Education Matters

Supplement to Jewish News December 21, 2015

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Published 22 times a year by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462-4370 voice 757.965.6100 • fax 757.965.6102 email news@ujft.org Terri Denison, Editor Germaine Clair, Art Director Hal Sacks, Book Review Editor Sandy Goldberg, Account Executive Mark Hecht, Account Executive Marilyn Cerase, Subscription Manager Reba Karp, Editor Emeritus Sherri Wisoff, Proofreader

Education Matters Great Jewish Books Summer Program opens to applicants Amherst, MA—High school students are invited to apply to the 2016 Great Jewish Books Summer Program, a weeklong residential program at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Mass. Due to the popularity of the program

Let your life speak. Pre-K through 12th Grade

in past years, the Center will offer two Jay Klebanoff, President Alvin Wall, Treasurer Stephanie Calliott, Secretary Harry Graber, Executive Vice-President www.jewishVA.org

sessions in 2016: July 24–29 and July 31– August 7. At Great Jewish Books, rising juniors and seniors are introduced to a wide range of modern Jewish novels, poems, and

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short stories—by diverse writers including Isaac Bashevis Singer, Grace Paley, Sholem Aleichem, Anna Deveare Smith, and Etgar Keret—in

seminar-style classes led by

At Virginia Beach Friends School, we integrate the Quaker values of equality, integrity, simplicity, peace, and environmental stewardship in a nurturing community of academic excellence. Our curriculum encourages mutual respect, personal responsibility and the fulfillment of each student’s potential through experiential and active-learning opportunities in STEM, sustainability and the arts. We believe that education does not take place only during school hours. We offer a wide range of activities that include community events, summer camps and before and after school activities. We also encourage international travel and cultural exchanges. Our students experience a rich and diverse school life! 1537 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach VA 23451 • 757-428-7534 • 757-428-7511

college professors and in small discussion groups. Outside of class, the students attend talks by contemporary Jewish writers and take part in recreational activities under the supervision of resident advisers from the program. Participants stay in a dorm at Hampshire College, adjacent to the Yiddish

OHEF SHOLOM SUNDAY MORNING LEARNING

Book Center, where they experience a taste of college life. All students accepted to the competitive

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program receive full scholarships covering

Upcoming Special Features

the cost of tuition, room and board, books, and special events. The Yiddish Book Center is a nonprofit

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organization working to tell the whole

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Jewish story by rescuing, translating, and

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disseminating Yiddish books and present-

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ing innovative educational programs that

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broaden understanding of modern Jewish identity. It is a recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Applications for the 2016 Great Jewish Books Summer Program are due by April 1. For more information, visit yiddishbookcenter. org/great-jewish-books.

Serving students age 3 through 12th grade • Building a sacred community • Learning by doing, including artistic expression, yoga, dance, cooking, music, field trips, worship and Hebrew prayer • Encouraging critical inquiry • “Opening the Gates” program for children with special needs • Educating Jewish identity for the 21st Century

Come check us out! OHEF SHOLOM TEMPLE 530 Raleigh Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23507 For more information, call Chris Kraus Director of Family Learning 757-625-4295 WWW.OHEFSHOLOM.ORG

jewishnewsva.org | December 21, 2015 | Education | Jewish News | 17

Education Matters Operation Understanding returns to Hampton Roads in 2016

BINA’s Baker’s Dozen

Barry and Lois Einhorn with OHUR class of 2003–2004

by Robin Mancoll

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ounded by Lois and Barry Einhorn in 1998, Operation Understanding Hampton Roads was active until 2006. The program is re-launching in 2016 under the leadership of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, along with coalition partners, the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, the Urban League of Hampton Roads, and the YWCA of South Hampton Roads. Applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Operation Understanding Hampton Roads year-long leadership development program. Forty African American and Jewish high school students (sophomores and juniors, 20 from each community) will be accepted. Over the course of the program, student participants build understanding, respect, and friendship through monthly workshops and a transformative summer Civil Rights trip. Participants develop their personal strengths, share one another’s cultures and religions, and enhance their leadership abilities. By the conclusion of OUHR, graduates assume the responsibility for taking inclusive actions that foster pluralism and equality. OUHR participants will be selected by mid-February, and the program activities run from March through October. Over the course of the year, students immerse

