JCDS-RI Policy Committee
Overview 2005-2006

Introduction

The JCDS-RI Policy Committee has been working together to formulate a draft of policies for our school. According to the JCDS-RI By-Laws, the Policy Committee is a Sub-Committee of the Strategic Planning Committee. The By-Laws also state that “the School Policy Sub-Committee shall be responsible for addressing and shaping, in concert with the Head of School, school policy and priorities.”

We have a very knowledgeable and diverse group which includes representatives of various denominations and geographical areas. Our discussions have been informative, respectful, challenging, and productive. We have struggled to balance personal convictions with the best interests of our community school; the ideal with the pragmatic; existing models with the specific needs of our community; and stability with change. We seek not only to produce sensible policy that is most acceptable to the wide variety of stakeholders in our school, but also to nurture community bonds through our continued and sustained dialogue.

Since November of 2005, our committee focused on policies for kippot, admissions, kashrut, Shabbat, and dress code. We put a lot of time and thought into our work. We sought feedback from the parents, staff, students, and the community. Our committee met in May to go over the comments and integrate them into a Policy document. That document was presented a week later to the JCDS Board. After reviewing and discussing the policies, the Board approved the Policy document.

I want to thank the members of the Policy Committee for their time and effort. I'd also like to thank the parents, staff, students, and the community for their feedback. I look forward to a joint effort in the spirit of Klal Yisrael as we continue to build our school and our community.

Thank you,

Vicky Bharier, Chair of the Policy Committee
Bharier@aol.com