Some Basic Expectations and Guidelines
Attendance	Class runs from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Sunday, we'll follow the public school calendar for our winter and spring breaks. It is important that your child attend Religious School on a regular basis. Please see that your child arrives on time for school, and comes prepared with whatever material the teachers have requested. If you are going to be late picking up your child, we ask that you notify the Religious School Office at (907) 456-1002 so that we can notify your child. Children left at school often become anxious. In addition, the staff may have other commitments outside of the building. Please show respect for our staff by arriving on time for both drop off and pick-up.
Cold Weather	In case of inclement weather, Call 452-3553 at 8:30 a.m., if the recording says 35 degrees below zero or colder, school is canceled. For extenuating circumstances (like last year's ice storm) cancellation of classes will be announced (1) via a telephone call from a teacher or (2) through the Parent Phone Tree. If you find that weather conditions where you live are dangerous, please do not attempt to come to school regardless of whether there is a cancellation. The safety of our children is our highest priority.
Snack	Parents are needed to supply snacks. In order to respect the practices of all our students and teachers, we require that all foods related to the program are kosher. This means that they carry a kosher certification, are dairy or vegetarian. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. All foods and drinks must be in their original packaging so the teachers can have ready access to the ingredients of the snacks to accommodate for any food allergies that are in the class. If you have made something fresh in your kitchen or purchased baked goods from a store, make sure it is clearly labeled with all the ingredients (particularly concerning milk, eggs, peanut, and nuts - remember that milk and eggs are allowed but the teachers must know that these ingredients are present). For parents who wish to make bulk donations we will coordinate and distribute snacks to all the students through out the year and notify parents when we are running low on supplies. Foods not allowed are: Nuts, chocolate, soda and chips.
Behavior	It is hard to teach and learn if someone is repeatedly disruptive. If misbehavior becomes a problem, you'll be asked to attend the class to "help" or take your child home until they're ready to return and behave appropriately. .
Volunteers	This year we are inviting our community and specifically our youth to volunteer as Madrikhim (teaching assistants). Madrikh literally means "one who shows the way." We believe they make a meaningful impact upon both their own lives and those of our students. We have three goals for our Madrikhim: " To serve as role models for students by demonstrating appropriate classroom behavior and showing they think spending time at synagogue - learning and doing Jewish things - is "cool." " To serve as teaching partners to the classroom teachers. As such, they facilitate classroom management. " To let this program function as a training ground, with staff mentoring the Madrikhim, sharing their skills and insights into the teaching and planning processes. As well, Madrikhim will lend their perspectives and unique talents to the student's experience. Madrikhim who have assisted successfully in the classroom or during religious school events on three occasions will be eligible for the substitute teacher list.