A-Z Handbook Information

Assembly

Assembly for the general student body and the staff is held every Wednesday morning to make announcements and do reverence to the flag and country. Announcements can be made by any teacher or student leader. Others who wish to have something announced should do so through one of these officers. During Assembly, students should stand single file in their classes in orderly fashion.

Betelnut and Gum Chewing

Betelnut spit and chewed globs of gum are destructive and unsightly on surfaces where they are accidentally and purposefully left or attached. Betelnut and gum chewing are, therefore, not allowed on the campus at any time. After appropriate warnings have been made, an offense will result in punishment work cleaning up spit and gum wads.

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors of HLIS meets once per term to make policy decisions, hear financial and administrative reports and develop parameters and processes for the operation of the school. The HLIS Constitution specifies the membership and functions of the Board, which is the ultimate administrative authority at the school.

Bus Information and Procedures and Excursions

Each school day of the school year, and from time to time on special student trips sponsored by the school, HLIS buses transport students to and from various places. All behavior while riding on the school buses must follow respect for the safety of all passengers. Rules for passenger conduct on school buses will be published annually and will be made available to each student at the beginning of each school year. These rules will also be posted in each bus. Failure to follow bus rules will follow the normal school discipline procedures.

The HLIS school buses are for HLIS students and faculty only and are not to be used as public motor vehicles or to give rides to passengers outside the HLIS community.
Students riding on the HLIS school buses are subject to all of the school rules as if the bus is part of the school grounds.
All passengers shall refrain from:
1. Excessive noise and activities.
2. Harassment of the bus driver.
3. Fighting or abusive body contact (i.e., slapping, hitting, poking, shoving, tripping, pulling hair, etc.) on the bus, at the bus stop, or when loading or unloading the bus.
4. Using unauthorized exits such as, emergency doors or windows.
5. Using vulgar or profane language or obscene gestures.
6. Disrespect, verbal or physical abuse of the bus driver or other passengers.
7. Failing to obey the driver.
8. Damaging or defacing the bus.
9. Littering of any kind.
10. Sitting in the drivers seat or being to the immediate left or right of the driver.
11. Other actions that create disturbances or are detrimental to safe riding.
Portable radios are not permitted unless used with headphones.
No pupil shall open a window on the school bus without first getting permission from the school bus driver.
Pupils are to remain seated while the bus is in motion and are not to get on or off the bus until the bus has come to a full stop.
No pupil shall at any time extend his head, hands, or arms out of the windows, whether the school bus is in motion or standing still.
Each pupil must see that his arms, legs and personal belongings are kept out of the aisles.
Lighting matches smoking, or using any type of flame or sparking device is prohibited on the bus.
Passengers must never throw objects into, out of, or at the bus.
Passengers shall maintain safe bus stop procedures: behaving properly at the bus stop; entering and leaving the bus in an orderly manner; following the instructions of the driver; and crossing roadways with extreme care.
The bus driver has the final authority and responsibility for the behavior of students on a bus. However, when a teacher, coach, or other certified staff member is assigned to accompany students on a bus, such person shall be primarily responsible for the behavior of students in their charge.

Campus and Classroom Appearance – Litter

Our school campus is a gift from God on the one hand and a statement to our community on the other. For both of these reasons, it is a place which requires our respect and our mutual effort with regard to cleanliness. It is everyone’s responsibility (1) to avoid littering, (2) to helpfully pick up and dispose of litter which may be lying around and (3) to remind others not to litter.

Within the classrooms and dormitories, students are not to misuse materials, mark or damage desks, litter or consume food or drink. Eating and drinking in the classroom is normally not acceptable except in special cases such as class celebrations, lunch time on rainy days or specific teacher permission. Classrooms are to be left neat and clean after each class period.

Canteen

The school canteen operates daily to provide snacks and drinks for students. It is especially open during evening hours before study time, and some times on weekends. Economics or Business Studies classes are often responsible for the operation of the canteen since it provides them with practical experience.

Chapel and Devotions

Regular chapel services and daily devotions at HLIS help focus the energies of all members of the community on the centrality of Christ and His motivating force and strength in life. As such, they supplement Sunday worship, and require the attendance of all members of the community. Chapel service organizers attempt to provide a variety of meaningful worship experiences for the community including services led by faculty members, special guest speakers and groups, and student groups, and possibly small group Bible studies.

Clubs

Campus clubs are encouraged and formed in accord with student interest and demand. All campus clubs have a faculty advisor and should coordinate their activities with the SRC and the school administration.

