I thought I'd write a few words about our K-1 general studies teacher, Morah Erin.
First, Morah Erin has boundless energy. She is a self-starter and is not afraid to dive headfirst into a project involving lots of steps, mess, and effort. Our upcoming Purim carnival is an example. She came up with the idea to host a Purim event for rising Kindergartners and immediately started enlisting help to carry it through. It is an event that is mostly going to be run by the kids. They are working hard making games for the preschoolers to play. I do hope a nice group of the little ones come because I think they'll have a good time playing with the big kids.
Erin is not Jewish, but she has worked as an educator in local Jewish schools for many years. This year she has decided that she will learn to read Hebrew with her K class. When I asked her "Why do you teach at this school?", she said, "Well, for instance, the kids are helping me learn to read Hebrew. I couldn't get that anywhere else." In the parking lot, I heard her thanking a child for helping her read Hebrew today. She made him feel very special. I could see by the smile.
She also said that she likes the fact that she can spend time every day, teaching every child individually. When I asked her this afternoon what she would want me to write about her, she said that this is very important to her. It's her favorite thing about teaching a small class. R. doesn't talk about general studies at school. When I ask her what she did in school that day she usually talks about P.E., recess, and lunch. Yet I see what an improvement there has been in R.'s reading, writing, and math skills. I have noticed that she suddenly has all sorts of information that I didn't teach her.
Erin is not stern. Her classroom is full of laughter and chatter, but there is also discipline. She speaks to the kids and to us very honestly and without mincing words. I remember at the beginning of the year R. was very unhappy that there was a 20 minute rest time every afternoon. I went in with R. to ask Erin what could be done about my child's terribly unhappiness during rest time. Erin, without pause, looked directly at R. and said "Kindergartners have a short rest time every afternoon. That is a time for you to rest quietly on your mat. We don't play or read during that time." R. accepted this as the way things were going to be and hasn't mentioned it again.
While she maintains discipline Erin distributes pounds of goodwill, and encouragement to the kids. She can be sort of cheerleader-like. She's very perky. She is also a very serious teacher and is doing a wonderful job teaching my child. R. has woken up every morning happy to go to school.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
What the parents like about the Jewish Academy
I've been asked "What do you like about the Jewish Academy?"
There are so many things that I like, that I'm just going to choose my favorite, and then encourage other parents to comment and add their own favorites.
My favorite thing about the Jewish Academy is the atmosphere of happiness. The kids are loved and nurtured. The faculty is warm and approachable. The kids love each other. Everyone is very nice to one another. The teachers and volunteers really care about the total well-being of each child.
I'll give one example that I saw while setting up for art class. A kindergartner had fallen asleep during rest time on a Friday afternoon. The K class rests for 20 minutes every afternoon. The rest of the class got up to go to Hebrew but Morah Erin decided to let this one child sleep. The child was obviously very tired and needed the nap. Rabbi Aaron came into the room and saw that there was a child still asleep on a mat instead of in Hebrew. He stood there looking at the kid for a minute, smiling, and then said something like "Kindergartners are so small. They are still our babies." (paraphrased) Maybe this doesn't speak to all parents, but it speaks to me.
It shows that while the school teaches the kids all of the things they are supposed to learn for their perspective grade, plus Hebrew, Judaics, P.E. and Music, they feel that for a kid to really achieve they must be nurtured, loved and healthy.
There are so many things that I like, that I'm just going to choose my favorite, and then encourage other parents to comment and add their own favorites.
My favorite thing about the Jewish Academy is the atmosphere of happiness. The kids are loved and nurtured. The faculty is warm and approachable. The kids love each other. Everyone is very nice to one another. The teachers and volunteers really care about the total well-being of each child.
I'll give one example that I saw while setting up for art class. A kindergartner had fallen asleep during rest time on a Friday afternoon. The K class rests for 20 minutes every afternoon. The rest of the class got up to go to Hebrew but Morah Erin decided to let this one child sleep. The child was obviously very tired and needed the nap. Rabbi Aaron came into the room and saw that there was a child still asleep on a mat instead of in Hebrew. He stood there looking at the kid for a minute, smiling, and then said something like "Kindergartners are so small. They are still our babies." (paraphrased) Maybe this doesn't speak to all parents, but it speaks to me.
