Ramaz Lower School Orientation Guide 2023-24 by Ramaz School

Lower School Orientation Guide 2023-2024/5783-5784

2 2023-2024 School Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Arrival & Dismissal Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 What to Bring - First Day of School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Dress Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Ordering School Uniforms and RamazWear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Early Pickup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Security and ID Badges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Medical Forms And Magnus Health Portal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Tefillah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Specialties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Lunch and Snack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Peanut, Tree Nut And Sesame Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Recess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Movement Monthly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 After-School Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Rams Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10 Community Building and Birthdays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Parent-School Partnership Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Ramaz Parents Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 School Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Leadership Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Office Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16 New Faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Our New Character Strong Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Safeguarding the Emotional & Digital Health of Our Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-18 Building Digital Citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Tips to Prepare for a Positive Start to the School Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 TABLE OF CONTENTS

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TRANSITION DAY (Grade 1) - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

FIRST FULL DAY OF SCHOOL (Grades 2-4) - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

FIRST FULL DAY OF SCHOOL (Grade 1) - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Arrival & Dismissal Schedule - 9/5/23 only

2023-24 Arrival & Dismissal Schedule

Please note: Lower School parents, caregivers, and drivers should expect to line up along the Lower School building when dropping off or picking up children.

WHAT TO BRING ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

School Kit materials. (for those who pre-ordered) - If you prefer to purchase school supplies on your own, please use the list posted here (1st - 4th grade only). Click on “Search school by name”, and then type in “Ramaz” to locate the list.

Refillable water bottle - our building has water refill stations on every floor.

Snack/Lunch - Our school-provided snack and lunch programs begin on Tuesday, September 5 so you do not need to send food with your child on the first day of school.

2023-2024 / 5783-5874 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Lower School First Grade 2nd-4th Grade Arrival Arrival Dismissal M-Th Dismissal Dismissal Friday 8:10 AM 9:00 AM 8:10 AM 3:30 PM 3:00 PM 3:30 PM 1:30 PM

OUR SCHOOL DRESS CODE

Kindergarteners - Fourth Graders are required to follow the Ramaz uniform and dress code. On Fridays students should wear a white shirt/blouse in honor of Erev Shabbat.

Monday - Thursday

Boys:

Any solid, navy blue pants– no jeans, jogging pants, or sweats

Light blue polo or collared shirt (no writing)

Any solid color sweatshirt, or sweater without any writing/logo, or any RamazWear sweatshirt, OR any RamazWear sweatshirt

Kippah and Tzitzit are required

Erev Shabbat (Friday) - Boys and Girls

Girls: Light blue polo or collared blouse

Any solid navy blue skirt, or jumperno denim and no shorter than kneelength or longer than mid-calf

Any solid color sweatshirt, or sweater without any writing/logo, or any RamazWear sweatshirt

Girls may wear solid color tights or leggings under their skirt or jumper

Dress code is the same as Monday-Thursday but all tops need to be white.

Any solid navy blue bottom (skirts for girls, pants for boys)

Any solid white top of choice for boys and girls; Boys’ shirts must have a collar; girls’ tops may be collared or jewel neck

Boys and girls may wear any solid, navy blue or white sweater or sweatshirt or any RamazWear sweatshirt

For boys, Kippah and Tzitzit

Ordering School Uniforms, Tzitzit and Kippot

Kosher Casual, www . koshercasual .com, when ordering from this Israeli company, please name “Ramaz” as your referral in the “Purchase Information” section of the “Checkout” page.

French Toast, www .frenchtoast .com, when ordering, please use our school code QS4DNC.

Land’s End, www . landsend .com/school or 1-800-469-2222, when ordering, please use our school number 900043431.

Judaica Classics by Doina, 1248 Lexington Avenue – you may purchase tzitzit by emailing Doina@judaicaclassics .com.

