Newcomer's Guide to the ABC
From ABC Wiki
A Newcomers' Guide to Events and Practices at the ABC:
1. Primary "Back to School Nights". These meetings usually take place at the beginning of the year in August and are a must for all parents. Staff use the events to explain vital information for the year ahead, including class routines, expectations, homework schedules and arrangements, etc. The evenings are an ideal opportunity to meet other parents and discover how you can help your child.
2. Secondary "Know Your School" meetings. These are for Secondary parents and provide an opportunity to find out what your son or daughter will be doing in the coming year. The Grade 6 Meeting takes place during the school day and helps with the orientation of students (and parents) into the Secondary section.
3. Primary Curriculum Evenings. Staff in Pre-Kinder through to 1st Grade present special information evenings for parents around September time, which detail the content, aims and philosophy of the education programme at the ABC for the coming year. Often these events include the opportunity for parents to experience their child's curriculum at first hand as well as the chance to ask questions and develop a more in-depth understanding of the curriculum.
4. British educational terms. In the Primary School, The Foundation Stage incorporates the Pre-Kinder and Kinder classes, Key Stage 1 incorporates Prepa and Grade 1 classes and Key Stage 2 incorporates classes from Grade 2 to Grade 5. In the Secondary School, Key Stage 3 is from Grade 6 to Grade 8. IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is an international version of the British GCSE exams. At the ABC the IGCSE exams take place at the end of Grade 10 and lead into the International Baccalaureate Diploma in Grade 11 with exams at the end of Grade 12.
5. Secondary School Teaching Groups. All students are members of a tutor group where they are required to register each morning at 7.00 am. In grades 6 to 8 the students are allocated to mixed ability teaching groups. They are set into ability groups in Mathematics from grade 7 onwards and in Science from grade 8 onwards. In grades 9 and 10 students are taught in their option groups and are setted for Mathematics and Science. In Grade 11 and 12 students are taught in their IB options groups.
6. United Nations Day and Parade. In the Primary School this has traditionally incorporated separate childrens' parades for parents in Upper and Lower Primary, often featuring students dressed appropriately for the countries they have been studying. The day usually includes a special 'food fair' with refreshments of a local and international flavour, prepared by parents, being enjoyed by students after the parades.
7. Guy Fawkes Event. An annual event at the start of November to celebrate the failed attempt to blow up the parliament building in London in November 1605. The leader of the failed plot was Guy Fawkes. Guy Fawkes night is celebrated widely in the UK on 5th November with bonfires and fireworks. Sometimes an effigy of Guy Fawkes is burned on the bonfire. At the ABC we have an evening party with food and entertainment including fireworks. Everyone is welcome.
8. Harvard Model United Nations: Every year ABC students take part in the Harvard HMUN trip in December. Selected students from grades 10, 11 and 12 take part in a conference that simulates the United Nations. The students prepare every week from August to December and then attend the conference in Boston. The trip lasts approximately 10 days and includes an educational stop-over in either New York or Washington.
9. The Christmas Fair. Lower Primary usually put on grade Festive shows and in some years an Upper Primary show takes place. In the same evening, the Secondary Community Action Service Programme (CAS) promote stalls selling items of interest in aid of their charities.
10. Primary Spring Fair. This usually takes place on a Saturday in the month of February and is a popular extension of the Primary Curriculum to which all students are expected to attend. Students throughout the Primary School help to plan and prepare a series of stalls, helping to manage them on the day in conjunction with adult helpers. All proceeds raised are used to support school projects and scholarships for school support staff.
11. Parents Association Event - The Summer Carnival: This event takes place in March and is organised by the Parents Association. The objective is to have fair or amusement park rides and games, food and entertainment in a safe setting. It has taken place on a Saturday, starting at 9am and finishing at 8pm. There usually is an entrance fee to pay as well as a payment method for the rides and games.
12. The Circus. The 11th graders put on a show - usually dance numbers to some theme. It is a project which promotes group work and cooperation; plus, it's a fun night out with the kids.
13. Parent Partnership Evenings. A series of meetings for Secondary parents which provide an opportunity to discuss school issues or issues relating to adolescents and/or education.
14. School for Parents. The ABC Learning Support Unit offers a programme each year of lectures and presentations on a wide variety of themes associated with parenting, the family and education. Most events require a small cover charge and times vary throughout the year.
15. Cals and Parents meetings. The school calendar is divided into three Cal (Calificaciones) periods for the purpose of assessment and reporting to parents. In the Secondary section the Cals count for different percentages of the final grade. Cal 1 and Cal 2 are worth 20%, Cal 3 is worth 30% and in March there is an exam Cal which also counts for 30%. The exam Cal takes place in a week of exams. Cal reports are issued to parents at Parent Evenings (except for the exam Cal which is sent home) where parents have the opportunity to meet and discuss progress with each of their individual teachers. The parents meetings are generally in November and February. It is possible to see any teachers you would like to and some teachers may contact you to particularly request an interview. At any time you want to see a teacher during the school term you can make an appointment to do so.
16. Primary School Swimming Galas and Sports Days. These events take place at different times throughout the year and are based on activities and skills developed during the PE programme taught by specialist staff. Events last between an hour and 90 minutes depending on the age of the students and parents are encouraged to attend and add their support wherever possible. As events take place during the school day, students are allowed to go home afterwards if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
17. Madres Enlace. The Madres Enlace is a group of mothers who work for school events and give up their time in the spirit of creating stronger links amongst the school community. They are an official part of the Parents Association. The Madres Enlaces run the food stalls at events also, issuing tickets for purchasing food and drink. This paper money is usually valid for the following events - so don't throw them away! Every now and again a new set of paper money is issued.
18. Bake Sales. Madres Enlaces and volunteer parents organise popular 'Bake Sales' in the Primary School throughout the year to raise funds for Grade Level and Primary School Events. Bake Sales take place at break-times on days advertised in the school calendar. Every effort is made to ensure that students are offered healthy as well as popular food choices.
19. Tribes. Each student is a member of a tribe (Aztecs, Incas, Mayas, Pipils) and there are tribal events such as the Football, Swimming, Volleyball and Basketball Competitions. Tribe colours are: Aztecs (red), Incas (yellow), Mayas (green) and Pipils (blue).
20. Early dismissal on the last day of term. Generally the school finishes early on the last day of the Christmas (1st) and Summer (3rd) terms and at normal times (1:30 pm) at the end of term 2.
