Parents Handbook
WELCOME TO THE DESERTTORAHACADEMY
This booklet is designed to help you understand the rules and regulations necessary to make our school a productive, safe and healthy learning environment.
Our educational methods encourage students to become independent, responsible, resourceful and creative learners. The role and function of the staff is to maximize the possibilities for successful learning by providing a responsive environment, with personal guidance and support. This learning opportunity encourages the development of a love of learning, self-respect and positive self-esteem.
We recognize that our actions serve as a powerful model for our children. Therefore, our staff provides the necessary support and positive attitudes that create a warm and nurturing environment to maximize the potential of our children.
We appreciate your support and concern as we establish a successful school experience for your children.
2. PHILOSOPHY
Mission Statement
The Desert Torah Academy will provide the Jewish children of Southern Nevada with a Jewish education based on Torah and Halacha together with a comprehensive secular education so that they will be fully prepared to participate as highly successful students in high school and beyond. Part of our mission is to reach out to the parent body of our students, to expose them to the richness of Jewish traditions, laws and holidays and to help them to learn and grow together with their children.
Educational Goals and Beliefs
We believe…
in fostering a positive Jewish identity and love of Torah in our students.
that the teachings of Chabad philosophy are an important component in fostering this love of Torah.
that it is our duty to be respectful of the diversity of backgrounds of our students in religious observance and practice.
that family and school must work as a team in order to provide the best education for a child.
that it is our duty to provide financial aide in the form of scholarships to those families who truly need it.
that our curriculum and teaching methodology, both secular and Judaic, be shaped for optimum responsiveness to the unique strengths and learning styles of each student.
that we must expose our children to moral and ethical beliefs and teachings so that they grow to be upright and productive American citizens.
that it is our duty to teach our children to love the land of Israel and the Hebrew language spoken there.
that we must instill our students with a love of learning so they will become lifelong learners.
that our school can serve as a valuable resource to the overall Jewish community of Southern Nevada.
3. ADMISSION
Before a student is admitted to the Desert Torah Academy, parents must fill out an Application for Admission form and an enrollment contract.
A birth certificate must be provided for proof of age for each child enrolling for the first time in the Desert Torah Academy. Children entering Kindergarten must turn five by September 30. Children entering First Grade must turn six by September 30. Academic records will be requested from the student's prior school. Students will also be required to have satisfied the immunization requirements as stated on the Nevada Immunization Record or a letter stating the parent’s desire not to have the child immunized.
It is most important that each parent supply the school with the telephone number where he/she can be reached during the day. In the event of an emergency, we would like the telephone number of a friend or relative authorized to act for the parent when the parent cannot be reached. If emergency numbers change during the year, it is important that the office be notified so that our records can be updated.
Children are admitted to Desert Torah Academy regardless of race, gender, nationality and disability.
4. SCHOOL TELEPHONE/ADDRESS
The Day School office phone number is 259-0777. If voice mail picks up, please leave a message. We will return your call as soon as possible. The school fax number is 877-4700. The address is 1261 S. Arville Street, Las Vegas, NV 89102.
School telephone lines are reserved for official business. Children are not permitted to use them except in emergencies. Telephone messages will be accepted in case of emergency only. Please bear in mind the difficulty of delivering messages to individual students, especially at the end of the school day. Parents should make all necessary arrangements before children leave for school so that interruption of class can be avoided.
Messages may be left for teachers by calling the school number and then pressing * and the teachers voice mail number. Please obtain a list of the mailbox numbers from the School office.
5. SCHOOL HOURS /ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Desert Torah Academy (K-8th) school day is from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm. Please ensure that your child is dropped off between 8:15 am and 8:25 am daily so classes can start on time. Any student arriving at school later than 8:35 MUST check in at the front office before proceeding to class.
On Fridays during the months of daylight saving dismissal is at 3:00 pm in honor of Shabbos. On Fridays during the winter, dismissal is at 2:00 pm.
Children are dismissed on the Vista Street side of the school, where the carpool dismissal is held. Children are called to their car as it approaches the front of the carpool line. If parents so desire, they may park their car in a designated parking spot and accompany their children to a parked car.
