1. Al – Ru'ya Bilingual School
The Mission Statement
R.B.S. prepares students to acquire shared Islamic and universal ethical values, and the intellectual qualities necessary to achieve their positive, creative, and productive potential through clear objectives and priorities which enable them to carry out their responsibilities towards self, family, society, and the world.
Our School Philosophy
Al-Ru’ya is a bilingual, national, educational institute, which delivers instruction in both Arabic and English from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Al Ru’ya is firmly committed to providing quality education to all students, preparing them for higher education and lifelong learning.
Students are taught within a learning environment based on Arabic/Islamic culture, heritage, and values. At the same time, students will develop respect and tolerance of other cultures.
RBS aims to develop the student as an individual and as a whole person. The school offers the students an educational program designed to meet their intellectual, social, ethical, emotional, and physical needs through all stages of development by providing a safe, stimulating learning environment for students, staff, and parents.
RBS develops in students a sense of responsibility toward themselves, their environment, and others. RBS prepares students to be responsible and contributing citizens of the future. This is reflected in the encouragement of students to participate in school life, to be involved in local community service, and to show an awareness of global concerns.
The school accepts students of all nationalities whose academic capabilities meet the school standards as clearly stated in the school admission policy.
General Goals and Objectives
Al-Ru'ya Bilingual School students should:
- Acquire the capabilities to have organized thinking and know their priorities in life.
- Acquire the skills and knowledge needed to pursue higher education.
- Acquire creative thinking skills, artistic taste, and aesthetic expression.
- Use problem solving and decision making skills.
- Learn in a safe, stimulating, and caring environment.
- Acquire leadership skills and attitudes necessary to work both independently and collaboratively.
- Value the importance of good health and lead healthy lives through a life-long fitness program.
- Have serious concern towards the preservation of the environment.
- Understand that positive self-motivation is the foundation of all achievements and successful production.
- Acquire positive human relationships while conducting themselves wisely, using reason and tolerance as guiding principles to face differences of opinion.
- Value time and learn how to use it wisely.
(1)

2. KG Department Philosophy and Goals
RBS KG Department offers a bilingual education within an environment in which Islamic values are not only respected but practiced.
Our Mission is to provide a quality early childhood programme that includes comprehensive learning experiences in a planned environment.
The KG Department accomplishes its mission by:
Preparing our children to become future leaders and contributing members in a global community.
Challenging children to be creative problem solvers and independent learners.
Improving the child's critical thinking and innovation.
Providing a safe, orderly and nurturing environment.
Integrating technology as an instrumental tool in the learning process.
Orienting the children to memorize the Holy Quran and promoting their ethical understandings.
(2)

3. KG Parent Handbook Pre –Kindergarten: Kindergarten 1: Kindergarten 2:
The Kindergarten Program at the R.B.S. is one of the most comprehensive Islamic Programs in Kuwait with 2 levels of instruction, Kindergarten 1 and Kindergarten 2.
RBS provides the foundation for social and academic learning for students between the ages of 3.5 and 5.5. RBS is committed to providing a quality early childhood program that includes comprehensive learning experiences in a planned environment. We work closely with parents to ensure that the children's school time experience is reinforced at home. Our Kindergarten is not a day care. It is an environment that employs appropriate practices to meet the early development needs of children in a consistent and secure setting.
Our program focuses on the needs of the whole child: physical, emotional, social, cognitive and familial. Activities and routines are based on sound educational practices and are built on children's natural curiosity and problem-solving abilities. Children participate in many play and language activities and have opportunities to work and play in small and large groups, as well as individually. Our child-centered approach reflects an understanding of the needs of children in a complex society.
===================================================================
Pre –Kindergarten:
Our Pre-K program is designed for 2.9 and 3.6 years old.
Pre-K is usually a child’s first school experience, so a positive first year sets the stage for your child’s future outlook towards learning. The focus in Pre-K is social skills development, self-help, and language development. Academic skills such as the concepts of counting, recognition of colors and shapes, and basic use of the computers are introduced in both Arabic and English languages.
Kindergarten 1:
Our KG1 Program is designed for 3.5 and 4.5 year olds whose fourth birthday falls on or before March 15th of the academic year. KG1 is still a transition year from home to school, as well as the first school experience for children who have not attended Pre-KG. In KG 1, children are exposed to hands-on, fun, and age –appropriate concepts and skills that will be presented in our Kindergarten 2 program in a more structured manner.
Our KG1 also focuses on the development of social, self-help and language skills. Pre-reading and writing concepts and skills include recognition of numbers, letters, shapes, and colors as well as the correct use of classroom tools such as the pencil, scissors, and glue sticks.
Handwriting is also introduced.
Students learn to love and take care of books. Notions of science are presented through activities involving the five senses. Social studies activities include the concept of community and recognizing Kuwait on a large map.
Kindergarten 2:
Our KG 2 is the equivalent of a Kindergarten program in the United States. Our KG 2 is designed for 4.5 and 5.5 year olds whose fifth birthday falls on or before March 15th of the academic year. The KG 2 curriculum continues to focus on children's oral language, listening, and social skills, while offering a more structured approach to academic concepts, in preparation for Grade One. Children learn to recognize all upper and lower-case letters and initial consonant and short vowel sounds. Handwriting continues and is expanded upon.
Children at this age are encouraged to be self-reliant and independent in the classroom.
(3)

