Teacher Code of Practice 2009-2010 5770
g"a, School Year As of Monday, August 17, 2009
Notice This Handbook provides information relevant to the academic and extracurricular lives of our students. The material contained within this Handbook is descriptive as of the publication date. This Handbook, however, is not intended to and cannot anticipate every situation. Moreover, all policies, procedures, and other information in this Handbook are subject to change at any time by action of the faculty, administration, board of trustees or CAJE, without prior notification. The latest version of this Handbook, including any changes made during the school year, is available on our web site lehrmanschool.org
Teacher Code of Practice 2009-2010 5770
g"a, School Year Lehrman Community Day School 727 Lehrman Drive / 77th Street Miami Beach FL 33141 305.866.2771 Fax 305.865.6575 LCDS@lehrmanschool.org • lehrmanschool.org Copyright Š2009 LCDS. All rights reserved.
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
Mission Lehrman Community Day School is a Jewish academic
community formed around a pluralistic, covenantal, coeducational, college-preparatory day school. We prepare motivated young men and women to live heroically, as reflective Jews and responsible American citizens in a global economy. Our ideal graduate lives a life of purpose and heartfelt dreams, animated by moral character and intellectual discovery. Within a family ambience, we celebrate each student’s whole uniqueness and embrace critical thinking, faith and discipline as essential elements of an educated conscience. Each student becomes steeped in the intelligences, skills and values relevant to the following signature commitments that inform the daily learning environment: mastering the arts and sciences through inquiry, experience and collaboration ◆ vacfu .rtv ,t utknu engaging in a relationship with God ◆ vsucg participating in prayer ◆ vkhp, studying Torah and applying a pluralistic spirit to the great issues of Jewish life and thought ◆ vru, sunk, identifying with and respecting Jews of all movements and being involved in the life of the Jewish community ◆
ktrah kkf
demonstrating love for all humans ◆ ,uhrcv ,cvt doing mitzvot and social action ◆ okug iue, advancing Israel’s central role for the Jewish people ◆
ktrah ,cvt
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
and creating a sustainable spiritual and physical environment for our children’s children ◆ vrnaku vscgk.
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
Accreditations and Affiliations Lehrman Community Day School is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) We are a pluralistic day school. To advance that aspect of our mission, we support the following entities and encourage our professionals, volunteers and families to participate actively in the educational, governance, development and other worthy activities of these associations: AMODS (Association of Modern Orthodox Day Schools and Yeshiva High Schools); CAJE (Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education); JESNA (Jewish Education Service of North America); PARDES (Progressive Association of Reform Day Schools); PEJE (Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education); RAVSAK, the Jewish Community Day School Network; SSDSA (Solomon Schechter Day School Association); Torah Umesorah, the National Society for Hebrew Day Schools, and the YU Institute for University-School Partnership. We encourage you to be involved in the organization(s) of your election.
LCDS Board of Directors 2009-2010 Chairman Roger Miller Immediate Past Chair Richard Lehrman Chair Elect Robert Finvarb Secretary Rosalind Lanes Treasurer Elizabeth Allocco Board Members Deborah Bienstock Diane Breslow Robert Finvarb Joi Fiske Joel Hoppenstein Dennis Kainen Oren Lieber Niki Markofsky Dana Brooke Martorella Jana Miller Richard Rozencwaig Laura Tauber Aarti Taubman Nikki Weisburd
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
Teacher Code of Practice 2009-2010 / 5770
Lehrman Community Day School
Table of Contents Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Professionalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Mastery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Daily Routines and Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Arrival (Students) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Arrival (Teachers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Regular Dismissal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 General Dismissal Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Students Leaving Early. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Morning Duty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Early Childhood Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Elementary (K-5) Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Tefilah / Daily Classroom Routines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Calendar and School Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Classroom Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Homework. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Lesson Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Parent Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Friday Folder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Parent-Teacher Conferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Student Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Discipline of Students. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Documentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Student Evaluation and Assessment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Grading System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Conduct and Effort Grades. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Derekh Eretz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Progress Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Record Keeping and Paperwork. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
Student Placement Forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Supervision of Students. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Non-Educational Responsibilities & General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Attendance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Badges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Elevator Usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Inclement Weather. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Illness, Injuries, Medications, and Accident Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Serious Injuries and Illness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Medications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Student Data Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Injury Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Leaving the Building. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Lunch Duty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Mailboxes/Emails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Maintenance Requests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Photocopy Machines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Student Use of Photocopy Machines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Professional Dress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Spirit Days. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Safety and Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Points of Entry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Security Drills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fire Drills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Lock Down Drills (“Harry Drill�) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Unfamiliar Persons and Suspicious Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 School Closures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Smoking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Staff Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Supplies, Consumables, and Other Educational Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 End-of-the-Year Orders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Teacher Orientation (Pre-Service) Week. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Telephone Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
