Guide to Schechter 2019-2020 / 5779-5780 Parent-Student Handbook
Guide to Schechter 2019-2020 / 5779-5780 Parent-Student Handbook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents Letter From Our Head of School....... 4 Mission and Statement of Philosophy....... 5 Important Phone Numbers & Office Hours....... 7 School Routines...... 8 Security and Emergency Procedures...... 12 Health Policies...... 16 Academic Policies and Procedures...... 22 Academic Honesty Policy (Middle School) ...... 23 Jewish Communal Life and Religious Policies/Practices....... 27 Kashrut and Food...... 29 Dress Code....... 34 Early Childhood (Gan 3’s, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten)...... 34 Lower School (Grades 1-5)...... 34 Middle School (Grades 6-8)...... 35 Behavioral Philosophy and Expectations....... 37 Middle School Code of Conduct....... 42 Technology and Devices Acceptable Use Policy....... 44 The Kaplen Library and Our Reading Program...... 48 Fundraising at a Glance....... 50 Volunteering at SSDS....... 52 Online Privacy Policy....... 57
Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County 275 McKinley Ave, New Milford, New Jersey 07646 Phone: 201-262-9898 | Fax: 201-262-3026 | Web: www.ssdsbergen.org
SSDS Bergen County Parent-Student Handbook 2019-20/5779-80 3 Letter From Our Head of School
August 2019 Tammuz 5779
Dear Schechter Families:
It is my pleasure to welcome new and returning students and families to SSDS for the 2019-20/5779-80 school year. It is also my pleasure to introduce you to our first digital Parent and Student Handbook. I encourage you to save it on your personal device and print it for handy reference.
An outstanding educational experience for our children requires cooperation among parents, educators and children. We share the desire that every school day be filled with learning, joy and awe. The information in this handbook will enable you to be our partners in providing our children with an excellent education in a caring and supportive Jewish environment.
All policies and procedures in this handbook have been developed to reflect Jewish teaching and to foster Jewish values and Mitzvot [commandments]. We have set sound educational standards to promote learning, and we have established a high standard that recognizes the role of the Jew to create holiness in the everyday.
This Parent and Student Handbook outlines the policies and procedures that we follow at SSDS and to which we expect families to adhere. It includes daily routines as well as our philosophical outlook and mission statement. We trust that this handbook will be a valuable resource to you.
On behalf of our entire faculty and staff, we extend our wishes for a successful school year, and a sweet New Year full of health and happiness to you and your family.
B’Shalom,
Steve Freedman Head of School
SSDS Bergen County Parent-Student Handbook 2019-20/5779-80 4 Mission and Statement of Philosophy
Our Mission
Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County is an International Baccalaureate- authorized (Middle Years Programme), nationally accredited premier Jewish day school dedicated to world-class academics. A rich dual curriculum and experienced teachers challenge our students to become active independent learners and encourage each child’s curiosity and creativity. Our open and inclusive community fosters respect for others and a commitment to Jewish values, practices, texts, and Tikkun Olam [repairing the world]. We develop our students’ fluency in the Hebrew language, and inspire Ahavat Yisrael, a love of the State of Israel. Our goal is to build the foundation on which our children will grow into confident, intellectually inquisitive and compassionate adults who will contribute to both the Jewish and world communities.
Statement of Philosophy
SSDS is a Jewish day school that recognizes diverse forms of Jewish practice and welcomes Jewish students of varying religious backgrounds. This diversity requires consistency in observance of Jewish ritual practice within our school and at outside school-sanctioned events and milestone celebrations in order to create a Makom Kodesh [sacred space]. We consider the entire building, and by extension, our Schechter community events, to be similar to the sanctuary of a synagogue. This should affect the way we treat the building itself and one another, and should be a guiding principle and reminder for how we should conduct ourselves within the building and at all Schechter events.
We are proud to have an enriched curriculum that integrates two great cultures, Jewish and Western. It is our goal to instill in our students pride in and commitment to both Jewish and American values. Our curriculum strives to help students achieve academic excellence in both English and Hebrew language arts, mathematics, social science, general science and Judaic studies, as well as music, art, and physical education. We integrate material taught within each grade, as well as within curricular areas across grade levels. Recognizing that curiosity is a key motivation for learning, our approach fosters inquiry, facilitating our students’ ability to question and to learn independently. By reinforcing critical thinking, analysis, and problem solving, we help prepare our students to become lifelong learners.
We nurture in our children an allegiance to Torah in its broadest sense, encompassing all fields of Jewish studies. We encourage positive relations among people and between
SSDS Bergen County Parent-Student Handbook 2019-20/5779-80 5 Mission and Statement of Philosophy
the human and the Divine – relationships that are expressed in part, through the observance of Mitzvot [commandments]. Our quest for G-d includes, as central, Torah and Tefillah [prayer], as well as the ability to reach beyond us. In encouraging positive relations among people, we emphasize the sanctity of life, the need to respect and get along with others, a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the broader Jewish community, and to the State of Israel. We are committed to complete equality of opportunity for both boys and girls in religious as well as secular life.
We serve a student body from diverse social, intellectual, and economic backgrounds. The nurturing environment that our teachers provide enhances each student’s personal development. It is our belief that students develop self-esteem and “grit” by completing difficult tasks and fulfilling responsibilities, and that these accomplishments promote their happiness. Thus through our Early Childhood, Lower School, and Middle School programs, our school creates and enhances opportunities for each child to experience the joy of learning. Finally, our school is a dynamic institution, ever striving to achieve its highest goals and open to assessing its progress.
SSDS Bergen County Parent-Student Handbook 2019-20/5779-80 6 Important Phone Numbers & Office Hours
Main School Number 201-262-9898 School Fax Number 201-262-3026
School Office Hours (September – June) Summer Office Hours Monday - Friday 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM except 1:45 PM July (M-Th, 9 AM -3 PM; F, 9 AM – 2 PM) Friday dismissals (November 1, 2019 – March 13, 2020) August (M-Th, 8 AM – 4 PM; F, 8 AM – 2 PM)
Whom Should I Call? Name Extension / Email Head of School Steve Freedman Ext. 208 / [email protected]
Director of Academic Affairs Andrew Katz Ext. 220 / [email protected]
Middle School Principal & School Rabbi Rabbi Fred Elias Ext. 285 / [email protected]
Assistant Middle School Principal & IB Coordinator Jennifer Coxe Ext. 215/[email protected]
Early Childhood & Lower School Principal & Director, Judaic Ricky Stamler-Goldberg Ext. 185 / [email protected] Studies Early Childhood & Lower School Principal, General Studies Lauren Goldman-Brown Ext. 207/ [email protected]
School Psychologist Dr. Ilana Kustanowitz Ext. 284 / [email protected]
Director of Student Services Leslie Teicher Ext. 172 / [email protected]
Director of Finance & Operations Ronni Brenner Ext. 224 / [email protected]
Director of Institutional Advancement Michelle Weinraub Ext.277 / [email protected]
Director of Admissions Charlotte Carter Ext. 203 / [email protected]
Director of Marketing & Communications Leah K. Silberstein Ext. 286 / [email protected]
Absences Ext. 0 / [email protected]
Admissions Tours, Assessments Charlotte Carter Ext. 203 / [email protected]
Athletic Program Garry Schragenheim Ext. 253 / [email protected]
Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Graduation, Israel Encounter Audrey Bickel Ext. 213 / [email protected]
Coordinator, Jewish Life Yoni Shear Ext. 210 / [email protected]
DDC 360° Parent Portal Help Desk Seth Guttenplan Ext. 205 / [email protected]
Dismissal/Transportation Changes Sylvia Margulies Ext. 0 / [email protected]
Early Childhood Inquiries Lynda Tortorello Ext. 211 / [email protected]
General Business Office Inquiries Rena Liebman Ext. 212 / [email protected]
Head of School Appointments Ruhama Shemesh Ext. 287 / [email protected]
Health Forms, Immunizations, Medications, Screenings Debbie Mendeloff, RN Ext. 209 / [email protected]
Hugim (After-School) & Extended Day Care Susan Liebmann Ext. 0 / [email protected]
Kaplen Library Beryl Bresgi Ext. 217 / [email protected]
Lower School Inquiries Lynda Tortorello Ext. 211 / [email protected]
Middle School Inquiries Lynda Tortorello Ext. 211 / [email protected]
Security Ronni Brenner Ext. 224 / [email protected]
Special Friends Day Elisheva Mayerhoff Ext. 277 / [email protected]
Tuition Payment Plans Nancy Rotella Ext. 278 / [email protected]
SSDS Bergen County Parent-Student Handbook 2019-20/5779-80 7 School Routines
Attendance
Every school day counts in a child’s academic life; a missed school day is a lost opportunity to learn. All students must be in the building by 8 AM; otherwise they will be marked as late. Students arriving late to school must check in at the main office. Middle School students arriving after 7:55 AM should proceed directly to morning Tefillah [prayer].
Classroom Hours
Early Childhood & Lower School (Gan 3’s - Grade 5): 8 AM - 3:15 PM, except for those Fridays on which there are 1:45 PM dismissals.
Middle School: 8 AM - 4 PM Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 8 AM - 3:15 PM Wednesdays, Fridays, except for those Fridays on which there are 1:45 PM dismissals.
School Office Hours
Regular hours are from 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM, except for those Fridays on which there are 1:45 PM dismissals, when the school’s Main Office will remain open until 2:30 PM. Summer months: In July, Monday - Thursday, 9 AM - 3 PM; Fridays, 9 AM - 2 PM. In August, Monday - Thursday, 8 AM - 4 PM; Fridays, 8 AM - 2 PM.
To Report an Absence
Email [email protected] before 8:45 AM; after that, students will be marked absent.
Extended Absences
Students absent from school for an extended period of time must provide a doctor’s note that they are cleared to return to school. After eight unexcused absences (excluding those documented by a doctor), parents and students will be required to meet with school administration and redress ways the student can make up the lost learning time.
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Arrival and Dismissal
When a student needs to be dismissed early he or she must be signed out. The student will then be called to the office.
Drop-off and Dismissal
Drop-off and dismissal are both particularly busy times at the school, making the need for cooperation an imperative for our parents, staff, and visitors. Please make sure to follow security instructions and cooperate with security and senior administrative officials during these and all other times.
Listed below are the procedures to follow during drop-off and dismissal: • All vehicles should enter school grounds exclusively from the main McKinley Avenue vehicle entrance, and exit only from the Grove Street vehicle exit. • All vehicles must have a vehicle tag on display at all times when approaching school property. • All parents and staff must wear their ID tags when in or approaching school property. • If you do not have your proper ID tags, be prepared to show your driver’s license to security for verification. • Note that all vehicles and bags are subject to search when on school property. • Please do NOT stop to speak to security, especially during arrival and dismissal times. It is critical that security be free of distraction and allowed to do their jobs during these sensitive times. • All parents must sign out their children prior to leaving the school before regular dismissal time.