themselves in one another’s historical, cultural, religious, and racial backgrounds with many meaningful opportunities for discussion and interaction. During each month of the OUHR program, students will participate in interactive and engaging workshops. These sessions offer participants an opportunity to bond as they explore history and values and build skills of dialogue, communication, and leadership. Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities facilitators will lead the sessions, in combination with community leaders in a variety of locations in an effort to expose participants to diverse sites within Hampton Roads. A highlight of the OUHR experience is a summer Civil Rights trip offering unique opportunities to learn about African American and Jewish history and culture. Beginning in August, participants will share what they have learned in OUHR through the development and implementation of personal action plans which include work with diversity clubs in schools, speaking about OUHR at community events, coordinating programs on tolerance, and more. Applications for the 2016 OUHR class can be found at http://www.inclusiveva.org/ouhr/ and are due no later than Monday, Feb. 1. Participants will be notified of their acceptance by mid-February. Contact Robin Mancoll, director, Community Relations Council of UJFT at RMancoll@ujft.org or 965-6120 for more information.

18 | Jewish News | December 21, 2015 | Education | jewishnewsva.org

Marcy Mostofsky, Chamie Haber, and Miriam Wilson at the Bake Sale at Dominion Tower.

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INA High School’s sixth Pre- Management Company, were hospitable, Thanksgiving Bake Sale at Dominion had patience, and assisted BINA’s volunteers Tower took place on Tuesday, Nov. during set up, sales, and break down. Bakers included Rochelle Brinn, Shana 24. Thirteen women (BINA’s “baker’s dozen”) baked for this fantastically delicious Danziger, Avigail Florans, Helen Griffin, fundraiser, including 80 “sweet breads,” 243 Goldie Hilel, Rifki Katz, Amy Lefcoe, Carol dozen cookies (yes, that’s 2,916 cookies), 61 Miller, Marcy Mostofsky, Tehilla Mostofsky, Shira Rubin, Elka Shereshevsky, and Debbie pies, and 40 cakes. An annual highlight at Dominion Tower, Wilson. Other volunteers sold, schlepped, many of the 1,400 employees look forward and supported the effort, including student to buying Thanksgiving baked goods at Miriam Wilson who worked all day as a the office instead of facing the crowds technical advisor with credit purchases. elsewhere. Knowing these are all homemade and that they Strelitz Early Childhood are supporting girls’ Education Center education is another draw. The boxes were barely open when customers were waiting for their favorites from years past. The few baked goods left sold the next day. The bake sale was co-chaired by Tehilla and Marcy Mostofsky. The staff of Gan Alef students Avi Zittrain, Louis Weissman and Isaac Arnowitz practice Dominion Tower, number recognition and counting skills while playing a math matching game. which is managed by Harbor Group

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As an independent school with a public purpose, Norfolk Academy shapes not only prepared graduates, but citizen-scholars: keenly aware, intellectually agile, As an independent school with a public purpose, Norfolk shapes socially conscious, and courageous young Academy people who live not out only theirprepared ideals tograduates, invent but citizen-scholars: keenly aware, intellectually agile, socially conscious, and courageous young people As anbrighter independent schoolall with a public purpose, Norfolk Academy shapes not a new, future—for of us. who live out their ideals to invent a new, brighter future—for all of us. aware, intellectually agile, only prepared graduates, but citizen-scholars: keenly conscious, andtrajectory, courageous people who liveAcademy out their ideals to invent Associally anwork, independent school withhere a public purpose, Norfolk shapes not That work, that upward trajectory, starts right inyoung Hampton Roads. long, Norfolk Academy students That that upward starts right here inBefore Hampton Roads. Before long, a new, brighter future—for all of us. influence extend their influence from the Chesapeake Bay totheir China, fromkeenly Norfolk to cities around the globe. only prepared graduates, but citizen-scholars: intellectually agile, Norfolk Academy students extend fromaware, the Chesapeake Bay to China, socially conscious, andaround courageous young people who live out their ideals to invent from Norfolk to cities the globe. That work, that upward trajectory, a new, brighterat future—for all of us. starts right here in Hampton Roads. Before long, Register for Mornings the Academy students extend their influence from the Chesapeake Bay to China, January 13, 20,Norfolk 27 at 9 Academy a.m. or call for an individual tour from Norfolk to cities around thestarts globe. That work, that upward trajectory, right here in Hampton Roads. Before long, All-Grades Open House Norfolk students extend Saturday, January 9, 2016 Register for OpenAcademy House Grades 1-12 their influence from the Chesapeake Bay to China, Norfolk to. cities around the globe. Saturday, January 9 at 2 p.m 2from p.m.