Get in the Spirit with RamazWear

View and order an array of sweatshirts, Kippot, hair accessories, and much more here. Have questions? Contact Elana Vinar at 646-259-1919.

THIS YEAR IN TRANSPORTATION

Continuing with SchoolPass

In an effort to simplify and further streamline the arrival and dismissal process, N-4 families will continue to use SchoolPass. New families will receive an email at the end of August with setup and login instructions.

Busing

Busing for the fall will again be provided through the New York City Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT).

EARLY PICKUP

To arrange for your child to be picked up early, please contact the main office no later than 2:50 PM Monday-Thursday and 12:50 PM on Friday and inform of the pickup time. Please do not leave a message as we may not be able to check it before your early pick up. In order to expedite your early pick up, you must inform the main office at least one hour prior to your desired pick up time.

Please do not contact teachers during school hours as they are in the classroom teaching. If you need to contact your child(ren)’s teacher(s), please reach out to the Lower School office at 212-774-8010.

GENERAL SECURITY & ID BADGES

As always, safety is a top priority. With this in mind, each family will be issued NEW ID badges.

Each family may request up to three free ID badges provided they sign up by September 30. Following that date, the free ID request form will close. Parents can still request ID badges using the ID order form with a $25 fee per badge.

Click HERE to request up to three free ID badges for the 2023-2024 school year. Please refer to the email you received with your unique family code. Please call the LS office if you have not received a unique family ID.

Click HERE to pay for additional IDs (should you need more than three). This form can also be used (at any date) to pay for additional IDs or request a replacement for a lost ID.

IDs from previous years will not be considered valid, please return them to the security desk.

Your ID badges can be picked up at the Lower School security desk when the school year begins. Also, please note: anyone who has not previously been issued a Ramaz ID badge must stop by the Lower School security desk to have their photo taken before their ID can be printed.

Parents can help ensure a safe school environment by following the security guidelines:

Please respect the job of the security guards following established safety protocols as they ask to check your bag and ID even though they recognize you.

Secure an ID badge for yourself, family members, or caregivers who may be dropping off or picking up your child(ren).

Show your ID for pick up. (Without ID, our faculty has been instructed to question the person who is picking up a student.)

Parents are required to call and notify the office of any person picking up your child (other than those listed in the Ramaz security system) who may not be identified in our system and/or may not have an ID badge.

Only individuals with appointments will be allowed to enter the building.

Please refrain from congregating outside the building directly in front of entrance and exit doors to the building. This is especially important during arrival and dismissal times when so many people are entering or leaving the building. (Please reinforce this with your caregiver.)

Do not double-park in front of the school building. Notify the school office and security if your caregiver has changed.

MEDICAL FORMS AND MAGNUS HEALTH PORTAL

In accordance with the New York State Health Code, school policy requires all children to submit a Health Examination Report. All students are required to be up to date on their vaccines, including having a flu shot. All students must have all medical records completed and uploaded to our electronic medical system, Magnus Health Portal, on the parent portal before the first day of school each year.

Magnus Login Instructions

To access your Magnus account, please go to www.ramaz.org/magnus and enter your Ramaz parent login.

DAILY TEFILLAH & JOYFUL JUDAISM

Prayer enhances spiritual connections and highlights our Jewish values as we “set our intention” - stating what we intend to accomplish through our actionsfor a full day of learning and positive growth. In first grade, children engage in tefillah for about 20 minutes daily during Judaic Studies, focusing on learning new tefillot. In second through fourth grade, students engage in daily tefillah each morning, during general or Judaic Studies. Students learn about and celebrate chagim, enjoy weekly musical Oneg Shabbat programs, learn Parashat HaShavua, and experience a rich Hebrewlanguage and Israel culture curriculum.

SPECIALTIES

The goal of physical education (PE), music, art, innovation lab, and design thinking is to enhance student growth and social-emotional development through collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, games, movement, and artistic and musical expression, all of which support classroom themes throughout the academic year.

