STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 · 5780 TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 MISSION STATEMENT

4 WELCOME FROM RABBI GRAUER

5 ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY AND STAFF

7 CONTACT DETAILS

8 TEFILLA AND SCHEDULE

9 STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

15 ATTENDANCE

16 CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

18 EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS: FIRE DRILL

21 CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

23 STUDENT COUNCIL AND YEARBOOK

ULPANAT OROT 2 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 President MISSION STATEMENT Aaron Ames Chair The mission of Ulpanat Orot is to inculcate within our students an Ashira Gobrin appreciation for and a commitment to observance and values. Vice President Ulpanat Orot, founded in 1975, was established in Toronto with several Mordechai Katzman (’92) specific goals in mind: Treasurer • To create an environment where religiously committed girls will be able to Ezra Lauterpacht grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, and religiously in a vibrant Jewish Secretary setting. Jonathan Straus

• To offer a dual curriculum of Judaic and General Studies that will arm our Executive Officer students with the methodological tools needed to become self-reliant in Hadassa Pertman (’04) classical Jewish texts and give them a broad-based secular grounding in the Immediate Past President classical world disciplines. Howard Wasserman • To deepen and strengthen the centrality of Eretz Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael Past Presidents ז"ל as a fundamental element of our Torah beliefs and, to this end, to stress the Nachman Sokol importance of lashon hakodesh as a manner of achieving these goals. Saul Koschitzky Eli Rubinstein • To encourage and fervently support the notion of our students continuing I. Berl Nadler their Judaic studies at seminaries in Eretz Yisrael and in other institutions of Naftali Winter higher Jewish learning. Jeff Shumacher Steve Mayer Board of Directors Moishe Kesten Daniella Kuhl Alon Kronenberg Ruthie Mammon Joel Muscat Devora Paskowitz Dan Rabinovitch Aryeh Samuel (’08) Talia Samson (’96) Sendy Shorser (’05) Jeremy Silver (’05) Shana Strauss (’91) Life Members ז"ל Aron Frankel Henry Koschitzky Saul Koschitzky Michael Lax ז"ל Bessie Orfus Kurt Rothschild Phil Schwartz ז"ל Jack Weinbaum

ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 3 WELCOME FROM RABBI GRAUER

Dear Students, Our school’s mission statement outlines four significant and fundamental goals upon which our institutions were founded. These goals focus on: 1. The importance of creating an environment of religiously committed families; 2. Our desire for academic excellence in both Judaic and General studies; 3. Our commitment and connection to Eretz Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael; 4. Our hope that your time at Ulpanat Orot is not simply a four-year high school experience, but rather, the beginning of a life enriched by your continued learning and living in Eretz Yisrael. Our mission statement is not meant to simply identify lofty ideals and principles that only sound good on paper but are removed from reality, but rather is meant to be lived and embraced within the walls of our buildings and beyond. Over the last 45 years, since the Schools of Toronto first opened, roughly 25% of all our graduates have made and decided to settle with their families in our eternal homeland, Eretz Yisrael. That is a staggering number, which I believe is likely unmatched in other Modern Orthodox and Religious Zionistic North American high schools and this importance cannot be overstated. Beneath the surface of these goals in our mission statement is the realization and recognition that derech eretz kadma leTorah and that focusing on mitzvot bein adam lechaveiro, between our fellow men and women, is necessary for us to build a school based on respect and admiration for one another. We strive to create a school focused on chessed, Jewish kindness, ethics, morals and a deep sense of doing what is right, which lies at the bedrock and the heart of everything we do. We recognize that in order to have a true Torah environment within our schools, positive citizenship must be valued and demonstrated through behaving with dignity, honesty, and integrity in all our relationships both within and outside our community. This student handbook serves as an expression of these character values and its enforcement is essential to ensure a respectful and collaborative community of learners. As we enter this school year, we will continue to work towards strengthening all four of our goals through renewed energy, commitment and an unwavering desire to ensure that the Bnei Akiva Schools are the number one choice for Modern Orthodox, Religious Zionist Jews in the Greater Toronto Jewish community. Please know that I am personally invested and committed to the individual growth and success of each of you. I am here to support, guide and advise you on anything I can, and I encourage you to seek me out. It is my fervent hope and prayer that you will join and partner with me in our mission to inspire positive religious and spiritual growth, develop an intellectual curiosity that promotes personal excellence, instill an unwavering support and devotion to Eretz Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael and live lives sanctifying G-d’s name as actively engaged citizens in our greater general communities. Best wishes for a productive school year, Rabbi Seth Grauer Rosh & Head of School

ULPANAT OROT 4 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 ADMINISTRATION

MR. MORDECHAI SABETI RABBI DR. SETH N. GRAUER MR. HILLEL RAPP Executive Director Rosh Yeshiva & Head of School Director of Education

MRS. SHARON FIXLER MRS. SHARI WEINBERG MRS. SHIRA LIPNER Assistant Principal Director of Guidance Director of Judaic Studies

MS. MIRIAM BESSIN MRS. SHYNDEE KESTENBAUM RABBI YOSEF KURTZ MRS. ELISHEVA REICHMANN MRS. MIRIAM KLEIN Director of Student Life Coordinator of Religious Mashgiach Ruchani Mechanechet Director of Educational Support Guidance & Growth

SHLICHIM & SHLICHOT

RABBI EITAN AVINER MRS. RACHEL AVINER RABBI MENACHEM BURKIS MRS. EFRAT BURKIS RABBI HILLEL HOROVITZ RABBI CHAIM KOWALSKY Director of Judaic Advancement

EDUCATIONAL OFFICE FACILITIES STAFF

MRS. ASNETTE OSIPOV MRS. YAEL JAKUBOVIC MISS SARA RAIZEL SENDEROVITS MR. MORRIS BRAND MR. STEVE HYSTEK Office Manager Programming Coordinator Administrative Assistant Information Technology Manager Building Maintenance

BUSINESS OFFICE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

MS. ESTHER MENDLOWITZ MRS. GEOULA OSIPOV MS. ROSANA SALAMA MS. TAMARA COLODNY MR. DANIEL GOFINE MS. SOHEILA SABETI MRS. RACHELI SPIEGEL Manager, Business Administration Controller Administrative Assistant Development Coordinator Director of Engagement Executive Assistant to Rabbi Grauer Alumni Coordinator & Development & Development Associate

ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 5 FACULTY

MRS. LAILA ALTER MRS. RACHEL BELZBERG MS. ALLISON BEULA MRS. MONICA CHOCRON MRS. RINA DEUTSCH MRS. SARA ERLICH Guidance Science Dance Mathematics & Science Judaic Studies Ivrit

