Head of School Message
By Avi Baran Munro, Ed.M.
Last Monday, hundreds of educators and administrators from independent schools in Pennsylvania and Delaware came together on the campus of the Shady Side Academy Senior School for a day of learning, reflection, and sharing.
The occasion was the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools’ (PAIS) Biennial Conference. PAIS is Community Day School’s accrediting body. Our PAIS accreditation is a distinction that we share with 79 schools in Pennsylvania and Delaware, including the 13 regional independent schools that comprise the Pittsburgh Consortium of Independent Schools. All CDS faculty members and our professional leadership were in attendance.
The day consisted of a morning and afternoon keynote address, as well as more than 100 sessions from which attendees were free to choose. As I settled in to my third session of the day, one of the other participants heard me say I was from CDS, and she turned to me and said, “All my sessions were offered by Community Day School staff members. They’ve been incredible. It’s pretty impressive!”
Impressive indeed! CDS educators shared their expertise in seven sessions at the conference, establishing a significant presence in a field of talented educators. More impressive is that our educators leapt at the opportunity to network with colleagues, share their passion and experience, and plan a 50-minute session designed to ignite curiosity, inspire, instruct, challenge, and heal. All that, while gearing up for the holidays and a new school year! Several of them had already presented at conferences this past summer and over the years, and I could not be more proud of their efforts. I will admit to beaming as I checked in on them and noted standing-room-only attendance at each of their sessions.
CDS Presenter | Session Title | Elke Cedarholm | What is a good person? A 3rd Grade perspective | Andrea Erven-Victoria | The Use of Visual Supports in Early Childhood Classrooms | Leslie Frischman | You’ve Gotta Know When to Fold ‘Em | Mark Minkus | Build Effective Relationships Through Proactive Communications Build More Resilient Kids by Implementing Growth Mindset The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teachers | Cara Shuckett | Raising the Level of Student Writing through Tool Kits |
In addition to the CDS featured sessions, there were sessions for all disciplines and various administrative functions. I attended a session for Heads of School focused on how to assess the health of our schools (we’re healthy!). We're proud that CDS parent Dr. Debi Gilboa delivered the closing keynote talk about how to harness the power of failure. Dr. Gilboa also offered a session to a standing-room-only crowd about how teachers, mentors, and coaches can talk to children about difficult topics.
This conference came together thanks to the volunteer efforts of dedicated faculty who have served on the PAISTA (Teachers’ Association) to enhance the professional opportunities available to the area’s independent school staff. We very much appreciate Amy Matthews' role representing our school as a volunteer conference planning committee member with PAISTA and now with PAIS. Photo credit: James Knox |
CDS In Pittsburgh Quarterly Pittsburgh Quarterly invited the heads of the region’s top independent schools to address, in 200 words or less, this question: What is your school’s biggest challenge and how are you addressing it?
Here is an excerpt from the response from CDS Head of School Avi Munro:
“How do we prepare our students for a tumultuous and divided society? We teach them that they are not free from responsibility for the trajectory of their world. We equip our students for global engagement. Then we get out of their way. I have no doubt that CDS students have the knowledge, self-confidence and empathy to be vigilant protectors of democracy, justice, and human rights. Giving children these tools is our greatest challenge as educators—and watching how they put them to work is our greatest joy.” | 
Read the full article here |
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Up Ahead At CDS
STUCO Pink-Out: Oct. 31
Wednesday, October 31 is STUCO Pink-Out Dress-Down Day. Everyone is encouraged (but not required) to wear pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and bring in $1 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Wear your “To Life"” Pink-Out T-shirt if you purchased one from Student Council! Normal dress-down rules apply.
Science Fair Judges Needed!
Calling all scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and technologists! We need guest judges for our CDS Middle School Science Fair on Thursday, January 24. There are windows of opportunity throughout the day to participate and help determine the winners of this outstanding showcase of scientific research at CDS. If you are interested and available, please contact CDS Learning Innovation Coach Jackie Barnes.
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PJ Invention Time: Mitzvah Magic
Please join CDS and PJ Library Pittsburgh with your child (ages 2-5) on Sunday, October 28 at 10 a.m. in the CDS Annex for a PJ Library story and talk about creating things to help others in need at this year’s first PJ Invention Time event. RSVP here
Movie Night Is Back!
