בס“ד KEEP UP WITH

B ET AH MH RIV K L O NTRÉA The buzz

JUNE 15, 2018 ב ’ תמוז תשע”ח - L’ACADEMIE BETH RIVKAH POUR FILLES NEWSLETTER

MORE banners, balloons, and smiles.

MORE parents, alumni, staff, and student volunteers.

MORE love felt by the volunteers Beth Rivkah community as our friends worldwide generously contributed. We were inspired as we saw the numbers increase every hour.

MORE encouragement as parents and friends came down to our call center to take part in the excitement.

MORE anticipation as the BR community repeatedly checked their screens at all hours of the day and night.

MORE adrenaline as in we neared our goal.

MORE cheering and joy as we actually reached our goal at 12:44 p.m. sixteen minutes before the deadline. There were many "PLUSes" while planning, organizing, fine-tuning, and creating committees.

A FEELING ... ט”זאייר There were innumerable "MOREs" on May 1 as the campaign approached and unfolded. WHICH LEFT US The tagline SPEECHLESS for the Beth Rivkah Charidy campaign summed up this experience.

Thank you Mrs. Chayale Hershkowitz & Simcha Elharrar

Thank you Teachers Rivkah Shanowitz volunteering

Thank you Gniwisch Family Thank you Shira Friedman & Mrs. Autmezguine

5001 Vezina Montreal QC H3W 1C2 t 514. 731. 3681 [email protected] www.bethrivkah.com Mommies & Tatties generously volunteered their A photographer showed how he time to teach the children. takes pictures and edits photos.

A banker brought in money and taught the girls about currency, explaining what we need money for, and how to save it.

A dentist taught the girls about A mommy planted seeds A Hatzoloh member spoke dental hygiene. with the girls. to the girls about summer safety,

Parents and teachers worked together to create a A manicurist, an esthetician, a police officer, and a sofer all patiently demonstrated their professions. comprehensive “community helpers” unit.

Preschool

This hands-on approach was + both educational and enjoyable. Teachers’ effort parent involvement Students and teachers were grateful = enhanced educational experiences for this wonderful opportunity.

THE SOCIAL CORNER BETH RIVKAH RESOURCE Partners in Education Teacher, if I can’t learn the way you CENTER teach, please teach A child’s universe is made up of two major parts: home and school. Together, we strive to nurture and educate our children with the middos, skills, traditions A school me the way I learn. and values that we hope to see carried forward by the next generation of our within a school community. As children develop into their future selves, we want them to grow up feeling safe, secure and strong - physically, mentally and emotionally. This aphorism exemplifies the Each child is a unique being, hoping to be understood - with individual raison d’être of our Resource Center. circumstances, strengths, challenges, and potential. As partners, home and school, can join efforts towards better understanding our girls, and work Ensconced in five bright classrooms and staffed together, to help them experience success, in all its forms. by 10 resource teachers fluent in Hebrew, English or French, two Speech Therapists and an “It is our collective responsibility to do everything we can, in the best Occupational Therapist, the entire complex is interests of our children, because our children are our future.” truly a hidden gem.

CREATING A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE. The main objective is for each student to reach Elementary school is a time to learn how to get along with her fullest potential while maintaining her peers. Students in Beth Rivkah are being taught to be cognizant self-esteem. To this end, an Individualized of personal space, to deal with peers in a positive manner, to Educational Plan (IEP) is created for each student. independently solve a conflict, and to display empathy. The devoted staff, recognizing that each child is a Our modus operandi is that each child understands her strengths and whole world, succeeds by creating a close weaknesses and is working on her executive functions. There are various pupil-teacher relationship and providing each proactive social programs in each class. ■ child with a positive, encouraging environment. This year the teachers participated in many sessions of professional development in the STOP WALK TALK areas of numeracy, literacy, the teaching & of social skills and neurodiversity. This comprehensive program, implemented in grades K-2, teaches students how Words alone cannot express our gratitude and to deal with being bullied, bothered, and teased in 3 simple progressive steps: appreciation for the entire devoted staff. ■

