2 Mission, Essential Capacities, School Values, and Community Commitment Statement

Mission Statement

Taipei American School’s mission is to cultivate an enduring commitment to learning, personal well-being, and service. We provide a broad American-based education with a global perspective that develops students of character who are committed to making the world a better place.

Essential Capacities

In addition to a rigorous academic program, and a focus on academic and personal excellence, TAS students will develop:

Analytical and Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

• Identify, manage and address problems

• Formulate meaningful questions

• Use trial and error; devise and test solutions to problems

• Imagine alternatives

• Engage in sustained reasoning; persevere

• Use knowledge and creativity to solve “real world” problems

Leadership and Teamwork Skills

• Resolve conflicts

• Engage in and facilitate group discussions

• Enlist help and self-advocate

• Collaborate sensitively and productively with people of varied backgrounds

• Set and meet goals http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

2022-2023

Lower School Student and Parent Handbook

Last revised: January 30, 2023

Complex Communication – Oral and Written

• Understand and express ideas in two or more languages

• Communicate clearly to diverse audiences

• Listen attentively

• Speak effectively

• Write clearly and concisely for a variety of audiences

• Explain information and persuade others of its implications

Digital and Quantitative Literacy Skills

• Understand, use and apply digital technologies

• Use multimedia resources to communicate ideas effectively in a variety of formats

• Understand traditional and emerging topics in math, science/environmental science, technology and robotics

Global Perspective

• Develop open-mindedness, particularly regarding the values and traditions of others

• Develop facility with one or more international languages

• Use technology to connect with people and events globally

Integrity and Ethical Decision-Making Skills

• Sustain an empathetic and compassionate outlook

• Foster integrity, honesty, fairness, and respect

• Exhibit moral courage in confronting unjust situations

• Act responsibly with the interests and well-being of the community in mind

Adaptability, Initiative and Risk-taking Knowledge

• Develop flexibility and adaptability

• Bring a sense of courage to unfamiliar situations

• Explore, experiment, and develop independence

• View failure as an opportunity to learn, and acknowledge that innovation involves small successes and frequent mistakes

• Use creativity and innovation to produce things that are unique and that have value and meaning http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

Wellness

• Develop emotional regulation, adaptability and creativity through play opportunities

• Build a growth mindset by fostering optimism, flexibility and resilience

• Engage in homework that is purposeful and appropriate

• Participate in programs that promote mental, social, emotional and physical development (PE, field trips, etc.)

School Values

The values of the Taipei American School were developed by representatives from all of the School’s stakeholder groups: students, parents, faculty, administrators, and support staff. Our school’s mission statement states that we will “cultivate an enduring commitment to learning, personal well-being, and service” and “[develop] students of character who are committed to making the world a better place.” Toward this end, we have accepted the following school values, as noted below. In the enrollment contract, parents agree that their child’s opportunity to attend Taipei American School is contingent at all times upon all members of the family both being a good fit for the School’s community and honoring our standards for civility, courtesy, and respect toward other students, faculty, and staff as embodied in our values of honesty, respect, responsibility, kindness, and courage, in all cases as determined in the sole discretion of the head of school.

Honesty

We will be honest with ourselves and others in all our endeavors, including academic pursuits. We tell the truth even if it is difficult and may not benefit us. Being truthful builds trust and unites us.

Respect

We embrace differences in opinions, identities, and backgrounds. Our actions and words always represent consideration and appreciation of each other and ourselves.

Responsibility

We are part of a broader community and we strive to be trustworthy, reliable, and accountable to ourselves, others, and our environment. We take ownership and accept the consequences of our words and actions. We uphold all TAS values.

http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

Kindness

We are considerate, compassionate, and caring of each other and ourselves. We practice empathy and help others in need even if they don’t ask or it’s inconvenient, without the expectation of any return.

Courage

We stand up for what we believe is right. We encourage each other to express different viewpoints and to take risks, especially when it is neither easy nor popular. We are not afraid of challenges or failure because we are resilient.

Community Commitment Statement

As a community of students, parents, families, faculty, administration, staff, board members, and alumni, we will foster a culture of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion that embodies anti-bias action and accountability. We commit ourselves and our peers to live the TAS values and to do the work necessary to maintain an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming environment for all. We will continue to question and challenge our own biases and privileges and use our experiences to empower our community. The JEDI Committee’s work and related information is available on the TAS website here.

