Expectations
High School Expectations
At the Western Academy of Beijing, we strive to create a safe, supportive, and collaborative learning environment for all. We expect that all members of our community behave in a way that respects themselves, others, and the environment around us. We believe that each student, parent, and staff member is responsible for helping to build our positive school culture through kindness and respect.
Respect Yourself
Be on time and prepared for all classes (including exams).
Work to the best of your ability.
Find a way to effectively organize yourself.
Complete and submit homework, assignments and projects on time.
Keep your workspace, bags, and lockers organized.
Be academically honest.
Dress in a way that respects yourself and our multicultural school environment.
Wear a helmet when riding a bike or motor scooter.
Respect Others
Honor the dignity and all aspects of the identities of all members of the WAB community.
Respect the opinions, personal space, and property of all members of the WAB community.
Use respectful, modest and culturally sensitive displays of affection at school and at school-related activities.
Be kind and show respect to all members of the WAB community (other students, teachers, support staff, guards, ayis).
Use appropriate language for school.
Work cooperatively and collaboratively and listen deeply.
Focus on solving problems in a caring and responsible manner.
Do not engage in bullying, teasing, racism and violence inside or outside of school, including via social media.
Do not record others (images, video or audio) without explicit permission.
Respect the Environment
Dangerous items, such as weapons (real or imitation), are not permitted on campus or on any school related trips.
Tobacco, vapes, alcohol, drugs and other harmful substances are not permitted on campus or any other school related trips.
Use technology (e.g. computers, the Internet, e-mail, telephones, music players, etc.) in a way that respects others and spreads kindness.
Offensive and pornographic materials, including material stored on any electronic device are not permitted.
If you have made a mess, clean it up.
Treat our equipment, furnishings, buildings, campus and wider environment with respect.
Acquire permission before leaving the school campus.
Travel safely when off campus – respect your bus supervisor, road safety rules, etc.
The Western Academy of Beijing is committed to maintaining a discrimination-free and bullying-free learning environment. Our school takes a whole-school approach in addressing discriminatory and bullying behaviors by increasing awareness through community education, being proactive and responsive to reported incidents, and increasing teacher understanding and competencies in the use of effective behavior-management strategies.
Examples of Inappropriate Behaviors and Consequences
These lists are not exhaustive but serve as a guide to help establish consistency and understanding across the school. Each incident will be dealt with on an individual basis.
| Level 1: Inappropriate Behaviors | Level 1: Consequences | |
|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
Low-level, minor, infrequent behaviors that do not disturb others or interrupt teaching and learning of others |
Logical, planned consequences |
|
Examples: • Late for lesson |
Examples: • Warning |
| Level 2: Inappropriate Behaviors | Level 2: Consequences | |
|---|---|---|
|
Level 2 |
Repeated Level 1 behaviors, persistent behaviors that disrupt teaching and learning, or behaviors that disturb others |
Planned team support which may involve teachers, parents, counselor, administration |
|
Examples: • Disrespect/defiance |
Examples: • Behavior or work contract or other means of monitoring |
| Level 3: Inappropriate Behaviors | Level 3: Consequences | |
|---|---|---|
|
Level 3 |
Repeated Level 2 behaviors, violent, dangerous or illegal behaviors |
Planned team support which will include parents, teachers, counselor, admin and other support agencies as appropriate |
|
Examples: • Accessing or possession of dangerous, offensive or pornographic materials online or offline |
Examples: • Restitution |
Dress Code
WAB does not require students to wear a school uniform. Students are expected to dress appropriately and comfortably for an active day. Students should be neat and clean, dressed in a manner that reflects well on the school and international community. While what is appropriate and tasteful may vary from person to person and culture to culture, the following guidelines must be followed:
Guidelines for Students:
- Shorts and skirts should adequately cover the student’s bottom.
- Students should not wear clothes where underwear is visible; this includes clothes made from transparent material.
- Students should not wear t-shirts that bear inappropriate messages.
- Students are expected to wear closed shoes in Science and Design Technology laboratories as they may handle potentially hazardous, hot or otherwise dangerous materials.
- Students are expected to change into appropriate athletic clothing and footwear for Physical Education and sporting activities. More information about this can be shared by PHE staff.
- WAB accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to jewelry or other personal effects – either on school premises or during school field trips – and strongly recommends that students ensure personal items are locked in their personal locker during PE class and other times.
