HEA Religious School Parent Handbook

HEA Religious School Parent Handbook 2018-2019

Shalom! Thank you for taking the time to read the HEA religious school handbook. The Torah is the most sacred text in Judaism and we love to compare it to a tree of life. The Talmud, arguably the second most sacred text in Judaism, asks why is Torah learning compared to a tree? The answer proposed is that just like a small piece of wood can sharpen a large piece, even the youngest, most inexperienced Jewish student can bring great wisdom to the most knowledgeable student and teacher of Torah. We are so excited for all of the Torah that your child will learn and will teach during their time at HEA. I always love the opportunity to speak with our students and families. Please do not hesitate to be in touch. Warm Regards, Rabbi Amanda Schwartz Education Director aschwartz@headenver.org 720-390-4431 Anna Szentiványi Assistant Director of Education anna@headenver.org Direct 720-390-4430 1

Table of Contents Statement of Belief... 3 What/How We Teach... 3 Drop Off/Pick Up... 3 Kehilla... 4 Attendance... 4 Derech Eretz... 4 Behavior/Discipline Policy... 4 Learning Styles... 5 Electronics... 6 Family Programs... 6 ShinShinim... 6 Food... 7 Clothing... 7 Field Trips... 7 School Cancellation... 7 Appendix... 8 Teacher Directory... 10 Calendar... 11 2

Statement of Belief Last year, HEA worked closely with parents, teachers, community members and clergy to craft a statement of what we believe about Jewish education. We believe that Jewish wisdom and tradition offers tools which can... Help our children flourish as adults Guide us in developing sacred relationships Bring meaning to family life Inspire us to make the world better What/How We Teach In order for our students to learn these important tools that Judaism has to offer, our students study a values based curriculum, where they are learning Jewish holidays and stories through the lens of important Jewish values. Our students learn in a Hebrew rich environment and develop a love of Hebrew through Hebrew through Movement, tefillah (prayer) and Jewish life vocabulary, a Jewish phrase each week that helps our students gain Jewish literacy. Our school cares deeply about our children forming relationships with other young Jews, their teachers and clergy and as such we invest in activities and styles of instruction that promote community building. Drop Off/Pick Up In order to maximize our limited learning time with your child, please ensure that your child is dropped off on time for class. Children in 3rd grade and below should be dropped off and picked up by a caregiver at their classroom or in tefillah, depending on where we will be starting that day. Teachers are not available to supervise children prior to the start of class so please do not drop children off early. If your child is participating in an evening learning opportunity, we ask that you pick them up inside, so that they are not running through the parking lot in the dark. 3

Kehilla We hope everyone, both children and adults, will feel an integral part of our community. While we recognize close friendships often develop, we want to emphasize to both students and parents that no one should be excluded from social interaction. We parents and teachers can teach this most important lesson by reinforcing this position at home, discouraging cliques, and modeling inclusion. If you are planning a simcha, whether that is a birthday party or your child s bar or bat mitzvah, we highly encourage you to invite all students in the class to the simcha. Attendance If your child will be absent, kindly email both the director and your child s teacher (see appendix for teacher directory). If you know your child will be out on a date in the future, please let us know as soon as possible. Given our small class sizes, being informed of a child s absence will help teachers plan the day in a way that ensures the best experience for all of the students. Keep in mind that many absences can make it difficult for students to feel connected to classmates or to master material. Try not to miss school unless it is absolutely necessary. That being said, if your child has had a fever within the past 24 hours, please keep your child at home. Derech Eretz Derech eretz means, the way of the land, but really it is about respectful behavior. We hope to create an environment in which derech eretz is observed, and teachers and students feel respected and valued by each other at all times. All individuals have the right to experience respectful treatment and in return will act respectfully toward all others. We also ask that everyone act responsibly toward every area of the building, including classrooms, bathrooms, lobby, and public areas both within and outside our building, and help to keep our spaces neat, clean, and cared for. Behavior/Discipline Policy The HEA Religious School values the strength and safety of our classroom and school communities. Making our community a place where every student can learn and feel safe is of utmost importance. We ensure that children engage in appropriate behavior while 4

