Keystone International Schools Welcome Guide 2015-16

2015 -16

Welcome to Istanbul !

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Keystone International Schools Welcome Guide 2015-16

Küçük Çamlıca Kindergarten & Primary & Secondary Phone: +90 216 370 4951 [email protected] Dragos Kindergarten & Preschool Phone: +90 216 370 4920 [email protected] Erenköy Kindergarten & Preschool Phone: +90 216 355 2518 [email protected]

Table of Contents

About KIS 2

About Turkey 3

Safety 4

Holidays 5

Istanbul Apps 6

Housing 7

Utilities 7

Daily Life 8

Hospitals 9

Post Office 10

Transportation 11

Survival Turkish 12

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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Keystone International Schools (KIS) would like to welcome you and your family to Istanbul.

We would like to give you some information about KIS and ease some questions you may have

about Istanbul. We welcome any questions you may have. We understand that relocating to

Istanbul is a big change, whether this is your first time venturing out into the world or you are

an expert ex-pat. We hope that this significant change in your life is a positive one.

About Keystone

Keystone International Schools’ founders envisioned a school in which children were encouraged to

explore, inquire and wonder about themselves and the world around them. We felt a great need for a

school that would address the heart and will as well as the mind of the child. This whole-child approach

is the cornerstone of our philosophy, curriculum and environment. We believe that education should

open the mind and cultivate human intelligence. Keystone’s holistic or whole-system approach to

education fosters the capacities needed for a successful, purposeful, and joyful life, ignites intrinsic

passion for learning, and inspires responsibility for self, community and the world.

Keystone education spans early childhood through high school, and, at each developmental stage—from

toddler to young adult—addresses the student’s growing capacity for thinking, feeling, and willing

(doing). This holistic, three-fold approach is referred to as learning through “head, heart and hands.”

Our Philosophy

At Keystone, we hope to instill in our students an intrinsic appreciation for life and a love of learning. It

is our aim to provide children with the skills necessary to become responsible, environmentally and

socially conscious, independent world citizens.

We envision an institution in which children are encouraged to explore, inquire and wonder about

themselves and the world around them. We aim to address the heart and will as well as the mind of the

child. This whole-child approach is the cornerstone of our philosophy, curriculum and environment. We

believe that education should open minds and cultivate human intelligence. Our holistic approach to

education fosters the capacity needed for a successful life full of purpose, and joy. It ignites intrinsic

passion for learning, and inspires responsibility for self, community and the world.

Our Values

Keystone International Schools were established to provide

children with an educational environment with a holistic

approach that incorporates the following tenets:

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Strong connections between individuals

Open and honest communication

The value of all contributions, whether large or small

The health, happiness and safety of children

About Turkey

Geography

Turkey is at the northeast end of the Mediterranean Sea in southeast Europe and southwest

Asia. To the north is the Black Sea and to the west is the Aegean Sea. Its neighbors are Greece

and Bulgaria to the west, Russia, Ukraine, and Romania to the north and northwest (through

the Black Sea), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east, and Syria and Iraq to the

south. Istanbul is divided in two by the Bosphorus, thus the two sides Asian and European.

CLIMATE

There are four distinct seasons in Istanbul. The autumn is mild, the winter is wet, cold and

unpredictable, with snowfall some years and other years no snow at all. The spring is cool, and

the summer is quite warm

Government

Republican parliamentary democracy

History

Anatolia (Turkey in Asia) was occupied in about 1900 B.C. by the Indo-European Hittites and,

after the Hittite empire's collapse in 1200 B.C., by Phrygians and Lydians. The Persian Empire

occupied the area in the 6th century B.C., giving way to the Roman Empire, then later the

Byzantine Empire. The Ottoman Turks first appeared in the early 13th century. They gradually

spread through the Near East and Balkans, capturing Constantinople in 1453 and storming the

gates of Vienna two centuries later. At its height, the Ottoman Empire stretched from the

Persian Gulf to western Algeria. Lasting for 600 years, the Ottoman Empire was not only one of

the most powerful empires in the history of the Mediterranean region, but it generated a great

cultural outpouring of Islamic art, architecture, and literature. Turkey's current boundaries

were drawn in 1923, and Turkey became a republic with Kemal Atatürk as the first president.

The Ottoman sultanate and caliphate were abolished, and modernization, reform, and

industrialization began under Atatürk's direction. He secularized Turkish society, reducing

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Islam's dominant role. After Atatürk's death in 1938, parliamentary government and a

multiparty system gradually took root in Turkey, despite periods of instability and brief intervals

of military rule. Turkey became a full member of NATO in 1952, joined the Organization for

European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) and the Council of Europe, and became an associate

member of the European Common Market in 1963.

