Upcoming Events
September
30 Sept - 24 Oct: MAP Growth Testing
October
4 Oct: Spirit Wear Day & Sale
8 Oct, 1 - 8pm: Parent Teacher Conferences. Noon dismissal from school, no lunch will be served.
9 Oct: PSAT (mainly for Secondary III students)
10 Oct, 8:30am: PSG Monthly Meeting
14-18 Oct: Fall Break (No School!)
24 Oct: Fall Festival. Times and details TBA
25 Oct: Republic Day (No School!)
29 Oct, 8:30am: Coffee with the Director
30 Oct, 7pm: Cell Phone Policy Parent Meeting
November
8 Nov, 10am: PSG Parent Social
❤️🐺🖤 Spirit Wear Pop Up Shop Dates ❤️🐺🖤
4 October, 12-4pm
1 November, 12-4pm
⚽️🏋🏻♀️ Upcoming ATHLETIC EVENTS 🏃🏾♀️🏀
5 October: JV and Varsity Football Games at QSI (see flyer below)
10-12 October: CAFA Cross Country Meet (Bishkek)
30 Oct - 3 Nov: U15 Football Tournament (Almaty)
4 - 8 Nov: U19 Football Tournament (Almaty)
News & Information
Message from the Director
One of our key focuses this school year is on technology, as we aim to effectively harness the innovations that are shaping both our students and the broader field of education. To support this, we are undertaking a strategic plan centered on technology. As part of this process, we kindly ask you to take 5 minutes to complete a brief 21-question survey: Survey Link.
Additionally, our school is collaborating with QSI to participate in the RAIL (Responsible AI in Learning) program through MSA, which will lead to the prestigious RAIL endorsement for the Quality Schools International organization. This exciting opportunity allows us to thoughtfully explore how QSI International School of Astana can integrate artificial intelligence into our classrooms and operations.
While we strive to be forward-thinking and early adopters of new innovations, we also recognize our responsibility to consider the potential tradeoffs and unintended consequences that technology may bring. In this regard, we will be hosting a community discussion about cell phone use during the school day. This conversation will help us shape a more effective cell phone policy for our school. The schedule for these discussions is as follows:
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Student Meeting – Wednesday, Oct 30 during the school day
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Parent Meeting – Wednesday, Oct 30 @ 7 PM (Zoom link to be provided)
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Staff Meeting – Monday, Nov 4 during the faculty meeting
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Community Phone Use Town Hall – Wednesday, Nov 20 @ 7 PM
The conclusions from these discussions and the new cell phone policy will be shared with the community before Winter Break. We look forward to everyone’s participation in the process and value your voice and perspective.
Joshua Garrett
Director
Anti-Bullying Statement
QSI International School of Astana is committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. Any behavior that intimidates or makes others feel unsafe is not tolerated, and incidents of bullying are taken very seriously. We define bullying as “The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online.” (Adapted from the Anti-Bullying Alliance.) If a student or parent becomes aware of bullying or is a victim of it, they are encouraged to report the situation to either the homeroom teacher or the Director of Instruction. The school will take immediate steps to address and prevent such behavior.
Our approach emphasizes counseling to help students understand the motivations behind their behavior and to support them in overcoming impulsive, inappropriate, or anti-social tendencies. We encourage all students to embody the Success Orientations of “Group Interaction” and “Kindness and Politeness.” However, when necessary, consequences are used to prevent repeated poor choices. These consequences are determined based on the nature and severity of the behavior, with a focus on student reflection and promoting positive decision-making.
Common consequences for minor incidents include:
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Classroom/duty teacher actions
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Student reflection or redirection activities
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Meetings with parents, counselors, and/or administration
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Community service
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Regular check-ins with a teacher or administrator
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Special behavior plans
For persistent poor choices or more serious behavior, consequences may escalate to suspension. Suspension is reserved for serious offenses or repeated misconduct. The Director or Director of Instruction may suspend a student for one to three days. In more severe cases, suspension may be extended up to five days while a full review is conducted, and parents are informed immediately.
Expulsion is a last-resort measure that permanently removes a student from the school. This decision involves a thorough review by QSI headquarters and the local advisory board to ensure due process is followed. The expulsion policy is available for review by any family and is always explained to those involved.
PSG Parent Walk & Talk: Fun for All!
Thank you to everyone who joined us last Thursday for our PSG Parent Walk and Talk event!
We hope to see everyone at our next social event November 8th. Stay tuned for more details!
Other Announcements
From the Counseling Department
October Career Awareness
In an effort to increase career awareness for our students, each month will have a theme and each class their own career within that theme. Teachers will have resources and I would love to have some guest speakers talk to the kids about their job. If we need to find translation we can also do that. If you know of anyone that would be willing to speak students, please fill out this form and I will follow up with you: October Career Awareness Volunteering
QSI Astana's
Statement of Purpose
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