Parent Student Handbook 2010 - 2011
The Day School at Baltimore Hebrew
7401 Park Heights Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21208
Phone: (410) 764-1867
Fax: (410) 764-8138
www.thedayschoolbh.org
Printable pdf Handbook (entire)
Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year. It is with great enthusiasm that we begin another year of learning and growing together.
This handbook sets out policies and procedures of The Day School. It may be revised or added to at any time by the administration and faculty. While we try to spell out policies clearly, please understand that there may be rules and expectations that while not spelled out may also be enforced.
This handbook, while similar to previous years, has numerous changes. Therefore it is important that you read it thoroughly. Parents and children should read it together, discussing any concerns or questions that come up. Making the handbook a family activity solidifies the unity of school and parents and can motivate worthwhile discussion.
The policies set forth in this handbook are for the purpose of creating a harmonious and safe school, supportive of its students, teachers, and parents. Feel free to discuss with me any issues or concerns regarding the policies that are written in this handbook.
Lastly, your child’s experience and your own will be greatly enhanced if you become an active member of the school community and PTO. We love to see you at The Day School at Baltimore Hebrew. Not only daily classes but family events, services in which our children participate, and
Community programs all enrich the lives of the children, families and the school.
With warm wishes for a wonderful year,
Gerri Chizeck
Head of School
MISSION STATEMENT
The Day School at Baltimore Hebrew prepares children to thrive in a complex world. By cultivating academic excellence, values of progressive Judaism, physical well being and spiritual growth, the school provides children age 18-months through 8th grade with a multifaceted foundation on which to build their lives.
To fulfill its mission, The Day School strives to:
- Create lifelong learners able to successfully adapt to the challenges of the 21st century.
- Uphold a standard of academic excellence that inspires confidence, exploration and creative expression through a rich and cohesive curriculum integrating general and Judaic studies.
- Internalize a moral obligation within students to recognize each person as unique and deserving of respect.
- Regard with reverence the world in which we live and teach students to accept responsibility for its preservation and protection.
- Be a welcoming community, opening doors to Jewish life, embracing society’s diversity of individuals and families, and respecting their beliefs and customs.
- Engage in the study and application of Torah as a living text, empowering students to confront issues in a complex and changing world within the framework of Reform Jewish teachings.
- Anchor students’ Jewish identities and sense of belonging to the Jewish people through their study of Modern Hebrew, Jewish history and Israeli culture.
- Encourage students to value moments of awe and wonder, loving relationships and the experiences of everyday life.
- Embody all these objectives throughout the school’s community, programs, policies and affairs.
PERPETUATING OUR JEWISH HERITAGE / EDUCATING FOR EXCELLENCE
A 21st Century Program
The Day School at Baltimore Hebrew is an independent school with students from age 18 months through Grade 8. The Preschool opened in 1971 and the Day School opened in September 1991, with a Kindergarten and First Grade class. Each year thereafter a class was added through fifth grade. In 1998, the Day School expanded to include a Middle School. THE DAY SCHOOL provides a comprehensive, integrated curriculum offering full day, and extended-day, and extra-curricular programs. The school has a lifelong connection with Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, which shares the goal of preparing our students to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
The Day School at Baltimore Hebrew is committed to providing each student with an excellent academic education, empowering each student to reach his or her greatest potential. The school provides an integrated secular and Judaic curriculum designed to stimulate the intellectual, social, physical and spiritual growth of the whole child. Parents are our partners in charting a successful teaching environment for our students. The environment utilizes tools, technology, and resources that help prepare our children to be critical, independent thinkers who realize that learning is not confined to either the school years or the classroom. The faculty is comprised of experienced teachers with a thorough knowledge of their subject area as well as the principles of child development, which promote intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical growth.
Graduating and transferring students have been accepted to many of the independent high schools in the greater Baltimore community as well as top public school programs. Upon graduation from high school our students have been accepted into a wide range of colleges, from Ivy League Universities to public and private institutions across the nation.
Combining the best of independent school and Jewish Day School education, the school is licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education and accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS). THE DAY SCHOOL is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Progressive Association of Reform Day Schools (PARDeS).
The Day School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin. Financial aid is available to all qualified students.
Today, The Day School is one of about twenty Reform Jewish Day Schools in the United States and is a model to newer day schools across the nation. It is also one of approximately 2,000 independent schools providing high quality, individualized education.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
THE DAY SCHOOL COMMUNITY CODE OF BEHAVIOR
Every member of the School community must work together to encourage and to maintain appropriate behavior within the School. Students, parents, teachers, the administration and all support staff share the responsibility of ensuring that behavior is appropriate at all times. The mission of The Day School is to nurture fundamental principles of Judaism including honorable behavior in all members of the community. While we work together to encourage academic excellence, intellectual growth and development, we must also strive to ensure that the behavior of our community members reflects the best principles of our Jewish heritage. Every member of the community shares the responsibility.
The standards of behavior at The Day School are based on our School mission. Every member of the community is expected to act in accordance with the mission and to be aware that he or she represents The Day School both on and off campus. We expect community members to behave with honor, to behave honestly, and to exhibit a sense of responsibility that shows consideration for others.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Day School at Baltimore Hebrew is committed to providing students with an outstanding secular and Judaic education, and fostering both a lifelong love of learning and dedication to community service. The Day School motto, “Respect, Responsibility, Ruach,” guides our students to uphold our core values. Students are expected to exhibit respect for others as well as themselves, responsibility in all their actions, and joy and spirit in greeting each new day as a valued member of the Day School community.
