BETH EL SYNAGOGUE TALMUD TORAH
Administrative Guidelines
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
TALMUD TORAH GUIDELINES
ACTIVITY & SUPPLY FEE
An Activity and Supply Fee of $30 for each student will be payable with the annual school book fee.
ATTENDANCE
Regular BESTT attendance enables our students to learn
and grow. Frequent absences disrupt learning and hinder our young people
and our school from succeeding. Students enrolled in any grade are required
to attend all classes as prescribed by the curricula of the school and
of that particular grade. The BESTT Board supports parental desires
to enrich their children's education over-and-above the framework of
BESTT and encourages parents to do so by participating in Junior Congregation
on Shabbat and other special programs.
Students with special learning problems or physical and/or health handicaps may be accommodated through consultation with the Education Director
When a student is present for 2/3 of the designated
class period, said student would be marked present.
Students who fall behind due to continual absences must secure an approved tutor (see Education Director) at their own expense.
B’NAI
MITZVAH ELIGIBILITY
To be
eligible for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Beth El Synagogue, a student
must have been enrolled at BESTT from grades 3-7 (and attending 3
days per week) or at Friedel Jewish Academy or the equivalent (for
example, transferring from an equivalent school in another city). A
student entering the BESTT program after grade 3 from another school
must be evaluated in Hebrew reading skills by the Education
Director. If that new student’s Hebrew skills are not on a par with
those of his/her classmates, a private Hebrew tutor must be secured
at the parents’ expense plus attendance at BESTT classes regularly
is required 3 days per week.
Students
who are enrolled and attending our Talmud Torah or the Friedel
Jewish Academy at the time of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah are eligible
to participate in the following parts of the service in the
following order:
o
Aliyah
o
Haftorah
o
Speech
o
Torah
Reading
Students
who wish to lead parts of the morning service must attend one of the
following programs on a regular basis prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah
date:
A.
Shabbat
Friday night or Saturday morning services
B.
Junior
Congregation – the Cantor teaches your child his or her Torah and
Haftorah reading, not the services which they must learn by
attending BESTT classes and Shabbat services regularly.
Students
who are not enrolled and attending BESTT or the Friedel Jewish
Academy at the time of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah will be prepared for
and receive an Aliyah only.
Arrangements will be made on a case by case basis for students with
special needs or problems due to geographical considerations.
Final determination to the extent of the child’s
participation in the service will be made by the cantor and rabbi no
later than two months before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date.
BOOK FEES
The school orders books each year
for each grade level. The parents are billed a book fee as follows:
Grades
pre-K-2: $35 per student
Grades
3-7: $60 per student
CANCELLATION OF CLASSES
1. If Millard School District
and/or Omaha Public School District cancel classes because of
inclement weather conditions, hazardous driving, etc., there is
AUTOMATICALLY no Talmud Torah.
2. If Millard School District
and/or Omaha Public School District cancel classes as a result of
building readiness, cancellation of Talmud Torah classes will be left to
the discretion of the Education Director.
3. All School closings will be
recorded on the Beth El Synagogue Voice Mail System. Radio Stations
KFAB, KKAR and Sweet 98 will also be given the school closing
information. They will also be announced on the major television
stations.
COMMUNICATION
(*If you have changed your email address, please notify the school.
Thank you.)
To reduce the budgetary cost of first class postage, the
majority of the school’s communication to parents will be through
email and/or handouts in class. The bulk of the school’s
distribution of paper communication to parents will take place on
Sunday mornings. Please ask your children if they were given
information to bring home to you. If you have not supplied the
office with a current email address, please do so. Should you
change your email address during the course of the year, please keep
the school informed of the change. If you do not have email access,
please notify Judy Rubin so that you will receive pertinent
information in a manner that is convenient for both you and the
school. If your child does not live with both parents, please make
sure that BESTT is given the updated contact information for the
non-custodial parent.
