The Mentor System
- The digital platform Mentor is used in primary schools to manage attendance and absences, assignment delivery and student performance.
- Parents have access to the Mentor system. There they can report illness and monitor their children's progress at school.
- In Mentor it's also possible to see the names of everyone in the class and the phone number and/or email of their parents.
- Mentor is also available as a smartphone app.
- A digital certificate is the best way to sign into the system.
- www.mentor.is
Communication at School
- No teacher or school staff member can subject students to corporal punishment under any circumstances.
- Discipline in school-related activities is based on the protocol and rules of conduct at each school. Teachers and children should show each other respect in communication.
- If behavioural or disciplinary problems are severe, remedial action is sought with school administrators, parents and professionals, if necessary.
- Bullying at school is seen as a very serious issue and primary schools have a response plan to address it.
Children With Icelandic as a Second Language: Active Bilingualism
- The mother tongue of each child is important and the key to communication with the child's closest caretakers.
- A good foundation in a mother tongue has various effects on children's development.
- The Association on Bilingualism offers language classes for children in many languages. www.modurmal.com
Children With Icelandic as a Second Language: Icelandic
- Proficiency in Icelandic is important for schooling to be successful at all levels.
- Parents need to be wholeheartedly involved in their children's school and homework and make time for it. Routine, realistic goals, positive encouragement and praise are important.
- Home reading 5x a week where children read aloud to a parent/older sibling is very important.
- https://mml.reykjavik.is/
- It is also necessary to use the time outside school to promote and stimulate Icelandic by:
- Having children watch TV and digital content in Icelandic and with Icelandic subtitles.
- Using apps and games that train Icelandic, reading comprehension and other subjects, for example on www.menntamalastofnun.is and www.fraedslugatt.is
- Encouraging children to read books in Icelandic and go to the library.
- Taking part in games and leisure and sports activities with schoolmates and friends.
- You have to work hard in new situations in order to be successful - this also applies to children. Interest and support from the parents is an important factor.
Services and Costs
- The primary schools have school nurses. They educate children on health-related issues and children can go to them if they get injured.
- Psychologists, educational counsellors and student counsellors also work at and for primary schools.
- Primary school is free of charge. Children borrow all textbooks, as well as workbooks and stationery. The state and municipalities pay all costs of operating the schools.
- Parents pay a meal fee for the hot lunch the children receive at school. Children are allowed to bring their own packed lunch instead.
- Parent-teacher meetings are held twice a year, with an interpreter if necessary.
Equality in Education
- The Act on Compulsory Schools states that all children, regardless of ability or learning difficulties, have the right to appropriate education at their local school.
- The Act states that children with a native language other than Icelandic have the right to appropriate Icelandic language education.
- Special education schools are also operated for children with delayed development, and in some cases, they can be more suitable than a general school.
- Primary schools must follow the Ministry's curriculum guide. That means that children should receive education of equal standard wherever they live. Schools may have different focus areas, however.
Good to know
- The school year is from the end of August until mid-June.
- Remember each school's calendar - don't send children to school on holidays!
- There is a 2-3 day winter break in schools both in the fall and spring semesters. There's also a Christmas holiday and an Easter holiday.
- There are several teacher preparation days in each school year, when there is no school but the teachers are organising the school activities.
- It is possible to pay for childcare in leisure centers when there are teacher preparation days and Christmas and Easter holidays outside the public holidays.
- Attendance is mandatory in primary school. Holidays outside of public holidays must be applied for.
- It is also obligatory to report a child's illness through Mentor or at the school's office.