Morning Drop-Off
• Students in our Gan 3’s program are dropped off by parent/guardian in their classroom. • Pre-K and Kindergarten report directly to their classrooms, preferably, without accompaniment of parent/guardian. • First-Fourth Graders report directly to the gym via the lobby; Fifth Graders drop off their belongings in their classrooms and then go to Tefillah. • Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Graders go directly to their first-period classrooms.
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Afternoon Carpool Pick-Up
The designated person for pick-up is required to show an SSDS-issued Parent ID. If the designated person does not have the ID at the time of pick-up, the person must go to the School Office and present a driver’s license to secure a pass. • Students in Gan 3’s-Fifth Grade who carpool home will assemble in the gym. Parents, guardians, or designated pick-up individuals should wait by the side door of the gym for students to be called to that door by the teacher who is overseeing dismissal. • Middle School students who carpool home assemble in the lobby or gym. Parents, guardians, or designated pick-up individuals should wait by the front door for students to be called by the teacher who is overseeing dismissal.
Afternoon Bus Dismissal
Students in Pre-K - Fifth Grade riding a bus home should report to their designated “bus rooms.” From there, a Schechter “bus teacher” overseeing dismissal will call them to their buses.
Important Note: Please make any changes to your child’s pick-up arrangements via the DDC 360° parent portal (https://portal.ssdsbergen.org/portal). Please email all afternoon bus changes or bus-related requests to dismissal@ ssdsbergen.org before 1:30 PM on regular dismissal days, before 10:30 AM on noon dismissal days, and before 11:30 AM on 1:45 PM Friday dismissals.
School Delays / Closures / Early Dismissals
It is the school’s intention to hold school as scheduled according to the school calendar that is provided to SSDS families at the beginning of each academic year. Only the Head of School or designee will determine if there are conditions that present danger to students and/or staff that warrants the closing of school. It is not the intent of the school to supplant the judgment of parents/guardians relative to the safety of their child(ren). Some parents/guardians may elect not to send their child(ren) to school in severe weather. As much as possible, the school will avoid delayed starts and early dismissals due to bad weather.
Announcements of school delays, closures, or early dismissals will be made directly to parents via the One Call Now Notification System (phone and opt-in text), which will be
SSDS Bergen County Parent-Student Handbook 2019-20/5779-80 10 School Routines
used to notify parents, faculty, and staff no later than 6 AM should school be cancelled or delayed due to weather conditions or emergency. One Call Now is an opt-in service; to sign up to receive school text messages, type ALERT to 22300 from your cell phone.
For safety and security purposes, it is required that each SSDS family, faculty, and staff members provide the school with a correct phone number to be able to receive a voice message and to opt-in at the beginning of each school year in order to be able to receive a text message from the school.
Early Fridays
Friday dismissals, which run from November 1, 2019 through March 6, 2020, will be at 1:45 PM.
Routine Security Procedures
Security is fundamental to the procedures SSDS carries out during the school week. Except for arrival and dismissal times, the school’s front gate will be closed and visitors will be admitted through a camera-enabled system monitored by our security team.
During the day, the building will remain locked; a security guard is always present in the front lobby to address any issues that may arise.
Visitors
Parents and visitors are always welcome at SSDS. To minimize disruptions to the learning environment and educational process, as well as for the safety and security of all our students and staff members, we ask that parents not remain in the building after drop-off or prior to dismissal, unless present for a specific, authorized purpose. All visits should be arranged in advance through the School Office and all visitors must inform the school of the purpose of the visit. Parents and visitors entering the building, and who will be in the building while classes are in session, must present their driver’s license at the security desk, and wear a visitor badge.
SSDS Bergen County Parent-Student Handbook 2019-20/5779-80 11 Security and Emergency Procedures
Security is of utmost importance at Solomon Schechter, making it is an essential element of being able to function as a dynamic, happy, and safe haven of Jewish and secular learning. This is a mission our school embodies with its four pillars of world- class academics, joyful Judaism, a strong moral compass, and a warm, inclusive community. It also requires the partnership and support of our faculty, staff, parents, and visitors, and we appreciate your assistance in helping to continue keeping our school safe. Below, we have highlighted some important elements of our school’s security plan. We ask for your full cooperation in order to help ensure the safety and security of all students, staff, parents, and visitors to our school.
A few reminders when visiting the school: • Enter the school grounds exclusively from the main vehicle entrance on McKinley Avenue. Pedestrians may enter school property from the Grove Street entrance when that gate is open during arrival and dismissal. • All faculty, staff, parents, guardians, caregivers, students, and visitors are required to enter and exit the building from the main front entrance. Please do not attempt to enter or exit from any other entrance. • Faculty and staff may not open emergency exit doors without notifying and receiving permission from a school security team member. • All faculty and staff must notify security of any expected visitors, including parents. • If you are picking up your child at dismissal, please wait on line and stand closer to the wall to allow pedestrian traffic flow in and out of the building. When a child has been picked up, please move away from the door to help keep the line moving. • Reinforcing our values and in the spirit of cooperation, parents and caregivers arriving to pick up a child should expect to wait on line in an organized fashion and refrain from joining friends arriving beforehand. • Please make sure to wear your parent/staff/visitor ID tag before arriving on school property and throughout your visit. • Visitors without an ID tag will be required to show ID prior to entry into the school. • As part of our security protocol, parents, visitors, faculty, and staff may be subject to questioning and search when on school property. • As part of our security protocol, when a person’s ID is scanned through the school’s security system, ID information will be verified and stored, and individuals may be subject to an automatic criminal and sexual predator background check prior to the issue of a visitor tag. • All persons and vehicles are subject to a routine search when on school property.
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• Before photographing students, faculty, or staff, please secure the permission of the school’s Director of Operations (Ronni Brenner) and all those involved, and/or advise our security team and staff. Likewise, please refrain from posting on social media without permission.
Vehicle and Gate Parking
During school hours, the main vehicle gate on McKinley Avenue will be closed.
Please follow the instructions listed below when approaching the gate with your vehicle: • Stop your vehicle as close as you can to the main vehicle gate without touching it. • Make sure your vehicle tag is clearly displayed for security. • Roll down the front *passenger-side* window and speak clearly into the intercom when prompted by security. Important Note: The Town of New Milford regulations require the school to place the intercom and access control system on the right (passenger) side of approaching vehicles. We understand this is not ideal and appreciate your cooperation. • Answer all questions in a loud and clear voice, explaining who you are and the purpose of your visit to the school. • For your own protection and those in the building, please do not “piggyback” by following a pre-screened vehicle ahead of you. Please wait your turn to ensure our security team has time to properly vet each entering vehicle. • When exiting school property by vehicle (should the gate be closed), please approach the main gate and position your vehicle in the white box painted on the pavement. This will help automatically open the gate. Please wait until the gate is fully open prior to exiting. • If a vehicle is being screened at the vehicle gate prior to receiving entry into the school, please be patient and do not attempt to exit prior to allowing security to properly vet those seeking entry onto the property.
Parent, Faculty, and Staff Vehicle Tags
All parents, caregivers, faculty, and staff are required to wear their respective ID tags while on school property. All vehicle tags must be displayed in your vehicle prior to gaining entry on to school property. • You will be notified at the beginning of the school year to register and pick up your ID and vehicle tags from the Main Office.
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• Be sure to have your vehicle description, including license plate # and state, prior to picking up your vehicle ID tag. • Even if security and staff know who you are, please be sure to display your personal and ID tags whenever on school property. • Report lost of stolen tags immediately to the main office and security.
Reporting Suspicious Activity
We ask your partnership in immediately reporting to a member of our security team all suspicious activity. Be sure to include any relevant photos, license plates, or other identifying information. Do not delay in writing down/recording this information. Be sure to report this information to security (not just the office or a staff member), and relay any and all relevant information. The school may request that you fill out a Suspicious Activity Report to log the incident in question. If you spot an immediate threat, please report it to security and call 911.
School Visits During a Drill or Emergency
Schechter conducts regular emergency drills throughout the school year, and without prior notification, to faculty, staff, students, or visitors. If you are a parent, caregiver, or visitor to the school during a school drill or emergency, please follow all security and staff instructions. Do not attempt to pick up your child during this time, and please do not interfere with the activities of the staff. If you are unsure whether what you are witnessing is a drill or a real emergency, be sure to ask! For security purposes, photography during school drills or emergency procedures is prohibited. We appreciate your cooperation.
Our Safety Protocol
All students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors should ensure proper protocol when at the school. This includes the following: • Comments deemed to be a possible threat to the school or anyone within the school will be taken seriously. In order to avoid these situations, please advise your children about proper language when on school property. For questions or concerns regarding this issue, please consult with our school psychologist or a principal. • No weapons of any kind are allowed in school or on school grounds without prior written permission from school officials.
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• Toy weapons of any kind are not permitted in school or on school grounds at any time. This includes costumed events such as Purim or other special events. • Fireworks of any kind are not permitted on school property at any time. • Clothing that contains threatening or inappropriate language is not permitted to be worn on school property or at offsite school-sanctioned events. • In the event of an incident or concern, direct and report all issues to school security, or the nearest administrator. • All masks and other apparel that may cover the face and make it difficult to be visually identified is prohibited while on school property.
In the Event of an Emergency
In the rare event of a school emergency, parents and family members’ immediate reaction is to rush to the school to pick up their child. In fact, a large number of parents arriving at the school may heighten the risk to students. Parents should avoid hampering the work of emergency responders, and instead take the following actions: • Monitor voice, text messages, and emails for information on school closures or emergency dismissals. • Remain calm and cooperate with school and local emergency response agencies. • Be accessible to receive up-to-date recorded information on the emergency phone numbers you provided to the school before the beginning of each school year. • Refrain from calling the school during emergency situations so that the phone lines remain open and accessible for emergency communications. The school will send out information as conditions permit. • Be advised that all students must be accounted for before they can be released. Please do not remove your children from school without signing them out; this will greatly hamper efforts to account for everyone, and precious time will be wasted looking for what may be presumed to be a lost child.
For any non-emergency questions or concerns regarding the school’s security, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ronni Brenner, at [email protected].
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Required Health Forms
All forms listed below can be found on Schechter’s password-protected portal (DDC 360°) and must be completed and uploaded prior to the start of the school year.
