Internal Rules
Raison d’être
By enrolling at the Leonardo da Vinci Foundation School, students and their parents undertake to adhere to the school’s project. They accept its rights and duties. To fulfill its mission, the school must work with its various partners to organize community life so as to achieve the following objectives: To promote the self-confidence and development of all students; To help all students acquire the knowledge and skills that will enable them to be lifelong learners and to take an active role in economic, social and cultural life; To prepare all students to be responsible citizens, capable of contributing to the development of a democratic, supportive, pluralist society that is open to other cultures; To ensure that all students have equal opportunities for social emancipation. The R.O.I. is aimed at students and their parents. The purpose of this document is to inform students and their parents of the rules governing the smooth running of the school. The following pages contain both strict and more general instructions. They cannot contain everything that is compulsory, nor everything that is forbidden. There are some common-sense rules that don’t need to be written down. The educational team is counting on parents and teachers to work together in a climate of trust and open dialogue.
Registrations
In accordance with the Missions Decree of July 24, 1997. By enrolling a student at EFA AR Leonardo da Vinci, the parents and the student accept the school’s educational project, pedagogical project, school rules and the present internal regulations, which also apply to all school-related activities (day care, excursions, etc.). Enrolment embodies a contract between the student, his/her parents and the school. This contract recognizes both the rights and obligations of the student and his or her parents. In nursery education, the 1st enrolment is received throughout the year. In primary education, enrolment is open until September 15 for years 1, 3 and 5. For years within a cycle (grades 2, 4 and 6), changing schools is no longer permitted, except in cases of force majeure (moving house, elimination of meals, change from boarding to day school, etc.). School change documents are required for registration. The following information is required for a valid registration: student’s surname, first name, nationality, place and date of birth, national registration number, student’s gender, place of residence, parents’ contact details and place of residence, parents’ telephone number. In order to prove this information, an official document such as a household composition is required. Pupils are not considered to be regularly enrolled until their file is complete. Regularly enrolled students remain so until the end of their schooling, except : When the parents have informed the school management, by letter, of their decision to withdraw the child from the school; When the pupil is excluded, in accordance with legal procedures; When the pupil is not present at the start of the school year, without justification.
School attendance
It’s important that your child attends school regularly, even in the kindergarten section. From the start of the school year in which your child turns 6, school attendance becomes compulsory (see point 5 on absences). Although nursery school is not compulsory, the timetable is for both nursery and primary sections! Pupils are welcomed in the playground or in class, depending on the section. Children are looked after by teachers from 8:15 a.m. in location A, 8:10 a.m. in primary and 8:15 a.m. in kindergarten in location B, until 8:30 a.m.. Before this time, children are taken care of in the day-care center from 7:30 a.m. at Site A and 7:00 a.m. at Site B. For safety reasons, no pupils will be allowed to wait for their parents in front of the school. Pupils must take the shortest route to and from school. Children who have not been collected by parents or an authorized person by 12:20 p.m. on Wednesdays and/or 3:20 p.m. at location A and 3:25 p.m. at location B on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays will be directed to the day-care center. Students are expected to take part in all classes, educational activities and sports. Any dispensation from this obligation can only be granted by the school management (except in the case of a medical certificate) following a justified request. Physical education classes are as compulsory as any other. Children are not allowed in the school buildings outside class or after-school hours. The school covers children on their way to and from school, provided it is the shortest route from home to school and vice versa. The school cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident if the child is late returning to school and/or home. Parents are only allowed on school premises for appointments with the principal or teacher. Parents have a duty to ensure that their children attend school regularly. They demonstrate their interest in learning by checking and signing the JDC, tests and assignments every day, and by responding to school invitations. By the very fact of attending the school, the student’s parents agree to pay school fees. The following fees may be claimed: Cultural and sports activities (maximum €50 per year); Outdoor classes and activities; Optional group purchases; Day-care fees (see Asbl document).