Students will have library, art, music, science, and technology weekly, and physical education, twice weekly. Students in fourth grade will have an immersive learning experience that combines science, technology and design thinking.

LUNCH/SNACK

We offer a full lunch service throughout the school year. Students in grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 eat in the cafeteria. Snacks are served twice a day.

PEANUT, TREE NUT, AND SESAME AWARENESS

With a number of students in our Early Childhood and Lower School navigating severe food allergies, we need your partnership in helping ensure a safe learning environment for all. The Ramaz Lower School building is peanut, tree nut (including coconut), and sesame aware; this means students are not allowed to bring in any food or snacks to school.

RECESS

Recess will be outdoors on the roof, weather permitting, or in the gym. Our PE teachers have prepared exciting new games and activities, along with old favorites, for all LS students.Recess is an important opportunity for students to gain additional time to exercise during the school day as well as strengthen their social-emotional skills under the guidance of the supervising teachers. Please note that recess will take place outdoors unless the RealFeel temperature (according to AccuWeather) is below 25 degrees or above 95 degrees. Please remember to make sure your children are dressed appropriately, especially for cold weather days, including gloves or mittens, hats, warm jackets, and boots if there is snow.

MOVEMENT MONTHLY

Our Movement Monthly program gives students in grades 1-4 the opportunity to participate in a variety of movement challenges with the goal of deepening their physical health, emotional well-being, and sense of school community - one of the four key principles that help inform our curriculum, programs, and approach to teaching.

One day each month (we will notify you in advance), we will ask you to make sure your child comes to school wearing their grade color for this program:

1st Grade: Red

2nd Grade: Blue

3rd Grade: Green

4th Grade: Yellow

AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS

Our fall after-school clubs program is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 9, following the chagim, concluding on Thursday, Februrary 1, 2024, and will be available for Pre-K through Fourth Grade students. View our club brochure and register here.

RAMS’ RULES

Rams’ Rules is our Lower School program that focuses on creating a positive school environment through three core principles: respect, responsibility, and kindness. Rams’ Rules explicitly teaches our students the principles behind these rules and what they look like in all areas of our school. Why Rams’ Rules? The ram is our school mascot and RAMS serves as an acronym to help remember the key principles:

R A M S

ams:

Respectfully ake Responsible Decisions how Kindness

RAMS’ RULES (CONTINUED)

The Rams’ Rules program has a number of important components.

Expectations are clear and specific. There are signs and posters around the school building. Students learn lessons around behavioral expectations in classrooms, lunchrooms, elevators, play areas, and yes - even bathrooms - during the first few weeks of school.

LOTS of positive reinforcement.

First and foremost - verbal acknowledgements.

Classroom charts - Each time the class shows respectful, responsible and kind behavior, a box is filled on the chart. When the whole chart is complete, it’s time for a class celebration.

Stickers - If your child comes home with a Rams’ Rules sticker, that’s awesome. Please ask about what happened so that he or she received one. Expect something like…”I was quiet in the hallway so other children could do their work.”

Rams’ Rules cards - A card is given to those students who do something exceptional. Perhaps your daughter went over to a classmate during recess and asked her what was wrong, then invited her to play a game. If your child receives a card, then it’s time to celebrate. Support this by placing it on your fridge at home! We will also be acknowledging Rams’ Rules card recipients at certain Oneg celebrations throughout the year.

Consequences - Yes, sometimes rules are broken. It happens. Our approach is to encourage our students to learn from their mistakes, as they would in any aspect of school life. Initially, students are given a verbal reminder, then a time to reflect on that action if that same misbehavior continues. If needed, a teacher or member of our Leadership team will discuss what decisions were made that led to negative consequences and how any harm that was caused can be repaired. Sometimes this will include a written or verbal apology.

