A SPECIAL NOTE TO NEW CHAT PARENTS

Congratulations - your child has started at CHAT! To help your child, ease your nerves, and calm your anxieties, the following should be helpful:

• CHAT treats its students as adults, and therefore expects them to behave as adults. Please allow them to grow, and become High School students, responsible and accountable for their actions.
• For a student to succeed, their commitment to their CHAT programme must be top priority.
• Adolescence can be an emotional roller-coaster for students. Sometimes, they can be blissfully unaware of the impact of their actions and words on others - including, normally in a front-and-centre role, their parents. Coming to High School generally coincides with the full onset of adolescence, and separating 'cause and effect' between these two major changes can sometimes be perplexing. As a parent - if things get complicated or threaten to get out of hand - allow the school to help. Understanding teenagers is our business.
• Over their High school years, your son/daughter should grow into an independent, individual, thinking young man/woman. They may develop ideas and habits that will delight you; they may develop ideas and habits that infuriate you. At such times, first think of your own teen years. Then remember that you love your children, and try and respect them and their choices.
• You have a right to expect a certain standard of education and care from CHAT. However, please respect the school and our Faculty in all of your dealings with the school. Like you, your child's welfare is our main concern.

2.1 How you can help

As a parent of a CHAT student, welcome to this new school year. CHAT is one of the leading High Schools in the Toronto area, and one of the world's leading Jewish schools. Our school is committed to giving every student the best education we possibly can, in both Jewish and General Studies. To achieve our goals, we count on your cooperation as our partners, in several vital areas. They include:

• Sharing and supporting the overall philosophy and aims of the school, and being an ambassador for CHAT in the wider community
• Supporting the Faculty and Administration in the enforcement of school rules
• Giving our Faculty feedback regarding your child's progress as you perceive it, and ensuring that the school is fully informed about any factors - medical, social, family or otherwise - that may affect your child's school life.
• Ensuring that the school office always has updated records of the names, address, and telephone numbers of students and parents, at home and, where applicable, at work.

2.2 Your first responsibility ...

The school regards the first duty of a parent as ensuring their child's attendance at school on every school day, except if there is a valid medical reason for absence or if the student has prior permission from the school to be absent

2.3 Your reward ...

Having a child at CHAT should be a tremendous experience for you as a parent. We hope that - together with your child - you will also have many opportunities to gain from the CHAT experience, and that you, too, will form a rewarding attachment to our school.

Our Jewish programme is the raison d'etre of the school.

We aim to graduate informed, educated, and, hopefully, inspired young Jewish men and women. Within the limits of teenage world-view, we take the spiritual search very seriously; and we hope that we are planting seeds for lifelong Jewish engagement. We do this in a distinctively pluralistic mode, in accordance with our mandate as the Community High School. We welcome questioning and critical dialogue, and try and encourage intellectual curiosity in every discipline. We place a high value on Ivrit, and on a commitment to Israel.

CHAT is a university preparation school, placing the highest importance on our students' academic programmes. Unless a student, supported by his or her parents, takes his/her studies seriously and conscientiously, they may not succeed at CHAT. Yet our school values extend way beyond and perhaps above the academic.

But none of the above can really be achieved unless our school community places honest, ethical and 'mentschlich' behaviour - consideration for others, decency, a willingness to share and to be part of a larger group - at the very foundation of our educational mission. And that is what we try to do.

4.1 Student's address

Please ensure that the School Office has updated records of the names, address and contact telephone numbers of students and parents.

A student's registered address must be that of his/her permanent family domicile. The school reserves the right to request documentary evidence to confirm the address of the permanent family domicile. Where a change of address involves a change of school campus, the parent must fill out the appropriate form which may be obtained from the School Office. All changes of branch are at the School's discretion, must be approved by the Director of Education, and may only be implemented at times that will cause least problems to the student's academic programme.

4.2 Registration and re-registration

4.2.1 New Students

CHAT offers places to eligible students for whom it can provide a course of study, subject to constraints of space. Registration of new students and applications to re-register existing students must be made before the closing dates. Acceptance of late applications is entirely at the school's discretion, and subject to a Late Application/Late Registration Fee.

