2007-2008 Parent Handbook K-5
Message from the
Director / Message
from Rabbi's Study / Statement
of Philosophy / Absences/
Accreditation
/ Arrival
and Dismissal / Attendance
/ Bar and Bat
Mitzvah / Behavior
/ Cell
Phones / Dress
and Uniforms / Homework
/
Jewish Observance and Worship
/
Lunch and Snack / Medical
Information /
Emergencies / Hurricanes
/ Medicines
/ Parent
Involvement / Progress
Reports / Report
Cards / Special
Events / Special
Services / Supplies
One of the most important times of the school day is the beginning, when the tone is set for the rest of the day. This is an opportunity for all of us to reflect upon our good fortune to live in a free country and to be proud of our heritage as Jews. Our opening exercises consist of songs, prayers, and thoughts that embody the ideals we teach and live. From time to time certain elements may be added or substituted, particularly in the older grades, but a core program remains constant. We want to take this opportunity to tell you what we do so that you may help your child become further familiar with our routine.
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MODEH ANI |
May your days begin as ours, with song and joy. May we also remind you that school begins at 8:15AM, and all students are expected to be on time so that we can make the most out of the school day. Parents may not bring children to school more than 15 minutes prior to the beginning of school, when our teachers are on duty at the car-line gate. Our morning routine begins almost immediately, and tardiness does disrupt these important prayers and songs that provide us with inspiration and atmosphere that guides the rest of the day.
We appreciate your cooperation.
JAN GOLDMANN, Ed.S.
Excellence in Academics…Easy to say, and hard to explain. Is it a program? Is it an initiative? Is it a goal? Yes, it is all of these and, we hope, much more. And, what is the aim of education? Is the primary goal of schooling to train young people to pass tests and get good grades, or is it, as Jean Piaget once put it, "To train young people to think for themselves and not to accept the first idea that comes to them."
At Jacobson Sinai Academy, "Excellence in Education" is a culture. It is a strategic plan for immersing students in a culture of excellence - in a culture where one's own achievement is required and excellence is encouraged and valued. The goal of our educational system must be to produce responsible citizens who have the tools to participate productively and meaningfully in the world around them - to be leaders of tomorrow in all areas of culture, science, business service and government. Through the teachings about God, Torah and Israel, we understand that knowledge and experience, absent of core Jewish values, are extremely limited. Our Jewish perspective drives us to excellence in all that we do. All our programs reflect quality and encourage each student to embrace this culture of quality. We, as professional leaders and teachers, expect excellence from ourselves and encourage our students to seek excellence in all their endeavors.
JSA is that rare combination of programmatic excellence and a values centered environment. It's a school which will prepare students for high school and college, and career, through a rich and fulfilling Jewish life.
RABBI ALAN LITWAK
Bruchim HaBa'im - Welcome!
It is a pleasure to welcome you as we begin the new year at Jacobson Sinai Academy. I have the double good fortune to do so, both as rabbi and as a father of three Academy students. This is a wonderful time of the year, filled with anticipation (and even a little anxiety) for what is to come.
Jan Goldmann and Tirza Dalkoff, along with all of the teachers, have been working hard to prepare for another spectacular year at the Elementary School. It is a pleasure for me to be part of such a superb team.
We read in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, "You shall teach [words of Torah] diligently to your children. Speak of them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up." These familiar words speak to the core of Jacobson Sinai Academy's mission. We seek to infuse our children with the gift of knowledge. The text is understood as educating our children at all times, at home and away, throughout the day. This is a joint responsibility between students, teachers, and parents that reaches beyond school hours. Please assist us in these efforts by being active, involved parents. I encourage you to model the importance of study, through your own commitment to learning.
On both a personal and professional note, I hope that we will have a chance to meet and share thoughts about our school, synagogue, and community. Stop by and say hello. My door is almost always open and my voicemail is always available.
May this be a year of growth for you and your family.
A BRIEF STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
The liberal Day School is a new phenomenon in Jewish education, a unique product of contemporary Jewish life in North America. Jewish Education seeks to combine the best we can learn from our interaction with secular culture with the rich traditions of our Jewish heritage.