Indicate to the aggressor to WALK TALK This empowers the student to stand up to away, if the to an adult if behavior they feel is offensive. It helps them become STOP, the issue is still problem advocates for themselves and to curtail bullying. using words continues; not resolved. or gestures;

Parents visit bethrivkah.com to view our updated website. DATA BETH RIVKAH ENRICHEMENT PR0GRAM Did you READING PROGRAMS know these CHUMASH – Le� kriya aims n games fascinating HAVIN ULEHASKIL ' In an effort to improve the AIMS ‘N GAMES was an exciting Beth Rivkah academic level of the students, and engaging chavrusah Since introducing this all teachers in grades KG –3 program spearheaded by the program 3 years ago, we participated in different BCM girls wherein grade 7 & 8 statistics? have seen amazing growth in professional development in girls would go to the seminary our students’ ability to learn Kriyah. Topics included Kriyah & dorm every other Monday to This year: Chumash independently. This Orton Gillingham method(KG), learn with the seminary girls year the Lehavin Ulehaskil Phonemic Awareness and while munching on freshly baked 130 girls are registered program was piloted in strategies for Accuracy goodies. Each evening ended in Tzivos Hashem. grade 4 with great success. and Fluency. with an interactive game. The We are hearing very positive B.R. girls gained much feedback from both teachers As a result of the above- 1003 medals knowledge during these and students. Keep your ears mentioned initiatives, together sessions! were earned. tuned next year for different with Rashi reading fluency, the assessments of Chumash Skills students from grades K-6 are 158 rank promotions that will help teachers identify improving their ability to read aimed any weaknesses in specific fluently. chidon rambam areas. 7 generals & All of the above wouldn’t be Grade 6 focused on CHIDON RAMBAM took place 3 1* generals understanding Rashi, which possible without the passion and dedication that our staff every Thursday night in the will surely help our students Seminary building for grade 42 girls went to New transition to High School. By brings to school every single day – day in, day out. Their 4 & 5 girls who participated in York for the Chidon using the 6 steps of learning a the Chidon. They would learn Sefer Hamitzvos. Rashi, our students have commitment to improving the academics and middos, is with the seminary girls and then developed an understanding of review the material through 46 girls how Rashi functions and what felt at every opportunity. A big participated and Yasher Koach. fun-filled games. This help passed the Bais Rivkah difficulties Rashi wants to prepare the B.R. girls was to answer. invaluable! Chassidus Chidon. CHAVRUSOS Shabbos Mevorchim The girls of Bais Chaya Mushka th The achdus achieved through Sivan, BRM ranked 8 Seminary initiated several enrichment programs for Beth partnering with the seminary to highest from all the Rivkah students. greatly enhanced both the schools worldwide. Beth Rivkah and the BCM MaDYK girls’ year. Every single girl pirkei avos A huge “THANK YOU” to all in 3A said their quota This year the Elementary the seminary girls for their of Tehillim or more on department conducted PIRKEI AVOS learning program assistance with Beth Rivkah Shabbos Mevorchim Sivan. benchmark testing for grade 1–3, was introduced for grades 3-6 in programming this year. May using the MaDYK Assessments. the spring. It enhanced the girls’ you continue to illuminate the Is your daughter part of these These assessments provide understanding of certain world around you. statistics? Let’s work together ■ detailed information which helps subjects in each week’s Pirkei to make sure she is. ■ teachers evaluate their students Avos. The learning, and the and plan appropriate material to delicious treats that followed ensure success in reading. were a real hit!