Cellular Telephones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 School Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Year End Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Progress Reports and Cumulative Reviews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Other Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Ethical Obligations and Religious Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Derekh Eretz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Synagogue and Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Kashrut (Keeping Kosher). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Uniform Dress and Dress Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Private Instruction (Tutoring). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Supplementary Terms of Employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Personal and Discretionary Days / Absences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Absences Before/After Vacations and Long Weekends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Health and Other Insurance Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Bereavement Leave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Substitute Teachers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Jury Duty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Credentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Dismissal for Cause. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Employment Probationary Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Good Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Grievances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Letters of Intent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Performance Review (Supervision and Evaluation). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Supervision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Evaluation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Appendix (Dress Code Policy) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
Definitions
“Teacher” is used in the following sections and includes all persons serving in the classrooms of the School. “HOS” refers to the Head of School, which is used in the following sections and refers to that person designated by the Board as the Chief Executive Officer of the School, with oversight and ultimate authority over all aspects of the school, its educational program, and its management. “Executive Administrator” is used in the following sections and refers to that person appointed by the HOS as responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school, including supervision of the support staffs, business management, and other administrative functions. “Director” and “Dean” are used in the following sections and include all those persons appointed by the HOS with oversight of specific divisions/ departments of the educational program. “Coordinator” is used in the following sections and includes all those persons appointed by the HOS with administrative oversight of specific aspects of divisions/departments of the educational program. “Administration” means the HOS, Dean of Education, Executive Administrator and anyone delegated by the HOS with authority over the subject matter at issue. “Full Time Employees” work, on average, at least 30 hours per week. “Half Time Employees” work, on average, at least 20 hours per week, but less than 30 hours per week. “Part Time Employees” work, on average, fewer than 20 hours per week. “ECD” refers to the Early Childhood Department; “ECE” refers to Early Childhood Education. “MS” refers to Middle School
Professionalism All teachers are to develop and maintain a sense of professionalism to include patience, preparation and cooperation. Specifically, teachers are to: Remain current with regard to their specific curriculum and subject matter. Plan their teaching of the curriculum and assess student achievement effectively. Vary the means of instruction used to address different learning styles and maximize differentiation. Manage their classroom environment effectively. Promote high standards and expectations for all of their students. Promote equity and an appreciation of diversity. Fulfill professional responsibilities. Develop and maintain familiarity with the Parent/Student Handbook and this Teacher Code of Practice, and support the School by enforcing its expectations.
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
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Mastery General Studies Teachers develop and maintain the appropriate and competent use of the English language and mastery of the General Studies curriculum. Hebrew and Jewish Studies Teachers develop and maintain the appropriate and competent use of the English language and mastery of the Hebrew and Jewish Studies curriculum. Specialists develop and maintain the appropriate and competent use of the English language and mastery of their specific curricular area. Early Childhood Teachers develop and maintain the appropriate and competent use of the English language and mastery of specific curricular area.
Daily Routines and Responsibilities Arrival (Students) The parking near the ECD Department and the back parking lot behind the cafeteria are only for faculty and staff members, unless otherwise specified. Carpool drop-off takes place in the west ECD Parking Lot. ECD through Grade 5 drop-off is open from 7:45 am – 8:45 am, MS from 7:45 on. In order to receive a late pass, all elementary students who arrive after 8:10 am must enter the building accompanied by a parent. MS students do not need to come in with a parent, but they may not be admitted to class after 8am without a late pass.
Arrival (Teachers) Full time ECD through Grade 8 teachers are required to sign in at their designated area, 15 minutes prior to their first class. Half time and part time employees are to arrive and sign in at the School Office by the time prearranged with the HOS. Periodic morning drop-off duty will be assigned to teachers, which will require an earlier arrival. (See: Morning Duty)
Dismissal Regular Dismissal All ECD through Grade 5 teachers (including specialists) are to dismiss their classes at 3:30 pm and MS teachers at 3:45 pm. All students will be dismissed at 2:40 pm on Friday. Teachers should put their walkie-talkies on 5 minutes prior to the dismissal time. Students are to exit the building from the front of the building. Teachers are to supervise their students to ensure that they exit only when their names are called. The Chief of Security will facilitate the flow of traffic in the car pool lane, but can only do this effectively with your help. Staff presences and attentiveness during this time is essential. Please do not conference with parents at this time. Thank you for helping secure a safe environment for our students. Please refer to the Afternoon Dismissal Responsibilities section for more information.
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LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
General Dismissal Procedures All full time teachers will supervise dismissal from 3:25 pm until 3:45 pm or until all the students are dismissed. Teachers in the ECD are to escort students to their cars. Pick-up for ECD students who attend a half-day program will take place in the Front Lobby at 12:55. Students not picked up by 3:45 pm are to be escorted directly to the After School Program (and must be picked up inside the building). Teachers may leave once their students have been dismissed or properly signed up in the After School Program. Teachers should sign out from their designated areas. Students Leaving Early Parents are not permitted to pick-up or drop off students inside their classrooms. Parents will be sending in notification of students who need to leave early for appointements, etc. It is your responsibility to: • Make note of those dismissal times and dismiss the child to the office on time. The child will NOT be called down by the office. • Note the early dismissal on the attendance sheet you send down to the Security desk in the morning.