Should a member of our community feel uncomfortable with the dress of a student, they should privately and respectfully ask them to confer with a member of the high school leadership team. The guidelines below may be used in this case.
| First Offense | Second Offense | Third Offense |
|---|---|---|
|
• Student will be sent to the nurse’s office. |
• Student will be sent to the high school office. |
• Student will be sent to the high school office. |
Attendance Guidelines
It is through regular attendance and active participation in classes that students can be inspired and be inspiring to others, have their thinking challenged and challenge the thinking of others, as well as be better connected to the WAB High School community. In order to grow as a learner and reach their potential, every student must be engaged in the important, ongoing work of each course. A collaborative learning community thrives on the understanding that each person has a responsibility to contribute. Attendance and punctuality ensure a complete experience for the individual student and for the entire class.
Guidelines for Parents
Parents will call the High School at 5986 5588 ext. 1004 or email High School reception –hsreception@wab.edu– by 8:30am to excuse their child from school.
Parents will inform HS Nurse Office –hsnurses@wab.edu– when a student will be absent due to feeling unwell, illness, injury, doctor appointment or medical procedure.
Parents will complete a travel survey when a student returns from traveling.
Guidelines for Students
Students will arrive to every class at the time noted in the timetable.
Students will plan sufficient time after break, flex block, lunch and between periods 3 and 4 to arrive at the next class on time.
Students will attend all classes unless excused by a parent when circumstances make an absence unavoidable.
Students will sign out at high school reception when leaving school with parental permission.
Students will be signed out by the nurse if they become ill at school.
Students who are suffering from diarrhea, are vomiting, have head lice, or have a contagious disease, should not come to school.
Students who fall asleep in class will be sent to the nurse and will be asked to go home.
Students will catch up on any work missed due to absences.
Students will hand in assessments due on the day of an absence via email, Teams, or delivery by a family member or friend if electronic submission is not possible. If none of these options are possible, the student must contact the teacher for approval of late submission.
Students who have been absent for part of a school day are permitted to attend ASAs that day only with a note from a parent explaining the legitimate reason for their absence. Students are not eligible to attend ASAs if they have been absent for the whole day.
Students will provide a doctor’s certificate if they are absent for an IB DP internal or external assessment, or a major MYP assessment task, due to illness.
Students will be required to sit the same or similar test on the first day they return to school.
Guidelines for Teachers
Teachers will take attendance at the start of every period.
Teachers will release students from class on time. On the rare occasion when there is an unavoidable delay, the teacher will give students a note for the next teacher.
Teachers will be consistent across the school in addressing tardiness and absences.
Teachers will contact the appropriate counselor when attendance concerns arise.
WAB will Provide
Distinct, noted times when breaks and lunch end and the next class begins.
Contact from High School reception to inform parents of their child’s unexplained absence in the morning.
Contact from the Vice Principal when a student has reached a total of seven explained or unexplained absences for a single subject within a semester. Note that school-related trips are not included in this total.
A meeting with the Vice Principal when a student has reached a total of nine explained or unexplained absences for a single subject within a semester. The purpose of the meeting will be to outline future attendance requirements.
WAB will periodically send attendance reports to
parents via email.
Tardiness to School
Being late to school is disruptive to the class. We are aware that on certain days traffic in Beijing will make punctuality an issue, and we will take this into account.
Consequences for being tardy to school:
Students who are late to school (without parent permission) more than twice in a two-week (10 school days) period will be required to explain their reasons to the Vice Principal
If the tardiness continues the Grade Level Leader or Counselor and the Vice Principal will meet with the student and parents to discuss the issue.
Tardiness to Class
Being late to class is disruptive to the teacher and the other students.
Consequences for being tardy to class:
The classroom teacher will deal with tardiness to class.
Continual tardiness will result in a conversation with the Grade Level Leader and/or the Vice Principal.
Early Departure from School
Occasionally, students may need to leave campus before the end of the day. Students will be permitted to leave under special circumstances only if communication has been received from a parent. Prior to departure, the student must report to the office and sign out at High School reception. Students who become ill during the day must see the school nurse who will contact parents before permitting the student to leave. Note that WAB does not maintain an open campus, where students are allowed to come and go during their free blocks. Parents should not excuse their children from school part way though the school day unless there is a doctor’s appointment or similar.
Late Assessment
Informative assessment that provides timely, specific and detailed feedback is key to student learning. Major assessment tasks (assignments, projects, examinations, unit tests, etc.) are the means by which teachers determine student progress in relation to WAB curriculum standards. Information from student assessment enables teachers to modify their practice to ensure all students can access the learning. To complete this feedback loop, and make sure what happens in the classroom meets the needs of students in a timely fashion, all students are required to complete the assessment tasks by the date determined by the teacher.