MRS. NADIA GLICK MRS. TAMARA GRUNBERGER MS. DEVORAH JACOBS MRS. RIFKY KARFUNKEL MRS. LEORA KASPER DR. SHLOMIT LEVY Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics Judaic Studies Mathematics Science

MRS. ROCHELLE LIPSON MRS. YAEL LIPSON DR. JANNA NADLER MS. LEA NEW-MINKOWITZ MR. EFI PALVANOV MS. RISA REISMAN Visual Arts Social Sciences English Judaic Studies Science Social Worker

MRS. ARLENE RIPSMAN MRS. RIVKY ROSENBERG MR. ERIC SALTSMAN MR. ELI SCHNEIDER MR. GORD SKAROTT MRS. RIFKA SONENBERG Mathematics Judaic Studies English, Media Arts Student Support Health Sciences Student Support & Student Support

MS. LEORA STERLIN MS. LEAH SUTTON MR. MICHAEL TEVERSHAM MRS. KENDRA THOMPSON MS. SARAH WAPNER MR. BRYAN WEINBERG Social Sciences English & Drama Social Sciences Mathematics & Social Sciences Judaic Studies & Social Sciences Social Sciences

ULPANAT OROT 6 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 EDUCATIONAL OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS NAME EXT. E-MAIL TEL: 416-638-5434 FAX: 416-638-7905 Rabbi Seth Grauer 50 [email protected] Mr. Hillel Rapp 42 [email protected] Mrs. Shira Lipner 33 [email protected] Mrs. Sharon Fixler 34 [email protected] Rabbi Yosef Kurtz 29 [email protected] BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT OFFICES Ms. Miriam Bessin 26 [email protected] TEL: 416-630-6772 FAX: 416-398-5711 Mrs. Shyndee Kestenbaum 24 [email protected] NAME EXT. E-MAIL Mrs. Asnette Osipov 31 [email protected] Ms. Esther Mendlowitz 241 [email protected] Mrs. Yael Jakubovic 32 [email protected] Mrs. Geoula Osipov 234 [email protected] Mr. Daniel Gofine 270 [email protected] STUDENT SUPPORT Mrs. Tamara Colodny 267 [email protected] NAME EXT. E-MAIL Ms. Soheila Sabeti 235 [email protected] Mrs. Shari Weinberg 38 [email protected] Mrs. Racheli Spiegel 249 [email protected] Mrs. Miriam Klein 30 [email protected] Ms. Rosana Salama 246 [email protected] Ms. Risa Reisman 27 [email protected]

TO WHOM DO WE GO? CATEGORY NAME EXT. E-MAIL Any Issues, Thoughts or Concerns Rabbi Seth Grauer 50 [email protected] Admissions Mrs. Sharon Fixler 34 [email protected] Attendance Notifications Mrs. Asnette Osipov 31 [email protected] Class Placements: General Studies Mrs. Shari Weinberg 38 [email protected] Class Placements: Judaic Studies Mrs. Sharon Fixler 34 [email protected] Discipline Mrs. Sharon Fixler 34 [email protected] Donations Mrs. Tamara Colodny 416-630-6772 267 [email protected] Donations Receipts Mrs. Geoula Osipov 416-630-6772 234 [email protected] Educational Support Mrs. Miriam Klein 30 [email protected] Educational Technology Rabbi Menachem Burkis [email protected] Emergencies Mrs. Shari Weinberg 38 [email protected] Educational Programming Questions Mr. Hillel Rapp 42 [email protected] Guidance Mrs. Shari Weinberg 38 [email protected] Health & Safety Mrs. Shari Weinberg 38 [email protected] Advisement Ms. Miriam Bessin 26 [email protected] Judaic Studies Curriculum and Grades Mrs. Shira Lipner 33 [email protected] Parent-Student Events Mrs. Shyndee Kestenbaum 24 [email protected] Religious Guidance Mrs. Shyndee Kestenbaum 24 [email protected] Rabbi Yosef Kurtz 29 [email protected] Student Activities Ms. Miriam Bessin 26 [email protected] Mrs. Shyndee Kestenbaum 24 [email protected] Transcripts: copies Mrs. Asnette Osipov 31 [email protected] Transcripts: questions, concerns Mr. Hillel Rapp 33 [email protected] Tuition and Scholarship Ms. Esther Mendlowitz 416-630-6772 241 [email protected] University Counselling Mrs. Shari Weinberg 38 [email protected]

ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 7 TEFILLA AND SCHEDULE One of the most fundamental elements of is It is therefore one of the goals of our schools to imbue our prayer. Tefilla is a reflection of the innermost thoughts and students with the value of the tefilla experience. Students are emotions of a Jew trying to engage in a dialogue with her encouraged to arrive at least five minutes early, at 7:55 am, Creator. It, therefore, is an art that must be methodologically to give each person ample time to prepare physically and cultivated, developed and nurtured. The depth of commitment spiritually for tefilla or class. Students who are late should of a Jew to Torah and to her religion is evident in the way she report to the shul immediately upon their arrival and not go behaves and in her demeanor during tefilla. to their lockers until after tefilla has ended. Being on time for tefilla is critically important in setting the It is our firm conviction that one cannot become a true Bat stage for a meaningful experience. It is most difficult to infuse Torah unless one learns how to pray properly with total kavana into one’s prayers when one is rushing to catch up to concentration and devotion and unless one learns the critical be in sync with the tzibbur or deleting passages in order to importance of communal prayer. do so.

MONDAY- Extended Short Day & Regular Short Day Fast Day THURSDAY Tefilla Ext. Tefilla AM Assembly PM Assembly

Period 1 8:00-8:52 8:00-8:44 8:00-8:50 8:00-8:42 8:00-8:45 Period 1 8:00-8:45 Period 1 8:00-8:44

Tefilla & Tefilla & Tefilla & 8:54-9:51 8:46-9:46 8:52-10:05 8:44-9:56 8:47-9:37 8:47-9:47 8:46-9:46 Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast

Period 2 9:56-10:48 9:51-10:35 10:10-11:00 10:01-10:43 9:42-10:27 Period 2 9:52-10:37 Period 2 9:51-10:35 Break 10:35-10:40 Break 10:48-10:53 10:35-10:40 11:00-11:05 10:43-10:48 10:27-10:32 Assembly 10:37-11:40 Period 3 10:42-11:26 Period 3 10:55-11:47 10:42-11:26 11:07-11:57 10:50-11:32 10:34-11:19 Period 3 11:42-12:27 Period 4 11:28-12:12 Period 4 11:49-12:41 11:28-12:12 11:59-12:49 11:34-12:16 11:21-12:06 Period 4 12:29-1:14 Lunch 12:12-12:48 Lunch 12:41-1:26 12:12-12:48 12:49-1:34 12:16-12:56 (Break) Lunch 1:14-1:54 12:06-12:26 Period 5 12:50-1:34 Period 5 1:56-2:41 Period 5 1:28-2:20 12:50-1:34 1:36-2:26 12:58-1:40 12:28-1:13 Period 6 1:36-2:20

