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Preparation for Travel

Medical Forms

If you have not had a physical within the past 12 months, please schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor must completely fill out and sign the Physician Medical Form, which can be found in the application portal after you log in. You will not be allowed to attend AMHSI unless a properly completed Medical Questionnaire Form is in our possession four weeks in advance of departure. Standard immunizations must be up-to-date. (No special immunizations are required at this time to enter the State of Israel). Your last tetanus booster must have been administered within the past nine (9) years.

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PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION

As AMHSI-JNF’s health insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, coverage must be arranged through your current insurance carrier and/or the student must travel on a selfinsured basis for pre-existing medical conditions. If health insurance coverage from home is not an option, this is an example of a coverage that might be appropriate for you: www.geobluetravelinsurance.com

Please note that pre-existing conditions include but are not limited to any allergy or asthma, as well as any orthopedic limitation, and therefore would not be covered under AMHSI’s medical insurance. If there were to be a medical emergency due to allergies, asthma or any other preexisting condition, the parent/guardian would need to pay for the medical fees. All costs incurred by AMHSI as a result of medical services provided in Israel for pre-existing medical conditions are the parent’s responsibility, and must be reimbursed to AMHSI If medication must be purchased in Israel for a pre-existing medical condition, the expense will be billed to the student/ parent(s). Please note that psychological services are not covered by AMHSI tuition or by our health insurance.

Communicable Diseases

If you have been exposed to a communicable disease you must notify the Dean of Students, Benji Hain, at bhain@amhsi.org. Failure to pre-disclose such information may result in serious difficulties for you and/or other members of the group, and could result in your dismissal from the program without refund. Your honest disclosure of such information does not disqualify you from attending the program; however, it will be evaluated on a case by case basis, and you may not be able to attend.

Vaccination Policy

All participants attending an AMHSI session must have completed a primary series of the following vaccinations:

● DTP (Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) with one dose after age 4

● Polio (oral or inactivated — with booster dose after age 4)

● Tetanus Booster — Td or Tdap (Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis) within the past 5 years · MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) — 2 doses after age 1

● HBV (Hepatitis B)

● Chicken Pox (in absence of disease history) — 2 doses — 1 after age 4

● Menactra (meningococcal meningitis)

The following vaccination is recommended but not a requirement for acceptance to the AMHSIJNF program:

● Hepatitis A (highly recommended but not required)

Students who do not have the above vaccinations will not be allowed to participate in JLA’s Israel Program.

Program Scope and Policy

AMHSI CAMPUS

The AMHSI campus is home to four dormitories that house up to 240 students. The dorms— Friedman, Muss, Rappaport, and Wohl—all have a moadon(common room) for hanging out, with kitchenette facilities including a microwave and refrigerator. Your madrichim(counselors) live in the dorms with you. The specific dorm room you are assigned to will typically have between three to eight students depending on the size of the room. Bathrooms and showers are on each floor and are communal. In addition to classrooms, library, multipurpose room, and synagogue, the campus has a dining room, health clinic, basketball court, gym, running track, and a music room.

Communication With Campus

A weekly newsletter of JLA ץראב will be emailed to parents sharing the students’ activities, study topics and field trips, which have occurred over the previous days. AMHSI Offices can be reached by calling (800) 327-5980. In case of emergency, parents will be contacted by the Director of Jewish Life by phone and or by email. In case of an emergency at home, if parents need to be in touch with their child after lights out parents may contact the Director of Jewish Life by phone and or email.

Room Assignments

Students will have the option of requesting their preferred roommates using the Roommate Request Form . Roommate requests will be taken into consideration as much as possible. Students are not required to make any requests, and are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Students may also request to be assigned by our staff.

Rooms and roommates will be assigned by JLA staff and will be designated upon arrival. Significant concerns and issues that warrant a room change should be communicated directly to the Program Director. Boys and Girls will be in separate floors and will have designated counselors living on each floor. Boys are not allowed in the hallways or rooms of the girls dorms and girls are not allowed in the hallways or rooms of the boys dorms. Boys and girls are allowed to socialize in the common lounge and kitchenette area.

Laundry Services

Once a week, laundry service is provided on campus. Specific laundry bags are required and provided by AMHSI and labeled by each student. Laundry will be returned to you within 24 hours. It is not advisable to bring delicate/ fancy/sentimental/expensive or one-of-a-kind clothes nor should you turn them into the laundry. Laundry will be returned unfolded in the same laundry bag. Students are responsible for folding and returning their clothes.