This Code of Conduct details the behavioral expectations for all students.
Students will not:
- Strike or physically abuse others.
- Speak disrespectfully or inappropriately to others.
- Use or display any inappropriate language or symbols.
- Damage, tamper with, or take any property that is not his/her own.
- Cheat or plagiarize on any test, quiz, homework, assignment, or paper.
- Lie, misrepresent, or deliberately deceive others.
- Buy, sell, or use any tobacco, alcohol or illegal or harmful substance or associated paraphernalia during school or at any school-sponsored event.
- Participate in any inappropriate sexual or physical contact during school or at any school- sponsored event.
- Violate the school’s polices on attendance, lateness or dress code.
- Engage in any behavior that is disruptive to the learning process.
All students should remember Hillel’s great rule: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow human being; this is the entire Torah, all the rest is commentary. (Talmud Shabbat 31 a)” We expect our students to exhibit Respect, Responsibility, and Ruach in all settings throughout the year.
GENERAL SCHOOL RULES
- Each teacher will establish reasonable and age-appropriate classroom rules in cooperation with the members of his/her class. Students shall be expected to comply with classroom rules at all times.
- The following school rules for hallway behavior shall be observed not only at THE DAY SCHOOL, but also throughout the entire synagogue building and while on field trips:
- Only walking is permitted in hallways.
- Students shall speak in soft tones in the halls.
- In order to preserve the beauty of our building and the students’ work that is displayed outside of the classrooms, all students shall walk in the halls without touching the walls.
- Students are to show respect for persons and property. Students may neither take nor damage the property of others or that of The Day School at Baltimore Hebrew.
- All teachers share responsibility for monitoring student behavior. Times will occur when students will be expected to respond to the instructions and/or discipline of a teacher other than their regular classroom teachers. Students will be expected to respond respectfully and to conduct themselves in an orderly and courteous manner both in and out of the classroom and in the presence of all adults.
DETENTION
Students in grades 5 – 8 may be required to serve lunch or after school detentions for various offenses as listed below:
Lunch Detention:
- School or class lateness three or more times
- Repeated behavioral infractions
- Repeated violation of dress code
- Failure to meet academic responsibilities during a class or to complete homework
All lunch detentions will be served during the first available lunch period (which may or may not be the day the detention is issued). Written notification will be sent to parents after the lunch detention is served.
After School Detention:
- Three lunch detentions may result in an after school detention
- Failure to hand in homework on the day due will necessitate the student’s going to working lunch to make up the assignment. After school detention will be used as necessary.
If a student must remain for after school detention either because of multiple lunch detentions or to complete homework, parents will be called. Students staying after school for either type of detention will not participate in after-school activities. After school detentions take place from 4:00 – 5:00 P.M. Monday through Thursday.
- Parents are welcome to visit their child’s class. It is encouraged that arrangements be made through the school office or through the teacher in advance. All visitors must check in with the school office and receive a visitor’s badge before proceeding to the classrooms. Please limit your visit to no more than 30 – 45 minutes or one class period.
- During the school day, a teacher’s responsibility is to his/her students and classroom. Therefore, parents are asked to confine discussions to planned conferences. This is especially true prior to the beginning of the school day, recess, lunch and carpool times.
- Please do not bring surprise treats to your child or your child’s class during the school day. If you would like to mark a special event, such as the completion of a major unit of study or a birthday, please contact your child’s teacher to make arrangements.
- For the safety of our children, the doors to The Day School will be locked during the school day and during aftercare. Everyone will need to ring the bell to be admitted.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Students may be dropped off beginning at 7:45 a.m. Homeroom begins at 8:00 a.m. for 4th – 8th grade and 8:10 a.m. for K – 3rd grades. To facilitate smooth drop off and pick-up, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines:
- Cars may only enter through the Slade Avenue entrance closest to Park Heights Avenue, not from the parking lot.
- There is no parking in the carpool line.
- Please do not park in the driveway of the Temple parking lot or in the Fire Lane.
- Do not form a double line of cars.
- Pull up as far as possible as directed by the teacher on duty, and come to a complete stop prior to allowing your child to enter or exit the car.
- Students are not permitted to cross the driveway without adult supervision.
- A child will not be released to anyone without written notification to the school. A picture ID will be requested from the individual. Those who routinely pick up the child must be noted on the registration records. Occasional changes may be made via written notes to the teacher.
- The school day for K – 3rd grade begins promptly at 8:10 a.m. and students should arrive between 7:45 and 8:05 a.m. For grades 4 – 8, the school day begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. and students should arrive between 7:45 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. This is to ensure that our students have ample time to put their personal belongings in the appropriate places and walk to their homeroom class.
- Excessive absences and tardiness are detrimental to the educational program of a child. Excessive absences could result in action by the school and possibly in a student not being promoted to the next grade.
- On Monday through Thursday, school day ends at 3:00 p.m. for grades K-4 and 4:00p.m. for grades 5 - 8. On Fridays, all students are dismissed at 3:00 p.m. In order to protect our students and ensure security, children will not be dismissed prior to dismissal time.