Incoming Students (All entering Gan 3’s - Eighth Grade) In accordance with New Jersey Department of Education Administration Code, all new students entering Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County are required to provide their current health and immunization forms prior to school acceptance. Solomon Schechter does not accept religious exemptions.
• Universal Child Health Record • Immunization Record • A45 Form - Health History Appraisal for transfer students within the State of New Jersey • Asthma Action Plan - For students with Asthma, to be completed with your child’s physician • Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan - For students with food allergies, to be completed with your child’s physician
Returning Students (Gan 3’s - Eighth Grade) Parents and/or guardians are required to complete and/or upload the following documents, all of which are posted to DDC 360°:
• Medical History - Past/Present Medical Condition - questions must be answered for each child • Universal Child Health Record ( specific grades) • Dispensing of Medications • Authorization Form for Administration of Prescription Medication In School must be completed and signed by Physician and Parent and uploaded to DDC 360° • Prescription Medications - In strict accordance with New Jersey State health guidelines, any medications a student needs during the school day must be given directly to the school nurse in order to be administered. Medication must be in its original container and clearly labeled: • Name of each child • Name of medication • Date • Time
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• Whether refrigeration is necessary • No medication (prescription drugs including antibiotics) - may be or will be given to any student without a physician’s order stating the medicine, dosage, and frequency of use.
• Authorization for Administration of Over-the-Counter Medication – indicate which over-the-counter medicines you will permit our school nurse to provide to your child must be completed and signed by Physician and Parent. • Over-the-Counter Medications - The Nurse’s office stocks a general supply of over-the-counter medicines; this includes Tylenol, Advil, and cough medicine. If your child uses one of these specific medications on a frequent basis, please send in a supply to be used as needed.
Emergency Information
All students are required to have emergency information and contacts listed on Schechter’s password-protected parent portal, DDC 360°on file in order to begin the school year.
In-building Emergency Equipment
Automated External Defibrillators (AED) - SSDS has three Philips Heartstart Onsite AEDs; these are used to treat the most common causes of sudden cardiac arrest. A number of faculty members are certified in CPR and using the AED. There are two AEDs located on the first floor; one by the gym entrance and one in the Main office. There is a third AED located on the second floor next to the glass windows overlooking the lobby. The school also has a traveling AED for field trips and athletic events. The first two AED boxes also contain a “Stop the Bleed” kit, which are meant for severe bleeding and provide essential equipment that can assist faculty or staff to take action as immediate responders in stopping life threatening bleeding.
Epi-Pen Cabinets - Two allergy emergency kits are located in yellow boxes next to the AED cabinets; these contain an Epi-Pen 0.3 mg (over 66 lbs) and an Epi-Pen Jr. 0.15 (for 33-66 lbs). Important Note: Individually prescribed Epi-Pens for students are kept at the Nurse’s office and sent on class trips.
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Immunizations
New Jersey State Law requires that all students receive a series of immunizations and provide associated documentation before attending school. Our school does not accept religious exemptions for non-vaccination.
State of New Jersey requirements: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/imm_requirements/
State of New Jersey Department of Health Vaccine Preventable Disease Program provides guidelines for vaccine requirements, with charts to evaluate compliance: • Preschool – Three’s to Pre-K https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/cc_preschool_requirements-parents. pdf • Kindergarten to Eighth Grade https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/imm_requirements/k12_parents.pdf
Routine Screenings
Annual vision, hearing, height, weight and blood pressure are performed (Kindergarten- Eighth Grade) by Schechter’s school nurse as required by New Jersey State Law. Scoliosis screenings are conducted annually for current Fifth and Seventh Graders.
Illness Policy
To help control the spread of contagious illness at our school, please keep your child home based on the parameters listed below:
• Fever: a child must be fever-free for over 24 hours without being on any fever- reducing medications. • Strep: a child must be fever-free and having taken antibiotics for a full 24 hours before returning to school. • Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): If a bacterial medication is needed, a child must have taken an antibiotic eye drop or ointment for 24 hours before returning to school. • Vomiting: Remain home for 24 hours after your child has stopped vomiting. • Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (Coxsackie): Fever-free and 24 hours after your child ceases from drooling or complaining of mouth pain.
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• Other illnesses, please follow your child’s physicians advise. If you have any questions contact the Nurse’s office.
Please inform our school nurse about any contagious illness your child may have.
Returning to School After an Illness
If your child is out for an extended period of time, Schechter requires a doctor clearance note to return to school.
Head Lice Policy
Schechter does not send home students diagnosed with nits [eggs] or lice.
Our policy is based on updated clinical findings by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, all of which recommend discontinuing “No-Nit” policies that require a child to be free of nits before he or she can return to school for the following reasons: • Many nits are more than ¼ inch from the scalp. Such nits are usually not viable and very unlikely to hatch to become crawling lice, or may in fact be empty shells, also known as “casings.” • Nits are cemented to hair shafts and are very unlikely to be transferred successfully to other people. • The burden of unnecessary absenteeism to the students, families and communities far outweighs the risks associated with head lice. • Misdiagnosis of nits is very common during nit checks conducted by nonmedical personnel.
These agencies also confirm that most cases of head lice are acquired outside of school and although head lice can be a nuisance, they have not been shown to spread disease. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.
At Schechter, all students are checked by lice professionals during the first week of school and when needed throughout the school year. Parents will be informed if their child has nits or head lice. Siblings will also be checked.
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Important Note: Our school does require the following practices:
• Treatment will need to be given prior to a student returning to school. The student will be rechecked after returning and again in 10 days. If lice are still active after treatment, the student will be sent home for re-treatment. Parents will be e-mailed if there are cases of head lice in the grade.
It is recommended that parents check their children throughout the year and remind them that they should not be sharing combs, brushes, hats, etc.
It also recommended that students keep their hair tied back during outbreaks.
Participation in Schechter’s Physical Education Program
All students are expected to wear proper gym shoes and attire on gym days.
Participation in Schechter’s Athletics Program
At Schechter, we strongly believe that our students’ involvement in athletics fosters teamwork, friendships, confidence, and character. The lessons learned beyond the classroom through playing sports - especially when paired with a rigorous academic program - will serve students well in high school, college, and beyond.
Below are Expectations for All Athletic Team Participants:
• Commitment: In order to be successful Schechter expects a full commitment to the team. We understand the occasional conflicts preventing attendance; however, these must be kept to a minimum. Commitment to a Schechter team and teammates is an important factor in becoming a successful program. This means attendance at games and at practice every day after school. • Participation: The leagues in which our school plays are fairly competitive. We will try to get everyone a share of game experience, but unlike recreation leagues, playing time may not always be equal. • Attitude on and off the field: As members of the Schechter community, we expect our players to be leaders on and off the field. • On the field: We ask players to focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, effort, respect, and honor.
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• Off the field: Schechter students are expected to be respectful to other students and teachers, caught up on academic work, and represent Schechter in a positive light off-campus.
Physical Exams and Required Forms for Athletic Programs/ Sports Participation
New Jersey State Law requires students participating in athletic programs to complete and submit the following forms prior to the start of the season. These forms can be found on Schechter’s password-protected portal (these forms are distributed through our Middle School athletic department and must be completed prior to the start of the season, students will not be allowed to participate in athletics under any circumstances.
• Athletic Preparticipation Physical Evaluation • Health History Update Form • Sudden Cardiac Pamphlet • Sudden Cardiac Sign-Off Form • Sports Related Concussion Form • Sports-Related Eye Injuries Pamphlet
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School Supplies
All students are expected to have the appropriate material ready in support of their learning for each day. School-supply lists by grade are provided on Schechter’s password-protected parent portal (DDC 360°). Parents may also order pre-packed school supplies for the upcoming school year through a third-party provider at https://www.write-stuff.com/storefront/school.php/ssds, up until end of June of the previous school year.
Homework
Our goal is to ensure that when homework is assigned, it is purposeful, and used for reinforcement and enrichment of learning.
The length of time required for homework should take note of the fact that our children spend a long day in school and that our standard is that Shabbat and Jewish holidays are considered days upon which students should not feel compelled to do homework.
Below are guidelines for combined daily General and Judaic Studies homework assignments excluding reading:
Lower School (Grades 1 - 5) • First Grade - no more than 15 minutes • Second and Third Grade - no more than 25 - 35 minutes • Fourth and Fifth Grade - no more than 45 - 55 minutes
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Homework varies nightly depending on short assignments, long term projects, and assessments in a given week. We strongly encourage students to check Google Classroom and/or their Yoman [daily planner] for the various types of assignments to prevent students from spending excessive amounts of time at night on homework. Accommodations will be made for students who may require academic modifications.
Homework is not to be assigned over Shabbat or before Jewish holidays in Grades 1-5. In the Middle School, homework may be assigned over the weekend (excluding Shabbat) and similarly for Jewish holidays.
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Student Evaluations and Assessments
Each faculty member in Gan 3’s through Grade 8 provides two written student evaluations (report cards) for each student over the course of the school year. In the Lower School, in addition to the formal report cards, students’ growth is regularly assessed by their teachers, looking for social/emotional as well as academic development. Faculty also may participate in grade or multi-grade meetings to review the academic and/or social progress of an individual student or group of students.
In the Middle School, on an ongoing basis, students and parents may check their child’s progress through DDC360˚ and are strongly encouraged to speak to their child’s academic advisor with any questions they have.
Academic Honesty Policy (Middle School)
The Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County seeks to prepare our students to respect and acknowledge the ideas, creativity, and scholarship that came before them, and in doing so, provide leadership in a world that is changing at a rapid pace. Part of our mission is to teach students how to respect and acknowledge the rich heritage of Jewish, American, and international wisdom while also contributing their own wisdom to our world; this process is a key component of both the Jewish and general studies curriculum at SSDS Bergen. Our students learn to use their schoolwork to appreciate and formally recognize what they have gained intellectually and academically from sources external to themselves. This Academic Honesty Policy attempts to define the common vision and standards we have set for ourselves and our students and helps us teach our students to be principled and to act with honesty, integrity, and responsibility.
Our Academic Honesty Policy is based on a straightforward premise: Members of our SSDS community must be honest in all matters. Dishonesty is a very serious matter. Plagiarism, cheating on a quiz or test, copying someone else’s homework, lying, and stealing are considered dishonest acts.
Specifically, SSDS provides guidance to students in four broad areas of academic dishonesty: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and fabrication. Each is forbidden at SSDS.