Admission to CHAT is subject to the guidelines laid down in our recruitment literature. No new applicant is accepted at CHAT until an "Offer of a Place at CHAT" has been issued. The school may withdraw or modify an "Offer of a Place at CHAT" if incomplete or inaccurate information has been submitted at the time of registration, or if there is a material change of circumstances affecting the student at any time up to the beginning of the school year. An "Offer of a Place at CHAT" may be conditional on additional documentation or other information being provided, or on a student's end-of-year performance in Grade 8. Students may be accepted on probation, subject to satisfactory academic and/or disciplinary performance. Admission to higher grades is at the school's discretion, and applicants are assessed individually.

4.2.2 Existing students

Existing students must re-register each year, and the school reserves the right to decline re-registrations. Re-registering students must meet the pre-requisites for his/her intended courses, and must have a satisfactory attendance and disciplinary record. Re-registration may be conditional, and students may be re-registered 'on probation', subject to satisfactory academic and/or disciplinary performance.

4.2.3 Re-registration for graduates

At the discretion of the Administration, the school may allow students to re-do courses after they have completed Grade 12. Applications are considered on an individual basis, and must be approved by the Director of Education. Tuition Fees are on a 'per course' basis. In such cases, all relevant provisions of the Handbook are in force. Students in this category are considered as having already Graduated; they do not participate in Graduation exercises, and are not eligible for any prizes, awards or scholarships.

4.3 Allocation to campus

CHAT cannot guarantee students or parents that a student will be educated at the campus of his/her choice. CHAT reserves the right to assign students to either campus, or to provide courses or activities at either campus of the school, according to the needs of the school. Offers of places at CHAT will indicate the campus at which the offer is tenable, but the School reserves the right to modify that offer if there are significant changes in the circumstances of the applicant, or of the school, at any time up to the beginning of the school year, or even subsequently. The Director of Education must approve exceptions and changes.

5.1 The 'August mailing'

By the end of the third week of August, every student and his/her parent(s) registered at CHAT for the next school year (and who are in good standing with the Tuition Office) receives a comprehensive package of essential information for the coming year, including their schedule.

It is extremely important that both students and parents carefully read and note the information in the 'August mailing'. Please make time to do so!

5.2 Absence at the start of the year

A student who is absent from school for the first three days of the school year without prior consent from the school is deemed to have withdrawn his/her registration, and his/her timetable may be cancelled. A full month's tuition fees will be charged. A student absent from school for the first two days or more of the school year may only be admitted to school after an interview and parental interview with an Administrator.

STUDENTS CANNOT BE ADMITTED TO CLASS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR UNLESS PARENTS ARE IN SATISFACTORY FINANCIAL STANDING WITH THE TUITION OFFICE.

5.3 Student/Family Information Update' sheet

Commencing in 2004, each family will receive a sheet headed "Student/Family Information Update" with their August mailing. This will inform parents and students of the essential information held by the school including family information and address, emergency contacts, and medical information. (This replaces the previous 'Composite Form', which required parents to supply the information afresh each year). Parents must carefully check the information recorded. The school should be notified without delay of corrections or changes.

5.4 Additional costs and charges

During the course of the school year, especially at the beginning, parents should anticipate a number of additional expenses.

Textbooks for both General Studies and Jewish Studies need to be purchased. A General Studies booklist is circulated before the Summer vacation, and the books may be purchased at any educational bookstore. Books for Jewish Studies are sold at the school book sale in the week before school opens, according to the timetables and arrangements notified in the August mailing. For administrative convenience, several compulsory items are charged to all students with their Jewish Studies books - these include a Student Agenda/SAC card charges/locker padlock ($35), and a photocopying charge of $50. [This charge contributes to the cost of photocopied classroom material.] Parents Associations at both campuses arrange a used book sale each year in June.

Charges for compulsory school trips and other approved school charges linked to various courses and activities are notified to parents and students as they occur. The school tries to keep these to a minimum. It is difficult to give estimates, as these charges may vary enormously according to Grade, course and students' choices regarding extra-curricular activity, but overall (including books) they may amount to several hundred dollars in the course of a year.

Textbooks, calculators and the like can be extremely expensive items. Students must mark them clearly with their names, and must take care of all personal possessions.

