Pastoral Care
The goals of Pastoral Care are to support students, parents, and teachers as they learn and grow in their academic, social, and emotional skills as well as to help students transition from one international environment to the next. Pastoral Care Coordinators acts as a resource, encouragement, and advocate for students as they grow, learn, and transition. Pastoral Care Coordinators work in collaboration with parents, teachers, administrators, learning support, and other staff. As needed, Pastoral Care can give referral information to outside sources for additional counseling and support.
Third Culture Kids
The OIS community includes a multitude of cultures, languages, religions, values, and friendships; this environment fosters a multicultural spirit of acceptance. Pastoral Care is intentional about how new students are welcomed. Third culture kids (TCKs) are global nomads who are raised in a culture other than their passport country (or countries) during a significant part of their developmental years. Much of the Pastoral Care program is dedicated to helping students navigate the pros and cons of being a TCK, teaching students to “transition well,” and guiding them in social-emotional learning.
Social-Emotional Learning
OIS has adopted the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) standards for evidence-based social and emotional learning. Social and emotional learning (SEL) teaches students to manage emotions, set goals, show empathy, maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Because social and emotional skills are critical to being a good student and citizen, OIS makes SEL an integral part of education from kindergarten through high school.
Transitioning
While transitions are never easy, they are quite common in international communities. OIS teaches students how to make transitions as smooth as possible. It is important to remember that no matter how well students are prepared, some situations will arise that are completely out of their control. Pastoral Care uses the R-A-F-T strategy: Reconciliation, Affirmation, Farewell, Think destination.
Counseling
We have full-time, well-qualified Secondary and Elementary Pastoral Care Coordinators. This team works with the students in age-appropriate ways to provide emotional support and coordinates with teachers and principals when necessary. When a child may benefit from counselling, they will contact the parent and consult with the principal.
Child Safety
OIS takes the responsibility of child protection seriously. OIS works diligently to create a safe and positive environment in which children of all ages can grow. Child safety and protection is the responsibility of every adult within OIS. Staff are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism to create a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for children as well as to protect and safeguard children at the highest standards.
Elementary
Elementary Character Education Classes
Learning at OIS is as much about building character as it is about academic success. Opportunities are built into the schedule each day for students to talk about and practice good character. Students not only learn about morals but also bullying, responsible digital citizenship, appropriate use of technology, and mental wellbeing. Students also learn about “Friendology,” which teaches responsible decision making, self management, self awareness, relationship building skills, and social awareness. These classes help even the youngest learners to understand how they can make an impact on the world around them and become the best version of themselves.
Elementary Assemblies
Assemblies are a wonderful time when Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary can gather to learn about the Oasis Way and new aspects of character formation. Common themes for these assemblies include: collaboration, the power of mistakes, being persistent, and making amends with others. In assemblies, students are recognized for meeting goals and excelling in character development.
Eagles Nest
Eagles Nest is the last 20 minutes of each school day. It is a time to reflect upon the day's events and process any difficulties or obstacles that were met throughout the day. Teachers may discuss such topics as conflict resolution, positive communication skills, feelings, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and respect for others. This is a time to build unity and communal understanding within the class.
Secondary
Ethics & Values Courses
OIS offers Ethics & Values (EV) and character courses for Grades 6 - 12. These classes integrate CASEL standards into the curriculum because social and emotional skills are critical to being a good student and a good citizen. Life Skills are taught in Grades 6, 7, and 9. Philosophy and Logic are taught in Grades 8 and 11 while World Religions is taught in Grade 10. Senior Seminar and Life Skills are taught in Grade 12.
Hubs
Hubs are grade-level small groups which meet during a 40-minute enrichment block during the school day. Hubs were created to support students’ academic and social growth; students also have the chance to build relationships with peers and Hub teacher(s) during this time. Because it is a space where open and meaningful discussions can take place, the goal is for each student to have at least one trusted friend and adult they feel comfortable talking to. All secondary students learn about writing SMART goals, reflecting, living as Third Culture Kid (TCK), transitioning, giving and receiving affirmations, and saying goodbye well.
Topics include developing decision-making skills & integrity, owning choices, seeking advice, limiting peer influence, valuing creativity, community, and education; dealing with stress, and dealing with social media.
Students for Students
Students for Students is a student-initiated club with the goal of creating an environment where students care for each other. These students are responsible for building this environment through planning fun events, organizing mental health and kindness campaigns, and adding beauty to the campus.