All School Handbook 2025_2026

2025 - 2026 | 5785 - 5786 All School Handbook

Early Childhood Kindergarten – Eighth Grade Parent Association

18011 Hillcrest Road | Dallas, Texas | 75252 (972) 248-3032 | (972) 248-0695 fax levineacademy.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS MISSION STATEMENT ..................................................................................................... 5 Board of Trustees ...............................................................................................................................5 Educational Philosophy ......................................................................................................................6 Statement of Commitment to Israel...................................................................................................6 Accreditation, Memberships, and Affiliations ....................................................................................6 PROGRAMS & COMMUNICATION .................................................................................. 7 Communication .................................................................................................................................. 7 School to Home Communication ................................................................................................................... 7 Contacting Faculty Members......................................................................................................................... 7 Ethical Covenant ................................................................................................................................9 Non-Discrimination Statement ......................................................................................................... 10 Discriminatory Misconduct Policy ....................................................................................................10 What Parents Can Expect from Levine Academy.............................................................................10 What Levine Can Expect from Parents.............................................................................................11 Levine Lingo .....................................................................................................................................11 BUDDY PROGRAM ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Dollars4DENIM ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Early Care, After Care and Educare ............................................................................................................. 12 Early Childhood (EC) Shabbat LEADERS ....................................................................................................... 12 Hagigot ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 K’HILAH K’Doshah Shabbat.......................................................................................................................... 12 Meet the Teacher ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Shabbat Services.......................................................................................................................................... 13 SPIRIT WEAR/Rosh Hodesh.......................................................................................................................... 13 Stallion Swap ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Zimriyah ....................................................................................................................................................... 13 Carpool & Parking Lot Rules ............................................................................................................14 HEALTH............................................................................................................................................15 Kashrut and Food Restrictions on Campus ......................................................................................17 Outside Of School Celebrations .................................................................................................................... 20 Security and Emergency Information ...............................................................................................20 Early Childhood............................................................................................................... 23 Philosophy ........................................................................................................................................ 23 INCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................... 23 Arrival and Dismissal ........................................................................................................................23

Arrival .......................................................................................................................................................... 24 Carpool Pick-Up ........................................................................................................................................... 24 Behavior Policy ................................................................................................................................. 24 Confidentiality and Student Records ...............................................................................................25 School Mental Health Program ................................................................................................................... 25 Credentials .......................................................................................................................................25 Curriculum ........................................................................................................................................ 26 Judaic Orientation ....................................................................................................................................... 26 Music ........................................................................................................................................................... 26 Physical Education and Gross Motor Skills .................................................................................................. 26 Science, Engineering, and Discovery ........................................................................................................... 26 Library.......................................................................................................................................................... 27 Through varied activities, children will develop an appreciation for and a love of literature. Each week children will check out a book of their choice from the Early Childhood Library. The children will listen to stories, rhymes, have puppet shows and create their own stories. We encourage you to share the joy of reading with your child. Children (toddlers through PreK) can check out books weekly during their class library time. The EC Library welcomes any donation of gently used books your family has outgrown. Thank you for your support in this very important part of the Early Childhood............27 Birthday Book Club ...................................................................................................................................... 27 Shabbat........................................................................................................................................................ 27 Developmental Goals ......................................................................................................................27 Emotional/Social Goals ................................................................................................................................ 27 Cognitive Goals ............................................................................................................................................ 27 Spiritual Goals.............................................................................................................................................. 28 Physical Goals .............................................................................................................................................. 28 Dress Code ......................................................................................................................................29 Lost and Found ............................................................................................................................................ 29 Educare and Extended Day .............................................................................................................29 Field / Class Trips.............................................................................................................................29 Lunches and Snacks .........................................................................................................................29 Visitors .............................................................................................................................................. 30 Sunscreen and Insect Repellant .......................................................................................................30 Safe Sleep Policy ..............................................................................................................................31 For infants under 12 months ....................................................................................................................... 31 Breastfeeding ...................................................................................................................................31 Kindergarten – Eighth Grade .......................................................................................... 31 Academics ........................................................................................................................................ 31 Homework ................................................................................................................................................... 31

