High School Family Handbook
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| Role | Name / Contact |
|---|---|
| Educational Administration | |
| Head of School | Rabbi Dr. Gavriel Brown |
| General Studies Principal, 9–12 (CYHSB & GMSG) | Whitney Kennon |
| Mechanchim (CYHSB) | Rabbis Grunwald, Gelb, Gersten |
| Contact | |
| Main Office | (901) 682-2400 |
| Upper School Office (Boys & Girls HS) | hsadmin@mhafyos.org |
| Girls HS Office | (901) 682-2400 ext. 233 — Sara Plotitsa |
| Front Desk | (901) 682-2400 ext. 221 — Amanda |
The standard email format for all staff is firstname.lastname@mhafyos.org — e.g., gavriel.brown@mhafyos.org.
The fulfillment of our mission demands that we provide Jewish youth with a full curriculum of religious and general studies, as well as an array of engaging and challenging extracurricular activities that will prepare them for their futures. This handbook is designed to give you a better understanding of the policies necessary to make our school a safe, healthy, and productive learning environment.
Each of our students is expected to be a ben or bat Torah at all times. Becoming a ben or bat Torah requires commitment to two Torah foundations — ve'ahavta le'reacha kamocha (loving one's fellow) and kedusha (sanctity).
Courtesy and respect are prerequisites for learning. Our school aims to develop a sense of community within all of Am Yisrael and a first step in this direction is building a community within our school. Every student is responsible to make sure that every other student and staff member is having a positive, productive, and rewarding school experience.
IKARR is a Hebrew word meaning "the most important thing." The term has been adapted to represent the core CYHSB/GMSG CYOS values of Integrity, Kindness, Academics, Responsibility and Respect. The IKARR chart is posted around the school and in every classroom. Every member of the school will be asked to sign a document committing to live up to these values.
CYOS uses a Responsibility Centered Discipline system in which teachers and administration work with students to help them assume responsibility to generate solutions and move forward positively. However, there are times when disciplinary actions are required.
Actions may include, but are not limited to:
Enrolling your children in CYOS is a commitment for your children to attend all of their classes. Much of a school's and student's success can be attributed to faithful attendance. Other than illness, all absences must be approved in advance with the administration — in general, 48 hours' notice is required. Students should also alert their teachers as far in advance as possible.
Parents are allowed two discretionary days per semester to keep children out of school for almost any reason, provided there is not a pressing reason why the absence cannot be excused. Discretionary days require advance notice and approval. For Seniors, pre-approved college visits will not accrue towards the absence limit.
Students who are absent more than 8 times from a five-day-a-week class (or 6 times from a block class) per semester will:
A parent conference will also be arranged. Three points per absence will be deducted from the quarter grade for each additional absence. Students absent more than 12 times a semester face further consequences and may repeat the class in summer. School-sponsored events (Model UN, meetings with administrators) are not considered absences.
Absences not approved by the school will be subject to disciplinary action. Three points will be deducted from the quarter grade for each unexcused absence, and any class work, quizzes, or tests missed may be taken for a maximum of 50% credit at the discretion of the school. Students who cut classes may be subject to further disciplinary action.
Days absent due to disciplinary suspension are also considered unexcused absences. Three points are deducted from the student's quarter grade for each instance of suspension. This penalty is waived if the suspension causes the student to miss a significant test; missed tests may be taken but only for a maximum of 50% credit.
NCSY: Students attending NCSY Shabbatons must obtain permission from the school. Students who are not doing well in their studies will usually not be permitted to be absent to attend NCSY Shabbatons.
In the event of an unplanned absence, parents must call or email the office by 9:00 AM: hsadmin@mhafyos.org. If a student is running a fever, they should not be sent to school. Any contagious illness should be reported so other parents can take precautions.
Students who are not in school by 9:15 AM due to illness will not be able to participate in any extracurricular activities that day.
If a student becomes ill during the school day, parents will be notified. It is critical that each parent supplies the school with a telephone number where a parent can be reached during the day. Emergency numbers should be kept current.