School communication consists of notification of
school-sponsored events, synagogue sponsored events, family education
material and occasionally, community sponsored events.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
Students are expected to behave in a respectful
manner towards their teachers and fellow students, and treat the school
facilities in an appropriate fashion. You should discuss with your
child the specific behaviors that are expected of him/her. For
example: if talking excessively is an issue with your child, advise
him/her to refrain from talking during class time. If roughhousing is a
problem for your child, advise him/her to refrain from roughhousing
during class time. It is not sufficient to say: “be good today”. The
principal, teacher, student and parents will deal with any problems
jointly.
Students are expected to behave in a manner
consistent with the well being of every member of the BESTT community.
They must not disturb or distract their classmates, and they must
respect other people and the property of one another and the school.
Students must never imperil the safety of others or of themselves.
In keeping with the emphasis on reason and
cooperation, the procedures used in managing infractions of rules follow
a counseling approach rather then a punitive one. They include:
(a)
Mutual respect and consideration
(b)
Cooperative learning
(c)
Respectful expression of disagreement
(d)
Respect for individual differences
(e)
Verbalization of Jewish values and ethics as applied
to interpersonal relationships in classrooms
(f) Conflict
resolution for teasing and bullying among students
(g)
Social integration through classroom dynamics and
school social functions
(h)
Maintenance of a positive interactive, fun environment
to maximize learning
DRESS CODE
It is expected that parents and
students will utilize common sense and follow the guidelines set up by
public school districts for appropriate attire to BESTT. If students
are not allowed to wear certain types of clothing to public or private
school, that type of attire is also not appropriate for our religious
school classes. Please read the following for specific guidelines:
Fashions come and go. Modesty, however, has always
been an important value in Judaism for men and women. Our school is an
extension of our synagogue. Parents are asked to use good judgment in
helping their children make appropriate decisions concerning proper
dress for our religious school. Parents will be called to bring a
change of clothing for anyone deemed to be dressed inappropriately. If
a parent is unavailable, the student will be provided with appropriate
attire supplied by the school.
The school reserves the right to modify the dress
code as trends change. However, the following may be considered
guidelines for dress which is deemed inappropriate:
For boys: muscle shirts, see-through clothing,
T-shirts with messages or illustrations of drugs, tobacco products,
illegal substances, violence, death or profanity, which are racist or
sexist in nature; pants must cover the buttocks, underwear should not be
seen.
For girls: short
shorts, very short skirts, clothing which exposes the midriff, which
bares the shoulders or which exposes the student’s back or front;
see-through clothing, tight clothing or clothing that displays messages
or illustrations of drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, illegal
substances, violence, death or profanity. See above for boys.
*For both boys and
girls: When public school “spirit” days suggest a type of dress that is
normally not permitted in religious school, students should bring a
change of clothing to BESTT and change before classes start. Examples:
pajamas and slippers, cheerleading clothing, sport uniforms. If
students are going to another activity immediately following Talmud
Torah classes, they may change into their uniform or practice clothing
after BESTT classes or upon pickup.
Kipot are required head coverings for all male
students. This dress code should also be extended to services in the
Synagogue. Whether one participates as a congregant, receives an honor
or leads services as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, modest clothing is expected.
DROP OFF and PICK UP
It is important
that you drop-off your child on time for school. Students who
come to class on time have more success in mastering the materials being
presented and in participating in group projects. There are also fewer
disruptions in the lesson when students arrive on time. It is
very important that you pick up your child from school at the end of
class ON TIME! When you are late, staff must remain in the
building after it has been locked. Of course, we realize that
emergencies can occur. If you know that you are going to be late,
please make an effort to phone the office to let us know what time we
might expect you.
DUE PROCESS PROCEDURE/GRIEVANCE
(for students and parents)
A grievance is a complaint involving the
individual rights of a student or parent as it relates to the program of
BESTT, a complaint involving the conduct of another student or member of
the staff, or a complaint arising from an interpretation or application
of a BESTT policy or procedure. A grievance shall not include any
matter which would infringe upon the principles of academic freedom as
exercised by the teaching staff, such as the selection and presentation
of subject matter or the evaluation of a student’s performance as
reflected in a grade. Any aggrieved student or parent wishing to
file a grievance shall do so in accordance with the following steps:
1. Informal - BESTT Staff
The student and/or parent will
meet with the appropriate BESTT staff members and attempt to
solve the problem informally within five days of the
specific incident precipitating the grievance.