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Homework Policy.............................................................................................................. 31 Honor Roll .................................................................................................................................................... 32 Illness or Emergency Absences.................................................................................................................... 32 Late Work .................................................................................................................................................... 32 Tests/Projects .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Plagiarism / Cheating................................................................................................................................... 32 Private Tutors .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Student Progress ......................................................................................................................................... 32 Tutorial Assistance....................................................................................................................................... 33 Physical Education ...........................................................................................................................33 Attendance.......................................................................................................................................33 Arrival .......................................................................................................................................................... 33 Dismissal ...................................................................................................................................................... 33 Absences...................................................................................................................................................... 33 Appointments .............................................................................................................................................. 34 Community Standards and Policies .................................................................................................34 BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE ......................................................................................................................... 34 The School’s Response to Reports of Misconduct....................................................................................... 37 Academic Progress Reports and Parent-Teacher Conferences .......................................................37 Progress Reports/Report Cards ................................................................................................................... 37 Conferences ................................................................................................................................................. 37 Community Service ..........................................................................................................................38 Lower School: Tikkun Olam ........................................................................................................................ 38 Middle School: Tikkun Olam ....................................................................................................................... 38 B'nai Mitzvah FUND ..................................................................................................................................... 38 Lost and Found ............................................................................................................................................ 41 Extracurricular Activities – Eligibility Requirements .........................................................................42 Good Citizenship.......................................................................................................................................... 42 Academic Standards .................................................................................................................................... 42 Attendance Guidelines ................................................................................................................................ 42 Academic Probation .................................................................................................................................... 42 Field / Class Trips.............................................................................................................................42 Chaperones and Field Trip Driver Guidelines .............................................................................................. 42

Library ..............................................................................................................................................43 Lower School Library ................................................................................................................................... 43 Middle School Library .................................................................................................................................. 43 Checkout Policy ........................................................................................................................................... 43 Overdue/Lost/Damaged Materials .............................................................................................................. 43 Book Donations ........................................................................................................................................... 43 Birthday Book Club ...................................................................................................................................... 44 School Counselors ...........................................................................................................................44 Confidentiality and Student Records ........................................................................................................... 44 Telephone Use .................................................................................................................................44 Toys, Games, Electronics, Rollerblades, Skateboards, Etc. .............................................................44 Visitors to the Classroom .................................................................................................................45 Levine Academy Parent Association ............................................................................... 45 Levine Academy Parent Association’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values Statement .......................45 Mission Statement....................................................................................................................................... 45 Vision Statement ......................................................................................................................................... 45 Core Values .................................................................................................................................................. 45 Parent Association (PA) Volunteer Opportunities ............................................................................46 First FAMILIES .............................................................................................................................................. 46 Teacher Appreciation .................................................................................................................................. 46 Book Fair ...................................................................................................................................................... 46 GRADE LEVEL COORDINATORS (GLCS)......................................................................................................... 46 Spirit Wear ................................................................................................................................................... 46 Stallion Swap ............................................................................................................................................... 46 Purim Carnival ............................................................................................................................................. 47 Reasons To Engage With Our Parent Association ...........................................................................47

MISSION STATEMENT Ann & Nate Levine Academy is an inclusive, dynamic, Jewish day school which fosters leadership, creativity, critical thinking, and Jewish values while empowering its students with integrity, self-confidence, and intellectual curiosity.

Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees is primarily responsible for ensuring the school has the resources necessary to fulfill its

