Governance

AUS is governed by the school Director with the support and guidance of the Board of Trustees (BoT). The goal of the BoT is to work to uphold the school vision and mission for the present and the future. This is carried out by: providing strategic guidance and support on the school’s overall progress, being an advocate for ALL students, and being actively involved in the School Improvement and Accreditation process. The BoT always demonstrates diversity in discussion and unity in action.

Board of Trustees

The objective of the Board of Trustees (BoT) is to uphold the school vision and mission for the present and the future, work cooperatively and effectively with the AUS administration for the improvement of the school.

The role and duties of the BoT are to provide strategic guidance and support on the school’s overall progress, to be an advocate for all students, and to be actively involved in the school improvement and accreditation process. The BoT should always demonstrate diversity in discussion and unity in action.

Board Members

Sheikha Futouh Al Sabah, Board Chair
Ms. Ghada Khalaf, UEC Representative
Mr. Michael Wininger, AUS Director
Ms. Lana Al Ayyar, UEC Representative
Dr. Diana Aboulebde, Independent member beneficial to the school
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Farhan, Independent member beneficial to the school
Ms. Amani Abulhassan, AUS Parent Representative
Mr. Mijbil AlAyoub, AUS Parent Representative
Mr. Kevin Abernethy, Corporate Representative
Mr. Carl Vimmerstedt, US Embassy Representative
Ms. Fatma Ahmad, Board Secretary

POLICY MANUAL

Handbook

ByLaws

BOARD MEETINGS FOR SY 2023/2024

BOARD MEETINGS FOR SY 2024/2025

PTSO Executive Council

School Year 2024-2025

Member Names	Titles
Farah Alfadhalah	President
Yasmina El Bouazzati	Vice President
Zainab Nasrallah	Treasurer
Aseel Almonaies	Secretary
Malda AlKhayat	Elementary School Representative
Dr. Haya AlHusainan	Secondary School Representative

PTSO Bylaws

Article I:

Name

The name of the organization shall be American United School Parent/Teacher/Student Organization (PTSO).

Article II:

Mission Statement and Purpose

1. The Mission of the PTSO

“Taking education to the next level through commitment, collaboration and communication among parents, students and educators”

2. The Purpose of the PTSO is :

A. To foster and nurture relationships among parents, educators and students for the benefit of the school community.

B. To develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parent involvement in the promotion of student welfare.

C. To recruit and coordinate volunteers, provide special recognition in awards ceremonies or through other activities, organize parent education events.

D. Support in lieu of a Booster club, music, foreign language club, sports, theatrical productions and much more.

Article III:

Membership

Members of the PTSO are all students, parents and guardians whose children are students in the school. Members also include staff and administration of the school as determined by the School Director.

Article IV:

Executive Council

There shall be an Executive Council (ExCo) that will serve as the administrative arm of the PTSO. The ExCo will meet once per month. A quorum will consist of at least four (4) ExCo officers (non-school employees).

Section 1

The ExCo shall include a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Parent Representative (one from each level: Elementary, Middle School and High School), one Teacher from each level, one Elementary Student, one Middle School Student Council member, one High School Student Council member and Principals of Elementary, Middle School and High School.

Section 2

A. All ExCo officers, except the Principals and Teachers, shall be elected at an annual meeting held in the first two months of each school year.

B. Election of ExCo officers shall be by ballot except when there is only one nominee for an office.

C. The ExCo officers shall be elected to serve for one school year.

D. Their term of office shall begin following the election after a one month transitional period of hand over.

Section 3

The Teacher representatives will be selected for a one-school year term by and from among the AUS teachers in the school.

Section 4
No ExCo officer shall hold more than one office at a time.

Section 5

There shall be no limit to the number of consecutive terms an ExCo officer may hold the same position.

Section 6

Vacancies on the ExCo will be filled as soon as possible by majority vote amongst ExCo officers.

Section 7

When an ExCo officer fails to attend without adequate excuse or if the ExCo officer is not fulfilling his/her responsibilities as prescribed in the by-laws, the officer may be replaced by the ExCo, by a vote of at least four (4) officers (non-school employees) and the position may be filled according to Article IV Section 5.

Section 8

ExCo officers should not also be members of the School Advisory Board, except the PTSO President and the Principals. However, the PTSO President should always serve on the School Advisory Board.

Section 9

Before an ExCo officer or spouse accepts a position from the school with any remuneration, full disclosure shall be provided to the PTSO in order to disclose the relationship.

Article V:

Duties of the ExCo and its members

Section 1

The President shall preside at all PTSO meetings and shall ensure that all tasks undertaken by the PTSO are completed.