4. Information, Policies and Procedures
KG Hours:
The KG Program for students runs from 7:10 am-1:10 pm daily. The Kindergarten Gate No. 2 opens at 6:45 a.m. Teachers are on duty supervising children starting at this time. The school is not responsible for children who are left at school before 6:45 a.m., and parents are strongly advised not to bring their children earlier than that time. KG teachers and assistants end their day at 2:15 p.m. Parents are urged to be punctual in picking up their children at the 1:10 dismissal time. Parents, maids and drivers are asked to sign a sign-out sheet for release of children at the end of the day. It is very important that parents be consistent in sending the same person to collect their child after school. If a child is to go with a different driver, aunt or other individual who normally does not collect the child, parents must telephone the Kindergarten secretary or send a note with the child. For the students' safety and protection, no child will be released to anyone unknown to the staff unless a notice or call has been given to the school. If a child needs to be released early from school, the person picking up the child must first obtain a hall pass from the main reception, who will then contact the KG reception. School rules, schedules, and policies are important and remain consistent for everyone. Please help us to ensure that the policies and procedures are followed in order to be a role model for our student. Please be notified that children will not be allowed to leave school premises before dismissal time unless there is an urgent reason for that. Parents are kindly asked to call the school before arriving to collect their children in this case.
Admission Requirements
The RBS enrolls students regardless of sex, nationality or race, who demonstrates an ability and desire to benefit from the RBS academic program. The school may be unable, however, to admit students with special needs or behavioral problems. RBS follows an enriched American/Arabic curriculum taught by qualified staff, who teach to the highest academic standards and attend to the social needs of the children.
Pre-KG Admissions :
Must have a passing score on the entrance exam. Pre-Kg students may take the entrance exam in Arabic or English.
-Must be toilet trained by the first day of the school year enrolled.
KG 1 Admissions
Must have a passing score on the entrance exam. KG1 students may take the entrance exam in Arabic or English.
Must be able to tend to their personal needs without adult assistance, specifically able to ask to use the bathroom.
KG 2 Admissions
Must have a passing score on the entrance exam, which also indicates age-level proficiency in English. The KG2 entrance examination is given only in English.
Must be able to tend to their personal needs without adult assistance, in particular the student must be able to ask to use the bathroom.
Steps for Admittance to RBS:
Parents submit a completed application form and all required supporting documents.
The applicant is notified of non-eligibility or of the assessment date and time.
The applicant sits the entrance exam by appointment. If the applicant misses the assessment appointment without notifying the school in advance, the exam will not be rescheduled.
The Child Study Team consisting of the Principal and Supervisor review the assessment and make the final decision of acceptance, retest or non-acceptance.
Within 3 working days of the assessment, the school notifies the applicant of the results.
The admission process can only occur once all document are completed.
(4)

