 |
Donna Klein Jewish Academy
March 18, 2016 -8 Adar II 5776
|
|
Dear DKJA Community,
As I noted to you in my message from last week's HaShavua, professional development is an essential ingredient in our program. Ensuring that our amazing team of educators "Sharpen the Saw" on a regular basis is key to our continued journey toward excellence. "Sharpening the Saw" is a reference to Habit #7 of the Stephen Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which are the foundation of DKJA's leadership model. We strive to not only be excellent, but to continue on the path of greatness, sharpening and honing our skills every chance we get. We expect this from our students, so having the same expectations for those that lead and teach is imperative. We are a community of learners...each and every one of us.
Unlocking human potential has been our professional development focus. Embedding Design Thinking into
our teaching and learning is a concept that is being infused into all areas of education at DKJA. Students and teachers are working collaboratively, ensuring that critical thinking skills are developed to their fullest. Students today are the employees, leaders, entrepreneurs and teachers of tomorrow. They are unique learners, motivated differently than students from previous generations. They thrive differently. They question more. They realize that solutions can be reached through innovative approaches. Experts in the field corroborate this concept, and say that the key to success is GRIT. I encourage you to take a few minutes to view the video provided on this topic. It most likely will impact your entire way of thinking, and learning. It's been viewed more than 8 million times...
Successful students must learn, understand and practically apply content. Memorization and
"inside the box" thinking is limiting. In order to be successful in the 21st century, problem solving, the ability to work with others to find a solution, and even hitting a road block to "turn around" and reach the correct path, are all part of the process. It is Design Thinking at its finest. This way of teaching and thinking makes students better able to succeed at everything from standardized tests to project-based challenges. They become lifelong learners. They graduate prepared to embrace their environment, whatever it may be.
As educators, we are both learning and teaching, on a continued path of embracing an ever-changing world. Without our commitment to this imperative aspect of preparing our students, we would not be the renowned leadership academy that we have achieved. Thank you for the opportunity to educate your children.
Shabbat Shalom,
Helena Levine
Head of School
|
|
THE OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT INVITES YOU...
Business and Networking Group (BANG) Business Directory renewals are coming soon! We look forward to all our partners continuing with us for 2016/2017. BANG's next event is on April 7th at 7 p.m. at N2 Winebar in Delray Beach. The Office of Institutional Advancement looks forward to seeing everyone there.
|
|
|
A NEW MEZUZAH AT DKJA...WE ARE A KEHILLAH (COMMUNITY)
While entering DKJA from Dedication Plaza, you might notice a new mezuzah adorning the doorway. Security guard Mike Addessi, who keeps watch over the students, staff and faculty of DKJA and stands by the door every day, was part of the blessing and dedication ceremony. Special thanks to DKJA parent Mr. Jonathan Louis and Rabbi in Residence Baruch Plotkin for their assistance with the blessing and installation.
|
|
PIZMON VISITS DKJA AS PART OF OUTREACH INITIATIVE
Members of the outstanding, talented singing group Pizmon entertained students in grades 8 through 12 in Zinman Hall on Tuesday. The group is the first Jewish co-ed a cappella group on a college campus and is comprised of singers and beat boxers from Columbia University, Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Many of Pizmon's members are enrolled in a dual educational program. Their curriculum encompasses Jewish studies combined with programs in a variety of majors, including engineering and art history, to name a few. The singers each made a personal introduction and described their educational interests for the DKJA audience.
Pizmon came to Boca Raton on its spring break outreach initiative. After visiting to Costa Rica and South Florida, the group travels to Panama, visiting schools and communities of varying age demographics to share love of Jewish music.
|
|
#DKJAkind - KINDNESS IS EVERYWHERE!
By Mrs. Sydney Siegel, Director of Student Services
As part of our Great Kindness Challenge Week, students were encouraged, with the guidance of their teachers, to work together and create a bulletin board representing the theme of Kindness. This friendly competition allowed students to collaborate by planning and sharing ideas of what kindness means to them.
Middle School students from our Lighthouse Leadership Committee acted as judges for the competition. Congratulations to K-109 and the 6th grade for their winning boards.
|
PURIM UPDATES - INFORMATION PROVIDED FOR SPECIFIC GRADES
Please read the following information for your child's grade, respectively. Thank you!
|
|
YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED - PLEASE COMPLETE AVI CHAI SURVEY
Dear Parents,
We are writing to advise you of an important study in which our school is participating. The Avi Chai Foundation has launched a nationwide study of the goals and expectation for Hebrew language education in Jewish day schools. As a token of appreciation to participants,
the Foundation is offering the chance to win a pair of tickets to Israel to all parents who take part.
As part of the study, DKJA has been asked to field three separate surveys for the following:
- Students in grades 5th, 8th and 11th
- Hebrew language and Jewish studies specialists and teachers
- All school parents
In order to ensure that the views of all of our school's stakeholders are taken into account, it's vital that parents complete the survey. This will allow the research team to gain a more in-depth understanding of your expectations and impressions of Hebrew language learning within the school.
As a benefit of participating, our school will receive our own individualized data report and resources to help support the planning and provision of the Hebrew language. Responses from our school will be compared to the aggregate collected from all participating schools.
Everything you and your child share through the survey will be completely anonymous.
Only one parent per family should complete the survey. Please do so within a week. It should take 15-20 minutes to complete.You can access the survey by following this link:
|
PARK & LEARN & MINYAN
PARENTS WELCOME!
Parents are invited to explore how Torah connects to our everyday life, and makes our lives more spiritual and more meaningful, at Park & Learn. It provides an understanding of what is inspiring our children. Park and Learn takes place every Friday morning (when school is in session) from 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. in the MAC. Click here for details. Parents and loved ones are also invited to the DKJA Minyan, Monday through Thursday mornings after drop-off, from 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. in the MAC. Click here for details.Both programs are led by Rabbi In Residence Baruch Plotkin.
|
|
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE; DVDs CAN BE PRE-ORDERED
Professional photos of the drama production High School Musical are available. Downloads are $10. Both performances are included. Click here for the link. The password is dkjamusical (all lower case).
Click here to order your DVD of the performance. Performances are this Saturday night (8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoon (1 p.m.)
|
|
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
School Closings/Holidays/Early Dismissals For March Click here. CALENDAR DATES FOR 2016-2017 ACADEMIC YEAR...MAKE A NOTE Click here.
|
|
READ DKJA'S BLOGS
LATEST SCHOOL, COMMUNITY & SYNAGOGUE NEWS AND EVENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