Earthquakes in Turkey

We suggest you prepare an emergency bag which should include passports/residency

permits/IDs or copies of these items as well as a first aid kit, some petty cash, water and non-

perishable food items.

On October 23, 2011, an earthquake, measured at 7.2 in magnitude, struck Turkey in Van

Province, near the border of Iran. The death toll quickly rose to more than 360 and was

expected to climb higher. Rescue teams worked quickly to find survivors in more than 2,260

buildings that had collapsed from the earthquake. More than 1,300 were injured in what was

one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the area in recent years.

Safety

Istanbul is a large and crowded city, and though it is safe, newcomers are advised to exercise

the same caution they would in any large city. Burglary and purse-snatchings do happen, but

are rare. While it is acceptable to dress according to taste, women may find that revealing

clothing will attract unwelcome attention. Although there are many street dogs; rabies is rare

and the dogs are docile.

Emergency Numbers

Fire 110

Ambulance 112

Police 155

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Residence and Work Permits: It is recommended to check with most recent laws with the

Turkish embassy when you are in your home country. Bureaucracy is inevitable and it is best to

be patient when it comes to paperwork.

Turkish Holidays

Date English Name Turkish Name Explanation

January 1 New Year’s Day Yilbasi First day of the new year

April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day

Ulusal Egemenlik ve Cocuk Bayrami

Commemoration of the first opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey at Ankara In 1920. Dedicated to the children.

May 1 Labor Day Isci Bayrami

May 19 Youth and Sports Day Genclik ve Spor Bayrami

Commemoration of the beginning of national liberation movement initiated in 1919 by Ataturk's landing in Samsun. Dedicated to the youth.

August 30 Victory Day Zafer Bayrami Commemoration of the victory at the final battle in Dumlupinar ending the Turkish Independence War In 1922. Dedicated to the armed forces.

October 29 Republic Day Cumhuriyet Bayrami Commemoration of the proclamation of the republic in 1923. Also the half-day in the afternoon of previous day.

November 10 Ataturk Memorial Day Ataturk Anma Gunu At 9:05am all citizens of Turkey stand still for a moment of silence. Do not be startled by the alarms that are sounded as a reminder.

The major Islamic holidays observed in Turkey are Seker Bayrami (celebrated after the fasting

month of Ramadan), and Kurban Bayrami. As the Islamic calendar is lunar based, the dates of

Muslim holidays observed in Turkey move forward approximately 11 days each year.

Ramadan is the month in which most Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, refraining from food

and water. At the end of the month it is celebrated with Seker Bayrami (Candy Festival).

Kurban Bayrami (Feast of Sacrifice), as it features the sacrifice of an animal (typically a cow,

goat, or sheep) in commemoration of the ram sacrificed by Abraham in place of his son. Both

Islamic holidays are national holidays in which government offices, schools and some

businesses close for approximately 3 – 5 days, depending on the decision made by the

government.

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Quick Reference Apps for Smartphones/Tablets

LOGISTICS

IBB Cep Traflk : IBB Trafik This app shows live traffic info with a nice color scheme

(green=no traffic, orange=slow but moving traffic, red=you’re running really late if you

use this route). It also has road work info, live camera feeds, and the estimated amount

of traffic in the next 15-60 minutes. No Istanbulite leaves his/her home without

checking IBB Trafik.

Metro Ulasim or Metro Istanbul: guides to the underground system Deniz Otobusu-

times and routes for the ferries

Deniz Taksi: order your private water transport/taxi

Bitaksi: call a taxi app

Hareket Saati: times for buses, trains. ferries

Nerede bu Otobus or Istanbul Otobus Duraklari: Istanbul bus stops and routes and

times Taksimetre- tells you how much you should be paying for a taxi from point A to

point B. shows you the most direct route, and gives you the numbers of taxi stands

closest to you.

Karayollari Haritasi (Highway Map): name says it all

Sehlrler Arasl mesafesl: calculates the distance between Turkish towns.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Acil ve Onemli (urgent & important): guide to emergency services

Eczane: find the pharmacy closest to you

En Yakin Hastane- (Closest Hospital): find the hospital closest to you in case of

emergency

Migros: online grocery shopping.

Yemeksepeti: get restaurant delivery from practically any place in your area.