5. Daily Schedule For Pre-Kg Calendar/Circle Time Lesson Time
The daily schedule is broken down into different activities and varies from year to year and from classroom to classroom. The following are the activities that children participate in during the
school day.
For Pre-Kg
Children spend a whole day in English class and the following day they will spend in Arabic class. The day is divided into different activities: Circle time, structured activity time, learning centers , recess period, breakfast time and Quran.
Calendar/Circle Time
Each morning begins with attendance and Calendar Time, which introduces students to the concepts of time, seasons, and weather in English and Arabic. During this morning meeting, teachers may also review numbers, counting colors, patterns and thematic units.
Lesson Time
Lesson time includes stories, group discussions, instruction, games and activities that teach important concepts related to the curriculum. Lessons are interactive, English-language experiences for the children and teacher, allowing maximum participation of all children.
Structured Activity Time
Structured activity time consists of planned activities designed to implement the English-language curriculum. These activities usually take place within the numerous learning centers where small groups of children work individually, together or with the teacher and assistant.
Structured activities that take place during this time may include math-based games, pre-reading and reading, writing practice, science, social studies and computer, art and gross and fine motor skill activities.
Center Time
Center time is also conducted in English and is structured to allow children to make choices about their activities in the classroom. Centers are areas of the classroom that focus on particular skills. Focuses of the learning centers may include math, library, science, reading, writing, puzzles and motor skills, block and floor, imagination and creativity, the home and a current theme.
During center time, the teacher and assistant interact with and observe the children, moving from centers as needed. Learning centers give children opportunities to develop social skills, creativity, independence, and most important, oral language skills.
Recess
Outdoor activities during which teachers and students interact are an integral part of the curriculum, but a time that is specifically "Recess" totals 30 minutes throughout the day. During recess, the teacher and assistant circulate among the children, supervising and ensuring safe play in the playground area. Accidents can happen. Children bite, hit and even fall down, and although we take extreme care to prevent such mishaps, we cannot guarantee you that they will not occur.
P.E is taught two days per week: Sunday and Tuesday for KG 2 classes, Monday and Wednesday for Pre KG and KG 1 classes. Please send your child dressed in proper P.E. clothes and shoes in their P.E days.
Snack
Snack Time is minutes long and is scheduled during the mid-morning. Snack Time is also an integral part of the curriculum. Specific life skills are taught during this time.
Our school promotes healthy eating. Please be informed that chocolate, chips and sweets are not allowed during our school day. Thank you for your help in this matter.
Arabic
Arabic classes are scheduled for 60 minutes a day in both KG1 and KG 2. The curriculum includes stories and discussions of a variety of topics, with emphasis on vocabulary enrichment. The Arabic lessons also include a supplementary math component: instruction in numbers, counting, and concepts of size, shape and measurement, all presented in Arabic in a fun and exciting manner. Also letters identification and phonetics are introduced at this level offering a more structured approach to academic concepts in preparation for Grade One. KG 2 classes also include stories and discussions of a variety of topics, which emphasize on vocabulary enrichment.
(5)

6. For Pre KG: The Ultimate Goal:
Quran
The Quran and Islamic studies are scheduled for 45 minutes each day. They are both rich in stories about Al-Seerah, as well as the life of the Prophet, P.B.U.H., dua'a and Quran
memorization and recitation. Moreover, many of our students here at R.B.S. compete in the annual Holy Quran recitation competition that is held by the Ministry of Private Education.
Ru'ya
The Al-Ru'ya is a newly developed educational curriculum that was developed by Ms. Nusaiba Al-Mutawa, a Kuwaiti female educational thinker renowned for her work in the world of informal education. Al- Ru'ya philosophy is based on three main principals:
1: To Learn
Students are encouraged to develop a way of thinking through their understanding, comprehending, comparing, analyzing and evaluating new knowledge. This principle is justified by a well-known statement that: When knowledge is requested, it's accepted but when it's imposed, it's refused.
2: To Practice
Students explore new themes and concepts in practice. They examine its relevance to their context and if it appeared to be responsive to their daily life, the students are more likely to develop conscious actions.
3: To Apply
It's through the participation in social events, after school activities, projects and real life situations, that the newly acquired concepts are enhanced.
For Pre KG: The Ultimate Goal:
Our ultimate goal is that Allah will be pleased and accept all of our deeds and place us in heaven. We will explore three concepts of our Al Ruya life skills program through out the year –Taqwa-Brotherhood-Mercy.
For KG 1: Al Ruya Psychological Concepts:
The basis of building strong leadership is through the development of key personality traits. In KG 1 we will focus on Taqwa, Brotherhood, Mercy, Selflessness, Forgiveness, Bravery, and Courage. Both philosophical justification and educational outcomes of each theme are explored from practical perceptive.
For KG 2: Social Rights:
Social interactions are the discourse under which human beings encounter difficulties. Every person should be wise enough to know the ideal way of dealing with different social situations. We believe that social situations should be directed towards constructing human relations based on the spirit of team work. It applies six major themes skillfully in daily practices: Parents' rights, Family rights, Neighbors' rights, Teacher rights, Friend's rights, and Elder rights
Library and Montessori Lab Visits: (45 minutes) For KG1+ Pre-KG
Kg 1 and Pre KG children visit the library every week and the teacher narrates a story to them. Under the supervision of the librarian they are also taught the importance of reading and how to handle books with care. The children also visit the Montessori lab. where they are taught independency, concentration, identification skills, social awareness, self respect, self control as well as development of their motor skills and senses.
Special Days:
The Kindergarten Department here at Al-Ru’ya Bilingual School organizes many exciting and hands on activity events and festivals throughout the school year. The objective of these activities, events, and festivals is to reinforce academic concepts that are taught in the classroom.
(6)