Absences
Throughout the school year, attendance is compulsory from the beginning to the end of classes. Pupils must attend all classes and activities organized inside and outside the school (cultural and sporting events, etc.) regularly and effectively. In primary school, any absence (even for half a day) must be justified in writing on the appropriate document (see appendix). This document must be submitted to the head teacher or his/her delegate no later than the day after the last day of absence if the absence does not exceed 3 days, and no later than the 4th day of absence in other cases. These reasons are recorded in the attendance register. Only one reminder will be issued for these reasons, after which your child will be considered an “unjustified absence”. Any absence of more than three consecutive days due to illness must be justified by a medical certificate. During exam periods, a medical certificate is required for all absences. After each absence that coincides with a scheduled assessment, the student is likely to be tested in the following class, provided that the absence is justified by a valid reason. Otherwise, the student automatically loses all points allocated to the assessment. As part of school dropout prevention: after 9 half-days of unjustified absence, the child is reported to the compulsory school attendance department. The only legal grounds are the following: Indisposition or illness of the pupil covered by a medical certificate; Summons by a public authority; Death of a parent or relative of the pupil up to the 4th degree; Reasons other than those listed above are left to the discretion of the Management, provided they are cases of force majeure or exceptional circumstances linked to family problems or the pupil’s mental or physical health. In this respect, it is unreasonable to equate taking a vacation during the school term with an exceptional circumstance. In the kindergarten section, children not subject to compulsory school attendance (under 6 years old) are asked to inform the school of any absence and/or provide proof of absence, in order to respect the work of the teachers. In the kindergarten section, children subject to compulsory schooling must meet the same obligations as primary school pupils (see above). Any request to leave the school for a medical appointment during lessons must be justified in advance by a written note from the parents given to the class teacher. Upon the child’s return, a doctor’s certificate will be provided to the class teacher on the spot. Absences are recorded every half-day. Under the parents’ supervision and in collaboration with the teachers, children who have been absent should quickly put themselves in order. Children with fevers or illnesses should be kept at home, even if they express the wish to come to school. If a child is ill during the day, parents must be notified by telephone and must personally collect their child. Mastery of skills and subjects depends on regular attendance at all classes and activities. It is imperative to notify the school (Site A: 02/ 669 17 40 and Site B: 02/669 17 50) and the CPMS (tel: 02/734.44.38 and mobile: 0476/744 815). In the event of transmissible and contagious diseases, to take the necessary preventive measures. Health emergencies: meningococcal meningitis (bacterial), diphtheria, poliomyelitis Other diseases to report: whooping cough, scabies, gastroenteritis (in epidemic situations), hepatitis A, impetigo and lice (if treatment problems arise), viral meningitis, measles, German measles, mumps, scarlet fever, ringworm, tuberculosis, chickenpox.
Delays
Students arriving late must provide a valid written reason. Any late arrival is considered abnormal and is reported to the management office or to the supervisors who manage the opening and closing of the gate. Every late arrival is recorded in a register. It is up to parents to justify their lateness in writing. Repeated lateness without valid justification will be penalized from the sixth lateness. From the sixth late arrival: Nursery section: a). Location A: given the infrastructure of the buildings, but also for safety reasons, after 8:30 a.m., access to classes is no longer possible. Children will be taken in charge by their parents and will return to school at 1:20 p.m.. (Decree of June 30, 1998 – Chap. III, art 20.) b). Implementation B: For safety reasons, after 8:30 a.m., the child and parents must justify their lateness to the management office. The child will then be accompanied to class. Primary section: a). Location A: in order not to disrupt lessons, after 8:30 a.m., access to classrooms will be restricted to the second hour of activity, i.e. 9:20 a.m.. Parents accompanied by their child(ren) are invited to ring the videophone and go to the management office to justify their lateness. b). Location B: to avoid disrupting lessons, after 8:30 a.m., access to classrooms will be restricted to the second hour of activity, i.e. 9:20 a.m.. Parents accompanied by their child(ren) are invited to go to the office to justify their lateness. As the child is not always responsible, the management asks you to make an effort to arrive on time. It is preferable that your child arrives 5 minutes before class so that he/she can meet his/her classmates, exchange a few words…
