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TABLE OF CONTENTS

History of the School……………………………………………………………….……..1

Educational Mission ………………………………………………………………………2

Daily Schedule…………………………………………………………………………….3

Drop-off, Pick-up times

Lunch and Recess Schedules…………………………………………………………...…4

Transportation Matters

Car Pools………………………………………………………………………….………5

Pick-up and Delivering Children

Afternoon Dismissal

Absences………………………………………………………………………………….6

After School Program

Telephone

Calendar

Religious Holidays

Staff Development Days..…………………………………………………………………7

Snow Days

Emergency School Closings

Medical Policies…………………………………………………………………………8,9

Medical Emergencies…………………………………………….………………………10

Religious Practice……………………………...……………………………………..11-14

Tefillot

Kippot

Tallit and Tefillin

Brachot over Food

Preparation for Shabbat

Rosh Chodesh – The New Month

Tu B’Shevat – The Holiday of the Trees

Kasrut

Tzedaka

Educational Policies……………………...………………………………………..…14-19

General Policies………………………………………………………………………20-23

Parent Teacher Association………………………………………………………...…….24

Resource Development………………………………………………………………..…25

Governance………………………………………………………….……………….…..26

Board of Trustees

Standing Board Committees

EAST MIDWOOD HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
RABBI HARRY HALPERN EDUCATIONAL CENTER

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

The East Midwood Hebrew Day School was founded as the result of the foresight and vision of a group of East Midwood Jewish Center leaders along with the efforts of its founding principal, Henry R. Goldberg.

The school was organized in the Fall of 1956 as the East Midwood Academy . Later, the name was changed to the East Midwood Day School . In 1969, the school was named in honor of its spiritual leader, Rabbi Harry Halpern. In 2004, the school’s name was changed to the East Midwood Hebrew Day School , Rabbi Harry Halpern Educational Center.

From an initial enrollment of 130 students in 1956, the school has grown to include more than 270 students in grades Pre-K through grade 8.

Since the first class was graduated in 1962, there has been a steady stream of graduates who have been accepted at the most prestigious high schools, colleges and universities. A large percentage of our graduates have gone on to attain leading positions in the corporate, professional and educational world. Many have become leaders in their synagogues and communities.

Jewish day schools have always been faced with great difficulties and challenges in terms of providing adequate facilities, financing, enlarging enrollment, locating, developing and retaining outstanding faculty, maintaining parent and community partnership and adapting to changing school populations and environments. The East Midwood Hebrew Day School was fortunate in the involvement of two outstanding individuals whose model for Jewish educational leadership continues to provide the vision that drives the school. Henry R. Goldberg, of blessed memory, guided the school’s educational mission from the late 1950’s to the early 1960’s. It was Dr. Aryeh Rohn who built on the strong foundations laid down by Mr. Goldberg for the following thirty-three years.

It is thanks to these two leaders, and all of the dedicated teachers an staff members, past and present, that our school continues to pioneer the Solomon Schechter Day School philosophy integrating general and Judaic studies in the creative synthesis that are needed by our community for Jewish continuity and renewal. The Solomon Schechter movement today boasts over 120 schools with a total student population of over 18,000.

It is our goal to continue in the sacred task of shaping the hearts and minds of the precious Jewish children who come here.

“AND ALL THY CHILDREN SHALL BE TAUGHT OF THE LORD.”

-Isaiah 54:13

A SOLOMON SCHECHTER SCHOOL

EDUCATION MISSION

The East Midwood Hebrew Day School strives to instill in its students knowledge and respect for their religious and cultural heritage, as well as a thorough understanding of the world in which they live. The school also aims to develop a sense of self-worth linked to an ethical code practiced by Jews for thousands of years.

It is vital that our students receive secular and religious educations and experiences that are of the highest quality possible. We believe that it is also our responsibility to include our parents and community in all facets of our school program.

We consider the East Midwood Hebrew Day School to be a family, not just a school. The benefits of the education our students receive are not just limited to them alone. The advantages of a bicultural education extend beyond the classroom and into the homes of our families where all are recipients of the knowledge and traditions of our people and our nation.

