2020 - 2021 | 5780 - 5781 Parent and Student Handbook Early Childhood Kindergarten – Eighth Grade Parent Association
18011 Hillcrest Road |Dallas, Texas | 75252 (972) 248-3032 | (972) 248-0695 fax www.levineacademy.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MISSION STATEMENT ………………………………………………………………………4 Board of Trustees ………………………………………………………………………………….……4 Educational Philosophy ……………………………………………………………………………..….4 Statement of Commitment to Israel ...……………………………………………………………..….5 Accreditation, Memberships, and Affiliations ..…………………………………………………...….5 ALL SCHOOL HANDBOOK …………………………………………………………………6 Communication …………………………………………………………………………………………6 Ethical Covenant …………………………………………………………………………………….….8 General Carpool and Parking Lot Rules ……………………………………………………….……..9 Health ……………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Kashrut and Food Restrictions On-Campus ....……………………………………………………..13 Outside School Celebrations …………………………………………………………………….……15 Security and Emergency Information ………………………………………………………….……..15 EARLY CHILDHOOD ……………………………………………………………………..…17 Philosophy ……….…………………………………………………………………………………...…17 Arrival and Dismissal ….………………………………………………………………………………17 Behavior Policy ….…………………………………………………………………………………..…18 Confidentiality and Student Records …………………………………………………..……………18 Credentials ………………………………………………………………………………..……………18 Curriculum ….…………………………………………………………………………………………19 Developmental Goals ..…………………………………………………………………………........20 Dress Code ….……………………………………………………………………………………….…21 Educare and Extended Day ………………………………………………………………………..…21 Field / Class Trips ….……………………………………………………………………………….….21 Financial Assistance ….……………………………………………………………………………..…21 Library ….…………………………………………………………………………………………….…22 Lunches and Snack / Nut-Free Policy …………………………………………………………….....22 Visitors ….……………….………………………………………………………………..………….…23
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KINDERGARTEN – EIGHTH GRADE ……………………………………………………..24 Academics ……….…………………………………………………………………………….………24 Attendance ……………………………………………………………………………………………26 Behavior and Discipline ….………………………………………………………………………..…26 Community Service….………………………………………………………………………………..28 Dress Code ….……………………………………………………………………………………….28 Extracurricular Activities ……….……………………………………………………………………31 Field / Class Trips ….……………………..……………………………………………………….…32 Library ….…………………………………………………………………………………………..…32 School Counselors ….……………………………………………………………………………….33 Telephone Use ….…………………………………………………………………………………..33 Toys, Games, Electronics, Rollerblades, Skateboard, etc. ……………………………………...33 Visitors to the Classroom ….………………………………………………………………………..33
PARENT ASSOCIATION ………………………………………………………………….34 LEVINE LINGO …………………………………………………………………………….39
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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, Sandy Marks, who will be serving her year of her two-year term during the 2020/2021 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, mindful of his/her 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, Citizenship, Holiness, Responsibility, Justice, Respect, and Integrity. Our teachers take a whole child approach— mental, physical, and spiritual—their strategies accommodate both right and left sides of brain development, which all contribute to a superb legacy of alumni achievements and accomplishments. Our educational philosophy, in a Jewish day school context, is best understood through an understanding of how we regard the needs of each and every learner—in short, how we see our “learning philosophy.” Our learning philosophy can be stated in terms of our three educational themes that mark an outstanding Jewish day school education, valued concepts that adorn all of our school’s official documents and materials: I n s p i r a t i o n . K n o w l e d g e . C h a r a c t e r . I n s p i r a t i o n . means that Levine Academy seeks to develop in its students the free exercise of inner vision. Inspiration is about the cultivation of imagination, the fostering of hope, and the development of one’s personal voice. Inspiration refers to each person’s quest to create, to amplify possibilities, and to conceive of a better world. Yes, inspiration is frequently seen in the art class or in the language arts class,
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but at Levine Academy we also see inspiration as the free flow of energy that leads to problem-solving and helps children to awaken and enlarge their sense of human experience.