Chores

Each student will be required to perform a variety of community chores such as helping in the chadarochel(dining hall), cleaning up common areas in the dormitory, helping out on tiyulim (field trips), etc. A chore schedule will be assigned weekly.

Celebrating Birthdays

The Madrichim will organize modest celebrations for all student birthdays. If parents would like to order something additional, please contact the Dean of Students for approval and to make arrangements.

Packages

We do not recommend sending packages. If you are considering sending one, please be advised that it may be a significant cost to you. Packages may be held at a customs center, which is a far distance from our campus. Students may not be allowed to leave the program to pick it up.

When shipping something please include the following information:

Student’s Name, Dormitory, Name of Session c/o AMHSI

9 Aliyat Hanoar Street

Hod HaSharon, Israel 4534706

SCHOOL CAFETERIA & KASHRUT

Students will be provided with a catered Kosher breakfast, lunch and supper daily. To maintain the highest level of kosher standards in our food services, outside food even with kosher labels is not permitted in the school Dining Hall. Food deliveries to the school campus are not permitted. Students may bring sealed packaged food with a Kosher symbol and fresh fruit or vegetables which may be eaten in other areas of the campus. During off-campus privileges, off-weekends, and trips students will have the opportunity to purchase food.

Food Allergies

Please be aware that there are several individuals in the school community that have significant allergic reactions to nuts and other ingredients. Please be sure to check with others prior to eating and sharing, that those around your food are not allergic to their contents. Students with allergies are encouraged to discuss with the on campus nurse their dietary restrictions and create a meal plan that considers their allergies. The cafeteria offers a large selection of food at each meal and should have plenty of available options. The nurse will coordinate with the Dean of Students in the event that special requests are necessary.

Shabbat

During our time in Israel you will experience two weekends on campus, one open-Shabbat and one off campus destination Shabbat. Although we know and respect the fact that our students come from diverse backgrounds and very different levels of religious observance, experiencing Shabbat together in accordance with traditional Orthodox guidelines and ritual, is part of the JLA Ba'aretz educational experience.Therefore we expect our students to respect the environment of Shabbat as per Orthodox traditions both in public and private. No electronic devices are permitted to be used even in the dorm rooms for the duration of Shabbat. Students are expected to attend prayer services and communal meals on Friday night, Shabbat morning, and afternoon. Please refer to our dress code policy for our Shabbat attire.

We included an “open” weekend into our program, during which you can visit family or friends. Students who choose to stay on campus must notify the Director of Jewish Life and Dean of Students by filling out the Hospitality Form provided in the AMHSI parent portal. If you do not have family or friends in Israel, and would prefer not to stay on campus, parents can request to have a host family arranged on your behalf.

To ensure an enjoyable experience, as well as a safe one, we require the following:

● Parents who are planning on having their child visit with family or friends must contact the host families prior to their child’s departure to Israel to make arrangements for home hospitality.

● While making the arrangements, please explain to the host family that the student must follow the school’s rules with regards to safety as outlined below. Please make sure that the host family is aware of your personal restrictions and expectations.

● Please obtain the correct name, address and phone number of the host family. Students who violate these rules will face severe consequences. Students may only visit their host families if they have permission and validation from both the student’s parents and the host family.

A student who chooses to accompany a fellow student to his/her host family must have written permission from his/her parents and administration approval. The approved arrangement must be indicated on the hospitality forms. Parents’ letter of permission will need to include the host family’s name, full address (including city) and phone number. Parents will need to obtain this information from their students directly. Students will be limited to taking three friends to their hosts.

The following safety guidelines must be followed over the course of the Open Weekend:

● Students will be allowed to visit assigned families only.

● Students will only be allowed to stay with families and must be supervised by an adult.

● Students will not be allowed to make arrangements for themselves to stay at a hotel or Airbnb even with their parents permission.

● Although we encourage students to take a friend with them, we will only allow students to take 3 of their friends with them to families so the Israeli family can properly transport and supervise the guests.

● Students must have explicit written permission to stay with families who live beyond the“Green Line.” Parents wishing to allow their children to travel beyond the Green Line when visiting host families must email the Program Director directly granting explicit permission and assuming responsibility.

● Students must have written permission to use public transportation (buses and trains). Parents wishing to allow their children to use public transportation when visiting host families must fill out the form, which can be found online in our application portal.

