August 18, 2011

Dear Seniors and Parents:

Thank you to the Orensteins for opening their beautiful home to us last night.  To those of you who joined us last night, it was wonderful to see you. Those who could not attend were missed.

We have a number events scheduled for the near future.  We hope you can join us.

August 22nd - Salmon Dinner for all parents 6:00pm at NYHS.  This will be followed by an orientation for parents of new students and a short program for parents of returning students.  Join us an learn what's new at NYHS!

September 7th - Curriculum Night for all parents 7:00pm.

For those of you who could not join us last night I will summarize my brief greetings.

Senior year is exciting and also challenging.  We are here to assist and support our students and their parents.  Early in their senior year students will begin the process of choosing and applying to colleges, universities, and Israel programs.  We will help and support our seniors each step of the way.  We will work with our seniors to help them select schools and programs, prepare applications and essays, and secure recommendations. 

Mr. Brodkin will begin meeting with the seniors individually close to the opening of school.  We will have a college night for students and families in early October.  (Tentatively 10/3). 

I will work with the students who plan to participate in an Israel program.   I will meet first with the girls, as many women's programs have November deadlines.

Of course, preparing for graduation is one of the most exciting aspects of the year.  We are very proud of the regular accolades that the commencement program receives from attendees.  Among the reasons the program is so successful is that a member of the class conducts the program as MC, we spend time speaking about each and every class member, and the program begins with a video presentation created by and about the graduates.  We will work with our seniors and their families make their graduation warm and memorable.

Seniors sometimes enter the year with  a foot out the door and the second foot moves forward the join the first as the year proceeds.  However, high school is composed of only eight semesters.  The last two semesters -- one quarter of the entire high school experience -- are an opportunity for amazing growth and development.  We will challenge our seniors and encourage them to take full advantage of these last two high school semesters.  We understand that our seniors will be juggling multiple demands and we will meet with them regularly to monitor their progress and address concerns.

Best wishes,

Rabbi Bernie Fox

Head of School