K n o w l e d g e . governs our academic program across the board—General and Judaic Studies—the pursuit of knowledge is focused on cultivating exploration, curiosity, questioning, and critical thinking. Knowledge is centered on the process and actions of inquiry, which means developing those crucial thinking skills that lead to analysis and interpretation. Experience with inquiry and the construction of knowledge is incorporated throughout Levine Academy’s celebrated Middle School Judaic classes and in its Humanities subjects, leading students toward exercising successful, investigative thinking and problem-solving skills. The active pursuit of and positive regard for knowledge prepares our students for leadership roles throughout high school and for success in their advanced level college prep courses. C h a r a c t e r . is about instilling a strong sense of pride in Judaism by giving students the tools for full participation in all aspects of Jewish life. Character is about developing a strong sense of identity, which means cultivating one’s individual Jewish identity as well as growing one’s knowledge and appreciation of one’s Jewish heritage and traditions. Character means developing one’s own confidence through the cultivation of voice, which is one’s innate, G-d-given style or place in this world. At Levine Academy, we see character formation happening all the time: character is as much dependent on a strong across-the- curriculum writing program as it is developed in regular Torah study, in our prayer services, and in our promotion of the School’s seven middot.
A Jewish day school devoted to the inculcation of I n s p i r a t i o n . K n o w l e d g e . C h a r a c t e r . is a school devoted to excellence. However, “excellence” needs to be defined.
At Levine Academy, the term “excellence” is not used casually. Teachers and staff all work to promote our School’s mission by participating in advancing our professional learning community, which means that we are “looking out the window” to search for best practices in other schools, take in current research, and embrace the best in educational wisdom. Conversely, we spend little time “looking into the mirror” which can aid the complacency we seek to eliminate. Our joy and celebration are centered on the goodness that springs from pursuing our mission. 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 - Accredited by AdvancED - Member of Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools - Member of the Texas Association of Non-Public Schools - Founded by Congregation Shearith Israel - A Partner Agency of Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas
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ALL SCHOOL HANDBOOK
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, K8 Principal or Early Childhood (EC) Director at any time. There is weekly electronic communication from each classroom teacher, but this may be sent home in your child’s backpack if you request a hard copy.
The School’s eNewsletter is sent to each family every Friday 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 a 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 or Sunday. 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 below, 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 and EC Director are happy to be a resource to you for further clarity.
Email is the usual and acceptable means to communicate any questions with teachers. Sending emails to multiple recipients is not an effective or appropriate form of communication as it can slow down a response time and will often impair the clarity or purpose of the message. Likewise, sending e-blast complaints 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 is in conflict with the enrollment provision, which expects families to maintain a cooperative mode of communication between home and school. We encourage parents, when using email, to be brief, keep to a neutral tone, and refrain from using all caps . Please refrain from sending email complaints to teachers or staff—the best form of communication for such concerns is to call the School and make an appointment with the appropriate person. Continuous email harassment of faculty or staff—usually this takes the form of continuous emailing with a derogatory or critical tone will not be tolerated. Our aim is to realize a collaborative and mutually supportive tone between home and school in a constructive and positive manner.
