Good afternoon CJA Community,

We would like to welcome you back to the 2019-2020 school year and provide you with updates and information related to building and facility upgrades and the first days of school. Please note, there is still plenty of work going on throughout the school and we are excited to share that the Fire Electrical Panel and all smoke detectors have been replaced. We are fortunate that a work team was able to complete the gym furnaces replacement during the past week. The Nursery, JK, Kindergarten classroom painting is now complete and the window replacement in rooms 2, 4, 25 and 27 and the gym hallway will take place the last week of August. Hallway painting and room touch ups throughout the building are in the works and the summer crew has worked hard to clear rooms, have windows and walls washed, and the floors are shiny and the carpets freshly cleaned. With all of this work, we are requesting that you refrain from entering the school until after teachers are in on August 27th, 2019.

Please take some time to review important dates and information regarding our upcoming school year. Teachers will be returning to school on Monday, August 26th, 2019. Students will return to school on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019. Office staff will be in on Monday, August 26th. Please contact the main office via telephone. If you require assistance prior to August 27th, please email officeadmin@cja.ab.ca. We would like to welcome new faculty and staff members to our CJA team. Mr. Jason Ash will be teaching Grade four Alberta Curriculum as well as grade five Social Studies. Mr. Evan Gelman will be staying on teaching Science to students in grades three through seven. Our Grade 3 Alberta Curriculum will consist of Ms. Jill Sweetnam and a new staff member, Ms. Alexis Katzeff. She will also be teaching our afternoon Kinder Arts and Discovery Days program, alongside Ms. Shari Finkleman and Mrs. Annette Kaminer. We are pleased that Mrs. Tali Miles and Mrs. Lori Bickman will be teaching our Junior Kindergarten. In grade one, we welcome Mrs. Orly Shalev in Judaic Studies and Ms. Leanne Steinman will be teaching Language Arts and Mathematics at the Grade One level. We are looking forward to a great year with our current faculty and staff and excited to have new members at the CJA.

We look forward to seeing everyone on September 3rd, 2019. You will receive an email with final details on Friday, August 30, 2019.

Brenda English—Head of School

August 26 - 30 -Teachers in Org/PD Day Sept 3—First day of classes Sept 11—Non-uniform Day Sept 13—Formal Uniform—Picture Day Sept 19—Meet the Teacher Evening—6:30—8:00 PM Sept 25—Non-uniform Day Sept 26—Shofar Session—Apples & Honey Sept 27—PD/IPP Day—No classes Sept 30—Rosh Hashana—School

Important dates for August & September

Summer 2019

The kick-off to our 2019/2020 academic year at The Calgary Jewish Academy takes place on Tuesday, September 3rd.

We look forward to seeing all of your friendly faces on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. A reminder that our classes start at 8:25 am sharp. Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, and 3:30 PM for Grades 1-9 students).

This Welcome Day is a regular uniform day. Every Friday is Formal Uniform Day, unless otherwise notified.

Nursery Students will receive more information regarding Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019 prior to August 3, 2019.

Tuesday, September 3rd- 15-minute interviews for Nursery 3 year old Wednesday, September 4th - whole group 8:25-10:00 for 3 year old. Gan Chugim will start Wednesday, September 4th for JK (4 year old) Gan Chugim will start Thursday, September 5th for Nursery (3 year old)

Discovery Days will start Thursday, September 5th. KinderArts will start Wednesday, September 4th.

Period Start End

Warning Bell 8:20 (in class by Anthem at 8:25)

1 8:25 9:02

2 9:02 9:37

3 9:37 10:12

Short Recess 10:12-10:27

4 10:27 11:03

5 11:03 11:38

6 11:38 12:13

Lunch 12:13 - 12:33

Long Recess 12:33 - 1:03

7 1:08 1:44

8 1:44 2:19

9 2:19 2:54

10 2:54 3:30

Dismissal Bell 3:30 pm

BELL SCHEDULE

REN WEB

Welcome Day – Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019

Students will find their assigned class and teacher posted outside the appropriate entry door on September 3, 2019. They will use the morning to organize their school supplies and desks (lockers are provided for students in Grades 4 - 9). The morning will also give the students and teachers time to organize their classrooms, discuss personal goals, curriculum, classroom rules and expectations.

