Code of Conduct for Educational Activities

1. Basis for this Code of Conduct

This Temple David Congregation Inc. (Temple David) Code of Conduct policy is guided by a commitment to kavod – the basic respect due to both students and educators. We are aware that we will only achieve our educational goals if there is mutual respect and cooperation between educators and students.
Temple David provides many environments for Jewish education, for both adults and children, including:

• Temple David Religion School (TDRS)
• Introduction to Judaism classes (ITJ)
• One-on-one B’nei Mitzvah classes
• Yiddish Club
• Torah, Text and Tea

Students and educators (employed or volunteer) have the expectation that they will be working in a secure and orderly environment. All students (and their parents, in the case of TDRS) have the right to expect they will be educated in a purposeful environment.

During any of these educational activities all employed and volunteer educators are responsible for establishing and maintaining professional conduct when dealing with students. This means setting clear professional boundaries that serve to protect both teacher and students. These educational activities do not stand alone, but also contribute to Temple David’s broader goals of building a community through kavod and derech eretz (respect and treating people in the correct manner).

Temple David’s educators and students must at all times be committed to treating each other with dignity and respect, always putting Jewish values into action. Effective learning results when students, educators (and TDRS Parents) work closely together.

2. Expectations of Educators

Note: Conduct of those engaged with education of children (persons under the age of 18) must also adhere to the Temple David Child Protection Policy Educators (employed and volunteers) will, always:

• Model appropriate behaviour,
• fairly, reasonably and consistently implement this Code of Conduct,
• treat students and fellow educators with respect and dignity,
• behave in such a way as to create secure environment, without intimidation, bullying or harassment,
• aim to create a learning environment where students can fully develop their talents, interests, and ambitions,
• contribute to maintaining a safe and orderly education environment,
• establish and maintain professional conduct when dealing with students,
• maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity and promote confidence to learn.
• promote the student’s Jewish identity and love and appreciation for Jewish life and learning.
• communicate regularly with students (and parents for TDRS) and other educators concerning growth, achievement, progress and upcoming major events or assessments,
• exercise caution and sound judgement in discussing student’s or educator’s personal information, be this with other educators, Temple David Clergy, members of Temple David’s Board of Management or parents (in the case of TDRS.),
• Respect all Jewish denominations and practices (Modern Orthodox, Haredi, Hassidism, Conservative / Masorti, Reconstructionist, Sephardi etc.) or any other religious beliefs .
• There is more than one way to be Jewish, and the world is made up of many religious beliefs,
• Respect those with religious beliefs other than Judaism,
• Ensure at all times they do not discriminate against or harass students, fellow educators, Temple David Clergy, students, community members or members of the public on a number of grounds including:
• • religion,
• • gender identity,
• • sexual orientation,
• • ethnicity,
• • age, or
• • physical or intellectual impairment.
    Any such harassment or discrimination may constitute an offence under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984.
• Refrain from any physical contact of any kind with any students or with any other educator, at any time during educational activities,
• Refrain from using foul or inappropriate language and/or sexual inuendo during educational activities.

3. Expectations of Students

Students (learners) will:

• Always treat educators and fellow students with respect,
• Behave in such a way as to create secure environment where, without intimidation, bullying or harassment, where they can fully develop their talents, interests and ambitions,
• Contribute to maintaining a safe and orderly education environment,
• Attend educational activities, regularly and on time,
• Work to the best of their ability
• Not Disrupt any classes
• Have no physical contact of any kind with any other students or with any educator, at any time during educational activities.
• Refrain from using offensive or abusive language in class, or within Synagogue buildings or grounds,
• Respect all Temple David Property of any kind, and not deface or destroy any item or building (or part thereof)

4. Expectations of TDRS Parents

• Parents have a right to expect that their children will be educated in a secure environment in which care, courtesy and respect for the rights of others are encouraged and,
• Parents have an obligation to support TDRS in its efforts to maintain a positive Jewish teaching and learning environment.

Parents WILL:

• Encourage kavod (respect) for teachers and peers.
• Create positive and supportive attitudes about Judaism and Jewish learning.
• Send their children to TDRS ready to participate and learn.
• Ensure their children attend school regularly and on time.
• Keep in touch with their child’s teachers and be aware of upcoming activities and event.

