/ 5773 ENGAGING STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN JEWISH LEARNING AND LIVING!

Transcription

1 PARENT HANDBOOK / 5773 ENGAGING STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN JEWISH LEARNING AND LIVING!

2 CONTENTS Welcome 1 Who s Who in the Religious School 2 New Initiatives for Religious School Mission and Goals 4 Guiding Principles 5 Schedule of Classes 6 Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures 7 Administrative Procedures 8-11 Building Sacred Community 12 Student Support Services 13 Procedures Regarding Nut Allergies 14 Curriculum Overview: K Curriculum Overview: Engaging School Programs Bar/Bat Mitzvah 21 Confirmation 22 Madrichim Program 23

3 WELCOME! It is with great pleasure that we welcome you and your child/ren to an engaging year of Jewish learning at TRS. We look forward to working with your children as your partner in their Jewish growth. We hope that you will find this handbook helpful in learning about the procedures and policies of our Religious School. Our program is child centered. We strive to create a nurturing atmosphere and provide learning experiences that are experiential and personally meaningful. Jewish values are at the core of all our teaching. The secular world can be a difficult and confusing place. Jewish living, based on the values of Torah and a sense of spiritual connection can bring direction and meaning to our students lives. Jewish family learning is also an important component of our school. The skills and values needed for Jewish living cannot be taught in a vacuum. Children need opportunities to "live Jewishly" at home through holiday celebration, worship, or family learning. We work towards engaging our parents through regular communication, family programming, and providing experiences for family worship and parent learning. We hope that you and your child/ren, our students, will see Temple Rodef Shalom as a second Jewish home. There is a very personal aspect to Jewish learning at TRS, and we strive to meet the needs of each student and family. We are always open to meeting with you to discuss ideas and concerns. Chazak chazak: may your family go from strength to strength in your continued Jewish journeys! Cantor Allen Leider, Director of Education Barbara Brot Bailey, Principal, K-3 Babette Cohn, Principal, 4-6 Courtney Anthony, Principal, 7-12 Libby Saypol, Office Manager 1

4 WHO S WHO AT TRS RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Our Director Of Education Cantor Allen Leider brings 25 years of congregational experience. Currently in his 6th year as TRS Director of Education, he is committed to providing quality Jewish education and involving all members in Jewish learning and living. (703) , ext.231 home: (703) aleider@templerodefshalom.org Our Principals Our talented Principals each direct a section of our Religious School: Barbara Brot Bailey: grades K-3 (703) , ext.232 home: (703) bbailey@templerodefshalom.org Babette Cohn: grades 4-6 (703) , ext.233 home: (703) bcohn@templerodefshalom.org Courtney Anthony: grades 7-12 (703) , ext.235 home: (513) canthony@templerodefshalom.org Our Office Manager Libby Saypol (703) , ext.230 lsaypol@templerodefshalom.org Religious School Committee Under the excellent guidance of co-chairs Gayle Greene and Mark Mansour, our Religious School Committee serves as a support in giving direction to our school and creating policy. Meetings are held monthly. Contact: gaylebeth@aol.com Student Support We are committed to ensuring that all of our students have access to a personally meaningful Jewish education, including those with special needs. Marsha Goldberg serves as our Student Support Coordinator, linking students, parents and teachers. Marsha is the former director of the Parent Resource Center in Fairfax County Schools and now works for the U.S. Department of Education in the Office of Special Education Programs. She is here most sessions. Contact: mgoldberg@templerodefshalom.org Teacher Support Specialist Barbara Elbeze helps support our teachers in their classroom management skills. Barbara brings great experience to our program, having served as the Performance Evaluation Program Specialist for Alexandria City Public Schools. Contact: belbeze@cox.net Our Clergy Team Rabbis Amy Schwartzman and Jeff Saxe, and Cantors Michael Shochet and Tracy Scher participate actively in our Religious School, assisting with teaching, assemblies, t filah, choirs, and special programs. Our Students Nearly 900 strong, we have the most wonderful, talented, and creative students anywhere! 2

5 NEW INITIATIVES FOR Each year, our new initiatives are designed to bring students into deeper and more meaningful relationships with each other and with Judaism: Curricular Plan and implement our new midweek 4-6 Hebrew in Motion curriculum. This new format includes grade level buddy classes on prayer skills and meaning, mixed grade Hebrew reading classes where students can progress at their own pace (remember S.R.A?), and weekly creative t filah experiences that allow students to practice their prayer skills and explore their own spirituality. Improve the 5th grade values-based Doing Jewish curriculum based on evaluation feedback. Expand the 5th grade Doing Jewish curriculum to include 6th grade. Plan and implement our new 7th grade curriculum, integrating CHAI, Peer to Peer Ethics, Holocaust and two elective choices. Continue to develop Soul Searching, our teen mentoring curriculum, based on evaluation feedback. Expand Soul Searching as a Sunday 8/9 elective, and create an overnight program for all participating students towards community building and boundary breaking. Create an alternative N tivot program on Tuesday evenings using Soul Searching and Roots and Shoots (Jane Goodall s youth program with projects for the environment, animals and people). Mix grades if needed. Update the N tivot Being a Mentsch curriculum to be more student centered, personal and active. Arrange for more guest speakers for N tivot classes, particularly for the 8th and 9th grade core curricula. Administrative Add regular opportunities for students to do self-evaluation, reflect on their learning, and to offer feedback on curriculum and their level of engagement. Provide facilitation tools to faculty. Fine tune our system for providing meaningful Engagement Updates to parents based on teacher and parent feedback. Create more opportunities for parent conversations regarding student engagement, with focus on grades 3, 5 and 7. Programmatic Implement our plan for K-6 Sunday teachers to use snack time for developing stronger classroom community through connection questions and group building activities. Add a 5th grade overnight Shul-In to introduce the Doing Jewish curriculum and new curriculum format. Work with our Youth Director to program grade level community building challenges for younger grades. Add the Reform Action Center s L takein trip on social justice for grades 11 & 12. Add holiday assemblies and Meet the Teacher to the N tivot calendar. 3

