ETON Biweekly e-newsletter of Community Day School | 10 November 2016 9 Cheshvan 5777 Issue #5 |
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Race and Parenting: How We Can Raise Children Who Understand and Actively Promote Justice For All
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Head of School Message To prepare our students in the event of fire, we hold monthly fire drills. To prepare our students in the event of an intruder, we hold periodic lockdown drills. What do we do to prepare our students for a day like yesterday, the day after the election when a surprise result unleashed a firestorm of emotion? We teach. One remarkable thing you should know about yesterday at CDS is that it did present somewhat as an emergency. Teachers had lessons ready to go on as usual. But they came to school on Wednesday morning with their own disbelief, delight, or despair, and few on either side of the political divide were ready for business as usual. And then they did what they do so well. They taught. Using all the techniques they had practiced so many times. The classroom cultures cultivated by CDS teachers support safe and critical discussion. In the moment, they employed critical listening strategies and took time out for mindful moments. They reaffirmed their classroom missions and classrooms rules, ensuring safe spaces for necessary conversations. They could do this well in an emotional emergency because they practice these strategies every day. One of the most important parts of teaching well is reading the room. No one planned for what happened in school yesterday, but as great teachers naturally do, our teachers read their rooms. Our students, your children, needed to talk. What did these facilitated classroom conversations look like? In 3rd Grade, for example, the students first made the choice to accept and support one another, no matter their differences. Next, they worked to identify and understand their emotions; some classmates were very happy with the outcome of the election, while others were concerned, anxious, or sad. They decided a classroom conversation would be the best way to express and understand themselves and their friends. Through that conversation, the students realized that differences are what make us special and help us to learn and grow. They also identified their similarities. A belief in kindness. In respecting differences. In working hard. In doing what is right and helping one another. At the end of the day, 3rd Graders found out that they have a lot in common. Similar conversations and reflection took place in Middle School. In 8th Grade, students wrote pages and pages with their thoughts, and then took a mindful walk together. They later all signed a card thanking their teacher, saying: “You gave us advice for the rest of the day and the rest of our lives.” I firmly believe that these classroom (and hallway and stairwell) discussions had to happen. No matter which way a family voted, our students came to school yesterday needing to talk about it. And I am so proud of our own CDS teachers. They made it safe to hold extremely difficult conversations with chesed (loving kindness), kavod (respect), and honest inquiry. Wishing you all a peaceful and safe world in which to raise our children. Avi Munro Reflections from the post-election conversation in Ms. Cedarholm’s 3rd Grade class | ||||
Up Ahead at CDS The highlight of your child’s Community Day School education will be the 8th Grade Israel trip. To experience firsthand with your closest friends what you have been learning about for years in the classroom is an incredible opportunity. To make this trip financially possible, it is the responsibility of the 8th Grade to help with fundraising. The approximately $17,000 the class must raise this year will be used for group costs, such as entrance fees, snacks, and tips. This year—in place of the online Israel auction—the 8th Grade families are hosting an event from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday, December 1 here at CDS called “Israel Alive! Bid, Schmooze, and Sip for our 8th Grade Israel Trip” to help raise the bulk of this money. It will be a great evening with wine and light refreshments, a silent auction, and other small opportunities to win prizes. Tickets are available at comday.org/israelalive. Please come to the event, invite your friends, spread the word on social media, and remember that soon it will be your child's turn for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
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Save the Date: Zimriah Is Back! Everyone’s favorite CDS event is back! | ||||
Green Light A Vet
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Past CDS Grandparent Talks Israel
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CDS: A Squirrel Hill Treasure We were so proud to be honored at the 6th Annual Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition Treasure Awards on Wednesday, November 2 together with The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh, Classic Lines bookstore, and Citiparks. We thank the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition (SHUC) for the organization’s support of CDS and for working for a stronger, most sustainable, and vibrant community. Also thanks to CDS alumni parents State Rep. Dan Frankel and SHUC President Richard Feder for presenting us with our honors. And what could be better than a “speedy delivery” of our “Place Treasure” award from Mr. McFeely of Mr Rogers Neighborhood! CDS was honored last week as the 2016 Squirrel Hill “Place Treasure” | ||||