All-Grades Open House Saturday, January 9, 2016 2 p.m. Open House All-Grades Saturday, January 9, 2016 Where students grades 1-12 grow into responsible and responsive citizen-scholars. 2 p.m. 1585 Wesleyan Drive

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jewishnewsva.org | December 21, 2015 | Education | Jewish News | 19

Education Matters PJ Library Jewish book program expanding to Russia

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J Library, a program providing free Jewish children’s books to families, is expanding to Russia. The monthly book club founded by American Jewish philanthropist Harold Grinspoon is launching a pilot effort distributing Russian-language books in Moscow. The program, in partnership with the Genesis Philanthropy Group, will initially serve Jewish children ages four through eight and their families. The first books were distributed during Hanukkah. Its goal is to reach up to 2,000 children and families by August. While the project represents the first time PJ has distributed Russian-language books, the organization, with Genesis, for the past five years has sponsored events and other efforts to enroll North American Russian-speaking Jews in its Englishlanguage book program.

“We have seen huge demand for PJ Library among Russian-speaking Jewish families,” Grinspoon says. “Parents from all Jewish backgrounds struggle with the question of how to raise a Jewish family. The high-quality books introduced into the home through PJ Library empower and equip Russian-speaking Jewish families— whether in the United States or Russia—to engage Jewishly.” Ilia Salita, CEO of Genesis Philanthropy Group, says, “We are thrilled to partner with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in this important project that will infuse the cherished tradition of parents and children reading together at bedtime with Jewish content and values, this time in Russian.” Created in 2005, the PJ Library says it sends more than 150,000 Jewish children’s books each month to Jewish children and families in North America. Globally, more than 400,000 Jewish children and families

VISIT CBA A school where bright kids with learning differences thrive! ~ Individualized Instruction Plans ~ Multisensory Instruction & Project-Based Learning ~ 6-1 Student-Teacher Ratio ~ Self-Advocacy Skills ~ 1-1 Technology-Student Ratio ~ Intramural Athletics ~ Visual & Performing Arts ~ Kindergarten–12th Grade ~ Tuition Assistance Available Register for our Jan. 20th Open House or Schedule a Visit at www.cba-va.org Contact Dana Calo at 757.497.6200 or dcalo@cba-va.org for more information.

821 Baker Road • Virginia Beach, VA 23462 20 | Jewish News | December 21, 2015 | Education | jewishnewsva.org

in eight countries receive PJ Library books each month through PJ Library and Sifriyat Pijama, a sister program distributing Hebrew-language books in Israel. (Sifriyat Pajama also distributes the Hebrew books to Israeli families in North America.) In 2014, Grinspoon’s foundation launched a spinoff effort distributing secular Arabic-language

books to Arab schoolchildren in Israel. In addition to mailing out books, PJ Library partners with local community organizations to provide Jewish family and children’s programming, including holiday celebrations. To register for PJ Library Russia, go to http://www.pjlibrary.ru.

