Top of pageAlef Bet Registration School Calendar Handbook
We’re looking forward to another fun and exciting year led by our Rabbi … Rabbi Cathy Felix. Our Sunday family services will be held from 10:30 to 11:00 every Sunday morning during the school year. Just as we did last year these services will emphasize student participation.
In addition to the regular services on Sunday we have six celebrations planned: Simchat Torah Dinner and Service (October 21), the Hanukkah party (December 21), the Tu B’Shvat Seder (February 8), the Purim Carnival (March 8), the Passover Model Seder (April 5), and the Lag B’Omer Picnic/Graduation on Sunday May 17. Everybody is welcome.
We have also scheduled three Religious School Friday evening Shabbat services. The K-2 class will help lead the service on Friday, February 1. The 4th and 5th grade classes will lead the service on Friday, March 1. The B’nai Mitzvah class will lead the service on Friday, May 2. Please plan on joining us for these services to support our students! Each of these services will be preceded by a class dinner, but as always … EVERYBODY is welcome!
Vowels:
Points:
Numbers:
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September 4 |
Friday |
September Family Service 7:30pm |
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September 8 |
Tuesday |
Hebrew school begins |
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September 13 |
Sunday |
Sunday School begins for all classes |
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September 20 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – Rosh Hashanah |
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October 2 |
Friday |
October Family Service & Sukkot Dinner 7:30 pm |
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October 4 |
Sunday |
Sukkot Celebration – 11am for 1 hour* |
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October 11 |
Sunday |
Simchat Torah Celebration 11am for 1 hour* |
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November 6 |
Friday |
November Family Service 7:30 pm |
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November 8 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – NJEA Teacher’s Convention |
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November 29 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – Thanksgiving |
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December 4 |
Friday |
December Family Service 7:30 pm |
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December 13 |
Sunday |
Hanukkah Party – (6th Help) 10:00 a.m.* |
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December 27 |
Sunday |
No Hebrew School – Holiday Recess |
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December 29 |
Tuesday |
No Sunday School – Holiday Recess |
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January 1 |
Friday |
January Family Service 7:30 pm |
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January 3 |
Sunday |
No Hebrew School – Holiday Recess |
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January 5 |
Tuesday |
Back at Sunday School after Recess |
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January 10 |
Sunday |
Back at Hebrew School after Recess |
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January 31 |
Sunday |
Tu B’Shvat Seder (K-2, 3 and parents)– 10:00 a.m.* |
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February 5 |
Friday |
Grade K1-2 & 3 Student Participation Shabbat |
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February 14 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – President’s Day Break |
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February 28 |
Sunday |
Purim Carnival/Service 6th grade – 10:00 a.m.* |
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March 5 |
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Friday |
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March 28 |
Sunday |
Passover Model Seder (4th & 5th grade Help)– 10:00* |
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March 30 |
Tuesday |
No Hebrew School – Passover |
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April 4 |
Sunday |
No Hebrew School – Passover & Spring Recess |
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April 6 |
Tuesday |
No Sunday School – Passover & Spring Recess |
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April 16 |
Friday |
Grade 5 Student Participation Shabbat – postponed for |
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May 7 |
Friday |
Grade 6 Student Participation Shabbat & Dinner |
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May 9 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – Mother’s Day |
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May 18 |
Tuesday |
No Hebrew School – Shavuot |
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May 30 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School- Memorial Day |
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June 4 |
Friday |
June Family Service – 7:30 pm |
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June 6 |
Sunday |
Graduation* |
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June 8 |
Tuesday |
Last Day of Hebrew School |
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Please note:
These events are part of the religious curriculum and attendance is required.
2009 - 2010 JCSC School Class Schedule
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JCSC Religious School Parent Handbook
2009-2010, 5769-5770
The primary focus of our Religious School is to develop committed and knowledgeable Jewish citizens. We hope to provide our children with a positive Jewish identity in a supportive, nurturing environment. Since the school is a supplementary program, the family’s role in developing the child’s Judaism is vital. Parents are encouraged to participate in the child’s education directly. Numerous opportunities to do so exist in the home, the synagogue and the school. Through the combined efforts of the school and parents, we can ensure the development of children who are proud of their heritage and commitment to Judaism.
