Student/Parent Handbook

YBH  PARENT HANDBOOK

PRIOR TO SCHOOL OPENING

Required documents are to be completed and returned to the office prior to school opening:

1. Health form/s/ (new parents, N, PK, K)

2. Home Contact Form (Emergency Form)

3. Activity Form/Permission Slips

4. New York State Textbook Law (NYSTL), Software Law (NYSSL) and Library Parental Request Form

SCHOOL OPENING

Students are to report directly to the lunchroom promptly at 8:20 A.M. Teachers will escort students to their classrooms.

PROCEDURES AND ROUTINES

A. Daily Schedules

Nursery & Pre-K:

Monday-Thursday, 9:30-3:30. Friday, 9:30-1:00.

Kindergarten-8th grade:

Monday-Thursday, 8:20-3:30, Friday, 8:20-1:00

 

B. Morning Arrival

Nursery and Pre-K: Parents bring children directly to the classroom.

Kindergarten to Grade 8: Children go directly to the lunchroom where a teaching assistant is on duty. Children should arrive by 8:15 a.m.

Children are escorted to their rooms by the teaching assistant promptly at 8:20 a.m.

Late Arrival

All children who arrive after their school day has begun must go to the main office for a late pass before going to their classrooms. Parents who escort younger children are asked not to speak with the teacher, since this interrupts instruction for the children who have arrived on time. Any message for the teacher should be written in advance and given to office staff, who will see to it that the teacher gets it in a timely manner. You are asked to make sure that your child arrives at school on time. Alarm clocks should be set and schoolbags packed the night before. These are important strategies for children to learn as we teach them to be punctual and responsible school citizens.

C. Dismissal

Tiny Tots & half-day Nursery children: Parents go directly to the classroom to pick-up their children.

Full Day Nursery children, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten: Parents go directly to the child's classroom and pick up their child.

Grade 1 to Grade 8: At 3:30 p.m. the classroom teacher escorts the class to the Beit Medrash where bus children are dropped off in the care of a teacher assigned to duty until they board their school bus. All other children are escorted to a designated table in the lunchroom where they remain with their teacher.

In order to ensure a safe and orderly dismissal; please adhere to the following rules:

1) Do not call to your child to run off the line to meet you.

2) Our goal is to ensure a safe and orderly dismissal.

Children not picked up by 3:35 p.m. are taken to the main lobby where a teacher assigned to duty supervises them. Our School Secretary will contact their parents. The Principal supervises dismissal.

Children are not permitted to wait in front of the yeshiva to be picked-up by a parent. All children must remain supervised by a teacher or other designated adult, as described above, until pick-up or until he/she boards the bus.

All parents and guests must enter the yeshiva using only the main entrance. Trespassers have an opportunity to enter the building when an outside door is inadvertently left ajar, or when it is opened as someone is leaving. This creates an unsafe situation for everyone in the building.

 

 

 

D. Bus Riders

Children may ride only on their designated school bus. Arrangements cannot be made for a child to go home with a friend who does not ride the same bus. If it is necessary for a child to leave the bus with a friend at a stop other than his/her own, written authorization from the parent/guardian must be submitted to the office on that day. No dismissal changes will be made by telephone unless an emergency situation arises.

The school bus is viewed as an extension of the yeshiva. Children are expected to follow basic rules of behavior: 1. Wear a seatbelt. 2. Stay in your seat. 3. Do not eat on the bus. 4. Do not shout or scream. 5. Do not tease or fight with anyone. 6. Follow the directions of the bus driver. Please remind your children about these rules. If these rules are not adhered to, riding the bus privilege will be suspended and the parent will have to transport the child.

E. EmergencySchool Closings

1. Cancellation of school sessions will be announced on station WOR (710) between 7:15 A.M. and 8 A.M.

2. A telephone squad will attempt to reach parents to inform them of unscheduled early dismissal, in the event that emergency conditions develop during the school day.

3. Please instruct your child where to go in the event that no one is at home.

F. Attendance

1. The importance of regular and punctual attendance cannot be over-emphasized. Yet, when there is any doubt about your child's health, it is best to keep the youngster at home.

2. Any children absent for more than two days must present a note explaining the reason for absence.

3. A pupil who arrives late for class must come to the office and receive an admit slip. The child should also have a note from his/her parent explaining the reason for tardiness.

4. When a child is absent for a day, homework assignments and other information should be obtained from a classmate.

5. For children who are ill for a longer period of time, homework assignments may be requested via the office. Every attempt will be made to have the material sent home within a day or two.

G. Safety Rules

1. Pupils are not permitted at the school without supervision.

2. Teachers are on duty in the morning; beginning at 8:10 A.M. Pupils should not arrive at the Yeshiva before this time.

3. Pupils may not leave the school during the day unless accompanied by a parent or someone designated by the parents.

4. Parents must sign the child out in the office.

5. In the event that an early dismissal is required for a pupil, a written request is to be presented to the office in the morning. Telephone requests will be honored only in EXTREME EMERGENCIES. The teacher will be notified accordingly, and the child will be waiting in the office.

6. As a result of TRANSPORTATION DIFFICULTIES, particularly at dismissal time, no last minute bus changes will be made unless arrangements are made well in advance with the office.