The Rams’ Rules Student Guide - This is a document in which the entire program is written in kid-friendly language. Your child will be bringing this guide home during the first two weeks of school. They will already have read it and discussed it with their teachers in class. Please take some time and read it together again at home. At the back of the document you will find a “Return Form.” Please sign it acknowledging that you have read it with your child and send it back to your child’s teacher.

COMMUNITY-BUILDING

Inclusivity

AND BIRTHDAY PARTIES

We place a strong emphasis on kehillah and modeling respectful interactions. Our school strives to create an inclusive, considerate and respectful environment as a reflection of our values and in the spirit of yechudiyot, sensitivity and awareness, with the policies outlined below.

When hosting an out-of-school birthday party or larger special event, parties should either include all children from a class (or all the girls or all the boys). Excluding a small number of children can adversely affect the entire class and overall social and emotional well-being of the children. When hosting an out-of-school birthday party or larger special event, please consult with classmates’ parents or the school nurse regarding allergies.

Kashrut Observance

Upholding the religious values of our school and having sensitivity to the personal observance of others is paramount when planning celebrations. It is the school’s expectation that all Ramaz families adhere to the school’s standards of kashrut and only serve food, including candy and treats, which have certification from a nationally or locally recognized kashrut organization (OU, OK, Star-K, Kof-K or the Vaad).

PARENT-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP EVENTS

Back-to-School Nights

LS - Monday, September 11

ECC - Tuesday, September 12

Parent-Teacher Conferences

ECC/LS - Monday, November 13 (no sessions)

LS - Wednesday, November 15 (evening only)

ECC/LS - Monday, March 11 (no sessions)

LS - Wednesday, March 13 (evening only)

RAMAZ PARENTS COUNCIL

RAMAPALOOZA Family Fun Day

SCHOOL RESOURCES

N-4 LEADERSHIP TEAM

Ruth Gafni Head of N-8 gafnir@ramaz.org

For appointments with Ms. Gafni, email Nicole Daniel at danieln@ramaz.org

Adrienne Laitman

Director of General Studies, K-4 laitmana@ramaz.org

Hedva Ofek-Shai

Director of Hebrew Language Curriculum, N-4 ofek-shaih@ramaz.org

Dr. Sarah Jabbour

Director of the Early Childhood Center jabbours@ramaz.org

Lillian Amar, MSEd, NCSP, LCSW

Director of Guidance, N-4 and School Psychologist amarl@ramaz.org

Rabbi Dr. Steven Eisenberg Director of Judaic Studies eisenbergs@ramaz.org

Nani Mintz

Director of Special Services, The Learning Center mintzn@ramaz.org

The Learning Center offers additional academic support in consultation with our classroom teachers, Lower School Directors of General and Judaic Studies.

Lower School Office Staff

(212) 774-8010

Nicole Daniel Office Manager, N-4 Executive Assistant to Head School, N-8 DanielN@ramaz.org

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Julie Thwaites Lower School GS Administrative Assistant ThwaitesJ@ramaz.org

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OUR ECC & LOWER SCHOOL FACULTY

(Asterisk indicates a new member of the team)