Parents must notify an administrator in writing, email, or phone by the start of the school day if a student needs to leave early: hsadmin@mhafyos.org. Students must sign out in the school office. Please schedule medical and dental appointments during non-school hours whenever possible. Failure to notify the school will result in the absence being considered unexcused.
It is the student's responsibility to arrange with teachers for make-up assignments and tests. Students are also responsible for all work that was missed. Students who miss school for one day should be prepared to take all exams that were scheduled for that day and must schedule makeup exams within a week of their return.
If a quiz was given on material covered during the absence, the student will be given a day to catch up and take the quiz the following day. A student ill for more than one day will work with teachers to arrange a reasonable period — generally one day of make-up time for each day missed, not to exceed one week.
School begins at 7:45. Students arriving after 7:50 are marked late. After 8:00 → lunch detention. After 8:10 → after-school detention (30–60 min). Students more than 15 minutes late will be marked absent unexcused. Accumulating more than 7 tardies in a quarter results in an "N" in Tefila.
Tefila begins at 8:00. Students arriving past 8:02 are marked tardy. Past 8:10 → marked unexcused. Students arriving after tefila may receive after-school detention. More than 7 tardies in a quarter results in an "N" in Tefila.
Students with ongoing tardiness issues will receive a separate behavior contract that may include evening detention, Sunday detentions, loss of privileges, and even suspensions. An "N" on the report card will also prevent the student from attaining honor roll and Feinstone Scholar status.
All students must be in their seats and prepared when each class begins. Beginning with the third tardy, one point will be deducted from the quarter average for every tardy thereafter. A student more than fifteen minutes late will be marked absent unexcused.
The school makes an independent decision regarding closing due to inclement weather or hazardous driving conditions. If the administration determines roads are safe, there will be school; if necessary, we will open late. In the event the campus cannot open, classes may take place over Zoom. Please check your email for plans. If the roads in your neighborhood seem hazardous, please do not put your life or your child's life in danger.
Parents and visitors are asked to confine their business to the front office and not go into the classroom wings or the lunchroom without first signing in and receiving a visitor's pass from the receptionist.
Visitors may observe classes by calling the school office and scheduling an appointment in advance. Visitors must check in with the office upon arrival to obtain a Visitor's Badge. When visiting classes, visitors are requested not to engage students or teachers in conversation.
Students rent their books from the school. Each book will be numbered and a record kept of books issued. Students who do not return books at year-end will be charged replacement cost. Students who lose or damage a textbook will be billed accordingly. A student who writes in a textbook will have to purchase it.
A supply list is distributed at the end of each year and posted on the website. Students are responsible for all their own supplies — binders, notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, pocket dictionaries, index cards, etc. Tzitzit are available for purchase in the school office. Students who arrive to class without proper materials will be asked to retrieve them and will be marked late.
All students will be assigned a locker. Nothing may be affixed to the outside of the locker. Inappropriate pictures and items may not be hung inside lockers. Administrators reserve the right to search student lockers and backpacks.
Cell phones must be turned in to the office upon arrival at school. In the GMSG they go in the cell phone container in Mrs. Plotitsa's office; in the CYHSB they go in the container in Dr. Kennon's office. Parents are asked to contact the front office if they need to reach their child during the school day.
Every student in grades 9–12 will have access to a school-filtered Chromebook. Teachers will design lessons as tech-free, Chromebook-enabled, or (for advanced coursework) with personal laptops by prior teacher permission. Lessons will not require personal laptops — Chromebooks are sufficient for standard coursework.
Halacha and the values of modesty are the foundations of our dress code. We ask parents and students to be full partners in fostering a Torah environment where tzniut is a prominent value.
Students not following the dress code will not be permitted in class until they change. After the 2nd or 3rd infraction, a parent meeting is required. More than four infractions → additional disciplinary action. Students may be sent home to correct violations and will receive an unexcused absence for classes missed.
The administration reserves the right to determine whether a student's dress properly reflects the school's standards.
If an employee or staff member of our school is accused of sexual or physical abuse, parents of the child should immediately report it to the Head of School. If the alleged victim is not comfortable reporting to the Head of School, the report should be made to the President of the Board. In response, the staff member will be immediately suspended and removed from the premises pending investigation. The school may, in its sole discretion, take disciplinary action up to and including termination. The school shall maintain confidentiality to the extent possible while abiding by all applicable laws.