As students, we will...

• Do our part to foster a more inclusive, caring, and supportive community.

• Empower ourselves and peers to speak out against acts of injustice and exclusionary behaviors and speech.

• Challenge ourselves and our peers to live the TAS values.

• Commit to supporting our peers in the full diversity of their identities and experiences.

http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

2022-2023 Lower School Student and Parent Handbook

Last revised: January 30, 2023

Useful Contact Information and Links

Phone

• TAS Main Number 02-7750-9900

• Lower School Office (Attendance Secretary) Ext. 105

• Lower School Counseling Office Ext. 106

• Guardhouse Ext. 317

For more contact information, please use the School’s faculty and staff directory. Please note sign-in is required to view the contact information in the TAS Parent Zone.

Web links

• TAS Website: https://www.tas.edu.tw

• TAS Parent Zone: https://www.tas.edu.tw/parent-zone

• PowerSchool Parent Sign-in: https://taspsapps02.tas.edu.tw/public/

• TAS Faculty and Staff Directory: https://www.tas.edu.tw/parent-zone/parentschool-communication/staff-directory

• TAS Academic Calendar: https://www.tas.edu.tw/school-life/school-calendar

• TAS Safeguarding Page: https://www.tas.edu.tw/safeguarding/home

• TAS Wellness Page: https://www.tas.edu.tw/safeguarding/wellness

• TAS Board of Directors Corner: https://www.tas.edu.tw/parent-zone/board

Parent School Communication

Parents are asked to refer to the parent-school communication page on the school website when they need to communicate matters regarding their students. The web page lays out the communication channels used at TAS to help parents identify the right person to contact when questions arise.

http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

2022-2023 Lower School Student and Parent Handbook

Last revised: January 30, 2023

4 School Hours and Daily Schedule

School Hours

7:45 AM - 2:40 PM (Grade 3-5)

8:00 AM - 2:40 PM (Kindergarten – Grade 2)

8:30 AM - 1:30 PM (KA)

Ten-Day Cycle

The Lower School operates with a schedule featuring a ten-day cycle. The schedule ensures large blocks of uninterrupted instructional time. Students attend specials every day: physical education, music activity, art, STEAM, and Mandarin. In addition, all students attend library lessons and participate in classes presented by our counselors.

http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

5 Learning at Taipei American School

The learning environment in our classrooms reflects the best of independent schools in the world. Classroom activities provide students the opportunity to work both individually and in small and large groups. Projects and small group work encourage the students to become more independent in their own learning. Providing developmentally appropriate instruction, emphasizing thinking, communication skills, and active learning characterizes the learning environment of the Taipei American School Lower School.

Lower School at a Glance

• The curriculum and instruction at the TAS Lower School feature many materials and approaches found in the best independent elementary schools in the United States and worldwide.

• The learning environment in classrooms reflects learning activities that foster the attainment of the TAS standards and benchmarks as well as the Essential Capacities http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

• Homerooms are comprised of heterogeneous groups. Individual and group work in all core subjects enhances the students’ problem-solving, critical-thinking, and logic skills.

• A variety of instructional materials and pedagogical approaches promote student engagement and meaningful learning.

• Technology is integrated into studies in all subject areas. It is a major focus for our signature STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) and robotics programs. Classroom teachers work with design and technology coaches to support technology instruction.

• The EAL (English as an Academic Language) model employed at TAS is the “sheltered immersion” model. EAL students are immersed in the mainstream and EAL teachers work in classrooms with the EAL students throughout the day, focusing on the language content of lessons. EAL teachers monitor EAL students’ progress carefully to foster language development through small group work.

• Social emotional learning is fostered through the TAS school values of honesty, respect, responsibility, kindness, and courage in the day-to-day interactions of our students. Our Responsive Classroom approach is designed to support social-emotional development and promote positive community in our classrooms and beyond.

• Four counselors, a psychologist, four learning support teachers, and two speech language therapists work to support lower school students.

