Shalom! Below are some commonly asked questions about our Religious School program in 2023-2024. Have more questions? We welcome you to contact us!
Enrollment
Cost
Attendance
Inclusion and Community
Online "Sunday" School
Are the classes synchronous or asynchronous?
ANSWERS:
Yes. Membership at Temple Beth Shalom is part of the school enrollment process for our K-12 learning programs. Taste of Religious School (potty trained 4-5 year olds) is the only offering to non-members, if space allows.
We warmly welcome everyone to attend a worship service or special program to experience what our congregation has to offer. To learn more, please contact our Director of Member Engagement at 512-735-8900 or via this form.
It’s never too early! Our program is designed with a spiraled curriculum that formally begins in kindergarten and continues through 12th grade. Our teens also have the opportunity to become leaders in the classroom through our Hadracha program.
We understand that every family’s needs are different, and we will work with all of our students to make sure they can participate in the learning whenever they are able to start. Families planning on B'nai Mitzvah must plan to start no later than fifth grade.
Formal Hebrew studies begin in 3rd grade and go through 7th grade. If you would like to discuss alternative Hebrew learning plans, such as private tutoring, please contact Jordan Magidson.
We offer classes at various times through out the week. Members can find the calendar and schedule here.
It's a two-step process:
First, Membership (Step 1): At Temple Beth Shalom, we believe the most important thing is to be a part of our community. We all show and reaffirm this commitment yearly by renewing our membership. Membership Renewal will open July 5, and can be found in your Member Portal. Prospective members, contact us for information about how to join!
Next, K-12 Registration (Step 2): Once you renew your membership, log into your online member portal to begin the enrollment process. The enrollment form allows you to pick specific sessions for Sunday and Hebrew, share important information about your child(ren), request friends and sign up for additional programs, like our music opportunities. This second step is essential to ensure that your child(ren) is in your preferred session.
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Session 1
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Session 2
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Classes offered: ToRS-5th grade
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Classes offered: K-7th
(6th and 7th grade classes are only offered in Session 2)
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Class Times:
All classes start at 8:45 a.m.
K-2nd grade classes end at 10:30 a.m. 3rd-5th grade classes end at 10:45 a.m.
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Class Times:
All classes meet from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
K-2nd grade meets in a one-room schoolhouse model (with sufficient student enrollment).
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Curriculum:
All students are in grade-specific classes and follow a modified spiral curriculum (meaning they cover the same subjects every several years at increasingly sophisticated levels). For more information about what your children will be learning specifically, you can visit our curriculum pages.
Unlike Session 2, no alternative tracks are offered for 3rd-5th grade.
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Curriculum:
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Pre-Kindergarten - 2nd Grade: Please select ONE Sunday School Option–either first session, in which students are grouped by grade or second session, in which students meet all together in a one-room schoolhouse model. (Please note that we will need sufficient student enrollment to hold the second session one-room schoolhouse. We will confirm enrollment in second session by August 21.)
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1st & 2nd Grade can alternatively choose an online option through our partners, URJ and Shalom Learning.
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2nd Grade will also have the option of adding Kids’ Choir to their enrollment.
3rd- 5th Grade: Please select ONE Sunday option (first session or second session) and ONE Hebrew option.
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You can alternatively choose an online option through our partners, the URJ and Shalom Learning.
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If interested, 3rd-5th graders have the option of adding Kids' Choir to your enrollment.
6th & 7th Grade: Please select Session 2 as your Sunday option and ONE Hebrew option.
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6th grade can alternatively choose an online option through our partners, the URJ and Shalom Learning.
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If interested, 6th & 7th graders have the option of adding Kids' Choir to your enrollment.
I see that that Sunday School and Hebrew school have separate enrollments and fees. Which enrollment is required for my child to have a b’nai mitzvah?
The requirement for b’nai mitzvah is to be enrolled in Sunday school. Sunday school provides students the opportunity to learn about all the things they need to know to be competent and confident Jewish adults—things like holidays, the Torah stories, and the land of Israel. It also allows more time for creating community and getting to know the other children in their class.
While students will need to learn Hebrew to have their b’nai mitzvah, there are different ways that can happen. One of those ways is to enroll in Hebrew school classes at Temple Beth Shalom. We think it’s great to send your children to both Sunday and Hebrew classes at the temple because it does continue the community building that is happening in Sunday classes, but we also know that Hebrew classes often don’t meet our students’ needs for various reasons: Hebrew school classes can conflict with other activities, it’s hard to get to the temple on a weekday afternoon, students are tired after a long day of school, or there are learning challenges that make it difficult to learn in a large classroom atmosphere. With that in mind, families may choose to hire a Hebrew tutor instead of enrolling in Hebrew classes—which allows for a personalized experience.
Sunday School, Hebrew School and B'nai Mitzvah fees are paid during Member Renewal/New Member signup. There are some additional fees that will be collected when you fill out the Religious School enrollment form.
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Taste of Religious School (4 & 5 year olds), Sunday in-person
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$180 member/$375 member
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Kindergarten-5th Grade & 7th Grade, Sunday in-person
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$385*
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3rd-5th Grade Omanut (art), Sunday
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$385* +$185 Supply fee paid during enrollment process
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3rd-5th Grade Teva (nature), Sunday
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$385*
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6th Grade, Sunday
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$385* + $700 B'nai Mitzvah Fee
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8th-12th Grade, Sunday
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$285
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3rd-7th Grade Hebrew, Sunday and midweek
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$315**
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1st-5th Grade, Online
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$385 + $50 fee paid during the enrollment process
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6th Grade, Online
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$385* + $700 B'nai Mitzvah fee+ $50 fee paid during enrollment process
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*K-7th grade Sunday school tuition will increase to $595 beginning August 21. In order to receive the original Sunday School fee ($385), please fill out your Member Renewal/New Member signup between July 5-August 20.