Please join us this Saturday, November 3 at 6:45 p.m. for PA Family Havdalah & Pajama Movie Night! Bring your family, blankets, PJs, and a picnic dinner (BYOB) for Havdalah followed by an outdoor screening of the family movie “Zootopia.” The cost is $10 per family, and popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the CDS Parent Association. RSVP to join the fun
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Design For Good Days By Jackie Barnes, Learning Innovation Coach
Wondering about that trailer parked in our lot all week? It’s the Carnegie Science Center's Mobile Fab Lab, which brought to CDS an exciting experience for our 8th Grade class. Each 8th grader is participating in a two-day workshop called “Design For Good Days” that has allowed students to familiarize themselves with design software and equipment (i.e., vinyl cutters, laser cutters, 3D printers), and then design a prototype that could make difference in the life of an individual, our school, community, or society at large.
“What problem can I solve in the world?” is a difficult question for anyone. The struggle with big questions such as these was evident early in the week, but asking and grappling with these big questions is incredibly important, as we support our oldest students to think about the impact they might make on the world.
We hope to position students as designers, as well as learners and users of information. No matter which profession they choose, they will navigate new technologies as they create and design content in ways we might not yet imagine. Fluency with these tasks and engaging in design thinking are critically important. As difficult as it is to navigate these questions, it’s vital that we start. We hope to change the perspective of students toward design thinking and being creators of their own world.
Design thinking is also consistent and supportive of the growth mindset we already embrace. Designers let go of their own ego as they listen to users’ needs and goals. Designers iterate a lot and embrace failed prototypes as part of the process.
After familiarizing themselves with the equipment and software available, students researched their ideas and some found existing files to modify. During Day 2, students spent the entire session designing, printing/cutting, testing, and modifying their final prototype. They also prepared a “pitch” explaining who they were helping, the problem their design might address, and why their design is important.
Giving our 8th graders the opportunity to engage this change in perspective had quite amazing results. One team is working on “non-stereotypical” bathroom signs portraying a woman with a briefcase. Other teams are designing prototypes of an innovative fidget spinner, braille bathroom handle clip-ons, a water filter, and more. Our teachers also made use of this opportunity, as staff from across disciplines visited the space on Monday to learn about the software, equipment, and laser cut projects.
We hope to continue to support design thinking and interdisciplinary work among our staff, throughout all grades, and in other experiences in the future! 8th Grade Students became designers with a purpose this week during Design for Good Days at CDS |
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“Let’s Do Teamwork Together!” By Sarah Glascom-Morris, 3-Year-Old Lead Teacher and Early Childhood Co-Director
Taken directly from the CDS values, Gemilut Hasadim is stated as “acts of loving kindness and ethical teachings.” We wanted to highlight some of the ways the children in the 3-year-old class live this value every day. Each of these instances came about organically, which really demonstrates the culture of community in our classroom. The children want to help each other and praise each other when they accomplish something new. A common phrase they say is, “Let’s do teamwork together!”
- Ella, Micah, and Troy worked together to put the sheet on Micah’s cot
- Ethan held Micah’s hand to walk across the balance beam they built on the Natural Playground and said, “You can do it!”
- Shiri helped Shakked get her heels into her shoes when she noticed that Shakked was struggling
- Elihu and Mary used the broom and dustpan and negotiated taking turns so “nobody feels sad
- Benny offered a hand from the platform to Wolf so he could climb up the playground cargo net
- Isaac opened the Annex door to welcome Mary and her mother, then announced to Shiri, “Your best friend is here, and you can be happy together!”
Of course, these actions didn’t happen in a vacuum. Since the first day of school, we’ve promoted this menschiness with intentionality. Through the use of specific language and role modeling, we show the children not only that helping others is a conscious choice, but that it feels more special when it’s intrinsically motivated. In each of these examples, the children reached out to one another to offer support without external direction from an educator. We are proud of their kindness and so are they! Menschiness is a way of life in the CDS 3-year-old classroom |
Torah Exploration in Pre-K By Sharon Reinherz, Pre-K Educator
Mr. Dalfen visited our class with a Torah, and the children had several questions and comments prior to his visit. They were able to share their understanding of the Torah and ask questions, and we thought we would share some of the dialogue from his visit:
Addison: You have to open the Torah to read the words.
Audrey: Hebrew words. It might say “Torah.”
Mr. Dalfen: I brought a Torah. It is really old. It is made from parchment. That means paper that is made from animal skin. It lasts longer than paper. Some last for hundreds of years!
Mr. Dalfen: How long do you think it takes the Sofer (scribe) to write the Torah?
Morgan: 100 years
Eitan: 39 years
Mr. Dalfen: It takes 1 year. The Sofer has to work all day every day except on Shabbat. It has to be written carefully with special ink, and if there is a mistake we can’t use it until a Sofer fixes it.
Gaia: We need to keep it clean. Mr. Dalfen: We can’t touch it with our hands.
Addison: If you get it dirty, the words will be dirty.