Class Placement

The process of class placement for the following school year begins in the second semester. The goal is to create a balanced group of students who will work and learn well together. Class placement is announced just before school begins in August.

Service Learning

All lower school students from KA through Grade 5 participate in service learning. Past opportunities have included singing at a home for the elderly, assembling hygiene kits, preparing care packages for local families in need, and hosting a flea market to support a local orphanage. Wherever possible, service-learning opportunities are directly connected to our curriculum.

Visiting Authors and Artists

Each year, a number of authors and artists visit our school, either as school- or PTAsponsored guest educators. Authors spend their time giving readings of their work, presentations, and writing workshops to lower school students, and artists work with our students in classes and special projects, and give talks, presentations, or performances to students and often our community.

Swimming Policy

Participation in swimming activities is required for all students since it is part of the formal physical education (PE) program in the Lower School

There are very few exceptions as to why a student cannot participate in swimming. In general, if students are well enough to attend school, they are usually well enough to participate in swimming.

Students who begin to feel unwell while at school should visit the nurse. The nurse will determine if the child will attend swimming, not attend swimming, or be monitored in the health office.

If a medical doctor determines that a child cannot participate due to health reasons, a note must be presented to the nurse from the doctor. Other exceptions such as http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook debilitating asthma, a large wound, or an eye or ear infection would exclude a child from swimming, as determined by the school nurse

Standardized Tests

In addition to the ongoing internal assessments which are conducted in all classrooms at each grade level, students in Grade 5 participate in standardized external assessments. The main purpose of administering standardized tests is to measure student growth and to inform instructional practices.

Students in Grade 5 participate in testing in the second semester. While external tests are important, they are only one part of a larger assessment picture.

Homework

TAS students are actively engaged in rigorous, structured academic experiences throughout the school day. After 2:40 PM, students may participate in a variety of activities that foster intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning.

What does homework look like?

• Students read for pleasure everyday (appropriate English & Chinese texts).

• Students listen to stories read aloud by parents and caregivers in their native language every day.

• Upper elementary students consolidate mathematical ideas and explore new ones through games and other activities.

• Students practice Chinese skills in the community, watch brief videos, and play games to support language development.

• Students occasionally write short pieces in Chinese and practice character formation

• Students engage in active and/or creative, unstructured play.

Research

• Reading has the single greatest impact on student achievement. It expands vocabulary and broadens knowledge across all curricular disciplines http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

• Unstructured, imaginative, child-centered play and physical activity enhance student performance and lead to better behavioral choices.

• The brain develops in childhood through active play, exercise, and sleep.

How much time should my child spend on homework?

We expect students to dedicate time at home to the following:

Grade 5 – 60 minutes (reading, math, Mandarin) plus music activity practice

Grade 4 – 55 minutes (reading, math, Mandarin) plus music activity practice

Grade 3 – 40 minutes (reading, Mandarin) plus applied math practice and music activity practice

Grade 2 – 40 minutes (reading, Mandarin) plus applied math practice

Grade 1 – 30 minutes (reading, Mandarin) plus applied math practice

Kindergarten – 10-15 minutes (reading) plus optional math games

Tutors

In cases where the Lower School deems necessary, the student support team may assist in arranging a school-sanctioned tutor for a student, and the School may permit the tutoring to take place on campus. The approved tutor must have relevant credentials, have passed the required background check, and display a school-issued visitor’s ID at all times while on campus. (In such case, all fees are negotiated directly between the parent and the tutor and are independent of the School.) Tutoring may only take place in an assigned space, and campus access for the tutor is limited to when approved tutoring is taking place. No other private tutoring is permitted on campus.

Student Transfer and Withdrawal Procedure

If a student must transfer out of TAS for any reason, parents should first officially submit the withdrawal notice found in PowerSchool. Please make sure that library books and any other materials that belong to the School are returned. Parents who have any questions may contact the lower school secretary at extension 105.

Transcript Requests

Families may download student reports from PowerSchool. After receiving the withdrawal notices, the lower school office will begin preparing the official transcript. Two copies will be emailed, one directly to the receiving school specified, and one to the family.

http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

6 Attendance

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.

Attendance and Absences

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.