Period 6 2:43-3:28 Mincha & Period 6 2:22-3:14 1:36-2:20 2:28-3:18 1:42-2:24 1:15-2:00 2:20-3:38 Assembly Mincha 3:28-3:41 Mincha & Break 3:14-3:27 2:20-2:33 3:18-3:31 2:24-2:37 Break 3:38-3:43 Dismissal Period 7 3:43-4:28 Period 7 3:29-4:21 2:35-3:19 3:33-4:23 2:39-3:21 at 2:00 Period 7 3:45-4:29

Period 8 4:23-5:15 3:21-4:05 4:25-5:15 3:23-4:05 Period 8 4:30-5:15 Period 8 4:31-5:15

Friday Regular Short Short Friday FRIDAY Extended Friday Friday & Ext. Tefilla Tefilla Period 1 8:00-8:50 8:00-8:40 8:00-8:50 8:00-8:40 Tefilla & Breakfast 8:50-9:50 8:40-9:40 8:50-10:05 8:40-9:55 Period 2 9:52-10:42 9:42-10:22 10:07-10:54 9:57-10:33 Period 3 10:44-11:34 10:24-11:04 10:56-11:43 10:35-11:11 Lunch 11:36-12:18 11:06-11:38 11:45-12:24 11:13-11:46 Period 4 12:18-1:08 11:38-12:18 12:24-1:11 11:46-12:22 Period 5 1:10-2:00 12:20-1:00 1:13-2:00 12:24-1:00

Consult the UO schedule cards for a full listing of all schedules and the calendar to see which days are short days.

ULPANAT OROT 8 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Bnei Akiva Schools recognizes the importance of secondary school education and has a commitment to reach every student, to the best of our ability. Bnei Akiva Schools considers interpersonal behaviour to be the highest priority in our students’ education. We strive to be a community of teachers, parents, and students who are invested in promoting values and behaviours that demonstrate what is best for the individual and school community as a whole. Students are expected to treat everyone with respect. The use of inappropriate language and behaviours which demonstrates a lack of respect of others, of the property of others, or of the learning process is deemed wholly unacceptable. Tzniut applies to behaviour and speech as well as to dress. Students are expected to speak and conduct themselves in a manner befitting Bnot Torah. The students of Bnei Akiva Schools are our ambassadors and role models throughout the community. They exemplify by word and deed the values of Bnei Akiva Schools. A young woman who chooses to attend Ulpanat Orot undertakes a commitment to halachic observance and behaviour which reflects positively on herself and her school. Consequently, students of Bnei Akiva Schools are expected to adhere to the lifestyle and behaviour of a Bat Torah both within the school and beyond the school day.

DERECH ERETZ SUBSTANCE ABUSE Student to teacher: While in class, students are expected Bnei Akiva Schools are a signatory on the Yeshiva Day Schools to be engaged in the serious endeavour of learning and National Substance Abuse Prevention Policy (June 2018). As education. As well, students must demonstrate derech eretz such, our policies include: in their social interactions. Should a student be so unruly or 1. Students can be assured that they are welcomed and inappropriate that the teacher asks her to leave class, the encouraged to seek help from the school guidance faculty student must report to the school office for further instruction. or administration, and that the involved faculty members Students within the building: Students are expected to will support them with sensitivity and will only notify respect the property of the school. The buildings, furnishings, appropriate adults (including, always, parents) without and equipment must not be harmed in any way. Posters or disclosing their conversations to anyone else. Upon notices may only be posted on the appropriate bulletin learning of a student’s substance use, the appropriate boards after being cleared by a school administrator. school faculty will assist a student in seeking treatment, based on conversations with the student, her parents, Student to student: Physical, verbal, written or online and a professional therapist. harassment of others is not acceptable. The Gemara states, Kol Yisrael areivim zeh lazeh, To be a Jew is to take responsibility for 2. Any student found to be in possession of or using drugs, the well being of our fellow Jews. Specifically, there is a zero alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes or any other controlled tolerance environment for any form of derogatory language substance in school, on school property, or while towards another individual. Every human being is created participating in a school event, may be asked to leave the b’tzelem Elokim, in God’s image, and deserves kavod habriyot, school. basic human dignity. No student should feel targeted or 3. As an extension of our commitment to provide a safe singled out; all individuals in the school have the right to feel and wholesome environment for our students, a student safe and welcome within our community. The mental health who is found to be distributing and/or providing drugs and well-being of our students is paramount. or other substances, whether in or out of school, may be A student who believes she is the victim of harassment asked to leave the school. is encouraged to speak to a member of the school’s 4. Students may not host other students at their homes for administration. Complaints will be handled expeditiously, parties that include any form of controlled substance use. confidentially and with the utmost sensitivity. A student who harasses others, verbally, physically, written or online, will be It is our fervent and sincere hope that this policy will encourage subject to disciplinary action. our students to feel safe turning to school faculty for help in addressing substance abuse issues, with the knowledge that they will be supported and respected.

ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 9 SCHOOL PROPERTY secure. The cameras may be used to review reported incidents. Requests to review the camera footage can be All students are assigned a school locker. School lockers made to a member of the administration. Reviewing of the are the property of Bnei Akiva Schools and may be opened camera footage will take place based on the seriousness of for inspection by a member of the administrative team the incident at the discretion of the administration. or a designee. A locker and lock rental fee of $10 per year must be paid before a locker will be assigned. Should the Students are not permitted to cover the cameras at any time, lock be damaged or lost, a new one will be issued for a $10 and will be subject to disciplinary action if they tamper with a replacement fee. Lockers should be kept clean and locked at security camera in any way. all times. No decals, writing, or other material are to be placed on the outside of the lockers. Only materials or pictures appropriate to a Torah environment, as determined by school DISMISSAL PROCEDURES administration, should be in the lockers. If a student becomes ill and must go home, she must sign out Food should not be eaten during class time, in the Beit with parental permission through the office. Midrash or in the gym. Students are expected to clean up after Ulpanat Orot enjoys a partial open campus policy. To take themselves. advantage of the open campus policy, a blanket permission Anyone holding a school key without proper authorization of form, signed by a parent/guardian, must be submitted to Bnei Akiva Schools will be subject to disciplinary action and the office. Assuming a parent/guardian signs the blanket will be held financially accountable for the cost of replacing permission form, students may leave the buildings during all the locks which can be opened by the unauthorized key. lunch and spares only. Prior to leaving the buildings, students must sign out and must sign back in upon returning to school. During lunch or spares, students may be in the student To sign out at any other time, students will need specific lounge, unused classrooms, or the Beit Midrash. The gym may parental permission via email or phone. only be used when supervised. The teachers’ lounge is off limits to students. Students are not permitted to be in the art Ulpanat Orot does not take responsibility for loss or injury when room or science lab without supervision. students leave campus for a non-school activity. Students are not permitted to leave school without permission. Students who drive to school are expected to drive responsibly and to SECURITY CAMERAS park in the rear parking lot. There are security cameras located in classrooms, hallways, public spaces and outside of the building. The school is committed to keeping the data collected on these cameras

