SOUTH COUNTY HEBREW SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

HANDBOOK

At South County Hebrew School, we recognize that a strong Jewish education has a significant impact on the development of a sound and secure Jewish identity. Our School communicates to our children the joy of being Jewish in a creative and nurturing environment. Our comprehensive curriculum encourages our children to explore their heritage and stimulate cultural, ethnic and religious awareness. Our programming is designed to synthesize the Jewish values of the home and synagogue.

Our school prides itself on providing our students with qualified, experienced and caring teachers who are understanding of the needs of our students. Lesson plans are specifically tailored to the individual needs of our students with a special emphasis on caring, sensitivity to cultural differences and, above all, understanding.

Our curriculum is focused on areas that will provide our students with an opportunity to become active and knowledgeable adults who are able to understand what it means to be Jewish both at home and in their synagogue. Although we realize that a limited number of schooling hours each week may not be enough time to teach culture, history, tradition, and a foreign language, we believe that this time period creates a good balance between the school environment, socialization with peers, and the practical application of learned values and concepts in the home.

Our class activities focus on five areas of instruction: Hebrew, Bible, Holidays, History, and Ethics. Children learn customary prayers and are introduced to various aspects of religious services throughout the year. Sunday School classes (grades pre-K – 7) are from 9:30AM to 12:00PM, and Hebrew School classes (grades 4 – 7) are from 4:00PM – 6:00PM on Wednesday.

Twice yearly, parents receive a "Report to Parents" evaluating the students’ conduct, effort, and attitude. This report also provides both teachers and parents with a tool for communication through written comments, or a request for a follow-up teacher-parents conference.

An Open House in the beginning of the school year provides us the opportunity to explain our curriculum more fully, and to give parents a chance to ‘experience’ their children’s schedule. In addition, our parents and families are updated on important activities and events through our school newsletter, "The Kibitzer".

Our school is a parent-run school that is operated primarily through our Board of Trustees and our school Principal. The Board is comprised solely of concerned parents who, along with other volunteers throughout the year, coordinate the many details associated with our school through our fundraising, communications, refreshments, and social activities committees. A school representative coordinates the sign-up of volunteers during the first two weeks of school. We strongly encourage parent participation at all levels and we welcome inquiries from parents who are interested in joining our Board and its many committees.

Registration packets are mailed in August to parents of returning students. Appropriate forms, with tuition payment, are due back on the first day of school for the new year.

Registration for new students is on the first day of school. Our school is totally self-sufficient and school tuition covers all expenditures, which are further supported through contributions and fundraising activities.

Scholarships are available to parents with financial needs. Parents seeking financial aid must contact the School’s Treasurer before the beginning of the school year. Financial obligations must be met for a child to be registered. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential.

Our school does not have a formal association with a local Temple; however we have a very special relationship with Temple Beth David in Narragansett. School families will determine appropriate Bar/Bat Mitzvah dates with their Temple or affiliation of choice, and our school will work with each family to assist in the coordination scheduling. Our 6^th and 7^th grades are generally introduced to Bar/Bat Mitzvah prayers and rituals during the school year, although, Torah and Haftorah readings are more formally taught through outside tutoring.

In the event that a Sunday School or Hebrew School session is cancelled, announcements will be made on WPRO (AM 630) by 7:00AM. Hebrew School will not be held on any day in which South Kingston Public Schools are cancelled.

We want to hear from parents and be responsive to concerns. However, just before and during school hours, our attention must be focused entirely on the students. We will make every effort to return phone messages as soon as possible, and/or arrange for appointments at a mutually convenient time. School related issues should be directed to the school Principal.

Is there anything we should know about your child that will help us create a better and more positive experience for him/her? Special needs services are available through the Bureau of Jewish Education (BJE). Please contact the principal of the school to discuss your needs. All information is handled sensitively and confidentially.

Our school enjoys a close working relationship with the BJE. Our staff and students participate in BJE sponsored teacher conferences and inter-school activities. The BJE is available as a valuable resource for other curricular projects. Teachers utilized the BJE Resource Room for both ideas and materials. In addition, the School Principal is closely affiliated with the BJE throughout the year.