Disciplinary framework
Pupils are subject to the authority of the Headmaster and members of staff during all activities organised by the school both inside and outside. The school has the right to penalise children for indiscipline, lack of respect and politeness, rough play, violence, carelessness with traditional objects, damage to furniture and school premises, etc. A system of penalties is established according to the seriousness of the offence and its history: Call to order, reprimand or punishment, community service given by a member of the teaching staff or by the Management without informing the parents; Call to order, reprimand or punishment, community service given by a member of the teaching staff or by the Management with informing the parents; Withholding of work; Non-participation in cultural activities (visits, excursions, change of scenery classes, etc.); Temporary exclusion (max. 10 days). ); Temporary exclusion (max 10 half-days, compulsory attendance at school); Permanent exclusion from school, refectory or after-school care. Any act of violence is punished by at least one detention. Any punishment not handed in after a reminder is considered as a refusal to obey. Any act of vandalism will result in the equipment being put back in order and/or repaired (or repurchased/reimbursed), regardless of any other penalty depending on the seriousness of the case. Dangerous objects such as penknives, knives, lighters, firecrackers, etc. are strictly forbidden. The following serious acts are considered grounds for permanent exclusion under articles 81 and 89 of the decree of 24 July 1997 defining the priority missions of basic and secondary education and organising the structures required to achieve them: On or off school premises: Knowingly and repeatedly exerting unbearable psychological pressure on a pupil or member of staff, by threats, insults, slander or defamation; Any manipulation other than for teaching purposes of an instrument used during certain lessons when this instrument may cause injury; The introduction into the school premises of inflammable, poisonous, soporific or narcotic products; Any theft, extortion or racketeering of money or goods, by blackmail or intimidation.
Any act of sexual violence against a pupil or a member of school staff. On school premises, on the way to or from school or in the context of school activities organised outside school premises: The possession or use of a weapon… (BB gun, plastic revolver,…) Each of these acts will be reported to the school’s CPMS within the appropriate timeframe, as prescribed by article 29 of the decree of 30 June 1998 aimed at ensuring that all pupils have equal opportunities for social emancipation, in particular through the implementation of positive discrimination. Sanctioned pupils and their legal guardians are informed of the CPMS’s tasks, including assistance in finding a new school. Without prejudice to article 31 of the decree of 12 May 2004 on various measures to combat dropping out of school, exclusion and violence in schools, after examining the case, the department responsible for re-enrolling the excluded pupil may, if justified by the acts committed by the pupil, recommend that the pupil be taken into the care of a school support service. If the pupil refuses to be taken into care, he or she will be reported to the Youth Aid counsellor. Without prejudice to article 30 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Management will report the acts referred to in paragraph 1, depending on their seriousness, to the Police and advise the victim or his/her legal guardians on how to lodge a complaint. Unless authorised by the Director or his/her delegate, no pupil may leave his/her place of activity during school hours. This is considered a serious offence. During breaks and lunchtimes, pupils must remain within the confines of the area provided for this purpose. Under no circumstances may a pupil remain alone in a room. Breaches of the rules will be penalised, and may even result in exclusion. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, the parents will be summoned by the Management or its delegate. The following are also considered serious offences: Any form of physical violence. Any lack of respect towards an adult. Any insult or rudeness. Any refusal to obey. Any damage to equipment. Theft or racketeering. Going out without permission. Any incitement to the misdeeds listed above. Depending on the seriousness of the offences or their accumulation, the penalty may go as far as permanent exclusion from the school. Permanent exclusion may occur during the school year.