Stein Family Scholarship enters eighth year

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he application period for the Stein Family College Scholarship will open on Friday, Jan. 1. The annual grant for Tidewater area students that provides a scholarship of up to $10,000 a year for college tuition, marks its eighth year in 2016. The Tidewater Jewish Foundation administers the scholarship. The Stein Family College Scholarship, established in 2009, is dedicated in loving memory of Arlene Shea Stein, wife of Gerald Stein, of blessed memory, and mother of Steve Stein, Lisa Stein Delevie, Craig Stein and Debbie Stein Levy. Arlene Stein had a deep love of learning and a strong belief that higher education should be accessible to all. Both Arlene and Gerald were unable to complete their college educations due to financial difficulties. The Stein children and grandchildren established this scholarship as a testament to Arlene and to honor the values she held dear. The Tidewater Jewish Foundation works closely with the Stein children and grandchildren in administering this generous scholarship to a deserving Tidewater teen each year. Scholarship applicants must be Jewish and current residents of Tidewater. Students must demonstrate academic ability, as well as concern for school and both the Jewish and general communities through extracurricular activities and volunteer service. Application deadline is April 1, 2016; interested students can learn more at www.jewishva.org/tjfstein or by contacting Amy Weinstein, director of development, at aweinstein@ujft.org or 965-6105.

Education Matters HAT and Strelitz students celebrate Grandparents Day by Patti Seeman, director of development

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hanksgiving break was about to begin and excitement filled the air as preschool through fifth graders from Hebrew Academy of Tidewater Konikoff Center of Learning and Strelitz Robert Gibbs with granddaughter Catherine Gibbs, age four, Early Childhood Education Center cel- Rick and Janice Foleck with granddaughter Ameilia Portnoy (kindergarten). and Phyllis Friedman with granddaughter Ava Dail, age four. ebrated during the cherished annual tradition of Grandparents Day. More than 125 grandparents and special guests met in the Fleder Multi-Purpose Room for musical performances, including a beautiful rendition of Hatikvah on the Suzuki chime bells, as well as other songs about thankfulness and tzedakah (charity). Fun classroom activities followed. Many visitors came from nearby, while some traveled from Arkansas, Florida, Ofelia and Albert Abrams with granddaughter Leila Abrams (fourth grade). Ilan Rivera (third grade) surrounded by grandparents Amos and Marcia Berkovich. Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland and North Carolina. Others traveled from lands even much farther away, including Israel and Iran. While the points of origin varied, the smiles, laughs and love for their little ones were quite the s a me…prov id i ng memory making at its best. Hebrew Academy of Tidewater Konikoff Center of Learning Lily Stromberg and Roz Drucker. and the Strelitz Early Childhood Education Center are Constituent Agencies of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. The application is now available online at:

High School Seniors...

Announcing the 2016 Stein Family College Scholarship!

The Siegel/Zuckerman clan: Grandparents Phyllis and Bob Zuckerman, Leslie and Larry Siegel, with Aunt Anita Candig and Chloe Zuckerman (second grade).

www.jewishva.org/tjf-stein Applications deadline is April 1, 2016

Create a

Questions? Contact Amy Weinstein at: 757-965-6105 or aweinstein@ujft.org

jewishnewsva.org | December 21, 2015 | Education | Jewish News | 21

Education Matters Norfolk Academy expands program to teach students about medical professions

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he Norfolk Academy Medical Scholars Program (NAMSP), which has become an institution at the school in the decade since its founding, is now expanding in enrollment and depth of programming. The Medical Scholars Program is a joint effort between community physicians, Eastern Virginia Medical School and Sentara Health System to provide Norfolk Academy Upper School students an opportunity to observe health care being delivered in Tidewater. This experience provides students an early opportunity to consider pursuing a health care career. Started in 2005 with 10 students, the program has grown to 53 students, including 22 sophomores, who began this year in NAMSP’s new incarnation. In this academic year, this signature program has moved under the aegis of Norfolk Academy’s Center for Civic and Global Leadership, which is home to five other academic, experiential leadership programs. Previously, the Medical Scholars program was a summer offering, but this move to the Center allows the program to add some important new elements. During the school year, Medical Scholars will learn from visiting speakers from the health care industry, participate in a global health/social medicine rotation, and engage in several health-related community service projects. “These additional requirements broaden the student’s overall experience in the program and are designed to promote community service and the importance of giving back to their community,” says Dr. Lewis Affronti, the program’s director and chairman of Norfolk Academy’s science department. According to the Center’s director, Sean Wetmore, “the addition of the Medical Scholars program to our current offerings in the Center makes so much sense, truly helping us get closer to the goal of offering coordinated, intentional and broad leadership programming to all of our students.” The Center’s programs include the Chesapeake Bay Fellows; Global Health Fellows; International Relations Fellows; Literacy Fellows; and Engineering, Design,

