Congregation Shaarey Israel School Policies 2011-2012

Philosophy

The religious school at Congregation Shaarey Israel strives to create a positive learning environment that is rich in meaningful Jewish experiences. Our goal will be to enrich the lives of our students and foster a love and connection to Judaism that will last a lifetime. We have chosen to support an “experiential learning philosophy” because we believe that students learn best through “hands on” Jewish learning. The younger grades (K-2) will learn the basics through use of games, stories, cooking, art and music with a concentration on Jewish holidays. The upper grades (3-7) will incorporate technology, filmmaking, cooking, music, art and photography into the curriculum. The curriculum will also address Hebrew literacy, Jewish history, study of the Torah, life cycle, Jewish holidays, Israel, community service and the learning of ritual and prayer. Trips will be incorporated throughout the year to local Jewish scholars, craftsman, local businesses and other places of interest. Children in the upper grades will be required to attend Jr. Congregation once a month. All children are welcome and encouraged to participate in all Jewish holiday programs.

School Hours

Tueday Afternoon

4:15-5:45 p.m. –Grades K-3

Monday and Wednesday Afternoons

4:30-6:30 p.m. – Grades 3-7

Requirements

Attendance

Regular attendance at Religious School is of utmost importance because it is correlated with educational success. It ensures continuity of learning and effective integration into the social fabric of the classroom. Families will be contacted by the classroom teacher when a student misses three consecutive classes. We urge you to contact the school principal if attendance becomes a problem due to illness, or any other reason.

Attendance at ten Jr. Congregations per year is required for students in grades 3-7. Attendance at other synagogues for Simchas will be counted. Attendance on Shabbat will be monitored by a card system. Students will earn passes that will count toward Jr. Congregation attendance by doing extra curriculum activities throughout the year.

Drop Off and Pick Up

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Students – Parents of children enrolled in Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday classes may drop off their children at the rear door facing the parking lot. This door will be opened at 4:00 pm. We ask that you drop off your children on time, but no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the start time of 4:30 pm. When picking up your child, we ask that you line up along the side of the building. The children will be dismissed at 5:45 pm on Tuesday and at 6:30 pm. on Monday and Wednesday. The teacher will be outside until all children are picked up. We ask that children and parents do not walk on the grass while accessing the door into the synagogue. In the event that another adult (other than the parent ) is picking up your child, please inform the principal in advance.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, we urge you to log on to Cancellations.com where a posting of cancellation will appear. Most often a decision to close on a weekday morning will be made on the evening before. Generally a decision to cancel will be made after 12:00 noon on the day of Religious School. Please check Cancellations.com for an updated posting. If the public schools have closed in the morning, it is possible that religious school will take place in the afternoon once roads are plowed and our parking lot is clear. You should check your email for a school update or call the school office.

Communication Between Home and Religious School

Email: In keeping with our “Going Green Policy” email updates will become standard at Congregation Shaarey Israel. It is every family’s responsibility to make sure that your current email address is on file with the administrative office. Please check your email on a regular basis for important school updates and announcements.

Updates, Program Reminders and Information- Please check our website for flyers on upcoming children’s programs. We will email any flyers that pertain to special programs for families and children.

Questions and Concerns-Any particular classroom concerns should be addressed to the classroom teacher. The teacher will provide parents with contact information at the start of the school year. Parents may call the principal if they need to contact the child’s teacher. If the parent believes that the question or concern extends beyond the realm or responsibility of the teacher, they are kindly asked to contact the school Principal. The principal may be contacted through the synagogue office at 845.369.0300.

Health and Safety Concerns

Emergency Notification

In this mailing there will be an emergency form which you will fill out regarding how you wish to be contacted in the event of an emergency. We will ask for your contact information and contact information for two emergency contacts. Please fill out forms and return to the office on or before the first day of school. No child will be permitted to attend unless an emergency form is on file. Please mail to the office, or drop it by the synagogue.

Medications

Only emergency medications (Epipens, asthma inhalers, and diabetes medications) will be permitted. These medications need to be sent with the student in grades 3-7, and held by the principal for pupils of grades K-2 . If a student requires assistance in administering the medication, the parents will be responsible for training the classroom teacher or principal. Both the instructions for how to administer the medication and indications for administering the medication should be printed and kept with the medication at all times. The religious school faculty will not dispense any other medications including over the counter medications.

Food

All food served at Congregation Shaarey Israel must be certified kosher. In the event that you are asked to send in food, please be sure that there is a kosher symbol on the package. We will accept circle K, Chaf K, and OU as acceptable symbols of Kashrut. Any products bought in kosher stores such as Wesley Kosher will be accepted, as well as items purchased in supermarkets that contain kosher symbols. Snacks may be brought to school as long as they are wrapped and kosher. To avoid any serious allergic reactions, we have chosen to be a “peanut free” environment, and ask that you do not send food products to school that contain peanuts, or traces of peanuts.

Dress

Any dress that your child would normally wear to school is acceptable. Boys will be asked to wear yarmulkes at all times in and around the synagogue.

Recess

During each religious school session we will allow for a 10-15 minute recess. Children will be allowed to play in our playground that is designed for children ages 2-12. If your child has any physical limitations, please make us aware of them. Safety is our primary concern and we will take all measures to ensure that play in our playground is safe and supervised. Outdoor recess will be supervised by the classroom teacher and assistant. In the event of inclement weather, recess will take place in Classroom B.

Homework

Homework will be given at the discretion of the classroom teacher. It is not our intention to assign students with large amounts of homework. However, language acquisition such as Hebrew literacy is acquired through repetition and practice. Therefore, some homework might be assigned. There will also be projects that will require work at home. Parent involvement is much appreciated, even if it is listening to your child read out loud.

Junior Congregation

Attendance at Jr. Congregation will be mandatory for all students in grades 3-7, and will also serve as a requirement for Bar/Bat mitzvah candidates. Junior Congregation will take place on the last Shabbat of every month at 10:30 a.m. Those children who’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah falls within the academic year are strongly urged to attend.

Report Cards and Conferences

Report cards will document the progress that your child is making with his/her Hebrew literacy and other aspects of learning in the classroom. The report cards will be done online and emailed to you twice during the year. We will have one “meet the teacher night” and two teacher conference nights during the year to discuss your child’s individual progress. It is mandatory that you attend the teacher conferences so that you will be advised of your child’s progress.

Trips

We will be scheduling several trips throughout the year. Prior to each trip we will ask that you fill out a permission slip and return it to the school office. Volunteers will be asked to drive children to the trip destination. This normally is not more than 3 cars. We invite all parents to participate in our class trips. They are exciting, education and the children and parents will enjoy them. You will find a “Permission Slip” online. In the event that we schedule a trip, please download the “Permission Slip,” fill it out and return it to the teacher in advance of the trip.

Computers and Electronic Devices

Our classroom is equipped with two new computers. The purpose of these computers is to encourage our students to use the educational software that compliments their Hebrew reading curriculum. The computers are not to be used for games, email or going online for any purpose other than learning in the classroom. Cell phones are not to be used during class time. Please do not allow your child to bring any electronic devises such as games, cell phones, etc, as they detract from learning.