Morning Duty Morning duty will be assigned to all teachers. Elementary teachers serving on morning duty are to be in school, signed in, and at their assigned post by 7:45 am, Early Childhood by 8:00 am. In the event of an illness or an unexpected delay, please arrange for coverage of morning duty. You must also contact the School Office to ensure that your coverage is on time and in place. If possible, please inform the office of your anticipated time of arrival or return. Late pass duty will be assigned to specific teachers who must report to their post by 8:10 am. Early Childhood Staff Two staff members will assist the Director of Security at the drop-off area from 8:00 am to 8:45 am. If you are unable to supervise Morning Duty during your assigned week, please arrange for coverage and notify the Director of ECD as soon as possible. All Teachers late to their post by the third time, will be docked a half day of base pay. Elementary (K-5) Staff One staff member will assist the Director of Security at the drop-off area from 7:45 am to 8:05 am. If you are unable to supervise Morning Duty during your assigned week, please arrange for coverage and notify the Dean as soon as possible.
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
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Two staff members will supervise the front lobby between 7:45 am and 8:10 am daily. Morning Duty staff members will begin ushering students into the cafeteria at 8:05 am. All staff members must be in the cafeteria to supervise students during services beginning at 8:10 am. Please do not schedule meetings during this time. If you are unable to supervise Morning Duty during your assigned week, arrange for coverage and please notify the Office Staff as soon as possible.
these days to read, but are not required to take notes on their reading. In addition, no assignments to watch a film or TV show or use a computer, should be made on those evening. These holy days include: Rosh haShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simhat Torah, Pesah and Shavuot. Please remember that Jewish holidays begin a bit before sundown and end about sundown the next day. Students may be at family or synagogue celebrations on the evenings of Hanukkah, Tu bi-Shevat, Purim and Lag ba’Omer.
Tefilah/Daily Classroom Routines
Lesson Plans
All full time teachers will sit with their students during Tefilah (morning service), in the cafeteria. Services include the daily prayer rubric (See “Morning Prayer”), the Pledge of Allegiance, the Star Spangled Banner and HaTikvah. Sitting with the children means modeling appropriate conduct and ensuring appropriate decorum. On those days when Tefilah takes place in the classroom, the classroom teacher is responsible for leading and/or overseeing the daily prayer ritual and anthems. In the MS, homeroom teachers will join MS Tefilah.
Detailed weekly lesson plans must be prepared by the teacher and submitted to the appropriate Dean at the beginning of each week. Lessons for each class session should identify its goal(s), including a statement about what “the student will be able to…” (SWBAT) as an indication of student mastery of the goal.
Calendar and School Schedule All teachers are expected to adhere to and respect the established individual class schedules. Early arrival to a specialty teacher’s class, or tardiness in retrieving one’s students can disrupt a colleague’s schedule. Changes or revisions to one’s individual schedule can only be made by the Dean of Education. All teachers are expected to adhere to and respect the established school calendar. The calendar provides notice concerning mandatory staff meetings, events where teacher attendance is required, and other events of concern and interest to the mindful teacher. Any requests or revisions to the calendar must be made through the Dean of Education. Teachers shall maintain their responsibilities through the day of June designated by the HOS as the closing workday for teachers.
Classroom Environment Classrooms should be set up for the day’s activities prior to student arrival, preferably at the conclusion of the previous day. Classroom preparedness is important to successful teaching.
Homework Homework should be used as a review and reinforcement of material already taught during the school day. Homework assignments must be meaningful and of a reasonable length so that they can be completed within the time expectations listed in the Parent/Student Handbook. As a Jewish school, we want to ensure that our students understand the specialness of Shabbat and Jewish holidays. For this reason, and so as not to burden those whose observance includes not writing on Shabbat (beginning Friday evening) and holy days, no homework should be given over these days. Students may use Page
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
Parent Communications Regular communication with parents is vital to establishing a collaborative relationship. While this relationship can sometimes grow uneasy, teachers and parents ought to collaborate as partners with the same goal in mind—providing the finest education available for all our students. Teachers should call or write to parents, documenting the content of conversations, but also consider an occasional postcard to celebrate a student’s success. Teachers should respond to parents’ questions/concerns by the end of the school day after the inquiry was made. Teachers are required to keep a log of parent communication, including dates and topics. The second day of a student’s absence, the homeroom teacher should call the home.
Friday Folder All teachers in Kindergarten through Grade 5 are responsible for sending home a folder containing each student’s work every Friday. In addition to student work, Friday Folders should also contain graded quizzes and tests, which are to be signed by the student’s parents and returned to school for notation in the grade book. Teachers should retain samples of work for reference and comparison over the course of the school year. ECD teachers are responsible for sending home a newsletter and curriculum map each Friday. MS teachers are encouraged to set up websites for their students (and parents) with homework and long-term assignment calendars, helpful links on resources, visual material related to their coursework, etc. Help is available for the technical know-how.