in school and that all students are safe from verbal and physical aggression. Since we are all created b tzelem elohim (in God s image), the way in which we treat each other is central. Our discipline policy reflects mutual respect and responsibility. It is expected that students will conduct themselves as appropriate in any school. In each classroom at the HEA we follow these 4 Derech Eretz Rules: 1. Exhibit kavod (respect) for all people by using appropriate tone of voice and language. 2. Maintain the kedushah (holiness) of the Kehillah (community) by taking care of all physical property. 3. Be students of Talmud Torah (study of Torah) by following directions and positively contributing to the learning atmosphere. 4. Uphold Shmirat Ha Guf (protecting the body) by keeping hands and feet to yourself. Teachers are responsible for implementing a management plan that responds appropriately to both positive and negative behavior. Children are responsible for following the rules of Derech Eretz as listed above. These rules are intended to diminish disruptive, disrespectful and violent behaviors, as such behaviors are detrimental to other children and disturbing to the class as a whole. If a student breaks rules 1, 2 or 3 during the course of a school day, the consequences are as follows: First offense in a day: the teacher reminds the student of the rules and redirects behavior. Second offense in a day: the teacher talks to the student and records the event, again redirecting behavior. Third offense in a day: the teacher talks to the student, sends a note home to the parents and records the event. If a student violates rule 4, the teacher will record the event, and there will be an immediate conference with parents. Students may be removed to the Director s office for violating rule 4. If a student has repeated offenses during a two week time period, the Education Director will hold a teacher/parent conference, resulting in an action plan for the future, such as instituting a behavior contract. (adapted from Derech Eretz Policy from Oseh Shalom, MD.) Learning Styles Every child has unique strengths, and nearly every child has some unique learning styles or challenges. If your child has an IEP, health issue, or any other physical, emotional or neurological challenge, please know we want to accommodate him or her to the best of 5

our ability. Please be sure to communicate your child s needs to the director and teacher before school begins, or as early in the year as you are able. Electronics Our learning time is so precious and it s hard to maintain a distraction-free environment. In certain classes, a teacher may request that students bring in a device in order for them to do a class project. Unless your child has been asked to bring in such a device, please have your children leave their phones/games/electronics at home, or turned off and put away, when they come to school. If electronics are brought to school and become a distraction they may be taken away from students during class and returned to parents at the end of the day. Family Programs Each class will have 1-2 family programs a year facilitated by Shira Teed, family life director. Please mark these program dates on your calendar at the beginning of the year so that you will not miss a wonderful program with your child. The family education dates for this year are the following: Oct 14- Gan (PreK/K) Oct 28- Shoreshim (K/1st Grade) Nov 11- Gefen (2nd/3rd Grade) Dec 16- Shachar (4th/5th Grade) Mar 10- Shoreshim (K/1st Grade) Apr 7- Gefen (2nd/3rd Grade) Apr 28-Shachar (4th/5th Grade) ShinShinim Once again this year we will be blessed to work with an Israeli teen emissary, called a ShinShin or ShinShinit. The role of the teen emissary is to help our community deepen their relationship with Israel. This year our ShinShinit is named Talia. Roughly two Sundays and two Thursdays a month, Talia, will join our learners. 6

Food At the beginning of the year, students are able to sign up for bagels and cream cheese, which we will provide during religious school. This year the cost for bagels is $90. Students are also welcome to bring their own snack as long as the snack is either dairy or vegetarian. Any snacks brought to share communally require a kosher certification. Clothing Please send your child in clothing where they can learn with their whole bodies. Your child will be learning through all kinds of modalities so please do not send them in fancy clothing. Please also send them with weather appropriate clothing so that they can go outside, if the opportunity arises. Field Trips Your child s class may participate in learning outside of the classroom. If your child s class will be participating in a field trip, we will let you know in advance and will require a certain number of parent drivers/chaperones. Field trips offer a wonderful opportunity for parents to learn alongside their children and model lifelong Jewish learning. School Cancellation If religious school needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather, we will send an email and a text message two hours before the start of school. If you have any questions as to if religious school will be meeting, please email Anna@HEAdenver.org. 7