ULPANAT OROT 10 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 LETTER OF CENSURE POLICY CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES Activities and behaviors taking place outside of school that Cell phones or any electronic communication devices may not are not in the spirit of the rules and expectations of the school be used during class for any purpose other than education, and its mission fall under the mandate of this policy. This determined solely by the teacher. This includes, but is not includes, but is not limited to, the specific behaviours already limited to: texting, photographing, video recording or any outlined in the Student Handbook. Under this policy the form of communication. school takes the following position: Students are not to use electronic devices (i.e. cell phones, • The school will not seek to generate a set of adverse laptops, etc.) without permission during class. Earpieces or consequences or punitive measures for the behaviour headphones may not be worn during the school day with of students outside of school, school programs and the exception of lunch or school breaks. The first and second activities beyond the measures listed below, save for offence will result in confiscation of the electronic device for exceptional circumstances as determined by the school the remainder of the day. A third offense will result in further administration. disciplinary action. Only approved electronic devices (e.g. laptop or calculator) may be taken into the class during any • If, in the course of reviewing an incident that has been test or examination. brought to the school’s attention, it is of the opinion that certain students acted in a manner not in the spirit of the Audio/videotaping of either students or faculty is strictly school’s personal code of conduct, the school may issue prohibited without advance permission. This includes for a letter of censure to be delivered to the student and school projects, as well as for social media purposes. temporarily placed in her OSR file. The letter will serve to rebuke the behaviour in question and identify it as out of sync with the values and norms we seek to express within COMPUTER USAGE our community. This letter should serve to encourage It is the responsibility of each individual to personal reflection and reparative measures as applicable. use her electronic devices and the school's A first letter will be removed from a student’s file after WiFi legally, ethically and in accordance a 12-month period, assuming no further disciplinary with the halachic principles espoused by measures have been implemented in that span. Bnei Akiva Schools. Internet access is a • In the event of a second incident, another letter will privilege and not a right. If a user violates any of the acceptable be issued along the aforementioned lines while also use provisions outlined here, her account will be terminated, making clear that failure to comport oneself according and future access will be denied. Some violations may also to the agreed upon code of conduct could result in a constitute a criminal offense and may result in legal action. student forfeiting his place of membership in the school Any user violating these provisions, applicable provincial community. A second letter will be removed from a and federal laws, or posted classroom, Beit Midrash, lab or student’s file following no further disciplinary measures school policies, is subject to loss of access privileges and other at the conclusion of High School. The school may share disciplinary measures. information from a student’s file at its discretion. We are all familiar with the plethora of social media platforms • In the event of a third incident a final letter will be issued that are used for positive means of keeping in touch, for based on a clearly established pattern of behaviour. , sharing photos, connecting with people near and far. which may threaten the student’s standing in the school Communications via the Internet must always reflect the community and recommend that the student find a fresh same degree of dignity and sensitivity for all members of our start in a new community effective at the conclusion of school community as is expected in face-to-face interactions. the school year. In the event of a third letter issued in Please be aware that cyber-bullying, harassment, biased and Grade 12, a student may forfeit her privilege to attend discriminatory language, and/or insensitivity to any member graduation and graduation related activities. of our school community will be regarded as a serious offense and may result in suspension or expulsion.

ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 11 While social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, DETENTION Twitter, etc., can be useful networking mechanisms and valuable communication tools, faculty and students are not Detention is served either during the lunch period or after permitted to “friend” one another or to otherwise connect school. If a student receives a detention, she must report on these forums without prior approval from the school immediately at the beginning of the period to the detention administration. Staff can connect with students via Google room. Cell phones or other electronic devices are not permitted Classroom. Exceptions for educational technology tools, in the detention room; students are not allowed to carry on such as Google Drive programs, will be determined by the conversation during detention. Further specific guidelines are administration. Parents are strongly encouraged to regularly set out by campus administration at the beginning of the year. monitor and be aware of their child’s online accounts and activities. SUSPENDABLE OFFENCES Consistent with our technology use policy outlined here, • Refusal to follow instructions from a teacher or person of students are responsible for appropriate use of their personal authority devices. Our School’s Acceptable Use Policy for Technology can be found on our School website. All students are required • A pattern of classroom misbehaviour to agree to the terms and conditions of our policy in order to • Directing profanities at a teacher or authority figure gain access to our network. • A pattern of unexcused absences and/or tardiness to classes POLICY FOR LOST OR MISPLACED ITEMS • Vandalism or causing damage to school property Students are encouraged to be careful and • Threats to inflict bodily harm responsible with their belongings and to label all items. Belongings such as clothes, shoes and • Inappropriate social networking or Internet postings binders that are turned in as lost and found will • Dress code violations be discarded regularly. We will continue to make every attempt to return electronics as soon as • Behaviour outside of school that contradicts the schools’ they are turned in. basic core values

CONSEQUENCES OF MISBEHAVIOUR OFFENCES THAT MAY RESULT IN EXPULSION Most misbehaviour that takes place is easily addressed • Drugs and/or alcohol abuse including, using, possessing, within the context of the school through progressive selling or sharing discipline including conversations, warnings, and detentions • Theft for infractions addressed throughout these pages. Some • Assault – physical or sexual misconduct, however, necessitates seeking outside support or may require further disciplinary consequences. In certain • Bullying or harassment in person or electronically, directly cases, suspension may be appropriate, while for others, or indirectly expulsion from school may be necessary. • Endangering the welfare of other students What follows is a list of some infractions that may result in • A pattern of misbehaviour contrary to the standards of a suspension or expulsion from school. The lists are not the school exhaustive, they are merely illustrative. The school reserves the right to apply disciplinary measures as it sees fit to the In the event that a student is suspended or subject to dismissal occasion and to do so at its discretion. from school, the family will be contacted. In many cases, an in- person meeting with parents will be required.