Prior to any definitive exclusion, the pupil, if of age, the pupil and his/her parents or the person with parental authority, in other cases, are invited by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, by the Head of School, who explains the facts and hears them. This hearing takes place at the earliest on the fourth working day following notification. The minutes of the hearing are signed by the pupil who has reached the age of majority or by the parents or guardian of the pupil who is a minor. Refusal to sign the report will be noted by a member of the teaching or educational support staff and will not prevent the procedure from continuing. Where appropriate, a statement of failure to act is drawn up and the procedure continues. If the seriousness of the offence so warrants, the head teacher may temporarily expel the pupil from the school for the duration of the permanent expulsion procedure. Provisional exclusion may not exceed ten days during which the school is open. Permanent exclusion is decided by the head teacher after consulting the Class Council or the teaching staff in primary education. The permanent exclusion, duly justified, is notified by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt to the pupil if he/she is of age, to his/her parents or to the person with parental authority if he/she is a minor. The pupil, if of age, his/her parents or the person with parental authority, if the pupil is a minor, has the right to appeal to the Minister, who will take a decision. The appeal is made by registered letter within ten working days of notification of the permanent exclusion. The registered letter referred to in paragraph 4 must state that there is a right of appeal and how it is to be exercised. The appeal must be addressed to the Ministère de l’Enseignement Service Général de l’Enseignement Boulevard du Jardin Botanique 20-22 1000 BRUXELLES The submission of the appeal does not suspend the exclusion decision. The Minister will rule on the appeal no later than the fifteenth school opening day following receipt of the appeal. Where the appeal is received during the summer holidays, the competent authority shall rule by 20 August. In all cases, notification is given within three working days of the decision. At the garderie, the pupil’s behaviour will be identical to that at school.
Image rights
By enrolling your child at the EFA AR Leonardo da Vinci, you also accept that your child may be photographed and/or filmed during the school term (study abroad classes, cultural or sports days, etc.). These photos may be used in a school newspaper, on educational and/or representative panels and may also appear on the school website and at school events on the social network. If you do not agree, please send your refusal in writing to the Headmaster using the “image rights” document. Use of information and communication technologies It is strictly forbidden, by means of a written document, any website or any other means of communication (mobile phone, Facebook, etc.), to undermine public order and safety. undermine public order, public decency, the dignity of individuals or the sensitivity of younger pupils (for example, no extremist or pornographic websites); infringe in any way whatsoever the rights to reputation, privacy or image of third parties, including by means of derogatory, defamatory or insulting comments or inappropriate or indecent images; inciting any form of hatred, violence or racism; inciting discrimination against a person or group of people; disseminating information that may tarnish the reputation of the school or be contrary to morality or the laws in force. The Law of 11 March 2003 stipulates that the only people responsible for the content of a website are the people who created it, or their parents if they are minors. Any infringement to which either the school or a member of the school community is a victim will be liable to disciplinary action. Defamatory comments on social networks will always be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Accidents at school and insurances
In the event of a serious accident or incident, we will notify you. In an emergency, we will call the ambulance via the 112 service. If the ambulance has to intervene, it will not be possible to choose a hospital. If the school is unable to contact the parents or the person responsible for the pupil, they leave it to the doctor and/or the school to take any decision required by the child’s state of health or safety, on the understanding that the parents will be informed as soon as possible. The journey from home to school and vice versa must be made by the most direct route and as quickly as possible. Otherwise, school insurance does not cover accidents. No insurance covers illness or the risk of material damage (theft, loss of objects, damage to clothing, etc.). Since 1 October 2015, damage to glasses or dental damage is covered and may require a claim against our Insurer. Any accident of any kind suffered by a pupil during a school activity or on the way to or from school must be reported to the school management as soon as possible. Please note: any accident occurring outside the school when the pupil should be there, or even at school but outside supervision hours, will not be covered by insurance. The collective school insurance policies taken out by the Ministry of the French Community with BELFIUS include insurance against personal injury. Insurance against bodily injury occurring in the course of school activities covers the insured without any claim for liability on the part of one of them. It guarantees payment, within certain limits, of medical expenses and disability benefits to the insured victim or his/her beneficiaries. If the victim or his/her representatives receive sickness and disability benefits or benefits from an organisation that takes its place, it is their responsibility to: declare the accident to their mutual insurance company; pay the doctor’s fees, hospitalisation costs, pharmaceutical costs, etc.; obtain a contribution from the mutual insurance company towards the aforementioned costs; provide the school, for transmission to the insurance company, with a certificate from the mutual insurance company indicating, in relation to the amounts claimed, the proportion covered by it.