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School Administration—whom to contact & when: Head of School—Tom Elieff, to discuss - Educational philosophy - Fundraising - School physical plant - Security matters - Strategic planning - Accreditation - School mission
K-8 Principal—Liz Lawlor, to discuss - K-8 programs and curriculum -
Your child’s development and needs Middle school advisory program
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Academic schedule
- An issue that has not been resolved after consulting your child’s teacher - Student ambassadorship - 5 th & 6 th Grade Student Trips Early Childhood Director—Stacey Behrendt, to discuss - Early Childhood programs and curriculum - Your child’s development - An issue that has not been resolved after consulting your child’s teacher Director of Jewish Life and Learning—Rabbi Jeremy Litton, to discuss - Judaic Studies and Hebrew programs and curriculum - School-wide programming and Buddies - Religious Service and Prayer - 7 th & 8 th Grade Student Trips - An issue that has not been resolved after consulting your child’s Judaic/Hebrew teacher(s) Annual Fund and making contributions to the school - School endowment and planned giving - Annual Gala - Pledge and gift accounting and acknowledgments - Alumni achievements Admissions Office, to discuss - Admission procedures - Arrange tours of the school - Share information regarding a prospective family - Parent ambassadorship - Enrollment process Communications and Marketing Office, to discuss - Weekly eNews content - Website and social media - Notices of life cycle and community events Business/Finance Office, to discuss - Tuition or payments made to the school - Financial aid information Educare, Extended Day & Summer Camp Director—Dana Shidlofsky, to discuss - Before and after school care and activities Advancement Office, to discuss -
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Summer camp
Support Staff—Whom to Contact & When: Assistant to the Head of School—Judy Glazer, to discuss - Scheduling appointments with the Head - Major school event RSVPs - Inquiries regarding Board members or Board business - Guidance concerning contacts around the school K-8 School Administrative Assistant—Shirley Green, to discuss - School calendar, programming dates and details - K-8 class schedules - Setting-up an appointment with the K-8 Principal Early Childhood Administrative Assistant—Leah Engelberg, to discuss -
Daily procedures and whom to contact regarding Early Childhood matters
Restrictions on using the Levine Academy Directory Email & 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 the 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: - No teacher may “friend” a student or accept a “friend” request from any student through Facebook or any other social media. - All email to/from teachers must go through parent email addresses or via the student’s assigned Levine.net email accounts (these are established for all middle school students only). - Questions from students regarding school must come to the teacher’s school email. ETHICAL COVENANT The Early Childhood through Eighth Grade initiative 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 – responsibility, respect, justice, citizenship, caring, holiness 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. What Parents can expect from Levine Academy: - Parents can expect that Levine Academy, in accordance with its mission, philosophy, and Parent Handbook rules and procedures, will strive to maintain a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for their children. - 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. - Parents can expect to be informed immediately if there is a serious disciplinary matter involving their children.
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- 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. - 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. - 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 in order for the child to remain enrolled in the School. - 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: - Levine Academy can expect that parents will support, encourage and help order the lives of their children. - Levine Academy can expect that parents will model civility and integrity for their children; that parents will listen to, supervise, and hold their children accountable with consequences for inappropriate behavior. - Levine Academy can expect that parents will support and endorse the philosophy, mission, and policies of the School. - Levine Academy can expect parents to make timely payments of tuition and other expenses. - Levine Academy can expect parents to register dissatisfactions and complaints in a responsible and fair way. - Levine Academy can expect parents to understand and follow the communication protocols and guidelines outlined in the Parent Handbook. - Levine Academy can expect parents to respect the confidentiality and privacy regarding the School’s interactions with other families and their children, including any academic assessments or disciplinary processes and consequences. - 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. Buddy Program All classes from the EC 3’s 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 and Pre-Kindergarten 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. Each Buddy class has a Buddy Family Shabbat Dinner once during the year to extend the bond between the students. Additional family Buddy programs may take place on a Sunday during the year. Our Buddy Program has fostered relationships between students creating a loving, safe and caring community here at Levine. GENERAL CARPOOL AND PARKING LOT RULES The attached diagram clearly indicates the traffic pattern for the entire campus. These patterns were established as a result of our Traffic Study in preparation for our fence construction and set by the city of Dallas. For the safety of our students and to all involved, please adhere to the protocols listed below: - Please make sure your child is buckled into their car seat until your car has come to a complete stop. - Drive slowly in the parking lot – MAXIMUM SPEED IS 5 MPH. - Please hold your child’s hand while walking in or out of school. - Use the crosswalk.