No student at CHAT is prevented from participation in any school activity because of inability to pay. Students who have difficulty in purchasing textbooks or other essential school equipment or supplies, or who have difficulty in paying charges for activities or trips should refer in complete confidence to his/her Campus Principal or to a Guidance Counsellor.

6.1 The Board of Directors

THE PRESIDENT OF CHAT IS CURRENTLY MS. TERRI WEINTRAUB, AND THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD IS MR. ALAN APPLEBAUM.

CHAT is governed by a Board of Directors, most of whom are appointed from our current or past parent body. Each year the Board invites nominations from parents for vacancies on the Board and its sub-committees. Faculty, students and Alumni are all also represented on the Board, as are a number of Life Members.

At the time of writing, a review of School Governance, including a review of the School Constitution, has been completed and will be placed before the Board of Directors for detailed consideration in the coming school year. The Board normally meets ten times each year. An Executive Committee is drawn from the Board membership. Sub-committees of the Board include Budget and Finance, Education, Development, Personnel, Tuition, Health and Safety, and other committees struck for specific purposes.

The Board issues an Annual Report to parents and friends of the School.

6.2 School finances

CHAT's policy is to be fiscally responsible and prudent, while maintaining the very high standard of educational programme of our school. Apart from our internal budget review process (see following), we are subject to audit and review by UJA Federation, and of course by independent auditors.

In the school year 2004-5, CHAT's budget will be over $18,000,000. Our Budget and Finance Committee, chaired by the Treasurer, oversee all financial affairs of the school. Most of our operating income (94%) derives from tuition fees. Each year we receive a substantial grant from UJA Federation, covering the fees of students who receive tuition assistance, and helping with the cost of various specific educational and special needs.

6.3 Development office

Our Development Office raises funds for building, capital needs, and special programmes.

As parents will know, the school raised a considerable capital sum to finance the improvements at our Tanenbaum Campus. CHAT's current Capital Appeal aims at securing the long-term future of the school, relocating our current Richmond Hill branch to the 'Jewish Toronto Tomorrow' Jewish Community's Vaughan Region Campus, completing improvements to our Tanenbaum Campus, and laying the foundations for ongoing endowment funding.

6.4 Determining the tuition fee

Each year the Budget and Finance Committee, together with School Administration, draws up the Budget for the coming year. This process usually begins in February. The budget is exhaustively reviewed by the Committee and then independently by the Executive Committee. On the basis of these forecasts, the Tuition Fee for the coming year is recommended to the Board. The Board has to approve the Fee, normally at its March or April meeting. The Budget also has to meet the oversight approval of the Board of Jewish Education of UJA Federation.

6.5 How your tuition dollar is spent (see our 'Annual Report' for exact figures):

6.6 Tuition assistance

Tuition assistance is granted according to the guidelines laid down by the Board of Jewish Education of UJA Federation for all Jewish Schools in the Greater Toronto area. The process is completely confidential, and entirely separate from the academic administration of the school. We believe that no student should ever be prevented from attending CHAT because of financial reasons.

7.1 The School Administration

CHAT is one school, providing access to Jewish High School education to the Greater Toronto Jewish Community at two parallel locations. The Anne and Max Tanenbaum Education Centre ('CHAT TC' - Tanenbaum Campus) on Wilmington Avenue in Toronto, serves the central and southern community, and CHAT Richmond Hill Campus ('CHAT RH') serves the northern community.

7.2 Staff List 2004-5

A full CHAT Staff List is circulated with the August mailing. Further copies are available from the school.

7.3 Guidance

The Guidance Department offers a full range of academic and personal guidance and counselling. CHAT has a very large Guidance Department, indicative of our investment in individual students, and our awareness of the complexity of life at CHAT. Guidance counsellors also give University, College and career advice, and advise on post-school study programmes in Israel. A full account of the services available from Guidance may be found in the CHAT Course Calendar.

Guidance Counsellors are available and accessible to students and parents. In many cases, it is the appropriate 'first address' for parents who feel that their son/daughter is having difficulties at school; and it is certainly the first address for parents to advise the school of family, emotional or medical issues of which the school should be aware. Guidance can be instrumental in discreetly arranging special considerations and arrangements in school for students under stress.

