ReligiousSchoolNews
Bruchim HaBa’im! Welcome! It is a pleasure and an honor to see all of the children and family members return to the Temple Beth El Religious School after a long and refreshing summer vacation. It is also an absolute joy to welcome our many new students and their families to our wonderful school. Indeed, you have found a place to call home here at Temple Beth El, and I hope that the roots you plant here at Temple this fall will offer your family a deep and fruitful connection to this vibrant Jewish community for many years to come.
Here are a few reminders and some general information that will help your family to acclimate to the start of Religious School this month. Please feel free to contact the Religious School Office anytime at 358-5823 if you have additional questions. Administrative Assistant, Helen Gitlin, or I will be happy to assist you.
· All class assignments will be given to children on the first day of school, regardless of grade.
· Parents of the K-3rd Graders are asked to stay for a brief while on the first day of school to meet with the Educational Director after children are sent to their classes. It is not at all necessary for parents of older students to stay at Temple on the first day of classes, however you are welcome to join us for a few minutes in the beginning if you desire.
· Tremendouscare and consideration goes into the class placement process. Classes are determined in such a way that the needs of each individual student and the needs of the school as a whole are considered. Classes are compiled based upon numerous factors including academic progress in the previous year, social and emotional issues, the recommendations of previous teachers and the general make-up of the particular grade (i.e. girls versus boys, etc). Requests to be with friends or with a specific teacher, as some parents wrote down upon registering, are considered but not guaranteed.
· Please be reminded of our Board of Education policy: Once assigned to a class, no class changes will be considered until the child has tried out his/her assigned class for one month. If needed, after one month has passed, possible changes may be discussed with the Educational Director.
· Parents, please be our partners in communication! It is very helpful when parents communicate regularly with our teachers and Religious School Office about academic, social, emotional or physical issues your child may face throughout the year. We will work hard to meet the many needs of our students to the best of our ability and it is often useful for parents to alert us to any special circumstances or other information that will help support a healthy school experience for each child.
· Regular, consistent attendance is of paramount importance to a successful Jewish learning experience in our Religious School. Although occasional absences cannot be avoided, please do your very best to ensure consistent attendance in Religious School. Each and every session is jam-packed with a great deal of learning and interesting activities. We have so much to do and so little time; please help us to make every session count!
· In many classes, especially in grades three through seven, homework is assigned. Teachers are careful to keep their assignments concise and thoughtful, taking into account the many activities and scheduling demands that our children face each week. However, homework is an important part of a well-balanced Jewish education, including non-writing assignments, such as Hebrew reading practice. Parents are asked to check in with children regularly about home assignments, which will help ensure that assignments are successfully completed in a prompt and thorough manner.
· Children in all classes are encouraged to help the needy in Rockland County, around the United States and in Israel, and are invited to bring in a small amount of money for our tzedakah program (righteous giving). At the end of the year, each class will discuss various Jewish and non-sectarian philanthropic organizations and will decide to which fund(s) their class will donate. As a school, we typically donate our tzedakah funds to well over a dozen worthy causes. Participation is voluntary. And most importantly, our philosophy on tzedakah is that the emphasis is never placed on how much one gives; rather only on the act of giving.
· By late August, all registered families should have received an official Religious School calendar for the 2010-2011 year. Please be reminded to go through all of the dates and take note of all programs that affect your child(ren)’s grade(s). There will be many wonderful special programs this year, including a variety of family oriented programs, such as Shabbat celebrations and in-school “Family Experience” days. Your direct participation in all family programs will be of profound importance to you and your child, and will allow your family to learn, share and grow together in a meaningful way.
· Lastly, speak well of our school! Show your children and friends how proud you are to be part of the Temple Beth El family! Let your children know that Jewish learning is important to you! YOUR ATTITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS! J
I look forward to our opening days with great anticipation!
Shanah Tovah U’Metukah,
Beth Kramer, Educational Director
SCHEDULE FOR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR
K-3RD GRADE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 10:00-11:50 AM
5TH & 7TH GRADE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 4:10-6:00 PM
4TH & 6TH GRADE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 4:10-6:00 PM
8TH,9TH,10TH GRADE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 7:15-8:30 PM
(CONFIRMATION)