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- 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. - Do not park in fire lanes or park your car in a “handicapped” designated parking space without the proper permit. - 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. - Do not leave your vehicle in the carpool line or park your car in the fire lane, when leaving your car for any reason. - Please have your child ready to exit the car as soon as you pull up to the drop-off point. - 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. - 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 parent’s 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.
HEALTH Parenting for your Child’s Success - Start your child’s day on a positive note. Provide a nourishing breakfast and a stress-free morning. - Establish a set bedtime for school nights. Children are at their best when they have had a restful sleep. - Don’t over-schedule after-school activities. Allow your child ample time to relax, do homework,
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and socialize with friends.
- Establish a daily homework schedule and provide a quiet place to do homework. - Check your child’s backpack and homework folder daily for correspondence, or check in with Tadpoles (EC families), Schoology (K8 families) or computer portal for classroom updates and child’s progress. Read the “E-News” each week. - 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… - Limit your child’s time spent watching T.V. and playing electronic games. Make reading and family conversation part of your daily routine. - Be supportive of your child’s efforts and accomplishments and do not set unreasonable expectations. Use positive reinforcements. - 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. - 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: - All children must have a current medical form on file, and immunizations must be current in order for your child to begin school. - 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. - THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES NO LONGER REQUIRES PROOF OF TUBERCULOSIS (tb) TESTING. - Emergency forms must be updated annually before each school year. - Those with a communicable disease, 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) 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 a cold or other illness like lethargy, irritability, or breathing problems. Infectious symptoms or illness that prevents 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. o Children must be fever-free for 72 hours before returning to school. Your child may be ill without running a fever. o Fever is 100 degrees or above. o Diarrhea or stools containing blood or mucus in the previous 72 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. Parents are asked to avoid having their child "kept in." It is possible, however, to be 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, 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 persons of this possibility.
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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 or through the professional services contracted by the Levine Academy Early Childhood. If the parents choose to have his or her child screened outside the Levine Academy EC, a copy of the screening must be given to the 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 - Whenever possible, medication is best taken at home. - Personnel cannot administer any prescription or non-prescription medication until a completed and signed School Medication Authorization Form is provided to Levine Academy, including aspirin/Tylenol, except by written permission of parents. - 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. - If the treatment is ongoing, only one note per school year is needed. - Temporary medications may not be stored in a child’s classroom without a written note from the child’s parents. - Students may not carry medication during the school day. Exceptions apply only to asthma inhalers and EpiPens, when age appropriate. - Prescribed inhaler is 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, three EpiPens must be given to the school – they will be kept in the classroom, the EC or Main office and the nurse’s station. Written, dated and signed instructions must 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. - 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. - If necessary, the school will contact the child’s physician, an ambulance or paramedics. - Parents assume responsibility for any resultant expenses. - Please keep the school up to date on phone numbers, emergency numbers, and other pertinent medical and safety information.
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KASHRUT AND FOOD RESTRICITIONS ON-CAMPUS Kashrut , or the Jewish dietary laws, is one of pillars of Jewish practice and life. Kashrut is one of the most significant ways of making our behaviors kodesh – holy. Judaism teaches us that nature and our basic drives are neither holy nor unholy, but they are waiting to be holy, and by our thought, intention, and ability to distinguish morality we can make all of our acts holy – even the way we eat. While we completely respect each of our family’s personal observance and spirituality at home, we maintain a standard of Kashrut that is inclusive of all families and is guided by the principles of the Conservative Movement. Personal Lunches and Snacks: 1) No Meat. In order to preserve our high standard of Kashrut with ease, we simply ask that any food brought from home contain no meat. 2) Restaurants. We cannot supervise restaurants. If you bring your child food from a restaurant, we ask that it be vegetarian and cold. Hot foods transfer kosher and non-kosher status according to Jewish law and are thus problematic. 3) No Lunch Sharing. For reasons of personal levels of kashrut observance, as well as allergies, no child is permitted to share his/her lunch with another. 4) Beware of By-Products - Potential Sources of Meat. Some products contain meat byproducts that are also unacceptable at school. Some of these are mono and di-glycerides, such as propylene glycol, stearates, and several artificial and “natural” flavorings, which are used in common foods. Potato chips are often flavored with such by-products, as well as chicken, beef, and pork fats. 5) Parents providing lunch or snacks for their child from home must follow Kashrut laws and understand that the school is not responsible for its nutritional value or for meeting the child’s daily food needs.
