May 5, 2010
21 Iyar 5770
Dear Religious School Parents/Guardians,
Our school is a place where children and families gather to engage in an exploration of Judaism’s history, traditions, ethics, and values and its meaning in a 21st century world. We create community, a context for celebration and learning, and an environment for finding personal connection to our ever-evolving religious culture. It has been a magnif¬icent year for our school, with improvement at all grade levels toward ensuring each student a stimulat¬ing, inspiring, and nurturing educational experience.
This packet is your opportunity to begin the registration process for the 2010-2011 school year. Early Registration begins Sunday, May 9th, and continues through Sunday, June 6th. Registrations postmarked after June 6th will be billed at the Regular Registration fee. In addition, students enrolling in the 4th and 5th grade Shalem classes (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, Monday, Wednesday) before June 6th qualify for a $250 Rabbi’s Scholarship. Please read the enclosed Informa¬tion Sheet before filling out the registration forms. Don't delay in sending your forms in to the school office promptly. Timely filing of your child's school registration is the best guarantee of placement in the session of your choice.
I look forward to receiving your child's registration forms and to your family's participation in our Religious School community. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Helen Shell in the school office: HShell@bethelmc.org or 301.652.8569 X309.
B'Shalom,
Louis Nagel
Education Director
SPECIAL NOTES:
SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNERS – Our Religious School has a long tradition of support for meeting the unique learning needs of the widest range of students. Among the assets we have developed are Hebrew Resource teachers who work with 3rd-7th graders, teachers’ aides, and teacher support and training. In addition, a responsibility of the Assistant Education Director is to serve as Special Needs Services Coordinator. For more information regarding these resources please contact either Elisha Frumkin (301.652.8569, X319) or Louis Nagel (X310).
SEVENTH GRADE PROGRAM – For the fourteenth year, the seventh grade class will meet Sundays and one mid-week day. This is to allow time for students who, shortly after the start of the school year, begin special tutoring to prepare for the celebration of Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The missing session is made up with a monthly intensive activity, sometimes a field trip, and occasionally, an enriched Shabbat or holiday observance. A draft schedule is mailed in August.
CARPOOL ASSISTANCE - The Religious School office is able to help families organize carpools. Our enrollment database can be sorted by zip code, session, and grade. For assistance, please call Helen Shell at 301.652.8569 X309.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL RESTRICTED FUNDS - We invite parents/guardians to make a contribution to the funds listed below, allowing us to further enrich our program. There is a space on the Registration Form where you can indicate your support.
- ELAINE TANENBAUM RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ENRICHMENT FUND enables the Religious School to take advantage of special opportunities that make the school experience more interesting, exciting and engaging for our children. This fund has been used to pilot, sustain and enhance such programs as the 4th-5th grade retreat, 6th grade Brooklyn trip, Conversational Hebrew instruction, family education, arts specialists, and various outside speakers who meet with our students.
- DR. ELAINE L. SHALOWITZ EDUCATION FUND enables the Religious School to provide enhanced training opportunities for our teachers and administrators, as well as offer additional enrichment programs for our students.
HUG IVRIT V’TARBUT (FIRST GRADE & SECOND GRADE ENRICHMENT CLASS) - We will again offer an optional enrichment class for our first and second graders. The class will take place on Tuesday afternoon coin¬ciding with the afternoon Religious School classes (4:15-6:15). The emphasis of this program is on enrichment. It serves as an opportunity to explore learning opportunities and experiences not pursued in the general curriculum due to time limitations. The focus will be on conversational Hebrew, with other topics including Israel, Bible stories, dance, and art rounding out the program.
SPECIAL FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS - If you need to make special financial arrangements for dues and/or tuition, please contact our Executive Director, Sheila Bellack, at 301.652.2606, X306, or SBellack@bethelmc.org by July 30.
AUGUST SCHOOL MAILING - In mid-August you will receive a mailing that will include the textbook list, school schedule, Parent's Handbook, and other information.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Click here for: Information Sheet
Click here for: Registration Form
Click here for: Student Profile and Emergency Medical Information (3 copies)
Click here for: Parent Volunteer Form
Click here for: Darchei Noam An Ethic to Live and Learn By -- Behavior Code
Click here for: Parking Lot Protocol
Click here for: Thursday Afternoon Enrichment Registration
Click here for: Shir Atid Registration