Appendix HEA Judaics 2018-2019 Curricular Grid for PreK-5th Grade Value Teshuvah- Take responsibility for your actions (High Holy Days and Sukkot) B'Tzelem Elohim- Honoring the image of God in ourselves Achrayut- Doing what you can to make the world a better place Gevurah- Using one's inner and outer strength (Chanukah) Gan (PreK/K) The importance of treating others with kindness and respect. We all make mistakes and when we make mistakes, it's important to appologize, even though it's hard Celebrating the uniqueness of each person. Exploring Shabbat. Taking care of the environment. Ba al Tashchit (don't waste). Being brave and trying new things. Making the best of all situations. Shoreshim (K/1) How we treat each other as friends; The importance of apologizing, even when it is hard; being welcoming. Prayer-Shema Exploring the Torah; Shmirat HaGoof- taking care of our bodies; Brakhot (blessings) over foods Tza ar Ba alei Chayim- our responsibility to take care of animals. Ba al Taschit - our responsibility not to waste or destroy the environment. Perseverance; Golda Meir; Ruth Bader Ginsberg Gefen (2/3) Shachar (4/5) The Hebrew word "Chet - "חטא (sin) means missing the mark; Teshuvah as a way to learn from and move on from our mistakes What does it mean to be created "in the image of God"; Celebrating what makes us unique Text: The Story of Creation. Prayer- V'ahavta. What does it mean to be a responsible member of a family, group, or community? Kashrut & taking care of your body Our families can give us strength; Role models of courage in Jewish history: Moses, Judah Maccabee, and Anne Frank Symbolism of Rosh HaShanah foods. Connecting Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur through Teshuvah: introspection and repentence. Sukkot and Hachnasat Orchim (welcoming guests). The impact of the value of being created in God's image and our self-respect. Recognizing the dignity and unlimited worth of every human being. Responsibility to fight injustice Abraham Joshua Heschel & MLK. Text: Jeremiah & Jewish prophets as champions of social justice. Prayer- Aleinu. Standing up for your beliefs in the right way. Theodore Herzl and Zionism. 8

Value Gan (PreK/K) Shoreshim (K/1) Gefen (2/3) Shachar (4/5) HaKarat HaTov- Seeking joy and being grateful (Purim) Koach HaDibbur- Understanding the power of words (Passover) Shalom - Helping to create a calmer, more peaceful world What do we have to be grateful for? Prayer- Modeh Ani Words matter; speak kindly. Shalom Bayit: Creating peace in the home Reciting 100 blessings each day. Being grateful for what we have and celebrating our uniqueness. Tzedakah. HaShavat Avadahreturning lost items. Honesty. What do we have to be grateful for? Recognizing the good in others. Expressing gratitude and appreciation through brakhot (blessings) Gossip; Modern & Biblical leaders who used the power of speech to make positive change in the world Exploring Shabbat Shalom Bayit: and how to create a Creating peace in Shabbat Shalom the home; Strategies with which to create Shalom in difficult situations How do we benefit from acknowledging the kindness we experience from others? Text: Megillat Esther. The role of gratitude in the Purim Story. Moses's unease to speak before Pharaoh Text: Mishlei (Proverbs) 18:21 What does Shabbat Shalom look like? Jewish peacemakers throughout history. Prayers for peace in America and Israel. Reading the Book of Ruth on Shavuot. 9

Religious School HEA RELIGIOUS/HEBREW SCHOOL CALENDAR 5779 NO Religious School Chai School Staff Development Community Celebration For Nitzanim + dates please see the next page AUGUST '18 SEPTEMBER '18 12 Teacher Orientation S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S 9 Staff Development Religious School Begins 9:00-19 11:00AM 1 2 3 4 1 16 Gan 19 11:00AM Community BBQ 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 19 Gan 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 OCTOBER '18 NOVEMBER '18 14 Gan S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S 11 Family Ed Gefen (2/3) 14 Family Ed- Gan 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 18 Gan 28 Family Ed-Shoreshim (K/1) 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 DECEMBER '18 JANUARY '19 16 Gan S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S 6-Apr 6th/7th Grade Retreat Estes Park 16 Family Ed-Shachar (4/5) 1 1 2 3 4 5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31 30 31 FEBRUARY '19 MARCH '19 24 Staff Development S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S 1 2 1 2 3 Gan 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Family Ed- Shoreshim (K/1) 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Purim Carnivival 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 APRIL '19 MAY '19 6 Youth Led Shabbat S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S 5 Celebrate Israel 7 Family Ed- Gefen (2/3) 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 12 Mother's day (9-11AM) 14 Gan 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 16 Confirmation End of year Siyyum 28 Family Ed- Shachar (4/5) 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Last day of Relgious School 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31