- When a student is picked up early, he/she must be signed out before 2:50 p.m. for K-4 and before 3:50 p.m. for 5-8. Otherwise, parents are requested to wait until the regular carpool dismissal to pick up the children.
- It is important for children to be in school the entire length of the day. It is disruptive when students come late or leave early. Please keep tardiness and early departures to a minimum.
- Early dismissals and tardiness are noted on the child’s report card.
- When a student is ill and will not be present for the entire school day, parents should notify the school office before 9:00 a.m. Please request work at this time if you plan to pick it up or want it sent home with another child. All of your child’s teachers will be notified. Teachers will make every possible effort to send assignments for students to the office by dismissal time. Assignments can be picked up in the office by a parent or by another child at dismissal time. the HomeworkNow website can be checked as well.
- Leaving school for appointments during the school day is discouraged. If unavoidable, please send a note to your child’s teacher. The teacher will then notify the office. When a child leaves school during the day, the parents must check the student out through the school office, and check in at the office upon return. At no time will a teacher release a student directly to a parent from a classroom. Any assignments missed will be given to the student. Students are then expected to make up any work missed while gone.
- We hope that planned absences will be kept to a minimum. However, if you decide to have your child miss school for special reasons, please inform your child’s teacher a minimum of 3 days in advance. Failure to turn in missed work will affect grades. Please schedule family vacations during school holidays. It is very difficult for students to keep up with their classmates when they miss several days in a row. Students who miss tests due to a vacation will not be allowed to make up those tests.
- Students are responsible for work that has been assigned during their absence. Individual teachers will assign the due date for these assignments. If a test is scheduled for the day of the student’s illness, he/she must be prepared to take it upon his/her return. In the event of a disabling illness, special arrangements to make up work should be made with the student’s teachers and the administration.
- When parents plan to be out of town, it is extremely important that the school be notified. A written note containing the names of those individuals in charge of the home, carpool arrangements, and telephone numbers where parents may be reached must be sent to the office before parents leave.
- Whenever a student arrives late or leaves early from school, it is essential that he/she must sign in or out with the office and be dismissed from the office.
- Any student arriving late to school must go to the office and receive a late pass before being admitted to class.
- A child who comes to school after 10:30 will be marked absent for half a day. These days can accumulate and affect a student’s overall attendance.
- Students in grades 4-8 are expected to travel from one class to another with all necessary materials, and be seated in class when it is scheduled to begin. A student who is not fully prepared for class with all materials will be permitted to get the needed materials, but will be marked late for class.
- Homework is given at the discretion of individual teachers. The purpose of homework is to reinforce material already presented at school as well as to challenge students to apply their previous knowledge and concepts to new contexts. In addition, homework is given to train the child to accept the responsibility for taking work home, completing it and bringing it back to school the next day.
- Any concerns about homework should be discussed with the teacher who assigned the work.
- In addition to written assignments, students are expected to read (either an assigned book for language arts or any appropriate reading material) for at least 20 minutes and practice Hebrew reading for at least 10 minutes each evening.
- The consequences for failing to complete a homework assignment are as follows:
- First homework assignment not turned in, teacher will talk with student to determine the cause.
- Second homework assignment not turned in, student will complete during working lunch for Middle School, teacher discretion for Lower School.
- Third homework assignment not turned in, notification to parent via e-mail, call, note or home.
- If a student does not turn in homework on a regular basis, teacher will notify administration.
- Textbooks are issued to students as a part of our educational program. Each student is expected to assume responsibility for the care and maintenance of school materials. Students will be held accountable for care and will be expected to pay for replacements.
- Students visit the library regularly and have the opportunity to check out one book per visit. Students should be encouraged to return their books on the day that they are due and to handle books with appropriate care. A library book is considered to be the responsibility of the student who has checked it out. Students will be expected to pay for any lost books.
- Report cards will be issued three times per year. They will be available to parents at the end of each trimester.
- In addition to formal report cards, in grades 6 – 8 interims are sent to parents at the midpoint of each trimester. It is our goal that the combination of report cards and interims will facilitate accurate communication between parents and teachers.
If copies of your records are needed at any time during the school year, there is a $25 processing fee. The fee is waived for eighth grade students that are applying to high school.
A Parent Conference Day is set for November 17th and a spring date to be announced. Please make every effort to meet with the faculty on the day that is set aside. Parents or teachers may request a conference at any time.
- Parents will be notified in the event their child has an illness or is involved in an accident at school. If necessary, children may then be picked up at the school. Basic first aid will be provided until the parents or designated adult can be notified. In the event of an emergency that requires medical attention, the child’s emergency medical form would be consulted. It is vital that an up-to-date emergency medical form be on file for every student. Please make sure to inform the school office of any changes in emergency information that might occur during the school year. Also, be sure to inform the school nurse of any changes in medication that a child takes at home and at school.
- In the interest of other students and teachers, sick children may not remain at school. Parents should be ready to make arrangements to pick up children judged by school personnel to be too ill to participate effectively, or who may pose the danger of infection to others. Teachers will be informed of students who leave school during the day due to illness. Children should be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school.