Teaching Israel forum follows report showing widespread ignorance of Jewish state

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Norfolk Academy seniors have participated in the Medical Scholars program for two summers. Haley Edmonds, Brian Peccie, Bridget Dickinson, program co-founder Dr. W. Andrew Dickinson Jr., Wyatt Miller, and Tyler Moore.

and Innovation Fellows. The Medical Scholars program began when Dr. W. Andrew Dickinson Jr. and Dr. John G. Kenerson, area cardiologists, became concerned about the waning interest Norfolk Academy students had toward entering the medical field. They wanted to reverse the trend and provide an avenue for students to experience what it is like to be a physician. Working in collaboration with Dr. Solhaug from EVMS and Andrea Arnett from Sentara Health System, Dickinson and Kenerson developed the program, which involves a series of shadowing events at local hospitals and “hands-on” experiences at EVMS. Students accompany physicians, gaining the chance to observe a variety of rotations to include General Surgery, Intensive Care, Radiology, Cardiac Catheterization, and Open Heart Surgery. In addition, students may participate in elective rotations to include Running Rescue, shadowing in the delivery room, and volunteer work with Physicians for Peace. Enhanced by the new school-year offerings, these experiential summer programs will continue to be the bedrock of the NAMSP curriculum. The curriculum is divided into three phases, each to be completed during the summer. Phase I, an introduction to medicine, helps prepare students for behavior in the health care arena.

22 | Jewish News | December 21, 2015 | Education | jewishnewsva.org

During this first year, Medical Scholars learn First Aid and Basic Life Support to include CPR. Phase II is designed to provide students with patient care experiences in a variety of settings at Norfolk General Hospital and the Heart Hospital. Phase III gives students experience with patient care in community physicians’ offices. At the end of each rotation, students are required to complete a shadowing report where they reflect on their experiences; with the ultimate goal to help participants consider future involvement in healthcare professions. The program clearly is achieving that goal. Several students who participated in the early years of the program are now in medical school, and current seniors say that the program has influenced their choice of majors as they head toward college. “I loved the Norfolk Academy Medical Scholars Program, because it helped guide me down the path that I want to pursue in college,” says senior Luke Morina, who plans to attend Johns Hopkins University. “Before NAMSP I had no idea what I wanted to do. The experiences that I had through the program, especially watching procedures first-hand, have inspired me to become a biomedical engineer.”

ome 250 Jewish educators, educational leaders and funders gathered in Las Vegas for iCamp, a three-day conference on Israel education. The iCamp conference, which launched Tuesday, Dec. 1, focuses on strategies for teaching Diaspora Jews about the culture, history and politics of the State of Israel. The conference was a week after Brandeis University’s Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies released a report showing major gaps in American Jewish college students’ knowledge about Israel. More than half of the 628 Birthright Israel program applicants who took a multiple-choice exam designed to assess Israel literacy had scores of 50 percent or lower, the report said, noting that the students are incapable of “contributing to discourse about Israel on campus in a meaningful way.” Hosted by the iCenter for Israel Education, the conference seeks to impart “new approaches and skills to help youth in all kinds of educational settings connect to Israel in personal and authentic ways,” according to a statement issued by the iCenter. “Effective Israel education reflects excellent education,” says Anne Lanski, the iCenter’s executive director. “It starts with talented educators—individuals who are knowledgeable and deft storytellers, who know how to tap into their students’ passions, and are able to bring Israel to life in nearly any educational environment—be it in a classroom, at a camp, on a bus or elsewhere. “This is an exciting moment for those committed to bringing dynamic and inspiring Israel learning and experiences to today’s youth and young adults. We have more knowledge than ever about what these experiences consist of, and more talented educators in the field than ever before.” At the conference, the iCenter was set to launch the Aleph Bet of Israel Education2nd Edition, representing a set of 12 core principles, approaches to content and essential pedagogies that together constitute the building blocks of Israel education.