Tempered by liberal interpretation, we view education as a dynamic process marked by the interaction of content and method. Our goal seeks to:
Acquaint individuals with knowledge about the world in which they live and about themselves as participants in that world
Transmit the cultural heritage and values of society to its members and prepare them for an active role in its destiny
Develop the individual's capacity to inquire, to evaluate and to think reflectively
Awaken in the individual the desire to continue to learn and the awareness that to become increasingly better educated is a life-long pursuit.
We view Jewish Education as the process whereby the individual Jew can develop a sense of positive Jewish identity. Our curriculum seeks to:
WITH THESE CONCEPTS IN MIND, WE STAND COMMITTED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES:
Sinai Academy is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) and the Florida Kindergarten Council (FKC). While the State of Florida does not require private schools to be accredited, Sinai Academy has elected to be subject to the high standards and guidelines set forth by the associations. Our most recent accreditation was received in June 2007.
Instructional hours are from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. each school day. Work begins promptly at 8:15; therefore children should arrive at school between 8:00-8:15, in plenty of time to be in class ready to work at 8:15. In the interest of both safety and security, children must not be dropped off before 8:00 a.m. when teachers and School Patrols officially go on duty.
We do not provide bus transportation and therefore, most families find it convenient to carpool. Virtually all of our students arrive in cars, and we cannot emphasize enough that no child's safety will be compromised.
Thank you in advance for following the safety and security rules that have been implemented for your safety and the safety of your children.
The safety and security of our families and our campus is an absolute priority. Please do your part to maintain the integrity of our procedures. Repeat violations may result in restricting your access to the campus.
Please post carpool name signs on your windshield each day.
Children will be released to their authorized carpool only. While it is important that you pick up your carpool on time, it is equally important for safety reasons that you not arrive early. Carefully enter the parking lot through the main entrance; pull up as far as possible toward the pick up area. The staff in charge of dismissal will direct the children to your car.
Do not leave your car for any reason. Unattended vehicles are a danger and interfere with the timely dismissal of our students. When you are accepting children into your car, come to a complete stop and put your car in "Park." Staff will assist children in getting into cars and closing doors. Please follow their directions completely.
Proper use of seat belts for all children is the law. For those carpools with young children unable to buckle in themselves, please drive to the end of the parking lot, park, and then assist with seat belts. We are committed to maintaining a perfect safety record for each and every child in our school. We cannot do so without your absolute cooperation.
If you have Early Childhood students or Upper School students in your carpool, pick up will be at the Early Childhood Education Center building or the Upper School building. Please follow the same cautionary procedures.
If your child is going home in a carpool other than his regular one, you must notify his/her Master Teacher in writing when school opens that day. You must also notify the child's carpool driver.
While we will do everything we can to help in an emergency such as illness or car trouble, we cannot accept carpool changes for social reasons over the phone during the school day. Children and parents will need to plan ahead for children to travel in other than their regular carpools. Children will not be allowed to phone home during the school day in an attempt to make such alternative arrangements to go to a friend's house. Please do not ask our office staff to break this rule; they will not. No child will ever be released to anyone unless we have been specifically instructed in writing by the parent who that person will be, and we insist on seeing proper identification. Children must be picked up promptly at the end of the school day, or at the conclusion of after-school activities. There will be a charge of $5 per 15 minutes of waiting time after 3:30 or the end of an activity.
If you need to take your child out of school prior to the regular dismissal time, you are required to come into the school office to sign the child out. Children will not be allowed to wait outside at the gate. You may not go to the classroom to pick up your child. It is preferable if you can let the office and teacher know ahead of time that you will be taking your child early. Likewise, if you bring your child to school late, or return after an appointment, you must come into the office to sign the child in. It is imperative that you cooperate with this procedure to ensure the safety of your child.
Prompt arrival and regular attendance are mandatory for success in school. Each child is expected to attend a full day of school every day. After a child has been absent for two consecutive days, the school may contact the home to confirm the nature of the absence. Work missed due to absence will be made up at the discretion of the Master Teacher.