5. Addressing Inappropriate Student Behaviours

By students (adult or children): a) In dealing with students, educators will display kavod (respect) for the student while providing the appropriate level of discipline for the situation, beginning with a warning level. b) The first instance of a violation of this Code of Conduct will be handled at the level between the educator and the student(s) involved when possible, and in consultation with President and Rabbi of Temple David.
c) Subsequent violations will be handled in an appropriate manner, at the educator, in consultation with the President and Rabbi of Temple David, including, but not limited to, any of the following means:

• The student being removed from the learning environment for an appropriate time period in order to help extinguish the negative behaviours or to calm down if needed,
• The educator will discuss the negative behaviours with the President and Rabbi of Temple David
• The President and Rabbi of Temple David, educator, or both, will speak with the student to address the behavioural concerns.
• If behavioural issues continue to arise, the President and Board of Temple David may officially exclude the student from participation in further educational activities at Temple David.

For TDRS Students

• The educator will arrange a conference with the parents in order to discuss the student’s behaviour,
• The President of Temple David, Rabbi and the parents, and the educator if appropriate, will develop an action plan for the student that will help improve the student’s success within the classroom. This may include:
• • temporary suspension from the TDRS when warranted (such as when a student is insubordinate, violent, extremely disruptive, or whose conduct endangers the safety or welfare of him/herself or others),
• • In extreme cases, the President of Temple David and / or the Rabbi has the right to recommend to the Temple David Board that the student be expelled from TDRS. In all education environments, including TDRS: d) In situations resulting in damage to synagogue property, the student (or their family) may be responsible for its restoration or replacement. e) Physical intervention i. In most instances, classroom management techniques are effective to maintain control. However, on rare occasion, physical intervention with a student may be required in the best interest of their welfare or the welfare of other students. ii. If physical intervention is used, or action is taken for any serious behavioural infraction, the President of Temple David will be notified immediately, as soon as the danger is passed, iii. For TDRS students, the educator will and contact with the student’s parent/guardian as soon as possible, prior to dismissal on the day of the occurrence. iv. Educators must also email the President and Rabbi of Temple David within 24 hours of a serious violation of appropriate conduct stating:
• the context and circumstances of the incident and
• an explanation as to why disciplinary action was necessary.

6. Addressing Inappropriate Behaviours by Educators – including Bullying

Temple David has zero tolerance for educators breaching this Code of Conduct, particularly if it involves bullying behaviour toward any student, child or adult. In addition to breaches of this Code of Conduct, bullying by educators can include (but is not limited to):

• Public humiliation,
• Physical punishment,
• Ostracism or the use of excessive isolation,
• Unnecessary and unconstructive put-downs,
• Intimidation or unsuitable fear mongering,
• Regularly making an example of a student in front of the class,
• Personal comments or verbal abuse that relate to:
• • looks,
• • sexuality,
• • gender,
• • disability,
• • race,
• • family background or circumstances
• Excessively strict punishment that is not appropriate for the behaviour and/or age of the child, or
• Sanctions that haven’t taken into account any special educational needs and disabilities

If you are a student or a parent of a TDRS student and you believe that you or your child has been bullied by an educator, or that the person conducting the class has acted in contravention of this Code of Conduct

1) Document exactly what occurred, as soon as possible after the incident, including:

• Educator who you believed acted inappropriately and/or bullied you or your child,
• Date, Time and Location of the incident
• Details of the behaviour you believe to be bullying or in contravention of this Code of Conduct. 2) Email or call the Rabbi and President of Temple David Congregation Inc. to organise a time to discuss the alleged bullying incident 3) On receipt of any notification of alleged breach of this Code of Conduct by an Educator, the President and Rabbi of Temple David will:
  a)Separately, meet with the Parents and Students of the parties (the child who has been bullied, and the alleged bully) to discuss the alleged bullying incident, including finding out:
• • Who was involved,
• • What was said and done by all parties involved,
• • What actions were taken and what was said by TDRS teachers or volunteers,
• • What the parent and child wish to see as the outcome of this process. b) Consider all evidence put forward by all parties, c) Propose a resolution to the alleged bullying incident, which may include:
• • An apology from the bully to the child who has been bullied,
• • A discussion with the child who has ‘bullied’, and their parents, about why bullying is wrong etc.
• • If the bullied child’s property has been damaged, an agreement from the parents of the child who bullied to replace or pay for the damaged property,
• • In extreme circumstances, suspension or expulsion from TDRS.

7. Requirement to Read and Sign this Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct MUST BE SIGNED BY CURRENT AND FUTURE

• Adults Enrolled in Adult Education (ITJ, Torah, Text and Tea, Hebrew, Yiddish etc.)
• TDRS Students,
• TDRS Parents,
• TDRS Teachers
• Adult Educators,
• Rabbis engaged by Temple David Congregation

Should any individual listed above refuse to sign this code of conduct then the Board of Management has the right to exclude them from running, teaching at or attending education activities at Temple David.

You can print a copy of the Temple David Code of Conduct for Educational Activities