It shows that while the school teaches the kids all of the things they are supposed to learn for their perspective grade, plus Hebrew, Judaics, P.E. and Music, they feel that for a kid to really achieve they must be nurtured, loved and healthy.
It's a common question "Are you still happy with the school?" Yes! We are still happy, and more importantly, R. is still happy. She is very, very happy and loves school. She never complains about getting up and going in the morning.
The kindergarten class is doing great. They are all reading at some level by now. They have all moved into the 1st grade math and 1st grade spelling books. They are all learning to read Hebrew and are each moving along at their own speed.
They are planning a Purim carnival for any rising K kids that want to come. I really hope that some of the preschool parents bring their kids to the JCC on the afternoon it is planned, because our kids are working really hard at making the games for them to play.
The kindergarten class is doing great. They are all reading at some level by now. They have all moved into the 1st grade math and 1st grade spelling books. They are all learning to read Hebrew and are each moving along at their own speed.
They are planning a Purim carnival for any rising K kids that want to come. I really hope that some of the preschool parents bring their kids to the JCC on the afternoon it is planned, because our kids are working really hard at making the games for them to play.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
What I like the most.
The Beth Or Preschool's four year old class came to visit the Jewish Academy a month or so ago. One of the Moms asked me "What do you like the most about this school?"
I think what I really like the most are all of the benefits that a child gets from being in a small school. My favorite examples are experiential, about teamwork and thoughtfulness. Here are some examples.
For Thanksgiving the children had a mitzvah (good deed) project. They were required to earn money for tzedakah(charity) by doing chores at home for two weeks. They were each expected to earn a minimum of five dollars. It was made clear to the parents that we were not supposed to just send $5 to school for this. In the end, the children all worked hard and exceeded their earning goal. Then, a week before Thanksgiving the school went to Kroger's to buy the supplies for Thanksgiving dinner for two families that are being helped by Jewish Family Services. Each child got a note card with one item they were responsible for finding (written in English and Hebrew). Each child got to help with the self-checkout and feed a few dollars into the checkout machine to pay. Jewish Family Services came to the school to pick up all the food later that day.
Every Friday afternoon the whole school sits in a circle. The general studies teachers for each class talk about what they studied that week and usually engages the kids in some sort of exchange about the topic. Rabbi Aaron or a guest Rabbi shares some wisdom about the Torah portion of the week. Often a Mom comes with her guitar and everyone enthusiastically sings songs. Parents often come to visit at this time and join-in. The nice thing is that all the students sit together and get a chance to participate in the group conversation.
For Hanukkah the school went to a retirement home with many Jewish residents, to sing Hanukkah Songs. The children have practiced every day. They understood that they are doing this to bring happiness to others. They had a good time, had outstanding behavior, and the residents really enjoyed the luncheon. A couple of children even went around to each resident at the table and wished them individually a happy Hannukah. They got lots of hugs and smiles in return.
The entire school plays together on the playground at recess. The big kids play with the little kids. The kids are all nice to each other. I don't hear about meanness or teasing.
The academics are terrific. R.'s brain is challenged and grows every day. But the sort of experiences written above are really shaping her heart and her soul. That is my favorite thing about the school.
I think what I really like the most are all of the benefits that a child gets from being in a small school. My favorite examples are experiential, about teamwork and thoughtfulness. Here are some examples.
For Thanksgiving the children had a mitzvah (good deed) project. They were required to earn money for tzedakah(charity) by doing chores at home for two weeks. They were each expected to earn a minimum of five dollars. It was made clear to the parents that we were not supposed to just send $5 to school for this. In the end, the children all worked hard and exceeded their earning goal. Then, a week before Thanksgiving the school went to Kroger's to buy the supplies for Thanksgiving dinner for two families that are being helped by Jewish Family Services. Each child got a note card with one item they were responsible for finding (written in English and Hebrew). Each child got to help with the self-checkout and feed a few dollars into the checkout machine to pay. Jewish Family Services came to the school to pick up all the food later that day.
Every Friday afternoon the whole school sits in a circle. The general studies teachers for each class talk about what they studied that week and usually engages the kids in some sort of exchange about the topic. Rabbi Aaron or a guest Rabbi shares some wisdom about the Torah portion of the week. Often a Mom comes with her guitar and everyone enthusiastically sings songs. Parents often come to visit at this time and join-in. The nice thing is that all the students sit together and get a chance to participate in the group conversation.