Nursery Teachers and Assistants

Jacqui Astrof-Bennet - GS astrof-bennettj@ramaz.org

Hadar Garame* - JS GarameH@ramaz.org

Sahar Greenberg* - JS GreenbergS@ramaz.org

Shira Huberman - GS HubermanS@ramaz.org

Jordy Levin - GS LevinJ@ramaz.org

Sarah Resnick* - GS ResnickS@ramaz.org

Ortal Revivo - JS RevivoO@ramaz.org

Samantha Sugarman - GS SugarmanS@ramaz.org

Gabrielle Weinreich - GS WeinreichG@ramaz.org

Rachel Schaeffer - GS Asst. SchaefferR@ramaz.org

Pre-K Teachers and Assistants Miranda Adler - GS AdlerMi@ramaz.org

Samantha Brenner - GS BrennerS@ramaz.org

Yaara Cohen* - JS CohenY@ramaz.org

Elise Kasell - GS KasellE@ramaz.org

Lynda Korn - GS KornL@ramaz.org

Ofira Sharabi - JS SharabiO@ramaz.org

Kindergarten Teachers and Assistants

Sharon Arnold - GS ArnoldS@ramaz.org

Barbara Jankelovits

Lower School JS Administrative Assistant JankelovitsB@ramaz.org

X5968 School Nurse N-4

Paula Edell EdellP@ramaz.org 212-774-8010

Sydney Avrick - GS AvrickS@ramaz.org

Sarit Bitton-Nesher* - JS BittonNesherS@ramaz.org

Alexis Blatt - GS BlattA@ramaz.org

Etai Forti - JS FortiE@ramaz.org

Natalie Krispin* - GS Asst. KrispinN@ramaz.org

Rachel Minkin - GS MinkinR@ramaz.org

Kimmy Schwartz - GS SchwartzK@ramaz.org

Hagit Thompson - JS ThompsonH@ramaz.org

Floaters

Jennifer Gaitan GaitanJ@ramaz.org

ECC

OUR ECC & LOWER SCHOOL FACULTY (Continued)

LS General Studies and Judaic Studies

First Grade

Caroline Kramer - GS KramerC@ramaz.org

Ashley Polansky - GS PolanskyA@ramaz.org

Maya Kushnir - JS KushnirM@ramaz.org

Sean Nevo - JS NevoS@ramaz.org

Jordie Elias - GS LoftJ@ramaz.org

Sapir Askayo - JS AskayoS@ramaz.org

Yitzie Lieberman - JS Asst. LiebermanY@ramaz.org

Chandler Rich* - GS RichC@ramaz.org

Noa Semo - JS SemoN@ramaz.org

Lizzie Zakaim* - GS ZakaimE@ramaz.org

Shir Zahavi - JS Asst. ZahaviS@ramaz.org

Second Grade

Nicole Curto - GS CurtoN@ramaz.org

Tali Seinfeld - JS SeinfelT@ramaz.org

Samantha Dunoff - GS DunoffS@ramaz.org

Hasya Schweitzer - GS SchweitzerH@ramaz.org

Torie Regan* - GS ReganV@ramaz.org

Debbie Appell - JS AppellD@ramaz.org

Mor Kutai - JS KutaiM@ramaz.org

Third Grade

Zach Aivazov* - GS Asst. AivazovZ@ramaz.org

Daniela Amir* - JS AmirD@ramaz.org

Noa Betesh - JS BeteshN@ramaz.org

Hallie Burke*- GS BurkeH@ramaz.org

Maria Kakurina - GS KakurinaM@ramaz.org

Galia Bilbool-Fanish - JS BilboolG@ramaz.org

Tali Ramras*- GS RamrasT@ramaz.org

David Steinberg - JS SteinbergD@ramaz.org

Jackie Segel* - GS SegelJ@ramaz.org

Fourth Grade

Zach Aivazov*- GS Asst. AivazovZ@ramaz.org

Yisca Cohen* - JS CohenYi@ramaz.org

Megan Herskowitz - GS HerskowitzMe@ramaz.org

Danielle Smith - GS SmithD@ramaz.org

Hadas Kadosh - JS KadoshH@ramaz.org

Galia Bilbool-Fanish - JS BilboolG@ramaz.org

Tali Ramras*- GS RamrasT@ramaz.org

Jackie Segel* - GS SegelJ@ramaz.org

David Steinberg - JS SteinbergD@ramaz.org

Learning Center - GS Sara Curwin CurwinS@ramaz.org

Lauren Gammarati GammaratiL@ramaz.org

Morgan Hirschorn HirschornM@ramaz.org

Sarah Lewis LewisS@ramaz.org

Sarah Spellman SpellmanS@ramaz.org

Lorraine Yamin YaminL@ramaz.org

(GS=General Studies, JS=Judaic Studies; *Asterisk indicates a new member of the team)