Expectations of Parents
Parents Will:
Call the High School at 5986 5588 ext. 1004 or email High School reception –hsreception@wab.edu– by 8:30am to excuse their child from school;
Ensure their child has a medical certificate explaining their absence from school on the day of a major assessment;
Assist their child with submitting major assignments on the date they are due regardless of absences.
Expectations of Students
Students Will:
Complete all assessments;
Submit assignments by the specified time on the due date and follow the process determined by the relevant department;
Complete examinations/tests on the date specified;
Provide a medical certificate to explain absences for major assessments (assignments, projects, oral presentations, unit tests, examinations, etc.);
Regularly seek help from their teachers to ensure they are prepared for major assessments and to address any difficulties they experience when they arise;
If absent on the day of a test, students need to meet with the relevant subject teacher as soon as they return to school to schedule an alternative time to do the test;
If students know they will be absent on the day of an assessment, then they must talk with teacher to set a new deadline one week in advance of the assessment date. This includes absences for WABX commitments;
Guidelines for Teachers
Teachers Will:
Give regular, timely and specific feedback to students to ensure they are prepared for major assessments;
Break major assignments into chunks and check student progress on each stage of the assignment;
Follow the student referral process when a student misses a deadline for a major assessment or repeatedly misses deadlines for ongoing assessments;
Plan assessments collaboratively with the support teachers to provide differentiation, when appropriate;
Follow up with students to ensure they complete/submit the assessment;
Discuss and negotiate deadlines and refer to assessment calendars to avoid unnecessary clashes or student overload;
Review the WABX calendar when setting due dates;
Follow the procedures of the Academic Honesty Policy if concerned that the integrity of an examination/test or assignment has been compromised.
Process and consequences for late submission (this does not apply to excused absences)
The following consequences apply to summative assessment only. This includes Extended Essays and Personal Projects. Teachers may set individual processes and consequences for late submission of formative or ongoing assessment. If students are repeatedly underprepared for, or submit formative assessments late, then teachers must follow the student referral process.
Grades 9 and 10
Student submits work by the end of the day or in the next class, whether or not it is complete.
If a student is absent for a test/examination, the test needs to be completed on the day s/he returns to school. If it is an unexcused absence then the results of the test/examination will not count towards the student’s final grade. If a teacher suspects collusion then s/he must refer students to the Academic Honesty Policy.
Teacher grades the work and provides written feedback.
Teacher follows student referral process.
If it is a second or third late assessment (within one subject or across a number of subjects) then the following additional steps will occur:
The teacher meets with the parents – HOD or Curriculum Coordinator attends this meeting. If the late assessments are across a number of subjects then the Curriculum Coordinator will meet with the parents. At this meeting an action plan will be formulated for supporting and monitoring student application and effort. This plan will include clear indicators of success and consequences for repeated late assessment.
The student works with his/her counselor on a time-management plan.
The student may receive no credit for the assignment/project.
The student will receive no credit for the test if it was an unexcused absence on the day of the test.
Where a student misses three or more assessment dates, the Principal or Vice Principal will meet with the parents to determine whether the student can achieve academic success at WAB
Grades 11 and 12
Student submits work by the end of the day or in the next class, whether or not it is complete.
If a student is absent for a test/examination, the test needs to be completed on the day s/he returns to school. If it is an unexcused absence then the results of the test/examination will not count towards the student’s final grade. If a teacher suspects collusion then s/he must refer students to the Academic Honesty Policy.
Teacher grades the work and provides written feedback.
Teacher follows student referral process.
If it is a second or third late assessment (within one subject or across a number of subjects) then the following additional steps will occur:
The teacher meets with the parents – HOD and/or Curriculum Coordinator attends this meeting. If the late assessments are across a number of subjects then the Curriculum Coordinator will meet with the parents. At this meeting an action plan will be formulated for supporting and monitoring student application and effort. This plan will include clear indicators of success and consequences for repeated late assessment.
The student works with his/her counselor on a time management plan.
Where a student misses three or more assessment dates, the Principal or Vice Principal will meet with the parents to determine whether the student can achieve academic success at WAB.
Being late from lunch three times will result in a loss of the off-campus lunch privilege for ten school days.
Being late from lunch an additional three times will result in a loss of the off-campus lunch privilege for a month.
Continual late arrivals may result in a loss of the off-campus lunch privilege for the remainder of the school year.