6 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL MISSION AND GOALS Our Educational Philosophy Our school is a part of a sacred community, and this value is reflected in all we do. We are committed to meeting the needs of each student through fostering Jewish identity, strengthening a sense of community and providing Jewish knowledge that will become a framework for daily living. Jewish learning needs to be active, engaging and personally meaningful. Religious School Vision & Mission Temple Rodef Shalom Religious School seeks to spark a life-long passion for Jewish learning, Jewish living and k hilah (community). We are Reform Jews, living and learning Jewishly, binding ourselves to our people by word and deed. This is our vision for Lifelong Jewish Learning and Living. Linked to this vision, the communities of our Movement embrace experiences and activities that encourage all learners to become: Engaged with God God - Jews who can articulate an answer to the question Where is God in the world and in the stories of their lives. Reform Judaism - Jews who continually deepen their commitment to, and experience of their Judaism through lifelong learning, personally relevant ritual observance within the broad range of Jewish tradition, and serious consideration of mitzvot that will enhance one s spirituality, draw one close to one s community, and motivate one toward active reparation of what is broken in the world. Shabbat Festivals, Rituals - Jews who live in Jewish time by celebrating Shabbat, festivals and engaging in rituals that mark significant occasions in our lives. Covenant and Mitzvot - Jews who fulfill the brit, the covenant, between God and the Jewish people through the practice of Mitzvot, commandments. Prayer- Jews who understand, value and practice t filah, prayer. Justice, Social Action - Jews who affirm the values of Tikkun Olam and Betzelem Elohim by commitment to Tzedek (social justice), Bal Tashchit (environmental protection), Chesed (acts of compassion, diversity, and gender sensitivity) Engaged with Torah Torah and Text - Jews who cherish Torah and classic Jewish literature, interpreted through history and modern Jewish thought, as the foundation for Reform Jewish living and learning. Hebrew - Jews who embrace the study of and use of Hebrew as the language of the Jewish people. Engaged with Israel Israel and Klal Yisrael - Jews who affirm their connection to Eretz Yisrael, the land of Israel, and their relationship with Klal Yisrael, Jewish peoplehood and Jews throughout the world. Jewish Identity and Community - Jews who see themselves as members of the Jewish people, inextricably bound to the past, present, and future of K lal Yisrael. History and Tradition -Jews who are knowledgeable about our peoples past, and who derive meaning and comfort from the traditions we have inherited Synagogue and Community Institutions - Jews who fulfill the brit, the covenant, between God and the Jewish people through the practice of Mitzvot, commandments. Esteem - Jews who cherish their own person and the person of others, regardless of gender, race or religious identity. 4

7 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL GUIDING PRINCIPLES Core Idea: Jewish education must be transformative and provide a supportive framework for living. 1. We need to increase community among our students and parents. Jewish learning needs to be based in relationship a social experience which shapes identity and builds community. The future of the Jewish people probably resides more in the friendships that our students make in school and the level of community we forge among our students than in anything we teach them. It is George and Sarah who will lead Britney toward a Jewish future, not the ability to read v shamru with few enough errors and more than enough fluency to secure the Jewish future. (Joel Grishaver) 2. Jewish learning needs to connect to our students daily lives. Deep Learning occurs when learners integrate and personalize facts, experiences, and memories so that they build on previous knowledge, and can be applied to make meaning in other aspects of their lives. Jewish learning should address all of our experiences and aspirations. Students should be able to answer these questions at various stages in their learning: How does Judaism guide me in my relationships with others, with God and with the world around me? What is my role in the redemption of the world? What tools can help me to continue becoming the best person I can be? What is my connection to the Jewish people? 3. Jewish learning needs to link to Jewish doing. Students need to understand the essential active aspect of being part of the Jewish people to be a light to the nations and to be engaged in tikkun olam repairing the world. Our response as a people to the covenant at Sinai Na aseh v nishma We will do and we will listen needs to resonate at each grade level. 4. Jewish learning needs to be active and engaging. Effective learning requires movement, review/repetition, engagement of multiple senses, interaction, exploration, and visual stimuli. We learn best through doing Jewish rather than reading about it. Jewish learning needs to touch the heart and bring a sense of spiritual connection. 5. Jewish learning needs to have opportunities for personal choice. We are all on individual pathways in our Jewish journeys. Learners need to be active agents in fashioning their Jewish learning. 6. We need to educate a community of families. Jewish education will not be effective if it does not connect to the home and engage parents. We need to be holistic in our approach, and view families as learners and our congregation as a community of learners. 7. Jewish identity formation takes place in a constellation of experience (school, home, camp, Israel trips, youth group, etc.) 5

