Welcome from Rabbi



WELCOME FROM RABBI SCHLOSBERG

Dear Friends,

I am thrilled that you have chosen to enroll your child in the Hebrew School at the Glen Rock Jewish Center. And I hope that you are thrilled, too!

According to Pirke Avot 1:2 (Ethics of our Fathers), we learn the following:

Upon three things does the world stand:

1) Upon Torah;

2) Upon tefillah (prayer);

3) And upon acts of kindness.

I am proud that the Hebrew School curriculum at the Glen Rock Jewish Center is one that carefully balances these three important principles of our faith:

(1) Torah: We believe that the values of the Torah are timeless, that they speak to each generation, and that it is our job, as Jewish educators, to bring them to life and make them relevant to your children’s lives. Because each child is a unique soul, the values of the Torah speak to students personally, helping them to learn more about themselves in a shared classroom space.

(2) Prayer: We have a special connection with God. Our prayers are meant to express gratitude and to request support in various areas of our lives. Prayer not only connects us with Jews throughout the world, but gives us a united sense of purpose, while connecting us to a Higher Power.

(3) Acts of Kindness: We believe in supporting all types of people through tzedakah, financial giving, and acts of tikkun olam, repairing the world. Students in our Hebrew School learn the importance of helping others, but also participate in hands-on projects where they offer support to those who need it.

We know that sending your child to Hebrew School at the Glen Rock Jewish Center is an investment on your part. You invest time, money, and other resources when you send your child to school here. We believe it is an important investment and we hope you do, too! We look forward to making the Jewish education of your child a team effort!

Warm regards,

Rabbi Jennifer Schlosberg

WELCOME FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to another year of learning, exploring and fun at the GRJC Hebrew School.

In the context of the overall mission of the Glen Rock Jewish Center, we aim to instill in our students a love for Jewish learning, which is a lifelong process. We educate our children, in partnership with their families, to become knowledgeable, practicing Conservative Jews, devoted to lives of Torah and Mitzvot, and commitment to God.

The goal of the GRJC Hebrew School is to deliver to students and families a positive and active sense of Jewish identity, along with skills and content knowledge to make that identity meaningful.

We at the GRJC are aware of the variety of choices you, as parents, have regarding where you send your children. We also recognize very busy family schedules and other commitments. We believe our school is an engaging and vital place for our students and families to pursue Jewish education, even as we recognize the challenges of meeting after school and on Sundays, and fitting in all we hope to teach in the four hours allotted to us each week.

To make it easier for our students and parents, for the 2017-’18 school year we will be changing the hours of our mid-week classes. Classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays will now meet from 3:45-5:45pm.

We are thrilled to add new units to our programming, to enrich our knowledge with Jewish art, cooking and baking, and Jewish yoga. We have added computer monitors to every classroom and purchased laptops to support our curriculum. And we continue to be proud of our students’ giving of Tzedakah (charity), as well as doing mitzvot.

As always, communication is the key to our success. My door is always open to you and your family. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or just stop in to say Shalom.

I would like to thank Rabbi Jennifer Schlosberg for her support. And thank you to the School Committee, chaired by Terri Caust.

To all our families, thank you for helping to make our school grow every year.

B’Vrachah,

Rachel Blumenstyk

Principal

THE GRJC HEBREW SCHOOL

The Hebrew School, an integral part of the synagogue, provides a curriculum that is designed to nurture our children with an appreciation and understanding of our cultural and religious heritage.

The school is staffed by enthusiastic educators, including a dynamic principal and experienced teachers. It offers a comprehensive program with classes for Kindergarten through seventh grades.

Children in our Gan (Kindergarten) class will meet twice a month on Sundays. Children in grades 1 and 2 attend Sunday School for two hours weekly. Students in grades 3 through 7 meet for four hours a week and also attend synagogue services.

The Hebrew School curriculum includes instruction in Hebrew reading and writing, Jewish history, and participation in synagogue rituals and prayers. The school also offers music, library, field trips and other special programs to enrich the overall educational experience.

In keeping with our major goal of preparing our young people to become active members of the Congregation, the school sponsors Shabbatonim, in which each class is given an opportunity to lead either a Friday night or Saturday morning service.

Parents are invited to become actively involved in their children’s religious education through classroom visits, attendance at special programs and religious services.

CURRICULUM GOALS

The school’s curriculum aims to develop an appreciation for and understanding of our Jewish cultural and religious heritage through instruction in Jewish liturgy and prayer, Hebrew reading and writing and Jewish history and tradition. An equally important part of the core curriculum is participation in synagogue services and rituals and celebration of the Jewish Holidays throughout the year. The school also offers music, library, life cycle events and other special programs to enrich the students’ understanding and appreciation of Judaism.

