Dear Religious School Families:

It is hard to believe that in no time at all the Beth Tikvah hallways will be flooded with students ready to visit with friends, build new relationships and meet their teachers for this school year.  We are looking forward to the start of this religious school year and we hope you are too!  Religious school is bound to be an exciting place to be this year filled with ruach.  We are so pleased to have many of our EXCELLENT staff members returning, and several are teaching new grade levels and different courses.  The Gesher Lekesher Program (8th - 12th grades) will be kicking off this year and we are confident the students will be pleased with this programmatic change. 
 

We have changed the format of Tefillah for our preschool, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students to include a family worship component.  We believe that parent participation during this time will encourage our youngest congregants to participate appropriately, and more fully understand the importance of prayer.  Services for preschool-2nd grade students will begin at 9:00 a.m..

As educators, and parents, we truly believe in the power of relationships.  The relationship between the students and teachers is vital, and the support and involvement of the families in religious school is invaluable for overall school success.  There are many things that you and your child can do to help cultivate these relationships at Beth Tikvah:
 

• Write an introductory note to your child’s religious school teachers sharing their school and social strengths as well as their challenges
• Stop in before or after class to touch base and find out firsthand how your child is doing
• Talk with your child about why religious school is a priority for your family
• Check the religious school website frequently for information, updates and contacting teachers www.beth-tikvah.org
• Attend family education programs and field trips offered
• Attend services together as a family
• Become a religious school volunteer (contact Terrie O’Day, Religious School Chair, terrieoday@comcast.net)

Our religious school is a wonderful place to work and attend because of our dedicated and passionate staff members.  Thank you all for your desire to motivate, excite and engage our students in Jewish learning.  Many thanks must be given to Deb Bakal, Terrie O’Day, and the Religious School Committee for their support, guidance and countless hours of volunteerism to help make Beth Tikvah’s Religious School the exceptional place that it is. 

The first day of religious school is Sunday, September 13, 2009!  We look forward to seeing you at the Open House.

.B’Shalom,

Rokki Parrinello & Mandy Thalhammer

Co-Principals

 If you have any questions, please contact us via email or call us at 847-885-4545.