Parent-Teacher Conferences In addition to the scheduled ECD parent-teacher conference day, parents and/or teachers may request a conference. Teachers in K-8 should schedule a parent-teacher conference during the 1st and 3rd 9-week marking periods. The appropriate Dean of Students should be notified in writing of all parentteacher conferences, including the student’s name, parent’s name, subject of the conference, date and duration of the meeting. Informed administrators are LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
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positioned to support faculty members and serve as a resource if necessary. Administrators will be present at scheduled parent-teacher conferences, upon request. Impromptu conversations during the school day, and at arrival or dismissal (when supervision is most greatly strained), are strongly discouraged. Matters discussed in any meeting are to be considered professional conversations and therefore remain confidential. Such matters should not be disclosed or discussed with third parties, or other parents, teachers or staff members. Sensitive issues should only be discussed with the related individuals in the appropriate professional venue of the School. The Administration, starting with the Dean of Students, should always be informed, especially when conferences of awry if they involve an issue dealing with the safety of a student.
Student Behavior Teachers are responsible for ensuring and monitoring proper student behavior in the classroom, but also throughout the day as students move from place to place on campus. Parents are to be informed when their children act out in a disrespectful or inappropriate way, especially in the case of chronic behaviors. Discipline of Students Children at LCDS are to be treated with kindness and respect, each child being treated as an individual. School and classroom rules should be explained in a way in which the students can understand. All teachers should review the Parent/Student Handbook at the beginning of the year. Behavior modification, behavioral charts and alternative means of intervention should be explored with more challenging disciplinary issues. The School Counselor is an available resource and support in cases of inappropriate student behavior. Documentation Teachers must document inappropriate behavior and report severe or chronic behaviors to the parent(s) and the School Counselor using a Discipline Report (forms available in the School Office).
Student Evaluation and Assessment Elementary and MS Students will be evaluated four (4) times over the course of four (4) nine week periods each year. K-5 Grading System ES: Exceeds Standards – Consistently grasps, applies and extends key concepts, processes and skills. Works beyond stated goals. MS: Meets Standards – Grasps and applies key concepts, processes and skills. Meets stated goals. AS: Approaching Standards – Beginning to grasp and apply key concepts, processes and skills. Making less than expected progress NS: Needs Support – Not grasping key concepts, processes and essential skills. Area of concern that requires support. NA: Not assessed at this time Page
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
Conduct and Effort Grades 1 Excellent 2 Satisfactory 3 Unsatisfactory N/A Not applicable Derekh Eretz Derekh Eretz (“appropriate behavior”) incorporates attitude, behavior, cooperation, preparedness, and effort and includes classroom conduct, lunchroom manners, service decorum and general school behavior. Respect, cooperation, and attitude are expressions of how we view ourselves and those around us. Derekh Eretz extends to all aspects of school life. To qualify, the student earns all 1’s in citizenship. Progress Reports (Report Cards) All General Studies and Jewish Studies Teachers must determine standards for all students each nine week marking period. Standards on Progress Reports, together with a draft copy of the teacher’s comments, must be submitted to the Dean for review at least three (3) days prior to distribution. Progress Report standards should accurately reflect student achievement, behavior and study habits. Timely submission of homework should be accurately reflected on Progress Report as well. Consult the separate instructions in your Teacher’s Manual for information about grading. Record Keeping and Paperwork Teachers are responsible for documenting conversations with parents and students, in addition to maintaining accurate academic and attendance records. Likewise, teachers are required to complete all paperwork in a timely fashion, maintaining copies as necessary. Student Placement Forms Each school year, teachers may be asked to complete a “Student Placement form” for each student in their classes, up to grade 8, regardless if the child is continuing with LCDS. These forms are used by the administration to determine class placement for the coming year. Your input is vital to the success of the process, and as such, you are asked to answer a number of questions about each student. Timely submission of Student Placement forms is vital to the process. As Student Placement often becomes a sensitive issue, teachers are reminded not to discuss placement with other teachers, staff members, students or parents. Refer to the “Class Placement Policy Statement” developed by the Board of Directors. Also keep in mind that, in accordance with the guidelines established by the Center for Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), “Requests for class placement will not be considered.”
Supervision of Students We are all responsible for the safety and welfare of all of our students. Supervision by teachers of their students is critical to maintaining a safe LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
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environment conducive to learning. Supervision of one’s students is to be sustained throughout the school day including, but not limited to: classroom activities, hallways, lunchroom, Tefilah, arrival and dismissal times, library time, and in ECD and K-5, to and from each special (computers, PE, music, art, movement, etc.).
