Ordinance on Primary and Lower Secondary Education (VVU) - Principles (VVU)

1. The school board forms balanced classes based on performance, social background, and native language. It takes into account neighborhood boundaries and school routes.

2. In primary school, it can form grade-level classes or mixed-grade classes. If the number of students does not allow for grade-level classes, it forms mixed-grade classes.

1. Students from Different School Communities

a) may be combined in primary school if classes with more than three grade levels would need to be formed;

b) shall be combined at the secondary level if grade-level classes cannot be formed for several years.

1. The School Board may assign foreign language students to transitional classes for a limited period due to language reasons.

1. The number of students in a kindergarten class is between 16 and 24 students.

2. Deviations require the approval of the Department of Public Schools if the average number of students in all kindergarten classes of the school unit does not meet the number specified in paragraph 1 of this provision.

1. In the certificate, performance in each subject is assessed with whole and half grades. The following grade values apply: 6 (very good), 5 (good), 4 (satisfactory), 3 (unsatisfactory), 2 (poor), and 1 (very poor).

a)* ...

b)* ...

1bis The work, learning, and social behavior is evaluated in the assessment interview, particularly according to the following criteria

a) Willingness to learn;

b) Initiative;

c) Independence;

d) Self-reflection;

e) Resilience;

f) Manners;

g) Communication;

h) Collaboration.

2. Conduct can be evaluated by noting a written complaint in the certificate.

1. If the Education Council orders exceptions from the issuance of a certificate, it regulates the student assessment and the information provided to the parents.

1. The School Board permits attendance at a sports school if

a) the student

1. is registered as at least a Local Talent with the Swiss Olympic Association according to the talent development concept of the national sports federation;

2. trains at least ten hours on school days of the school week;

3. meets the admission or promotion requirements under St. Gallen law for the type of school corresponding to the attended type;

b) the school is recognized by the Department of Education within the framework of the Intercantonal Agreement for Schools with Specifically-Structured Offerings for the Highly Gifted dated February 20, 2003.

2. The tuition fee per student amounts annually to

a) for talent schools whose talents are integrated into regular classes, CHF 11,000;

b) for talent schools with exclusive talent classes, CHF 19,000.

1. The Department of Education may, in special cases, authorize or require the school board to permit an intellectually gifted student to attend a school for the gifted.

2. It determines the contribution of the school district to the school fees.

1. The school board permits attendance at an art school if

a) the student

1. possesses a recommendation from a specialized agency designated by the Department of Education;

2. meets the admission or promotion requirements according to St. Gallen law for the type of school that corresponds to the attended school type;

b)* the school is recognized by the Department of Education within the framework of the Intercantonal Agreement for Schools with Specifically Structured Programs for the Gifted dated February 20, 2003[9].

2. The Department of Education may exceptionally recognize a school outside of the agreement.

3. The tuition fee per student amounts annually to

a)* CHF 15,000 for talent schools whose talents are integrated into regular classes;

b)* CHF 19,000 for talent schools with pure talent classes.

1. The teacher may impose the following disciplinary measures

a) additional homework or work at school outside of class hours;

b) removal from the lesson or special event;

c) exclusion from a special event that does not exceed one day in duration;

d) written complaint to the parents with a copy sent to the school board. The complaint can be noted in the report card with the consent of the school board.

1. The class teacher may impose the following disciplinary measures

a) Exclusion from classes for the current day;

b) With the consent of the president of the school council, exclusion from classes for up to three days, but no longer than until the weekend.

2. The teacher submits a written report to the school council.

1. The school board may impose the following disciplinary measures

a) A written reprimand to the parents at the request of the teacher. It may order that the reprimand be noted in the report card;

b) Exclusion from a multi-day special event;

bbis) Exclusion from classes for up to three weeks. The student may be engaged in a meaningful activity during this time;

c) Warning of exclusion from the school;

d) Exclusion from the school with notification to the Child and Adult Protection Authority and the Department of Education.

2. Instead of a disciplinary measure, the school board may assign the student to a special class with a limited duration of stay. The procedure is governed by the provisions of the Elementary School Act of January 13, 1983, regarding assignment to a special class.

1. Additional homework, work in the school outside of class time, dismissal from the lesson or special event, exclusion from a special event that does not last longer than one day, and exclusion from class by the class teacher are ordered verbally. The parents are notified.

2. Any other disciplinary measure will be communicated to the parents in writing via a decree.

**1. If the student is required to work outside of school hours, is dismissed from the lesson or special event, or is excluded from attending classes for the day, supervision and transportation shall be governed by Article 20 of the Public School Act of January 13, 1983.**

1. Prior to the expulsion from the school or the threat thereof, a representative of the school board conducts an investigation. They submit a written report with a recommendation.

2. The parents may submit a written response to the report and recommendation.

1. The President of the School Board may take provisional measures to ensure proper instruction.

2. The parents shall be heard as soon as possible.

1. Foreseeable Absence Requires Prior Approval. Exemption from Lessons according to Art. 96 Para. 2 of the Compulsory Education Act is Reserved.

2. Unforeseeable Absence must be Justified Subsequently by the Parents.

3. The School Board Regulates the Procedure for

a) Prior Approval of Absence;

b) Exemption from Lessons according to Art. 96 Para. 2 of the Compulsory Education Act;

c) Subsequent Justification of Unforeseeable Absence.

1. The certificate shall note

a) unauthorized or insufficiently justified absence;

b) authorized or sufficiently justified prolonged or frequent absence that has adversely affected academic performance.

1. Parents may exempt the student from religious instruction by submitting a written declaration to the ecclesiastical authority.

2. The Education Council regulates the exemption of foreign language students for courses in their native language and culture.

1. The school board may declare individual days or half-days as school holidays for special reasons.

2. Classes are generally made up in advance or afterwards if more than three days or six half-days are declared as school holidays within the school year.

1. No homework shall be assigned over the holidays.

1. Special events may extend to public rest days.

2. Participation on these days is voluntary.

1. The teacher informs the parents in advance about canceled classes.

1. The parents inform the teacher about special circumstances that affect the student's school situation.

1. The chairperson and members of the school board shall visit a teacher in the classroom at least once a year.

2. The obligation is non-transferable.

1. This regulation shall apply from 1 August 1996.