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School Hours
Snow closings will be announced on radio station WFAS 1230 AM and 103.9 FM. Please listen to the radio on any questionable day. KINDERGARTEN-2ND GRADE The children's first experience with Bible stories and how the stories relate to their world - at home and beyond home. The classroom activities trigger the children's desire and eagerness to learn and to ask questions and talk about God. Emphasis is placed on the cycle of Holidays and on Jewish awareness, and in Second Grade, the beginnings of ethical issues. Singing and arts and crafts activities are an important part of the program. Hebrew letter recognition is introduced. In first grade we ust the Sam the Detective to Hebrew Program, and in second grade, Reading Readiness from the Derech Binah Series. 3RD-6TH GRADES An interest in other lands and cultures, a sense of the Jewish people and Jewish observances and an appreciation of God as spiritual all contribute to the 3-6 curriculum. Family Education, History, Ethics and Tzedakah are topics for mini-lessons and texts. Hebrew is taught by the phonetic method with emphasis on visual and auditory discrimination of the letters. Reading games, prayer practice, and Hebrew songs are stressed. A programmed method of reinforcement and acceleration is followed to allow students to advance at their own pace. The THIRD GRADE focuses on the basics - learning Hebrew and learning Torah. We round out this year with a more in-depth look at the holidays.
The FOURTH GRADE continues to sharpen Hebrew and history skills. Added to the mix is some conversational Hebrew, as it relates to the understanding of liturgical Hebrew. A more in-depth look at Bible and Jewish life is covered in this curriculum.
The FIFTH GRADE continues to have liturgical and conversational Hebrew skills. The year is rounded out with a variety of mini-courses, including topics on rituals, lifecycles, Israel and Holocaust.
The SIXTH GRADE begins Hebrew preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The rest of our year is spent on a Journey through Jewish history, following Jewish life from Abraham to today. The 6th grade curriculum emphasizes the immigration experience and is supplemented with interviews and field trips.
The 56 Club facilitated by Donna Moss. Temple Beth Shalom will be continuing its program for 5th and 6th graders. This group meet once a month on Sundays from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Pizza and dessert is ALWAYS served and fun is required! 7th GRADE The 7th grade curriculum is based on the idea that the world stands on three things: the Torah, worship and deeds of loving-kindness. Throughout the year the weekly session focuses on these ideas through class, group activities and lecture format. Prayer, God, helping others less fortunate than ourselves, and 13 year olds as Jewish teenagers are issues discussed. The Torah as a text, as a constitution, and as a growing and changing "document" is emphasized as part of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience. The comparative study of the world's major Religions is also introduced. In addition to the liturgical Hebrew, the students study a Torah and Haftarah portion in preparation for their own Bar/Bat Mitzvah and engage in a unique curriculum consisting of programs dealing with God, Torah and Tzedakah. "KOL KOREH: A VOICE CRIES OUT KOL NISHMA: A VOICE IS HEARD" Seventh graders participate in individual tzedakah projects and our annual group event. The Fall Project Ezra Luncheon: we invite 80-90 residents of the Lower East Side to our synagogue for an afternoon in the "country." The 7th grade organizes the day's events.
Students With Special Needs We now offer an extensive program in our Religious Schol, grades K-7, for children with a wide spectrum of learning needs. Ellen Kelly will be facilitating the Special Needs Program. Please call Laurette in the Temple Office if this program would be suitable for your child(ren). A questionnare will be filled out before Fall enrollment so we may best meet all needs. In our new Resource Center we use computers and software especially appropriate for "Special Needs" and advanced students
IN GENERAL Remedial and alternative methods of learning Hebrew are offered in individual situations when warranted. Accelerated Hebrew - conversationa Hebrew and Torah Reading Class - is offered for advanced students in the upper grades throughout the school year. POST BAR/BAT MITZVAH PROGRAMS8TH GRADE CHAVURAH "Chavura" means partnership. This program is designed exclusively for 8th graders. Its goal is to help 8th graders begin to see themselves as mentors and role models for younger Temple Beth Shalom members. The 8th grade volunteers meet with their 2nd grade "partner" on Sunday mornings. This is a pre-rquisited program for out "T.A.": Teacher Assistant Program. TIKKUN OLAM PROGRAMS - Cooridinated by Cantor Robin Joseph Tikkun Olam I (8th and 9th GRADES) Every Wednesday night from 6:00-7:30 p.m. the 8th and 9th grade students will meet for dinner and discussion. The topics will be of interest and concern to Jewish teens here in the Rivertowns and everywhere. Dina Friedman will facilitate this group. Tikkun Olam II (10th through 12th GRADES) Tikkun Olam (Healing the World) is a youth leadership program open to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Tikkun Olam will combine leadership training, discussions and community service. The meetings will be held Wednesday nights from 6:00-7:30 p.m. and includes dinner. Those who participate in Tikkun Olam will receive letters of service at the conclusion of the school year that may be used to fulfill high school service requirements. Letters of recommendation may also be furnished to those who complete the program and may be included in their college application. Jim Keyes will lead this group. The Teaching Assistant (T.A.) Program The T.A. Program is for 9-12 graders who have completed the 8th Grade Chavura program. Students may work in the classroom, helping reachers, or have a position in the office, ther arts, music, library or working with children who have special needs. This program is also offered as a Community Service Project.
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