Morgan: And then it would be hard to see the words.
Ava: You use the pointer because if you use your hands it will get dirty. | Max: Are there a lot of pages?
Mr. Dalfen: There are many pages that are taped together so it rolls up.
Addison: It is really big.
Michal: Why is the Torah so big?
Mr. Dalfen: There are a lot of words in the Torah and so it needs to be big for all of the words to fit.
Isaac: How many words?
Mr. Dalfen: Over 600,000
We also took turns going up to point to words in the Torah, and here are some we found:
Morgan: Bad רע
Audrey: Who has blessed us אשר
Eitan: Your God אלהיך
Ava: This day ביום
Addison: Your fathers אבתיך
Max: Life חיים
Naomi: Our sons בנינו
Michal: The people העם
Gaia: In the ground ּבאדמה
Reagan: In their ears באזניהם Isaac: Today היום |
Pre-K had an up-close-and-personal learning experience with the Torah |
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Down On The Farm
By Tzippy Mazer, Head of Lower School and Hebrew and Jewish Studies
On a sunny, cool October morning, 1st Grade headed to Triple B Farms in Monongahela, Pa. The students were excited to be on the bus heading for their first field trip of the year, and within moments, they started to sing the Ariot Hebrew Alef Bet song. Since Morah Tal was on the bus, the bus trip turned into a Hebrew lesson opportunity for all the students who sat within hearing range of her, with a Hebrew game followed by more Hebrew songs.
Once we arrived at the farm, the students visited the farm animals, went on a hayride through the apple orchard, learned about bees and the science of pollination. Of course they had time to to play on the playground filled with farm equipment, as well as go down the giant slides. The students visited the pumpkin patch and left the farm with pumpkins of various shapes, sizes, and colors. Several large pumpkins of different colors―pink, orange, green and white―appeared on the bus, leaving the students wondering why they were there and what will be done with them.
In the next few weeks, the students will be busy observing the pumpkins, conducting experiments, and using their mathematical skills to measure and estimate. Writing and reading will also be a part of this ongoing learning experience. You know that you have had a successful trip when the ride back is very quiet with 1st graders fast asleep in their seats! It was a beautiful fall day at Triple B Farms for the annual 1st Grade field trip filled with activities, playing, sliding, eating, learning about bees and the science of pollination, hay riding, and pumpkin picking. |
3rd Grade Leaders By Elke Cedarholm and Kristen Nock
Recently 3rd Grade was fortunate to come across a challenge that presented a beautiful learning opportunity! As they began to break into small groups for a shared discussion, they recognized that working together can be hard. Thankfully, their class is open and honest about their challenges, and they were able to take time to think, discuss, share, and practice being leaders.
3rd Grade decided that leaders are: kind (by helping someone in need), fair (give everyone what they need, not what they want), calm (their bodies are relaxed, mindful, and focused - not doing something else), respectful (by being empathetic), and brave. They also decided leaders listen to others’ perspectives and don’t talk over each other, try their best, and are themselves (honest and collaborative).
We are so proud of these 3rd graders for undertaking this challenging work and setting the intention to learn and to grow every day. 3rd Grade transformed a teamwork challenge into an opportunity to learn about leadership |
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Stimulating Conversation On The Menu
By Mark Minkus, Head of Intermediate School and Middle School
There’s an adage that says: “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” That may technically be true, but when students are free to say what’s on their minds to the Head of Intermediate School, it’s still pretty awesome! I started “Lunch with Mr. Minkus” five years ago, and it is one of my favorite things that I do during the year. Intermediate School students divide into six groups, and I get to sit and talk with each of them while they eat lunch. I do this once per trimester, and it is informative, eye-opening, and fun!
I like to ask them questions and then just sit back and smile as the answers (and opinions) start to flow. I asked them what they liked the best about 5th Grade so far and also asked for some suggestions for improving IS. Some of the 5th graders’ likes were: Step Up Sports, Jr. Student Council, “the IS teachers are really nice,” and the fact that “our teachers don’t treat us like babies”. The 5th graders also had several suggestions, such as: “we need to build an ice rink,” “we should have apple juice in the lunch line on meat days,” “not enough recess,” and “we need plastic cups in the lunchroom.”
While the talk about school issues is important, the most enjoyable part is when we get a little off topic. One of my all-time favorite conversations occurred when a student suggested that all of the water fountains be filled with chocolate milk. She did make a good point when she said: “I would be a happier person if I had chocolate milk all day.” Another student wanted a soda machine that takes Mensch Cards instead of money. And just last year, a 5th Grader tried to convince me of all of the benefits of building a full-size roller coaster around our playground. I love learning from my students and I am excited about all of the amazing things ahead for them this year in IS. 
