CNG Staff Handbook 2024-2025

A. HEALTH INSURANCE

Mandatory Health Care Plan - EPS: By Colombian law, every person who works in Colombia must be covered by a mandatory official health provider (EPS) similar to the U.S. Social Security. The cost of this health service is shared, and a set percentage (4%) of an employee’s salary is deducted monthly.

- Private Health Insurance:

CNG also offers its employees additional private health coverage with either Colsanitas or Sura. For eligible employees and approved dependents, CNG pays a percentage of the monthly payment. For local-hired  staff, eligibility begins after the trial standard period of 60 days after initial contract start date. The employee may contact the social security coordinator for the process.

B. FAMILY WELFARE FUND - COLSUBSIDIO

As per Colombian law requirements, all organizations must be affiliated to a “Caja de Compensación Familiar” to “compensate” workers through diverse services. CNG is affiliated to COLSUBSIDIO, which currently offers discounts on grocery stores, drugstores, and recreation centers, among others, in Colombia.

C. TUITION AND EDUCATIONAL FEES DISCOUNT

As per the Board of Directors policy for Tuition and Educational Fees Assistance, the following staff member positions are eligible:

• Director
• Principal
• Academic Director
• Associate Principal/Director
• Administrative Director
• Full Time Teacher

The Tuition and Educational Fees Assistance covers a percentage of the cost that depends on the staff member’s position and the current table and is applied to the following educational costs:

• Registration Fee        
• Tuition
• Activities – this fee covers pre-defined and pre-established activities
• Transportation Service - Staff Rate
• Cafeteria - Staff Rate
• Learning Center

This benefit covers a maximum of two (2) children per full-time employed staff member eligible.

This assistance discount does not cover AP Academy costs, School and/or Athletic uniforms, Classroom Without Walls (CWW) program, Condor and Co-curricular activities, Yearbook, Class/Individual photographs, or any other costs not stipulated in the list of approved educational costs as outlined above.

The Tuition and Educational Fees Assistance is conditional based on the student’s academic good standing and satisfactory behavior records.

This assistance will be discontinued upon termination of the staff member’s contract or in the event of a change in the contractual status of the employed staff member.

D. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING POLICY

The purpose of the Professional Learning policy is to provide CNG staff and faculty with professional learning opportunities that increase their skills and enhance their contributions to CNG’s school improvement objectives. These professional learning opportunities should optimally be aligned to CNG’s Vision and to the objectives outlined in the School Improvement Plan.

CNG encourages all staff and faculty members to participate in professional development opportunities.

CNG Programs:

- SUNY BUFFALO STATE - The State University of New York MA:

CNG offers the opportunity to seek a Master of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies for International School Educators with  SUNY BUFFALO STATE - The State University of New York. This Master’s Program does not provide a teaching certificate.

CNG provides a discount in tuition for courses for eligible staff. Staff must submit a Professional Development Request for the Program.

Note: For faculty and staff looking to pursue other graduate programs, CNG generally provides only limited financial support given our funding commitments to support the SUNNY program.

- Institución Universitaria Colombo Americana (UNICA):

The Specialization in Bilingual Education is a high quality  program approved by the Colombian Ministry of Education, offered in conjunction with Institución Universitaria Colombo Americana ÚNICA. This  two-semester post-graduate program offers classes  taught at CNG campus. Each module is taught in English and is four weekends long. Some of the classes offered are Technology and Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment, Classroom Management, Learning Disabilities, Foundations of Bilingual Education, Literacies, Academic Writing and Research. CNG staff/faculty interested in applying for a scholarship to take this program must apply and fulfill the requirements established by the university.

- First Aid Training:

Given our commitment to safety and in accordance with the provisions of Colombian law, the following is established in relation to first aid training for CNG personnel:

Category 1: Yearly first aid training is required for front line support personnel:

• Brigaders
• Health Zone personnel
• Coaches and P.E. teachers (in accordance with UNCOLI regulations)

Category 2: Yearly first aid training is required for front line support personnel:

• Directors
• Principals
• Associates Principals/Directors

Category 3: Voluntary sessions provided for CNG faculty/staff based on interest for certification.

• Training is offered in English and Spanish.
• Note: External providers for CWW walls include medical doctors and staff trained and certified in first aid.

Professional Learning Application Process:

All full-time staff and faculty, local and international, are eligible to receive professional learning opportunities. Professional learning can be obtained through attendance to educational courses, seminars, workshops, and degree programs that will assist the staff/faculty member in performing his/her current job functions.

Each year as per the objectives of the School Improvement Plan, CNG will determine the areas that will serve as the critical focus for staff professional learning efforts.

Protocol for PL Approvals:

CNG`s Professional Learning Committee meets regularly to analyze each professional learning (PL) request and send forward a determination following the criteria outlined below:

- Relevance:

• PL opportunity is linked to the current position.
• Training or studies are aligned with the school improvement goals and/or strategic plan

- The Applicant:

• The applicant will be returning to CNG the following school year.
• The faculty/staff member is not on an improvement plan.
• The applicant has completed one full year at CNG.

- Budgetary Considerations:

• The direct supervisor has previously approved the request, considering the pre-approved PL budget.
• Previous approvals will be considered to ensure equity of opportunities for all faculty/staff.
• Virtual modality is encouraged over face-to-face whenever possible due to budget limitations.
• In-person PL needs to be in the Americas.

Certificate of Completion:

To comply with internal and external accreditation standards, CNG’s HR Department continuously keeps track of professional learning hours and credits for all faculty and staff. A copy of the diploma and/or certificate of completion must be turned in to CNG’s HR Department in order for the conference/course/workshop to be included in the professional development file.

D. WORKERS FUND – FONDO DE EMPLEADOS

(External Provider / Proveedor Externo)

The Fondo de Empleados del Colegio Nueva Granada is an separate entity created more than 50 years ago to encourage savings among the school's employees and, nowadays, also among the employees of the Hogar Nueva Granada, and to promote the general well-being of all of the members. All of the school´s employees are invited to participate in the Fondo and benefit from the opportunities it offers. The Fondo and its Board are always searching for ways to help its members by creating a spirit of mutual help and respect for each individual’s job. Its main functions include developing savings funds for members; lending money to its associates for specific needs at very low-interest rates, according to their capacity; working as a group to improve, through conferences, courses and teamwork, the quality of life of each member and their families; and educating the community in social economics. For more information, please go to www.femCNG.com or visit the fondo's office located in the cafeteria on the first floor of the administration building.