Desert Torah Academy offers an extended care program, starting at 8:00 am and going until 5:00 pm (depending on demand) Monday - Thursday and Friday mornings only. There is no aftercare on Fridays. The cost is $3.00 per hour with a minimum of 1/2 hour daily. These fees must be paid in advance together with the tuition fees. If you are unsure as to how many days you will be using extended care, or if you do not need extended care on a regular basis, the charge for occasional use is $4.00 per hour and you will be billed every second month.
Students who arrive more than 15 minutes before class begins or are picked up more than 15 minutes after school ends will be automatically enrolled in our extended care program and parents will be billed at the rate of $4.00 per hour.
6. EARLY PICKUP
Parents may pick up a student during school hours by coming to the school office and signing out the child. Parents should not expect a teacher to release a child from the classroom.
The school receptionist will notify the teacher that a student should be sent to the office for early dismissal. Only upon parental authorization in writing will the school release a student to any adult other than the parents.
7. MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS
Please avoid scheduling medical appointments during school time. If a parent has no choice and has to take his/her child for an appointment during school hours, then all policies regarding early pickup apply to early dismissal for medical appointments.
8. CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
Respect for the school and school property is part of our educational program. We enlist the aid of parents in emphasizing these values to their children. When school property is damaged, parents will be responsible for the repair costs.
Students will also be issued textbooks and workbooks for both Judaic and General studies. All books are the property of the Desert Torah Academy and are "loaned" to students to be used during the school year. If the book is lost, the school will issue another book at the expense of the parents.
9. SUPPLIES
Teachers will provide lists of specific supplies needed. Lists will be included in a packet received before school or distributed during the first week of school. Please help your child obtain the proper supplies and equipment.
10. DRESS STANDARDS
Appropriate dress is a direct reflection on a child's home and school. ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A SCHOOL UNIFORM. This includes any sweaters or sweatshirts that will be worn in class.
Children should come to school clean and neatly dressed. The uniforms for the Desert Torah Academy can be purchased from Campus Club, which is located at 2411 Tech Center Court, Suite #107 (off of Smoke Ranch, between Tenaya and Buffalo). Their phone number is 360-0555, fax 242-2595. Price lists are available in the school office.
All boys are required to wear a kippah and tzitzit daily. Boys who come to school without a kippah will be supplied with one at a charge of 25 cents, and parents will be billed. Tzitzit are to be worn daily. The school will provide one pair of tzitzit free of charge to all new students. Additional pairs may be purchased for $7 each.
Makeup should not be worn except on dress-up days such as Purim. Girls may wear modest, tasteful jewelry, such as stud earrings or small hoops and lightweight chain necklaces only. All students are required to wear socks and shoes that have backs. No slippers or clogs are allowed in school.
All students must be dressed appropriately in uniform or the parent will be called and the child removed from class. All articles of clothing should be labeled for easy identification in case of loss. All items that carry no name labels will be placed in the Lost and Found.
11. LUNCH
Your child will need to bring a dairy or pareve lunch to school including a drink and an ice pack if needed (unless you are participating in the hot lunch program). We ask that parents cooperate by providing their children with lunches and snacks that conform to the laws of Kashrus and good nutrition (low/no sugar).
In order to provide an atmosphere that does not differentiate between families that have accessibility to kosher meat with those that may not, we require that no meat, meat products or poultry be brought into school, regardless of their kashrus. This includes any soups containing meat or meat byproducts.
Every child must have a lunch box or bag with his/her name clearly printed on the outside.
12. HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
Our school provides a hot lunch program, at an additional cost of $4.00 per child per day, which must be prepaid. Hot lunch menus cover a four week time period. Hot lunches must be ordered ahead of time by filling out and returning the menu to the office. Hot lunches cannot be purchased on a daily basis.
This program is a service provided for the benefit of the students and is optional.
13. ILLNESSES AND ABSENCE
Do not send your child to school if he/she shows any sign of illness. Any contagious or communicable illness should be reported to the school secretary.