mission, including long-range planning, policy formulation, stewardship of the school’s assets, selection and retention of and providing counsel to the Head of School, and representing the school in the community at large. Each year, the Committee on Trustees nominates candidates for the Board and presents them for election to the full Board. Elected Board members serve two-year terms, and the bylaws outline the number of successive terms allowed, the composition of the Board, and the functions of its various standing committees. The Board of Trustees meets monthly during the school year and the dates are listed in the school calendar. To accomplish its work, the Board of Trustees needs volunteers beyond its membership to serve on its committees. Parents of students and alumni as well as members of the community-at-large are welcome to serve in this capacity. Should you have any questions about the Board of Trustees, you are encouraged to contact the Board President, Andrea Steiger, who will be serving the first year of her two-year term during the 2025-2026 school year. Educational Philosophy The faculty and the leadership of Levine Academy see our comprehensive program — first rate preparatory and challenging general studies alongside thorough and inspiring Jewish foundational learning — as being 100% cognitive, skills-based, and academic; moreover, Levine Academy is committed to creating a positive, respectful, and joyful environment for the betterment of learning for our students, complementing the establishment of a collaborative and professional faculty and staff culture. The classroom approach is centered on discovering our students’ individual needs and then, by tapping into the expertise of our professionals and faculty, delivering the kind of instruction that will enrich, challenge and support each student, while being mindful of their learning style and developmental level. Our educational approach is delivered within a Jewish school community dedicated to menschlichkeit (sense of humanity) and our school’s cherished Ethical Covenant of seven middot (values): Caring (2 nd Grade), Justice (3 rd Grade), Holiness (4 th Grade), Respect (5 th Grade), Citizenship (6 th Grade), Responsibility (7 th Grade), and Integrity (8 th Grade).

Our educational philosophy, in a Jewish day school context, is best understood through an understanding of how we regard the needs of every learner — in short, how we see our “learning philosophy.”

Our educational philosophy is centered on meeting the needs of every learner, and it is best expressed through our three educational themes that adorn many of our school’s official documents and materials: Learn, Grow, and Belong . Statement of Commitment to Israel The creation of the State of Israel is one of the seminal events in Jewish history. Recognizing the significance of the State and its national institutions, we seek to instill in our students an attachment to the State of Israel and its people as well as a sense of responsibility for their welfare.

Accreditation, Memberships, and Affiliations o Accredited by ISAS: Independent Schools Association of the Southwest

o Member of Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools o Member of the Texas Association of Non-Public Schools o Founded by Congregation Shearith Israel o A Partner Agency of Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas

PROGRAMS & COMMUNICATION Communication SCHOOL TO HOME COMMUNICATION

All school communications are sent electronically. Parents are notified of any policy or procedural changes electronically. Parents may discuss and review policies and procedures with the Head of School, Director of Jewish Life and Learning, K-8 Principal or Early Childhood (EC) Director at any time. Teachers communicate home to parents weekly and the school’s eNewsletter is also sent to each family every week, giving families the most current upcoming week’s information. CONTACTING FACULTY MEMBERS Parents should contact teachers, administrators or office personnel any time they have a question or concern. These staff members all have voicemail and email and will do their best to return calls within a 24-hour period. No school employees will conduct school business on Shabbat. Please do not call teachers at home unless a teacher specifies otherwise, and never on Shabbat. Regarding classroom questions, parents should always contact the teacher before approaching an administrator. As you can see from the flow chart provided, most, if not all, questions or matters regarding teaching and learning can be answered or resolved by communicating directly with your child’s teachers. The K-8 Principal, Director of Jewish Life and Learning and EC Director are happy to be a resource to you for further clarity. To discuss the school’s strategic needs or ideas for school improvement, you may speak to the head of school. Email is the usual and acceptable means to communicate any questions with teachers. Sending e-blast complaints or emails to multiple or large group listings of parents, faculty, administration or Board members is not only an infringement upon the proprietary information in the directory, but such behavior conflicts with the enrollment provision, which expects families to maintain a cooperative mode of communication between home and school. This type of communication can also slow down response time and impair the clarity or purpose of the message. We encourage parents, when using email, to be brief and keep to a neutral tone. Continuous emailing of faculty or staff — usually this takes the form of repeated emailing with a derogatory or critical tone -- will not be tolerated. Please respect our goals to move forward in a productive and positive manner.

