Learning Environment

DPS International has been built in a lush green campus covering 5 acres in the heart of Gurgaon. The green spaces provide an adequate places for nature study and free play.

The classrooms at DPS International are large and airy with plenty of natural light. The corridors are wide and child friendly. The entire building is centrally air-conditioned.Every care has been taken to ensure that the best is provided for each child entering the DPS International campus.

The school has a state of the art Libraries, Computer Labs, Yoga & Meditation Room, Music, Dance, Drama and Visual Art Studios, Science & Technology Laboratories and Indoor Sports Facilities which will provide spaces for holistic development.A world-class auditorium as part of the school campus allows children to showcase their talents to a larger audience.

The school infrastructure also takes into account the needs of differently-abled children by providing safety ramps, lifts thus making their educational journey safe and joyous.

Driven by technology, the infrastructure offers 24x7 connectivity to online knowledge banks through Wi-Fi networks. Technology at DPSI encourages students to combine intellectual talents and practical skills. In particular, students are encouraged to display ingenuity and creativity in devising practical solutions to given tasks.

Smart Building Management Systems ensure that the infrastructure is secure and updated.

 

SAFE GUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION AT DPSI

DPS International School is committed to protect the health, safety and welfare of students who are members of our school community. Child abuse and neglect are violations of a child’s human rights and are obstacles to a child’s education as well as to their physical, emotional, and social development. We are committed to ensuring that all members of our community are aware of and held accountable to high standards of care, respect, integrity and trust and that they all understand their obligation to protect the welfare of children and report any suspicion or knowledge of child endangerment.

The school has a Code of Conduct, a Child Protection Policy and procedures which are consistent with our school’s mission and vision.

Students are empowered to look out for themselves and others, learn ways to stay safe and to seek help when in need. Our endeavor is to empower them to use their voice when needed.

Three members of the senior leadership team attended the CIS Child Protection Foundation workshop on February 25 & 26, 2018.

 

August 2021 onwards

 

Hybrid Learning

Following government guidelines, we have reopened school in a staggered manner. Physical attendance is optional and requires prior registration as well as duly completed consent and health forms.

New protocols and timetables have been created and communicated to all students and parents. Our blended lessons cater simultaneously for students inside the classroom and at home. Students are able to fully engage with teachers and students in the classroom along with other students who are attending classes online.

 

March 2020 onwards

Distance Learning

DPSI has moved to virtual learning/distance learning

The joyful pursuit of learning continues, even though our campus is closed.

A distance learning plan was put in place by DPS International in March 2020, when the school campus was shut down due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Keeping the diverse age group of students in mind and a careful study of screen hour association with learning, the school designed a blend of asynchronous and synchronous teaching using different online platforms to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning. Teachers, students and parents were supported for this transition to online teaching and learning and clear guidelines and expectations were shared for all including the parents. Providing a safe and engaging online learning environment was the endeavor and this continues.

 

The salient features of the distance learning plan are as follows:

  • A mix of Asynchronous engagements and Synchronous learning
  • All curricular and co-curricular subjects addressed through online platforms
  • A variety of technology tools used to support the teaching and learning
  • Flexible deadlines for work submissions
  • Support for socio-emotional well-being of students through real-time engagements and assignments
  • Support for socio-emotional well-being of staff through real-time engagements with school counsellors
  • Reading recommendations on a fortnightly basis by the librarian Library fortnightly recommended reads
  • Wellness choice board activity suggestion for wholesome family engagement every month Wellness choice board EY Wellness choice board
  • Sharing of best online practices for faculty members to adopt and emulate
  • Participation in workshops and webinars that bring knowledge to teachers’ doorsteps
  • Virtual participation in interhouse and interschool competitions
  • Hosting of student work as digital art gallery walk- Art Expressions
  • Synchronous support by special educators(SEN) and EAL teachers
  • Virtual parent teacher meetings for sharing student progress
  • Virtual celebrations of international days, festivals, birthdays and hosting guest speaker sessions and student assemblies
  • Virtual academic assistance to new admissions and students needing remedial support
  • Virtual labs, alternative to practicals, simulations and virtual reality augmented learning
  • Virtual Graduation ceremony, University fair
  • Virtual Senate elections and Investiture ceremony
  • Virtual subject selection guidance
  • Vitual career counselling and college advisory sessions
  • Virtual participation in the Climate Action Programme -a school led service initiative
  • Eassessments and virtual support for students needing accommodation
  • Virtual wellness sessions for parents and grandparents
  • Collaboration meeting for faculty members
  • The admission process has also shifted completely online with parents given an opportunity of a virtual visit and viewing of recorded videos and photographs.
  • Virtual orientation and immersion of new admissions

To orient students into this new methodology of teaching learning process, a list of essential agreements for online learning environment were made and were discussed extensively in every classroom to reinforce expected digital behaviour and netiquettes that students need to exhibit on a cyber-platform.

 

The way ahead

  • Cyber counselling sessions to help students understand the importance of keeping their unique ids and passwords safely and NOT sharing the same are done on a regular basis to get students tuned into this transformed environment of teaching and learning.
  • Social Emotional Learning sessions are conducted to help students cope with the sudden lockdown situations and rediscover their talents in these times when they have time in hand to explore their talents.
  • Schedules of learning areshared with students which helped stay organised and be a part of the teaching learning process through remote learning process. Students and staff well-being sessions are being conducted as an ongoing practices and our teaching modules are punctuated with sensory breaks to allow for physical movement.
  • Students joining in new session have an online immersion session where they are oriented about the IB way of teaching and learning along with the expected online behaviour while learning online.

 

Online platforms used

School email for communication with parents, teachers and students Microsoft TEAMS is the main Online platforms used for online teaching Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom - used to support collaboration and online learning.

 

Strategies and tools

Multiple strategies and tools are being used for the virtual learning and these include Podcasts, videos, blogs, virtual field trips and gallery walks, Skype with guest speakers quizzes, surveys, making E Portfolios and story creators, games and simulations and many Office 365 tools. A Virtual Library has been set up to share available online resources with teachers and students

 

Screen time

We have incorporated unplugged activities and offline activities to balance out screen time. From creating podcasts to making choice board and using math kits , students are engaging in offline activities to reduce the amount of time they spend working on devices.

Regular feedback from students, parents and teachers is helping us understand how the plan is impacting student and teacher experiences, and is providing data on what improvements we should make going forward.

The following links can be accessed for an insight in the teaching and learning and school activities during a virtual school

We recommend the following blog posts for both educators and parents

Some useful links related to the Pandemic information