8 SCHEDULE OF CLASSES Grades K-3 Sundays 8:30-10:45 or 11:15-1:30 Grades 4-6 Judaic classes: Sundays 8:30-10:45 or 11:15-1:30 AND Hebrew classes: Tuesdays 4:30-6:15 p.m. or 6:30-8:15 p.m. or Wednesdays 4:30-6:15 p.m. Grades 7-10 Our N tivot (Pathways) teen program meets Sundays from 6:00-8:00 p.m. or Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Tuesday evening program is an alternative curriculum with the option for mixed grades. Each grade level includes additional scheduled activities, including a retreat. Grades Meets twice a month on Sunday evenings 6:00-8:00 p.m. 6

9 Yay Religious School!! DROP OFF AND PICK UP PROCEDURES Our traffic procedures are designed with your child s safety in mind. Please be patient, especially during the first few weeks of school as everyone gets back into the swing of things. You can help speed the pick up by clearly printing your child s name in marker lengthwise across a piece of paper and placing it on top of your dash in your front window. We really count on Parent Volunteers to help keep our children safe! Each family is assigned one or two dates (sent at the end of August) to assist the principals at the carpool line. All parents who want to drop off or pick up in the carpool line must enter through the far driveway (towards Haycock St.) and follow these procedures: 1. Carpool parents will enter through the far driveway and proceed around the bottom of the parking lot. 2. Please stay in the left lane closest to the building for pick up. This lane is ONE WAY going up towards the top of the parking lot. 3. Please pull all the way up to the stop sign past the entrance to TRS Religious School entrance. Students will load/unload curbside into back seats from the driver s side or can be escorted to the passenger side doors when necessary. 4. Cars can then pull into the passing lane and exit at top of the driveway near the circular driveway. PLEASE be attentive to pedestrians in the marked crosswalk and directives by the crossing guard. 5. If dropping off, please make sure your child is ready to get out of the car (with shoes on, books in hand, etc.) if you are in the carpool lane. If your child is not ready or has items in the trunk, we request that you park so that no drivers are exiting their cars at any point in the carpool lanes. 6. Please do not leave your car for any reason in the carpool lane. Parents on duty will ask the name of your child and will help find him/her, even if you are the first car. We greatly ask for your cooperation in this process. For parents who wish to park: Enter the parking lot from the far driveway through the carpool lane and go right into the top tiers. You may also enter the circular driveway to the right, proceed around the circle and cross over exiting traffic into the parking lot. The circular driveway cannot be used for pick ups. 7

10 ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES We are fully committed to personally supporting each TRS student on his/her individual journey of Jewish growth and involvement. As our partners in Jewish education, we hope that you will support our policies, which have been developed to maintain school quality and ensure that each student receives a meaningful Jewish education. ATTENDANCE Continuity is a key factor in a student s learning process as well as his/her feeling connected to our community. Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of the total number of class sessions in each semester/trimester. Make up work and grade promotion consideration for excessive absences will be handled on a case by case basis. Absences Please notify your child s teacher when possible in case of an absence. If you inform us that your child is sick, we will be happy to have his/her classmates sign a get well card! Students are encouraged to complete missed work as posted in the teacher s weekly e- mail. Arriving On Time Please be considerate of our very limited class time by dropping off your child on time. ith only sessions for the year, we value every minute of time we have with your child. Additionally, it is disruptive to the class or worship session when students come in late. Thank you in advance for your support in valuing our time here. Bringing Food to Class Please have your children eat before class time rather than bringing food into the classroom. Students with bagels or hot chocolate on Sunday mornings from the Bagel Bar will be asked to sit in the school lobby until they have finished. We have found that food in the classroom is disruptive to beginning class activities. All classes have a group snack during the session. Early Pickup If you need to pick up your child before the end of class, we require that you come to the school office to sign your child out. Our Office Manager will contact the classroom to have your child sent to the office. For student safety, no student will be released until a parent has signed him/her out. Students will not be released during the last 10 minutes of class in order to allow teachers to have meaningful review time. Students will be responsible for class work missed. Guests and Visitors While we want to be welcoming to friends and relatives of our students, we are generally unable to include them in classroom activities. Please help interested friends and family feel welcome by bringing them with you to open Temple functions such as Shabbat Services and holiday celebrations. If your family has extenuating circumstances regarding a visitor, please contact our Office Manager in advance of the session. 8

