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Bergmann Upper School of
The Jacobson Sinai Academy
Parent/Student Handbook
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Bergmann Upper School of The Jacobson Sinai Academy Parent/Student Handbook
2007-2008
I. Introduction
Message from the Director, Jan Goldman
Message from the Rabbi, Alan Litwak
A Brief Statement of Philosophy
Arrival and Dismissal/School Hours
III. Student Responsibilities and Regulations
IV. Academic Policies and Responsibilities
Community Service Requirements
School Store
Bar/Bat Mitzvah services during school hours
V. General Information
VI. Jewish Observance and Worship
Shabbat Services
Holiday Observance
VII. Policy / Policy Contracts to Sign and Return to JSA
Student Conduct - Expectations/Disciplinary Actions
Preamble to JSA Code of Conduct
Acceptance of Technology Use Policy Contract
Acceptance of Science Safety Rules & General Conduct to be signed
Welcome to The Jacobson Sinai Academy, the Liberal Jewish Day School at Temple Sinai of North Dade. We hope that this year will be meaningful and successful for your child(ren) and you. The beginning of our school year comes very close to the beginning of the Jewish New Year, an excellent time for all of us to reexamine our commitment to Judaism, to Jewish education, and to the fostering of happy, productive Jewish families. May we share study, observance, and growth as your family and our school family enter a year of partnership in your child(ren)'s education.
Research has shown that the most effective schools are those in which everyone works together for clear and specific goals. Parents must recognize that a child's education cannot be exclusively the responsibility of the school. No matter how superior the teacher, children will not reach their full potential unless there is cooperation between the home and the school. The greater the involvement in the educational process, the higher the student's achievement.
At Jacobson Sinai Academy, we are proud of our talented professional staff, who works hard to create a warm, positive environment in which children feel comfortable. Each child learns that we value human growth as well as academic achievement.
Now we ask for your support and cooperation as valued members of our educational team. Read this handbook carefully, and keep it handy throughout the school year. By understanding what is expected and behaving accordingly, you will become the most important advocate your child(ren) can have during these formative elementary and middle school years. Together, we can succeed and reach the goals for which you chose Jacobson Sinai Academy.
Jan Goldmann, Ed.S.
Director
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 father of two Academy students. This is a wonderful time of the year, filled with anticipation (and even a little anxiety) for what is to come.
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 the Jacobson Sinai Academy 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 voice mail is always available.
May this be a year of growth for you and your family.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Alan Litwak
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 and to think reflectively and evaluatively
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:
Broaden experience and deepen understanding so as to strengthen commitment to Judaism and to the Jewish People
Reveal Judaism as a total way of life that can be a constant source of joy and beauty, inspiration and consolation, to those who enthusiastically affirm their belonging...
Involve every Jew in the continually unfolding drama of Jewish history.
WITH THESE CONCEPTS IN MIND,
WE STAND COMMITTED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES:
The Jacobson Sinai Academy is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS). While the state of Florida does not require private schools to be accredited, The Jacobson Sinai Academy has elected to be subject to the high standard and guidelines set forth by the association. Our most recent accreditation was received in June 2002.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL/SCHOOL HOURS
Instructional hours for the George and Marla Bergmann Upper School are from 8:00am to 3:30pm Monday through Thursday, and Friday from 8:00am to 2:30pm. Classes begin promptly at 8:00am; therefore students are to arrive at school by 7:45am in order to properly organize for the day. Students who arrive late will not be permitted to enter class without a late pass from the office. Habitually tardy students will receive detention. As few as three late arrivals will preclude students from membership in National Junior Honor Society. In the interest of both safety and security, students may not enter the building prior to 7:45am.
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. We insist that you follow car-pool drop-off and pick-up instructions completely. In the morning, please drive slowly and cautiously into the driveway, and pull up to the area where the teachers and/or school patrol wait to assist the children. Come to a complete stop, and put your car in "Park." When the children have left the car and walked away from it, check all around to make sure the way is clear, then carefully and slowly drive away.
Please do not leave your car for any reason. Do not talk on your cell phone when dropping off or picking up children; doing so can provide a dangerous distraction. Do not stop to talk to teachers or friends at drop off time. If you need to go into the school office for any reason, you must drive around to the parking lot north of the drop off area and park your car. Always assume that there is a small child somewhere around that you may not see, and proceed with extreme caution.
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 do 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 child(ren) to your car.