ULPANAT OROT 12 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS Shirts Ministry regulations, responsible behaviour, and efficient • Tops must have sleeves at least to the management require that certain forms or documents be elbow. completed by students and parents and returned promptly to • Lightweight T-shirts and see-through school. Failure to return such a document in a timely manner or low-cut tops may not be worn. may result in a student being withheld from class or sent Tops that are lower and wider than home to bring back the required information. to the the perimeter of the collarbone are elbow Please help us operate as smoothly as possible by reading our not permitted. Shirts must be long correspondence and replying promptly. enough to cover the top of the skirt at all times. Midriffs, front and back, may not be exposed at any time. DRESS CODE Our dress code is based both upon halachic norms and upon Other the desire to create an environment which is conducive to learning. Proper dress and good grooming is a reflection of • Clothing with inappropriate graphics is prohibited. one’s inner state of mind. • Open-toed sandals or flip-flops may not be worn. Students are required to dress in school-approved skirts, • Natural toned hair only. ensuring their compliance with the following dress regulations: • Appropriate gym clothing may be worn during physical education, intramurals, or sport activities only.

Skirts Be advised that students who are not in compliance with • Students are required to wear school-approved skirts that the school skirts, or overall dress code, will face disciplinary cover the knee while standing or sitting. action that may include conversation with parents and an • Knee-length skirts must be embroidered with a UO, as administrator, detention and suspension. produced by the vendors. Dress regulations are in effect for the entire student body • Students may wear midi (calf-length) or maxi (ankle- whenever students are in the building or when on school trips length) skirts of their own. or programs. Violation of either the spirit or particulars of our dress code will be determined by our professional staff and • Skirts with any type of slit are not permitted. dealt with accordingly.

ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 13 ATTENDANCE

CLASS ATTENDANCE Attendance plays an integral role in successful learning and is therefore compulsory in all classes. The Ministry of Education requires a minimum of instructional time to receive a credit. The Ministry stipulates that “Where, in the RELIGIOUS GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR Principal’s judgment, a student’s frequent absences from school are jeopardizing his success, school staff should meet Every student will have her own RGC (Religious Guidance with the student and the parents to explain the potential Counsellor) within the school. RGCs will, in addition to their consequences of the absences and discuss steps to be taken time with students in the classroom, have a dedicated period to improve attendance” (Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to once each week to work with the students in smaller groups Grade 12: Policy and Program Requirements, 2011, pg. 43). It is on establishing relationships, teaching respect, resilience important to understand that frequent absences from classes and other elements of character development. Working as a that jeopardize a student’s learning may result in the loss of a second level of restorative discipline, teachers, parents, and credit. Students are required to attend every class and make administrators alike will discuss students’ social needs with arrangements for missed material when they are absent. the RGC on a regular basis. The designated RGC periods will be delivered using character-based curriculum developed by An unauthorized absence from any class will result in after- the school. school detention. An administrator will contact a parent when

STUDENT ATTENDANCE PROCESSES STUDENT DISCIPLINARY PROCESSES

Multiple warnings and conversations Three lates from staff

Reflective detention and/or relevant consequence

In-school detention In-school detention In-school detention Meeting with Student Services and/or Religious Guidance Counselor and parents informed

Reflective detention Reflective detention Reflective detention After-school detention and/or relevant and/or relevant and/or relevant consequence consequence consequence

Three lunchtime- detentions equals one after-school detention Skipped classes

Meeting with parents and administration

Half of a class yields An entire class yields Consequence relevant to two in-school detentions one after-school detention Suspension Behaviour contract the infraction

ULPANAT OROT 14 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 a student skips a class. Additional unexcused class absences who misses a significant number of classes from one or more will result in more serious consequences. A student whose courses may be ineligible for honour roll or other academic absence from class approaches 30% of the course-hours may awards. put her academic standing and credit in jeopardy. DAILY ABSENCE LIST LATENESS TO SCHOOL A daily attendance list will be generated at tefilla. After 15 Students arriving late to school must have a parental note minutes a student will be considered absent from tefilla. explaining the circumstances. Sleeping in or studying is not Parents of students who miss tefilla will be contacted to a valid excuse for tardiness to school. If a test is given and discuss the reason for the absence. Students on the daily a student arrives after the test has started, the student is attendance list who are absent from a given class will be generally expected to make up the test immediately upon considered skipping class. her arrival. A student must arrive to davening on time, despite having a spare during the first class period, except if prior SHABBATONIM administrative approval has been granted. Students arriving past 10:30am without pre-arranged circumstances (e.g. Students who wish to participate in a shabbaton (Bnei Akiva, medical appointment, a simcha, etc.) are subject to not being NCSY, or other) should notify teachers and administrators well permitted to attend classes that day. Students may not miss in advance of the shabbaton. The administration may suggest davening/classes prior to a test without special circumstances. that a student not attend if it is felt that the student is abusing the privilege or will be negatively impacted academically. The student is expected to catch herself up for classes missed. It LATENESS TO CLASS is important to reiterate that students are expected to be in Students are expected to be prompt for all classes and school school unless they are ill or excused by the school. programs. The bell schedule will signal when class begins. Lateness to class disrupts the flow of learning. After a third ATTENDANCE FOR ONLINE COURSES late arrival, the student will serve detention. Continued late arrivals to class will result in further detentions and a parent In order to receive a credit for completion of an online course, and student meeting with a school administrator. Lateness regular attendance must be maintained. For online courses, is defined as arriving after the second bell. A student who to be marked as ‘present’ in our attendance systems, students arrives more than 10 minutes late may be issued a detention. must do the following each week: • Log into the course’s Google Classroom page at least ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL twice per week. If a student is ill or has an appointment, a parent should • Engage with, complete, and where relevant, submit send an email to [email protected]. The email course work at least once per week. should include the dates of the absences and the signature Please note that this is a minimum level - most importantly, of the parent or guardian. An administrator will determine students should be able to meet posted course deadlines and whether an absence is excused or unexcused. A student be prepared to attend and be successful with any in-person may not participate in a co-curricular activity if she has been assessments (for example, term tests and final exam). absent from school the day of the activity, unless there are extenuating circumstances as determined by an administrator. A student who believes that she will not be able to meet the attendance requirements in a given week (for example, for taking part in a school trip), should contact the course ABSENCE FROM CLASS instructor. Students should arrange appointments around public Online courses are self-paced, but structured – there will be holidays, early dismissal days, lunch hours and spares. Every set deadlines through the course that students will need to effort should be made to sign out from class as seldom as meet and are encouraged to work ahead of. Students in online possible. Signing out from school will be closely monitored courses must earn the right to leave the building by keeping by the administration. Generally, students should only be up with their workload and acting responsibly with their time absent from a test for necessary medical reasons. A student during online classes. ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 15 CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

