Lion's Share - October 2015

LION October 2015 Tishrei-Cheshvan 5776

Curriculum Capstone Senior Seminar

College SAT Subject Tests

Community Alumni Entrepreneur

Juda and Maria Diener Lower School | Samuel and Henrietta Scheck Middle School | Ben Lipson Upper School

LION’S SHARE

Welcome to Lion’s Share: Scheck Hillel Community School’s Grade 6-12 bulletin covering news about curriculum, college counseling and our community. Connect with the names, faces and initiatives that make Scheck Hillel a college preparatory school that develops global citizens with enduring Jewish identity and values. For more school information, please visit eHillel.org.

Curriculum

Capstone Senior Seminar Tackles “Big Questions” student becomes the teacher when presenting research. I always learn something new from them.”

The discussion in Rabbi Shlomo Sprung’s class focused on a single word: ‫( מלך‬malach). Through skillful Socratic questioning—from both teacher and students—the class reached a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the Judaic concept of malachim, messengers of Hashem.

Yehudis Benhamou urges students to tap into personal experience for inspiration.

Who am I? Where do I belong? How do I make good decisions? How do I measure success?

These are some of the big questions Grade 12 students are addressing in Capstone Senior Seminar: a culminating intellectual experience that encourages them to explore ideas and prepare for the challenges of college and postsecondary programs.

“The aim of the program is to prepare, motivate and engage seniors in self-exploration,” said Capstone and Humanities Department Chair Yehudis Benhamou. “Students dive into questions and topics from an interdisciplinary perspective through thematic units in both general and Judaic subjects.”

In Rabbi Elie Ganz’s class the question at hand was, “Is religion relevant?” For Talia Svid, “This class is like going behind the scenes of Judaism. We study concepts more deeply. It really gets us to think.” She recounted the intellectual journey from Pascal to Freud to Judaic thought, and how exposure to these philosophies makes learning more stimulating and complete.

An annual Capstone favorite is College Readiness Week, when visiting speakers help seniors tackle sensitive college campus subjects, including Israel advocacy, respecting diversity, sexuality, global citizenship and drugs and alcohol. These eye-opening, real-world conversations are designed to provide seniors the tools to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling Jewish lives after graduation.

Capstone classes are led seminar-style, a common format at the college and university levels. Students analyze texts, read literary works and practice key literacy skills while examining each unit’s key question.

In the Senior Writing Seminar, for example, Benhamou’s students are putting their decision-making skills under the microscope. Steven Bursztyn appreciates the practical, hands-on nature of Capstone. “In the writing seminar, we are exploring issues like decision-making,” Steven said.

His class was tasked with using rhetorical skills in a twominute speech about personal experiences.

Capstone faculty member Ali Baltodano believes the program has made her a better teacher. “There are so many approaches to teaching the material. Often, the

Rabbi Shlomo Sprung challenges assumptions to promote deeper thinking.

Capstone Senior Seminar Faculty Ali Baltodano Yehudis Benhamou Andrew Butler Rabbi Elie Ganz

Joan Smith Rabbi Dovid Kirzner Rabbi Shlomo Sprung Yossi Yativ

College

SAT Subject Tests FAQs Written by Dennis Eller, Associate Director, Grade 9-12 College Counseling

What are SAT Subject Tests?

One-hour multiple-choice tests that measure how much a Grade 9-12 student knows about a particular academic subject and how well that student can apply that knowledge Which subjects are tested?

SAT Subject Tests fall into five subject areas: English (Literature), history (U.S. and World), mathematics (Math 1 & Math 2), science (Chemistry & Physics) and languages (Hebrew).

even if these tests are not required by the colleges to which a student is applying, SAT Subject Test results can give additional evidence of competence in academic areas.

What does Scheck Hillel recommend?

Students in AP classes should plan to take SAT Subject Tests that cover AP subject matter, if offered. Non-AP students may also elect to take SAT Subject Tests in Engish (Literature), Hebrew, Math 1, and/or Math 2.

Please note:

Why should I take SAT Subject Tests?

The tests help colleges compare the academic achievement of students from different schools where course preparation and academic backgrounds may vary widely.

Students taking pre-calculus, including freshmen and sophomores, should plan to take either Math 2 (which covers the math topics they study in class) or Math 1 (which is similar to SAT math). Students should check with their teacher for advice about which test is most appropriate.

Do colleges require SAT Subject Tests?

Some colleges require or recommend that students take one or more SAT Subject Tests for admission and/or placement. But

Students should try to sit for SAT Subject Tests immediately upon completing the course that is most closely tied to that test.

Community

Q&A With Entrepreneur Katherine (Fleischman) Niefeld (‘03) Get to know Scheck Hillel alumna Katherine Niefeld (‘03) who has made a mark on the South Florida and national business landscape.

Business: Do-Tell Public Relations DoTellPublicity.com Year of incorporation: 2009 Your definition of an entrepreneur: A fearless leader who is passionate about clients and projects; one who is able to direct others in a meaningful and inspiring way and march to the beat of their own drum Two key qualities an entrepreneur should have: A creative mind and the motivation to succeed no matter the obstacles One major mistake and what you learned: Micro-managing my staff as the business was growing.

Know your place and do your job. I had to learn how to properly delegate and let my employees flourish.

One major success and what you learned: Learning to partner with small businesses and take brands to the next level. One of my clients created a t-shirt line and the other an insulated water bottle company. With a very small budget and some great marketing concepts, I was able to launch these products into the national spotlight with placements in major magazines, TV shows and newspapers, which led to more extensive media and brand partnerships. After six years, both companies have exceeded expectations and have reached a global level of recognition.

Courtesy of Do-Tell Public Relations

Two essential skills/tools you developed at Scheck Hillel which you use daily: Great writing abilities (Thanks, Mr. C!) and the tenacity to never give up One digital tool you can’t live without: My iPhone 6; it keeps me connected (too connected!) to my business Your advice to future Scheck Hillel entrepreneurs: If someone tells you that you can’t do something, don’t listen! With hard work, determination, and unique ideas, you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Challenges and hurdles will arise for any entrepreneur, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel…

Share with us! Please email your comments, questions and ideas for future editions of Lion’s Share to news@eHillel.org.