On The Bridge February 17, 2011
Gesher Jewish Day School 13 Adar I, 5771
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| Shabbat Shalom | |
שבת שלום
Candlelighting: 5:31pm
Ki Tisa
כי תשא
Torah Portion: Exodus 30:11 - 34:35
Haftarah for Ashkenazim: I Kings 18:1 - 18:39
Haftarah for Sephardim: I Kings 18:20 - 18:39
Yasher Koach to today's Torah reader: Sam R.
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| Greetings! | |
This week a little bit about another session I attended at the North American Jewish Day School Conference: 21st Century Skills, Literacies, and Fluency: Buzz? Cliché? Fad? Or Educational Revolution? 21st century skills are all about unleashing the potential of our students to actively direct their own learning. The idea is that students must be engaged and that learning is best done when it is authentic. Thus, in an era when connecting to the world can be accomplished with a few keystrokes and uploading or downloading actual data or information to/from the web, why operate on hypothetical situations or in isolation? For example, if a class is studying geography and wishes to learn about the climates of the various continents, why go to a textbook, why not gather information from actual locations via the internet in real time? Why not probe deeper and find out about the clothing worn in various locales, or what housing is like, or whatever?
Why shouldn't students publish the best work they create in school so that it can be shared with others? Publishing no longer takes months or costs a lot of money when it can be done digitally. For that matter, why be limited by time or space? In this spirit, for example, we have taken to sharing mini-clips of our grade-level siyum celebrations with families following the program- just because a relative cannot join us in person, why should they miss out?
According to Jon Mitzmacher, Head of School of the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, advancing students' 21st century skills means "creating new roles for developing empowered learners." The role of the teacher is to guide student activity and steer students in the right direction, rather than to spoon feed students the information they need to know. We no longer live in a time when anybody, no matter how smart or well educated, can know all that is worth knowing. Teachers must help students distinguish between core concepts and superficial detail, but we must not pretend that we have all the answers any longer.
As we open up instruction through increasing use of technology, we will make school more exciting and also more relevant for our students in our fast-developing information age. Accessing, Connecting, Excelling (ACE) is the name we have given to a new project we are introducing this spring in grade seven. ACE is a portal for advancing the 21st century skills our students will need as they move forward in their educations.
Shabbat Shalom,
Zvi Schoenburg
Head of School
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| Upcoming Events |
See our full calendar of events!
February 17 - Tuition Reduction Grants Forms Due
Financial Aid Forms Due to PSAS
February 18- Noon dismissal, faculty meeting
February 21- President's Day, No School
March 3- Kitah Gimel Colonial Day
March 4- Deadline to order Mishloah Manot
March 7- Kitah Hay Hallel Siyum
March 11- PTO Coffee
March 13- Lev b'Lev Program, Kitah Hay
The Race to Nowhere
March 27- All the Magic That is Gesher
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| Development and Fundraising | |
Do you have a business or practice?
Consider advertising in Gesher's book for the spring Guardian of the Bridge event All the Magic that is Gesher. This book is an important fundraiser for Gesher and a terrific vehicle for advertisers to reach the greater community. The book will be distributed to some 250+ attendees (Gesher parents and grandparents, school supporters, honorees' families, staff and faculty, and more) at the event on March 27. Simply complete the ad contract. Questions? Want to place an ad, but need help creating the artwork? Contact BJ Shiff at bjshiff@verizon.net.
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 | |
Gesher has now gone over to Recycled paper, which is made from 30% recycled materials instead of fresh paper products!
Yasher Koach to Kitah Bet on their Havdalah Siyum!
Welcome to the Gesher Kosher Gorilla!
Yasher Koach to both Gesher United Basketball teams!
Have you met the Gesher Kosher Gorilla? Every since the gorilla has arrived, Gesher United basketball has done nothing but win!!! On Tuesday, the boys came from behind to win 50-47 and the girls won 26-10 over Capitol Hill Day School. On Wednesday, the girls beat Merritt Academy 26-4 and the boys won 49-27! Yasher Koach to all who played and all who cheered on our team!
Cold and Flu Season:
The cold and flu season is upon us. This year continues to be a challenge for all of us in keeping our Gesher children healthy and happy. To protect your family and others against the spread of germs, including "swine influenza", please take these simple but important steps:
- If you or your child gets sick with influenza, the health department recommends that you or your child stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Children with elevated temperatures may not return to Gesher until fever free for 24 hrs.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective but should not continually be used as a substitute for good hand washing with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with those who have symptoms of flu.
The safety of our students continues to be our number one priority. If you have any questions or would like more information regarding colds and flu please do not hesitate to get in touch with Sharon Yungshten, Gesher's school nurse. Her regular school hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and her direct telephone line at Gesher is 703-962-9206.
You may also obtain updated flu information by visiting the Fairfax County's Flu Web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu or by calling the Fairfax County Government Emergency Information Line for updated recorded messages at 703-817-7771, TTY 711.
After School Hebrew Class, Organized by 8th grade students!
Starting next Wednesday, we will have 8th grade students available to help students up through Kitah Gimel with homework, reading, speaking and practicing Hebrew from 3:30-4:15pm. Please contact Graciela Granek if your child is interested in participating ggranek@gesher-jds.org.
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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Kitah Bet students decorate their Havdalah boxes.
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Alex F. shows his completed Havdalah box during the Havdalah Siyum.