1. Students should feel comfortable and positive about being Jewish

2. Students should participate knowledgeably in services and other synagogue functions

3. Students should know how to act morally and ethically as Jews

4. Students should feel a strong bond to Israel

IVRIT B’IVRIT

Ivrit b’Ivrit: Hebrew Immersion at GRJC Hebrew School – An Introduction

The 2012-‘13 school year was the pilot year for our Ivrit b’Ivrit, “Hebrew in Hebrew”, language immersion program, and it continues to be a successful and integral part of our curriculum. Each class in our school takes part of each session to engage in a Hebrew immersion experience including a wide array of topics. Teachers speak to students in Hebrew and students learn to respond in Hebrew in a comfortable and supportive environment.

The goal of this program is to improve student familiarity with Hebrew language so that each student will be able to understand more of what they both read and hear in synagogue. Another goal is to connect our students in a stronger way with Israel. A third goal is to deepen student Jewish identity and connection through a sense of pride, ownership and knowledge of our ancient and modern holy language.

Our teachers welcome parents to the classroom to experience these lessons. Please arrange a visit by contacting our Principal, Rachel Blumenstyk at principal@.

Please also check-in with your student(s) about their experience learning Hebrew in this exciting way. We look forward to hearing your feedback on this program.

MUSIC, LIBRARY AND SPECIAL NEEDS

The GRJC Hebrew School employs a music teacher to teach songs relevant to Hebrew language, Jewish holidays and Israel to all classes on a regular basis throughout the school year. At the end of the year we have a Zimriyah (Song Festival), which is a culmination of our learning.

An Individual Learning Program is available for students in Aleph through Daled who have additional learning needs. In addition, we have Kulanu, a dedicated class for students with special needs.

The GRJC is home to a diversified library containing books covering topics of interest to children on all reading levels. Students visit the Library regularly to make use of the facility. Every student and adult is encouraged to check out books and to use the library regularly, both for personal reading pleasure and as a resource for fulfilling class assignments.

Each classroom has a computer and monitor to provide access to online materials and interactive activities.

The Hebrew School also has access to the online version of the Encyclopedia Judaica.

HEBREW SCHOOL CURRICULUM

2017/2018

The Goals of our School

The product of our school program is a student who has a strong sense of Jewish self and is educated about Jewish culture and religion as well as Hebrew. These topics are broken down into age-appropriate components :

Ivrit: Our prayers are offered in Hebrew, the official language of Israel. The language is approached from both an analytic and conversational perspective.

Ritual & T’fillot: Our services provide a consistent framework on which to hang our faith. Our students learn to pray and celebrate as well as why we pray.

Israel: Israel is the seat of our religious heritage as well as our modern home. Students study everything about this most significant place, from its places, history, people, food to its music, art & science.

Holidays & Life Cycle: Inseparable from ritual & t’fillot, our holidays and life cycle events make us part of the Jewish family and community, providing joyful and meaningful celebrations.

Bible & History: Through bible study and stories, students better connect with their heritage and their religion. Through a study of Jewish history, they understand the important role Jews have played on the world stage.

Mitzvot & Tikun Olam: A core principle of Judaism is the value of community and everyone’s obligation to contribute to the greater good. The students are encouraged to make these principles a part of their daily lives.

Jewish Identity: Introduce students to core experiences essential to strong Jewish identity. Through stories, interviews and activities they will explore the ethics, laws, rituals, etc.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Grades Aleph through Daled will benefit from our new program “Jewish Art and Artists”. Monthly visits from a local artist will enriche the existing curriculum with an art component.

Food is an important and enriching aspect of Jewish tradition, so we have introduced Baking and Cooking into most units of our curriculum. Additionally, our children will have firsthand experience with kashrut rules. A teacher will be designated to oversee this component of our curriculum.

Technology is now integrated into our lives and is a valuable instructional tool. Each classroom is equipped with a monitor, and teachers have access to laptops and tablets so that lessons can be enhanced with video, internet and interactive components.

Music engenders a sense of community, connectivity and well-being. The music curriculum culminates in a Zimriyah (song festival). Grades Gan through Daled participate.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW BY GRADE

GAN (Kindergarten)

This class fosters a basic understanding of Jewish practices, life and culture through music, dance, storytelling, art and cooking. Key concepts presented include Shabbat, Mitzvot and Tzedakah.

Ivrit: Using the "Aleph to Tav Activity Book", students learn the 22 letters of the Aleph Bet as well as basic alphabet vocabulary, the numbers 1-20 and elementary house and synagogue terms. Students will also use the Shalom Sesame Booklet and CD.

Jewish Identity: Using “Let’s Explore Being Jewish”, students will explore the building blocks of Jewish life in seven booklets :

a. Mitzvot

b. Bible

c. Israel

d. The Synagogue

e. Jewish Symbols

f. The Life Cycle

Ritual: Brachot: Children will learn to chant simple blessings.

