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“Our school is dedicated to a quality Conservative Jewish Education by offering a comprehensive curriculum  of study that meets the scholastic and social needs of students and their families.”  Each student, upon graduation will have a greater understanding of their personal Jewish identity and a Jewish education that will act as a fundamental guide to help him or her make critical decisions throughout life and provide a desire to continue Jewish studies on a university and/or adult level.   Mercaz is open to any student in grades 8-12 seeking a supplementary Jewish High School  education. 

 
Mercaz meets September through May on Sunday evenings from 6:30-8:30 P.M. in the Adath Israel Religious School building located at 3201 East Galbraith Road in Amberley. The director’s hours may vary, but you can expect to find her in the office Monday through Friday from 9 to 3 and on Sundays when school is in session.  We will follow the calendar which is included in your packet as a separate document.  

 

It is essential that students make every effort to attend classes regularly.  Parents should send in a note or call the office at 792-5082 ext. 104 to inform us if your child will be absent on Sunday evening.  If your child is not at Mercaz and we do not hear from a parent, then we will call or we will send a postcard home.  Students who have more than three absences in a semester will not receive credit for their class.  Students may have a chance to complete make-up work assigned by the teacher to receive credit.  All class lists will be posted the first evening.  If a student needs to leave early a note must be sent in from the parents. 

 
In the event that inclement weather makes it necessary to cancel Mercaz classes, an announcement will be made on local radio and TV stations.  It will also be on the Mercaz voice mail message (513-792-5082 ext 104) as well as on the web-site, www.mercazhs.org.

  
Students enroll at Mercaz in order to learn and to spend quality time with Jewish peers.  For effective learning to take place and for quality social programs and community activities, a respectful and safe environment is necessary.  No student has the right to interfere with the education or safety of another student or faculty member.  Students and faculty are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and to treat each other with dignity and respect at all times.

 All Mercaz students are expected to:

· Use appropriate language when interacting with faculty, administration, and peers.

· Resolve interpersonal conflicts without using aggressive physical behavior or inappropriate language.

· Respect the privacy of others.

· Show respect for the facility and for personal property of others.

· Refrain from disrupting the learning process through inappropriate behavior.

· Turn off and put away cell phones, pagers, music playing devices, and any other electronic device before entering class.  If any of these are taken out during class time, the device will be taken by the teacher or administrator and will be returned only at the end of the session. 

· Dress appropriately for school.  All male students must wear a kippah or hat when in the building.  Wearing a kippah is optional for female students.

· Arrive on time for classes and show up to the classes in which you are assigned.

· Remain in the building during Mercaz hours.  Students may only leave during Mercaz if a signed note has been received from a parent or guardian.

· The use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products is strictly prohibited. 

 

We hope in a high school setting that having the above rules will be enough to ensure  proper behavior at Mercaz, however the following system is in place:

First offense:  The teacher will give the student a warning.

2nd offense:  The student will be sent to the director and  the student’s parents will be called.

3rd offense:  The student will be sent home and a conference will be called with the parents, the student, and the director. 

 If a student’s behavior is extreme or continual, these steps may be escalated, or a student may be removed from class permanently.  Mercaz reserves the right to suspend or expel a student for a serious infraction and should this occur tuition will not be refunded

 
This year we will continue our Parent Programs at Mercaz; we want to offer opportunities not only to our students but to their parents as well.  To that end, we will be having programs specifically for parents, so please send in your topic suggestions. We also have parent open houses two times during the year.  During this time you can observe your child's classes as well as give us feedback to help improve our program. Click Here to view the latest parent program information.

 
Registration is open to students in grades 8-12.  Registration forms are included in your packet you receive in the mail and on our website as well.  You can register for classes online but need to mail in all other forms by September 3rd (Please do not fax registration materials).  You will be billed by your synagogue for your tuition so please contact them with any tuition questions.
You must notify the Mercaz office by 9-24 if you intended to withdraw from Mercaz, otherwise you will be included on the final roster sent to your synagogue for billing.

Registration is open to the community. If you are not a member of one of our affiliate synagogues, you may still register. Contact us directly for details at mercazhighschool@aol.com or at 513-792-5082 Ext. 104. 

  
Use your course book you receive in the mail as well as the individualized course history form to choose classes that interest you and that help you to meet your graduation requirements.  You will find an index of classes listed by hour and curricular area to assist in choosing classes that you need to fulfill these requirements.  You may also read course descriptions and register online here.

 
Report Cards are sent out to parents at the conclusion of each semester.  The students will receive comments from each of their teachers.

 
In between classes each week we have a ten minute break.  During this time we will serve a light snack and the students will be able to socialize. We will also offer several opportunities this year in the hour before Mercaz for the students to come early to socialize and eat!

 
We expect students to dress appropriately when at Mercaz.  All male students must wear a kippah or hat when in the building.

 
We welcome any constructive feedback by parents and students at any time during the year.  Students will also have an opportunity at the end of the semester to fill out a class evaluation form for each of their classes.  They are also free at any time to come to the director and offer feedback during the semester.  We are also open to parents observing in the classroom, just contact us and let us know what week you would like to come in.  You may call us at 792-5082 ext. 104 or email us at
mercazhighschool@aol.com.


Mercaz has instituted graduation requirements to ensure that each student is leaving Mercaz with a solid Jewish foundation.  Students must attend through the 12th grade to receive a diploma.  Students will need to take at least one course from the following curricular areas during their time in high school:  Torah and Texts, Jewish History, Ethics, Theology, Israel, Conservative Judaism, and Holocaust.  In addition,  if a student wishes to receive an enriched diploma they must take at least two Hebrew courses and one course in Prayer. These standards are now in effect for all of our students at Mercaz.   Mercaz strives to offer a wide variety of courses in each subject area making it easy for each student to fulfill their graduation requirements.  Special considerations will be made through the director on a per student basis.  An individualized course history form is included with registration for each student,  Please consult this form when choosing classes to be sure you are meeting the  requirements.  We believe that these standards will ensure that each student greatly benefits from their time at Mercaz.

Click Here to view courses by Curricular Area

Contact Information

Dara Wood, Director
Mercaz Conservative Hebrew High School
3201 E. Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236
513-792-5082 ext. 104
www.mercazhs.org
mercazhighschool@aol.com

 

 

 

 

Parent Programs Support Mercaz Graduation Gallery Mercaz Board Adath Israel B'nai Tzedek Northern Hills Ohav Shalom

MERCAZ
3201 E. Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236

Mercaz is a product of the Conservative Synagogues in Cincinnati and the USCJ.
Mercaz Director - Dara Wood, 792 5082 ext. 104
, mercazhighschool@aol.com