Proper use of seatbelts for all children is encouraged: it 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 seatbelts. We are committed to maintaining a perfect safety record for your child(ren) and each and every child in our school. We cannot do so without your absolute cooperation.
If you have Early Childhood students in your carpool, pick up will be at the Early Childhood Education Center building. Please follow the same cautionary procedures. If you have children in the Elementary School and the Upper School, please pick up all of your children at the Upper School. An Elementary School teacher will walk over children with siblings in the Upper School to Upper School carpool. Upper School children are not permitted to walk over to Elementary School car line to be picked up. If your child is going home in a carpool other than his/her regular one, you must notify the office 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 changes. 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 as to whom that person will be, and we insist on seeing proper identification.
Children must be picked up promptly at the end of the school day, at the conclusion of after-school activities. There will be a charge of $5.00 per 15 minutes of waiting time after 3:45PM in the Upper School. Students from the Upper School may also be sent to the ECE for late stay and parents could be charged for this.
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 your child out. Children will not be allowed to wait outside. You may not go to the classroom to pick up your child. It is preferable if you let the office and homeroom 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 your child in. It is imperative that you cooperate with this procedure to ensure your child's safety.
In compliance with Florida State Statutes, The Jacobson Sinai Academy requires documentation specifying who has legal custody in the case of divorce. If there is no legal documentation, then both parents have the right to access records and pick up their children. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide legal documentation verifying custody arrangements and notifying the school in writing of any special circumstances regarding the rights and obligations of the non-custodial parent. This includes providing written permission for the non-custodial parent to pick up a child on a regular basis or for a special occasion.
It is imperative that we have the name and telephone number of someone local for us to contact in case you cannot be reached. Please give the name of several individuals who live or work closely enough to the school to pick your child up in case of emergencies. 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.
SCHOOL RELATED INJURIES
Should your child be injured at school or during a school related event (field trip/sporting event) an accident report detailing the time/date/circumstances surrounding the injury will be completed. Parents will be notified immediately by school personnel.
If your child is taking medicine on a regular basis during the school day, or s/he needs to finish prescribed medicine after an acute illness, we must have your written permission. Aspirin, Tylenol, and other first-aid items are available in our infirmary, but medicine will not be dispensed by the school nurse without parental approval.
Student Responsibilities and Regulations
Prompt arrival and regular attendance are mandatory. Unless a student is ill, it is important to be in school every day. Irregular attendance is the most frequent cause of poor academic performance. Schoolwork depends upon interactive learning and discussion. Because Jacobson Sinai Academy is not "textbook driven," it is impossible to recreate the content and context of a missed class. State law mandates that students must be in attendance a minimum of 85% of school days to receive credit for the school year.
Regular School Day Absences:
Students are expected to attend a full day of school every day. If the child is absent, all missed work must be made up by the student within 3 days of returning to school, unless special arrangements have been made with the teachers. It is the student's responsibility to approach his/her teacher for missed work on the day when s/he returns to school. A missed assignment can result in the student receiving a zero. After any absence, a student must bring in a written explanation in order for it to be considered an excused absence. If a student is ill and misses 3 or more consecutive days of school, a note from the physician will be necessary.
Exam Days Absences:
ay Absences:It is imperative that students make every effort to take the exams on the scheduled day. This helps the student focus on the test in the appropriate environment. While we understand that there are extenuating circumstances that may arise, make-up exams will only be permitted due to illness, which will require a doctor's note, or a bereavement situation. Any other reason is considered unexcused and final decision will be at the discretion of the administration.
A student who reports to school any time after 8:00am is considered tardy. Academic grades will be affected by continual tardiness. The student is required to report to the Upper School office to get a tardy pass in order to enter the classroom. When a student accumulates 3 tardies to school in a given quarter, s/he will be issued an after-school or early morning detention. Additional consequences will occur if the tardiness continues. Three or more late arrivals will preclude a student's membership in National Junior Honor Society.
At Jacobson Sinai Academy we believe that the clothes students and faculty wear help establish the appropriate tone for a Jewish Day School. This is especially important on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays when there is T'filah or Kabbalat Shabbat. Students may NOT wear shorts on days when there are T'filah services.
Students are required to adhere to the school's dress standards and the uniforms must be purchased from the official uniform outfitter. After the first 3 weeks of school, students not dressed as required will be sent to the office to wait until proper attire is brought to the school. All work missed during this absence from class may NOT be made up.