For Hanukkah the school went to a retirement home with many Jewish residents, to sing Hanukkah Songs. The children have practiced every day. They understood that they are doing this to bring happiness to others. They had a good time, had outstanding behavior, and the residents really enjoyed the luncheon. A couple of children even went around to each resident at the table and wished them individually a happy Hannukah. They got lots of hugs and smiles in return.
The entire school plays together on the playground at recess. The big kids play with the little kids. The kids are all nice to each other. I don't hear about meanness or teasing.
The academics are terrific. R.'s brain is challenged and grows every day. But the sort of experiences written above are really shaping her heart and her soul. That is my favorite thing about the school.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Learning Hebrew
R. is learning to read and speak modern Hebrew in kindergarten and she loves it. She has about 10 minutes of Hebrew reading homework Monday through Thursday, and after three months is just beginning to read consonant/vowel combinations phonetically. All the kids in the class are at different levels with their Hebrew reading at this point, as it should be. They are only 5 yrs old.
R. has already used her Hebrew. When we were in Ft. Lauderdale over Thanksgiving break we stopped in a beachwear shop to buy her flip flops. The owner of the store was an Israeli woman and I was speaking to her in my rusty Hebrew . I asked R. (with whom I never speak Hebrew) what color flip flops she wants "Eze tzeva?" and R. answered "adom" (red). The store owner was just blown away. Perhaps she was too easily impressed, but she was so excited about this little American girl learning Hebrew that she ignored all of her other customers for almost 10 minutes and then threw in a stuffed animal and a mini-license plate with R's name on it as a gift.
"They" (the experts) say that learning a second language is terrific for the young brain. I'm pleased that we've been able to send her to a school that teaches a second language that is also meaningful to us as Jews. She will use it every time she attends a religious service and, G-d willing, when we take a family trip to Israel one day. One thing's for sure. When R. finds herself in an Israeli owned store again, I am sure that our little fashionista and stuffed animal aficionado will use whatever Hebrew she can to receive good service.
R. has already used her Hebrew. When we were in Ft. Lauderdale over Thanksgiving break we stopped in a beachwear shop to buy her flip flops. The owner of the store was an Israeli woman and I was speaking to her in my rusty Hebrew . I asked R. (with whom I never speak Hebrew) what color flip flops she wants "Eze tzeva?" and R. answered "adom" (red). The store owner was just blown away. Perhaps she was too easily impressed, but she was so excited about this little American girl learning Hebrew that she ignored all of her other customers for almost 10 minutes and then threw in a stuffed animal and a mini-license plate with R's name on it as a gift.
"They" (the experts) say that learning a second language is terrific for the young brain. I'm pleased that we've been able to send her to a school that teaches a second language that is also meaningful to us as Jews. She will use it every time she attends a religious service and, G-d willing, when we take a family trip to Israel one day. One thing's for sure. When R. finds herself in an Israeli owned store again, I am sure that our little fashionista and stuffed animal aficionado will use whatever Hebrew she can to receive good service.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The common question
When I say that my daughter attends The Jewish Academy of Wake county the most common question asked is "Isn't it Orthodox?"
At the Jewish Academy we are all just parents and kids. Half of the families and kids in the school happen to practice Orthodox Judasim and half of us do not. The philosophy of the school is to teach what we all have in common.
I think what I need to reply when that question is asked is "What specifically are you concerned about?"
For instance, people have often asked if the girls and boys at the school pray and learn together, and if there is a mehitzah (divider). There is no mehitzah at the Jewish Academy. The children participate in all religious activities together with no separation of genders.
Another question that comes up is "Do you have to keep kosher now?" Although we are members of the Conservative movement that also believes that keeping kosher is an important Jewish practice, my family does not currently keep kosher and nobody at the Jewish Academy has made us feel uncomfortable about that choice. The children that come from homes with different levels of kashrut observance have playdates and attend each others Birthday parties.