Non-Educational Responsibilities & General Information Acceptance of Gifts Absent a published policy exception or express written consent from the Head of School or Dean of Education in advance, a faculty or staff member may not, directly or directly or indirectly, solicit or accept a gift: (i) from a parent, student, vendor, alumni, donor or other person with a relationship with the school; or (ii) given because of his or her position with the school. A gift is anything that has monetary value, such as cash, services, loan, meals, entertainment, or event tickets. Attendance All teachers must accurately record student attendance and tardiness on a daily basis and submit these daily records to the School Attendance Officer by 9:15 am. A class list can be used each day to report attendance and tardiness to the School Office. In addition, teachers are to maintain records in attendance books, submitting them to the School Office at the end of the school year: attendance books are a legal record that must be kept on file for seven years. Early Childhood teachers must record student drop-off and dismissal times daily. Teachers are also responsible for reporting absences and tardiness each quarter on student progress reports. Consult the internal school calendar for the number of days in each marking period. Badges Teachers are required to wear the identification badges issued by the Director of Security at all times. This is an important security measure enacted for the safety of everyone at LCDS. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary measures. Elevator Usage Each teacher is given a key for use of the elevator. Students are not to ride the elevator unaccompanied. Teachers must ride with, or arrange for another adult to accompany any student requiring use of the elevator because of an injury or illness. Inclement Weather Teachers are to use sound judgment in the event of a storm, strong winds or lightning. If you are outside with your class when a storm approaches, move to a covered area as quickly as possible. Do not seek shelter under isolated trees or close to wire fences, playground equipment, or shelters in exposed areas. If you are inside, stay indoors and do not venture outside unless absolutely necessary. Stay away from open doors and windows, metal objects, electrical appliances and plumbing until the storm has passed. Keep telephone usage to a minimum during storms. All computers should be shut down. Page
LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
Illness, Injuries, Medications, and Accident Reports Serious Injuries and Illness Teachers are to notify the School Office immediately if a student or an adult is injured or becomes ill. The School Office will notify the appropriate authorities in the case of a serious illness or injury. Do not move anyone who has been seriously injured. Do not administer any medication unless instructed to. Medications Only children in Kindergarten through Grade 8 may receive medications in school, and then only from office staff members. Prior written parental consent and prescription information are required before any medication is to be administered. Teachers may provide and/or administer medications only when they are the accompanying adult on a field trip or overnight trip, and have written permission to do so. Student Data Cards Teachers are to be aware of their students’ physical ailments or allergies. Injury Reports Teachers are responsible for completing an Injury Report (available in the School Front Office and in the ECD Office) when a child is hurt or injured while in their care. Reports are to be filed in the School Office by the end of the day, with a copy being sent home to the child’s parents as notification. In the case of a more serious injury, the teacher should inform the parents, as well as the administrator.
Leaving the Building All teachers must secure prior approval of an administrator before leaving the building during school hours. Teachers are expected to sign in when they arrive and sign out when they leave. For those persons who have permission to leave the building during the school day, they are to sign both in and out, in addition to the start and end of the workday.
Lunch Duty Teachers and/or Assistants are responsible to make sure the cafeteria or eating area is clean before s/he and his or her students leave the cafeteria. Teachers are responsible for monitoring that students say Birkat ha-Mazon (Grace After Meals) in the class following their lunch period.
Mailboxes/Emails As the mailboxes are a source of interschool communication, they should be checked periodically during the school day and prior to leaving the building. Personal messages and professional messages are generally to be found in the School Office, whereas procedural messages will typically be distributed in the mailboxes. Emails should be checked periodically during the day.
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Maintenance Requests
On those days designated as Spirit Days (typically Thursdays), teachers may wear an LCDS t-shirt or jersey. Other, more casual modes of dress are not acceptable.
Fire Drills During a fire drill, teachers are to take their assigned number cards with them, turn off the lights in their classroom and shut the door as an indication that the room is vacant. Current class lists should be placed within the Emergency Number Card packet in each classroom, in the event that parents need to be called. Emergency Number Cards will be used to identify each class. Teachers are to escort their students out of the building to their designated spot outside. Attendance is to be taken upon reaching the designated spot. Students are to walk silently in either single file or two lines (depending on the size of their class). Teachers should lead the line(s) and periodically stop to ensure that all are present and accounted for. Everyone is expected to leave the building during a fire drill. If you hear an announcement concerning “Ms. Sally,” proceed as if a fire drill had been called. Lock Down Drills (“Harry Drill”) During a “Harry Drill” teachers are asked to lock the door to their classroom and usher the children away from the entrance of the room. If such a drill should occur when the class is in transit, the class is to make its way to the closest multipurpose space and join the class already there in lockdown. A message over the PA system, “Mr. Harry is in the building” indicates a lock down drill. Unfamiliar Persons and Suspicious Objects Teachers are asked to pay special attention to unfamiliar persons (See: Visitors) or suspicious objects. Every classroom is equipped with a “panic button” so that teachers may contact the School Office at a moment’s notice. Our safety and security, and that of our students, are nothing to be bashful about. Alert the office if necessary.
Safety and Security
School Closures
Requests for repairs, construction or replacement of classroom furnishings and/or fixtures must be made through the School Office. Requests are to be in writing and submitted to the Executive Administrator. Requests for special setup of rooms are likewise to be made through the Executive Administrator.
Photocopy Machines The photocopy machines are for school use only. Student Use of Photocopy Machines Students are not to use the photocopy machines. Students using the machines will be sent back to class.