ENTERTAINMENT

lstanbul.com : see what's going on in the city this week

Blletlx: online box office

Sinemalar: see what films are playing, where, and at what time www.sinemalar.com

Babylon: see what's on at this popular music venue

Istanbul Eat: restaurant guide

http://www.sinemalar.com/

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On the Web

Mymerhaba.com

Facebook – foreign women of Istanbul Group; Istanbul Moms Group; Greenlist Teachers

Group; Buy, Sell, Swap Group

What to bring…Suggestions:

Bring with you any medication, cosmetics, vitamins, etc., that you use regularly. Some may be

available here, but your particular brand may be difficult to find. Although in recent years the

selection of items available has increased tremendously.

Other items to bring include: Shoes in larger sizes, tall men's clothing, bathing suits in larger

sizes, and converter for travelling.

Housing and Utilities

There are many real estate offices available in Istanbul. You can also check online for rentals

and/or roommates. Apartments, condos and single-family homes range in price depending on

neighborhood. A rental lease normally requires a deposit of one to two month’s rent. There is

also a realty finder’s fee.

Utilities: Utilities can be turned on at utility offices. Cable and internet can be turned on

via telephone.

Electricity: Ayedas (Asian Side) and Bedas (European Side) 444 6186

Natural Gas: Igdas 444 3636

Water: Iski telephone number 185

Cable Tv: Digiturk 473 7373 (cable tv and internet options) and

D-smart 444 6 633 (satellite television and internet options).

Internet: Superonline 0850 222 1 222 and TTNET 444 0 375

Cell Phone: Turkcell, Vodafone, and Avea

Daily Life

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Groceries: Supermarkets are conveniently located in many parts of town, although lack of

parking space is an issue at most of them. Markets in foreigner intense areas are

likely to have a good selection of imported specialties. Common supermarket

chains are: Macro, Migros, and Carrefour.

All neighborhoods have small markets called ‘Bakkal.”

Water: Istanbul’s tap water is not drinkable but there are many bottled water

companies who deliver 5 liter containers straight to your door.

For example: Tasdelen (available in glass) and Erikli (plastic bottle).

Alcohol: You can purchase beer, wine, and liquor from grocery stores and markets.

Malls: There are many malls in Istanbul. Some of the larger ones on the Asian side are

Palladium, Optimum, Maltepe Park and Meydan. Some of the larger ones on the

European side are Metrocity, Istanbul Forum, Istinye Park and Akmerkez.

Electronics : Teknosa http://www.teknosa.com/

MediaMarkt: http://www.mediamarkt.com.tr/

Bimeks http://www.bimeks.com.tr/mapzalar/

Bazaars: There are also traditional bazaars and organize bazaars in all neighborhoods,

where you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, clothes and miscellaneous items.

Books: There are a number of place where you can find books in English. D&R, Ramzey,

Greenhouse and some second-hand bookstores in Kadikoy and Taxim.

Hair Salons: There are a growing number of salons for both men and women.

Restaurants: Turksih Kebabs, Iskender, durum and lahmacun are a few of the delicious tastes

you will find. You can also find a variety of fish during season. If you miss ethnic

foods, there are a few Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Italian and German

restaurants available. Istanbul has McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried

Chicken, Subway, Burger King, Schlotzsky's, Quizno's Subs, Krispy Kreme,

Domino's Pizza, Little Caesar's Pizza, TGI Friday's, Tribecca, Gloria jean's,

Starbuck's, and more.

Online restaurants: www.yemeksepeti.com

http://www.mediamarkt.com.tr/

http://www.yemeksepeti.com/

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Hospitals: There are many hospitals in Istanbul. Keystone Internationals schools have an

agreement and considerable discount for all KIS families and staff with Fatih

University Hospital in Dragos, Istanbul.

Pharmacies: Most pharmacies or chemists (eczane) are open 09:00am-I9:00pm

Monday-Saturday. Pharmacies are indicated by a white, square sign displaying a

red letter "E" for easy identification.

For each neighborhood, there is at least one on-call pharmacy

(called 'nobetci eczane') that will be open I9:00pm-09:00am.There will also be an

on-call pharmacy open Sundays. There is a rotation schedule that can be found

at http://www.istanbulsaglik.gov.tr/Index_Nobetci.asp

Banks: Garanti, Yapi Kredi, HSBC, ING, and many more.