Daily Uniform
Boys:
Polo shirts (red, white, navy, light blue, yellow)
Trousers (navy, khaki)
Walking shorts (navy, khaki)
Girls:
Polo dress (red, white, navy, light blue)
Polo shirt (red, white, navy, light blue, yellow)
Walking shorts (navy, khaki)
Knee length and ankle length skirts (navy, light blue)
Pleated skirts (navy, khaki)
Trousers (navy, khaki)
Oversized clothing is not permitted. It is also not permissible for girls to roll up their skirts or PE shorts to shorten length, or for students wearing pants or shorts to wear them below the waistline. Girls' skirts are to be no higher than 4 inches above the knee. These restrictions ensure an environment free of distraction. Wearing hats or headbands is NOT permitted during the school day. Any violations of these rules will result in consequences deemed appropriate by the administration. Label your child's clothing.
Students are required to purchase a solid navy blue uniform shirt with JSA as the logo for field trips. Students who do not wear this shirt on field trips will not be permitted to participate.
Cold Days
Students may wear cardigan or fleece sweaters or sweatshirts in SOLID navy, red, or white (no stripes, logos or other designs on the clothes). They do not have to be purchased through the uniform company, but must be solid. Sweat pants may be worn during PE on cold days only. On cold days students are permitted to wear ONLY long-sleeve SOLID navy, red or white cotton shirts under their polo shirts. Girls are only permitted to wear navy sweatpants under their skirts on extremely cold days.
Additional Options Available:
Navy cardigan sweater (cotton knit or fleece)
Stadium jacket, V-Sweater vest
Sweat pants for PE on cold days only
Tights for girls in blue, white or nude
Shoes
All students must wear sturdy CLOSED shoes or sneakers. Clogs, sandals, backless shoes, and thongs are NOT allowed.
Fridays (Erev Shabbat)
All students are required to wear the Jacobson Sinai Academy Outfit purchased from our official outfitter. Clothing purchased elsewhere does not conform to the necessary standard. Shorts or skorts are NOT permitted on Fridays. The proper uniform for Friday is:
Boys: Khaki trousers with light blue oxford shirt tucked in at the waist.
Girls: Khaki pleated skirt with light blue oxford shirt tucked in at the waist.
All students must wear dress shoes to Kabbalat Shabbat: (e.g. topsiders, loafers, oxfords, flats.) Sneakers of any color, including black, are NOT permitted. Students may bring their dress shoes to change into for Kabbalat Shabbat so that they will not get ruined during the day. On cold days, students may only wear navy blue, white or red long-sleeve cotton shirts under their Sinai polo shirt. Students not dressed as required for Kabbalat Shabbat or any other day will not be allowed to participate.
Physical Education (PE) Uniforms
Students in grades 6-8 are required to change their clothes for PE classes. They also receive a special locker for their PE clothes. Students take a bus to the JCC for PE, and also eat lunch there. The PE uniform is available through our school outfitter, and is:
Light blue Jacobson Sinai Academy T-shirt
Navy mesh shorts
Students are also required to wear sneakers with laces or velcro fasteners during PE. Label all PE clothing.
Students who do not "dress-out" receive low PE grades. Students who have an excused absence due to injury or illness and are not participating in the PE program that day will go to the JCC and remain under the supervision of the staff. Students who misbehave in school can be detained from the JCC as a consequence. Students who misbehave at the JCC can be removed from the PE program, with failing grades issued.
When swimming is part of the Physical Education program, students are required to wear an appropriate type of bathing suit. Students are not required to wear a uniform bathing suit. Girls must wear one piece bathing suits only - no two-pieces of any kind. Boys are required to wear a boxer-type bathing suit. Students are also required to bring their own towels and thongs or beach shoes to wear to the pool. A plastic bag is also needed to bring wet items home.
Students will wear the Jacobson Sinai Academy outfit, (navy blue polo shirt with the JSA letters), for designated field trips and performances as instructed by the school. Ample notice will always be given; therefore, students who do not comply will be excluded from the event. Please remember to read all permission slips very carefully since instructions for appropriate attire, places, and times are mentioned.
Extra Clothing
Students should keep a sweater in their lockers in case of changes in weather or fluctuations in air-conditioning. However, if it is not a solid red, white or navy sweater or sweatshirt, students will NOT be permitted to wear it in school, and may not call home to obtain another one.