Grade 1–9 students are reminded to bring a lunch.

Class Assignments

Our school operates using the FACTS SIS (Formerly RenWeb) School Management Software.

Parents use FACTS to access school information regarding their child(ren) such as calendar, homework, attendance records, newsletters, forms, etc.

Parents must first create a FACTS account. Please visit www.renweb.com/Logins/Parent Web-Login.aspx and select ParentWeb Login. There is the option to create a New Parents/Web Account, or login for returning students.

The school’s District Code is CJ-CAN

Division 1 Teachers are ordering all school supplies for Grades 1-3 which parents paid for a flat rate of $40 (vs. $100 to purchase separately). If you have not paid through registration, please bring payment prior to the end of the first week of school to the office.

School supply lists for Grades 4-9 are listed on the next page.

Although standard references, such as Bibles, dictionaries, atlases and thesauruses may be available for in-school use, these are not issued to students to take home. It is expected that such references will be available in each home for homework and study purposes.

SUCCESSFUL 1st Day School

SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS UNIFORMS

Our school uniform supplier is InSchoolWear Inc. Phillips Park, Bldg A, Unit A9E

6120—2nd Street SE Phone: 403-640-1032 www.inschoolwear.com

UNIFORM POLICY

Our Uniform Policy #5.75 states that any student not in uniform will not be permitted in class and parents will be called to bring the uniform to the school. We ask that parents review the attached policy with their children and ensure that they comply. We are also suggesting that students have an old shirt to wear when they do arts and crafts. Students are asked to have two pairs of shoes - one for indoor use complying with uniform policy and one for outdoor use. Students will be required to remove outdoor footwear at the door and put on their indoor shoes for use inside the school. There are no restrictions on type or style of outdoor wear.

STUDENT AGENDAS

Student agendas will be supplied at no cost to all students in Grades 1-5.

These agendas will be used to record homework, mark special dates, and as a way to provide communication between

parents and teachers.

Students are requested to enter and leave the school by the doors designated for their grades: (8:05am.)

Preschool: Main entrance

Grades 1 & 2: Southeast doors

Grades 3: Southwest doors (by school gym)

Grades 4,5 & 6: East doors (by science lab)

Grades 7-9: Main entrance or East doors (by science lab)

NEW PARENTS & STUDENTS TO CJA

To ensure that your child(ren) are not excluded from any social events, please advise the office that you give us your permission to share contact information (cell # or email address) with their other classmate’s parents.

STUDENT PHONE USE

LOST AND FOUND

The school office telephone number is

(403) 253-3992

Students will be allowed reasonable access to the visitor phone at the office before school, at recesses and after school. They are NOT permitted to use the telephone during class time without the permission of their teacher.

Phone messages for students will be given to them at recess or dismissal times only.

Student use of cell phone is not permitted during instructional time. Phone are to be left in lockers unless instructed to bring with them to class. Failure to follow these rules will result in:

1st - Teacher will remove from student

2nd – Phone will be turned into the office for student to pick up at end of day.

3rd – Parent will be required to pick up from office at end of day.

HOT LUNCH

The CJA Parent Association will once again be offering a hot lunch program. More information regarding new menu items and ordering will be sent to you from the CJA PA.

Please remember to check the lost and found bins in the Grade 1-3 Mudroom

Unclaimed items will be put on display during parent teacher interview sessions and the last week of June. Any items not picked up at the end of June will be sent to a charitable organization.