Contact Information:

http://hastane.fatih.edu.tr/?&changelang=EN

Türkçe: 0216 458 9000

Arabic: 0530 326 5574

English: 0530 326 5599

Russian: 0533 294 1789

French: 0530 829 9636

http://www.istanbulsaglik.gov.tr/Index_Nobetci.asp

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Post Office: Post Offices are located all over Istanbul.

You can find international parcel rates here:

http://www.ptt.v.tr/tr/tarifelyurtdisjkolitarifesiytl.htm

and international letter rates here: http://www.ptt.rov.tr/tr/tarifel l.htm

Couriers: National

Aras Kargo TEL: 444-25-52 www.arascar&o.com

Yurth;i Kargo TEL:444-99-99 www.yurticikargo.com

International

DHL TEL: 444-00-40 www.dhl.com.tr

Federal Express TEL: 444-05-05 www.fedex.com/tr

UPS TEL: 444-00-33 www.ups.com.tr

Transportation:

Istanbul Kart is a convenient reusable magnetic card which has the added advantage of

providing discounted fares on both public and private city buses, the metro, and public boats

so you don't have to search for a ticket or token seller: You can reload your Istanbul Kart at the

places which sell it (usually white vestibules near larger stops).

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Transport/

Mode of Transportation

Istanbul Card Ipad/Table App / website

Metro yes http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr

Sea bus yes Deniz Otobusu / http://www.ido.com.tr/en

Ferries http://www.sehirhatlari.com.tr/

City Bus yes Hareket Saati/ http://www.iett.gov.tr/en/main/pages/buses/156

Metrobus yes http://www.iett.gov.tr/en

Tramway yes http://www.iett.gov.tr/en

Tunel No - token http://www.iett.gov.tr/en

Taxi No -cash Bitaksi

Mini-bus No - cash

Dolmus No -cash

http://www.ptt.rov.tr/tr/tarifel%20l.htm

http://www.yurticikargo.com/

http://www.ups.com.tr/

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Transport/

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Intercity Bus: The intercity bus service is cheap, comfortable, and efficient. The onboard

service is similar to that of airplanes in that stewards frequently offer drinks and

snacks. The more reliable companies are Varan, Pamukkale, Niliifer, Metro and

Ulusoy. The buses stop at their own company-owned restaurants and pit-stops

which are generally clean and comfortable.

Airports: Ataturk Airport is located on the European Side in Yesilkoy. Major Interational

Airlines all fly out of this airport.

Sabiha Gokcen Airport is located on the Asian Side in Kurtkoy. Airlines that fly

out of this airport are Pegasus, Turkish Airlines, German Wings, etc.

Museums: Istanbul has many historic sites including Aya Sofia (St.Sophia), Kariye Camii

(St. Saviour in Chora), the Hippodrome, the city walls and underground cisterns

(Yerebatan), Topkapi Palace, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art (Ibrahim

Pap Sarayi), the Naval and Military museums, Dolmabahce Palace, the

Archaeological Museum in addition to the Istanbul Modern art museum, Santral

lstanbul, and special interest museums like the Sadberk Hamm Museum and the

Rahmi Koc; Museum of Transport, Industry and Communications.

Nightlife: There are bars and cafes for almost every taste, many of which offer live music,

both foreign and Turkish. Closing times vary from district to district. Bar prices’

range from reasonable to very expensive. There are frequent concerts,

performances, and music festivals of many descriptions, and in summer many of

these take place outdoors. The main concentration of night life attractions are in

the Beyoglu/Taksim area of the European side, and Kadikoy and Caddebostan on

the Asian side of Istanbul.

Day Trips: Some nearby sights, beaches and day trips may be of interest to you.

Riva Beach, Sile, Agva, Belgrade Forest, Park Orman, Kilyos Beach, The Prince’s

Islands, and Anadolu Feneri.

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Survival Turkish Words/Phrases:

We hope your transition to Istanbul is an easy one. We hope you enjoy your time at Keystone

International Schools. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for this newcomers guide

to Istanbul.

English Turkish

Hi/Hello Merhaba

Good Morning Gunaydin

Good Evening Iyi Aksamlar

How are you? Nasilsiniz?

Fine, thank you. Iyiyim tesekurler.

Thank you Tesekurler

See you later Gorusuruz

Goodbye Hoscakal

I’m lost Kayboldum

Can you help me? Bana yardim edermisiniz?

Help! Yardim!

How much is this? Bu nekadar?

Where is … Nerede….

Go straight Dogru git

Go right Sa git

Go left Sol git

bank Banka

Documents

Keystone International Schools Welcome Guide 2015-16