SCHEDULE
HEBREW CLASSES
Session 1: Tuesday 4:00 P.M. - 6:00P.M.
Session 2: Thursday 4:00 P.M. - 6:00P.M.
Bar/Bat: Tuesday and Thursday 4:00 P.M. - 6:00P.M.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES (SUNDAY)
1st Session Pre-K - 3rd Grade 8:45 A.M. - 10: 45 A.M.
2nd Session 4th - 7th Grade 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
ADVANCED RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Wednesday HEM Community School - 8th, 9th & Confirmation 6:30 P.M.- 8:10 P.M.
1st Session September 19 - January 16 Temple Torat Yisrael
2nd Session January 23 - May 14 Temple Am David
Sunday September 9 - May 18 Temple Emanu-El
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Parents are requested to have students arrive no more than five minutes before class and are requested to arrive promptly for pick up of students at dismissal time. Due to increased security, the only door open for arrival and dismissal is the main entrance under the awning at the rear of the Temple. All other doors will be locked. In grades PreK, K & 1, most parents pick up children IN their classroom Any child who is to be dismissed early must bring a note to the school office. A parent must report to the school office when picking up his/her child and a school staff member will get one’s child from his/her classroom.
ATTENDANCE
In order for a child to attend our ReligiousSchool, the family must be a member in good standing of our Temple. Attendance and lateness records are kept. Students are expected to arrive on time, as lateness is disruptive to the class. Calls by the administration will be made to correct any excessive lateness or absenteeism. Each student is responsible for making up any work missed due to absence. The maximum number of absences permitted for Sunday School is seven (7). The maximum number of absences permitted for HebrewSchoolis four (4).
ATTENDANCE AT SERVICES
Parents should bring their children to services as often as possible to reinforce what is being learned in school and to help build a feeling of community within our Temple. It is also our experience that service attendance has a direct effect on the student’s readiness and ease of preparation for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. See the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook for service attendance requirements.
BAR/BAT MITZVAH POLICY
Every child is required to begin his/her Hebrew School education no later than the third grade and, attend in full, 4 1/2 to 5 consecutive years of Religious School at Temple Sinai or a comparable religious institution. A student must be enrolled in Judaic studies as well as in Hebrew studies in order to become a Bar/ Bat Mitzvah. A student whose Bar/Bat Mitzvah is in the fall of the 8th grade, must attend Harry Elkin Midrasha.
CLASS TRIPS
When class trips are scheduled, they will be at minimal cost. We believe the students’ Jewish identities and education are worth the time and effort involved.
CONFIRMATION
The requirements for Confirmation are to attend grades 8 and 9 at the HarryElkinMidrashaCommunitySchooland study with the Rabbi and Cantor in the 10th grade. If a student did not attend 8th grade, he/she must attend all (5) Wednesday and Sunday classes at HEM in order to enter Confirmation class in the 10th grade.
HOMEWORK - Hebrew
Hebrew homework is assigned to Alef-Gimmel (grades 3-7). Homework is left to the discretion of each teacher. Please remember that homework gives your child the opportunity to form opinions and practice skills on his/her own. It is very important that your child practice reading Hebrew at least 5 times a week. It may involve reading/essay projects Even if you do not read or understand Hebrew, listen to him/her read. Your presence and encouragement really do help! Home practice of reading will decrease regression and its accompanying frustration. It will enhance rapid learning of Hebrew. A list of Hebrew skills to be mastered for each grade will be sent home at the beginning of the school year. Parents will be notified of their student’s progress through conferences and report cards. Students who do not master the required Hebrew skills for the school year will be needed to be tutored over the summer.
HOMEWORK - Judaic
All students will be responsible for homework assignments if they are absent. Phone numbers of classmates will be given to students at the beginning of the year and should be used for homework information.
GIFT OF ISRAEL
The Gift of Israel is a Joint partnership between TempleSinai, Jewish Federation of Rhode Island and Bureau of Jewish Education. Families generally enroll their children during the third grade year, contributing $150.00 annually. The Jewish Federation of Rhode Island will allocate $200.00 per year, per student for six years beginning in third grade. TempleSinaiwill contribute $50.00 per year, per student. The Bureau of Jewish Education coordinates this community-wide program. Students who participate in the program for six years will have approximately $3,000.00, including interest, to meet most costs of the trip. For additional information concerning this worthwhile program, call Leonore Sones at TempleSinaior Ruth Page at the BJE, 331-0956.
REPORT CARDS AND CONFERENCE
There will be a parent conference with the Hebrew teacher in the fall. A progress report will be sent home twice a year for Sunday School. HebrewSchoolreport cards will also be sent home twice a year. Teachers are always available for individual conferences, but only by advanced appointment.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Announcements will be made on 630 WPRO AM, 920 AM WHJJ, 103.7 WRX, B101, WPRI Channel 12, ABC Channel 6.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Our school is concerned with the health and well being of our children. Any personal or medical condition that could affect the attendance and performance of the child should be brought to the Educator’s attention.
All such information will be kept in the strictest confidence, and will be shared only with the child’s teachers and Rabbi, if necessary.
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR
Our school will maintain the same standards expected in public schools. Should there be a problem with any student, teachers will be in touch with parents. Should a student be continually disruptive, the parents will be called in to meet with the Educator. Serious and persistent disciplinary challenges may result in suspension or dismissal from our school.
FIRE DRILLS
For the safety of our children, there are fire drills in the fall and spring during school hours.
STUDENT TEACHERS
Our 11th and 12th graders have an opportunity to be student teachers. Each student will be assigned to assist a classroom teacher. The requirements include keeping a weekly journal of participation in classroom activities, attendance at one service per month, and arrival at Templeat least 15 minutes before class begins. Student teachers will meet once a month for a Post Confirmation study group and will receive a stipend for their work.
SUPPLIES
Students must come prepared for school with writing implements, loose-leaf paper, and their assigned books. All other supplies (folder, crayons, paste, scissors, etc.) will be provided as needed.
Parents are responsible for replacing any lost books. TEXTBOOKS ARE TO BE RETURNED AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
TRAFFIC CONTROL REGULATIONS
The safety of our students is our prime concern. When entering this neighborhood, turn left onto Hagen Avenue, go past the front of the Temple, and continue around the rear entrance. The speed limit is 15 mph. Students are to enter and leave the Templeonly through the back door near the TempleOffice. All other doors will be locked. We ask that you cooperate to insure the safety of our students.
TZEDAKAH
Tzedakah will be collected each week from the students. This fund will be held by the school, and at the end of the school year, students will have a say in deciding which charities will receive the funds.
We strongly encourage all students to participate in their fund. The purpose of Tzedakah is to teach concern for others through sharing. The amount is secondary to the act of giving – a few coins from the child’s allowance are more meaningful than a dollar bill from his/her parents.
