In order to create the best possible learning and teaching environment, your cooperation is essential. Please familiarize yourself with the following rules for the operation of our school.

Behavior

At Congregation B'nai Israel, we seek to create a warm, secure, and joyful learning environment for our students. This is essential in helping our students evolve a sense of love for and identification with Judaism and Congregation B'nai Israel. In order to maintain a positive atmosphere in our Religious School, there must be mutual respect and understanding among teachers, students, and parents - each is a partner in creating this environment. Our teachers and students will treat each other with dignity and respect. Expectations for classroom behavior will be clearly defined.

Our students in Kitot Zayin & Chet (7^th & 8^th) have developed a "Students' Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. A copy has been inserted in this handbook for each student in your family. We ask that parents and children discuss this document, and that students sign and return it on the first day of class. Clearly the discussion with a student in Gan (K) will be much more basic than with one in Kitah Vav (6^th), and parents will use their discretion in shaping the conversation with their children.

In the event that disruptive or disrespectful behaviors occur, they will be handled in the classroom whenever possible. Parent(s) will be notified if a student's behavior becomes inappropriate. Should it become necessary for a student to be removed from the classroom, the following procedures will be used to maintain a positive learning environment:

1. If a student is referred to the office for inappropriate behavior, the director of education will discuss the issue and the consequences of disruptive behavior and develop a plan for alternative appropriate behaviors with the student. The incident will be recorded in the student's personal record, and parents will be notified.
2. Should a student be sent to the office for a second time, the parent(s) will be advised to pick up the student immediately. He or she will not be readmitted to the classroom until a conference has been held with the parent, teacher, and the director.
3. Continued behavioral problems will result in a meeting with the director and the rabbi and may lead to a student being removed from school. Such an action can jeopardize a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony or participation in Confirmation or Graduation.

It is important for teachers, students, and parents to understand that there are consequences for disruptive and disrespectful behavior. Those consequences include an opportunity for doing t'shuvah (correcting behavior). Jewish tradition describes a process of four steps to be performed by the student - who may be assisted by parents and teacher. It should be understood that the doing of these four steps is not simple nor may it be accomplished merely by having a "little talk." The student will:

1. Recognize how the behavior was inappropriate.
2. Admit verbally that the behavior was inappropriate.
3. Make amends for the behavior to whomever was hurt as a result of it.
4. Resolve firmly not to repeat the behavior.

The task of maintaining a positive learning experience is a joint effort in which we must all participate. We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you to provide an enriching Religious School experience for all of our children.

Attendance

Participation in the school community is a crucial element both in Jewish life and in academic progress. Success in the Religious School depends upon the student's attendance and participation. If a student has been absent for two consecutive sessions, the family will be contacted by the office or the classroom teacher.

Students are responsible for the material covered in classes they miss. Should a student be absent more than three times during a single semester, make-up work will be required in order to receive credit for the class and be promoted to the next grade.

Seasonal scheduling conflicts should be discussed in advance with the Director of Education.

Tardiness

Classes begin on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m., on Monday Nights at 7:00 p.m., and on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. Tardy students disrupt the learning process and make it difficult for teachers and students to meet our educational goals. We ask that parents make every effort to get students to Temple on time. Teachers have been advised to begin the class session when the bell rings so as not to penalize those who arrived in a timely fashion.

Please be aware that there will be no supervision for your children before 9:15 a.m. on Sunday or before 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Parents are expected to pick up their children promptly at 12:00 noon on Sunday, 8:30 p.m. on Monday, and 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Early Dismissal

Students must report immediately to class upon arriving at Religious School. Because we are most concerned for your child's safety, children are not allowed to leave the building before dismissal unless accompanied by an authorized adult. We ask that you do not go to your child's classroom to get him or her. Please come to the office, and a member of the staff will release your child from class. Please assist us by discussing this with your child as well as all other policies in this Guide.

Emergency Notification

Should a child become ill or suffer an injury such that they cannot participate in class, the person so designated on the registration form will be notified. The cards for the students are on file in the Religious School office.

Evaluation

Evaluation is an on-going process throughout the school year. To keep you informed on a regular basis, progress reports will be issued in January and in June. Students will be evaluated on the basis of attendance, homework, class participation, mastery of the material, and behavior. We invite your assistance in reinforcing Jewish values at home. The teachers and the director will be glad to answer any questions or discuss any concerns about your child's progress.

Awards will also be given to those students with outstanding academic and communal achievements. We hope to reward students for individual successes to show that their achievements are valued by the entire B'nai Israel community.

Security

Students and parents are asked to enter and exit the building only through the Education Center doors (on the left as you face the building) during Religious School hours. That will give us an opportunity to welcome you. Please do not use the doorbell at the main entrance during school hours unless you have business in the Temple office.

Traffic Safety

Please remember that many children attend our Religious School and that almost all depend upon carpools. The safety of our children is paramount. Therefore, when dropping off or picking up children, please observe the orange cones and do not exceed five (5) miles per hour in the parking lot.

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