Study information

General provisions
The school rules set out the rules and good practices of Loova Tuleviku Kool that everyone connected with the school follows. The school rules are based on the laws of the Republic of Estonia and on the school's statutes, curriculum and development plan. The school rules are also consistent with the school's other procedures and decisions.

Communication
General principles of communication at Loova Tuleviku Kool for everyone involved.

• • The school fosters an atmosphere of care, love, kindness and honesty.
  • No one is subjected to physical or emotional violence (teasing, bullying, mocking, harassment, abuse of a position of power, etc.).
  • People are respected and differences are accepted.
  • We express our needs calmly and clearly.
  • We fulfil our obligations as agreed.
  • When disagreements arise, the parties find a solution that satisfies everyone, bringing in a mediator if needed. If after a while the solution no longer satisfies all parties, the matter is taken up again.
  • We understand that everyone makes mistakes.
  • We develop our own communication skills and, where possible, those of others.
  • We cooperate and look for common ground.

How home and school share information. Explaining absences.

• • School and home are partners in supporting children's development. Where needed, the school advises parents on how to support their child's development.
  • Documents adopted by the school are published on the school website.
  • Teachers and parents communicate through Stuudium and, if necessary, by phone.
  • A parent must inform the class teacher of a pupil's absence and its reasons by phone or through Stuudium no later than on the first day of absence. If the absence is reported by the end of the previous school week, no meal fee is charged for the days missed the following week. If the absence is not reported or is reported later, the meal fee is charged even though the pupil did not have lunch. An absence is considered unexcused if the parent does not explain it in Stuudium within three calendar days of the pupil returning to school.
  • A teacher may cancel an explanation of absence in Stuudium if there are doubts about its accuracy. In that case the parent has the right to submit a new explanation.
  • Parents receive information about schoolwork from Stuudium (late arrivals, absences, grades, feedback, homework, progress of studies, etc.), at parents' meetings and, if needed, at meetings with the class teacher and/or school management.
  • Parents are advised to check Stuudium once during each school day.

Resolving conflicts

• • A conflict must be resolved at the first opportunity, preferably immediately after it arises. Conflicts are resolved using the no-lose conflict resolution method, as follows.
  • If emotions are running high, everyone first needs to calm down. A physical conflict must be stopped at once in the safest possible way.
  • All parties to the conflict must be heard in order to identify the essence of the problem.
  • Define the problem.
  • Generate a range of possible solutions.
  • Evaluate the solutions.
  • Choose a solution that suits all parties.
  • Plan and carry out the solution.
  • Evaluate the solution later.

Schoolwork

• • School holidays coincide with the school holidays set by the Ministry of Education and Research.
  • Lessons start at 9.30.
  • Lessons vary in length. A lesson lasts no longer than 90 minutes.
  • The timetable is set at the start of each semester by a directive of the head of school.
  • Pupils learn at school, let others learn and, where possible, help others learn.
  • All schoolwork is compulsory for pupils (everything during the school day and on study trips, homework and compulsory individual assignments).
  • During the school day (including on a study trip) a pupil may leave school only with the permission of a teacher or the head of school.
  • On study trips pupils follow the instructions of the teacher and/or accompanying adult and the traffic rules exactly.
  • Teachers encourage pupils to take on individual assignments of their own choosing.
  • The main learning topics, necessary learning materials, assessment arrangements and planned events are communicated to pupils and parents at the start of each term or semester. Study trips are announced at least a week in advance.

Absence from school

• Only the following reasons excuse absence from school:
  • The pupil's illness or medical treatment
  • Important family reasons
  • Weather that makes it impossible to come to school
  • Other reasons the school considers valid
• The parent confirms the absence through Stuudium no later than 3 days after the pupil returns to school.
• Exceptional absences (trips, competitions, performances, etc.) must be agreed with the class teacher at least 1 week before the absence begins. The teacher has the right to refuse permission if necessary.
• A note from a parent or doctor exempts a pupil from physical activities.
• Absence from school does not release the pupil from the obligation to complete learning tasks.

Extracurricular activities

• The school's hobby clubs are open to all pupils of the school.
• The fee for hobby clubs is set by a directive of the head of school.

Assessment

• Assessment is in line with the school's goals, values, character and expected learning outcomes. The school uses formative assessment in an inclusive way.
• The purpose of formative assessment is to support learning. Formative assessment means continuously gathering information about the learning process and comparing it with key goals, so that both the goals and the learning process can be adjusted if needed. Formative assessment is carried out by teachers, by the pupils themselves, and by teachers and pupils together with parents.
• Twice a year, together with the pupils and based on the preceding formative assessment, summaries of where each pupil currently stands in their learning are drawn up. The summaries are written in words. They serve as the basis for setting the next goals. Reaching important goals is celebrated in a memorable way.
• The detailed assessment procedure is set out in the school's assessment guidelines.

Supporting pupils' development

• We support each pupil's development on the principle that everyone has the potential to grow in every area, if they want to and are given the opportunity.
• An individual approach helps every child achieve their optimal development.
• Pupils' interests, abilities and talents are taken into account when choosing topics, learning activities, the organisation of learning and its pace. Each pupil plans some of their learning goals themselves, together with the teacher and parent. The form, frequency and organisation of individual goal-setting will be developed during the first three years.
• Pupils' development is noticed throughout their studies and documented in development conversations. The development conversation first takes place with the teacher, who helps the child identify and put into words their strengths, areas for growth and goals. The second stage of the development conversation takes place together with the parent, where the goals are refined. The detailed procedure for development conversations is set out in the assessment guidelines.
• Development conversations take place twice a year.

Support and guidance measures
To ensure the agreed school rules are followed and to support the pupil's all-round development, the following support and guidance measures may be used where necessary:

• development-focused feedback
• recognition that encourages a growth mindset
• a warning
• moving the pupil to another room with independent work (with a notice to the parent in Stuudium)
• a specific contract or agreement with the pupil (exact timeframe and consequences)
• resolving the conflict or problem using the no-lose method
• taking items that disrupt learning into safekeeping for the school day
• a conversation with the parent
• support measures by decision of the teachers' council, if the school budget allows
• temporary removal from lessons by decision of the teachers' council (with an obligation to study at home)
• termination of the study contract between the school and the parent and removal of the pupil from the school

Rules for being on school premises

• The school building opens Mon–Fri at 9.00 in the morning and stays open until the end of the last lesson.
• During lessons pupils may not leave through the corridor door of their floor without a teacher's permission.
• Using phones and other electronic devices during the school day is not allowed. The exception is learning tasks for which the teacher gives one-off permission.
• If school premises or equipment are damaged, the parent compensates for the damage caused.
• Indoor shoes with non-marking soles are compulsory on school premises.
• Pupils tidy their workspace after each activity, lesson and school day.