Support Staff—whom to contact and when: Assistant to the Head of School o Scheduling appointments with the Head of School o Inquiries regarding Board members or Board business o Guidance concerning contacts around the school K-8 School Administrative Assistant o K-8 class schedules o Setting-up an appointment with the K-8 Principal

o Transcript requests o Locker assignments

Early Childhood Assistant Director o Daily procedures and whom to contact regarding Early Childhood matters School Administration—whom to contact and when: K-8 Principal o K-8 programs and curriculum o Your child’s development and needs o Middle school advisory program o Academic schedule o An issue that has not been resolved after consulting your child’s teacher o Student ambassadorship o 5 th & 6 th Grade student trips Early Childhood Director o Early Childhood programs and curriculum o Your child’s development o An issue that has not been resolved after consulting your child’s teacher Director of Jewish Life and Learning o Judaic Studies and Hebrew programs and curriculum o School-wide Jewish programming and Buddies o Religious Service and Prayer o 7 th and 8 th Grade student trips o Bar/Bat Mitzvah calendar dates o Lunch Program / Kashrut Questions o An issue that has not been resolved after consulting your child’s Judaic/Hebrew teacher(s) Business/Finance Office o Tuition or payments made to the school o Tuition assistance information Educare and Extended Day Directors o Before and after school care and activities Head of School o Educational philosophy o Fundraising o School facility

o Security matters o Strategic planning o Accreditation o School mission

Advancement Office—whom to contact and when:

Development Office o Levine Fund and making contributions to the school o School endowment and planned giving o Annual Gala o Pledge and gift accounting and acknowledgments o Alumni achievements Admissions Office o Admission procedures o Arrange tours of the school o Share information regarding a prospective family o Parent ambassadorship o Enrollment process Marketing and Communications Office o Weekly eNews content o Website, social media, and press o Notices of life cycle, simchas, and community events o Community Events

Restrictions on using the Levine Academy Directory, Emails and Address Lists Family and employee email and home addresses are proprietary information, and the use and delivery of the directory’s information is confidential and intended for school-approved purposes only. Parents are strictly forbidden from using directory information for mass email solicitations, or for the promotion of products, services, or political platforms. Any reports or concerns about such behavior or practices should be brought to the attention of the Head of School. Student Communication with Faculty (Including Social Media) For the safety of our children and faculty/staff: o No teacher may “friend” a student or accept a “friend” request from any student through Facebook or any other social media. o All emails to/from teachers must go through parent email addresses or via the student’s assigned Levineacademy.net email accounts (these are established for all middle school students only). o Questions from students regarding school must come to the teacher’s school email. Ethical Covenant The Early Childhood through Eighth Grade Covenant involves parents, teachers and students as partners in making the Ethical Covenant a living document at Levine Academy. The Covenant defines the core values central to our school’s philosophy – caring, justice, holiness, respect, citizenship, responsibility, and integrity – and are traits we expect our students, as well as their parents and teachers, to carry with them all their lives. Levine’s Parent-School Covenant is founded on the belief that parents and school must establish and maintain a partnership in all aspects of school life, but especially in the education of the students. This Covenant is designed to strengthen the relationship between parents and the school as well as between parents and their children. Central to Levine’s ethical philosophy is our Non-discrimination Statement and our Discriminatory Misconduct Policy. This statement and policy are listed below; however, further information on our Discriminatory Misconduct Policy,

including definitions, examples, reporting and procedures is all spelled out in our K-8 Behavior and Discipline section later in this handbook.

Non-Discrimination Statement Levine Academy supports and complies with applicable provisions of state and federal law which prohibit discrimination in employment, admissions, access or use of its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities, on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, service in the armed forces of the United States, positive HIV-related blood test results, genetic information, other disability, and/or any other status or characteristic as defined and to the extent protected by applicable law. Discriminatory Misconduct Policy Discriminatory Misconduct is behavior referencing race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, service in the armed forces of the United States, positive HIV-related blood test results, genetic information, other disability, and/or any other status or characteristic as defined and protected by law; that is unwelcome, uncomfortable, offensive, severe or pervasive, and has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance, and creates an abusive, hostile or intimidating environment for work or learning. This behavior is not permitted by Levine Academy. The Discriminatory Misconduct Policy includes a range of behavior including but not limited to; harassment, hate speech, bias, gender and sexual identity discrimination, bullying, relational aggression, emotional aggression, and hazing; these are defined in our K-8 Behavior and Discipline section later in this handbook. Discriminatory Misconduct can occur via any type of method, including but not limited to, face-to-face communications, phone, text, email, postings on social media, or other forms of technology, drawings, display of images or slogans on posters, buttons, stickers or clothing, and physical interactions.