DAILY SCHEDULE

The school day is as follows:

Grades 1-8………….8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Pre-K and KGN……… 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.

On Fridays dismissal time is at 1:20 p.m. The building closes at 1:30, so please be prompt picking up your children.

Drop-off and Pick-up Times

Students are to arrive at school by the opening time. EMHDS does not provide supervision for children before 7:30 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. Please do not bring children earlier or pick them up later than these times. The school does not accept responsibility nor provide adult supervision beyond these hours, except for those students enrolled in the after care program. If you will be delayed at dismissal time, please notify the school office as early as possible. Children frequently become anxious or fearful when their parents arrive late.

Early Pick-up, Late Arrival, Return to School
If you must take your child out of school early on a particular day, please notify the teacher in advance. When you arrive at the office, you must sign your child out. Your child will be called to the office only after you arrive at school. Please avoid scheduling doctor and dentist appointments during school time. Students are responsible for work missed because of doctor or dental appointments.

Children coming to school after 8:15 , or returning to school later in the day must be brought to the school office and signed in before they may go to class. At that time students cannot enter the school without an adult.

Change in plans for pick up for Pre-K - Grade 8 Students
If you plan to have someone else pick your child up after school, please notify the school office in advance in writing. For reasons of safety, the school will not allow any child to accompany anyone without written permission from home.

Note: All students who ride a bus will be placed on the bus unless the office receives advanced written notification.

LUNCH AND RECESS SCHEDULES

1. Pre-K and Kindergarten eat lunch in their rooms with their teachers or assistant teachers. They have recess before lunch and a rest period after lunch.

2. Lunch and recess are scheduled as follows:

Lunch Recess

Grades 1-4 12:15-12:35 12:35-12:55

Grades 5-8 12:35-12:55 12:15-12:35

Grades 1-8 Friday lunch – 10:55-11:20

Lunches and Snacks (See Kashrut Section as Well)
Children bring their own lunches to school. If your child forgets lunch, you may bring one to the office. If this is impossible, the child may get a jelly sandwich from the kitchen.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunches are Milchik (Dairy) or Pareve.
Tuesday and Thursday lunches are Fleishik (Meat) or Pareve.

Lunches should consist of nutritious food. Please do not send candy or junk foods to school. Children should be reminded not to share snacks or lunches. For safety reasons, please do not send food in a glass bottle or jar.

There is a school lunch program that must be subscribed to and prepaid on a monthly basis. All menus are due on the 15^th of each month for the following month. The lunches served are made at a local kosher restaurant.

Recess for all students will be held in the yard, except during inclement weather when indoor facilities will be used.

Snacks consisting of milk and cookies or crackers are given to students during the day.

TRANSPORTATION MATTERS

Students living within a 5-mile radius from the school and not beyond 10 miles can receive transportation from the New York Board of Education.

STUDENTS WHOSE BEHAVIOR ABOARD THE BUS IS DISRUPTIVE, DISCOURTEOUS OR UNSAFE WILL BE TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY DENIED BUS TRANSPORTATION. PLEASE DISCUSS THIS IMPORTANT MATTER WITH YOUR CHILD.

Private Transportation
Unfortunately, we have had continuing problems with our private transportation system because of the decreased amount of parents who are no longer interested in this mode of transportation. Since the cost of private bus service has become so prohibitive, we have been forced to do away with it. Other private schools in the area have also eliminated private transportation. Some schools that still retain private transportation do so without a bus chaperone. Since we do not compromise student safety, we will not become involved in that type of situation.

Usually, we are able to accommodate almost everyone desiring private transportation on Consolidated Transportation. This is a free service financed by the City of New York. For those who would still prefer private transportation, there is always car-pooling. Those who are interested in car pools can call the school for names and addresses.

Derech Eretz of Car-pooling (Appropriate behavior for promoting the common good)
The student should be on time every morning.
The driver should be on time every morning.
Students should be pleasant to one another during the ride to and from school.
Please be courteous to other drivers.

Pick-up and Delivering Children
1.       All children should be dropped off at the curb. Double parking is both illegal and dangerous. Cars parking in the bus area are frequently summonsed.
2.       Do NOT allow children to cross 21^st street alone.
3.       Private cars may not park or pick up children in the bus area in front of the school or on Ocean Avenue .
4.       Cars should not block our neighbors’ driveways. Police often ticket offenders.

