Complete Curriculum Review Underway
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KOL RAMBAM Winter 2009–10 • rŠyz xc`-elqk COMPLETE CURRICULUM REVIEW UNDERWAY, STARTING WITH MATH A committee of Maimonides School math gets key learning outcomes,” said Barry will establish a firm and defensible foun- teachers, administrators and parents has Ehrlich, the school’s new director of cur- dation for all our curricular decisions in embarked on a series of full-day meet- riculum and instruction. the future.” ings that is expected to lead to a stan- Mr. Ehrlich said this comprehensive math Launching the curriculum review is one dards-based curriculum framework in review will serve as a model for all general of three key areas being addressed “to mathematics that reflects the values and studies and limudei kodesh subject areas. enhance the learning of all students,” Mr. parameters of a Maimonides education. “We will focus on two subjects per year Ehrlich said. The other two are improving “This framework will then be used by the starting next September, with the goal teacher supervision and evaluation, and entire math faculty to develop a grade- of completing an entire cycle in approxi- developing a professional learning com- specific scope and sequence that tar- mately five years,” he said. “This process munity among the faculty. The math review began in the fall with a series of surveys—students, parents and DUAL SUCCESS STORY: CAMPAIGN, GALA recent graduates—designed to assess the entire math program. The consensus is undeniable: Maimonides service to education—to Judge Doris School’s Annual Gala on March 7 was an Downs, chief of Fulton County Superior Then in November, a team of four “very overwhelming success. Court in Atlanta, and Mrs. Brenda Hefter, seasoned” math educators spent four days at Maimonides. The team digested Some 350 parents, teachers, friends and Maimonides director of student support the survey results and “looked closely at members of the Class of 2010 convened services. our resources, classroom practice and at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge to cele- The judge’s action last May cleared the student achievement data,” Mr. Ehrlich brate the school and the successful 2010 way for Maimonides School’s state cham- said. The visitors observed classes and Annual Campaign. pion Mock Trial team to fully participate evaluated a binder of curriculum docu- in the national tournament. Mrs. Hefter, The school presented Pillar of Maimonides ments, resource lists and standardized who is also director of the Edelman Awards—emblematic of exceptional test scores. “We spent quite a long time Learning Center in the Upper School, is compiling an amazing amount of data for dedicated to maximizing the educational them to chew on.” Brenda experience of every Maimonides student. Hefter, Members of the committee are Charles Director She and her dedicated staff nurture the of Student inclusivity that is a Maimonides religious Rothman and Michael Schockett, Upper Support imperative. School Math Department co-chairs; Elaine Services, Geracht and Donna Verdun, Elementary accepts a Four seniors on the Mock Trial team— School math specialists; Courtney Huber, Pillar of Stevie Fine, Daniel Lasman, Ben Niewood Grade 4 teacher; teacher Nate Berman and Maimonides and Gavvy Rosen—presented an excerpt Award at General Studies Principal Ken Weinstein from the current trial, and used that as the 2010 representing the Middle School; Sara Gala. a lead-in to introducing Judge Downs. Ravid, library and media specialist; Shawn For more Stevie and Ben, who were part of the photos, Smith of the Learning Center; paent Maimonides delegation to Atlanta last see p. 5! Jeremy Wertheimer; Mr. Ehrlich and Faye May, introduced the judge, thanked her Ruopp, who headed the team of visiting and presented the award. educators. Continued on page 5 EIGHTH GRADERS BUILD SHTENDERS—AND SPIRIT OF TEAMWORK Unusual sights and sounds filled the “This project provided our students with Eighth graders were enthusiastic about music and art room of the Maimonides an unforgettable experience—build- the project, especially the autonomy Middle School for two days in December: ing something that will enhance Limud granted the students once they were pine planks and painted panels, hammer- Torah at Maimonides for years to come,” trained. “We have complete control of the ing, sanding and sawing, and exclama- said Rabbi Avi Bossewitch, Middle School whole project,” said Hannah Lanzkron. tions of collaboration and cooperation. director. “The results are phenomenal,” “They showed us how to do it, and then The transformed space was a fitting Rabbi Huff said. “The way they have they left us on our own,” agreed Aderet venue for a unique eighth-grade project been working together—100 percent Liss. Jonathan Koralnik noted that the designed to build some furniture—and engaged, and always trying to help each venture enlightened students about a spirit of teamwork. other.” careers in architecture and building. “Paul and I got together The shtenders are uniform in