relying on a holistic representation as to the sole measure of achievement used in traditional grading methods.

1. What is Standard-Based reporting?

The standards-based report card communicates a student’s progress toward mastery of learning targets or standards.

2. What is a learning standard?

A standard is a written description of what students should know and be able to do in a particular subject area. Our learning standards come from three different curricula: AERO Standards, Creative Curriculum and NGSS Science Standards.

3. What is the purpose of standards-based reporting?

The primary purpose of standard-based reporting (SBR) is to communicate a student's learning progress and achievement against clearly defined learning standards, rather than simply averaging grades or scores. Using rubrics, this approach provides a more detailed and accurate picture of what a student knows and can do, while also helping to identify areas where they need additional support or enrichment.

4. How do traditional letter grades differ from standards-based reporting?

Traditional grading combines all student work over a semester into a single grade or percentage. It often includes non-academic factors like attendance, effort, and attitude, which can influence the final grade but don’t necessarily reflect a student’s true understanding of the subject.

In contrast, standards-based reporting focuses solely on what students know and can do. It removes unrelated factors and highlights specific skills and knowledge. Instead of receiving one overall grade for a subject like English Language Arts, students receive separate indicators for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language Use. This gives a clearer, more detailed picture of their strengths and areas for growth.

5. How is “meeting expectations” defined?

Meeting expectations is the same as proficient, meaning the student has met the standard(s) for the quarter.

• ELEMENTARY STANDARDS-BASED GRADING SCALE

MASTERY

The student has mastered the standard(s) independently. The student can apply the standard independently to new situations.

PROFICIENT

The student meets grade-level expectations and demonstrates an accurate understanding of the standard(s). The student can work independently most of the time and consistently produces accurate work.

APPROACHING

The student is beginning to understand the standard(s) with support. The student’s work starts to show some accuracy while still needing additional clarification and guidance to consistently complete tasks.

BEGINNING

The student struggles to engage with the standard(s). The student’s work lacks accuracy and understanding, needing teacher intervention and scaffolding.

N/A

Not Applicable, standard not taught this quarter

Traditional grades are often influenced by behavioral or non-academic factors such as attendance and executive skills. When these factors are included, it can influence an academic grade and provide a distorted and inaccurate communication of student learning. If the purpose of grades is to communicate academic achievement, then executive skills should not be included in the grade. The layout of our Elementary Standards-Based Report Card clearly identifies the different academic and non-academic standards assessed each quarter.

� ACADEMIC SUPPORT

• STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM

Student Support teachers work with students in small groups to provide at-their-level instruction and reteaching to support student achievement.

Escuela Americana does not offer individualized, one-on-one classroom support due to resource constraints that limit our capacity to address a limited range of learning challenges. We understand that students’ learning needs may vary, and we strive to provide appropriate support within the scope of our classroom through differentiation, small group instruction, and our student support program.

� LIBRARY AND MEDIA CENTER

The Library Media Centers (LMCs) operate within a collaborative learning community of students, teachers, administrators, and parents to provide students with the information literacy skills essential to becoming lifelong, independent learners. The LMCs are organized around a student-centered program that provides authentic, creative learning activities that support the teaching process and a broad range of support services that foster competencies in acquiring and using information and ideas, as well as reading for pleasure. EA’S elementary LMC has over 34,000 titles available to students.

The collections include excellent collections of general reference materials, which are regularly updated. Students are encouraged to use the library as often as possible to read, check out/return materials, and research information for class projects and assignments. The librarian will inform students when books are due, and families are responsible for returning materials in a timely manner.

Students with overdue books, unpaid fines, or any other library obligation are ineligible for re-enrollment until all books have been returned, lost books paid for, and fines paid.

� TECHNOLOGY

Please see ALL SCHOOL section.

MIDDELE SCHOOL

6TH - 8TH GRADE

3. MIDDLE SCHOOL

6TH - 8TH GRADE

� FRAMEWORK & INTRODUCTION, INCLUSION POLICY

Middle school is a time of growth, exploration, and increasing independence. As students navigate new challenges, changing bodies, peer awareness, and the inception of high-level decision-making, they are learning how to balance friendships, responsibilities, and personal values. Our Middle School Framework is built on our school’s mission, vision, and whole-child approach, ensuring that students, teachers, and families work together to create a safe and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.

In the Middle school, we focus on the development of Executive Skills. These skills become the foundation for responsibility and engagement. The awareness and strengthening of these skills proved the foundation for EA values of Responsibility, Integrity, Courage and Kindness. In middle school, we begin to hold students accountable for their choices and the impact of their actions, as they get ready for high school and beyond. We support students in a positive school climate where adults are role models.

Families play a key role in this journey. By reinforcing the values of Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, and Kindness at home, parents and guardians help strengthen the lessons students learn at school. We encourage open conversations about navigating peer pressure and making thoughtful decisions, so students feel supported in every aspect of their development. We encourage parents to attend Parent Education sessions where important topics are discussed, such as peer pressure, substance abuse, and sexual development in teens.

By working together—students, teachers, and families—we create an environment where young people can grow into creative and critical thinkers; that believe in community and balance; who interact collaboratively and effectively; and act with independence and integrity. Middle school is just one step in a lifelong journey of learning and self-discovery, and we are committed to guiding our students toward success in school and beyond.

ATTENDANCE OR ABSENCE QUESTIONS

FIRST CONTACT

NEXT CONTACT

SEL CONTACT

Melissa Sotelo sotelo.melissa@amschool.edu.sv

2528-8276

CLASSROOM TEACHER

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Ariana Vilanova de Iannuzzelli iannuzzelli.ariana@amschool.edu.sv

COUNSELORS

Liza Magaña 6th - 8th grade magana.liza@amschool.edu.sv

CHILD PROTECTION SUPERVISOR Ana Mejía mejia.ana@amschool.edu.sv

LAST CONTACT

DIRECTOR Mario Martinez martinez.mario@amschool.edu.sv

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� SCHEDULE

The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and finishes at 3:10 p.m.

We will follow a five-day, eight-block rotating system where grades 6-8 have 50-minute block periods Mondays through Thursdays and all eight blocks for 40 minutes on Fridays.

MONDAY

9:25-10:20 8:00-8:20 10:30-11:25

10:20-10:30 8:25-9:20

12:55-1:15 11:25-11:55

12:00-12:55 1:15-2:10 TIME 10:35-10:50 9:10-9:50 1:30-1:45 11:30-12:05 12:05-12:45 9:55-10:35 8:00-8:20 8:25-9:05

� ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

All students are expected to arrive at each class on time and ready to participate fully. Late arrivals disrupt the class and the tardy student. If a student is tardy with a legitimate excuse, a written note must be presented for the tardy to be considered excused. Without a note, the tardy is recorded as unexcused

Three unexcused late arrivals to school will earn an Internal suspension. Three late arrivals to class will earn a student a Minor Infraction accumulation of three Minor Infractions (nine late arrivals to class) will result in a Major Infraction.

*Repetitive, unexcused late arrivals and absences to school will be addressed on an individual basis. Subsequent late arrivals, despite ongoing follow-up, indicate a more serious problem and may require that the student seek another school environment.

• ACCESS TO CAMPUS AFTER SCHOOL

It is strictly prohibited for students to return to campus once they have left for any reason, including but not limited to breaks, emergencies, or personal reasons without permission from the Division or Athletics Director. This policy will be enforced through a variety of means, including monitoring of campus entrances and exits, regular checks of student attendance, and communication with students and their families. Any student found in violation of this policy may face disciplinary action.

� ATTENDANCE

Escuela Americana believes that every effort should be made to see that students attend every class every day of the school year. We expect the only reason for absence will be due to illness or emergency and for parents to contact their child’s Division Office as soon as they realize their child will miss school, regardless of the reason for the absence. School’s daily attendance will close by 2 pm.

Per EA Policy, students must be in attendance for 90% of the school year to receive academic credit. Both excused and unexcused absences contribute to this total. If a student exceeds a 10% absence limit, each case will be reviewed by the Division Director, and a recommendation regarding promotion or retention will be made to the General Director.

• STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to be on campus every school day. If a student must miss school, parents should email the Middle School Office in advance or as soon as the situation is known with relevant documentation and no later than 2:00 pm. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with teachers as soon as possible to inform them of the absence. It is the student’s responsibility to abide by the Late Work policy.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

For excused absences, students have up to three (3) calendar days plus the total number of days absent (not to exceed 5 days) to make up all missed work. Excused absences include illnesses, three (3) days with a parent note, and, more than three (3) days with a doctor’s note. They also include representing the school or the country in a sports or club tournament. Official appointments with government offices (embassies, judges’ offices, etc.) will be granted an excused absence with a prior parental request.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

For unexcused absences, work is due the day the student returns to school and is immediately subject to the school’s late work policies.

• DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES

To maintain a positive and productive learning environment, students may not exceed eighteen (18) total absences in a year-long course or nine (9) absences in a semester-long course. This includes both excused and unexcused absences.

If a student exceeds these limits, the case will be reviewed by the Division Head, and a recommendation regarding promotion or retention will be made to the General Director, whose decision is final.

Unexcused absences carry disciplinary consequences. A Warning Notice and a Minor Infraction will be issued after three (3) unexcused absences in any class. For every additional three (3) unexcused absences, another Minor Infraction will be imposed, along with a parent conference. At nine (9) unexcused absences in any class, the student will receive a Major Infraction. A Final Warning will be issued during a parent conference if a student reaches fifteen (15) unexcused absences in a year-long course or seven (7) in a semester-long course.

Unexcused Absences

3 Unexcused Absences which include family trips and unnotified medical absences

• Issue a Minor Infraction.

• Require the student to complete a reflective assignment on the importance of attendance.

• Notify parents/guardians to discuss the absences.

6 Unexcused Absences:

• Escalate to a Major Infraction.

• Implement a loss of privileges, such as exclusion from non-academic activities for a week (break and/or lunch).

• Schedule a meeting with parents/guardians to develop an attendance improvement plan.

9 or More Unexcused Absences:

• Consider a behavior contract outlining expectations and consequences.

• Involve a counselor to address underlying issues contributing to absenteeism

Late to Arival to School (8:00 AM)

Late arrivals with proof of medical or government appointment will be excused. For Medical Appointments, the email requesting the approval needs to be sent before the scheduled doctor’s appointment.

3 Tardies:

• ½ day in school suspension with loss of break. Discuss reasons for tardiness with the student and set up a plan for attendance improvement.

• Email to parents informing them of the action taken

6 Tardies:

• 1 day out of school suspension. Discuss reasons for tardiness with the student and set up a plan for attendance improvement.

• Parent meeting for attendance improvement plan administration and counselor to go over the plan.

9 or More Tardies:

• 2 days out of school suspension.

Tardy to Class (Unexcused)

3 Tardies to the same block:

• Issue a Minor Infraction.

• Have the student meet with the teacher to discuss the importance of punctuality.

6 Tardies to the same block:

• Issue a Minor Infraction.

• Assign a reflective writing task on time management. Have students work on it during break or lunchtime.

• The counselor will notify parents/guardians and discuss a plan of action.

9 or More Tardies to the same block:

• Issue a Major Infraction

• Implement a behavior contract focusing on improving punctuality.

• FIELD TRIP PERMISSION

A Parent Permission Form must be signed and returned to the grade level sponsor or chaperone for each field trip before a student is allowed to leave school on the field trip.

� PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION

Parent concerns should be addressed directly with the teachers first. Teacher concerns will also be addressed directly and promptly with parents. These concerns can be addressed on the phone or by email. However, email does not always convey tone and can make communication difficult. Addressing concerns in the form of questions rather than accusations is very helpful to maintain open communication.

If the matter is not resolved to the parties’ satisfaction, the concerns should be addressed to the division assistant director/director. The issue will be referred to the Parent Handbook if appropriate and the rules in the Handbook will apply. If the issue is not part of the Handbook, the assistant director/director will work to address the issue with the parents.

If the issue is still outstanding, the parent can ask for a meeting with the General Director.

� UNIFORMS

Escuela Americana is a uniform school. Middle School students are responsible for knowing and following these expectations. A student’s appearance is part of their representation of who they are in the community and, therefore, should align with our Division goals of developing one’s responsibility to themselves and the community. School uniforms create a level playing field among students, reducing peer pressure and bullying. It also enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit.

Formal uniforms must be worn every day. PE uniforms are only to be worn during PE class in the gym or on the field. Students not in uniform are violating the school policy, and if their uniform is too tight, short, or large, they will be required to change into a proper uniform or be sent home.

GIRLS

• Formal bottoms: Navy blue skirt, skorts, navy blue pants, or official school sweatpants with logo

• White, blue, or red EA polo shirt

• Skirts must be worn at approximately knee length

• School sweatshirts, hoodies, school jackets, or sweaters that are one of the school colors: red, white, navy blue, black, or gray

• Hair must be only natural color(s)

• Makeup should appear natural

• Athletic shoes or dress shoes (closed-toe and flat heel)

BOYS

• Formal bottoms: Navy blue pants or official school sweatpants with logo worn above the hips with no tears at the hem

• White, blue, or red EA polo shirt

• School sweatshirts, hoodies, school jackets, or sweaters that are one of the school colors: red, white, navy blue, black, or gray

• Hair should be no longer than collar length or up in a bun; no facial hair

• Sneakers or dress shoes (closed-toe and flat heel)

EXCEPTIONS

• On designated Fridays, students may wear school spirit t-shirts, purchased at the Trojans Store, club t-shirts, official school activity shirts, class-designed shirts, and/or athletic shirts, with formal bottoms as defined above.

• On occasion, students may be granted themed or free dress days. The following rules still apply: no short skirts or shorts, no crop tops or tank tops, no open-toed shoes, and no other clothing that is inappropriate and would be a distraction to the learning environment.

For all students, the acceptability of their appearance is left to the Administration’s discretion.

� WELLBEING AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

• CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Escuela Americana has a formal child protection policy which is in Appendix 2 of this document and you can find an executive summary. HERE

• PHYSICAL HEALTH

Please refer to ALL SCHOOL physical health section

EA believes emotional wellbeing is as important for learning as physical health. Therefore we have a curriculum that addresses social emotional and executive skill development for all ages.

• B.E.A.T. Time (Begin, Engage, Act, Think)

B.E.A.T. Time is a dedicated period with structured weekly themes that encourage students to explore their role as individuals, members of the school community, and contributors to the broader world.

It is designed to foster a courageous, kind, and responsible school culture and create consistent opportunities for meaningful connections, personal growth, and collective engagement. B.E.A.T. goals are as follows:

Building Community (B - Begin Strong)

• Establish meaningful connections within the EA community

• Foster a sense of belonging and inclusion

• Provide space for informal yet impactful interactions between students and teachers

Engaging in Character and Social-Emotional Learning (E - Engage Fully)

• Support students’ social and emotional and executive skill development

• Encourage reflection and personal growth

Acting with Purpose and Advocacy (A - Act with Purpose)

• Build trust and rapport between students and teachers

• Empower students to develop metacognition and executive skill strategies

• Provide an additional support system to guide students through challenges

Thinking Big and Expanding Perspectives (T - Think Big)

• Encourage students to reflect on their personal and academic goals

• Promote critical thinking about their roles in the school and beyond

• Inspire responsibility, integrity, courage, and kindness in everyday actions

� COUNSELING

See All School for a Description of EAs Counseling services

Middle School counselors support student development, with a specialized focus on social-emotional and executive skill counseling.

Escuela Americana periodically conducts a Student Attitudes and Behaviors Survey with our Middle School students. Using the results of these surveys, EA implements intensive workshops for students and their families. If you do not wish your student to have the opportunity to participate in this optional survey, please contact the Division Director via email and notify the school in writing each school year.

� CODE OF CONDUCT

EA’s code of conduct is built on our values of Responsibility, Integrity, Courage and Kindness. Following our EA community values means the school has a zero-tolerance approach to hate speech, including any derogatory behavior, disrespectful attitude, or comments directed toward minority members of our school community. This zero-tolerance approach will escalate any of the above behaviors to a disciplinary committee, which may result in immediate removal from the EA community.

� DISCIPLINE

EA is a restorative practices campus. School and student success begin with positive student behavior.

The goal of the above approaches is to empower students to take charge of their behavior by teaching them the skills they need to resolve problems in a manner that is realistic and constructive while at the same time providing appropriate support and follow-up to modify maladaptive behavior. The Middle School Discipline process is built on restorative practices, which consist of three main components:

Social-Emotional Learning is preventative in nature. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Restorative Practices are both preventative and responsive.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

PBIS is a structured environment that provides clear expectations for student behavior and a tiered system for behavior interventions. PBIS focuses on prevention rather than punishment. It also provides incentives for those students who meet the behavioral expectations.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORT (PBIS) AND RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

EA is a restorative practices campus. School and student success begin with positive student behavior.

PBIS consists of three tiers of interventions:

1

Classroom and school-wide interventions provided for all students. The Tier 1 interventions are designed to provide clear expectations for student behavior in all common areas of the school as well as classrooms. Students are taught the executive skills needed to meet these expectations. These are teacher-initiated.

2

Interventions are more individualized and intensive, designed to provide additional support to help students meet behavioral expectations. These include aspects such as behavior contracts, daily behavior forms, and/or mentoring. TIER

Specialized interventions and individualized support. Some students with persistent and chronic behavior issues may need more intensive interventions. Tier 3 interventions are determined with input from Teachers, Social-Emotional Learning Specialists/Counselors, and Administrators.

� RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

When students do not meet the school’s expectations, the focus of Restorative Practices is on students taking responsibility for their actions and, to the best of their ability, repairing any harm done. The goal of restorative practices is to proactively build relationships and enhance a sense of community, and then react to situations that have led to harm and require the restoring of relationships and moving forward.

Restorative Practices include a positive disciplinary approach where natural consequences of maladaptive behaviors are addressed with clear, consistent, and equitable consequences.

These are then reinforced by a series of interventions, including social-emotional support, informal conversations/meetings, and formal conferences, including parent and family interventions.

• GUIDELINES

1. Teachers clearly define expectations and teach those expectations by extensively and repetitivelypracticing the executive skills and strategies needed to meet those expectations.

2. Teachers develop strategies and opportunities to establish solid Student-Teacher relationships to foster student engagement and positive communication.

3. The Administration and Counselors develop social-emotional and executive skills lessons and conduct “restorative circles” to bolster SEL and the development of skills needed for a successful outcome.

4. Teachers follow up and reinforce the social-emotional and executive skills lessons.

5. Applicable clear, consistent, and equitable consequences are assigned for repetitive unmet expectations.

PBIS, SEL, and restorative practices support effective classroom management as they encourage positive interpersonal relationships and academic success and help establish and maintain a quality environment conducive to learning.

While EA opts for positive behavior interventions first, the School also has a system of consequences based on infractions. When Behavior Expectations Are Not Met, There Are Three (3) Categories of Discipline Infractions:

• MINOR INFRACTION

In Middle School, student activities that distract from learning, exhibit poor judgment, and/or the inability to follow directions are considered Minor infractions. The student can expect to be addressed by an administrator on the matter, and parents will be contacted. Consequences may include parent conferences and will be complemented by a restorative practices routine.

Each event or occurrence will be recorded as a Minor infraction, and a pattern of three (3) Minor infractions can result in a major infraction, which is considered a more disruptive behavior.

Examples:

• Disrupting Class

• Defacing of school property (Only requires cleaning – No monetary investment)

• Failing to follow instructions

• Using inappropriate language

• Public displays of affection

• Plagiarism (1st offense)

• Using poor judgment

• Roughhousing/Inappropriate play

• Any activity that detracts from learning

Possible Consequences

• Verbal warning

• Written warning

• Teacher-Student-Parent meeting

• Teacher-Student-Parent meeting with counselors for behavioral modification aides

• MAJOR INFRACTIONS

Major Infractions are significant disruptions to the educational process and school atmosphere on campus or at any school-sponsored event. It happens when a student fails to follow a major expectation or community value. The incident that triggers the infraction will be recorded in the student’s electronic disciplinary file, and all major infractions will be followed up with a parent conference.

Depending on the severity of the Major Infraction and the requirements of individual universities, Major Infractions that occur during the Junior and Senior years may be reported to external institutions. Such communications will only occur with the consent of the General Director and with the knowledge of the students and parents involved.

Examples

• Accumulation of Minor infractions

• Causing/Threatening physical harm to another

• Cheating

• Defacing or destruction of school property (With monetary investment)

• Disrespectful behavior including hate speech, racist statements, or any discriminatory or demeaning comment or action

• Fighting

• Forgery

• Gambling

• Lying

• Plagiarism (2nd+ offense)

• Possession of firecrackers, lighters, or matches

• Throwing objects with the potential to cause personal or property damage

• Skipping/Cutting class

• Verbal abuse or harassment of others

• Infractions involving the driving policy

• Infractions involving the Technology Acceptable Use Policy (Social Media)

Possible Consequences

• Internal Suspension

• External Suspension

• Probation/Suspension from co-curricular activities

• No participation in International travel representing school

• No participation in AASCA

• Loss of campus privileges: Must end school year online

• MAJOR INFRACTIONS

Students who receive a Major Infraction will not be eligible to participate in any school-sponsored international travel and may not represent the school in international athletic competitions for the remainder of the school year. They may also not be eligible to participate in any Student Government role. Finally, they will be suspended from representing the school in local athletic competitions for a period of four (4) weeks.

After the 2nd or 3rd major infraction, the student is on probation with possible non-renewal of the school contract for the following year.

If a student has two Major Infractions for the school year, the enrollment for the next school year will be placed on hold and could be granted only with conditions after the parents/guardians and student sign the letter of agreement. The eligibility for continuing enrollment will be determined by the review and progress on the conditions.

