5151 NE 14 th Terrace Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334 The Sy and Susan Sperling School of Jewish Education 2014-2015/5774-5775 HANDBOOK and CALENDAR Rabbi David Spey Cantor Wendy Autenrieth, D.M., Education Director Religious School Office: 954-928-1677 Temple Office: 954-928-0410 Fax: 954-928-0762 schooltby@bellsouth.net templebatyam@aol.com www.templebatyam.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS - 2014-15 The Year Ahead 1 Overview of the Religious School Curriculum and Program 3 Torah for Tots through 2 nd Grade 3 Grades 3-7 4 Our TBY High School Program - Grades 8-10 7 Standards and Procedures 8 a. Attendance 8 b. Books and Supplies 8 c. Snacks 8 d. Tzedakah 8 e. Report Cards 9 f. Behavior Code and Discipline 9 g. Dress Code 9 h. Pre-requisites for B nai Mitzvah 9-10 i. Confirmation Program Post B nai Mitzvah Education 10 j. Madrichim - Classroom Aides 10 k. Parking Lot Guidelines and the Car Pool Line 10-11 l. Honors and Awards 11 Religious School Calendar 2014-2015 See Members Only Section
THE YEAR AHEAD 2014-2015/5774-5775 The Sy and Susan Sperling School of Jewish Education has a complete program for all ages at Bat Yam reaching out to tots, teens, and parents. The overarching theme in our Religious School is to integrate parents and children into interactive experiences and to demonstrate the vitality and viability of Judaism in their lives. Many of the programs at Temple Bat Yam are designed to bring the home into the school and the school into the home in order to encourage that marvelous symbiotic relationship that can exist. Our FRESH (Fusing and Reconnecting School and Home) program strives to bring parents and children in each grade together working on a variety of projects and/or visiting different places and events of Jewish cultural interest which expand the walls of the classroom. FRESH Programs are held for students in Torah for Tots Grade 7. These family education days, programs and services will not work without your presence and participation. We know that sometimes both parents cannot make it, but we do hope at least one of you can attend. When in doubt, send a grandparent, aunt, or uncle! In our High School, we combine eighth, ninth, and tenth graders to facilitate interactive discussions. Sarah DeWoskin will be our new high school teacher and Director of Youth Services. She comes to us with a plethora of education and experience and we look forward to a great year ahead. Each grade from 3 rd through 10 th will be responsible for leading a Shabbat evening service. The 3 rd & 4 th grades will prepare together; the 5 th grade will prepare on their own; the 6 th and 7 th grades will prepare together, as well as the entire high school class (grades 8, 9, 10). The 6 th /7 th grade will prepare the first grade-led service of the year on Friday, December 12, 2014. Grade Level Family Shabbat dinners are held just prior to the service, helping to develop community. Please check our Religious School Calendar on pages 12-13 for the Shabbat evening date(s) in which your child(ren) will be participating. Be sure to save these dates and plan to be at services, FRESH Programs, and all other programs and Jewish holiday experiences, etc., with your family and friends. We will be continuing our program of electives for grades 3-7 on Tuesdays, from 5:45-6:15 PM. A signup sheet will be mailed under separate cover for the first of two elective sessions with dates and basic elective course descriptions. Elective class sizes are, in some cases, limited, so enrollment will be on a first come, first served basis. Our Shaliach from Israel, Tom ben Zion, will be returning to our community next year. He will be leading some special programming for our 5 th, 6 th, and 7 th graders on select Tuesdays in January and February, 2015. On the First Day of School, Sunday, August 24 th, we will hold a short assembly in the sanctuary that all parents are encouraged to attend with their children. Please plan on staying at least through the beginning of the second period so that you can hear what your child s teachers will be doing during the year. Our Parents Café will run all morning (from 10:00 AM thru 12:00 noon) in the social hall. Rabbi Spey and members of the Education and Membership committees will be there to greet you and answer any questions that you may have. Please join us and meet some of the other parents.
You will also be encouraged to help with your child s class in a variety of ways through the Parent Participation Form included in this packet, on the TBY website, and in each homeroom class. All Jewish educational experiences require partnership. Parental participation can deepen and enrich your lives and the lives of your children. If our educational enterprise is to be successful, it must be a family affair. We can use your help to ensure that all students who attend Temple Bat Yam Religious School, do so with a positive attitude in order to maximize everyone s learning experience. As well, please share with the administration and staff any psychological and/or learning problems so that we can work together to provide the most appropriate learning environment for all our children. Join us on our Jewish journey.