OUR ECC & LOWER SCHOOL FACULTY (Continued)

LS General Studies and Judaic Studies (Continued)

Learning Center - JS

Zohar Ben-Lulu BenLuluZ@ramaz.org

Lital Grenfeld GrenfeldL@ramaz.org

Lihi Haykin HaykinL@ramaz.org

Iris Leviav LeviavI@ramaz.org

Maya Margalit MargalitM@ramaz.org

Maya Mosca MoscaM@ramaz.org

Gilor Wiseman WisemanG@ramaz.org

Our Specialty Teachers and Instructional Coaches

Art Alyssa Weinell WeinellA@ramaz.org

Innovation Lab/STEAM

Andy Greenspan GreenspanA@ramaz.org

Meglena Zapreva* ZeprevaM@ramaz.org

Library Christopher Bradt BradtC@ramaz.org

Naomi Ickovitz IckovitN@ramaz.org

Music

Amanda Saperstein - LS SapersteinA@ramaz.org

Physical Education

Joe Cervo CervoJ@ramaz.org

Justine Clifford-Stack ClifforJ@ramaz.org

Fiorella Sotelo SoteloF@ramaz.org

Science Orli Cole ColeO@ramaz.org

Guidance

Sara Alderman School Social Worker N-4 AldermanS@ramaz.org

Instructional Coaches

Math

Anna Greenberg GreenbergAn@ramaz.org

Literacy

Emily Zaken ZakenE@ramaz.org

MEET OUR NEW FACULTY MEMBERS

Daniela Amir Third Grade Judaic Studies

Zach Aivazov Third/Fourth Grade General Studies Assistant

Hallie Burke Third Grade General Studies

Yisca

Fourth Grade Judaic Studies

Second Grade Judaic Studies

Learning Center Judaic Studies

Third/Fourth Grade General Studies

Torie Regan Second Grade General Studies

Chandler Rich First Grade General Studies

Jackie Segal Third/Fourth Grade General Studies

Lizzie

First Grade General Studies

Cohen Mor Kutai Lihi Haykin Zakaim Meglena Zapreva Innovation Lab/STEAM Tali Ramras

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)

Our social-emotional approach (using the common language of Responsive Classroom) to learning, tefillah, Torah, chesed, and love of Israel deepens the health and well-being of students, fostering self-confidence, self-esteem, and problem-solving, joyful Jewish continuity, and builds community in and outside the classroom. This student-centered approach begins with a morning meeting and ends with a reflection following recess. Read more about Responsive Classroom here: https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/

Introducing Character Strong

Our Guidance team is excited to introduce Character Strong, a character development program, to complement the student-centered approach of Responsive Classroom. Our character development initiative focuses on cultivating essential life skills and virtues/תודימ in your child. Through research-based practices, engaging activities, and social-emotional learning, aiming to foster empathy, resilience, compassion, integrity, and responsibility. Each lesson includes explicit, direct skills instruction with 3 main goals: Be Kind (Social Skills), Be Strong (Executive Function), and Be Well (Emotional Regulation). The program includes character building challenges, curriculum lessons, community service projects, and school-wide events to promote positive behavior and character growth. Through their learning, students will gain confidence to tackle challenges inside and outside of school and develop the necessary competencies to thrive – individually and as members of the Ramaz community.

SAFEGUARDING THE EMOTIONAL & DIGITAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS

Families and educators continue to adapt to the evolving changes in daily life at home and school . Knowing that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events, acknowledging a level of concern, without panicking, is appropriate and should result in taking the necessary actions to reduce the risk of illness or, in rare cases, self-harm.

In some children, self-harm is a response to mounting stress and uncertainty. It is not surprising that these rates increased during the pandemic, and continue to surface. Self-harm can be a means to cope and establish control over emotions.