- A child who seems sick in the morning prior to school or the previous night should be kept at home as a precaution. In this way, a longer absence may be prevented and classmates will be protected. IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT WELL PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL DAY, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO KEEP HIM/HER AT HOME. Please see guidelines enclosed about the HINI virus. For more information see the CDC on the web.
- State law in relation to the dispensing of medications binds the school. Please follow these guidelines closely in order to protect the safety of your child
- Prescription medications must be in the original container labeled with the child’s name, a date, directions and the physician’s name. The school must administer the medication as stated on the label directions. The school may not administer medication after the expiration date.
- The school may dispense non-prescription medication, with the proper authorization by the parents. All non-prescription medication must be in its original packaging and submitted to the school nurse or Head of School only.
- Parents must contact the school if a child has a contagious illness or condition of any kind (measles, chicken pox, lice, etc.). Also, please contact the school office if your child has a rash of any type.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Maryland law requires that all school children must be immunized against diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis B. Prior to the child’s attendance on the first day of classes, the student’s completed immunization record must be on file in the school office. If the immunization record has changed in any way since filing the records with the school, an updated record must be supplied to the school prior to the beginning of the school year.
- During dismissal time, students shall be in the designated areas until they are dismissed.
- Students will only be released to individuals listed on their transportation forms. Therefore, anyone who drives your child’s carpool must be listed on all the carpool members’ transportation forms. Substitutions will be not be allowed without parental consent.
- For the carpool line to run smoothly and safely, all cars should line up in the order in which they have arrived. IF YOU NEED TO LEAVE YOUR CAR, PLEASE EXIT THE CARPOOL LINE AND PARK IN THE PARKING LOT. Drivers should proceed forward as the carpool line advances and should not begin conversations with teachers or others in the carpool line.
- Cars may only enter the carpool line through the Slade Avenue entrance closest to Park Heights Avenue, not from the parking lot.
- Students are not permitted to cross the driveway without supervision.
- For safety and legal purposes, every child must wear a seat belt and younger children must be in a car seat when the car pulls away.
- Parents of students picked up late from school or Extended Day in excess of two times may be charged a late fee of $25.00.
- All messages to students during the school day should be handled through the school office.
- Requests for parent-teacher conferences should be made in writing to the teacher or by telephone through the school office. Please do not send oral requests through your child.
- When questions or problems arise concerning your child or his/her work, please call or email the teacher at school. Please allow the teacher a reasonable amount of time to return your call or email. Remember that if you call during the school day, the teacher may not be able to return your call until after school dismissal.
- A teacher’s private time at home should be respected. Our teachers are committed to their students and to their work at school; however, all have additional commitments as well, and cannot always be immediately available to parents.
- In observance of Shabbat and other Jewish holidays, staff members have been asked not to make school-related phone calls on Friday night, Saturday or any other Jewish holidays.
- If a family problem arises which will affect your child’s attitude, performance, or emotional disposition at school, such as a death or illness in the family, parent absence, separation, or divorce, please notify the teacher or head of school immediately. Of course, every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality.
- If a question or problem concerning your child is not resolved after contacting the teacher, please contact the Head of School.
- Our main methods of communication throughout the school year are The Loop, classroom newsletters, and emails from teachers, administration, and PTO. Please be sure to check your email daily for any important information. The school’s website, http://thedayschoolbh.org is also a good source of information.
- The school office will open at 7:45 each morning and will close at 5:30 each afternoon.
- Parents and Students are asked to refrain from participating in or encouraging discussion that may be viewed as gossip or rumor, regarding the school, its students, or staff members. It is critical that administration, teacher and parent maintain open lines of communication and that all members of the community feel they can turn to someone with concerns. The Head of School and your child’s teachers can be reached through appointment, note, phone and email. Avoiding rumors and negative discussion is fundamental to the mission and well being of the school. Please check out information only with those who can be of help in confirming or dispelling rumors, and who can do something about an issue. The community we build at our school is based upon caring and concern, and it extends to all.
INCLEMENT WEATHER / EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
In the event that classes need to be cancelled due to an emergency situation or inclement weather, THE DAY SCHOOL will notify WBAL television and WBAL radio as early as possible.
There will also be notification placed on the school’s voicemail and on the school’s website. You can access the voicemail system by dialing 410-764-1867. When you hear the recorded message hit *401.
The decision to close the school will be made based on the conditions in and around the school and the surrounding neighborhoods.
THE DAY SCHOOL DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY FOLLOW ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT’S DECISIONS CONCERNING SCHOOL CLOSURES.
Birthdays are special days in a child’s life. We will happily share this day with your child. We ask you to follow the following guidelines listed below:
- No birthday party invitations, presents, or party favors may be exchanged at school. (Children sometimes lose an invitation in their backpack. This causes needless hurt feelings.)
- If you would like to arrange a simple treat for the class, you may do so by contacting your child’s teacher in advance for appropriate times the snack should be delivered. Please also check with the teacher for any food allergies in the class.
- Another meaningful way to recognize your child’s birthday is to buy a book for the library honoring your child. If you are interested in doing so, please contact the school for further information.
- When you plan birthday parties for your child, please remember that many of our families observe the Sabbath and that a party planned during the Sabbath would exclude some children.
- When sending out invitations to birthday parties, please be sensitive to children’s feelings. Do not exclude one or two children from the class. All classmates should be invited, or single gender only if that is preferred; i.e. girls only.