OVERVIEW OF THE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CURRICULUM & PROGRAM TORAH FOR TOTS THROUGH 2 nd GRADE TORAH FOR TOTS AND KINDERGARTEN The children encounter the sights, smells, sounds and symbols of the holidays through a variety of media. The youngsters are introduced to the techniques of learning about and belonging to a people who live in relationship with one God. Concepts are made concrete by visiting and examining the sanctuary, meeting the Rabbi and Cantor, as well as learning the basic blessings. By the end of the year the children have become familiar with a base of everyday words in Hebrew. Meets Sundays 10 AM - 12 noon Consecration during Simchat Torah Services on Wednesday, October 15 th at 7:00 PM FRESH Experience: Passover How to make your Seder Fun and Meaningful Sunday, March 8 th at 10 AM (with Grades 1 & 2) Resources: Let s Discover the Holidays Let s Discover God Let s Discover Israel Let s Discover the Alef-Bet Teacher Made Materials enhance the curriculum GRADES 1 AND 2 The children investigate the beginning of the Judaic experience as reflected in the Torah. Creation, the role of the patriarchs, matriarchs, and the evolutionary development of the Jewish people are explored. History and legend are carefully distinguished and an evaluation of both as a source of Jewish wisdom is celebrated. The holidays are reinforced through the creative use of multi-media materials. A Hebrew reading readiness program is introduced where the student explores the letters and sounds of the Hebrew alphabet. By the end of the year many of the youngsters will be familiar with some basic prayers, and blessings and Hebrew vocabulary words. Meets Sundays 10 AM 12 noon Consecration during Simchat Torah Services on Wednesday, October 15 th at 7:00 PM FRESH Experience: Passover How to make your Seder Fun and Meaningful Sunday, March 8 th at 10 AM (with TFT & Kindergarten) Resources: A Child s Garden of Torah Torah Aura Let s Discover the Bible Let s Explore Being Jewish Let s Celebrate Shalom Alef-Bet Teacher Made Materials enhance the curriculum
GRADES 3 7 Meets Sundays 10 AM - 12 noon and Tuesdays 4:15-6:15 PM Departmentalization is utilized in these grades so that 1. Teachers' strengths can be best utilized in different fields. 2. Students are able to have a variety of teachers and teaching strategies in one session. 3. A basic Jewish literacy can best be facilitated in his/her cultural heritage as well as in Hebrew. Information about our Hebrew program will be sent to you once the year begins. Please note - electives will be offered on 20 Tuesdays throughout the year, 10 during the first semester and 10 during the second semester. Please watch for a sign-up sheet, under separate cover, which will describe the different classes that are available. GRADE 3 There are two distinct halves in the curriculum, Judaic and Hebrew. The Judaic portion introduces the child to the Bible, beginning with the Creation, and ending with the Passover experience in Egypt. Each of these stories highlights timeless moral and spiritual truths and applies them to the personal concerns of today's children. The ancient narratives of our heritage come alive for our children through unique exercises and activities geared appropriately to young people. Jewish life cycle events will begin to be explored. Hebrew is formally introduced at this stage and the goal is to master the letters, vowels, and be able, by the year's end, to read simple Hebrew in a fairly fluent manner. A series of prayer goals is given to the students which we will help them master by the end of the school year. Meets Sundays 10 AM - 12 noon and Tuesdays 4:15-6:15 PM Hagdalah is during Sukkot Services on Wednesday, October 8 th at 7:00 PM FRESH Experience: Personalization of Prayer on Sunday, October 19 th at 10:00 AM Shabbat Service led by our 3 rd and 4 th grade students on Friday, April 24 th at 7:00 PM Resources: A Child's Bible Book I: Lessons from the Torah The Explorer s Bible Vol. I Journey of a Lifetime Welcome to Israel Shalom U racha Hebrew Primer Mishkan T Filah URJ Required Blessings & Prayer Goal List Aleph
GRADE 4 The departmentalized program continues with Hebrew and Judaic tracks. The objective of the Hebrew track is to develop fluency in and understanding of Hebrew liturgy so that the student can participate effectively and meaningfully in Jewish Life. At the end of the year the student will have mastered a number of the blessings and prayers in our prayer book, Mishkan T filah, without relying on the transliteration. The goal here is two-fold to build both prayer fluency and some basic comprehension. The Judaic portion is made up of two components. The Basic Judaism text on Israel weaves together beliefs, rituals, theology, halachah and tradition so that the students affectively and intellectually appreciate a kinship with Israel. The other portion of the Judaic curriculum continues with the story of the Jewish people and focuses on the kings and prophets of ancient Israel and how they met the challenges and problems of a new nation. Life cycle exploration is continued in the fourth grade. Meets Sundays 10 AM - 12 noon and Tuesdays 4:15-6:15 PM FRESH Experience: Tzedakah on Sunday, November 16 th at 10:00 AM Shabbat Service led by our 3 rd and 4 th grade students on Friday, April 24 th at 7:00 PM Resources: A Child s Bible Book II: Prophets and Writings Basic Judaism for Young People - Israel The Explorer s Bible Vol. 2 Journey of a Lifetime Welcome to Israel