The conditions could include but are not limited to out-of-school suspension after Minor infractions, and having an improvement in the general behavior of the student.

• DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE

If necessary, major infractions will be referred to the Discipline Committee that includes the Section Directors and the General DIrector

• DISMISSAL

Dismissal Infractions are those actions so serious that they may warrant immediate removal from the EA community. Dismissal cases may be considered by a Discipline Committee, which then informs the Division Director of its recommendations. The Division Director shares these recommendations with the General Director, who makes a final decision. Parents are to be informed of the disciplinary situation discussed at the Discipline Committee meeting, the range of typical responses for such infractions with the qualifier that the past does not preclude other actions, and the final consequences in writing.

4 weeks probation from representing EA in athletic competitions

8 weeks probation from representing EA in athletic competitions

Dismissal from representing EA in athletic competitions for the remainder of the school year

The severity of any major infraction can trigger a Discipline Committee meeting.

Examples

• Bullying and/or the ongoing harassment of others

• Possession or distribution of Illicit publications/materials

• Use, possession, or distribution of weapons

• Use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs or drugs prescribed for another person

• Use, possession, or distribution of tobacco / e-cigarette products or accessories on campus, at school-sponsored events whether on campus or off-campus, INCLUDING international events

• Use, possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs on campus or at schoolsponsored events, whether on campus or off-campus

• Use of firecrackers, lighters, or matches on campus

• Use or sale of tobacco products or e-cigarette products or accessories, including vaping products

• Stealing

• A serious breach of the Honor Code or the Code of Conduct or a pattern of violating either code

• Leaving school without permission

• Arson

• Assault and/or battery

• Major vandalism

• Making bomb threats or other threats of violence

• Tampering with safety equipment (i.e., fire extinguishers, alarms, security cameras, etc.)

• Accumulation of major violations

• Any action that brings disrepute onto EA, whether on campus or off

• Any action deemed a serious threat to the community or an individual

• Sexual harassment

• Infractions involving the Technology Acceptable Use Policy, including sexting and accessing inappropriate websites, sexual harassment or other inappropriate behavior through use of any technological mean, including, but not limited to, Artificial Intelligence.

• Or any other behavior that, in the opinion of the Discipline Director warrants dismissal of the student.

• SUSPENSIONS

Internal Suspension

Students who are assigned an internal suspension will complete classwork, assignments, and assessments independently during the school day in a designated location.

• Work: Teachers will assign work aligned with the essential (power) standards being taught during the suspension period. This may include classwork, formative checks, projects, or assessments.

• Expectations: Students are expected to complete their assignments during the day. If more time is needed, the division director or supervisor will work out a plan with the student.

• Grading: Student work will be assessed based on their level of understanding and mastery of the standards.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

External Suspension

Students who are externally suspended are still expected to stay engaged with their learning and demonstrate understanding of the standards covered during their absence.

• Work: Teachers will provide assignments and information on how to access essential learning missed during the suspension. Materials will be shared through Google Classroom or coordinated by the Division Director.

• Due Date: Students are expected to submit all missed work upon returning to school, unless other arrangements are made with the teacher and Division Director.

• Grading: Students will receive feedback and credit based solely on their demonstrated work.

� DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

• COMMUNICATION

1. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the language and transmitted information/files via email, texting, instant messaging, chatting, blogging, or online social networking/posting are truthful, appropriate, and respectful.

2. No inappropriate electronic communication will be tolerated, including derogatory, obscene, or harassing messages. Messages of an abusive or harassing nature will be regarded as a major violation and will be subject to a disciplinary response.

3. Chain letters and spamming of any kind are prohibited (chain letters are defined as any email message asking you to pass information or messages on to other individuals or groups via email).

4. Instant messaging, texting, blogging, social networking, and participation in chat rooms are prohibited in class except as part of an assigned, in-class activity that is supervised by a faculty member or administrator for academic purposes.

5. Forwarding or sharing images of any emails received from members of the school to other parents or members of the community is considered inappropriate behavior for any member of the EA Community.

6. Unauthorized recording of teachers and administrators without explicit consent is strictly forbidden, encompassing classrooms, offices, meetings, or any school-related events where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Anyone found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Additionally, recording private conversations without the consent of all participants is strictly prohibited on school grounds, during school-sponsored activities, or using school-issued equipment, applying to all students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors.

• AI USE POLICY

Generative AI is a tool. Its efficacy and productive value depends directly on how it is used. These tools also can be powerful to improve student writing, research, brainstorming, and organization. Students will be using these tools to generate text and images throughout their working lives. As a result, teachers have a responsibility to set clear guidelines for students around using

• PERSONAL DEVICES

Students in the Middle School may not use cellphones in school. Cellphone use is NOT allowed during break or lunch. Phones must be in backpacks or bags on silent or off. Computers are only to be used for work assigned by teachers, and no social media during the school day. The lid of the computer must remain closed during instructional time. No smart watches or AirPods. Cell phone use is allowed only after 3:10 pm. At all other times, no phone - the school will confiscate your cell phone when in violation of this policy.

• BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE

Every student from 6th to 8th grade must have a personal electronic device. The school recommends the following specific devices: MacBook, laptop, or Chromebook. The minimum requirements expected from the device to ensure student learning is:

• 11-inch-diagonal diameter screen

• A minimum battery life of 4 hours

• A keyboard, camera, and wifi capability

• The ability to open, download, and edit text documents, PDFs, multimedia presentations, charts, and images

• The ability to open, record, and edit videos

• The ability to access digital content and assessments from our learning management system.

Students in grades 6-8 are not allowed to use cell phones or smartwatches of any type during school hours. Students who decide to bring their cell phone or smartwatch must turn them OFF and conceal them in their backpacks at all times upon their arrival to school until 3:10 p.m. Cell phones or smartwatches will not be allowed in their pockets.

Students in grades 6-8 may use their computers and headphones during class time for academic purposes under direct teacher supervision. The default mode for devices is that they are closed and put away until expressly told by the teacher to activate them for class activities.

� ACADEMIC HONESTY

Plagiarism is the violation of academic integrity and honesty by presenting another’s words or ideas as your own. It also includes the deliberate sharing of work to be used by another student. Any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged unless the information is common knowledge.

The use of digital resources including ChatGPT or other AI technology, for any assignment can only be done with the prior approval of the course instructor. Furthermore, ChatGPT or work done by any other digital source must be properly cited in the student’s work. Failure to comply with these rules will be considered plagiarism and/or cheating.

If a teacher suspects that a student’s work is not their own, the student will be expected to demonstrate on demand the knowledge and understanding exhibited in the work. Furthermore, faculty regularly submit student work to anti-plagiarism software, such as Turnitin.com and AI-detection websites.

EA takes cases of plagiarism very seriously. How to cite sources appropriately is an important part of the curriculum school-wide, and instances of plagiarism will be confronted at any level where it occurs.

Repeated infractions of the plagiarism rule is an indication that the student is unable to complete a college preparatory curriculum and so may result in a student being dismissed from Escuela Americana.

Academic dishonesty in the Middle School will result in the following consequences:

1ST OFFENSE

Required rewrite. Grade will be assigned for rewrite. The offense will be reflected on LB rubric. Minor infraction recorded in disciplinary file.

2ND OFFENSE

Major infraction, rewrite for learning purposes with a grade of 1 assigned. The offense will be reflected on the Learning Behavior rubric. Parent conference with Division Director. Possible additional administrative action.

� HOMEWORK

See EA’s Homework policy in All School Section.

In preparation for High School, Middle School students are expected to do work independently. Homework is practice, or preparing for class. Homework assignments build towards deep understanding and knowledge. While not graded, completing homework is part of responsibility, and the development of executive skills. Poorly done, or not completed homework will result in loss of other free or athletic time so that the work can be completed.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Escuela Americana strives to create a safe and responsible learning environment for all students. This policy outlines expectations for personal belongings brought to school and defines the school’s responsibility in their care.

• Students are responsible for the security and safekeeping of their personal belongings.

• The school encourages students to refrain from bringing unnecessary valuables and expensive items.

• The school cannot accept liability for loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings, regardless of location or circumstance.

• Students are expected to be respectful of others’ belongings and refrain from borrowing or using them without permission.

• Students will be assigned lockers upon request to store books, supplies, and non-valuable personal items. Students are responsible for securing their assigned lockers, and sharing a locker is strictly prohibited.

• Lost and found. All lost items should be reported to the Middle School office. Found items will be stored for a specific period before being disposed of appropriately.

If students lose or steal their belongings, they should report the incident to the Division’s office. The school will make reasonable efforts to locate lost items but cannot guarantee their recovery. If a student’s personal belongings cause damage to school property, the school will follow disciplinary procedures and may hold the student financially responsible for repairs or replacements. Middle School students will be assigned a locker upon request. Students are not permitted to change lockers without the permission of the Division Director. All personal belongings should be kept in the locker when they are not in use. EA will not assume responsibility for items missing from lockers or for the loss or damage of personal belongings brought to school. Students are responsible to provide their own locks for their lockers.

A student is responsible for the condition of his/her locker. Combinations are to be memorized by the student and are not to be given to any other student. Students must make sure that they have not left the lockers unlocked or given other students the combination. Should a locker break or be jammed, it should be reported to the Division office as soon as possible. Students should not kick or slam their lockers, nor should the lockers be defaced in any way.

Students must clear out their lockers by the last day of school. The School will not take responsibility for articles left in the lockers after the school day.

*The Administration reserves the right to check any lockers in use if there is reasonable suspicion of misuse. The parents have agreed to any search of the student´s property in the Enrollment Contract.

� CONFISCATED ITEMS

If a student uses an electronic device brought from home without following the specific policy described in the Personal Devices Policy section, the item will be confiscated and turned in to the Middle School Office, where it will be logged in and secured until the student’s parents can come and claim it.

1ST TIME

Returned to the student at the end of the school day

2ND TIME

Returned after school to a parent

3RD TIME

Stays in the office until the following Monday, when only a parent may collect it

AFTER 3RD TIME

Major Infraction, one day internal suspension, turn in phone to office every morning for the remainder of the school year.

All confiscated items will only be returned to one of the student’s parents in person, and the person taking the item will have to sign for it on the Confiscated Item Sheet. The school is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

� SCHOOL BOOKS AND MATERIALS

Textbooks, school books, and school materials issued are to be returned in good condition at the end of each course. Fines or replacement costs will be assessed for damaged or lost books.

� DELIVERIES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

In order to teach our students the importance of planning and other types of responsible behaviors, the delivery of items from home is not permitted during the school day. This includes class materials, missed homework, athletic equipment, restaurant food, or any other item. Medicines may be delivered to the nurse’s office.

Food delivery is strictly prohibited during school hours, including breakfast, lunch, and any scheduled breaks. Any exceptional circumstance must be approved by the Division Director.

All after-school hour deliveries must be inspected by security before any student has access to them.

� RIDE SHARING (UBER)

• Grades 6-12.

While not endorsing the practice, the school recognizes there may be instances when families find it convenient for students to use a third-party ridesharing service (e.g., Uber). The decision to do so rests exclusively with each family, and parents are strongly encouraged to review the operating policies and safety records of these services prior to student use.

Escuela Americana does not have a relationship or agreement with any ridesharing service and will not screen, monitor, or otherwise review or assess the safety of any ridesharing service or any ridesharing driver or vehicle. If you allow your child to be dropped off or picked up at school by a ridesharing service, you expressly acknowledge that Escuela Americana and its employees have no responsibility for your decision and have no responsibility or liability to you or your child related to the ridesharing service.

With that said, any parents who decide to allow their child to be dropped off or picked up at school or at any school-related activity by a ridesharing service, and any student that is dropped off or picked up at school or any school-related activity by a ridesharing service, must meet the following requirements:

• The School must be notified in advance of the day(s) in which the student will use these services.

• The Parent/Guardian must sign a permission slip/release form authorizing the use of this service by their child(ren).

The Geo locations for Uber pick up are: “Track Escuela Americana” and Secondary School Lobby entrance “Escuela Americana”.

� ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

The Middle School’s academic program is challenging, integrative, and exploratory, and designed to meet the intellectual, social, emotional, psychological, and physical needs of all students.

Our 6th-8th grade curriculum builds a strong foundation necessary for responsible civility, personal development, and life-long learning. Students will take core classes in English, Math, Social Studies, Spanish, and Science, and are exposed to the arts and other disciplines through semester courses. All students will take a PE course each year.

Students are expected to take the Midterm and End-of-Year exams when they are scheduled by the school.

Algebra 1 credited course

Algebra 1 is a high school course that counts as a high school credit. The school will offer Algebra 1 to students who demonstrate a solid grasp of mathematical concepts and who are ready for the challenge in 8th grade. Therefore, each quarter grade is reported in as a percentage grade. This grade will be part of the Grade Point Average calculation (GPA).

• STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM

The Student Success Program is an approach to education that provides students with the necessary interventions to be empowered and reach their full academic potential. Student support is provided in grades 6-8 through direct support in class or in small groups.

� ASSESSMENT

• PURPOSE OF ASSESSMENT

The purpose of assessment at EA is to calibrate teaching and learning. Assessment is deliberate, ongoing, and responsive. Standards-based rubrics form the foundation of many assessments, whether formative or summative. Students experience a wide range of authentic assessments that address realworld situations. Assessment at EA follows the schoolwide Assessment Philosophy and Policies.

• GRADING IN GRADES 6-8

Grades 6 to 8 follow a standards-based grading system. Standards-based grading (SBG) focuses on demonstrating knowledge and understanding of learning standards. All class activities focus on learning the learning standards for each course. Academic grades are based only on the demonstration of understanding, knowledge and skills within the course standards while Learning Behaviors are selfassessed and they reflect the development of executive skills necessary for school success.

Students are assessed on academic standards using the scale below:

The student has mastered the curriculum and consistently produces accurate work with high confidence. The student demonstrates an exceptional ability to apply the curriculum independently and in various contexts.

The student demonstrates strong understanding of the curriculum and can apply it independently with accuracy. The student's work is consistent and reflects confidence.

The student meets grade-level expectations and demonstrates an accurate understanding of the curriculum. The student can work independently most of the time and consistently produces accurate work.

The student is beginning to understand the curriculum and can work independently more than 50% of the time. The student’s work is becoming more accurate, but still requires occasional teacher check-unsure for clarification.

The student is beginning to understand the curriculum. The student's work shows some accuracy but needs additional clarification and guidance to consistently complete tasks.

The student demonstrates limited accuracy in their work and requires consistent check-ins and step-bystep guidance.

The student struggles to engage with the curriculum. The student work lacks accuracy and understanding, needing significant teacher intervention and scaffolding.

The teacher does not have enough evidence to assess the student's knowledge. This is usually due to absences or the student has not turned in work.

•

TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS

SBG systems differentiate between two types of assessment.

Formative assessments are assignments designed to give feedback to the student and teacher about learning on standards. Formatives drive the majority of teaching and learning in the classroom.

Summative assessments are designed to demonstrate student learning on specific standards. They are usually projects, quizzes, essays, and tests. All grades are based on summative assessments.

Formative Assessments

• Feedback based

• Used to modify teaching and learning

• Students may redo assignments for proficiency or mastery

Summative Assessments

• The sum of the assessments for a unit

• Used to judge the student’s understanding, knowledge and subject skills

• Students may retake a summative ONE time per assignment, within 8 school days from receipt of the marked assessment, provided the student meets the following criteria:

- The student has completed ALL homework and formative assignments on time during the formative process.

- The student earned 2 or under on the Summative.

- The student takes initiative by completing the summative retake request form found in the office.

- The student makes assessment corrections to the current summative.

- The student completes tutoring session(s) and/or studies all relevant materials available through Google Classroom, as agreed upon with the classroom teacher.

- The teacher will designate the time (not class time) to retake the Summative on the summative retake form.

Mid-Term and End-of-Year Exams will not be reassessed.

• LEARNING BEHAVIORS

Learning Behaviors in the report card include Engagement and Responsibility. Students will connect their personal development of executive skills with these behaviors. Students, with teacher input, will self-assess, define strategies and goals, and reflect on their development on a four-point scale:

4 MASTERY

OF EXPECTATIONS

3 MEETS IMPROVEMENT

2 APPROACHING EXPECTATIONS

EXPECTATIONS

1 NEEDS

Learning Behaviors will not impact the GPA, but they will be included as part of the graduation transcript. The administration will recognize students who have demonstrated salient growth in Executive Skills Leading to excellence in Learning Behaviors.

Learning Behavior grades are important indicators of habits and conduct in the classroom. The administration will recognize students who have exceeded expectations and meet with those who consistently fail to comply with the expectations.

� LATE AND MISSING WORK ASSESSMENTS

All assignments, projects, or assessments will have specified due dates communicated to students in advance. It is the responsibility of students to submit their work on or before the due date. If a student fails to submit their work by the due date, it will be considered late. Late work will be accepted for feedback up to six (6) calendar days after the due date. Students can no longer submit work after the end of the unit. If a student anticipates that they will not be able to submit their work on time due to extenuating circumstances, they are expected to communicate with the teacher in advance to request an extension in writing. Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature and validity of the circumstances. Teachers will not be responsible for reminding students about upcoming due dates or accepting late work without the appropriate documentation.

LATE OR MISSING SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS

• Students must complete the Late Summative Form by the next class meeting after the summative due date in order to be eligible for turning in (or taking) the assessment late.

RESUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENTS

• Formative Assessments may be resubmitted until the end of the unit.

• Students may resubmit or retake one Summative Assessment in each class by following the given protocols:

- Fully complete a Resubmission Form by the next class meeting after receiving the corrected Summative Assessment.

- Complete all Formative Assessments in the unit.

- Complete any additional review work indicated by the Teacher.

• Summative assessments may be redone for full credit if the conditions above are met.

• INCOMPLETE WORK - INSUFFICIENT

EVIDENCE

A teacher may put an IE (insufficient evidence) on a quarterly report card if, in his or her opinion, a reliable grade cannot be determined for a student who has been absent and/or has missed too much work due to legitimate reasons. It is the responsibility of the student to communicate with his/her teachers following an absence to determine what work is to be made up. Students will be given a specified date to complete the work. Any work that has not been completed in the specified amount of time will receive

� RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

Guided by our mission and community values, the Middle School recognizes excellence in all aspects of student life. In June, an end-of-the-year Awards Ceremony will be held for all students in grades 6-8 as follows:

Academic Excellence Award

Demonstrates independence, consistent accuracy, and the ability to apply knowledge in varied contexts. Awarded to: Students consistently performing at the Mastery level.

Proficiency Achievement Award

Demonstrates strong understanding and consistency in performance, with mostly independent work.

Awarded to: Students demonstrating consistent Proficient achievement.

Growth & Effort Award

Teacher nomination highlighting effort, persistence, and commitment to improvement. May include students who started at or below a 2 and are now consistently scoring 2.5 or higher.

Awarded to: Students showing significant growth, perseverance, and work ethic.

Subject Area Mastery Award

Teacher nomination required, with examples of how the student applies learning in varied and complex contexts. Awarded to Students who show exceptional mastery in a particular subject.

� NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

The EA Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) operate in accordance with the charter awarded to EA by the NHS governing board. Membership in this honor society of EA is based on demonstrated qualities in: ACADEMICS • CHARACTER • SERVICE • LEADERSHIP and CITIZENSHIP.

Induction into the EA National Junior Honor Society is a privilege, not a right. The scholarship component is the entry point in the selection process. The character, leadership, citizenship, and service criteria take into consideration the student’s contributions to all areas of life at Escuela Americana.

Personal behavior and comportment play vital roles in the selection.

The NJHS has a Faculty Advisor who, along with the student leaders, plan the events and conduct the affairs of the Society. Membership in the Society is by invitation. Interested students must complete the relevant application forms and submit them by the deadlines announced.

Membership applications are then reviewed and discussed by the faculty members of the Junior Honor Society Selection Committee who, based on the input from the faculty, the student honor committee members, the application itself, student data, and their experiences with the student, make a decision on each applicant’s suitability for membership. It is a process based on the evaluation of a student against the criteria of the Society, not based on students in competition with one another.

New members are inducted at an annual ceremony held for that purpose.

� PROMOTION/RETENTION

Students need to demonstrate an understanding of the curriculum and of the standards taught each year in order to move to the next grade level. The administration will review the work of students earning low grades in two or more classes for the next steps.

Students earning Beginning, or a score of 1-1.5, in one or more classes or who have failed to complete numerous summative assessments will be directed to support opportunities and asked to complete a project or remediation course over the summer to demonstrate proficiency in the course standards by June 30th. Students who have shown little progress on standards in two or more classes may be asked to repeat the grade level.

Students earning scores of 2-2.5 in more than two classes will be directed to support opportunities and asked to complete any work outstanding. In addition, they will be invited to summer school and/or receive a packet of remedial work for the summer in order to reach a level of proficiency

� CO-CURRICULARS

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

1. General Policy

The School may organize and offer international events, such as field trips, study tours, or cultural exchanges, to provide educational opportunities for students. These events may require payment of funds by students or their families to cover various expenses, such as travel, accommodation, meals, or activities.

2. Non-Liability for

Paid Funds

The School shall make reasonable efforts to ensure the smooth planning and execution of international events. However, due to the unpredictable nature of international travel and events, the School cannot guarantee the success, availability, or quality of any specific event and shall not be held liable for any failure, delay, cancellation, modification, or inconvenience that may occur.

3. Refunds and Cancellations

In the event that an international event is canceled or modified, the School shall make reasonable efforts to provide alternative arrangements or refunds of paid funds to affected students or their families, subject to any non-refundable expenses already incurred by the School or its partners.

