News | 12 August 2026
Principal`s Letter August 2026
Principal`s Letter , August 2026
Dear Parents and Guardians, 12th August 2026
We hope you have all had a wonderful and relaxing summer break and are energized for an exciting new school year at IES Årsta. We wish you all a very warm welcome to the new academic year!
Start of Term
Preparations at the school are in full swing to welcome both new and returning students for the start of the term. Here are the schedule details for the first few days:
Monday, August 17 – Start times:
Year 4: 09:00 – 12:00
Year 5: 09:30 – 12:00
Year 6–7: 10:00 – 13:00
Year 8–9: 10:30 – 14:00
Tuesday, August 18: Regular schedule begins
Wednesday, August 26: Parents' meeting (17:00 – 18:00)
Junior Club will be open for anyone who wants to try it out from Tuesday, August 18 to Friday, August 21 during the first week. Starting Monday, August 24, parents will need to register their child and pay the Junior Club fee.
Changes and News
We have the great pleasure of introducing Jessica Ehrnlund as our new school nurse, and Sara Sebhat as our new study and career counselor.
Some changes to Skollagen have come into effect for the year. It is now legally required for schools to be completely mobile-free. As you know, we started collecting mobile phones last year, and we are pleased with the positive impact we saw on our students. We are also grateful for the support you parents expressed regarding our phone collection policy.
Another change in School law requires all schools to have a document for School Rules (including consequences) that is communicated to and understood by the students. Furthermore, an Expectations Document must be shared with parents and students. You will receive this via SchoolSoft next week. You can read through it prior to the development talks on Wednesday, September 9, where you and the mentors will have the chance to discuss it and ask questions.
A new school year brings new opportunities, new knowledge, and new challenges. Our most important mission is to create a safe and inspiring environment where every student can grow and reach their full potential, enabling them to make good life decisions and contribute positively to society. Together, we build a school culture defined by joy in learning, community, and respect.
A warm welcome to the 2026/2027 academic year and as always, do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Mr Gellerstedt
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Dear Parents and Guardians, 21st August 2026
The school year is now underway, and we have had a wonderful first week together with both new and returning students. Thank you for your engagement and support during the start of the term!
Changes to the Education Act (Skollagen) 2026
In 2026, a series of changes were introduced to the Education Act. Below is a brief summary of what this means for IES Årsta. Our focus is to ensure that laws and regulations are complied with.
1. New Law on Mobile-Free Schools: All schools in Sweden must be mobile-free. A legal requirement is also being introduced for schools to collect mobile phones during the school day.
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For IES Årsta, this means we will continue with our procedures established in 2025: collecting mobile phones during the first lesson and returning them after the last lesson.
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Potential exceptions can be made for medical reasons, for example. This will be used restrictively and decided by the school leadership.
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NEW - Students must follow the school's mobile phone ban even before the first lesson or after the last lesson—for example, if they arrive at school early, or are waiting for tutorials, mother tongue lessons, or a sibling after the school day ends.
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If a student uses their phone at school, it will be viewed as a disruption of order, and the mobile phone will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day.
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If a student repeatedly uses their mobile phone at school, the school will confiscate the device and contact guardians to pick it up. The school will also initiate an investigation into repeated disruptions of order and apply relevant consequences.
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Students will receive information about this next week (week 35), and the new rules will take effect in week 36.
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Students can always call their guardians from the reception phone between 7:00 and 16:30.
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NEW - IES Årsta recommends leaving mobile phones at home. IES Årsta takes no responsibility for lost or damaged mobile phones at school; full responsibility lies with the guardians.
2. Stricter Requirements for Safety and Study Environment
For IES Årsta, this means we will continue our strong procedures to promote safety and a calm learning environment.
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We work preventatively through our Plan Against Demeaningly Aggressive Behaviour (Plan mot kränkande behandling), regular surveys, mentors, and the Student Health Team.
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We have a strong organization alongside clear, effective procedures for addressing incidents or harassment. These include the Reflection Room (temporary removal from class), incident investigations, and applying consequences under the Education Act (e.g., written warnings, temporary internal/external relocation, and suspension).
School Rules and Declaration of Expectations document now mandatory Previously, schools used ‘ordningsregler’ (sometimes called ‘trivselregler’) created together with students.
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NEW - The Principal must now decide on School Rules and develop a Declaration of Expectations document for the school, anchoring these with students and guardians. IES Årsta has updated our school rules and created a new a Declaration of Expectations document. Both documents are shared here with you as a guardian, and it is important that you read through them.
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NEW - During the Development talks on Wednesday, September 9, you will confirm that you have read the School Rules and Expectations Document together with your child's mentor by signing the document.
A Reminder of Changes Introduced in the Education Act 2025:
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Every school must have an emergency preparedness plan and ongoing security protocols to handle violent situations.
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All schools must take measures to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing school grounds.
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The Principal may decide to search bags and other items brought to school or school activities.
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The Principal has a legal obligation to file a police report if a student is suspected of committing a crime.
You are always welcome to contact me if you have any questions regarding the Education Act.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Together, we create a safe environment and optimal conditions for learning for the children at school.
Kind regards,
Mr Gellerstedt