Afternoon Dismissal
Students are accompanied to the 21^st street entrance or to the Ocean Avenue side by an adult. They wait with the adult until they either board the bus or are met by their parent or car pool parent.

Safety is our primary concern. Please observe our rules for the safety of our children.

ABSENSES

A child returning to school following an absence must give a written note of explanation, signed by the parent, to the teacher. Parents should inform teachers in advance of an anticipated absence by writing a brief note. Parents should inform the school in the case of contagious diseases.

TELEPHONE

Parents are requested not to have students called to the telephone during school hours. Urgent messages will be delivered promptly. Parents may reach a teacher by leaving a message at the school office. Teachers will return telephone calls as soon as possible. We ask that you not telephone teachers at their homes. (Please see the guidelines for parent-teacher communication found in the Educational Policies section).

Telephone Use By Students
In emergencies, the office telephones may be used in the presence of a supervising adult. Calls for play dates should be made at home and not during school.

Cellular Phones
Students who use public transportation may carry (not mandatory) cellular phones; however incoming and outgoing calls are prohibited during school hours. Emergency calls will be received in the school office and given to the student immediately. Outgoing calls must be made from the school office.

CALENDAR

Each family will receive the school calendar to be used for checking days that school is in session and for many other special events and programs. Please keep the calendar handy for reference throughout the year. We will endeavor to notify you well in advance in the event of additions or cancellations. Weekly calendars are distributed with important notices on Thursdays. These notices will be found in the red folder in your child’s backpack.

Religious Holidays
There are no classes on the major Jewish holidays and festival, including “Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galuyot” (the second day of the festivals Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot and the concluding days of Pesach and Sukkot). There are also no classes on “Erev Chag” (the day preceding festivals and holidays) to allow families and staff time to prepare for the holiday or to travel.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS

EMHDS is a community of learners. Several times during the school year, school will be closed to students, so that teachers may participate in an in-service day. The teaching staff becomes involved in workshops and group meetings, which have been designed to expand their expertise in the field of education. They have the opportunity to be exposed to guest speakers as well as to share ideas with one another. The information gathered at such sessions directly benefits the children in our school.

Please note the staff days carefully on your school calendar. Children must be picked up promptly at 12:00 on the half-staff days. Please note that some staff days span an entire school day.

SNOW DAYS

Cancellations on snow days are announced on radio stations. Listen for cancellation announcements on WOR AM (710) radio and WCBS AM (880) radio. Although we often make the same decision as the Brooklyn public schools, we may choose to make a different decision based on our circumstances. If we are aware in advance of weather emergencies, we will try to inform you of closings via phone calls from class mothers. Listen to the radio carefully.

Emergency School Closings (Snow emergencies, power or water failures)
If school must be closed because of heat or power emergencies, we will endeavor to call you the night before. If during the course of a day (after school has already opened), a storm develops that portends dangerous road conditions, we will put into operation the following procedures:

1) Parents may come to school to pick up their children early, even if the school remains open.
2) It is important for you to check our website (WWW.EMHDS.ORG) for updated school information.
3) If circumstances warrant a school closing during the course of a day, be assured that no child will be left unsupervised at school.
4) Parents should make arrangements for places for their children to go if we close early. We will request this information at the school orientation programs.

Updating Information
Every family is required to fill out an emergency card, which appears on the reverse of the trip permission form. Please notify the school office in writing of any changes of address, phone number, or other information on school records. Promptness and accuracy are necessary to maintain school records and to facilitate communication when necessary. It is also necessary for you to inform us of your cell phone numbers and your e-mail address.

MEDICAL POLICIES

Physical Examinations/Certification of Immunizations (Physician Forms)

The law requires that all new students entering Pre-K and Kindergarten through grade 8 in New York City for the first time must show proof of having received a complete medical evaluation. All children attending Pre-K born on or after January 1, 2000 , must have received one dose of varicella vaccine on or after the 1^st birthday. Children born on or after January 1, 1998 must have received one dose of varicella vaccine on or after the 1^st birthday to attend Kindergarten.
A Mantoux tuberculin skin test is required only for new students newly entering grades 6, 7 and 8.
During the second half of the school year, all students in grade 8 must have a complete physical and immunization update in order to be accepted into high school.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

PRE-KINDERGARTEN Number of Doses
DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis) or
DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) 4
Fourth dose should be at least 6 months after the third.

