On the Bridge 11/17/2011

On Monday, Mrs. Seibold and I went down to Richmond for the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) Annual Conference. As usual, the sessions were informative and thought-provoking. Doug Lyons, Executive Director of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools spoke to the topic: "Is an Independent School Education Worth the Cost?" His answer, not unsurprisingly, was a resounding, "Yes!". His argument, however, may not be as obvious. He began with the proposition that schools need be designed for the end-user, i.e., the student. Then he proceeded to explain how public schools are not designed for the end-user, whereas independent schools are.

Public schools are held accountable to student performance, measured in Virginia, for example, by the Standards of Learning (SOL) exams. Scantron, he said, promotes low level skills.

Independent schools, such as Gesher, on the other hand, are accountable to each child. A child not well known is a child not well taught. Importantly, it's elementary and secondary school that develop students' dispositions- and dispositions stick with you for a lifetime. Dispositions are learned behaviors, such as curiosity, resourcefulness, independence, optimism, morality, and happiness. Even being positively disposed to schooling is more critical now than ever as the children we teach now must not be prepared so much for "earning a living," as for "learning a living": continual relearning of every profession through ongoing training throughout one's career is fast becoming the norm.

Since 2008, following the national economic downturn, a study was done asking parents whose children were enrolled in independent schools, why do they continue to enroll in independent schools (instead of accessing free public education)? The four top reasons the parents reported were as follows:

1. The rigor of the program and the skills of the teachers

2. The ability of the school to act as a countercultural influence

3. The relationships the students have with their teachers

4. Safety

Each of these four are worthy of further explication and examination. Doug Lyons' conclusion? There are not many things you can give your children that will last forever- here are three: Unconditional love, a good family name, and the best childhood possible.

Shabbat Shalom!

Zvi

Dr. Zvi Schoenburg

Head of School

Upcoming Events

See our full calendar of events!

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

School News

Community Connections Week

Please join us at the Jewish Federation's Community Connections Week as we make calls to our community to help raise $1 million for the Federation's Annual Campaign. In addition to supporting Gesher financially, the Federation provides support for critical programs and services in our community, in Israel and around the world.

Gesher parents and board members have always been very active in Super Sunday. This new event replaces Super Sunday and gives us the opportunity to ask our community to join us in the mitzvah of tzedakah.

Please join us at the JCCNV on Monday, Dec. 5, 6:30-9:30pm. To register, please go to http://www.shalomdc.org/page.aspx?id=211678. Be sure to indicate that you are participating on behalf of an agency and on the drop-down menu select Gesher Jewish Day School as the name of the group.

Sincerely,

Miriam Berkowitz, President

Zvi Schoenburg, Head of School

VAIS conference

Gesher was recognized as one of seven out of 86 Virginia Association of Independent Schools that met the VAIS Go Green Challenge by significantly implementing the latest green practices and environmentally friendly policies.

Gesher in the news!

Here's a wonderful article on Gesher!! It is in the newsletter of the North American Monarch Institute. This institute is based at the University of Minnesota and their newsletter goes to people all over the country who are working with Monarch Butterflies. Click here and look for the article called "2011 Garden Highlights."

Two recycling opportunities!

Gesher Green has found 2 more great ways to easily help the planet by taking plastic items out of the landfill and putting them to good use through reusing and recycling.

Do you have old plastic gift cards from stores in the area? Give them to Ms. Wolin. Her artistic daughter is turning them into lovely original earrings. This is an example of "reuse" which is even better than "recycling." Of course, if you are looking for unique earrings, Ms. Wolin will be happy to show you the latest collection!

Mrs. Leckert can now also collect old markers for recycling, along with the dried out or used up glue sticks. She can take any kind of markers: Crayola, Sharpies, Expos, even old pens and mechanical pencils. The company that takes them back will also pay for them. So you can lower your trash volume, help the environment, and raise money for Gesher all at the same time! It doesn't get much better than that!

