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Magen Avos

The school that treats their students like family.

Takanon

The most basic tenet in chinuch is consistency and trust. If a parent teaches a child an important principle and never applies it to himself, he has been inconsistent and has broken an implicit trust that the child has in him. The result is either that the child rejects the principle, or that the child incorporates the principle and rejects the parent. It is for this reason that the takanon of Bais Yaakov Magen Avos has always stressed the importance of congruence between the standards taught in the school as well as out of school. As the school and the community of Beit Shemesh matures there is a need to clarify more specifically what constitutes this congruence. The following is a list of expectations that Magen Avos has for the student body and its environment.

  • Dress code: The girls should be dressed according to the standard of the takanon in and out of school, during the school year and vacations. The mothers are responsible to present good examples for their daughters and to encourage adherence to the takanon.
  • Video/computer: There may be no video or DVD in the homes. The girls may not watch any program that is not in harmony with the ideals (Hashkafic/halachic/tznius) that are being taught in the school. (Non Jewish movies or programs with few exceptions will almost always violate one of these principles).
  • Chugim/camps: The environment and social milieu that children are in outside of school can profoundly influence them. Chugim and camps that are not run by the school must be in keeping with its ideals and standards and must be approved by the administration.
  • Accountability: Acceptance into the school was and remains, based on the agreement by the family to abide by the takanon. Students/families who are not abiding by the takanon will be called and held accountable.

Abbreviated Takanon

  1. Our school follows the guidelines of Gedolei Yisrael. Questions of chinuch and school policy are brought to Rav Scheinberg, Rav Zev Leff shlita and Rav Yisroel Ganz Shlita.
  2. "Hatznea Leches Im Hashem Elokecha" is a mitzvah that applies to all Jews, but it is the special domain of the woman to embody tznius. It is essential that the standards of the school and the home be in harmony. The following is a list of the dress code. It is obligatory that the level of tznius that is expected of the girls in school be kept at all times, out of school as well.
    1. Sleeves must cover the elbows.
    2. Necklines must cover the collarbone and the area where the neck meets the shoulder.
    3. Skirts must cover the knees in all positions.
    4. Slits of any size are not permitted at any time.
    5. Long socks (at least to the knee) must be worn.
    6. Shirts and skirts may not be tight fitting.
    7. Long hair should be gathered back away from the face, without any outstanding hair accessories, bandannas or elastic headbands.
    8. Jean skirts may not be worn.
    9. Shoes should be fine and aidel, without platforms or flashy features.
  3. School Uniform: Students must attend school wearing the specific shirt and skirt of the school uniform. The blouse must be tucked in to the skirt so as to give a neat and refined appearance. In the winter, the girls may wear blue sweaters over their blouses.
  4. Attendance; School begins at 8:30 AM and the students are expected to arrive on time. A student who arrives late must have a letter from her parent of his/her awareness and consent. This note must be written in the students' "yoman".
  5. Recess: Recess is meant to give students a few minutes to refresh their energies in order to continue learning. Students should bring a sandwich and a fruit for the ten o'clock break. The girls wash and bentch together for this meal. Do not send candies or unhealthy nosh to school, it will be taken away. On Friday there is no need for a sandwich, the girls may bring crackers, rice cakes or other mezonos foods for the break.
  6. Derech Eretz: the girls are expected to behave with derech eretz and good middos towards their teachers, peers and society. They will be held accountable for their actions in this area.
  7. Hechsherim: The children may only bring food to school that is of a Badatz or comparable Hechsher. Any of the Badatzes or Chasam Sofer, Shearis Yisrael, R' Landau are acceptable. This applies as well when a child invites a friend to her home. Only food of these hechsherim may be served.
  8. Birthday parties are not allowed. Students may be in touch with the teacher to find a simple way of celebrating this special day in the classroom.