OPV (oral poliovirus) or IPV (inactivated poliovirus) 3

MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) 1

One dose on or after the 1^st birthday.

Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) 1, 2 or 3

One dose on or after age 15 months. 3

Hepatitus B 3

Varicella 1
For children born on or after January 1, 2000 , one dose on or after 1^st birthday.

KINDERGARTEN

DTaP or DTP 4

Fourth dose should be at least 6 months after the third.

OPV or IPV 3

MMR 2

One dose on or after the 1^st birthday, plus a second dose of a measles-containing vaccine (preferably
as MMR) administered 28 days or more after the first dose and at or after 15 months of age.

Hepatitus B 3

Varicella 1

For children born on or after January 1, 1998 , one dose on or after the 1^st birthday
.

GRADES 1 – 8

DTaP, DTP, DT or Td (tetanus-diphtheria) 3

Vaccine type as appropriate for age.

OPV or IPV 3

MMR 2

One dose on or after the 1^st birthday, plus a second dose of a measles-containing vaccine (preferably
as MMR) administered 28 days or more after the first dose and at or after age 15 months.

Hepatitus B 2 or 3

All students in all grades.

3 doses of pediatric hepatitis B vaccine OR for ages 11-15 only, 2 doses, at least four

months apart, of the Merck (Recombivax) HB adult vaccine. Documentation must

clearly specify vaccine type and dose given.

Varicella (Grade 1, 2) 1

For children born on or after January 1, 1998 , one dose on or after the 1^st birthday

(including 3rd graders born on or after this date).

Varicella (Grade 6) 1

For all children born on or after January 1, 1994 , and who enroll in the 6^th grade at the beginning of the

2005-2006 school year must be immunized against varicella.

Caring for Our Children

The physical and emotional well being of our students is our highest priority. The following guidelines will help us preserve a safe and healthy environment in our school.

1. Parents of children with any medical problem must inform the administration and their child’s teachers. This information includes any and all special conditions, diabetes, asthma, food allergies and hearing and visual problems. Emergency procedures and warning signs relevant to the child’s healthcare needs must be discussed and clarified.

2. Children not feeling well in the morning should be kept home from school. The school does not have the human or physical resources to provide adequate care for sick children who are uncomfortable and unable to learn. Furthermore, they may pass their illnesses on to other children and staff.

3. If your child is diagnosed with an infectious disease, such as chicken pox, strep or conjunctivitis, please inform the school office as soon as possible so that others at risk can take adequate precautions. Children who come to school with conjunctivitis must be sent home immediately.

4. A child diagnosed with an infectious disease will be readmitted to school only with the written consent of a physician, attesting that the child is no longer contagious.

5. Children feeling ill during the day will be provided a place to rest. If they still feel poorly after half an hour, their parents will be called and asked to bring the child home. Once the school has made a determination to send a child home, he or she must be picked up by an adult within one hour. Please make sure that your child has a current, accurate, signed emergency card on file in the office, and that you have alternate emergency contacts listed who can be easily reached if you are inaccessible.

6. Several times during the year, children will be inspected for lice infestation. Any child found with lice will be removed from the school and readmitted with a physician’s or caregiver’s note, attesting that the infestation has been eliminated.

7. Several administrative and teaching staff members are certified in basic first aid. In the event of a medical emergency, a certified individual will administer first aid. Parents’ or emergency numbers will be called and appropriate emergency medical services alerted. Neither the teachers nor administration are allowed, by law, to administer any medication, except in the case of a life- threatening emergency. If there is a need, a parent or parent representative may come to school to administer medication to the child. The parent or parent representative must check in with the school’s administrator or office staff prior to the administration of any medication.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

In the event of an emergency, parents will be notified immediately. If the parents cannot be reached, the child will be taken via Hatzalah, a high quality volunteer ambulance corps, to the nearest hospital and the child’s physician will be notified. In such an event, the school will also try to reach the individuals listed on the emergency card. We must have a current, signed emergency card on file for each child.