Pandas vs. Unicorns For more than a month, our 8th Grade Social Studies students worked on a presidential election simulation. The students were assigned a party platform, but were not allowed to mention the names of the political parties or presidential candidates. Our goal was to mirror the experience of an election as best we could without getting lost in the mire of personality politics. The students were tasked with crafting the party platforms into something accessible for young students. While most elementary school children may not think as much about immigration or economic policies, free WiFi and feeling safe at home are common concerns for most young people. They presented their platforms during a debate that I moderated on Monday afternoon for students in Grades 4-8. All of the participating students were poised, well-prepared, articulate, and confident on the debate stage. At times I think the project went too well. Super PACs made an appearance, as did debate rule and preparation, e-mail scandals, and communications missteps. It was just like the real thing. I am confident, however, that the process itself gave students a window into both what politics is and what it could be―and maybe a little of what we should watch out for in our political system. In the end, the Unicorns beat out the Pandas in a school-wide vote this Tuesday morning by a margin of 61% to 39%, but overall, l I think the whole school won. Read more in last week’s Jewish Chronicle of Pittsburgh: Jewish day schools want middle schoolers to approach election “mindfully” The Unicorns may have defeated the Pandas in the CDS “presidential election,” but the whole school was the real winner in this learning journey in democracy and politics | ||||
Lower School Election Round-Up By Tzippy Mazer, Head of Lower School and Jewish Studies and the Lower School team November 8 was the day that millions of Americans headed to the polls to vote for a new president. We discuss, argue, and arrive at our personal decisions as to who would make the best president. We make ourselves part of a process. Have you ever thought about what this process is like for a Lower School student? Here’s a snapshot, grade-by-grade, from the students’ homeroom teachers: Kindergarten In KB, after reading many election themed stories, discussing the process of voting, and the qualities that a good leader would possess, we decided to hold a fun election―a candy election! It was M&M's vs. Tootsie Pops. There were debates, campaign signs, a question-and-answer period, and most importantly, a top-secret voting station. Stickers were given to all students who voted to show they cast their vote. In the end, the M&M's won as the favorite candy, with 11 of the votes; Tootsie Pops were not far behind! 1st Grade In 1st Grade, students learned about voting and citizenship and read a poem that talked about going to the polls. They also read about what is necessary to be able to vote and where you can go to vote. To complete the experience, they enjoyed a book called “So You Want to be President?”. Placing their ballots for our CDS parties led to great discussions about responsibility and leadership. 2nd Grade In 2nd Grade, after reading Miss Rumphius, we talked about making the world a better place and how it can be done. The students realized that sometimes people don’t agree about how to do this and discussed how one can disagree and be respectful, noting that their honor code reminds them to be compassionate towards others and responsible for the world. The students discussed what role they can play in achieving this goal. The students also learned why having the right to vote is so important. They looked at the important jobs that a president has and shared what they would do if they were elected as the next president. The representatives of our CDS parties came to answer the 2nd Grade questions about their views, and after watching a video of the 8th Grade campaign, they got to cast their own votes. 3rd Grade In 3rd Grade, we listened to the nominees' speeches from the CDS political parties (Pandas and Unicorns). Deciding that we had questions, we asked the candidates to join us during Language Arts. Students asked tough questions, such as: Why do you support a two-state solution for Israel? How would you raise money so that everyone could have free WiFi? We also created our own visions of which character traits we believe our President of the United States should have including: patience, kindness, understanding, truthful, honesty, peaceful, environmental protection, helpful to communities, and determination. Learning about elections in Lower School | ||||
#ChooseKind 5th Grade Language Arts Team Every year, CDS fifth graders anticipate reading the novel Wonder by R. J. Palacio. It is almost as if they can sense there is something magical about it. Wonder is special for so many reasons. Wonder is a story about a brave boy named Auggie who overcomes many challenges during his 5th Grade school year. At first, Auggie narrates the novel, but eventually other characters chime in to retell bits of the plot from their own points of view. This instantly broadens students’ perspectives on various characters’ motivations. It also opens up many conversations and reflections about our motivations for our actions and words in real life. Throughout the novel, the character’s 5th Grade teacher, Mr. Browne, shares monthly precepts with his classes. These precepts are another aspect of the novel that generates rich conversation when we discuss them in our own Language Arts classes. Mr. Brown’s September precept is a quote from philosopher and motivational speaker Dr. Wayne W. Dyer:
“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” – Dr. Wayne W. Dryer
This quote left quite the impression on many 5th graders this fall. It is this same quote that has inspired a worldwide #ChooseKind movement. In October (the official #ChooseKind month), we tied this movement into a mindfulness lesson, and the entire CDS Intermediate School officially pledged to #choosekind.
