around campus

Mindfulness = Listening with Intention

First graders experienced mindfulness training in Jewish Studies. They learned how to get to a space of focus, Morah Meirav asked them to close their eyes and imagine the color and feeling she described with detail. With additional exercises and discussions about listening inward to themselves, and understanding what’s important, the experience tied in the V’AHavta prayer, which is based on love and what is most dear to us to love and to focus on. Morah Meirav said, “through mindfulness students learn how to listen with intention (Kavana in Hebrew) and to be in the present moment. This is the preface to anything truly “tefilah,” and anything we want to do or experience fully.”

Athletics are Back

This fall, multiple fields and gyms have been filled with motivated athletes participating in soccer, cross country, volleyball, softball, ultimate frisbee, and now basketball. On the field and in the gym, students strengthened their physical skills, technique and abilities for each sport, while incorporating values of accountability, humility and self-discipline. Regardless of final scores, coaches ensure student athletes are focused on spirit and respect as they develop as individuals and as a team. We are proud that almost 90% of Middle School students are participating on Davis teams in the Metro Atlanta Athletic Conference and spreading Davis LOVE throughout the region.

Tashlich

Fourth grade students go back to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to participate in the beautiful High Holy Day ritual of Tashlich. This learning experience happens after Rosh Hashanah, and students explore Tashlich from multiple perspectives including creative writing, physical activities, and popular media. Students experience a real intention of improvement and renewal as they think of the things they’ve done wrong in the past year and symbolically “cast off” their mistakes by throwing pebbles to the river.