Contagious Conditions
If a child develops a contagious illness (i.e. chicken pox, fifth disease) or a contagious conditions (i.e. Bacterial conjunctivitis, impetigo), please keep the child at home until the physician advises that s/he is no longer contagious, and notify the school at once. If the condition is discovered at school, we will ask parents to pick up the child immediately. The school will alert the parents in the affected child’s class.

A rash of unknown origin, diarrhea, vomiting, fever or heavy cold symptoms are conditions, which are also potentially contagious, as well as uncomfortable. Please do not send children to school until the condition is properly diagnosed and treated, and until the child has been free of fever for at least 24 hours. If a child develops any of these conditions while at school, we will ask parents to pick up the child immediately.

Pediculosis (head lice)
Head lice are a worldwide communicable condition common among children today and are no longer associated with a lack of cleanliness. Lice cannot jump or fly, and are usually transmitted by direct contact with infested persons, their clothing, or their combs brushes, and other implements that touch the hair. Many students contract head lice in summer camp and return to school with the condition. To avoid outbreaks of head lice in the school, we will conduct head checks very early in the school year and at intervals thereafter. We request that parents assist us by checking your children’s heads carefully prior to the start of school, and routinely throughout the school year.

Our school has a “no nit policy” which is an administrative public health policy of control and prevention of head lice outbreaks. A student found to have lice or nits will be sent home for appropriate treatment and complete nit removal. The student may return to school only after appropriate treatment and after all nits have been removed from the hair. The child’s head will be checked upon readmission to school, and if nits are still present, the child will not be permitted to remain in school.

Parents should consult their pediatricians about specific recommended treatment for children who contract head lice and safe procedures for treating the affected individual, checking other family members, and treatment of personal articles and the environment.

Please remind your children that hats, kippot, combs, brushes, barrettes, etc. should not be shared. All students are required to wash their hands before lunch.

RELIGIOUS PRACTICE – THE DAILY AND YEARLY RHYTHM OF LIFE AT EMHDS
Striving for Kedushah: Holiness.

Tefillot
In each grade, the day begins with Tefillot (prayers). The brief morning service at the kindergarten level gradually become more comprehensive at higher grades. Tefillot are egalitarian.

Kippot
Boys are expected to wear kippot at all times, while girls may do so if they choose. Students must bring their own kippot to school. We urge you to purchase a distinctive kippah and to encourage respect for it. The school sells EMHDS kippot. We expect each student to keep an extra kippah in school in his book bag. If a student is missing both kippot, one may be obtained from the office. Baseball caps are not a substitute for a kippah.

Tallit and Tefillin
Boys thirteen and over are expected to wear a Tallit and Tefillin during morning Tefillot. Girls may elect to fulfill this Mitzvah as well. When there are family events that begin at 7:30-8:00 A.M. with Tefillot, we ask that parents bring Tallit and Tefillin to the morning service. There will be opportunities to learn how to correctly wear Tallit and Tefillin for those who desire.

Brachot Over Food
The appropriate blessing is always said before eating lunch or a snack. Students learn which blessing is said over each category of food. Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals) is chanted after lunch.

After eating a snack or a meal that does not include bread, we recite Bracha Ahrona, the blessing appropriate to the specific food that was eaten. As students move through the grades, they will have the opportunity to become more familiar with the Bracha Ahrona.

Students learn the Jewish practice of ritually washing hands and saying the specific blessing before eating bread. There is a special area set up for Netilat Yadaim.

Hachana L’Shabbat (Preparation for Shabbat)

Each Friday, all classes in Pre-K – 5 prepare for Shabbat. Activities may include a class meeting, clean up, a Shabbat celebration, a Shabbat guest, singing, story telling or a special program. Each Pre-K - 5 classroom teacher sets up a procedure for obtaining grape juice and challah each Friday.

Note: Given our strong commitment to teach about Shabbat observance, we request that -no EMHDS related business be conducted on Shabbat. This includes group projects and birthday parties.