- When inviting guests to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, please be as inclusive as possible. It is most appropriate to invite all of the students in your child’s grade, so that no student feels excluded.
- Whether your child attends a service at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation or somewhere else, your child is still a representative of The Day School and should behave accordingly.
- Even though this is a joyous celebration, please be mindful of dressing respectfully for a religious ceremony.
As Jews, we love to celebrate! We observe all Jewish and national holidays. We do not observe Halloween or Valentine’s Day at The Day School. You will be asked from time to time to contribute treats for a celebration.
T’fillah and Kabbalat Shabbat are an important part of our program. These are times we come together and pray. Parents and grandparents are always welcome.
- T’fillah occurs on Monday mornings from 9:00-9:45.
- Kabbalat Shabbat is on Fridays from 2:30-2:55 for all grades – all clergy rotation. Please be on time, as BHC clergy, community clergy and Day School leadership will be leading these very meaningful services. Parents are welcome. Again, please do not pick up your child early from these important and character building rituals.
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation provides Shabbat services weekly throughout the school year. Friday evening services usually begin at 6:15 p.m. These services are contemporary in nature and include honoring B’nai Mitzvot and their families. There are also monthly Junior Congregation services for children in grades Kindergarten through 8 and a PJ Shabbat for children in the Early Childhood age groups. Once a month, Friday evening services will begin at 7:30 p.m. These later services are more traditional in nature.
There are a number of occasions throughout the school year when students are invited to attend or participate in Shabbat services. Students must be supervised by a parent or responsible adult when attending services. Appropriate behavior and dress is required.
Tzedakah (righteousness and justice) is a fundamental value in our program. As Jews, we are commanded to engage in Tikkun Olam (healing the world.)
- It is a tradition at The Day School to bring in a monetary donation on Fridays.
- Every grade level has a tzedakah project. These may change throughout the year. In addition, the school community may engage in projects and curricula that reflect these values. Seventh and eighth grade students engage in more sophisticated projects through advocacy and the Student Council sponsors fundraisers and other programs.
From time to time, your child’s class will take a field trip, which will enrich his/her day-to-day studies at The Day School.
- A field trip permission slip will be sent to parents before each field trip. If necessary, it will also inquire if any parents are available to drive children to and from the field trip. This consent form must be signed and returned to school. It will allow your child to participate.
- Drivers must fill out a form with the school office, carry appropriate insurance and have a valid Maryland Driver’s License. Parents also should be reminded that if driving to or from a field trip, they are not permitted to make any stops other than the designated field trip destination and the school.
- Drivers will observe all safety regulations, including that every child will wear a safety belt and no child will be placed in the front seat of a vehicle containing an air bag.
- Field trip costs are not covered by the general tuition. Therefore, there will be a charge for each field trip as necessary.
- Parents attending field trips must follow school policies and guidelines and serve as ambassadors for the school.
Please mark all clothing, lunches, backpacks and book covers with your child’s name. Any article left in the Lost and Found basket for more than one month will be donated to charity. The Lost and Found basket is located in the Day School office.
- All playground equipment must be used only in the appropriate manner for which it was intended.
- All playground equipment will be returned to its proper place.
- During play periods, students must cooperate and respect others. This cooperation includes taking turns using equipment and playing games and including anyone who asks to join.
- Under no circumstances will students throw rocks, gravel, sand, dirt, sticks or any other sort of material found outdoors.
- Non-school personnel and non-students are requested to refrain from entering play areas during school hours.
CELL PHONES, ELECTRONIC DEVICES, GAMES, MONEY, ETC.
- Students will only be allowed the use of the school telephone during school hours, with permission from school personnel.
- Students may not take cellular phones to class with them. If a cell phone is brought to school, it MUST be kept in the student’s locker, in the off mode, during the school day, or checked into the front office for safekeeping until dismissal. Cell phones that are used or displayed during the school day will be confiscated and returned at the close of the school year.
- Students may not bring electronic devices to school. Personal items brought to school are brought at the student’s own risk. The school assumes no responsibility for these items if they are lost, stolen, or broken. A student may be permitted to bring a laptop computer or other technological device to school for specific educational projects.
- Money should only be brought to school for school-sanctioned purposes such as use at the student store or for tzedakah. If a student needs to bring a large amount of money (over $5) please give it directly to the homeroom teacher to hold for the day.
Students are encouraged to make full use of the school’s technology to broaden their educational experiences. However, students must read and sign the Acceptable Use Policy (found at the end of this document) and are expected to adhere to the rules as listed below in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Use of Technology. Since changes occur so rapidly in the field of technology, it is impossible to list all contingencies in the rules below. Students are therefore expected to use good judgment and ask their teachers for guidance when needed.
- Students may only use technology for staff-approved educational purposes.
- Internet access is provided so that students may obtain information from the World Wide Web, not for the purpose of posting any information.
- Students may not use email, Instant Messenger, or social networking sites in school or provide others with personal information of any individual.
- Students will be responsible for maintaining, in an appropriate manner, both the hardware and the software they use.
- Students must obey all laws regarding the rights of copyright owners. When specific questions arise, students are expected to ask a teacher before using any information found on the Internet.
- Students may not download or print any files without specific permission from a teacher.
- In order to respect individual family kashrut observances and to avoid aggravation of food allergies, children are not allowed to exchange or share foods.