The school works with Jewish Family and Child Services ('J F & C S'), with Jewish Vocational Services ('JVS'), and with other statutory and community agencies where necessary.

7.4 Extra help

A feature of CHAT is the regularly scheduled 'extra help period', during fourth lesson every Wednesday. This alternates between Jewish and General Studies, and is an opportunity for teachers to offer extra help to groups or individuals. A teacher may require a student to attend. In addition, our faculty are frequently available during lunchtimes to help students with particular problems.

We are also very proud of our 'peer tutoring' scheme, where students offer each other help, usually during lunch recess. Details from the Guidance Counsellors.

7.5 Remediation

The Remediation Department offers students support in all subjects. Referral is through a teacher, Administration or Guidance. Where necessary, our Remediation department also arranges special allowances and conditions during tests and examinations for individual students.

8.1 Student health

It is extremely important that parents share with the school information regarding their childrens' health. A confidential note or call to School Administration or to a Guidance Counsellor is all that is needed. If necessary, the school will make appropriate special arrangements for the student. If students are to be absent from school for medical reasons for any length of time, please contact a Guidance Counsellor at the earliest opportunity.

Every parent is asked to supply medical information on entry to the school. The annual 'Student/Family Information Update' asks parents to confirm medical information held by the school, and in some cases parents may be asked for further clarification.

Students taking Phys. Ed. need certification from a doctor that they are fit to do the course.

We very strongly recommend that students with any ongoing medical condition should wear a MedicAlert bracelet, (obtainable via www.medicalert.ca) which enables essential information to be available quickly to medical personnel in any emergency

8.2 Environmental health and safety

In general, the school monitors the environmental health and safety of the building through the joint Health and Safety Committee of the Board and the staff. As a school, we are also subject to periodic inspections by the statutory authorities, including the City of Toronto and the Fire Service. Parental concerns or comments should be directed to the School CFO/Executive Director, the York Municipality, Ms. Rhona Birenbaum.

9.1 Security and safety

The safety and security of the school is our first priority.

Safety and security routines are outlined at the beginning of the Handbook. In addition to the video monitoring system referred to, the school has recently installed a number of other safety and security measures at both campuses. We continue to consult and liaise with appropriate agencies.

9.2 Student behaviour code

The standards of behaviour required of all students and the procedures and expectations that are followed in the day to day operation of the school are set out in the first part of this booklet.

9.3 Evenings, weekends, drugs, parties, alcohol and similar issues

Parents have to be aware of the prevalence of substance abuse among teenagers - certainly including our own Jewish Community. Every year, the school runs a number of programmes, both teacher-led and peer-led, to educate our students about substance abuse. We are extremely conscientious about this, but are also aware that school based programmes can have only limited impact. Teenagers can agree with what is said to them in a classroom on a Tuesday morning, but may act very differently in the excitement of a party on a Saturday night, in an informal setting under strong peer pressure.

• We are increasingly concerned and aware of an apparently rising wave of alcohol consumption and abuse - especially among lower Grades (9 and 10). In some cases, parents have served alcohol to their children and their friends - for example, in 'pre-parties' before school dances and other school events - knowing that students are under-age, and knowing that they are then getting into cars to go to the event. Our concern -and experience - with early-teen alcohol abuse has led us to limit the Grad dance to Grade 12 students only.

The school's attitude to drugs and alcohol is clear - both are absolutely forbidden on school premises, in the vicinity of the school, or at school events. We take the strongest measures against students who transgress these rules, including involving the police. Under Canadian law, schools have extensive powers of search of lockers and possessions, which we exercise without warning.

However, the school cannot be responsible for what happens out of school hours, away from the school, or in private homes. That is a parental responsibility.

9.3.1 Parties - as hosts and as guests

There are a few simple guidelines that parents should observe:

1. Never allow your sons or daughters to have an unsupervised party. If a party is going on, the adult supervision should be present in or near the "action", and not absent in some other part of the house. Make clear to your children the standards of behaviour that you expect.
2. If your children are invited to a party or event at someone else's house - including pre-Prom parties, and Grad events, but also at any time during the year -call the host parents beforehand and satisfy yourself about the supervision and safety. Ask if adults will be present, and ask whether alcohol will be served. If you are not satisfied with the answers - don't allow your child to attend. (You may be unpopular with your child, but you will have a better sense of their safety, and you also will have sent a message to the community.)
3. If you are going out-of-town, do not leave teenagers at home by themselves. Another fully responsible adult must be in the house. If your children are staying elsewhere while you are out-of-town, and they have access to your house, make it clear to them that they cannot and must not invite others into the house in your absence.