School Supply List (2019-2020)

Grade 4

24 pencils, HB 1 metric ruler (plastic) 1 scissors (large) 3 erasers (white) 3 glue sticks (large) 2 pens (coloured, not black) 1 pencil crayons (24/pkg) 1 pencil case 4 highlighter (multi coloured) 2 looseleaf paper (Pkg of 150, lined) 4 graph notebooks—80 pages 4 lined notebooks (80 pages) 1 lined notebook (60 pages) 2 Hilroy lined notebook (no coil—80 pages) 2 duotangs (with pockets) 1 1“ binder (math) 1 2” Blue binder (LA/social) 2 1.5” Binder (red for LA/social and Judaics) 1 Package Dry Erase Markers 3 dividers (6 section, 8 sections, & 12 sections 1 Headphones that will stay at school 2 Kippot (boys)

Every student needs to bring two boxes of tissues per year,

and art students should bring a smock or old shirt. Thank You.

Grade 5

24 pencils, HB 1 metric ruler (plastic) 1 scissors (large) 3 erasers (white) 3 glue sticks (large) 2 pens (coloured, not black) 1 pencil crayons (24/pkg) 1 pencil case 4 highlighter (multi coloured) 2 looseleaf paper (Pkg of 150, lined) 1 reinforcements (pkg) 2 notebook with graph paper (coiled, stitched, or stapled—80 pages) 5 notebooks (stitched or colied, 80 pages) 3 notebooks (stitched, 40 pages) 5 duotangs (with pockets) 5 1“ binders (different colours) 1 basic calculator 1 lock 1 Hebrew Dictionary (for use at home) 2 French / English Dictionary (for use at home) 1 Roget’s Theasaurus (for use at home) 1 Current English Dictionary (for use at home) 1 Package Dry Erase Markers 1 Whiteboard Eraser 2 Packages dividers (5 sections)

DIVISION 1 (Grades 1-3)

Once again, the Division 1 Team have put together the student supply pack for the year at a cost of $40. This is a great savings vs. up to $100 previously spent by parents.

A $40 cheque (made out to the CJA) with your child’s name in the memo is due on the first day of school IF you have not paid during registration.

Grade 6

1 Mechanical pencils (0.7 mm) (1 pkg) 1 tube extra lead (0.7 mm) 12 pencils, HB 1 metric ruler (plastic) 1 scissors (large) 3 erasers (white) 3 glue sticks (large) 1 fine tipped markers (12/pkg) 2 pens (coloured, not black) 4 highlighters (assorted colours)

5 pencil crayons (24/pkg) 1 markers (fine-tipped, coloured, 12/pkg) 1 pencil case 1 geometry set (protractor must have a hole in middle) 1 reinforcements (pkg) 3 loose leaf paper (150/pkg lined) 10 sheet protectors (plastic) 7 duotangs (with pockets) 2 notebooks (40 pages stitched. LA, Social) 4 notebooks (stitched or coils, 80 pages) 1 notebook with graph paper (Math) 2 1” binders (Math & French) 2 1.5” binders (LA & Social) 1 3” binder (Hebrew) 4 packages of dividers (5 tabs per package) 1 basic calculator 1 lock 1 Hebrew Dictionary (for use at home) 1 Roget’s Thesaurus (for use at home)

Junior High

4 pkg HB Pencils (24 per pkg) 8 pens (4 blue, 2 black, and 2 red) 1 scissors (large) 4 erasers (white) 1 Prismacolour pencil crayons – 24 or more) 1 Markers (24/pkg) 1 Dry Erase Markers (multi coloured) 2 white out tape 4 highlighter pens (yellow, pink, blue, green) 2 glue sticks (large) 1 ruler 1 pencil case 2 Zip up Binder (LA/Social)(Math/Science) 1 geometry set set 4 loose leaf paper (150/pkg lined and unlined) 4 duotangs 2 2” Binders 2 notebooks (80 pages) 2 graph notebook (80 pages) 5 packages of dividers (5 tabs per package) 1 Scientific Calculator ( Not a graphing calculator) (suggested brand Texas Instrument – T1-30xa but any scientific calculator is fine) 1 lock 1 Headphones/ear buds that will stay at school 2 Expanding File Folders (13 pocket) 3 Index Cards 2 Binder ring (to hold index cards 1 Hebrew Dictionary (for use at home) 1 French / English Dictionary (for use at home)

We encourage all parents to send their children with healthy snacks and lunches every day. Most children enjoy choosing and making their own lunch. We would encourage students and parents to participate in preparing food together as children often feel obligated to eat the food they have prepared.