A written note is required after any absence. If a child will be absent for three days or more, please notify the school office.
If your child becomes ill during the school day, you will be notified in order to make proper arrangements for him/her to be picked up.
If you child is absent from school for more than one day, and you would like homework sent home, please call the office in the morning so that there is sufficient time to collect work from the teachers.
14. IN AN EMERGENCY
In an emergency, an attempt will be made to notify the parent and/or emergency contact. If necessary, the child will be taken to the closest emergency room for treatment.
**Please note: The school will be unable to seek emergency medical aid for your child without your signature on the release form incorporated in the registration form. Please be sure that you have signed the application upon enrolling or re-enrolling your child.
15. EXCUSED ABSENCE
Though we strongly recommend that you do not take your child out of school for family vacations and outings while school is in session, sometimes, though rarely, family concerns do take precedence over school. In such cases, please notify the school at least 7 days in advance so that required reading and homework assignments may be available for your child during his/her absence. In all circumstances, it is the parent’s responsibility to arrange for make-up assignments and tests with teachers.
16. MEDICATION
If your child needs medication administered during school hours, it is necessary that you bring a doctor’s note with the medication in a container which has physician's orders attached. You will also be required to fill out a medication form, with your signature.
In order to ensure the safety and protection of all students, regardless of age, students will not be permitted to carry medication while at school. Medicines should be left with the receptionist and the student should come to the office to take the medicine. Tylenol will be dispensed only after a parent has been called and given permission for the school to give it to their child.
17. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS
Suggestions for helping your child include:
Set a reasonable and consistent bedtime for your child.
Allow sufficient time for breakfast and morning routines so your child arrives at
school feeling relaxed and secure.
Ensure that your child arrives at school on time.
Inform the teacher if something is going on at home (illness of a family member,
extended absence of a parent, etc.) that might affect your child.
Inform the school when you will be away from home and your child will be in
the care of another adult. This is important in the event of transportation
problems or emergencies.
Regular attendance is essential. Help your child learn that school is important. A child who attends regularly does not miss parts of long-term projects or units and finds it easier to establish himself/herself as part of the group.
18. COMMUNICATION
Effective communication is essential to your child’s education. Feel free to contact the school about any matter whatsoever. You are encouraged to discuss any questions or concerns with your child’s teacher. If you have further questions or concerns, please discuss them with the Principal/Director.
Frequently, children are given school and community information in the form of notes or memos to be taken home. Please check your child’s backpack daily to ensure that you don’t miss out on important information.
A weekly newsletter is published and sent home with each student. This includes points on the weekly Torah portion, upcoming events, and news from the class, pictures, student works, and more. Please read the newsletters.
19. CONFERENCES
Teachers are always available to discuss your child’s progress. In addition, during the first trimester of the school year, parents have an opportunity to meet their child's teachers at Back-to-School Night. At the end of the first grading period, parent-teacher conferences are scheduled to evaluate each child's progress during the school year. Desert Torah Academy and its employees maintain the confidentiality of all information.
20. PUPIL EVALUATION
Teachers administer tests periodically to evaluate each student’s progress. Report cards are issued 3 times annually for both Judaic and Secular studies. In addition, progress reports are sent home between official grading periods. Report cards generally contain three sorts of grades, two academic and one social/behavioral. At the end of the school year, Desert Torah Academy administers the Terra Nova Test in the Secular studies department, grades 1-8. Results of these tests are generally not available before the end of the school year; parents are consequently informed of the results by mail.
21. HOMEWORK
Homework assignments are an integral part of the planned curriculum. General Studies and Judaic teachers cooperate in order to keep the amount of homework within reasonable limits. Due to the Desert Torah Academy's enriched program featuring a dual curriculum, parents should expect their children to have a little more homework than is customary in a public school. Parents who find their child spending an unreasonable amount of time in order to complete homework assignments should communicate with the child's teacher first, and when necessary with the Principal through the school office.