Computer Lab Information and Procedures

Technology has become an increasingly important tool for teachers and students at Highlands Lutheran International School. The school has operated a computer lab since the early 2000s and has plans for an e-library as money permits.  Over the course of their study at HLIS, students experience the three major platforms, operating systems and related software. They move from being consumers in the primary grades to creators in the intermediate and upper grades, where assignments are increasingly completed on computer.

The following regulations apply to all persons using the HLIS computer Labs. They are intended to safeguard the school’s computer resources for continued user benefit as well as to protect the rights of other users. Breach of these regulations will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

1. General rules

The HLIS computer laboratory, including printers, may only be used for official school purposes.
Users may not create a disturbance or interfere with other users.
No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted in the computer laboratories.
Users shall not litter, cause a mess or leave the laboratory untidy.
It is the responsibility of the student to logout after using the computer.
Users shall not access other person’s account
Users must treat all computer laboratory and equipment with due care and consideration, reporting any misuse of computer laboratory or equipment.
No equipment may be removed from computer laboratories or tampered with in any way.

2. Use of Software and Data

Users shall not use or install any software not officially sponsored in the lab.
Users shall not make use of laboratory computers to access or copy any computer games, pornography, viruses, movies and music for personal use.
Users shall not play computer games on laboratory computers unless authorized by a lecturer.
Users shall not interfere or tamper with software configurations or any system data files.
Users shall respect all copyright and licensing requirements and intellectual property rights. They shall not copy software or other files from the computer systems without due permission.
Users shall not access or in any way alter other user`s files without authorization.

3. Use of Networks

Users may not attempt to bypass or undermine the system security. The system security must be observed at all times.
Only material relating to user courses and duties at HLIS may be downloaded from the Internet.
Users shall not use social media or send messages using E-mail facilities to an individual or a large number of users that may be considered undesirable or harassment by some or all off the recipients.
Users shall not share individual computer exercises, assignments or tests in the Public Folder of the computer lab’s servers

Daily Schedule and Routine

Each day at HLIS begins as students wake up, get cleaned up and prepare for breakfast. Following breakfast there is time to clean up rooms and get to class or devotion. Buses with day students arrive between 7:40 and 8:00 a.m. and the class day lasts from 8:15 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. when the buses return day students to their homes. The afternoon is free for boarding students until dinner is served at 5:00 p.m. Study time begins at 7:00 p.m. and goes until 9:00 p.m. and lights out is usually 10:00 p.m.

Normal daily schedule:

6:30 – 7:45 a.m.	Wake, wash, eat breakfast and prepare for class
7:40 – 8:00 a.m.	Buses arrive with day students
8:00 a.m.	Class or devotions or homeroom begins each day
8:00 a.m. – 3:20 p.m.	Scheduled classes for all grades
3:20 p.m.	Buses return day students to their homes
3:20 – 5:00 p.m.	Free time for boarders or various activities
5:00 p.m.	The evening meal in the mess
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.	Free time, Canteen open 6:15 – 6:45 p.m.
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.	Supervised study time
9:00 – 10:00 p.m.	Dorm devotion and ready for bed
10:00 p.m.	Lights out.

Duty Teachers

Each day, two duty teachers are scheduled to take particular responsibility for that day’s activities. The two on duty will liaise with the administration and other prefects and persons in charge to keep track of the various details of the day such as busses, meals, outdoor activities and evening study. Duty teachers work in partnership with the grade 12 prefects, who have been empowered to help in the day to day running of the school.

Emergencies

Emergencies should be reported immediately to either the principal or the Deputy Principal Administration. If neither of them is present, the emergency should be reported to the teacher on duty at the time. At all times teachers and students should strive to avoid or prevent emergencies by reporting potential problems such as electrical faults or dangerous behavior right away.

Entertainment

From time to time entertainment and educational activities may be arranged in the evenings for boarding students. Videos and films of an educational or entertaining nature are often shown, especially on weekends, and other fun nights with drama and debates may be held according to initiative and interest.

Finances and Fees

The primary financial income for the expenses of running HLIS come from student school fees and provincial government subsidies. Annual lists of the amounts are posted before school begins, and parents (or sponsors) of all students are expected to submit payments in a timely manner

Only students who have paid these school fees will be registered for classes; students who have not paid the fees may not attend class.

Any school fee refunds are dealt with by the principal on a case by case basis.

Fire

In the event of fire, inform the duty teacher immediately, calmly evacuate anyone in danger, try to extinguish the fire and seek medical attention right away for any fire victims.