Professional Dress All persons employed by LCDS are representatives of the School. As highly visible examples to their students and the greater community, all staff members should dress in a manner that sets a positive example and conveys that education is a serious and professional endeavor. Neatness in dress and grooming is an indication of admirable personal characteristics. All Jewish males are required to wear aesthetic kippot at meals, Tefilah, communal meetings and assemblies. *Please refer to Appendix I, page 18, for dress code policy
Spirit Days
Security measures are crucial in a school setting. Regrettably we live in challenging times. What once seemed certain and safe is now subject to inspection and suspicion. Points of Entry All doors to the building will be locked at all times. One door in the main lobby is unlocked by remote control and is the single point of entry for our campus. (All other lobby doors are to remain closed and locked.) A number of doors in the building are alarmed so as to prevent entry or exit. The door closest to the ECD parking lot is opened by a keypad code. Teachers and other staff members are not to share the code with parents, students or other individuals under any circumstances. Security Drills Fire drills are meant to prepare our school population for a safe and quick evacuation in the event of fire. Teachers can expect that there will be at least one drill each month. Drills can either be for safe evacuation of the building during a fire or other hazard, or a “Harry Drill,” which simulates an intruder in the building.
LCDS will generally follow Miami-Dade Public Schools with regard to unexpected school closing for reasons of serious inclement weather. Teachers will be notified of closures by our “alert now“system. Check with local media when the public schools close unexpectedly, but also on those days when LCDS is scheduled to be in session and the public schools are scheduled to be closed.
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Smoking LCDS maintains a smoke-free building. The picnic table behind the small employee parking lot is the designated smoking area. Staff members who smoke may do so in that area only. Staff members are expected to dispose of matches and cigarette butts appropriately.
Staff Meetings Faculty and Staff Meetings are required for all full time employees in order to create a cohesive and collaborative working environment where a team approach is taken to achieve common goals. Attendance at Staff Meetings is required in order to coordinate academic and behavioral departmental Page 11
objectives, to address departmental concerns and to resolve departmental issues. Meetings are scheduled as indicated on your Internal School Calendar. On a rare occasion other meetings not listed on the calendar will be called. Adequate notice will be provided in the case of unexpected meetings.
Supplies, Consumables, and Other Educational Materials General Information All supplies, consumables, and other educational materials must be ordered or purchased with a Purchase Order (PO) that has been signed by the Dean and/or Executive Administrator in advance of purchase. During the school year, supply requests for everyday classroom items and office supplies are to be made through the School Office. End-of-the-Year Orders The bulk of ordering by teachers will take place at the end of the school year in anticipation of the coming school year. Orders are to be completed according to the instructions of the Dean of Students, by the date stipulated. Teachers are expected to order priority items first and stay within any predetermined budgetary constraints.
Teacher Orientation (Pre-Service) Week All teachers will be present in school during “Teacher Orientation (Pre-Service) Week” and attend all of the prearranged sessions. Rooms will be set up and ready by noon of the day just prior to parent and student visits, which normally take place on “Student Orientation Day.” The first day of faculty orientation will include a luncheon attended by faculty and staff. Teachers may receive additional pay for days spent preparing their classrooms prior to Teacher Orientation Week, as prearranged by the administration, and only on those days so designated. Lesson Plans and ancillary materials for the first week will be prepared and submitted to the appropriate administrator during orientation week.
Telephone Calls Teachers are encouraged to call parents and make personal calls from the teacher’s lounge, as the School Office is not conducive to private conversation. Additional telephones are located through the building and may be used when classes are not in session and when they do not create a disturbance to the employees working in those spaces. Telephone calls are only to be made during breaks or when called to the School Office. Cellular Telephones Cellular telephones are to remain off during the school day, with the exception of when teachers are on their official break, during prep periods, or during emergency situations. Page 12
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Transportation Teachers may not provide transportation, free of charge or for a fee, for the purpose of attending school and/or participating in, observing or attending LCDS activities, including but not limited to, field trips, sporting events or any other event, to and/or from school or any other location, for any student attending LCDS, other than her or his own child.
School Property No equipment may be loaned, discarded or removed from School grounds without the express permission of an Administrator. The following materials are LCDS property and must be stamped with an LCDS address stamp: 1) books and other curricular materials, including curricular guides, purchased with a grade/ classroom budget; 2) books accumulated through bonus points from book clubs such as Scholastic, etc.; and 3) math manipulatives and other equipment purchased with a grade/classroom budget.
Visitors All visitors are to be admitted to school through the main lobby doors only. Visitors must obtain a “Visitor’s Pass” from the Director of Security before circulating throughout the building. Teachers are asked to politely greet any visitor unfamiliar to them and ascertain if they need assistance. Visitors found without the appropriate pass should be politely instructed to go to the front desk for the appropriate pass. These measures are meant to ensure a safe school environment and reduce inappropriate classroom disruptions. On occasion teachers will want to bring their own children to school for the day. We especially welcome our former students and only ask that teachers provide the office with one day’s notice and sign a release prior to bringing their children to school.
Year End Responsibilities Progress Reports and Cumulative Reviews Individual Student Progress Reports and Cumulative Reviews (“Cum Cards”) must be completed prior to summer vacation—usually one day after the last day of school is allocated for the fulfillment of these two critical tasks. Standardized Test score stickers and/or reports are to be affixed to Cum Cards. Other Responsibilities Other responsibilities already discussed in this Teacher Code of Practice include, but are not limited to: Completion of Student Data Cards; correct and orderly submission of end-of-the-year Purchase Orders; and the filing of student ERB results.