All of our definitions of the discriminatory terms listed above, plus details on reporting procedures, follow-up, and disciplinary actions can be found in our K-8 “Community Standards and Policies” section later in this handbook.

What Parents Can Expect from Levine Academy o Parents can expect that Levine Academy, in accordance with its mission, philosophy, and All School Handbook rules and procedures, will strive to maintain a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for its children. o Parents can expect regular communications about their children from the school: newsletters from teachers and from the school, periodic progress reports, and any additional communication necessary to keep parents informed about major school events or updates to policies and procedures. o Parents can expect to be informed immediately if there is a serious disciplinary matter involving their children. o Parents can expect timely notification if a child is encountering academic difficulties and parents will be kept informed of follow-up plans, actions, and strategies. o Parents can expect that Levine Academy’s administration will make a reasonable and sustained effort to accommodate their child’s needs and differences, within bounds of its professional capacity to do so, and

that Levine Academy’s administration will communicate to parents the school’s limits and constraints, as soon as they become known, in its ability to be effective in helping their child to be successful academically or socially. o Parents can expect that Levine Academy will respect confidentiality and privacy regarding the school’s interactions with other families and their children, including any academic assessments or disciplinary processes and consequences. o Parents can expect that Levine Academy’s administration will, if it deems it necessary, make recommendations for external professional intervention, and may also make such professional intervention a requirement for the child to remain enrolled in the school. o Parents can expect that Levine Academy’s staff will model respectfulness and civility in all its student/parent contacts. What Levine Can Expect from Parents o Levine Academy can expect that parents will support, encourage and help order the lives of their children. o Levine Academy can expect that parents will model civility and integrity for their children; parents will listen to, supervise, and hold their children accountable with consequences for inappropriate behavior. o Levine Academy can expect that parents will support and endorse the philosophy, mission, and policies of the school. o Levine Academy can expect parents to make timely payments of tuition and other expenses. o Levine Academy can expect parents to register dissatisfactions and complaints in a responsible and fair way. o Levine Academy can expect parents to understand and follow the communication protocols and guidelines outlined in the Parent Handbook. o Levine Academy can expect parents to respect confidentiality and privacy regarding the school’s interactions with other families and their children, including any academic assessments or disciplinary processes and consequences. o Levine Academy can expect parents to be supportive and responsive to the school’s policies, academic and disciplinary decisions, and to seek a collaborative solution to problems.

Levine Lingo

BUDDY PROGRAM All classes from the EC threes through eighth grade are paired together through the Buddy Program at Levine Academy. Individual students in the buddy classes are further paired so that every EC 3-year-old through second grade child has a relationship with a big buddy. Buddy classes meet once a month for activities based around the seven core values of the Ethical Covenant, Jewish holidays and just to have fun relating to each other! Students may create art projects, bake cookies, eat snacks in the sukkah, read books or attend the Purim Carnival together. Our Buddy Program has fostered relationships between students creating a loving, safe and caring community here at Levine. DOLLARS4DENIM Monthly, Student Council-sponsored charity drive which students may donate $1 to the designated charity of the month to wear jeans to school, or $5 for a free dress day.

