Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
February 10, 2015
Dear Donna and Suhair,
We would like to wish you all a successful new term. Overall, we are very happy with the care you provide to our children and we sing the praises of Hill House. We are thankful to you and the dedicated staff for all your hard work. However, the parents listed below would like to collectively address some concerns or suggestions. We would like to bring to your attention a few points that we would like you to consider:
1. Extra-curricular activities
They should be extra-curricular, which means they should start when school finishes (1 pm Sunday to Wednesday and 12.30 pm on Thursday). This is not currently the case. As an example: in regards to Taekwando, last term, the class often started too early (even as early as 12 pm). Please can they start when school finishes?
2. School fees
We just received the notice for the new school fees and we are surprised at the new raised fees. Last year’s inflation rate in Jordan was 2.8 % which is much lower than your suggested increase (305 JOD) and we would like the fees to remain unchanged.
In regards to the Medical fees we would like to understand in more detail what the fees stand for and for the school to explore the possibility of making it optional? As many parents have medical insurance that covers any medical and dental issues that may arise.
3. Holidays schedule
Regarding the holiday schedule we believe that one entire month (starting mid-January) is way too long and inconveniently scheduled.
We would suggest either to keep a month holiday which includes Christmas and the New Year period (as many children leave for two weeks for Christmas holidays anyway), or split the month holiday into 2 parts – a Winter and an Easter holiday.
A lot of your children are Expatriate and the families choose to go away for Christmas, it is very frustrating to pay for a few weeks of school to return to a long leave break. It’s also difficult to those who have older siblings in ICS/ACS etc as they go back to school and the sibling is off.
Can we request that Santa visits a week before term time, as mentioned above, most leave Amman around the 18/19th so miss out.
4. Term evaluations
In regards to the evaluations we would like to receive a structured written report every semester so that we can compare our child’s progress from semester to semester and understand areas, which need improvement, and outstanding issues that have not been resolved. This does not have to be extremely long, just a progress report.
5. School timing Extension
Would it be possible to extend the time that school finishes to 4pm for an additional fee? Not necessarily a structured extension but simply outdoor play under the supervision of a few teachers. You have a great outdoor area that the children love and often parents have to spend up to an extra hour outside with the children because they do not want to leave. Why not use it to your advantage - make the parents/ children happy and make some extra money?
Once again this letter is not meant as criticism but simply highlights ways we feel you could improve the overall experience at your school. We hope you take this letter in the vain it is intended, to open a dialogue between the parents and administration on the points above.
Thank you for reading our concerns and suggestions and we would appreciate it if you would reply in writing addressing each point at your earliest convenience.
Many thanks
More like this
Letter of concern for Mr Hallberg
Letter to Board of Directors - New Headmaster
Updates
February 24, 2015
The management has not responded to our letter yet but your signatures are forcing them to acknowledge these concerns. Send a copy of this link directly to the school administration today to remind them they cannot ignore us. Keep checking your email for updates on our next move.
February 24, 2015
We hit a turning point that shows the school administration exactly how many parents want these policy changes. Post this link on your social media accounts today and demand a meeting with the directors.
29 Comments
Thanks for organizing this! I agree with all points and the comments regarding Arabic instruction. With respects to Arabic, I would also like to ensure that it is taught on a 50/50 basis with English. Not only based upon the number of days, but also the quality. I get the sense that English is reverted to even on 'Arabic' days. I feel teachers (and kids should be encouraged) to speak only in Arabic on the Arabic days.
We are happy with Hill House and think it can be an even better school with additional parent involvement and input. I think many good points have been made. I am not so concerned about #2, but would appreciate an explanation about the reasons why fees are being increased instead of just issuing a notice without explanation.
I’m agree with Point 1,2,4 in addition to that we shall raise important point as Hill house student shall have the right and priority to reserve/ register the seat in the list of qualified schools as a benefit of studied in such school
Agree with most of the points. (1-2-4) I would like to add some suggestions. Many times if I don't ask my kids I don't know what's the subject of the week. Knowing that kindergartens have thematic week I wanted to ask if we can have the monthly thematic units report. Also I would love to see at school the project method. In the project method, constructionism is applied to building up a frame for cognitive learning, whereby children are guided to develop problem solving abilities and fulfill themselves by discovering questions, finding answers and generating new ideas in the experiences, perceptions and exploration of life. The teacher is seen more as a facilitator than a deliver of knowledge and information. And little bit more freedom in expressing their creativity. Am happy being a member of H.H cause I see happy my kids and was the only in town that covers all my needs.
I agree with points1-4. Regarding point number 4 , it would be beneficial to communicate early on at the beginning of each year, a clear set of learning objectives/ specific age group , nothing complicated, just a couple of points to clarify what the year is expected to achieve and how you plan to do so , this would help in measuring the progress ( parents and teachers on the same page ) ... And sharing ideas
I agree that the extra curriculum activities should start when school finishes, but as far as I am concern I am quite happy with the overall school time schedule.
