Hebrew School PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK School Year

Transcription

1 Hebrew School PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK School Year

2

3 Welcome to Chabad Center Hebrew School: Chabad Center Hebrew School is an affiliate of Congregation Sha arei Israel and Chabad Center of Raleigh. We are pleased that you have chosen our school for your child s supplementary Jewish education. We believe that the Hebrew School experience should be fun, inspiring, and provide warm memories for a lifetime. Your child should gain a basic understanding of Jewish life and traditions and a strong grasp of the Hebrew language. Most important, we hope to instill in your child a love of Judaism and of Israel, a pride in being Jewish, and a commitment to a Jewish life School Year at a Glance August 29 th : First Day of Hebrew School June 5 th : Last Day of Hebrew School Tuition Annual Tuition: Grades K-1 (Sunday only): $700 (members discount $350) Grades 2-8 (Sunday & Wednesday): $600 (members discount $450) Registration Children must be registered by August 24 th, 2010 with payment of first semester. Enclosed is a registration form and tuition agreement. Actual registration occurs only when we have received your completed registration information form and submitted the tuition agreement with payment for the entire year. Confidential Information It is of great importance for the teacher to have any information which can provide for the optimum learning situation. Information of a physical, social and psychological nature can aid a teacher in planning instruction for each child. Without this knowledge, teachers are handicapped and may be unable to provide the kind of support needed. Such information should be transmitted either in writing to or by a private conference with the Rabbi who will make it known to the appropriate teacher. The Talmud Torah Hebrew School registration form has a section for such information. Hebrew School Hours and Locations: Chabad Center: 7400 Falls of Neuse Rd. across from Ravencroft School. Sunday (Grades K-8) 9:30 AM -11:30 AM Wednesday (Grades 2-8) 4:45 PM- 6:15 PM Drop Off and Pick Up: The school will be open for students ten minutes prior to the beginning of class. Children are not to be dropped off before this time. We ask parents to be sensitive to the needs of our staff and arrive promptly for pickup. Parent/School Communication Communication between parents and staff is very important and will help make the Hebrew School experience more pleasant for your child. We often send important notices home with your child. Please be sure to ask for them each day. Our teachers are always available to discuss any concerns you may have with your child s progress. You will receive two progress reports per year, one in January and one in May. If you would like to speak to a teacher, please call the office and leave a message for her/him to return your call. Behavior Expectation: Chabad Hebrew School strives to create an atmosphere that reflects our traditional Jewish values. Our students understand that respect for teachers, for each other, and for all school property, is essential for a successful learning environment. We expect each student to treat fellow students and teachers with courtesy. We expect all rules and regulations for student behavior to be complied with in class and during school events. We do not allow loud, abusive,

4 or demeaning language. We expect all students to act responsibly and with caution, exercising special care in the parking lot. Parents Responsibilities Parents are responsible for the following: 1. Bringing and picking up your child on time 2. Following your child s progress through contact with his/her teachers 3. Being supportive of the objectives of Chabad Hebrew School and its staff 4. Taking an active part in your child s Jewish education, whenever possible. Hebrew School Responsibilities You can expect the school to fulfill the following: 1. Provide a positive, warm environment for your child 2. Give your child a viable knowledge of Hebrew language, Prayers, Jewish History, Customs, Torah, Israel, and ethics. 3. Keep you informed of your child progress and class activities 4. Provide your child with knowledgeable teachers who are dedicated to providing your child with quality Jewish education and values. 5. Provide your family with opportunities to learn and experience Jewish life. Books and Supplies Students are to bring their own three ring binders filled with wide lined paper and subject dividers. (Folders, books, pen see behavioral expectation section) All boys must wear a kippah in class. For sanitary reasons, we suggest that your son have his own kippah that may be left at school with his name written on it. Tzedakah Tzedakah, (Charity) is a basic value in Judaism and one we try to develop in our students. All classes begin each day with prayers and the giving of charity. Please try to send some coins to school each day to help encourage your child perform this Mitzvah. Mitzvah Notes In the younger classes (grades K-3), students are asked to bring in a note each week about a Mitzvah or good deed that they did. Students share their Mitzvahs and learn about the importance of helping others. Please try to point out your child s good deeds throughout the week and write down a special one to share. Attendance: Regular school attendance is crucial in accomplishing the goals of our educational program. There is a direct correlation between attendance records and achievement. When a child comes late or leaves early, the entire class is disrupted and precious time is wasted. When your child is absent, he/she is responsible to find out what was learned on that day. Feel free to call the office and leave a message for a teacher to call you back. Please notify the office if your child will be absent for any length of time due to illness or vacation. Arrangements will be made for your child to obtain the material covered in class as well as any homework assignment. Early Pick Up: If you need to pick up your child early, please send a note with an explanation and time you need to pick up. This will allow the teacher to be sure your child is ready and minimize the disruption to the rest of the class. Late Drop Off: If your child is late for any reason, please accompany him/her into the classroom.

5 Illness: Please notify us in case of contagious disease so that we may notify the parents of other children in the class. Also be sure to let us know of any changes in your child s medical condition during the year. Each classroom has a first aid kit and minor injuries will be attended to at the school. In the event of an emergency, the parents will be contacted. If neither the parents or the emergency contact listed on the medical form cannot be contacted, the child will be taken to the hospital. Telephone Messages: Our phone number is When leaving a message regarding your child, please leave your child s name and Hebrew School class and the staff person you would like to return your phone call. If the phone is not answered during school hours, please remember that the message may not be picked up until later that evening. In case of emergency, please call Rabbi Sholom at Classroom Visitation: Parents wishing to visit a child s classroom may do so upon receiving permission from the principal. Teachers are not available to converse with parents while the class is in progress, but are happy to arrange an appointment or telephone conference with you. Students who wish to bring a guest to school must obtain permission from the principal. Bat Mitzvah Club The Bat Mitzvah Club is a special program from girls who are approaching their bat mitzvah, outside of the regular schedule of Hebrew School. Please contact the Rebbitzen for more information. Bar Mitzvah Lessons and Tutoring For an additional fee, the school can arrange a tutor for your child. Please contact the Rabbi for more information regarding arranging a bar/bat mitzvah. How to Help Your Child In order for our Talmud Torah school program to be effective, the home and school must work hand in hand and promote a close partnership. The following are a few suggestions. a) A growing child needs plenty of rest. Teachers report that often a sluggish, indifferent child in the classroom on Sunday mornings may have been up late the night before. Please set a reasonable bedtime for Saturday night and be consistent. b) Please provide your child with a light snack before Talmud Torah begins. This will help your child ease the transition from public school c) Many of our students are involved in other extracurricular activities, i.e. sports, music lessons, etc. All these are important; however please place priority on your child s Jewish education. There is a direct correlation between a student s attendance and their achievement, interest and attitude. Every time your child is absent, there is a loss of continuity to the program. Please keep your child in school regularly. Quick Facts Director: Rabbi Sholom Estrin Office phone: Mailing address: 7400 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC rabbisholom@jewishraleigh.org

6 Hebrew School Calendar August 2010 Sunday 29 th Hebrew School Starts Wednesday 29 th September 2010 Sunday 5 th Wednesday 8 th Wednesday 22 th January 2011 Sunday 2 nd February 2011 Sunday 20 th Wednesday 29 th March 2011 Sunday 28 th October 2010 November 2010 Sunday 7 th Wednesday 24 th Sunday 28 th December 2010 Wednesday 22 th Sunday 26 st April 2011 Wednesday 20 th Sunday 24 th Wednesday 27 th May, 2011 Sunday 30 st June, 2011 Sunday 5 th : Last Day of Hebrew School