Cheating • plagiarism in all forms (see plagiarism below) • copying someone else’s work or homework (see collusion below)
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• sharing test answers or questions with another student (see collusion below) • using materials unauthorized by the teacher during a quiz/test • using unauthorized study aids • making unauthorized grade alterations • turning in work done by others (e.g. parents, other students) • passing off another student’s work as your own
Plagiarism Plagiarism means taking credit for work that is not yours, intentionally or unwittingly. Work that is not yours includes:
• Language, art, or music that you did not write, compose, or create. • Information that you did not discover first-hand by yourself.
Collusion This means working with someone else to cheat. Collusion includes telling someone what was on the test, that there will be a “pop-quiz,” or allowing someone to copy your work.
Collaborative work and Hevruta [partnership-style learning] are encouraged and even required in school, however, students are expected to follow their teacher’s guidelines about each student’s role. If two students work together on a project, each must take credit. Students must make sure that teachers know what, if any, collaboration took place for a given assignment.
Teachers will also sometimes assign independent work, which means that students may not work together at all. Whether this work is in class, such as a worksheet or a test, or at home, students are forbidden to work together, copy, or help each other with independent work.
Fabrication Fabrication means inventing information or circumstances and passing them off as true in order to deceive someone. For example, if a student makes up a false reason that special treatment is needed for an assignment or assessment that is fabrication, and it is dishonest. Similarly, if a student includes false or invented information in, for example, a science lab report, that is considered fabrication. These and similar actions are forbidden.
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Roles and Responsibilities in Supporting Academic Honesty
Student Responsibilities The student is ultimately responsible for making sure that all work submitted is honest and authentic, with all appropriate citations and credit acknowledged. This specifically means that the student should:
• Provide appropriate references for all material reproduced directly (i.e., copied) from any source. This includes all phrases, sentences, paragraphs, graphs, charts, images or any other information. • Cite all sources in any work that included research or reading outside of in-class materials. • Take responsibility to understand the guidelines of all assignments, assessments, and classwork. This includes knowing if or how much collaboration is permitted or required. • Practice academic honesty and integrity at all times, inside and outside of school. • Understand that intentions are not relevant in judging whether or not something has been plagiarized. If credit is not given where credit is due, plagiarism has occurred. • Read and understand the policies and principles in this document.
Teacher Responsibilities • Instruct students clearly about the guidelines of assignments, assessments, and classwork. This includes clearly indicating whether work may, must, or must not be done collaboratively or independently. • Teach students how to properly cite sources according to a designated format, and provide examples of said proper notation. • Report and respond to all cases of academic dishonesty. • Help students understand all of the policies and principles in this document.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities • Read and understand Schechter’s academic honesty policy. • Encourage your child to adhere to this policy. • Encourage your child to seek guidance from teachers if they are unsure about any aspect of this policy. • Support the school’s discipline policies in the case of your child breaking the academic honesty policy.
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Consequences
Here at SSDS, we know that everyone makes mistakes. Our primary goal is to treat any case of academic dishonesty as a learning opportunity; this does not diminish the seriousness of the matter, however. Academic dishonesty will be handled on a case- by-case basis, and students may be penalized with a failing grade (for the assignment/ assessment, semester, or year), suspension, or even dismissal.
Should a student be found to be in violation of the academic honesty policy, the below provide examples of general responses:
First offense: • Student meets with teacher and an administrator. • Parent is informed of the offense. • A report of the offense is kept on file with an administrator. • Student is asked to write a letter explaining that he/she understands the misconduct and may be given an alternative assignment to make up for lost grade (only able to receive partial credit) depending on the “weight” of the assignment.
Second offense: • Student receives a 0 on the assignment. • Parent comes in for a conference with student and administrator. • A report of the offense and the meeting is kept on file with an administrator. • Student signs a contract affirming understanding of the policy and a commitment to adhere to it strictly in the future along with a letter explaining that he/she understands the misconduct and a plan for how to avoid academic misconduct in the future.
Third offense: Consequences at the discretion of the administrator.
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שִׁ מְעֹון הַצַּדִּיק הָיָה אֹומֵר, עַלשְׁ לשָׁ ה דְבָרִים הָעֹולָםעֹומֵד עַל הַּתֹורָ הוְעַל הָעֲבֹודָה וְעַל גְּמִילּות חֲסָדִים
Shimon the Righteous said: On three things the world stands – on Torah, on Worship, and on Acts of Loving-kindness (Pirkei Avot 1:2)
The Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County is an inclusive Jewish religious educational setting and community that welcomes families of all affiliations. In conjunction with the values of Shalom Bayit [“peace in the home”], Ahdut [“unity”], Ahavat Yisrael [“love of Israel”] and building community, we have put together information about Jewish Life at SSDS, which highlights the excitement and richness of Jewish life we provide for our students and our religious policies and practices that enable all of our students to feel comfortable in our Kehillah Kedoshah [sacred community].
Our school environment of consideration, respect, and mutual understanding allows the integration of a broad representation of the Jewish community into our institution of Jewish learning. Only through mutual cooperation and conscientiousness can we maintain an environment suited to fulfilling the values of our rich tradition.
As our families live diverse Jewish lifestyles, we set certain guidelines for religious practice inside and outside of the school, student conduct, use of language, and student attire, as well as safety and security at Schechter. Our expectation is that these community standards will be followed, respected, and reinforced by all families. Each year, we look forward to being partners in your children’s spiritual and educational growth.
עַל הַּתֹורָ ה Jewish Life at Schechter
At Schechter, the lives of our children are guided and imbued with the traditions, beliefs, customs, and values of Judaism. Every part of our school day – what we learn, how we learn, and how we live with one another – is guided by Halakhah [Jewish law], Middot [Jewish values], and the traditions of our people. We desire to teach that Judaism should be lived and loved. Whether it’s in front of a page of Humash, studying the solar system, traveling on our eighth grade trip to Israel or playing soccer out on the Cushmaro Field of Dreams, we want our students to look through the world with a “Jewish lens” in order to help them become committed, caring young Jews.
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A number of school-wide community building programs throughout the school year include our ReLiSh [Ruah Lifnei Shabbat] program, the Midat HaHodesh [ethical value of the month] program, our day-long school-wide Lag B’Omer Maccabiah, the Binyan Buddy Program, which pairs our older students with younger students. In addition, we enjoy a number of other school-wide observances of Tu B’Shevat, Purim, Passover, Shavuot, and Yom Ha’atzmaut.
We strive to impart to our children the notion that they are all part of an Am Kadosh – a holy nation – and with this, come special responsibilities and expectations. Whether through participating as active members of the community in a visitation program to the Five Star Residences in Teaneck, asking questions about G-d, or welcoming our local rabbis to study Torah with us in our classrooms, we want our students to leave here knowledgeable about and proud of the Jewish people -- and their role in its present and future. We hope that our Siddur, Humash, Havdalah, and Tekes Mitzvot ceremonies, our celebration of Shabbat and Hagim, our in-school B’nai Mitzvah, and our inquiry-based approach to learning will provide the Shorashim [roots] to nurture your children’s love of learning for years to come.
עַל הָעֲבֹודָה Important School Policies
These policies reflect on certain areas of Jewish life inside and outside the school designed to help our students feel engaged and comfortable in their Avodat Kodesh [sacred study].
Wearing of Kippot
Our school is a Makom Kadosh [sacred space]. We consider the entire building to be similar to the sanctuary of a synagogue. This should affect the way we treat the building itself and one another, and should be a guiding principle and reminder for how we should conduct ourselves within the building. Part of that Kavod [respect] is that we require male (and females that elect to do so) students, parents, and visitors to wear a Kippah whenever they are at the school. The main security desk as you walk in keeps a supply of Kippot for guests. Students should wear appropriate Kippot with clips. In a building infused by G-d’s presence, we honor our covenant with G-d by wearing Kippot.
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Kashrut and Food
All Schechter functions (inside and outside our school premises) must adhere to the following standards:
• All foods brought into the school – lunches, snacks, and refreshments for birthdays, holidays, class celebrations or special programs – must be on the permitted baked goods, snack, and lunch foods (listed below) and come from a place with certified kosher supervision, bear a Hekhsher [a symbol denoting that the food is certified kosher] on its original packaging, nut-free** (see description that follows) and be either dairy or pareve [non-meat and non-dairy]. • Non-packaged foods that do not require a Hekhsher are fresh, uncut fruits & vegetables. • Special kosher cookies in honor of a child’s birthday are provided on a monthly basis to celebrate birthdays in the Lower School (grades 1-5). Early Childhood (Gan Three’s - Kindergarten) parents and their child’s teachers coordinate dates for special kosher cookies. In Middle School, we ask our families to refrain from providing such cookies or other sweets as we try to promote healthier choices by curtailing the frequency with which sugar-rich snacks are offered to our growing adolescents. • Home-baked goods cannot be brought into our school. • All members of our Schechter Kehillah [community] are expected to be sensitive to one another’s convictions and practices outside our school. This is especially relevant when classmates and parents are personally invited to one another’s homes, even for a non-school event. Provisions should be made to meet everyone’s needs. • It is neither appropriate nor respectful to seek permission from other parents to serve non-kosher food, nor should one serve non-kosher food to some and make kosher arrangements for others. All food (including goody bags) served at parties MUST have kosher certification and supervision, and adhere to our stated nut-free policy.
In-School Nut Policy
**Any food or bakery items bearing an allergen warning on their labels such as “contains nuts,” “may contain traces of peanuts,” “processed in a plant that also processes nuts,” or “manufactured on shared equipment,” may not be brought into the Schechter building at any time. If a student brings food, a snack, or baked goods to school that
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bears any of the allergen warnings listed above, SSDS faculty has been instructed to remove the item from the classroom and bring it to the SSDS Nurse’s office. The Nurse will inform the family accordingly and the item will either be discarded or given back to the child’s family. Our nursing staff has identified a number of local vendors that provide kosher baked goods and adhere to these allergen restrictions:
Permitted Baked Goods • Butterflake Bakery; 448 Cedar Lane, Teaneck • Fairway; 30 East Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus (items bearing the “school-safe” label, which means they are nut-free and dairy-free) mini-cupcakes, brownie bars, banana muffins, and many other products are available • Oberlander Bakery Products; available at the Stop & Shop in Teaneck (665 American Legion Drive), ShopRite in Englewood (40 Nathaniel Place) and Paramus (224 State Route New Jersey 4 East) • Stop & Shop (specifically marked kosher “peanut-free” cupcakes); 665 American Legion Drive, Teaneck • Whole Foods, 300 Bergen Town Center (Route 4 East), Paramus (items bearing the “school-safe” label, which means they are nut-free and dairy-free) • Zadie’s Bakery; 19-09 Fair Lawn Avenue, Fair Lawn
Suggested Snack & Lunch Foods (check packaging labels as applicable) • Fresh fruit • Fresh vegetables • Original Teddy Grahams (plain) • Entenmann’s products (check labels) • Ritz Crackers • Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers • Shop-Rite Chocolate Chip Granola Bars • Nabisco Honey Maid Honey Graham Crackers (plain) • Cereals (check labels) • All Pirate Booty Brand Snacks • Chips Ahoy Cookies (plain) and 100 Calorie Chips Ahoy Crisps • Oreo Cookies (most brands except “peanut butter”) • Pudding snacks • Hershey Kisses (plain), silver foil
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Not Permitted • Carousel Cupcakes (Englewood store has accepted Kashrut supervision, but cupcakes are produced in a factory that may contain nuts.) • Costco baked goods, including birthday cakes • All Dunkin Donuts** (In June 2015, Dunkin Donuts confirmed that its donuts are produced in a factory that may contain nuts.) • M&Ms and all other candy containing nuts or processed in a plant that processes nuts. • YoCrunch Yogurt (this yogurt is “nut-free”, however, each topping has separate allergen statements, some of which do cite nuts as an ingredient or cross contamination possibility.)