Education Matters Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, Konikoff Center of Learning Strelitz Early Childhood Center

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or 60 years, The Strelitz Early Childhood Center preschool and Hebrew Academy of Tidewater Konikoff Center of Learning have educated and nurtured students throughout their formative years. As the area’s only Jewish Community Day School, students on the 22-acre Sandler Family Campus receive the advantages of its remarkable facility and advanced technology. The strengths of traditions, outstanding dual curriculum and dedicated faculty are just part of what has defined the schools’ continued success. The modern campus boasts large classrooms with bathrooms and sinks, outdoor and indoor play areas, a cooking center, art room, and computers in every classroom. Stretliz Early Childhood Center (ages two–four) The Strelitz Early Childhood Center offers an environment infused with Jewish culture and a commitment to lifelong learning. The child-centered program makes liberal use of graphic arts and group work, under the direction of teachers who love, support, and challenge students to new heights. The school’s nurturing, developmentally appropriate curriculum guides children of all faiths to develop not only strong readiness skills, but also moral and ethical values that create a caring community.

The preschool provides opportunities for music, physical education, library, and swimming instruction. Programs allow some flexibility and range from a two morning per week class for two year olds to a five-day per week full care program for ages two–four. Faculty turnover is very low and parents play an important role in supporting the programs Hebrew Academy of Tidewater For children in the lower school, the key to educational success is a solid foundation in Judaic and General Studies. A developmentally appropriate approach to learning is combined with creative and integrated instruction, while constantly emphasizing the highest academic standards. The general studies program encompasses language arts, mathematics, technology, social and natural sciences, the humanities and physical education. The school emphasizes the integration of its dual curriculum. By fifth grade, HAT graduates are well prepared to meet the challenges of the modern world, evidenced by their acceptance and seamless transitions into the area’s best private, IB and public school academies. They’re also accepted into the most well-respected colleges and universities in this country and abroad. For more information about the schools or to arrange for a personal tour, contact Carin Simon, admissions director, at 757-424-4327.

Chesapeake Bay Academy— Bright kids. Better fit.

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or 26 years, Chesapeake Bay Academy has been transforming the lives of children and their families. As the only local K-12 independent school dedicated to educating bright students who have difficulty learning and achieving in traditional lecture-style educational environments, it specializes in educating children with ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and other learning differences. CBA embraces each child’s unique learning style, creating new, specialized pathways to academic and social success. By relieving the stress and frustration that often accompany academic struggle, CBA helps students develop into confident and enthusiastic learners. Students flourish in a safe, supportive environment that encourages their intellectual, social, creative, physical and ethical growth. • 6/1 Student-Teacher Ratio • Individualized Instruction Plans • Multisensory Instruction & Project-Based Curriculum • Self-Advocacy Skills • Intramural Athletics • Visual & Performing Arts • Student-Technology Ratio • Kindergarten—12th Grade • Tuition Assistance Available Twice Exceptional Learners The school’s unique approach to curriculum provides children with the rigorous academic challenges their minds need in a non-traditional classroom environment that positively channels their individual learning styles. By developing each student’s instruction plan on and individual basis, children work at grade levels varied by discipline and advance at a pace suitable to them. Family Impact As families are relieved of the stress and frustration that often accompanies underachievement, the entire family becomes more relaxed.

Academics Academic programs are based on a philosophy that recognizes the uniqueness of every student. Educators differentiate the curriculum for each child and apply a wide-range of teaching strategies and instructional methodologies to match the individual learning styles of their students. Athletics, Fine Arts & Extracurricular Activities Chesapeake Bay Academy incorporates athletics, fine arts and other extracurricular activities into its culture to nurture self-esteem and develop the collaborative skills that are important to a child’s future success. Soccer, volleyball, basketball, bowling, tennis and golf are offered. Students are encouraged to participate regardless of skill level. The Fine Arts program offers a variety of musical, visual and digital technology programs to encourage creative means of expression. After CBA Over the past 10 years, 90% of CBA graduates have gone on to pursue higher education at two-and four-year colleges and universities, locally and across the country. The remaining 10% of alumni have chosen careers in both the civilian and military workforces, many through CBA’s Schoolto-Work program. Graduates receive a standard private school diploma and leave ready for success, academically and in life. Visit www.cba-va.org to schedule a visit or contact Dana Calo at 757-497-6200 or dcalo@ cba-va.org for more information.