HEA RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CALENDAR - 5779 Gan- Pre-K and K Sunday Aug 19 Sep 16 Oct 14 Nov 18 Dec 16 Mar 3 Apr 14 May 19 Calendar AT-A-GLANCE Shoreshim -Shachar K-5 th Sunday 19, 26 16, 23, 30 7, 14, 28 4,11,18 2, 9, 16 3, 10, 31 7, 14, 28 12, 19 August September October November December March April May September October November December January February March April May Chai School 8 th -10 th Thursday 6, 27 11, 25 8, 15 6, 20 10, 24 7, 28 14 11 9, 16 (Siyyum) Nitzanim + Nitzanim+ consists of participating in all Nitzanim+ programs and at least 8 Nitzanim programs during the year (Nitzanim + is marked with blue) Aug 18-19 Nitzanim CRSH/Kickoff before picnic Jan 21 Snow Day 2-4PM Sep 9 Nitzanim+10AM-1PM Feb 24 2-4PM Sept 29 Sukkot program Time TBD Mar 2 9:30AM-12:30PM Oct 12 Shabbat Service and Dinner 6-9PM Mar 3 Purim Decorating, 9:45AM-12PM Oct 14 9AM-12PM Mar 10 3:30-6:30PM Oct 20 Havdallah Program 7-9PM Mar 17 Purim Carnival Nov 4 9:30AM-12:30PM Mar 31 Youth Led Shabbat rehearsal 9AM-12PM Nov 16 Shabbat Service and Dinner 6-9PM Apr 6 Youth Led Shabbat 9AM-12PM Dec 1 Shabbat Morning Program 9:30AM-12:30PM Apr 28 3:30-5PM Dec 9 Hanukkah Program 2-4PM May 18 Time TBD Dec 23-24 Nitzanim Extravaganza (Overnight program) May 22 6:00PM Closing Ceremony and Lag B Omer celebration Jan 13 2-4 pm May 26-27 Overnight program at GYC Aug 18 Sep 16 Sept 23 Oct 1 Oct 20 Oct 26 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 18 Dec 8 Jan 13 Mar 9 Mar 17 Mar 20 May 19 Family Programs HEA Annual Picnic 11-1 PM Taschlich Hike @ Lair o The Bear 1-3 PM Sukkah Pop-up 11-3 PM Simchat Torah Family Program 5:30-7:30PM Gan and Shoreshim Shabbat Yad Family Shabbat Gefen Shabbat Hanukkah Craft Market 11-3 PM Mazel Together Book Swap Hanukkah Program 5:30-8:30 PM Tu B Shevat Program 12-2 PM Shachar Shabbat Purim Carnival Purim Program and Community Dinner Lag B Omer Picnic Pod Schedules Sunday POD Monday POD Wednesday POD Sept 16, 23, 30 Jan 13, 27 Oct 8, 22, 29 Feb 4, 11, 25 Sept 5, 12, 26 Jan 9, 16, 23, 30 Oct 7, 14, 28 Feb 3, 10 Nov 5, 12, 19, 26 Mar 4, 11, 25 Oct 3, 10, 31 Feb 6, 13, 20, 27 Nov 4, 11, 18 Mar 3, 10, 17, 31 Dec 3, 10, 17 Apr 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Nov 7, 14, 28 Mar 6, 13 Dec 2, 9, 16 Apr 7, 14, 28 Jan 14, 28 May 6 Dec 5, 12 Apr 10, 17, 24