Hineni, Book I and Workbook Mishkan T Filah URJ Required Blessings and Prayer Goal List Bet GRADE 5 The Judaica and Hebrew tracks continue. The students begin an examination of Jewish history from Abraham to the development of the Talmud with an eye to analyzing those factors contributing to Jewish survival over the centuries. Supplementing this, the student will explore concepts relating to Torah, including its structure, laws, practices, and connections to contemporary concerns. The students will continue to study life cycle events such as birth and naming, consecration, B nai Mitzvah, etc. in more detail. Their Hebrew studies begin with a review of basic reading techniques and moves to an examination of the language of prayer. Fluency is stressed for all blessings and prayers and an understanding of the root words and key words are also studied. Meaningful stories serve as the vehicle to introduce and utilize Siddur vocabulary in contemporary settings. Meets Sundays 10 AM - 12 noon and Tuesdays 4:15-6:15 PM Shabbat Service led by our 5 th and 6 th Grade students on Friday, February 27 th at 7:30 PM FRESH Experience: B nai Mitzvah Orientation on Sunday, April 19 th at 10:00 AM Resources: The Book of Jewish Life URJ Introduction to Jewish History & Activity Book Basic Judaism for Young People Torah Hineni, Book II and Workbook Mishkan T Filah URJ Required Blessings & Prayer Goal List Gimmel
GRADES 6 and 7 For the 2014-15 school year these two grades will be in class together due to class size. During the next school year the students will be introduced to some of the ethics taught to us through Torah, Talmud, Midrash and other literature. These teachings can help us make decisions in difficult situations. In Hebrew Class, the students will study the Hebrew prayers in the Passover Haggadah in depth. They will also continue to develop fluency and to understand key words and phrases in selected Shabbat prayers. Meets Sundays 10 AM - 12 noon and Tuesdays 4:15-6:15 PM FRESH Experience: Ethical Wills on Sunday, January 25 th at 10:00 AM Shabbat Service led by our 6 th and 7 th Graders on Friday, December 12 th at 7:30 PM Resources: The Torah: Five Books of Moses JPS Count Me In Basic Judaism for Young People God For Kids - Putting God on Your Guest List Jewish Lights Journey Through the Siddur Torah Aura Journey Through the Haggadah Torah Aura Hineni, Book III and Workbook Mishkan T Filah URJ Required Blessings and Prayer Goal List Dalet/Hey
OUR TBY HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM for GRADES 8-10 The best is yet to come. The teen years are a pivotal time for young adults to form their Jewish identities. They are also the years where peer relationships become more crucial. Taking both of those facets into account, we will grapple with a variety of topics relevant to our teens lives. Together as a kehillah (community), we will wrestle with what it means to be a Jew in today s world. Topics will be driven by teen interest and may include subjects such as Ethics, Cyberbullying, Comparative Religion, Current Events, Moral and Legal Rights and Responsibilities, Teen Leadership, Debates of the Bible, Theories about God, Tikkun Olam (social justice), Why should I be Jewish, etc. Classes meet on Sundays from 10 AM to 12 noon. The first class will be on Sunday, August 24 th The year will be divided into two semesters On Friday, May 15, 2015, the High School class (all students) will participate in leading the service. The service will include the Confirmation of our 10 th grade Students. Sarah DeWoskin will be the teacher/facilitator in the high school this year. Sarah comes from a background of informal and formal Jewish education, camping and youth group. She will also be taking on the role of youth advisor and working with our teens to (re)create BYTY (Bat Yam Temple Youth) our very own youth group! Psychologically and socially the students have moved into adolescence and are seriously beginning to examine who they are as well as their relationships with ethnic, religious and sexual groupings. While they are in the process of seeking answers, it is imperative for them to realize that Judaism is not limited to a few Bible stories and festivals, but that it contains a theology and ethical framework, and a tradition that can be meaningfully integrated into their lives. Judaism can also help them with decision-making which enhances their ability to live more fulfilling lives. Thus, our teens need to see and feel a continued connection between the Judaic curriculum they encounter and their own issues and concerns that are part of the contemporary milieu. A sense of community will continue to be one of the most important goals of our high school program. Our Confirmation Class, 2014
