The main objectives of the Lower Elementary Division are to:

• Prepare each child to succeed socially, emotionally and academically 
• Guide children to become skilled, independent and life-long learners. Children will grow into responsible citizens with positive social skills, a proper self-esteem and an awareness of their roles in the community.
• Provide a caring Christian environment that involves parents and teachers and nurtures children’s achievement.

• In Grade 1, children, in alignment with the national curriculum and SJS standards, improve their reading, writing, and oral communication skills in the three main languages (Arabic, English and French) through activities, group work and projects. The children's first initiation to Physical Education and Science classes takes place during the year. The curriculum also includes Christian Education, Mathematics, Civics, Computer, Arts, and Music.   
• In Grade 2, emphasis is placed on enabling children to work independently, in pairs and within a group.

            All subjects taught follow a similar methodology to that of Grade 1. The children are well equipped for a smooth

            transition to Grade 3.

• In Grade 3, children complement what they have learned in Grades 1 and 2.Children acquire the main competencies in the three languages, master all basic concepts in Mathematics, and think critically in Science. The educational environment is channeled towards a transition to the Upper Elementary Division; they also celebrate their First Holy Communion in their respective parishes. Celebrations and various other activities prepare them for that event.

The curriculum integrates Counseling Department, Child Development, Nutrition Awareness programs, and Morning Assemblies in order to help the child grow spiritually, physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

Children participate in extra-curricular activities such as sports, choir, clubs, competitions, exhibitions, and projects. Activities held throughout the academic year are the following: Reading programs, Flag Day celebrations, Christmas campaign and celebrations, Lent campaign, Morning Assemblies, Book Fair, Reading Week, and “Vintage”. The aim of such activities is to help each child become a caring, committed and active member in the community.

In order to be promoted, the Lower Elementary children must meet the following criteria:

• A minimum attendance of 125 days during the academic year
• A minimum passing grade (B) in Conduct for each term
  • A minimum passing average (C) in the core subjects: Arabic, English, French and Mathematics

In case a child fails to meet one of the above required conditions, the following will apply:

• A child with two (C) grades or one (D) grade in conduct will be placed on probation. A child with two (D) grades in conduct may be asked to change school
  • A child who experiences difficulty, grade (C), in one or two main subjects must sit for an evaluation test
  • A child who fails, [grade (D)], in one or two of the four main subjects may be conditionally promoted and must sit for an evaluation test. The conditions of the promotion are set by the promotion committee

•  A child who fails, [grade (D)], in more than two main subjects will automatically repeat his/her grade. A subsequent failure will result in asking the student to change school.

Children are always expected to do their homework. In case a homework assignment is not completed, the following measures will be taken:

1^st time: children are given another chance to do the assigned work and the parents are notified

2^nd time: children are expected to do extra work in addition to the required homework and parents are notified again

3^rd time: a principal-parent conference is scheduled

All children are bound to conform to the SJS honor code and guiding values.

Arrival

Doors open at 7:25 am and close at 8:00 am.

Starting 7:25 am, only parents or guardians of Lower Elementary children who have an SJS car sticker (which can be obtained from the Public Relations Office) can drop off their children at the school gates.

All children are asked to attend the morning assembly at 7:50 am.

For children arriving after 8:00 am, parents are requested to accompany them to the Administration prior to attending class.

Dismissal

School buses leave at 2:30 pm.

Doors open between 2:30 pm and 2:55 pm for parents to pick up their children.

Children are not handed to any person other than the known custodian unless the same custodian informs the Administration otherwise in writing.

Disciplinary Motivational Program

• Discipline is a shared responsibility among the children, the parents, and the school. Children are encouraged to communicate positively with each other using respectful language and courteous manners. They are encouraged to interact and play cooperatively with each other
• Star of the Week:

Weekly, the Homeroom teacher elects one child to be "Star of the Week". This activity is intended to encourage good behavior

• Happy Face/Sad Face System:

"Happy Face" slips are given to children to promote good behavior. Children with fifteen "Happy Face" slips receive a gift from the Administration

"Sad Face" slips are given to children who misbehave. Three "Sad Face" slips result in a break detention. A break detention requires children to perform additional work during recess. Five "Sad Face" slips result in a Saturday detention.

One "Sad Face" slip cancels one "Happy Face" slip. When given by the same teacher, one "Happy Face" slip cancels one "Sad Face" slip

Uniform and Attire

Children should wear their school uniform and dark leather shoes.  The school’s badge for G1 students should be kept on the child’s uniform for the entire academic year. All children’s belongings must be clearly marked (full name/class/section).

Children are allowed to wear the school sports uniform and tennis shoes on the day they have Physical Education. On other days of the week and in outings, the official uniform should be worn.

Girls with long hair should have it neatly tied. Boys’ hair should be cut short.

Jewelry and nail polish are not permitted.

Scarves and ties are not allowed.

Snacks

Parents are requested to pack two snacks in their child’s lunchbox.

Parents may put in their child’s lunch box a choice of:

• Two sandwiches (cheese, butter and jam, peanut butter…)
• Vegetables (cucumber, lettuce, carrots)
• Fresh fruits (apples, pears and other fruits); the pits must be removed from the fruit.
• Dry fruits, cereal bars, cookies, dry cakes, and wafers

The following items are strictly forbidden: Lollypops, chewing-gum, chips, soft drinks and similar items.

Sometimes special items are cooked at school for educational illustration purposes; parents may be asked to send supplies for this activity.

Food allergies and intolerances should be immediately reported to the Lower Elementary Administration.

Medicine and Illness

• Parents are required to complete the medical report update provided at the beginning of the year. This report will be kept confidential
• Parents are asked to promptly contact the Lower Elementary Administration in case their child does not come to school
• Children should not handle medication. All medications must be turned in to the nurse’s office by parents or the bus supervisor

When the child is ill, parents are requested not to bring him/her to school in order to preserve the well being of all children because Illnesses spread quickly in early childcare settings. The school recommends that a child be kept under home supervision at the onset of any of the following symptoms:

• Fever, current or within the past 24 hours
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Yellow or green nasal discharge
• Any symptom of childhood disease such as chicken pox…
• Sore throat or croupy cough
• Any unexplained or contagious rash or pink eye

Whenever a child is feverish (38° or above), he/she will be isolated and parents will be called to pick him/her up immediately from school.

A child must be fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning to the classroom.

The school may require the submission of a doctor’s written permission to assure that the child is not contagious.

If lice are detected, parents are asked to keep the child at home until the treatment is effectively finished.

Communication

• The Report Card is distributed three times a year: in January, April and July. Upon receiving the report card, parents or guardians are requested to sign the detachable slip and   return it the following school day
• Parents are asked to daily check their children’s schoolbag for written notes sent by the Administration. The agendas should be daily checked as well. Corrected tests and quizzes should be signed by parents
• The Information Page on the children’s agenda should be filled out by parents at the beginning of the school year
• Parents are asked to send a written note if there is a change in their child’s transportation mode. Phone calls and last minute notices will not be considered sufficient
• Major changes in family circumstances should be communicated to the Lower Elementary Administration
• The email address is leschool@sjs.edu.lb. Updated news are available on the school website: www.sjs.edu.lb