*Hebrew School tuition will increase to $450 beginning August 21. In order to receive the original Hebrew School fee ($315), please fill out your Member Renewal/New Member signup between July 5-August 20.
Temple Beth Shalom believes it is the responsibility of the entire community to educate our youth. Your portion of the Religious School fees covers approximately 50% of the costs for running a program that meets our community goals and expectations. Because of inflation and rising costs, in order to continue to maintain the percentage of our budget that fees cover, it is necessary to add a Hebrew School fee.
The B'nai Mitzvah fee is assessed in the 6th grade year because this is when the B’nai Mitzvah process begins in earnest. This includes students receiving their B'nai Mitzvah binder and meetings with staff and clergy and special B'nai Mitzvah Cohort meetings.
Yes! In order to stay on track, we require 70% attendance for those students who are in the B’nai Mitzvah process, beginning in 5th grade. The students who participate in our B’nai Mitzvah program are preparing to become active participants in Jewish life, and attending Religious School teaches them the skills necessary to make that happen.
We understand that many of our students have sports, enrichments, and other commitments. In partnership with you, we do our best to keep your student on track.
No. We do not have the resources to offer multi-access classes. If your child(ren) cannot make it to an in-person class, they will be marked absent. Please reach out to your child(ren)'s teacher to see if there are any materials so your child’s learning can stay on track.
Please check your email for the latest information about Religious and Hebrew School. Communications will come from the Religious School Bulletin and from your child(ren)'s teachers. In case of emergencies and school closures, the Religious School will use the Remind texting service to share this information immediately.
We welcome all interfaith families!
We are committed to the inclusivity of all of our exceptional learners. When parents partner with us and share all relevant information, we increase the likelihood of successful outcomes. Our goals are to inspire a love of Judaism through celebration, tradition, customs, community, and fun. Our team will work with you and your child(ren) to meet the goals established.
We hope so! The sooner you complete your registration, the more likely we can help. If you fill out your enrollment form prior to August 20, we will ensure your child is with at least one of their friends.
Some students feel more comfortable and look forward to coming to Religious School when there is a familiar face in the room, especially when the class meets much less frequently than their full-time school. We do our best to accommodate friend requests, and we also take other factors into consideration.
Kehillah (community) is an important part of belonging to a temple, and we want to help everyone make a connection. Here are some ways we can partner in helping create a strong kehillah.
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Send students to Sunday school regularly. It’s hard for students to remember who their classmates and teachers are when they don’t come regularly.
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Sign your kids up for our Kids’ Night Out and our different Shabbatonim (overnights)! It’s a great way for kids to spend more time together in a fun and social environment.
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Attend our Parent Schmoozes throughout the year. Check the Religious School calendar for dates of these schmoozes.
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Join us for Shabbat services and Family Holiday Programs like our 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah program, Chanukah party, or Purim carnival.
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Volunteer to be a Room Parent/Class Connector and organize a class meetup after Sunday school.
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Join us for our first ever Family Mitzvahpalooza. Check our Religious School calendar for the date.
Yes! We partner with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) to provide our families access to online “Sunday School” (Judaic classes). Shalom LinkED is an online Jewish values and Hebrew learning option for students in 1st-6th grade.
Each student will register with the Temple Beth Shalom education program and pay all Temple Beth Shalom fees. You will receive an email confirming registration with Shalom LinkED, followed by a message with permission forms, class information, and zoom links for the class.
What is the cost?
Families pay the registration fees to Temple Beth Shalom. There is an additional $50 cost that families will pay during the enrollment form. This will not be included in your tuition/SMC payment plan, and will need a separate payment plan or be paid in full.
What is the cost?
Families pay the registration fees to Temple Beth Shalom. There is an additional $50 cost that families will pay during the enrollment form. This will not be included in your tuition/SMC payment plan, and will need a separate payment plan or be paid in full.
Shalom LinkED classes for students in grades 1 and 2 will meet for 45 minutes as follows (all times listed are Central time):
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Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
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Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.
Shalom LinkED classes for students in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 will meet for 60 minutes as follows (all times listed are Central time):
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Sundays at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
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Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
Classes will be synchronous and engaging, with a ShalomLearning-trained teacher facilitating.
All sessions will be recorded. A family can ask the teacher for a link to watch a recording within seven days of the missed class. Each family will sign a recording waiver prior to the start of the program.
ShalomLearning will hire, train and supervise teachers for this program. Teachers will be trained to facilitate students' interactions with each other and the material using various teaching methods and tools designed to engage online learners. Teachers are hired for the full year.
ShalomLearning's innovative Jewish values curriculum provides students with meaningful Jewish learning that they can apply to real-life situations now and as they grow into adulthood.
There is so much to learn! As long as students are engaging with rich Jewish content that relates to their lives, it is valuable Jewish learning. However, your family may want to consider the differences in the curriculum. The congregation’s education leaders will be happy to discuss any content overlap and differences so that parents can make an informed decision.
The deadline to enroll students is September 16, 2023. Students will enroll for the full year. Late enrollment will be accepted as space allows.
Nurturing relationships is one of the strengths of our congregation. Your family and student will continue to be important to our community and will be included in all school communication and events. Additionally, students and families participating in our online option are strongly encouraged to:
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Attend Shabbat services
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Attend Temple Beth Shalom holiday celebrations like our 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah Family program (of course in addition to High Holy Days services), our Chanukah celebration and Purim Carnival.
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Participate in our Mitzvahpalooza Day of Service Family event.
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Send your child(ren) to Kids’ Night Out events held throughout the year.
Maybe. Switching to in-person classes in the middle of the year will be dependent on having a full teaching staff.
Mon, April 29 2024 21 Nisan 5784