Welcome to the BYDS Express

  In this inaugural issue for the new school year, and running through our issues through the High Holy Day season, the BYDS Express will feature "newness" - academic newness-in the school this year, or making new things. We have a Hebrew word for this-התחדשות-or chadashot. Indeed, we are headed into Rosh Hashanah with energy, commitment, spirit, creativity, and renewed focus on core skills and knowledge.

In keeping with our School Mission, we begin with the wonderfully new teaching and learning in our Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language Program, from the Three's classes in the Early Childhood Program, all the way through Fifth Grade.

There is newness all across our Judaics program this year-some new faces in the classroom, bringing a whole new diversity to our Judaic Studies faculty, with teachers from Israel, Europe, New York, and all over the South. There is even a new way to get to school-on bicycle! You may have seen Shalom Isaacson's bike parked outside this week.

What's new in the Hebrew classroom? A fresh and full Hebrew learning curriculum, which completes the Tal Am expansion through Fifth Grade. But it all starts with our youngest students, in the Three's program, with added weekly Hebrew and new coordination in our curriculum from the Three's, to the Pre-K year and through Kindergarten, to prepare our students for success in the Tal Am program, which formally begins in First Grade.

Our Judaic Studies curriculum zeroes in on basic skills, pursues metacognitive and reflective approaches to learning, incorporates technology, and brings together history, art, traditions, Zionism, and values. And it's fun!  

Our daily services program in the Elementary School, along with our Kabbalat Shabbat program each Friday, renews our commitment to our School Mission, which "is to foster confidence, leadership, a love of learning, and a sense of responsibility" Student leadership roles will be emphasized this year so that every student will serve an up front role leading our student body. Add to this our incredible Grade Level Services Program, infusing our traditions and celebrations with art, music, theater, performance, prayer, enthusiasm, and songs.

Our community service program is stepping up with new initiatives-for example, soon we'll be sending our Fourth Grade to the Medallion, before Rosh Hashanah, and later this fall we'll be sending so many of our students to Seven Acres...where we will work closely with those in residence and participate with them in the creation of meaningful crafts to celebrate the special holidays. We'll also be bringing many educators and rabbis throughout the Houston area to our school to bring new learning and new ideas to our students in exciting ways.

There will be so much more!  

We look forward to sharing our exciting world of Judaic learning to our family community all year long!  

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