Section 2

The Vice President assists and shall serve in the absence of the President including filling in when there is a vacancy amongst ExCo officers.

Section 3

The Secretary shall keep a record of all PTSO meetings and any required correspondence (including minutes, briefs, etc.). Minutes should be circulated within one week following PTSO or ExCo (or other) meetings.

Section 4

The Treasurer will keep the PTSO’s financial records and books in good order and will be primarily responsible for all financial transactions. The financial books will be kept on a monthly basis and shall be made available, upon request, to the general PTSO membership. Any commitment to spend or actual expenditure will be signed by the Treasurer and either the President or the Secretary.

Section 5

The Teacher representatives shall be present during PTSO meetings. The Teacher representatives serves as liaison between PTSO and staff and keeps PTSO members informed of staff concerns or ideas.

Section 6

The Principals shall be present during PTSO meetings. The Principals provide the PTSO with information on administrative developments in their respective schools.

Section 7

The Students representatives shall be present during PTSO meetings. The Students representatives serve as the liaison between PTSO and student council and keeps PTSO members informed of students concerns or ideas.

Section 8

The Parent Representatives of Elementary, Middle School and High School keep PTSO members informed of parent concerns and/or ideas.

Article VI:

Meetings

Section 1

PSTO meetings will be held a minimum once a quarter, preferably on a fixed day each month (e.g., 1st Tuesday, 2nd Wednesday, etc.). PTSO meetings will be open to all members.

Section 2

Special PTSO meetings shall be called by the President and/or two or more ExCo officers with adequate notice.

Section 3

A quorum will consist of those present. There will be one vote per PTSO member. Unless stated other- wise, PTSO decisions will be decided by majority voting.

Section 4

Executive Council (ExCo) meetings are for the elected ExCo members only. Others may attend by invitation only from an Executive Council member.

Article VII:

Committees

Section 1

Committees, standing or special, will be appointed by the ExCo as and when required.

Section 2

Each committee will make reports to the ExCo and will submit a written report on its annual activities.

Article VIII:

Amendment of By-laws

Section 1

Proposed amendments should be forwarded to the Secretary of the ExCo, who will include it on the agenda for deliberation and voting at the next PTSO meeting. These by-laws can be amended at a board meeting and approved at a general meeting of the PTSO by a simple majority vote of the quorum as defined in section IV of the by laws.

Section 2

Copies of these By-laws will be available on the school PTSO website.

Article IX:

Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the PTSO, any funds that have accrued to the PTSO’s account will be placed in a school account which will be held until a new parent organization is established or as determined by the School Director and Advisory Board.

PTSO Registration form

Accreditation

In the spring of 2018, AUS achieved dual accreditation from the Council of International School (CIS) and Middle States Association (MSA), a distinction shared by few American schools in Kuwait. The visiting team commended AUS for its creativity, innovation, and commitment to excellence, resulting in a 10-year accreditation.

Following this success, plans were set to graduate the inaugural class in spring 2019. However, the strategic planning scheduled for winter 2020 with a consultant from High Point University was postponed due to the onset of COVID-19. The school shifted its focus to adapting learning programs and implementing safety measures.

By fall 2022-23, normalcy returned with school events, extracurricular activities, student organizations and athletics. AUS recommitted to strategic planning, initiating a new plan for 2023-2028 facilitated by Dr. Amy Holcomb from High Point University through Open Space protocol.

From October 30th to November 2nd 2023, AUS hosted a preparatory visit from CIS and MSA, signaling the start of our 5-year re-accreditation process. The visit aimed to ensure AUS continues to effectively prepare students as global citizens through high-quality, standards-based education led by qualified educators. This visit included discussions about leadership, governance, academics, well-being and global citizenship, as well as observations of classes and meetings with various stakeholders.

As part of the re-accreditation process, AUS will advance to the Self-Study Stage before the subsequent team of evaluators visit in 12 to 18 months.

The American United School of Kuwait is associated with a number of local, regional and international organizations that serve to support excellence in student achievement, professional learning and community relations.

SY 2024-25 PARENT AUS Open House Accreditation Update

10-Year Accreditation
Accreditation Update

10-Year Accreditation

We are honored to announce AUS has earned 10 year accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools and The Council of International Schools

As of spring, 2018, American United School (AUS) was awarded duel accreditation from the Council of International School (CIS) and Middle States Association (MSA). This stellar accomplishment makes AUS one of the few American schools in Kuwait with this illustrious title. The visiting team was very impressed with the entire school community. They praised AUS for its creativity, innovation, and commitment to excellence. As a result, AUS was granted a 10 year accreditation.

Accreditation Certificates:

CIS Documentation

MSA-CESS Documentation

Endicott Survey & School Climate Survey