If a child misses eight (8) days in any thirty (30) day period, and as a result school work has suffered, the school will notify the parents of the remediation action needed to be taken. Such remediation action will be at the expense of the parents. If a child is absent more than 20 days in one school year, the child will be in jeopardy of passing to the next grade. State law mandates that students must be in attendance a minimum of 85% of school days to receive credit for the school year.
If such a situation recurs within the academic year, the school may deem the child not to be in good academic standing. This could jeopardize the child's promotion to the next grade.
Each student is required to have a medical examination before school begins. The medical form is obtained from your pediatrician and MUST be the "Student Physical Examination HRS 3040." It must certify that your child has received the proper immunizations. Due to State and County regulations, this form MUST be on file here at school by the first day of school, Monday, August 20, 2007. Students without proper health documents will not be permitted to attend classes.
After any absence, a student must bring a written explanation explaining the nature of the absence. If you know ahead of time that your child will be out of school, please communicate that information in writing to the Master Teacher. Please refrain from taking your child out of school; it is not only disruptive to the individual's educational progress, but can also be disruptive to the rest of the class.
If a child has been ill, please check with your physician that s/he is no longer contagious before s/he returns to school. We should be notified immediately if your child has a communicable disease (such as chicken pox or head lice) so that we may notify other parents. The school reserves the right not to allow a student to return to class if we feel there is a chance of contagion; this includes the presence of head lice or nits.
If a child becomes ill at school, we will use our discretion in calling the parents. If a child is running a fever, the parent will be asked to pick the child up. If the parent is not available, the child will be kept in the school infirmary instead of in class. Children will not be allowed to telephone parents to discuss whether they need to leave school, rather, this will be handled by the teacher, school secretary, or other member of the professional staff.
Each student is required to participate in the Physical Education program each day. No student will be excused from P.E. or swimming without a written explanation from the parent or a physician explaining why such an excuse is necessary. Children may not call the parent from school for such a note.
It is imperative that we have the name and telephone number of someone local as an emergency contact. Please give the name of several individuals who live or work close enough to school to come pick your child up if you cannot be reached or come to school yourself. The school reserves the right to take emergency action on behalf of the child if parents cannot be reached, and if a delay would jeopardize the child's health or safety.
In the event of a hurricane or other weather related emergency, the Administration will make a decision based on the procedures set by the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Should school be closed, you will be contacted by a faculty member.
If your child is taking medicine on a regular basis during the school day, we must have your written permission. Permission is also necessary if your child needs to finish prescribed medicine after an acute illness. Aspirin, Tylenol, and other first-aid items are available in our infirmary, but medicine will not be dispensed without parental approval. Please indicate which of these medications may be given to your child, on the medication form.
To become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a privilege and not a right. We wish to ensure that all our students are properly trained and educated for this special religious moment in their lives. In order for us to make sure that our students are prepared so this day has authentic religious significance, it is necessary that all our students fulfill the basic requirements that have been established by Temple Sinai of North Dade. It is important that each family be in contact with our Rabbi to discuss Bar/Bat Mitzvah eligibility.
Cooperative behavior is part of living in a community. At Sinai Academy, we value the rights of the individual, and help the individual learn how to exist happily and peacefully with his peers. Each Master Teacher works with the class to establish rules appropriate for its age level; these standards must be established in order for effective learning to take place. This includes cooperation, listening to and following directions, respecting the rights of others, being responsible for assigned tasks, and the like. Disruptive behavior interferes with the teacher's ability to achieve stated objectives and prevents other students from learning. Physical abuse of fellow students or of school property will not be tolerated.
Various methods of discipline are utilized to encourage and reinforce appropriate behavior. Inappropriate behavior may result in the loss of free time or special privileges. Parents will be notified of behavioral problems and may be asked to sign communications from teachers acknowledging such problems, and to attend conferences with the teacher and/ or the Administration.
When inappropriate behavior by a student becomes consistent or when a specific infraction is deemed serious or dangerous by the faculty, additional steps will be taken by the school. These may include after-school detention, suspension from school, recommendation for psychological counseling at the parents' expense, or expulsion from the school.