7. Attendance Toilet Training Illness Medication
Students must strictly follow school hours which start at 7 a.m. and end at 1:30 p.m. Any delay requires an explanation. Repeated delays without excuse will be referred to the director of the stage to explain the reason for the delay. Continued tardiness will negatively affect the reregistration of your child for the next academic year. This will lead to confusion on other children. Therefore, the school will take strict measures of delays and continuous absence. It will also negatively affect the chances of registering students for the next academic year. The school administration will conduct a diagnostic test before the end of the next school year to emphasize its abilities and continue to stay in school for next year . Students are not allowed to leave the school during the official school hours unless the parent has an official letter explaining the reason. Alternatively, if the school nurse has called parents to collect their sick child, students will be allowed to leave before dismissal, with the signature of the stage manager. Therefore, no child will be dismissed before the end of working hours. The doors of the Kindergarten will be locked before 1:30.
Toilet Training
RBS requires that all students be toilet trained before the school year begins in September. If a child experiences bathroom accidents frequently, RBS reserves the right to suspend or terminate enrollment without refund of the 100KD registration deposit, as well as that portion of the fees paid toward the term in progress.
Occasional accidents, however, are normal, particularly during the first days of school. Parents should send in a complete extra change of clothes to keep in the classroom, clearly labeled with the child's name. When an accident occurs, children are more comfortable changing into their own clothes.
Illness
Children who have fever, diarrhea, vomiting or a contagious disease such as measles, strep throat or conjunctivitis, chicken pox, MUST remain at home. Follow the fever policy which states that before coming back to school, your child must have been fever-free, without medication for at least 24 hours. For routine health problems and accidents at school, there is a nurse on staff. She determines the seriousness of illnesses or accidents, and calls the parent if the child is to be sent home. Parents must pick up their child for the duration of the day.
Parents must inform the school if their child has special health problems, such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc. The nurse is alerted with regard to special needs and precautions, and she will inform the child's teachers.
Parents must notify the school no later than the third consecutive day of absence. The returning child must bring a written note of explanation from the doctor. Parental cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Success in school depends to a great extent on regular attendance and punctuality. Students who arrive late or who are often absent miss important information and contact time. Lateness and absences may interfere with your child acquiring the skills and concepts necessary to succeed at the next grade level.
Medication
Ideally, all medication should be administered at home before a child comes to school, but the nurse administers medicine that must be taken during school hours. Teachers are not responsible for giving medicine. Any medicine brought to school must be accompanied by a note from the parent or doctor stating the name of the student, name of the medicine, dosage and the time the medicine is to be given to the child.
(7)

8. Home School Communications:
Uniforms:
The summer uniform for boys and girls is available in the school clothes store.
KG students should not wear jewelry or watches to school, although girls may wear small earrings that do not dangle.
Field Trips:
Field trips are scheduled throughout the school year. Children receive a permission form a few days before the scheduled trip. This form must be signed and returned to the teacher the next day. Children who do not have a signed permission form are not permitted to go on the trip and will remain at school under the supervision of another class teacher. Verbal approval from a parent by phone or in person is not acceptable. Non-participation in a field trip is very hard for the child, so parents are urged to return all field trip forms on time.
Home School Communications:
Theme Letter:
A theme letter is sent home at the beginning of each theme so that parents can follow their children's progress. The theme letter includes theme topics, academic skills being taught, special projects and events, and field trips. Teachers may also use the theme letter to request that a child bring inexpensive materials for an art or science project or to announce a special project or achievement.
Homework:
English and Arabic homework is usually given once a week in both KG1 and KG2. Homework at this age is designed to be fun. It may consist of journals or reading, writing, or math practice. Homework is sometimes individualized to meet the specific needs of the child.
Parent-Teacher Conferences:
A formal parent-teacher conference is scheduled each semester. The teacher will outline the child's areas of strength and weakness and offer suggestion for possible courses of action.
The teacher or the parent may initiate additional meetings at other times. Parents may be called, for example if a child displays moderate to severe behavioral problems, academic difficulty or a change in normal behavior lasting more than two weeks.
Parents may request an additional conference by means of a note or call to the teacher. Messages may also be left with the KG secretary during the morning. Unless absolutely urgent, parents should allow at least 24 hours between the time of request and then time of the meeting to ensure proper preparation by the teacher.
Most difficulties can be resolved by speaking directly with the classroom teacher. If meetings with the teacher do not resolve the concern, parents are invited to schedule an appointment with the Kindergarten Principal who makes every effort to help resolve any difficulties or questions.
(8)

