Reading, writing, arithmetic - Torah, tzedakah, and tikun olam are back in session for the students and faculty of Yavneh Academy and morals, mathematics, and more have everyone's schedules filled.

After the annual Back-to-School Picnic at Churchill Park - many thanks to our student and faculty planners, and parent volunteers, Yavneh's doors opened for the 2010-2011 year on August 16 with 118 students, a 3.4/1 teacher to student ratio, with $775,000 in Tuition Assistance, and another $55,000 in merit scholarships, provided.

"We have students from across the economic and religious spectrum at Yavneh and the mix is tremendous," said Don O'Quinn, Head of School.  "The greatest complement our students give us is the oft repeated 'Yavneh is a family and everybody is somebody at Yavneh." 

Yavneh's Parent Teacher Organization held their first meeting of the year (please contact info@yavnehdallas.org for more information about the PTO), parents were put to the task of touring their students' schedules at Meet the Teacher Night, and many of our new parents shared in a "Welcome to Yavneh" breakfast and gathering. 

There was much Shalom in the Shabbat of August 27 when Yavneh hosted its largest, and possibly best Shabbaton ever!  "With almost 80 students and the families of four staff members, the ruach, food, davening, learning, and most importantly - the bonding was incredible," said Naomi Schrager, Associate Principal and Judaic Programming Director.

"Having this Shabbaton at the beginning of the year allows our student body to really come together as a family. Experiencing a Shabbat together gives us the chance to get to know each other outside of the classroom setting, where there are no academic expectations, no homework or tests - just good food, good singing, and good friends."

Mazal Tov to Justine Berman '12, the daughter of Leora Lurie and Peter Berman, who was selected as Dallas' 2010 Sprint Youth Community Champion. As the recipient of this award, Justine has received a $2500 grant from the Sprint Foundation, which she has chosen to share with the Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship, an organization that assists riders with over 100 physical, cognitive and emotional diagnoses. An organization that has been Justine's passion for four years.

"We are very appreciative of the donation on Justine's behalf to Equest," said Ellie Grant, Volunteer Director for Equest.  "$2500 might cover eight months of care for one of our horses, it might be a scholarship for six or more riders, and it might be used to purchase saddles for hundreds of riders to use."

"Justine gives of her time and energy far beyond the average teenager," said Allyn Schmucker, Yavneh's Guidance Director.  "Her heart is wide open to help those with special needs. She has won the respect of those in charge by her honest concern for the kids and their needs and her concern and care for the horses as well."

"Justine appreciates the beauty life has to offer," said Mrs. Schmucker.  "Bumps in the road are just that; never insurmountable, and Justine is a young lady who embraces life and all it has to offer. She understands a challenge and refuses to allow anything to slow her down."

"I've always loved horses and coming to Equest started as a one-summer project and that year I logged more than 300 hours," said Justine who has received the organization's Rookie of the Year and other volunteer department awards.  "I didn't realize the impact it would have on me."

"So many of us take for granted our physical and mental functions and to see the growth and development of the riders I work with makes me a better person," said Justine who this year assisted riders at the Texas Special Olympics.  "You can see the progress of a rider in a year, some in a week, and whether it's in their walking, their speech, or otherwise, you see how they function better in everyday life."

"Justine is an incredibly dedicated and devoted volunteer and we are so proud of her," said Ms. Grant.  "She has a very special way with people and animals, she's worked with riders of all levels and she doesn't shy away from any task or responsibility.  Her heart and empathy sets her apart from others, something very rare in such a young lady."