Parashat Yitro

Today was just another amazing day in the Lower School.  As I was writing on the white board and noted the ending of January, two 1st grades were so excited about ..."12 more days!!!"  I asked if it were their birthdays and they said "no; it's the Siddur Party!"  Then I walked into a kindergarten class and 2 boys were in their shul (which they've just started to build) acting - very seriously - as the chazzan with siddur and Tallit and a fellow davener.  Further down the hall, one class of third graders was excitedly dressing themselves in garb reminiscent of Rashi's time in eager preparation for today's outstanding Rashi Party.  And this was all before 8:15!

As we close the month of January and look forward to February and all it brings - the aforementioned first grade Siddur party, Spirit Week, Purim, and the Betzalel Art Day,  I anticipate more happy and meaningful celebrations.  As you attend parent-teacher conferences next week, please take the time to look at our bulletin boards and some of the work displayed.  It is a tribute to the diverse and enriched curriculum your children receive, while also being a credit to them and their teachers.

We appreciate the vast array of opportunities  available to us in this area.  In the month of February, there will be a 3rd grade trip to the Phillip Ratner Museum, a "Poetry Alive" program for K-5, an interactive program teaching communication, analysis and performance through poetry, as well as a continuation of our poet in residence for grade 5, and a kindergarten trip to Magen David (in addition to the other in-school programming).  We also have two parent-directed programs, your PTO Lower school Advisory on February 12 and our PEP (Parent education) on February 7, and of course our parent-teacher conferences on February 6 (preceded by a 12:30 dismissal - with lunch being served in school).

Switching gears: Don't you just love it when your children get compliments?  As a principal, it makes my week when students are praised, especially  by people who have no vested interest in them.  On Tuesday, our 2nd graders went to the National Gallery of Art (thank you parent and Manager of School Tours and Docent Programs  at NGA, Liz Diament and Deborah Lerner Gross Jewish Cultural Arts Center director Rena Fruchter for making the arrangements).  One of the docents, a professor emeritus at UMD in Education, wrote: 

..."  Wonderful children, wonderful Interactions (seemed to me),  wonderful questions, wonderful learnings. And they so delightfully represent a saved future."  (We would like to think that the children's previous experiences in observation and analysis  play a significant role in their interest and skills.)

Yesterday, our Second and Third Grade staff had a Singapore Math workshop, part of which were "model" lessons in two classes.  The presenter, an experienced educator himself, marveled at our children's respectful behavior and their attention in class.  Music to my ears!

This comes on the heels of a week in which our fifth graders have been extolled by our Poet In Residence, parent and poet Sarah Antine, who is working with them in both Judaic and General Studies to write poetry.  It's not only their behavior, but also their creativity and writing abilities which facilitate success.  She says that "It is a great gift to teach the 5th graders poetry."  5th Grade also had their annual Shabbaton this past Shabbat, Tu B'Shvat, held in our building.  Their behavior, davening, ruach, and achdut were outstanding! Thank you Michael Becker, Rachel Handloff, Rabbi Moses, and Tammie Rapps for giving up Shabbat at home with your families to spend time with our students.

FYI: Next week, on Monday and Tuesday, Mrs. Israel, Mrs. Rapps and I will be attending the National Jewish Day School Conference. Mrs. Handloff and Mr. Quartey will be in charge of the Lower School.  Shabbat Shalom