On The Bridge November 3, 2011
Gesher Jewish Day School 6 Cheshvan, 5772
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| Shabbat Shalom | |
שבת שלום
Candlelighting: 5:48pm
Lech-Lecha
לך־לך
Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1 - 17:27
Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27 - 41:16
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| Greetings! | |
Gesher's 2011 Educational Records Bureau (ERB) test scores again paint the picture of a highly capable student body. Our average student is far superior to age group peers on a national basis, scoring in the 90th percentile and higher on all subtests. Furthermore, the average Gesher student is much advanced when compared to children from similar advantaged socio-economic family backgrounds, scoring in the 70th percentile and higher on subtests in this more selective population. Perhaps most impressively, the average Gesher student exceeds the scores of other independent school students, scoring consistently in the 60th percentile or higher in this most competitive population.
Here is a chart of the results on the various subtests vs. the national norms over the past five years:
A question that naturally arises is this: do Gesher students get these results despite the attention paid to the Hebrew and Jewish studies side of our curriculum or because of the attention paid to these subjects? I'm a big believer in the latter interpretation. I would strongly argue that the skills students develop in studying Torah and learning a second language in Jewish day school directly increase their skill sets in first language reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and writing. Beyond this, as critical thinking is in essence mutable, you can make the case that our enriched program pays dividends across the boards. Such is the heart of our new campaign touting the unique advantage enrolling in Gesher provides: Two Educations in One.
Shabbat Shalom!
Dr. Zvi Schoenburg
Head of School
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| Upcoming Events |
See our full calendar of events!
November 4- Noon Dismissal, End of First Marking Period November 8- Picture Day (make ups) November 9- Admissions Open House November 11- Begin "Short Fridays," 2:30 pm dismissals (3:30 pm Friday dismissals resume March 9) November 14-15- No School. Parent-Teacher Conferences November 21- Gesher JDS Board Meeting November 23- Grandparents/VIP Day, 10:00 am - Noon November 23- Erev Thanksgiving, Noon Dismissal November 24-25- Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
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School News
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Gesher United News
Yasher Koach to all who played in Gesher United's soccer game this week against Burgandy!
Yasher Koah to Zev S., Solomon H. and Gabe M. who participated in the ABC Cross Country championships on 11/2 at Burgundy Farms School! Zev placed 7th, Solomon placed 23rd and Gabe placed 26th out of a total of 65 male runners in grades 3-8.
Picture Day Make-ups
Thank you to Freed Photography for taking beautiful school pictures yesterday! Images will be available to view and order online by November 18. Did your child miss picture day? No need to worry...Freed Photography will be returning on Tuesday, November 8th for make-up pictures.
Student Council News
We have almost made it to the end of the first quarter! Student Council wants to help the students celebrate by having ice cream on Friday November 11th at lunch. Watch for flyer to come this week.
Gesher ABC Game Donations
Thank you to those who have donated- the students are loving all of the wonderful games and puzzles! If you have more donations throughout the year, please contact Laura Strouse at lstrouse@gesher-jds.org.
Sign-Up Online for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Register for Parent/Teacher Conferences through our school website: www.gesher-jds.org.
If you haven't registered yet, here's how- it's easy!:
1) Log in at www.gesher-jds.org
2) Go to My Gesher, and select Parent Corner on the leftpanel. Parent/Teacher Conference Registration is listed under Transactions.
3) Follow the directions you find there!
Pictures of the Week:
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Mama Bear visits with Gesher's Kitah Gimel!
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Mama Bear gets lots of hugs and smiles from the Gan students!
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Kitah Hay student Jason E. reads with his Gan buddies, Seth B. and Braden H.
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Gan students lead Kabbalat Shabbat for the Gan and 5th grade students.
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 | Kitah Chet student Ben L. was dressed up as Thomas Jefferson for a historical figure presentation in Civics.
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| Admissions | |
Stay in touch with Gesher through Facebook and our new Twitter Feed on our homepage at www.gesher-jds.org
Volunteers are needed during the coming months to reach out to prospective families. If you are willing to host a family for a Shabbat meal or call a prospective family to answer any questions they may have, please let Admissions know. In addition, the Refer-a- Friend Tuition reduction program is again available. Word of mouth is our most important recruitment tool. Share your experiences with others to help build our enrollment. We are very proud of our students, school and program and we know you are too! For more information on Refer-a-Friend, contact Debra in the Admissions office.
Admissions Open House Dates
Wednesday, Nov 9 @ 9:30
Gesher Admissions Fall calendar in full swing. Lots going on at Gesher and beyond!
Nov 6 Gesher Parlor Meeting in Fairfax - Hosted by the Schwartz Rosens
Nov 6 Gesher co-sponsors Character Breakfast at the JCCNV
Nov 7 Alexandria Preschool Fair
Nov 9 Admissions Open House
We need volunteers to assist at many of the above outreach activities. Please contact Debra soon if you can help - dmendelson@gesher-jds.org.