Graduation

Each year, graduation is scheduled for the final week of school. Following external exams in grades 8, 10 and 12, students in those grades are excused from school and then return for graduation. On graduation Day, students from each of these three grades are recognized, with special recognition to the grade 12 students going on to further study in tertiary institutions. Academic Awards are also distributed at the graduation ceremony, and a graduation dinner normally concludes the day’s events.

Guidance and Counseling

Guidance services are available for every student at HLIS. In a general way, guidance is available from every teacher. In a more specific way, however, both career and personal guidance services are provided by selected counselors, the deputy principals and the principal, and they include (1) giving assistance with educational planning, (2) testing and helping students with the interpretation of test scores, (3) affording occupational information and advice, (4) giving study assistance, and (5) helping with home or school or social concerns, spiritual advice, or any question a student may wish to discuss.

Standardized tests of various kinds are available to help in assessing readiness for learning, achievement
Readiness Teachers use tests provided by textbook publishers to determine the level of readiness for subject matter which is about to be introduced. The kindergarten teacher does readiness testing with children prior to entry into this class.
Placement Examinations Placement Examinations are given to students applying for entrance to HLIS to insure that each new student is placed in the grade appropriate to3rd through 8th grades in the spring of the school year. We use the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. Results are shared with parents.
Special Needs Occasionally, HLIS may recommend that a student be evaluated for the possibility of a learning disability or other special need. This process may involve a referral to a specialist.

Homework a Priority

Homework is an essential part of almost every course taught at HLIS. Although the members of the faculty have diverse teaching styles and methods, each teacher utilizes homework as an important educational tool to reinforce materials covered in class. In most courses, homework assignments are also an important part of the grade each term. Although each teacher has his or her own approach to homework, which will be clearly communicated at the beginning of the course, students should be fully aware that homework assignments must be handed in when due in order for students to achieve appropriate learning and academic success.

It is further the responsibility of each student to follow through on all expectations of the instructor. If a student has problems handing in homework assignments completed and on time, the teacher will take steps to determine why performance is below expectations. This may include seeking the advice of or scheduling conferences with counselors, the Academic Administrator, the Principal, parents or (in special cases) other educational experts. In most cases, it is hoped that the teacher and student will be able to resolve the concern without outside assistance.

The amount of homework depends upon the grade level, ability and study habits of the child, but should fall within these time periods:

1st-2nd 10-20 minutes per night
3rd-4th 30-40 minutes per night
5th-6th 50-60 minutes per night
7th-8th 70-80 minutes per night
HS 2-3 hours per night

Parents can assist by providing encouragement and a quiet place to study. Providing too much help is discouraged.

Consult with the teacher if assignments are consistently burdensome.
Daily planners will often be given to students to use for keeping track of assignments.
Textbooks should return to school each day for use in class.
Incomplete assignments interfere with class discussions of a previous lesson.
Teachers may lower grades for incomplete assignments. A zero on an assignment is worse than a  low grade.
Students absent because of illness will be given extra time to complete assignments missed.

Library Information and General Rules

Enter the library with teacher and/or librarian permission only.
Use the library for your education.
Put trash in the rubbish bin.
Respect others and do not disturb others.
Leave food and drink outside.
Use only English in the library.
Be very quiet with just a bit of whispering allowed.
Treat the library and all books with respect and care.
Students must be under teacher supervision.
God gave us two ears for listening wisely.
Pay attention and stay on task.

Lost and Found

Items left outside, in classrooms or in locker rooms at inappropriate times will be placed in a lost and found container near the office. Items should be claimed in a timely manner.

Night Study

All dormitory students are scheduled for evening (or night) study from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday evenings. This study time is supervised by duty teachers and assists students to schedule their time to accomplish assigned homework. Duty teachers may often assist students with particular questions, but students are encouraged to work and learn together by helping each other with assignments.

Off Campus Witness

As Christians we are all called upon to live a life that displays character and behavior which gives witness to our faith in Christ. This is true both on campus and off. For this reason, courting a reputation or engaging in any conduct (on campus or off) which gives offense or reflects adversely upon the school is seriously discouraged.

As a Christian community, HLIS seeks to be a witness to the surrounding people groups in Enga as well as a resource to schools in the province.

Out-of-Bounds

HLIS is surrounded by a fence designed for security reasons: to keep unwanted intruders off the campus and to keep students within school boundaries. Students are normally expected to stay on the campus unless they have special permission to leave for some valid reason. Any permission to leave the school grounds should be requested from the principal. Jumping the fence or leaving the school grounds without permission is cause for appropriate disciplinary action.