The approximate duration of homework assignments per grade should be as follows:
Kindergarten – 10 minutes
1st Grade – 20-25 minutes
2nd Grade – 20-25 minutes
3rd Grade – 30-35 minutes
4th Grade – 30-35 minutes
5th Grade – 50 minutes
6th Grade – 60 minutes
7th Grade – 90 minutes
8th Grade – 90 minutes
Reminder: Requests for homework for students who are ill must be called into the school office in the morning.
Parental responsibilities in helping children establish good homework habits include the following:
Provide a quiet place and a scheduled time to do homework.
Act as a consultant or guide when your child asks for help.
Help create a timetable for completion of projects, and check often to see that your child stays on track.
Inform teachers if assignments seem to be too difficult, so that appropriate help may be given to your child in school.
Assist your child in obtaining resource material.
Refrain from doing the student’s assignment. All homework must be the student’s own work.
22. COUNSELING AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
Occasionally, a teacher may see a need for a student to be assessed by professionals outside the school. This may occur when teachers observe behaviors, which raise questions about the presence of a developmental delay, learning difference, or other special need. The purpose of such an assessment is to provide teachers and parents with the information needed to meet the students learning needs, either within the school or through a tutor or other resource person arranged for by the parents. All costs incurred are the responsibility of the parent.
23. CLASS OBSERVATION
Parents and prospective parents may observe classes by calling the school office and scheduling an appointment in advance. By arranging class observation in advance, parents will be able to derive maximum benefit with minimal disruption in the classroom. Parents must check in with the office upon arrival.
When visiting classes, parents are requested not to engage students or teachers in conversation. In addition, siblings are not permitted to visit the class. In general, 30 minutes is considered ample time in which to observe a class.
Men and boys visiting the school are requested to wear a kippah (available in the front office) and women are requested to dress appropriately.
24. PROTOCOL FOR ADDRESSING CONCERNS
Whenever problems or concerns arise, they should be brought directly to the attention of the faculty members involved; i.e., a problem in the classroom should be discussed first with the teacher. If further discussion is necessary, the Principal/Director should be contacted.
Parents are asked to use discretion when discussing school issues, especially in front of their children. It is very important to help our children have a positive attitude toward their school and their education. Modeling a positive attitude while quietly pursuing solutions lets children know that their parents and teachers are working together for their benefit and shows that there is mutual trust between school and home.
25. LICENSING
The school is operated as an exempt private school under the provisions of NRS 396.211.
26. BEHAVIOR POLICY
Desert Torah Academy’s philosophy of behavior management is grounded firmly in the belief that children thrive in a positive and affirmative atmosphere. Setting fair and reasonable limits for behavior and reinforcing desired behaviors are effective methods to promote good student behavior. The entire faculty, to bring about necessary changes of inappropriate behavior uses natural consequences, time out, behavior modification, and conferences with parents and students consistently.
Students who violate the rules will initially face consequences (such as time outs). If the violations persist, or if disturbances are severe, the child will be sent to the principal. The principal will decide if it is necessary to call the parents in for a conference.
The following behaviors violate school policy and are subject to immediate dismissal, at the discretion of the Director or Principal:
1. Leaving school property without permission.
2. Vandalizing, damaging or stealing school or private property.
3. Possessing weapons or illegal substances.
The following behaviors violate school policy.
1. Showing disrespect towards adults or peers.
2. Using improper language or name-calling.
3. Running, pushing, shoving or yelling.
4. Disrupting the learning process.
5. Fighting
6. Threatening, intimidating or causing harm to any person.
The school will make every attempt to work with the student, the parents and appropriate professionals to help the student. When, in the judgment of the Principal/Director, all available resources and efforts have been exhausted, the Principal/Director may make a decision to dismiss a student.
27. CARING ABOUT OTHERS
Caring about another person is extremely important. Part of the educational process includes learning how to be a “mentsch.”
A student can show how he/she cares by:
1. Speaking respectfully to teachers
2. Helping a friend or teacher
3. Offering a compliment to a friend or teacher
4. Calling a classmate who is ill
5. Being careful not to say things which hurt another person’s feelings
… and so much more
28. TZEDAKA
Tzedaka, (charity) is a basic concept in Judaism. Our school attempts to develop a commitment amongst our students to share with others less fortunate than themselves by donating a few pennies a day to charity. Parents are asked to provide young children with one coin daily.
