Welcome Back to School! This handbook has been written especially for you. Questions you might have about your school have been answered here. Read the handbook (in the front of your agenda) carefully. It will help you have a successful year. Student Handbook 2008 -2009
- What is expected of me at school?
- What do I need to buy before school starts?
- How long is the school day?
- Where do I go in the morning before classes?
- What happens if I am late?
- To which gate should I go at dismissal time?
- Will I get a lot of homework this year?
- What kind of snack should I bring to school?
- May I buy from the school cafeteria?
- How should I dress for school?
- What happens if I come to school not dress code compliant?
- How should I dress for P.E.?
- What subjects will I study this year?
- What will my schedule look like?
- What about computers at ACS?
- What is ASL?
- What is AST?
- What is ELL?
- How often will I receive a report card?
- Should I return textbooks that I receive at the beginning of the year?
What is expected of me at school?
The school expects you to be a person of character and competence:
- put you best effort into school work.
- behave responsibly.
- respect yourself, other students, and all adults.
- reppect the rules of the school.
- use proper language.
- play fairly.
- keep the school clean.
- hand in your homework on time.
- be punctual.
What do I need to buy before school starts?
You need to buy a backpack, a lunch box, a pencil case, an eraser and
pencils. Textbooks and copybooks will be provided by school.
How long is the school day?
The school day is 7 hours and 15 minutes long. Classes start at 8:00 AM,
however, you are expected to be on campus for line up at 7:50 AM. You are
not supposed to arrive at school earlier than 7:30 AM. The school day ends
at 3:20 PM. You may not leave the school grounds during school hours.
Where do I go in the morning before classes?
Grades 1 and 2 should go directly to the playground.
Grades 3 and 4 go to the roof.
Grade 5 go to their classrooms.
Line up bell rings at 7:50AM. On rainy days you wait in the hallway outside
your classroom, until your teacher arrives.
What happens if I am late?
If you are late (later than 8:00 AM), you have to fill out a tardy slip for
your teacher. In case of three repeeated tardies, your parents will be
contacted.
To which gate should I go at dismissal time?
It depends on your transportation. If you are going home by bus, you leave
by the big blue gate facing the high school building. Students going home by
cars leave through one of the gates facing AUB.
Will I get a lot of homework this year?
Not really, but it is important that you do not leave everything until the
last moment. Expect more when you have a project or when you are preparing
for a test. However, tests and projects will be assigned at least a week
ahead of time. Remember that if you organize your work, it will be easy to
finish your assignments on time.
What kind of snack should I bring to school?
We encourage all students to bring healthy snacks. Therefore, we suggest that
you bring two sandwiches with meat, tuna or cheese. You should also bring
fruits and vegetables (apples, cucumbers, carrots, etc.) and a small dessert,
if you like. Please note that you may not bring candies, chocolate, chips or
soda pop. A Hot Meal Program is offered for those who would like to
participate. We have drinking water in the hallway, but you should always
have a bottle of water from home. You will get very thirsty after recess
and PE.
May I buy from the school cafeteria?
The cafeteria is located in the High School building. Elementary students
may not leave the elementary campus during the school day to buy from
the cafeteria. Your parents may want you to join Hot Meal Program.
How should I dress for school?
A student is expected to wear:
- solid color shirts with either polo collars, turtlenecks, or 2 color shirt
with a round neck and ACS logo.
- black, dark blue, or khaki pants or skirts. (Girls must have their
stomachs covered and their skirts or shorts should be Bermuda length.
- soft, flat-soled shoes
- In winter, adhere to this dress code adding sweaters, sweatshirts or
jackets, making sure the collared or turtleneck shirt underneath is visible.
There is no code for your raincoat or jacket. You may wear your cap during
recess and P.E., but not inside the school
building.
What happens if I come to school not dress code compliant?
If you are not dressed according to the ACS dress code, your parents will be
contacted or your nondress code item swapped for a PE item.
How should I dress for P.E.?
You should always wear your PE uniform and tennis shoes on the days that you
have PE. (Long hair should be tied back.) In case you have back to back PE
days and your shirt is in the wash, you may substitute your last year's PE
shirt.
What subjects will I study this year?
The academic subjects are: English, Math, Science, Social Studies,Arabic and
French. The non-academic subjects are music, art, PE, and computer.
What will my schedule look like?
The school year is divided into 30 cycles. Each cycle has six days. The
first day of the cycle is Day 1, the second day is Day 2, the third day is
Day 3, etc. Your daily schedule will include English, Math, Arabic, and one
or two non-academic subjects. There are two snack breaks and two recesses.
What about computers at ACS?
All classrooms have Internet connected computers. The school has a computer
lab that is used by all classes. You may only work in the lab with a
teacher present. Computers, like all school property, should be handled
with care. You are expected to respect the computer user policy at all
times.
What is ASL?
ASL means Arabic as Second Language. It applies only to grades 3, 4, and 5
students who do not follow the offical Lebanese program in Arabic.
What is AST?
AST means Academic Support Team. This team provides academic assistance
through direct and indirect service. Students who come from schools where
English is not the first language, will be referred to the Academic Support
Team. The purpose is to help student improve their academic proficiency in
order to enable them to cope successfully with grade level expectations.
What is ELL?
ELL means English Language Learner. This program helps students who have
previously had little or no instruction in English.
How often will I receive a report card?
You will receive a report card two times a year. Once in February and one
on the last day of school in June. Progress reports will be given in
November and March.
Should I return textbooks that I receive at the beginning of the year?
All textbooks given at the beginning of the year should be returned in good
condition at the end of the year. That means they should be kept clean and
that you should never write in them.