KITAH ACHAT (1st Grade)

Ivrit B’Ivrit: Students will learn the Hebrew Aleph Bet, using the book “Now I Know My Aleph Bet”. This program is designed for beginning students. It introduces the letters of Aleph Bet along with corresponding vocabulary. They will learn rudimentary Hebrew Conversation throughout the year based on different categories following the Ivrit B’Ivrit (Hebrew through Hebrew) program.

Holidays: Students will learn about the Jewish Holidays using “A Time to Celebrate”, a book that explains synagogue rituals and prayers using ideas appropriate to first grade. They will use simple vocabulary that matches the Hebrew letters.

Life Cycle Celebration: Each student will take home the Shabbat box in order to celebrate a traditional Shabbat with their family.

Israel: Students will learn about Israel using the folder set “Our Israel”. This set of folders presents a tour of Jerusalem through the eyes of a young child.

Mitzvot: Using “Let’s discover the Mitzvot”, students will explore the importance of Mitzvot in their lives.

Ritual: T’fillah: Our students will use their age-appropriate T’fillah curriculum to learn specific prayers, (e.g., blessing for lighting the candles; blessing over the wine and food) as well as Shemah, Barchu and Mi Chamocha.

KITAH SHTAEEM (2nd Grade)

Ivrit: Using the Hebrew primer “Shalom Aleph Bet”, students will learn Hebrew reading and writing (left to right), letter-vowel combinations and practice letter-to-sound relationships. Through our IVRIT B’IVRIT (Hebrew through Hebrew) curriculum, students will continue conversational Hebrew using immersion techniques.

Holidays: “My Jewish Year” conveys the excitement of holiday celebration. The story of each holiday is presented alongside the ritual, symbols, traditions and legends that have grown around it.

Life Cycle Celebration: Students will celebrate their Hebrew names and be called by them in class.

Bible: The text “Let’s Discover the Bible” contains classic stories from the Bible. Students will read and discuss 16 Bible stories including vocabulary and background information.

Israel: Through the use of the book “Israel Sheli”, Kitah Shtaeem students will be introduced to two different perspectives of Israel - the people and the places. As they virtually tour the land, they will learn some of the narratives that led to the creation of Israel, and what it is like to travel through Israel with the people who built it.

Ritual: T’fillah: Students will use the prayers curriculum packet, prepared by the GRJC Hebrew School, which contains prayers used at Shabbat and daily services. The Parshat Ha’Shavua (weekly Sidrah or Torah portion) will be studied weekly.

ALEPH (3rd Grade)

Ivrit B’Ivrit: Students will use our Ivrit B’Ivrit (Hebrew through Hebrew) curriculum to continue Hebrew Conversation. Using immersion techniques that involve multisensory activities, students will practice vocabulary in various categories such as classroom items, weather and feelings. Through teacher modeling and student imitation, students will use Hebrew sentences and correct syntax.

Two texts, “Getting up to Speed” and “Ot La-Baot”, will explore language both linguistically, teaching word analysis, roots, prefixes and suffixes, and contextually from both t’fillot and modern Hebrew. Vocabulary will include words from the prayers, question words (who, what…) and verbs.

Ritual: T’fillot: In addition to learning prayers from our prayer curriculum, students will use “Z’man L’tefillah” Book 1. They will learn to recite T’fillot and the meaning of the T’fillah. The focus in Aleph class is on the Havdalah Service and Erev Shavuot service. At a celebration during Shavuot, they will receive their personal Siddur “Lev Shalem”, with covers decorated by their parents.

Israel: Using “The Great Israel Scavenger Hunt”, a book filled pictures and descriptions of Israel, students will learn about major Israeli cities, the diversity of its people and culture and its extraordinary sites.

Holidays: Students will explore the Jewish Holidays, reviewing the stories, the celebrations and the symbols associated with each holiday. Through varied activities they will travel through time and space encountering people and places as old as the Bible and as new as modern Israel.

Life Cycle Celebration: Students will receive their personal siddur with covers decorated by their parents.

BET (4th Grade)

Ivrit: Students will use our Ivrit B’Ivrit curriculum to begin Hebrew Conversation. Teachers will use “Shalom Ivrit 1”, to continue to develop understanding and fluent reading of the Hebrew language. Students will also learn from “Getting Up to Speed 2” to use familiar prayers and blessings from the Amidah and to review and refresh Hebrew decoding skills. Linguistically they will continue to work on word analysis, roots, suffixes and prefixes.