School property, equipment and materials that are used by students in the course of their work, must be treated with respect. School property should not be marked, defaced, or damaged. Textbooks must be returned at the end of the school year, therefore, only a student's name, grade, and year may be written in the front of the book. The replacement cost of a lost, damaged or defaced book will be billed to the parents. The same is true of the school building and its furniture. Fees for missing books or materials must be paid in full at the end of the school year; the school will retain all records until all outstanding fees are paid.
Students will help to keep rooms, halls, and bathrooms clean, safe, and comfortable. Vandalism, willful damage, and unreported accidents are an affront to all school members and will result in administrative action. Accidents do happen. All accidental destruction or damage should be reported and arrangements for repair will be made by the administration.
Stealing is a violation of personal rights and of the community's sense of well being. Any incident will be dealt with by the administration, and will entail a severe consequence.
Cell phones must remain turned off, and stay in the student's locker or school bag. If a student's cell phone rings during the school day, or a student is caught speaking on it, the phone will be confiscated and returned only to the student's parent.
Students are NOT permitted to use the school phone during the day or at afternoon car line to make personal arrangements. Please make sure that you and/or your children make after school plans in advance. Students may not call home because they forgot lunches or homework. In case of an emergency, office personnel will call home to inform the parent regarding an issue. Students are NOT permitted to carry or use cell phones at any time during the school day. If there is an emergency, they must report to a teacher or coach who will determine the appropriate action to be taken.
Gum chewing and lollipops are NOT permitted at any time during the school day. They can cause damage to school property, are disruptive in class and can be very dangerous. Violation of these rules will result in consequences deemed appropriate by the administration.
Academic Policies and Responsibilities
Homework is due when designated. Failure to turn in homework on time will result in a zero for the assignment; points can also be deducted from the quarter grade for failure to turn in work. A student who is absent is responsible to call another student for any homework or missed assignments. Homework missed due to a 1-day absence will be due on the day of the student's return to school. The student is also responsible for making arrangements to collect materials necessary to keep as current as possible with the missed work. Homework missed due to an extended illness must be made up according to the individual teacher's time schedule. If a student is likely to be out of school for more than 3 days, please call the office to arrange a list of assignments and activities.
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 10:00am that day. Requests made after 10:00AM will be honored the following school day.
All incidents of student cheating, plagiarism, or helping others to cheat or plagiarize will be referred to the administration. Generally the first incident of cheating or plagiarism will result in a zero on the work and specific academic probation for the remainder of the school year. This includes, but is not limited to, plagiarizing research papers, copying other student's homework, and cheating on tests. If cheating occurs on a test, midterm or final exam, the student will receive a failing grade on that test. Repeated infractions involving cheating or plagiarism may lead to more serious consequences deemed appropriate by the administration. Talking during an exam is presumed to be an act of academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism is a form of cheating in which an individual deliberately steals or passes off another's work or ideas as his/her own. Students may not copy ideas or quotes from books, electronic media, periodicals, etc., for a paper or report without giving the source.
Consistent communication between school and home is the key to a child's success in school. Grade point averages will be calculated by each teacher and the following grading system will be used:
|
Subject Grade |
Conduct Grade |
Effort Grade |
A 94-100 A- 90-93 B+ 87-89 B 84-86 B- 80-83 C+ 77 - 79 C 74 - 76 C- 70 - 73 D 60 - 65 F Below 60 |
1 - Outstanding 2- Above Average 3- Average 4- Borderline 5- Unacceptable |
A- Outstanding B- Above Average C-Average D- Unacceptable |
A student who receives incomplete grades on his/her report card, will have an assigned time in which to complete the work needed to render an appropriate grade. If the student's work is not completed within the designated time schedule, the student will receive a failing grade.
Before issuing final report cards, all charges, books, library books, locks, and other school owned items must be returned to the proper authority.
Progress reports will be issued midway through each report card period to students who are demonstrating a weakness in a particular subject. Progress reports are intended to communicate the teacher's evaluations of the child's weaknesses in a specific subject area as well as developmental skills such as responsibility for criteria, focus on individual potential and progress rather than absolute standards of measurement. Progress reports must be signed and returned within the given due date.
Course placements are carefully determined by the teachers, Administration, subject area assessment tests, SAT scores, and report card grades. Parents are not permitted to decide where their child is to be placed; rather, it is the school's responsibility to place your child in the appropriate level in order to meet his/her individual needs. Any changes in placement must be approved by the Administration. Changes in placement to a lower level may be initiated by teachers or the Administration in consultation with faculty.