Parents and Citizens Association

The Parents and Citizens Association of Highlands Lutheran International School is composed of parents and other interested citizens who organize for the benefit of the school.

The objectives of the Association are to promote the interests of, and facilitate the development and further improvement of the school by promoting parent participation and encouraging collaboration between parents, students, school communities and non-government entities to foster a commitment to achieving the best educational outcomes for children and young people.

At HLIS the Parents and Citizens Association operates in close coordination with the school’s Board of Governors.

Personal Health and Medication Distribution

Students should practice good habits of health and cleanliness. This means washing daily, getting enough sleep, taking care of little sores and sicknesses before they become big ones, washing hands after using the toilet and before meals and brushing teeth often.

All cases of illness need to be reported to appropriate personnel. If necessary, the Deputy for Administration will give an ill student permission to go to the hospital. At no time is a student or non-authorized staff member permitted to provide or administer prescription or non-prescription medication to another student. If a student’s illness requires medication it should be administered by the Teacher in Charge (TIC) of First Aid.

Physical Displays of Affection

Physical displays of affection such as holding hands, shaking hands and hugging are natural between friends. Overdone or constant physical displays of affection such as kissing, extended embraces or inappropriate physical contact, however, are often offensive to students, faculty and visitors and are not acceptable on campus or at any school event.

Radios, Tape Players and Disc Players

Radios, portable tape players and disc players are not allowed in class, where they are subject to confiscation. Dorm students may use these devices in their dormitories when the power is on, but not during study time, when there should be courteous quiet – or after bed check. At all times these devices should be used respectfully with courtesy to others. This means individuals using them should do so with earphones or keep the volume low.

Sick Pass

When it is necessary for a student to visit a hospital or clinic for medical reasons, he/she should get a signed sick pass from the office. When possible the school will arrange round-trip transport to the appropriate medical facility.

Sports

Sports at HLIS include informal competitions arranged between school houses made up of students from all of the grades. Games and competitions are sometimes scheduled on Friday afternoons. Competitive sports teams are also organized from time to time and involve sports such as volleyball, rugby, soccer and athletics.

Student Travel Permission Form

The student consent form is signed at the beginning of each year by each student’s parent or legal guardian. Each student must have one of these forms on file with the school to allow them to: travel in the school truck, play contact sports, go on weekend leave, or go on any school organized function.

Student Representative Council (SRC)

Student government is an important part of the total program at HLIS. In an effort to create student participation in the school’s functioning and to foster communication between students and the administration, the various officers of the Student Representative Council are elected annually.

During the year, the SRC meets regularly with its advisor and concerns itself with student issues, school activities, campus beautification, school spirit and student conduct. It also coordinates and sponsors various student body activities and provides a sounding board for student input regarding school policy and policy changes.

Telephones / Cell Phones

Mobile phones are not allowed in class, and if used during class may be confiscated by the teacher after appropriate warnings have been given. Confiscated phones are given to and kept by the DPA for one week. All mobile phones should be turned off during class time, but may be used after class. Students will want to take good care of their phones, keeping them in a safe place at all times.

Textbooks

Textbooks are sometimes issued on loan to students, and students are held responsible for each book issued to them. All issued books must cared for properly, maintained in good condition and kept neatly and securely when not in use. Students will be charged for the full cost of a new textbook if a book they have been issued is lost or stolen.

Travel Away from Campus

Generally boarding students are the responsibility of the school and must remain on campus for the whole term, unless they are traveling with parental or school permission. Trips off campus include shopping trips to Hagen or Wabag, trips to worship experiences at various places in Enga and assorted trips for sports competitions

Any student traveling on an HLIS school bus needs written parental permission placed on file in the school office. This includes all day students who come and go from home each day as well as boarding students on any sort of school bus trip.

Travel Permission Slips available in the office are required if a student wishes permission to leave the campus for some special reason. Students wishing to leave for some special reason should get permission from the principal first and then inform the daily duty teacher. The slip indicates time of departure and return and requires the signature of both the principal and the daily duty teacher.

Worship

Worship is the center of life at HLIS and centers all thoughts on Christ and His example to us for living. It is a time for the whole community to celebrate together as a community of Christians. Worship services are held on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and Christian fellowship meetings are held on Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m..

Some students at HLIS are also active members in the Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship (TSCF) and frequently lead worship songs and fellowship. From time to time during the year, TSCF gatherings are scheduled between area schools.

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