It is strictly forbidden to possess any kind of weapon in school or in the dormitory — including, but not limited to, pellet guns, BB guns, and knives. Weapons will be permanently confiscated and serious consequences given.
Students involved in a physical altercation or verbal taunting will be sent immediately to the principal's office. In most instances such students will be suspended and in all cases will not be allowed to rejoin classmates until they have developed a plan to fix any problems created and how they will avoid such behavior in the future.
State law mandates that we have complete immunization records for each student. The school has no option but to deny admittance to any student whose records are incomplete. Medication cannot be dispensed from the school office without signed parental consent. No faculty member may dispense medication.
Keeping lines of communication open between teachers, administrators, and parents is imperative. The school uses RenWeb — parents can view student assignments and grades daily. It is critical that every parent log in to RenWeb regularly. Contact Sara Plotitsa at the office for login information.
If you desire to speak to an administrator, please leave a message on voicemail or with the office requesting a return call. We endeavor to return communications within 24 hours. Due to high email volume, administrators may take several days to respond to emails. In nearly all cases when a concern with a teacher arises, it is proper to first speak with the teacher directly. Please allow teachers 24 hours to respond.
When a parent needs to resolve a concern, they are encouraged to contact the following chain of command in order:
Daily homework assignments help students develop responsibility and good study skills. Parents should expect that homework will be an integral part of their student's life. Students should spend from one to two hours per night on homework (more for AP course students). Assignments, quizzes, tests, and grades are available on RenWeb; parents are expected to monitor progress regularly.
School trips and family events on school days do not remove the responsibility for homework or keeping up with the class.
Summer assignments are due in the first week of school and count significantly toward the quarter grade. Students who do not complete summer assignments will be asked to move down.
Students may have a maximum of two tests per day. Teachers must give at least 2 days' notice (4 preferred). Quizzes do not need to be announced and should not require more than 25 minutes to study for. Students may be given quizzes on reading assignments.
Tests or quizzes missed due to excused absences should be made up during free time (lunch or after school) — students should not miss additional class time for makeup exams. Students must schedule makeup exams within a week of their return.
Students who have failed to hand in assigned work may be required to come to school after hours (including Sunday) to complete assignments.
The semester grade is calculated as follows: 37.5% for each quarter + 25% for the midterm or final exam/project.
| Letter Grade | Numerical Range | GPA Points | Honors Bonus | AP Bonus (score ≥3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97–100 | 4.33 | +1 | +2 |
| A | 93–96.9 | 4.0 | +1 | +2 |
| A− | 90–92.9 | 3.67 | +1 | +2 |
| B+ | 87–89.9 | 3.33 | +1 | +2 |
| B | 83–86.9 | 3.0 | +1 | +2 |
| B− | 80–82.9 | 2.67 | +1 | +2 |
| C+ | 77–79.9 | 2.33 | +1 | +2 |
| C | 73–76.9 | 2.0 | +1 | +2 |
| C− | 70–72.9 | 1.67 | — | — |
| D | 65–69.9 | 1.0 | — | — |
| F | Below 65 | 0 | — | — |
Students taking an honors level course receive an additional GPA point. Students who leave an honors course during the semester will not receive honors credit for that semester.
A semester grade of A− or better cannot be awarded to a student who scores lower than an 80 on the final exam. Students who score lower than 55 on a midterm or final must retake the test to earn course credit.
Cheating on a semester exam results in a '0' on the exam and a 'D' as the maximum semester grade; the student must retake the exam to earn course credit.
Seniors may be exempted from June finals if they maintain a 90 average, good attendance, and good homework records from January through May of their senior year — on a subject-by-subject basis. Seniors in AP courses are not exempted from AP and/or AP semester exams.
AP exams are difficult and require a fast pace of material as well as a strong commitment from the student. Unless otherwise stipulated, students may use the AP exam in place of the spring semester exam. The AP exam is factored using the following scale:
5 = 100 · 4 = 92 · 3 = 83 · 2 = 70 · 1 = F
Students scoring no better than a 2 will not receive AP credit and, having not achieved an 80 on the final, can score no higher than B+ as a semester grade.