Among the more common, acceptable Hekhshers at SSDS are: (Plain “K” on a product is not an accepted Kosher symbol).
Please contact School Rabbi Fred Elias at [email protected] for resources to answer Kashrut-related questions. A list of acceptable local kosher establishments that can help with food service may be found on our password-protected parent portal (DDC 360°).
Promoting a Culture of Inclusiveness
Children who are excluded from celebrations and/or outings are likely to feel hurt. As a general rule, all children in a class, or all of the boys, or all of the girls, are expected to be invited.
Birthday Celebrations and Other Parties
For those planning out-of-school celebrations, our school expects the Schechter community to abide by several important guidelines:
No parties or celebrations may begin, take place, or end on Shabbat/Yom Tov. Yom Tov includes both days of Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, the first two days ofSukkot,
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Shemini Atzeret, Simhat Torah, the first two and last two days of Pesah, and both days of Shavuot. The school calendar lists the times that Shabbat/Yom Tov begins and ends.
B’nai Mitzvah
Middle School families will receive Schechter’s dedicated B’nai Mitzvah Guidebook (posted to DDC 360° and available through our Middle School office) and at individual introductory advisory meetings at the beginning of each school year. If you live within walking distance of your synagogue and are able to host our students who only walk to synagogue on Shabbat when they visit your synagogue community for B’nai Mitzvah, please let our Middle School office know.
Tzedakah [Charity]
This is collected regularly in school. As a school, we have ongoing hesed [acts of loving kindness] programs such as visiting area seniors, volunteering at local food pantries, and sponsoring a child with special needs for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Israel. We also have other student-led initiatives that encourage students to support local and international tzedakah causes including food, clothing, book, and toy drives. Encourage your child to perform the mitzvah [good deeds] of supporting those who are in need.
Daily Tefillah [Prayer] and Brakhot [Blessings Before and After Meals]
For Gan 3’s, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten at teacher’s discretion. Pre-K - K - Tefillah takes place as early as possible in the morning. Grades 1-4 - Students daven with their Judaic Studies teacher. Grade 5 - Students have morning Tefillah together as a grade. Middle School - Between 8 and 9:30 AM (subject to change for special events and/or programming). Students recite Birkat HaMazon [grace after meals] together at the end of lunch.
The Shema and Pledge of Allegiance are recited in the morning in all General Studies classes (Grades 1-4).
Early Childhood (Gan 3’s - Kindergarten), and Grades 1-2 students wash and recite Birkat HaMotzi [blessing over bread] in their classrooms before going to lunch. Each division or grade level should establish routines for cleanup.
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Special Holiday Tefillot and Ceremonies
Middle School coordinates Tefillah like adult Minyanim [quorum of ten Jewish adults], conducting all special holiday services in their entirety, honoring those who become Bar/Bat Mitzvah with an in-school Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and we welcome guests from the community who may need to say Kaddish [mourner’s prayer] to join us on a daily basis.
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הַצְנֵעַ לֶכֶת עִם אֱלֹקֶיך (Walk Modestly with your G-d (Micah 6:8
The Solomon Schechter Day School dress code reflects both the Jewish values of Tzniut [modesty] and Kavod HaTzibur [honor for the community] and the proper seriousness and sanctity for learning here at Schechter. Students should come to school in a clean and neat manner, ready to learn and to explore.
Kippot
Kippot are required for boys; they should enter the building wearing a Kippah. Please send a bag with several Kippot and clips to be kept in school. Girls accustomed to wearing Kippot should do so. No hats, caps, or sweat-bands should be worn.
Important Note: Grade-wide milestone events and our graduation ceremony may require more specific guidelines for dress. Since not all attire can be covered in this code, the school expects student adherence to the spirit, as well as the specifics, of these guidelines.
Early Childhood (Gan 3’s, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten)
Neat, clean, and comfortable clothing (including closed-back shoes) should be worn.
Lower School (Grades 1-5)
In an effort to be inclusive of all children in the school, we are taking a more “universal” approach to our dress code. All Lower School students are allowed to wear non-collared shirts. All boys (and girls that elect to do so) should wear Kippot.
Below, please note the following specifics, for ALL Lower School students:
1. Do not wear tops or bottoms with words, phrases, or slogans on them. 2. Shirts must cover midriff and lower back. Undergarments may not be exposed. 3. Tank tops and sleeveless shirts, low-cut and/or see-through shirts should not be worn. (Please note that the new style of “cold shoulder” shirts should also not be worn in school.) 4. Jeans, slacks, or khakis should be worn at the waist ensuring that underwear is not visible. Torn pants and pants with writing on them are not permitted. Leggings are permitted (no cut-outs, see-through sections, or lace) as long as they are worn with a shirt that is thigh length.
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5. Length of skirts, dresses, and shorts should not be shorter than two (2) inches above the knee. 6. The only permissible body piercing is earrings. 7. Shoes must have a closed back.
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
The following guidelines shall apply to attendance at school and all school-sponsored- activities and events:
1. Students are expected to be neat, clean and appropriately attired for school. 2. Students may only wear closed toe and closed back shoes. 3. All Middle School students are allowed to wear non-collared shirts. 4. Students should wear pants or shorts that do not expose undergarments. Pants and shorts should not have any tears or holes. 5. Length of skirts, dresses, and shorts should be at least mid-thigh. 6. Leggings are permitted (no cut-outs, see-through sections, or lace) as long as they are worn with a shirt that is thigh length. 7. Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments and cover one’s shoulders, waist, midriff, and back at all times. See-through fabrics, clothing with large holes or that are “strappy,” and low-cut tops may not be worn. 8. Clothing that contains political affiliations, obscene symbols, signs or slogans, and/ or which degrade on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, disability or sexual orientation shall not be worn. 9. Boys (required) and girls (that elect to wear) should enter the building with a Kippah (knit, suede, leather, canvas, etc.) with clips on their heads and a Kippah must remain on their heads at all times during the school day except for recess and gym.
Middle School students who do not fulfill dress code expectations will be subject to the following:
• First Violation: Students will change their clothing (either the student’s parents will come to school to provide clothing or the school will provide loaner clothes) and parents will be contacted.
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• Second Violation: Students will change their clothing (either the student’s parents will come to school to provide clothing or the school will provide loaner clothes) and parents will be contacted. The student will spend lunch and recess with a Middle School administrator.
• Third Violation: Everything above plus the loss of school privilege and community service. Parents also will be brought in for a parent-student-administration conference.
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ועַל גְּמִילּות חֲסָדִים Mitzvot between One Another
Kavod and Derekh Eretz
In keeping with our school’s Statement of Philosophy, SSDS creates an environment in which our students can live according to ethics and principles of interpersonal behavior that reflect our heritage. At Schechter, we believe that each individual has worth, as we are all created in the image of G-d. We operate with the Jewish directive of treating every human being with honor and respect and have developed a code of behavior that emphasizes Derekh Eretz [interpersonal etiquette], Kavod [respect for one another], and Menschkeit [a philosophy... a way of living... a selfless, innate drive for doing the right and decent thing, in every possible situation]. We are Shutafim [partners] in guiding our children along a proper path towards self-discipline and an appropriate understanding of our obligations to the community and to the world at large.
This code of behavior encompasses the values of respect, etiquette, responsibility, and cooperation which are expected in our relationships with one another. At Schechter, students act with Derekh Eretz by respecting and honoring people through words and actions. Students, educators, staff, and parents collaborate and commit to creating a moral, kind and caring community. We are all role models for our children’s positive actions, and it is expected that all adults will act in the same fashion.
Our community’s Arba’ah Klalim [four principles] are: • maintain a safe and secure environment; • treat others with courtesy and respect; • treat the property of others and school property with respect; and • take responsibility for one’s actions.
Students are expected to observe the Arba’ah Klalim in all settings of school life: assemblies, trips, in the hallways and bathrooms, at lunch and recess, and during arrival and dismissal.
Hallway Procedures / Derekh Eretz Expectations
Students are supervised by at least one teacher at all times and expected to walk in a quiet, single-file line on the right side of the hallway (Grades 1-5). Students are
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reminded of basic safety rules and common courtesy (i.e., holding doors, keeping one’s hands to oneself, and being mindful of others working and learning).
Traits of a Mensch
[a person of integrity, honor or good person]
At Solomon Schechter, learning to be a “mensch” is a core value that is defined and guided by a series of traits outlined below.
M – Making a Difference in our Community E – Empathy for Others N – Nice Words and Actions S – Shares and Collaborates C – Courage to Do the Right Thing H – Helps Others in Need
Fostering Menschkeit
[a philosophy... a way of living... a selfless, innate drive for doing the right and decent thing, in every possible situation.]
We aspire to demonstrate the behaviors associated with being a Mensch, which are our Jewish core values in action.
• We are part of a safe learning community where everyone has the right to learn without interruption. • We respect our teachers and peers through our words and actions. • To optimize our educational experience at Schechter, we come to school and class on time. • We are ready to learn when class begins. • We are prepared to learn by having all of our materials.
It is understood that children are in the process of developing their behavioral skills, alongside their academic learning. We teach and reinforce Derekh Eretz and traits associated with being a Mensch. Children, however, sometimes behave in ways that compromise the physical, emotional, and/or social safety of others at school and at school functions. In these situations, the school will guide and support the child, and
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efforts will be made in an age-appropriate manner to help the child learn from his or her behavior and to internalize how his or her choices impact others. Ultimately, if expectations are not met, the school reserves the right to impose consequences, which may include suspension or expulsion.