11 PARENT COMMUNICATION Regular communication with parents is an important means of empowering parents as partners in their child s Jewish education. We will provide: Introductory s from your child s teacher/s K-6 parent orientation on the first day of classes & two opportunities during the year for an orientation to our N tivot/grades 7-12 program Meet the Teachers sessions at the end of October-- a chance to meet your child s teachers and learn more about the class curriculum Weekly school communications by - our Shmooze and News or Teen Shmooze weekly school updates. These e-letters will inform you of upcoming activities and special worship services. (Be sure that we have your correct address!) Weekly teacher updates. These will include a question about the core lesson to ask your child when picking them up. STUDENT PROGRESS AND ENGAGEMENT It is our expectation that students will participate fully in all class and class related events. Students are evaluated through class projects, review games, and various methods of formative assessment. Teachers will update you at the end of December and March with information on: 1. Your child s classroom engagement (social connections, behavior/derech eretz, participation, etc.): 2. Your child s academic participation or interest (accomplishment, expressed interest, evidence of learning, etc.): grades 2-3 & 4-6 midweek only: 3. Your child s Hebrew reading progress/homework completion: Teachers will also send you a summary of the students accomplishments at the end of the school year. Students must complete grade level objectives in order to be promoted to the next grade. If your child is not meeting attendance requirements or completing student grade level objectives, you will be contacted by your principal. Please contact your principal if you have any questions or concerns. HOMEWORK Taking into account our students very active lives, Judaic studies teachers will not give regular homework. When occasional homework is given, it will often be a family-related assignment. Hebrew reading skills however, cannot be mastered once a week. Therefore, Hebrew reading practice is a component of our curriculum. 2nd through 6th grade students need to practice regularly at home. Teachers will assign and track weekly Hebrew reading homework. Student Hebrew reading practice should average 5-10 minutes daily -- about 30 minutes per week. To make this study easy, make it a part of your child s everyday routine. Reading practice tracked by the Hebrew teachers will be a factor in academic assessment. Students who do not regularly complete the reading practice may be required to do extra work or in extreme cases, extra tutoring before being promoted to the next grade level. 9

12 You can support your child by listening to him/her read, even if you are a non-hebrew reader. Being involved and interested will make a difference in your child s confidence and motivation. Most homework assignments will be supported on a website or with a CD. Transliterations (English) are available for most of the prayers please ask the teacher for a copy. We encourage you to strengthen your own Hebrew skills through our TRS adult education offerings. SNACKS All K-6 Sunday classes will have time for a 5-10 minute snack break in the classroom. This provides an opportunity for the class to learn blessings, to socialize, build community, and to enjoy informal sharing. At the beginning of the year teachers will assign dates for parents to bring in snacks. You are responsible for making changes in the schedule if needed. Students with allergies may bring their own snack. K-3 snack: Parents are asked to send in challah and white grape juice on the week they are assigned. An alternate snack can be provided for students with allergies. 4th-6th grades: Parents have more flexibility in these grades, but the item must be nut free (most challahs are not)! We recommend sending in juice boxes (100% juice) along with one of these snack items: graham crackers fruit roll ups pretzels, crackers veggies and dip cheese and crackers mini bagels and cream cheese fruit No food with nuts or food made in a facility that processes nuts are allowed. Please check labels! The religious school will provide Tuesday/Wednesday Hebrew students with challah and juice for a grade level snack break. 7th-10th grades will have a pizza snack break. Pizza is available for those students who sign up and pay in advance. Fruit is also available for all students at no charge. We will continue to sell non-caffeinated soda and bottled water for $.50 with any profit going to tzedakah. WORSHIP SERVICE ATTENDANCE Participation in congregational worship allows students to develop their own sense of spirituality and put into practice the worship skills they are learning in class. We encourage all students to attend a minimum of six services a year. Family Shabbat services take place on the first Friday night of each month, September through May at 7:00 p.m. This warm and welcoming service includes prayer, music, and a story. There is Israeli dancing at the Oneg after the service. BOOKS AND MATERIALS The cost of classroom materials is included in the Religious School fees. If a workbook is lost, you will need to purchase a second copy. Students are responsible for bringing all necessary books to class. We recommend that you purchase a book bag or small backpack to dedicate specifically for Religious School books and materials. Kindergarten students, and all students new to the school are provided with a TRS tote bag. TRS tote bags are also available for purchase for a nominal charge. 10

13 CELL PHONES Students, madrichim and teachers are not allowed to use cell phones during a class session, including break times. All emergencies or necessary calls should be handled through the office. Teachers will hold on to phones for the session if they are taken out by students. This policy is particularly important for N tivot students. Our goal is to be building community. SCHOOL CLOSINGS For weather-related closing, we will make a decision regarding school as early as possible. Cancellations will be announced on WTOP radio (103.5 FM and 820 AM) and will be posted on their website, A message will be left on the Religious School answering machine (703) , and a notice will be posted on the Temple website. REGISTRATION AND FEES Registration and fees for the coming year are mailed from the Religious School office at the end of May. Registration is accepted on a first come, first served basis. 11