2. Informal - Education
Director
If the matter cannot
be resolved in Step 1, the aggrieved party may request a meeting with
the Education Director. The aggrieved party will meet with the
Education Director to attempt to informally resolve the problem. If it
cannot be resolved within 10 days of the meeting, the aggrieved party
may proceed to Step 3.
3. Formal - BESTT Board
The aggrieved party
may request to meet with the BESTT Board. The written request will
indicate what the grievance is (refer to definition of a grievance).
The Chair will meet with the aggrieved party and attempt to solve the
problem within the limits of BESTT policy and within ten days. The
formal decision will be in writing.
4. Formal - BESTT Board
The aggrieved party
may, within five days of the receipt of the written decision in Step 3,
request in writing to meet with the BESTT Board at its next regularly
scheduled meeting. The BESTT Board, after hearing the complaint, will
render its decision, which shall be final.
EARLY DISMISSAL
All early dismissals should be arranged in
advance by calling the BESTT office. We will make sure all of your
child's teachers are aware of the request. Parents are required to
enter the school office and sign your child out. Under no circumstances
will students be permitted to wait for parents in the vestibule or
outside. Students will be paged once parents have signed their
child(ren) out. This is for student safety and for BESTT
accountability.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
If a family has difficulty in
covering the expenses for such items as books, field trips, Shabbatonim,
etc., they should contact the Education Director. All information
will be kept confidential.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Graduation from Talmud Torah occurs
in the 7th grade. It is a joyous occasion to mark the
culmination of a child’s elementary Jewish education. 7th
grade students join the 12th graders to lead portions of the
Shabbat morning service on Graduation day. All course work in Grades 6
and 7 must be satisfactorily completed in order for the student to be
eligible for consideration for graduation. An 85% attendance in
Seventh Grade is required to be eligible for graduation. All
financial obligations to BESTT must be satisfied by April 1st
of the school year to ensure the student's inclusion in graduation. A
meeting will be held in January to determine the format of the
graduation reception and its costs.
HOMEWORK
Homework is
appropriate when it is meaningful, motivated, directed and assigned for
the purpose of learning by doing. Assignments will always be realistic
in their duration keeping in mind the demands of a child’s secular
schoolwork load. Students will be responsible for work missed in class
due to absences or early dismissal. (See Makeup Work below.)
INCOMPLETES/FAILURES
If a child receives an "incomplete" or did not
pass the course, all work must be completed within 30 days after
issuance of report cards.
LOST AND FOUND
Please check with the religious school
office for any lost articles. Any articles not claimed by the end of
the year will be donated to a local shelter.
MAKEUP WORK
If a child has missed work because
of absence or early dismissal, the child is expected to be current in
the work. It is school policy that:
1. The child or parent find out
the work missed.
2. The child makes up all the work
missed.
3. Teachers are understanding of
absences due to illness, death in the family, etc.
4. See Incompletes
If a student falls behind in work
or in skill acquisition, an approved tutor may be secured at the
parent’s expense to keep the student current. See Attendance above.
MITZVAH PROJECTS
When a child becomes Bar/Bat Mitzvah he/she
becomes eligible and obligated to perform mitzvot. What are mitzvot?
What can my child do to fulfill mitzvot at the age of 12 or 13? Setting
the groundwork at this stage in a child’s life, helps to secure the
continuation of performing mitzvot for the rest of their lives.
Examples of mitzvot: ritual, study, prayer, community service. Seventh
grade students will perform Mitzvah projects within the context of the
classroom.
If you are the parent of a 6th-7th
grader and would be interested in finding out more, please contact Judy
Rubin at 498-0904 to arrange a program. The Education Director will be
happy to help personalize a program for all who are interested.
NOTES
A child is expected to bring a note
whenever absent, indicating the date and the reason for the absence.
The note should be given to the teacher who will pass it on to the
school secretary. A parent may also confer verbally with the school
office.
PARENT ROLE
The parents play a vital role in
the Jewish education of their children. It is their enthusiasm that
reflects on their child's ability and willingness to learn. We ask that
you be supportive of BESTT and its learning process. The school's goal
is to provide the children with the interest and motivation to keep the
learning process going throughout their adult Jewish life. If parents
have any concerns about their child’s classes, they should not hesitate
to contact the teachers or Education Director.
