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Have a wonderful summer!
A Good News Update from Russ Klein, Head of School
In this our final newsletter of the 2012-2013 school year, I would like to take a moment to review some of the events of the past year and some of our accomplishments over the last 5 years.  It has been my pleasure to guide, with all of you, this community gem for the past 5 years, and I look forward to continuing our work together. 

Over the past two weeks I have received calls and emails congratulating us on the newly released Fraser Institute Report. This one external measure of academic success shows how King David has improved academically. In King David's first 3 years of operation (2005 - 2007) the school's Fraser Institute ranking average was 86 (out of about 300 schools). The last 3 years have seen this ranking climb 70 places so that our average ranking during these years is 16 which puts us consistently in the top 6% of ranked schools in the province. 

Our King David Staff and Board of Directors have worked diligently to develop programs that meet the needs of our students and of the community. The Fraser Institute ranking is a limited measure of a school, and we have focused much more energy on producing well-rounded graduates. As the only broadly-based, Jewish high school rooted in Jewish values, ethics and ruach, where a Jewish identity can be fully developed in a safe, nurturing and challenging environment, we never lose sight of the fact that students have the choice of attending many excellent high schools in Vancouver. We not only provide a challenging, diverse and highly regarded General Studies program, but we take our responsibility to provide a well-rounded Jewish education just as seriously. 

During the last 5 years we have: 

Added: 
*    Grade 8 Accelerated Math and Science Honours program 
*    Senior courses in Law, Economics and Psychology   
*    Experiential learning opportunities through school-wide retreats, the annual
      Grade 8 Israel Trip and increased support for students wishing to participate in
      March of the Living   

Expanded:  
*    The concept of Mitzvah Day to embrace both mitzvot and kindness through
      RAC (Random Acts of Chesed) week    
*    Jewish celebrations adding incredible school and community events around
      Simchat Torah and Yom Ha'atzmaut   

Improved: 
*    Our communications through our weekly school newsletter and Annual
      Reports  
*    Fundraising and community support  

This summer we are not sitting still. We are improving our technology infrastructure at every level. You cannot teach 21st Century skills and learning without the proper tools. Mounted multi-media projectors and smart boards are being put into every classroom. Desktop computers are being removed from the library and a new room structure will allow greater use of this beautiful space including a power station with laptop computers so students can simply pick one up and get to work. Our website and communications are undergoing a redesign, and our software that manages the school, including student reporting, is being changed and modernized. We are looking at new ways of using technology to enhance student learning at every level - today students come to us fully engaged as learners and we need to not only meet them where they are but take our students to where they want to go.

I wish all of you who read our newsletter and support our school a restful and rejuvenating summer. We look forward to connecting again in the fall.   
Lehitraot
We have been fortunate to have a number of students and families with us this year that will be leaving Vancouver this summer. We will miss you all and hope that you will stay connected to your King David family.

Anna Poepl and Ana Wiegandt (Grade 10) are returning to complete high school  
in Germany after spending a year abroad with us.

Elan Geelmuyden (Grade 8) and family will be returning to Norway after spending a sabbatical year in Vancouver.

Eran Miranker (Grade 10) and Maya Yaron (Grade 8) are returning to Israel with their families.

Mikey Naiman (Grade 9) and family are moving to Ontario  
 

One last farewell and thank you to our 2013 Graduates and their families - don't forget to visit!