Dressing
All pupils must dress, behave and speak correctly; children must dress decently at all times. Beachwear is not permitted (shorts, mini-skirts, flip-flops, etc.). The following are prohibited piercings (except discreet earrings for girls) and tattoos; excessively eccentric outfits or hair colouring; crests, drawings on shaved hair, etc. A decent haircut is compulsory; head coverings (caps, scarves, etc.); sportswear outside the school’s activities. ); Sportswear other than for physical education activities (trainers, hooded tracksuits, etc.), paramilitary clothing; Clothing that is too short (revealing the navel, etc.) or too summery and high-heeled shoes. Make-up Torn jeans Low-waisted trousers and/or trousers revealing underwear; Shoes with untied laces. Any visible sign of religious affiliation and/or philosophical convictions For the physical education class, from the second week of September, the child will wear dark shorts (blue or black), the school T-shirt, white socks and white gym sandals. The various items of PE class clothing will be marked with the child’s first and last name and stored in a drawstring sports bag, which will also be marked with the child’s first and last name. Children with long hair will have their hair tied back. For the psychomotricity class, the child will wear sportswear (jogging bottoms or soft trousers, no dresses or skirts). From the second week of September, they should bring a pair of white gym sandals with their first and last names written on them. The sandals will be stored in a drawstring sports bag with the child’s first and last name written on it. Children with long hair will have their hair tied back. Pupils in the nursery section are only allowed to wear sportswear on the day they have psychomotricity lessons. This is the only exception concerning the wearing of sportswear outside sports activities (sports day, etc.). In nursery, overalls, braces and belts should be avoided. Elastic bands are preferable. This will give them more independence when going to the toilet. Children must be clean. Parents are responsible for providing the school with a change of clothes. If clothes are loaned, parents must return them to school clean and ironed as soon as possible!
Damage, loss or theft of objects or equipment
Pupils may be held responsible for damage caused by them to buildings, equipment and furniture. Their parents or the person in charge may be required to repair the damage suffered or, failing that, to bear the financial cost of restoring the property and installations. Pupils, assisted if necessary by their parents or the person in charge, must be careful with the personal belongings and equipment they bring to school. Wherever possible, these items should be marked with the pupil’s name. The school’s liability does not cover loss, theft or damage to personal belongings. Non-curricular items (mobile phones, smartphones, electronic games, music players, etc.) are not permitted in the school. They isolate and make people envious. The school is a meeting place. These will be confiscated by the school management or its delegate until 30 June. Tears or snags in clothing will never be reimbursed.
Implementation of educational activities
At nursery level, a communication folder will be offered for signature by the parents (the person responsible for the child). Children must carry their communication notebook with them every day. At primary level, pupils keep a class diary in accordance with legal provisions, in which, under the supervision of the teachers, they make precise daily entries of all the tasks assigned to them at home. Pupils must be able to show their class diary to any teacher who requests it, failing which they will be punished. The class diary, which lists special classes, extracurricular activities and holidays, also serves as a privileged link between the school and the student’s parents or guardian. It will be signed daily by the parents or the person responsible for the student and dated at least one week in advance. Report cards must be signed by the parents or the person responsible for the student.
Parents’ information
Parents are regularly informed about their child’s progress, all aspects of school life and the schedule of parents’ meetings. The educational team is available to provide parents with further information by appointment only. Parents do not have access to the school without an appointment. (Decree of 30 June 1998 – Chap. III, art. 20.) Any person entering the premises of a school against the wishes of the Management, either by threats or violence against persons, or by breaking and entering, climbing or using false keys, is liable to fall under the application of article 439 of the Penal Code. The Director may invite parents to come to school. For reasons of health and safety, animals are strictly forbidden on school premises. The school management or its delegate will inform parents of the existence of the participation council and the psycho-medico-social centre (tel. CPMS 02/521.23.79). Smoking is prohibited on school premises and in front of the entrance gates.
