American International School of Bucharest

The school uses a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to provide increased levels of both academic, social-emotional, and behavioral support based on student need. The MTSS uses early identification and intervention to help struggling students catch up with their peers, access grade level curriculum, and potentially prevent future participation in Learning Support. This is done through universal screeners, our RtI program, and our Student Care processes in which students are identified and provided tiered levels of increasingly intensive support based on their area of need. Our MTSS program also provides extension opportunities, both in class and in small group settings, for more highly capable students within the Elementary school. AISB Counselors aspire to cultivate a compassionate, safe and inclusive environment where all students feel affirmed, heard and empowered to be themselves and take courageous action in life. AISB Counselors deliver a comprehensive developmental counseling program working in partnership with students, parents, faculty and staff. They advocate for and value the diversity of all students within a global context and actively foster the wellbeing and the holistic development of each student. AISB Counselors believe that all students have unique skills, strengths and potential, have the ability and the right to learn, grow and develop, and have the right to feel safe, supported, and accepted in school. Our Counselors provide individual and family counseling (making referrals to outside providers as needed), facilitate small group workshops for students, and contribute to AISB's social emotional learning program and child protection education. Counselors lead parent workshops and offer transitional programs for students and families impacted by the transient nature of our community.

The school provides Learning Support for students with identified learning challenges through a team of Learning Support specialists who provide skill based interventions in the areas of reading, written expression, math, executive functioning, inattention, social skills, sensory needs and others. Learning Support specialists work alongside teachers to ensure students receive differentiated instruction, classroom and/or assessment accommodations, modified curriculum as needed, and progress towards their learning goals. If students require ongoing 1:1 support, a Learning Intervention Focused Tutor (LIFT) may be arranged at the family's expense. All students within the Learning Support program have Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) which document their service delivery program. In order to provide a sustainable and quality Learning Support program, the school admits a managed number of students with mild to moderate learning and social-emotional/behavioral needs.

At AISB, every teacher is a language teacher and each student is seen as a unique and competent learner. The EAL program empowers students to develop a proficient level of social and academic English language which enables them to access the curriculum independently. The EAL program uses a blended service delivery model which combines specialized instruction in English language acquisition in sheltered classes, and scaffolded in-class content instruction delivered through co-planning and/or co-teaching. Instruction and support is provided by qualified and experienced EAL teachers based on a student's grade level, proficiency level, and other scheduling needs. All students who are non-native English speakers are assessed with AISB's language proficiency test to determine their English proficiency and language placement. In Elementary, sheltered instruction is delivered during the language rotation block where students are grouped by proficiency level. Students also receive additional support through collaborative co-planned and co-taught instruction between the EAL and homeroom teachers during Literacy, and at other times based on proficiency level and need. In Secondary, sheltered instruction that provides academic language skills to access grade-level content occurs during an Academic Literacy class and through leveled English curricula in the MYP English Language Acquisition class. In addition, students receive differentiated instruction through co-taught Science and Humanities classes where the grade-level EAL teacher and content teacher collaborate and co-plan instruction and learning resources. EAL support is limited in grades 11 and 12; students are monitored and able to take the IB English Language B HL in the DP program.

AISB Counselors aspire to cultivate a compassionate, safe and inclusive environment where all students feel affirmed, heard and empowered to be themselves and take courageous action in life. AISB Counselors deliver a comprehensive developmental counseling program working in partnership with students, parents, faculty and staff. They advocate for and value the diversity of all students within a global context and actively foster the wellbeing and the holistic development of each student. AISB Counselors believe that all students have unique skills, strengths and potential, have the ability and the right to learn, grow and develop, and have the right to feel safe, supported, and accepted in school. Our Counselors provide individual and family counseling (making referrals to outside providers as needed), facilitate small group workshops for students, and contribute to AISB's social emotional learning program and child protection education. Counselors lead parent workshops and offer transitional programs for students and families impacted by the transient nature of our community.

AISB is a school-wide priority. Safeguarding at AISB is a commitment to safeguarding processes to prevent the risk of harm to children's health or development. Safeguarding children from harm works best when the entire community is involved. AISB expects all individuals and groups associated within our school community to act with integrity and to take responsibility for keeping students safe and included. Whether you are a staff member, a coach, a tutor, a contractor, a guest, parent or visitor, it is expected that you will support our students and act with their wellbeing in mind at all times. To ensure this happens, students, parents, and faculty and staff are familiar with the child protection policy and Safeguarding Handbook to educate themselves about how to identify and respond to concerns. As a member of our school community, you recognize your role and responsibility to safeguard students and to keep an eye out for one another. If you see something, say something, and we thank you for helping build AISB school culture and community where safety and wellbeing is paramount.