2013-2014

Handbook

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Hyde Park International School (HPIS). As you learn more about us, we hope you can catch a glimpse of the uniqueness that characterizes our school.

The mission of Hyde Park International School is to educate and inspire academically talented and motivated students who value hard work, integrity, have a love of learning, compassion, and high personal expectations. HPIS wants to see Serbia develop by raising up a new generation of young people who can think critically and succeed in anything that is put before them.

We're often asked why we named our school Hyde Park. Besides the connection to our local Hyde Park here in Belgrade, we chose the name because throughout modern history, Hyde Park is a name connected to the best of humanity's potential. Hyde Park London was the location of the Great Exhibition and the Crystal Palace. It was there that the world witnessed the wonders of the modern industrial age. Common people, along with notable figures like Charles Dickens, Lord Tennyson, Lewis Carroll, and Charlotte Brontë saw new technologies like the electric telegraph, microscope, barometer, and new surgical tools. Hyde Park Chicago was also a place of human imagination and achievement: the 1893 Columbian Exposition. It was here that Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse decisively won the current wars, introducing the wonders of electricity to the world. Architects from around the world designed new buildings and made the “White City” a dreamland to visit. It is that spirit of innovation and inquiry that we want to bring to education and to our school.

Hyde Park is a school that encourages the best in its students by teaching a strong North American curriculum along with a wide variety of AP courses. We provide students with the core building blocks so that they will be successful in any academic pursuit, from English, to math, to science, and to literature.

We welcome highly talented students with diverse interests and ambitions. Here you will find learning marked by joy, energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm. The learning opportunities are virtually limitless at Hyde Park. I hope you join us and discover your own extraordinary qualities.

Best Regards,

Eric Gruetzmacher Danielle McBride Ljumila Djukić Maja Bijelić Principal Head of Lower School Head of Upper School Manager

Welcome to Hyde Park International School

General InformationAbout UsHyde Park International School is a kindergarten through 12th grade, college-preparatory school, founded in Belgrade, Serbia. With a strong North American curriculum, Hyde Park provides many opportunities for all students to succeed in the classroom, the laboratory, their communities, and beyond.

Our Mission

Our mission is to prepare students with a challenging education that requires them to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage fully in their intellectual growth and personal development. In doing so, they become self-confident, ethical citizens of the world and leaders in their home countries.

Our Values

AcademicsThrough a range of experiences in and out of the classroom, students are immersed in science, mathematics, humanities, language and the arts. Our broad and ever-evolving curriculum challenges and engages students to strive for personal growth and academic excellence.

CharacterWe believe in the importance of developing individuals whoare resilient, creative, confident and who persevere. We teachstudents to be self-advocates and expect them to own theireducation and actions, preparing them for lives marked byintegrity, kindness, respect and fulfillment.

FlexibilityEach individual student is unique and education should betailored around the student. We teach and structure ourclassrooms and curriculum to meet the needs of students who are behind and also to help high-achieving students excel. We also accommodate students who need to have flexible school schedules.

DiversityWe embrace diversity and global literacy to build acceptance, strengthen compassion, instill social responsibility and expand competencies that enable students to succeed in a multicultural world. Students are enriched by the inclusion of individuals with varied talents, voices and backgrounds.

ResourcesAlthough people make up the core of our educational experience, we recognize the value and importance of the campus environment and resources. Our thoughtfully designed classrooms, course materials, outdoor spaces and campus facilities provide the resources necessary to maximize learning.

Fast Facts:Year Founded: 2013

Campus Location: The Dedinje neighborhood of Belgrade

Student Body: 20

Faculty: 7 teaching faculty. 9 years average teaching experience. 60% with advanced degrees.

Student/Teacher Ratio: 5:1

Mascot: The Celts

School Motto: Quaecumque Sunt Vera (Whatsoever things are true)

Colors: Green and White

Accreditation: Our Diploma program is accredited by AdvancED and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.

