By Andrea Silton, Middle School Teacher and Advisor Pluralism – the ability to encounter those who are different than us with respect and curiosity – is a cornerstone of our JCDS mission. Each day, we practice and teach pluralism within the walls of this school. Since this is a Jewish school, a natural and necessary … More School Sparks: Pluralism in Action
By Kait Birghenthal, 3rd-5th Grade Science Teacher, and Adi H., 5th Grade Student Emily Williamson, an author who worked with students from Ghana to create a book about African folktales and pollution, came to JCDS on January 16th to do a storytelling and writing workshop with the fifth graders. Fifth grader Adi was introduced to … More School Sparks: Gizo-Gizo Author Visit
by Karen Bernanke, Director of Student Support Services When you walk through the halls of the Lower School, you may hear children excitedly speaking with color-coded vocabulary. I was recently approached by a kindergarten student waving his arms excitedly exclaiming, “It’s my birthday today! I’m in the yellow zone.” He was appropriately sharing his emotional state and ability to … More School Sparks: Zones at JCDS
By Jared Matas, Director of STEAM Innovation Last week, JCDS students learned about the heart, computer algorithms, water filtration, and even met with an astronaut, all as part of JCDS STEAM Week 2020. Astronaut Jeff Hoffman, the first person to read Torah in space, regaled our students with tales from his five trips aboard the … More School Sparks: STEAM WEEK 2020 Was Out of This World!
by Glenda Speyer, Director of Learning and Teaching Of the countless topics that could have been chosen for our valued Professional Development day in November, we chose to engage in a three-hour study around Civil Discourse. Civil Discourse is closely aligned to our mission and we all know it is so badly needed at this … More School Sparks: Faculty Professional Development – Civil Discourse
by Jared Matas, Director of STEAM Innovation יַעֲלֹז שָׂדַי וְכָל אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ (אָז יְרַנְּנוּ כָּל עֲצֵי יָעַר (תהלים צו:יב “When the fields and everything in them exult; then shall all the trees of the forest shout for joy” (Psalms 96:12) During the recent 4th grade Learning Adventure, students redesigned the space just outside their classroom, … More School Sparks: 4th Grade Learning Adventure
by Joanne Baker, 7th and 8th Grade English Teacher and Rosh (Head of) 8th Grade When the genuine opportunity to integrate curriculum and collaborate with a colleague presents itself to teachers, it can be a positive, organic experience for them and their students. Dorit Zmiri, Director of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Language, and I recently … More School Sparks: Integration and Collegial Collaboration at Their Best
by Chavah Goldman, Arava (2nd Grade) Teacher Have you ever laid in bed at night worrying about a problem that you didn’t know how to solve? Have you ever complained to others about a problem in the community without taking any steps to fix it? If so, you are not alone. There are many reasons that we choose … More School Sparks: Community Problem Solving
By Dr. Susie Tanchel I am excited to welcome you back to JCDS as we begin the 2017-18 school year! I hope that, like me, you have had the opportunity this summer to enjoy wonderful and rejuvenating moments of relaxation with family and friends. Spending time outside in awe-inspiring natural beauty has felt particularly meaningful for … More JCDS: An Antidote to the Voices of Hatred
By Ifat Bejerano, Parent of Danielle ’17 and Stav ’13 As my youngest daughter, Danielle, prepares to graduate from JCDS in a few short weeks, I find myself reflecting on my family’s nine years at JCDS. I think back to the first time I visited the school. My husband, Yaniv, and I were living in … More Reflections on a Bicultural Community
