Board Member Toolbox

BOARD MEMBER TOOLBOX

Sharing THE PJA STORY

Sharing YOUR PJA EXPERIENCE What was a defining experience that made you proud to join The Board of PJA? Your story is the most compelling, credible, and influential.

You are the authentic voice.

Share your enthusiasm!

CONTENTS 3.

Types of Outreach

4.

Why PJA

5.

Mission Statement

6-7 FAQ’s

2

types of

OUTREACH SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGE: Follow, Like, Share, and Comment.

Facebook: @pjaproud Instagram: @pja.proud Use our hashtags: #PJAProud

#PJAWorksForTheWorld

WRITE A REVIEW!

on Facebook, Great Schools, Yelp, Niche, and Google, and find opportunities to share your own positive experiences, through commenting and engaging on social media.

EVERYDAY ADVOCATE Promote PJA everywhere you go - at synagogue, at your children’s extracurricular activities, at the MJCC, in your neighborhood, at your workplaces, etc. Bring friends to PJA events: Open Houses, Family & Adult Jewish Learning events, Pizza in the Sukkah, or the Middle School play. Wear your PJA t-shirts!

3

WHY PJA?

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PJA’s hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum drives students to explore many areas of interest and make connections between S.T.E.A.M., Humanities, and Jewish learning. We offer a rich and diverse program in Jewish studies that enhances critical thinking skills steeped in tradition.

Students learn Hebrew as a modern language of communication as well as a way to connect with ancient texts. PJA also offers extensive enrichment programs including music, visual and media arts, drama, service learning and volunteer opportunities, P.E., and wellness classes.

Our makerspace supports classroom learning and provides a place for students to explore, create, design, and innovate.

VALUES BASED EDUCATION & CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PJA nurtures and inspires positive Jewish engagement, respect and responsibility for the world. Our middot / core values are the guiding principles of our school: study, respect, identity, responsibility, community, and appreciation. PJA offers a robust service learning program with volunteer opportunities for students and families throughout the year. At PJA we make mensches / good people doing good things for others.

4

MISSION STATEMENT

As a Jewish day school, we strive to ensure an academically rich environment which honors the whole child. Portland Jewish Academy nurtures and inspires Jewish engagement, kavod / respect, and responsibility for the world in which we live.

5

FAQ’S FAQS 2020-21 STATS

286

Students enrolled in Infant - 8th grade.

10:1

Student to teacher ratio in Day School.

17

Average Day School class size.

59%

Percentage of Day School students who receive financial assistance.

29%

Percentage of Day School students who receive Special Services* *Including academic enrichment, Hebrew language support, and others.

6

Where do your graduates go to high school?

Our graduates go to high schools all over the city. Many choose their local public high schools, and we also have many graduates who choose to go to local independent schools. Regardless of whether a student chooses a small private school or a large public school, our graduates are ready to succeed in high school. They have the academic preparedness and skills to take on high school level work and they have had the opportunity to strengthen their self-awareness in a safe and nurturing environment.

We are a multi-faith family.

We are not Jewish. We are Jewish, but not practicing.

Will we fit in?

PJA is a community Jewish Day School that is made up of families from all types of backgrounds. We recognize that the Jewish people is not monolithic and we relish the diversity of our community.

Do you have an athletics program?

Yes! We have a Cross Country Team for 5th - 8th grade students and a basketball program for 3rd - 8th grade. During the

Covid-19 pandemic, PJA has had to suspend our athletics program.

We live on the east side.

Do you provide bus service?

Yes! We offer bus service from the east side with stops in SE and NE Portland. During Comprehensive Distance Learning, PJA is not offering any bus service.

How do you teach Hebrew?

Students are introduced to spoken Hebrew in kindergarten through music and play. They learn how to read, write, and speak the language starting in 1st grade. Students who enter PJA at later grades are provided with Hebrew language support.

Do you offer afterschool care?

Yes! Kidscorner is our afterschool program for K - 3rd grade. Dragons Den is our afterschool program for 4th - 8th grade. Both programs serve students from East Sylvan, Maplewood, PJA, and Rieke. PJA students also have the opportunity to take after school classes at the MJCC. During the Covid-19 pandemic, PJA has had to suspend our afterschool program.

It takes a community to share our story.

CONTACT: STEVE ALBERT Executive Director 503.535.3592 salbert@pjaproud.org MERRILL HENDIN Principal 503.452.3424 mhendin@pjaproud.org

pjaproud.org Portland Jewish Academy 6651 SW. Capitol Highway Portland, OR 97219

PJA is an accredited independent school providing an extraordinary education for your child. PJA was re-accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools in 2018.