Ethical Obligations and Religious Practice Employees of LCDS are expected to comply with the Ethical Guidelines set forth in the Parent/Student Handbook, many of which are based upon the teachings of the Torah. LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
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Derekh Eretz Students learn by example as significantly as by instruction. The employees of LCDS serve as role models and therefore are expected to regularly demonstrate behavior and conduct of the highest level. As role models, teachers and staff should regularly exercise patience, tolerance, respect, cooperation, professionalism, restraint and discipline. Derekh Eretz, ethical and respectful behavior, is what we strive to live by and teach. Synagogue and Community Events Teachers are asked to regard with respect all synagogue and community events. As role models and community leaders, teachers should demonstrate proper dress and conduct at such gatherings. Kashrut (Keeping Kosher) LCDS is a pluralistic Jewish Day School. We comply with the Jewish dietary laws. Only items designated as kosher, with appropriate kosher markings, are permitted in School and on sanctioned field trips and outings. Kashrut represents a sense of inner discipline, respect for animals and a sense of holiness in our daily approach to food. Uniform Dress and Dress Code Teachers are expected to enforce the uniform and dress code policy. The Jewish tradition dictates that one should not “separate oneself from the community.”
Personal and Discretionary Days / Absences Full time instructional personal are entitled to seven (7) personal days during the term of their Employment Agreement, valued at $75.00 per day. Each unused day is redeemed in the last paycheck of the year. Days may not be transferred or accrued. Absences Before/After Vacations and Long Weekends Excellent student attendance is strongly encouraged. As role models, teachers are also expected to attend school regularly. Teachers are strongly encouraged to plan vacations and other time away in concert with the academic calendar. Taking personal days before or after long vacations, or extending long holiday weekends by taking a personal day, is strongly discouraged as 1) it is very difficult to arrange for substitute teachers on those days, and 2) it models an undesirable practice for our students and their parents. Two (2) personal/ discretionary days will be deducted for each personal day taken immediately before or after the winter and Passover breaks. Days taken to extend long
holiday weekends or “bridge” weekends and holiday breaks will also be doubly deducted. Health and Other Insurance Benefits Individual staff members employed by LCDS on or after May 1, 2005 are, per Board amendment, entitled to participate in health and other insurance benefits provided by LCDS. All health and other insurances are subject to amendment or termination at any time, at the sole discretion of LCDS, as is the rate of the school’s subsidy of any or all insurances. Bereavement Leave LCDS recognizes that circumstances may arise when an employee may require time off from work for a death in the employee’s immediate family. Staff members will be allowed paid leave in the event of a death in the immediate family in order to observe the seven-day shiva, i.e. seven (7) consecutive calendar days. Members of the immediate family are defined as parents, parents-inlaw, spouse, domestic partner who is a significant other, siblings, children, grandparents and grandparents-in-law. Additional unpaid bereavement leave may be granted at the discretion of the Head of School. Substitute Teachers Teachers must inform the School’s Substitute Teacher Coordinator in advance of planned absences so that accommodations can be made for a qualified substitute teacher. In the case of unexpected illness, teachers are expected to call the Substitute Teacher Coordinator as soon as possible. Jury Duty In the event that a teacher is required to serve jury duty, personal days will not be deducted. Employees must provide evidence of their service upon return to School. We encourage you to honor your duties of citizenship and at the same time, want to limit disruptions to your teaching and student learning. Please see the Executive Administrator to assist you in postponing your Jury Duty to the summer months. Credentials All teachers are required to maintain credentials, as per the terms of their employment agreements. Further, teachers are required to fulfill any and all credentialing requirements as designated by the Administration. Dismissal In the case of dismissal for cause, all benefits are forfeited. Employment Probationary Period All teachers shall be on probationary status during the first ninety (90) days of their initial employment. During the probationary period teachers may be discharged without cause. After the probationary period, a teacher may only be discharged for cause during the period of their employment agreement. The foregoing is not meant to imply that teachers shall be re-employed after the
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Private Instruction (Tutoring) Teachers may not tutor students enrolled in their classes. The acceptance of compensation or gifts for tutoring during school hours is unacceptable, as our parents have already paid tuition to ensure that their children receive complete instruction.
Supplementary Terms of Employment
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expiration of an employment contract; such re-employment shall be solely at the discretion of the HOS. The Administration shall provide proper orientation and supervision during the probationary period, and shall schedule consultations along with observations of the teacher at least two times during the school year. Good Health The School reserves the right to require the delivery of medical records or submission to medical examinations in the event the HOS reasonably determines that doing so would protect the health, safety or welfare of a member of the school community. Grievances Grievances are to be brought to the HOS. Efforts will be made to resolve the situation before it escalates further. Letters of Intent All teachers shall be given a letter of intent of employment in accordance with the guidelines and schedule required by CAJE.
Performance Review (Supervision and Evaluation) Supervision Supervision is an on-going means by which the administration can support and encourage a teacher to reach higher levels of performance. Informal supervision of teachers’ performance will take place periodically over the course of the school year. Evaluation Evaluation is the process whereby the administration considers teachers for re-employment. Formal evaluation of teachers’ performance will take place at least once a year, the results of which will be filed in their personnel files. Formal evaluations will consider a variety of professional behaviors including but not limited to: preparedness, execution of lessons, collegiality, communications, and ability to consider institutional priorities. Attendance at morning services and specifically designated School events will be considered in teachers’ evaluations and recorded in their personnel files.