Rosh Chodesh
Rosh Chodesh, the start of a new Jewish month, while not a major holiday, is given attention in each of the grades as a key part of the Jewish calendar cycle. We often schedule student-parent breakfasts on Rosh Chodesh mornings. Consult your calendar and special notices.

Tu B’Shevat – The Holiday of the Trees

Traditionally, this holiday is celebrated in Israel by planting trees. The Jewish National Fund channels donations to the reforestation of Eretz Israel . Our school’s contribution to JNF has been recognized as outstanding by the organization. All students are encouraged to purchase at least one tree for this occasion. Tree certificates are awarded at a special assembly.

Holidays
We celebrate Jewish holidays in many ways, including assemblies, dramatic presentations, family events, special study units and song. We also mark appropriate secular observances, such as Thanksgiving, Presidents’ Week, Veterans’ Day and Martin Luther King Day.

The school does not observe non-Jewish holidays, such as Christmas, Halloween, or St. Valentine’s Day. Children should not bring objects such as valentines or Halloween masks that are specific to these occasions. See the school calendar for Jewish and American holidays on which school is closed.

Kashrut
Observance of Kashrut (Jewish dietary regulations) is presented in the classroom as an ideal and as a Mitzvah. The Head of School and Director of Judaic Studies are available to guide families interested in adopting measures of Kashrut observance for themselves.

Lunches and Snacks in School
A carton of milk is provided for each child. Students should bring healthful snacks to school. All food brought into the school must be kosher. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays are Milchik (dairy) meal days. Tuesday and Thursday are Fleishig (meat) meal days. Pareve meals, neither meat or dairy, may, of course be brought any day. If a non-kosher item is brought to school, the staff will tactfully point this out and provide the student with a substitute lunch. The non-kosher food will be sent home. (Please see page 4 for our school lunch program).

Bringing Other Food Into School for Public Consumption
Only certified kosher foods, prepared in kosher establishments under Rabbinical supervision, may be brought in for consumption by school groups. Foods cooked at home may not be brought in for group consumption.

Fresh bakery goods for student, parent, or teacher functions must come from a kosher bakery approved by the Vaad HaRabonim for New York .

Items purchased in supermarkets should carry an acceptable kosher label.

School Trip Kashrut Policy
The East Midwood Hebrew Day School observes the Kashrut standards of the Conservative Movement.

On school trips, food may be purchased only from an eating establishment that has been approved by the school. On extended trips, the school chaperones arrange, in advance, for food from kosher caterers or restaurants. On day trips specific eating establishments are called in advance to determine kashrut, and students are given a list of approved foods that they may purchase.

Each student must accept these ground rules in order to go on class trips.

EMHDS is deeply committed to the centrality of Kashrut observance in all official school activities. We appreciate the continuing support of faculty, students and families in this vital area of Jewish life.

HUMAN RELATION – QUALITY OF LIFE

Tzedaka
Our efforts to create a caring environment are governed by the Jewish principle of Mitzvot Bein Adam L’Chavero (commandments governing relations among people). Particularly important is the Mitzvah of giving Tzedaka on a regular basis. Tzedaka is not merely charity, but it is a religious obligation to help create a society where everyone has what is needed to live.

Our Tzedaka program (Keren Ami) is determined by the student representatives of the Keren Ami council. Some Tzedaka projects are tied to the celebration of various Jewish holidays (i.e. Matanot L’evyonim- gifts to the poor on Purim and Ma’ot Hittim - money to purchase matzah for Pesach observance).

EDUCATIONAL POLICIES

Parents as Partners
Basic to our educational philosophy is the recognition that EMHDS is not alone in educating your children. We, as a school, are working with you, the parents, to educate your children. We seek to make the parent-teacher/home-school partnership a reality through the channels of communication outlined below and by ongoing contact in writing, by phone, or in person. Below are some guidelines.

Communication With the School
You are our partners in your child’s education. Open and honest communication in a cordial atmosphere is essential for effective parent-teacher partnership. Teachers and administrators are always happy to speak with you about any and all concerns you may have regarding your child’s educational experience at the East Midwood Hebrew Day School . In order to ensure that we will be able to address any issues in a prompt and effective manner, please observe the following guidelines in contacting the school.

