Rosh Hashanah Message

from the Head of School

On behalf of the spirited faculty and staff of BYDS, I say to all of our families and students L'Shana Tova!

The tone here is as upbeat on this Erev Rosh Hashanah as it was on Opening Day-teachers are energetic and optimistic; students are as eager and curious as they are giddy and playful.  In the meantime, our ever-present quest to seek areas in the school in which to improve will undergo a more formal process this year as we head into our "Self Study Year" - a ten year requirement for accreditation with ISAS, the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest.

In about two weeks, Parents, Board members, and Faculty will all receive a comprehensive on-line survey that will give us a superb set of data in which to analyze and take our school to its next level of excellence.  As part of our accreditation process, we will be assembling committees on all facets of the school's operations, and even go beyond the school program itself, by studying our School Community, our Governance, and even our Purpose, Goals, and Philosophy.

While the overall aim of a private school's Self Study is to reflect on its mission, identify strengths, and determine areas that call for improvement, the most healthy outcome for us will go beyond confirming some of our unique attributes or tweaking our teaching and learning methods; indeed, this year of Self Study and reflection will help us strategize to be that exemplary school that is both of the highest quality possible and sustainable for future generations of students.

 While we adults often see a complex society and world out there for our children that is shorn of hope and progress, we should take stock in our children who, at the root of their school experience, are pursuing their journeys with a strong sense of identity and purpose -this is what we will be supporting as we reflect together in this new year on our mission and prepare as a school to take our next big steps forward.

Shana Tova!

Tom Elieff, Head of School