So what does choosing kindness look like at CDS? Sometimes it is as simple as walking up to another student who is playing alone and inviting them to join in on your game. Other times choosing kind is a bit more complex. Students recognize how although it might feel right or “cool” to act a certain way in front of your peers, the “kind” choice to make might be to be an upstander for another student. Choosing kind is not always easy. Sometimes it takes strength and courage. IS students are committed choosing kind. Are you? Our Intermediate School students are committed to “choosing kind” | ||||
“Don’t Know Much About Biology” By Mark Minkus, Head of Intermediate School and Middle School Don’t know much about a science book, don’t know much about the French I took”. In the spring of 1960, Sam Cooke released the single “Wonderful World,” and it quickly became a toe-tapping hit. In just two minutes and nine seconds, Cooke delivered a catchy, relatable tune that that we still sing along with today. You may be thinking to yourself: “Now, I don’t claim to be an A student, but I’m trying to be.” Well, let’s see. What is the difference between a hydrophobic phospholipid and a hydrophilic phospholipid? C’mon, you learned that in high school biology class! Can you describe selective permeability? Not ringing any bells? That’s OK, just ask a 7th grader! Ms. Ison’s 7th Grade Science class is currently studying cell membranes and cell walls. These basic building blocks of life are made up of a the cell membrane, phospholipids, proteins, carbohydrates, cholesterol, fatty acids, and much more. The dynamic interaction among all of these parts of a cell are very important for the students to master as the continue their study of biology. To make things easier to understand, Ms. Ison has her students create models of a cell. Who knew that using toothpicks, styrofoam, and glue could be so educational? By building these models, the students can clearly show that phospholipids exist in the lipid bilayer of a cell and that the head is “water loving” (hydrophilic) while the tail is “water leaving” (hydrophobic). Eventually, as they continue to build their models, they will be able to demonstrate that some cell membranes are selectively permeable (only allow certain molecules to pass into or out of the cell.) So, if you don’t feel like dusting off your high school biology book, just sit down with a CDS 7th grader and start asking questions. You just might learn what a prokaryote is! Now you know more about biology than you did 10 minutes ago. If you truly “don’t know much about history,” that’s an article for another day! CDS 7th Grade science students are building cell membrane models | ||||
Sgt. Ison Visits Pre-K By Jessica Pindzola, Early Childhood Educator Many children in the Pre-K have been wondering about the people in our country who keep us safe. With the recent election and upcoming Veterans Day, we thought it would be nice to have a visit from Sergeant Ison, our Middle School Science teacher. The students wondered what do people in the Army actually do? Anthony said there can be soldiers who fight and medics who help fix people who are hurt, while Gal explained that soldiers protect us. Sergeant Ison agreed that was true and told us that in the U.S. Army you can be anything: doctors, lawyers, truck drivers, police officers, veterinarians, and much more. Victoria wanted to know, “What does the Army look like?” Sergeant Ison is a police officer in the Army, and she has served overseas. Ava wondered why she wears a uniform. We learned that the uniform helps her blend into the landscapes where she works. Her uniform is covered in patches that represent important things, such as her name, unit, rank, and a backwards American flag to remind us that we are always moving forward as a country. She told us that tomorrow on Veterans Day she will wear her uniform as a sign of respect for everyone who protects our country and to help remind others that they are always around us, keeping us safe. Sergeant Ison also taught us how to salute. We stood at attention and put our hands to our foreheads. “Why do we do that?” some children asked. We learned that this is the way we can show our respect to our country and all of the people in the military. In the Pre-K we spend a lot of time practicing how to be upstanders, mensches, and good citizens of the United States. We discussed qualities that are important in a leader of our country―caring, understanding, healing, strong, respectful, and protective. As we talked about how to honor and respect the people who serve and protect us―the people who have these valuable characteristics―the children realized that many of these qualities are things they can do and want to help others learn as well. Sergeant Ison (aka Middle School Science Teacher Kyle Ison) visited Pre-K today in honor of Veterans Day | ||||
Meet The Directors
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Kindergarten Invention Time