● The open weekends start at 1:00 pm on Friday. Sign-in back on campus is on Saturday night at 10:00 pm in the dorm.

● We encourage host families to pick up and drop off the students on campus. There will also be transportation available to central Jerusalem and central Tel Aviv where the students can either be picked up by their host families, or the students can use public transportation with parental permission as noted above. When requested, private transportation can be arranged by the school at the student’s expense.

PHONE POLICY

Students are required to turn off their phones during class, programs, and activities. Phones must be turned in every night no later than 10:40 pm to their dorm madrichim/ madrichot Students will be allowed to pick up their phones in the morning before the commencement of the school day. Students will not be allowed, however, to use their phones during tefillah and during academic class time. In the case of emergency students can always be reached by contacting the Director of Jewish Life. Students who have an urgent matter can get assistance from their dorm counselors.

In order to ensure that all of our students are fully engaged in the experience of a Shabbat “unplugged” from their devices and “plugged in” to each other, during the Shabbatot we spend together, both on and off campus, students will be required to give in their phones before Shabbat which will be returned after Shabbat. Phones will be placed in a secure place. In the case of an emergency, we will always be reachable via the Program Director’s cell phone which will remain on throughout Shabbat.

Respectful Student Conduct

Each of our students is expected to follow school rules at all times. Good behavior and respect for everyone are prerequisites for learning. These expectations should govern student behavior at all times during the school day and are applicable even while riding school transportation, during all curricular and/or extracurricular activities in any location, and at all times during school related trips. All the rules of conduct that are included in the student handbook apply while in Israel.

JLA strives to educate our students regarding respectful behavior. In most circumstances, our initial response to improper behavior is to talk to students to ensure that they understand the expectations and rules of the school. If the behavior is not corrected or is repeated, then a member of the administration may decide upon a consequence such as losing privileges, in school suspension, exclusion from trips and detention. In the event that such consequences are ineffective at preventing the behavior from recurring, or the student behaves in a way that egregiously violates the school norms, the student may be asked to leave the Israel program and return home. This is considered a suspension that is reportable to universities and marked on school transcripts. In the most serious cases, dismissal from school may be possible even if it is a first offense.

If the decision has been made by JLA to remove a participant from the program, it will be done as soon as possible. Parents/Guardians agree to accept responsibility for their child from this point forward. The participant may either be signed out immediately by a relative or they will be transferred under the supervision of our faculty to an appropriate location until proper travel arrangements are finalized. Any cost incurred in sending a participant home due to the violation of the Code of Conduct will be at the participant’s and his/her custodial parent or guardian’s own expense.

Respecting Others

At the Jewish Leadership Academy we strive to create a community in which all members feel safe, appreciated, and respected. As such, all students are responsible for their actions and speech. It is likewise expected that students respect all people and property, and act to promote the welfare of the entire school community regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status.

Respecting School Atmosphere

At all times, students are expected to conduct themselves with honesty, empathy, respect, and responsibility.

Students should always act in a safe manner and should not engage in aggressive contact of any sort (even play fighting), and should not run through the hallways. Students are not allowed to be in possession of weapons or any object that can be construed as a weapon, such as a knife or any sharp object. In order to cultivate a community of respect, students should refrain from derogatory comments, inappropriate gestures, and profanity.

Part of respecting the school atmosphere is being in the right place at the right time. This includes being present for all class meetings, programs, Tefillah, speakers, or in any other place that students are expected to be.

Respecting School Personnel

Students are expected to speak respectfully to all teachers and staff both in and out of the classroom; this includes AMHSI staff and JLA staff, all support staff, maintenance workers and bus drivers. Teachers determine the standards, expectations and consequences in their classroom. If a student violates these standards, teachers can require students to meet with them to discuss their behavior. Teachers and students will work together to help repair and rebuild a sense of trust and mutual respect.

If violations continue, teachers will involve the administration to assist in guiding student behavior and reestablishing the teacher-student relationship. It is generally best for these meetings to occur after class in an appropriate private setting, but, when possible, prior to the next class meeting.

If a student’s behavior warrants their dismissal from class for the remainder of the period, he or she will be sent to the Dean of Students office and must remain there until the student speaks with an administrator. A meeting will be arranged, typically between the teacher, the student, and an administrator to discuss a plan for future behavior.

Respecting Students

Students must act respectfully towards each other at all times. Students should show kindness and compassion to others at all times and should refrain from mean, unkind language or action. Positive language helps to build an environment of camaraderie and friendship. No physical violence of any kind will be tolerated. Such behavior will result in immediate disciplinary consequences, including the possibility of dismissal from the JLA Israel program at their own expense.

