When two merchants exchange goods, each one surrenders part of his stock; but when two students exchange instruction, each one retains his own learning and acquires also the other's. Is there a bigger bargain than this?
Shimon Ben Lakish
Talmud: Shabbat, 63a
May 1, 2008
26 Nisan 5768
Dear Religious School Parents,
Rabbi Shimon, as this verse illustrates, was a proponent of communal study. This hevruta approach, which has been practiced in the Jewish community for thousands of years, has re-emerged as a model for contemporary education. Now is the time to enroll in our special hevruta. 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 2008-2009 school year. Early Registration begins Sunday, May 11th and continues through Sunday, June 8th. Registrations postmarked after June 8th 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 8th 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:
SEVENTH GRADE PROGRAM – For the twelfth 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, 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.
ELAINE TANENBAUM RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ENRICHMENT FUND enables the Religious School to take advantage of special opportunities to 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, the 6th grade Brooklyn trip, Conversational Hebrew instruction, family education, arts specialists, and the various outside speakers who meet with our students. We invite parents to make a contribution to this fund, allowing us to further enrich our program. There is a space on the Registration Form where you can indicate your support.
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, extension 306 or SBellack@bethelmc.org as soon as possible.
AUGUST SCHOOL MAILING - In mid-August you will receive a mailing which will include the textbook list, school schedule, Parent's Handbook, and other 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: A Code to Live and Learn By (Discipline policy)