Guidance counselors are available to consult with teachers, students, and parents concerning any pertinent issues. Among their responsibilities are setting up and implementing behavior modification programs, conducting class sessions on social interaction skills and teaching thematic units as well as providing support to families.
Homework is an essential component of the learning process as it teaches self-discipline while helping reinforce concepts learned in class. It is an integral and required part of your child's education. Failure to complete homework assignments will affect a child's academic progress and success. In cases where homework has not been completed, the teacher will send a note home in the child's homework book, indicating the assignment, when assigned and due, and when the redone assignment is due. This note must be signed and returned the next day. If the work is not turned in on the required day, the teacher will call home.
Clear and precise directions for home assignments are given in class. Students copy the assignment from a posted chart where all teachers list required class assignments. Homework is the responsibility of the student. Parents should show support by providing a quiet place to study, helping the child schedule homework periods, and occasionally assisting the child when needed.
If you feel that your child's homework is too difficult, or takes an inordinate amount of time to complete, you need to bring this to the teacher's attention. The teacher may have no other indication that your child is feeling frustrated or overwhelmed by what s/he is doing at home. You and the teacher have the common goal of helping your child achieve success.
Many children appreciate it when you offer to monitor or assist them. Others prefer to work independently. Try to respect your child's individual learning style.
Communication to and from the school is essential for your child's comfort. We suggest that you establish a routine with your child for emptying out the school bag and together reading the notices which appear almost daily. Some teachers require that parents sign the assignment, and this, too, affords a good opportunity to be aware of what is going on.
If your child is absent from school and you wish to have homework assignments and books brought home with another child or sent to the office for you to pick up, please telephone the school office before 10:00 a.m. that day. Requests made after 10:00 a.m. will be honored the following school day, if still necessary.
In grades 3-5 homework assignments are posted on the school's website-
click on visit the classrooms
click on homework
click on your particular teacher
Having the proper school supplies and taking care of the community property of the school are important values for our students to learn. Each teacher will provide a list of required supplies for the class, as needs vary from grade to grade. Personal consumable supplies are the responsibility of each student; it is expected that parents will help the student replace items as they are used up.
Textbooks are supplied to each student. All hard cover textbooks must be kept covered to protect them from wear. Students may not write in textbooks or deface them in any way. Book covers may need to be replaced during the course of the school year. Students are responsible for the texts issued to them; lost or damaged textbooks must be replaced at the parents' expense.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent/Teacher Conference sessions are scheduled on the academic calendar twice each year. At these conferences, parents will have the opportunity to meet individually with the child's Master Teacher, and often with other teachers as well. These meetings are about the child's academic progress, and may include standardized test results. However, if parental concerns do not coincide with the scheduled conference times, teachers will be happy to set up special appointments. Parents should write the teacher a note or call the school secretary to ask her help in scheduling a meeting. Conferences are important to the parent, child, and teacher, and require proper preparation to be most effective. Effective treatment of concerns cannot take place in the parking lot, the hallways, or in public places such as the supermarket or the synagogue.
Report cards are issued four times each year at approximately nine week intervals. These reports are intended to communicate the teacher's evaluations of the child's strengths and weaknesses in each subject area as well as developmental skills such as responsibility for criteria, focus on individual potential and progress rather than absolute standards of measurement. Interim progress reports will be distributed mid quarter on a need be basis only.
All students must bring their lunches to school. In some classes, snacks will be provided once each day at the discretion of the teacher.
Lunches are to be brought to school each morning by the student. Delivering lunches once school has begun will not be permitted. While it may be distressing to you if your child forgets the lunch you prepared, we assure you that we have provisions for emergency lunches. We ask your cooperation in not bringing forgotten lunches as this tends to reinforce forgetfulness. Children will not be allowed to call home for forgotten lunches. Please trust that in such a situation, we will be sure your child does not go hungry.
Lunches should be brought in an insulated lunch box with a cold pack inside. When packing lunch, we ask that you do not include Biblically forbidden foods including pork or shellfish products, or mix dairy and meat.
