Class of 2016 - Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island

5th Graders Bring Hanukkah Joy to Miriam Hospital

December 14, 2015 by Naomi Stein

On Wednesday, the 3rd day of Hanukkah, the fifth grade class piled into what they affectionately call ‘The Teva Bus’ to take a short ride to the Miriam Hospital. There, they sang songs for the staff and visitors, and people stopped and listened to them as they were going about their hospital business. After their performance, which was applauded and appreciated, they then visited one of the hospital units housing patients who are living with cancer. Having previously made cards to hand out to patients, the students went in pairs to visit the different rooms; in some, they sang and in others, they just talked and wished the patients and family members well. One woman commented, “I’m about to go home soon and your visit will speed up my recovery even more!”

Another said, “You are doing God’s work.” As part of the preparation for this visit, Rabbi Gouze spent time talking with the students about the importance of Bikkur Holim, (visiting the sick). The students showed a deep understanding of the need for connection, for feeling links to the community and for patients to be treated like normal human beings despite their being sick and separated from their daily routines and normal lives. The trip was meaningful and the students were able to see how their visit and time spent with the patients was very much appreciated by both staff and patients. It brought meaning to the value of Bikkur Holim and the reason why Judaism views it as such an important part of living in an ethical manner.

Below is a link to a video of the students singing in the lobby.

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRHm3lXlaD0″]

A Story from Teva

December 11, 2015 by Naomi Stein

I had the wonderful opportunity to be one of the 5th grade chaperones to Teva this year. During these four amazing days, the students learned in nature, prayed, met new kids from other Jewish day schools, practiced Judaism in many ways, and learned about their role in the world. I joined our students during their ‘Limudei Chutz’ (outdoor learning) everyday and witnessed their growth. There are so many stories to tell, but I chose to share one special activity in which they learned about TOGETHERNESS.

The group had a task that they had to complete according to the following rules: to take an object from the teacher and return with it to the starting line. If the teacher saw someone moving or if he guessed which individual had the object, all of them had to go back and start again. The kids started all scattered along the field. Some of them rushed to try to complete the task on their own. They failed over and over again. Students started shouting at others: “Walk! Don’t run!” Some talked to their friends trying to make a plan, but they didn’t include everyone. After each failure, more group members joined the conversation. They finally came up with a plan, involved enough people, and managed to complete the task. However, they were not pleased with their performance; it wasn’t the whole group’s achievement. They asked for one more chance.

This time, before they started, two more rules were added: in order to win, every group member must touch the object at least once; and, all students have to cross the start line. The whole group got together to talk about their strategy and agreed on it. They stood together in a line shoulder to shoulder, facing their teacher. They walked slowly staying together the whole time. When the teacher faced them, they all stopped together. Even when they were close enough to take the object from the teacher, they waited and made sure that they were ready for the next part in their plan. One of them picked up the object and they all turned around with their backs facing the teacher. The teacher tried to guess each time who was holding the object, but without any luck. They passed the object between all group members while they were walking slowly back to their start line. They made it. Together.

I felt so much joy and appreciation to see how these individuals, most of whom had just met each other two days before, transformed into a united group.

Rotem

Egypt, here we come!

October 23, 2015 by Naomi Stein

As they begin their studies into the first chapters of Exodus for the Humash (Torah) curriculum, the students will be researching different aspects of ancient Egyptian culture. In this way, they will be able to compare and contrast Israelite society with the Egyptian way of life and gain a deeper understanding as to why the Israelites did not assimilate into the larger, outside culture. Each pair of students will research one facet and, through both a written and creative presentation, they will share the information that they have gathered with the rest of the class. As you can see from the photos, even though the students just learned their partners today, they have already begun to research the information. Look forward to hearing and seeing more about this in the coming weeks!

Design Lab: Constraints Drive Creativity

October 1, 2015 by Naomi Stein

In Design Lab, we know what it’s like to be creative. We also know that constraints drive creativity. This means that when we have a limited amount of resources and time, we have to be extra creative in utilizing what we have. Additionally, the mantra “fail fast, forward” drives us to learn from what may not have been so successful, and to move onto bigger and better things.

Today in Design Lab grades 3-5 worked together in small groups to make towers out of newspaper. While they were able to use a very small amount of tape, newspaper was the primary material that students could use. By working together, students were able to brainstorm and implement their ideas cooperatively. You might be surprised to learn that they were able to make some amazing, creative, and innovative free standing structures out of the otherwise very flimsy material. “All the tape in the world” may have created more successful structures… but look what we made!

New Rituals for Forgiveness

September 25, 2015 by Naomi Stein

The fifth grade class has spent a lot of time looking at the types of wrongdoings listed in the ‘Al Het’ prayer, which is prayed during Yom Kippur. We noticed that a quite a number focus on communication (ask your child what percentage of wrongdoings are connected to our speech!). We also explored the idea that one can sin against God, against another and against oneself. As part of this, the students asked forgiveness by writing letters to each of these. They planned on giving the letters to the others, but the question arose as to what to do with the letters to God. After some discussion, we decided that it would be a meaningful ritual to bury the notes and then plant bulbs on top of them. In that way, something positive can grow out of a negative action, and we are giving back to God by planting beautiful flowers. In these pictures, the students are planting either their tulip or daffodil bulb.

Shana Tova! Happy New Year!

September 18, 2015 by Naomi Stein

The students are super excited to reconnect with former classmates and to make new friends from Israel. We are pen pals with kids in Israel. Each student wrote a greeting card for a sweet and a happy new year in Hebrew. These cards by now are on their way to Israel….