PARENT TEACHER COMMUNICATION
Open lines of communication will be maintained
throughout the religious school. Parents should feel free to contact
their children’s teachers or the Educational Director to discuss any
concerns about a child’s success in the religious school. Teachers will
keep parents informed about classroom activities and expectations
through letters or email.. At any time, should a parent desire a
conference with a teacher or the Educational Director, please call the
school office to arrange a convenient time.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards are issued at the end of each
semester. Each teacher will indicate a grade for curriculum progress,
social and work characteristics.
SHABBAT ATTENDANCE
The most natural way to learn prayer is to pray in
the environment of the synagogue. In order to become comfortable with
Beth El Synagogue melodies, regular, consistent attendance at Beth El
Synagogue is necessary. To that end, the school board have approved the
institution of a Shabbat attendance policy.
All students in grades 3-7 are required to attend
Shabbat services at least ten times per year. Students
who meet these minimal requirements will be eligible for greater
participation on the Shabbat of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah*. All students
who attend the minimum of 10 Shabbat services will be recognized at the
end of the school year.
The requirement may be fulfilled as follows:
1.
Attendance at a Beth El Synagogue Friday evening service
2.
Attendance at a Beth El Synagogue Shabbat morning service
3.
Attendance at a Beth El Synagogue Saturday evening service
(Mincha, Ma'ariv, Havdalah)
4.
Attendance at a Beth El Synagogue Junior Congregation
5.
Attendance at a Beth El Summer Synagogue K’tan tan service
(grades 3 and 4 only)
6.
Attendance at a Shabbat morning service at another
synagogue (credit limited to two per year).
Private
Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutoring sessions with Cantor Bogomolni will be limited
to the instruction of Haftarah and Torah reading. Students will have
opportunities to learn the davening of the service in their classrooms,
private tutoring sessions on Shabbat with the available tutors before
Junior Congregation on Saturday mornings and by attendance at Shabbat
services or at Junior Congregation services.
SNACKS
Since children
are often hungry after school, a snack is often important to keep up
their energy level. Please make sure that the snack your child is
bringing into the building is KOSHER. No food from home
or unlabeled snacks will be allowed to be eaten. We do have a soda and
snack machine in the building filled with Kosher snacks. Please have
your child finish their snack before they enter the classrooms. FOOD
WILL NOT BE PERMITTED IN THE CLASSROOM!
SPECIAL
NEEDS/TUTORING
In order to best serve
your child’s educational, emotional and physical needs, the Educational
Director must be informed about any special needs your child may
require. Whether the need be physical such as in accommodating a broken
arm or leg, dietary such as a food allergy, emotional, medical or
educational, please provide as much information as possible about your
child’s condition as possible. All information will be kept strictly
confidential. The parent of any student who has an IEP (Individual
Educational Plan) from secular studies is requested to provide a copy of
that IEP to the Educational Director to be kept in the child’s records.
Any special educational accommodations noted in the secular report will
also be implemented in the child’s religious school studies to better
serve the child in our setting through a private meeting with a our
special needs coordinator and the child’s teachers. Without an IEP,
detailed instructions or a doctor’s note, it would be difficult for us
to implement special methods or modifications for a student and a
disservice to the student will result. The IEP meeting will provide
everyone concerned with the child’s Jewish education to provide unified
services to each child requiring them. Open communication between the
home and our school best serves the needs of all students. Be sure to
supply this information on the BESTT registration form. Students with
documented special needs will receive additional tutoring during a
pullout session with our special needs coordinator at no additional
cost. Students who require additional tutoring who do not have
documented special needs, will be charged a nominal fee. See page 26
for details.
VISITATION / GUESTS
If students desire to bring a guest
to BESTT, please contact the Educational Director in advance.
Permission will be granted as long as the guest is a respectful
participant in the classroom. Permission will be granted on a first
come first served basis so that teachers are not overburdened by
unexpected students in the classroom.