JLA students have the opportunity to be role models on the AMHSI campus. There will be both explicit and implicit leadership opportunities as a result, and the expectation is that students will act in a way that models exemplary behavior.

Students will not be allowed at any point to enter the dorm buildings or rooms of students from other AMHSI programs. Students are not allowed to enter the Mozenson Israeli School building or facilities at any time unless given explicit permission from their teachers or administrators.

Respecting School Property

Instilling respect for the school and school property is part of our educational program. Students should, therefore, honor the physical environment and should clean up after themselves at all times. Vandalism or theft of any kind is not permitted and will result in disciplinary consequences.

All facilities of AMHSI campus should be treated with respect. Students are expected to maintain a clean and organized living environment in their rooms and dorms. Students must clean up after their meals in the dining hall.

A student that damages AMHSI property will be expected to pay for the cost of the damage and may be subject to disciplinary consequences.

RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR DURING NON-ACADEMIC SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

As representatives of Jewish Leadership Academy, students exemplify the tone and standards of the school and the values of Judaism. Students are expected to adhere to the appearance and behavior codes during any JLA sponsored events and trips, including athletic events both on campus or otherwise.

RESPECT FOR SELF: Substance Abuse

The use of alcohol and other harmful substances endangers the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health of our children and erodes our basic values.

Our goal is to help students maintain their physical, emotional and social well-being, while creating a safe, nurturing environment on campus and at school events. In order to do so, we proactively educate our students and their parents about the dangers of substance use. In recognizing the value of partnership with parents in this endeavor, we strongly urge at least one parent from each family to attend parent education programs that we run or that we recommend.

It is our sincere hope that the policies discussed below encourage our students to see the benefits in a productive, healthy life and to make the right choices when confronted with these challenges.

Jewish Leadership Academy and the Alexander Muss High School in Israel are smoke and drug-free and alcohol-free campuses. We, therefore, do not permit or tolerate any substance use in school, on school property, or while participating in a school trip or event. Any student who is found in possession of or to be using these substances (which include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, “Juuls,” nicotine products, alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances, or found to be in possession of paraphernalia associated with smoking, drinking, or drugs of any sort) on the JLA campus, at an off-campus school sponsored program or event, or while traveling to or from school or school sponsored programs or events, will be subject to significant consequences that may include suspension or dismissal from school. Any student who is found in possession of or to be using these substances may be asked to leave the JLA Israel program.

When the decision has been made by JLA to remove a participant from the program, it will be done as soon as possible. The participant may either be signed out immediately by a relative or they will be transferred under the supervision of our faculty to an appropriate location until proper travel arrangements are finalized. The student will be expected to return to JLA Miami immediately to serve in academic in-school suspension and to keep up with the credit requirements of the program.

Any cost incurred in sending a participant home due to the violation of the school’s Substance Abuse policy, will be at the participant’s and his/her custodial parent or guardian’s own expense. The possibility of reintegration and being allowed back to school at JLA Miami will be determined by the Associate Heads and will depend on the student following a therapeutic protocol and if the student was honest about his/her actions.

A student who has violated JLA’s substance use policy may face additional interventions, including subsequent testing, throughout the remainder of his or her tenure at school. Students who violate the drug policy on multiple occasions will be required to seek more intensive therapeutic interventions and may be subject to significant disciplinary consequences as well.

Distribution Of Substance

As an extension to our commitment to providing a safe and wholesome environment for our students, a student who is found to be selling or providing drugs, alcohol, e-cigarettes or other substances, whether in school or not, will face disciplinary consequences including being asked to leave the Israel program and the possibility of expulsion. This includes, but is not limited to, bringing an unauthorized substance to school or to an outside function.

Academic Integrity

Honesty and integrity are important components of the development of one’s character, and an essential element of any educational experience. Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work as your own. Regardless of whether one intends to plagiarize or not, whenever someone presents the work of another person as their own, it is considered plagiarism. It is crucial that one acknowledge every source accurately and completely. Remember that copying and pasting or paraphrasing without proper citation is plagiarism, even if the research was done independently.

Other forms of academic fraud include:

● Unauthorized collaboration between two or more students who then submit the same assignment

● Similar assignments under their individual names or in a way that suggests that they each did the work independently

● Giving permission to another student to use one’s work for a class without approval from the teacher

● Cheating or misconduct during assessments

● Unauthorized use of A.I.