Ritual: T’fillah: Students will use the Lev Shalem siddur as well as the T’fillah curriculum materials to study word meanings and the significance of whole prayers. Our students will ultimately lead the congregation in a Friday night service. “Zman L’Tefillah 2” will explore the choreography of Jewish worship and how to pray.

Israel: Using the book “Welcome to Israel”, students will learn about the miracle of the Jewish state with a sense of wonder and humor. They will explore the history, geography and cultural life of Israel.

Holidays: Students will learn the history of the Jewish holidays through stories, traditions, symbols and customs using teacher-made units. Although in some ways a review, the students will be able to digest the material at a more sophisticated level than at an earlier age.

GIMEL (5th Grade)

Ivrit: Students will use our Ivrit B’Ivrit curriculum to continue Hebrew Conversation. Teachers and students will use Hebrew sentences and incorporate new vocabulary. Students will expand their mastery of the Hebrew language using “Shalom Ivrit 2” (first half) with its modern short stories, folktales and Midrash. Discussion will include Jewish values, and their ability to read and understand Hebrew will also significantly increase.

Ritual: T’fillah: Students will use the “Lev Shalem” siddur and the Tefillah curriculum. They will complete the study of Friday night services and start to learn the prayers from the Shabbat morning service. They will lead a Shabbat morning service. They will be using “Hineni 1” to learn the prayers, explore the meaning of the prayers and expand Hebrew prayer vocabulary. The Family Companion edition of “Hineni 1” includes print-out practice sheets with English transliteration so that parents can learn together with students, reinforcing the Jewish family as a unit.

Life Cycle: With the book “The Jewish Life Cycle”, students will receive age-appropriate information about events such as brit, baby naming, marriage, etc., along with the rituals and ceremonies.

Jewish Values : The students will use “A Kid’s Mensch Handbook : Step by Step to a Lifetime of Jewish Values.”

Life Cycle Celebration: The students in the Gimel class will participate in a special “mock wedding” ceremony.

Israel: “Experience Modern Israel” is an innovative dual print and online environment which offers students a direct encounter with Israeli life. This book immerses students in all aspects of Israeli life today, from cuisine to arts, environment, technological innovation, politics and more.

Jewish Holidays: Students will learn about the celebrations and customs that define the Jewish year: why we celebrate, how we celebrate and how all the Mitzvot of the holidays are woven together. Students will use “The Book of Jewish Holidays”.

DALED (6th Grade)

Ivrit: Students will continue using the Hebrew language in the classroom, enhancing their conversation skills. The project goal is making a video commercial in Hebrew. Students will use SHALOM IVRIT 2 (second half).

T’FILLAH AND YAHDUT (Judaism)

Ritual: Students will use the Lev Shalem siddur and the T’fillah curriculum. They will be able to chant the prayers. Each Daled student is expected to lead the Sh’mah & V’Havtah, the Amidah K’dushah (Egalitarian), Torah Service, Chatzi Kaddish and Kaddish Shalem as well as the Friday night service. Students will use HINENI 2 to understand the meaning of the T’fillah.

Mitzvot: Students will learn and discuss Ben Adam Lechavero (how to treat one another), Lashon Hara (lying) and other ethical issues such as judging people who look “different”.

Israel: Students will learn about and aspire to fulfill the age-old dream of returning to Zion. They will gain an understanding of Israel as a timely, up-to-date modern state. They will use the ARTZYNU book to gain an understanding of Israeli life in words and in dazzling pictures, to the history of the Jewish homeland and heroes.

Kehilla Partnership: The Kehillah partnership program involves Daled classes from congregational schools around Bergen County. Students participate in Jewish enrichment activities and learn community building through creative exercises.

History: Students will study the Ashkenazi & Sephardic Jews through history, learning about their different traditions, life styles and experiences. The students will create a “shtetl fair” called Jews Around the World, which their families can attend.

Life Cycle Celebration: Students will learn about sitting shiva and the rituals associated with it.

HAY (7th Grade)

Ivrit B’Ivrit: Students will continue with Hebrew conversation using the “Ma LeEchol” booklet (developed in-house). Areas of study include ordering food, following recipes written in Hebrew, the Israeli news online, i.e., ARUTZ (channel 2 or 7), “HaARTZ”,” YEDIOT HACHRONOT” and “MA’ARIV”, leading to class discussion. The text “Let’s Talk” uses verbs in present tense, possessive pronouns, and appropriate masculine and feminine forms of nouns in both singular and plural form. They will review numbers, time and other topics.

Ritual: T’fillah: Students will use the LEV SHALEM siddur to review all major prayers: Shacharit, Amidah, Kedushah Torah Service and Musaf. They will lead most Friday night services, and lead a Shabbat morning service. Students will be able to chant all prayers, as well as know and understand the vocabulary and ideas in the prayers.

Life Cycle Event : Students will celebrate their b’nei mitzvah.