ATTENDANCE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES Because we have so little time with your child and so much to teach, each session becomes very precious. Inconsistent attendance not only negatively affects your child's academic progress but also hampers the opportunity for social bonding in the class. Consistent attendance is a demonstration of the priority you have assigned to religious education. We need your support and encouragement to get this across to your child as well. If you have special circumstances that do not allow your child to attend class for an extended period of time, please be sure to share and discuss that information with the Education Director and your child s teachers. In any case, each child will be assigned a homework buddy who they can call to find out what was missed in class when they were absent. We recognize that from time to time there may be unavoidable delays in getting to class on time, but prompt arrival is expected whenever possible. It can be disruptive to students and teachers when a student enters a classroom late. We realize that there are also times that students need to leave school early. We hope, however, that it will be infrequent as this also disrupts the educational process within any given classroom. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. If your child will be arriving late, please accompany him/her to the Religious School office, or instruct him/her to report to the office before going to class. Should your child need to leave Religious School before the scheduled end of class, please come into the Religious School office to sign him/her out. If someone other than a parent will be picking up your child, please share that information with us, for safety s sake. BOOKS AND SUPPLIES The Religious School supplies students with all necessary textbooks and learning materials. However, since there is a book fee, students are encouraged to retain some of these texts at the end of the year so they can become part of their Jewish library. If a student has lost his/her books, new ones may be purchased from the school office. SNACKS On Tuesdays at 3:45 PM students can purchase snacks from the religious school (juice-.50, pizza-1.50, or chips/cookies-.50. Students are responsible for cleaning up and reporting to class promptly at 4:15 PM. On Sunday mornings students receive challah and juice during class, at no additional charge. If your child needs gluten-free challah, we ask that you provide whatever will work for him/her. TZEDAKAH Please consider sending a canned food item or money for tzedakah each time your child attends TBY religious school. It would be totally appropriate for your child to do chores around the house in order to earn the money or canned food item that is brought in. We constantly emphasize the importance of tzedakah. The canned goods and money collected goes to places like W.E.C.A.R.E. Food Pantry, Lifenet4Families, JAFCO, Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind, Yad L Kashish, Tomorrow s Rainbow, Humane Society of Broward County, and MAZON.
REPORT CARDS Teachers report formally to parents twice a year. Report cards are sent home in December/ January and May/June. In addition, teachers will contact parents when necessary, to inform them either of poor performance in academics, attitude, or behavior, as well as notifying them when there is progress in these areas. Parents can request conferences with teachers about specific concerns, by contacting the school office. BEHAVIOR CODE AND DISCIPLINE Should there be any behavior, which continually disrupts the learning process of the other children in the class, the following procedures will go into effect: 1. A student will be warned by the teacher about his/her inappropriate behavior the first time. The teacher will have a talk with the student and suggest ways to address the problem. 2. If a second infraction occurs, the Director of Education will try to work out the problem with the student and teacher. 3. If there is a third disruptive incident, the parents, Education Director, teacher and student will have a meeting to discuss the issue and to suggest remedies for the situation. A letter of agreement will be signed by both student and parent to abide by the classroom and school rules. 4. If there is a fourth incident which violates the letter of agreement, a meeting with parent, educator, and Rabbi will be held to determine whether the child should be removed from the school. Everyone connected with the school wishes to create an atmosphere most conducive to Jewish learning. We cannot permit any persistent behavior that impedes this learning. We have so little time with your child and so much to share with him/her. DRESS CODE The students are asked to come to school in appropriate attire. T-shirts bearing inappropriate language or messages are not permitted. During the school year there are special Friday nights set aside for classes either to conduct the service or to present a program. Shabbat is a special and separate time of the week. We ask that the children come dressed in such a manner as to honor the Sabbath. If you have any questions about appropriate attire, please feel free to contact the religious school office. PRE-REQUISITES FOR B NAI MITZVAH A minimum of four years of religious school education, beginning in the third grade through the year of the ceremony, is required for the celebration of becoming a B nai Mitzvah at Temple Bat Yam. Regular Sunday and midweek attendance, satisfactory fulfillment of all course work, and demonstration of basic competency are necessary in order to begin B nai Mitzvah lessons. Unless, in exceptional circumstances, a student receives permission by the professional staff and approval by the Board of Trustees, a student must be enrolled and attending religious school THROUGH the B nai Mitzvah year. It is expected that the student will complete the course work in the grade he/she is enrolled even if the B nai Mitzvah occurs at the beginning of that school year. Beginning approximately six to nine months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service, each student will be required to meet with the Cantor for a session each week (other than religious school) to prepare for his/her service.