Please do not send drinks or food in glass bottles.

Due to student allergies, please do not send any nut-containing products as a lunch item or snack.

We would like to remind parents that the CJA kashruth policy must be followed. The policy is attached.

Preschool students (Nursery through Kindergarten) will bring their own healthy snacks, beverages (and lunch if they remain for an afternoon program).

Grade 1-9 students should come to school with a morning snack and lunch. Grade one children are also given a snack break during the afternoon.

STUDENT LUNCHES AND SNACKS

Canadian Kosher Symbols

FOOD POLICY

All food (snacks, bread, pastry, etc.) distributed to students in the school must be certified kosher.

Kosher Symbols (Please note this is not an exhaustive list, but those acceptable symbols most often seen in Calgary)

USA Kosher Symbols

Other Countries’ Kosher Symbols

FOOD ALLERGY ALERT There are students in our school who have food allergies

to peanuts, cashews, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and kiwi.

Parents are asked to avoid the inclusion of these food types when packing lunches.

shellfish-Free Zone Kiwi-Free Zone Fish-Free Zone

Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies. But it is different from most other food allergies in that it can immediately cause a potentially fatal allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). It only takes residue from 1/50th of one peanut to trigger an allergic response.

It is now easier than ever to make peanut free choices. Most snack foods are clearly marked with an easily identifiable symbol. Product labels are required to indicate whether peanuts are an ingredient or whether the product “May contain” peanuts.

Keeping it Simple

A general rule of thumb is to avoid any products where peanuts are clearly listed in the ingredients. If we can all do this, we can greatly reduce the risk!

Peanuts Are Different

Peanuts are not the same as tree nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc.), which grow on trees. Peanuts grow underground and are part of a different plant family, the legumes.

Most children who are allergic to peanuts are not allergic to other nuts. However, most nuts are processed together in the same facility, which creates the threat of cross-contamination.

Easy Peanut Free Choices

WOW Butter is one of the best alternatives out there!!! It is soy based and can satisfy even the most discerning (peanut butter loving) kids. It comes in both smooth & crunchy textures, and is available at both the Real Canadian Superstore and Safeway. Look for it in the organic section or sections offering “other” nut butters such as almond & cashew. http://www.soybutter.com/

Peanuts are commonly listed as ingredients in granola bars and other cookie-like snacks. Brands such as Quaker and President’s Choice (available at the Real Canadian Superstore) offer great options for peanut free granola bars:

Making Peanut Free Choices

Parents, please be aware that there are several children in our school who have a severe peanut allergy. Parents of children in those specific classes have been alerted but we would also like to make everyone in the school aware of peanut alternates.

Children who bring personal property to school (games, jewelry, books, cell phones and other expensive electronics etc.) do so at their own risk. The school does not assume responsibility for damage, misplacement or theft of these items. Items of significant monetary or sentimental value should not be brought to school.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

The CJA Policy Document is available on our website for review. Some important policies that parents may be interested in are:

#5.54 Acceptable Use Policy for Networked Information Resources

The Calgary Jewish Academy provides Internet access to students and staff from our school network. This access offers a rich and growing set of resources. The purpose of this policy is to inform parents/guardians, students and staff of the availability of Internet resources, as well as the rules governing its use. Students without a signed permission form of this policy will not have access to the school’s networked resources.

#5.22 Off Site Activities Policy

This policy provides information on field trip regulations.

CJA POLICIES

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Junior High Honour Role

Junior High students can earn Honour Roll Certificates for each reporting period and Overall Honour Roll Certificates at year-end in both the Alberta and Judaic curricula. To achieve Honour Roll standing, a student must have achieved a standing of at least 80%, or, to achieve Honour Roll with Distinction, an overall standing of at least 90%. In addition, to achieve an Honour Roll Certificate, all marks (including in options and electives) in both curricula must be at least 60%, and neither overall standing may be below 65%.