Academic Honesty Policy
Academic honesty is essential in all places of learning across the world. WAB students need to understand the importance of this issue both at school, and beyond. The school will educate students about academic honesty, thus preparing them for further academic life. As an IB World School, WAB uses and follows the IBO guidelines on academic honesty. What constitutes malpractice by the IBO is considered malpractice at WAB.
Malpractice includes the following:
Plagiarism: this is defined as the representation of the ideas or work of another person as the candidate’s
own.Collusion: this is defined as supporting malpractice by another candidate, as in allowing one’s work to be copied or submitted for assessment by another.
Duplication of work: this is defined as the presentation of the same work for different assessment components and/or IB diploma requirements.
Any other behavior that gains an unfair advantage for a candidate or that affects the results of another candidate (for example, taking unauthorized material into an examination room, misconduct during an examination, falsifying a CAS record, disclosure of information to and receipt of information from candidates about the content of an examination paper within 24 hours after a written examination). (Diploma Programme Academic Honesty, pg13) WAB uses the MLA conventions forciting of sources.
Guidelines for Students
Students will complete the academic honesty module within the first month of enrollment in the High School.
Students will not share their work with others.
Students will submit drafts of their work to their teachers.
Students will use turnitin.com to assist in preventing plagiarism.
Students are responsible for submitting work that is their own.
Students must seek assistance from teachers, librarians and curriculum coordinators to clarify academic honesty questions.
Students will cite sources of ideas and other materials used in work submitted.
Guidelines for Parents
Parents will ensure the guidelines for helping students are followed.
Parents will ensure tutors receive the guidelines.
Guidelines for Teachers
Teachers will educate students about academic honesty within the context of their subject.
Teachers will clearly identify on each assessment what should be done independently and what collaboration is acceptable.
Teachers will set assignments that do not lend themselves to academic malpractice.
Teachers will see drafts of work where appropriate.
Teachers will educate students on how to use turnitin.com grammerly.com.
Teachers will inform counselors of incidents of malpractice so that it can be logged.
Teachers will meet with students and parents when an issue arises, as required by the consequences outlined below.
Teachers will model academic honesty by citing sources on materials used in class.
Teachers will treat any incident of academic dishonesty fairly and in line with the policy.
WAB will Provide
A module of learning on academic honesty;
PSE sessions on academic honesty;
Online originality-verification tools (such as Grammarly) to reduce academic malpractice;
Guidelines for parents and tutors clarifying what type of academic help is acceptable.
| CONSEQUENCES FOR ACADEMIC MALPRACTICE | ||
|---|---|---|
|
• Meeting with teacher, HOD, parents and student. |
• Meeting with teacher, curriculum coordinator, parents and student. |
• Meeting with teacher, high school administrative team, parents and student. |
A second incident of academic malpractice will result in the next level of consequence, up to and including expulsion.
Guidelines Relating to Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Use
Students are expected to follow the laws of China including those relating to theft, drinking under the age of 18, illegal substances and drugs. In the case that students are deemed by the police to be engaged in illegal activity, school consequences are heightened, as explained below in the section on “illegal activity.”
WAB expects all students to be aware of the expectations and responsibilities of being a member of the WAB community including the consequences in relation to theft and the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Students should not use illegal substances or drugs at school or during personal time. WAB has very specific expectations and consequences in relation to illegal activity in China.
WAB provides support services to students and families who may deal with issues of drug experimentation, use or abuse of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Families can request referrals from WAB should they wish to test for drug use in Beijing or referrals for an international testing center.
WAB provides awareness programs through Health and PHE, SEL and other presentations for students and parents throughout the year.
Searches of a student’s person, bag, possessions and locker may be carried out under supervision of two members of WAB’s Senior Management Team when possession of inappropriate items is suspected.
Hair or urine testing for drug use identification may be carried out at random and/or when drug use is suspected. Such tests will be conducted under the supervision of the school nurse and a member of the WAB Senior Management Team. Hair testing detects drug use for up to a 3-month period. It tests for the presence of five substances: cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), marijuana and methamphetamine (including ecstasy).
Tests will usually be processed by a leading company based in the United States using a hair sample. The student will not be identified by name. The size of the hair sample will be approximately 1.3 cm and one to two strands of hair deep with reasonable hair length. Care will be taken to avoid an obvious gap. While hair from the head is the preferred collection point, body hair may also be used.
Students may also have a urine test to determine the presence of drugs. These tests may be done in Beijing. Results will be given to the student and family and, with authorization, shared with WAB.