A secondary school education is meant to provide each their own and instill in our students with a true love of Torah. student a chance to realize and pursue her interests, goals To this end, we offer a variety of obligatory Judaic Studies and strengths. At Bnei Akiva Schools, our goal is to enable all courses designed to broaden and deepen one’s commitment our students to earn an Ontario Secondary Schools Diploma to Torah learning and observance of mitzvot. Students are (OSSD) through an educational program that enables required to take all Judaic courses every year for their four students to become self aware learners with a clear path years of high school. toward a promising future. The following course offerings are included: Gemara / ג ּ ְמָ רָ א • OSSD REQUIREMENTS Oral Law / ּתוֹרָה ּשֶׁבְ ּעַל-פֶה • The high school program is based on the Ontario Ministry Torah / ּתוֹרָ ה • of Education’s credit system, towards an Ontario Secondary Prophets / נְבִיאִים • School Diploma (OSSD). In Ontario, students are required to Jewish Law / הֲל ָכָה • remain in high school until the age of 18, or until they have earned their OSSD. Students must earn a total of 30 credits Jewish Philosophy and Thought / אֱ מ ו ּנ ָה • one for every 110-hour course successfully completed) to) Jewish History / הִיסְטוֹרְיָה • obtain a high school diploma. Eighteen of the credits are compulsory, earned in a specific number of courses from / and Literature עִבְרִ ית • a list of subjects that every student is required to take by the ministry. The remaining 12 credits are optional, earned in courses that the student may select from among the full range of courses offered by the school. Credits derived from the Judaic Studies program are applied to the 12 optional GRADE VALUES credits. Achievement Levels RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT A+ All students are expected to be enrolled in the full Judaic 90–100 Studies program, as well as a minimum of four General Studies credits per year. A Students must also complete 40 hours of community 80–89 involvement activities throughout the course of their four years of high school and must pass the Ontario Secondary School B Literacy Test, which is taken in Grade 10. Accommodations for 70–79 writing the Literacy Test are provided following the Education Quality and Accountability Office’s (EQAO) protocols. C Note: If a student wishes to take a course in summer school 60–69 she must receive approval from the administration. D JUDAIC STUDIES 50–59 The study of Torah is the loftiest goal that Judaism espouses. A significant goal of Bnei Akiva Schools is to teach our students F the skills necessary to become proficient at learning Torah on LESS THAN 50

ULPANAT OROT 16 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 GENERAL STUDIES CREDIT SYSTEM REPORT CARDS Compulsory Credits (total of 18) Report cards are a means of informing students how they are progressing in each subject. The mark or grade for each • 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade) subject is a compilation of different evaluation methods • 3 credits in Mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11/12) utilized by one’s teachers. Each teacher distributes a precise • 2 credits in Science description of his or her marking scheme at the beginning of each course. Report cards are emailed to parents twice yearly • 1 credit in the Arts (Drama, Music, Dance, Integrated Arts in January and June. Interim academic reports are mailed [Movie-Making] or Visual Arts) home midway through each marking period. • 1 credit in Canadian Geography Students must complete a Drop/Add form and receive written • 1 credit in Canadian History permission from an administrator before dropping any General Studies course. Students may drop a course within • 1 credit in French as a Second Language or approved five instructional days following the issue of the first report substitute card. Students may enter a new course until the tenth meeting • 1 credit in Health and Physical Education of that course. Withdrawals from Grade 9 and 10 courses are not recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). Only • ½ credit in Career Studies successfully completed courses are recorded on the OST. • ½ credit in Civics If a student (including a student with a completed Individual PLUS: Three (3) additional credits, consisting of one (1) credit Education Plan) withdraws from a Grade 11 or 12 course from each of the following groups: within five instructional days following the issue of the first • Group 1: English (including the Ontario Secondary provincial report card, the withdrawal is not recorded on the School Literacy Course), French as a Second Language, OST. Classical Languages, International Languages, Native If a student withdraws from a course after five instructional Languages, Canadian and World Studies, Native Studies, days following the issue of the first provincial report card in Social Sciences and Humanities, Guidance and Career a semestered or a non-semestered school, the withdrawal is Education, Cooperative Education recorded on the OST by entering “W” in the “credit” column. • Group 2: French as a Second Language, the Arts, Business The student’s mark at the time of the withdrawal is recorded Studies, Health and Physical Education, or Cooperative in the “Mark” column. Education • Group 3: French as a Second Language, Science (Grade 11 or 12), Computer Studies, Technological Education, or Cooperative Education

ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 17 FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY: QUIZZES, TESTS, MID-TERMS AND EXAMS ONTARIO STUDENT TRANSCRIPT Students will be continuously assessed so that the teacher, Since the 1999-2000 school year, schools have been required parent, and student are aware of the student’s progress. 70% to provide a complete record of a student’s performance in of the course work will consist of quizzes, mid-terms, tests and Grades 11 and 12 courses. Under this requirement, both other assessment instruments. 30% of the course work will successful and unsuccessful attempts at completing Grades consist of a final examination or culminating project. Exams, 11 and 12 courses will be recorded on the OST. The OST will tests and quizzes are a critical part of the learning process include: for they compel the student to review and consolidate the material that has been taught. All teachers will utilize tests • All Grade 9 and 10 courses successfully completed by the and/or quizzes. student, with percentage grades obtained and credits earned All tests, major projects and major submissions for Independent Study Projects (ISP) or Final Summative Tasks • All Grade 11 and 12 courses successfully completed (FST) are to be entered in the online calendar (to be found on or attempted by the student, with percentage grades the school’s website) by the teacher. Every effort will be made earned and credits earned to limit tests to one per day. No students should have more • An indication that a course has been substituted for one than two tests per day. that is a compulsory diploma requirement • Confirmation that the student has completed the forty DEFINITIONS OF QUIZZES AND TESTS hours of community involvement • Quizzes cover not more than two [2] days worth of • Confirmation that the student has passed the provincial material and take not more than 15 minutes to administer. secondary school literacy test Quizzes can be considered Assessments for/as Learning or as formative Assessments of Learning. Quizzes that count toward a student’s mark (Assessments of Learning) will be announced with at least one class’s notice, and as a EMERGENCY whole must not account for more than 15% of a student’s INSTRUCTIONS: overall mark in the course. • Tests cover complete topics or units, usually take from 30 FIRE DRILL to 60 minutes to complete, and have a significant impact on one’s grade. • Mid-term tests may occur in semestered courses and All students should evacuate the cover approximately half of the course content. No test, building following the guidelines in major project or assignment is permitted on a day on the Emergency Management Plan. This which a mid-term test will be administered. might include the gym doors that exit onto Bathurst Street. • Every effort will be made to limit major assessments (tests, reports, projects, ISPs or papers) to no more than Once the students and teachers six major assessments per week. have left the building, everyone is to • Exams are administered at the end of a semester and are congregate by class on the south side cumulative in nature. They count for 30% of a final grade of Canyon Avenue, furthest away from in a course. Teachers will inform students at the beginning Bathurst Street. of the school year how their grades will be determined. IN AN EMERGENCY, There are two sets of examinations for both Judaic Studies DIAL 911 and General Studies in January and June. There will be no tests or announced quizzes a week before a set of exams unless authorized by an administrator. Only illness HATZOLAH: 416-256-1000 as verified by a doctor’s note or an extreme emergency will be accepted as an excused absence during exams. An administrator will determine if the emergency in question is considered excused or unexcused. ULPANAT OROT 18 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 TEST ABSENCES and ethical manner. Some ISPs are so important for the student’s academic development that failure to complete the • Students are expected to ensure their personal schedules assignment may result in not receiving credit for the course. (e.g. out of school appointments) do not conflict with scheduled tests and other announced in-class Many courses will use a Final Summative Task (FST). This task assessments. We encourage checking our online test counts towards the summative 30% of the course grade. An calendar before scheduling an appointment. FST may replace an exam and must be due toward the end of the school year. • Students who miss a test and will be writing a make- up test are to do so in the testing room at lunch, ideally during the next available lunch period. Make-up tests will ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS take place in room 11. As a general policy, additional assignments are not offered. A • A test may be split into two lunch periods if necessary. teacher may choose to allow students to: • A student who does not attend her scheduled make-up • Apply lessons and critiques from earlier assessments to test may receive a grade of zero. assessments yet-to-come, and • Once two tests or other announced assessments are • Be given the opportunity to re-do previous assignments, missed by a student, the student will be required to making use of comments therein, with the understanding present a doctor’s note explaining any subsequent that the two marks may be averaged together. absences from tests or other announced assessments or she will receive a zero. LATE ASSESSMENTS Notes on scheduled evaluations: Academic consequences may be assigned for late assignments. • Attendance at tefilla on the day of exams is required. These consequences can impart important lessons on structure and responsibility. Teachers will remain mindful of • The dress code policy applies on all tutorial, test and the full workload our students face and the varying degrees examination days. of ability in organization and management. Extensions on • Exams may not be taken early. In appropriate situations, assignments can be granted at the discretion of the teacher. the administration may arrange for a student to take an exam late. ACADEMIC HONESTY Academic integrity and honesty is expected from every INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT OR student in the Bnei Akiva Schools. We take all instances of ASSESSMENT (ISP/A) AND FINAL SUMMATIVE suspected dishonesty, plagiarism, or any form of “cheating” TASK (FST) very seriously. Depending on the particular circumstances, actions may be taken by the administration. The experience of doing an extended piece of academic research in a paper of some length, commonly called A student who submits work that is, in whole or in part, an Independent Study Project/Assessment (ISP/A), is a plagiarized, will be subject to academic penalties. Repeated worthwhile endeavour for its own sake and invaluable infractions may result in the loss of a credit and further preparation for study at institutions of higher learning. disciplinary action. Students are encouraged to submit Reading skills, conceptual skills, and writing skills are focused their written work through Turnitin.com, which will flag any upon a subject of importance and of interest to the student examples of possible plagiarism. who has the exciting but challenging opportunity to arrive at A student who assists another student in academic dishonesty a conclusion based upon her own efforts. may face academic consequences, including revocation of a This exercise leads to enhanced skills, knowledge, and credit. intellectual maturation only if conducted in an honest

ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 19 READING DAYS GUIDANCE Reading days may be assigned during the year to give The administration, guidance and support departments and students a large block of uninterrupted time to work on long- faculty of our schools are involved in and concerned with term projects. each student’s total development. We work closely with our students in order to achieve their goals. HONOUR ROLL Our hopes and aspirations are to develop and nurture personal relationships with our students, to support and encourage In order to be named to the Honour Roll of Bnei Akiva Schools, them, to make them feel good about themselves and about a student’s unweighted average, including each Judaic and the experience of and their unique roles. We strive General Studies course, must be 85% or higher. Students are to be role models for our students so they can internalize the named to the Honour Roll each semester. eternal Torah values of Judaism. Our doors are always open for advice and discussion. Students should feel free to talk to the TEXTBOOKS Administrators, Judaic Studies and General Studies faculty. We encourage such dialogue for it is mutually beneficial to All students are responsible for purchasing and maintaining both students and faculty alike. books and sefarim. A book and sefarim list are provided for each class level. Bnei Akiva Schools have a relationship with the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) and the Jewish Family and Child Service (JFCS) and are in contact with professional consultants SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS in the areas of emotional and educational growth. During graduation, the school honours students for Aside from the regular parent teacher conferences, parents outstanding academic excellence in the different disciplines should, of course, feel free to confer and arrange conferences as well as for character and exemplary service. Awards take whenever the need arises. into consideration all years of the student’s high school experience. HONOURS PROGRAM In an effort to constantly challenge our status quo, push our CRITERIA FOR VALEDICTORIAN academic program further and ensure that we are creating as The valedictorian represents not only her classmates but also many opportunities for our students to grow and excel, we are the school. Since one of the goals of the Bnei Akiva Schools is to very excited to announce that this year we will be launching a produce a well-rounded, integrated personality, the following new honours program. criteria will be used in determining the valedictorian: At the core of our educational philosophy is a desire to • One valedictorian will be chosen. generate as many points of entry as possible, providing opportunities to meaningfully engage, challenge and inspire • The person must be an outstanding student in both our students on their intellectual journeys as developing Judaic Studies and General Studies. learners and create new avenues for intellectual exploration • The person must reflect the philosophy and ideals of the and growth. school and participate in school activities. There will be two core aspects of our new honours program: • The valedictorian will be selected by members of the 1. Subject Scholars Program administration in consultation with the staff and students. The goal of our subject scholars program is to provide • The valedictorian must have spent at least three years of targeted enrichment resources for students within their areas her high school career in Bnei Akiva Schools. of expertise. Subject Scholars will have the opportunity to work with their teachers to complete a guided and enriched VISITORS Independent Study Project within their course of study that is designed to generate new academic challenges and push the Students who would like to bring a visitor must get permission frontiers of knowledge beyond the basic course curriculum. from the office at least one day prior to the visit. Visitors are expected to dress in conformance with the school dress code 2. BAS Honours Courses and to observe school rules. In developing honours courses we seek to identify areas of