However, the School reserves the right to retain a portion or all of the paid funds to cover administrative, planning, or other expenses incurred in organizing the event.

Any student who commits a Major Infraction is ineligible to be a member of the school’s official delegation for international events during the remainder of that school year.

Note: Any student who commits a Major Infraction after the selection process has occurred will automatically forfeit the opportunity to participate in the event. Any funds paid to reserve the student’s participation will not be refunded by the school.

4. Travel Arrangements

The School may work with external travel agencies, vendors, or partners to arrange travel, accommodation, or other services for international events. However, the School shall not be responsible for the acts, omissions, errors, or negligence of such external parties, including but not limited to flight delays or cancellations, lost or damaged luggage, changes to travel itineraries, or any other issues that may arise during travel. Participants are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements, including passport, visa, health, or safety requirements, and for obtaining any necessary insurance coverage for their travel.

5. Participant Responsibilities

Participants in international events organized by the School are expected to comply with all applicable School policies, rules, regulations, and codes of conduct, as well as any specific instructions or guidelines provided by the School or its representatives. Participants shall also take responsibility for their own safety, well-being, and behavior during the event and shall not engage in any activities that may endanger themselves or others or that may bring disrepute or liability to the School. Any violations of School policies or misconduct may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to dismissal from the event or other consequences, at the sole discretion of the School.

6. Parent/Guardian Consent

Parents or guardians of participating students shall provide written consent for their child’s participation in international events organized by the School, and shall acknowledge and accept the terms and conditions of this policy, including the non-liability for paid funds. Parents or guardians shall also provide all required documents, emergency contact information, and any relevant medical or dietary information for their child, and shall promptly notify the School of any changes or updates to such information.

7. Insurance

The School will require participants to obtain appropriate insurance coverage, such as travel insurance, medical insurance, or liability insurance, at their own expense, to protect against unexpected events or expenses that may arise during the international event. The School will work with external insurance companies to provide medical coverage but is not responsible for any costs, damages, or losses incurred by participants that are not covered by insurance.

8. Amendments to the Policy

The School reserves the right to amend, modify, or update this policy at any time, and any changes shall be effective upon notice to participants or their families. Participants are responsible for regularly reviewing this policy and for complying with the most current version. By participating in an international event organized by the School, participants and their families acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to the terms and conditions of this policy, including the non-liability for paid funds.

In order for students to participate in an international, school-sponsored event (e.g. AASCA competition, Mathcounts, or Leadership trip), they must maintain specific behavioral and academic expectations.

Eligibility

For the purposes of determining eligibility, only official grades (Quarter/ Semester) will be considered. For example, if the selection process for an international event occurs during the 1st Quarter of the school year, then the student must pass all courses in the previous school year without having to do summer school. If the selection process takes place during the 2nd Quarter, then the student must pass each course during the 1st Quarter. If the selection process takes place during the 3rd Quarter, the student must pass each First Semester course. If the selection process takes place during the 4th Quarter, the student must be passing each course based on the Cumulative Average of the first three Quarters.

Students that have committed Major Infractions may not represent the school in international events or participate in international trips. The school will make every effort to refund any payments made towards those events or trips, but cannot guarantee that those refunds will occur.

• INTRAMURAL AND INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS PROGRAMS

Escuela Americana supports an active intramural and interscholastic sports program. They are designed to promote participation, interaction, and competition to contribute to the physical, emotional, and social development of students. Academic and sports teams compete with local schools and in outof-country tournaments. Specific information concerning sports and activities is available through the Athletic Director and the Division Director. Requirements for multi-day, school sponsored events:

Please take into account the following selection criteria for multi-day event participation:

• ATHLETICS ELIGIBILITY

Academic Performance:

• Require quarter grades more than 2.5 for participation in extracurricular activities, local or international events.

Behavioral Infractions:

• 1 Major Infraction = Ineligible to participate for 2 weeks in any sports related activity that involves representing the school both locally and internationally.

• 2 Major Infractions = Ineligible to participate for 4 weeks in any sports related activity that involves representing the school both locally and internationally.

• 3 or more Major Infractions = Ineligible to participate for the remainder of the term in any sports related activity that involves representing the school both locally and international.

• PROPER COMPORTMENT

Show discipline, respect, effort, and “team spirit” during practices, rehearsals and/or games.

• TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

The student must show the required abilities and capacities to participate in the event or tournament.

� SERVICE LEARNING

Service Learning is a critical component of Escuela Americana’s education. Service learning is a vital part of our Middle School experience, helping students develop empathy, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of their community. By engaging in meaningful projects that connect classroom learning to real-world needs, students build leadership skills, social awareness, and a sense of purpose.

Through service, they learn that their actions can create positive change, fostering a lifelong commitment to making a difference now and in the future. Because it is school related, all school rules and discipline policies will be observed during any service-learning activity.

� EXTRACURRICULARS

• STUDENT COUNCIL

The Escuela Americana Student Government is the officially recognized representative of the Middle School student body. Its functions and rules are found in the EA Student Council Constitution. Each Grade Level elects four class officers to represent them on the Student Council.

Elected class officers are responsible for representing their grade level, coordinating student activities, and being the legitimate voice to express the wishes, complaints, and suggestions of the student body to the Division Director and to all other interested parties. Elections are held in May of each school year for the following academic year.

If elected officers earn a Major Infraction during their term, they will be put on probation and may be required to resign their office.

• CLASS / CLUB ACTIVITIES

All requests for special events, such as but not limited to field trips, jeans days, special food days, shows, etc. must be discussed with the Class Advisor/ Sponsor and submitted to the Student Life Coordinator in order to be approved by the Administration a minimum of two weeks in advance.

• CLASS FUNDS

All funds raised by students will be channeled through the Business Office. In order to make a withdrawal of funds, a minimum of three (3) signatures is needed. The Advisor and two (2) Administrators will review and approve such requests.

No funds will be approved for expenditure to finance events that are not school-sponsored. This includes activities surrounding the Junior prom that are not school-sponsored.

HIGH SCHOOL

9TH - 12TH GRADE

Escuela Americana El Salvador

4. HIGH SCHOOL 9TH

- 12TH GRADE

The High School’s framework is a set of principles guided by the school’s mission, vision, and whole child approach that lays the foundation for a shared understanding of our work together as a learning community. This framework applies to all of us - students, faculty, staff, and administration - as we all share the same desire to reach our full potential, which is a life-long process.

In High School, we expect students to live EA’s values of Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, and Kindness. High School culminates with the graduation of our students and the achievement of the Portrait of a Student which is at the heart of learning at EA.

� PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

An EA Graduate is a young person who:

THINKS

Explores critically, solves problems creatively, has a growth mindset, and is a lifelong learner

ACTS

Is a resilient and independent risk-taker who upholds high moral values.

INTERACTS

Is compassionate and respectful, collaborating and communicating efficiently.

BELIEVES

Is empowered to act as a responsible, authentic, and balanced community member.

ATTENDANCE OR ABSENCE QUESTIONS

FIRST CONTACT

Paola Hernandez hernandez.paola@amschool.edu.sv 2528-8250

CLASSROOM TEACHER

NEXT CONTACT

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Augusta Lacayo lacayo.augusta@amschool.edu.sv

Virginia Franco 9th and 11th grade franco.virginia@amschool.edu.sv

SEL CONTACT

LAST CONTACT

CHILD PROTECTION SUPERVISOR

Ana Mejía mejia.ana@amschool.edu.sv

DIRECTOR

Greg Barnes barnes.greg@amschool.edu.sv

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� SCHEDULE

The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and finishes at 3:10 p.m.

We will follow an five-day, eight-block rotating system. Grades 9-12 have one 43 minute block and three 55 minute blocks of each class every week.

MONDAY

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

9:00 - 9:55 8:48 - 9:31

8:00 - 8:55 8:00 - 8:43 11:15 - 12:10 10:34 - 11:17 12:45 - 13:40

13:45 - 14:40 12:10 - 12:45 11:22 - 12:05 9:55 - 10:15 9:31 - 9:46

10:15 - 11:10 9:46 - 10:29

- 12:40 12:40 - 13:23 14:11 - 14:26

� ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

All students are expected to arrive at each class on time and ready to participate fully. Students who arrive late are recorded as tardy. If the student has a legitimate excuse for his/her tardiness, he/she must provide a written note for the tardy to be considered excused. Without any information, the tardy is recorded as unexcused. Late arrivals to class will be subject to disciplinary actions that could range from Minor to Major infractions due to the repeated disruption of the learning environment.

• ACCESS TO CAMPUS AFTER SCHOOL

It is strictly prohibited for students to return to campus once they have left for any reason, including but not limited to breaks, emergencies, or personal reasons without permission from the Division or Athletics Director. This policy will be enforced through a variety of means, including monitoring of campus entrances and exits, regular checks of student attendance, and communication with students and their families. Any student found in violation of this policy may face disciplinary action.

� ATTENDANCE

Escuela Americana believes that every effort should be made to see that students attend every class every day of the school year. We expect the only reason for absence will be due to illness or emergency and for parents to contact their child’s Division Office as soon as they realize their child will miss school, regardless of the reason for the absence. School’s daily attendance will close by 2 pm.

Per EA Policy, students must be in attendance for 90% of the school year to receive academic credit. A student may not have more than fourteen (14) class absences from a class throughout the school year for year-long courses, and they may not have more than seven (7) absences for semester-long courses. Both excused and unexcused absences contribute to this total. If a student exceeds a 10% absence limit, each case will be reviewed by a Division Director, and a recommendation regarding promotion or retention will be made to the General Director. The decision of the General Director is final. Warning notices will be communicated after students accumulate seven (7) absences and then again after ten (10) absences. In the case of semester-long courses, a notice will be sent after four (4) absences, which will serve as the Final Warning.

• STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to be on campus every school day. If a student must miss school, parents should email the High School Office in advance or as soon as the situation is known with relevant documentation and no later than 2:00 pm. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with teachers as soon as possible to inform them of the absence. It is the student’s responsibility to abide by the Late Work policy.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

“For excused absences, students have one (1) calendar day for each day missed, plus one (1) additional calendar day (not to exceed five (5) days total) to make up all missed work. Excused absences include illnesses, one or two (1-2) days with a parent note, and three (3) or more days with a doctor’s note. They also include representing the school or the country in a sports or club tournament (with appropriate documentation and advance notice). Official appointments with government offices (embassies, judges’ offices, etc.) will be granted an excused absence with prior parental request.

All 11th-12th grade students are granted 5 days with an excused absence to visit colleges or universities. Absences beyond the count will be considered unexcused. These days may not be used in Quarter 4 during the Senior year.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

For unexcused absences, work is due the day the student returns to school and is immediately subject to the school’s late work policies.

• DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES

Warning Notices will be communicated after students accumulate three (3) unexcused absences in any one class, and the student will receive a Minor Infraction. For each additional three (3) unexcused absences, an additional Minor Infraction will be imposed, and a parent conference will occur. If a student has nine (9) unexcused absences in any class, they will receive a Major Infraction.

If a student arrives late to school in the morning (8:00 am) three times, they will be subject to a Saturday detention of one hour. An additional three late arrivals will result in a two-hour Saturday detention. If the student continues arriving late to school, they will be subject to infractions and disciplinary consequences. A total of three (3) unexcused tardies across all classes during the school day (after 8:00 am) will result in the student receiving a Minor Infraction.

*Repetitive, unexcused late arrivals to school will be addressed on an individual basis. Subsequent late arrivals, despite ongoing follow-up, indicate a more serious problem and may require that the student seek another school environment.

• FIELD TRIP PERMISSION

A Parent Permission Form must be signed and returned to the grade level sponsor or chaperone for each field trip before a student is allowed to leave school on the field trip.

� PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION

Parent concerns should be addressed directly with the teachers first. Teacher concerns will also be addressed directly and promptly with parents. These concerns can be addressed on the phone or by email. However, email does not always convey tone and can make communication difficult. Addressing concerns in the form of questions rather than accusations is very helpful to maintain open communication.

If the matter is not resolved to the parties’ satisfaction, the concerns should be addressed to the division assistant director/director. The issue will be referred to the Parent Handbook if appropriate and the rules in the Handbook will apply. If the issue is not part of the Handbook, the assistant director/director will work to address the issue with the parents.

If the issue is still outstanding, the parent can ask for a meeting with the General Director.

� UNIFORMS

Escuela Americana is a uniform school. High School students are responsible for knowing and following these expectations. A student’s appearance is part of their representation of who they are in the community and, therefore, should align with our Division goals of developing one’s responsibility to themselves and the community. School uniforms create a level playing field among students, reducing peer pressure and bullying. It also enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit.

Formal uniforms must be worn every day. PE uniforms are only to be worn during PE class in the gym or on the field. Students not in uniform are violating the school policy, and if their uniform is too tight, short, or large, they will be required to change into a proper uniform or be sent home.

GIRLS

• Formal bottoms: Navy blue skirt, skorts, navy blue pants, or official school sweatpants with logo

• White, blue, or red EA polo shirt

• Skirts must be worn at approximately knee length

• School sweatshirts, hoodies, school jackets, or sweaters that are one of the school colors: red, white, navy blue, black, or gray

• Hair must be only natural color(s)

• Makeup should appear natural

• Athletic shoes or dress shoes (closed-toe and flat heel)

BOYS

• Formal bottoms: Navy blue pants or official school sweatpants with logo worn above the hips with no tears at the hem

• White, blue, or red EA polo shirt

• School sweatshirts, hoodies, school jackets, or sweaters that are one of the school colors: red, white, navy blue, black, or gray

• Hair should be no longer than collar length or up in a bun; no facial hair (Seniors can request this privilege each year)

• Sneakers or dress shoes (closed-toe and flat heel)

EXCEPTIONS

• On designated Fridays, students may wear school spirit t-shirts, purchased at the Trojan Store, club t-shirts, official school activity shirts, class-designed shirts, and/or athletic shirts, with formal bottoms as defined above.

• On occasion, students may be granted themed or free dress days. The following rules still apply: no short skirts or shorts, no crop tops or tank tops, no open-toed shoes, and no other clothing that is inappropriate.

• Each year, 12th-grade students will select a color for an additional EA Polo Shirt and will design a class sweatshirt. After these dress items have been approved by the Secondary Director and the Director of Institutional Advancement, they can be worn by Senior students any day of the week.

For all students, the acceptability of their appearance is left to the Administration’s discretion.

� WELLBEING AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

• CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Escuela Americana has a formal child protection policy which is in Appendix 2 of this document and you can find an executive summary. HERE

• PHYSICAL HEALTH

Please refer to ALL SCHOOL physical health section

• EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

EA believes emotional wellbeing is as important for learning as physical health. Therefore we have curriculum that addresses social emotional and executive skill development for all ages. Community Time works to develop a coherent, communal ethos aligned with EA’s Core Values by creating regular time with a range of community groupings for a set of clearly defined purposes, through weekly themes that cycle through attention to the individual, the community, and the wider systems we inhabit. The main goals of Community Time are as follows:

Community Building

• Create healthy connections with the larger EA community

• Provide students with a sense of belonging to the school community

• Create opportunities for informal interaction between students and teachers

Character Education/Social and Emotional Education

• Cultivate the social and emotional development of every young adolescent

Advocacy

• Build rapport and trust between students and teachers

• Develop self-advocacy skills and strategies

• Be an additional support system for students

Executive Functioning

• Teach executive skills

• Guide students executive skills strategies

� COUNSELING

See All School for a Description of EAs Counseling services

High School counselors support student development, with a specialized focus on social-emotional and executive skills counseling.

� DRUG AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION

Escuela Americana is proud to partner with Pathways for Prevention, an international non-profit provider of school-based substance abuse prevention services. Pathways for Prevention provides students and the adults who care for them the knowledge, understanding, and skills they need to make intelligent, healthy choices about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.

Escuela Americana periodically conducts surveys with our High School students. Using the results of these surveys, EA implements intensive workshops for students and their families.

� CODE OF CONDUCT

EA’s code of conduct is built on our values of Responsibility, Integrity, Courage and Kindness. Following our EA community values means the school has a zero-tolerance approach to hate speech, including any derogatory behavior, disrespectful attitude, or comments directed toward minority members of our school community. This zero-tolerance approach will escalate any of the above behaviors to a disciplinary committee, which may result in immediate removal from the EA community.

� DISCIPLINE

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORT AND RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

EA is a restorative practices campus. School and student success begin with positive student behavior.

The goal of the above approaches is to empower students to take charge of their behavior by teaching them the skills they need to resolve problems in a manner that is realistic and constructive while at the same time providing appropriate support and follow-up to modify maladaptive behavior. The High School Discipline process is built on restorative practices, which consist of three main components:

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND EXECUTIVE SKILLS LEARNING (SEL)

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (PBIS)

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

Social-Emotional Learning is preventative in nature. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Restorative Practices are both preventative and responsive.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (PBIS)

PBIS is a structured environment that provides clear expectations for student behavior and a tiered system for behavior interventions. PBIS focuses on prevention rather than punishment. It also provides incentives for those students who meet the behavioral expectations.

PBIS consists of three tiers of interventions:

Classroom and school-wide interventions provided for all students. The Tier 1 interventions are designed to provide clear expectations for student behavior in all common areas of the school as well as classrooms. Students are taught the executive skills needed to meet these expectations. These are teacher-initiated and -led. TIER 1

Interventions are more individualized and intensive, designed to provide additional support to help students meet behavioral expectations. These include aspects such as behavior contracts, daily behavior forms, and/or mentoring. TIER 2

TIER

3

Specialized interventions and individualized support. Some students with persistent and chronic behavior issues may need more intensive interventions. Tier 3 interventions are determined with input from Teachers, Social-Emotional Learning Specialists/Counselors, and Administrators.

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

When students do not meet the school’s expectations, the focus of Restorative Practices is on students taking responsibility for their actions and, to the best of their ability, repairing any harm done. The goal of restorative practices is to proactively build relationships and enhance a sense of community, and then react to situations that have led to harm and require the restoring of relationships and moving forward.

Restorative Practices include a positive disciplinary approach where natural consequences of maladaptive behaviors are addressed with clear, consistent, and equitable consequences.

These are then reinforced by a series of interventions, including social-emotional support, informal conversations/meetings, and formal conferences, including parent and family interventions.

• GUIDELINES

1. Teachers clearly define expectations and teach those expectations by extensively and repetitively practicing the executive skills and strategies needed to meet those expectations.

2. Teachers develop strategies and opportunities to establish solid Student-Teacher relationships to foster student engagement and positive communication.

3. The Administration and Counselors develop social-emotional and executive skills lessons and conduct “restorative circles” to bolster SEL and the development of skills needed for a successful outcome.

4. Teachers follow up and reinforce the social-emotional and executive skills lessons.

5. Applicable clear, consistent, and equitable consequences are assigned for repetitive unmet expectations.

PBIS, SEL, and restorative practices support effective classroom management as they encourage positive interpersonal relationships and academic success and help establish and maintain a quality environment conducive to learning.

While EA opts for positive behavior interventions first, the School also has a system of consequences based on infractions. When Behavior Expectations Are Not Met, There Are Three (3) Categories of Discipline Infractions:

• MINOR INFRACTION

In High School, student activities that distract from learning, exhibit poor judgment, and/or the inability to follow directions are considered minor infractions. The student can expect to be addressed by an administrator on the matter, and parents will be contacted. Consequences may include parent conferences and will be complemented by a restorative practices routine.

For the vast majority of students, this is the sum total of their interaction with the High School discipline system. Each event or occurrence will be recorded as a Minor Infraction, and a pattern of three (3) Minor Infractions will result in a Major Infraction, which is considered more disruptive behavior.

Examples

• Disrupting Class

• Defacing of school property (Only requires cleaning – No monetary investment)

• Failing to follow instructions

• Using inappropriate language

• Public displays of affection

• Plagiarism (1st offense)

• Using poor judgment

• Roughhousing/Inappropriate play

• Any activity that detracts from learning

Possible Consequences

• Verbal warning

• Written warning

• Teacher-Student-Parent meeting

• Teacher-Student-Parent meeting with counselors for behavioral modification aides

• MAJOR INFRACTIONS

Major Infractions are significant disruptions to the educational process and school atmosphere on campus or at any school-sponsored event. It happens when a student fails to follow a major expectation or community value. The incident that triggers the infraction will be recorded in the student’s electronic disciplinary file, and all Major infractions will be followed up with a parent conference.

Depending on the severity of the Major Infraction and the requirements of individual universities, Major Infractions that occur during the Junior and Senior years may be reported to external institutions. Such communications will only occur with the consent of the General Director and with the knowledge of the students and parents involved.

Examples

• Accumulation of minor infractions

• Causing/Threatening physical harm to another

• Cheating

• Defacing or destruction of school property (With monetary investment)

• Disrespectful behavior including hate speech, racist statements, or any discriminatory or demeaning comment or action

• Fighting

• Forgery

• Gambling

• Lying

• Plagiarism (2nd+ offense)

• Possession of firecrackers, lighters, or matches

• Throwing objects with the potential to cause personal or property damage

• Skipping/Cutting class

• Verbal abuse or harassment of others

• Infractions involving the driving policy

• Infractions involving the Technology Acceptable Use Policy (Social Media)

Possible Consequences

• Internal Suspension

• External Suspension

• Probation/Suspension from co-curricular activities

• No participation in International travel representing school

• No participation in AASCA

• Loss of campus privileges: Must end school year online

These are examples of consequences, other consequences may apply based on the infraction

Students who receive a Major Infraction will not be eligible to participate in any school-sponsored international travel and may not represent the school in international athletic competitions for the remainder of the school year. They may also not be eligible to participate in any Student Government role. Finally, they will be suspended from representing the school in local athletic competitions for a period of four (4) weeks.