1. As the educator most directly involved with your child, your child’s teacher should be the first person you contact. This can be done effectively by either sending a note with your child, or leaving a message at the school office requesting a call at a mutually convenient time.

2. If you feel that the issue has not been satisfactorily resolved after speaking with your child’s teacher, then it is appropriate to contact the school administration. You can call the school office at any time. The Head of School/Principal will return your call some time that day.

3. It is often helpful to set up a meeting between parents and teachers. Administrators may participate if deemed appropriate. These meetings can be arranged either directly between parents and teachers or through the school office.

4. It may be helpful to bring other people into your discussion. EMHDS has a support staff including a school psychologist, coordinator of special needs, and Judaic studies coordinator. In conjunction with the teacher you should decide if and when to request their involvement.

5. Various opportunities exist for parents to express ideas and thoughts about more general topics. One forum is through parent meetings that are held for each grade level throughout the year. Other options include: The education committee, the PTA and communication with administrators and lay leaders of the school.

Reporting to parents

Pre-K and Kindergarten
Parents of students are kept up to date though weekly newsletter, formal parent/teacher conferences in winter and spring, and a written summary of the year, which is mailed to parents at the end of June.

Grades 1-8
There are several opportunities for learning about your child’s progress in school. Parent-Teacher conferences are held after the first and second report cards are sent home in December and March.

Parent Orientation
Each fall, shortly after the opening of school, we sponsor an evening event during which you can meet your child’s teachers and learn about your child’s curriculum for the year. You are strongly urged to attend this important and informative evening.

Behavioral Expectations and Consequences
At the beginning of the school year each student and his/her parents will be presented, for signature, with a behavioral contract, which outlines the school’s expectations for each student. Consequences for breaking the contract are also listed. We expect each other to be positive, contributing members of our community. Other responsibilities are to develop our own abilities and to help others develop theirs by:

· supporting each individual’s dignity and right to learn

· nurturing and caring for the community

· respect for the environment

· regarding personal and community property

Behavior Code

The following behaviors will not be tolerated in school:

a. physical violence

b. rudeness

c. vandalism

d. foul language

e. unkindness

The school’s policy regarding physical violence is of particular note. As listed in the Behavioral Contract, any student in the second grade or above who engages in violence at school will be sent home immediately and suspended for at least the following school day. Return to school on the subsequent day requires a parental meeting with the administration.

Homework
Homework serves two purposes: it provides additional practice on material taught in class, and it helps develop independent study habits.

Homework in the early grades has limited value as a major learning activity; however, we do want students to learn to work outside the classroom where they are not dependent on the directions supplied by the teacher.

In grades 3-8, the quantity of homework increases and includes long-term assignments such as reports and projects. Homework is serious business. It helps the student to develop independent study habits, to preview work, to practice the skills that have been taught, to complete unfinished class work, to work on research and projects which supplement class work, to evaluate work and study skills and to share work with parents.

At the parent orientation, teachers will describe their schedule for assignments. A parent’s role in homework completion is to give guidance on method, organization and schedule rather than factual information. If your child seems consistently unable to complete assignments without parent aid, or if it is an unmanageable burden, it is important to confer with teachers or advisors.

Teachers do not intend to overburden students or demand more homework time of them than they can comfortably accommodate. Homework is never used as a punishment.

Please note that Hebrew language homework is not assigned with the expectation that parents will assist their children. If your child is having particular difficulty completing homework assignments, please alert your child’s teacher immediately.

Average Homework Load:

Homework is assigned in a grade appropriate manner and may vary in accordance with the educational goals of the teacher. The numbers given here do not include special projects or nightly reading.

Grade 1 30-45 minutes

Grade 2 45-60 minutes

Grade 3 45-75 minutes

Grade 4 60-85 minutes

Grade 5 60-90 minutes

Grade 6 75-90 minutes

Grade 7 75-100 minutes

Grade 8 75-100 minutes

Children who are absent may have homework sent home or set aside for them. Please call the office with homework requests by 10:00 A.M.

EAST MIDWOOD HEBREW DAY SCHOOL RABBI HARRY HALPERN EDUCATIONAL CENTER