Our school is divided in two sections: Religious School and Hebrew School. The objective of the Religious School curriculum is to develop the student’s Jewish identity and knowledge. The Hebrew School’s objective is to provide the student with the skills necessary to take part in cultural and religious activities. Attendance in both sections of our school is required for Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
Religious School
The Religious School classes meet on most Sundays during the school year. In addition to class time, the students also get instruction during the brief Sunday morning service. The curriculum is a follows:
Kindergarten -
Grade 2: Jewish identification and awareness through symbols, stories, songs and projects. Introduction to Religious School basics including holidays, Jewish heroes, letter recognition and Hebrew words.
Grade 3: Bible, holidays and Israel
Grade 4: Bible, holidays and history
Grade 5: History and the Holocaust
Grade 6: Israel, holidays and Lifecycles
Grade 7: Torah, Shabbat service (meanings and prayers), Israel
Hebrew School
The Hebrew School classes meet on Tuesdays and on most Sundays during the school year. In addition to class time, the students also get instruction during the brief Sunday morning service. The curriculum is a follows:
Alef: Hebrew Alphabet, script, introductory prayers, vocabulary
Bet: Basic blessings and introduction to some songs and prayers
Gimmel: The Shabbat Service, concentrating on the morning service
Dalet: The Shabbat Service, concentrating on the Torah service; introduction to Bar/Bat Mitzvah prayers
Sunday School Services
On most Sundays that school is in session, all children and parents will attend our service from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. This service also functions as an educational activity that is as much a part of the student’s curriculum as their normal classes. Please make sure that you and your children arrive on time. We expect parents and we encourage grandparents and siblings to attend these services. The presence of family members is the most positive support you can give your child.
How Parents Can Help
Throughout the year the school plans a number of activities such as a Hanukkah party, Purim party and various dinners. One or more grades are assigned to each of these activities. (See the schedule below.) Parents of children in the assigned grade will be called upon to help set up and run those activities.
In addition to participating in our Sunday School services and special family programs, there are many ways in which you, as a parent, can help make your children’s Jewish education a meaningful experience. Ask your child what happened in school. Ask specific questions, in order to avoid getting, “Nothing!” In the lower grades, ask about songs they sang and what projects they did. In the upper grades, ask what prayers they worked on. Encourage your child to attend school and view it as a positive experience.
To progress in the program it is critical that the student completes their homework. Hebrews school homework is assigned on Tuesday. The student must have it completed and must bring it to the Sunday session where it will be reviewed. Jewish studies homework is assigned on Sunday and due the next Sunday. While students today often have many commitments, we count on parents to make sure the student is completing this work.
School Meeting
During the normal Sunday Service block of 10:30-11:00am on the first Sunday of school (September 13th) there will be a school meeting instead of the normal service. We ask that all families are represented by at least one parent at this meeting as we will discuss details of the school year. This meeting also is a good opportunity to meet other parents in your class and to explore opportunities for how you can assist each other throughout the year.
Is There School Today?
Our school policy is to close school if weather conditions make travel hazardous. However, we do not cancel automatically if the public schools close. This year you will be notified of school closings in the following manner:
On any day that we close unexpectedly, we will have a message on the Temple’s answering machine. Call 383-4570 to hear messages.
Tzedakah Program
Tzedakah is a Hebrew word that is often translated as “charity.” In reality, Tzedakah is much more than charity. Tzedakah means “justice,” and it is one of the highest mitzvot in the Jewish tradition. The performance of this mitzvah is an important part of our curriculum on all levels. Our students are encouraged to contribute. At the end of the school year each class votes on the charity they would like to help. Tzedakah is collected in the classrooms on Sundays.
Attendance
Parents, as well as children, are encouraged to make a commitment to regular attendance. We have so little time and so much to teach that regular attendance is necessary to cover the material adequately. Regular attendance also communicates to your child that the Jewish Center and its functions are an integral part of a Jewish family life.