Students placed in Honors level courses must maintain a consistent minimum of a C average, 3 in conduct, and C in effort to remain in the class. Parents and students are made aware of the requirements of an Honors class and must sign a letter agreeing to the conditions to remain in an Honors level course.
Jacobson Sinai Academy believes in facilitating the development of test taking skills. The schedule for midterm and final exams is different from the regular school schedule. A copy will be distributed prior to the exams. Each exam counts as two full test grades in the final quarter grade. The exam grades also appear as a letter grade in a separate column on the report card, however, they are not averaged in with the student's final GPA.
The National Junior Honor Society is an organization that recognizes and encourages academic achievement while developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy. In order to qualify for NJHS membership, students must achieve and maintain a 3.5 GPA (Grade Point Average) in their five core subjects throughout the school year, and may not have any grades lower than a B- in any component of the report card. In addition, students must demonstrate honorable character, and a willingness to provide service to the community. Eligible students:
Must receive 1 or 2 for conduct in all subjects.
Must receive an A or B for effort in all subjects.
May not have had a detention for any reason.
May not be sent to see the Principal or sit in the office for violations of the conduct code.
Must not have 3 or more absences or tardies.
Must not have any uniform violations.
Must complete an additional 6 hours of community service per year (these hours must be completed during the year of membership).
If any of these infractions occur subsequent to being inducted into NJHS, students will be dismissed immediately.
COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
At Jacobson Sinai Academy, we believe that it is our obligation to serve others and give back to the communities in which we live. In the Upper School, 20 hours of community service per year is required for graduation. Students who enter the Upper School in 7th grade are required to complete 40 hours of community service, and those entering in 8th grade must complete 20 hours in order to graduate. All hours must be approved and documented through the office.
Students who are members of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) must complete an additional 6 hours of community service per year. Students who fail to comply with this requirement will have their membership revoked.
Student council is an intricate part of Jacobson Sinai Academy's daily life. Officers are elected at the beginning of the school year by student vote, and representatives are chosen from all classes in grades 3-8. This board represents the entire student body in accomplishing various goals including: tzedakah, student activities and suggestions for improving the atmosphere of the school.
A student must maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to remain as a functioning member of Student Council.
In order to participate in an after-school sports league that is not part of a recognized class, students must be academically eligible. Students will become eligible for participation in these activities as long as their GPA remains at the required 3.0 minimum. A student who becomes ineligible for participation, can become eligible again once s/he has raised his/her GPA to the required academic standard.
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.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah students are required to fulfill an individual mitzvah project as part of their Sinai experience. Other Synagogues may have this requirement as well. Please understand that the school cannot participate in these projects. Students must organize and execute these projects outside of school and not on school time.
BAR/BAT MITZVAH SERVICES DURING SCHOOL HOURS
We respect those families not affiliated with Temple Sinai of North Dade who will be celebrating their child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah at another congregation. When the event is scheduled to take place on a school day, parents may elect to invite all members of their child's class to attend the service. Our students will dress in their Friday Shabbat uniform. However, our students will not stay for any Kiddush, reception or party to be held after the service.
It is the Parent's responsibility to cover the cost of transportation. Parents must work with school administration to make the necessary arrangements.
General Information
Parents are invited to come "back to school" one evening during the second week of school. Teachers 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 classes. 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 this night is valuable to all of us.
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 your child's Upper School Team. These meetings are about the child's academic progress, and may include discussion of standardized test results. 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.
Conferences are set up at the request of the Upper School Team teachers. You will receive a phone call if the Team feels the necessity to have a conference with you regarding your child. If you do not receive a phone call, but you feel that you would like to meet with the Upper School Team, please call the office to schedule an appointment.
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 The Jacobson 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.
We welcome parents to visit our school, but for reasons of security and planning, we require that you clear your intentions with the Principal in advance, and check in with the office before going to visit your child. Please give the students a few weeks at the beginning of the school year to adjust to their new routine.
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 that all children participate in picture taking. Eighth grade senior pictures will be taken during the first week of school.
We take several field trips during the school year, combining learning and fun. These will be announced as planned. Students must wear their navy blue Sinai Academy shirt with the JSA logo on field trips. We need you to fill out the Trip Release Form to permit your child to participate in these important experiences. Field trips are not considered optional, but rather part of the curriculum.
Grades 6-8 may also participate in an overnight out of town class trip combining education with fun. These trips compliment the material taught throughout the year. When applicable, more information will be given directly to the parents.