After the 2nd or 3rd Major Infraction, the student is on probation with possible non renewal of school contract for the following year.

If a student has two Major Infractions for the school year, the enrollment for the next school year will be placed on hold and may be granted only with conditions, after the parents/guardians and student sign the letter of agreement. The eligibility for continuing enrollment will be determined by the review and progress on the conditions.

The conditions could include but are not limited to out-of-school suspension after minor infractions, and having an improvement in the general behavior of the student.

1ST MAJOR

4 weeks probation from representing EA in athletic competitions

2ND MAJOR 3RD MAJOR

8 weeks probation from representing EA in athletic competitions

The severity of any Major infraction can trigger a Discipline Committee meeting.

• DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE

Dismissal from representing EA in athletic competitions for the remainder of the school year

If necessary, Major infractions will be referred to the Discipline Committee that includes the Section Directors and the General DIrector.

• DISMISSAL

Dismissal Infractions are those actions so serious that they may warrant immediate removal from the EA community. Dismissal cases may be considered by a Discipline Committee, which then informs the Division Director of its recommendations. The Division Director shares these recommendations with the General Director, who makes a final decision. Parents are to be informed of the disciplinary situation discussed at the Discipline Committee meeting, the range of typical responses for such infractions with the qualifier that the past does not preclude other actions, and the final consequences in writing.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

Examples

• Bullying and/or the ongoing harassment of others

• Possession or distribution of Illicit publications/materials

• Use, possession, or distribution of weapons

• Use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs or drugs prescribed for another person

• Use, possession, or distribution of tobacco / e-cigarette products or accessories on campus, at school-sponsored events whether on campus or off-campus, INCLUDING international events

• Use, possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs on campus or at school-sponsored events, whether on campus or off-campus

• Use of firecrackers, lighters, or matches on campus

• Stealing

• A serious breach of the Honor Code or the Code of Conduct or a pattern of violating either code

• Leaving school without permission

• Arson

• Assault and/or battery

• Major vandalism

• Making bomb threats or other threats of violence

• Tampering with safety equipment (i.e., fire extinguishers, alarms, security cameras, etc.)

• Accumulation of major violations

• Any action that brings disrepute onto EA, whether on campus or off

• Any action deemed a serious threat to the community or an individual

• Sexual harassment

• Infractions involving the Technology Acceptable Use Policy, including sexting and accessing inappropriate websites, sexual harassment or other inappropriate behavior through use of any technological mean, including, but not limited to, Artificial Intelligence.

• Or any other behavior that, in the opinion of the Division Director, warrants dismissal of the student

• SUSPENSIONS

For suspensions, the following rules apply regarding work responsibility for the students.

TYPE RESPONSIBILITY MAKE-UP WORK

INTERNAL SUSPENSION

EXTERNAL SUSPENSION

� DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

• COMMUNICATION

Students who are internally suspended will be given classwork, quizzes, tests, and other assignments to be completed during the day(s) of the suspension. All work not completed on time will have EA Late Work policy applied.

Missed work is due the day of the student’s return.

Students will be given daily work assignments and expected to complete the assignment on their own before the end of the class day. Whatever grade the student earns on this work is what shall be recorded. Assignments will be picked up by the Division Director and given to the Teacher.

Homework or projects due the day(s) of external suspension will be accepted by the teacher for credit under the Late Work policies.

1. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the language and transmitted information/files via email, texting, instant messaging, chatting, blogging, or online social networking/posting are truthful, appropriate, and respectful.

2. No inappropriate electronic communication will be tolerated, including derogatory, obscene, or harassing messages. Messages of an abusive or harassing nature will be regarded as a major violation and will be subject to a disciplinary response.

3. Chain letters and spamming of any kind are prohibited (chain letters are defined as any email message asking you to pass information or messages on to other individuals or groups via email).

4. Instant messaging, texting, blogging, social networking, and participation in chat rooms are prohibited in class except as part of an assigned, in-class activity that is supervised by a faculty member or administrator for academic purposes.

5. Forwarding or sharing images of any emails received from members of the school to other parents or members of the community is considered inappropriate behavior for any member of the EA Community.

6. Unauthorized recording of teachers and administrators without explicit consent is strictly forbidden, encompassing classrooms, offices, meetings, or any school-related events where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Anyone found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Additionally, recording private conversations without the consent of all participants is strictly prohibited on school grounds, during school-sponsored activities, or using school-issued equipment, applying to all students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors.

• AI USE POLICY

Generative AI is a tool. Its efficacy and productive value depends directly on how it is used. This tools also can be powerful to improve student writing, research, brainstorming, and organization. Students will be using these tools to generate text and images throughout their working lives. As a result, teachers have a responsibility to set clear guidelines for students regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence resources. Each teacher should clearly address how AI will be allowed to be used in their class, and teach students how to use this technology productively and successfully.

• PERSONAL DEVICES

For students in grades 9-12, cell phones can be on campus but not in use during class time. They must be in backpacks or bags on silent or off, not on your person. Computers are only to be used for work assigned by teachers, and no social media during the school day. The lid of the computer must remain closed during instructional time. No smart watches or AirPods. Cell phone use is allowed only during breaks, lunch, and after 3:10 p.m. At all other times, no phone - the school will confiscate your cell phone when in violation of this policy.

• BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE POLICY

Every student from 6th to 12th grade must have a personal electronic device. The school recommends the following specific devices: MacBook, laptop, or Chromebook. The minimum requirements expected from the device to ensure student learning is:

• 11-inch-diagonal diameter screen

• A minimum battery life of 4 hours

• A keyboard, camera, and wifi capability

• The ability to open, download, and edit text documents, PDFs, multimedia presentations, charts, and images

• The ability to open, record, and edit videos

• The ability to access digital content and assessments from our learning management system.

Students in grades 9-12 may be allowed to use electronic devices for academic purposes under direct supervision from teachers. The default mode for devices is that they are closed and put away until expressly told by the teacher to activate them for class activities.

Students in grades 9-12 may use cell phones, headphones, and smartwatches only during breaks and at lunch. Cell phones will not be allowed in their pockets or on their desks. During passing time between classes, cell phones, headphones, and smartwatches must be put away and on silent mode in their backpacks and may not be used under any circumstances. Students who do not follow this policy will follow the confiscated items policy. Students will be allowed to use wired headphones while supervised in class only with the permission of the teacher.

� ACADEMIC HONESTY

Plagiarism is the violation of academic integrity and honesty by presenting another’s words or ideas as your own. It also includes the deliberate sharing of work to be used by another student. Any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged unless the information is common knowledge.

The use of digital resources including ChatGPT or other AI technology, for any assignment can only be done with the prior approval of the course instructor. Furthermore, ChatGPT or work done by any other digital source must be properly cited in the student’s work. Failure to comply with these rules will be considered plagiarism and/or cheating.

If a teacher suspects that a student’s work is not their own, the student will be expected to demonstrate on demand the knowledge and understanding exhibited in the work. Furthermore, faculty regularly submit student work to anti-plagiarism software, such as Turnitin.com and AI-detection websites. Recording devices are used in the school and may capture student academic dishonesty.

Repeated infractions of the plagiarism rule are an indication that the student is unable to complete a college preparatory curriculum and so may result in a student being dismissed from Escuela Americana.

Academic dishonesty in the High School will result in the following consequences:

1ST OFFENSE

Required rewrite. Grade will be assigned for rewrite, with Late Policy enforced. Minor infraction recorded in disciplinary file.

2ND OFFENSE

Major Infraction, rewrite for learning purposes, with a Grade of 20% assigned. Parent conference with Division Director Possible additional administrative action.

� HOMEWORK

See EA’s Homework policy in All School Section.

In preparation for college, high school students are expected to do work independently. Homework is practice, or preparing for class. Homework assignments build towards deep understanding and knowledge. While not graded, completing homework is part of responsibility, and the development of executive skills. Poorly done, or not completed homework will result in loss of other free or athletic time so that the work can be completed.

� PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Escuela Americana High School strives to create a safe and responsible learning environment for all students. This policy outlines expectations for personal belongings brought to school and defines the school’s responsibility in their care.

• Students are responsible for the security and safekeeping of their personal belongings.

• The school encourages students to refrain from bringing unnecessary valuables and expensive items.

• The school cannot accept liability for loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings, regardless of location or circumstance.

• Students are expected to be respectful of others’ belongings and refrain from borrowing or using them without permission.

• Lost and found. All lost items should be reported to the High School office. Found items will be stored for a specific period before being disposed of appropriately.

In case of lost belongings, students should report the incident to the Division’s office. The school will make reasonable efforts to locate lost items but cannot guarantee their recovery. If a student’s personal belongings cause damage to school property, the school will follow disciplinary procedures and may hold the student financially responsible for repairs or replacements.

High School students will be assigned a locker upon request. Students are not permitted to change lockers without the permission of the Division Director. All personal belongings should be kept in the locker when they are not in use.

EA will not assume responsibility for items missing from lockers and will not assume responsibility for the loss or damage of personal belongings brought to school. Students are responsible for providing their own locks for their lockers.

A student is responsible for the condition of his/her locker. Combinations are to be memorized by the student and are not to be given to any other student. Students must make sure that they have not left the lockers unlocked or given other students the combination. Should a locker break or be jammed, it should be reported to the Division office as soon as possible. Students should not kick or slam their lockers, nor should the lockers be defaced in any way.

Students must clear out their lockers by the last day of school. The School will not take responsibility for articles left in the lockers after the last school day.

*The Administration reserves the right to check any lockers in use if there’s reasonable suspicion of misuse. The parents have agreed to any search of the student´s property in the Enrollment Contract.

� CONFISCATED ITEMS

If a student uses an electronic device brought from home without following the specific policy described in the Personal Devices Policy section, the item will be confiscated and turned in to the High School Office, where it will be logged in and secured until the student’s parents can come and claim it.

1ST TIME

Returned to the student at the end of the school day.

2ND TIME

Returned after school to a parent

3RD TIME

Stays in the office until the following Monday, when only a parent may collect it.

AFTER 3RD TIME

Major Infraction, one day internal suspension, turn in phone to office every morning for the remainder of the school year.

All confiscated items will only be returned to one of the student’s parents in person, and the person taking the item will have to sign for it on the Confiscated Item Sheet. The school is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

� SCHOOL BOOKS

Textbooks and other school books issued are to be returned in good condition at the end of each course. Fines or replacement costs will be assessed for damaged or lost books.

� DELIVERIES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

In order to teach our students the importance of planning and other types of responsible behaviors, the delivery of items from home is not permitted during the school day. This includes class materials, missed homework, athletic equipment, restaurant food, or any other item. Medicines may be delivered to the nurse’s office.

Food delivery is strictly prohibited during school hours, including breakfast, lunch, and any scheduled breaks. Any exceptional circumstance must be approved by the Division Director.

All after-school hour deliveries must be inspected by security before any student has access to them.

� PARKING/TRAFFIC

• ATHLETIC

FIELD ENTRANCE /GYM PARKING LOT RULES

Only students in grades 10-12 are allowed to drive and park on campus. All students wishing to drive to school and park must complete an application and be approved by the Athletic Department.

Students will be allowed to park in the Gym Parking lot area after submitting a copy of their driver’s permit. Parking on campus is a privilege, not a right. Please keep this in mind and abide by the following guidelines and rules:

1. Students must possess a valid driver’s license.

2. After completing mandatory procedures, students will be required to buy a sticker that must be displayed on the car’s front windshield at all times.

3. The green spaces numbered 1-55 have been assigned to seniors, and the blue spaces numbered 1-30 have been assigned to underclassmen.

4. On a “first-come, first-served” basis, please park only in the areas that have been assigned to your grade level: green or blue spaces.

5. Respect guards and authorized personnel.

6. Inside parking lot facilities, respect traffic signals and follow the traffic lines to enter and exit the lot properly.

7. Please keep in mind that the speed limit on campus is 10 km per hour (5 miles per hour).

8. Students are not to be in the parking lot during school hours, including the time between classes and lunch periods. They should also vacate their vehicle immediately after arriving to school in the morning. Students who need to go to the parking lot during school hours must first obtain permission from the High School office.

9. Should students not abide by the school’s parking and traffic rules, they may be denied the privilege to park on the Escuela Americana premises.

10. Late arrivals: Students must report to the Division Office to obtain the Late Arrival slip that will allow them to enter class.

� RIDE SHARING (UBER)

While not endorsing the practice, the school recognizes there may be instances when families find it convenient for students to use a third-party ridesharing service (e.g., Uber). The decision to do so rests exclusively with each family, and parents are strongly encouraged to review the operating policies and safety records of these services prior to student use.

Escuela Americana does not have a relationship or agreement with any ridesharing service and will not screen, monitor, or otherwise review or assess the safety of any ridesharing service or any ridesharing driver or vehicle. If you allow your child to be dropped off or picked up at school by a ridesharing service, you expressly acknowledge that Escuela Americana and its employees have no responsibility for your decision and have no responsibility or liability to you or your child related to the ridesharing service.

With that said, any parents who decide to allow their child to be dropped off or picked up at school or at any school-related activity by a ridesharing service, and any student that is dropped off or picked up at school or any school-related activity by a ridesharing service, must meet the following requirements:

• The School must be notified in advance of the day(s) in which the student will use these services.

• The Parent/Guardian must sign a permission slip/release form authorizing the use of this service by their child(ren).

The Geo locations for Uber pick up are: “Track Escuela Americana” and Secondary School Lobby entrance “Escuela Americana”.

�

ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

The High School’s academic program is challenging, integrative, and exploratory, and designed to meet the intellectual, social, emotional, psychological, and physical needs of all students.

In 9th - 12th grades, EA offers a demanding, bilingual, college-preparatory program that enables students to realize their full potential in academics, service, athletics, and leadership. Over 90% of the students earn both the Escuela Americana high school diploma and the Salvadoran Bachillerato diploma.

• COURSE PLACEMENT

Escuela Americana reserves the right to place students in an alternate course or courses when the first choice requests cannot be honored or when the student’s previous academic achievement and learning characteristics do not meet the requirements of the particular course requested. The School and parents will consider the student’s mastery of basic skills, previous achievement, and maturity when making final placement decisions.

• COURSE REGISTRATION AND COUNSELING

The course catalog for the next school year will be finalized by the end of January. The catalog, the list of course offerings, and the registration process calendar will be presented to teachers so that they can revise the material and ask questions. The course catalog, offerings, and registration calendar will be presented to students during SDL in the first week of February.

Parents must sign up for workshop-style meetings with counselors and administration supporting the process. After these sessions, individual follow-up meetings may be held with a counselor, to discuss and review the plan.

Both the parent and the student will sign the plan and any changes that happen throughout 10-12 grade. If a parent is unable to attend, they can Zoom into the meetings and sign the document digitally. The official paperwork will be kept in the student file and electronically.

All student/parent meetings must take place at least one week before the deadline to submit the Course Request Forms (shortly after the end of Q3). Any changes to requests must be acknowledged by parents and will be documented.

• ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM (AP)

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers opportunities for qualified students to earn credit(s) for universities around the world while completing their high school education. Students must meet established prerequisites before enrolling in any of the AP courses offered at EA. These prerequisites include a three-quarter average of no less than 90% from the current core course in the same subject, no Learning Behavior rubric scores below a 3, and their current teacher approval signature. In addition, students must complete the summer work assignment to hold their place in the course and pass a related assessment administered during the first days of the school year. Failure to complete the summer assignment or pass the assessment will result in the student's withdrawal from the AP course. A Committee will review and approve requests for enrollment in more than 3 AP or advanced classes. Students who take AP courses are required to register and take the AP Examinations that are administered each May. There is a fee for taking each AP examination, which is collected in September. EA students enrolled in AP Courses are required to take the AP Exams.

Failure to take the AP Exam in May results in the following consequences:

• The transcript will be changed to reflect a regular level of the course, and all grades and GPAs will be recalculated for the entire year.

• Colleges will be notified that the student took the AP Course but did not complete the school’s exam requirement.

• Exam fees will not be refunded

For external reporting purposes only, grades earned in Advanced Placement courses are weighted +10 quality points more than regular courses when calculating a student’s grade point average for students obtaining an AP exam score of 3+. For example, a student who earns an 85 in an AP course and scores 3+ in the AP exam will have 95 used for GPA calculations.

However, the grade the student has earned in the course (85 in this example) is reported on the transcript and not the grade with the additional points added. In addition, failing grades in AP courses are recorded as failing grades and are not awarded extra points. Students who obtain an AP exam score of 1 or 2 will not be granted the GPA bonus calculation points and will not be allowed to enroll in another AP course in that area the following year.

Since AP classes are taught at a level commensurate with university courses, students are expected to complete work above and beyond that of the regular curriculum. Typically, such work entails additional homework and/or weekend work to complete the reading, writing, and research required for the classes. Students will be required to complete a full-length practice exam at least once during the school year to gauge readiness and set personal score achievement goals.

Students and parents will sign a contract acknowledging this policy and its requirements before the beginning of the school year.

• ONE SCHOOLHOUSE

One Schoolhouse is a provider of high-quality online high school courses for the most elite private schools around the world. With years of experience, it employs experienced faculty who currently teach at prestigious private schools throughout the United States. Using their online platform, these instructors provide high-quality, personalized instruction to students. Students will have opportunities to collaborate with their peers from other schools and experience the innovation of online learning that is currently becoming the norm in many universities.

Eligibility

• 11th/12th grade students

• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 87 or higher

• Students must have two recommendations from faculty.

Payment

• Students are responsible for paying for specified courses. Prices are updated and communicated for each school year.

• Students who withdraw from the course after the first day of classes are responsible for associated tuition costs.

• OTHER ONLINE COURSES

Any student who would like to take an online course in a core academic course must meet with the Division Director personally and make a formal request. The Division Director will consult with the current teachers, and the team will determine if permission is granted for the course to be taken by an Escuela Americana approved online program. Only if the student has the paperwork signed by the current teacher of the content course and the Division Director will the course be approved and considered an academic credit. The student must complete the course, and the school shall receive official transcripts from the school directly prior to any credit being accepted. If the student does not have this, they will be responsible for taking the course on campus.

If a student fails a course, the school will require the course to be completed online via our approved online summer remediation course program. All summer coursework must be completed prior to July 15th to be accepted.

Taking 2 core academic courses in one school year (2 math or 2 sciences). Written approval from the Division Director and the Registrar are necessary. Decision will be made based on teacher recommendations, grade requirements, MAP test results, and Math Readiness tests (when available).

• STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM

The Student Success Program provides students with pre-teaching, re-teaching, and executive skill support that empowers them to reach their full academic potential. Student support is provided in grades 9-12 through the "SOS" period when teachers will invite SSP students to their rooms for extra help, support, or time to complete work.

• GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students must earn 27.5 credits in order to earn the high school diploma, and students must take a full course load all four years of high school. Failure to pass all courses taken during 12th grade may prevent a Senior student from participating in the Commencement Ceremony or receiving a diploma. All students must also successfully complete a social service requirement as directed by the Division Office. Currently, the requirement is 150 hours during 9th - 12th grades. Only the General Director, with the recommendation of the High School Director, may authorize changes or substitutions of courses in the graduation requirements for the high school diploma.

Students desiring a Bachillerato Diploma from the Salvadoran Ministry of Education must follow a prescribed schedule of classes. Courses offered as part of the regular instructional program will count as credit toward this diploma. Students must also complete 150 social service hours and pass a national standardized test.

In accordance with MINEDUCYT laws, it is Escuela Americana policy that all students who are Salvadoran in nationality must be enrolled in the Salvadoran Ministry of Education Program to obtain their national diploma (Bachillerato Diploma). Only students completing studies abroad who are admitted into High School and who have a second nationality may opt out of this requirement and will have to sign a waiver in agreement to their decision.

COURSE PLANNING

* Four credits must be earned between Grades 9 and 12, even if Algebra 1 was taken in 8th Grade ^ Non-native speakers substitute these courses with Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) ** Computer skills learned in Elementary are mastered in Secondary through their application across the Curriculum

Note: Students must take at least one core area class each year in high school. Core classes are: English, Mathematics, Spanish, Social Studies, and Science.

• MINEDUCYT

MINEDUCYT courses are integrated within the EA courses in order to meet the requirements for the Bachillerato Diploma. All required content is integrated into the US diploma courses for each student in their 10th and 11th grade years.

Basic Area

• Language and Literature

• Mathematics

• Natural Sciences

• Social Studies and Civics

• Foreign Language

• Computers

• Orientation for Life

Complementary Subjects

• Moral and civics

• Seminars

• Labor Qualification Course

Citizenship

• Evidence of attitudes favorable to coexistence and a culture of peace

• Accepts and values diversity

• Makes decisions autonomously and responsibly

• Expresses and participates with respect

• Shows a sense of belonging and respect for our culture.

The MINEDUCYT determines the percentage of weight afforded to the Standardized examination which, when combined with the grades awarded by EA, is used to determine whether a student is eligible to receive the Bachillerato diploma. Completion of the EA program of study enables a student to earn the EA high school diploma and positions a student to earn the Salvadoran Bachillerato diploma. However, EA does not control the terms or conditions under which the Bachillerato is awarded, and we cannot guarantee that an EA graduate will earn the Bachillerato diploma. If earning the Bachillerato diploma is a priority, not only will a student need to take the relevant courses and pass them, but they must also pass the National Standardized test at a level to produce a composite score set by the MINEDUCYT.

� ASSESSMENT

• PURPOSE OF ASSESSMENT

The purpose of assessment at EA is to calibrate teaching and learning. Assessment is deliberate, ongoing, and responsive. Standards-based rubrics form the foundation of all assessments, whether formative or summative. Students experience a wide range of authentic assessments that address realworld situations.

