On The Bridge January 20, 2011
Gesher Jewish Day School 15 Shevat, 5771
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| Shabbat Shalom | |
שבת שלום
Candlelighting: 4:59pm
Parashat Yitro
יתרו
Torah Portion: Exodus 18:1 - 20:23
Haftarah for Ashkenazim: Isaiah 6:1- 7:6; 9:5- 9:6
Haftarah for Sephardim: Isaiah 6:1- 6:13
Yasher Koach to today's Torah readers: Hannah M., Jack S., Mollie S.
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| Greetings! | |
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) has just released a monograph called, A Guide to Becoming a School of the Future. Among the many thrusts which are recommended is one which we identified already in Destination:Gesher!, our five year strategic plan, namely: Expand the use of technology in instruction.
To this end, this year, we have embedded LCD projectors in all of the Elementary School classrooms. It is not uncommon to walk down the hallway at Gesher and see students in their classrooms identifying the states on a map of the US, editing the grammar of a practice composition, or watching a history video, all on the classroom whiteboard with vivid moving images supplied by the teacher for the class via the classroom computer or the internet.
For the second half of the school year we are proud to announce that we are ready to pilot a project in the seventh grade which we envision will become a permanent feature of Gesher's seventh and eighth grade programs. We are calling the project: Accessing, Connecting, Excelling (ACE). Our inspiration for ACE could well be the following quote from the NAIS Guide (p. 28): When all students and teachers have access to full-time use of wireless technologies, an opportunity exists to reshape learning and instruction.
Through the ACE program, we will be providing our the seventh graders with a tablet/laptop computer for their use in school and at home. In three targeted subject areas this spring we will be revamping assignments and curricula to expand the possibilities of student learning using the newly available cutting-edge technology. Through ACE, we will inaugurate the use of wifi in the building (albeit on a limited basis to start) and connect the students and teachers to information remotely and to expertise far and wide.
Imagine the following possibilities:
- Students will create a joint document (word, powerpoint, or spreadsheet) by working collaboratively using "cloud" or "wiki" technologies.
- Students will publish a blog on a topic of their choosing.
- Students will use their Hebrew/Spanish in real situations using the internet.
- Students will produce a multimedia presentation incorporating original and captured video, original and captured images, original and captured text.
- Students will research by communicating with distant "colleagues" and "mentors."
- Students will research by remotely accessing real data from the internet.
We are presently working on an appropriate Acceptable Usage Policy for ACE and better defining the parameters of the program. Safety on the internet will be a built-in component. Seventh grade families can look forward to a parent-student meeting- to be scheduled soon- to discuss responsibilities and expectations associated with access to the tablet/laptop technology. We will speak briefly on the program at our Middle School Open House, this coming Monday evening, as well. We are excited to unleash the creativity of our students and faculty on this new technology.
Shabbat Shalom!
Zvi Schoenburg
Head of School
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| Upcoming Events |
See our full calendar of events!
January 20 - Tu Bishvat
January 24- Middle School Information Evening
January 24 - Board Meeting (rescheduled)
January 25- Kitah Gimel Amidah Siyum
January 26 - Gesher United Boys Basketball Home Game
January 27- Kitah Dalet Boston Tea Party Play
January 28- End of Third Marking Period
Noon Dismissal, Faculty Meeting
January 31- Kitah Alef Siddur Ceremony
January 31- February 4- Middle School Interdisciplinary Week
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| Development and Fundraising | |
We are pleased to announce this year's Tikkun Olam winner for Gesher's Annual Spring Gala: Candace Nachman. We are thrilled she accepted the honor and will be joining us on March 27 to receive her award.
Many in the community nominated Candace. The criteria on which we based our decision:
Gesher Guardian of the Bridge Event - Tikkun Olam Award
The Gesher Guardian of the Bridge Tikkun Olam Award was established to recognize a Gesher Alumnus for the Mitzvot of Tzedakah and G'milut Hassadim (acts of loving-kindness). The award is given to a former student who has applied the Jewish principles and values learned at Gesher to make a positive impact in the world.