As far as Judaic studies go, I am not actually scholarly enough to understand the theological differences in how the kindergarten version of the story of Abraham (for example) would be taught differently in the different synagogue's religious schools or in other day schools. I do know that she is learning a great deal (often teaching me something new) and always takes away a lesson, be it tzedakah, the mitzvah of welcoming guests into your home, or wishing a sick friend a refuah shelemah (complete recovery). She really loves the Judaics lessons and so I'm happy.
At the Jewish Academy we are all just parents and kids. Half of the families and kids in the school happen to practice Orthodox Judasim and half of us do not. The philosophy of the school is to teach what we all have in common.
I think what I need to reply when that question is asked is "What specifically are you concerned about?"
For instance, people have often asked if the girls and boys at the school pray and learn together, and if there is a mehitzah (divider). There is no mehitzah at the Jewish Academy. The children participate in all religious activities together with no separation of genders.
Another question that comes up is "Do you have to keep kosher now?" Although we are members of the Conservative movement that also believes that keeping kosher is an important Jewish practice, my family does not currently keep kosher and nobody at the Jewish Academy has made us feel uncomfortable about that choice. The children that come from homes with different levels of kashrut observance have playdates and attend each others Birthday parties.
As far as Judaic studies go, I am not actually scholarly enough to understand the theological differences in how the kindergarten version of the story of Abraham (for example) would be taught differently in the different synagogue's religious schools or in other day schools. I do know that she is learning a great deal (often teaching me something new) and always takes away a lesson, be it tzedakah, the mitzvah of welcoming guests into your home, or wishing a sick friend a refuah shelemah (complete recovery). She really loves the Judaics lessons and so I'm happy.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Parent/Teacher Conferences
We recently had our parent/teacher conference with R.'s kindergarten teacher, Morah (teacher) Erin. Our kid is doing very well, but we still had a lot to talk about. We had a thorough conversation for almost 40 minutes (much longer than the scheduled time). We were not rushed out. Because of the small class she is able to schedule one conference a day.
The conference started with a self-evaluation sheet that R. had filled out. It asked questions about classroom behavior. R. had filled out the sheet very truthfully with some self-criticism and plenty of self-praise. We thought it was both cute and telling.
Then we looked through R.'s writing journal to see how her penmanship, writing, and expression of ideas has improved over the past couple of months. The kids work in a journal every day and it's R's favorite thing to do. It was really fun to look through and read and the progress was amazing.
We learned something about the way our daughter reacts to pressure that we didn't already know. At first, we doubted that Morah Erin was even correct, but now I see exactly what she was talking about. I am now working on adjusted my own behavior while watching R. do her homework. We were also told to stop spelling things for her, which is a really, really hard habit to break, but we're working on that as well. (A retired teacher who volunteers at the school also tapped me on the shoulder in the middle of Shabbat services to remind me that I need to stop spelling for her. How's that for a community school? I love it. It takes a village!)
As parents we send them off for a day of learning and only get back little snippets of what went on in that time. I do feel very lucky, as a parent, to have my child in a school that is small enough to provide me with such a clear window into my child's school life. I am also thankful for a teacher who is willing to sit down with us for a long conversation about how to help a child who is doing well to do even better.
The conference started with a self-evaluation sheet that R. had filled out. It asked questions about classroom behavior. R. had filled out the sheet very truthfully with some self-criticism and plenty of self-praise. We thought it was both cute and telling.
Then we looked through R.'s writing journal to see how her penmanship, writing, and expression of ideas has improved over the past couple of months. The kids work in a journal every day and it's R's favorite thing to do. It was really fun to look through and read and the progress was amazing.
We learned something about the way our daughter reacts to pressure that we didn't already know. At first, we doubted that Morah Erin was even correct, but now I see exactly what she was talking about. I am now working on adjusted my own behavior while watching R. do her homework. We were also told to stop spelling things for her, which is a really, really hard habit to break, but we're working on that as well. (A retired teacher who volunteers at the school also tapped me on the shoulder in the middle of Shabbat services to remind me that I need to stop spelling for her. How's that for a community school? I love it. It takes a village!)
As parents we send them off for a day of learning and only get back little snippets of what went on in that time. I do feel very lucky, as a parent, to have my child in a school that is small enough to provide me with such a clear window into my child's school life. I am also thankful for a teacher who is willing to sit down with us for a long conversation about how to help a child who is doing well to do even better.
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