2016–17 ANNUAL REPORT Our Vision The vision of Wise School is to inspire and empower our students and their families to learn deeply about our world and Jewish heritage, to be creative, and to experience wholeness so that we can make great happen in our community, our nation, Israel, and the world. Our Mission At Wise School, through depth, complexity and differentiation, our students learn how to learn. Children build knowledge as they ask questions, research, solve problems, and add layers to their understanding. Through the application of creativity, children voice their independence, expand their minds, and work towards achieving their greatest potential. Students become creators instead of consumers; they focus more on the process than the product. Students maximize their opportunity to stand out in a competitive world by looking at life through innovative lenses. shleimut), by making interdisciplinary – שלימות) Our students experience wholeness connections through development of mind, body, and soul. We acknowledge and appreciate moments of Shalom. We recognize each student’s strengths and contributions as we build an inclusive community. We honor our Jewish faith as a living heritage, begin to develop a deep understanding of and commitment to Israel, and develop proficiency in and appreciation of the Hebrew language. At Wise School, thoughtful people inspire meaningful actions in order to make great .(repair of the world – תיקון עולם) happen through acts of Tikkun Olam STAFF LEADERSHIP 2016–2017 Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback Malka Clement Marilyn Balachio Heidi Sorenson Senior Rabbi Director of Hebrew & Early Childhood Early Childhood Office & Judaic Studies Operations Manager Admissions Manager Tami Weiser Head of School Rabbi Josh Knobel Natalie Rice Estefany Sanchez Dean of Student & Family Life Coordinator of Administrative Assistant Pam Kleinman Communications, Alumni Assistant Head of School Beth Behar Relations and Admissions Jillian Moore Director of Admission & Administrative Assistant Jen Shankman Middle School Placement Rachel Moghimi Director of Early Childhood School Counselor Cecilia Nguyen Lisa Mamos Work Room Specialist Lemor Giladi Student Support/Academic Nicole Mevorakh Assistant Director, Administrator Parenting Center Coordinator Early Childhood esponsibility—to be accountable for your actions—is an important concept that must be thoughtfully developed Rin young minds. This past year, we chose the theme of responsibility because it is naturally woven into everything we do here at Wise. Students learned to be responsible for one another, whether on the Early Childhood play- ground, or on a debate team supporting their teammates’ arguments. Wise students were responsible to our community as they celebrated our Founders and Grandparents, made public service announcements on sustainability, and passed the Torah from each grade to our kindergarten. By practicing mindfulness, leading a service as Klei Kodesh, or attending a sports clinic to become a stronger athlete, students at Wise School also learned to be responsible for their best selves. I am very proud of all Wise School students, from First Steps through 6th grade, for truly embracing and embodying the tenets of responsibility. We spent this past year witnessing the awesome construction of our new Katz Family Pavilion: watching the demolition, estimating the number of trucks it would take to haul Tami Weiser off the dirt, and working on engineering problems. Students and staff signed steel beams head of school at our Purim Carnival, and witnessed those beams being placed at the highest level at our topping off ceremony. We eagerly await the dedication of the Pavilion and the opportunity to win championship games on our new courts. It was a successful year of fundraising at Wise School: we raised money for the current year with a tremendous annual giving campaign, while at the same time we invested in the future with our endowment campaign. I am forever grateful to our Wise School families, for their generosity is a reflection of their belief and support in our mission and vision. I am in awe of our students’ accomplishments: New stars were born on the stage of “The Lion King”; athletes competed in more playoffs and division finals than ever; debaters won both individual and team awards; 5th and 6th grade essay writers won high honors at the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest; and our 6th grade students had great success with their science projects at the Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair. One of the highlights of the year was following our Odyssey of the Mind teams as they took on the world— literally! All three of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teams went to the State Finals, and our 4th and 5th grade teams went on to the World Finals where they placed 3rd and 8th in the world! As I watch students bound out of the car and head down to their classrooms each morning, I reflect