ROOM ASSIGNMENTS 2006-2007
PRIMARY GRADES
Class
Day
Times
Teacher(s)
Room
Pre – K Sunday 10:00 –
12:00 PM Eve Randone Nursery
K Sunday 10:00 –
12:00 PM Holly Weill Room Bet
1 Sunday 10:00 –
12:00 PM Jill Simon Pod Day 2
2 Sunday 10:00 –
12:00 PM Annelise Ocanto Pod Day 3
ELEMENTARY GRADES
Class
Day
Times Teacher(s)
Room
3 Sunday 10:00 –
11:00 AM Sindie Katskee Room Het
11:00 – 12:00 PM Sarah
Juster Room Gimel
Mon & Wed
4:15 – 5:05 PM Deborah Kronick Room Dalet
5:10 – 6:00 PM
Eadie Tsabari Room Gimel
11:00 – 12:00 PM Sindie Katskee Room Het
Mon & Wed
4:15 – 5:05 PM Eadie Tsabari Room Gimmel
5:10
- 6:00 PM Margo Riekes Room Hay
5 Sunday 10:00 –
11:00 AM Joan Cooper Room Dalet
11:00 – 12:00 PM Andy Greenberg Room Dalet
Tues & Thurs 4:15 – 5:05
PM Eadie Tsabari Room Gimel
6A Sunday 10:00 –
11:00 PM Cantor Bogomolni Room Vav
11:00 – 12:00 Margo Riekes Room Zayin
5:10 – 6:00 PM Eadie Tsabari Room Het
6B Sunday
10:00-11:00 Margo Riekes Room Hay
11:00-12:00 Susan Paley Room Zayin
Tues & Thurs
4:15 - 5:05 PM Deborah Kronick Room Dalet
5:10 -
6:00 PM Maya Wertheimer Room Het
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Class Day
Times Teacher(s)
Room
7 Sunday 10:00
– 11:00 AM Susan Paley Room Zayin
11:00 --12:00 PM Sorin Juster Meeting
Room B
Mon 4:15 –
5:05 PM Diane Malashock
Room Het
5:05 –
6:00 PM Susan Paley Room Zayin
Wed 4:15 –
5:05 PM Diane Malashock Room
Het
5:10 –
6:00 Deborah Kronick Room
Dalet
Tefillah Schedule
Mondays: 5:40-6:00 PM, in classroom or West Court
(Eadie Tsabari, Judy Rubin, Cantor Gaston Bogomolni)
Tuesdays: 5:40-6:00, classroom (Eadie Tsabari)
2006/2007 (5766/5767)
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT
|
Grade |
Text |
Author |
Publisher |
Books & Materials Fee |
|
Pre-K |
Drops of
Honey |
Benjamin/Coop-erman |
Torah Aura |
Pre-Kindergarten Total: $65.00 (includes $30 activity/supply
fee) |
|
Kindergarten |
|
Bellet,
Grishaver |
Torah Aura |
|
|
|
|
Bellet,
Grishaver |
Torah Aura |
|
|
|
Places in
Israel |
Epstein-Asor |
Torah Aura |
Kindergarten
Total: $65.00
(includes $30
activity/supply fee) |
|
First Grade |
Now I Know My
Alef-Bet |
|
|
|
|
|
Alef
Celebrations |
|
|
|
|
|
I Can Learn
Torah |
|
|
|
|
|
Let’s Explore
Being Jewish: Symbols |
|
|
First Grade
Total: $65.00 (includes $30 activity/supply fee) |
|
|
Second Grade |
Tiyulim Text |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tiyulim Home
Workbook |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Israel People
and Places |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let’s
Celebrate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bible
from Alef to Tav |
|
|
Second Grade
Total: $65.00 (includes $30 activity/supply fee) |
|
|
|
Third Grade |
Shalom
Uvracha |
Tarnor/Levy |
Behrman House |
|
|
|
|
|
Hineni Script
WB |
Baum |
Behrman House |
|
|
|
|
|
My Jewish
Year |
Fisher |
Behrman House |
|
|
|
|
|
A Child’s
Bible Book I |
Rossel |
Behrman House |
|
|
|
|
|
Passport to
Israel |
Lerner/Barkin |
Torah Aura |