Kosher Symbols We recommend that you look for foods marked by symbols ( hechshers ) that certify the kashrut of the
product. Examples of kosher symbols are: Shared or Distributed Foods With regard to: a) Birthday Parties b) Pre-School Snacks c) Gifts of Food and Candy d) Any other time food is shared
Such food brought to school for distribution to students other than your own child must absolutely be certified as kosher. Furthermore, any food for birthday parties in the Lower and Middle School must be exclusively PAREVE, or certified kosher with no meat or dairy. In-School Celebrations Early Childhood Each child’s birthday is celebrated in the classroom with classmates. Children participate in the measuring, stirring and baking of a special cake for your child. In keeping with our policies of inclusion, all snacks brought in for birthday parties must adhere to the Early Childhood’s Kashrut and NUT-FREE policy. Please also check with your teachers about any allergies of other children in the class. All food served to a class/grade of students must have a hechsher (kosher certification). Food may be prepared on campus with prior approval but may not be prepared at home. All food must be nut/peanut-free.
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Lower School (K-4) Parents planning in-class parties must include all classmates and prior arrangements with the classroom teacher are required. Students should not miss class to attend the party of a brother or sister. Middle School (5-8) Birthday snacks are arranged with the Advisor. If snacks are served during middle school lunch, the entire middle school must be served and advance notice must be given. Students should not miss class to attend the party of a brother or sister.
Special Events Attendance for Siblings Siblings may attend the in-school Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration and the FIRST reading of the Torah in middle school.
Foods that Do Not Require a Kosher Symbol ( hechsher ) Beverages - Milk, plain only - Soda - Fruit Juices, no artificial or “natural” flavors or colors
Fruits and Vegetables - Canned Fruits and vegetables – *No artificial or “natural” flavors or colors - Fresh Fruits and Vegetables - Fresh Cut Fruits and Vegetables- Dried Fruits and Vegetables – Domestic only and without added flavors What About Fish? Fish is considered pareve according to Kashrut – it is considered neither meat nor dairy. Kosher fish are those with fins and scales, such as tuna, salmon, trout, and halibut and those are permitted. OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD IS NUT-FREE. Please refer to our Early Childhood Handbook starting on page 22. Our K-8 Peanut Policy Out of concern and consideration for students with life-threatening allergies to peanuts/nuts/nut products, the school requests that no student bring a snack containing nuts or nut products. Lunches may contain nuts/nut products, as seating is arranged to ensure the safety of those with allergies.
Baked items must be labeled nut-free and Kosher or nut-free and Kosher dairy.
