This handbook is prepared to be informative to the Parents and Students. This gives an idea of the philosophy and operational procedures of Sowjanya International School.

In addition to the policies and guidelines laid out in this handbook, other directives and guidelines  may be given from time to time. If written policies or directives on a particular subject do not exist, written guidelines, decisions and actions of the management will be final and binding. The  handbook will be upgraded as necessary, as time passes.

A school should be in a position to address the growing needs of the children in this fast changing world. A good school should be able to make the child learn with ease.

A teacher has to know the psychology of the child and be able to make the child love to learn. A teacher has to know “unless some learning takes place, there is no teaching.” Keeping this in view, Sowjanya International School evolved a positive approach to education where learning for the child becomes real fun.

Also, Sowjanya International School has formulated a system which is most modern, easy and meaningful. It is based upon careful study and examination of the American Public School system, the American Christian School system and the American Home Schooling system. Hence this School is unique in approach, system and standards.

- Principal

Sowjanya International School is a minority Christian institution funded and guided by Baptist Educational Service, a registered society working in Visakhapatnam since 1974. Though the School works independently, it will be guided by the parent organization in matters of doctrine, decency, decorum, social justice and upliftment of the poor and unfortunate.

Sowjanya International School stands by the historical Baptist position in doctrine, faith and practice. The School forms part of Baptist Educational Service in defending the faith as enunciated in God’s holy word, the Bible.

BOARD OF ADVISORS
The School is fortunate to have experienced, eminent educationists and academicians on the Board to aid, advise and guide the services from time to time. They will be sending directives with information on the latest developments in teaching methods and techniques. This helps upgrade our skills from time to time. They will also be visiting occasionally to give us the necessary training.

Sowjanya International School works in collaboration with Victory Baptist Academy & High School, Shelbyville, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Dr. Jim Tedder, President of Victory Baptist Academy & High School, is among the members of the Board of Advisors who will be visiting us, and will be deputing others from time to time. They will be giving us necessary training, and will be sending requisite information. In this process, Dr. Floyd Reynolds, Dr. Jim Tedder, Bro. Bob Szymanski, Miss Rebekah Messick, Dr. Franklin Stewart, Mr. Chowdary Yalamanchili and Dr. Bob Jones, Dr. Bill Haag, Mrs. Cindy Messick, Mr. Suresh Yalamanchili and Mrs. Linda Pool have visited us so far.

Dr. Bob Jones, advisor, visited us in July 2005 and introduced the subject of phonics and gave training to the staff. During their 2006 visits Dr. & Mrs. Bob Jones, Dr. Haag, Rev. Franklin Stewart taught in the school and lectured the staff. During 2007 Mr. Suresh Yalamanchili, Mrs. Cindy Messick and Mrs. Linda Pool taught in the school and gave training to the staff. During 2008 again Mrs. Cindy Messick and Mrs. Linda Pool were with us for five weeks and taught different lessons and worked on character development. During 2009 March Mr. Tyler and Dr. Fain Morrison visited and taught in the School.

We were honoured to have Mrs. Cindy Messick, Ms. Crystal Dudley, Ms. Rachel Dudley, Dr. Fain Morrison and Pramand Maraj this year. All of them taught in our school during Jan. - March 2010. They had been a great help to us in exposing our students to different methods of teaching.

We are thankful for the consistent consultancy services provided by the following:

1. Mrs. Beula Reynolds, Secretary, Highland Chapel Baptist Church, Cedar Hill, TN, USA
2. Mr. Ranen Dutta, C.E.O, Global Sourcing & Marketing Agencies, Visakhapatnam
3. Mr. Larry Lewelling, Music Director, Highland Chapel Baptist Church, Cedar Hill, TN, USA
4. Mr. Venkat Koripalli, Product Manager, Cybersoft Technologies, Houston, TX, USA

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness : for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Matthew 5:5-9

CLINIC
All students must meet all health requirements before attending classes. All students must take their immunization vaccines. The School employs a doctor and the doctor shall be in the school during school hours. Students who wish to see the school doctor should first receive permission from the teacher and then visit the clinic.

Any health problem or disability suffered by the student should be made known to the school by the parents at the time of admission, so that the school might take necessary special care for the child during school hours and the school doctor shall be informed of the impairment. The doctor shall give immediate attention to school related injuries and sudden illness that occurred or is noticed during school hours. The doctor will administer first-aid where necessary. The doctor is not permitted to make medical diagnosis on any major injury or illness. Parents shall seek the help of their personal/ family physicians or hospitals in such situations. The main duty of the School doctor is first-aid.

REST ROOMS
The school maintains a clean and healthy environment. Toilets, urinals and wash basins are kept ready for the use of the students with separate facilities for boys and girls. At the same time the school urges the parents and staff to encourage children to practice good, clean habits, and discipline. Parents are encouraged to teach the children to learn to use the toilet and take a full and clean shower at home before coming to school. This kind of preparation brings an awareness of health and a ready mind in the child. Teachers and parents must be exemplary in their own character and habits.

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” – School is a temple of learning. Before going to school, every person is to be wholly prepared.

LIBRARY
The school has plans to have its own Library with a substantial number of books to be used by all age groups. Until the library is fully developed, the school plans to educate the child through extra worksheets appropriately designed for different age groups and grade levels, for easy learning.

FOOD PLACE
The school maintains a clean, hygienic, modern and well ventilated, dining place for all students. Purified and chilled drinking water shall be supplied. Parents who bring lunch are required to hand over the lunch pack to the staff and return. No parent is allowed to sit in the food place or feed the child. Students are expected to practice good eating habits in the Food Place and to leave their Food place clean, for the next group. Quietness and neatness add a positive atmosphere to the lunch period. Teachers and staff will eat along with the students so that the child might learn while eating, and the teacher will have the
opportunity to better understand the child.

DISCIPLINE
Helping children to develop self-discipline and to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner is a major objective of the school. Teachers are urged and trained to handle most of the discipline problems that occur in their classes by counseling, reprimanding etc. In cases where necessary the teacher will notify the parents by telephone or in writing.

Parents taking out children during the school hours should understand that they are hindering this process of disipline. Therefore parents are requested not to seek permission from school to take the children out, during the school hours

SUSPENSION OF A STUDENT
The Principal may suspend a student from the school, after all corrective measures fail and when it is determined that it is the most appropriate available action in the best interests of the school and other students.

SCHOOL TIMINGS
Primary Students i.e. Grades 1 - 7 : 7.45 a.m. to 01.40 p.m.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten : 09.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Nursery : 09.00 a.m. to 11.45 a.m

CLOSURE OF SCHOOL AT SHORT NOTICE
School functions as per the given calendar. However in unusual instances such as cyclone warning, earthquake warning, sudden rain, hail or thunderstorm, the school takes a decision to close in the interest of the safety of the students and in such situations parents should contact the school office and find out the position and arrange for the transportation of their children. Decision of closure will be made known only 45 min. before the actual time that the school starts.