TEMPLE SINAI OF NORTH DADE POLICY ON FOOD SERVICE AND CONSUMPTION
Temple Sinai of North Dade is affiliated with the Reform Jewish movement. As such, some of the principles that guide our congregation include personal autonomy and educated choice when it comes to Jewish ritual practice. We welcome and support all members of our congregation and klal Yisrael in their learning and exploration within Judaism. To this end, we seek to ensure that those who eat at Temple Sinai will be comfortable.
The following guidelines will govern all Temple Sinai functions.*
We sanctify the act of eating as a community by reciting blessings.
Being created in the image of God, we believe that our bodies should be respected. We encourage the serving of healthful foods.
We believe that we are stewards of God's creation. Therefore, we encourage the serving of food that takes into account environmental sustainability and animal welfare.
No foods forbidden by Torah will be served or brought onto the campus.
Meat and dairy foods will not be served at the same meal; that is, meals are to be designated as either meat or dairy. A fish or vegetarian option is to be provided at any meal designated as a meat meal. All meats purchased for Temple Sinai functions* must be kosher. Dairy foods do not require a certification, but we encourage a close examination for hidden ingredients before serving.
Private parties and events occurring on Temple Sinai campus are encouraged to follow the above guidelines and are governed by the following guidelines:
No foods forbidden by Torah will be served or brought onto the campus.
Meat and dairy foods will not be served at the same meal; that is, meals are to be designated as either meat or dairy.
Questions regarding the interpretation and implementation of this policy should be directed to the clergy of Temple Sinai of North Dade.
* Temple Sinai functions are defined as any function in which the congregation is able to participate (e.g.: oneg Shabbat, picnic, fundraising luncheon, youth group event, etc.)
These guidelines were ratified by the Board of Trustees on November 30, 2006.
Because we wish to promote healthy nutritional habits, we also request that parents not send candy, soda, and "junk" food in lunches. Fresh fruit, raw vegetables, and healthy snacks are preferable, and provide better nutritional staying power for the afternoon schedule.
Food allergies should be reported, in writing, to the teacher and school secretary so that we may monitor special treats or snacks.
During the school year, special lunches are held as fund raisers. Watch for notices advising you how to sign up for them and what the charges are. There are also holiday meals provided by the school. You will be notified of these events.
At Sinai Academy we believe that the clothing students and faculty wear help establish the appropriate tone for a Jewish day school. Students are required to adhere to the school's dress standards and the uniforms MUST be purchased from the official uniform outfitters of-
Chewing Gum Kids
3575 NE 207 Street
"The Waterways Shoppes"
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 682-9727 or at www.landsend.com/school
DAILY UNIFORMS- grades K-5
Boys:
Polo shirts (choice of red, white, navy, light blue)
Trousers- navy required for Fridays (choice of navy, khaki for every day)
Walking shorts (choice of navy, khaki)
PLEASE note that shorts and slacks with cargo type pockets on the legs and thighs are NOT ACCEPTABLE as uniform clothing.
Girls:
Polo dress (choice of red, white, navy, light blue)
Polo shirt (choice of red, white, navy, light blue)
Walking shorts (choice of navy, khaki)
Kick-pleat skirt - navy required for Fridays
(choice of navy, khaki for every day)
Skort (choice of navy, khaki)
Trousers (choice of navy, khaki)
Every child must have a navy JSA polo shirt (without the star logo) for field trips.
Every child must have a white polo shirt with the star logo, as well, for special school events.
On cold days, students may wear cardigan or fleece sweaters or sweat shirts in solid navy, red, or white with no writing on them. These do not have to be purchased through the uniform company.
Additional options available:
Navy cardigan sweater (cotton knit or fleece)
Navy crew neck sweat shirt and pants
Navy sweat pants may be worn during P.E. on cold days only. All sweat shirts or sweaters worn in school must be selected from the uniform options.
All students must wear sturdy closed shoes or sneakers. Clogs, sandals and thongs are not allowed. Oversized clothing is not suitable for school wear. It is distracting, cumbersome, and may be a safety hazard. It is not allowed.