Personal and social development is also a part of the criteria for awards and recognition.

Student Awards & Recognition A number of achievement awards are available to junior high students. Information will be sent home with Junior High Students at the beginning of the school year.

JUNIOR HIGH HONOUR ROLE

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Students with perfect attendance will be recognized at the awards ceremony.

ATTENDANCE

When a student is absent from school, please notify the school by 9:00 AM by telephoning the school office at (403) 253-3992. Failure to call will result in a call to parents as we check on unexplained absences.

Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during school hours. In the case of appointments, students must be signed out by parents/caregivers before being allowed to leave the school.

Missing class impacts negatively on students’ schooling, and when the student leaves during a lesson, the learning of other students is disrupted as well. We ask therefore that appointments during school days only be made when essential, and that Grades 1-9 students are called from class only at the ends of class periods. Each student has a timetable which indicates when classes change.

Children should be taught to be at school on time. Children who come late disrupt the class and often miss work. If your child is going to be late due to an appointment or for any other reason, please notify the office.

Students who arrive late will only be admitted to class by providing his/her teacher will a late slip (issued by the office). They will be directed back to the office if they arrive late without a late slip.

Parents of students who are consistently late will be expected to meet with Administration.

Although many family trips are of significant educational value, students’ school work inevitably does suffer when they miss classes. Children learn best when they are able to discuss and work with the teacher and other students. In the best interest of their children, parents are therefore requested to plan family vacations during school closure periods, and not to take children out of school early or bring them back late. Nevertheless, if children are going to miss school, it is essential that the school be informed in advance.

Students who miss school for vacation purposes will not normally be given school work to do while on vacation. It is the responsibility of the students who miss school work due to holidays to make up lost work on their own. It is not the teachers’ responsibility to give make-up tests or assignments. Parents and students should not expect credits or marks for assignments, tests, essays, etc., that are not done, or handed in on schedule, because of personal holidays.

ABSENCES AND LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

LATES

If your child has any medical condition that the school should be aware of and which was not mentioned on the registration application form, please let the school know ASAP.

If your child is injured in an accident or becomes seriously ill while in the care of The Calgary Jewish Academy, medical care will be obtained and parent(s) will be notified. A registered nurse from Calgary Health Services visits the school and retains copies of health records for all of our students.

Please keep children home when they are ill. Too often, “epidemics” in the classroom and teacher absences can be attributed to children arriving at school ill. Children cannot learn well when they have fevers or respiratory or bronchial problems. We cannot keep children in class when they are ill, and parents will be called to pick them up.

MEDICAL INFORMATION

RECESS

Children learn better if they move around outside the building during recess. Only under extreme weather conditions such as cold (normally –25 c including wind chill factor) or hard rain do we not send children outdoors. It is therefore essential that children come properly dressed (coats, toques, mitts) to enable them to go outside. Only if absolutely necessary, should children bring notes from home asking permission to stay indoors at recess. Children who must stay indoors for exceptional reasons may be assigned work during recess.

We are particularly concerned about the safety of students who are prone to severe allergic reactions. If your child has been so identified, and you have not notified the school, please contact the office ASAP.

Parents whose child requires an Epi-Pen must supply one to the school for storage in the office. This will accompany the child on field trips, etc.

In cases where a student is allergic to a food product, The Calgary Jewish Academy may, if requested by the student’s parent or guardian, send a letter to the classmates requesting that they do not include the product in any food that their children bring to school.

Please review the Policy # 5.63 for more information (on FACTS SIS).

Students Prone to Severe Allergic Reactions

As often happens after the summer holidays, the city experiences a number of cases of head lice. Parents are encouraged to visit MyHealthAlberta concerning head lice and its treatment.

Please check your child(ren)’s head regularly. If your child has head lice, we ask you to treat your child as quickly as possible and to refrain from sending the child to school until such treatment has been implemented.

We also ask you to notify the school if your child has a case of head lice.

Head Lice

Effective school security focuses not only on external threats, but also regularly monitors the daily internal atmosphere in the workplace. The CJA encourages all regular on-site stakeholders (parents, students and staff) to attend school functions, to introduce themselves and, above all, to treat everybody with respect.