jewishnewsva.org | December 21, 2015 | Education | Jewish News | 23

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Education Matters Preschool through college preparatory education, Cape Henry focuses on individual growth Cape Henry Collegiate School provides Prekindergarten through Grade 12 coeducational, college preparatory education that fosters the growth of the individual. Students are encouraged to engage in purposeful education preparing them for the responsibilities and challenges of the future. Members of the Cape Henry student body experience the discipline and excitement of academics, the pride of developing personal character and integrity in a learning environment governed by an Honor

Code, the creative opportunities provided by the arts and extra-curricular activities, the rigor and pleasure of athletics, an awareness of and involvement with the community in which they live, and a respect for its diversity with the ultimate goal of placing responsible and educated citizens into our global society.

700+ Jewish campus leaders gather for Hillel International Global Assembly in Orlando ORLANDO—More than 700 staff members and leaders from Jewish communities on campuses across the country attended the Hillel International Global Assembly this month. The second annual convention of its kind, the Global Assembly is an opportunity to share best practices, teach new skills and build a community among Hillel staff from different colleges and universities. Funded in part through a partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation, a family foundation dedicated to building Jewish communities that foster inclusion for individuals with disabilities, this year’s HIGA included innovative mental health services training for Hillel professionals and groundbreaking discussions of inclusion in campus Jewish communities. “This year’s Global Assembly brings together inspirational leaders, top-notch educators and dedicated staff from every part of the Hillel International family,” says Eric D. Fingerhut, president and CEO of Hillel International. “There is no better opportunity for us to reflect on how we meet the needs and safeguard the wellbeing of all of our students, learn new and innovative techniques from one another, and recommit ourselves to the worthy goal of inclusion.” Hillel International will focus on disability engagement and inclusion on

campus and to reach students who are currently not comfortable connecting with the Jewish community. A plenary session with Jay and Shira Ruderman, president and Israel director, respectively, of the Ruderman Family Foundation, explored how campus Hillels can be at the forefront of suicide prevention, mental illness identification and treatment and inclusion of Jews with all kinds of disabilities. The session addressed how to build communities of care on college campuses and how to instill values of inclusion in the broader Jewish community. Founded in 1923, Hillel has been enriching the lives of Jewish students for more than 90 years. Today, Hillel International is a global organization that welcomes students of all backgrounds and fosters an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel. Hillel is dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. As the largest Jewish student organization in the world, Hillel builds connections with emerging adults at more than 550 colleges and universities. In Virginia, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater supports Hillels at University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, William and Mary and George Mason University.

Education Matters Norfolk Collegiate incorporates progressive education

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hifts in contemporary education are affecting the ways in which schools and teachers are delivering quality instruction. According to Pat Bassett, president of Heads Up Educational Consulting, several trends in education are creating a new breed of school dedicated to expanding the traditional view of education through student-centered, project-based, technology-infused teaching and learning. Independent schools such as Norfolk Collegiate are in a unique position to respond to these changes. Recently Bassett, who has more than 45 years of experience in education, including serving as the former executive director of the National Association of Independent Schools, discussed these shifts while speaking at Collegiate.  “Traditional, classical education worked well for 600 years,” said Bassett. “But the other choice is progressive education. It’s student-centered, project-based and experiential learning.”  “The ability to address the needs of our students is what makes independent schools unique,” says Scott Kennedy, headmaster. “We empower our faculty to teach our curriculum based on best practices and research.”