14 BUILDING SACRED COMMUNITY Temple Rodef Shalom s Mission Statement begins, Together we strive to build a sacred community, Kehilah Kedoshah It is this goal of building sacred community that is at the core of our approach to classroom management. Classroom Atmosphere We strive to create a place where students can grow Jewishly and enjoy the community of their classmates in a nurturing and supportive environment. The atmosphere in our classrooms should be heimish, positive, relaxed, and respectful. Students are expected to participate in all activities and follow teacher instructions. Teachers should work towards making their classroom a makom kadosh (holy place), taking into account ways to bring holiness to classroom space and time. All staff, parents, and students are expected to act like mentchen and treat each other with respect and kavod. Core Values Teachers will utilize the following Jewish value terms in their classrooms on a regular basis, using them as the core for discussions about behavioral expectations. KEHILAH KEDOSHAH We are a holy community. SHALOM BAYIT peace in the house KAVOD respect or honor CHESED kindness or loving kindness STUDENT BEHAVIOR Students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner which: Reflects respect for teachers, fellow students and our facility Demonstrates compassion for others Promotes a positive learning environment in the classroom Minor disciplinary issues will ordinarily be handled within the classroom. If the teacher deems the student disruptive to the class environment, the student will be sent to the office to speak with a principal or our Director of Education. In the event of a serious or persistent problem, parents will be contacted by school administration, and may be asked to pick up their child early. Extreme cases could result in suspension, as determined by the Director of Education and the Religious School Committee. 12

15 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES / SPECIAL NEEDS Rabbi Eliezer teaches: Let other people s dignity be as precious to you as your own. (Pirkei Avot 2:15) If we are all truly created in God s image, then we have an obligation to recognize that which is holy in each person. Temple Rodef Shalom Religious School strives to meet the educational and communal needs of each child in our congregation. We will do all we can to meet the needs of any student who requires special accommodations. Our approach is to be inclusive in our classrooms and we work in partnership with parents and teachers to make learning meaningful and personally relevant. Our teachers utilize the tools of differentiated learning, recognizing that all students have special needs. Parents are asked to indicate on their child s registration form if their child will need accommodations or support to be successful. Parents may be invited to school to complete a Jewish Action Education Plan (JEAP), similar to the form that documents an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in public schools. The meeting allows parents and school staff members to discuss the student s strengths and weaknesses, develop a vision for Jewish education, and review assessment results, strategies, accommodations, and adaptations that would be helpful to the student. Parents of students who do not need or want to fill out a JEAP can discuss this information with the Student Support Coordinator. Accommodations for students with support needs may include, but are not limited to, small class size, pull-out tutoring sessions, consultation with the teachers, or extra assistance in the classroom. As we identify students who may need more significant support, we will continue to work with parents to develop appropriate accommodations to meet each student s individual needs. Need more information? Contact Marsha Goldberg, our Student Support Coordinator at mgoldberg@templerodefshalom.org. 13

16 PROCEDURES REGARDING NUT ALLERGIES Adopted by TRS Board of Directors May 15, 2007 Allergies to peanuts and tree nuts (such as cashews, walnuts, almonds, etc) are very serious and can be life threatening. For many people with nut allergies, exposure to even a minute trace of nuts can cause a dangerous allergic reaction. Because of the number of children at TRS who have peanut and/or tree nut allergies, the Temple has adopted the following policy to minimize the risk to these children: It is the Temple's policy to take reasonable actions to maintain a "nut free" environment at activities primarily targeted for children. These are the activities of the Nursery School, the Religious School, the Youth Group, and Camp and any Temple sponsored family/child event. In particular, these include, but are not limited to the following: Oneg Shabbats following Tot Shabbat and Family Services Family Shabbat Dinners Mitzvah Day Purim Carnival "Hot Shabbat" Family Game Night and ice cream socials Second Night Seder All food available during Religious School hours (snacks, bake sales, bagel bar, etc.) For purposes of this policy, restricted foods include any products with peanuts and/or tree nuts as an ingredient, or with a cautionary label warning such as "may contain nuts," "manufactured on equipment that also processes nuts," or "produced in a facility that processes nuts." Where products containing nuts are a necessary part of such activities (such as a Mitzvah day request to make peanut butter sandwiches), information that such event is not "nut free" will be prominently stated in the main materials about the event. Additionally, when unavoidable, "nut free" baked goods from bakeries are permissible even if prepared on or with equipment that may also process nuts, including sliced Challah. It is understood that the TRS Kitchen and equipment will not be "nut free." Further, events that are primarily adult related activities and private functions will not be restricted by this policy. These include food at Board Meetings, adult committee meetings, adult education series, adult staff meetings, other general religious services, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah receptions The Temple cannot and does not guarantee that food served at Temple functions is safe for allergic individuals. Individuals and Parents should continue to exercise caution. This Policy will be communicated at regular intervals to Religious School and Nursery School teachers and parents, Youth Group leaders and participants, Camp Director, counselors and parents, at Board Meetings and in the Temple Bulletin. Caterers hired by the Temple for Temple sponsored events will be informed of this policy. 14