Where can you find kosher-certified foods? - Tom Thumb, Coit & Campbell (1380 W. Campbell) - Tom Thumb, Preston Forest (11920 Preston Road) - Trader Joe’s - Whole Foods and Central Market Stores - Milk and Honey Kosher Foods (420 N. Coit Rd., corner of Coit & Roundrock)
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OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS At Levine Academy, we strive to teach and live Jewish values in everything we do. To that end, we expect all Levine families will adhere to the following guidelines when having a party for Levine students outside of school (including birthday parties and bar/bat mitzvah parties): - We ask that you invite all of the children in your child’s class, or all children of the same gender. - Party invitations should be mailed; it is our policy that they may not be distributed in school. Addresses and phone numbers are printed in the School Directory. - In order to be inclusive, we request that you do NOT schedule parties on Shabbat or any Jewish holidays. Be mindful that Shabbat and Jewish holidays begin at sundown the night before and end one hour after sunset the next evening. For questions about times of Shabbat or Jewish holidays, consult the school’s calendar. (Of course, we do encourage Levine students and families to gather for the traditional celebration of Shabbat and holidays, and it is appropriate to invite Levine Academy families to a Shabbat meal or holiday celebrations.) - We also request that you respect the dietary laws of Kashrut when serving food by following our in- school dairy/pareve policy. SECURITY AND EMERGENCY INFORMATION At Levine Academy, our children’s safety and security are of the utmost concern. These are a few of our security measure initiatives: - Self-Locking Doors: All perimeter doors of the school are self-locking and only accessible with the use of a staff-security badge. - Raptor: All parents, guardians and visitors must be processed through the school’s Raptor Technology System—Raptor is a visitor registration system that reads drivers' licenses, comparing information to a sex offender database, alerting campus administrators if a match is found, then (assuming no match was made) printing a visitor nametag that includes a photo. - Badges: Parents are issued badges once cleared through Raptor. These badges must be worn at all times. If your badge is ever lost or stolen, please report it to the school so that we can immediately flag it and reissue you another badge. - Cameras: Every entrance to the building as well as the playground areas are being monitored by a video surveillance camera. - Security: An armed officer will be on-site during all hours of operation. This officer will be stationed at the entrance to the EC. Additional security guards will move throughout the grounds maintaining high visibility while carrying a radio, which affords instant communication with the School office and others. Blackboard Connect In March of 2016, we implemented a new alert and notification service. This service is called Blackboard Connect and enables us to communicate via mass text notifications about any emergency or inclement weather situations, school events and other important issues that may impact your child(ren). We will be able to reach everyone within minutes. Additionally, it is vital that all families have up-to-date contact information in My Backpack and that families turn in their emergency contact form. We must have all of your current telephone numbers and e-mail addresses so that you will not miss any important communications via Blackboard Connect. To help us ensure that we have your current information, we will send a test communication via email and text message just prior to the start of the school year. Maintaining ongoing effective communication with our parent body is very important to us and we hope this addition to our parent-school communication will further this goal. Inclement Weather School Closing In case of inclement weather, the decision concerning closing the school will be made by the Head of School. When major area public schools close for weather reasons, Levine Academy will be closed as well. You will NOT be called by your child’s teacher. Announcements will be made via email if school is
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closed for a snow day. When possible, these emails will appear by 6:00 A.M. If school is in session and early dismissal is indicated, the School will issue a mass text message from Blackboard Connect.
Fire and Severe Weather Drills Fire and severe weather drills are conducted periodically to make sure that our children are prepared for an emergency and that the building can be evacuated within a minimum amount of time. The importance of fire safety is taught to the children through classroom management routines. Controlled Dismissal If school is closed with a controlled dismissal, teachers and students will be immediately notified when the decision is made. All students are to report to their designated locations. As a student’s parent or guardian arrives to campus, the student will be called from their location and released to his/her parent/guardian. Crisis Management Plan Emergency drills are conducted regularly. Safety is an important matter, and drills are taken seriously. Students are expected to follow procedures and maintain quiet so that any required instructions can be heard. Fire The fire signal will be initiated using the school-wide public address (PA) system. Specific exit routes are posted in each classroom. Levine faculty and staff will assemble students away from the building and begin confirming attendance. Students should walk quietly and in an orderly manner. Students may not return to the buildings until the Head of School or his designee has given permission. Lockdown Lockdown are announced over the PA system. In the event that it becomes necessary to lockdown the school campus, students will remain quiet, listening for instruction, and move to a safe area as per teacher direction. If a student is not in a classroom, he/she is immediately to enter the closest classroom or other room with a door that locks. Teachers and students will remain in their lockdown locations and await instructions from the Head of School or his designee. The perimeter fence will close during lockdown – no one will be admitted in or out during that time. Tornado Tornado warnings will be issued using the PA system. At the signal, students will remain quiet, listening for instruction and immediately proceed to the nearest designated safe area. Faculty and staff members will begin confirming attendance. Students may not leave their locations until the Head of School or his designee has given permission.
