General Information for Parents
If your child is unwell, he/she should not attend the Heder until completely better. If he/she has had a temperature, this should be normal for 24 hours before attending Heder. Please do not let your child attend if he/she has a cold or diarrhea.Emergency Information Form
Please make sure to complete this – whether you have a child newly entering the school or one that has been attending for many years – as contact information and information about the children often changes. In the unfortunate case of an accident, the form will help us deal promptly with the situation.
Please also have a chat with your child’s teacher about anything you think the teacher should know that will help him / her make your child’s experience of cheder as positive as possible from day one.
Absences
If your child will be away for more than one week, please do let the teacher know
Security
We take security very seriously, particularly in these testing times. We have a security officer, a well-equipped and fully trained security team, and we work closely with the Community Security Trust (CST) and the local Police to ensure our children are safe when attending classes (and at all other times when our Synagogue building is in use). We expect all parents of children attending Religion School classes to know how our security policies operate in this respect - see ‘Security Duty at the Religion School’ for more information.
Parking
There is no parking on the Synagogue premises as the area in front of the Synagogue is used by the children during playtime. Parking outside the Synagogue must be on the Synagogue side of the road , even if only dropping off children, to avoid causing problems with the Synagogue’s neighbours.
Tsedakah
We collect tzedakah money every week for donation to a different charity each term that is chosen by the children. Please make sure your child has a few coins to put in the class box.
Sunday morning contact
There is a pay phone situated outside the library 020 8944 9693 which can be used to make and take calls.
Mobile Phones
Please ensure your child is aware that use of mobile phones is not allowed in class. If used, they are liable to be confiscated until the end of the morning.
Departure
All children must be collected from inside the Synagogue gates for safety reasons.
Equipment
We do not ask children to bring in writing / colouring equipment as so much gets left / forgotten every week. All they need to bring (boys must, though girls may if they wish) is a kippah which must be worn whenever the children are in the shul itself. All property should be clearly labelled. Lost property can be recovered upstairs in the Resource Centre.
Books
The cost of text books is included in the fees but a charge will be made for lost Hebrew books.
Break time
Please be aware that all pupils must go out of the building for the main break time unless it is raining, in which case a space inside will be designated for them to play. As the weather gets colder, it is vital that they come in with a coat.
Please note that the nursery playground is out of bounds to all children except those in Playshul.
Snacks
Your child will need a snack for break time. Please note that NO meat products, meat or 'tref' (unkosher) flavoured products such as prawn flavoured crisps or sweets containing gelatine (haribo) should be brought in for reasons of kashrut. Because of the risk posed to children by nut allergy, all products containing nuts are also banned from the Heder.
Assemblies
There is a 15 minute Assembly every Sunday, usually taken by the Rabbis. In addition, a longer Assembly is planned for at least twice a term – often coinciding with the celebration of festivals and designed to give the children a chance to share with you what they have been learning. You are very welcome to attend these.
Communication With Parents
The Heder Newsletter is produced half termly and is handed out to parents and left by the front entrance with other information on a Sunday morning for you to look at when you collect your child(ren). Urgent communication and reminders takes place by email so it is important that you inform Diane Barnett of any changes to your email address immediately.
Homework
Whilst homework is not usually set until the GCSE classes, it is difficult for the children to retain and build on what they have learnt without some reinforcement between weekly lessons. Some children will be bringing journals to complete at home and we do encourage them to talk to you about the topic they are studying and bring in ideas and (non-valuable) items to show in class.
Further information
Please feel free to contact Diane Barnett, the Administrator with any queries or concerns on 020 8947 8200 (Monday – Thursday 7.00 – 9.00 p.m.) or email cheder@wimshul.org