9. Open House: Report Cards: Guidance: Student Discipline:
Early in the academic year, KG holds an Open House for parents. Parents visit the classroom and talk with the teachers about the curriculum and program goals and objectives. They see the environment where their children will spend many hours of the coming year. Parents are warmly encouraged to attend.
Report Cards:
Report cards are sent home each semester. They indicate student progress in meeting curricular goals, both academic and social. Parents must remember that each child develops differently. They should be encouraging and supportive as they discuss the report card with their children as well as their child's teacher.
Guidance:
RBS has full-time qualified, bilingual counselor who is available for consultation with teachers and parents in case of behavioral and academic difficulties. Appointments are made directly with the counselor.
Student Discipline:
In KG, discipline means helping children to practice acceptable behavior. We believe that children learn self-discipline when they are treated with respect. We do not use the same disciplinary technique in every situation for we recognize that each child and each situation is unique. However, all staff members follow the following general disciplinary techniques endorsed by the National Association for Education of Young Children:
- Set clear, consistent and fair guidelines for classroom behavior and remind children of these guidelines when necessary.
- Redirect children to a more acceptable behavior or activity.
- Listen carefully to what children have to say about their feelings.
- Regard mistakes as opportunities for learning.
- Help children to develop the skills to solve their own conflicts.
- Model appropriate and respectful treatment of people and materials.
In case of inappropriate behavior, the staff member first tries to determine what happened, then use professional judgment to decide how best to handle the situation . Children are encouraged to use words to talk about what is bothering them and staff members try to involve children in the resolution of their conflicts. Staff members also try to encourage the children to see each other's point of view, which is a first step in the development of empathy, an important pro-social behavior.
On occasion, the teacher may direct a child away from a group or activity, but this "redirection" is not used as a punishment. It is an attempt to change a situation that is leading to inappropriate behavior. "Time Out" is used if redirecting a child's activities is not effective. Students are brought to the principal when their behavior is dangerous to themselves or others, or if all other attempts to solve the problem have failed. Finally, a counselor may be called and a parent conference scheduled.
Techniques that are not used at RBS under any circumstances are hitting, yelling, criticizing, threatening or making hurtful or sarcastic comments.
(9)

10. Parents are kindly requested to:
Commit to fixed and regular times for their child with respect to bathing times, bedtime, brushing their teeth…etc.)
Ensure their child gets enough sleep at night as that largely affects their concentration during class.
Ensure their child has his/her breakfast before coming to school, as well as sending another meal with them to school to eat during their snack time. Chocolate, chisps and Sodas are strictly prohibited.
Ensure their child arrives to school promptly.
Parents are kindly requested to send the following with their child
4 Kleenex boxes
Extra clothes (that includes trousers/dress, white shirt, underwear and socks) Winter + Summer
4 Wet Wipes Packets.
Pair of scissors- round tip only( not plastic)
6 glue sticks
2 pack of white board markers with eraser
2 personal passport –size photos
1 painting apron / long sleeves
5 Nylon transparent files (2 Arabic/ 2 English) with your child's name written on them).
Please make sure your child's name is written clearly on all his/her belongings.
Aftercare Program:
As always, the Al-Ruya Bilingual School is committed to providing a quality early childhood program to young children .We are pleased to announce the new English Kindergarten After Care Program. It is a service that the KG Department provides for staff whose children are in the Kindergarten. It is available for parents wishing to keep their Kindergarten children in school from 1:30 until 2:30 when elementary, middle and high school children are dismissed. Our After Care Program begins at 1:20 and ends at 2:30.
The After Care is not a baby-sitting program but an extension of the regular Kindergarten day. Activities and routines are based on sound educational practices and build on children’s natural curiosity and problem-solving abilities. The children will participate in many educational activities such as, Math, Pre-writing, Language activities such as pre- reading, Phonics, Stories, letter identification and vocabulary as well as group games and Art.
The After Care Program will run Sunday- Thursdays.
Payment of the Aftercare program is to be paid in advance to the KG reception at the beginning of each month. If you wish to withdraw your child from the program, please be sure to inform the KG reception.
If you have any more questions please feel free to contact the KG Department secretary.
Tel
Ext.193
(10)