Pictures will appear in next week's OTB!

Gesher Green

Gesher Green Logo

Gesher Habitats

With so much wonderful land at Gesher and so many different habitats, how do we teach it all to the children? Like everything else we teach, we break it down to smaller "bits" so the children can focus and understand. Each grade has its own habitat for the year. They visit their habitat several times, and learn why it is unique and different from the others. In each grade, we try to incorporate their habitat into several curriculum areas. Many classes will have tefillah (prayer services) in their habitat. They will also use it for a study of Hebrew language. Science and Social Studies lessons are incorporated into habitat study as well. So here is the grade by grade breakdown:

Gan studies in the wetlands.
First grade learns about the insects in the meadow.
Second grade focuses on the plants in the meadow.
Third grade follows the Native Americans into the woods.
Fourth grade helps maintain our bird sanctuary.
Fifth grade is the last elementary grade, so they re-visit all the habitats and review what they learned in the lower grades.

Once the children reach middle school, we begin to take them beyond Gesher to learn about world-wide environmental issues. Again, we try and incorporate the outdoor education into all curriculum areas.

Sixth grade is learning about land and land use issues.
Seventh grade studies water and water use issues.
Eighth grade focuses on energy.

In this manner we try and teach all our students the importance of caring for the earth.

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, dmendelson@gesher-jds.org.

PTO

PTO logo

Thanks a million...

....to Chris Matricciani and Elyssa Brecher for organizing and distributing the gift wrap last week.

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!

Development and Fundraising

Scrip Shopping for Thanksgiving!!

Stop in the office and pick up grocery scrip to do your Thanksgiving shopping. You'll be spending that money anyway, why not help out Gesher too? We automatically get a % from local grocers when you make your purchase with Scrip.

IN STOCK RIGHT NOW:

Whole Foods

Giant

Shoppers Food

Safeway

KosherMart

Pay for these NOW in the office by cash or check and shop!!

Make your list AND ORDER OTHER RETAIL SCRIP NOW for Hannukah & holiday shopping for our first-ever Credit Card Blitz! Info went out last week in the mail and via Gesher Gram. Forms and ordering information can be found on those fliers as well as the credit card forms. Get those miles & points on your credit card and benefit Gesher at the same time!

Visit http://www.shopwithscrip.com/Shop/default.aspx and order with your credit card Now!!! WOW!!!

This special offer will end on November 29 2011.

Email your co-chairs for more information or stop at the office.

Alison Wilks: wilks1111@hotmail.com

Wendy Fischer: wendy_fischer@cox.net

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 Mollie S.'s Bat Mitzvah

Judy and Jon Gabel

Liz and Peter Maer

Harold Schultz

Beverly and Neal Kramer

Eunice Oyungu

Libby Russler Saiger and Jonathan Saiger

Shari and Sid Schwartz

In memory of Eleanor Klinkman

Judy and Jon Gabel

In memory of Sandy Rabinowitz

Ann Bennett

Judy and Jon Gabel

Iris and Biff Henley

In memory of Elizabeth Schwartzman

Judy and Jon Gabel

In honor of Michelle M.'s Bat Mitzvah

Judy and Job Gabel

In memory of Joan Kasse

Iris and Biff Henley

In memory of Samuel Grosshandler

Iris and Biff Henley

In honor of Aunt Lucille and Uncle Natey's special anniversary

Iris and Biff Henley

Refuah Schlemah to Anita Turk

Iris and Biff Henley

In memory of Sam Nichols and Gale Engler

Iris and Biff Henley

Caring Community

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!

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

CROP Walk 201- Join Team Adat Reyim!

Teen Hebrew Class

Rock n' Bowl: 8th-12th graders

Invasion of the Singing Terps Jewish A Cappella Concert

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.

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,

Gesher Jewish Day School

4800 Mattie Moore Court

Fairfax, VA 22030

phone: (703) 978-9789

fax: (703)978-2668

www.gesher-jds.org

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