Students take the PSAT in October of freshman, sophomore, and junior years (junior year score used for Merit Scholarship eligibility), followed by SATs in spring of junior year and fall of senior year. CYOS is also an ACT testing site. AP exams are given in May.
Students may sign up for online courses through the school. These are viewed as independent studies and the student is responsible for completing all work on time. Online courses are not directly overseen by faculty; parents should monitor progress closely. Students taking courses outside the standard curriculum will pay upfront and the course will not be factored into the GPA.
Outside courses taken at local high schools or colleges may be accepted for credit only if approved in advance by both the department head and the Principal. Students who take additional courses beyond the CYOS curriculum will not have those grades factored into the GPA. Courses taken online or at other institutions during summers will not be accepted without specific permission, and in most instances cannot be used in lieu of CYOS coursework.
Students will be placed in classes with input from teachers. Transfer credits will be accepted only from certified schools with an official transcript. A placement test may still be required. Incoming freshmen may test out of Algebra 1 and Geometry if they took those courses in 8th grade with an accredited course on file.
A student who receives an "incomplete" has two weeks from the end of that quarter to complete the work. A student who fails a course will be required to complete a credit-recovery course; both the original F and the recovery course will appear on the transcript. Students will not advance to the next grade level if work is not completed.
Designed for boys who wish to deepen their study of Talmud. The program extends the school day by 20 minutes (dismissed at 5:05 instead of 4:45). The primary goal is mastering the text of a masechta or whole chapters of Talmud, enabling students to independently approach any gemara. Tests include recent material and cumulative reviews throughout the year.
Weekly Mishmar learning on Wednesday nights beginning at 8:00 PM, featuring a speaker, small group learning, and food.
Twice a week for 30 minutes, the entire CYHSB student body studies together in small or individual groups with Judaic faculty and community members. This is the school's 8th year of the program. The grade is entirely based on attendance and participation. Students begin with a 100 average; 3.5 points are deducted for every unexcused tardy and 7 points for every unexcused absence.
All honors become part of a student's permanent record.
A student who is suspended is not eligible for academic honors during that period. Students caught cheating or in violation of the integrity policy are not eligible for academic honors.
A student's full academic transcript — including Judaic & General Studies — will be sent to any summer program, college, yeshiva, or seminary that a student applies to. The overall GPA includes all courses.
Valedictorian & Salutatorian: Chosen based on GPA. Normally valedictorians must have a GPA above 5.1 and salutatorians above 5.0. An administrative committee also reviews tefila, behavior, and character records and reserves the right to disqualify students with infractions. Both honors require at least 3 years of CYOS attendance.
CYOS does not endorse early admissions; we feel a student should attend high school for four full years. Our Israel and college guidance advisors will assist families that make this choice. Students who do not attend our 12th grade will not receive a diploma from CYOS.
The business office reserves the right to withhold report cards, transcripts, and diplomas until all financial matters have been resolved. Report cards are available on RenWeb.
High school students participate in chesed activities throughout the year during school time (visiting the elderly, volunteering at a soup kitchen, hospital visits, etc.). Students must also perform 10 community service hours per semester outside of school at community events, shul, or volunteer settings.
CYOS has partnered with Just One Chesed, an Israel-based chesed organization partnered with eighteen schools worldwide. Through their app and incentives program, faculty share community chesed opportunities with students, who document their accomplishments and share them with the school community.
Participating in extracurricular activities is an integral part of school life. To be a student in good standing, a student must:
A student absent or tardy due to illness and not in school by 9:15 AM cannot attend sports or extracurricular activities that day. Students who receive detention conflicting with a school activity will miss their school activity. The administration reserves the right to remove a student from an activity at its discretion.
Students are responsible for the cleanliness of the school building and must clean up after themselves. Students may eat breakfast and lunch in the student lounge (not classrooms). In classrooms, students may bring a snack with a teacher's permission. Gum-chewing is not allowed in classrooms. All food in school must be kosher.