Admission and Attendance

Enrolment

The enrolment procedure includes the following steps:

1. Parents must complete the Application Form and provide the requested documentation;2. Parents are required to provide a diploma or report cards from the previous school attended.3. Registration fee must be paid in advance.4. Parents must sign a legal contract with the school in order to enrol their child.

Documents Required- Transcripts and/or report cards from previous grades;- A physical examination form signed by a Medical Doctor; a Health Certificate must be provided as proof of immunization and health status;- A completed Application Form;- A photocopy of the student's Birth Certificate;- A photograph of the applicant (passport size);

Once the school receives the above documentation, a Contract of Education is signed.

Registration and tuition feesThe non-refundable registration fee should be paid at the time of application. Primary School and High School differ in the tuition fees. They may be paid in their entirety or in up to four installments.

Tuition costs cover all the classes and lectures in the student's track, course text books and materials (handbooks, art material, etc.) and all field trips (visits to museums, galleries, exhibitions, theater plays,monuments, etc.), excluding excursions.

Elementary School (Grade 1 – Grade 4) 6.500EURMiddle School (Grade 5 – Grade 8) 7.500 EURHigh School (Grade 9 – Grade 12) 9.000 EURHigh School (British Program) 11.000 EUR

Registration fee: 750 EUR per year. Non-refundable. Applied towards tuitionTransport: Not included.Food: Not included. Payment: Up to four installments. Payable in RSD. AssessmentNew students will take the English Placement Test. This test is not discriminatory; it provides information about the student’s level of English and the possible need for Additional English Lessons. The School may find it necessary to test a child in the main fields of education, such as Mathematics, etc.

Attendance

Daily attendance at school is required, unless a a student has a special schedule that has been arranged between the school and parents. A student's success is linked closely with being in the classroom, where students can take full advantage of classroom discussions, teacher explanations, and other material that enriches learning.

Student's who are absent, are hurting their education and their chances of success.

AbsenceIf a student is ill and cannot attend school, parents should call the attendance office by 10:00 a.m.Parents are requested to notify school personnel no later than 48 hours after the absence. If the parents do not call, the student will be considered truant until a parent has approved the absence. Hyde Park staff will attempt to contact the parents when students are absent and a parent call has not been received..Students are not to leave school before thedismissal time, without the permission of anadministrator . Once students have permission to leave, they must sign-out in the office and leave the building.

While daily attendance is required, studentsmay occasionally miss school for thefollowing reasons:

• A serious illness or death in the family(please contact the school as soon asreasonably possible).• Doctor or dental appointments.• College visits for upper level students. Arrangements must be made at least two days in advance.

If one of these situations occurs, parents should call the attendance office at least a day before in advance. For doctor or dental appointments during the day, the student must sign out in theoffice.

Students may not be excused from any class in order to complete work, make-up work,or take a test or quiz.

It is the student's responsibility to make up all work assigned when the student was absent.

Results of Excessive AbsencesAbsences will be recorded on a per semester basis. Any student with excessive absences may be required to bring a doctors note in. Students who accumulate six or more absences may need to have a parent conference and may be be excluded from school field trips and activities. If a student is absent for 15 consecutive days, they may lose course credit.

Special Absence Policies

Family Vacations: Hyde Park International School discourages vacations which keep students from school because their loss of class time will put them at a disadvantage. Requests to excuse students for family vacations are considered on an individual basis. Hyde Park International School will not excuse a student for a vacation in which the student is not accompanied by a parent or guardian.

To obtain approval for a family vacation, please follow these steps:

• Parents should make the request by telephone.

• A school administrator must approve the request.

• Students are responsible for asking their teachers for homework assignments at least five schooldays in advance of the vacation. To receive credit, the student is expected to make arrangementswith each teacher for turning in daily work missed during the absence. Students are responsible for all assignments and will receive zero credit if not handed in a timely manner after the vacation.