Fire drills/evacuations are conducted at regular intervals. Such drills are required by law and are an important safety precaution. A fire evacuation plan is posted in each classroom and office. Students should study the plan and become familiar with it. It is essential that when the first signal is given, everyone obeys the instructions of the teachers, clearing the building by prescribed routes as quickly as possible. Some further guidelines include:
a. Every student must be accounted for during a drill. Classroom teachers will take attendance.
b. In case of a fire, students should pull the nearest alarm, notify an adult, and leave the building immediately, proceeding to the designated meeting place.
c. Students should never attempt to put out a fire themselves.
d. No one should re-enter the building during a fire. No one may re-enter the building after a drill until the "all clear' is given by the administration.
e. Fire extinguishers and other safety equipment should never be used, except in cases of emergency.
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.
In addition to evacuation procedures, at times, it may be necessary to practice lockdown drills. These drills are also an important safety precaution. Students and teachers will be adequately trained for both evacuation and lockdown drills.
For security and safety purposes, students are not permitted to remain in any school building unsupervised after school.
Our school employs a trained, professional counselor who is available to consult with teachers, parents, and students concerning any pertinent issues.
All students may bring their lunches to school or purchase lunch through our lunch program. Lunches may not be delivered to the school once school has commenced. 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. When packing lunch, we ask that you do not include Biblically forbidden foods including pork or shellfish products. Students will eat lunch at the JCC twice a week. Students also have the option of buying their lunch or bringing it with them on JCC days.
Lunch Schedule:
Mondays and Wednesdays - lunch is available at the JCC
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays - must bring or buy your lunch
Pizza is available on Tuesday
Because we do not have adequate facilities to accommodate the heating up of hot lunch items such as soup, students MUST bring a nonperishable lunch to school which will stay cool in the refrigerator. Students will not be allowed to go to the office to heat up their food. This rule will apply unless there is a medical reason for lunches to be warmed up. A note from the doctor stipulating these conditions will be necessary.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, students will eat lunch in the classrooms. All students are expected to clean up. Failure to do so will result in after-school detention.
The lost and found in the Upper School is located in the main office. Unclaimed articles are given to charitable organizations twice a year.
HOME OBSERVANCE
We encourage you to experience the joy of Shabbat and Yom Tov in your home with your family. 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
Jacobson 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.
Temple Sinai is a part of the Union for Reform Judaism, the parent body for the reform synagogues in North America. Jacobson 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.
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 the Jacobson 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-orientated 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.
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. These important Jewish holidays are not "free" days; rather, they are an 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.
It is the policy of Temple Sinai of North Dade to provide a school environment, both for students and faculty, free from sexual harassment and to provide recourse if such a condition exists. Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, or other such verbal or physical conduct.
Any recourse for inappropriate behavior will be handled at the discretion of the administration.
EXPECTATIONS/DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Jacobson Sinai Academy is committed to exposing its students to excellence in as many areas as possible. It is the school's responsibility to provide students with an academic and athletic challenge as well as an environment in which they can develop a healthy value system and reach maximum potential as an individual. Students also have responsibilities in helping to create an optimum learning environment and a school community of which everyone can be proud. Failure to follow the school rules or violate the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action. Disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to: verbal warning, detention, loss of privileges, parent-teacher or parent-teacher-administrator meetings, suspension, probation or dismissal.
PREAMBLE TO THE JACOBSON SINAI ACADEMY CODE OF CONDUCT
The Code of Conduct at The Jacobson Sinai Academy is aimed at creating an educational atmosphere through nurturing friendship, mutual respect, positive reinforcement and warmth between students and staff. It is the goal of our school to develop independent, productive and involved citizens to help and enhance the community by producing self-directed, self-disciplined and self-motivated individuals. The Code of Conduct is not structured to be a negative system. It does not exist to scare honorable students; it exists to encourage them. The Code of Conduct does not exist to punish minor infractions of school rules; it exists to deal with those acts that constitute a serious breach of conduct. Each student has a duty to accept individual responsibility in promoting the atmosphere of trust engendered by The Code. Those who choose to violate that atmosphere jeopardize their ability to remain in the Jacobson Sinai Academy Community.
Self-control is crucial; students are expected to exercise self-control at all times. The behavior of students must reflect standards of good citizenship and respect for constituted authority and the rights of others. The behavior of each student reflects upon all students in our community of learners. Any misconduct or disruptive behavior that interferes with the rights of other students to learn or with the right of teachers to teach will not be tolerated. In an effort to accomplish this goal, we have developed a school-wide Code of Conduct. The plan specifies rules that cover the behaviors we expect from our students. The plan also states that students who break the rules will receive negative consequences, and students who follow the rules will receive positive reinforcement.