Families can be reassured that the school continues to follow effective security guidelines and procedures. The school remains in regular contact with security representatives from the Calgary Jewish Community, the Calgary Police Service for professional consultation, training and security alerts.

BUILDING ACCESS

Please take note:

The FRONT gate will open from 8:05 to 8:45am for morning access. From 11:15 to 11:45am for preschool pick-ups. From 3:15pm to 3:45pm for end of day.

The REAR gate will be opened at 8:05 am. It will then be locked from 8:45 AM to 3:15 PM so all pick-ups and drop-offs after 8:45 AM must take place from the front doors. The rear gate will lock at 3:45 PM during colder weather, otherwise it is locked at 4:00 PM.

Students should not be in the school before 8:05 AM.

All students should leave the school immediately after dismissal (except for scheduled activities). The school does not supervise students outside of these hours.

FIRE DRILLS AND LOCKDOWNS

Fire and lockdown drills are held throughout the school year.

SECURITY

PARENTS:

In the interest of safety, security, and an orderly learning environment:

* In the mornings, please do not remain in the mudrooms and hallways after dropping off your preschool child. We would like to encourage Grade 1-9 students to come into the school on their own.

* Prior to dismissal, please remain in the mudroom or outside the building, please do not congregate in the hallways or in front of the office, as it is disruptive to student learning and to office work;

* If delivering an item to your child during the day, please leave it at the office, and the staff will ensure its delivery.

Beth Tzedec Parking—PM Cars arriving prior to the 3:30 P.M. pick-up time should be parked so that they do not have to back out of their stalls when leaving. This must be done before the students are dismissed from school. Once parked please do not move from one lane to the other, as this creates a hazard for our students. In order to decrease the amount of traffic in the lanes and increase the safety of our students as they make their way to their vehicles, those arriving for pick-up after the 3:30 P.M. bell will need to park in the back rows. No vehicles will be allowed to proceed into the other lanes after 3:30 P.M. as they will be barricaded off.

Handicapped Parking at Beth Tzedec (A.M. and P.M.)

Please do not use the handicap parking spots unless you have a handicap parking sign.

It is important for every parent to pass on this information to every driver they send to The Calgary Jewish Academy to pick up or deliver their children.

Please share this information with grandparents, relatives, siblings, nannies, etc .

CJA Staff Parking at Beth Tzedec (A.M. and P.M.)

Parking along the fence facing the school is reserved for staff parking. Even though some of these spaces may appear vacant, please do not park in them as staff members arrive and leave at different times of the day.

Beth Tzedec Staff Parking (A.M. and P.M.)

Parking spaces along the Beth Tzedec building are reserved for clergy and staff of the synagogue. Please do not use these reserved spaces.

The parking lot facing the front of the school is reserved for staff and parent auctioned parking stalls only from 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Visitor parking availability on Kootenay Street (in front of the school) is very limited, therefore, when possible please park in the Beth Tzedec parking lot.

If you require handicap parking, please contact the school prior to your visit. Stall #16 is reserved for 10 minutes drop off & pick-up only, unless given special permission by administration.

KOOTENAY STREET PARKING

TRAFFIC AND PARKING

BETH TZEDEC PARKING

The safety of our children is our number one concern. Please cooperate with our staff and procedures!

Drop-off and pick-up are in the Beth Tzedec parking lot and at the school’s west entry via Kootenay Street. Please respect the “No Parking” and “No Stopping” areas, the playground zone speed limit on Kootenay Street, and the drop-off zone at the west circle.

Please remember that the most important safety rule is to Drive Extremely Slow around the school and in the parking lot. Please do not drop your child off from the driver’s side of the vehicle in the front cul-de-sac on Kootenay Street.

