At KIST, we believe that students are better prepared for learning when they are physically, emotionally and intellectually healthy, safe and happy. Student welfare and well-being are the responsibility of all staff. Our teachers and administrative staff have an important role as a source of support. The connections and relationships that teachers and students develop can mean that teachers are the first contact for many concerns and developmental issues.
Student support is a whole school priority; student learning is inextricably linked to student welfare. We aim to provide a foundation for student welfare and wellbeing through clearly articulated policies, protocols and practices.
KIST prepares a team approach to supporting student welfare with teacher efforts guided by a Student Care Coordinator appointed to each of the Elementary and Secondary school areas. The Student Care Coordinator has experience with providing appropriate student welfare support and with initiatives aimed at supporting healthy social and emotional development.
We have a strong emphasis on preventive approaches and early intervention activities aimed at addressing student needs which we view as part of childhood and adolescent development within the normal range of school community interactions.
We aim to provide a safe and comfortable environment where students feel comfortable talking about developmental issues with our school nurse/doctor, with teachers/staff or with the Student Care Coordinator. When meeting with students, while we aim to maintain confidentiality of the information discussed as much as possible, our polices and practices reflect our responsibility to parents and to keeping them information of situations of concern.
We have policy in place to protect the physical and emotional well-being of students. When student and/or family needs are beyond that which can be provided by the school, we provide access to community organizations, public and private, to arrange for additional support. We do not provide psychological assessment or diagnostic services on campus; however, we do provide support to families in accessing alternate professional support services when needed.