9.3.2 Things to look out for

Be concerned regarding changes in your son's/daughter's behaviour, moods and school performance that go beyond the normal "roller-coaster" of adolescence.

The following questions may also point to other warning signs:

• is your son/daughter spending more and more time out of the house at odd times?
• is your son / daughter receiving phone calls from unidentified callers?
• do their clothes show any signs or odours associated with alcohol or drugs or smoking - or signs of any attempt to hide those odours?
• are they always avoiding you when they return from an evening out?
• have you discovered any unexplained, possibly substance-associated objects in their room or around the house (including the garage)?
• do they seem to need (or, alternatively, possess) more money than previously?

Should parents wish to have further discussions with the school on substance abuse issues, please contact our Guidance Department.

A useful resource for parents is the Toronto-based 'Parent Action on Drugs' website, now covering parent and teen concerns around drugs, alcohol and tobacco, at:

http://www.parentactionondrugs.org

9.3.3 Legal responsibility

If a party takes place at a private home, and a person attending leaves with their faculties impaired through, for example, drugs or alcohol, and is then involved in an accident, the owner of the premises(including a private house) may be held responsible at law ("social host liability"). There may be a duty to prevent such a person leaving the premises. We strongly advise parents to be aware of this potential liability.

9.3.4 Grad Banquet/Prom

The Grad Banquet and dance following (held at the end of the school year) is only open to Grade 12 students and their approved guests.

The school would like to make it clear that the only year-end events under school supervision are the Grad Banquet/Dance, beginning at 6:00PM and ending at 11:30 PM. The school has neither control, supervision nor responsibility for events before the Banquet, at private houses or elsewhere, nor for further events and celebrations after the Banquet/Dance is finished, nor for any events involving other grades.

Parents hosting 'pre-Banquet' parties are strongly advised and requested by the school not to serve any alcoholic drinks. (See the preceding section - 'Legal Responsibility').

Every parent must inform themselves of their son's/daughter's plans for that evening, and satisfy themselves that he/she is doing nothing that will endanger his/her personal safety, or the safety of others, and that he/she will be acting in a responsible manner.

CHAT students are covered by a student accident insurance policy during the school day, supplementing provincial and private health insurance. This covers injuries sustained while participating in school activities. The benefits associated with the blanket plan include coverage while students are travelling to and from school, and while they are participating in supervised school trips and sporting events. Parents wanting more extensive coverage, either year-round or 24 hours a day on school days, may wish to purchase additional insurance. Applications for the Voluntary Plan are available in the school office.

Benefits are payable as long as the student is treated by a physician or dentist within 30 days of the injury. All enquiries regarding insurance should be addressed to Rhona Birenbaum, CFO/Executive Director.

Benefits payable for dental are the excess of expenses payable or insured under any other dental plan or policy. If the student is entitled to reimbursement benefits from any other insurer or plan, the benefits payable under this policy shall be coordinated so that the total benefits from all insurers or plans shall not exceed the actual loss incurred.

11.1 Attendance and absence - basics for parents

The school rules regarding attendance are set out in the first part of this booklet. Ensuring attendance is the first and most basic duty of a CHAT parent. We would remind parents of the following:

• A parent cannot, on their own judgment, give a student permission to miss school. Encouraging your child to leave school because they 'feel like it' is disrespectful and unfair to our teaching faculty and to the school, and ultimately damaging to the students' education. In such cases our Faculty are under no obligation to provide remediation or to make up assignments or missed work. The school reserves the right to ask for documentation regarding absences. In case of emergency, parents should contact the Attendance Office or the Administration. Academic studies are a priority at CHAT.
• We do not expect parents to 'cover' for students who skip.
• All school activities and programmes which may take place during the school day are part of the education CHAT provides, and we expect students to be present for them. We do not expect parents to call school at their child's request to try and enable a student to skip a school activity.
• Parents are asked to try and schedule non-urgent appointments for times that do not conflict with lessons or school programmes.
• The school will not generally accept telephone requests for students to 'sign out', except in emergencies.
• Whatever the reason for absence, it is a student's responsibility to make up work for all classes missed.