CJA is PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR 2020 PRODUCTION: SUESSICAL THE MUSICAL! The show has been booked to run at The Pumphouse Theatre during the first week of March. Due to this early

date, the audition process will start as soon as possible in September. Students who are interested in Suessical are asked to learn the first verse of “Oh The Thinks You Can Think”, a key

song in the show. It can be heard by going to

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/seussical-the-musical-a-choral-medley-sheet-music/19054132? OR https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/look_inside?R=19390147

The musical has 16 principle roles, including The Cat In The Hat, Horton The Elephant, Jojo, Gertrude McFuzz, Mr Mayor, Mrs. Mayor, Mayzie La Bird, Sour Kangaroo, Young Kangeroo, Judge Yertle the Turtle, three Wickersham

Brothers, three Bird Girls, and Vlad Vladikof, the eagle.

This September, students in Grade 4 will have a chance to be part of the production as either ‘Whos’ or ‘Jungle

Animals’. Each student will be assigned their own unique character or animal in this production.

There will be opportunities for the Grade 5 - 9’s to have solo singing, dancing, and acting roles.

CJA’S MUSICAL COMING IN 2020

SUESSICAL

Student Social Events (Birthday Parties, Sleepovers, Bar/Bat Mitzvah

It causes enormous hurt and embarrassment to students who are left out when a significant number of their classmates are invited to social events and they are excluded. As a result, distribution of invitations at school is not permitted unless at least all of the classmates of the same gender are invited.

The Calgary Jewish Academy seeks to create an inclusive environment which is respectful of the wide range of beliefs and practices within the Jewish Community. Therefore, please consider when planning parties that “Shomray Shabbat” students may be excluded on the Eve of Shabbat, Shabbat, the Eve of Jewish Holidays and Jewish Holidays.

If you are new to CJA, please be sure to advise the office that we have your permission to share contact information with other parents of your child(ren) for social events.

BACK TO SCHOOL ALREADY?!?!

Parent’s Association

Dear CJA Families,

We hope that you are enjoying your summer break and that your days are filled with sunshine and fun! With the school year starting soon, we have a few things to remind you of and some exciting programs coming up!

Drop in at the front entrance on Sept. 5 to grab a coffee, a quick bite and a chat with one of your PA board members. We are here to help and to ensure our students have a wonderfully enhanced educational experience and it all starts with our parent community. We’d love to talk to you about how you can get involved!

Volunteer Hours

The minimum volunteer hours required per family this year is 7. You will be able to sign up for your volunteer shifts through our signup genius portal

available through our website www.cja-pa.ca. Stay tuned to find out when the new signups go live!

There are MANY opportunities throughout the year to get your hours done. Hot lunch, holiday events, and other tasks will be posted, and we always work with our families to ensure that even those working full time have a chance to

complete the hours. We need your time, not your money so please reach out if you need assistance with getting these hours completed. Not only will your

cheques not be cashed, but your contribution to our community will only make our school stronger and more fun for our children.

PLEASE NOTE:

ONLY SCHOOL WIDE EVENTS RUN BY THE PA QUALIFY FOR VOLUNTEER HOURS. BINGOS, VOLUNTEERING IN YOUR CHILD’S CLASS OR ON A FIELD TRIP IS NOT CONSIDERED IN THESE HOURS.

Hot Lunch We are finalizing our Hot Lunch menus with Chef Aubrey and are pleased to announce that we will be offering new options with an earlier start this

Upcoming Events September 2 Labour Day

September 3 First Day of School

September 5 PA Welcome Breakfast

September 27 PD Day – No School

September 26 Rosh Hashannah Apples & Honey Snack Day

September 30 Rosh Hashannah – No School

How to Get Involved: Join our Facebook Group:

“CJA-PA”

for the most up-to-date information about programs, volunteer opportunities and PA

news. We encourage you to use it as a forum to ask questions and communicate with the

parent community as well!

Jennifer Hadley – PA Chair Jennifer@twek.ca 403-861-3021

BUZZ BOOK

This resource is helpful to parents who are wanting to connect with other classmates’ families, arrange playdates, send birthday invites, etc.

The Buzz Book sells for $5.00, with the funds going to support Parent Association activities.

The CJA-PA will be contacting parents to gather permission for inclusion of info into this booklet.