The George and Marla Bergmann Upper School
of the JACOBSON SINAI ACADEMY
1. Respect the Day School, its property, and the property of others. There is to be no defacing of books, possessions, or school property (i.e., furniture, bathrooms, walls).
2. Practice self-control and accept responsibility for your behavior at all times.
3. Show courtesy and respect towards classmates, teachers, and other school personnel. Rudeness, indecent language, roughness, fighting in the classroom or on school grounds, and derogatory name-calling are forbidden.
4. Gum and lollipops are not permitted in school at any time.
5. Walk on walkways at all times. Running is not permitted. Show courtesy in the hallways by walking quietly and staying to the right side.
6. Exhibit appropriate table manners and behavior during lunch, and dispose of lunch trash in a tidy and efficient manner. All students are expected to clean up.
7. Purchases from soft drink vending machines are not permitted. The teacher's lounge is off-limits to anyone other than Temple Sinai Staff.
8.Items such as CD players, video games (including the wristwatch variety), toys, playing cards, trading cards, electronic devices or dangerous items must not be brought to school unless permission has been granted for a special project.
9. Selling of items on school grounds is not permitted.
10. Students are to be in all scheduled classes on time.
11. Be good representatives of Jacobson Sinai Academy at all times. The way you conduct yourself reflects not only upon your school but also upon your maturity, values, and judgment.
Consequences
1. Infraction of these rules may result in any or all of the following consequences:
Verbal warning
Phone call and/or note home (If a note is sent home documentation will be placed in the student's permanent file.)
Detention (either lunchtime, before school or after school.)
Administrative conference
In-School Suspension
Out-of-School Suspension
Expulsion
2. Repeated infractions will be dealt with accordingly and on an individual basis.
3. Students who exhibit inappropriate and/or uncooperative behavior in the classroom will be denied the privilege of participating in field trip experiences or other special events.
4. Any action involving defacing school property, fighting, offensive language or disrespect to a teacher or other school personnel will result in an immediate suspension or a more serious consequence.
5. ALL INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR WILL BE HANDLED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
CLASSROOM TEACHER AND/OR ADMINISTRATION. The administration gives the classroom teacher the right to issue consequences as they deem appropriate.
6. Students who consistently fail to follow school rules and negatively affect the opportunity for others to learn are subject to expulsion.
Parental support is needed and appreciated to encourage children to observe school rules and procedures. Jacobson Sinai Academy appreciates the opportunity to work closely with parents to teach and maintain responsible student behavior. Through communication with your child's teachers, you will remain well informed and actively involved in your child's education.
Jacobson Sinai Academy is committed to providing every form of technology to enhance students' education. The World Wide Web (the Internet) is one such tool, opening the world and providing access to what is often the most up-to-date of resources. This Acceptable Use Policy attempts to provide a level of safety for the student, and establishes the school's policy concerning its use. All students using the Upper School computer network or the Internet are required to abide by the following rules. Failure to comply will result in appropriate disciplinary action determined by the school administration.
The student's use of the Internet is under the direction, approval, and supervision of the teacher. Proper procedure and protocol is used at all times, with no exceptions. This includes being respectful of classmates, communicating only in appropriate areas of the Internet, properly exiting computer programs, and keeping the workstation clean and organized. Email may only be used if it is appropriate to the school or student activities. Participating in Chat Rooms is forbidden. Using another student's password in any way is forbidden. If the student is uncertain whether an activity is appropriate or not, he/she should ask the teacher. If the teacher is unavailable, the student will NOT continue.
Although the school has firewalls in place, the system is not perfect. If an inappropriate site appears while a student is accessing the Internet, s/he has the responsibility to log off the site immediately and to notify a teacher or administrator of what has occurred. Failure to advise the Administration of the inadvertent accessing of inappropriate sites will result in disciplinary action if the school discovers the access through routine computer monitoring. Jacobson Sinai Academy reserves the right to modify these agreements as necessary.
All school computers must be used in a responsible, ethical and legal manner. Violations of the following guidelines may result in the revocation of access privileges and possible disciplinary responses.
Guidelines:
" Students are not to share their passwords with others.
" Students must change his/her password if there is the slightest suspicion that it has been compromised.
" Students are not permitted to play computer games unless given permission by a teacher.