Also, we are learning our first Zimriyah song, BaShana Haba’a (In the Upcoming Year.) A student asked me: “Can’t we just learn how to sing the songs without understanding the meaning of the words? I thought that the whole purpose of the Zimriyah is to entertain our parents and grandparents.”

My answer was that we use Zimriyah songs to teach Hebrew, to understand it, to use these words in speaking and writing, and to learn about the culture of Israel. The students’ interpretations for the first verse decorate the class walls.

Lehitraot,

Rotem

First Week of Gardening

September 30, 2015September 11, 2015 by Kareesh Bour

Yes, it is one of the hottest days of the year. Yes, air conditioning is our best friend. But the students are begging to do gardening. Today was our first day in the garden. Due to the weather, we only were able to go out for 10 minutes at the most. Those ten minutes were amazing, though! The students in second and fourth grades went right to work in the early morning, weeding and watering. We identified edible plants, found baby peppers growing, noticed some spiders, and ate some new vegetables. The wax beans were a hit! The fourth graders were eager and excited to try the new vegetable. Everyone who tried it enjoyed it and wanted to eat more. The fourth graders brainstormed ideas for the garden this year, like utilizing every space in the garden for more plants. It has inspired me to research hanging gardens for the fence. Lastly, first grade learned about gardens from a picture book featuring the famous Winnie the Pooh and his friend Rabbit. They learned that gardening takes patience and hard work. Gardening is obviously a special activity that the students love, and I am proud and excited to lead them in their gardening adventures this year.

Summer Reading Lists for Students Entering Grades 1-5. K.White, librarian

June 15, 2015June 13, 2015 by Naomi Stein

THE JCDSRI SUMMER READING PROGRAM Link to all Reading Lists:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs182/1101781664576/archive/1121355100244.html

Dear JCDS Families,

Welcome to our summer celebration of books, the JCDSRI Summer Reading Program! The intent of our summer reading program is to promote reading skills. Research studies have demonstrated that students who participate in a summer reading program are more likely to read at their grade level or above than nonparticipating students and those reading above grade level are more likely to retain those skills into the next school year. (Evaluation and Training Institute). While an increase in reading promotes reading abilities and other skills, we want our students to experience the joys that reading brings through marvelous characters and adventures. Books introduce us to friends we will have for life. Reading is FUN!

We are asking students to read at least five books from our booklists. Hopefully, they will read many books.

Each student entering grades 1-5 receives a summer reading program folder containing a JCDSRI summer booklist of various levels and interests complied by Karolyn White, librarian.

The lists are sent to the following public libraries: Rochambeau, Cranston, East Providence, East Greenwich, Johnston, Lincoln, Pawtucket and the following bookstores: Books on the Square and Barnes and Noble in Warwick.

For 22 years, the summer reading program has been coordinated by Karolyn White, librarian. kwhite@jcdsri.com

We wish you a happy, healthy summer and wonderful reading adventures!

Farewell from Mrs. White, librarian

June 15, 2015June 13, 2015 by Naomi Stein

Dear Friends,

After twenty-two years as the JCDSRI librarian, I am retiring at the end of the school year. I have loved working with our students and enjoy keeping in touch with many alumni. I have been delighted to be the school librarian, where I can play with puppets, read fairy tales and sing pirate songs. Now, how good is that?

For twenty-two years, I have loved creating book fairs that have promoted reading and fostered wonderful memories for our students. Although running book fairs for twenty-two years was quite a job, I did it because the students loved it so much. The youngsters enjoy dressing in PJs and going to Clifford Family Nights to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog. This activity became a beloved event. Many students dreamed of “being Clifford” and were thrilled if they were selected. Recently, I met an alum who asked about the book fair dates and who would be Clifford at next year’s fair. Alumni enjoy sharing happy memories of the fairs. Over the years, we have sold thousands of dollars of merchandise at the fairs, which enabled us to get thousands of books, many supplies, classroom rugs, school furniture and more. I am delighted that the Scholastic book fairs have never cost the school any money. Thank you for your long time support of our book fairs!

Twenty-two years ago, I automated the school library-not an easy task. For twenty-two years, I have created summer reading programs. I certainly appreciate the positive comments my summer reading programs have received from school librarians throughout the country. For many years, I conducted public preschool story times, which I greatly enjoyed.

Thank you for all my wonderful memories. I will dearly miss everyone!

Sincerely,

Karolyn White

Final Blog Post

June 15, 2015June 12, 2015 by mkranowitz

We made it to June! I am so proud of this special group of ten. They have made so much progress, learned so much and they managed to have a great time through it all. Here are some pictures from our event filled week:

First, Dave the Animal Man returned to dazzle the third and fourth graders with his snakes, turtles, alligator and lizards. These children are much braver than their teacher.

We performed out last Readers theater plays of the year. We chose two more Greek myths, one that explains the seasons and one that highlights the importance of trust and faith. Their acting skills have come a long way. Some of them might even need an agent!

We went on a well deserved field trip to Roger Williams Park to play, observe, write and of course enjoy some popsicles. What a treat to have Peter and the JCDS van at our disposal.

We had a final meeting with our kindergarten buddies. This has been such a special part of the year for both age groups. We will resume these connections in the fall.

One of the highlights of the fourth grade year in Judaics is the performance of Beatle Torah! The show was truly amazing and I was so impressed by them all. They were confident, intelligent, funny, and so talented. I know they felt proud that all of their hard work and dedication paid off.

As we wrap up this fourth grade year, I just wanted to say thank you to all of the wonderful 4th grade parents for your constant kindness and support. I hope you all have a fabulous and restful summer and please keep in touch! I will leave you with this quote by William Yeats:

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

I hope these ten amazing thinkers will continue to trail blaze during their final year at JCDS and beyond!