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EARLY CHILDHOOD
PHILOSOPHY The early childhood experience at Levine Academy’s Early Childhood (EC) is an opportunity for instilling a love of learning and Judaism in our children. The educational philosophy is based on meeting the developmental needs of children. The programs are designed to meet each child’s emotional, social, cognitive, spiritual and physical needs. This developmental program is based on the assumptions that (1) growth is a sequential and orderly process and (2) children do indeed pass through stages of development that occur in a predictable sequence in their physical, social/emotional and cognitive growth. The program adapts to the children’s individual differences, providing appropriate variation and flexibility in application. The teacher’s responsibility in a developmental program is to nurture and challenge each child through the individual steps of his or her developmental path. Inclusion Levine Academy Early Childhood is committed to providing children with special needs a nurturing, stimulating and developmentally appropriate environment that is offered to all its students. The EC’s ability to accommodate children with special needs will be determined on an individual basis. The Levine Academy Early Childhood is open to students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin who are being raised with the traditions of normative Judaism. ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL Levine Academy’s Early Childhood nurtures and cares for young children. Independence and self-help skills are developed in the classroom under the guidance of the teachers. Parents are encouraged to walk their child(ren) to the classrooms and pick up their child(ren) from the classrooms. A connection to your child’s teachers and to the classroom environment is vital to the relationship between parents, children and school. Arrival - Children may be dropped off in the carpool line or in the classroom every morning. Please wait until a staff member opens the car door to retrieve your child. - Please make sure your child is buckled into their car seat until your car has come to a complete stop. Classroom doors open at 8:45 A.M. Your child’s teacher is organizing the classroom prior to 8:45 A.M. Please do not drop off your child before this time. If you require early morning care, please contact the EC office. IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES, CHILDREN MUST BE ESCORTED TO THEIR CLASSROOM BY AN ADULT. Classroom Drop-Off -
Dismissal - A child may be picked up either in the classroom or from the carpool line.
Classroom Pick-Up - If you wish to pick-up your child from the classroom, you must arrive no later than 12:40 P.M.
Carpool Pick-Up -
Carpool pick-up begins at 12:45 P.M. If you plan to carpool with a group, the Transportation Form must be filled out and returned to the Early Childhood. You may not enter or exit from the main EC entrance once carpool begins. You will need to wait until carpool is over to collect your child through the EC entrance. FOR SAFETY REASONS, YOU MAY NOT ENTER THE BUILDING AFTER CARPOOL HAS BEGUN AT 12:45 P.M.