Bassett’s discussion included advice for shifting the educational paradigm from: • Knowing to doing; • Teacher-centered to student-centered; • Individual to team; • Consumption of information to construction of meaning; • Single sourcing to crowd sourcing; • H igh-stakes testing to high-value demonstrations Twenty-first century students have ready access to information, and independent schools that embrace this shift can create a more engaging learning experience for their students. “The four Cs of 21st century education—collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity—are redefining what it means to be literate in an age of 24/7 access,” says Judy Davis, director of curriculum and instruction at Norfolk Collegiate. “We need to teach our students how to be critical consumers of that information.” One way this is happening is by placing students at the center of the lessons and making it less teacher-centered. For example, first-grade students created eBooks (digital books) capturing their experiences on a trip to the Children’s Museum. Using

iPads®, they took pictures during a scavenger hunt and used those photographs to develop a story. “This innovative and intuitive activity was exciting because it taught our students teamwork, collaboration and problem-solving skills,” says teacher Emily Lindale. Norfolk Collegiate students record their classmate, Noah, The more schools on their iPads as part of their class assignment. shift their focus to This shift to student-centered learncreate an environment in which students can engage in their lessons and be chal- ing is one way independent schools like lenged to think outside of the box, the Norfolk Collegiate combine traditional better they position their students to suc- knowledge with emerging technologies, such as iPads®, robots and 3D printers, ceed in the world. “Many of the jobs our students will hold to engage students in real-world problem in the future don’t exist at this moment,” solving. “We believe this approach to education Davis says. “Their future success will depend on their ability to use information best prepares students for the demands and technology to engage in creative prob- of college and careers that lie ahead in an increasingly technological world,” Davis lem solving.” For example, seventh-grade students says. To learn more about 21st century are learning to construct robots and then program them to perform simple tasks. skills and what independent schools such This project creates teams of students who as Norfolk Collegiate are doing to meet use math, science and design skills to work these demands, attend its Open House on together to build robots, learn code and Sunday, Jan. 10, 2-4 pm. at both of Norfolk Collegiate’s campuses. program their creations.

Life long learning a priority at Ohef Sholom Temple

O

hef Sholom Temple has made a full-time commitment to family learning. From infants to elders, engaging the community and environment, the congregation welcomes new participants and experiences. On Sunday mornings, 69 inspired faculty members, including 42 enthusiastic teen leaders, or madrichim, guide a community of 174 children and their families. “What we need more than anything else is not text-books but text-people,” wrote Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel 50 years ago. Rabbi Heschel’s educational wisdom applies just as well for the 21st century American Jew. Ohef Sholom’s learning spaces include a beautiful sunny chapel, classrooms for every grade level, pre-kindergarten play rooms and quiet rooms,

two fully stocked art rooms, a yoga yeladim room and youth lounge, children’s library and a separate adult library and archive, large kitchen for cooking projects and an open door for engaging a variety of multi-faith organizations beyond the temple’s walls. Ohef Sholom’s learning community supports a youth choir, JOSTY, a junior high youth group and OSTY, a senior high youth group, annual Purim Schpeil, Chanukah Chappening, and a new program working with infants as teachers of spirituality. Future plans include a community garden and native plant garden on location to enhance the congregation’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Scholarships are available so that cost is not a barrier. Students in OST’s pre-kindergarten class.

jewishnewsva.org | December 21, 2015 | Education | Jewish News | 25

NORFOLK COLLEGIATE Engaging Students. Inspiring Success.

Inspiring a passion for learning Every child has unique characteristics with individual needs. Our innovative curriculum encourages personalization and the pursuit of one’s passions. That’s because a Norfolk Collegiate education isn’t just college preparatory; it’s life preparatory.

Tanner Class of 2016

What makes us different from other schools? • AP Capstone™ Program

• Lego® Robotics

• Merit Scholar Program

• 3D Printers & Coding

• Communication Arts

• Turf Field & Lights

• 1:1 iPad® Program

• Need-based Financial Aid

Join us Sunday, Jan. 10, at our Open House for grades K - 12 from 2 - 4 p.m. Explore our campuses, speak with teachers and students, and experience our interactive classrooms.

To learn more or schedule a tour, call 757.480.1495 or visit NorfolkCollegiate.org/OpenHouse 26 | Jewish News | December 21, 2015 | Education | jewishnewsva.org

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