Youth Ed Parent Manual 2012-2013

7/31/2019 Youth Ed Parent Manual 2012-2013

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Congregation Sinai

Youth Education Program

Parent Manual

2012-2013/ 5773

Barb Shimansky, Director of Youth Education

Jeri Danz, School Administrator

8223 N Port Washington RoadMilwaukee, WI 53217

(414) 352-2970

www.congregationsinai.org
http://www.congregationsinai.org/http://www.congregationsinai.org/http://www.congregationsinai.org/


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Table of Contents

Congregation Sinai Youth Education Vision Statement. 3

Arrival. 4

Attendance. 4

Books.. 4

Class Schedules.. 5

Curriculum... 5

Discipline.. 6

Dress.. 6

Early Pick-Up 6Emergency Policies 7

Family Programs and Family Learning. 7

Fees 8

Homefun.. 8

Parent Committee & Parent Engagement 8

Parent-Teacher Communication.. 9

Parent Orientation. 10

Pick-Up and Drop-Off 10

Post Bnei Mitzvah Education.. 10Shabbat. 11

Snack.. 11

Snow Days. 11

Tzedakah Collection.. 12


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Congregation Sinai Youth Education Program

Vision Statement

The world itself rests upon the breath of the children in our schools

Talmud Mishna Sanhedrin 4:5

Congregation Sinai provides a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere

where our youngest members receive guidance and support from a

caring team led by our Rabbi and Cantor. Children are encouraged to

build strong Jewish identities, and value the importance of vibrantJewish families within the greater Jewish community.

Our Youth Education Program focuses on Jewish traditions and ethics

through instruction in Hebrew, Judaica and history. We help our

children to embrace a strong respect for torah (our sacred text),

avodah (prayer and our relationship with God) and gemilut hasadim

(acts of loving kindness that repair our world). We teach our children

Hebrew as a living language, while fostering a connection to the

people, land and state of Israel.

Just as we strive to have torah guide our lives through tefillah (prayer),

tzedakah (acts of justice,) and mitzvot (commandments), so do we

breathe life in to the Torah. Recognizing torah as a living testament

provides us with a love of both tradition and innovation, and bestows

upon us an openness and respect for all the ways our families choose to

celebrate their Reform Judaism. (July 2011)


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ARRIVAL

We encourage you to arrive with your child(ren) and walk them into the building. If your child is in

Gan-2nd grade, this is a requirement for their comfort and safety. For 3rd-10th graders, if you are not

able to do so, please refer to the section on pick-up.

Sunday ArrivalK4-Grade 3

School begins with a joyful morning tefillah service in the sanctuary at 9:30

AM. Parents are welcome and encouraged to join us in song and prayer.

Yourchilds teacher will be taking attendance during services. Not only do

we use tefillah as a time to pray together, but also as a time to learn together

as we hear stories and learn songs related to our Jewish journey.

Grades 4-7

School begins at 9:30 AM. Students should report directly to their classrooms

on the lower level.

Madrichim

Please arrive by 9:00 AM each day. This gives the madrich/ah time toprepare for the day with his/her teacher, assemble supplies, and ready the

classroom.

Midweek ArrivalMitkadem

Please arrive five minutes before your scheduled class time so we can begin

promptly and engage in a full hour of learning together.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is an important component of your childs education. Weunderstand how busy these days can be, and we appreciate your commitment to

making your childs Jewish education a priority. If your child is going to be out due

to illness or family commitment, please let your childs teacher know via email, in

advance, if at all possible.

BOOKSStudent books will be distributed early in the school year (or throughout the year as

students advance in Mitkadem). Please make sure your child brings their books to

school every day. Some books will not be allowed to leave the building. In theevent you would like a copy of these books at home, please let Jeri Danz know.

You are welcome to order and purchase them through the synagogue.

In the event that your childs book is lost or damaged beyond use, the family will be

charged for the book replacement and shipping.


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CLASS SCHEDULESGrades K4-2: Sunday, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Grades 3-6: Sunday, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM

Mitkadem as assigned(please refer to the section on Mitkadem)

Grade 7: Sunday, 9:30 AM11:00 AM

Grade 7 optional: Sunday 11:00 AM12:00 PMStudents will be able to choose an elective: various

choices will be offered throughout the year.