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BEHAVIOR POLICY We believe that appropriate discipline helps a child develop self-control. Our teachers provide guidance and encouragement to build self-esteem. Developing self-control is a slow, gradual process that is developmental in nature. The goal of discipline is to teach children how to make good choices. Appropriate discipline requires that children experience the consequences of their misbehavior. "Time out" is an overused term and may represent a different connotation to a child. We do not use this term because it may confuse a child and work as a negative label. Our teachers work with the child(ren) to define the problem and help the child generate a solution or resolution. The teachers and child(ren) re-evaluate the solution after some time has passed. We are always open to try new strategies in order to resolve a situation. Discipline is taught on an individual basis because children cognitively learn in different modalities. Teachers are trained to use a variety of methods to reinforce discipline and classroom management techniques. If a student’s behavior exceeds our abilities to re-direct and reinforce our discipline policy, we reserve the right to counsel the family and make necessary recommendations to refer them to specialized services.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND STUDENT RECORDS School Mental Health Program
Through a partnership between Jewish Family Service and the pre-schools, day schools and high schools that are served, our counselors work closely with school personnel and parents to assess student behavior and make recommendations for intervention. As part of the special needs initiative, our school counselors will work with teachers to determine the student’s abilities and disabilities in relation to the curriculum. The following services are provided to the school by our consultants: - Assess the behavior of children who have been referred, by observing classrooms, recess and lunch, and then making recommendations. - Assist teachers, parents and administrators with academic, behavioral, social/emotional or family issues. - Provide crisis intervention and limited individual counseling to students, 1-2 sessions. - Provide group intervention, when appropriate, on topics such as peer relationships, problem-solving and conflict resolution. - Offer consultation to parents. - Provide Second Step or a similar program which emphasizes feelings, problem-solving and anger management, taught weekly in our 3’s and Pre-Kindergarten classes. The purpose of the program is to be a resource for the school, the parents and caregivers, as well as the teachers and students at Levine Academy. When indicated, referrals will be made to community agencies, private health professionals and/or rabbis for additional assistance. Faculty or parents may refer students, or students may request to see the counselor themselves. All personal information about the students is kept in the strictest confidence. Information regarding a student will only be released with a written consent from the parent or caregiver. CREDENTIALS (in addition to Levine Academy’s Accreditation) - Levine Academy’s Early Childhood is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. - Levine Academy’s Early Childhood participates in the Dallas Association of the Education of Young Children (DAEYC), the Teacher Learning Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and the Jewish preschool Directors Council of Dallas.
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TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES The Levine Academy Early Childhood is licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services. Our program is inspected each year by both this agency and the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services. The EC’s policies are guided by the Minimum Standards set forth by the regulating agency as well as by the standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Copies of the State’s Minimum Standard Rules for licensed Child-Care Centers are available in the Early Childhood office.
Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-252-5400
www.txabusehotline
Child Care Licensing
1-469-229-6900
www.hhs.texas.gov
NAEYC
1-202-232-8777
www.naeyc.org
All staff is required to obtain at least 24 clock hours of training each year relevant to the age of children to whom they provide care. At least one clock hour of annual training must focus on prevention, recognition, and reporting of child abuse and neglect. Each staff member who provides care for children younger than 24 months of age must receive one clock hour of training to recognize and prevent shaken baby syndrome, preventing sudden infant death syndrome, and understanding early childhood brain development. For a detailed list of Professional Development training each staff member is required to fulfill, please refer to the Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers in Texas through the Texas Health and Human Services. Levine Academy’s Early Childhood environment is designed to provide children with a strong and positive Jewish identity. Each day, children experience Judaism as a joyful way of life. The symbols and traditions of Jewish life are made accessible, understandable and tangible. Throughout the Early Childhood, children gain a Jewish vocabulary and Jewish-orientation to the seasons of the year. Students learn to recognize Jewish symbols, holidays, Torah stories and prayers. There are two formal Jewish Studies sessions weekly in the three-year-old cluster and Pre-Kindergarten, and once a week in our two-year-old cluster. In addition, our 3’s and Pre-K students participate in a formal Hebrew language immersion program called Chalav u’Devash. This program imparts a basic knowledge of spoken Hebrew and provides a foundation for future study of the language. All students celebrate Havdalah on Monday, Torah Service on Thursday and Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday. All Jewish holidays and special commemorative days are taught through educational units, songs and programming. CURRICULUM Judaic Orientation Music Our music program introduces children to rhythm, movement, various musical instruments and song. Each week children learn preschool songs as well as music for Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Physical Education and Gross Motor Skills Levine EC teaches a program designed to increase gross motor coordination and strengthening. Children will learn cooperative team skills and positive self-esteem is promoted. Science, Engineering, and Discovery The focus on science in early childhood is based on the growing understanding and recognition of the power of children’s early thinking and learning. It is often heard that "children are natural scientists." Their curiosity and need to make the world a more predictable place certainly drives them to explore and draw conclusions and theories from their hands-on experiences. Our children are guided by a highly
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