Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Students,

With the end of August approaching this is a good time to update you on developments at the school and to share information that will help you to prepare for the new term. All of our new teachers have arrived and they are settling in to life in Abu Dhabi. Workshops are being provided for those new to the IB and we are very fortunate to have the expertise of our two newest members of the Senior Leadership Team, Steven and Sharon Thompson, to assist in that process. The new Diploma building is being furnished as I write and will be ready for occupation when our senior students arrive on the 14^th of September. The long summer break has served to re-energize everyone on staff and we are very optimistic about the year ahead.

There will be some changes this year so please read carefully the details set out below. Note for instance that for parents who will be parking their car and coming into the school, the spaces adjacent to the side entrance are allocated. Also for parents who want to get more involved with the school we have several support positions still available as well as volunteer opportunities in special needs, sports and in the libraries. The salaried positions to be filled are the admin assistant, teaching assistants, science lab assistant and nurse assistant positions.

First week of school at RIS

Class Lists

Upon arrival to school, students should proceed to the main piazza where the class lists will be posted. If a student does not find his/ her name on the class list, please go to the main office and check with the office staff who will be available to assist you. Class lists will also be emailed to parents before Eid showing your child's class section, teacher's name and room number. Class lists have been carefully set by RIS coordinators and teachers taking into consideration the best interest of students and therefore any requests for switching classes will not be possible.

KG 1 Students

Our orientation for KG1 will be held over two days. Parents will be contacted soon to be advised which orientation day their child is invited to attend:

Monday, September 13^th from 10:00am to 12:00pm:

Half the class will be invited (Group A).

Tuesday, September 14^th from 10:00am to 12:00pm:

The other half will be invited (Group B).

Wednesday September 15^th from 10:00- 12:00pm:

All KG1 students will attend.

Thursday September 16 from 8:00am-1:00pm:

The first full day for KG1 students

KG2- Grade 12

Monday, September 13^th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: New Student Orientation Day.

PYP students will proceed to their classrooms in the PYP building to meet their homeroom teachers. MYP/ DP students will proceed to the Senior Gym to meet their advisory teachers, who will then take them to their advisory classes.

While our new students are settling in with their teachers, parents are encouraged to meet with the Principal in the senior dining hall. If you are not able to wait it is imperative that you return to pick up your child at 11:55am. Students are not expected to wear their school uniform for the Orientation Day.

Tuesday, September 14^th from 8:00am-1:00pm.: First full school day for all students in KG2 - Grade 12 (new and returning)

On this day, students are expected to arrive between: 7:40 - 8:00 am. We ask parents to drive carefully in the parking lot and follow the guidance of RIS security guards and staff who will be directing the traffic in the parking lot.

PYP students will proceed to their classrooms in the PYP building to meet their homeroom teachers. MYP/ DP students will proceed to the Senior Gym to meet their advisory teachers who will then take them to their advisory classes.

On this day, parents are welcome to join our first Coffee Club in the Senior Dining Hall from 8:00am - 9:00am hosted by RIS Parent Team. The Coffee Club will be running on a weekly basis throughout the school year. It is organized by RIS office staff in cooperation with RIS Parent Team. More information about our Coffee Club will be sent to you at a later date.

Please note that all students are dismissed at 1:00pm on Tuesdays. On other days, Grade 1-12 students are dismissed at 2:45pm and KG2 students at 2:00pm. Again, we ask parents to drive carefully in the parking lot and follow the guidance of our security guards.

After school Day Care for KG1 and KG2 students

We have some exciting news to share with our KG parents. One of our parents will be running an after school club for KG students who will remain at school from 1:00-2:45 pm. More information regarding the cost and club activities will be sent to you at a later date and those interested can register.

Late Arrivals

We believe that arriving on time is an important life skill that needs to be introduced and reinforced at a very young age. It is also important as late comers inevitably disrupt learning activities.

Students arriving after 8:00am will be considered late and will be recorded as such by their teachers. Students arriving after 8:10am will be required to sign in at Reception, before going to class, to collect a late slip or they will be marked absent.

Parking

Unfortunately, there has not been any progress over summer months by the Municipality with the new parking plan.  In the meantime, we ask parents to adhere to the following plan which will grant more parking space for parents and enhance our security procedures:

Main Gate (Open all day):  Right side- Parking for staff and parents.

Left side- Parents drop off/ pick up point (mostly MYP & DP parents)

Side Gate: Parents parking (mostly PYP parents) - Open 7:40-8:05am and 2:45-3:05pm

Raha Gardens Gate: for Raha Gardens students - open 7:45-8:05 am and 2:45 - 3:05pm

Back Gate: Buses drop off point- Open 7:40 - 8:05 only. Buses will park at side gate in afternoon

Reminder from Admissions Office

In order to complete the admissions procedure for our new students, we ask new parents to submit the required documents before the first day of school. This is an important requirement to register your children with Abu Dhabi Education Council.

Food Service

In order to support effective learning throughout the day and to promote a well balanced lifestyle, we ask parents to provide healthy lunches and snacks for their child/ren. Students have the option of bringing food from home or purchasing well-balanced snacks and lunches from our catering company, National Catering Company, who will start food service from Tuesday, September 14^th. There will be snacks available on this day, but no lunch as we close at 1:00pm on Tuesdays.  There are two systems for students who are using the food services depending on their grades:

KG- Grade 1

A pre-paid system is followed for students in KG- Grade 1. If you would like your child to be included in the food plan for the months of September and October, please register his/ her name with our  catering supervisor, who will be available in the school starting from Sunday, August 29, along with the amount of AED 612 (to be paid in cash only). The months of September and October will be trial months to help our parents make a decision as to whether they will continue with the food service for the rest of the term.  Advance payment will be required by the end of October to register for the balance of Term 1 and by the end of January to register for Term 2.

Grade 2- 12

Students in Grades 2-12 will be using the coupons system to purchase food from the dining hall. Coupon books are available starting from Sunday, August 29^th. The cost of the book is AED 120.

For information on the hot food menu, please click here to view the menu for September.

Water Bottles

As an environmentally friendly school, we ask students to bring their own water bottles to cut down on the use of water cups. Students can refill water from the water coolers available around the school.

Bus Service

Tuesday, September 14^th is the first day for the bus service for KG2-Grade 12.

Thursday, September 16^th is the first day for the bus service for KG1.

Pick up timings and bus numbers will be communicated to parents during the week of September 5^th.

Please note that students will only be able to use the bus service if the Term 1 fee and bus fee have been settled.

After 13 September, late joiners to the bus service will only be able to start using the bus two days from notification.  This time is required by us to make appropriate arrangements with the bus company.

If you have any questions regarding bus service, please contact Mohamed Meeran.

Zaks Uniforms

Zaks Uniforms are open in Raha Mall from 10:00am - 10:00pm, Saturday to Thursday including Eid days. Please click here to view the uniform list.

Our Second Hand Uniform shop will be open on the 13^th and 14^th of September to sell uniforms to parents.

Grade 11 Textbooks

Textbooks will be available for purchase at the school on the following days:

Sept 5-7 from 8:00am-2:00pm (Ramadan hours)

Sept 13-15 from 8:00am-2:30pm

After that, parents can purchase textbooks directly from All Prints Bookstore in Khalideya. A textbooks list will be available from September 5^th with All Prints.

We are looking forward to seeing you all. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions. Our Ramadan Office Hours are from 8:00am-2:00pm.

Regards,

Wayne MacInnis

Principal