Student Life
Snack Bar
ISO students have a daily snack period. Parents need to provide a healthy, hearty snack to be eaten during snack period. The school also has a snack bar that is open during break, located at the Student Center. Snack vouchers are sold in the office before school, at the snack area during snack, and at the ISO Recreation Club. Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds to purchase snacks.
Drinking Water
Due to the limitations of our facility, it is impossible for us to provide boiled/filtered drinking water for our students. The well water at ISO is healthy and is regularly checked. Even though there are two drinking fountains on campus, please see that your child brings a good supply of drinking water each day. The climate is hot, and it is important for your child's health to have enough to drink. Be sure that names are clearly marked on water jugs with indelible ink.
Graphing Calculators
Students in advanced Math are required to provide their own graphing calculator to facilitate their own math instruction; students are advised to NOT leave the item in lockers overnight. The school accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage.
Student Store
A list of supplies that each student is requested to bring to school is available at the receptionist’s desk. Some items are available locally or in the ISO student store. Some may have to be purchased out of the country. The student store sells T-shirts and shorts with the ISO logo, notebooks, loose-leaf paper, etc. These products are sold at approximate cost as a service to our students. Availability of certain items may be limited. It is the responsibility of each student to maintain his/her own supply of writing implements and paper. Students will be required to purchase an ISO T-shirt and shorts for PE class. If not available, students will be allowed to wear athletic shorts (no jean shorts) to PE. Students, who wear their PE uniforms to school on “PE days”, are encouraged to bring an extra T-shirt to change into after class.
Homework Expectations
To reinforce classroom learning, students will be responsible for homework on a regular basis. The amount given varies, of course, with the age and grade of the individual student. The length of time that homework takes to complete depends upon the student's concentration and study habits, and understanding of the material. However, students need to realize that homework is a vital part of their school responsibilities. Studies show that homework is one of the most important factors in educational achievement. Students missing school are responsible for making up missed homework and making up all quizzes, tests and projects after school by mutual agreement with the teacher. (See Make Up Work, page 13) Parents can contribute to the success of their children's academic experience by providing a supportive atmosphere for the completion of homework exercises. This includes a quiet, attractive workspace within the home, a set homework schedule during the day, and reinforcing the teachers' and school's expectation that the homework assigned will be completed. Should you have questions regarding homework, please contact your child's teacher.
Extra Help
Students may request extra help from teachers when needed. Teachers may also request that students come back for extra help. This effort will generally occur after school at mutual convenience and is not intended to be full time tutorials. Any need for tutors recommended by teachers is the sole responsibility of parents. ISO teachers are not allowed to provide paid tutorials to their students, as it is a conflict of interest. The school counselor will confirm recommendations regarding any need for paid tutorials and offer a list of tutors available to provide them. All financial arrangements for tutorials are solely between the families receiving such services and those individuals providing the tutorial service.