17 K-6 CURRICULUM OUTLINE INTRODUCTION In meeting the goals of our school, we have created an exciting curriculum that is child centered and addresses our students intellectual, social, and spiritual development. We emphasize hands-on, experiential learning. Our spiral Judaic curriculum is based on the URJ CHAI curriculum, with yearly strands in the areas of Torah, Avodah (Jewish worship and practice), and G milut Chassadim (Jewish values and acts of loving kindness). Our Hebrew curriculum begins in Kindergarten, taking advantage of the child s capacity for learning new languages at a young age. Jewish learning is a lifetime pursuit and parents are the primary Jewish role models for our students. We emphasize parent involvement in our school through weekly communication, programs for family learning, and opportunities for adult Jewish growth and learning. GRADES K-3 Our K-3 program encompasses a key formative time in a child s Jewish identity and in their understanding of the world around them. We make learning fun with hands-on experiential learning that begins to teach your child what it means to see the world through Jewish eyes. Students are introduced to the holidays, Jewish symbols, Jewish community, Bible stories, and Jewish values/mitzvot. Hebrew is introduced as a modern language and as the language of prayer. Conversational Hebrew is used to give students a context for learning Hebrew reading skills as well as to create stronger connections to the greater Jewish community. By the end of 3rd grade, students should be able to read any printed Hebrew text. Students enjoy weekly music sessions and monthly Israeli dance and clergy-led worship. KINDERGARTEN: THE WORLD THROUGH JEWISH EYES The kindergarten curriculum places an emphasis on developing a sense of Jewish identity through learning about Jewish holidays, Shabbat, mitzvot, tikkun olam (repairing the world) and the Synagogue. Students will also be introduced to Hebrew as a modern language and learn a few basic blessings. We celebrate Consecration at the beginning of the school year for all of our Kindergarten students (and new 1st and 2nd graders). GRADE 1: OUR JEWISH SELVES AND THE JEWISH COMMUNITY The theme for the first grade year is Discovering Myself in the Jewish Story. Torah (Genesis) - Students will journey through these stories and identify qualities and attributes of our biblical role models that they themselves can emulate. Avodah theme - Students learn about our Jewish holidays and how participating in them connects us to the story of our people. G milut Chasidim - Students explore core Jewish values and how their acts of caring can connect them to the ongoing story of the Jewish people. Hebrew - Students will be introduced to the Hebrew letters and their sounds, while also continuing to learn a core set of Modern Hebrew vocabulary words GRADE 2: I AM PART OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE The theme for the second grade year is I am part of the Jewish people. Torah (Exodus) Students explore the transformation of the Israelites from slaves into a people eternally connected to each other and to God. 15

18 Avodah Jewish stories, celebrations and rituals help me understand and express my relationship with God. G milut Chasadim - Students explore how performing acts of loving-kindness connect us to our community and makes the world a better place. Hebrew - Students build upon their knowledge of Hebrew letters and add vowels to form and read syllables. GRADE 3: FINDING HOLINESS & ISRAEL The CHAI curriculum theme is Holiness in my Life and Bringing Holiness into the World. Torah (Leviticus) - The Torah teaches us lessons on how to relate to one another and living a life filled with holy moments. Avodah Prayer is one way to bring holiness into our lives and the world. G milut Chasadim - Each individual act of g'milut chasadim can make the world more kadosh (holy). Israel - The second half of the year will focus on Israel. A simulated trip to Israel introduces students to the geography, sites and people of Israel. Hebrew Students continue to develop Hebrew decoding skills so that by the end of the year they should be comfortable reading any text. GRADES 4-6 In Judaic studies, grades 4 through 6 students have the opportunity to explore specific Judaic topics in greater depth and relate them to values and issues to their own lives. Students develop a deeper understanding of their relationship to the Jewish community, Jewish life cycle ceremonies, and their connections to the past generations. Students enjoy weekly music sessions and periodic clergy discussions on Jewish values. Grades 5 and 6 will experience our active Doing Jewish curriculum with extended day trips for mitzvah projects and community building. 5/6 students will additionally have the opportunity to choose two electives during the second half of the year. In our mid-week Hebrew program Hebrew in Motion, students will: discuss and expand their ideas about prayer and God sharpen their Hebrew reading skills fluently read or chant selected prayers learn about the structure of our worship and find personal connections to the themes of prayers GRADE 4: STRIVING FOR HOLINESS Students are introduced to the structure of the Bible and explore the following: TORAH - With the promise of a holy land (Eretz Yisrael), we as a holy people (Am Yisrael) have a responsibility to work towards becoming holy by observing the brit (covenant). G MILUT CHASADIM (Jewish values) - We have a responsibility to perform acts of g'milut chasadim for the people we encounter in our daily lives. HEBREW (mid-week) - Students will reclaim their reading skills, and focus on the prayers and themes of the worship section Shema and Her Blessings. GRADE 5: DOING JEWISH - Community Students will understand their connection to the Jewish community, including their peers and family. In addition, they will develop an understanding of their role in the greater community as young Jewish people. Topics include; Prophets & Prophesy: Ethical/Righteous Living, 16