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DRESS CODE POLICY Purposes The dress code for faculty is “professional casual.” The faculty and other professionals of LCDS believe that one way for maintaining the School’s reputation is for each of us to always present a professional image to our students, parents and other visitors. It is important that they have confidence in us and we have pride in ourselves. Judaism emphasizes ouenv sucf kavod hamakom, the clothes one wears in a Jewish atmosphere to study Torah and commune with God should reflect the sacredness of those purposes. To help promote a productive environment for our students to learn and for our teachers to teach, present a professional image, foster public confidence, comply with health and safety standards, while allowing our professionals to work comfortably, all professionals must dress appropriately for their positions, assignments and circumstances such as the weather. Because of varied work assignments and working conditions, it is not practical to establish specific and absolute criteria as to what is or is not appropriate dress. No dress code can cover all contingencies so professionals must exert a certain amount of judgment in their choice of clothing to wear to work. If you experience uncertainty about acceptable, professional causal attire for work, please ask a Dean or the Executive Director. Guidelines “One’s honor is one’s garment” [Shemot Rabbah 18:5]. Professionals will wear clean and well-maintained attire appropriate to the type of work they do. Good grooming is required. Radical departures from conventional dress or personal grooming or hygiene standards are not permitted. Professionals are expected to dress in a manner that is normally acceptable in similar schools. In compliance with this policy, the following are examples of acceptable and unacceptable attire: acceptable
• Dress and skirt length should be at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public. Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for work. Mini-skirts, skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are inappropriate • Acceptable Slacks, Pants, and Suit Pants are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants, nice looking dress jeans, and Bermuda shorts (i.e., that come down below the knee). Inappropriate slacks or pants include other jeans, sweatpants, exercise pants, shorts that end at the knee or above, bib overalls, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants such as people wear for biking. • Conservative athletic or walking shoes, loafers, clogs, sneakers, boots, flats, dress heels, leather deck-type shoes and sandals are acceptable. Flashy athletic shoes, thongs, flip-flops, and slippers are not acceptable. LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
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Index
unacceptable
• Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, exercise sessions, and sports contests • Clothing that reveals cleavage, your back, your chest, your feet, your stomach or your underwear (or lack of underwear) • Torn, dirty, ripped, disheveled, patched/faded clothing. Clothing should not be wrinkled. All seams must be finished. • Suggestive or revealing attire. ,,ughbm, tzni’ut, often defined as modesty, is an essential component of the humility that helps to form a way of life devoted to serving others. • Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures (other than official LCDS gear). • Midriff tops; halter-tops; tube tops, tank tops, sleeveless or muscle shirts; tops with bare shoulders; sweatshirts, and t-shirts unless worn under another blouse, shirt, jacket, or dress.
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Absences Before/After Vacations and Long Weekends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Acceptance of Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Appendices I (Dress Code Policy). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Arrival (Students) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Arrival (Teachers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Attendance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Badges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Bereavement Leave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Calendar and School Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Cellular Telephones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Classroom Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Conduct and Effort Grades. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Credentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Daily Routines and Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Derekh Eretz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Derekh Eretz by example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Discipline of Students. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Dismissal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Dismissal for Cause. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Documentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Dress Code Policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Early Childhood Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Elementary (K-5) Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Elevator Usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Employment Probationary Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 End-of-the-Year Orders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Ethical Obligations and Religious Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Evaluation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Fire Drills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Friday Folder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 General Dismissal Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Good Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Grading System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Grievances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Health and Other Insurance Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Homework. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 LCDS Teacher Code of Practice 09-10
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Illness, Injuries, Medications, and Accident Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Inclement Weather. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Injury Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Jury Duty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 K-5 Grading System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Kashrut (Keeping Kosher) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Kippot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Leaving the Building. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Lesson Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Letters of Intent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Lock Down Drills (“Harry Drill�) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Lunch Duty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Mailboxes/Emails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Maintenance Requests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Mastery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Medications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Morning Duty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Non-Educational Responsibilities & General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Other Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Parent Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Parent-Teacher Conferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Performance Review (Supervision and Evaluation). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Personal and Discretionary Days / Absences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Photocopy Machines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Points of Entry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Private Instruction (Tutoring). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Professional Dress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Professionalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Progress Reports (Report Cards). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Progress Reports and Cumulative Reviews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Record Keeping and Paperwork. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Regular Dismissal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Safety and Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 School Closures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 School Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Security Drills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Serious Injuries and Illness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Smoking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Spirit Days. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Staff Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Student Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Student Data Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Student Evaluation and Assessment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Student Placement Forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Student Use of Photocopy Machines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Students Leaving Early. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Substitute Teachers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Supervision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Supervision of Students. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Supplementary Terms of Employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Supplies, Consumables, and Other Educational Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Synagogue and Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Teacher Orientation (Pre-Service) Week. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Teacher Produced Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Tefilah / Daily Classroom Routines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Telephone Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Terms of Employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Unfamiliar Persons and Suspicious Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Uniform Dress and Dress Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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