Dear Parents,
With the school year about to begin, we are excited to share with you some of the programs we are planning to implement at C.A.S.H. After reviewing the curriculum already in place and researching some innovative initiatives following are just a sample of the new programs that the children will be participating in during the school year.
1) SMART Board
2) Language Arts Development
3) Mock Trial Competition
4) Health/Physical Education Enhancements
5) Sports Competition
6) School Trips
1) SMART Board
We are excited to announce that the school received a SMART Board from The Gruss Foundation. The SMART Board is an oversized touch screen, which enables teachers and students to access and navigate their computer resources from the board by simply using their fingers the way they would use a mouse or touchpad. In addition, all the notes that are taken on the board during a class can be saved on the teachers' computer thus making it more practical for one lesson to build upon another and for teachers to re-visit concepts and print out notes for the students. The software that accompanies these whiteboards has been developed by educators to provide a wealth of resources immediately available to teachers. By simply touching the board, teachers and students can access any map of any country in the world, any kind of graphing paper, a diagram of the heart (with or without labels), the periodic table, any geometrical shape, a video segment showing cell division at 440 times normal speed, the sound of any musical instrument, and much more. Viewing makes understanding subject matter more efficient. Inquiry based learning which displays a situation on the board, creates numerous questions and answers that enhance learning. The Smart Board will help our students to be at the cutting edge of information technology so that they graduate with relevant skills for the 21st century.
2) English Literacy Development
Our Balanced Literacy program is being expanded and enriched to promote English Language Arts and to further develop our students reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Literacy specialists will work with our staff to introduce materials to integrate into the curriculum. The application of these new techniques will enhance our already top-quality educational programs. Those students who are bilingual will especially benefit from this program, as well as all students in our program.
3) Mock Trial Competition
The most powerful and effective learning takes place when students are actively engaged in their own education. Debates, moot court and mock trial, and other methods of law-related education, allow students to personally experience and interactively pursue the subject at hand. The distinguished “Annual Mock Trial Competition” was for High School students, however- now a program is offered for Elementary and Middle School students.
‘Mock Trial Adaptation for Elementary & Middle School Students’ gives participants a full trial with instructions on preparing students. The trial is an adaptation of trials prepared by the NYS Bar Association for the annual high school competition. Schools prepare both a plaintiff and defense side of the case. The program culminates in a one-day Mock Trial tournament in the spring. Excursions to courts are also available. Students are engaged in carefully selected case topics, with the goal of creating a legal learning experience that is directly relevant to students, where both the law and the facts raise real-life issues which resonate as authentic to students and schools. This program will also prepare interested students for the prestigious High School competition.
4) Health/Physical Education Enhancements
Our goal is to create a school environment that supports the health of students. Healthy, active, and well-nourished children are more likely to attend school and are more prepared and motivated to learn. Only 6 percent to 8 percent of schools nationwide provide physical education for the entire school year, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We support high-quality instructional programs in health and physical education that provide students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to develop and maintain active, healthy lifestyles. These fun learning activities that will include an exercise component will be integrated into the children’s physical education program.
The Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports informs us that exercise should include something from each of the four basic fitness components which are Muscular Strength, Muscular Endurance, Cardio respiratory Endurance and Flexibility. Our program will focus on Muscular Endurance which includes exercises such as calisthenics, push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups for all the major muscle groups, preceded by warm-up exercises and finishing with cool down exercises. A Martial Arts component may be added, as well as a Dance component which will focus on the other basic fitness activities. More information will follow on these two exciting programs as we finish our research and scheduling criteria.
5) Sports Competition
The importance of sports should not be underestimated. Most children join a sports team out of the sheer enjoyment of playing the game. Sure, most athletes are aware of the exercise benefits of sports, but team play has many other advantages as well. Participation in sports yields faster reaction times and builds up motor skills. Young children quickly learn hand-eye coordination and concentration, two very important abilities during childhood development. Children especially learn how to deal with the “real world” through group sports participation. Being a part of a group yields feelings of inclusion and being a part of something bigger. Children also gain self-confidence, discipline, critical thinking skills and sharper cognitive abilities.
Since we are a small school, the creation of standard sized, school sports’ teams is a challenge. The Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center located in East Hills, has partnered with our school to offer sign-up privileges for a Basketball Team. All games are played on Sundays so as to not interfere with Shabbat. More information will follow as we firm up the details.
6) School Trips
Opportunities for children to take class trips are an exciting, integral part of the educational process and an extension of the learning that is taking place in the classroom. Staff will be planning opportunities for their children to go on excursions that enhance their curriculum and expose the children to various experiences such as art exhibits, museums, theater, libraries, visits to Senior Centers, along with Judaic experiences such as the Shofar Factory, Olive Press and various plays.
In closing, we are enthusiastic about the programs outlined and confidant that they will enhance our already rich curriculum. We are looking forward to the ongoing and limitless educational possibilities for a great school year.
Sincerely,
Robyn A. Mandor Janet Grabowski
Headmaster Assistant to the Headmaster/ Administrator
cc: Sara Paltiel, Executive Director
Rabbi Shalom Paltiel, Dean
Rabbi Yankel Wilschanski, Judaic Studies Director