BehaviorClassroom DisciplineStudents who attend Hyde Park International School areexpected to attend assigned classes, work hard in all classes, exhibit good citizenship, and obey the policiesestablished by the school. Teachers and the administrators try to maintain order and safety, so thatall students may learn. If a student’s behavior becomesso offensive or disruptive that it interferes with theinstructional process or learning environment, thestudent will be sent directly to the office to be seen by the principal. Each teacher establishes their ownclassroom management plan. However, once sent to theoffice, each student is subject to the same schooldiscipline procedure.

Class TruancyStudents are are more than 15 minutes late to a class will be considered truant. Students who are truant from class will be dealt with in increasing measures of discipline including parent telephone conferences, after school detentions, lunch detention, loss of privileges, written notification sent home, in-school suspensions, and possible loss of course credit.

Students who are truant will be expected to make arrangements with the teacher to complete all workassigned when the student was absent.

School TruancyIncidents of school truancy may include any of the following progressive sequence of consequences:

First Incident of All-Day Truancy: Four after-school detentions assigned and parents are telephoned.

Second Incident of All-Day Truancy: In-school suspension.

Third Incident of All-Day Truancy: 3 days of in-school suspension.

TardinessA student is tardy if not in the assigned seat at the start of the bell. Incidents of tardiness mayinclude any of the following progressive sequence of consequences:

One to Three Incidents: A student is allowed three tardies per semester. The school will notify parentswhen the third tardy occurs.

Fourth Incident: One after-school detention.

Fifth Incident: Two after-school detentions and notification sent to parents.

Sixth Incident: Student may not be admitted to classes on the day following the sixth tardy until a parent telephone conference is held.

Seventh Incident: Student may be suspended pending a successful parent conference.

Eighth Incident: Handled on an individual basis.

Drug and Alcohol PolicyStudents will be immediately suspension and/or expuled from school when:• They are in violation of the laws governing the sale, possession, or use of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicating substances;• They are under the influence or are impaired, or exhibit the odor of alcohol, or any illegal drug, narcotic, or controlled substance;

Students suspected of violating these laws may be reported to the appropriate school officials and police for further investigation and action.

Electronic Communication DevicesStudents are permitted to possess electronic communication devices while on school property. Use of such cell phones during school hours is limited to the eating area and other designated areas, and will not be allowed in instructional areas, except at the discretion of the classroom teacher. With the exception of these areas, these devices must be turned off and stored out of sight during the school day. Violation of this policy will subject the student to disciplinary consequences.

DetentionDetention is an additional period of supervised study after school hours. Primarily, students are assigned to detention to make up class time lost as a result of behavior violations, truancy, or tardiness.

Failure to serve detention can result in additional detentions, the assignment of in-school suspensions, or out-of-school suspension. Extra-curricular activities or sports are not valid reasons for missing detention.

SuspensionStudents can be suspended from school for continued misbehavior or a single act of gross disobedience or misconduct. A student suspended out-of-school is not permitted in school or on school grounds during the day, in the evening, or on a weekend while the suspension is in effect. In addition, students who are suspended are not permitted to attend school events/trips. Students are responsible to make arrangements with the classroom teacher to complete all work missed during a suspension.

Students may be offered the opportunity to attend an in-school suspension for certain offenses in place of an out-of-school suspension. Failure to attend an assigned in-school suspension may result in an out-of-school suspension. Suspension Procedures1. Before suspension, the student shall be provided a conference during which the charges will be explained and the student will be given an opportunity to respond to the charges.

2. When the student’s presence poses a continuing danger to students, teachers, property, or an ongoingthreat of disruption to the educational process, a pre-suspension conference is NOT required and the student can be immediately suspended. In such cases, parents shall be notified as soon as practicable.

3. Any suspension shall be reported immediately to the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s).

Gross Disobedience or Misconduct(Suspension, Expulsion)

Students may be suspended or expelled for gross disobedience or misconduct. Types of behavior that are considered gross disobedience or misconduct include, but are not limited to:

• Repeated or willful behavior which shows disregard for school rules.

