Rabbi Saltzman started the fifth grade principals' coffee this week with a D'var Torah that related this week's parasha (Chayei Sarah) to our middot theme this year, tefilla. 

 

The major topic of conversation during the rest of the session was leadership opportunities for fifth grade students.  Chesed Chaverim is a schoolwide program that takes place 6-8 times over the course of the school year.  Students in K-4 are divided into groups (with one student per grade), and each is led by a fifth grade student.  The program involves games, discussions, and a chesed (community service) project. The fifth graders plan the Chesed Chaverim program along with the Shlichot.

 

The Playworks Youth Leadership program offers our fifth graders the chance to run organized recess activities for younger students.  Fifth graders complete an application, get signatures from parents and teachers, and when accepted, are assigned a weekly recess session to help supervise.  Usually a girl and a boy are paired for leading, and they are trained in conflict resolution prior to starting in their new role.  Students are held responsible for any classroom work they miss and are required to ask a classmate, rather than a teacher, for help in this.

 

The TEVA overnight Jewish environmental education program, coming up at the end of the month, is another example of leadership-building for our fifth grade students.  Being away from home, caring for oneself for three nights, and collaborating with classmates during outdoor educational activities fosters much growth, maturation, and bonding for our Elementary School "seniors."  After they return, the fifth graders plan a "Bring it Back to Your School" project whose goals are to educate and increase awareness of environmental concerns among the rest of the ES students and make an actual difference in our school.  Some examples from previous years' projects are lunch composting, creating a sculpture out of used lunch milk cartons, and running a campaign to encourage the use of reusable water bottles and containers for lunches rather than disposable ones.

 

Any fifth grade parents who missed the Coffee should feel free to contact the principals with questions, or for further elaboration of the topics discussed.