- If a student forgets to bring his/her lunch, the parents will be contacted and offered the choice of bringing a lunch, or ordering the school hot lunch and being charged for that particular day. If a parent cannot be contacted in time, a hot lunch will be provided and the parents will receive a note regarding the charge for the lunch and will be responsible for paying the appropriate fee.
- Blessings before and after the meal are an integral part of our lunch polices and should be respected. All students are expected to participate and recite these blessings respectfully.
- Students will eat politely.
- No food, drink or wrappings shall be thrown.
- Students are responsible for keeping their tables and eating areas clean and should clean up after themselves. Students must throw away all trash.
- Glass containers, pop top cans of fruit, pudding, etc. are dangerous for children to handle; children can easily cut themselves on the sharp edges. “Junk food” and candy are strongly discouraged. Students are discouraged from bringing carbonated and caffeinated drinks.
Hot lunches are offered five days per week. The lunch is catered and parents are asked to volunteer to assist in serving. The menu is distributed for two months at a time. Lunches must be pre-paid for the two-month period. Order sheets and menus will be sent home with your child. These are posted on our website. They must be returned on or before the due date.
- Refunds will not be given for any reason. However, if there is a snow day, the money will be applied to the next two-month period.
- Please send a lunch with a drink for your child if you do not choose to place an order for hot lunch.
- Please adhere to the deadlines for turning in lunch orders. LAST MINUTE ORDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Natalie Hankin is the contact person for hot lunch. She is in the office Mon.-Thursday mornings.
The Torah describes specific articles of clothing that the High Priest must wear when performing different tasks in the Temple. Our rabbis explain that the different clothing enables the High Priest to focus on the task at hand. So, too, do our students need to wear clothing that will help them focus on the task of learning.
The Day School has established a dress code that enables the students to specify clothing that is appropriate for an educational environment. The dress code was developed with an eye toward comfort, neatness and respect for the academic process. By eliminating student competition based on clothing, this policy will enable us, as parents and educators, to concentrate on more important values.
If a student is not dressed according to the code, parents will be phoned and asked to bring appropriate clothing. If the parent is not available, a clean, used uniform item will be lent to the student to wear that day and return.
Dress Code 2010-2011
TOPS
Shirts
Monday and Friday: Students will wear the white Day School Logo knit collared, “Polo” shirt, long or short sleeved.
Tuesday through Thursday: Students will wear any solid color knit collared, “Polo” shirt, long or short sleeved.
Turtlenecks & Undershirts
White Turtlenecks or undershirts may be worn under the “Polo” shirt.
Sweatshirts & Sweaters
Monday and Friday: Students may wear a white, navy or green colored sweater or sweatshirt, with or without The Day School monogram. It may not have a hood.
Tuesday thru Thursday: Students may wear any solid color sweater or sweatshirt without a hood.
Outerwear & Fleece
No fleece or outerwear may be worn in class. Unless permitted by the teacher due to unusually cold temperatures.
BOTTOMS
Pants
Pants must be khaki or navy “style” and color (Tan and Navy only and must be tailored-looking). Disallowed pants include those made of any kind of knit, nylon, and micro fiber or sweatpants material. Low-rise pants are not acceptable. Pants may not drag on the floor, have frayed bottoms, or be overly loose fitting. Shorts of a similar style and color will be allowed August, September, October, April, May and June. Must be at least 2” past fingertip length.
Skirts Khaki or navy skirts, skorts or jumpers may be worn. They must be at least 2” past fingertip length.
SHOES AND SOCKS
Acceptable
Sneakers and closed toe shoes with socks are acceptable. Socks & tights should be neutral in color.
Not Acceptable
Open-toe sandals, slides, flip-flops, Crocs®, pool shoes, sport sandals, or bedroom-type shoes that make sounds. Heelys® or other shoes with wheels. No patterned tights or socks.
OTHER
Acceptable
Pierced Ears
Not Acceptable
Other body piercing or tattoos, unnatural hair colors (Ex: pink, blue, green, etc.)
EXTENDED DAY/AFTERCARE
Extended Day/Aftercare is available for children enrolled in The Day School. This program begins at the end of your child’s school day, and runs through 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition enrichment classes and sports are offered throughout the year for varying fees.
Financial Assistance is available to those who qualify. Please call the Admissions Office for more information.
It’s hard to imagine a more powerful team than school and parents working together for the good of children. That’s why serving as a parent volunteer is so vital to enriching your child’s education at an independent school. Depending on the school’s needs, you may serve as a classroom aide, field trip chaperone, or creative consultant for plays or arts festivals. You may provide a helping hand at special events, such as the school auction. Or you may contribute your unique perspective to high-level decision making as a board member.
Perhaps you never thought about why volunteering can be so beneficial to you as a parent.
For one thing, it lets you meet other parents who can give you deeper insights into the lives of your children and their classmates. (How much time do other kids spend on their homework? What projects and events are coming up that you haven’t heard of? And when your child says, “Everybody else is doing it” – are they really?) Meeting fellow parents may also enhance your professional connections and personal friendships.
For another thing, volunteering lets you really get to know your child’s school: who the staff and volunteer leaders are, why the school does what it does, and how the mission is carried out.