The values of Torah are embedded in the belief that human beings are created b'tzelem Elokim — in the image of G-d — on account of which the Jewish people are given the directive of kedoshim tihiyu — to live lives filled with sanctity. As a Yeshiva, CYOS strives to create a wholesome environment with students committed to kedusha and a Torah lifestyle. We are dedicated to the complete social and emotional growth of each student and are committed to partnering with parents and students to provide the help they need.
The Torah teaches that sexual intimacy can be an act of kedusha when in the context of marriage. CYOS is a school for students who value kedusha and spiritual growth.
Enrollment in CYOS entails a commitment to be free of drugs, alcohol, prescription medicines not belonging to the student, and similar substances. Altering one's mind through substance use is antithetical to kedoshim tihiyu. Tennessee law prohibits minors from using these substances.
Anyone caught providing, distributing, or selling any such substances is immediately subject to possible expulsion.
Our general approach for a first-time offense is educative — working with parents and professionals to ensure the behavior stops, alongside probation and other consequences (restrictions from extracurriculars and/or suspension). More serious offenses (on-campus use during school, attempting to cheat on a drug test, dealing or providing drugs to other students) may result in expulsion even on the first offense. Repeat offenders will face an administrative expulsion hearing.
MHA-CYOS is a smoking-free campus. It is prohibited to have cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or cartridges on campus. Smoking or vaping on campus will result in a discipline hearing with potential consequences including probation, restrictions from extracurriculars, and/or suspension.
MHA-CYOS views all acts of dishonesty as contrary to the values we must embody. The following activities are prohibited:
Gambling or possession of gambling devices is prohibited.
Students in grades 9, 10, and 11 are not permitted to leave school grounds at any time — breaks and free periods are not reasons to leave. Seniors are permitted, with written parental permission, to leave the grounds for lunch only.
Attending tefillah requires high levels of concentration, sincerity, and a realization of the tremendous potential of communication with Hashem. Every student is expected to participate in tefila and demonstrate proper decorum and respect throughout the entire service — especially during sections recited aloud or sung.
A grade will appear on the report card and will impact eligibility for Dean's List, Honor Roll, Honor Society, Valedictorian, and Salutatorian honors. Students receive S (satisfactory), N (needs improvement), or U (unsatisfactory).
All food brought from home must be certified Kosher with proper Rabbinic certification. While different people have varying levels of Kashrut observance, when it comes to school, everyone must adhere to a uniform standard. If you have any questions about specific products, please contact an administrator.
Any personal items left in the school building after the school year has ended will be deemed ownerless.
Instilling respect for school property is part of our educational program. When school property is damaged, parents may be assessed repair costs. Students will be fined for non-returned textbooks at year-end.
A student shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to private or school property. This includes:
Students from outside Memphis have enriched our school and the Memphis Jewish Community for many years. It is critical to provide them with a positive, safe learning experience. In-town students are expected to cooperate with policies for dormers and not enable dormers to violate rules. In-town students who assist or participate in violations will receive the same or similar consequences.
Students whose needs cannot be met in school are referred to appropriate agencies or resources for assistance. Our relationships with outside agencies such as Jewish Family Services allow the school to continue assisting students whose needs it cannot fully meet internally. Faculty discusses and identifies students needing assistance throughout the year.
At the Margolin Hebrew Academy, one of our goals is to create an MHA family in which all members feel safe, appreciated, and respected and wherein everyone understands that each person was created btzelem Elokim. MHA prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying of a student. A safe and civil environment is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards.
A person is bullied when exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions by one or more other persons, and has difficulty defending himself or herself. Bullying involves: (a) aggressive behavior with unwanted, negative actions; (b) a pattern repeated over time; (c) an imbalance of power.
Teachers are expected to be alert to bullying and respond using their authority to stop and/or prevent it. Any member of the school community who hears about violations of this policy has a responsibility to intervene — through anonymous reporting, direct intervention, speaking with peer leaders, a trusted faculty member, or an administrator.
Incidents of bullying will be referred to the principal. Consequences may include detention, deprivation of privileges, suspension, and restoration/restitution. Remedial actions such as mediation, community service, and counseling may be required. Severe or repeated offenses may result in expulsion.