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Ava D. and Noa Y. at the Havdalah Siyum.
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 | | Mr. Scott teaches line dancing to Kitah Hay students. |
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Gesher participants at this year's MathCounts event.
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| Admissions News |
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 | |
Calling all Citizen Scientists!
This weekend, from Feb 18-21, is the Great Backyard Bird Count. It is sponsored by Cornell University's Ornithology Department. It is a chance for anyone to become an amateur scientist and help the professionals gather data. People from all over the country will be participating. The scientists use the data to help determine the health of various bird populations, migration patterns, changes in habits and habitats, and so much more. A great explanation of how the data is used is at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/whycount.html.
To participate, all anyone has to do is look at the birds for at least 15 minutes on one of the count days. Of course, you can watch for longer and for more than one day. Observations can be made in your backyard, or anywhere else you choose to go.
Participants count which species they see, and the highest number of individual birds of each species they see at any one time. In other words, if you see 1 male cardinal, then later you see two, and later you see one more, you report two, which is the most you saw at any one time. Results are posted on-line at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/. Here you will also find several bird-related activities for children and adults. My favorites were the jigsaw puzzles at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/kids/jigsaw.
The weather should be wonderful this weekend. Take a walk outside, look at the birds, and count what you see.
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| PTO | |
New Perspective
by Julia Malakoff
As my oldest son begins to attend the B'nai Mitzvah of his friends who are all beginning to turn twelve and thirteen, I realize that as a mother of four, I find myself caught in the middle of multiple life phases. My oldest child is starting to display the tell tale signs of the teenager and my youngest is still mastering the art of potty training. The equation is simple, potty training plus pre-pubescence and everything in between equals pooped! But, I have to say, this is a path I have chosen and as a stay-at-home mom, I may have my personal frustrations, but, I persevere, as do we all.
This past Sunday I attended the funeral of the mom of a good friend of mine. Her mother had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when my friend was entering her college years. And from that moment, my dear friend took on the role of her mom's "sole" warrior. She helped her mom research the best treatments and the most knowledgeable doctors. In spite of the fact that the doctors predicted her mom would only live one more year, she marched on to live an additional twenty....with zest and gusto.
I listened to the eulogy, filled with such dynamic descriptions of this durable mom, a single mom raising two energetic children, who had attained a masters in library sciences. A lover of the arts, including museums, theatres, operas and symphonies...and books. She instilled these loves into her children and as my friend continued to read her experiences of growing up with her mom, she went on to tell the tales of her mom becoming a grandmother and instilling these loves, once again into the younger generation. My friend is still her mom's sole warrior and now her "soul" warrior. My personal reflections lead me to appreciate our every day moments. So, if it means a day full of potty misses or prepubescent mouths...I will take it...for this is momhood....and I am proud!
Save the date and order your tickets!
The Gesher PTO is sponsoring a screening of the important film, RACE TO NOWHERE on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 7:00 pm at Cinema Arts Theatres in Fairfax, VA. The film is approximately 90 minutes long and will be followed by a facilitated panel discussion with audience participation.
To register to see the film and purchase your ticket, go to: http://rtncinemaarts313-autohome.eventbrite.com/ and FIND our screening. Our registration should be live on the web site by the end of this week. If you have any questions about the film or the screening, please feel free to contact Michelle Stravitz mstravitz@verizon.net.
RACE TO NOWHERE
Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren't developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what's best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.
Race to Nowhere is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.
In a grassroots sensation already feeding a groundswell for change, hundreds of theaters, schools and organizations nationwide are hosting community screenings during a six month campaign to screen the film nationwide. Tens of thousands of people are coming together, using the film as the centerpiece for raising awareness, radically changing the national dialogue on education and galvanizing change.
Featured in the film:
- Dr. Madeline Levine, Clinical Psychologist and author of the best-seller, The Price of Privilege
- Dr. Wendy Mogel, Clinical Psychologist and author of The Blessing of a Skinned Knee
- Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, Adolescent Medicine Specialist, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Dr. Deborah Stipek, Dean of the School of Education at Stanford University
- Dr. Denise Pope, Co-Founder, Challenge Success, Stanford University
- Sara Bennett, Founder, Stop Homework
Mishloach Manot!
Spring is not too far away and soon we will be celebrating Purim and delighting in the sweet tastes of hamentashen. On that note, we will be taking orders for Mishloach Manot. Volunteers will be needed for assembly and delivery. Anyone interested in helping out with the Purim Carnival should contact Michelle Nash, Naomi Hutchins and Micki Litman.
BOOK SALE! The third annual Gesher Used Book Sale will be held starting on March 28th. The sale will be open to the public starting on Family Fun Day on Sunday, April 3rd through Wednesday, April 6th. Start saving your CDs, DVDs, audio books, videos and all kinds of books. Book collection begins March 14th through March 17th. Volunteers will be needed for all aspects of the sale including sorting, set-up and sales. Please contact Sharon Bliss at Sharon@healthandbliss.com to volunteer or for more information.
Mark your calendars for Friday, March 11th, when the PTO will host another coffee.
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.
Donations to Shomrei Gesher in honor of Dottie Bennett's Birthday Gerry Weiser Diane Greenspun Rhea Schwartz and Martin Wolff Bev and Neal Kramer Naomi Rosenblatt In appreciation of Zachary Green Liz and Peter Maer
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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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