EARLY CARE, AFTER CARE AND EDUCARE Pre- and post-school childcare and classes offered at Levine Academy for all age groups. Early care and after care registration can be requested when enrollment contracts are signed. Educare classes are specialty classes offered after school. Schedules and registration are available during the summer for the following school year for children in the threes through 4 th grade. EARLY CHILDHOOD (EC) SHABBAT LEADERS Each class in the EC (Twos-PreK) takes a turn leading services for the week. The designated class will lead Torah services on Thursdays at 9:45 AM and Shabbat services on Fridays at 9:15 AM. Relatives and friends are encouraged to attend. HAGIGOT Students in Pre-K and in First through Fourth Grade will each have their own milestone celebration (hagigah) of significant achievement in Jewish Studies during the spring semester. These performances are very special times at Levine Academy. Check the school calendar for the dates of each of these celebrations. Pre-K – Hagigat Hagan Pre-K students will demonstrate the incredible Judaic knowledge they have gained during their preschool years. This knowledge is what forms the base of their Jewish identity and instills in each child a love of our Jewish heritage and traditions. First Grade – Hagigat Hasiddur First Grade students will demonstrate their proficiency in prayer by leading the morning service, as well as present a midrash (story) about how the Hebrew letters received their order in the alphabet. Students are presented with their first siddur (prayer book). Second Grade – Hagigat Hahumash Second grade students will present a musical and dramatic performance of Torah stories they have studied during the year, in Hebrew. Students will receive a copy of the Torah. Third Grade – Hagigat Hasafah Second grade students will present a musical and dramatic performance of Torah stories they have studied during the year, in Hebrew. Students will receive a copy of a Hebrew English dictionary. Fourth Grade – Hagigat HaAliyah Fourth grade students conclude the year with a presentation for Yom Yerushalayim (Reunification of Jerusalem Day). This energetic performance presents the history of Jerusalem through narration, song, and dance. Students make Aliyah (meaning “going up”). It is the celebration of their moving up to middle school. Students are presented with their own copy of the middle school siddur. K’HILAH K’DOSHAH SHABBAT K’hilah K’doshah Shabbat is held once a month for Kindergarten-Eighth Grade. These special Shabbat services celebrate our K’hilah K’doshah ( “holy community”) by allowing different grade levels to plan and perform at the services. We wear our K’hilah K’doshah t-shirts with blue jeans on these Fridays.

MEET THE TEACHER Parent orientation night occurs during the first weeks of the school year. Parents are highly encouraged to attend as they will hear about what the teachers have planned for the year, curriculum and other important information. FOR PARENTS ONLY SHABBAT SERVICES Friday morning Shabbat services at Levine are very special. All relatives and friends are welcome to join us every Friday morning. Kindergarten – Eighth Grade services are held in Beit Aryeh at 8:00 AM and Early Childhood services are in the Donsky Gym at 9:15 AM. SPIRIT WEAR/ROSH HODESH Spirit Wear is sold through the PA’s Spirit Wear committee. Levine logo-bearing clothing items cans be worn on Spirit Wear Days, which fall on Rosh Hodesh (the first day of the new Hebrew month). These days are indicated in your school calendar. STALLION SWAP Stallion Swap is a free program that allows Levine families to supplement their uniform wardrobes with gently used school uniforms that have been donated by generous Levine families ZIMRIYAH Zimriyah (“Songfest”) is a special musical performance by our PreK-8 th Grade students which is held around Hanukah and is a wonderful celebration of the season.

Carpool & Parking Lot Rules For the safety of our students and to all involved, please adhere to the protocols listed below:

K-8 Carpool Rules: o Please make sure your child is buckled into their car seat until your car has come to a complete stop. o Drive slowly in the parking lot – MAXIMUM SPEED IS 5 MPH. o The parking lot is a NO CELL PHONE ZONE. Please do not use cell phones at any time in the parking lot. Cell phone usage is not allowed in the school parking lot or in the carpool line when dropping off or picking up your child. o Do not park in fire lanes or park your car in a “handicapped” designated parking space without the proper permit. o During carpool, please do not congregate in front of the crosswalk area or in the area where the children are exiting from the school – as the line moves forward, pull your car forward. o Do not leave your vehicle in the carpool line or park your car in the fire lane, when leaving your car for any reason. o Please have your child ready to exit the car as soon as you pull up to the drop-off point. o If there is a special circumstance that requires a parent to occasionally pick up a child early from school, the parent must sign the child out at the Main Greeter’s desk. o The office MUST BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING if someone other than those listed on the carpool form is picking up your child. This person must present valid identification upon request. It is the parents’ responsibility to notify the teachers and carpool drivers of any changes (illness, early pick-up, going with a friend, etc.,.) prior to 3:00 PM. No student is allowed to go home with a different carpool without parent permission. EC Carpool Rules: o Only Infant – Pre-K are permitted entry through the EC entrance. Children may be walked in or staff will bring them inside from the carpool lane. o If you have K-8 children and EC children, drop-off/pick-up the K-8 children first and then proceed to the EC carpool queue. Do not drop-off/pick-up K-8 children at the crosswalk in the parking lot. o During the Morning Drop-off and the Afternoon Pick-Up, EC will have two queues only. Staff will get your children from the first five cars; the area along the curb from the cone at the east end to the speed bump on the west. o Do not get out of your car until the staff member is at your vehicle. o Do not get out of your vehicle until you are in the drop-off/pick-up area. o Do not leave your vehicle and walk your child to a staff member and do not send your child unaccompanied to a staff member. EC children are to be escorted at all times for safety reasons. o Once your child has been picked up or safely and buckled in, please exit so another car can enter the pick-up area. o Do not block the cross walk with your vehicle Drivers and pedestrians should watch the crossing guard for instructions. Drop-off and Pick-up are high volume traffic times. Everyone’s cooperation is greatly appreciated for a safe and expedient carpool experience.

