August
Sun. 28 - SCHOOL’S IN! First day of class

September
Sun. 4 – No class (Labor day)
Wed. 28 - No class (Rosh Hashanah) 

October
Fri 12. - No class
Cotober 20 - Simchat Torah and consicration

November
Sun. 20 – No class (Thanksgiving break)
Wed.23 – No class (Thanksgiving break)
Sun. 27 - No class (Thanksgiving break)

December
Sun. 11 - No class (Winter break)
Wed. 14– No class (Winter break)
Sun. 18 – No class (Winter break)
Wed. 21 - No class (Winter break)
Sun. 25 - No class (Winter break)
Wed. 28 - No class (Winter break)

We have an exciting year planned for the high school students. The program is composed of two core elements; classroom education and youth group. Combined these two elements help our teens become Jewish adults who have a strong connection to each and to their religion, history and culture. A living example is many of our teens have been regional leaders in NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) camp counselors and teachers at religious school programs like ours. Additionally many of our teachers have been active in either NFTY or USY (United Synagogue Youth) and also have been counselors.

Use this link to find the songs our children are learning at CBS! Song Book

January
Sun 1 - No class (Winter break)
Wed 4 – No class (Winter break)
Sun 8– No class (Winter break)
Wed 11 - No class (Winter break)
Sun 15 - No class (Winter break)
Wed 18 - Back to class!

February 
SATURDAY 18 - Tu b'Shevat Sedar

March
Sun 4 - Purim carnival
Wed 7 - No class but...Purim shpiel
Sun 18 - model sedar
Sun 25 – No class (Spring break)
Wed 28 - No class (Spring break)

April
Sun 1 - No class (Spring break)
Wed 4 - Back to class! 
Sun 8 - No class (Passover)

May
Sun 6 – SCHOOL’S OUT (last day of class picnic)

Lots of good info on Judiasm and Israel: www.torahaura.com

I hope everyone has been keeping cool and finding ways to continue to enjoy their summer despite the heat. The arrival of August also means that it is time to register for Religious School. Congregation Beth Shalom’s Religious School provides opportunities for Jewish children in Columbia to gather with a large number of other Jewish children. Students not only make Jewish friendships but also learn about Torah, Jewish holidays, customs, rituals, Israel, history, songs and culture. The Religious School has classes for grades preschool through twelfth. Our youngest students are our preschoolers who are ages 3 & 4 and we request that they be out of diapers. The Religious School has a wide array of teen offerings that are important in developing our youths’ ability to be active adult members of any Jewish community. High school/teen programs are available to students in public school grades 9-12.

Once again the majority of our staff is returning this year so we will have very few new teachers. Our teaching staff is primarily comprised of Mizzou students who have a wealth of Jewish knowledge, teaching experience, camp experience, involvement with Hillel, our community and their communities at home. We are fortunate to have such an active group of young adults serving as teachers and role models for our children. Our Rabbi is actively involved in the Religious School and will be meeting with individual classes. Grades 7 & 8 will study Torah with the Rabbi. The Rabbi will also teach Jewish ethics, values and legends to grades 4-6.

The Congregational Board has not increased fees this year. However, the general operating budget of the congregation underwrites a large portion of the cost of the Religious School therefore it is necessary for you to send in your pledge forms along with your registration. Tuition is $240 for preschool through second grade and grade 8 (classes without two hours of Hebrew/week). The tuition for grades 3-7 is $480. The high school programming fees are $240. This fee covers their NFTY regional fee, local youth group fee, and payment to the youth group advisor etc. The fee is the same whether you partake in all of the teen programming or just some of it.

The Congregation is committed to educating all of our children and tuition assistance/scholarship is available. If you would like assistance please be sure to request it on your registration form. We have many families in need of tuition assistance, so if you are able to donate to the scholarship fund your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

All grades except high school start at 9:30 on Sundays. Grades preschool through second will meet from 9:30-11:30AM. Third through seventh grade will meet from 9:30 AM-12:30PM on Sundays and on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 PM. Grade 8 will meet from 9:30 – 12:30 ( this includes junior youth group time 11:30-12:30 ). High School students will meet on Sundays from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM for classroom discussion and youth group will meet from 11:30 – 12:30. The high school class will be cooking this year while exploring Jewish culture and holiday foods.