• GRADING IN GRADES 9-12

Academic grades are based primarily on the demonstration of knowledge and skills of the course standards. Achieving higher grades reflects a deeper understanding of standards. Academic behaviors such as collaboration, participation, responsibility, and using class time wisely are not included in the academic grades; they are part of the Learning Behavior Rubric.

All academic and PE grades will be reported on a numeric scale of 100 points. A grade of 64 or below will be considered a failing grade. Report cards will reflect numerical values only.

Official grades are reported four times during the academic year. Parents are encouraged to regularly access their child’s grades through their Learning Management System account. Teachers will keep parents abreast of students’ challenges and successes. In addition, parents of students in danger of failing and/or with academic difficulties in several areas will be contacted by the Administration. Parents are strongly encouraged to establish communication with their child’s teacher as a first approach to any academic concern.

• LEARNING

BEHAVIORS

Learning Behaviors in the report card include Engagement and Responsibility. Students will connect their personal development of executive skills with these behaviors. Students, with teacher input, will self-assess, define strategies and goals, and reflect on their development on a four-point scale: OF EXPECTATIONS

4 MASTERY EXPECTATIONS

3 MEETS IMPROVEMENT

2 APPROACHING EXPECTATIONS

1 NEEDS

Learning Behaviors will not impact the GPA, but they will be included as part of the graduation transcript. The administration will recognize students who have demonstrated salient growth in Executive Skills leading to excellence in Learning Behaviors.

� LATE AND MISSING WORK ASSESSMENTS

All assignments, projects, or assessments will have specified due dates communicated to students in advance. It is the responsibility of students to submit their work on or before the due date. If a student fails to submit their work by the due date, it will be considered late. Late work will be accepted up to six (6) calendar days after the due date, but a deduction of 20% of the total points possible for the assignment, project, or assessment will be applied. Students can no longer submit work after the end of the unit. If a student anticipates that they will not be able to submit their work on time due to extenuating circumstances, they are expected to communicate with the teacher in advance to request an extension in writing. Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature and validity of the circumstances. Teachers will not be responsible for reminding students about upcoming due dates or accepting late work without the appropriate deduction.

LATE OR MISSING SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS

• Students must complete the Late Summative Form by the next class meeting after the summative due date in order to be eligible for turning in (or taking) the assessment late.

RESUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENTS

• Formative Assessments may be resubmitted until the end of the unit.

• Students may resubmit or retake one Summative Assessment in each class by following the given protocols:

- Fully complete a Resubmission Form by the next class meeting after receiving the corrected Summative Assessment.

- Complete all Formative Assessments in the unit.

- Complete any additional review work indicated by the Teacher.

• Summative assessments may be redone for full credit if the conditions above are met.

• INCOMPLETES

A teacher may put an “INC” (Incomplete) on a quarterly report card if, in his or her opinion, a reliable grade cannot be determined for a student who has been absent and/or has missed too much work due to legitimate reasons. It is the responsibility of the student to communicate with his/her teachers following an absence to determine what work is to be made up. Students will be given a specified date to complete the work. Any work that has not been completed in the specified amount of time will receive a failing grade.

• WITHDRAWING

It is the student’s responsibility to recognize his/her inability to meet the requirements of a course within six days of the school year for all year-long and semester one courses and the first four days of the second semester for semester two courses

Withdrawing from a course after the drop/add period has closed is subject to the approval of the High School Director and will require a parent’s meeting. The student will receive a “W” on the official transcript, and report card. A student will be allowed to withdraw from one course in High School without penalty. Additional withdrawals will be counted as a failing grade in the student’s GPA.

� RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

Guided by our mission and community values, the High School recognizes excellence in all aspects of student life. During the first month of school, the achievements of the students the previous year will be celebrated in an Awards Ceremony recognizing their success. Since the GPA calculations rely on AP scores, we cannot hold this ceremony at the end of the normal school year.

Academic achievement will be recognized in grades 9–12 as follows:

HONOR ROLL

Cumulative year average of 88.0 - 91.99

PRINCIPAL’S HONOR ROLL

Cumulative year average of 92.0 - 95.99

GENERAL DIRECTOR’S ACHIEVEMENT

Cumulative year average of 96.0 and above.

STUDENT-ATHLETE HONORS

Played a sport at EA all year and maintained a cumulative average of 88 and above.

VALEDICTORIAN / SALUTATORIAN

To be considered for Valedictorian and/or Salutatorian the student must meet all EA credits for graduation and meet all GPA qualifications. For any student to qualify, they must have attended Escuela Americana for a minimum of 4 semesters and all qualifying marks obtained in grades 9-12 will be included in the final GPA calculation considered for this award ranking.

These are the scales EA will use to determine the percent to average in the GPA if the student transfers with letter or GPA grades from other schools.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

�

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

The EA Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) operates in accordance with the charter awarded to EA by the NHS governing board. Membership in this honor society of EA is based on demonstrated qualities in: ACADEMICS • CHARACTER • SERVICE • LEADERSHIP and CITIZENSHIP.

Induction into the EA National Honor Society is a privilege, not a right. The scholarship component is the entry point in the selection process. The character, leadership, citizenship, and service criteria take into consideration the student’s contributions to all areas of life at Escuela Americana. Personal behavior and comportment play vital roles in the selection.

The NHS has a Faculty Advisor who, along with the student leaders, plan the events and conduct the affairs of the Society. Membership in the Society is by invitation. Interested students must complete the relevant application forms and submit them by the deadlines announced.

Membership applications are then reviewed and discussed by the faculty members of the Honor Society Selection Committee who, based on the input from the faculty, the student honor committee members, the application itself, student data, and their experiences with the student, make a decision on each applicant’s suitability for membership. It is a process based on the evaluation of a student against the criteria of the Society, not based on students in competition with one another.

New members are inducted at an annual ceremony held for that purpose.

� PROMOTION / RETENTION

The purpose of the promotion procedure is to ensure that every child who is promoted has acquired the necessary skills and levels of achievement to be successful in the next grade. The minimum passing grade necessary to complete a class will be 65 in Grades 9 through 12. Students in danger of failing one or more classes will be identified and counseled, and their Parents will be informed and kept abreast of their academic progress.

Academic achievement,as verified by end-of-year averages reported on the student’s cumulative file and the Report Card, will determine promotion. At the end of each of the first three marking periods, the Administration, will meet with each parent whose child is in danger of failing the school year.

• A student who fails a year-long class (64 or below) in the regular school year, needs to complete one semester of this class over the summer through the University of Nebraska High School Online Program by July 15th to continue with the enrollment for the next school year (Passing grade is 70; the transcript is required).

• Once the student has passed the online class, the student’s EA transcript will be updated to a 65* indicating that remediation was completed through an online course and EA credit will be given.

• If the student fails the summer online class, they may have to repeat this class on campus during the school year. This may impact the student’s continued program of study at EA and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• If a student fails three or more classes during the regular school year, this will also be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the administration, which will determine if EA is the best learning environment for the student.

• School staff will create a work plan with all students taking University of Nebraska High School Online Summer Courses and will check in regularly with parents and students.

� CO-CURRICULARS

1. General Policy

The School may organize and offer international events, such as field trips, study tours, or cultural exchanges, to provide educational opportunities for students. These events may require payment of funds by students or their families to cover various expenses, such as travel, accommodation, meals, or activities.

2. Non-Liability for Paid Funds

The School shall make reasonable efforts to ensure the smooth planning and execution of international events. However, due to the unpredictable nature of international travel and events, the School cannot guarantee the success, availability, or quality of any specific event and shall not be held liable for any failure, delay, cancellation, modification, or inconvenience that may occur.

3. Refunds and Cancellations

In the event that an international event is canceled or modified, the School shall make reasonable efforts to provide alternative arrangements or refunds of paid funds to affected students or their families, subject to any non-refundable expenses already incurred by the School or its partners. However, the School reserves the right to retain a portion or all of the paid funds to cover administrative, planning, or other expenses incurred in organizing the event. In order for students to participate in an international, school-sponsored event (e.g. AASCA competition, MUN, Mathcounts, or Leadership trip), they must maintain specific behavioral and academic expectations.

For the purposes of determining eligibility, only official Semester grades will be considered. For example, if the selection process for an international event occurs during the 1st Semester of the school year, then the student must pass all courses in the previous school year without having to do summer school. If the selection process takes place during the 2nd Semester, then the student must pass each course during the 1st Semester.

4. Travel Arrangements

The School may work with external travel agencies, vendors, or partners to arrange travel, accommodation, or other services for international events. However, the School shall not be responsible for the acts, omissions, errors, or negligence of such external parties, including but not limited to flight delays or cancellations, lost or damaged luggage, changes to travel itineraries, or any other issues that may arise during travel. Participants are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements, including passport, visa, health, or safety requirements, and for obtaining any necessary insurance coverage for their travel.

5. Participant Responsibilities

Participants in international events organized by the School are expected to comply with all applicable School policies, rules, regulations, and codes of conduct, as well as any specific instructions or guidelines provided by the School or its representatives. Participants shall also take responsibility for their own safety, well-being, and behavior during the event and shall not engage in any activities that may endanger themselves or others or that may bring disrepute or liability to the School. Any violations of School policies or misconduct may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to dismissal from the event or other consequences, at the sole discretion of the School.

6. Parent/Guardian Consent

Parents or guardians of participating students shall provide written consent for their child’s participation in international events organized by the School, and shall acknowledge and accept the terms and conditions of this policy, including the non-liability for paid funds. Parents or guardians shall also provide all required documents, emergency contact information, and any relevant medical or dietary information for their child, and shall promptly notify the School of any changes or updates to such information.

7. Insurance

The School will require participants to obtain appropriate insurance coverage, such as travel insurance, medical insurance, or liability insurance, at their own expense, to protect against unexpected events or expenses that may arise during the international event. The School will work with external insurance companies to provide medical coverage but is not responsible for any costs, damages, or losses incurred by participants that are not covered by insurance.

8. Amendments to the Policy

The School reserves the right to amend, modify, or update this policy at any time, and any changes shall be effective upon notice to participants or their families. Participants are responsible for regularly reviewing this policy and for complying with the most current version. By participating in an international event organized by the School, participants and their families acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to the terms and conditions of this policy, including the non-liability for paid funds.

Eligibility

Students that have committed Major Infractions may not represent the school in international events or participate in international trips for the remainder of the current school year. The school will make every effort to refund any payments made towards those events or trips, but cannot guarantee that those refunds will occur.

• INTRAMURAL AND INTERSCHOLASTIC PROGRAMS

Escuela Americana supports active intramural and interscholastic sports programs. They are designed to promote participation, interaction, and competition to contribute to the physical, emotional, and social development of students. Academic and sports teams compete with local schools and in out-ofcountry tournaments. Specific information concerning sports and activities are available through the Athletic Director and the Division Director.

Requirements for multi-day, school sponsored events:

• ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

No grades below 70. The grades that are used to compute this must be the most recent, finalized, official Semester grades.

• DISCIPLINE

No Major Infractions during the current school year.

• PROPER COMPORTMENT

Show discipline, respect, effort, and “team spirit” during practices, rehearsals and/or games.

• TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

The student must show the required abilities and capacities to participate in the event or tournament.

� SERVICE LEARNING

Service Learning is a critical component of Escuela Americana’s education. High School students are strongly encouraged to become active participants in our Service Learning activities. All students must complete 150 hours of direct service as a graduation requirement by the end of the first semester of junior year. All school rules and discipline policies will be observed during service-learning activities.

Any service-learning activities not directly sponsored by EA must be pre-approved by the Student Life Coordinator and informed to the Division Director in order for service learning hours to be granted. Students must complete the pre-approval form and obtain the necessary permissions BEFORE the activity occurs. Otherwise, service learning hours may not be accumulated by the students involved in the activity.

� EXTRACURRICULARS

• STUDENT COUNCIL

The Escuela Americana Student Government is the officially recognized representative of the Secondary student body. Its functions and rules are found in the EA Student Council Constitution. Each Grade Level elects four class officers to represent them on the Student Council.

In addition, three Executive Officers will be elected from grades 9-12 to represent the High School student body as members of the Executive Council.

Elected class officers are responsible for representing their grade level, coordinating student activities, and being the legitimate voice to express the wishes, complaints, and suggestions of the student body to the Division Director and to all other interested parties. Elections are held in May of each school year for the following academic year.

If elected officers earn a Major Infraction during their term, they will be required to resign their office.

• CLASS / CLUB ACTIVITIES

All requests for special events, such as but not limited to field trips, jeans days, special food days, shows, etc. must be discussed with the Class Advisor/ Sponsor and submitted to the Student Life Coordinator in order to be approved by the Administration a minimum of two weeks in advance.

• CLASS FUNDS

All funds raised by students will be channeled through the Business Office. In order to make a withdrawal of funds, a minimum of three (3) signatures is needed. The Advisor and two (2) Administrators will review and approve such requests.

No funds will be approved for expenditure to finance events that are not school-sponsored. This includes the senior graduation party and activities surrounding the Senior prom that are not school-sponsored.

On July 1, following graduation, the senior class account will be closed. Any unspent funds will be transferred to the Annual Fund. The Student Council may make recommendations to the Administration concerning expenditures of funds from this account.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

� CONTACTS

ATTENDANCE OR ABSENCE QUESTIONS

OFFICE ASSISTANT Iris Rosales rosales.iris@amschool.edu.sv

FIRST CONTACT COACHES

NEXT CONTACT

LAST CONTACT

ATHLETIC COORDINATOR

Melvin Leon leon.melvin@amschool.edu.sv

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Cristian Alvarado alvarado.cristian@amschool.edu.sv

� MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

• MISSION

To challenge each student-athlete in a supportive bi-cultural sports environment that promotes selfesteem, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and athletic excellence.

• GENERAL OBJECTIVES

Provide student-athletes with athletic experiences that will help them mature physically and emotionally into well-rounded individuals.

• SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Form disciplined, enthusiastic, responsible, and honest athletes with a high level of sports spirit.

Provide a systemized program that excels in individual and collective abilities.

Maintain a highly capable and engaged coaching staff that identifies with EA’s values.

� ORGANIZATION

The Athletic Department is the division of Escuela Americana responsible for organizing all competitive sports for the students.

The Athletic Department has an Athletic Director, a Sports Coordinator, and an administrative assistant. The department has a multidisciplinary coaching staff consisting of 48 coaches for Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball, Rugby, Wall Climbing, Track & Field, Cross Country, Table Tennis, and Strength & Conditioning, with each team having its own Head Coach and each discipline having a Sports Coordinator. Assistant coaches are assigned based on needs and availability.

The Department is also the only one in the country to have its own dedicated Sports Physical Therapist and Sports Nutritionist dedicated to the well-being of our student-athletes.

Special Note: Parents are not allowed to volunteer as head or assistant coaches.

� AFTER SCHOOL COMPETITIVE SPORTS

Basketball

Soccer

Volleyball

Handball

Track & Field

Cross Country

Wall Climbing

Table Tennis

� ELIGIBILITY

1. All EA students who enroll in the program can participate.

2. All students are expected to be in good academic and behavioral standings in order to qualify for participation.

3. All athletes need to present a medical background form with the required information duly signed by their doctor.

4. All athletes must have either personal accidents coverage or medical insurance.

5. Athletes may participate in up to two sports per semester. Students will choose a primary sport and a secondary sport, and regular attendance to both practices is expected. Students may not participate in more than two sports during the semester.

6. All students must register during the summer online or during academic registration the first week of school. No student will be allowed to register after the closing date except for newly enrolled students in school.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� EA TEAMS

1. Teams are divided by gender and age category. All practices are held after school and, depending on the age level, vary from two to four practices per week.

2. An EA team is composed only of EA students.

3. Each sport and category has its own EA team.

4. The category is according to the year of birth. A good student athlete may be promoted to a higher category to accommodate their proper development.

5. There is a Head Coach responsible for each team.

6. All EA team members are required to purchase and wear Trojan uniforms. If an athlete doesn’t have his/her uniform, he/she will not be allowed to participate in games or competitions.

• TEAM ATTENDANCE

1. All athletes must attend at least 80% of their practices in order to be eligible to represent EA in any and all games or competitions (including AASCA and other international competitions) starting from the first day of official practices or the first day that the athlete joins the team.

2. An attendance rate below 65% at any time will result in removal from the team.

3. Proper excused absences due to family circumstances, medical reasons, academics, other cocurricular activities, or any agreement with athletes registered in two sports will not count against nor in favor of the athlete when calculating their attendance rate.

4. All excused absences must be validated by an official note to the coach within 48 hours of the absence.

• SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR SPORTS

• Students with excused or unexcused absences from school will not be eligible to participate in games or practices scheduled that same day. This also applies to athletes with internal and external suspensions. Athletes are expected to attend 100% of the school day in order to participate in games and practices that same day.

• Students who have not participated in their regular PE classes cannot participate in their practice or games on that same day.

• When dismissed early from classes for an athletic event or game outside EA, athletes are responsible for the completion of all missed classwork and assignments.

• Students must be passing all academic courses.

� TROJAN PARENTS

Based on the school’s values, parents should abide by the following expectations and prohibitions:

• EXPECTATIONS

• Encourage athletes to make their best effort.

• Accept the results of games, tournaments, and competitions.

• Encourage respect amongst athletes, coaches, judges, referees, and the general public.

• Promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes.

• PROHIBITIONS

• Interfere in practices and games; this is the function of the coach.

• Show unsportsmanlike conduct to the judges, referees, athletes, or the opposing team’s fans, such as booing, mocking, insulting, etc.

• PARENT-COACH MEETINGS

For any concerns, the parent may contact the coach only via email. If a parent wishes to meet in person with a coach for any reason, the meeting must be requested through the Athletic Director. The Athletic Director must be present for any parent-coach meeting.

Note: Any unsportsmanlike conduct could result in permanent retreat, suspension, or expulsion from future athletic competitions.

• PARENT PRESEASON PRESENTATION

All parents or legal guardians (at least one per athlete) must attend a mandatory parent preseason presentation hosted by the Athletic Department at the beginning of the school year. Failure to attend the presentation and sign the Parent Athletics Contract and the Parent Code of Conduct will result in their son/daughter not being allowed to participate in practices and games until their parent fulfills the above-mentioned requirements. ALL parents of athletes will be required to sign the Parent Athletics Contract and the Parent Code of Conduct each year.

24-HOUR RULE

No parents or students are allowed to approach or contact a coach (in person, via email, phone, etc.) nor post negative comments on any form of social media (personal and school-related) for 24 hours following all games and competitions. The rule is in place to allow everyone a 24-hour “cooling off” period to evaluate and reassess their thoughts and reactions after a competition.

� LOCKERS

• ELIGIBLE USERS

Lockers for students participating in after-school sports are available on a first come, first served basis.

• USE OF LOCKERS

• Lockers may only be used daily during the permitted after-school hours, from 3:10 pm to 6:00 pm.

• Students may not share the locker with other students. Anything found in a locker will be the sole responsibility of the person using it.

• Students are advised not to store any money or valuables in the open lockers.

• Lockers are not installed with any locks. Users that bring valuables (e.g., laptops, notebooks, etc.) may request a key. Requests can be submitted through the Athletics Assistant.

- Each student with an issued locker key is responsible for safekeeping the key until the end of the practice. All keys must be returned daily.

- There will be a $10 replacement cost for every lost key reported.

• Storage of any items that are illegal or would cause or be likely to cause a health hazard, security risk, physical danger, or nuisance to the environment or other members of the school is prohibited.

• Objects/articles must not be put in the locker if it is against the law or school policy. School administrators may randomly inspect the contents of the lockers at any time.

• Kicking, hitting, slamming, defacing, using graffiti, bending/prying/jamming of locks, and other such abuses are not allowed. No stickers may be glued, taped, or affixed to the inside/outside of the locker.

• At the end of each sports practice, all students using a locker must leave it open and clean. If at the end of the day, there is a closed locker, the school shall have the authority to open such lockers and dispose of all property found therein.

• If a locker gets jammed, the problem should be reported to coaches or the Athletics Assistant.

Students are responsible for paying for the repair of any damages they have caused. Any user violation of the locker regulations may result in the termination of the use of lockers and be reported to the Division Administrator.

The school cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to personal property stored in the lockers under any circumstances. Additionally, the school cannot guarantee the safekeeping of any items found in the lockers and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising in connection with them.

All users of the locker system must agree to and comply with the above rules.

� COMPETITIONS AND TOURNAMENTS

Every year, the following competitions and tournaments are held.

� NATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS

• BILINGUAL LEAGUE

Bilingual League (Bilingual and invited schools) competitions take place every year between September and March. In addition to the sports listed, students may also compete in swimming, tennis, and table tennis competitions.

• TROJAN TOURNAMENTS AND TROJAN LEAGUES

These competitions are organized entirely by Escuela Americana; local and bilingual schools are invited to participate. Games are scheduled according to the Trojan teams’ needs; therefore, they may take place anytime during the school year and sometimes even in June.

• “JUEGOS ESTUDIANTILES” (COLEGIALES)

The Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Sports (INDES) sponsor the Juegos Estudiantiles (Student Games) from April to July; some competitions may extend into August and September. This is a regional and sometimes a national competition, which features the top schools in the country. In some disciplines and in the U17 category, the winning teams go on to represent El Salvador at the Central American student games (CODICADER).

• FEDERATED TOURNAMENTS AND LEAGUES

Some sports participate in competitions organized by National Federations. These events usually take place from January to November, and athletes/players from all around the country participate.

� INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS

• ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN

SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL AMERICA (AASCA)

Every year, AASCA sponsors Secondary sports:

• AASCA 6th to 8th events are for students who are currently enrolled in grades six through eight and who are in good academic and behavior standings (see school policy for school-sponsored events) and enrolled in EA sports.

