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FINAL Student Handbook 2021-22

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FINAL Student Handbook 2021-22 Katz Yeshiva High School of South Florida STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK 2021-2022 5782 1 Table of Contents WELCOME LETTER TO STUDENTS 3 WHO’S WHO AT KYHS 4 OUR MISSION STATEMENT 5 KYHS INTEGRITY PLEDGE 6 ACADEMIC PROGRAM 7 ATTENDANCE & RESIDENCY 13 COMMUNICATION 17 STUDENT BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS 20 ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES 29 2 WELCOME LETTER TO STUDENTS Dear Talmidim and Talmidot! Welcome to an exciting new school year at KYHS! This new beginning includes the promise for meaningful accomplishment and growth through the many opportunities we provide as a school. We are confident that you will successfully utilize the resources of the staff, the building, and the remarkable warmth of KYHS to develop as a student, a friend, and as a .כלל ישראל contributing member of Every successful group of people that seeks to build a friendly, cooperative community must be bound together by common values and by mutually beneficial guidelines. Our commitment to these principles and to each other forges our identity as a community of B'nai Torah. We present you with this booklet, which details our school policies and procedures, to help define and maintain a safe environment that promotes learning, sensitivity, respect as well as religious, social and emotional growth in each of you. This year will prove to be extraordinary. The faculty and administration have been preparing over many days and weeks for the upcoming school year, hoping to make the year uplifting, enjoyable, fulfilling, and fun. May you dream big with high aspirations and may you build the bridges that successfully transport you from today into those spectacular tomorrows. Sincerely, Rabbi Avi Levitt Mrs. Ora Lee Kanner Head of School Principal 3 WHO’S WHO AT KYHS Rabbi Avi Levitt Head of School Mrs. Ora Lee Kanner Principal Mr. Shimmie Kaminetsky Executive Director Rabbi Benjy Horowitz Assistant Principal Judaic Studies Rabbi Chaim Lanner Assistant Principal General Studies Mrs. Melissa Perl Assistant Principal Mrs. Holly Seidenfeld Director of Student Academics / 11th Grade Advisor Mrs. Sharona Kay Associate Dean / 10th Grade Advisor Mrs. Melissa Pereira Director of Admissions / 9th Grade Advisor Mrs. Hila Mizrahi Director of Guidance Rabbi Avi Wasser Director of Learning and Academic Support Ms. Michele Harris Director of College Guidance Mrs. Ellen Chait Dean of Student Conduct Rabbi Avi Hochman Mashgiach Ruchani / Boys Israel Guidance Ms. Kyla Crowther Department Chair - English Dr. Robert Isaacson Department Chair - History Mrs. Shlomit Peretz Department Chair - Ivrit Mrs. Chava Epstein Department Chair - Math Mrs. Elizabeth Hegna Department Chair - Science Mrs. Amy Horowitz Department Chair - Tanach Rabbi Ben Sugerman Department Chair - Toshba Rabbi Akiva Wolk, Mrs. Shaindi Hochner KOSL (Katz Office of Student LIfe) and Clubs Rabbi Dovid Kimche 9th Grade Advisor Mrs. Claudia Cohen Director of Technology Rabbi Moshe Nachbar Director of Student Culture 4 OUR MISSION STATEMENT Katz Yeshiva High School of South Florida serves the local Jewish communities. All members of our school community are actively engaged in the lifelong process of learning and character development. Toward that end we strive to: INSPIRE our students to make a lifelong commitment to Jewish values, learning, and observance, and to view all disciplines and pursuits through the prism of Torah. CHALLENGE our students with an excellent Judaic and General Studies program that engages the heart and mind, builds character, and develops knowledgeable and thoughtful young men and women who will continue the journey of learning. Our Values: Torat Yisrael- Devotion to Jewish law and observance Ahavat Yisrael- Embracing all Jews Medinat Yisrael- Supporting and celebrating the State of Israel Kavod Habriyot- Respecting all human beings Tikkun Olam- Contributing to the community 5 KYHS INTEGRITY PLEDGE KYHS students are expected to behave according to Torah values and to act in accordance with the precept that derech eretz kadmah la-Torah (proper behavior comes before Torah) at all times and in all places. Certainly, this is true when we are in school and at school events. As such, all students will be called upon to demonstrate dignity, respect, honesty and empathy toward staff, fellow students, the school environment, and school property. The dignity students will uphold includes actions and speech, both in and out of the classroom. It is likewise expected that students respect all people, and act to promote the welfare of the entire school community regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Safety is an essential element in a happy and vibrant school. Hence, all students should always behave in a safe and responsible manner. We expect our students to take pride in the school environment, and in particular to make every effort to keep it