Sunday mornings will start in the new building for grades 4-8 having music in the sanctuary. Grades preschool through third will go directly to their classrooms and they will conclude with music in the sanctuary. High School will meet in the youth lounge/library in the farm house. Wednesday Hebrew will start in the sanctuary with tefilah.

Regular attendance at class is necessary to be successful. Bar and Bat Mitzvah students and families please be sure to look at the policy manual to be on track with requirements and expectations.

We will have several special events this year including school led Shabbat Services, Consecretion, Bar/Bat Mitzvah workshop, Purim Carnival, Chanukah workshop and a model Seder for Passover along with a closing day activity. There will be a minimum of once a month family learning classes. These dates will be established one month in advance and will primarily be taught by our many knowledgeable congregants

Please return registration and pledge forms by August 22

Families should arrive early on the first day of classes. Please stop by the registration desk to pick up name tags and find out where to proceed from there. Additionally you should sign up for snacks, consider signing up for committees, meet the teachers and socialize with other parents while having coffee and bagels.

Please down load and fill out registration forms (fifty percent of your payment is due before the first day of class), send in your pledge forms, and if you are able - donate to the scholarship fund.

Feel free to call me with questions 673-2371 or use this number if you need to reach me during class time. I am looking forward to seeing everyone on August 28.

Sincerely,

Debbie Kaplan
Director of Education and Youth Programs
Congregation Beth Shalom
kaplande@health.missouri.edu

Congregation Beth Shalom Religious School offers religious education to congregant members children grades preschool through grade twelve. A variety of resources, educational techniques and tools are utilized to meet the needs of our diverse community. The student body is typically over 100 students and our student to teacher ratio averages 6:1. We have an excellent teaching staff that includes congregants, university students and graduate students.

The educational goals set forth by Congregation Beth Shalom Religious School are to strengthen the students faith in God, love of Torah, develop a bond with Israel, and identification with the Jewish people and language. Students who complete the religious school will be able:

• - to transfer what they learned at the school to their homes and lives
• - to celebrate Shabbat and the festivals and observe the Jewish ceremonies that mark significant occasions in their lives
• - to have a strong, positive Jewish identity
• - to know their heritage and history
• - to express kinship with K’lal Yisrael
• - to understand the concepts behind and the celebrations of the Jewish holidays
• - to have a basic understanding of Torah
• - to understand and feel a commitment to Jewish ethics and values
• - to be able to participate in religious services
• - to read Hebrew and understand liturgical Hebrew, some will also be able to speak some modern Hebrew

Regular attendance and active participation are necessary for the student to achieve these goals.

Philosophy:
Each individual should have the following rights:

1. The right to learn without interference from other people in the school or class.
2. The right to work together as students and teachers in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding
3. The right to have one’s personal property respected by others
4. The right to be protected from physical harm

Expectations of Behavior

1. Students will come ready to participate in class activities
2. Students will not disrupt other student’s participation in class
3. Students will keep their hands to themselves
4. Language that is considered offensive will not be used
5. Property of Congregation Beth Shalom, the facility, or any other facility we use will not be abused
6. When in the sanctuary, students will behave in accordance with the spirituality of our sanctuary at all times
7. Students will clean up their work area prior to leaving
8. To ensure the safety of the students, no student will be dismissed early to wait outside for a parent. If a parent needs to pick a child up early the parent will come into the classroom to pick up their student.
9. The following are prohibited: defiance, stealing, vandalism, dishonesty, profanity and vulgarity, fighting, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
10. Toys and personal electronic devices such as; cell phones, Gameboys,MP3 and IPODS will not be visible during class.

Discipline Procedure:

1. Teachers will provide a student with a verbal warning for disruptive behavior. If the behavior continues the student will be moved to just outside of their classroom to provide an opportunity for the student to recompose him/herself.
2. If it is necessary for a student to be removed from the class for behavior the parent will be notified.
3. If disruptive behavior continues, the parent or parents will have a conference with the religious school director, the teacher and the student to discuss further actions which may include any or all of the following:

- Parents on the premises during school hours
- Suspension from school for a period of time
- Any mutually agreed upon arrangements made at the conference