Homework
Homework is prohibited in nursery school. In the first and second years of primary school, homework is prohibited, but certain activities are permitted. While homework as such is forbidden at this level, short activities in which pupils are asked to read or present to their family or friends what has been achieved or built up in class are permitted. The aim is not only to recognise the importance of learning to read, but also to take into account the importance for the child of having the opportunity to be proud, in front of his parents, his family and his environment, of presenting in any form whatsoever (told, read, drawn, acted out, written, etc.) what he has learnt at school.
Daily life at school and outside of the school building
Each child will ensure that they use correct vocabulary appropriate to the school environment. All pupils will take care not to damage the good name of the school they attend. In the street or on the underground, they will always behave decently and be respectful of others. Any individual or collective initiative outside the normal framework of school activities will only be taken with the agreement of the Management. This applies to posters, petitions, rallies, money collections, card sales, etc. It is forbidden to exchange, barter or sell clothes, school equipment or other objects unless exceptionally authorised by the Management. During breaks and lunchtimes, pupils must remain within the limits of the area provided for this purpose, in the playground and not on the lawn. Only foam or plastic balls are allowed in the playground. Pupils should use the break to go to the toilet so as not to disrupt lessons by moving around. Location A: Due to the structure of the buildings, parents have no access to the playground or the buildings, either during or outside school hours. Teachers and/or supervisors will greet children as they arrive, making it easier to ensure everyone’s safety. At the end of lessons, parents can collect their children from the gate at 15, rue des Goujons. Layout B: In the nursery section: parents can access the building’s corridor and drop their child off in front of his or her class and pick him or her up at the end of the day. In the primary section: parents have no access to the playground or the buildings during or outside school hours. Teachers and/or supervisors will welcome pupils as soon as they arrive and will thus be in a better position to ensure everyone’s safety. Hygiene: cleanliness, sleep, diet, etc. ³ Every morning, make sure that your child has a snack, a meal and his schoolbag in order. ³ Set aside time for school work, but also for relaxation, sports and cultural activities (not too much television or Internet). ³ Attend parents’ meetings, keep in touch with the teacher even if everything is going well, make it clear if anything is going wrong (school, medical, etc.).
The teacher will then be able to understand your child better. ³ Get involved in the school project(s). Every morning, make sure that your children are dressed correctly, decently, cleanly and appropriately for the weather and in accordance with the rules. ³ Encourage your children to be tidy (schoolbag, complete school equipment in working order, etc.) ³ Clothes should be clean and in good condition (no tears or frayed trousers). Encourage your child to be polite (say hello, goodbye, don’t interrupt, handle conflict peacefully). ³ Do not leave your child in possession of money. Discipline: have clear and precise requirements, establish fixed rules and stick to them. All children in the primary section must come to school with a suitable school bag to carry, protect and preserve their school equipment. Backpacks are strongly discouraged.
Meals and snacks
Each child will bring to school a lunch box for snacks and lunch as well as a water bottle to avoid unnecessary packaging and waste as much as possible. Sodas and sugary drinks are forbidden. Only healthy snacks are allowed, as specified by the teachers. No other snacks may be eaten. In the school canteen, all children must eat cleanly and calmly, failing which they may be punished by exclusion. Tickets for hot meals and soups are purchased on Monday mornings. Parents who wish their child to benefit from this service should place a named envelope containing the exact amount for the week’s meals or soups in the pocket provided for this purpose. This transport pouch will be found on the back of the communication booklet for the nursery section and on the back of the notice folder for the primary section. If you forget to pay on Monday morning, you will have to switch to the “tartines” meal for the rest of the week.
Final provisions
The present R.O.I. does not exempt pupils, their parents or the person in charge from complying with the legal texts, regulations and administrative instructions that concern them, issued where necessary by the Ministry of Education, Research and Training, as well as any internal note or recommendation issued by our school.