Hazman Katzar Ve’hamlakha Meruba; we “הזמן קצר והמלאכה מרובה“ ,Pirkei Avot states have much work to do within limited time. Learning is sacred, and every minute spent at Solomon Schechter is precious and must be used in optimal fashion. The emotional and physical safety of each individual is of the utmost importance.
Our Midat HaHodesh Program
Each month, faculty and students, through an interdisciplinary approach, will engage in learning about a specific virtue through our monthly Midat HaHodesh [ethical value of the month] program.
Our school has a values-based program that helps promote the social-emotional learning and development of our students within a positive-psychology framework. Each month, we highlight a core value highlighted in the positive-psychology literature that correlates with a Jewish month. These values will be integrated into the curriculum from Pre-K through Eighth grade.
Programs such as these help create a high standard of Derekh Eretz – honor and respect for our students and families. It is our priority to provide a safe environment in which students can learn and engage with one another, and we expect all members of our community to uphold this value. Our baseline expectations are Respect, Responsibility, and Safety. Through age-appropriate and positive strategies, and in partnership with parents, we teach our students the meaning of these expectations. Because we are all role models for our children’s positive actions, we expect all adults to act in accordance with these expectations.
Cultivating “Upstanders”
We strive to teach students to become “Upstanders.” If a student is seen making a poor choice, we take a positive stand by speaking up and taking action for a positive outcome, so everyone in our community feels safe and comfortable. We respect our minds and our bodies by keeping them free from harmful substances (tobacco, alcohol, illegal substances, etc.). We demonstrate integrity by doing our own original
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work, using our own words, and properly citing additional sources when necessary, and we keep our school a safe place by keeping weapons and other tools that could be used in a destructive manner out of our school, and not destroying property.
Creating an Environment of Inclusiveness during Lunch
This can be seen each day in Schechter’s lunch room, where students sit at round tables, able to see one another and easily engage with each other. After lunch, students enjoy recess, engaging in games and activities, with close supervision of our teachers. At the Middle School level, students are presented with a variety of supervised options - outdoor recess, gym play, quiet study hall in the Kaplen Library, indoor activities, or being in a classroom to receive supervised extra academic help (Middle School students may only use their computers for websites that are approved by the adult in charge during this time).
Promoting a Positive, Inclusive, Safe Environment during Recess
Recess takes place outdoors (in the playground and on the sports fields) during fair weather and in the gym or classroom on rainy days. Students in Gan 3’s through Grade 5 have a mid-morning fruit break and/or a mid-afternoon break.
Faculty and staff are expected to help ensure that roughhousing, cliques, clubs, and teams (exclusionary tactics) are strongly discouraged and that respect for school property and grounds is reinforced.
Schechter’s Buddy Bench
Students are encouraged to make use of our school’s “buddy bench” located outside on the school’s field area. This bench provides a home base for those looking for someone with whom to connect. We teach our students to observe classmates seated on the bench who may need to be “scooped up” and reach out to include them during recess. The objective of our “buddy bench” is for it to be used as a vehicle to help further cultivate a sense of sensitivity and ownership among our students and their peers.
Binyan Buddies
Our Middle School students read to and mentor our Early Childhood students on a weekly basis in their classrooms through our Binyan Buddy Program. This is one of
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several programs that help create a Kehillah Kedosha [holy community]. This program helps foster enduring relationships throughout our students’ years at Schechter, culminating in our Annual Eighth-Grade Israel Encounter Send-Off, during which each Early Childhood student gives an Eighth-Grade buddy a siddur for their Israel Encounter. Finally, we have a mentoring program between our Eighth-Grade and Sixth- Grade in which Eighth Graders help mentor Sixth Graders in acclimating to life as a Middle Schooler.
Community Outreach
Our students participate in visiting area seniors on a monthly basis, engaging them in discussions surrounding our Midat HaHodesh [value of the month] or on such topics as perseverance, grit, leadership, and confidence. In addition, our students perform choral and instrumental concerts for local elderly care centers and lead holiday programs at homeless shelters throughout the school year. Finally, students often develop close relationships with senior volunteers who give back to the school through serving as photographers, assistant librarians, and lunch servers.
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Schechter is a community of shared values, as such; students are expected to adhere to the Middot [values] and high standards of integrity and honesty. Students must show respect for each other, faculty, staff, school property, and personal property. We believe that middle school is a time to learn from mistakes. Therefore, we are guided by a progressive discipline philosophy that helps our students understand the consequences of violating basic school rules. Because we believe that consequences for students should have meaning and help them learn, we also explore alternative forms of discipline if we feel it is in a student’s best interest.
Students who disrupt the classroom or Middle School environment will experience the following consequences:
First-time Infraction If typical strategies to keep a student in the classroom are unsuccessful, the student will be removed from the classroom environment and sent to the principal’s office where the student will write a reflection of what happened, and how he/she could have handled the situation differently. The teacher will contact the student’s parents and a note will be put into the child’s file by the Assistant Principal/Principal.
Second-Time Infraction In addition to the above, the student will be required to reflect and discuss strategies for greater success in the classroom/middle school environment with the Assistant Principal or Principal during lunch/recess. Again, a note will be put into the student’s file.
Third-Time Infraction In addition to first- and second-time infraction strategies, the student will lose in- school privileges and may be asked to participate in community service or may even be asked to remain in the building for an in-school suspension or asked to be picked up by his/her parents immediately. With any of these consequences, a student’s parents/ guardian will be brought in for a parent-student-administration conference in order for the child to reenter classes. Other long-term consequences will be considered as well if the action plan created by family and administration is unsuccessful.
SSDS Middle School administrators reserve the right to advance these consequences based on the behavior.
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Behaviors deemed dangerous or unsafe and those against the law in the State of New Jersey and the United States along with serious or repeated harassment, intimidation, fighting, theft, or vandalism will be handled with seriousness and if necessary, in cooperation with local and state law officials.
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Standards of Acceptable Use and Behavior*
*Parents/Guardians will be asked to acknowledge through an online form posted to Schechter’s password-protected portal DDC 360° that this policy has been read, and that the school will hold parents legally and financially responsible for their children’s misuse of the school computer network and the Internet service that it provides them.
Educational Purpose
Schechter seeks to provide a safe, robust learning environment for the use of network resources through which all may learn and expand their intellectual curiosity, and in accordance with the principles of Derekh Eretz [interpersonal etiquette], including integrity and respect for others.
Schechter’s computer network provides access to a variety of resources such as: (1) educational software; (2) the online library catalog; (3) the Internet; (4) the Google Application Suite and; (5) electronic mail accounts. The computer network supports legitimate pursuits, research, and telecommunications. It is an important tool to enhance classroom and community-wide teaching and learning. Members of our School community – students, faculty, staff, and selected guests – have access to the network’s resources.
Use of and Behavior Regarding Technology
Our school’s mission, values, and educational philosophy emphasize avoiding language that can be considered abusive, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, disrespectful, racist, defamatory, obscene or sexually offensive. The Schechter network may not be used to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocates illegal or dangerous acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people (hate literature). Slander or harassment of any kind, promulgated via the network or Internet, is forbidden. Threats of violence or violent language of any kind is forbidden. Lashon Hara [gossip] is forbidden.
Users of the Schechter network are expected to respect the privacy of others. Users may not intentionally obtain copies of or modify files, email, passwords, or data that belong to anyone else. Be advised, however, that all information stored in or transmitted over the network will be accessible to the school’s administration.
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All computers and network resources are expected to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner. Use of the computer network is a privilege and all users (students, faculty and staff) are expected to adhere to standards of acceptable use and behavior and such other rules as may be promulgated by the technology coordinator and the administration. Students may not send or receive personal emails using their Schechter email account.
Cell Phone and Smartwatch Use
Upon arrival in the building, all students with cell phones are required to turn off their phones and smartwatches, and to store them in their backpacks or if applicable, their lockers, during the school day. Students are not permitted to use their phones and smartwatches until they leave the building, except with a teacher’s permission.
Violation of this policy will result in a student’s phone and/or smartwatch being taken away and an adult family member will be required to retrieve the phone from an administrator.
Proper Computer Use
Students may use their school computers under the direction and guidance of a supervising faculty member or administrator in charge. Specifically, students may only use their computer and internet connection for assigned academic tasks. This means students must remain on the assigned document/website and may not access any other websites/documents without permission from the teacher. Students may not access certain websites, television/movie-sites (Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, Amazon Prime, etc.) or social media outlets (whether for other classes or personal use) without permission from a supervising faculty member or administrator in charge. A special exception may be made for students if the purpose of their access is to conduct research and both their teacher and parents have approved.
Use of Social Media
Students may not use social media during school hours, including Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and other platforms. Solomon Schechter follows social media guidelines dictated by social media tools, including Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat
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and Twitter, which all state that users must be 13 years of age to have accounts. When students use social media outside of school, it is expected that only appropriate pictures, comments and texts are posted.
Cyber-Bullying
Cyber-bullying, bullying or harassment that happens online, can happen in an email, a text message, a game, or on a social networking site. It might involve spreading rumors or images posted on someone’s profile or passed around for others to see, or creating a group or page to make a person feel left out. When students use social media outside school, it is expected that only appropriate pictures, comments and texts are posted. Cyber-bullying and overall unkind comments are not allowed. Students will be held accountable at school under our discipline policy for inappropriate postings made out of school.
Consequences for violating these expectations will reflect the severity of the action, and will be determined by school leadership.
In-School Monitoring and Filtering
To help ensure a safe environment for computer use; the school administration will monitor all online activities, and all Internet access will be filtered. Specifically, blocking will be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene, or to any material deemed harmful to minors. It is our goal to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].
Safety and Security
Students may not disclose, use, or disseminate personally identifying information of any kind when using the Internet or any form of electronic messaging at Schechter, nor may adults disclose, use, or disseminate personally identifying information regarding minors, unless authorized to do so.
Students may not meet with anyone they have met online without their parent’s approval and accompaniment. Users will promptly disclose to a teacher or administrator any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable. Users will immediately notify the network administrator of any possible security problem.
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Protection of Personal Accounts
Students (Grades 5-8) are expected to take responsibility for their account and protect their individual passwords. They are also expected to report any problems to our Coordinator of Technology Services.
Managing Technology at Home
We understand that sometimes monitoring and managing technology use at home can be challenging. At school, we run several filters and programs to ensure students are safely and appropriately using technology. Parents should have guidelines and a contract at home for their children and should monitor their child’s phones/technology daily.