H. School Attire

To develop proper respect for the Yeshiva and a positive attitude toward learning, it is expected that our students will arrive at school properly attired and well groomed. In 2009, the Yeshiva of Belle Harbor instituted school uniforms. Please contact the school office for more information about school uniforms. Boys must also come to the Yeshiva with a Kippah and Tzitzit.

Please note: Even older children can have an “accident”, wet their clothing at the water fountain, or get sauce on their shirts during lunch. To avoid being called for a change of clothing, we are requesting that each child have a clearly labeled “spare bag” to be kept in school.

For girls: underwear, a shirt and a skirt.

For boys: underwear, a shirt, a Kippah, and a pair of Tzitzit.

It is advisable to attach name-tapes to all clothing as well as to other belongings. This will assure proper identification.

Parents and Visitors:

Parents and visitors are expected to be modestly dressed. Men are required to wear a Kippa and women are requested not to appear in slacks, jeans, spandex or sleeveless tops or dresses. Accordingly, when chaperoning on class trips, these standards must be adhered to.

It is extremely important that all adults entering Yeshiva respect the dress code. As role models for our children we want to set the proper example and not confuse them by expecting things of them that we are not prepared to do ourselves. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated, as we are anxious to avoid any embarrassing situations.

I. Religious Observances and Atmosphere

As a Yeshiva, our school devotes much time to the teaching of prayers, and the observance of Mitzvot. Our aim is not only to impart knowledge, but to cultivate an appreciation of Jewish religious values and a desire to live according to these traditions.

The school training can be made effective, only with your cooperation. Parents should see to it that their children say their prayers upon rising in the morning (on days that there is no school) recite the blessings before and after meals, say Shema before going to bed, etc.

All children should attend Sabbath services in their neighborhood synagogue together with their parents. Please remember that your child needs meaningful religious experiences, particularly on the Shabbat, holidays and vacations to compliment the school program.

J. Homework

Teachers, beginning with the first grade generally assign a reasonable amount of daily homework. Where these assignments seem to require more than a reasonable period for completion, the teacher should be consulted.

These tasks are usually based upon previous class work, and are always considered to be within the grasp of each child.

While children should be encouraged to complete each assignment carefully, overt parental assistance should not be offered. Please feel free to call and consult with teachers on specific homework problems and procedures.

K. Progress Reports

Formal progress reports are issued to all parents twice a year. Parents should examine the teacher's evaluations and comments concerning their child's academic advancement and social development with due care.

Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled in November and in March to provide opportunities for discussion of each child's progress. Parents may also arrange to confer with their child's teachers by appointment.

L. Conferences and Workshops

Workshops and conferences are arranged periodically for the parents of pupils on specific grade levels. These sessions provide an opportunity for discussion and exchange of ideas concerning curriculum, methods, and other pertinent matters with teachers and principals.

Appointments and Visitors:

1. Should you desire to meet with the principal or with your child's teachers, please call the office for an appointment. We will try to arrange a meeting time that will be mutually convenient.

2. Parents are not permitted to visit classrooms without a signed note from the principal.

M. Lunch and Parties

Lunches

1. All pupils are required to eat in school with their classes under the supervision of members of the faculty. They are expected to wash and recite Birkat Hamazon.

2. Box lunch may be either dairy or pareve on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, box lunches must be meat or pareve.

3. No food is to be brought in glass containers, since they shatter easily and may cause a hazardous condition.

4. We will not heat up any food in the microwave so please plan your child’s menu accordingly.

5. All foods brought for lunch must adhere to our Kashrut Requirements listed below.

6. Peanut Butter, nuts of any kind or any nut derivatives are not permitted anywhere in the building.

Birthday Celebrations

From time to time, pupils invite their classmates to their homes for a birthday party. We assume that the parents realize their responsibility in arranging parties for Yeshiva children. Not only must the food be strictly kosher (as per our Kashrut Requirements listed below), but the parents should see to it that the children wash and say the proper brachot before and after the meal. It is also the duty of the parents to supervise the games and other activities at these parties, and to make sure that they are in good taste and in accordance with religious standards.

Care should also be taken not to embarrass an individual child or a few children by failing to invite them to parties. Birthday parties are NOT celebrated in class beyond the Kindergarten level. Refreshments may be distributed during the lunch period.

Kashrut Requirements

1. All foods brought to the Yeshiva must be kosher.

2. Acceptable kosher symbols are:

3. Home baked goods are not permitted.

4. You may not bring meat lunches (including chicken salad).

5. When sending food for any class party, or any class distribution, (a) they must be sent to school in their original packaging, (b) they must be approved by the office.

Please note: a “K” alone is not acceptable.

6. Tuesday and Thursday are both "Meat Days". As such, ice cream cakes or any other dairy cake must be served prior to lunch on those days.

N. PUPIL RESPONSIBILITY

An important part of the child's maturation level involves the acceptance of responsibility and the development of independence. The parent role in this process is most critical. When the child neglects to bring their books, homework, lunch, etc. and the parents come to school with the forgotten items, they foster the child's immaturity. Parents should insist that the child assume full responsibility by preparing all necessary items the night before school.

O. ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

Care should be taken wherever possible to schedule appointments after school hours and not during the normal school day. Trips and vacations should be scheduled to coincide with the school's calendar.