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| Head, Heart and Hand | |
The 6th grade just finished reading Iqbal: A Novel by Francesco D'Adamo, which is about a boy who stood up and fought for the rights of child laborers in India. Although the story is fictional, it is based off the life of Iqbal Masih and the events surrounding the novel are all true. Moved by the story the 6th grade has decided that they want to take action and help other children like Iqbal, which coincides perfectly with their Head Heart and Hand Project.
After learning about the organization Free The Children, the 6th grade has decided to work with them and their Adopt A Village Program. The most interesting fact about Free The Children is that it was started by one boy who was in 6th grade and got inspired to make change after reading the exact book we read, Iqabl. The 6th grade class is hoping to adopt a village in Kenya and help work to bring the village a clean water filtration system. Keep your eyes open for more information on what the 6th grade is doing and how you can help them reach their goal!
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| PTO | |
Get Caught Wearing Purple...Don't forget to show your school spirit by wearing purple and/or white on Fridays.Those in need of GesherWear may contact Naomi Hutchins at neshicot1029@verizon.net. We Want You...to volunteer.The PTO is always in need of extra hands. If you are interesting in helping out, please go to the PTO section of the Gesher website to sign up.
Keep sending in those Box Tops!
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| Development and Fundraising | |
SHOMREI GESHER PHON-A-THON is next MON, NOV 7th
Gesher volunteers will be calling you on Monday, Nov. 7. Here is a wonderful opportunity to give tzedakah by contributing to our Annual Fund, Shomrei
Gesher. We are at 10% of our $300,000 goal for 2011-12; your gift will have great impact on our target.
Shomrei Gesher funds directly benefit Gesher's operating needs and resources so important to our children -- the wonderful teachers, books, resource support, technology upgrades, science equipment, art supplies, sports equipment and more.
We ask all parents, faculty and staff to give to Shomrei Gesher - a community effort that seeks 100% participation. If you have contributed already, not only do we thank you, but you will not receive a call from us on Monday.
Would you help make calls? We will be conducting the phon-a-thon from Gesher, 7-9 PM, Monday November 7th. Please contact Rochelle Goldberg, our VP of Fundraising, at rdgoldberg@hotmail.com if you're interested in helping us this way.
Gesher SCRIP!
Purchase your GESHER SCRIP in the office! The following gift cards are available NOW!!
Shoppers, Bed bath and beyond, Barnes and noble, Walmart, Giant, Home depot, Itunes,
L L Bean, Starbucks, Safeway, Whole foods, Macy's, Koshermart
There are a variety of denominations available. Come to the Gesher office to purchase yours!
You can also follow the links on Gesher's website to purchase additional retail SCRIP cards HERE: https://www.gesher-jds.org/giving/scrip.php This is one of the easiest ways to give back to Gesher just by doing your own regular shopping! Thank you for your support!
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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 Michelle M.'s Bat Mitzvah The Colella Family A contribution to Shomrei Gesher in memory of Gesher Great-Grandmother, Margaret Danies Naama Ende and Jonathan Yager In memory of Eleanor May Klinkman Jessica S. In honor of Elizabeth Sarah Boyd's Baby Naming Roni and Neil Stern
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| Caring Community | |
Refuah Shlema to Iren Fertel.
Yasher Koach to Gesher Alum Casey L., who made the rank of Eagle Scout last month.
Jennifer Scher, Northern Virginia Regional Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, poses with her colleague Sarah Sicherman, Marketing and Events Coordinator, before delivering our new, beautiful banner to Gesher's campus. We recognize that community support for our school is far and wide and we thank you, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, celebrating our milestone 30th anniversary with us!
Visit Jconnect.org!
Jconnect.org is the one place where you can go to find information on everything Jewish in the Greater Washington community. This new community site features a robust community calendar that's easy to navigate for both posters and users. Please check the website often as the site is ever-changing!
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| Community Announcements | |
Please click on the links below to view each flyer.
The Washington Jewish Week is now available for purchase from the newsstand in the office for $1
Teen Hebrew Class
Olam Tikvah Blood Drive
Rock n' Bowl: 8th-12th graders
Invasion of the Singing Terps Jewish A Cappella Concert
Lindamood-Bell- Thank-a-Thon to our Troops!
31st JCCNV Annual Fall Fundraiser, "A Night of the Arts"
The 6th Annual JCCNV Jewish Book Festival - November 5-13, 2011
Highlights include:
Opening Night November 5 8:00 pm: Authors of Spousonomics - a great date night and a fun evening!
Sunday November 6 2:00 pm Author Talk and Tea with Karen Bergreen, author of Following Polly
Tuesday November 8 8:00 pm Israel Night - a panel of experts/authors on the Middle East, moderated by JCRC representative Ariel Farber
Thursday November 10 7:30 pm Book Club and Book Lover's Night with author Sonia Taitz, who will be visiting Gesher's 7th grade on the afternoon of November 10!
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
If you have changes to your email or mailing address, please send them to mparnes@gesher-jds.org so we can update your information. If you wish to be removed from the "On the Bridge" e-letter distribution list, please do not use the "SafeUnsubscribe" link below unless you wish to be removed from all email correspondence from Gesher Jewish Day School.
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