• AASCA 9th to 12th events are for students who are currently enrolled in grades nine through twelve and who are in good academic and behavioral standings (see school policy for school-sponsored events). Generally, the students on the Varsity Teams are the ones selected to participate in AASCA competitions.

• SELECTION CRITERIA FOR INTERNATIONAL ATHLETIC EVENTS

There are team selection guidelines for an athlete’s participation in international sporting events. In order to be eligible to participate in international events, student-athletes must be in good academic and behavioral standing. Discipline records will be taken into consideration. The guidelines used are:

ACADEMIC LEVEL A

• See “Requirements for School Sponsored Events.”

ATHLETIC LEVEL B

• Discipline:

i. Maintains positive relationships with the coach, the players, and the administrators; behaves courteously towards the referees, the opponents, and the public.

ii. Follows the coach’s instructions during practices, games, and tournaments.

i. Complies with the coach regarding corrections during practices and games.

iii. Issues positive comments and recommendations in the best interest of the team.

v. Accepts the referee’s decisions, even though they might seem unfair.

• Responsibility:

i. Attends at least 85% of team practices and all scheduled games on time.

ii. Arrives properly dressed for practice.

iii. Keeps informed about practices, games, uniform to be worn, and other activities related to the team.

• Sportsmanship and Cooperation:

i. Cooperates with the coach and teammates.

ii. Maintains friendly relationships with teammates and coaches.

iii. Plays according to the rules, uses good sportsmanship, accepts wins and losses graciously, and thanks the opponents for their participation.

• Effort:

i. Complies with the required goals during practice.

ii. Participates actively during practices, tryouts, drills, and games.

iii. Works with the team for the group benefit.

iv Works with dedication during the games.

v. Shows a positive attitude towards the practice and the games.

• Technical Performance:

i. Demonstrates the required skill and capacity for the sport in which he/she participates.

ii. Knows correspondent system/strategies the team uses during practices or games.

iii. Follows other technical criteria considered by the coach.

• PROCEDURES

All procedures for an athlete’s participation in international sporting events will be handled by the Athletic Department. The procedure used is as follows:

• Parents and players are notified in writing (letter and email) of upcoming tournaments and the selection process.

• Parents are informed about the students’ traveling programs and transportation, hotels, pricing, schedule, and security issues, as well as any other trip-related issues considered by the administration. Logistics will be determined prior to the announcement of any trip.

• The official evaluation period will vary per sport and will depend on the date of the event. The length of the official evaluation period will be at least one month. The official selection of the team will be made and announced at least one month prior to the event.

• All athletes must participate in the entire official evaluation period in order to be eligible for selection. Special exceptions may be made for athletes that are in multiple sports, change sports, are new to the school, or have other special circumstances.

• The Athletic Department will notify parents of their son/daughter’s selection status. All selected players are advised of trip expectations, travel expenses, deadlines, documents, and paperwork needed.

• The athletes’ parents are responsible for providing their sons/daughters with adequate immigration requirements such as visas and legal documents.

• • At the time of their selection, students are warned in writing that they may be removed from the team should their attendance, academic, behavior, and/or sports performance levels drop after the selection. The administration reserves the right to review and act upon individual cases when

• TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS

When participating in AASCA or Invitational sponsored sports events, athletes must abide by host school rules and guidelines.

• No student-athlete may leave the host school or hotel without the authorization of the administrator, coach, or chaperone responsible for the group.

• All social activities will be done as a team under the supervision of the administrator, coaches, and/ or chaperones.

• Attendance at all tournament official activities is mandatory; student-athletes are to behave in a courteous and respectful manner from beginning to end.

• Student-athletes must follow the instructions and decisions made by the coaches, administrators, and/or chaperones at all times. Failure to do so may result in suspension from participation, suspension from future participation, or being sent back to EA for disciplinary action.

• All EA campus rules apply when traveling with EA Teams.

• While highly uncommon, our families should understand that during school-sponsored travel, Escuela Americana reserves the right to conduct searches of hotel rooms and student luggage/ bags under specific circumstances, notably with suspicion of use and/or possession of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, weaponry, or in possible cases of theft. necessary.

� REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS

Local competitions/events

In order for a student to participate in a national (local) school-sponsored/supported event, he/she must have:

• No major violations of the school’s discipline code.

• Proper comportment: Show discipline, respect, effort, and “team spirit”-type behavior during practices, rehearsals, and/or games.

• Technical performance: Show abilities and capacities to participate in the event or tournament.

International competitions/events/school-sponsored international travel experiences

In order for a student to participate in an international school-sponsored/supported event, including an AASCA event, he/she must have:

• Passing grades in all subjects and had no major violations of the school’s discipline code.

• If the selection process for the trip occurs during the 1st quarter, then the student must have passed all courses in the previous school year without having to do summer school and cannot have committed any major violations to the school’s discipline code during the current year.

• If the selection process takes place during the 2nd quarter, then the student must have passed all courses during the 1st quarter and have no major violations in the current school year.

• If the selection process takes place during the 3rd quarter, the student must have passed all courses based on the Semester Averages and have no major violations during the current school year.

Proper comportment:

Show discipline, respect, effort, and “team spirit”-type behavior during practices, rehearsals, and/or games.

Technical performance:

Show the required abilities and capacities to participate in the event or tournament.

For local and international games, tournaments, and/or competitions, the Head Coach is the person responsible for all technical decisions, i.e., who plays a game, the playing time, strategies, etc. The list of players proposed for a tournament or competition must be checked by the corresponding sports Coordinator.

� RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DISCIPLINE

• RIGHTS

• Receive organized practices according to their age.

• Use of sports installations and equipment for their athletic development.

• Participation in all team tournaments as long as they fulfill all requirements.

• Be treated with dignity and respect by their coaches and teammates.

• Be informed of their progress, games, and tournaments.

• Any student may register in sports, choosing a primary sport for each semester.

• Any student registered in sports may change sports at any time as long as there is space prior to making the change.

• RESPONSIBILITIES

• Sign an athletic contract and return it in the stipulated time.

• Remain on their team until all competitions are over.

• Maintain good academic, behavioral, and disciplinary standards.

• Attend on time to all practice sessions and programmed events. Athletes must strictly observe the schedule established by the Athletic Department and Coaching Staff regarding entry to or departure from the athletic competition venue.

• Attend each practice, game, or competition with proper practice clothing (shorts, T-shirts, footwear, etc.)

• Whenever possible, injured student-athletes are expected to attend and observe practices and games, wearing sports attire or everyday clothes.

• Demonstrate proper behavior and respect towards the school Administration, Athletic Department, Sport Coordinators, the Coaching Staff, team members, officials, referees, adversaries, and spectators (fans).

• Take care of the school’s sports facilities.

• DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM

One of the main responsibilities of the Athletic Department is to promote athletic excellence, giving athletes the opportunity to shine and grow. Their success will depend on their commitment and discipline.

The Athletic Department enforces the general rules of the EA handbook, which require athletes to demonstrate appropriate conduct at all times.

• MINOR AND MAJOR INFRACTIONS

All students registered in competitive sports must adhere to the Minor and Major Infractions policy set forth in the Handbook regarding co-curricular activities. Please refer to the sections of the appropriate handbook for each grade level. see those sections of the appropriate handbook per grade level.

• BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS FOR SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

• All athletes must turn in a written authorization from their parents or legal guardians in order to ride with the team to the competition sites. Oral permissions obtained from phone calls will not be accepted. A permission slip must be turned in regardless of whether the team rides in the school vans or other school-designated vehicles.

• Athletes must ride with the team to games; otherwise, they will not participate actively in the games.

• Athletes must return to the school in the School’s van. If athletes want to return with their parents after the game, their parents need to indicate so in the permission slip signed for that game and present themselves to the coach with their child prior to leaving, notifying the coach that they are taking their child.

• Athletes must show respect to their supervisors and drivers at all times.

• Athletes must remain seated and keep hands, head, and feet inside the vehicle at all times.

• Athletes may not throw objects inside or outside the bus; they will deposit them in marked bins.

• There should be a coach or assistant present in every unit of transportation.

Discrimination Protocol:

This protocol outlines a three-step method for acting on any serious discriminatory behavior and/or racist behavior in game settings, such as name-calling, shouting, and banners.

If the racist/hate behavior comes from an active player:

1. If the racist behavior comes from players who are part of the game, it will immediately become a serious foul, and they will have to be ejected from the game and will receive the maximum sporting consequence for their actions.

2. The disciplinary committee will meet to decide on an appropriate consequence, up to and including being banned for the remainder of the season.

3. The second step, if the behavior continues (without that player), the referee should suspend play for 5 to 10 minutes and send the teams to the dugouts until the person/persons responsible for the racist/discriminatory behavior have left the field and, if deemed necessary, the school premises.

4. Finally, if the behavior does not cease, the third step will be applied as a last resort. It consists of the referee declaring the match abandoned.

If the racist/ hate behavior comes from any adult or person who is not playing:

1. The first step, when a referee becomes aware of any racist or discriminatory behavior in a game scenario, he or she shall first, stop the game and ask the administrators, coaches, or organizers to order the behavior to cease.

2. The second step, if the behavior continues, the referee should suspend play for 5 to 10 minutes and send the teams to the dugouts until the person/persons responsible for the racist/discriminatory behavior have left the field and, if deemed necessary, the school premises.

3. Finally, if the behavior does not cease, the third step will be applied as a last resort. It consists of the referee declaring the match abandoned.

4. The game will be rescheduled and played without an audience. If this is not possible, and one of the schools is clearly the offending party, they will forfeit the match.

5. If both schools are responsible, the match will be considered a draw.

� BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS FOR TROJAN TEAM SUPPORTERS

• Always be a positive support for the team.

• Address the other team’s supporters only with mutual cooperation and respect.

• Electronic accessories or high-pitch instruments are not permitted.

• Avoid singing cheers that may insult athletes and spectators.

• Always remain separate from the other team’s supporters.

• When the game ends, Trojan supporters must leave the installation quietly and respectfully.

• For AASCA events only: do not use noisy objects such as horns, drums, or others since they interrupt the game.

� PRACTICE AND GAME SUSPENSION CRITERIA

It is important for the Trojan teams to practice regularly and miss the fewest practices possible. However, whenever the conditions inside or outside the athletic areas are a threat to our athletes, practices will be canceled. The causes for suspension are as follows:

• WEATHER

CONDITIONS

When weather presents a threat, the athletic director or athletic coordinator will make the decision to cancel practices. The athletic office will inform the parents in order to arrange for the appropriate pick-up.

For the athletes’ safety, all outdoor athletic practices will be canceled immediately when there is rain, thunderstorms, or lightning. Parents, referees, and tournament participants will be notified in advance of this special EA policy. Any questionable weather should be an indication to exit the fields and courts. Friendly games will be rescheduled. Athletic contests and/or practices may not commence until the suspicious weather has passed.

Excessively high temperatures, combined with a high relative humidity, put athletes at risk for a variety of heat-related illnesses. Adequate water intake, appropriate clothing, and the use of shade all diminish an athlete’s susceptibility to heat-related illnesses or injury.

• AWAY GAMES

By policy, the Athletic Department has to make sure that the fields and institutions that are visited by the EA teams are in good shape and guarantee the safety of the students. There may be some circumstances that cause a game cancellation. Examples:

PLACES LOCATED IN DANGEROUS AREAS

UNCONTROLLABLE INVASION OF SPECTATORS

RISKING THE INTEGRITY OF THEATHLETES

• SUSPENSION WITHOUT PREVIOUS WARNING

PHYSICAL AGGRESSION FROM THE OPPONENTS

LACK OF VISIBILITY DURING THE COMPETITION

DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCESTHAT COULD HARM THE ATHLETES

In a case of an unavoidable occurrence, in which rival teams cancel the game the same day it is programmed, the Athletic Department will let the athletes

�

UNIFORMS

• TROJAN UNIFORMS

• Only Escuela Americana approved team uniforms are to be worn when athletes are representing the school.

• Trojan uniforms must be red, white, and/or blue (the same colors as the school).

• All uniforms must have the EA logo, the AD logo, and the word “TROJANS” or “ESCUELA

• AMERICANA” on the chest.

• All EA athletes are required to buy and use Trojan uniforms. If an athlete doesn’t have his/her

• uniform, he/she will not be allowed to participate in a game or competition.

• Each uniform must be appropriate for each sport.

• SPONSORSHIP OF AASCA UNIFORMS

Special uniforms for AASCA teams may be sponsored by commercial brands only if these are not linked to any political insignia, alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, or any other harmful products that may cause damage to the health of the athletes. All sponsors must be approved by the Athletic Director and the Director of Institutional Advancement. The uniforms must be according to Escuela Americana’s expectations and approved by the Director of Institutional Advancement. The School will provide the students with different approved designs for the uniforms, which they can choose from.

Guideline for the uniforms to be considered official:

• The uniforms may have the name or logo of the sponsor only if it doesn’t interfere with the visibility of the school’s and the athletic department’s logos.

• The size and location of the sponsor’s logo must be in the back bottom of the shirt and must be approved by the Director of Institutional Advancement.

• COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Communication is a fundamental element to keep parents, athletes, and the Escuela Americana community informed and up-to-date on the EA Athletic Department's happenings. All games will be announced through the Next Week At EA Newsletter or through the EA App. Communications will be given as follows:

VIA EMAIL

Coaches and AD staff will use email to communicate with parents regarding practice and game schedules, practice attendance reports, and other pertinent information.

VIA PHONE

Phone calls are used to inform parents about games, suspension of games, and their child’s consecutive (3) absences to practice, if necessary.

WHATSAPP / MESSENGER

No coaches are allowed to be in group chats with parents. Coaches may set up chat groups with their athletes.

� DUAL-SPORT ATHLETES

The EA Athletic Department strongly encourages all athletes to play more than one sport, and the department will be flexible and work with the athletes so they can participate in multiple sports.

OPTION 1

Play one sport in the first semester and then switch to another sport in the second.

OPTION 2

Play two sports at the same time, following the criteria below.

• Each semester, the dual-sport athlete will choose their primary sport and their secondary sport.

• They must attend their primary sports practices and games twice a week and their secondary sport the other two days in the week.

• They must commit to the weekly schedule specifying the sport to attend each day that is set since the beginning. This weekly schedule will not change from week to week for any reason. The athlete, the coaches of the two sports, and the Athletic Director will participate in this process.

• If a dual-sport athlete is selected to participate in an AASCA, 30 days prior to the AASCA, they must commit full-time (five days a week) to that sport. Upon returning from AASCA, they may change their primary and secondary sports or drop one completely to focus full-time on the other.

• Special exceptions may be made for special circumstances with the involvement of the athlete (and parents if necessary), the coaches of the two sports, and the Athletic Director.

� RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TROJAN ATHLETES

Sports training goes hand in hand with the practice of healthy habits, which contribute to the efficiency of an athlete. For this reason, we offer the following advice to our athletes:

• HEALTHY DIET FOR THE YOUNG ATHLETE

A healthy diet is indispensable for teenagers, but it’s even more important for a young athlete. Unfortunately, many young people’s diet is mostly based on fast food, snacks and sodas, completely forgetting about a balanced diet. Not eating all meals and not drinking enough water can cause bad results in sports and may also cause hurtful injuries.

A good diet includes not only a balanced meal that provides energy for physical and mental development according to their age, but also enough energy to practice their favorite sport. It also includes adequate water intake, which athletes must be aware of. Sodas only increase dehydration. Small sips of water before, during, and after training are the best way for an athlete to hydrate.

On average, boys consume 2500 Kcal and girls 2200 Kcal a day, but a teenage athlete consumes around 5000 Kcal a day. This depends on the intensity and duration of their training. In a balanced diet, carbohydrates must equal 2/3 of the daily energy and should come from good sources such as grains, fruits, and vegetables. Proteins are very important in the growth and repair of muscles. Good sources are chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, and yogurt. Fats can be consumed in small quantities, but they should be avoided before practice because they take a long time to digest.

It’s necessary to remember that an athlete may feel thirsty a long time after he/she is already dehydrated; that is why it’s necessary to remind him/her to always drink water before, during, and after a workout.

• SUPPLEMENT AND SUBSTANCE USE TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

Commercial and peer pressure sometimes lead young athletes to make poor choices as they attempt to build up their bodies or improve their athletic abilities. We have received reports of Escuela Americana students using amino acids to load with proteins. Although amino acids are not as dangerous as steroids and other substances, there is a possibility of unhealthy side effects. The EA Athletic Department strongly endorses that athletes refrain from taking any unnecessary supplements to enhance their body or athletic ability. The coaching staff advocates a well-rounded, natural diet that includes the five basic groups. We urge the parents to encourage their athlete to make healthy choices.

• USE OF ILLICIT DRUGS

The use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs is prohibited at Escuela Americana and every activity organized by it. The use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs is against the philosophy of any responsible athlete who strives for better results. Because of this, the Athletic Department demands all Trojan athletes to abstain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The Athletic Department will see to it that its athletes abstain from illicit drugs before, during, and after any national or international competition in which Trojan teams participate.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

� TRACK AND FIELD AND ARTIFICIAL TURF RULES

1. Vehicles, roller skates, and bikes are not allowed on the track.

2. Chairs, tables, canopies, or soccer goals must never be placed on the track surface.

3. Please avoid dropping heavy objects on the track.

4. Chewing gum is off limits while using the track

5. On weekdays, parents, alumni, and staff can use the track from 4:30-6:45 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.

6. Spikes used for races and jumps must have a maximum length of ¼ of an inch or 6 mm. Only tennis shoes will be allowed on the track. (Avoid cleats & high heels)

7. Hammer throw will not be allowed.

8. Shot put practices will be held only on the outside soccer field and under the coaches’ supervision.

9. Javelin and discus throws will be held only on the free field and under the coaches’ supervision.

10. All the athletic equipment must be stored daily after use.

� SOCCER FIELD USAGE RULES

1. Use only soccer or tennis shoes on the field.

2. High heels are not permitted.

3. Avoid dropping heavy objects.

4. Chewing gum is not allowed.

5. Field events, such as the javelin and discus, are not allowed.

6. On weekdays, parents, alumni, and staff can use the artificial turf from 6:00-8:00 p.m., after soccer practices have finished.

7. Whenever the use of electric energy is involved, individuals requesting lights must pay at the school’s cashier in advance. The appropriate receipt must be handed to the guard at the Gym parking lot entrance. Only authorized personnel are allowed to manipulate the light outlets. Please check with the Athletic Office or the school’s cashier for current light usage fees.

� WALL CLIMBING USAGE RULES

1. On weekdays, parents, alumni, and staff can use the rock climbing wall from 5:00-6:00 p.m., as long as it doesn’t interfere with students’ practices and it is under the supervision of the EA Rock Climbing coach.

2. Use the appropriate shoes or tennis shoes.

3. Take care of the sports materials.

4. Food and beverages are off limits while practicing rock climbing.

� WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY USE OF SPORTS FACILITIES

The use of the sports facilities on weekends and holidays will follow these guidelines:

1. Current parents, students, teachers, staff, and alumni (EA Community) are allowed to use the soccer field, the track, and all external courts with permission from the General Director. The use of the Climbing Wall must be supervised by trained coaches. The school will not supply special equipment such as balls, bats, ropes, etc.

2. Priority for the use of the Gym and other areas will be given to previously scheduled events.

3. The natural turf fields will never be used when it rains or when the grass is soggy or wet. All outdoor activities will be canceled immediately when there is thunder or lightning.

4. Access is limited to cars with the school’s special sticker or a valid school ID. ID replacements are $5.00 each.

5. All current parents, alumni, and staff must show their school IDs at the gate. However, Elementary School children with their parents do not need IDs to access the school facilities. Children under 12 years old need adult supervision at all times.

6. 6th to 8th grade students requesting to use any of the sports facilities will require IDs and adult supervision other than their drivers or maids.

7. All 9th to 12th-grade students requesting the use of the sports facilities are required to have a valid school ID. If students do not have an ID, their interest in using the sports facilities must be presented in advance to the Athletic Director with a written list of all the participating students. The Athletic Director will notify the guards via a memo that authorizes entrance to those named on the list.

8. Entrance will be granted to out-of-town guests and the employee’s immediate family who are not related to EA, with a previously approved permission request.

Everyone using the sports areas must abide by the schools rules and regulations, respect the guards guidelines, the sports equipment, and all the school’s facilities in general.

� FITNESS CENTER USAGE RULES

• Clean equipment after use.

• When you finish your routine, return the equipment to its original place.

• Watch your language.

• Avoid dropping heavy objects or whipping equipment.

• Avoid excessive grunting, spitting, or any other type of disrespectful behavior toward others.

• Do not use your cell phone.

• Bring a towel for personal use inside the gym

• Treat all school personnel and other users with respect and cordiality.

• Students who are not wearing their sports uniforms are not allowed to enter the gym.

• Wear athletics shoes at all times.

• Food and beverages are not allowed. Users can bring water bottles for hydration.

• Keep the fitness center clean by not leaving empty water bottles, sheets of paper, tissues, disposable tissues, etc.

• All implements or materials found in the gym are for your own use. CARE FOR THEM!

• Avoid any kind of rough games that may endanger the integrity of your teammates during the use of the gym.

� FITNESS CENTER

The Fitness center was created and designed for the use of EA students. Parents and alumni can use the facilities during special hours by paying a $150 yearly fee. Faculty and Staff can also use the facilities on a special schedule with no yearly fee.

