Admissions Requirements
Pre-kindergarten
A child's fourth birthday must fall on or before September first of the current school year.
Kindergarten
A child's fifth birthday must fall on or before September first of the current school year.
1st grade
A child's sixth birthday must fall on or before September first of the current school year. If the child has completed Kindergarten in another English speaking school, the age requirement may be waived.
The following categories of students will be given priority in seeking entrance to school:
-children of U.S. Government employees
-siblings of children currently enrolled
-children who are U.S. citizens and whose parents are U.S. citizens
-children of ACS graduates
*Beginning in Grade 1 students who do not speak English as their native language will be tested to determine English and reading proficiency.
General Informatio
School Hours
Pre-Kindergarten 8:25 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Kindergarten 8:25 a.m - 2:00 p.m.
Grades 1-5 8:25 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Academic Year
The academic year is divided into four quarters. Parent-teacher conferences are held for all students at the end of the first quarter and for selected students during the third quarter. Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher at any time during the year with questions concerning student progress.
Course of Study
The elementary classes at ACS follow the basic curriculum design of elementary schools in the United States.
Bus Transportation
Bus transportation to and from school is provided from most sections of the city of La Paz. The bus service is provided for a fee for interested students.
Insurance
All students have insurance coverage in case of accident during the school day, including travel to and from school.
Report Cards
Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter.
Homework
Students in grades 1-5 will receive approximately thirty to sixty minutes of homework Monday through Thursday evenings. This will vary depending upon work covered in class that day and each child's individual work habits.
Standardized Achievement Tests
Students in grades 3-5 take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills in April or May each year. The results are available for review by parents the following year at the first parent conferences.
Grade Level Orientation
Teachers of Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5 hold grade level meetings within the first two weeks of school. The purpose of these meetings is to get to know the child's teacher and to offer the teacher an opportunity to discuss goals, standards and activities for the year.
Learning Lab (LL)
The LL is a center with specially trained staff that offers additional help to students during school hours. The staff consists of an English as a Second Language Specialist, Learning Disabilities Specialist, and a Reading Specialist. Students are referred to the LL by their classroom teachers when it is determined that a child needs extra assistance for a maximum of one hour per day.
Hot Lunch Program
Starting the second week of each semester, a hot lunch program is offered for a fee to interested students. Notification will be made to students during the first week of each semester. Payment is made directly to the cafeteria.
Extra Curricular Programs
ACS offers a variety of afternoon activities for students within our school community. Offerings vary from year to year. In the past these have included gymnastics, soccer, tae kwando, basketball, chess, drama, swimming, Spanish, choir for grades 4 and 5, and Girl and Boy Scouts.
Sports Complex
The sports complex includes a heated, indoor 25 meter pool, sauna, jacuzzi, exercise/weight room, 2 racquetball courts and 2 tennis courts. These facilities are used by students during the school day and are accessible to families, staff and U.S. government employees for a fee at other times.
Health Information
- The health office is open daily from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- There should be a medical information sheet n each student fie in the nurse's office, updated as needed with the latest immunizations and health problems.
- Allergy or asthma sufferers should bring medication to the nurse's office, in case of an allergic reaction.
- Medications that need to be taken during the day should be given to the nurse to ensure their proper administration.
- In case of illness of injury, parents or guardians will be notified immediately, and students will not be sent home without prior notification.
- If both parents or guardians are traveling out of town, the nurse would be given the names and phone numbers of a responsible person to be contacted in case of emergency.
- Students with communicable diseases (chicken pox, measles, etc.) should be reported to the nurse, so that other parents can be notified if necessary.
- Students will be weighed, measured, and have their eyes, teeth and posture screened at regular intervals during their school career.
Elementary Standards of Behavior
As a school staff, we share the responsibility of educating our children both socially and emotionally. It is important that students, parents, and teachers have the same expectations for acceptable behavior so that a positive climate for learning will exist at our school. All students agree to:
-Be Safe
-Be Respectful
-Be Responsible
Our students know that ever problem can be solved in a safe manner. All students will be held accountable for their choices and actions.
We accomplish these goals by:
- Modeling our school standards
- Giving logical consequences which are related, respectful and reasonable
- Teaching problem solving and communication skills
Rules and Policies
Attendance
Students are expected to attend classes regularly and to be on time for them to receive the maximum benefits from the educational program. Written information or a telephone call from a parent should verify excused absences due to illness or appointments that may not be scheduled outside of school hours.
Parents may pick make-up assignments from the office at 3:00 p.m. on the day of absence.
Parents are asked to avoid trips that will create absences, including early departure at the end of the first semester and before the end of the school year.
Written notification of planned extended absence stating the intended dates of absence and reasons shall be submitted to the principal at least once week prior to the absence.
Birthday Parties/Invitations
In order to maximize instructional time, birthday parties are not allowed at school. Parents may send a special birthday treat, such as cupcakes or cookies, to be shared by the entire class at recess. Teachers will distribute invitations only if the entire class receives one.
Bus Conduct
The operation of a safe, efficient transportation program requires that all passengers observe a set of regulations. The procedures below will be followed in cases of improper conduct.
The driver will counsel with the student on proper bus behavior.
The driver will write a referral and submit it to the principal.
Parents will be notified after each referral. Immediate bus suspension will be utilized if warranted.
Checking out Procedure
Students who leave school during school hours for any reason must be signed out by a parent/guardian at the front desk.
Computer Use
Students are encouraged to use technology at ACS to further the educational goals of the school. During the first week of school an Acceptable Use policy will be distributed and discussed with each student and sent home for parent and student signatures.
Dress Code
The school does not require uniforms. However, students are to dress comfortably and in good taste at all times. the students should wear tennis shoes for P.E. class.
Gum
Chewing gum is not allowed in elementary school.
Library
The elementary library is open for students and parent use before and after school until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 3:30 p.m. on Friday. The library is occasionally closed after school for staff meetings.
Lost and Found
The lost and found is located in the main office. Items marked with student names are returned directly to the owners.
Lunch
Students should take responsibility for their own lunch boxes.
If lunch is delivered to school, it must be there at 11:35 a.m. for grades 1 and 2, and at 11:50 a.m. for grades 3, 4, and 5. Maides and drivers should deliver lunches to students at the front gate only, since maids and drivers are not allowed on the playground.
A microwave is available in the cafeteria for student use.
Students may bring lunches from home into the cafeteria to eat.
Play is allowed after the first 15 minutes of the 45 minute lunch period.
Nuisance Items
Items such as toys, CD players, etc. must be left at home unless the student has permission from the teacher to bring such items to school.
Recess
Students must play downstairs in the garden or field. They must have a "pass" from the teacher to be upstairs during recesses and lunch.
Tardies
Students are expected to be in their classrooms at 8:20 a.m. each morning so that school may begin promptly at 8:25 a.m. Time missed due to tardies will be made up either at recess or another time during the day, at the teacher's discretion.
Telephone
Students may only use the telephone in the office for emergencies. Forgotten homework and social arrangements are not considered emergencies.
Textbooks
Students are responsible for damage or loss of textbooks.
Visitors
Visitors must report to the reception desk and state the reason for the visit before proceeding on campus.
Parent Volunteers
There are numerous options for volunteering at ACS including helping with activities in the classroom on a weekly basis, reading with children, organizing class parties, assisting with special events, chaperoning field trips, and/or speaking to classes on special topics of interest.
If you are interested in volunteering at school, please e-mail our principal, Marcene Pareja: mpareja@acslp.org
