VISION
The Congregational School is dedicated to positive and engaging Jewish education to inspire lifelong participation in the Jewish community for all our K-12 learners and their families. In partnership with our families and with the synagogue community as a whole, the school provides meaningful learning through both formal and experiential education.
MISSION
Based on the precepts of Torah (study), Avodah (worship) and Gemilut Hasidim (acts of loving kindness), we aim for our learners and their families – now and in the future – to make the following commitments:
Know Judaism. Each learner will have knowledge of Shabbat, Jewish holidays, Torah, rituals, life cycle events, history, Israel, menschlichkeit, prayer and prayerbook Hebrew.
Do Jewish rituals, acts and behaviors. Each learner will be able to make Jewish choices in their daily lives and will engage as full participants in the Jewish tradition.
Believe in Jewish values, and engage in a relationship with God.
Belong to the Jewish community in an active and participatory way.
ABOUT US
Special Learning Needs
In the Congregational School at Park Avenue Synagogue, we work individually with each family in order to find the best learning environment for children with IEP's or other learning needs.
For more information and for inquiries, please reach out to Melissa Silverman Cohavi, Director of the Congregational School.
PARENT ASSOCIATION (CSPA)
The Congregational School Parents Association (CSPA) is dedicated to enriching the educational experience of our children and to promoting a spirit of community for Congregational School families. The CSPA supports the Congregational School by sponsoring, organizing, and volunteering at school events and by offering a communications channel between the school and families. Through programs and communications, the CSPA engages and supports parents and fosters a vibrant and welcoming school community. Above all, the CSPA encourages children and their families to develop a love and knowledge of Judaism while forging a lifelong connection to synagogue life and the broader Jewish community.
The CSPA invites all families to be active in our organization. Annual dues are $50 per family, which will appear on your invoice as part of the tuition billing process.
POLICIES
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is the basis of a successful learning and community experience. We know that the Congregational School and our families have a mutual commitment to providing the finest Jewish education possible within the framework of a supplementary school.
If your child will be absent, either for weekday class or our Shabbat Experience program, please notify us.
TUTORING
At times, there are situations when a learner cannot fully participate in the Congregational School program. These learners must have tutoring to compensate for the lost hours of the program. This tutoring must take place with a synagogue-provided tutor under the supervision of the Congregational School administration, with periodic check-ins with the Congregational School administration. The cost of this tutoring will be the responsibility of the family and will be in addition to Congregational School tuition fees.
ALLERGIES
The Congregational School strives to be a nut-sensitive community. We order and serve kosher foods without nuts as an ingredient. We do not guarantee that all machinery used to produce foods we order will be nut-free. Those affected by this allergy should bring their own snacks and each family should take personal responsibility for advocating for the safety of their children by checking to make sure the staff is aware of and responsive to individual circumstances. If a learner has a severe nut allergy, the school will send a note to the families of the other learners in that class communicating that there is a learner in their child’s class with a severe nut-allergy.
Because of kashrut and our nut-sensitive community, it is our policy that apart from snacks for allergic children, no outside food be brought into the Congregational School.
CELL PHONES
Children are not permitted to use cell phones or other personal electronics during class. Phones are available Monday through Thursday in the Congregational School office for children who need to call parents. You may always contact your child by calling the school office. Please do not call or text children when they are in class.
In keeping with the spirit of Shabbat, cell phones are prohibited during the Shabbat Experience.
DRESS CODE
While in the synagogue building, boys must wear a kippah, and girls are encouraged to wear one. Kippot are available in the school office. Your child is encouraged to keep his/her kippah with him/her or to bring a special kippah.