• Insubordination to any school personnel (administrators, teachers, and all staff).

• Acts which endanger or harm the safety of others.

• Behavior in which the student tries to harass, intimidate, or frighten, directly or indirectly, any studentemployee.

• Possessing or distributing pornographic images, including of oneself, whether stored, transmitted, or generated electronically or in the form of written material or pictures.

• Fighting.

• Bullying, or taunting any student or any individual associated with the Hyde Park International School.

• Use of profane or obscene language.

• Excessive truancy or tardiness .

• Theft, destruction of property, or possession of stolen property belonging to the school, staff, or other students..

• Unauthorized access or misuse of a computer program or network, and/or any creation or use of Internet web pages, social media, or email which affects any staff member or student..

• Unauthorized use of electronic communication devices.

Bullying

Bullying may take various forms, including without limitations one or more of the following: harassment, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, theft, public humiliation, destruction of property, or retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying. This list is not exhaustive.

A student who feels bullied by someone should report it to an administrator or teacher. Students determined to have committed an act of bullying will face disciplinary consequences up to and including a recommendation of expulsion.

Smoking/TobaccoStudents may not smoke, possess, or use tobacco in any form anywhere on school property. This policyapplies to all tobacco derivatives and applies before, during, and after school hours. Penalties for violating this policy may include suspension.

Academics-Grades 1-8English & Language ArtsAs an international school that welcomes learners from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of experiences in the English language, Hyde Park International School uses a cohesive academic program that immerses students in a rich language experience throughout the school day. The framework is both rigorous and flexible, naturally allowing for differentiated instruction for each child.

The Guided Reading Program, developed by Fountas and Pinnell and published by Heinemann, provides extensive exposure to quality literature and vocabulary through read-alouds and shared reading, individualized instruction during guided reading, independent reading and responding to literature, and systematic instruction in phonics and spelling. Lucy Caulkins' Units of Study from Heinemann forms the basis of the Writing Workshop, which provides individualized writing instructionand practice based on a cycle of writing genres that progress in complexity throughout the grades.

MathSaxon Math is a highly reputable, research-based math program that provides a strong foundation in mental math and computation. It is balanced with instruction in mathematical concepts, problem

solving, and systematic review.

The middle grades curriculum builds upon the skills mastered in the lower grades and provides exposure to and continued practice in increasingly advanced math concepts so that students are prepared for rigorous math curricula in high school.

Social StudiesHyde Park International School employs a four-year cycle based on the classical instruction model for teaching social studies.

History and geography instruction progresses through four major periods in world history. Students study one period per year beginning with the Ancients, followed by Medieval to Early Renaissance, Late Renaissance to Early Modern, and finishing with Modern History. The Story of the World curriculum by Susan Wise Bauer forms the base text for history instruction and students engage in independent and small group reading of various related primary source texts as well as experiential learning activities.

As students enter 5th through 8th grade, the cycle is repeated, but at a deeper level. It is also during theseyears where students will begin to incorporate more literature and composition. Students read novels and stories related to the material presented and begin to think critically about the historical period.

ScienceScience instruction is built on a classical model that progresses through a four-year cycle of major topics beginning with biology and life sciences, then earth science and astronomy, chemistry, and physics. The classical model blends scientific investigations and reading in the early grades. In the middle grades, students repeat the cycle of study but at a deeper level using more sophisticated science texts and experiments.