FRIDAYS (EREV SHABBAT)
All students are required to wear the Sinai Academy outfit which must be purchased from our official outfitter. Clothing purchased elsewhere does not conform to the necessary standard.
Boys: Navy blue trousers with pin-striped oxford shirt
Girls: Navy kick-pleat skirt with pin-striped oxford shirt
All students will wear "dress shoes" (e.g., top siders, loafers, oxfords, flats). Students may bring sneakers to change into in order to save these dress shoes from the field or playground. Students not dressed as required will be sent to the office until proper dress is brought to the school.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Students will wear the navy blue polo shirt with the JSA lettering on it for designated field trips and performances as instructed by the school. Ample notice will always be given; therefore, students who do not comply may be excluded from the event.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNIFORMS
Students in grades 3-5 are required to change their clothes for P.E. classes. The P.E. uniform is a light blue Sinai Academy T-shirt and navy mesh shorts. It is available through our school outfitter. Sneakers with laces or velcro fasteners are required for P.E. Students will not be admitted to class unless properly attired, and may not be admitted to other classes (such as the computer lab) in their P.E. clothing. Students will change their clothes in designated areas as instructed by their teachers.
SWIMMING
When swimming is part of the Physical Education program, students are required to wear an appropriate bathing suit:
Girls: one piece bathing suit
Boys: trunk style bathing suit
Students should also bring a towel and rubber thongs or beach shoes to the pool. A plastic bag is needed to bring wet items home. Students will not be allowed to telephone home for forgotten P.E. or Swim clothes.
EXTRA CLOTHING
Students should keep a solid colored red, white or navy blue sweater or sweatshirt in their cubbies in case of changes in weather or fluctuations in air-conditioning. Each student also needs an old shirt or other suitable smock for art class. Younger students may keep an extra set of clothing in school for emergencies. A waterproof jacket or poncho in their backpacks is helpful for rainy day dismissals. It is suggested that you label these with your child's name.
SHABBAT SERVICES
Shabbat is a special day in Jewish observance. Shabbat worship services are held each Erev Shabbat, Friday night, at Temple Sinai and on Saturday mornings as well. While we encourage you to accompany your child(ren) to services on a regular basis, we expect that Sinai Academy families will be present at Family Worship Shabbat which takes place the first Friday evening of each month. Our Day School students sometimes participate in this special, family-oriented service; our children are familiar with the mode of worship in our Sanctuary through their preparation in school.
We will be in touch with all families who are new to our school; new families are met at Family Worship Shabbat by another family, who will greet you, worship with you and introduce you to the rest of the congregation. We will be happy to assist you in becoming comfortably acquainted with our synagogue.
Should you be unable to bring your child(ren) to services yourself, we can also arrange for your child(ren) to be brought to Temple by another family. Children feel left out if their friends are in attendance and they are not.
HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE
On Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Passover, and Shavuot, school is closed in observance of the holiday. On festivals such as Chanukah and Purim, while there is school, there are also worship services in the Sanctuary. These important Jewish holidays are not "free" days, but rather the opportunity for your family to put into practice what your children are learning in school. You have chosen a Jewish school; it is part of the commitment you have made to Jewish education to bring your children to the Synagogue to observe Yom Tov. Sharing in the joy and beauty of the holidays and festivals will be moments that you and your children will cherish.
If you choose not to attend services on a particular holiday, please do not confuse your children by taking them to the beach, movies, or other public places.
HOME OBSERVANCE
We encourage you to experience the joy of Shabbat and Yom Tov in your home with your family. Early on, your child will know the proper blessings over the candles, wine and challah. It is a wonderful opportunity for you to reinforce what is being taught in school, even if your observance is quite simple. Preparing and sharing a special Shabbat or Yom Tov meal serves to strengthen Jewish family values in a beautiful and meaningful way. From time to time, we offer informal instruction for those parents who feel they need direction or a refresher. The important thing is to develop a Shabbat and Yom Tov tradition in your home for your family to share.
RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE
Sinai Academy's perspective is Liberal Reform Judaism. While we teach children to respect all other Jewish perspectives, we teach Liberal Reform Judaism at our school.
We also teach about other religions; however, we never celebrate the holidays of other religions in our school. Please understand that Halloween and Valentine's Day, which may seem like secular holidays due to their commercialization, originate in Christian holidays. Therefore, we do not celebrate them in any way in our school.
AFFILIATION
Temple Sinai is a part of the Union for Reform Judaism, the parent body for Reform
synagogues in North America. Sinai Academy is a charter member of PARDeS, the Progressive
Association of Reform Day Schools, and Affiliate of URJ. The rich resources of URJ and PARDeS
are available to us in areas such as curriculum development, texts, and programming.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Parents are invited to come "back to school" one evening during the beginning of school. A Master Teacher will provide an overview of the school year. This is a perfect time to put faces and names together and to become aware of the particular rules and procedures in the new class. Over the years, we have found that by scheduling this evening at the outset, we maximize the opportunity for parents and teachers to work well together all year on behalf of the children. Your attendance on this night is valuable to all of us.
SHABBAT PROGRAM
As Shabbat is a special day in Jewish life, so is Kabbalat Shabbat a special time in our school week. Each Friday, our program features the traditional blessings welcoming the Sabbath as well as a presentation by one of the classes. Parents will be specially invited to some of these programs. One Shabbat each year will be designated as Grandparents' Shabbat. Your child(ren)'s grandparents will be invited to share a special morning in our classrooms.
SHABBAT AND YOM TOV DINNERS
Congregational Shabbat dinners are held on a regular basis throughout the year. Yom Tov dinners are also held for several of the festivals during the year. Sometimes, in addition, the school or a class will plan a warm, meaningful Shabbat or Yom Tov experience to share. We encourage your family to share these festive dinners with your school and congregational families.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays are life-cycle events, and we encourage children to celebrate their birthdays in school, if they wish. Please let your child's teacher know if you plan to provide a treat for the entire class.
When planning parties that will take place outside of school, please remember that we are a Jewish school; therefore, it is not appropriate to schedule parties on Friday nights, Saturday mornings, or Jewish holidays. Furthermore, we ask you to be sensitive to children's feelings when planning parties. Since our classes are small, if only one or two children are excluded from a party, it can hurt them deeply.
Please mail all party invitations, using the class roster provided at the beginning of the school year. Invitations may not be brought to school. You and your child may also celebrate and commemorate the special day by donating a book to the library, planting a tree in Israel, or making another gift to tzedakah that will spread your happiness.
FUND-RAISING
Sinai Academy families, upon registering their child(ren) for the school year agree to be responsible for a fund-raising commitment which is outlined in the registration material. We need your time and effort, as well as your financial support, for other essential projects to succeed during the year. Please be as generous as possible in your support of fund-raising events such as the pizza lunches and other events which are developed to enhance our programs.
SINAI PARENT ASSOCIATION (SPA)
We encourage parents to become active in SPA, the Sinai Parent Association, an organization dedicated to support and assist the Early Childhood Education Center and the K-8 schools of Sinai Academy. Participation in SPA involves fund-raising, service, and fellowship. SPA helps to provide an important link between home and school, sponsoring such projects as challah sales and special holiday events. Watch for announcements of SPA's activities, sign up and get involved!
VISITING SCHOOL
We welcome parents to visit our school, but for reasons of security and planning, we require that you clear your intentions with the Administration in advance, and check in with the office before going into the school building.
Please give the children a few weeks at the beginning of the school year to adjust to their new routine. Children enjoy having parents share their experience. If you would like to help out on a class project or if you have a special hobby or talent to share, please let your child's teacher know. We encourage parents to become active in SPA, the Sinai Parents Association, an organization dedicated to support and assistance to the school.
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL
An essential ingredient for the success of our educational program is the establishment of good communication. Communication occurs on many levels, and it is critical that all lines be open to benefit each child. The school will keep you informed of school activities in general and your child's progress in particular. Our teachers are often in touch with parents on an informal basis. A phone call from a teacher or administrator does not necessarily signal a crisis; it is an expression of our concern for the child's well-being. We especially enjoy letting you know when good things happen in school.