Holocaust: Students use their developing analytical skills to learn about the Holocaust the same way historians do : through primary source materials that include excerpts from Nazi documents and report transcripts, maps, personal records and diaries kept by victims.

Special Projects: Students will make religious art and crafts for use in the house and for their B’nei Mitzvah. These are associated with various topics in the curriculum.

Mitzvot: Each b’nei mitzvah is required to complete a mitzvah project to benefit the community. She/he works with the Rabb and the Principal or Assistant Principal to ensure the project is appropriate and achievable.

KULANU (Dedicated Special Needs Class for ages 7 to 13)

This curriculum is based on the principal that children learn best by moving about and working in an environment of positive emotional support. They succeed when learning is joyful and playful through songs, chants and multi-sensory stimulus.

The classes will be divided based on the abilities of the students. Those children who are able will be taught how to read and write the aleph bet and articulate simple Hebrew phrases. All students will foster a basic understanding of Jewish practices, life and culture. Students will participate in all school programs and holidays throughout the year.

Shabbat : Students will practice celebrating Shabbat with prayers, ritual, and song.

Holidays : All major and minor Jewish holidays, along with symbols and songs, will be introduced and discussed. Simple prayers and synagogue rituals will be taught. Weekly craft projects will align with lessons and abilities.

Hebrew : Based on ability, students will begin to acquire Hebrew vocabulary. The aleph bet will be taught using “Sam the Detective Readiness” and “Now I Know My Aleph Bet” as resources.

Hebrew Through Movement : Hebrew will be taught using an interactive and multi-sensory approach. Simple everyday Hebrew conversation will be incorporated throughout the lessons.

T’fillah : Students will learn appropriate prayers (e.g., blessings over lighting Shabbat candles, challah, wine, food, etc).

Israel : Students will be exposed to Israeli culture, geography and history through multi-media sources and discussion. Cities to discuss : Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv.

Mitzvot : Children will be introduced to the mitzvot and will explore ways to incorporate these into their everyday lives..

Music : Students will learn Hebrew songs with our music teacher and will participate in our Zimriyah program at the end of the year.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

SHABBAT AND HOLIDAY SERVICE ATTENDANCE

A hallmark of the GRJC Hebrew School is the emphasis placed on preparing our young people to take their place as full adult members of the congregation after Bar and Bat Mitzvah. One of the ways to accomplish this is through the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony itself. A unique feature of our congregation’s religious life is that our students conduct almost the entire Shabbat evening and morning services on the occasion of their B’nai Mitzvah. The accomplishments of these young people are a source of pride and joy to their parents and family members, as well as to the entire synagogue family. But these accomplishments take a great deal of preparation. To lead services, our students must know not only how to read Hebrew; they should also know the melodies, the order of the service, and the ritual. The only way to learn all this is to attend services regularly. SYNAGOGUE ATTENDANCE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR SCHOOL CURRICULUM. As such, student attendance will be taken at Friday evening services. A record of your child’s attendance will be available. Please check it for accuracy.

We have established a new method of integrating services into our curriculum in the Hay class. The Hay class will meet regularly on Monday from 3:45pm to 5:45pm and on Friday from 7:30pm through the completion of services. Even though they will be attending Friday services, Saturday morning service attendance is still required.

SCHOOL POLICIES ON CLASS PLACEMENT AND PROMOTION

We believe that waiting beyond third grade to enroll a child in Hebrew School will present difficulties in the child’s progress through the curriculum. A new student who is in fourth grade or beyond and who has received no prior Hebrew education must be tutored (at the family’s expense) until he/she meets the necessary standards of admission to the appropriate grade. A student who transfers from another Hebrew School beyond the third grade will be required to demonstrate competence in tefillah (prayer) to the Principal before being placed in the appropriate class.

For a child to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at the Glen Rock Jewish Center, he or she must successfully complete a minimum of five years of education at the GRJC Hebrew School or its equivalent and must adhere to the separate covenant of B’nei Mitzvah. Please note that each student will be required to achieve a level of proficiency in order to qualify for B’nei Mitzvah.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT AT HOME

The attitude and interest parents show toward a child’s religious school training do much to influence the child’s own feelings about and performance in Sunday and Hebrew School.

It takes more than talking to children about the importance of their Jewish education. Parents must help by showing interest in what their children are learning and in the work and progress reports they bring home. Parents should provide opportunities for children to use what they have learned in school through home discussions, activities, and observances.

Ceremonial participation at home is one of the most important determining factors in the development of Jewish children and committed Jewish adults. Feelings of sharing, support and warmth are a major influence on a child, and they are most readily produced at home. Particularly through the celebration of Shabbat and holidays, a family can experience a very special intimacy and joy. Family celebrations teach your child that these observances are not just for school or camp; they are living Judaism, and the topics studied are not only history – they are now.