I agree that the extra curriculum activities should start when school finishes, but as far as I am concern I am quite happy with the overall school time schedule.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
February 10, 2015
Dear Donna and Suhair,
We would like to wish you all a successful new term. Overall, we are very happy with the care you provide to our children and we sing the praises of Hill House. We are thankful to you and the dedicated staff for all your hard work. However, the parents listed below would like to collectively address some concerns or suggestions. We would like to bring to your attention a few points that we would like you to consider:
1. Extra-curricular activities
They should be extra-curricular, which means they should start when school finishes (1 pm Sunday to Wednesday and 12.30 pm on Thursday). This is not currently the case. As an example: in regards to Taekwando, last term, the class often started too early (even as early as 12 pm). Please can they start when school finishes?
2. School fees
We just received the notice for the new school fees and we are surprised at the new raised fees. Last year’s inflation rate in Jordan was 2.8 % which is much lower than your suggested increase (305 JOD) and we would like the fees to remain unchanged.
In regards to the Medical fees we would like to understand in more detail what the fees stand for and for the school to explore the possibility of making it optional? As many parents have medical insurance that covers any medical and dental issues that may arise.
3. Holidays schedule
Regarding the holiday schedule we believe that one entire month (starting mid-January) is way too long and inconveniently scheduled.
We would suggest either to keep a month holiday which includes Christmas and the New Year period (as many children leave for two weeks for Christmas holidays anyway), or split the month holiday into 2 parts – a Winter and an Easter holiday.
A lot of your children are Expatriate and the families choose to go away for Christmas, it is very frustrating to pay for a few weeks of school to return to a long leave break. It’s also difficult to those who have older siblings in ICS/ACS etc as they go back to school and the sibling is off.
Can we request that Santa visits a week before term time, as mentioned above, most leave Amman around the 18/19th so miss out.
4. Term evaluations
In regards to the evaluations we would like to receive a structured written report every semester so that we can compare our child’s progress from semester to semester and understand areas, which need improvement, and outstanding issues that have not been resolved. This does not have to be extremely long, just a progress report.
5. School timing Extension
Would it be possible to extend the time that school finishes to 4pm for an additional fee? Not necessarily a structured extension but simply outdoor play under the supervision of a few teachers. You have a great outdoor area that the children love and often parents have to spend up to an extra hour outside with the children because they do not want to leave. Why not use it to your advantage - make the parents/ children happy and make some extra money?
Once again this letter is not meant as criticism but simply highlights ways we feel you could improve the overall experience at your school. We hope you take this letter in the vain it is intended, to open a dialogue between the parents and administration on the points above.
Thank you for reading our concerns and suggestions and we would appreciate it if you would reply in writing addressing each point at your earliest convenience.
Many thanks
Updates
February 24, 2015
The management has not responded to our letter yet but your signatures are forcing them to acknowledge these concerns. Send a copy of this link directly to the school administration today to remind them they cannot ignore us. Keep checking your email for updates on our next move.
February 24, 2015
We hit a turning point that shows the school administration exactly how many parents want these policy changes. Post this link on your social media accounts today and demand a meeting with the directors.
29 Comments
I generally agree with all points, and in fact, the reason we decided to leave Hill House this semester (even though my daughter loved it) was the schedule: too short days, plus the extremely and unnecessarily long winter break.
Thanks for organizing this! I agree with all points and the comments regarding Arabic instruction. With respects to Arabic, I would also like to ensure that it is taught on a 50/50 basis with English. Not only based upon the number of days, but also the quality. I get the sense that English is reverted to even on 'Arabic' days. I feel teachers (and kids should be encouraged) to speak only in Arabic on the Arabic days.
We are happy with Hill House and think it can be an even better school with additional parent involvement and input. I think many good points have been made. I am not so concerned about #2, but would appreciate an explanation about the reasons why fees are being increased instead of just issuing a notice without explanation.
I’m agree with Point 1,2,4 in addition to that we shall raise important point as Hill house student shall have the right and priority to reserve/ register the seat in the list of qualified schools as a benefit of studied in such school
Agree with most of the points. (1-2-4) I would like to add some suggestions. Many times if I don't ask my kids I don't know what's the subject of the week. Knowing that kindergartens have thematic week I wanted to ask if we can have the monthly thematic units report. Also I would love to see at school the project method. In the project method, constructionism is applied to building up a frame for cognitive learning, whereby children are guided to develop problem solving abilities and fulfill themselves by discovering questions, finding answers and generating new ideas in the experiences, perceptions and exploration of life. The teacher is seen more as a facilitator than a deliver of knowledge and information. And little bit more freedom in expressing their creativity. Am happy being a member of H.H cause I see happy my kids and was the only in town that covers all my needs.
I agree with points1-4. Regarding point number 4 , it would be beneficial to communicate early on at the beginning of each year, a clear set of learning objectives/ specific age group , nothing complicated, just a couple of points to clarify what the year is expected to achieve and how you plan to do so , this would help in measuring the progress ( parents and teachers on the same page ) ... And sharing ideas
I agree that the extra curriculum activities should start when school finishes, but as far as I am concern I am quite happy with the overall school time schedule.
I agree that the extra curriculum activities should start when school finishes, but as far as I am concern I am quite happy with the overall school time schedule.
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I generally agree with all points, and in fact, the reason we decided to leave Hill House this semester (even though my daughter loved it) was the schedule: too short days, plus the extremely and unnecessarily long winter break.