19 Community Responsibility: Civil Rights/Social Justice, Feeding the Hungry, Kindness to Animals, Tzedakah & Righteous Giving, and Do Not Destroy. HEBREW (mid-week) - Students will focus on the prayers of the Amidah worship section; prayer reading/chanting skills and finding personal meaning. GRADE 6: DOING JEWISH TOO Sacred Relationships Sacred Relationships contains a more personal look at one s relationship with self, others, Jewish tradition (Torah), God and the world around us. The program also includes holiday, lifecycle and history components. Topics include; Sacred Relationships-overview, Revelation and Standing at Sinai, Celebrating Our Commitment to Torah, and Global Relationships & Responsibility from a Sacred Perspective. In their Hebrew studies, students learn about the origins of Jewish worship, focus on the prayers of the Torah and concluding services, and are introduced to trope the system used for chanting Torah CURRICULUM OUTLINE OUR N TIVOT (PATHWAYS) TEEN PROGRAM Temple Rodef Shalom Religious School leads the way in teen engagement, identity development and community building. Research has proven that the teen years are the most formative in determining adult Jewish identity and practice. Our program: focuses on Jewish values and personal connection to curricular topics informs daily life includes retreat programming and experiential learning offers elective choices encourages social interaction and connection to Jewish community Tuesday Evening Alternative Program Our Tuesday evening program provides an alternative learning experience that allows for personal discussions and project based learning activities. Teens spend half the evening in Soul Searching, where teens talk about life issues and experiences, guided by mentor teachers who enhance the discussions with Jewish text and perspective. The other half of the evening is Roots and Shoots, Jane Goodall s youth program with projects for the environment, animals and people (with a Jewish perspective). Sunday Evening Core Curriculum GRADE 7 This curriculum includes History of the Holocaust (2 trimesters), Peer to Peer Ethics, Real Torah, and two elective choices. 7th graders attend three field trips the Jewish Museum of Maryland, Ellis Island, and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The retreat theme is K hilah K dosha, being part of a holy community. GRADE 8 The curriculum includes Shalom Bayit (family relationships), Comparative Religion, Comparative Judaism, and three elective choices. The retreat theme focuses on Gender Issues in Judaism. 17

20 GRADE 9 The curriculum includes Israel history/culture/ politics (two trimesters), Passionate Decisions (issues around dating and marriage with a Jewish perspective), and three elective choices. The retreat theme extends the discussion on adolescent relationships and sexual ethics. GRADE 10 - Confirmation Students experience a special year of learning and growth with a Wilderness Retreat, an exciting trip to NYC, and participation in the Confirmation service. The curriculum includes Hot Topics, Oh My God!, Really Rabbi?, and Making Peace with Your Future. While any TRS 10th grader may join our 10th grade class, students can only participate in the Confirmation service if they have completed the requirements for at least two of the three prior years of religious education, meet the attendance requirement for 10th grade, and serve as madrichim (teaching assistants) in our school or complete a sustained mitzvah project. GRADES 11 & 12 Students meet twice a month to engage in a curriculum that includes Packing for College (scenarios regarding Jewish engagement and Jewish political issues), and student directed curricular topics. Additionally, students participate in four special discussion events with Rabbi Saxe. Grades 11 & 12 alternate years between two transformative trip experiences L takein, a DC-based social justice/ political action program using the resources of the Reform Action Center, and a trip to explore the Jewish South. 18

21 ENGAGING SCHOOL PROGRAMS FAMILY AND PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAMMING It is always exciting (and a powerful experience) when students and their parents have the opportunity to learn together! In order to foster family learning, we have developed a program that includes many opportunities for parents and children to learn together. Family education opportunities include grade level curriculum-based programs, special assemblies, school contests, Family Shabbat services, and all-school events. We hope that you will support your child by participating in family events. See your school calendar for a listing of special programs. T FILAH T filah (prayer/worship) is a central part of Jewish learning and living. Students in grades K-1 will join together for a monthly prayer experience on the first Sunday of each month. Students in grades 2-3 will join together for a monthly prayer experience, generally on the second Sunday of each month. Parents are welcome to attend any of those services. Grades 4-6 will meet midweek for grade level mini-t filahs, allowing students to put into practice the prayers they are learning in class and to write their own creative versions of the prayers. Once a month midweek, grades 4-6 come together for an all school t filah session with an emphasis on student leadership of the service. N tivot students may attend any congregational worship service, but also have the opportunity to attend special TRSTY teen services on selected Shabbat evenings. CLERGY CONNECTION On Sundays, grades 4-6 will each have around four grade level sessions with our clergy that focus on an engaging discussion of a particular Jewish value or mitzvah. MUSIC The halls are alive with the sound of music! Students in our school, under the direction of our music specialists learn traditional favorites and the newest melodies from NFTY, the National Reform Youth Movement. Our music curriculum supports each grade s Judaic and Hebrew topics through music. Students also have the opportunity to join our youth choirs; Shir Joy (grades K-2), Shir Harmony (grades 3-6) and Kol Machar (grades 7 and up). ISRAELI DANCE Students in grades K-3 have the opportunity to participate in Israeli dance classes taught by dance specialists once a month. Let s boogie Israeli-style! 19