The following have been found most useful and productive by parents:

1. See that your child attends Hebrew School regularly, comes on time, is prepared and has all necessary books and supplies.

2. Encourage your child to spend a few minutes each day reviewing work done in class, particularly reading aloud prayers and listening to the prayers on the GRJC website.

3. Take your child to synagogue services on a regular basis.

CLASSROOM POLICIES

The attendance and participation of every student is essential in order for the school to achieve its educational goals.

1. Sunday School classes meet once a week; Hebrew School classes meet twice a week. Each session lasts two hours. School begins promptly at 3:45pm on weekdays and either 9:00am or 11:10am on Sundays. Students are expected to be on time for their classes since latecomers disrupt an ongoing lesson. Please refer to the website calendar for all school holidays and special events.

2. All students are expected to attend the full two-hour session, and extracurricular activities should be scheduled at times when the student is not attending Hebrew School. We recognize the potential conflict for many of our children in their towns’ sports leagues. We allow children who are scheduled to play games (not practices) during Hebrew School sessions to leave class early. They should be picked up by an adult and signed out from the school office.

3. Please call the office on the day a student will be absent. Students are responsible for making up missed class work and assignments and should contact the teacher prior or upon their return to class.

4. Announcements and updates of special events, and important notices relating to school and GRJC programs are included in the weekly Shabbat Shalom e-newsletter and sometimes sent home with students. Please check on a regular basis for these materials. Please check your email regarding school programs and notices. Also, be sure to notify us if your email address has changed.

5. Parents are welcome to visit our school at any time during regular classes or special programs. If you wish to observe your child’s class, please sign in at the office first. Parent/teacher conferences are held as necessary. If you wish to confer with your child’s teacher at any time, please contact the teacher so that a mutually convenient time can be arranged.

6. Food served and eaten at the GRJC must be kosher. If you wish to send food with your children for special occasions (such as a birthday or class party), the food must either be prepared in the Center’s kitchen or supplied by a kosher bakery or caterer (U, K, Parve, Dairy). Please see our Allowable Foods and Allergy Policy on the following page.

7. Cell Phone Policy : All students’ cell phones are collected and turned off at the beginning of each session, and they are returned to the students when they are dismissed at 5:45pm. If you need to contact your child for any reason during Hebrew School hours, please call the main office at (201) 652-6624.

ALLOWABLE FOODS AND ALLERGY POLICY

The Glen Rock Jewish Center Hebrew School recognizes that food is an important and enriching part of our Jewish tradition and can play an exciting role in creative teaching. We try to honor this positive role of food in our curriculum and community celebrations while maintaining as our top priority the safety of our students, including those with food allergies and intolerances. The GRJC has as its goal to make every effort to provide a safe environment by addressing allergy issues. Please understand that our concern is founded in facts:

• According to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased approximately 50% between 1997 and 2011.

• Peanuts and tree nuts are the leading cause of fatal and near fatal food anaphylaxis*

• The GRJC Hebrew School currently has several students with known food allergies, some of which are life-threatening.

For these reasons, we adhere strictly to the following food policy :

Students whose registration forms indicate allergies and/or asthma must submit a treatment plan from their child’s physician and any indicated medications, including two EpiPens, if indicated, to the school office. For their own safety, any child who does not supply the treatment plan and appropriate medication will not be permitted to attend class.

Children whose treatment plan includes Benadryl or any other over the counter medication must supply the school with a labeled, unopened package to be kept at the school in the main office.  Prescription medications must be in their original containers. These are accessible any time the school is open.

     

School administrators, staff and teachers will have access to all students’ allergy information. Allergy information will be shared with all appropriate supervising adults. A copy of the treatment plan will be kept in three places: in the office with the medications, with the class attendance list and in the classroom GO bag. There will be at least one staff member trained in the administration of EpiPens in the building during school hours.

When food is included as part of a school event or program, the school will inform the parents of students with allergies so that they can take appropriate action, such as sending in a separate snack or checking the labels. When a parent chooses to have their child abstain from an event because of allergies, the principal will provide an alternate placement or activity. For school trips, the Hebrew School requires that any child with known allergies be accompanied by a parent.

For students with food allergies, any event or program specific to that child’s class may have adjustments made to the menu accordingly.  However, we will not make changes to food menus for events or programs that are for the entire school or are synagogue-wide

Please inform the Principal or Assistant Principal if at any time during the school year your child develops an allergy not already indicated on your original registration packet forms.

We recommend that families send in a kosher, nut-free snack on Hebrew School days as warranted for those children who have food allergies.