The student will also meet with the Rabbi 4 to 6 weeks prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah for sanctuary rehearsals and to discuss the speech he/she will deliver. In addition to the studies above, eligibility for the B nai Mitzvah service requires the completion of projects, tasks, or obligations in the areas of Torah (Jewish learning), Avodah (worship), and G'milut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness). These three pillars of our faith, outlined in Pirke Avot, describe what it means to be a responsible Jew, and they are the foundation for the program we have established at Temple Bat Yam Religious School. Therefore, under each of these three pillars, a student will be responsible for one task. The completion of these three projects and tasks is a pre-requisite for B nai Mitzvah at Temple Bat Yam. A complete package of materials on these requirements will be provided to each family at the B nai Mitzvah Orientation on Sunday, April 19 th at 10:00 AM with the Rabbi and Cantor/Educator. CONFIRMATION PROGRAM-POST B NAI MITZVAH EDUCATION By becoming a B nai Mitzvah, a student has pledged to fulfill his/her obligation to continue their Jewish studies to Confirmation and beyond. Our Confirmation program marks a bridge between B nai Mitzvah and the young adult years for students to explore Jewish ideas and values on a more advanced level. The 8 th, 9 th and 10 th grades are part of our High School. (A fuller explanation of the structure and curriculum appears on page 7 of this brochure). They are also a core part of BYTY (Bat Yam Temple Youth), our brand new synagogue youth group. Towards the end of each of the three years of the high school program, the students will work together on creating and leading a meaningful service on or near the holiday of Shavuot. In 2014-2015, this service will be held on Friday, May 15 th at 7:00 PM and will include the Confirmation of our 10 th grade students. MADRICHIM - CLASSROOM AIDES High school students (11th & 12th graders) who have been part of our Confirmation program are eligible to assist teachers on Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons. These Madrichim receive community service hours. Interested students should contact the Education Director in August and make an appointment for an interview. Upon agreeing to become a Madrich, the student is required to be in attendance regularly. Eighth through tenth graders may serve as Madrichim only on Tuesday afternoons during religious school (4:15-6:15 PM). We consider the Madrichim to be a very important part of Bat Yam since these high schoolers act as wonderful role models for our children, and they provide important assistance to our teachers and students. The youngsters see these teenagers maintaining a close connection with synagogue life after B nai Mitzvah and even past Confirmation. Not only are the teens performing mitzvot, but they are enriching their own Jewish heritage, by helping younger peers with their Jewish studies. Some Madrichim have even been utilized as substitute teachers for which they are paid. PARKING LOT GUIDELINES AND THE CAR POOL LINE 1. If you wish to come into the building and wait to pick up your child outside of his/her classroom, please feel free to park in the lot and enter through the religious school doors in the west side of the building. Please do not talk too loudly in the hall as classes go on until the final bell. Feel free to come into the religious school office for a cup of coffee and a snack if you like. 2. If you do not wish to come into the building, please join the car pool line along the east curb (the TBY side) of NE 14 th Way (facing north) across the street from Floranada School. Continue to form a line along the curb until there is no more room. Then continue to line up along NE 50 th Court (facing west) being careful not to block the entrance and exit to our parking lot.
3. Students will exit the building through the west doors and meet your car at the driveway near the exit door. 4. Early childhood teachers (Torah for Tots Grade 2) will escort their classes to the waiting area at the end of school on Sundays. 5. Each time school is in session, on both Sundays and Tuesdays, a staff member will be assigned to supervise the car pool pick up at the end of the session. 6. Late pickups: Ten minutes after dismissal, any student that has not been picked up will be brought to the religious school office and a parent will be called. Please come into the office to pick up your child if you arrive more than 10 minutes after the bell rings (Sunday @ 12:10 PM; Tuesday @ 6:25 PM). No student will be allowed to wait in the parking lot alone. 7. If there are people picking up your children other than yourselves, please be sure they know the procedures and the rules so that everyone is kept safe. 8. Please be courteous, patient, alert and follow the above instructions. They are solely for the safety of your children. HONORS AND AWARDS On the last day of school, Sunday, May 17 th, we will hold a closing assembly. We will be giving certificates to deserving students for great attendance throughout the year, excellence in Judaic studies, and excellence in Hebrew studies. Each year we also honor all of our high school students for their continued commitment. And, we honor our teachers for all of their efforts during the year. At this time our early childhood classes (Torah for Tots, Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade) will present a show including some of the things that they learned during the year. We encourage the attendance of all parents and grandparents at this closing day assembly. A list of all the honor students will be published in the June or July Hakol.