Grades 8-10: Sunday, 12:00 PM12:30 PM Lunch

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Programming

CURRICULUMIn our Youth Education Program, we aim to teach our students both the skills they

need to fully participate in their Jewish community throughout their life and to instilla love for Judaism, Jewish life, and Jewish culture.

We understand that our students learn in a variety of styles, and we are delighted

that our teachers help engage all types of learners in their classroom instruction. As

your child continues to grow as a learner, we hope youll communicate with us -

always helping us to create the best environment in which your child can learn.

Our curriculum focuses on two primary areas: Hebrew language and Judaica.

Hebrew is instructed through the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)s Mitkadem

curriculum. Instructing children through self-directed learning in prayer Hebrew,

Mitkadem meets a variety of student needs. You can learn more aboutMitkadem

and find Mitkadem resources (including Homefun!) at:http://urj.org/learning/teacheducate/hebrew/mitkadem/.

Congregation Sinai uses CHAI, a URJ Judaica curriculum for Grades 1-7. In Chai, we

instruct students in four spiral strands: Torah (sacred texts), Avodah (prayer and our

relationship with God), Gmilut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness), and Israel. In

each year of learning through the engaging, Chai curriculum, a theme pervades

through all four strands of study. The chart below provides an outline of that theme.

More information on the Chai curriculum can be found at:

http://chai.urj.org/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=1012&destination=

ShowItemandhttp://chai.urj.org/.
http://urj.org/learning/teacheducate/hebrew/mitkadem/http://urj.org/learning/teacheducate/hebrew/mitkadem/http://chai.urj.org/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=1012&destination=ShowItemhttp://chai.urj.org/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=1012&destination=ShowItemhttp://chai.urj.org/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=1012&destination=ShowItemhttp://chai.urj.org/http://chai.urj.org/http://chai.urj.org/http://chai.urj.org/http://chai.urj.org/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=1012&destination=ShowItemhttp://chai.urj.org/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=1012&destination=ShowItemhttp://urj.org/learning/teacheducate/hebrew/mitkadem/


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CHAI Curriculum Themes

Grade 1 Discovering Myself in the Jewish StoryGrade 2 I am part of the Jewish people.

Grade 3 KdushahHoliness

Grade 4 Being Part of the Community

Grade 5 Reform Judaism

Grade 6 Revelation

Grade 7 HineiniHere I Am

DISCIPLINEGood behavior, respect and courtesy are expected of our students, teachers and

parents at all times. We understand that from time to time, discipline issues with

students do arise. Each classroom teacher has a set of rules and consequences

that end in the teacher informing the educator that there is a discipline concern. It

is our intention that few, if any, problems will be escalated to our educator. In the

event that they do:

1. Director of Youth Education will prepare and review the students BehaviorContract with the student, teacher and parent.

2. The parent, student and Director of Youth Education will adapt the BehaviorContract and set a new set of goals.

3. If those goals are not met, Rabbi Cohen and the parent(s) will determine ifthe student can stay in the Sinai classroom setting. If it is determined that

classroom study is not ideal, an alternative course of study will be

established.

Please note: We have a zero tolerance policy with regard to bullying at Sinai. (This

includes bullying between adults, or from adults to children.) In the event we

confront a bullying incident, our discipline plan will be escalated immediately to

step 2 above.

DRESS

We do expect appropriate dress while students are at Sinai learning. This includesno spaghetti straps or midriff baring tops, and shorts of an appropriate length.

EARLY PICK-UPOn occasion, family commitments or secular school events will make it necessary for

your child to leave religious school early. Please alert Jeri Danz in advance, via

email at [email protected]. Include the time your child needs to be
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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picked up, and your childs grade. They will be waiting in the office when you

arrive. You will need to come into the building to pick them up.

EMERGENCY POLICIESA detailed copy of our emergency plan is available in the front office at

Congregation Sinai. We take our responsibility to keep our students safe mostseriously. We will not permit your child to leave the building if we have been

informed that it is unsafe.

In the case of inclement weather, we will post atwww.tmj4.comand on Channel 4,

as well as on radio at 620AM. As always, if you feel the weather is such that it is

unsafe for you to travel, we respect your judgment.

FAMILY PROGRAMS AND FAMILY LEARNING

We believe that learning as a family is an important component of a childs

education at Congregation Sinai. When learning together, families have the

added opportunities of discovering their Jewish identity as a family, and

having fun too!