clean after meals as well as when one sees debris that could easily be cleaned. All students are to sign the KYHS Student Integrity Pledge described below. This code applies to academic work, conduct with others, and attitude towards property and presumes that each student will act with personal dignity and will strive to uphold the standards and values of our school community. Students commit to this honor code by observing it and by helping others observe it. Through these commitments and actions, we elevate the KYHS school community to something special and sanctified: As a member of the Katz Yeshiva High School community I recognize that I am expected to behave according to Torah values and to act in accordance with the precept that derech eretz kadmah la-Torah (proper behavior comes before Torah). I know that I was created bi-tzelem Elokim (in the image of G-d) and that my actions and my speech must reflect that. As such, I pledge to do my best to behave in an honest, respectful, and responsible manner and to act in a way to make all people feel safe, appreciated, and respected. I understand that the violation of the norms of behavior established by the KYHS honor code or described in the KYHS handbook may be grounds for disciplinary consequences. 6 ACADEMIC PROGRAM Katz Yeshiva High School offers a comprehensive, dual-curriculum program in General and Judaic Studies. Our students are expected to take the State of Florida Required Classes at a minimum and are encouraged to maximize their potential by taking electives and additional courses in line with their abilities and interests. The Graduation Requirements are the following: ● 4 years of English, Math, History, and Science ● 4 years of Judaic Studies ● Each year students must take 3 courses from the following options: Tanach (Bible), Navi (Biblical Prophets), Halacha (Jewish Law), Jewish Philosophy, Toshba (Oral Law), and Talmud ● 3 years of Modern Hebrew Language ● 3 years of Electives ● Current Elective choices include Arabic, Art, Business, Physical Education, Videography, Engineering, and Spanish Students who receive academic support may be exempt from one General Studies class and one Judaic Studies class in 9th and 10th grade and from one Judaic Studies class in 11th and 12th grade. Students at KYHS need to pass all of their classes each year in order to graduate. If necessary, students will be asked to take courses over the Summer in order to fulfill their class load. CLASS PLACEMENT Class placement is done with diligence and thought, and students are placed in the level of classes deemed appropriate for their academic ability. The Assistant Principals of General and Judaic Studies, along with the Department Chairs of each discipline and teachers from the previous year will determine student placement. Placement takes into consideration the academic records and recommendations of previous teachers in tandem with student requests. When students feel that a change in class placement is necessary and they have made the decision to request a change, preferably after consulting with at least the teacher and parents, they should fill out a change of class request form. These forms are available on the website and at the offices of the General Studies Assistant Principal and the Judaic Studies Assistant Principal. After the completed forms are submitted to the appropriate Assistant Principal, they will respond to the student's request after consultation with the Department Chair and involved teachers. If approved, the Assistant Principal will make the necessary updates to the student's schedule in Renweb and inform the teachers associated with the switch. Due to the significant workload associated with AP classes, students should carefully choose the number of AP courses in which they enroll: ● The administration and students’ previous teachers will make recommendations based on students' past history of academic performance, work ethic, and standardized test scores. ● If a student earned a B or below in the non-AP level of the course the previous year, it is recommended that they not take the AP class in that subject. 7 ● If a student enrolls in 3 or more AP courses in one year, they may be asked to have a conversation with an academic adviser to discuss if this course load best matches the particular student’s goals. ● If a student has a C or lower in the first quarter of an AP class, an administrator will initiate a conversation with that student to discuss if the student’s placement should be changed. ADD/DROP DATES If a student wishes to add/drop a course or move up or down a level, he or she must do so by the 20th day of instruction in the school year. If a student switches before the midpoint of the quarter, he/she earns a grade for the new class for that quarter. If the student transfers after the midpoint of the quarter, then he/she will earn an incomplete for the first quarter and will begin the second quarter on the day he/she transfers. The grades from the previous class do not follow the student.
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