Parent Resources
At home, there are several tools that parents may use to better manage technology use. • Disney’s Circle - allows parents to manage the use of specific websites, or the Internet as a whole, for the entire family. Controlled by your smartphone, it can be set up to limit or provide additional screen time on specific sites or apps. To learn more, visit meetcircle.com. • Koala Safe - allows parents to block and allow sites, track usage by device/user, and more. To learn more, visit koalasafe.com. • Local Cable/Internet Providers - provides parents options to manage technology use and websites. Contact your local cable/internet provider for set-up options. Other providers may offer the same tools. • Online programs - Bark, NetNanny, Bosco, Moment and UnGlue are also options that provide monitoring and management services for parents for a monthly fee.
Our Families’ Use of Social Media
It is the School’s expectation that SSDS families refrain from making statements (including on social media), and using photographs, video or audio that reasonably could be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening or intimidating, that disparages our school, employees, students, or parents, or that might constitute harassment or bullying.
SSDS Bergen County Parent-Student Handbook 2019-20/5779-80 47 The Kaplen Library and Our Reading Program
The mission of the Kaplen Library at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County is to serve as a resource to inspire and educate our students, faculty, and community members to become enthusiastic readers and lifelong learners who are adept at locating and processing information; who are effective users of ideas and information from varied sources; and who are able to apply acquired knowledge for their own benefit and the benefit of others.
Library Visits and Hours
The resources and services of the Library are integrated into all aspects of the life of the school and the library staff works collaboratively with the teachers. A Library staff member is available to answer questions, work with students, faculty, and parents and provide material during the course of the school day.
Early Childhood & Lower School (Gan 3’s - Grade 5) These classes visit the library on a fixed schedule, meeting weekly for information literacy skills and reader advisory. Early Childhood (Three’s through Kindergarten) select one library book weekly; students in grades 1-5 select two library books weekly, and as many as needed for research purposes.
Middle School (Grades Six - Eight) These classes visit the library on a flexible schedule for research preparation, information literacy skills and reader advisory. Students in grades 6-8 select as many titles as needed. In addition, the Library is available to Middle School students for drop-in throughout the school day.
The Kaplen Library does not charge overdue fines; only replacement fees for lost items.
Other Community Resources and Programs
The Morris and Ruth Kotek z”l Holocaust & Heritage Resource Center The Holocaust Resource Center in the Kaplen Library, created in memory of Morris and Ruth Kotek z”l, houses Schechter’s Judaica Reference collection as well as an extensive library of Holocaust information resources, all of which support our school’s deep commitment to teaching students and the greater community about the Holocaust.
Schechter has developed a comprehensive philosophy and curriculum to safeguard that students receive age-appropriate, meaningful instruction on the subject.
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Our program has two distinct developmental and educational stages. Children in First through Fourth Grade take part in Holocaust Readiness programs. Through literature and classroom discussions, they learn concepts and values that will later be applied to their Holocaust Studies.
The Holocaust Studies program for children in grades fifth through eighth exposes them to eyewitness accounts and object studies to gain a personal understanding of the Holocaust. Our approach is not to only teach the history behind the Holocaust, but to expose children to individual stories, allowing them to make personal connections with the victims, survivors, and their families.
Annual Kristallnacht Speaker
Each year, the Kotek Center sponsors musicians, scholars, journalists, and artists to help commemorate Kristallnacht [“Night of Broken Glass”] as a community.
Stories of Survival - SSDS Digital Archive
To preserve the stories of our students’ survivor grandparents and great grandparents, Schechter’s middle school students engage in digital storytelling – doing everything from researching and formulating interview questions to filming, editing and post- production of videos.
Donations
The Kaplen Library offers an “Honor Thy Child Program” in which a book is donated to the library in honor of special occasions.
Families are invited to donate a book in honor of their child’s birthday: The librarian selects the book (with input from the child and family). The child is the first one to check out the donated books from the library, and a personalized bookplate is placed in the book honoring the child and their birthday.
Donations are accepted on the SSDS Kaplen Library Website or by contacting the librarian directly at [email protected] or Michelle Weinraub at mweinraub@ ssdsbergen.org in the Office of Institutional Advancement.
SSDS Bergen County Parent-Student Handbook 2019-20/5779-80 49 Fundraising at a Glance
Solomon Schechter Day School relies on fundraising efforts to enhance the student programming needs of our students and school, as well as to provide financial assistance for families wishing to give their children a Jewish day school education.
The Office of Institutional Advancement (Development Office) raises these funds through Schechter’s Annual Campaign, the Community Celebration, tributes (library books, pavers, benches), and the Stephanie z”l Prezant Israel Fund. There are many opportunities for families to volunteer in support of these efforts.
The generosity of our parents, alumni parents, grandparents and friends provide invaluable support for Schechter’s most important programs and priorities.
What is the Schechter Annual Campaign?
The Schechter Annual Campaign provides an opportunity for families, grandparents, alumni, and our community to make meaningful contributions to the education and lives of our students. Funds support our day to day operating expenses including our outstanding programs, tuition assistance to qualifying families, security improvements and general school operating costs.
Does My Tax-Deductible Gift Make a Difference?
Yes! All donations make a difference. Your gift helps secure the resources needed to maintain our superior general and Judaic academic curriculum, and to continue developing programs that reflect state-of-the-art educational pedagogy, cutting-edge technology, and the dynamic demands of a changing world.
Funds raised help to improve and expand student programming, recruit and develop top educators, maintain and improve our facilities, provide financial aid to qualifying families and keep tuition increases to a minimum. The SAC also enables us to provide financial assistance to students who would otherwise not be able to afford a Schechter education.
What is the correlation between the Community Celebration and the Annual Fund? Our Schechter Community Celebration is an opportunity for our community to celebrate the accomplishments of our year and pay tribute to our honorees.
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Donations of over $3,600 to the annual fund include a full page in our journal ad and membership into our Ma’ayan Giving Society. Outright gifts of $750 and above (not including ticket purchases) entitle you to a partial journal ad
Please contact Michelle Weinraub, Director of Institutional Advancement, with any questions. [email protected]; 201-262-9898 x.277
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AHAVA, The SSDS Parents’ Association is a volunteer organization that is among our school’s most important resources. The enthusiasm, commitment, and energy drive many school projects and events throughout the school year. AHAVA is Schechter’s very own cheering squad, diplomatic corps, and project management team all rolled up into one entity.
Become an AHAVA Parents’ Association volunteer and/or join one of our parent association clubs. There is something to fit everyone’s time, interests, & talents.
Register online through our password-protected parent portal, DDC 360°, as a general volunteer or email us at [email protected] to let us know how you may be involved. It’s that easy!
Programs
Lunch: AHAVA’s school lunch program is staffed by parent, grandparent, and family volunteers who help serve our children with healthy and delicious food choices each and every day! Volunteer once a year, once a month or once a week – this is a fantastic way to see your children in their school element.
Hesed: When Schechter families celebrate the birth of a child or grandchild, or are in need of Hesed [acts of loving kindness] due to illness or death in the family, this committee swings into action - sending Schechter’s signature “baby bears,” providing food or other forms of support.
Class Parent: An integral part of every classroom, class parents help with special classroom activities, projects, as well as serving as liaisons between parents and teachers.
AHAVAreads: Join our bi-monthly book club, AHAVAreads, and make new friends. Book club selections are published in Hebrew and English, and discussions are often bilingual.
Schechter Spirit Apparel: Be part of Schechter’s “swag” (Stuff We All Get) apparel team – help outfit our entire Schechter community with the latest in Schechter- branded kippot, sweatshirts, pajama pants, and other “SWAG.”
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Box Tops: Collecting “Box Tops for Education” has enabled AHAVA to purchase such important items as new playground equipment, class supplies, furniture, and library materials. You can help coordinate this important school fundraiser.
School Supplies: Love school-supply shopping? Then this is the committee for you! AHAVA volunteers on this committee work with school faculty to plan and prepare supply boxes for each class that parents can order online for the upcoming year. Students receive their AHAVA school supply boxes on the first day of school.
Lulav & Etrog Sale: Each Sukkot, Schechter families can purchase Lulav & Etrog sets. Volunteers are needed to administer the process, including placing orders with the vendor and distributing orders.
Mishloah Manot: As part of the celebration of Purim, every Schechter family receives a beautiful basket filled with goodies. This committee is perfect for imaginative, organized parents who enjoy creating interesting baskets with fun themes that our Schechter families can enjoy. Volunteers are needed to come up with basket themes, source the goodies, assemble and wrap the baskets, and organize and coordinate their distribution.
Art to Remember: This program provides parents with the opportunity to order fun memorabilia displaying their child’s original artwork. The associated committee needs volunteers to coordinate with the vendor, manage the program orders, and distribute the ordered art.
AHAVA Cookbook: We are looking for volunteers to help develop a theme for this fundraiser and coordinate recipe collection.
Special Events
First-Grade Siddur Ceremony: Schechter parents coordinate the culmination of first grade learning with a meaningful and lovely ceremony; each first-grader receives his/ her own personally inscribed Siddur. Parents assist teachers to plan/coordinate the event, help set up and decorate the gym, organize and set up the food.
Second-Grade Humash Ceremony: A special presentation and celebration as each second-grader receives a personally inscribed Humash. Your job is to assist the
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teachers to plan/coordinate the event, help set up and decorate the gym, organize and set up the food for the reception.
Third-Grade Havdalah Ceremony: Third Graders, their families, teachers, and friends come together to mark the end of Shabbat using the beautiful Havdalah sets they each create. Your job is to assist the teachers to plan/coordinate the event, help set up and decorate the gym, organize and set up the food for the reception.
Grade-Wide Parent Get-Togethers: Play host at your home, or help plan, an event or evening to bring new and current parents in your child(ren)’s grade together. A great way to make connections for you and your child(ren).
Moms’ Night Out: Help plan and organize these twice-yearly popular, annual “Evenings Out” events.
Dads’ Night Out: A great opportunity to meet other Dads and enjoy some male bonding. Volunteers are needed to help organize and coordinate these twice-yearly programs.
Bike with AHAVA: Struggle with teaching your young child how to take off those training wheels? AHAVA will host a teaching session and volunteers are needed to help coordinate.
Middle School Sukkah Event: This kids-only evening event for Grades 6 - 8 is the fall social event for our middle school. Volunteers are needed to help organize and plan activities, entertainment, and food.
Early Childhood Purim Carnival: Costumes, face painting, games and crafts, it wouldn’t be Purim without a Purim carnival! Volunteers help plan, organize, and coordinate the program as well as supervise carnival booths, set up, and clean up.
Lorraine Eras z”l Purim Seudah: Dedicated in memory of one of Schechter’s most committed parent volunteers, the Lorraine Eras z”l Purim Seudah provides a festive Purim meal for the entire Schechter Community. Volunteers are needed to develop a lunch theme and decorate the gym in a festive Purim fashion.