Please note the dates for Family Learning programs in our Youth Education

Program for 2012-2013/ 5772:

Grade Level(s) & Topic Date

2nd Grade

Tu BShevatSunday January 20, 2013

9:30 AM12:00 PM

Grade 3Hunting for God

Sunday October 21, 20129:30 AM12:00 PM

Grade 4

The Many Faces of My Jewish FamilySunday November 4, 2012

9:30 AM12:00 PM

Grade 5

Prayer in AmericaSunday February 3, 2013

10:00 AM12:00 PM
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Grade 6

(3-part series)

Bnei Mitzvah Family Education

1. Becoming bar/ bat mitzvah in

Jewish tradition

2. Mitzvot and Tzedakah Whatsit all about?

3. Preparing for the Bima; Children

and Parents together

Thursday November 8, 2012

7:008:30 PM

Thursday January 10, 2013

7:008:30 PM

Thursday March 14, 2013

7:008:30 PM

Grade 7

Family Relationships Through the

Torah's Eyes

Sunday September 30, 2012

9:3011:00 AM

We are also pleased to offer multiple opportunities for families to celebrate their

Jewish lives together at Sinai. Through Shabbat & holiday celebration, chavurot

(small groups) and school and synagogue-wide programs like the community Walkfor Israel and the Chanukah Latke Lunch, we have lots of fun opportunities to learn

together. We hope youll join us at those celebrations and experiences!

FEESOur school fees help offset the cost of materials and resources including books,

salaries and all-school events. You signed up for a fee schedule when you

registered your child for school. In order to be enrolled in religious school, you must

be a member in good standing of the congregation.

Our school scholarship fund is always accepting donations so all children can

experience the fun, warm, and rich environment of our Youth Education Program.

HOMEFUNThe Youth Education Committee of Congregation Sinai endorses and encourages

brief homework assignments. We like to call them homefun! Determined by our

teachers, homework is an appropriate and wonderful way to keep children

engaged in their learning throughout the week.

Thank you, in advance, for helping your children to remember to do their homework

and encouraging their daily Hebrew practice. It only takes 10 minutes a day! You

can find a guide to helping them in theirsidduron our religious school home page

atwww.congregationsinai.org.

PARENT COMMITTEE & PARENT ENGAGEMENTOur Youth Education Co-Chair people, Judy Flegel and Marjorie Laing, along with

Jenni Goldbaum (our Youth Education Long-Range Planning Chair) are excited to

invite you to become a part of our Parent Committee. The Youth Education

Program committee is involved with developing and long-term planning for our
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school, as well as planning school-wide programs such as High Holy Day Youth

programs and the Purim Carnival. Check the Sinai News for ways to get in contact

with our Youth Education co-chairs, or Judy, Marjorie and/or Jenni at Sinai on any

Sunday!

In addition, the Youth Education Committee will host a Sunday morning programmonthly throughout the year. These programs include breakfast, a Youth Education

Program Parent Meeting, and learning with Rabbi Cohen. These Sunday gatherings

provide a good place to talk with other parents, hear updates on the progress of

growth in our school, and share your comments and concerns with our Youth

Education co-chairs and Rabbi Cohen. See below for a list of meetings throughout

the year. The schedule for these Sundays is such:

9:30 - 10:00 Parent Breakfast

10:0011:00 Youth Education Program Parent Meeting

11:0012:00 Study with Rabbi Cohen

YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM PARENT MEETING DATES: October 14, November 11,

December 9, January 13, February 10, March 10 and April 14.

There are so many ways for you to get engaged as a parent, from volunteering as a

tutor in our Mitkadem Hebrew program, to baking for school snack, to directing

traffic in our carpool line! If you have interest in giving your time and talent to our

Youth Education Program, then we cant wait to hear from you. Please contact Jeri

Danz [email protected] let her know how you can help!

PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATIONWe are glad to provide you with a number of communication tools to help you

keep aware of everything going on in our school.

Weekly E-News

Each week, our congregation sends an ENews. Please be sure to click on the

School News link and check out whats going on!

Sinai News

Check out the Lifelong Learning section of the Sinai News for LOTS of

information about whats happening in our school!Progress Reports

In late January, and at the end of May, you will receive a written progress

report from your childs teacher.Teacher Conference

If, at any time, you would like to request a teacher conference, please do so.

We will be happy to arrange it for you.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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PARENT ORIENTATIONParent Orientation will be held on Sunday September 9 at 10:30 AM for Grades K-7,

and Sunday, September 30th at 12:00 PM for Grades 8-10. This is an importantmeeting for both new and veteran parents. We are looking forward to seeing you

there!