An Outline of Specific Curriculum Materials

Grade 1Reading: Guided Reading (Fountas and Pinnell)Writing: Writing Workshop (Lucy Caulkins)English Grammar: Shurley English 1Spelling: Spelling Workout Level AMath: Saxon 2Social Studies: Story of the World: Ancient TimesScience: Elemental Science: Biology Level 1Art / Music / Physical Ed. / Computers

Grade 2Reading: Guided Reading (Fountas and Pinnell)Writing: Writing Workshop (Lucy Caulkins)English Grammar: Shurley English 2Spelling: Spelling Workout Level BMath: Saxon 3Social Studies: Story of the World: The Middle Ages

Science: Elemental Science: Earth Science and Astronomy Level 1Art / Music / Physical Ed. / Computers

Grade 3Reading: Guided Reading (Fountas and Pinnell)Writing: Writing Workshop (Lucy Caulkins)English Grammar: Shurley English 3Spelling: Spelling Workout Level CMath: Saxon 4Social Studies: Story of the World: Early Modern TimesScience: Elemental Science: Chemistry Level 1Art / Music / Physical Ed. /Computers

Grade 4Reading: Guided Reading (Fountas and Pinnell)Writing: Writing Workshop (Lucy Caulkins)English Grammar: Shurley English 4 Spelling: Spelling Workout Level DMath: Saxon 6/5Social Studies: Story of the World: The Modern AgeScience: Elemental Science: Physics Level 1Art / Music / Physical Ed./Computers

Grade 5English Grammar: Shurley English 5Spelling: Spelling Workout Level EMath: Saxon 7/6Science: Elemental Science: Biology Level 2Latin: Latin Prep: Book 1 (first half)Foreign Language: Choices: French, German, Spanish, SerbianArt / Music / Physical Ed. / ComputersSocial Studies/Literature: History Odyssey: Ancients Reading list includes:

1. Kingfisher History Encyclopedia2. Learning Through History Magazine-Ancient Rome3. Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green4. The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw 5. The Children's Homer by Padraic Colum6. Greek Myths by Olivia Coolidge7. Theras and His Town by Caroline Dale Snedeker8. Caesar's Gallic War by Olivia Coolidge, 9. History Pockets – Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece from Evan-Moor

Grade 6English Grammar: Shurley English 6Spelling: Spelling Workout Level FMath: Saxon 8/7

Science: Elemental Science: Earth Science and Astronomy Level 2Latin: Latin Prep: Book 1 (second half)Foreign Language: Choices: French, German, Spanish, SerbianArt / Music / Physical Ed. / ComputersSocial Studies/Literature: History Odyssey: The Middle Ages. Reading list includes:

• Kingfisher History Encyclopedia • One Thousand and One Arabian Nights• The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli• Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb• Beowulf, a New Telling by Robert Nye• The Story of King Arthur and his Knights by Howard Pyle• The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green• Castle by David Macaulay• The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean• Tales from Japan retold by Helen and William McAlpine• The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly

Grade 7English Grammar: Shurley English 7Spelling: Spelling Workout Level GMath: Saxon Algebra 1/2Science: Elemental Science: Chemistry Level 2Latin: Latin Prep: Book 2Foreign Language: Choices: French, German, Spanish, SerbianArt / Music / Physical Ed. / ComputersSocial Studies/Literature: History Odyssey: Early Modern. Reading List includes:

• The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia• The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem Van Loon• I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino• Amos Fortune: Free Man by Elizabeth Yates• The Landing of the Pilgrims by James Daugherty• The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare• Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (abridged by Puffin Classics)• Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell• Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson• Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes• The American Revolution by Bruce Bliven, Jr.• The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe by Roland Smith• The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

Grade 8English Grammar: Shurley English 8Spelling: Spelling Workout Level HMath: Saxon Algebra 1Science: Elemental Science: Physics Level 2Latin: Latin Prep: Book 3Foreign Language: Choices: French, German, Spanish, SerbianArt / Music / Physical Ed. / Computers

Social Studies/Literature: History Odyssey: Modern. Reading List includes:

• The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia• The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem

Van Loon• Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules

Verne• Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe• The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling• The Red Baron by Manfred Van

Richtofen• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark

Twain• The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen

Crane• Animal Farm by George Orwell• Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee• Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah• No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt

Academics-Grades 9-12Upper School GradingThe school year is divided into a fall and spring semester. Each semester is graded as an individual unit,and grades from one semester do not carry over into the next.

