UEF Islamic Sunday School Staff and Volunteer Policy
The UEF has instituted the following policy to promote exemplary conduct and appearance among our staff, ensuring a positive influence on the students attending the school. This policy MUST be adhered to during school hours and events. While this policy aims to be comprehensive, it may not cover all aspects. The UEF School Administration reserves the right to introduce additional policies in line with mainstream Islamic principles. In general, we refer to the Quran and Sunnah as the guiding principles.
Note: All staff members are expected to follow these policies to ensure a consistent and professional school culture. In situations where a staff member is not aligned with school expectations or policies, the UEF School Administration may decide to take appropriate action, which could include a change in staff role or status.
Code of Conduct
Respect and Adherence to Islamic Values:
Teachers must demonstrate respect for mainstream Islamic values, teachings, and traditions in both their words and actions.
Professionalism:
Maintain a high level of professionalism, self-control, and composure in interactions with students, parents, and staff.
Encourage open communication with students, where they feel comfortable discussing concerns or issues with their teachers.
Be punctual and prepared for classes.
Communicate effectively and promptly with parents and school administration.
Positive Role Model:
Act as positive role models for students in terms of behavior, speech, and character.
Treat all students with respect and fairness, regardless of their background, abilities, or behavior.
Foster a culture of support and encouragement, refraining from criticism and avoiding comparisons of student performance.
Refrain from any form of verbal abuse, berating, or demeaning language when addressing students, even in disciplinary situations.
Absolutely no physical contact with students is allowed unless a genuine need arises, such as helping a child up after a fall or assisting in a medical emergency. Any necessary contact should be appropriate, minimal, and handled with care.
Refrain from promoting any behavior or activities that may contradict mainstream Islamic principles, including but not limited to directly and/or indirectly advocating for particular social movements (LGBTQ, BLM, etc.) or political movements.
Religious Sensitivity:
Be sensitive to the diversity of Islamic beliefs and practices within the school community.
Avoid promoting sectarianism and respect differing opinions within the bounds of mainstream Islamic teachings.
Conflict Resolution:
Address conflicts and disagreements with professionalism and in accordance with Islamic principles of conflict resolution, such as arbitration and reconciliation.
Maintain self-control and composure when navigating through conflicts.
Confidentiality:
Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information related to students and their families.
When discussing private matters with students, consider stepping outside the classroom to ensure privacy.
Supervision Responsibilities:
Teachers and staff members on duty during recess (indoor or outdoor) are responsible for monitoring students' activities.
Teachers and staff should actively promote safe play and recreational activities on the playground. They must intervene in any situation that poses a risk to students' safety.
Teachers and staff members are encouraged to help resolve conflicts and encourage positive social interactions among students. This includes addressing bullying or inappropriate behavior.
Dress Code
Modesty:·
Teachers should dress modestly in accordance with Islamic guidelines, ensuring appropriate coverage of their bodies.
For both male and female teachers, this typically means covering the body, including the arms and legs, with full-length, loose-fitting, non-revealing, and non-transparent clothing.
In addition to the clothing guidelines mentioned above, female teachers are also required to wear a head covering (hijab) to cover their hair.
Avoiding Excessive Adornment:
Avoid excessive makeup, jewelry, or ostentatious clothing for a basic/neutral, and modest appearance.
Maintaining Personal Hygiene:
Teachers are required to maintain personal hygiene to a high standard.
Ensure that nails are trimmed and clean, with a specific policy not to have long or overly adorned nails.
Cultural Sensitivity:
Be sensitive to the cultural norms of the local community while adhering to Islamic dress guidelines.
Clothing with obscene or offensive slogans, as well as attire or personal accessories (e.g., keychains, backpacks, etc.) promoting specific social movements (e.g., LGBTQ, BLM, etc.) or political movements, shall not be worn.
Lead By Example:
Set an example of modesty and adherence to Islamic dress guidelines for students.
Maintain a dignified appearance as a rule without imitation of the opposite gender or social trend.
Absence Policy:
At UEF, we value the consistent presence of our dedicated teaching staff. However, we understand that occasional absences are inevitable due to unforeseen circumstances. To ensure the smooth continuation of the learning process, we have established the following Teacher Absence Policy.
Notification of Absence:
Advance Notice: Whenever possible, teachers are expected to provide advance notice of their absence to the school administration. This notification should be made as soon as the need for an absence becomes known.
Substitute/Helper Arrangements: Teachers are responsible for arranging a substitute teacher or helper to cover their classes during their absence. It is the teacher's responsibility to ensure that the substitute/helper is adequately briefed on the day's lesson plans, classroom procedures, and any other essential information.
Absence Reporting Procedure:
Notification to School Admin: Teachers must notify the school administration by text messaging or call about their impending absence. In this notification, teachers should include the following information:
Date of the absence.
Name and contact information of the designated substitute/helper.
Confirmation of Substitute/Helper: The school administration will confirm the availability and suitability of the designated substitute/helper. If there are any issues, they will work with the teacher to find an appropriate solution.
Emergency Absences:
In case of sudden, unforeseen emergencies or illness, teachers should make every effort to inform the school administration as soon as possible. The school administration will assist in arranging for a substitute/helper under such circumstances.
Responsibility of Substitute/Helper:
Substitute teachers or helpers are expected to:
Follow the lesson plans provided by the absent teacher.
Maintain discipline and order in the classroom.
Report any issues or concerns to the school administration promptly.