Older children should give Tzedaka from their allowance money.
29. SHABBOS PARTIES/BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Shabbos parties are an essential part of our curriculum. They are held every Friday in the Kindergarten and 1st grade Judaic classes. Birthday celebrations are held in conjunction with Shabbos Parties, on the Friday closest to the birthday in Kindergarten and 1st grade. Older grades may celebrate a child’s birthday. This is done a few minutes before recess on the child’s Hebrew birthday. You may find out your child’s Hebrew birth date from the office.
In consideration of your child's fellow classmates who observe the laws of Shabbos and Kashrus, we request that invitations given out in school being distributed for parties outside of school include the following: 1) all of the child’s classmates are invited. 2) the party is not held on Shabbos. 3) kosher food is available. These invitations for birthday parties held outside of school need to be approved by the Director, who will distribute them to the children only if they meet the above criteria.
30. HOLIDAYS NOT CELEBRATED
Halloween, Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day are not celebrated at DTA..
31. ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies are held periodically, throughout the year. They usually include performances by the children, either with Judaic or Secular curriculum themes or concerning specific calendar dates. Advance notice is given in the school newsletter in addition to notification to parents of children in the grades that will be performing.
32. FIRE DRILLS
Fire drills are conducted on a monthly basis. The fire alarm (a high pitched tone accompanied by strobe lighting) is sounded and the children exit their classrooms in silent, single file. Each classroom has a fire escape route posted in a prominent place, indicating the exit route and assembly point. In-place-shelter drills are conducted.
33. SAFETY PLAN
Senate bill 289 requires all Nevada Schools to have a safety plan. Parents who would like a copy of our plan should speak to the school secretary for a copy of the plan.
As part of our safety plan we have established three evacuation sites. The first site is the large sanctuary in the main School building. The second site is Flyers Gym, which is located on Charleston and Vista. The third evacuation site in Las Vegas is Vegas Verde School, which is located at 4000 El Parque. We have also established the Hebrew Academy of Huntington Beach, California as our out of state contact. Their phone number is 1-714-898-0051. If local phone numbers become jammed in a crisis, parents are to call the Hebrew Academy for an update on Desert Torah Academy’s status.
34 PHOTOGRAPHS
Individual and class photographs are taken annually. Parents are given the opportunity to purchase photos but are under no obligation to do so.
35. FIELD TRIPS
Classes frequently go on educational field trips. Children will not be able to participate in these trips unless the parent or guardian signs a permission slip. Permission slips must be signed at the beginning of the school year, which will cover all the trips that are scheduled. If a trip fee is requested, parents will be notified at least one week in advance.
36. PARENT SUPPORT & PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION
Parents have the primary responsibility for the education of their children. Specifically, this includes the responsibility: to establish a home environment, which encourages the moral values, ethics, social skills, self-discipline, and commitment to learning, to be fully informed regarding all aspects of their children's development progress, and where needed, to take and/to support the appropriate remedial action, and to make every effort to establish and maintain a cooperative and mutually supportive relationship with the school.
Schools have the responsibility to guide, assist and support and complement parents in their efforts to meet these responsibilities. Of particular importance is the school's obligation to assist parents in gaining the information and insight necessary to make informed judgments regarding the religious and moral education of their children.
The partnership between home and school begins with enrollment and continues throughout a student's educational program. The PTO is an organization of parents that assists the school and sponsors school related activities. Parents are encouraged to join and actively participate in the PTO. Parent Teacher Organizations provide many opportunities for volunteer efforts. Monthly meetings also provide classes in Judaic studies.
Here are some ways parents can support the Desert Torah Academy:
* Volunteer
* Donate books or software.
* Donate audio-visual equipment.
* Volunteer your expertise i.e., plumbing, electrical, etc.
* Volunteer to drive for a field trip.
* Donate games and activities.
* Become a tutor.
* Encourage other families to enroll their sons and daughters.
Have a wonderful year and welcome to the extended family of ChabadDesertTorahAcademy!
