Newsletter for students and parents

August 18th 2023

Dear students and parents,

The first days of school already started! On Thursday we physically opened the school year. Together with the students we are committed to make it a successful school year.

The schedule is on SOMtoday. Last week some last changes were made. Take a careful look at the schedule this week.

During the summer holidays, some classrooms were expanded.

Main building: classroom 1 to 11

Mall (next to the side entrance): classroom 13, 14 and 15

Classrooms next to the gazebo: classroom 30 to 35

New classrooms (next to the main entrance): classroom 36 + 37

The school opens at 07:00. The first lessons start at 7.30 am.

We expect our students to arrive at school on time. This means at least 5 minutes before the start of the lessons.

• From 07.00 AM your child can be dropped off at the side entrance (opposite Save More).
• Pick up through the side entrance.
• Avoid a long wait by picking up your child on time.
• The gate of the side entrance of the Schakel College closes at 07.30AM. This does not mean that the school is closed, students can enter through the main entrance.

Late: students who are late must report to the administration desk immediately.

Lesson times:

1st lesson - 07.30-08.15

2nd lesson - 08.15-09.00

3rd lesson - 09.00-09.45

break - 09.45-10.00

4th lesson - 10.00-10.45

5th lesson - 10.45-11.30

6th lesson - 11.30-12.15

break - 12.15-12.45

7th lesson - 12.45-13.30

8th lesson - 13.30-14.15

9th lesson - 14.15-15.00

Schakel Board Vacancies

The Schakel Board is the body within the school in which parents and team members contribute ideas about the policy in the school. They advise the management and the school board.

The Foundation has 2 Schakel Boards. One Schakel Board for the Primary School and Prikichi and another Schakel Board for the Switch College.

Each Schakel Boad has room for four parents and two team members. There are currently two vacancies for parent representation in the Schakel Board at the Schakel College. If you are interested, please contact the school principal for the upper years (lizette.moerman@ Schakelcollege.com).

Also regarding clothing. A student is therefore allowed to wear what he/she likes to school, as long as this is not offensive, discriminatory or insulting.

Because opinions can differ on this, a clothing protocol has been established that everyone adheres to.

You can use it, but only outside. As soon as a student crosses the doorstep and enters our school buildings, no cellphones / airpods and headphones are allowed.

If we see a cellphone inside the buildings, we will confiscate the phone (even if the student is not using the phone/airpods/headphones at that time).

The cellphone/airpod/headphones can only be used as an aid during the lesson if instructed by a teacher. Image and sound recordings may never be made for privacy reasons. There are consequences if a student does not follow the guidelines.

In case of emergency, the school telephone can be used during school hours. For urgent matters, parents can contact the secretariat by telephone.

In Aruba we are used to communicating with each other in many different languages.

In class, we all speak the target language set for that subject.

This is important for good school results.

During breaks, students are allowed to speak a language of their choice, but make sure no one feels left out.

It is important that all students and staff feel safe at school. Part of our security policy is camera surveillance. The cameras cover the outside area of ​​the school as well as the halls of the toilet groups. The supervision is aimed at preventing burglary, vandalism and theft, but also for the safety of students, for example to detect bullying situations or to prevent violations of school rules, such as the use of prohibited substances.

The management team of De Schakel has been strengthened with two new faces.

From left to right, Claudia Baur (primary school leader), Inge La Haye (director), Lizette Moerman (senior school leader Schakel College), Michelle Korsten (senior school leader Schakel College). In the absence of a management member, another will take care of the relevant tasks. Michelle Korsten & Lizette Moerman introduce themselves below.