Students who test positive will be suspended from school for a time to be determined by the Principal and will then become subject to periodic testing. Individual or family counseling may be required. A second positive test will result in expulsion from school.
We encourage students and parents to work proactively with the school. Students should ‘self-refer’ where they are experimenting with or using drugs or where parents know or suspect drug usage. In this instance, the student will not be suspended, but must undertake family conferences and counseling and will be subject to periodic drug testing at their own personal expense.
Where the school has any reason to suspect that any student is using drugs, discussions will be initiated with the student and/or parents in an effort to maintain open and honest dialogue. When drug use is revealed through such discussions, this will be considered a ‘self-referral,’ and the school is prepared to work in partnership to establish appropriate intervention help and support for the family. WAB is committed to the welfare of all students and the WAB Counseling Department is available to provide individual and family counseling support. The counselors will also be available for information, advocacy and ongoing monitoring of behavior change programs.
WAB hopes that in the spirit of positive relationships between school, staff, students and parents, very few targeted tests will be necessary. In an effort to provide a safe and drug-free environment, WAB reserves the right to drug test students as a condition of ongoing enrolment at WAB. An informed consent document will be sent home to parents at the beginning of each year.
Expectations and Consequences of Activities Relating to Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
Tobacco
Expectations
Students should:
Observe a smoke-free after-hours zone around school of 200 meters;
Self-refer if they have a smoking habit.
Students must not:
Possess, smoke, chew, exchange or sell any type of tobacco products (including cigarettes and vapes) at school or school supervised events;
Smoke or vape, in or out of school from 8:00am – 4:30pm.
Consequences of non-compliance:
If school is aware of underage smoking, parents will be informed and conference held;
Loss of off-campus privileges;
Family conference and counseling, suspension, expulsion.
*Note: Conversations between students and counselors are considered confidential.
| First Offense | Second Offense | Third Offense | Fourth Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
|
• Confiscation of material |
• Confiscation of material |
• Confiscation of material |
• Confiscation of material |
Alcohol and Chemical Substances
Expectations
Students should:
Self-refer if they use drugs or alcohol problematically.
Students must not:
Possess, drink, exchange or sell alcohol or any unauthorized chemicals or medications at school at any time or at any school-supervised activity;
Drink alcoholic beverages or use chemical substance at school or at school-supervised events;
Attend school or events under the influence of alcohol or other illegally used drugs.
Consequences of non-compliance:
If school is aware that a student is drinking alcohol socially – inform parents/conference;
Family conference, counseling and suspension, expulsion.
| First Offense | Second Offense | Third Offense |
|---|---|---|
|
• Confiscation of material |
• Confiscation of material |
• Confiscation of material |
Illegal Drugs
Expectations
Students should:
Self-refer if they use drugs illegally
Students Must Not
Use drugs at school;
Attend school or events under the influence of drugs;
Use drugs socially;
Bring or be in possession of illegal or non-prescription drugs, drug paraphernalia or food containing drugs at school. These include but are not limited to narcotics, stimulants, barbiturates, suppressants, marijuana, hallucinogens;
Distribute/sell drugs at school
Consequences of non-compliance
| First Offense | Second Offense |
|---|---|
|
• Confiscation of material |
• Confiscation of material |
*Note that any student found selling or distributing drugs at school will face immediate expulsion.
*Note: Self Referral
| Self Refer | First Offense | Second Offense |
|---|---|---|
|
• Family conference, counseling, monitoring |
• Confiscation of material |
• Confiscation of material |
Expectations and Consequences of Activities Relating to Theft and Safety
Theft
Expectations
Students should:
Respect other’s property at all times.
Students must not:
Steal, “borrow” or take anything that is not theirs;
Assist others in theft or disposal of stolen property.
Consequences of non-compliance:
Parent conference and counseling, suspension, expulsion.
| First Offense | Second Offense |
|---|---|
|
• Family conference, counseling and suspension |
• Expulsion |
Physical and Emotional Safety
Expectations
Students should:
Always be and know that they are safe and cared for.
Students must not:
Cause intentional physical harm;
Make threat of intentional physical harm;
Cause intentional emotional harm;
Make threat of emotional harm;
Bring objects to school that may be injurious or harmful to others e.g. weapons, drugs or food containing drugs.
Consequences of non-compliance:
Parent conference and counseling, suspension, expulsion.
| First Offense | Second Offense | Third Offense |
|---|---|---|
|
• Family conference |
• Family conference, counseling |
• Possible expulsion |
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