GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS    

GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS

SCHOOL YEAR

The school year will consist of three learning modules with approximately 200 working days starting from June and extending up to March.

Module 1: June to mid October

Module 2: Mid October to December

Module 3: January to March/Mid April

Vacations – One in October ,one in December and one in summer (end of each module).

Grade 5, Grade 8 and IGCSE learners appear for their Cambridge Checkpoint/ Board exams during summer, that is April-May. Their last working day is based on Cambridge Examinations.

Number of working days, reopening and closing dates are mandated by the Directorate of Education, Government of Tamilnadu.

SCHOOL TIMINGS

Kindergarten
From 9.30 a.m. till 2.25 p.m. on weekdays for kindergarten.
Primary (Grades 1 to 5):
Morning Assembly: 9.20 am
Learning sessions: 9.30 a.m. to 3.55 p.m. on weekdays
Special sports coaching for Primary: 8.10 am to 9.10 am on weekdays
Secondary (Grades 6 to 10):
Reporting time : 8.00 am
Learning hours : 8.10 a.m. to 2.20 p.m. on weekdays
Special sports coaching for Secondary : 2.30 pm to 3.40 pm on weekdays
Special Classes for IGCSE (Remedial, additional classes) : 2.30 to 3.40 pm.

ECO RULES

Campus Cleanliness

Children are required to maintain the cleanliness of the campus by refraining from littering. All garbage (food,stationery) should be deposited in the appropriate bins after proper segregation.

Plastic-Free Policy 

To promote sustainability, children are strictly prohibited from bringing snack boxes, lunch boxes, or water bottles made of plastic. Only metal (steel) boxes should be used, ensuring a reduction in plastic waste.

Sustainable Celebrations 

For birthdays and celebrations, individually wrapped chocolates, toffees, and similar items are not permitted. Instead, children may opt for environmentally friendly alternatives such as distributing biscuits from tins, chocolates like nutties, and homemade sweets. All sweets are to be packed neatly in steel boxes. When bringing cupcakes, muffins or brownies, the butter paper must be removed before packing them in steel boxes.

Sustainable Materials

Projects or hands-on activities made of thermocol, foam, and similar non-biodegradable materials are not allowed inside our school. We strive to save paper by using one-side sheets and avoiding paper wrappers to cover books and notebooks, promoting responsible paper usage.

COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS

Official Communication Address

Administrative messages will be sent from the official portal admin@ggearthschool.edu.in Please ensure you check emails from this address regularly for important updates and announcements.

Official Communication Channel

 We strongly encourage parents to use our designated communication platform, Google Classroom, for any communication related to teaching and learning. This ensures effective and organised communication between parents and teachers.

Respectful Communication

 We kindly request parents not to contact teachers through personal phone calls or private messages. Such communication can be intrusive and disrupt teachers’ personal time. Messages sent through unofficial channels will not be acknowledged.

No WhatsApp Groups

We do not endorse the use of WhatsApp groups for communication purposes. Our teachers strongly discourage the creation of such groups to maintain privacy and ensure professional boundaries.

Social Situations

While we encourage social interactions between parents and teachers, we kindly request that discussions regarding a child’s progress or feedback be reserved for designated feedback meetings during open houses. Social venues such as restaurants, malls, school bus stops, or pick-up and drop-off zones are not appropriate places for these discussions.

GUIDELINES FOR RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHERS AND STAFF

Polite and Courteous Language

 When communicating with teachers, parents are encouraged to use polite and courteous language. This sets a positive example for children and promotes respectful communication.

Constructive Feedback

 If parents have concerns or feedback, it should be shared in a constructive manner. Avoid using harsh or disrespectful language. Instead of finding faults, let us focus on finding solutions and working collaboratively with the teacher.

Professional Boundaries

Respect the professional boundaries of teachers. Understand that they have a multitude of responsibilities and commitments, as well as a personal life. Allow them sufficient time to respond to queries and concerns.

Appreciation and Gratitude

 Express appreciation for the efforts of teachers in nurturing and educating children. Show gratitude for their dedication and commitment to the well-being and growth of each student.

Respect for Support Staff

Treat support attendants and staff with respect and kindness. Recognise their valuable contributions to the school community and avoid treating them as inferiors. We insist that you teach this to your children.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Active Listening

When conflicts arise, parents are requested to actively listen to the teacher’s perspective and concerns without interruption or assumptions. Show empathy and make an effort to understand their point of view.

Democratic Problem-Solving

 We encourage the resolution of conflicts in a democratic manner, avoiding blame games or taking sides. Together, we can find constructive solutions that benefit all parties involved.

Engage School Resources

For conflicts such as classroom issues or bullying, we have dedicated teachers and a counsellor to address them. We strongly discourage parents from directly approaching other parents to fight or argue on behalf of their children.