construc- beforehand, to determine tion, but each group added a 12-by- how to minimize the num- 16-inch decorative panel at the end. ber of cuts and waste,” said Students used media such as decoupage, Mrs. Spear. “We thought of wood appliqués, and acrylic painting to a process. They followed add creative patterns to the pieces. architectural drawings, “Woodworking is fun—and I couldn’t and then learned how to have built this shtender by myself,” said take a 10-foot plank of Ezra Altabet as he applied a few final clear white pine and con- sandpaper strokes. “It’s not what we vert that raw material to a usually do,” laughed Shira Krinsky. “It’s finished product, measur- really fun.” ing each cut. We wanted Eighth graders culminated the project them to experience each in February with a moving ceremony. cut, because then they After davening, the students lifted the owned the process.” Parent volunteer Paul Marks shtenders and announced to whom they (right) helps eighth graders “Coming from a generation were being donated. The ceremony was construct a shtender. in which manual arts were followed by a special breakfast and pho- incorporated into education, I think this tographs. They also watched a video Twelve groups of students crafted kind of project is invaluable,” Mr. Marks of the project, filmed by classmates shtenders during two days of special declared. “It has been a great team- Mollie Schwartz and Yael Green. Hannah workshops, then presented the finished building experience.” Lanzkron delivered remarks thanking products to members of the Judaic stud- the parent volunteers. ies faculty. A shtender (“stand” in Yiddish) is a wooden lectern used in prayer or study. Its top slants so that a book can lean, making it easier to read. NATIONAL TRIAL BOARD CHANGES POLICY The unique project was devised by par- The dramatic series of events that ticipation before Shabbat was denied by ent volunteer Paul Marks, a trained furni- unfolded at last May’s National High the Board. Maimonides was prepared ture maker; Rabbi Yair Altshuler, Middle School Mock Trial competition in Atlanta to forfeit two of its four trials until 11th- and Upper School principal; and Rabbi has concluded more than six months hour intervention by the chief judge Dov Huff, a Judaic studies teacher and later with a happy ending. Mock Trial’s of the county court forced the tour- 2000 Maimonides graduate who spent National Board recently announced a nament organizers to accommodate several summers involved with wood- new policy “providing for a possible Maimonides. (The judge, Doris L. Downs, working. They recruited Miriam Tropp modification of the competition sched- has been honored by the school—see Spear, an architect who, like Mr. Marks, ule due to religious beliefs and practices story on Page 1). has a long record of volunteer service to held by a team’s student members.” Acknowledging that “certain religious Maimonides. The policy change is a response beliefs and practices of students…may After designing its shtender, complete to last May’s national tournament in conflict with the traditional competi- with middle shelf, each group of stu- Atlanta, at which trials were scheduled tion schedule…” the board announced dents learned how to use hand tools for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A it would allow “a team to request an central to the construction—hammer request by the Maimonides School accommodation to modify the National and nails, handsaws, sandpaper, clamps, team—Massachusetts Mock Trial cham- Championship competition schedule for and glue. pion—for adjustments to allow full par- religious reasons.” MAIMONIDES GRADUATE HEADS Mazal tov to… Hillel Chiel ’68 and Rabbi Jonathan and Tzipporah (Twersky) Rosenblatt ‘75, on BAR ILAN ARABIC DEPARTMENT the engagement of their children, Benjamin Chiel and Tonya Rosenblatt. Eighth graders at Maimonides have Lisa (Brecher) ’76 and Jeremy Aranov on the marriage of their son Dani to Rivki Pfeiffer. begun studies in Arabic as part of Phyllis (Kranz) ‘78 and Benjamin Corn on the birth of their grandson, Ori Michael. their curriculum. That innovation pleases Prof. Tzvi Langermann, who Rachel Levine ’87 and Aryeh Feder on the birth of their daughter, Daniella Shlomit Ziporah. graduated more than 43 years ago. Elka Tovah (Menkes) ’88 and Solomon Davidoff on the birth of their son, Harry “We have all become aware over Isaac. Grandmother is Judy (Weiner) Menkes ’63. the past decade what a prominent Rabbi Yonatan ‘93 and Miriam Kaganoff on the birth of their son, Kalonymous role the Arabic language plays in Kalman. world affairs,” said Tzvi ‘68, who Tzvi Langermann ’68 Rabbi Jonathan ‘93 and Chaya Krimsky on the birth of their son, Yeshaya Simcha, chairs the Department of Arabic named for Rabbi Isaiah Wohlgemuth, z”l, Maimonides School teacher from 1945 to at Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan. “However, there is also an 1997. extremely rich literature in Arabic, including major works of Pesha (Secunda) ’94 and Rabbi Elli Fischer on the birth of their daughter, Shlomit Jewish interest.” Ahuva.