FITNESS CENTER SCHEDULES

5:00 - 7:00 am. Parents, alumni and staff

8:00 - 3:10 pm. Physical Education Classes

3:10 - 6:00 pm. Competitive sports Teams

6:00 - 9:00 pm. Parents, alumni and staff

On Saturdays, parents, alumni, and staff can use the Fitness Center from 6:00 am - 12:00 m.

� BOOSTER CLUB

The Booster Club is an autonomous entity and is a major supporter of the Athletic Department and Escuela Americana’s athletes. The funds raised through their activities are invested in merchandise for athletes, such as shirts, bags, medals, sports equipment for teams, and financial aid when necessary for athletes on international travel.

The Booster Club supports the school’s Athletic Program by creating activities for students, parents, teachers, coaches, and alumni.

The Booster Club is responsible for organizing fundraising events such as:

MUNDIALITO

TABLE TENNIS TOURNAMENT

The Booster Club is also responsible for running the Saturday Sports Program for youth ages three to 17 years-old and the Booster Store “La Tiendita” and its mobile kiosk. It also recognizes student-athletes in the Annual Sports Award Ceremony.

� REQUEST FOR EXTENDED ABSENCE FORM

Division of School:

Proposed Dates of Absence - From: To: I request permission for my child

Name: Grade Level: to be granted Leave of Absence for the above dates. Please give details and reasons for the proposed absence:

Signature of Parent/Guadian:

Date:

Unless critical health matters are involved, the completed form should be submitted to your child’s division at least one month before the proposed period of absence.

Your request will be carefully considered. Please be aware that your child’s attendance record will be taken into account. If permission is denied, any absences for the above period will be recorded as unexcused.

Having a good education will help to give your child the best possible start in life. If your child is absent for any period, he or she may miss essential elements of his or her learning program.

OFFICE USE ONLY

This leave of absence application has been considered, and on this occasion the school (authorizes / does not authorize) the absence.

Signed: Date:

NOTE: STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE FAMILY TRIPS DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.

APPENDIX

APPENDIX 1

BULLYING POLICY

At Escuela Americana (“EA”), we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students, with an education based on tolerance, mutual understanding, and solidarity. Bullying is strictly prohibited, and we are dedicated to promoting respectful behavior, empathy, and positive relationships among our students.

We are dedicated to fostering an optimal learning environment for all students within a caring and safe community. Our mission revolves around promoting our community values, such as responsibility, integrity, courage, and kindness. As part of our commitment, we strive to create a comprehensive educational program that encompasses students, staff, and parents, focusing on recognizing and preventing bullying incidents.

Bullying incidents will be addressed seriously with appropriate interventions determined by Division Directors. The intervention process will include age-appropriate consequences for the bully/ bullies and support for the student who has been harmed.

� WHY IS BULLYING HARMFUL?

Some people think bullying is just part of growing up and a way for young people to learn to stick up for themselves. However, bullying can and does make young people feel lonely, unhappy, frightened, and even sick. It makes them feel unsafe and think there must be something wrong with them. They lose confidence and may not want to attend school.

• EXPECTATIONS

EA aims to create a school community where students feel safe, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. By creating a partnership between parents and the school, we can cultivate an environment that nurtures growth, empathy, and kindness, leaving no room for bullying.

IS IT RUDE? MEAN? OR BULLYING?

Sometimes it is helpful to draw a distinction between behavior that is rude, behavior that is mean, and behavior that is characteristic of bullying.

• RUDE

Inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else. From kids, rudeness might look more like burping in someone’s face, jumping ahead in line, bragging about achieving the highest grade, or even throwing a crushed-up pile of leaves in someone’s face. On their own, any of these behaviors could appear as elements of bullying, but when looked at in context, incidents of rudeness are usually spontaneous, unplanned inconsideration, based on thoughtlessness, poor manners, or narcissism, but not meant to actually hurt someone.

• MEAN

Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone once (or maybe twice). The main distinction between “rude” and “mean” behavior has to do with intention; while rudeness is often unintentional, mean behavior very much aims to hurt or depreciate someone. Kids are mean to each other when they criticize clothing, appearance, intelligence, ‘coolness’, or just about anything else they can find to denigrate. Meanness also sounds like words spoken in anger—impulsive cruelty that is often regretted in short order. Very often, mean behavior in kids is motivated by angry feelings and/ or the misguided goal of propping themselves up in comparison to the person they are putting down.

Make no mistake; mean behaviors can wound deeply, and adults can make a huge difference in the lives of young people when they hold kids accountable for being mean. Yet, meanness is different from bullying in important ways that should be understood and differentiated when it comes to intervention.

• BULLYING

Intentionally aggressive behavior, repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power. Experts agree that bullying entails three key elements: an intent to harm, a power imbalance, and repeated acts or threats of aggressive behavior. Kids who bully say or do something intentionally hurtful to others, and they keep doing it, even when the targets of bullying show or express their hurt or tell the aggressors to stop. It is important to distinguish between rude, mean, and bullying so that teachers, school administrators, parents, and kids all know what to pay attention to and when to intervene.

� DEFINING TYPES OF BULLYING

1. PHYSICAL BULLYING:

Physical bullying involves using physical force or aggression to harm or intimidate the target. This can include hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, or damaging personal belongings.

2. VERBAL BULLYING:

Verbal bullying includes using words or verbal abuse to belittle, insult, or demean the target. Examples of verbal bullying include name-calling, mocking, teasing, spreading rumors, or using derogatory comments.

3. RELATIONAL BULLYING:

Relational bullying, or social bullying, focuses on manipulating relationships and social status to harm the target. This can involve excluding, ignoring, spreading rumors, gossiping, or socially isolating the person.

4. CYBERBULLYING:

Occurs through digital platforms such as social media, messaging apps, or online forums. It involves using technology to harass, intimidate, or humiliate others. Cyberbullying can include sending threatening messages, spreading rumors online, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, or creating fake profiles to harass the target.

5. SEXUAL BULLYING:

Sexual bullying involves unwelcome sexual comments, gestures, or actions intended to degrade, humiliate, or intimidate the target. It can include inappropriate touching, sexual harassment, sexual jokes, or sharing explicit content without consent.

6. RACIST OR DISCRIMINATORY BULLYING:

This type of bullying targets individuals based on their race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic background, or other aspects of their identity. It involves derogatory remarks, racial slurs, stereotypes, exclusion, or acts of discrimination.

It’s important to note that these types of bullying are not mutually exclusive, and bullying incidents can involve a combination of different forms. Understanding and recognizing these different types of bullying is crucial in addressing and preventing bullying behavior, promoting a safe and inclusive environment, and supporting those targeted.

� SCHOOL RESPONSE TO BULLYING:

When a student is being bullied, EA follows the following diagram. The goal is for the EA team to accomplish this flow within 3 days or less.

Incident report is made

Outcome (e.g. discipline and restorative justice)

Report gets passed on to the Assistant Director (by the counselor, Director, or whoever got the report) who leads the investigation. Assistant Director is the primary contact with the parents. Director is notified by the Assistant Director

Parent follow-up

Interview with teachers

Interview with alleged perpetrator/s

Additional interview with the victim

Assitant Director and Counselor agree on steps moving forward

Assistant Director informs Counselor

Counselor interviews the victim

Is it a bullying issue or counseling issue?

Bullying

Counseling

Follow-up according to counseling protocols and procedures

� ADDRESSING BULLYING AND HARASSMENT

• Creating an Inclusive Environment:

At EA, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes acceptance. While the school cannot mandate friendships, we are dedicated to educating and promoting dignity and kindness among our students, both inside and outside of school.

• Responsible Digital Citizenship:

We emphasize responsible digital citizenship, urging students to use technology platforms and social media responsibly. We encourage parents to delay introducing their children to social media platforms as long as possible after 8th grade and to monitor the use of these platforms with parental control. The school has a strict phone policy on campus for the student community. Online bullying or harassment is treated with the same seriousness as in-person incidents. The school does not typically intervene in social media incidents that occur outside of school hours unless they have a negative impact on student well-being and safety or the overall school environment. SEE Digital Citizenship in each division

� PREVENTION STRATEGIES

EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

We provide ongoing education to students, staff, and parents/guardians on bullying prevention, recognizing signs of bullying, and fostering positive relationships.

SCHOOL-WIDE INITIATIVES

Regular anti-bullying campaigns, assemblies, and workshops are organized to raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and instill a sense of responsibility among students.

PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Students are encouraged to participate in peer mentoring programs where older students offer guidance and support to younger peers, fostering a sense of belonging and creating a safe space for all. Counselors will individually meet with all students involved to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the issues, and parents will be notified of the steps implemented by the school.

EA takes a proactive approach to address bullying and harassment, ensuring appropriate interventions based on the developmental maturity of students. We collaborate with parents, teachers, and administrators to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters positive relationships and empowers students to make responsible choices. Counseling and external support may be recommended to ensure the well-being of the students involved.

� ADDRESSING BULLYING AND HARASSMENT IN EACH DIVISION

Bullying by a member of our community onto another, whether it takes place on or off campus, hurts our entire community and shall be addressed as follows.

• EARLY CHILDHOOD

Teachers observe and support young children in forming positive relationships. We teach students problem-solving, emotional expression, and responsibility for their actions. Ongoing communication with parents helps address recurring peer relationship challenges.

• ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students are taught effective communication, conflict resolution, and mediation. Open discussions on conflicts and seeking positive solutions are encouraged. Continued issues may involve meetings with students, teachers, and parents, behavior plans, or in-school suspensions.

• MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL

Interventions in Middle and High School are based on the severity and frequency of incidents. Effective consequences and teaching appropriate behaviors are used to address bullying. Support is provided to victims through prevention and reparative strategies. Interventions may include meetings with parents, students, teachers, and administrators, action plans, behavior reflections, suspension, academic probation, counseling referrals, and possible expulsion from school.

� DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Depending on the severity and frequency of the bullying incidents, the following disciplinary actions may be taken:

• Verbal/written warning to the bully

• Parent/guardian notification and meeting

• Major Infraction

• In-school suspension

• Loss of privileges

• Behavioral contract

• Referral to counseling or intervention programs

• Temporary or permanent transfer to another class or school, if deemed necessary

All disciplinary actions are taken in accordance with the Student Handbook.

� THE PARENT’S ROLE

If parents have concerns or suspicions regarding their child being a victim of bullying, witnessing bullying incidents, or even participating in bullying behavior, it is crucial to take prompt action and involve the school. Adult intervention plays a vital role in breaking the cycle of bullying.

Here are the steps parents should take:

OPEN COMMUNICATION AT HOME

Start by having an open and supportive conversation with your child, talking about empathy and kindness and their meanings. Create a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing their experiences and concerns. Listen attentively and validate their feelings.

SETTING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Parents play a crucial role in setting a safe environment both on and off social media by actively monitoring their children’s online activities and maintaining open communication. By being aware of their child’s social media interactions and regularly checking in with them, parents can identify potential issues early on and intervene when necessary. This proactive approach allows parents to create a supportive and secure digital space for their children, fostering responsible online behavior and protecting them from potential risks.

MODEL MORAL COURAGE TO YOUR CHILD

Set a safe environment for your children where they can feel heard, express their concerns to parents, and speak out if they are being bullied or know of other students who are being bullied or bullying other students. Consistently demonstrate integrity, stand up for what is right, and address ethical dilemmas with honesty and empathy. By actively living their values, engaging in respectful conversations, and taking action to address injustices, parents can inspire their children to develop their own moral compasses and act courageously in the face of adversity.

DOCUMENT INCIDENTS

Keep a record of any bullying incidents, including dates, times, locations, and descriptions of what occurred. This documentation will provide valuable information when discussing the issue with the school.

CONTACT THE SCHOOL

Reach out to the appropriate school personnel, such as the Counselors, Assistant Directors, or Division Directors. Share your concerns, provide any relevant information or documentation, and request a meeting to discuss the situation further. Encourage your child to name the person or persons involved and demonstrate courage to address the issue.

ATTEND MEETINGS

Participate actively in meetings scheduled with school administration and attend the Family Education Forums created by the school. Be prepared to share your observations, concerns, and any evidence you have collected. Collaborate with the school to develop an appropriate action plan to address the bullying situation. (At EA, parents are expected to attend a minimum of 4 education sessions each school year).

FOLLOW SCHOOL PROCEDURES

Familiarize yourself with the school’s policies and procedures for addressing bullying incidents. Work in partnership with the school to ensure that you collaborate in any way the school needs while the investigations are conducted so that the appropriate measures are taken to protect your child’s well-being.

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD

Offer emotional support to your child throughout the process. Reassure them that you are there for them, believe in their experiences, and are committed to resolving the situation. Encourage them to continue reporting any bullying incidents to both you and the school.

SEEK EXTERNAL SUPPORT

If necessary, seek additional support from external resources, such as community organizations, counseling services, or support groups specializing in bullying prevention. They can provide guidance and additional tools to navigate through the situation.

� EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO COMBAT BULLYING AT EA

Students have the power to make a positive impact and reduce bullying incidents at EA. By taking an active role, students can contribute to creating a safe and inclusive school environment.

Here are some strategies students can employ:

REPORT INCIDENTS

If students experience or witness bullying, itis essential to inform their teacher, counselor,Assistant Director, or Division Directorpromptly. By reporting incidents, students help responsible adults intervene and address the situation effectively.

REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM HARM’S WAY

When confronted with bullying, students should prioritize their safety and well-being. Walking away from bullies can help de-escalate situations and avoid further harm.

EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE

It’s important for students not to react strongly to teasing or bullying incidents, as bullies often seek reactions. By showing that they are not easily upset or affected, students can undermine the power dynamics and discourage further bullying.

ASSERTIVENESS

Students should practice being assertive when facing bullying. They can confidently and firmly tell the bully to stop their behavior, asserting their boundaries and making it clear that bullying is not acceptable.

FOSTER FRIENDSHIPS

Building positive friendships with classmates creates a supportive social network. By Nurturing these relationships, students strengthen their collective voices against bullying and create an environment where kindness and empathy prevail.

SPEAK UP FOR OTHERS

Students can be allies to their classmates by speaking out against bullying. By offering support, standing up for others, and showing solidarity, they contribute to a culture where bullying is not tolerated.

Remember, each student has a vital role to play in creating a safe and inclusive school community. By actively engaging in these strategies, students can foster a culture of respect, empathy, and kindness, helping to decrease bullying incidents at EA.

While the focus of this policy is on prevention, bullying or unkind acts may still occur. Students or employees of EA who have experienced any of the above behaviors are encouraged to report the incident(s) to a member of the school staff. Intervention by adults and bystanders is an important step to prevent escalation and resolve issues in the earliest stages.

At all times, reported incidences will be documented, tracked, and handled according to the procedures determined by each division. Disciplinary actions (for bottom-line behaviors) will be predetermined

APPENDIX 2

CHILD PROTECTION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

� INTRODUCTION

This policy aims to provide all members of staff (paid), children and young people, and their families with a clear and secure framework for ensuring that all children in our school are protected from harm, both while at school and when off the school’s premises.

Practitioners who work with children at Escuela Americana will read this policy within the framework of LEY CRECER JUNTOS, MINED stipulations, the Board Policy Manual, the Faculty Handbook, and the Parent-Student Handbook.

Every employee is required by the MINED to take an 8-module course on “Ley Crecer Juntos”

Escuela Americana believes in supporting all aspects of children and young people’s development and learning and keeping children safe. We understand that emotional and social aspects of learning create a foundation for all academic learning.

If a child has not been supported to understand, express, and resolve their feelings, they may not have the ability to share with other children, resolve the small conflicts that arise in day-to-day classroom life, or concentrate on learning. Their frustrations may cause a range of antisocial, disruptive, overly compliant, or withdrawn behaviors.

All staff will work to ensure that:

Children and young people feel listened to, valued, and respected

Staff are aware of indicators of abuse and know how to share their concerns Appropriately

All paid staff are subject to rigorous recruitment procedures

All paid staff are given appropriate support and training

The educational staff plays a crucial role in helping to identify welfare concerns and indicators of possible abuse or neglect at an early stage. Escuela Americana is committed to referring those concerns via the Division Head.

In order to to protect our students adequately, we will ensure that

• All staff are regularly trained in basic Child Protection awareness

• All staff have read and understand the school’s Child Protection Policy and are aware of the indicators of child abuse and how to respond to concerns or disclosures of abuse by children

• All children, young people, and their families have access to the Child Protection Policy via the school’s website

• The child protection policy is reviewed on an annual basis by the Division Directors, General Director, and the Governing Body

EA has developed and adopted an appropriate definition of child abuse, including physical, emotional or sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, neglect and commercial exploitation, and inappropriate behavior of children toward other children.

All children and adolescents are equal before the law. Any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on criteria such as sex, race, color, age, language, religion, opinion, descent, national, ethnic or social origin, economic position, physical or mental disability is not permitted.

Children and adolescents have the right to respect for their personal integrity, which includes the physical, psychological, cultural, moral, emotional, and sexual. As a result, children may not be subject to any form of violence, exploitation, maltreatment, cruel or inhumane torture, or other degrading treatment.

For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions will apply:

PHYSICAL ABUSE

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

The use of physical force that causes actual or likely physical injury or suffering (e.g., hitting, shaking, burning, torture).

Any humiliating or degrading treatment such as bad name calling, constant criticism, belittling, persistent shaming, solitary confinement, or isola

NEGLECT Persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs. Examples include failing to provide adequate food, clothing, and/or shelter; failing to prevent harm; failing to ensure adequate supervision; or failing to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

SEXUAL ABUSE

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

All forms of sexual violence, including incest, early and forced marriage, rape, involvement in pornography and sexual slavery. Child sexual abuse may also include indecent touching or exposure, using sexually explicit language towards a child, and showing children pornographic material.

Any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of a child.

COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION

Any form of exploitation of children for the purpose of financial gain by an individual. Examples include:

(i) Exploitation through child labor and in accordance with international law;

(ii) The sale and trafficking of children and adolescents;

(iii) The removal of human organs or tissues, as well as their marketing;

(iv) The contemporary forms of slavery and practices similar to debt bondage, the condition of a servant with forced labor without payment;

(v) Work whose nature or the circumstances are likely to harm the health, safety, or morals of children and adolescents;

(vi) The recruitment of children for use in armed conflicts or military activities

(vii) The use of children and adolescents for the illicit activities such as the production and trafficking of drugs and other narcotics.

BULLYING

A specific type of aggression (physical, verbal, or social) which includes behavior that is intended to harm, disturb, intimidate, or humiliate and is characterized by an imbalance of power between individuals or groups.

These incidents differ from normal, common conflicts that take place between students. Students sometimes joke around with each other or tease each other, this is being mean, not bullying. The difference lies in the relationship between the bully and the victim and in the intent of the interaction. In a bullying situation, there is a power difference between the bully and the victim. For instance, the bully is able to intimidate others or have the social power to exclude others from their social group.

EA has a policy, approved by the School Board, that describes how it is committed to preventing and responding appropriately if children are harmed, or if allegations of harm to children are made.

Escuela Americana’s Board of Directors’ Board Policy Manual, which was ratified in 2013, emphasizes the school’s commitment to protecting students and staff.

The articles that specifically pertain to “Student Policies” are found in the 500 series of the document:

• 509: Student Conduct/Discipline

• 509.1: Student Conduct

• 509.4: Student Rights and Responsibilities

• 509.5: Student Complaints and Grievances

• 509.5.1: Physical and Verbal Abuse of Students

• 509.5.2: Sexual Harassment

The articles that specifically pertain to “Personnel Policies” are found in the 400 series of the document:

• 401.4: Complaints and Grievances

• 401.4.1: Physical and Verbal Abuse of Staff

• 401.4.2, 401.4.3, and 401.4.4: Sexual Harassment

Escuela Americana El Salvador

EA has specific child protection policies, practices, and faculty and staff training programs to ensure the safety and welfare of all students within boarding facilities, homestay, and residential arrangements and on excursions, trips, and student exchanges.

School field trips, participation in extracurricular activities (sports or others), and exchanges are undertaken to further students’ learning and social skills development outside their normal school environment. They aim to further promote the development of the EA Whole Child.

• DEFINITIONS

• CHAPERONES:

Member of staff employed by the school and authorized by the Division Director to be in charge of a field trip or excursion.

• FIELD TRIP:

Any OFF CAMPUS student-learning activity conducted, at which the student is enrolled, that is organized or managed by a STAFF member of the division with previous approval of the Division Director.

• CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY:

Any activity that does not fall within the scope of the school’s regular academic curriculum but is officially approved and connected with the school

• EXCHANGES:

Any INTERNATIONAL student-learning activity that is organized, hosted, and conducted by a school in another country in which a student enrolled at our school can participate. This activity is managed by a STAFF member of one of Escuela Americana’s divisions and with previous approval of the Division Director.

• POLICY RULES

1. Only field trips and exchanges that have a clear educational purpose will be approved.

2. Field trips and exchanges involving high-risk activities or locations will not be approved. When there are doubts about a site’s safety, appropriate entities that have access to security reports will be contacted to determine if the area is safe.

3. All approved field trips and exchanges will be planned, organized, and conducted in accordance with the school’s Field Trip and Exchanges Procedures.

4. Teachers (Elementary) and Grade Level Leaders (Secondary) are responsible for monitoring and verifying that all forms with appropriate and required information have been completed and submitted to the office by the teacher(s) in charge of the particular field trip.

5. Teachers/chaperones are responsible for verifying and understanding all legal documents, medical forms, insurance policies, and all necessary documents required for the trip.

• SAFEGUARDING AND WELFARE OF STUDENTS

Refers to policies and practices to safeguard the physical, emotional, social, and healthcare needs of students participating in field trips and exchanges. This section will also include the legal requirements for Travel.