Please note this change in practice regarding Dunkin Donuts: Although we have allowed them in the past, because Dunkin Donuts do not come in packaging that indicates they are certified Kosher, or with a list of ingredients that can be checked for allergens, we no longer allow them in our classrooms. 

The bagel snacks provided by the school are Kosher (dairy) and seedless. However, they are baked in a facility that also prepares bagels with seeds.

If a parent orders food for an event, activity or special occasion, the (kosher) order must be pre-approved by office staff. If a parent is supervising an event, they will be informed of any relevant food allergy information.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT AND DO NOT ASSUME THAT SNACKS PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL DO NOT CONTAIN ALLERGENS.  Under current law, the use of advisory labeling (i.e., precautionary statements such as “may contain,” “processed in a facility that also processes,” or “made on equipment with”) is voluntary and optional for manufacturers.  There are no laws governing or requiring these statements, so food products may or may not indicate if a specific product contains a specific allergen.

Parents are invited to checks labels at any time.

Regarding food to be shared that is brought in from outside of the GRJC

All snacks must be certified kosher, be nut free and made in a nut-free factory, be store bought and be brought to school in their original packaging. The GRJC is not responsible to verify every item that comes into the building.

Zadie’s Bakery in Fair Lawn and Butterflake Bakery in Teaneck are both Kosher and nut free. Other baked goods that are certified Kosher on their packaging and contain an ingredient list that does not contain peanuts or tree nuts, and are not produced in a factory that contains such, are also an acceptable choice.

We do not allow home baked goods.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GRJC CAN ONLY RELY ON MANUFACTURER CLAIMS REGARDING ALLERGENS.  Parents should be aware that the building is not nut-free and that this policy only pertains to the Hebrew School during school hours and events.

If you have any questions about acceptable foods, allergies or our policies, please contact the main office at (201) 652-6624.

General Guidelines for Discipline

At the Glen Rock Jewish Center we expect that students:

- Maintain appropriate classroom behavior

- Be courteous and respectful

- Cooperate with teachers and not disrupt class 

-

The Glen Rock Jewish Center Hebrew School will not tolerate any physical violence towards anyone. Any violent action will result in immediate disciplinary action.

The Glen Rock Jewish Center Hebrew School utilizes the rubric below to deal with inappropriate behavior. This rubric may be used when dealing with any conflicts that occur on our premises.

GLEN ROCK JEWISH CENTER CONSEQUENCE RUBRIC/INTERVENTION PLAN FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND H.I.B.

|Behavior |First Incident |Second Incident |Third Incident |

|νTeasing |Level 1 (Kitah Achat + |Level 1 (Kitah Achat + |Level 1 (Kitah Achat + |

|νRumors/Gossiping |Shtaeem) |Shtaeem) |Shtaeem) |

|νName calling | | | |

|νLeaving someone out |Warning |Removed from class to meet |Parent/Principal meeting to |

|νUsing inappropriate language | |with principal |create behavior plan |

|νAntagonizing | | | |

|νAntagonizing which leads to situation | |Parent contacted | |

|escalating |Parent contacted | | |

|νHitting | |GRJC behavior report filed |GRJC behavior report filed |

|νSpitting |GRJC behavior report filed | | |

|νKicking | | | |

|νPushing | | | |

|νGrabbing | | | |

|νPoking | | | |

|νThreatening | | | |

|νUsing items to intentionally hurt others| | | |

| | | | |

|νDisrespect towards others including | | | |

|members of the staff | | | |

|νDisrupting others through excessive | | | |

|talking, calling out or attention-seeking| | | |

|behavior | | | |

|νInappropriate use of technology to hurt | | | |

|others | | | |

| |Level 2 (Aleph + Bet) |Level 2 (Aleph + Bet) |Level 2 (Aleph + Bet) |

| | | | |

| |Removed from class to meet |Parent/Principal meeting to |Suspension or expulsion |

| |with principal |create behavior plan | |

| | | |Parent contacted |

| |Parent contacted | | |

| | | | |

| |GRJC behavior report filed |GRJC behavior report filed |GRJC behavior report filed |

| |Level 3 (Gimel, Daled, Hay) |Level 3 (Gimel, Daled, Hay) |Level 3 (Gimel, Daled, Hay) |

| | | | |

| |Removed from class to meet |Suspension |Expulsion |

| |with principal | | |

| | |Parent contacted |Parent contacted |

| |Parent/Principal meeting to | | |

| |create behavior plan |GRJC behavior report filed |GRJC behavior report filed |

| | | | |

| |GRJC behavior report filed | | |

|This rubric will be used when dealing with conflicts that may or may not rise to the level of HIB. |

|νStudents may receive one additional warning depending on grade or classification. |

|νPrincipal will use discretion for level of consequence depending on grade or classification. |

|νStudent will complete a Think about It letter and will discuss incident with the principal before consequences are determined.|

|The student’s parents will always be called when a consequence is given, and a letter will be sent home and returned the next |

|school day with a parent signature. |

SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOL

For the safety of our children, the school door will be locked at all times. You will be buzzed in.