HEALTH Parenting for your Child’s Success

o Start your child’s day on a positive note. Provide a nourishing breakfast and a stress-free morning. o Establish a set bedtime for school nights. Children are at their best when they have had a restful sleep. o Don’t over-schedule after-school activities. Allow your child ample time to relax, do homework, and socialize with friends. o Establish a daily homework schedule and provide a quiet place to do homework. o Check your child’s backpack and homework folder daily for correspondence, or check-in with Brightwheel (EC families), Veracross (K-8 families) or emails for classroom updates and child’s progress. Read the “E- News” for important school updates. o Establish routines and boundaries at home — practicing responsibility for belongings; refraining from interrupting, keeping to daily/weekly household chores, maintain hygiene before going to bed, etc. o Limit your child’s time spent watching T.V. and playing electronic games. Make reading and family conversation part of your daily routine. o Be supportive of your child’s efforts and accomplishments and do not set unreasonable expectations. Use positive reinforcements. o Help your child develop proper respect for adult authority. If you disagree with the child’s teachers, do not do so in the child’s presence or through a note your child can read. Deal directly with your child’s teacher. o Help your child understand that you support the school rules, regulations, and the consequences for breaking these rules and regulations. Illness Children are susceptible to illnesses and, therefore, it is necessary to enforce the following: o All children must have a current medical form on file, and immunizations must be current in order for your child to begin school. o Effective August 1, 2000, children attending a child-care facility ages one year or older are required to be vaccinated against Varicella (Chicken Pox) or must provide documentation of previous Varicella illness. o The Texas Department of Family & Protective Services no longer requires proof of Tuberculosis (tb) testing. All medical forms must be updated annually before each school year. Immunization Each student enrolled at Levine Academy is required to be immunized against vaccine-preventable infectious diseases according to the latest immunization schedule set forth by the Texas Department of State Health Services. We accept medical exemptions granted by a licensed, United States board-certified allergist, immunologist, hematologist, or oncologist, provided the exemption is original, written, and dated within one year of issuance (unless indicating a lifelong exemption). Please note that Levine Academy no longer accepts Affidavits for Immunization Exemption for Reasons of Conscience. It is mandatory for each student to maintain a current immunization record on file. Students will not be allowed to attend classes unless their immunizations are up to date, and current health records are on file in the Nursing Clinic. Those with communicable diseases, such as strep, pink eye, and impetigo, must be on an antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to school.

