ATTENDANCE
For students to benefit from our program, parents must assure their child’s attendance at Religious School. They should inform the teacher about absences, tardiness, and early dismissal. If possible, this notification should be done before the student will be missing class. We ask that the parents work with the child and teacher to make up the work that was missed.
Teachers will maintain accurate and consistent attendance records and will contact the parents after three consecutive absences in order to remain aware of each child’s situation and, if necessary, arrange make-up work.
If a student accumulates more than three unexcused absences during the year, that student will be considered to have been excessively absent. It may be required that the student do additional work in order to meet the standards for advancement to the next grade level.
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
We ask parents to please drop off your children before 9:00 a.m. All students should report to the sanctuary where we will have a short prayer service, sometimes a story, sometimes a discussion. Students who arrive prior to 9:00 will be eligible for a prize drawing – an official Congregation Or Ami envelope with a $2 bill inside.
Students must remain in class and on Temple grounds, except for field trips, during the entire school session.
Every student must remain inside the dismissal area until the parent or carpool comes to meet the student at the end of the school session. Teachers will assist in the supervision of students during the dismissal period.
The safety of our children must be our #1 concern. PLEASE drive slowly and carefully in the parking lot, and use extreme patience and caution when entering Huguenot Road from the driveway!
COURTESY AND DECORUM
We expect that all students will behave with respect for themselves and others, as well as for the Temple and our environment. Conducting oneself in a respectful way within the classroom and the sanctuary includes:
- Respecting other classes by talking and walking quietly in the halls and outside the building.
- Listening when someone else is talking.
- Answering politely.
- Being considerate of others and their possessions.
- Following the instructions and/or requests of teachers and adults.
- Being courteous to friends, visitors, and adults.
- Using clean, respectful language
ROLE OF THE PARENT
No Religious School – no matter how excellent it is – can make Jews out children without the active participation and support of the parents! To be effective, Jewish education MUST be a partnership between the school and the home. Below are ways that you, the parent, can become a fully active partner in this process:
Be a “Dear” Volunteer!
Or Ami has always been and continues to be a congregation made possible by the efforts of its congregants. Please help us in any of the capacities below:
- Substitute Teacher (volunteer or small stipend)
- Teacher Helpers support the teacher, adding another caring adult presence in the class, either long-term or short term.
- Education Committee meets once a month and is responsible for supervising the school, setting policies, and developing the curriculum. For more information, contact chairpersons Sue Shires and Dell Berlinerman.
- Room Parents assist classroom teachers upon request, make phone calls, help with snack schedule, organize class dinners, etc.
- Office Helpers answer the phone, count Tzedakah, make copies, etc.
- Special Events Committees help to plan, manage, and execute special events including Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, Teacher Appreciation, and the family picnic.
- Public Relations person sends out announcements about upcoming school events open to the public
Be a Role Model!
There can be no question that it is the parents who will be their children’s most important role model. Here are some things you can do:
- Make Shabbat a regular part of your week and Jewish holidays a regular part of your year. Have dinner together on Friday nights. Light the Shabbat candles. Say the kiddush over the wine and the motzi over the challah. Come to Temple to pray. Do a havdallah ceremony on Saturday evening.
- Fill your home with Jewish books, music, and artwork. Put a mezuzah on your doorpost.
- Be positive about Jewish education. Don’t tell them that you hated Sunday School – it’s actually much more fun no. Let them know how important it is to you that they learn.
- Continue your own Jewish education. There are many opportunities at Or Ami and in the wider Richmond Jewish community. Contact Rabbi Koller or the Religious School for more information.
- Do an ongoing family mitzvah (good deed). Visit the infirmed and shut-ins. Feed the hungry. Cheer up the depressed. There is so much to do towards tikun olam (“the repair of the world”).
- If you want your child to grow up to be a mensch (a good, ethical person), then be a mensch yourself. Treat people the way you would want your child to treat others. Remember, he/she is watching!
Contact the school office for details – call the school at 272-0017 or email :