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We need to build a hockey rink. Can we serve apple juice on meat days? We should get bleachers for the soccer field. Just a few of the suggestions from our 5th graders during Lunch with Mr. Minkus! |
Welcome, Vicki Pritko! By Mark Minkus, Head of Intermediate School and Middle School
The Math Department welcomes Vicki Pritko as the newest member of both our Middle School and Intermediate School faculty. Mrs. Pritko comes to us from Raleigh, N.C., where she earned her degree in Secondary Mathematics Education at North Carolina State University.
Mrs. Priko finds the CDS faculty to be extremely helpful and welcoming. Her days are filled with communicating her love of mathematics to students in Grades 5-8 and enjoying the company of her enthusiastic CDS learners and colleagues.
Mrs. Pritko always wanted to be a math teacher and studied mathematics and computer science in college. Being a shy person, Mrs. Pritko worked for many years at IBM building the courage to become a teacher. Now, being comfortable talking about math in front of students, she shares her love of mathematics with students of all ages. | 
Mrs. Pritko loves living in Squirrel Hill, where she can walk everywhere. She and her family are very happy to be in Pittsburgh, and we at CDS are very happy to have her join our community. Welcome Mrs. Pritko! |
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So Many Choices
By Mark Minkus, Head of Intermediate School and Middle School
Last week, our 8th Graders and many CDS parents were in the Ulam K’lalee for our annual High School Information Morning. Twelve high schools and organizations from across the Pittsburgh region were in attendance, and the audience was treated to a three-minute presentation from each representative. We were pleased to welcome Pittsburgh Allderdice, PPS Centers for Advanced Studies (CAS), City of Bridges High School, Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, J-Site, The Ellis School, American Hebrew Academy, Sewickley Academy, Shady Side Academy, The Kiski School, The University School, and Winchester Thurston.
Afterward, everyone had the opportunity to visit the tables, ask questions, and further refine the important process of selecting just the right high school for their 8th grader. This event is part of our Destination High School program that helps guide CDS parents through this journey. We are proud of our 8th graders and we know that will be successful wherever they begin their freshman year! 8th graders are beginning the process of high school selection with the guidance of CDS faculty |
AMHSI Comes to CDS
This week we welcomed Alexander Muss High School In Israel (AMHSI) Head of School Mordechai Cohen to CDS for a learning and information session about this transformational study abroad program. At AMHSI, the land of Israel becomes a living classroom for students, with accredited semester, 8-week, and summer programs.
The CDS Class of 2018 had the privilege of participating in a day of hands-on learning with Mordechai and AMHSI faculty during their Israel trip last spring. They brought to life the story of Jewish immigration in the time of the British Mandate through beach activities and a visit to the Atlit Detention Camp in an unforgettable experience. Currently, two CDS alumni, Benji Himmel and Naomi Kitchen, are participating in the AMHSI 8-week academic year session in Israel as Allderdice sophomores.
Mordechai shared his unique AMSHI pedagogical approach in a session with our 8th graders about the most important events in Jewish history. Learn more | 6th Grade Connections
After studying the work of American sculptor Jeremy Mayer, 6th graders are building their own assemblages in art class with Mr. Lerner using found objects that reflect their identities.
This interdisciplinary project connects to their Language Arts curriculum, where the protagonist of the novel they are currently studying―The Children of Willesden Lane―is searching for her identity and sense of belonging.
The Children of Willesden Lane is a riveting account of the tale of Lisa Jura, a young Austrian pianist during World War II. With Nazi armies advancing on pre-war Vienna, Lisa’s parents secured a spot for her on the Kindertransport―an organized effort that sent 10,000 Jewish children to the United Kingdom in the months leading up to the outbreak of the war.
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Student Council Update By Evelyn A., Historian
This week in Student Council we made a lot of progress. We started off with reading suggestions from the suggestion box. This box is on the 2nd and 3rd floors so that kids can add suggestions for Student Council. The Thanksgiving Food Drive will be split up among the academic divisions. Additionally, the Lower School will have a competition to see which homeroom brings in the most food. That homeroom will earn a prize. We will have a themed competition for the Middle School. We also talked about the Penny Wars, which is happening October 29 through November 2. Lastly, we decided on Student Council apparel. We are so excited for all of the upcoming events. |
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Cool Down By David Thyberg, Assistant Athletic Director
November is just around the corner, and just like that, the fall sports season nears its final chapter. It seems like only yesterday we were getting together for pre-season warm-ups, but now the change in climate reminds us that it’s time to cool down and start shifting our focus. After a full slate of tough soccer matches and speedy cross country meets, our Lions athletes will be gearing up for the next sporting challenge of the school year: indoor winter basketball!