Contagious viruses, such as chicken pox, Fifth’s Disease, HFMD (Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease), and COVID-19 must be reported to the office immediately. Notes are sent home to members of the student’s class informing parents of the exposure. Admittance back to school will not be allowed until the child is no longer contagious as determined by a pediatrician. When is my child too sick to come to school? Please keep your child at home if there are warning signs of COVID, cold or other illness like lethargy, irritability, or breathing problems. Infectious symptoms or illness that prevent the child from participating comfortably in school activities, or which result in a greater need for care than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children. Any COVID case will necessitate that the child remain home for five days, and then may return to school if fever-free and symptom-free. In all cases, children must be fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medications, before returning to school. Fever is 100.4 degrees or above. Remember that your child may be ill without running a fever. The school reserves the right to require a doctor’s note and/or a negative COVID-19 or Flu test prior to returning to school. The following conditions necessitate keeping your child home: o Diarrhea or stools containing blood or mucus in the previous 24 hours. o Vomiting two or more times in the previous 24 hours. o Rash with fever, unless cleared by physician. o Head lice, until after the first treatment (including removal of all visible nits) – returning students must check-in with the nurse before attending class. Children who are well enough to come to school are generally well enough to play outdoors. It is possible, however, to be excused from athletic, PE, or recess activity by having the child seated outdoors to avoid strenuous activity following an illness. Children who become ill in school will be kept with the school nurse, isolated from others, until a parent/guardian can be contacted. Children may be sent home when ill without a fever. If you are contacted and asked to pick up your child, please come to the school immediately. If we cannot find a parent/guardian, we will then contact the people on your Emergency List. Please notify these people of this possibility. Vision and Hearing Screening As mandated by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, each child four years of age or older must be professionally screened by his or her personal pediatrician. A copy of the screening must be given to the nurse’s office. We are required to send a report to the Department of Family and Protective Services each year documenting compliance with The Special Senses and Communications Disorders Act, Texas Health and Safety Code. First Aid In case of emergency, parents will be notified immediately. The emergency form kept on file must reflect CURRENT information. Should the school be unable to reach a parent in case of an emergency, the child will be taken to the nearest hospital.

Medication o Whenever possible, medication is best taken at home.

o Personnel cannot administer any prescription or non-prescription medication until a completed and signed School Medication Authorization Form is provided to Levine Academy, including ibuprofen/acetaminophen, except by written permission of parents. o If your child has medication to be taken during school, it must be brought to the school nurse in its original container with a note stating the time, dosage and frequency the medication is to be given. This note must be signed by a parent. o If the treatment is ongoing, only one note per school year is needed. o Students may not carry medication during the school day. Exceptions apply only to asthma inhalers and EpiPens, when age appropriate. o Prescribed inhalers are for the intended individual’s use only and not shared with others. Violation of this policy shall result in immediate suspension of the student’s privilege to self-medicate. Allergies Please notify the school nurse if your child suffers from allergies. An allergy list will be posted in each classroom, so all teachers are aware of every child’s needs. If your child has life-threatening allergic reactions, an EpiPen 2-pack must be given to the school – they will be kept in the nurse’s office. Written, dated and signed instructions must also be kept in the nurse’s office. Please remember to check the expiration date on all medication. A nurse is on duty at Levine Academy during school hours. In addition, the teachers and staff have been trained in First Aid and Pediatric and Adult CPR. Injuries In case of accidental injury, the school will make an immediate attempt to contact a parent. o If a parent (or a person designated by parents as one with permission to authorize medical treatment for a child) cannot be contacted, the Head of School, Principal, or administrator will make the necessary decisions, provided a signed medical authorization is on file with the school. o If necessary, the school will contact the child’s physician, an ambulance or paramedics. o Parents assume responsibility for any resultant expenses. o Please keep the school up to date on phone numbers, emergency numbers, and other pertinent medical and safety information. Kashrut and Food Restrictions on Campus Kashrut , the Jewish dietary laws, are a central part of Jewish practice and life; one of the most significant ways of making our behaviors kadosh - holy. Judaism teaches that our basic drives are neither holy nor unholy, but they are waiting to be holy, and by our thought, intention, and our ability to make moral distinctions we can make all of our acts holy – even the way we eat. Levine Academy serves students across the entire spectrum of religious observance, and Kashrut practices vary from family to family. While we completely respect each of our family’s personal observances and spirituality at home, we maintain a standard of kashrut in the building that is attainable for all our Levine families and faculty. The Torah defines the following characteristics as Kosher foods: 1. Land Animals - Kosher animals chew their cud and have split hooves 2. Poultry - The Torah simply provides a list of birds that are Kosher and not Kosher. 3. Fish - Fish that are Kosher have fins and scales. Shellfish are NOT Kosher. 4. Milk & Meat - Milk and meat/poultry products may not be served or consumed together. Dairy may not be

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