To ensure the safety of all children during pick-up and drop-off, please follow these rules:

1. DROP-OFF

All cars dropping off children will drive down the entrance ramp and AROUND THE ENTIRE PARKING LOT before discharging children to the left of the covered cement patio at the school entrance. No children will be discharged in the parking lot itself. NO CARS MAY SHORTCUT ACROSS THE BACK OF THE BUILDING.

Students who arrive to school early (between 3:15 and 3:45pm), are not permitted to leave the building. Your child is our responsibility in the school building between school hours and when he/she arrives at the building. We offer bagels for a snack and encourage use of the time prior to class for homework or reading. We have staff supervision from 3:15-3:45pm.

2. PICK-UP/DISMISSAL

Unless your child attends Gan (Kindergarten), please do not come into the building when picking up your children. The exiting of our students and the overflow of parents in the hallways pose a safety hazard.

Pick-up during the week is at 5:45pm. Please respect our teachers and come on time. If you will be late, we ask that you contact the office before 5:00pm.

Sunday pick-up time is 10:55am for first session and 1:10pm for second session. The bell will ring at those times.

Under no circumstances will a student be dismissed from school to anyone except his/her parent, unless the main office is given written instructions by the parent. If this is the case, the person picking up the student must provide proof of identification to confirm that he or she is the authorized person.

All 1st through 7th grade students will be escorted by the teacher to the front door. An assigned teacher will wait for each child to be picked up. Parents of Gan students should come to their child’s classroom to pick up their children.

3. EARLY PICK-UP

Parents MUST come into the building to pick up their child and sign their child out in the office. No one will be allowed to leave without an adult. If someone else will be picking up your child, please submit a written note/email to the school office. Teenagers may pick up their siblings only with written notice from their parents.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER EMERGENCY

If the Hebrew School will be closed due to weather conditions, it will be posted on the website . This includes closings for Sunday School, weekday school, Shabbat School and Friday evening Hay class.

Just go to the website and search “Glen Rock Jewish Center Religious School” or zip code “07452” to see if any cancellations are posted. You will not receive a phone call.

If no message appears, school is open as regularly scheduled.

You can also set up your own account on to receive free email alerts any time there is a cancellation.

In addition, we will send an email blast when there is a cancellation. However, do not rely on receiving an email – if you think school might be cancelled, please check or call the main office at (201) 652-6624.

In the event the Glen Rock Public Schools are closed due to snow or some other weather emergency, Hebrew School will be cancelled.

In the event of a “delayed opening” of the Glen Rock Public Schools, Hebrew School will be open as regularly scheduled.

In the event of a public school “early dismissal,” Hebrew School will be cancelled.

If the Hebrew School needs to close for any other weather-related reason or emergency, it will be posted on .

There are generally no makeup days or extensions of the school year due to unforeseen closings. If there is to be a makeup day, you will be notified.

POLICY REGARDING SEPARATED/DIVORCED PARENTS

I. School Neutrality/Parent Responsibility. The GRJC Hebrew School shall maintain strict neutrality between parents who are involved in an action involving the family (separation/divorce proceeding/divorced), as it is our intention to promote the best interests of each student, unless otherwise directed by Court Order. Should there be an event (i.e., Shabbaton, Family Dinner, etc.) when parents are recognized, we will recognize both natural parents unless parental rights have been terminated by a court. It is the responsibility of the parent wishing to restrict a parental right to notify the Hebrew School of any Court Order affecting student contact/student visitation and/or student records by submitting a copy of the Court Order to the school principal.

II. Student Contact/Student Visitation During School Hours. Unless directed by the court, we will assume that both parents have the right to contact and visit the child at school.

III. Release of Student to Noncustodial Parent. We will not authorize a student to leave the school premises with a noncustodial parent during school hours without the written permission of the custodial parent.

IV. Release of Student Records. Pursuant to federal law (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) both parents, regardless of marital status, have the right to access and have copies of student records and to discuss them with appropriate school employees, unless there is a Court Order specifically restricting this right of access. Any Court Order restricting the release of confidential student records to a parent is to be submitted to the Hebrew School Principal.

V. School Communications. Unless there is a Court Order stating otherwise, contact information for BOTH parents will be listed in the Hebrew School Directory. Both parents will receive communications from the school; i.e. announcements, emails and paper mail from the student’s teacher, principal or main office.

In cases of joint or shared custody, "custodial parent" refers to the parent with the right of custody during the school time in question.

Any teacher who has contact with the student at school will be informed of these procedures and any pertinent information relating to their students.

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