SCHOOL LIFE

School Calendar and School Day

School Calendar

School begins the first week in September and runs until the third week of June with breaks for major Western and Chinese holidays. Please see the Calendar for more information.

School Hours

Nursery
ZIS offers both half-day and full-day Nursery programs. Families can choose the half-day session (morning: 9:00AM - 11:30AM OR afternoon: 12:30 PM-3:30PM) or the full-day session (9:00AM-3:30PM)

Nursery - Year 6 :
Monday-Friday: 9:00AM-3:30PM

Transportation
The school provides a safe and secure transport service, with qualified drivers. Each bus has a bus monitor on board at all times. If you are interested in signing your child up for transportation, please download the transportation form and submit payment to the Admissions Office upon enrollment. Questions about bus routes and pick-up points can be answered by contacting our Admissions Office. (Office PH: 86-756-3320016,3315580 ,Email: zis@zischina.com)

Uniforms
Included in cost of tuition is one basic starter uniform for warm weather: short-sleeved Polo (golf shirt), long-sleeved Oxford (dress shirt), Bermuda shorts, chinos.

Warm Weather
Shirts: Short sleeve Polo or short sleeve Oxford (cross out) (boys and girls)
Pants/skirts: Bermudas or Chinos (boys and girls) or skirt for girls
Footwear: Non-slip, non-marking shoes or clean sneakers (black or white)
Socks: Plain solid color socks (or knee socks for girls)

Cold Weather
Shirts: Long sleeve Polo or Oxford shirt
Pants/skirts: Chinos or Corduroys (boys and girls) or skirts/winter dress for girls
Footwear: Same as above
Socks:  Tights permissible for girls
Sweater: School v-neck or school vest
Additional sets can be purchased directly from the school or you can have additional school uniforms made by a tailor.

School Lunch
Lunch and daily snack are provided for students in grades Nursery (full-day program) and above.  Half-day nursery students are provided with a daily snack. The school has contracted an international catering firm to provide nutritious meals of high standard and quality. Nutrition education is part of our curriculum and we work closely with parents to promote healthy eating. The cost of lunches and snacks is included in tuition. Students are also allowed to bring lunches from home.  If parents or a designated person are delivering lunches, they may be left at the main gate clearly labeled with the student’s name and class before 11:30 AM.

Health Services
ZIS has a full-time nurse on staff to provide our students with health services when in need.  Our nurse also provides parents with up-to-date health-related notices and works with the Parent Association to organize workshops on nutrition, flu prevention, and other health-related topics. 
Download the ZIS Health form and return it to the admissions office upon enrollment.

Drop off and Pick up by parents
For drop off, parents may enter to take their child to the classroom. For pick up, parents should wait in designated areas

Activities
All students in Pre-K and above will be involved in activities. Activities will include sports, arts, academics, clubs and organization.

Attendance
Students should be on time to school every day. When students must be absent, parents should contact the appropriate school office by 9 am. It would be especially helpful if parents could either call the driver on the morning of the absence or personally step outside to inform the driver or bus monitor that the student will be absent. Ideally students should only be absent from school because of illness, NOT for reasons such as family vacation. When a student must be absent for emergency or family reasons other than illness, it is important for parents to notify the teacher in advance. With proper warning (at least two days notice) the teacher can put together work for the student so that the absence has a less negative effect. It is the responsibility of the family to see that the student is brought up to date with work after an absence. The teacher is of course willing to help but cannot conduct private tutorials. With missed days of school it is highly likely that the student will fall behind. On the day after absence students should always bring a note signed by the parent which explains the reason for absence.

Student Attributes and Conduct
Our Learners
In line with the attributes of PYP students suggested by the IBO, we strive for our students to be:
Inquirers Thinkers Communicators Knowledgeable Principled
Caring Well balanced Reflective Risk-takers Open-minded
As such we do not expect students to merely memorize and repeat facts. Rather we expect them to follow their natural curiosity into questions that they can attempt to answer through research, experiment and observation in the real world, as well as though study in the lab, the reference book, and the computer room. Lecturing is efficient and we will teach students through whole group instruction and other traditional means. But we believe that students learn more meaningfully and effectively through authentic learning experiences

Daily Conduct
With regard to daily school conduct, in positive terms, we, educators and parents, want to raise young people who behave with respect, integrity, and responsibility. Such conduct creates a context for the kind of learning described above.
A respectful student obeys the directions or instructions of teachers or any other adults in the building. And all adults, regardless of their jobs, are to be treated with equal respect. Principled, caring, and open minded students are also respectful of their peers- of their background and points of view, their possessions, their personal space, and their chance to speak in class or other gatherings. The golden rule may be applied here: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Of course, questioning, risk-taking students may question authority, but at the right time and in the right manner. Respectful students also respect themselves. They keep their belongings, their books, and their personal appearance orderly and clean. Finally, they respect the buildings and equipment around them as well as the larger natural environment.

Year Level Reports
(report cards) will be sent home 4 times per year as follows:
1st quarter reports(followed by parent teacher conferences)
1st semester reports
2nd quarter reports
2nd semester reports

Communication with Parents
Daily Communication Books
In addition students in the early years and primary programs will carry a communication book so that parents can monitor performance, homework requirements and any particular comments from the teacher/s as well as important announcements about school procedures, events and field trips. Parent signatures and or comments will often be required. Parents should check this book and sign off every day.