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| School News | |
Yasher Koach to the Gesher United Boy's Basketball Team on their first win!
Yasher Koach to the Tu Bishvat Poster Winners: Emmett D., Noah M., Molly B., and Michelle M.!
Yasher Koach to Kitah Dalet on their Kabbalat Shabbat Siyum! Check out pictures below!
MathCounts
Yasher koach to Mr. England and the MathCounts elective students who were invited to attend the 2nd Annual Carderock Math Contest at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in West Bethesda last week. The program included a math competition and a tour of the U.S. Navy's premier laboratory for research, development, testing, and evaluation of surface ships and submarines. Once again, our students excelled: The Varsity team (Emmett D., Jake N., Zach N., and Jack S.) placed 10th out of 51 teams, and Emmett D. placed 8th out of 204 students. Very impressive achievements all round!
GeoBee
Yasher koach to eighth grader, Emmett D., who emerged victorious following the championship round of Gesher's first GeoBee, a national geography contest sponsored by National Geographic. The GeoBee tests geographical knowledge and knowledge about history and culture as well. In the weeks preceding winter break, each class in grades 4 through 8 participated in two preliminary competitions which resulted in 9 semi-finalists. While the semifinal round was a close contest, the final championship round was even closer with only one correct answer separating Coby B. and Emmett. Emmett has just completed a written exam which will be graded by National Geographic. If he earns a qualifying score, Emmett will be eligible to participate in the state-wide Virginia bee in April. Good luck Emmett, congratulations to all our GeoBee finalists, and a big thank you to Mrs. Bergman for sponsoring the GeoBee!
Recycled Art
For our Middle School interdisciplinary week and "Junk Art" units, Ms. Wolin needs clean plastic soda bottles, soda cans, paper tubes of various sizes, egg cartons, old cds, buttons, hardware(screws and washers etc) dowels, skewers, fabric, round things and any other recycled materials that are interesting and can be used to create.
Spotlight on Gesher Students and Alumni!
Want to hear about current Gesher students doing amazing things in the community? Wondering what those Gesher Alumni are up to? Click here to view Gesher Students in the Spotlight, and click here to view the Gesher Alumni Page. You may be able to find out who...
- danced in 11 performances of the Nutcracker
- volunteers with the Rockville Fire/EMS Department
- plays clarinet in the McLean Youth Orchestra
- is the next International Sh'licha for the International Board of B'nai B'rith Girls
- preformed in the Little Theatre of Alexandria's production of Oliver!
- recently placed first all-around at the Commonwealth Cup Gymnastics Competition
Parents who carpool to school:
We are planning for your transportation needs for next school year. As always, we will work to do all we can to meet the needs of individual families, while maintaining an efficient route. We would like to know if you anticipate using the bus or car service next year or would like to request service or suggest a bus stop. Please email dmendelson@gesher-jds.org to let us know. Thank you!
Pictures:
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Cal F. and Sam L. lead Kitah Dalet in the blessing over the Shabbat candles.
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Kitah Dalet students lead a prayer during the Kabbalat Shabbat Siyum.
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Kitah Dalet students lead a prayer during the Kabbalat Shabbat Siyum.
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Kitah Dalet students after the Kabbalat Shabbat Siyum.
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| Admissions News |
Gesher Middle School Information Session
Monday, January 24, 6:45-8pm
For current Gesher parents and open to the community! Learn more about our dynamic middle school curriculum. There will be an opportunity for Q&A with Gesher grads currently attending area high schools. Light dinner fare will be served at 6:45. RSVP to Debra Mendelson, 703-962-9216 or dmendelson@gesher-jds.org.
SAVE THE DATE
Every Family Bring a Family to Community Family Fun Day, Sunday, April 3rd. Our 4th annual Community Family Fun Day is an afternoon of entertainment, Passover activities and learning, outdoor fun, jumpin' on a moonbounce and lots more....plus the launch of our giant PTO used book sale! This is a great way to introduce friends to Gesher Jewish Day School! To volunteer on our planning committee or just for that day, contact Debra.