MHA prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
The use of MHA-CYOS computer equipment is not a right, but a privilege. Violations may result in loss of access to electronic resources. Personal electronic devices may be confiscated and checked by an administrator if there is reasonable suspicion of a policy violation.
The Margolin Hebrew Academy is committed to fostering a positive learning and working environment for all students and staff in order to promote educational excellence and Orthodox Jewish values. This policy serves as a statement on appropriate conduct and relationships between students and staff.
"Staff" refers to all full-time and part-time employees, contracted personnel, and volunteers. "Student" refers to all individuals in grades Pre-K3 through 12, including a one-year window post-graduation. "School property" includes the campus and any place where extracurricular activities, field trips, or school-sponsored events take place.
Staff must be cognizant of the imbalance of power that exists in staff-student relationships, which can persist long after graduation. Staff are prohibited from engaging in any romantic, sexual, or physical relationship with students. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in severe consequences, up to and including termination. This policy is a condition of employment.
Staff shall not conduct social activities on a one-on-one basis outside of school with students. One-on-one meetings of an educational nature between opposite-gender staff and students must be held in a public space (lunchroom, Beit Midrash, or classrooms during school hours). After-school, such meetings may take place only in a public venue with express parental permission. Such meetings may never take place in a closed office. Faculty may only give rides to opposite-gender students if more than one student is in the car.
All staff who suspect an inappropriate relationship exists between a staff member and student are required to immediately notify the Division Head or Head of School. The school maintains confidentiality to the fullest extent appropriate. Good-faith reports will not adversely affect the reporting individual's employment; purposely inaccurate reports may result in disciplinary action.
The Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys (CYHSB) and the Goldie Margolin School for Girls (GMSG) take their responsibility for dormitory students very seriously. The following regulations and policies were assembled with input from dormitory students over the years.
All dormitory students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with Torah norms. Shemirat Shabbat and kashrut while in Memphis are essential commitments for dorm students. To be a dormer is to be committed to spiritual and academic growth — this includes refraining from marijuana, other illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes.
Foul language is not permitted in the dorm, on campus, or anywhere in Memphis. Room inspections are conducted bi-weekly; students can be asked to clean their rooms at any time. Students who shirk responsibilities may be grounded and unable to attend classes until their room passes inspection.
For safety: one refrigerator per room (plugged directly to outlet); no cooking devices of any kind in student rooms (microwaves, burners, cholent pots, etc.); each student may use one surge protector — only phones, computers, alarm clocks, and Shabbat light may be on it. No heaters, no candles or open flame in the dorm.
Dormers should be in the dorm an hour before Shabbat to prepare. CYHSB: Boys require a suit or dress jacket and slacks at community shuls during davening; button-down dress shirt and slacks whenever off campus during Shabbat. GMSG: Appropriate and modest Shabbat attire throughout all of Shabbat.
CYHSB cell phones must be placed in the box in Rabbi Hollander's office before Shabbat. GMSG dormers must turn phones in to dorm counselors before Shabbat. Consequence of non-compliance: phone is turned in Saturday night and returned no earlier than Monday morning.
Dormers may only socialize with other MHA-CYOS students or families associated with MHA-CYOS. Purely social coed gatherings are only allowed on special occasions and only when: (1) Approved by administration; (2) In groups (not alone with an opposite-gender student); (3) Supervised by an adult. Students must be shomer negia at all times.
All students must have adequate health insurance coverage in Memphis. All medications must be given to the dormitory supervisor upon arrival. Students may not keep medications in their rooms. Students with special dietary needs (lactose intolerance, food allergies, Celiac disease, etc.) must notify the dorm supervisor as soon as possible.
Dorm students may leave to approved destinations by recording their destination, companion, transportation, and expected return time in the WhatsApp dorm chat group. All dorm students must carry a cell phone with them at all times. A student who has lost cell phone privileges may not leave the dorm unaccompanied. Tracking software is placed on cell phones to help ensure student safety.
To enforce these regulations, the school may impose: grounding, loss of free time, curtailment of privileges, early curfew, detention, temporary suspension from the dormitory, or expulsion from school. The school looks forward to providing students with an environment conducive to religious, academic, social, and personal growth and looks forward to partnering with parents and students throughout the year.