To help safeguard the emotional health of our students, we have developed formal risk assessment procedures at our school.

SAFEGUARDING THE EMOTIONAL & DIGITAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS (CONTINUED)

If a faculty member, parent, or student suspects or witnesses that another student is manifesting self-injurious behavior, is endangering others in the school community, or is at risk due to the behavior of another individual, this information should be reported immediately to a member of the Ramaz Lower School guidance team: Lillian Amar, School Psychologist; Sara Alderman, Social Worker.

The guidance team will gather information from appropriate members of school faculty and, if information sufficiently indicates a need, the guidance team will have a conversation with the student and parents, or an appropriate child welfare agency when necessary.

A guidance team member will notify parents and assess the student for risk to self and/ or others. In some circumstances, it may be required that the student and parent(s) see an outside specialist within 24 hours of the time that they are notified. Permission to return to school may be dependent upon attending such an assessment and receiving clearance. In some cases, the school may also request for the student to receive ongoing external therapeutic support. Should that be the case, the school would further request that members of our guidance team be permitted to communicate and consult with the external professional to best support the student in school.

BUILDING DIGITAL CITIZENS

Teaching students about internet safety and digital citizenship is an important partnership we share as parents and educators. Specific age-appropriate curriculum begins in first grade and is reinforced in every classroom and grade by directly connecting our Jewish values of respect and kindness to actions and practices related to online behavior and the potential impact our words have on others. As part of the Ramaz program, we continue to build community by strengthening relationships within our student cohorts and grade levels, both in-person and online. Our students are reminded of the importance of letting a parent or teacher know right away if they see or suspect anything uncomfortable, and that trusting a parent or adults around them, is the most important thing they can do to help keep them safe. As our students mature, and are afforded more access to online tools, they are also reminded of their personal responsibility to practice online behavior that reflects our Jewish values, and to see, understand and communicate anything that may be potentially unsafe.

This year, our 4th graders will be introduced to a new program called “The Social Institute” which will help them navigate the online world in a safe and positive way. Read more about the Social Institute here.

TIPS TO PREPARE FOR A POSITIVE START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR

We recognize that children experience a range of emotions surrounding the start of a new school year. This can evoke a sense of excitement and relief as well as stress and uncertainty. To help with your child’s transition, here are some tips and strategies:

Keep a positive mindset . Children look to parents for cues on how to respond to new or stressful situations. It is important to remember that you, as parents, set the tone for your children. One of the most helpful things you can do is model calm, confident behavior about returning to school and use cheerful, positive messages.

Be open and available . Create an environment in which your children can ask questions that matter to them. Validate feelings, whatever they may be, and help identify and label emotions, whether “nervous”, “excited”, or “scared.” Explain to your child that whatever they might be feeling is normal, and give them a safe space to express apprehension and ask for help when needed.

Prepare your child for what to expect . Give your child concrete information, without being overwhelming. Tell them about the different exciting experiences they will have, the kids they will meet, and who will be there to pick him/her up at the end of the day. Talk about the things they can look forward to as well as what may look different. For example, some old friends will be coming to school, while others may be in a new class or not returning.

Return to routines . Help your children return to school routines, such as regular bedtimes and meals. When children have predictable daily routines, it reinforces a feeling of safety and gives them a sense of control over their environment. Here are two useful articles to help think about sleep and routines.

Read books . A wonderful way to prepare your child for the first day is to read all about school. Expanding your library to include more books about starting school can help bring up conversation about the unknowns surrounding the new school year.

Here are some book recommendations to help prepare for the first day of school:

The Night Before First Grade

by Natasha Wing

First Day Jitters by Julie

Dannenberg

A Bad Case of Stripes by David

Shannon

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline

Woodson

What the Road Said by Cleo Wade

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Harvard University: Back to School Tips to Get Your Child off to a Great Start

Child Mind Institute: Helping Children with Back to School

Back to School Tips: Make the First Day Easier