ULPANAT OROT 20 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 learning that will serve to prepare our young people with skills build core skills in computer programming, design thinking, that can be key differentiators in their futures. To this end, we and creative problem solving. Concurrently, we are investing are building our honours program upon two foundations of in developing critical competencies to conduct quality analysis focus: engineering and communication. Our program aims to and articulate and convincing communication.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Although each student has a heavy academic schedule, the school provides and encourages students to participate in a wide range of activities. The different activities are offered during the lunch hour, after school hours, and on weekends. For the student who wants to participate in recreational athletics, there are intramural sports and competitive teams. There are also a host of chessed opportunities available to our student body. The Student Council is often responsible for arranging activities, planning school trips, assemblies and other events. In order for students to participate on a school team, Student Council, yearbook, or similar activity, they must maintain passing grades in every subject, records of good behaviour and punctual attendance and conduct themselves as appropriate role models of the ideals for which Bnei Akiva Schools stand. Other specific criteria may be established for individual activities. Co-curricular events and activities are an important part of a well-rounded and fulfilling high school experience, but cannot supplant the primacy of the school’s academic and religious curricula. Students who are not fulfilling their obligations academically, socially, or religiously may be barred from participation in co-curricular activities.

ATHLETICS CHIDON HATANACH Our athletic teams are a wonderful opportunity for our Chidon HaTanach is offered during a lunch period set at the students to take on leadership roles outside of the classroom. beginning of every school year. Students compete in a regional In cases where students miss class to participate in athletics, Chidon HaTanach; students who qualify then compete in the they are expected to catch themselves up. The administration national competition. The top three students (Canada-wide) may decide to suspend a player from an athletic team for then go on to compete in an international competition in academic or behavioural concerns. Israel which takes place annually on Yom Ha'atzmaut. Ulpanat Orot offers a cross country team, a basketball team, a volleyball team, a soccer team, and a tennis team. Ulpanat MATMIDOT Orot teams compete in the SSAF (Small Schools Athletic Federation). The basketball team’s season generally takes Students are eligible to join the Matmidot program. Matmidot place during first semester; volleyball and tennis seasons take meets several times a week for additional learning, including place during second semester. Cross country meets, weather after school and during lunches. Learning focuses on both permitting, during fall and spring. guided chavruta learning and chabura sessions. Students participating will enjoy special programming and siyumim. MODEL UN CLUBS & COMMITTEES Each year, our students have the opportunity to participate in two different Model UN programs (’s Students have the opportunity to participate in clubs and/ Model UN Conference in New York or the Jewish Canadian or committees, supervised by a staff liaison. Clubs vary year- Youth Model UN in Montreal). Under the guidance of faculty to-year based on interest and student leadership, but have members, students research the politics of the country they included: investment club, book club, lunch committee, have been selected to represent in order to play the roles of chessed committee, Israel advocacy club, among many others. real United Nations delegates at the conference. Students Students are encouraged to speak to members of Student who participate in Model UN are expected to participate in Council or the Student Activities Coordinator if they are approximately one meeting per week until conference. interested in initiating a new club or committee.

ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 21 OVERNIGHT TRIPS one is of legal age), engagement in dangerous, risky and/or promiscuous behavior will result in the immediate dismissal Over the course of a school year, there are occasions where of the student from the overnight trip at the family’s expense overnight trips are held, including school shabbatonim, the (or immediately following ). The student will also be the Grade 9 and 11 retreats, the Grade 12 graduation trip and subject to further serious disciplinary measures by the school. basketball tournaments. School trips offer students different, engaging, and exciting experiences in informal settings. Students are expected to clean up after themselves and to respect the facilities being used on these trips. There may During any trip students are expected to behave in a manner be situations where students are allowed to dress according that appropriately represents themselves and their families, to the weather or activity they are participating in. In other the school and our community. This includes, but is not situations, students are expected to dress according to the limited to, following the directions of the chaperones and school’s dress code. staff; attending all tefillot promptly; attending all sessions, meals, and activities promptly; co-operating positively with Graduation trips are to be planned by the Student Activities others; and dressing and speaking appropriately. Failure to Coordinator, in consultation with the Student Council (and, comply with the above guidelines, both in the particular and for larger decisions, the grade), as well as under the guidance in their spirit, will result in consequences to be determined of the administration. On the graduation trip, students by the school’s representatives present at the trip and/or the are expected to daven and participate in any educational administration at a later time. component. The overall purpose of the graduation trip is to allow our Grade 12 students to experience a fun and Consumption, use, or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs memorable trip as a grade before graduating. or other controlled substances, entrance to bars (even if

ULPANAT OROT 22 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 STUDENT COUNCIL AND YEARBOOK

Student leaders at Bnei Akiva Schools hold positions of responsibility and authority. In addition to organizing and conducting student activities, our student leaders are called upon to speak on behalf of their classmates and their school to the faculty, administration, lay leadership, as well the Jewish and the general community.

The following eligibility requirements have been prepared so three or more teachers are concerned with a given student that a student who intends to become a candidate for a position running for a position - based on academic, behavioral or of leadership will be able to handle the additional work and social criteria - the student may not be eligible to run for be an appropriate and effective leader and representative a position. of Bnei Akiva Schools. A student may be determined to be • Administrative/faculty review: The student’s record ineligible if they don’t meet the expectations in the two areas will be reviewed by a committee of administration outlined below: and faculty members to determine her qualifications. • Academic record: In order to run for Student Council, Attendance, behaviour, inside and outside the classroom, student council candidates must maintain a passing and commitment to tefilla and Torah values will be taken grade for each course. Student council will add significant into consideration. time commitments to a student's schedule in addition to • Yearbook: The editors(s) of the yearbook must have her regular workload. demonstrated superior performance in language arts. • Behaviour record: Student council candidates must be representative of the student body in attendance, PROCESS tefillah, participation in school activities, speech, dress, Administration and current Student Council announce filing commitment to Torah, behaviours both inside and deadlines and election dates. outside of the classroom and conduct themselves as appropriate role models of the ideals for which Bnei Akiva Potential candidates submit a statement of goals, faculty Schools stands. recommendations and a résumé. • Statement of goals: The student must present a written Administrative/Faculty Committee reviews materials statement defining her goals should she be elected. and announces slate of candidates. Candidates conduct appropriate campaigns which include a speech to the student • Résumé: The student shall present a résumé which body. Elections are held; secret ballot elections are conducted includes relevant experiences for the position sought. by Student Council and Administration. Ballots are counted • Faculty recommendations: Once students submit their by a representative of the Administrative/Faculty Committee. names for candidacy, their teachers will be consulted. If Results are announced, and new officials take office.

ULPANAT OROT STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 23