If a student is found to have plagiarized or cheated, his or her parents will be notified and the student will receive a zero on the assignment. A subsequent offense will result in further disciplinary action.

Accountability and Disciplinary Consequences

At JLA, we are committed to creating a culture of mutual respect. All efforts will be made to educate students about the potential consequences of their behavior and to create situations where they are empowered to succeed academically, socially, religiously, and emotionally.

Our primary goal as a school is to ensure that we are educating students in all areas. As such, even when it comes to discipline, our first response to a violation of our community norms will be primarily educational. This may consist of an instructional meeting with the teacher who observed the behavior, or with a member of the administration to explain why a particular behavior or interaction was problematic, to offer alternatives that could have been taken, and to clarify communal norms.

Additionally, if the behavior is egregious, or, if despite the educational conversations the behavior is repeated or escalates, consequences will be implemented. Please keep in mind that the JLA Associate Head of School is the final arbiter of whether a student has upheld or violated the school’s rules or policies and what consequences are appropriate. These consequences, referenced throughout the handbook, are explained below.

Loss Of Privileges

When appropriate, students may have certain privileges revoked as a disciplinary consequence. This might include loss of off-campus privileges, lack of eligibility to participate in sports or other extracurricular activities, or having to sit out of other events. The administration will make it clear to the student what the problematic behavior is and why they see the consequence as warranted.

Individualized Behavior Plan

Although a handbook outlines policies and procedures to help structure behavioral expectations, there are situations that arise where a student may need an individualized behavior plan. The behavior plan will be developed between the administration, teachers, parents, and members of the guidance team as necessary.

Detention

Detention is a time for students to reflect upon their actions. As such, students may be asked to write a reflection piece and/or receive in school or after school detention. Detention may result in loss of privileges including being excluded from trips. Students who are more than ten minutes late to detention will serve an additional half-detention the next day. If a student misses an assigned detention entirely, he or she will make up that detention and receive an additional detention. Detention will be served in the AMHSI administrative office.

IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION

When a student is serving an in-school suspension, he or she is required to report to the office for a supervised suspension. The student will be given a list of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors while they are in suspension. Additionally, students may also be asked to write a reflection piece, complete an educational project, perform community service, or engage in an alternate activity that relates to the reason they are serving a suspension. It is the responsibility of the student to make up any and all missed assignments and examinations due to serving an in-school suspension. In-school suspension may take place on a trip day and will result in being excluded from the trip.

Consequences Of Suspension

During the entire period of suspension, students may not participate in any school-sponsored events, including field trips, class meetings, social activities or athletic practices or competitions (home or away). The student returns to full participatory status on the day following the last full day of suspension.

Reporting Suspensions

Students and parents should be aware that a number of colleges and universities seek evidence of candidates’ good character when evaluating applicants for admission. Questions about disciplinary infractions may appear on both the student’s application form and the Secondary School Report that the college counselor is asked to provide with the official transcript. When such questions appear, we are obligated to answer them honestly and fully. Moreover, amendments to the regulations pertaining to the Family and Education Rights and Privileges Act (FERPA) have clarified the legal right of educational institutions both to seek and to provide information about students’ disciplinary records.

The school maintains information regarding each student’s conduct, including information regarding issues of academic dishonesty, and the school will provide disciplinary information to colleges upon request by the college. For example, if a student has been suspended from school for the violation of accepted community norms of behavior, or for an incident of academic dishonesty, the college counselor will provide a brief statement describing the nature and circumstances of the offense, should a college to which the student is applying seek such information. The student will also be asked to include an explanation of the incident with his or her application for admission.

Mandated Leave Of Absence

Students may be required by the administration to take a mandated leave of absence to seek medical or psychological treatment. Earning of credit will be determined by the Associate Head of School.

Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary probation is an official status assigned to a student at the discretion of the administration. While on disciplinary probation, the student must be mindful that any pattern of misbehavior, or a subsequent violation of school rules that would normally result in a suspension, may instead result in a longer period of separation or expulsion from school.

Expulsion

When a student demonstrates repeated or inappropriate behavior despite interventions and strategies implemented by the school, or when a student demonstrates extreme misbehavior, the school may require such a student to leave the school on an immediate and permanent basis. All determinations are made by the Head of School. Furthermore, failure to satisfactorily meet any conditions of acceptance as outlined in a student’s letter of admission may result in dismissal from school.

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