Please refer to Sections for “Expectation for International Trips, Athletic Competitions, and Field Trips” and “Behavioral Expectations for School Transportation” of the Parent/Student Handbook.

Please refer to the “Acceptable Use Policy” (AUP) regarding the appropriate use of electronic communications in the Parent-Student Handbook.

EA’s safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures are subject to annual, scheduled review and revision.

These policies will be reviewed at the end of each school year during annual handbook revisions by the Division Directors and the General Director and are approved by the Board of Directors.

EA has recruitment policies and executes rigorous recruitment procedures that ensure all employees and volunteers are of sound moral character and are suitable people to work with children and young Adults.

EA has recruitment procedures in place to ensure that all employees that are hired go through a screening process that entails the following:

1. All references are checked, and calls are made to verify the written references. A record of the reference check call is kept by Human Resources.

2. Local academic and administrative staff have to provide police and criminal record clearances before they can be offered the contract.

3. International academic and administrative staff need to present an FBI background check beforecoming to El Salvador.

4. Maintenance, custodial, and security personnel need to provide a police and criminal record clearance as well as undergo a pre-employment polygraph test and a domiciliary study.

EA has clearly defined leadership responsibilities for child safety and duty of care.

The Division Directors, along with the help of the Assistant Directors and Counselors, take the lead responsibility for child protection, which includes support for staff, information sharing with appropriate outside agencies, developing policies, and staff development.

At Escuela America, there are three Division Directors who report directly to the school’s General Director.

The Division Directors are members of the leadership staff endowed with the authority and seniority to carry out the necessary functions of this most important role.

The school has a designated Child Protection Supervisor responsible for preparing and coordinating staff training, overseeing reporting efforts, and maintaining proper documentation.

� DIVISION DIRECTORS’ AND CHILD PROTECTION SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Together with the counseling team, make sure suspected abuse and neglect are referred to the proper authorities.

• Develop and update the school’s child protection and other safeguarding policies so that staff as well as children/families/parents are informed

• Make sure support and advice are being provided to all members of staff regarding child protection requirements

• Keep the General Director informed about any issues related to child endangerment

• Ensure that all staff receive appropriate Child Protection and Safeguarding Training, as well as maintain training records.

• Cooperate with any requests for information from the local authorities.

� OTHER STAFF’S RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of all other members of staff to ensure that all safeguarding concerns, both minor and serious, are reported to the Division Directors as soon as reasonably possible.

The Division Directors may have other information regarding a child, young person, or their family of which other staff may not be aware. Minor concerns may take on greater significance within the wider context of knowledge of a child or family that the Division Directors may have.

Formal procedures exist for determining the character of adults who interact with students. These procedures may include criminal record checks, background checks, or other such means as may be suitable based upon the risks posed to the students. Formal procedures exist to obtain and verify references for prospective and current faculty and staff. EA has a scheduled program of regular, systematic professional training for volunteers, contractors, faculty, and staff on student safeguarding, child abuse prevention, recognition, intervention, and reporting.

•

RECRUITING

POLICY FOR LOCAL HIRES

All local applications for employment will be directed to the Human Resources office, which has evaluation procedures and will involve Division Directors and Coordinators. The Director and/or his designated representatives will make every effort to personally interview the applicants before issuing a final recommendation.

Proof of the candidate’s credentials, qualifications, training, and experience, as well as personality traits, must be taken into consideration to determine the best candidate to meet the school’s hiring requirements and educational philosophy.

Requirements:

• Solvencia de la PNC (Police report)

• Criminal record letter

• Specific references from employers for the last five years; these references are contacted by HR through telephone or email and remain confidential.

• We keep records of all staff information.

•

RECRUITING

POLICY FOR INTERNATIONAL HIRES

All candidates must be certified elementary or secondary educators. Division Directors attend job fairs and interview potential candidates in order to determine their feasibility as faculty members.

Requirements:

• FBI Background check (issued within the last 6 months)

• Specific references from employers for the last five years; these references are contacted by HR through telephone or email and remain confidential.

• Valid teaching certification.

EA has developed and adopted a code of conduct and written guidelines for appropriate and inappropriate behavior of adults toward children and children towards other children. All faculty, staff, volunteers, and contractors acknowledge that they have read the code of conduct and agree to abide by it.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

• ESCUELA AMERICANA BEHAVIOR CODE

This behavior code outlines the conduct expected of Escuela Americana staff and volunteers and staff from other organizations who engage with children and young people through Escuela Americana and its activities.

• PURPOSE

Following this code will help to protect children from abuse and inappropriate behavior from adults. It will also help staff and volunteers to maintain the standard of behavior expected of them and will reduce the possibility of unfounded allegations of abuse being made against them.

•

UPHOLDING THIS CODE OF BEHAVIOR

All members of staff and volunteers are expected to report any breaches of this code to the Division Director under child protection procedures. Staff and volunteers who breach this code of behavior may be subject to Escuela Americana’s discipline procedures. Any breach of the code involving a volunteer or member of staff from another agency may result in them being asked to leave Escuela Americana. Serious breaches may also result in a referral being made to a statutory agency such as the police, the local authority children’s social care department, and/or the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

• THE ROLE OF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

When working with children and young people at Escuela Americana, all staff and volunteers are acting in a position of trust. It is important that staff and volunteers are aware that they are seen as role models by children and young people and must act in an appropriate manner at all times.

� WHEN WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO:

• Respect and comply with local Salvadoran (Ley Crecer Juntos) and Escuela Americana policies set forth in the handbooks

• Operate within Escuela Americana’s principles and guidance and any specific procedures

• Follow the Escuela Americana’s child protection policy and acceptable use of technology policy (AUP), and procedures at all times

• Avoid favoritism

• Treat children and young people fairly and without prejudice or discrimination

• Value and take children’s contributions seriously, actively involving children and young people in planning activities wherever possible

• Ensure any contact with children and young people is appropriate and in relation to the work of the project

• Always ensure language is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory

• Always ensure equipment is used safely and for its intended purpose

• Provide examples of good conduct you wish children and young people to follow

• Report all allegations/suspicions of abuse

• Ensure that whenever possible, there is more than one adult present during activities with children and young people or if not possible, that you are within sight or hearing of other adults 204 Parent / Student Handbook 2023-2024

• If a child specifically asks for or needs to meet with you privately, ensure that other staff know where you and the child are

• Respect a young person’s right to personal privacy

• Encourage young people and adults to feel comfortable and caring enough to point out attitudes or behavior they do not like

• Recognize that special caution is required when you are discussing sensitive issues with children or young people.

� YOU MUST NOT:

• Treat children and young people as if they are silly;

• Allow allegations to go unreported;

• Develop inappropriate relationships, such as contact with children and young people that is not a part of the work of Escuela Americana or agreed with the manager or leader;

• Conduct a sexual relationship with a child or young person or indulge in any form of sexual contact with a child or young person. Any such behavior between an adult member of staff or volunteer and a child or young person using the services of Escuela Americana represents a serious breach of trust on the part of the staff member or volunteer and is not acceptable under any circumstances;

• Let children and young people have your personal contact details (mobile number, social media site, or address);

• Make sarcastic, insensitive, derogatory, or sexually suggestive comments or gestures to or in front of children and young people;

• Act in a way that can be perceived as threatening or intrusive;

• Make inappropriate promises to children and young people, particularly in relation to confidentiality;

• Jump to conclusions about others without checking facts;

• Either exaggerate or trivialize child abuse issues;

• Rely on your reputation or that of the organization to protect you.

• THE ROLE OF PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Escuela Americana welcomes and encourages parental involvement. Parents and guardians are regarded as valuable partners in promoting positive behavior and will be involved as appropriate.

At Escuela Americana, it is our obligation to prevent harm within our community, and as mandated reporters, we will act on all forms of abuse and harm.

In the event of their child becoming the subject of behavior sanctions, parents/guardians will be informed and involved. In certain cases, the school may make requests to protect student welfare, such as mandatory psychological evaluation, mandatory therapy, and/or mandatory parent training.

Continued enrollment at the school will be dependent on the follow-up of the recommendations.

EA shall have in place formal learning programs throughout the school experience related to child protection that cover areas such as bullying, personal safety, physical abuse, manipulation, grooming, online safety, healthy sexual behavior, neglect and negligent behavior, self-harm, staying safe away from home, commercial exploitation and disclosing abuse. These programs are delivered by members of the faculty or external providers who are trained in these areas.

The EA Counseling Department is an integral part of the total educational program, and it seeks to help every student acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that promote academic achievement and meet personal development needs in the areas of academic, career, personal/social, and global perspective Development.

The Counseling Department offers comprehensive services and a full range of activities and services for students at EA, such as individual and group counseling, classroom lessons, referrals, and one-on-one counseling support. Although immediate individual needs and crises are to be met by the counseling staff, the major purpose and focus is to provide all students with experiences to help them grow and develop.

The Counseling Department supports students in four domains: academics, social-emotional, college, and career. The Counseling Department offers student-centered services and provides developmentally appropriate support at each grade level, as well as individual and group counseling opportunities for all students. Counseling works closely with the school’s Head of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), who manages the implementation of SEL programs such as RULER from Yale University to provide students and the EA community SEL skills and tools to promote the social and emotional development of every Child.

EA’s Counseling Department operates on the assumption that all school staff members are involved in activities with students on a day-to-day basis that foster their social and emotional well-being. School counselors are central to supporting the mental health and well-being of students in school by providing direct services to students and working in consultative and collaborative relations with other members of the counseling team, members of school staff, parents, and members of the school community.

� YEAR-ROUND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL INTERVENTIONS INCLUDE:

1. Talks for students and teachers on different topics related to well-being, such as healthy relationships, managing emotions, safe technology usage, and communication skills.

2. Family Education Program- yearly scheduled parent education presentations by local and international experts and consultants on different topics related to children and adolescents to align the school and community to its values and teachings.

3. Social and Emotional Learning during Morning Meeting time and Community Time blocks are integrated into the curriculum, where students learn about and practice social-emotional skills and work on community building in a positive environment that cultivates growth and understanding.

4. Personal safety and appropriate limits with regard to one’s body and personal space addressed with students.

5. Social/emotional and self-care skills training in an age-appropriate manner addressed individually and/or in group activities.

6. Duty to warn notification for parents- includes self-harm, suicidal ideation and attempts, serious medical and psychological conditions and/or threatening behavior toward self or others.

7. Training to staff on social-emotional concerns (red flags).

8. Senior transition to college talks for students.

9. Campus-wide ban on cigarette smoking, alcohol, and other drugs and their related paraphernalia (students and personnel).

10. Prescribed medications for students must only be dispensed by the school nurses.

11. Referral for psychological or psychoeducational evaluations when needed.

EA has developed structured procedures for reporting suspected or disclosed maltreatment or abuse, including disclosure of abuse that may have taken place in the past and adopts a formal policy identifying actions to be taken, including informing appropriate authorities.

• REFERRAL PROCESS

If a member of staff becomes aware of suspected or disclosed maltreatment or abuse, he/she should consult his/her Division Director, Assistant Director, or Counselor as soon as possible, even if it may be necessary to interrupt a lesson to do this. Early referral gives more time to offer help to the student and family before the situation becomes severe or serious. When the matter is already severe or serious, early referral gives more time for others to protect the student.

• MAKE WRITTEN NOTES

• At the earliest opportunity, make a written record of your concerns - record facts accurately and be clear when you are expressing an opinion and the basis for this - these notes will help to ensure accuracy in recalling events later.

• Notes should be emailed to the Division Director, Assistant Director, and Counselor as soon as possible. The Counselor immediately notifies the Child Protection Supervisor, who will prepare an incident report.

• Do not take photographs of any physical injuries, record on a body map, and also do not use audio to record disclosures.

Once a report has been made, the Child Protection Supervisor shares it with the General Director. The Division Director, Counselor, and Child Protection Supervisor will follow all further reporting procedures. The General Director may consult local authorities when necessary. The General Director should consult with the lawyers when the matter may involve legal repercussions to the student, the parents or the school. The counselor is responsible for monitoring the students who have received Child Protection Incident reports and to alert the Division Director and Child Protection Supervisor in case additional concerns arise.

• CONCERN FROM SOMETHING THE

CHILD SAYS

LISTEN

Do not ask questions or interrogate. Consider interpreting services if English is a second language REMAIN CALM

If you are shocked, upset, or angry, the pupil/ student will sense this, and this could stop them from saying more

Remember

• If in doubt, consult;

• Do not ignore concerns, even if these are vague;

• Your first responsibility is to the student; and

REASSURE

The student that s/he has done nothing wrong - tell them it is alright to talk.

DO NOT PROMISE TO KEEP IT SECRET

Tell the student that you cannot keep the matter secret and will need to take advice from someone who can help.

• If you need help or support to manage your own feelings, this can usually be provided.

EA develops meaningful and effective relationships with external organizations and bodies that are able to provide appropriate support and advice on matters related to child protection.

EA is a welcoming community and works with professionals and external organizations to provide and enhance the services for faculty, students, and their families.

Escuela Americana El Salvador

Some partners include:

• Local and internationally-based private professionals: psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, pediatricians, neurologists, and speech therapists

• External organizations: Forja, Arboretum, Asociación Estima, FUNPRES, and the US Embassy.

• Social Workers from the Salvadoran Family Court System

• School lawyer

• Local and internationally-based schools

Child protection measures are integrated with all procedures and systems (strategic planning, budgeting, recruitment, program management, performance management, procurement, partner agreements, risk management, and management systems, etc.)

The School has procedures in place to ensure that people coming into our campus have been screened and should abide by certain expectations. Part of the recruitment process entails police and criminal records verification, pre-employment polygraph tests, and domiciliary visits. Budget is made available to pay for these pre-employment requirements. International teachers must present an FBI Check.

Service providers and contractors must follow specific guidelines for entering our campus. Construction workers must also abide by specific behavior expectations. (Please refer to the following documents: Employment Contract, Security Procedures, and Normas de Comportamiento de Ingreso)

Due regard is given to building and facility design, layout, designation, and use to ensure in child safety and protection within the context of the host country.

All buildings at EA are built according to code. All of our buildings meet seismic code requirements, and care is taken to design them so that they do not pose threats to students. All sharp edges are eliminated, and the height of bathrooms and the placement of specific equipment is according to the age and height of the users.

Playground equipment is designed for the specific ages of the users, and all of them have surfaces to protect children when they fall. Careful consideration is given to the placement of ramps as well as the height of the stairs in the different buildings. The buildings are designed so that there are no hidden areas that cannot be easily supervised.

The School has over 115 cameras in strategic places throughout the campus that help our security personnel keep track of events. Many of these cameras are directed towards areas where students circulate and are used by Division Directors to follow up on certain issues. Other cameras are located in areas where there is no direct visibility in order to monitor events in those areas.

EA is cognizant of cultural expectations and complies with the legal and ethical expectations and requirements regarding child abuse within the country in which it operates.

Escuela American complies with all applicable laws and legal requirements regarding child abuse. In addition to complying with all penal laws, we also comply with Ley Crecer Juntos and MINEDUCYT’s stipulations on child safety, and also relies on the student/parent handbook, faculty handbook, and “Board Policy Manual”.

• LEY CRECER JUNTOS

• Artículo 57

• MINEDUCYT

• Ley General de Educación

• Capítulo II Educandos

• Artículo 90.c, d, i, j

• Artículo 91

• BOARD POLICY MANUAL

The articles that specifically pertain to Student Policies are found in the 500 series of the document:

• 509: Student Conduct/Discipline

• 509.1: Student Conduct

• 509.4: Student Rights and Responsibilities

• 509.5: Student Complaints and Grievances

• 509.5.1: Physical and Verbal Abuse of Students

• 509.5.2: Sexual Harassment

The articles that specifically pertain to Personnel Policies are found in the 400 series of the document:

• 401.4: Complaints and Grievances

• 401.4.1: Physical and Verbal Abuse of Staff

• 401.4.2, 401.4.3, and 401.4.4: Sexual Harassment

All reports of suspected or disclosed abuse and any actions taken by the institution are securely archived, regardless of the conclusions reached.

• All records relating to child welfare concerns are kept in a secure location with a chronology of concerns and actions taken

• The school will keep written records of any concerns about students, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately

• Information from records will only be accessed by staff on a “need to know” basis, with the pertinent Division Director’s approval;

• Key staff will need to know when a student is subject to a Child Protection Plan so they can monitor the student’s welfare;

• Records relating to the student’s welfare will remain in the student’s file as long as the student is at the school;

• All records relating to faculty or staff who have been directly or indirectly involved in any allegation relating to child abuse will be kept in a special file referenced by a notice in the employee’s file. A detailed report of the incident, evidence, and how it was dealt with should be kept and signed by the person in charge of the investigation and should be included in the special file.

� MEDICAL PROTOCOL FOR SUSPECTED SEXUAL ABUSE / ASSAULT / TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

• SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT

Every nursing encounter begins with a systematic assessment. The four components of a comprehensive systematic assessment are listed below. Suggested actions should be performed if indicated and in accordance with applicable protocols and available resources. Provide any necessary interventions before progressing to the next step of the assessment. These assessment components will be used for essentially every nursing encounter, and it is important to become completely familiar with each component. It will be useful to keep this information in an easily accessible location for continual Reference.

SCENE SAFETY ASSESSMENT

• Restrict motion of cervical spine 1 2 3

Call for assistance as indicated before proceeding.

Any student who presents with pain in the genital area:

1. Report the case to the Doctor on campus.

2. If necessary, report to the counseling office.

3. The Doctor will inform the parents/ guardian and will request consent to examine the student.

4. No medical/nurse staff will examine the patient alone or without parental consent.

5. If parents/ guardians cannot be reached at both phone numbers, the Doctor will make the decision in the best interest of the student.

ACROSS-THE-ROOM ASSESSMENT

Use the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT)

• Appearance: TICLS - Tone, Interactiveness, Consolability, Look, and Speech

• Breathing: Work of breathing (nasal flaring and retractions); abnormal airway sounds

• Circulation: Visible skin color

PRIMARY (C-ABCDE) ASSESSMENT/IMMEDIATE INTERVENTIONS

• Standard precautions

• Control obvious hemorrhage

• CPR as applicable

• Airway, positioning

• Breathing, O2, mouth-to-mask

• Circulation, control bleeding

• CPR/AED

• Disability, AVPU, pupil check

• Exposure, brief inspection

4. SECONDARY (FGHI) ASSESSMENT

• Full set of vital signs, including temperature, weight, and blood glucose

• Give comfort measures/pain assessment: Numerical pain scale, FACES visual pain scale

• History and Head-to-toe/focused physical examination, SAMPLE history: Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past health history, Last food/drink, Events, Complete or limited physical examination: Inspect, Auscultate, Percuss, Palpate

• Isolate, Injuries, and Additional Interventions. Isolate for communicable diseases; perform additional interventions based on findings

• TRIAGE (E–U–N)

EMERGENT

Active EMS

URGENT

Determine the need for EMS

NON-URGENT

Return to class or send home

• KEY ASSESSMENT POINTS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OR ASSAULT

Before taking any decision, notify the Doctor on campus and call the Division Director.

• Psychosocial history

• Menstrual status/possibility of pregnancy

• Long-term sexual abuse must be reported to the appropriate authorities at school.

• Focused physical examination for acute injuries (before parents’ consent)

• Limit physical contact if assault just occurred to preserve forensic evidence

• Encourage the student to bring all clothing worn during the assault to the ER

Immediate Interventions.

Even before you determine the triage category, perform the following actions as indicated:

• Treat any injuries as indicated

• Provide a safe, nonthreatening environment

• Ask open-ended questions

• Support student

Note: Any case of suspected sexual assault requires ED treatment and local law enforcement notification. The student should disclose the full account of the assault ONLY to a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner RN or physician performing the forensic exam. Only specially trained professionals should interview victims of sexual assault.

DETERMINE TRIAGE CATEGORY AND ADDITIONAL INTERVENTIONS

• Thoughts of death or suicide

• Severe/life-threatening injuries (Trauma protocol)

• Suspected sexual assault

• Ecchymoses/injuries, not life-threatening

• Alcohol/drug use

• Current, previous, or potential pregnancy

• History of truancy

• Sudden change in dress or makeup

• Difficulty making decisions

• Abrupt changes in mood or personality

• Combative, possessive, or jealous behavior

• Withdrawal/self-isolation

INTERVENTIONS

• Support C-ABCDE

• Directly/continuously monitor student

• Refer to school counselor as appropriate

• Contact parent/guardian as per policy

• Preserve evidence and send to ED with student

• Notify school administrator

• Follow-up

INTERVENTIONS

• Support C-ABCDE

• Determine need for EMS

• Observe student closely

• Provide support

• Refer to school counselor

• Contact parent/guardian to transport student to medical care or home as per policy

• Follow-up

INTERVENTIONS

• Refer to school counselor

• Observe student’s behavior with others

• Document findings

• Provide support

• Contact parent/guardian as per policy

• Return student to class or send home as indicated

• Follow-up as needed or per policy

APPENDIX 3:

WHEELCHAIR USE POLICY

The school maintains a limited number of wheelchairs for emergency medical situations only. These are intended for short-term use in cases where a student is injured or ill and needs immediate assistance from the nurse’s office to another area or to exit the building safely.

Important Guidelines:

• Not for General Use: School wheelchairs are not available for personal or non-emergency use by students.

• Personal Medical Needs: Students who require the use of a wheelchair for medical reasons must bring their own and provide appropriate documentation from a healthcare provider.

• Access and Accommodation: The school is committed to supporting students who use personal mobility devices. Please contact the Medical Office to ensure that proper accommodations are in place.

For any questions or to discuss specific medical or accessibility needs, please contact the Medical Office at medical_office@amschool.edu.sv.