Communication Channels

 If intervention is necessary, kindly reach out to us via email at admin@ggearthschool.edu.in. Our administrative team will assist in scheduling appointments with the relevant individuals, ensuring a structured and fair approach to resolving the matter.

PARENT-TEACHER PARTNERSHIP

  • Regular Communication

    We firmly believe that strong parent-teacher interactions greatly enhance our children’s educational experience. Our teachers will consistently communicate with parents on specific days allocated for feedback, providing updates on their child’s progress and offering support to foster their development and learning.

  • Open Houses and Special Appointments

     Parents are encouraged to meet teachers during open houses or request special appointments for detailed discussions. These opportunities facilitate a deeper understanding of their child’s academic journey and enable collaborative efforts for their growth.

  • PTA Meetings

    We place significant importance on Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings. These gatherings provide a platform for parents to actively participate in decision-making processes, contribute valuable insights, and strengthen the school community through shared responsibilities.

  • Volunteering Opportunities

    We invite parents to actively volunteer in school activities and engage in the initiatives of our sustainable development centre, Aakkam. By participating in these endeavours, parents play an integral role in fostering a nurturing environment for their children and promoting our collective commitment to sustainable practices.

UNIFORM AND DRESS CODE GUIDELINES

Dress code for Kindergarten

  • Each learner will be given 5 different colour t- shirts with matching socks. Children can wear any colour t- shirt of their choice. They will receive these 5 T-shirts twice a year (10 in total, given at the year beginning and end of module 1). The shirts are made of soft organic cotton and are vegetable dyed. 

  • Three sets of shorts/skirts will be provided for the entire year. Our school recommended tailors will measure and stitch them during the summer break. Extra sets can be bought at an additional cost, however, tailors will require sufficient notice to provide stitched sets. 

  • All hair bands, clips and rubber bands must be black and no other colours will be allowed. Please avoid expensive accessories, gold ornaments, silver anklets etc. The school shall not be held responsible for them if sent.

  • Uniforms must be worn on all days. On birthdays and special days specified by school, children can wear colour dress or specific costumes.

Grades 1 to 5

    • Girls :  Uniform T-Shirts with grey skirts (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat)

    • Boys : Uniform T-Shirts with grey shorts (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat)

    • Wednesday : House element T-Shirt and grey track pants for both boys and girls

Grades 6 to 10 

    • Girls : Uniform T-Shirts with grey trousers (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat)

    • Boys : Uniform T-Shirts with grey trousers (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat)

    • Wednesday : House element T-Shirt and grey track pants for both boys and girl

Uniform T-Shirts 

Each learner will be given 4 different colour t- shirts (mauve pink, blue, green, yellow) with matching socks. Learners can wear any colour t- shirt of their choice on these four days. They will receive these 4 T-shirts twice a year (8 in total, given at the year beginning and end of module 1). The shirts are made of soft organic cotton and are vegetable dyed. 

Dress Code Guidelines for non-uniform days

On non-uniform days, all learners must strictly adhere to the following dress code guidelines to maintain a professional and respectful appearance:

  1. Formal Attire

    Wear only formal clothing, such as collared shirts, blouses, trousers, skirts (of appropriate length), kurtas or dresses. Avoid wearing sleeveless tops, short skirts, shorts, or crop tops.

  2. Modest Appearance

    Choose outfits that provide adequate coverage and are in line with our school’s values. Avoid any attire that may be deemed revealing or inappropriate for a school setting.

  3. Minimal Accessories

    Refrain from wearing hanging earrings or any jewellery that may cause distractions or safety concerns. Keep accessories simple and minimalistic.

Hair and Tattoos

Ensure that your hair is neatly trimmed / groomed / tied back if necessary, to maintain a professional appearance. Hair Colouring or other fast fashion styles such as spikes are not allowed.  Learners should not get any tattoos while they are a student at our school.

TRANSPORT AND CONVEYANCE

The school shares its bus facilities with Emerald Valley Public School.
  • Bus stops

     We have a total of 22 buses covering the entire city of Salem. The school will provide the list of bus stops available.

  • Change of bus routes

     On special days or on unavoidable days, bus routes or bus numbers may be changed and the change will be conveyed to parents in advance.

  • Bus timings

    Our school buses run according to the timings specified. Parents must ensure they drop off their children early, as the buses will not wait for late comers. 

  • Support

     All buses have support staff to help children board the buses and settle within the bus during the course of the trip. As a part of our safety measure, Supervisors are in charge of maintaining decorum in the bus. . Kindergarten teachers accompany the children in the evenings to board them back safely in the evenings. Attendance is taken to ensure children board their assigned buses only

Own conveyance

Kindergarten

Parents must drop their children in school before 9,20 am so that they do not miss hours with their homeroom. They must also ensure to pick them back home before 2.30 pm. Staying back beyond 2.30 pm is not recommended as teachers and other support staff may be assigned to different responsibilities.