The children often spend their free time in KB sketching and planning inventions that they want to invent together each Friday. They make supply lists to go along with their sketches and often request specific items from their teachers that they can use for their inventions. As the year progresses, so do the inventions, and we look forward to what they will create in the coming months. Keep an eye out during the year for hallway displays of the children's work and descriptions of each project, as explained by the children to their teachers. Invention Time with Mr. Hoover is everyone’s favorite time of the week in KB! | ||||
A World of Colors By Sarah Glascom Morris, 3YO Lead Teacher and Early Childhood Co-Director Last week in Art, Mr. Lerner talked to our class about the Parshah Noach, in which God instructs Noah to build a large wooden teivah (“ark”) to shelter his family and two members of each animal species from a great deluge. Then, inspired by the concept of the ark, we made “water painting” monoprints. A monoprint is a form of printmaking that produces only one copy. The children loved spreading a single color of fingerpaint in a thick layer all over a plexiglass surface. Eden and Molly weren't even sure they wanted to make a print because that meant they'd have to stop swirling their hands and fingers in the paint. Neta, Ava, and Eugene tried to make lines that looked like waves for the ark. Once the designs were set and ready to be printed, the teachers helped the children place a sheet of thick paper on top, and they worked together to smooth it out and transfer the image. Kiki and Judah were especially excited when they pulled back the paper and saw their work! Some children were very curious about mixing the colors, so we decided to explore this further in our classroom or atelier using multiple colors. Speaking of colors, we were able to take advantage of the clear weather recently and finally got to go leaf-collecting! We found long, flat yellow leaves on the natural playground that looked like elephant ears. Arbel looked up at the tree (a magnolia) and observed that the leaves on the branches were much smaller and thinner than those large leaves. We also went to the different trees between the Annex and the CDS gardens to see if we could find a variety. We found so many different multi-colored leaves of different shapes, and Arbel even found a few pinecones. Molly found a deep reddish-purple leaf, and she got really excited when she noticed that it matched her jacket. "My favorite is pink and purple!" Ava wanted to take pictures of everyone, so we let her use the iPad. While she played paparazzo, Neta, Mason, Michal, Kiki, and Eugene decided to play a game of Hide and Seek. Leila and Eden had fun throwing the leaves in the air and giggling. Whether in the art room, our classroom, or outside, colors are coming alive in the 3-year-old room! Inspired by Parshah Noach, the 3-year-old class recently made “water painting” monoprints | ||||
Inaugural Pittsburgh Jewish Day School Odyssey of the Mind Competition Coming to CDS By Rebecca Williams, Middle School Language Arts and Math Save the date! We’re excited to announce that Community Day School will be hosting the first-ever Pittsburgh Jewish Day School Odyssey of The Mind Competition on May 21, 2017 from 2 to 6:30 p.m. with teams from Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh and Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh. Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that develops students’ creative problem-solving skills through experimentation, original thinking, and risk taking. The program was founded in 1978 in Glassboro State College in New Jersey, and it’s been a huge after-school success here at CDS. During the past two months, students on our Division I (Intermediate School) and Division II (Middle School) Odyssey teams have been hard at work practicing spontaneous verbal problems, spontaneous hands-on problems, and beginning their long-term team solution. They are continuing to develop skills in communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork. Each week, Odyssey of The Mind team members are building confidence and creativity. As we prepare for the competition in May, please consider helping out as a volunteer (e.g., greeter, timekeeper, check-in, attendants, guide). Serving as a volunteer, you will be able to experience firsthand the fun, excitement, and thrill of competition day. Judges are also needed. If you would like to participate, please contact me at rwilliams@comday.org. We look forward to seeing the hard work of these talented kids pay off on May 21! CDS is prepping for the inaugural Pittsburgh Jewish Day School Odyssey of the Mind competition in May | ||||