Tardiness

The school day begins promptly at 7:45 AM for Grades 3-5, 8:00 AM for Grades K-2, and 8:30 AM for KA students. Parents of students who are frequently tardy will be contacted either by the counselor, principal, or an associate principal.

Permission to Leave Campus During the School Day

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 http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

7 Campus Life and Expectations

Courtesy Guidelines

One of our school values is respect, and students are expected to always treat others with respect. When getting help, for example, from people serving food in the cafeteria or the snack bar, students are expected to say “please” and “thank you.”

Campus Access

School IDs are required for students to enter and exit TAS campus. More information is available on the TAS website.

Before and After-School Expectations

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.

Lower school students are not permitted to remain on the school campus after school unless they have a plan which includes the following:

• 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

Using English, Our Common Language

One goal of Taipei American School is to encourage all students to use English effectively. The language of instruction is English. While the school recognizes the importance of speaking many languages, students should take every opportunity to use English when they are at our school. The following statements should provide clear guidelines for the use of English at Taipei American School: http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower

• During classroom instruction, English should be used by all students except at times and conditions approved by classroom teachers.

• Outside of classes, all students are encouraged to use English.

• The language of interaction during recess and lunch time may be the language with which the student is most comfortable. However, in groups of students where the only common language is English, then English should be used. No student should be excluded from a game or a conversation because of language.

Animals and Pets

Animals and pets may not be brought on campus.

Cell Phones, Other Electronic Devices, and Toys

The School provides all technology devices (iPads, laptops, notebooks, etc.) required for supervised student learning every day. Therefore, lower school students never need to bring their own electronic devices to school. Ensuring safe, responsible, and respectful use of technology is a priority in the Lower School at TAS. Gaming, video-watching, and Internet use by lower school students is not permitted on campus before or after school.

Upon arriving on campus, all cell phones (if for any reason a student must have a personal phone) and electronic devices (including phone watches) must be kept in book bags until after school. The School will not accept responsibility for lost, damaged, or misplaced personal items.

Toys should not be brought to school.

Phone Calls

Students who need to contact their parents in case of an emergency may do so from the lower school office any time during the school day. Students do not need a personal phone while they are at school, and cell phone usage by students on campus is not permitted during school hours. If a parent must contact a student during school time, they may call the lower school office.

Food and Drink

Taipei American School is a nut-free environment. Students may not bring items that may contain nuts of any kind to school.

http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

2022-2023 Lower School Student and Parent Handbook

Last revised: January 30, 2023

Dress Code

Students are expected to be appropriately dressed for active learning and play. Shoes must be worn at all times. Sandals and flip-flops interfere with recess and PE activities and are therefore discouraged. Shoulders and backs must be covered. Hats and hoods are not to be worn inside school.

Expectations on School Buses

When on school transportation, quiet conversation is permitted. Other than that, ordinary classroom conduct and behavior upholding TAS values are expected. Students who behave inappropriately on the school bus will be referred to an associate principal or the principal and will be subject to disciplinary action. If a student repeatedly violates the expectations for bus conduct, they may be temporarily or permanently suspended from using the school transportation service. Additional information is available in the transportation services section on the TAS website.

Skateboards, Scooters, and In-line Skates

The use of skateboards, scooters, and in-line skates is not allowed at school. Students are further encouraged not to skate or ride skateboards or scooters to school because of the traffic conditions.

Music Instrument Storage

Lower school students who play band or string instruments will store their instruments in an assigned cubby or other designated areas on music activity days. Instruments are to be taken home daily and not left in hallways, classrooms, or on the floor in front of storage cubbies. Every student is required to have a nametag attached to the instrument case. The School does not accept responsibility for instruments left overnight or over the weekend at school.

http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

2022-2023 Lower School Student and Parent Handbook

Last revised: January 30, 2023

Birthday Parties

Birthday parties will usually be limited to the last 20 minutes of the day. Students are not permitted to exchange or open gifts at school. “Gift bags” from the birthday student to the class should also not be exchanged at school. Invitations to parties held outside of school may not be passed out in class. Always check with the homeroom teacher about birthdays and celebrations.

http://www.tas.edu.tw/divisional-handbooks/home/lower-school-handbook

2022-2023 Lower School Student and Parent Handbook

Last revised: January 30, 2023