Adat Ari El USY, Kadima and Confirmation/Seminar Institute General Policies For all regional events and for the C/S program, we ask participants to sign a general behavioral code of conduct which outlines the expectations of our youth. These are based on both derech eretz (right conduct) and also basic legal and practical considerations. Certain behaviors fall into the category of zero-tolerance, which would result in a child being immediately removed from the program and possibly permanently dismissed. These would include but not be limited to: • Possession or use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco products or weapons• Vandalism, theft or gross property damage or disrespect • Fighting or causing physical harm to another • Sexual harassment, or any type of abuse of another • Leaving a program without permission or notifying staff in advance DRIVING We will not put our Kadimaniks into the cars of anyone under the age of 25. Because of their age, Kadimaniks will only be transported in the rear seats of vehicles, unless express permission is given for them to ride in the front and it would be permissible based on the child’s age and size. Driving in the AAE Parking lot is a privilege and a responsibility. Any USYer found to be driving in a reckless or negligent manner in the parking lot, especially if there are others in the parking lot or in the car will have their parents contacted immediately for a conference and may be told that they are not allowed to drive at AAE. We are very aware of the California driving laws regarding driving others, cell phone usage and curfews. We expect that all USYers and C/S students will observe these laws. If you will be driving and parking at AAE regularly, you may request a parking permit. Those forms are available in the Youth Department offices.KASHRUT AND FOOD ISSUES Kashrut is adhered to at all Kadima, USY and C/S events. If a program is held outside of the building, the expectation is that all efforts possible will be made to find an appropriate hecksher on any food purchased. Our Kashrut policy permits hot or cold dairy products to be purchased. All events held at private homes are expected to follow those same guidelines. If a USYer or Kadimaniks is caught purchasing or consuming non-kosher items during a program, it will be disposed of immediately. Many of our youth have food sensitivities. We make every effort possible to keep the Goodman Youth Lounge as a nut-free area. If you send food for an entire group or as a part of a pot-luck event, please make sure it is nut-free. If you are unsure about the kashrut of an item, please ask first.FORMS ALL PARTICIPANTS IN KADIMA AND USY PROGRAMS MUST HAVE A CURRENT MEDICAL AND TRANSPORTATION CONSENT FORM ON FILE WITH OUR OFFICES. This is non-negotiable. We do not keep forms from past years in our offices. Without these forms, we lack vital information that would be required in an emergency. These forms can be accessed through our website: Medical: http://bit.ly/q9FuNf Transportation Consent: http://bit.ly/rinXrf Students attending Confirmation/Seminar must have registration forms on file in order to attend class. Students may not attend class until they have been registered. If you bring a guest to an event, it is your responsibility to ensure that they are aware of this policy and that they have access to these forms. Please be sure that all forms have been signed prior to submitting them. GUESTS We are happy to welcome guests to our events. Please note the following: 1) A guest may attend up to 3 events before we ask them to become a paid chapter member. 2) We reserve the right to charge a higher price at events for guests and potential members. 3) All guests must have the required forms with them or on file with us before attending an event. 4) Guests must adhere to posted RSVP policies. We never want to turn someone away, but sometimes we have to cap an event due to space, staffing or resources. CELL PHONES We understand the cell phones have become the norm for many of our youth and their families. However, when they are used during a class or a program, they are a distraction and a detriment to the program. We also will not be held responsible for the loss of or damage to any cell phone or similar item brought to a program. Phones are to be used on as truly necessary. They are to be kept on silent or vibrate during all classes and programs. Should this policy be violated repeatedly, we will take your child’s phone and return it TO THE PARENT following the program. DRESS CODE All students and participants should be dressed in a manner appropriate for the activities at hand. We also expect our youth to adhere to a general standard of tzniut (modesty) during programs and classes as well. 1) During minyan, everyone needs to be appropriately covered. This would include shoulders and stomachs. Clothing that is similarly revealing (overly ripped, overly short) would not be appropriate. 2) All males and those females who choose are expected to wear a kipah during all C/S classes, snack, minyan, Shabbat services and as stated during regional USY or Kadima events. A hat is not a kipah. 3) Jeans (or any pants made of denim) and sweatpants (or any athletic style pants) are not appropriate for Shabbat services. We will address other dress code issues
Kadima, USY and Confirmation/Seminar events are not the proper times for a “medication holiday”, especially if that medication allows your child to function in ways that are the most beneficial to him or herself and those around them. When we go on any type of overnight event, please provide the staff with your child’s medications in the original packaging from the pharmacy along with dosage directions and a physician’s phone number. We will be glad to administer these medications in a timely and discrete manner. If your child takes medications independently at home, they may continue to do so, but all of the medications must be listed on the medical information form. We do have general first aid and minor medical supplies with us (bandages, antibiotic ointment, OTC pain, fever, cold and allergy relief) and will administer these as necessary as long as we have a signed medical form on file for your child. No child may attend a regional event without proof of medical insurance. If your medical insurance information changes during the year, we must get a copy of the new policy number, etc. All outside medical treatment is at the expense of the parent. If your child has severe allergies or asthma and carries an inhaler or epi-pen with them, please make sure that our staff are aware of this. If your child regularly needs ay other type of medical regulation (ex. Insulin), please also make sure that we are aware of that and that your child has ample supplies. Our staff all work long days and at the end of a program need to go home. We will not leave any child unattended and will stay until everyone has been picked up, however excessively late pickups will be handled as follows: All Kadima and USY programs and Confirmation/Seminar sessions end at pre-stated times. It is expected that parents will make the appropriate arrangements to pick their children up at the conclusion of the program or class session. We are sympathetic to unexpected and unavoidable delays, but late pick-ups place an unfair burden on the hardworking USY, Kadima and Confirmation/Seminar staff and faculty and more importantly on the children left waiting to be picked up after programs and classes end. There will be a 10-minute grace period following all programs and class sessions. The grace period begins at the posted end time of an event or class or the stated return time following any event where there was off-site transportation provided. After 10 minutes, there will be a late charge of $10.00 and an additional $1.00 per minute assessed for child care. You will be billed for this service through the synagogue billing department. Please do not give any fees to the staff or faculty member in charge.You will be asked to sign your child out so that we can note the correct time of pick-up. In the event of an unforeseen delay, please contact the Youth Department right away: 818-755-3488 (office) 818-687-3112 (emergency cell) or by calling your child’s phone and asking to speak to a staff person. Should you have any additional questions about these policies or their enforcement, please contact Julee Levine, Director of Youth Education and Programs, Christine Prell, Vice-President of Youth and Education, or Bari Berger Goldman, Youth Commissioner. |