We are gearing up to field four full teams once again for hoops this winter. Students in Grades 5-8 will have the opportunity to play on age-appropriate Boys' Varsity and JV, as well as Girls' Varsity and JV teams. Practices start up in November, and the games tip off in December. Coach Thyberg looks forward to working the the Boys’ Varsity, as he does every year. It looks like Coach Amy will be back once more for the girls teams as well. A schedule will be forthcoming for practices and games, along with announcements on additional coaches.
Congratulations to all those who played on our fall teams, and a special thanks to Coach Shevitz and Coach Ison. We look forward to our final fall competitions, and the start of a new basketball season!
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Catch the CDS Soccer teams at Winchester Thurston next Tuesday starting at 3:45 p.m. and Cross Country against Falk at 4 p.m. that afternoon at the Bartlett Playground. Soccer will take on Falk on Wednesday on our home turf at 3:45 p.m. Let’s go, Lions! |
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Paying It Forward 
| We are overwhelmed with gratitude for all of our friends and families who donated to the CDS 8th Grade Pay It Forward campaign over the past two weeks! With your incredible generosity, we raised more than $20,000 to support these inspired teens, who will give back 400+ hours in community service in the transformational journey leading up to their Israel trip this spring.
Service projects in the works include a Squirrel Hill litter clean-up, participating in Mitzvah Day and CDS and Federation Phone-A-Thons, gardening for the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry, and more.
THANK YOU so much to all of our donors, and stay tuned for more details about the impact the 8th Grade will make thanks to your amazing support! |
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Grandparent Challah Bake
Thanks to all of the grandparents—more than 100!—who came from near and far to join us last week for a special challah baking event with their favorite CDS students. We hope you enjoy your delicious and lovingly braided challot with dough from Pomegranate Catering Pittsburgh and that you hang the beautiful mezuzot you decorated on a doorpost in your homes! Save the date for Grandparent and Special Friend Day on Friday, May 10, 2019, and we look forward to seeing you throughout the year at CDS!
You could feel the love in the room at last week’s Grandparent Challah Bake! |
Board Member Spotlight: Derek Smith
Derek Smith has been a CDS trustee, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer since 2007. He served on our Executive Committee, Audit Committee, and as Chair of our Investment Committee.
As Executive Vice President of the Board, Derek is a valued advisor to Head of School Avi Munro and CFO Bari Weinberger, working to ensure that every trustee, no matter their financial acumen, understands the basics of financial reporting, accountability, and budget setting considerations.
Derek has also taken the lead in soliciting donors for tax credit programs that make a CDS education affordable for more families. We are inspired by Derek’s passion and belief that our school is worthy of investment and that investment in ourselves can yield the biggest returns.
For all of his contributions and commitment to our school, Derek is being honored as the 2019 CDS Volunteer of the Year at the Jammin’ in the Jungle Gala on January 26. | 
Derek is the father of CDS alum Eli, who is a student at The Ohio State University, and current 6th grader, Maya. He is a CPA and a Shareholder at Markovitz Dugan & Associates, where he helps small business owners maximize their returns. When not at the office or volunteering at CDS, he spends time with his wife, Nicole, and their children or playing golf, basketball, baseball, traveling, or reading.
He says, “I am proud to serve on the CDS Board because the changes we make have a real impact on improving the everyday life of the students and staff.” |
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Kol Hakavod to … 
Want to say Kol HaKavod to an employee at CDS? Fill out this online form.
Ellen Goldhagen
Your ability to make school transportation run so fluidly creates a less stressful end of the day, everyday. It is evident that you spend the day making sure all loose ends are taken care of before, what could be chaos at the closing of the day, comes off smoothly. Thank you from us all.
Michal Schachter Thank you for always making our students feel safe, secure, and loved. Your gentle touch with the students, particularly our youngest friends, is always a joy to observe. It is a blessing to have you at CDS.
Susie Kerr Nurse Susie has given back to the community by inviting Pitt nursing students to observe her day as part of their nursing program. The students have provided such great feedback to their professor that she wants to come visit.
Carole Henderson For her great help with the Farm Stand dinner! Thank you for helping our kids use the kitchen to have a cooking experience they can feel proud of. |
Iton is the Hebrew word for newspaper. Since ours is electronic, we call it an E-ton! Community Day School
An independent Jewish day school educating children age 3 to Grade 8 6424 Forward Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-521-1100 ︱ comday.org
Watch our promotional video to Discover CDS! |
   
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the ETON, send an email to: eton@comday.org |