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Early Childhood Family Gathering: A perfect fall event to meet other families with students in Gan 3s – Kindergarten.
AHAVA Family Havdalah: A wonderful community-building event of small-group gatherings in Schechter family homes. Volunteers are needed to organize hosts, assign families and assist with logistics or be a host to other families.
SSDS Book Fair: A great chance to interact with students and help them embrace their love for reading.
Yom Ha’atzmaut Family Celebration: Help make Schechter the place to celebrate Israel’s Independence Day outside Israel. Volunteers create and implement this community-wide event with game booths, entertainment, food, and fun.
Faculty Luncheon: To show our appreciation for all their hard work on behalf of our children, AHAVA plans and sponsors a teacher appreciation luncheon each spring. Volunteers organize and coordinate.
2019-20 AHAVA Leadership
Co Presidents - Jonathan Apter, Chelsea Gleis, Sarit Perry Treasurer - Catherine Brown Secretary - Heather Rabinowitz Immediate past president - Sarah Nanus, Caryn Shaw
2019-20 AHAVA Board of Trustees
Ariella Adika Samantha Asulin Merav Brown Inbal Gould Shepard Grinker Valery Harrar Arlene Saphier-Horowitz Simmy Kustanowitz Jaide Massin Arielle Greenbaum Saposh Sandra Shakun Haya Torgovicky Tammy Ween
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2019-20 AHAVA Program Chairs
Communications/Newsletter - Marc Melzer AHAVAReads Book Club - Toby Schonberg Art to Remember - Caryn Shaw Box Tops - Shiri Milgram Lunch Volunteer Coordinator - Merav Brown Hesed committee - Betsy Zvulun Schecter Spirit Apparel - Lauren Crane, Kfir Weinraub School Supplies – Caryn Shaw New Student Buddy Picnic - Amy Kontorovich, Arielle Friedman, Maria Sobolev AHAVA Welcome-Back Reception - Jonathan Apter,Chelsea Gleis, Sarit Perry Lulav and Etrog Sale - Jaide Massin, Leah Zaretsky Middle School Sukkah Event - Toby Schonberg, Caryn Shaw Early Childhood Family Gathering - Inbal Gould Moms’ Night Out - Ariella Adika, Shlomit Davies, Amy Igel, Ronit Sandomirski, Sandra Shakun Dads’ Night Out - Josh Gleis SSDS Book Fair - Samantha Asulin, Janet Wanderman AHAVA Family Havdalah - Simmy Kustanowitz, Yoni Saposh Mishloah Manot - Stephanie Brandt, Rebecca Kirsch, Gabi Schwartzbard Lorraine Eras z”l Purim Seudah - Lauren Gross, Valery Harar, Beatrice Tokayer Purim Carnival - Ariella Adika, Shlomit Davies, Haya Torgovicky Bike With AHAVA - Shepard Grinker, Zach Kahn Yom Ha’atzmaut Family Celebration - Merav Brown, Jessie Fink, Hava Greenfest, Jessica Olcha AHAVA Thank-You Reception - Sarit Perry Faculty Luncheon - Sarah Nanus, Brandi Rubin First-Grade Siddur Ceremony - Rachel Wainer Apter, Batsheva Daskal, Shelly Holtzer, Inbar Srulevich Second-Grade Humash Ceremony - Jaide Massin, Sandra Shakun, Carey White Third-Grade Havdalah Ceremony - Catherine Brown, Merav Brown, Tammy Ween
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This policy is posted on the SSDS School Website
The Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County (“SSDS”) values and respects your privacy; the goal is to make your online experience both satisfying and safe as outlined in this Privacy Policy. This policy has been designed to comply with all applicable legal requirements, and governs SSDS website data collection and use via www.ssdsbergen.org. It is intended to inform website visitors about the information we collect, why we collect it, with whom it is shared, and how you can update, manage, and delete your information.
It is important to note that when using our site, you consent to the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy, including the collection and use of information. The Personal Information we collect is used to provide and improve our services. We will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy.
Because we gather certain types of information about our users, we feel you should fully understand our policy and the terms and conditions surrounding the capture and use of that information.
Our Privacy Policy does not address information obtained from other sources such as submissions by mail, phone or other devices or from personal contact.
Personal Information Collection and Use
We maintain the SSDS website for informational purposes and to facilitate your interaction with our school. The only personally identifiable data we collect is data that is voluntarily and knowingly submitted by a visitor to our site. You can have general access to our site and browse pages that describe our school, its mission, and programs, without providing any personal information or being required to register at our site.
However, you may not be able to access all parts of our site or interact with us online without supplying personal information. For example, you may need to provide us with your personal information in order to gain access to password-protected portions of our site or to complete online forms or applications. You will be asked to create a username and password to login and provide this information to us. If you ask to receive additional information, schedule a tour, speak to an admissions representative, or register for a public-facing event, we will ask you to provide us with your personal
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information so we can contact you to respond to your request. We also will receive your personal information if you submit it to us when you email comments to the site or if you complete surveys, or take part in e-commerce on our site. We do collect and may keep this personally identifiable information when you choose to voluntarily submit such information.
Children’s Privacy
Notice to Children under the age of thirteen (13) and their parents or legal guardians: If you are under the age of 13 and would like to contact SSDS, please do so through your parent(s) or legal guardian(s). SSDS does not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under the age of 13. In the case we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we immediately delete this from our servers. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so that we will be able to take necessary action.
SSDS gathers three types of user information
Information provided through optional, voluntary submissions, including, but not limited to, event registration, donations, requests to receive email communications, and gated content. Information SSDS gathers through aggregated tracking information and primarily obtained by tallying page views throughout our sites. This information allows us to report and analyze usage trends regarding traffic to the site in order to understand the demographics of the audience and better serve our current users.
Purchasers’ information is retained as permitted by common practice for use of electronic shopping cart functions on the site. The sponsoring organization receives contact information, purchase preferences, etc. and all credit card information is transferred according to the highest standards of PCI compliance (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is an information security standard for organizations that handle branded credit cards).
Sharing of Information
SSDS does not divulge or release any information about an individual user to a third party under any circumstances except to comply with applicable law or valid legal process or to protect the personal safety of our users or the public.
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Service Providers’ Access to Information
SSDS may employ third-party companies and individuals for the following reasons: • To facilitate our service; • To provide services on our behalf; or • To assist us in analyzing how our service is used. These third parties have access to your personal information for the express purpose of performing the tasks assigned to them on our behalf. However, they are obligated not to disclose or use the information for any other purpose.
Information Gathered Automatically
When you visit our site, some information such as your Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, Internet service provider, operating system, Web browser version, site from which you arrived, and the time and date of your visit may be collected automatically as part of normal website operation. This information is not personally identifiable, and we do not link it to any personally identifiable information you submit while using our site. This information is used solely to track Web browsing patterns to better understand how our website is being used and, when necessary, to troubleshoot problems with the site.
Log Data
Please be advised that whenever you visit our site, we collect information that your browser sends to us –known as Log Data. This Log Data may include information such as your computer’s Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, browser version, the pages of our site that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages, and other statistics.
Cookies
Cookies are files with small amounts of data that are commonly used as an anonymous unique identifier. These are sent to your browser from the website that you visit and are stored on your computer’s hard drive. The SSDS website uses these “cookies” to collection information and to improve our service. You have the option to either accept or refuse these cookies, and know when a cookie is being sent to your computer. If you choose to refuse our cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our site.
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Copyright
Text, images, videos, documents, and any other electronic materials and media available on SSDS’s website are available as a resource to the public and are the sole property of SSDS, and/or its content suppliers and are protected by copyright. The reproduction, redistribution, and/or exploitation of any of these materials are prohibited without express, written consent from SSDS.
Limited Use
All content and data, particularly telephone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses or other information contained in the directories of the SSDS website, is restricted to the personal use of authorized visitors only.
Users agree to use the SSDS website only for lawful purposes, and acknowledge that failure to do so may subject user to civil or criminal liability. The commercial use of the information on this website is strictly prohibited. Users agree not to copy, post, and e-mail or otherwise transmit any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising or promotional materials. Users are responsible for ensuring that any materials uploaded, posted or submitted to or through the SSDS website do not violate the copyright, trademark, trade secret or other personal or proprietary rights of any third party and hereby agree to indemnify the School for any third party infringement or personal rights claims. Users agree not to disrupt, modify, or interfere with the SSDS website or its associated software, hardware and servers in any way and agree not to impede or interfere with others’ use of this website. Users further agree not to alter or tamper with any information or materials on or associated with the website.
Security
SSDS operates secure data networks protected by industry standard firewall and password protection systems. Our security and privacy policies are periodically reviewed and enhanced as necessary and only authorized individuals have access to the information provided by our users.
Additionally, security on the transactional area of the site is further enhanced by WPEngine that scans to ensure security is intact on a daily basis. We value your trust in providing us with your Personal Information; that is why we use commercially acceptable means of protecting it. That being said, it is important to note that no
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method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure and reliable, and we cannot guarantee its absolute security
Links to Other Sites
Our site may contain links to other sites. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that site. Note that these external sites are not operated by us. Therefore, we strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of these websites. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.
Warranties and Representations
SSDS makes no warranties or representations about the SSDS website or the materials, content or the links on this website. Users acknowledge and agree that users are accessing the website and/or any links to third party websites at their own risk. SSDS does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, material, content, images, or links on this website. SSDS does not warrant that this website, its servers, links on this website, and messages sent through the website or received through the website are free from viruses or other potentially harmful, electronic components. Users agree not to hold the school liable for damages of any kind arising from or resulting from the use of this website.
Changes to SSDS Privacy Policy
SSDS reserves the right to modify its policies at any time. In the event the Privacy Policy may be changed or updated the revised Privacy Policy will apply to information collected after the date the Privacy Policy is changed and posted. Thus, we advise you to review this page periodically for any changes. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. These changes are effective immediately, after they are posted on this page.
Copyright Guidelines
Unauthorized copying or downloading of licensed software or other copyrighted digital material is illegal. Students are expected to avoid plagiarism and to practice accepted rules for documentation by citing documents and by attributing authorship.
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Integrity of Computing Systems
Use of the network for any illegal activities; for hacking, i.e., the unauthorized entry into any computer systems; or for any deliberate vandalism or destruction of computer files is prohibited. Do not change any settings or passwords on a shared computer. Do not add files to any directory on the network besides your own user folder. Do not download or install any free or purchased software without permission from the technology coordinator. Computer viruses are extremely destructive. Do not spread them.
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