11.2 The school day

CHAT has four 'regular' daily timetables:

Students must be at school by 8:25AM, and in class at 8:30AM.

11.3 Timetables and course changes

Student timetables are distributed to all students with their August mailing, with the exception of students who still have outstanding Community Service hours from the previous year, or where Parents are not in good standing with the Tuition Office. Students having legitimate reasons to request a change of course may do so on the designated day of their grade Book Sale, the week before school opens. Changing a student's allocated course is entirely at the school's discretion. We regard learning to be adaptable and flexible as an integral part of high school experience. Parents are asked to exercise their own judgement, and not to encourage their children to make capricious requests for changes.

The school 'Intranet' - EDLINE - is available at these links: Tanenbaum Campus or Richmond Hill Campus

12.1 On-going contact

CHAT sees parent-teacher contact as an important part of our educational process and philosophy. Teachers may call parents at any time that they have concerns (or compliments!), and parents may contact teachers by leaving a message at the school office. Both are important, and both should be helpful and constructive.

In addition, Guidance staff are always available to speak to parents, and further enquiries may be directed to Administration.

12.2 Progress reports

Teachers may mail CHAT progress reports - either a 'Complimentary Report to Parents' or a 'Special Report to Parents', indicating concern. These are important documents, which are also monitored by the school and copies are kept in each student's school record. We encourage parents to discuss these ongoing reports with their children, and, if appropriate, with the originating teacher.

12.3 Report cards

Three Report Cards are issued each year - in the second week of November (Interim Report), in February, and in the first week of July. As part of our transition programme for incoming Grade 9 students, a progress report on students' adjustment to High School is issued in October of each year.

The Report Card marking system is as follows:

12.4 Curriculum night

Each year CHAT holds a 'Curriculum Night' at the beginning of the school year. This is designed to familiarize parents with their son/daughter's course of study, their teachers, and - in a rudimentary way - with their timetable. Over the course of an evening parents follow a typical day's classes, according to individually-issued timetables. At each 'class' the teacher briefly explains the course and the curriculum to be followed. Curriculum night is lot of fun, and, more importantly, is very informative for parents. Please note that Curriculum night is not an occasion where teachers can address individual concerns.

12.5 Parent-teacher interviews

Parent-teacher interview opportunities are given twice a year, normally in December and March. They are timed to be convenient to parents who work, and are an opportunity for parents to meet with each of their son's/daugh-ter's teachers for two-way discussion and feedback regarding progress and, if necessary, concerns. It is a valuable opportunity for brief, but important consultation. Parents should make every effort to attend. If possible, they should come prepared, and discuss beforehand with their son/daughter any issues that are likely to come up.

Appropriate and timely communications on an ongoing basis between teachers and parents - in both directions - should ensure that parent-teacher interviews do not contain surprises for either party, but constitute stages in a step-by-step deepening of understanding.

The Parents' Association serves as an advisory group to the Administration, and also publishes the Parents' Association newsletter from time to time. There are separate groups for each campus. Parents who would like to volunteer to help with PA activities are invited to contact the school Development Office.

The CHAT Alumni association is very anxious to keep an up to date register/mailing list of all of our graduates, and is always happy to hear of 'Naches News' for publication in the "Chatter" - our occasional newsletter. All Alumni are invited to re-register at www.chatalumni.org. The Alumni Association may be contacted through the Development Office at 416-636-5984 x 350.

CHAT has ambitious and exciting plans for the future. Our Development Office is instrumental in enabling us to realize our dreams and ambitions for CHAT - including relocating our Richmond Hill Campus to the new 'Jewish Toronto Tomorrow' Vaughan Region Campus and further systematic improvement and upgrading of the Tanenbaum Campus. Our Director of Development (located at Tanenbaum Campus) will be happy to hear from any parents who are willing to help.

For information about giving opportunities at CHAT please call Jerry Tollinsky, the Director of Development at 416-636-5984 x 230.

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