PICK-UP AND DROP OFFHelp us to create an environment that is safe and efficient for pick up and drop off.

As an important reminder, the road outside the synagogue as you enter is a fire

lane. Please do not pick-up or drop-off your children here. Proceed around the lot,

and drop-off children at the cross walk outside the front door.

At pick-up, there are only two options.

1. Park in the lot and meet your child in the lobby.

We encourage this! What a great way to check-in with other parents,

and your childs teacher. If you choose this option, please remember

to park ONLY in marked spaces in the temple lot.

2. Follow the carpool lane in our parking lot.Meet your child at the crosswalk.

They will wait for you under the awning.

Thank you for helping us keep our kids safe, and our building safe and

lawful by complying with the carpool lane. At the beginning of theyear, we will offer assistance in directing traffic.

Thank you for cooperating with our pick-up and drop-off policy. Your cooperation,

even in inclement weather, makes our job of keeping our children safe possible. We

appreciate your assistance.

POST BNEI MITZVAH EDUCATIONOur program for 8th-10th grade students, Kivun, provides an opportunity for Sinai

teens to learn with their peers in an informal, engaging environment. Students will

meet all together at 12:00 PM each Sunday to enjoy lunchand social time with theirfriends. From 12:30-1:30 PM, 8th and 9th grade students will have options to direct

their own learning and interests by choosing an elective. Elective classes run on a

trimester schedule, which allows students to explore a variety of topics throughout

the year. These classes might include themes such as personal ethics, modern Israeli

culture, leadership, and more! 10th grade students will spend the 12:30-1:30 PM hour

with Rabbi Cohen in Affirmation class. In addition to the Kivun program, all post-

Bnai Mitzvah students have the privilege of joining our senior youth group, COSY,


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where informal Jewish learning continues within the congregation and during

regional NFTY weekends throughout the year.

SHABBATShabbat is an important component of Jewish life. Arriving each week, Shabbatgives us a chance to rest and refresh, as we ll as celebrate. All students in our

Youth Education Program at Congregation Sinai are expected to join us for

Shabbat Services four (4) times during the school year.

Each week during the school year, services at Congregation Sinai are at 6:15 PM on

erev Shabbat (Friday). To make your four services extra-special, please join us for

our special Rockin Family Shabbat, followed by a festive and delicious

congregational dinner on the following Fridays:

Friday November 9, 2012

Friday January 11, 2013

Friday March 8, 2013Friday May 10, 2013 (Teacher Appreciation Shabbat)

Tot Shabbat

For the youngest members of our congregational family (through grade 1), youll

find special community and a great way to celebrate Shabbat at our Tot Shabbat

service (and dinner!). Join Wendy Cohen (from the JCCs Gan Ami!) and Rabbi

Cohen for a great start to Shabbat! Services begin at 5:30 PM

Friday October 19, 2012

Friday February 8, 2013

Friday April 12, 2013

SNACKGrades Gan (K4) - 3

Each Sunday, a parent volunteer from your childs class (including you!) will be

asked to bring snack for the entire class. We will ask that you choose a snack that is

assigned to the food blessing of the day. (For example, if the food blessing of the

day is borei pri hagafen, please bring grapes!) We will provide a helpful guide to

make your choices easier.

SNOW DAYSIn the case of inclement weather, we will post atwww.tmj4.comand on Channel 4,

as well as on radio at 620AM. As always, if you feel the weather is such that it is

unsafe for you to travel, we respect your judgment.

If more than three (3) snow days are needed, school will extend one more Sunday

in May.
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TZEDAKAH COLLECTIONTzedakah is an important part of our school. Please be sure to have your child bring

in tzedakah each Sunday to be collected by his/her teacher. In the later part of theschool year, students will learn about several charitable organizations; each class

will then decide to which of those organizations they wish to contribute the money

they have collected throughout the year.

We look forward to making this a wonderful year!

Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

Barb Shimansky, Dir. of Youth Education [email protected]

Jenni Goldbaum, YEP Long-Range Planning Chair [email protected]

Judy Flegel, Youth Education Co-Chair [email protected]

Marjorie Laing, Youth Education Co-Chair [email protected]

Jeri Danz, School Administrator [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

Documents

Youth Ed Parent Manual 2012-2013