Every Year, our CJA Parent Association produces a “Buzz Book” - a handy communication tool for families that lists (by grade) information such as student name, parent names, address and contact numbers — for those families who agree to have their information included.

BIRTHDAY BOOKS

Through a minimum $20.00 contribution -- in honour of a child’s birthday -- a parent, friend or relative may contribute towards the purchase of a book for the CJA library. In this way, we can assist in increasing our library’s holdings, while at the same time acknowledging a child’s birthday.

Library staff will assist the child in choosing an appropriate book from a selection of new books. A dedication bookplate will be placed inside the book to mark the special event. The child, if he or she wishes, may be the first person to borrow the new book.

Order forms are available on FACTS or at the office.

The Library needs at least five (5) days to purchase the books.

The CJA-PA has a Birthday Treat Program which helps to raise money for other CJA-PA events like the Latke Lunch and the Passover Seder (among other events) and is a wonderful way to celebrate your child’s birthday.

Parents may supply kosher treats for their child’s class themselves, OR take advantage of this Birthday Treat Program.

Choose from ice-cream sandwiches, mini-cupcakes or popsicles — the kids love them! The birthday child will be called to pick them up at the office. Treats are distributed at 10:00 am.

There are some dates on which treats are not available (due to school closure or special school luncheons).

BIRTHDAY TREATS

CJA Kashrut Policy

The Calgary Jewish Academy fosters an environment of Pluralistic Judaism. Pluralistic Judaism is open

and welcoming to Jews of all backgrounds. Pluralistic Judaism is nondenominational. The CJA does not

subscribe to any particular stream of Judaism, but is open to the thoughts and ideas of each denomination

respecting each person’s background. Pluralistic Judaism respects Halakah (Jewish law) and believes that

each person makes her/his own choice as to level of observance. In this spirit, the CJA provides the

experience of eating as a community in a way that encourages derekh eretz (respectful behavior) ,

inclusion (during school and non-school activities)and supports the practice and values of Pluralistic

Judaism. Pluralistic Judaism respects the Jewish traditions surrounding the Hebrew language. This means

that children will be encouraged to recite b’rakhot (blessings) before and after a meal. Procedures In

School (This includes students, faculty, PTA event, Board of Directors Meetings, special events at the

school etc..)

• Given our school’s pluralistic approach to Judaism, parents and students will make their own individual

choices about what students will bring to school for lunch.

• Each child should eat only his/her lunch. Sharing of food is not permitted.

• All food and baked goods served in school and at official in-school functions must be certified as

kosher. This includes food from bakeries, grocery stores, or other foods, which bear certification. A “K”

without further information is not a mark of certification. Acceptable hechsherim (kosher symbols) will

be those identified by AB Kosher. (No utensils may be brought from home for classroom cooking

projects.)

• Other School Functions: When our students are on field trips, all food arrangements should be

consistent with the school’s Kashrut policy. All food served at official school functions held on or off

campus, including all Parent Teacher Organization sponsored programs also comply with the school’s

Kashrut policy.

• Kitchen Access: The CJA is a dairy kitchen. The kitchen will remain locked at all times. The kitchen is

under the supervision of an appointee (s) of the Principal called the Mashgiach Temidi (a kashrut

supervisor who will remain in the kitchen / preparation area and at the event throughout food preparation

and food service) who will be responsible for the key to the kitchen. No outside food (unless it has a

hechsher or is from a certified kosher establishment) will be allowed into the kitchen. The mashgiach(s)

will be assigned to oversee all use of the kitchen or event space for both safety and kashrut reasons. The

mashgiach(s) will be, when possible, Grade 8 and 9 students. Off Campus (field trips, extended field trips,

fundraising events, etc..)

• All off campus event must practice Pluralistic Jewish Kashrut through offering Kosher options (at the

expense of and organized by the school) to any individual who requests Kosher food. The level of

Kashrut required by the individual will be determined by the individuals (and their family) and the school

will accommodate this requirement.

• Both staff and parents are asked to make every effort to uphold the Kashrut policy