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES BUZZING IN ELEMENTARY Letter from “Never a dull moment” is not merely a cliché in Beth Rivkah elementary programs include school. In addition to the stimulating daily lessons with their Morahs, Sh ra Simcha: there are numerous exciting activities with the goal of adding Chassidishe I & winners of the ABCD award Chidon Sefer HaMitzvos Chayus, Hiskashrus to the , and Achdus among the girls. Mivtzoin in old age homes Hey girls! On Sunday 13 Sivan, girls the holy day of Gimmel Messibos Shabbos from grades 1-5 had a blast Tammuz. Students who score It really has been such a Melava Malkas at the annual Messib Bowling- an average of 70 from all pleasure and honour to have Shabbos Mevorchim Tehillim BBQ event. A special “Thank 3 tests will be treated to a spent this year with you and you” to Goldie Marasow and fun day of pedal boating at to have gotten to know each Shabbatons Chaya Shmukler of Grade the Old Port. Many parents and every one of you! We have Seudos 10 and their entire crew have remarked that they seen, whether it was at a Hachana programs of Messib counselors. themselves have learned farbrengen, during school for special days. quite a bit while testing their hours, at a program, Presently, grades 3-6 are daughters on the material. Shabbaton etc that all of you The programs are directed by Mrs. participating in a Chidon have so much to offer and Minkowitz and Chava Freundlich. Chassidus in preparation for It’s great seeing our kids smile give. Each one of you is what for all the right reasons! made this year so special. Take the energy from this year HIGH-SCHOOL ENERGY and continue growing! The main goal this year was to create an atmosphere where May you go from strength to The well-deserved strength and always remember ABCD Award Yiddishkeit and Chassidishkeit are exciting and motivating. The that you are a chossid of the (Above and Beyond amazing work of the leaders of these programs added life and Rebbe. the Call of Duty) goes to: energy to the whole high school experience. The spirit created YOU GIRLS ARE BRINGING around every Chassidishe Yom Tov was infectious and spilled MOSHIACH Simcha Elharrar & Shira Friedman over onto the whole high school floor. Please keep in touch - Achos Temimim Simcha & Shira Mushky Herzog & Gittel Raskin - G.O.

Parents visit bethrivkah.com to view our updated website. Au Revoir et Merci Three women, over 100 years combined of service to Beth Rivkah, teaching, guiding, and inspiring.The work they have done remains in the heart and mind of all the students, faculty past and present. They have impacted generations.

The girls, mature in school and I am privileged to have worked all blossom after they graduate. these years in Beth Rivkah, in an environment of achdus. I tried to I can proudly say that I have impress upon the children how students all over the world, truly fortunate they are to be the even as far as Singapore. Rebbe’s kinder.

I have second generation students Morah Fraidie Shpigelman whose mothers I’ve taught!

Mrs. M. Cabral I enjoyed teaching the girls in Beth Rivkah, and the school became my family away from home.

IN CONCLUSION Mrs. M. Alter When we look back over the year, we are awed by the tremendous accomplishments and emotional growth attained by all the girls. We are inspired by the teachers, who invested their time, energy and love to create truly enriching learning experiences for all the students. We look forward to continuing to connect with all the teachers, students and parents next year in a most meaningful way in order to enhance the Beth Rivkah experience.

EXCERPTS FROM THE REBB’S LETTER TO “THE CHILDREN OF THE GRADUATING CLASS AND THEIR PARENTS”. SIVAN, 5711,

You, dear children, must know that vacation does not mean an interruption — cutting oneself off — from study and BETTER RESOLUTION PLEASE education. A Jewish child cannot be without study or for even one day, whether in the summer or the winter. On the contrary, taking into consideration the many hours of free time satudents have in the long summer days, you should use them to solidly review the material that you have studied already and to prepare yourself to [advance] further on your way, the way of the Torah and its mitzvos.

Parents, here is a wonderful הכרת הטוב place to express your gratitude towards your daughter’s teacher. I am grateful to my Please email us at daughter’s teacher for… [email protected]

Parents visit bethrivkah.com to view our updated website.