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| Gesher Green | |
Gesher Green Wins a Grant!
We are very excited to announce that our butterfly meadow project will receive funding from the United States Forest Service and the University of Minnesota's Monarch Lab.
The meadow is the field on the inside of the sharp left turn that the school's driveway makes as you approach the parking lot. In this project, we hope to continue the transformation of that area into a native wildflower garden. Last summer we mulched a permanent path through the area. This spring we will add another path, remove some of the invasive grasses and bushes, and plant more native plants and flowers. We will also create signs to explain what we are growing and why it is important to our local insects and animals.
Here is what the grantors said about our project:
"Because of your work, schoolyard gardens and the natural world will play a larger role in the lives of your students. We are grateful for your dedication and appreciate the opportunity to be a part or your efforts to connect students to their environment...."
Getting our students out into the natural world is what Gesher Green is all about!
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| Head, Heart and Hand | |
For the December holiday season, Kitah Bet participated in a wonderful and generous Head, Heart, and Hand project. The HHH theme for Kitah Bet is "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself." Through an insightful Power Point presentation from Mrs. Kohr, Kitah Bet learned about the Kate Hanley Family Shelter and the important and meaningful work that they do there.
Our students were able to see photographs of the facility where the children in the shelter not only live but also get tutored each day after school. We saw pictures of their book shelves in the homework room and the shelves were quite bare. Mrs. Kohr told us that new books for the students to read are a high priority need. Immediately, our Kitah Bet students offered to help purchase books for the shelter.
For our HHH project, Kitah Bet brought to school brand new and gift-wrapped books for the Kate Hanley Shelter. Our students were very happy to present these books to kids of all different ages who have an incredible need for supplies and a desire to read as much as possible. We are very, very proud of our Kitah Bet students for their own desire to help other children in our greater community.
Click here to view the thank you note from the Kate Hanley Family Shelter!
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| PTO | |
Thank you to Kilmeny Chernys for organizing the PTO Coffee last week, and to Mrs. Strouse, Mr. Scott and Mrs. Yungshten for their informative discussion on sex and health - "Everything you need to know about your changing adolescent but were afraid to ask".
Save the date for the next PTO Coffee, March 11 - "Mom? Dad? Can I get a Facebook page?" Learning to navigate the internet safely for your child with Officer Twombly of the FCPD.
Gesher Used Book Sale: Save your books for our 3rd annual used book sale. Collection begins in March.
For an overview of PTO events, and/or to volunteer to help out and have some fun, go to the Gesher homepage, click on "My Gesher" and then "Volunteer Sign-Up".
Does your child collect stamps or is s/he interested in doing so? Much of the money the USPS makes comes from stamp collectors. Starting this year, the USPS will mark all first-class stamps with the word 'Forever' instead of with the price of the stamp.. About 70 designs will be released. The first is the Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit stamp. A set of Disney/Pixar character stamps will go on sale on August 19.
Keep sending in those Box Tops! So far, Gesher has earned $127. The next check will be issued on April 15th!
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| Mitzvah Coupon Donations |
Mitzvah Coupon donations can now be made on-line through our secure website, www.gesher-jds.org. Simply log in and click on the Donate link at the top of our homepage.
In honor of Baby Max! Michelle and Steven Stravitz BJ and Allon Schiff Eva and Howard Sloan A Speedy Recovery to Liz Maer Michelle and Steven Stravitz
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| Community Announcements | |
Olam Tikvah Sisterhood invites the community to an afternoon of Food, Fashion & Fun!
The Jewish Federation Wants to Help! If you are in need of financial
assistance at t his time, or if you know anyone in the community who
is in need, please do not hesitate to contact the Jewish Federation's Warm Line at 1-866-950-4AID.
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We welcome your inquiries. To schedule a tour, or for more information about admissions or making a donation to Gesher Jewish Day School, please contact us at (703)978-9789.
Sincerely,
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Gesher Jewish Day School
4800 Mattie Moore Court
Fairfax, VA 22030
phone: (703) 978-9789
fax: (703)978-2668
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Address or Email Changes
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