Likewise, we ask that you keep us informed of situations that may be affecting your child either positively or negatively. We need to be informed about illness (either of the child or of other family members when the child's emotions may be affected), changes in behavior, extended trips, changes in transportation arrangement, changes in family status, changes in medications, or anything that might upset the child's normal routine. Our professional staff respects the confidentiality of such information.
We cannot stress enough how important it is that if you have a problem or question concerning your child, you speak with the Master Teacher first. The Master Teacher is ultimately responsible for everything that affects the student's day-to-day progress and is in the best position to clarify matters or deal with problems.
Where necessary, the Master Teacher will involve or refer you to another teacher who might be more directly involved. If you feel the problem has not been resolved after speaking with the teaching staff, then please request a conference with the administrative staff or with one of our guidance counselors.
Please understand that we are not trying to put you off, but rather to suggest the most effective way to handle your concern.
Your child's teacher is a professional with extensive responsibilities. The considerate way to contact the teacher is by written note, e mail or through the school secretary. The teacher will return your call as promptly as possible. It is impossible for the teacher to give your concern appropriate attention while engaged in teaching or other school responsibilities such as carpool duty. It is disrespectful to both the teacher and your child to discuss school concerns in public places or at social events. Teachers may choose to call you from their homes, but it is more effective for you to call them only at school.
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENT AND CHILD
Of course, the most critical area of communication is from parent to child. Try to establish good rapport and demonstrate interest by talking to your child often about school experiences and assignments. Give positive encouragement by acknowledging the good things a student does; don't dwell on the negative, and don't expect perfection. Remember that mistakes can be opportunities for learning.
We believe in a trusting partnership between the school and the home. Thus, it is crucial that parents be fully supportive of the teacher and reinforce the measures which the teacher adopts to address problems. If a child reports a negative experience, the parent is usually safe in assuming that the teacher has dealt with it in an appropriate manner.
If you suspect that the teacher is unaware of a situation, or if you need clarification, contact the teacher. Children should be able to come to you with their frustrations, hurts and disappointments. It is appropriate for parents to acknowledge their children's feelings ("I understand"), but it is not necessarily the parent's responsibility to solve the problem.
We believe in most cases, at least as far as school is concerned, that children can and should solve their own problems. A helpful response to your child may well be, "What
do you think should be done?" In order to further our goals of increasing independence, self-confidence, and responsibility, we caution parents not to be manipulated into giving negative attention.
Remember, the best parent-child communication is often a big hug!
Due to a widespread failure to comply with the school's well-established policies regarding cell phones and other communications devices, Administration has been forced to ban them from our schools. Accordingly, cell phones or any device capable of sending and receiving messages will be confiscated and returned to a parent at the end of the school year. Detentions will be issued to offending students. Also, we remind you that parent use of cell phones during arrival and dismissal is not permitted; we also ask that you turn the ringers off during parent meetings, student performances or other gatherings.
FIELD TRIPS
During the year each class will be going on several field trips, combining learning and fun. Although there is a blanket permission slip on file in the office, parents are requested to sign a permission slip for each trip. These will be announced as planned. Students wear their navy blue JSA polo shirt with a uniform bottom on field trips. Field Trips are not considered optional, but rather part of the curriculum. Grades 4-8 may also be taking overnight out of town trips. All trips are relevant to curriculum being studied in the classrooms.
Students are not permitted to bring spending money for food or souvenirs. We will not tolerate exceptions to this rule unless the children have received written instructions from the school to bring spending money.
SCHOOL PICTURES
Our school arranges for individual and class pictures to be taken each year, usually some time in the winter. You will receive details about the scheduling of the pictures. While the purchase of these pictures is entirely at your discretion, we require all children to participate in picture taking.
SPEECH AND HEARING SCREENING
Each year we offer parents the opportunity to have their children screened by a private professional speech and hearing clinic. While this is discretionary, and at the parent's own expense, we do encourage parents to take advantage of this convenient service.