" Students are not permitted to be on a computer without a teacher present in the room.
" Students are not permitted to log onto their own private accounts.
" Students are not permitted to "chat" on line with other students or individuals during the school day.
" Students may only use the Internet for research purposes assigned by the teachers.
" Students are not permitted to alter any computer settings (desktop design, etc).
" Students are not permitted to download any software without permission.
" Students are not permitted to access other students' accounts.
" Students are not permitted to knowingly attempt to "hack" into the network for any reason.
" Students are not permitted to knowingly transmit a virus or harmful code.
Students are responsible for the activities that occur on their account - so be aware that other uses may misrepresent themselves or their intentions and do not give out your password!
Violation of its use results in immediate suspension and/or termination of the privilege of using the Internet and/or the computer. The student and parent or guardian must sign this form, and return it to the homeroom teacher.
The signed "Acceptance of Technology Use Contract" grants permission for the student to participate in using the Internet at school.
ACCEPTANCE OF POLICY CONTRACT
We have read the Jacobson Sinai Academy Upper School Parent/Student Handbook, understand the procedures,
and will support its policies and procedures.
Student Signature: _________________________
Printed Name: _________________________
Parent(Guardian) Signature: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Grade: _________________________
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Print out and return this page to the office.
We have read the Technology Use Policy of the Jacobson Sinai Academy. We understand the terms and agree to abide by them.
Student Signature:_________________________
Printed Name:_________________________
Parent(Guardian) Signature:_________________________
Date: _________________________
Grade:_________________________
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of the
Jacobson Sinai Academy
Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many laboratory activities that require the use of chemicals. Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and parents. To ensure a safe science classroom, a list of rules has been developed and provided to you in this student safety contract. These rules must be followed at all times.
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times. Pay attention to your teacher when safety rules are being explained. Good behavior, respect for others, and a positive attitude are necessary.
2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully.
3. No student may work in the laboratory without a teacher present.
4. You may not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.
5. Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.
6. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory instructions, worksheets, and/or reports to the work area.
7. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located.
8. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Tell the teacher immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.
9. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. Return all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area.
10. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or preparation areas unless given specific permission by their instructor.
11. When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry with tips and points pointing down and away. Always cut away from your body. Never try to catch falling sharp instruments. Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles.
12. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule!
13. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.
14. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. The proper technique for smelling chemical fumes will be demonstrated to you.
15. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents. Take only as much chemical as you need.
16. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
17. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipette. Use a rubber bulb or pipette pump.
18. When transferring reagents from one container to another, hold the containers away from your body.
19. Acids must be handled with extreme care. You will be shown the proper method for diluting strong acids.
20. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
21. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands.
22. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug, not the electrical cord. Hands must be completely dry before touching an electrical switch, plug, or outlet.
23. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use dirty glassware.
24. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not use damaged electrical equipment.
25. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.
26. Heated metals and glass remain very hot for a long time. They should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution. Use tongs or heat-protective gloves if necessary.
27. Never look into a container that is being heated.
28. Do not place hot apparatus directly on the laboratory desk. Always use an insulating pad. Allow plenty of time for hot apparatus to cool before touching it.
The George and Marla Bergmann Upper School
of the Jacobson Sinai Academy
I, _________________(student's name) have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules. I realize that I must obey these rules in order to insure my own safety as well as my fellow students. I will cooperate to the fullest extent with my teacher and fellow students to maintain a safe lab environment. I will also closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by my teacher. I am aware that any violation of this safety contract or misbehavior on my part, may result in being removed from the laboratory, detention, and/or receiving a failing grade.
_____________________________________________ _________________________
Student's Signature .................................................................Date
Dear Parent or Guardian:
We feel that you should be informed regarding the school's effort to create and maintain a safe science classroom/laboratory environment. With the cooperation of teachers, parents, and students, a safety instruction program can eliminate, prevent, and correct possible hazards.
You should be aware of the safety instructions your son/daughter will receive before engaging in any laboratory work. No student will be permitted to perform laboratory activities unless this contract is signed by both the student and parent/guardian and is on file with the teacher.
Your signature on this indicates that you have discussed the importance of safety in the laboratory with your son/daughter are aware of the measures taken to insure the safety of your son/daughter in the science laboratory, and will instruct your son/daughter to uphold his/her agreement to follow these rules and procedures in the laboratory.
_____________________________________________ ............._________________________
Parent's/Guardian's Signature ....................................................................Date
Print out and return this form to the office.