Frequent absences create difficulties in keeping up with class work and may lower the status of the Religious school in the child’s eyes. Therefore, the Education Committee has adopted the following attendance policy:
If your child will be absent from either Religious or Hebrew School, please call the center at 383-4570 and leave a message for the teacher. If a child misses a class, it is his/her responsibility to make up the missed work in order to complete the semester.
If no call is made to the teacher and the student does not make up the missed homework and class work, this will be counted as an unexcused absence. A child may not be promoted if he or she has more than 5 unexcused absences during the year
At the discretion of the Education Committee, the Hebrew teacher and the Rabbi, tutoring may be required either during the school year or over the summer. As well, if at any time parents feel the need for additional tutoring, this may be requested.
A record of your child’s school attendance will appear on the progress reports that are mailed to parents in February and June.
If a family experiences extenuating circumstances regarding attendance, please contact your child’s teacher immediately. The situation will be presented to the Education Committee and handled accordingly.
Attending Services
In an effort to increase the student’s sense of understanding of the Friday night and Saturday morning services, it is strongly suggested that participation at these services become a part of your family’s weekly routine for students of any grade. Learning Hebrew in class is very important, and learning to participate in the service itself and knowing the melodies are also very important. Shabbat is a good opportunity for families to be together. You can find the schedule of family and Shabbat services and events in the school calendar.
A minimum of ten (10) Shabbat services during a Dalet student’s school year must be attended. At least five (5) of these must be Saturday morning services. Attendance at other Bar/Bat Mitzvah services counts toward this requirement.
A minimum of twenty (20) Shabbat services during the year prior to Bar/Bat Mitzvah must be attended. At least ten (10) of these must be Saturday morning services. Attendance at other Bar/Bat Mitzvah services counts toward this requirement.
Of course children of all ages are welcome at the services.
Friday Family Services
The first Friday of each month is the family service. These services begin at 7:30 pm instead of 8:00 pm and are geared more to younger members of the congregation with extra songs and a dance or two. During the year each class will work with their teacher to “run” one of these Friday night Family services. These services are marked on the calendar below and are a great way to celebrate the Sabbath with your children.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
The Board of Directors of the Jewish Center of Sussex County has approved the recommendations by the Education Committee regarding standards for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The requirements are as follows:
At least three (3) years of Religious and Hebrew School prior to beginning Bar/Bat Mitzvah studies
A minimum of twenty (20) Shabbat services during the year prior to Bar/Bat Mitzvah must be attended. At least ten (10) of these must be Saturday morning services. Attendance at other Bar/Bat Mitzvah services counts toward this requirement.
Attendance at Sunday morning Bar/Bat Mitzvah class
Students will be expected to lead part of the Friday evening and Shabbat morning service and chant their Torah and Haftorah portions. The Rabbi will work with students to help them prepare.
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah class will arrange a mitzvah project, either within the synagogue or in the community.
Families will be expected to attend two (2) Bar/Bat Mitzvah Family Education programs to be held in the fall and the spring.
The standards become effective for students entering Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation in September. If students do not meet these requirements, their Bar/Bat Mitzvah might be delayed. Special situations might arise where exceptions to these requirements will be necessary. The Rabbi and the Education Committee will consider these on a case-by-case basis.
Late Enrollment
Students who are registered for Religious School will be placed in the appropriate age level Sunday school class. Hebrew School students will be placed in the class level closest to their abilities. Students who begin Hebrew School past the 3rd grade will be placed in the Alef class. Families who prefer not to have older children placed in younger class levels may make special arrangements for private tutoring. The Rabbi must approve all arrangements. It is understood that students who begin Hebrew School past the 3rd grade may not be ready for Bar/Bat Mitzvah at thirteen (13) years of age.
Books and Tuition
Again this year, the tuition for the first child in the family is included in your membership fee with a charge for additional children. Also, again, there will be a charge for your student’s books. This is separate from the fee for materials included in this year’s bill. Students will be informed of the cost of their books early in the year and payment will be expected as soon as possible.