But perhaps most importantly, volunteering is an expression of your interest in, and commitment to, your child’s daily life. Here’s advice on how to make the most of volunteering.
Start by volunteering for an existing task. Don’t leap in with your own project until you’ve found out what the school says it needs. True, you know your own child. But the school knows its own culture. Ideally the school will make your proper role clear, including helping you distinguish between your positions as a parent and as a volunteer. Especially in the classroom, it’s important to remember that you’re there for the entire group, not just your child.
Shape your desire to volunteer to your ability to pitch in. Obviously volunteering is difficult if yours is a two-career family with no time to contribute during the day. In this case, let the PTO and school know you’re interested in activities that take place outside of business hours. Or seek out a short-term project, such as hosting a dinner.
Volunteer your expertise. We appreciate help from parents experienced with technology/computer upkeep, real estate, or insurance. This kind of volunteering may be especially suitable for working parents.
Consider the many ways in which you can help with fundraising. This may be as simple as pitching in on the yearly auction or making annual fund calls as part of the phonathon. Some parents even come to enjoy asking for money on behalf of a cause to which they feel committed. (Yes, really.)
The bottom line is this: Your gift supports the people and programs that make our school so special. This means talented teachers, small classes, reading and math resources that many other schools simply can’t afford, and exceptional offerings in everything from the arts to golf. While your child is in school, all this translates to more personal attention, increase intellectual stimulation, better discipline, and more rigor. In the future, it will mean greater credibility behind the academic credentials your child will possess throughout life.
Gifts are necessary because tuition gives your child access to more than you’re paying for. That’s why the school needs an endowment, auxiliary moneymaking activities, and, yes, fund raising. Because a school’s special resources drive the budget up, the school must turn to parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends for financial support.
Matching Gifts
What they are: As an employee benefit, more than 550 American corporations match their staff’s philanthropic contributions. Matching gifts allow you to double or triple your gift to a school.
How they work: After confirming that your employer is indeed matching gift corporation, get a matching gift form (usually from the human resources department), fill it out, and send it to the school with your gift. The school’s development office then submits the form to the company’s matching gift department, which sends the check directly to the school.
Participation
What it is: The percentage of parents who give a gift of any size to a school. All independent schools aim for 100 percent participation in the annual fund.
Why it’s so important: High participation is a vote of confidence, a sign that parents invest in their children’s welfare and support the school’s mission. This percentage can also have an impact on gifts from outside sources; most foundations consider parent participation rates before agreeing to donate funds to a school.
The Annual Giving Campaign is yearly and provides funding over and above tuition and fees. As with most private schools, tuition only covers a portion of the monies needed to educate your children. Therefore, participation in this campaign is essential to the continued maintenance of our school program.
The Library Fund is a way to acknowledge your child’s birthday by purchasing a book for the library in your child’s name. It is also a great way to say thank you or honor anyone at any time.
PTO Activities are crucial assets in providing services for the students and faculty. The PTO is a strong link between the school and families. They are also a great way to connect families and make friends.
Our continued success depends upon your participation and support. We greatly value your support
PTO
MISSION
Our mission and intention is to enhance the educational experience of all of our students. We create and support Mitzvah projects, foster a sense of community with social events and raise money to fund and support school programs and needs. We provide a strong link between the School and families. We have a close-knit relationship with the teachers. This allows us to supply them with what they need.
VOLUNTEERISM
The PTO supports fundraising, social and Mitzvah activities during the school year. Some of these functions are: Muffins for Mom, Donuts for Dads, the annual Arts Festival and more. Your participation in the PTO is an extremely valuable and important contribution. We could not accomplish our goals without the time and dedication of our parent volunteers. You are absolutely essential to the success of your child’s/children’s life at The Day School. All parents with children from the Toddlers to Eighth Graders are part of the PTO. You are invited to attend all PTO meetings. We welcome and encourage your involvement, energy and ideas. There are many opportunities for you to volunteer. Please go to the PTO link of The Day School (listed below) to print out the volunteer form.
A NOTE FROM OUR LIBRRIAN
Welcome to a brand new school year. Here at the Myerberg Library, we’re excited to be back, and are looking forward to the year. This year, we’re excited to continue library programming, such as author visits, book clubs, and special reading incentive programs!
Each class will be visiting the library on a bi-weekly basis. During the library period, we’ll be hear great stories, learn important research skills, and of course, borrow library books.
Students in Morah Marcin’s class will be allowed to check out one book at a time. All other students will be allowed to borrow two books at a time. Books are loaned for a two-week period. Overdue notices will be sent out to students twice a month. After two notices, the books will be considered lost and a replacement fee will be charged. The average cost of a book in our library is $15.00. If the book is found within 4 weeks, we will refund your money. In addition, a fee will also be charged for any book that is damaged beyond repair. We would appreciate your help in caring for library books: please have your child set a special place in the home where library books are kept away from younger siblings and pets. In addition, books should be kept in a plastic grocery bag within your child’s book bag, away from water and food. Accidental spills and heavy rain may result in damaged books.
The Myerberg Library is an exciting place to be, and we are looking forward to a fun year, filled with tons of great books. If you have comments or suggestions about these guidelines, please do not hesitate to contact me. Furthermore, if you have suggestions for books or a library program, or would like to serve as a volunteer, please let me know. I can be reached at (410)764-1867, ext. 271, or via email (rlewin@bhcds.org).