The following is an explanation of the grading scale:

A ............A superior grade for exceptional or outstanding work.

B ............A commendable grade for an above-average degree of accuracy and knowledge of thesubject.

C ............A passing grade reflecting adequate and satisfactory performance.

D ...........A passing grade reflecting below average work.

E ............A passing grade for demonstrating maximum effort and/or minimum skills. This grade is usedonly in special circumstances.

F ............A failing grade indicating that no credit was awarded.

Weighted GradesHyde Park International School provides universities with a student's grades computed two ways: weighted and non-weighted. Students who take honor-level courses or AP courses will have their grades weighted. Weighted grades are used only for college admission purposes.

Academic DishonestyAcademic dishonesty refers to cheating, copying, plagiarizing, or representing the work ofothers as one’s own. Forms of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following:

• looking at another student’s answers, or using a “cheat sheet” during a test;

• downloading material from an internet source and representing it as one’s own without citing sources or crediting the author;

• copying text in any form from a source, without proper citation, and submitting as one’s own;

• acquiring and/or distributing tests, answers to tests,answer keys, class projects, research papers, reports,or school-owned materials through verbal, written,graphic, electronic, or other means.

Students determined to have been academicallydishonest are subject to disciplinary action,depending on the number of incidents and severity.Students will automatically receive a Zero credit forthe assignment/test.

Graduation RequirementsAt the upper school level, students at Hyde Park will begin to prepare for university life and beyond. With a challenging, well-rounded curriculum, students build on the foundations that were laid during their K-8 years and will begin to express themselves more in their writing and speech, and dive deeper into the sciences, humanities, and other core subjects.

At Hyde Park, we realize that the vast majority of our students will continue on to university. Therefore, we've developed a program that will ensure that students graduating will have excellent chances of being accepted at their desired universities. Firstly, we've selected a curriculum that will provide more than enough credits for entry into any university, world-wide. Secondly, we offer a wide

range of Advanced Placement courses to higher achieving students, which are university-level courses that can be taken to help earn college credit and to boost their GPA. And thirdly, we provide opportunities for service in their neighborhood and city, which will also look attractive on university applications.

It is important that Hyde Park students graduate with a well-rounded education. Therefore, in order to graduate, students need to complete 24 credits in the following areas:

• English/Language Arts — 4 credits• Math — 4 credits from Algebra I & higher • Social Studies — 3 credits (to include 1 unit of American History & 1/2 unit of Government)* • Science — 3 credits, with 1 credit lab (Chemistry, Physics, or an equivalent lab course) • Fine Arts — 1 credit • Practical Arts — 1 credit • Physical Education/Health — 1 1/2 credits • World Languages — 2 credits (2 credits of the same language)• Personal Finance — 1/2 credit • Specified Core Electives — 1 credit English, Math, Social Studies, Science, or a World

Language **• Electives — 3 credits (to include Personal Development and Character Education and Career

Planning)

* Canadian students or students planning to study in Canada will substitute Canadian History for the required 1 unit of American History and will take 1 unit of Canadian Geography.

** Canadian students or students planning to study in Canada will be required to take 1 unit of French.

Transfer students will be award credit based on their previous coursework, including from IB, IGCSE and A Levels, and the Serbian National Curriculum.

Honor Roll

An honor is announced each semester. Students with anaverage GPA of 3.5 or higher (an "A" average) will bedesignated in the high honors group. Students with 3.0-3.5(a "B" average) will be designated in the honors group.

In averaging a GPA for honor roll, A=4 points, B=3 points,C=2 points, D=1 point, F=0 points.

Accreditation

Hyde Park International School is accredited through theAdvancEd agency, the NCA, and the courses are approved by theNCAA (for those interested in pursuing athletics at USuniversities.