Handbook & Policies

In the Lower School, our educational program is not simply a matter of delivering content. We believe it is a much greater and more holistic experience. The social side of learning, the sharing of ideas between peers, the classroom dialogue, and the community aspects of a day cannot be replicated outside of school.

We know that there are family events outside of school that conflict with the school schedule. Except in the case of sickness or a family emergency, however, we expect students to be in school when school is in session.

The school calendar balances work time and vacation time for everyone. Vacation dates are published well in advance so families can plan non-school experiences in those times. We ask that parents not take students out of school at other times during the school year.

Students who are absent or late to school must have an electronic absence form completed in PowerSchool. In case that is not possible, parents should call the attendance secretary between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM.

If a student is absent for any part of the school day, then the student must report to the attendance secretary in the lower school office when arriving at school.

Parents will be called to confirm a student’s absence if the School is not notified.

While school is in session, it is against TAS policy for parents/guardians to be absent from the home without notification to the School.

When both parents/guardians are going to be absent from home, one parent/guardian must notify the office in advance and state who is responsible for the student(s) and whom the School should contact in case of an emergency.

Please use the “parent/guardian out of town notice” electronic form available in PowerSchool.

The school day begins promptly at:

• 7:45 AM for Grades 3-5
• 8:00 AM for Grades K-2
• 8:00 AM for KA students

Parents of students who are frequently tardy will be contacted either by the counselor, principal, or an associate principal.

Students are expected to remain on the school campus for the duration of the school day.

Students who must leave campus early may be excused with a notice from the parents to the homeroom teacher and the lower school office. For security reasons, we ask parents not to make these requests by telephone. The reasons should be presented to the attendance secretary, and an exit pass must be obtained from the office in order for a student to leave school.

School IDs are required for students to enter and exit TAS campus.

bEFORE sCHOOL

In order to provide adequate supervision and security, our campus opens at 7:00 AM Monday–Friday.

Lower school students require adult supervision at all times when on campus. Each morning before school, students are to wait in the lower school lobby until 7:15 AM when they are dismissed to morning recess.

The official school day begins at 7:45 AM for Grades 3-5, 8:00 AM for Grades K-2, and 8:30 AM for KA students

AFTER SCHOOL

Lower school students are not permitted to remain on the school campus after school unless they are:

• Waiting in the cafeteria or library for a later bus or TYPA activities (students are required to sign up with the supervising Teacher Assistant)
• Attending private lessons (music, swimming)
• Attending TYPA activities

Each child must have an after-school plan if remaining on campus beyond 2:40 PM. After-school plans must be submitted electronically through the TAS Parent Zone.

If a student is injured or becomes ill during the school day, they should report directly to the health office or ask a teacher for assistance.

Anyone who observes an accident, injury, or sees someone who appears ill should ask a teacher for assistance and call the health office at Ext. 220 immediately.

Students should refrain from carrying any injured person and should instead call for help and wait for instructions from the nurse.

If a student commits any of the offenses mentioned in this section, or is involved in a serious breach of the lower school values or deliberately, significantly, or consistently disrupts and impedes the learning of others, consequences may include: 

• Behavior Reflection Plan
  Students involved in a discipline incident may be asked to complete a behavior reflection plan with the help of the administration. This is a tool for students to describe what happened, reflect on their emotions, the result of their actions, and design a strategy to avoid repeating such behavior. This tool also encourages students to take the perspective of those harmed by their behavior. A copy of the behavior plan may be shared with the student’s parents, teacher and counselor.
   
• Supervised time outs
• Loss of school privileges - this may include recess or participation in school sponsored activities.
• Meetings with the student's counselor/administrators
• Counseling outside the school
• Restorative work
• In-school suspension
• At-home suspension
• Removal from the TAS Community

Removal from the TAS community

Being a member of TAS is dependent on learning and living by our values. In support of this expectation, students may be suspended should they exhibit behavior that:

• Poses an immediate or continuing threat to the safety of others;
• Clearly demonstrates a conscious failure to live within and abide by TAS values; and/or
• Deliberately, significantly, and consistently disrupts and impedes the learning of others.

In order to act responsibly with the well-being of the community in mind, children often need support. It is the intent of the School to nurture and educate our students so they make thoughtful decisions and comprehend the logical consequences of their actions.

Continual or deliberate patterns of inappropriate behavior or actions that endanger an individual or the greater student population are handled appropriately, at the discretion of the principal or an associate principal, taking into account the student’s age and with an approach meant to educate and provide all students with a safe, uninterrupted learning environment.

Each case is fact-specific, and the review of each case is systematic. There are always nuances to every situation, as we want to focus on education and communication, not zero tolerance. Consequently, educators who work directly with the students are involved in the process alongside administration to ensure equitable and consistent application of these principles.

We strive to help each child to develop strong moral character. In order to be successful academically and socially, students need to learn cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self-control. We believe the best process for influencing student behavior is based on common values and respect for the dignity of each student. Our goal is to develop intrinsic motivation in students to become self-disciplined and to take personal responsibility for their actions.

Parents should also know that the School may be required to provide any information requested by a subpoena, a court order, Taiwan law, or the law of the United States.

If a student commits any of the offenses mentioned in this section, or is involved in a serious breach of the lower school values or deliberately, significantly, or consistently disrupts and impedes the learning of others, consequences may include: 

• Behavior Reflection Plan
  Students involved in a discipline incident may be asked to complete a behavior reflection plan with the help of the administration. This is a tool for students to describe what happened, reflect on their emotions, the result of their actions, and design a strategy to avoid repeating such behavior. This tool also encourages students to take the perspective of those harmed by their behavior. A copy of the behavior plan may be shared with the student’s parents, teacher and counselor.
   
• Supervised time outs
• Loss of school privileges - this may include recess or participation in school sponsored activities.
• Meetings with the student's counselor/administrators
• Counseling outside the school
• Restorative work
• In-school suspension
• At-home suspension
• Removal from the TAS Community

Removal from the TAS community

Being a member of TAS is dependent on learning and living by our values. In support of this expectation, students may be suspended should they exhibit behavior that:

• Poses an immediate or continuing threat to the safety of others;
• Clearly demonstrates a conscious failure to live within and abide by TAS values; and/or
• Deliberately, significantly, and consistently disrupts and impedes the learning of others.

Our support, guidance, and concern for students developing into responsible citizens does not stop at the school gates.

Students engaged in inappropriate or unlawful activity off-campus, including via social media and especially when other TAS students are involved, may be held responsible under school disciplinary guidelines.

Exclusionary language

Exclusionary languageis used to single someone out for parts of their identity: their race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, or body shape to name a few examples.

Use of any language designed to belittle someone including derogatory remarks, insults, slurs, and intimidation, violates several TAS values and will result appropriate disciplinary action. 

Abusive Language

Profanity is not acceptable at any time. ​Appropriate disciplinary action will result for use of profanity. 

Students may not bring dangerous items to school. These items will be confiscated, and parents will be contacted. Appropriate disciplinary action will result.

Examples include:

• Pellet and BB guns
• Fireworks
• Knives
• Matches & lighters
• and any other item that can be used to harm our community members.