Looking forward,
Rachel Lewin
Librarian
The Day School at Baltimore Hebrew
Birthday Book Program
to benefit
The Myerberg Library
The collection of our library has continued to grow because of your participation in the Birthday Book Donation program. This program was designed to honor our children on their birthdays, while at the same time, help build our school’s library collection.
Please consider honoring your child with a donation to the Myerberg Library. At the time of your child’s birthday, he/she will select a book from the “new book shelf.” A special bookplate will be made and placed in the book. In addition, your child will also have the honor of being the first one to check the book out of the library.
Birthdays occurring between the months of September and June will be acknowledged during the school year. Birthdays occurring during the months of July and August will be acknowledged on your child’s first visit to the library when school resumes in September.
If you would like to honor your child with a donation, please complete the form below and return to The Day School office, c/o Morah Lewin, along with a check in the amount of $15.00 made payable to Myerbeg Library.
If you have any questions, please contact the library at 410.764.1867 ext. 271
or rlewin@bhcds.org.
Sincerely,
Rachel Lewin
School Librarian
A gift for the Myerberg Library has been presented by:
Name:__________________________________ Phone:____________________
Relationship to Child:___________________________________
IN HONOR OF:
Child’s Name:____________________________
Date of Birth:___________________
The Day School at Baltimore Hebrew
Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
2010 – 2011
The school offers various types of technology resources, including Internet access for educational purposes only. The term “educational purposes” includes classroom activities and limited high-quality self-discovery activities as directed by teachers and administrators.
Adherence to the following policy is necessary for continued access to the school’s technology resources.
Students must:
1. Respect and protect the privacy of others.
- Not view, use, or copy passwords data, or networks to which they are not authorized.
- Not distribute private information about others or themselves.
- Use only assigned accounts, if they have been established by teachers.
2. Respect and protect the integrity, availability, and security of all electronic resources.
- Observe all network security practices as described by teachers.
- Report all security risks or violations to a teacher.
- Not destroy or damage data, networks or other resources that do not belong to them.
- Conserve, protect, and share these resources with other students and Internet users in the school.
3. Respect and protect the intellectual property of others.
- Not infringe copyrights (no making illegal copies of music, games, or movies).
- Not plagiarize.
4. Respect and practice the principles of community.
- Communicate only in ways that are kind and respectful.
- Report threatening or discomforting materials to a teacher.
- Not intentionally access, transmit, copy, or create material that violates the school’s code of conduct (such as messages that are pornographic, threatening, rude, discriminatory, or meant to harass).
- Not intentionally access, transmit, copy or create material that is illegal (such as obscenity, stolen materials, or illegal copies of copyrighted works).
- Not use the resources to further other acts that are criminal or violate the school’s code of conduct.
- Not send spam, chain letters, or other mass unsolicited mailings.
- Not buy, sell, advertise, or otherwise conduct business, unless approved as a school project.
Students may, if in accord with the policy above:
- Design and post web pages and other material from school resources under teacher supervision.
- Install and download software, if also in conformity with laws and licenses and under teacher supervision.
- Use the resources for and educational purpose.
- Free Speech:
- The school is considered a limited forum and therefore may restrict the speech of students for valid educational reasons. The school will not restrict speech on the basis of disagreement with the opinions expressed unless those opinions are deemed harmful to any individuals.
- Search and Seizure:
- Students should expect limited privacy of personal files stored on any school system. Routine maintenance of resources may lead to discovery that violations have occurred to this policy, the code of conduct, or the law.
- Individual searches may occur if there is reasonable suspicion that there has been a violation. The investigation will be reasonable and related to the suspected violation.
- Parents have the right at any time to see the contents of student files.
- Due Process:
- The school will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation related to any illegal activities conducted through the school.
- In the event that there is a claim that a student has violated this policy or the code of conduct related to technology use, the student will be provided with written or verbal notice of the suspected violation and an opportunity to present an explanation. Possible disciplinary action may result at the discretion of the Head of School or her designee.
Limitations of Liability:
The school makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or through the school system will be error-free or without defect. the school will not be responsible for any damage suffered, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruption of service. The school is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system. The school will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through unauthorized use of the system.
Consequences for Violations:
Appropriate discipline for student violations will be determined by the Head of School or her designee. Violations of policy guidelines, or any state or federal rule or regulation, may result in disciplinary action beginning with loss of use of resource privileges and up to and including expulsion. Violations which may be criminal in nature will be referred to law enforcement officials.
Parent and Student Agreement
I UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT MY OBLIGATIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THE SCHOOL ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY. I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I VIOLATE THE RULES IN THIS POLICY MY USE OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES MAY BE TERMINATED AND I MAY FACE OTHER DISCIPLINARY MEASURES.
I UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT MY OBLIGATIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THE PARENT AND STUDENT HANDBOOK. I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I VIOLATE ANY OF THE RULES OR GUIDELINES, AS A STUDENT, I MAY FACE VARIOUS DISCIPLINARY MEASURES.
Student Name (Print): _______________________________________________________
Grade: ________________________ Date: _____________________________________
Student Signature: __________________________________________________________
Parent or Guardian Signature: _________________________________________________
Printable pdf Signature page (Only)