Babushkas, Chuppahs, and Punxsutawney Phil By Mark Minkus, Head of Intermediate School and Middle School Did you know that it is a tradition for single people in Germany to wash all of the doorknobs in their home on their 30th birthday? In Finland, there is an annual “Wife Carrying Contest” that dates back to the 19th Century. For the Satere-Mawe tribe in Brazil, becoming a man means sticking your hands into gloves filled with bullet ants for 11 straight hours. I think that we would all agree that there are some pretty interesting traditions around the world. However, lest we point the finger at others, it would be good to remember that every year in America a groundhog predicts the future and the President pardons a turkey. Traditions are being discussed and researched in Mrs. Lewis’s 4th Grade Social Studies Class. The students have been learning about the diversity that was found among the millions of people who came through Ellis Island in the early 1900s. In fact, at that time, there was part of a street in New York City where more than 18 different languages were spoken. The 4th graders were asked to share traditions from their own families about birthdays, trips, weddings, and other important events. Mrs. Lewis read The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco. It is the true story of a Jewish woman of Russian descent that treasures a very special quilt that was handed down over several generations of her family. The students asked questions, like: “How do you spell babushka?” and clearly identified with certain Jewish traditions like the chuppah at the author’s wedding. Moving forward, the students have a fascinating homework project that is due just before Thanksgiving break. The Family Interview Assignment requires the students to ask some very specific questions to one of their relatives. The answers will reveal the unique traditions, values, and customs that shaped their family’s history. So the next time that you hear about the Tomato Throwing Festival in Bunol, Spain or read about the Punkin Chunkin World Championships in Delaware, stop and think about all of the crazy, memorable, and wonderful traditions that have helped make you you who you are today! 4th graders are exploring their family traditions and traditions around the world | ||||
Hitting the Hardwood By David Thyberg, Assistant Athletic Director The thump of bouncing balls and the squeaking of sneakers echo down from the gym and out through the stairwells and hallways of CDS each day after school. That can only mean one thing―basketball season is finally here! Over the years, our school has developed quite the basketball tradition. We might not always have the size of other schools’ teams, but we certainly have the organization and the heart to compete. Our Lions basketball squads have consistently performed at a high level, earning a respected reputation in the independent school sporting community of Pittsburgh. The Lions are hard at work on the hardwood these days, honing their skills around the rim and learning the finer points of the game. As always, the coaches are doing their best to instill values of camaraderie, leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship. It’s been a great start to pre-season practices, and participation is at an all-time high! In fact, more than 50 players from Grades 5 through 8 have signed up to participate on one of our four teams this winter. Coach Thyberg returns to the helm for the Boys’ Varsity team once again, looking to build another dedicated group of players with a solid understanding of the game. This time around, we have the added benefit of a parent-volunteer in Coach Howard Valinsky (read more in the Alumni Profile) to co-lead the team and provide extra guidance that will surely get the boys up and running to their full potential. The Boys’ JV team is also set for a successful season, flush with young talent from the 5th and 6th grades and long-time JCC coach Hal Shapera joining our program for the first time. Not only that, but recent graduate and standout CDS alumnus center/forward Omri Raz has come back to the gym he left just one year ago to help out as an assistant coach. The Girls’ Varsity and JV teams show equal signs of promise. Coach Amy Blackmond returns to work with our young lady Lions, bringing with her a wealth of experience to share with the girls and build their confidence. Games tip off in December. Be sure to check e-mail notifications and calendar updates to stay on top of the latest news and information. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @CDS_Sports and please feel free to e-mail Coach Thyberg with any photos you wish to share from attendance at our matches during the regular season. We look forward to seeing you on the court. Let’s go Lions! Lions Hoops hits the hardwood | ||||
Alumni Profile: Howard Valinsky
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Sarah Glascom-Morris, Alison Seaman, Miriam Brostoff (the “3s Team”) Kol HaKavod for building a wonderful program, creating curriculum from scratch, and meeting each kid on his/her own level. Your commitment to the educating these kids and helping them develop into mensches is inspiring! Sol Marcus A student dropped a tooth in the sink drain, and she was very sad. With a smile, Sol removed the trap and retrieved the tooth, making the student very happy. He did this without hesitation. Jackie Goldblum Jackie is always working to find new ways to make learning an amazing experience for both students and educators. Thank you! Lissa Scearce Lissa is a kind and dedicated teacher, who always gives 100 percent for her students, no matter what! Charlotte Rakackzy and Nicole Lewis What an amazing 4th/5th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies team! | ||||
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