22 TZEDAKAH AND SOCIAL ACTION Lo alecha ham lacha ligmor, v lo atah ben chorine l hibatel mimena You do not have the obligation to finish the task, but neither are you free to desist from it (Pirkei Avot, Chapter 2) Students will be educated in the mitzvah of tzedakah (acting righteously/helping others) and K-6 students are strongly encouraged to participate regularly by bringing a small contribution each Sunday. We will bring added meaning and depth to our tzedakah program by having each class choose its agency at the beginning of the year. Classes will then follow up by learning more about their selected agency during the year. Students will have opportunities to learn about the organizations that other classes have chosen. N tivot students are encouraged to give tzedakah through purchasing drinks during break. There are occasional special collections made during the year. BOOK FAIR Our annual Book Fair, run by the Religious School Committee serves as our only school fundraiser. Our primary goal is to make Jewish books available to parents, teens and kids. The Book fair takes place at TRS over two Sundays - check the calendar for the fall dates. DESIGN A MENORAH EVENT In anticipation of Chanukah, families are encouraged to get creative and design their own family chanukiyah (Chanukah menorah). We display these menorahs outside the Sanctuary, and all participants get a prize. BACK TO SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND PAJAMA DAY K-6 students are welcomed back to classes in January with a bagel breakfast and are encouraged to wear pjs just for fun! FIELD TRIPS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS Each year we are adding more outside trips for our students to experience the greater Jewish community and connect with Jewish youth from other congregations. See our school calendar for all the events. YOUTH GROUP Temple Rodef Shalom offers an opportunity for fun and informal get-togethers and a chance to get to know each other outside of the classroom through its four youth groups; LIL TRSTY for 2nd through 4th graders, TRSTY 56 for 5th and 6th graders, JR TRSTY for 7th and 8th graders, and TRSTY for 9th through 12th Graders. See the Temple website for a calendar of youth events. 20

23 BAR/BAT MITZVAH We love to celebrate our students becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah! In becoming a Bar or a Bat Mitzvah, a child celebrates his or her commitment to Jewish living. Participation in the service marks the child s new status as a responsible member of the congregation and allows the Bar/Bat Mitzvah to demonstrate her/his ability to lead the community in worship. This accomplishment is an important step in a life-long journey, part of the process of continued Jewish growth and learning. TRS Bar/Bat Mitzvah requirements: Families must be members of the congregation in good standing. The student must be enrolled in Religious School and mid-week Hebrew for at least three years prior to Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The student must have fulfilled the grade level requirements or their equivalent as determined by the Director of Education for those preceding years. The student must be enrolled and attending regularly during the year of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Parents must sign the Covenant Statement indicating their understanding of our desire that the student will continue his/her studies at least through Confirmation (10 th grade). Special tutorial assistance in prayer and Torah reading must be arranged through the Temple. Families are required to attend the seminar led by the senior staff approximately 12 to 15 months before their assigned date and must complete the required activities in the family resource handbook given at that time. In order for the student to feel at home in the service, attendance at religious services during the period of Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation is expected. Cantor Michael Shochet coordinates the B nei Mitzvah Program. If you have questions, contact mshochet@templerodefshalom.org or call

24 CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION Confirmation marks a commitment to Judaism and the beginning of a lifetime of Jewish living and learning. Students develop a more personal understanding of Judaism and how it relates to daily life and the issues that face us in contemporary society. The Confirmation Service, usually on erev Shavuot is a powerful and intimate ceremony, led by our students, and celebrating their accomplishments and dedication. What is Confirmation? In the middle of the l9th century, the founders of the Reform movement were dedicated to a level of Jewish learning that went well beyond the age of thirteen. The goal of a Confirmation program is to enable the students to integrate Torah --Jewish learning in the broadest sense -- into their young adult lives and into their decision making process. This ideal is further reinforced by the symbolism and significance of Shavuot, the spring festival that commemorates the giving of Torah at Mt. Sinai. Just as the Jewish people came together as a holy community and confirmed their faith and willingness to live by the values of Torah, so too, our students confirm their commitment to Jewish living. By their 10th grade year, students have reached a cognitive level of development where they can more meaningfully integrate Jewish values into their daily lives. Research has shown that the teen years are the most formative in terms of adult Jewish living and practice. Students becoming Confirmed will lead the Confirmation Service, prayers, Torah reading and share personal insights regarding their Jewish growth and commitment. Our clergy will bestow special blessings and each student will be called on individually to receive a beautiful Confirmation certificate and gift from the congregation. You can see the pictures of our Confirmation students displayed in the hallway leading to the clergy offices. Who Is Eligible To Be Confirmed? Any TRS 10th grader may join our 10th grade class, regardless of past participation. However, in order to be Confirmed and be eligible to participate in the Confirmation Service, students need to have successfully completed the requirements for at least two of the three prior years of religious education, or the equivalent as determined by our N tivot Director. Students desiring to become Confirmed will need to have completed the following requirements: Active participation in our 10th grade program. At least 75% attendance for classes and special events, including the trip to New York City. While we do not assign homework, some absences may require make-up work at the discretion of the faculty. The completion of a sustained social justice project. This project may be fulfilled by serving as a madrich/a (teaching assistant) or through a year-long initiative that is arranged and approved with the N tivot Director prior to the beginning of the school year. 22