upon how blessed I am to work with this remarkable community. Thank you for creating opportunities for all of us to learn deeply, be creative, experience wholeness and make great happen. We should always go from strength to strength!! Warmly, 3 his summer, on our way to Israel where we celebrated the B’nai Mitzvah of six Wise School graduates, I toured Berlin Twith my family for the very first time. Having never been to Germany before, I didn’t know what to expect or how I’d react to the experience. We visited the Jewish Museum, the Holocaust Memorial, the Neue Synagogue and then we walked through a courtyard that was once teeming with Jewish life. Our guide pointed to a building that was a Jewish Day School, closed by the Nazis at the beginning of the war. Seeing evidence of the destruction of a vibrant Jewish community with my own eyes, I felt sad about the loss but, at the same time, more grateful than ever to be a part of Wise School and Stephen Wise Temple. It’s easy to take communal life for granted. We imagine that it’s always been there and that it always will be. We forget that it didn’t Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback just appear but that it was built, lovingly, by dedicated staff and volunteers as well as generous benefactors. Our schools and shuls exist and thrive only through the combined senior rabbi efforts of literally thousands of stakeholders. I am thankful that, every day, I get to experience what a living, vibrant, warm and diverse Jewish community looks like. From drop-off in the mornings to all-school Holy Day assem- blies, to Friday morning t’fillah with our kindergartners and 1st graders, I am privileged to be part of something precious each and every day. I feel like I’ve won the “Rabbinical Lottery”—I am truly blessed to serve this remarkable community. This past year wasn’t just amazing—it was extraordinary: The construction of our Katz Family Pavilion is nearing completion; our Odyssey of the Mind program had two top ten teams in the world; our Wildcats athletes celebrated three championship and eleven finalist teams; and our Early Childhood community’s inspiring work on behalf of Beit Issie Shapiro made a difference in the lives of many children in Israel. And then there are the everyday magical moments we experience on our mountain top—in our classrooms, on our playgrounds, and in our sanctuary. We have so much to celebrate. I’m grateful to our dedicated staff and Clergy; our incredible parents who give so much of their time, talent, and treasure to our school; and to our thoughtful and curious students for making Wise School a place where all of our students can learn deeply, be creative, experience wholeness and make great happen for ourselves and our world. My prayer is a simple one: May it only continue and multiply! More learning, more creativity, and a deeper sense of shalom in order to serve our highest calling: making the world a better place every day for us, our community, and our world. L’shalom, 4 PERFORMING ARTS This year we saw profound artistic achievements with our spring musical, “The Lion King.” From the costumes to the outstanding performances by 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, the students poured their souls into each moment on stage. Our Spring and Winter Music Festivals included stellar performances by our students in Primary Choir, Vocal Ensemble, Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Rock Band. The Introduction to Orchestra program for younger students demonstrated the benefits of children studying music at an early age. Our private instrumental instruction program continued to deliver expert tutelage in violin, cello, clarinet, saxophone, piano, percussion, and guitar. Our students also made bold strides in their weekly Music Innovation Lab classes. Pre-K through 1st grade explored movement and song experiences, while 2nd through 6th grade students continued their music education using the computer- based Music Ace Maestro program. Music appreciation units exposed them to the history of music, the great composers of The students poured old, and revolutionary artists of the present. Our 4th through 6th graders continued their study of the guitar, allowing them their souls into each to play and create songs independently. Kindergarten through 6th grade participated in our new T’filah and Music program, moment on stage. which combined drum circle, visual art experiences, and Judaic Studies. This made it possible for Wise students to have a more personal and meaningful connection to the prayer experience. 5 STEAM What makes STEAM different from STEM? The A for ART! At Wise School, Art is interwoven throughout all disciplines, especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The enthusiasm of our students, faculty and parents has led STEAM to become an important focus in Wise School’s curriculum. Over the last few years, Wise School’s science program has continued to inspire scientific thinking amongst our young Wise scientists.