Grades 1 to 5

Parents must drop their children in school before 9.20 am. They must also ensure to pick them back home by 3.50 pm. 

Grades 6 to 10

 Parents must drop off their children in school by 8.00 am. They must be picked back promptly. Students will not be allowed to stay back beyond 2.30 unless they have additional classes or sports practice. The same must be confirmed and validated by their homeroom teachers through the permission slip. The admin office will inform the parents and school bus staff.

  • School bus students going by their own conveyance

     On specific days, when parents would like to pick up their children (who otherwise use the school bus) on their own, they must inform the office in advance by email (admin@ggearthschool.edu.in). If parents are unable to email and come straight to school, they must inform the office staff about the same. 

  • School authorised stay back

     Teachers at times may ask Grades 6 and above learners to stay back for additional learning sessions, sports practice or other event practices. In such cases, stay back messages will be conveyed to parents.

  • Change of plans messages

     We request you to not send ‘change of plans’ messages verbally through your children. Parents must write to  admin@ggearthschool.edu.in at least 1 hour (by 1.30 pm) before the bus departs and seek permission. 

  • Neo Track

    We provide an Intelligent bus tracking system for our school bus commuters, where the school bus routes and stops can be monitored through a mobile or web application.

CAFETERIA – FOOD AND BEVERAGE

The school shares its bus facilities with Emerald Valley Public School.

Cafeteria 

The school cafeteria offers morning and evening snacks and lunch for all learners. The menu is carefully planned to ensure a wide variety to suit the nutritional needs of growing children. To inculcate healthy eating habits and develop table etiquettes, school lunch and snacks are mandatory for all learners. 

Menu

Each day, the menu has a combination of rice and wheat items, pulses, vegetables, dairy and fruits. Standard weekly menu will be shared at the beginning of the year. The choice of vegetables or fruits vary seasonally, as the school believes in providing local and seasonal vegetables or fruits. Any major changes or updates will also be communicated in advance. 

WITHDRAWALS

  1. A week’s notice in writing is required for the withdrawal of a pupil from the school.

  2. The Transfer Certificate must be applied for and taken in person by the parents/Guardian. All expenses in connection with the attestation from the department of education or dispatching of the certificate by registered post to the applicant if necessary must be pre – paid by the applicant.

  3. The Transfer Certificate or any other certificate or testimonial will be given free of charge if taken immediately when leaving. Otherwise a search fee of Rs.100/- will be charged for every year and Rs.100/ will be charged for any extract from the school record.

  4. Parents must inform of their decision to withdraw admission at the end of the second module, so that the school can admit other candidates accordingly.

  5. The withdrawals of students should take place before Ist May of every year. If a student withdraws from the school after Ist May, he/she must pay the first term fees. If he/she withdraws in the middle of a term, fees have to be paid for the full year.

GENERAL NOTE

    • Personal cleanliness and hygiene are greatly recommended to all.

 

    • Presents to teachers or other demonstrations in their honour are not allowed.

 

    • Pupils are not allowed to leave the school premises during school hours without the permission of the Principal and a letter from the parent.

 

    • Every parent will be given two Escort Cards. Extra Escort Cards can be had on request. Whenever a parent or someone else comes to pick up a child the Escort Card must be produced. Otherwise the child will not be sent home.

 

    • Pupils are strictly forbidden to come to school wearing gold ornaments.

 

    • Cell phones, GPS enabled smart watches and other electronic gadgets are not allowed. If found, they will be confiscated.

 

    • Parents are expected to be co – operative with the school in enforcing regularity, punctuality and discipline.

 

    • Pupils shall not absent themselves from any organised school activities like Sports day, Annual day etc. without permission from the Principal.

 

    • Parents are requested not to enter the classes or to speak to teachers during class hours .Parents who wish to speak with the teachers must seek appointment by contacting the office.

 

    • Parents can meet the class teachers without prior permission only on days that are declared as ‘Open House’.

 

    • Pupils suffering from infection or contagious diseases shall not be allowed to attend school.

 

    • Parents and guardians are especially requested to notify the school if there is any change in their address.

 

    • When communicating with the Principal, parents are requested to mention in their letter/email the name, grade and section of their children.

 

    • Parents are requested to make complaints if any, directly to the school authorities and not to the homeroom teachers. Kindly refrain from calling the teachers over the phone or sending them messages. Parents can mail their suggestions/ complaints / queries etc. to admin@ggearthschool.edu.in

 

    • In order to help the child maintain a healthy respect for the teachers, parents are requested not to criticise the teachers in the presence of their wards. Complaints if any are to be made to the Principal.

 

    • N.B. No school business will be transacted during holidays.