Fall 2018 Paid Permit No
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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE SUMMER/FALL 2018 PAID PERMIT NO. 624 ROYAL OAK, MI Japhet School Character | Academics | Leadership Reaching Out How we have expanded the Japhet School program to serve the community, teach more children, and advocate for good character “They may be small, but they’re mighty.” Michigan and first independent school students will help present the award in in the country to be named a National fall at the event organized by the Royal This is how former board member of School of Character by the Character Oak Chamber of Commerce. Japhet is Birmingham Public Schools and current Education Partnership (Character.org). a member of the ROCC as well as the co-chair of the Michigan Schools of Since then we’ve generously shared chambers of Troy and Clawson. Character program, Lori Soifer, recently our ideas and philosophy with schools introduced Japhet School to educators across the state. Japhet staff and Soifer STEAM Camp focused on teaching character. A Japhet read applications, visit schools, and have Carrie Huber, Preschool teacher, and administrator joined Soifer to bestow spoken at conferences. Cora Cachat, Intermediate and Upper a district award in May. Advocating for Class math and science teacher, character education, wherever it can grow, Royal Oak Citizen of the Year Award co-taught a summer camp (photos is just one of many ways Japhet School 2018 will be the first year that Japhet above) that attracted almost 30 children, goes beyond our school walls. School serves as the official and single a third of which were not current Japhet sponsor of the Royal Oak Citizen of the students. It was a great success, and Michigan Schools of Character Year Award, an honor bestowed on a Royal children enjoyed dozens of STEAM Japhet has been the official sponsor Oak resident or businessperson who leads (science, technology, engineering, arts, of the Michigan Schools of Character with exemplary character. It’s a natural fit and math) activities during the camp program since it began more than 10 for Japhet to serve in this capacity because week. Parents wanted more weeks! years ago. We were the first school in the award connects to our mission. Japhet CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Cathy and Joe Mohan UPCOMING EVENTS 4319 Kilgore Road, OCT 25 NOV 21 DEC 6 DEC 19 & 20 Avoca, MI 48006 18 Reasons for Hope Gratitude Service Spaghetti Supper & Family Holiday Giving Concerts Luncheon Service Night See our full calendar online at japhetschool.org Message from the Head of School “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” —Albert Einstein As your new year, let’s dedicate ourselves to learning, and disciplined effort. Head of School, helping children grow as individuals 8. Every student can experience success I’m filled with and as confident learners. Together in proportion to his/her receptivity to gratitude for let’s acknowledge the importance instruction and application. the founders and relevance of the Japhet School 9. The faculty and staff should not of Japhet philosophy: limit student progress or success with School, who 45 negative predictions, comments, years ago were 1. A school should educate the whole or labels. motivated and child, establishing a strong basis for 10. Children express innate purity, inspired to lay academic, physical, moral, social, and goodness, and health. the foundation spiritual development. for our mission, “to nurture and prepare 2. Character education is an essential As you read through the pages of this each child for life by integrating part of a child’s education. newsletter, you’ll find many examples character education with a strong 3. Students learn best when information of former and current Japhet students academic program.” is shared with creativity, enthusiasm, uniquely expressing joy and dedication and in a variety of ways that supports to their experiences as life-long learners Through the years, devoted trustees, different learning styles. and thoughtful leaders. Truly each student Heads of School, faculty, and staff have 4. Education of children is a shared has a special place, unique to them, in our continued to fulfill the vision that the responsibility between the school, hearts. When a child is taught the joy of founders knew would forever benefit family, and the community. learning, it becomes a life-long process Japhet’s students. We don’t have to look 5. The school should present its that never ends. What wonderful role too far to see marvelous examples of this instructional program in a way that models for us all! vision in action! Just this summer, Japhet supports and enriches the basic teachers Carrie Huber and Cora Cachet family unit. Join with me in celebrating the beginning led a STEAM Camp for children. The joys 6. With the gift of knowledge and the of a new school year that will bring a of exploration, laughter, enthusiasm, and understanding of moral and spiritual multitude of opportunities for growth and discovery emanated from their classroom values comes an obligation to help development for every Japhet student! through the whole building. mankind. 7. The best education includes Gratefully, As we join together as the Japhet family instruction in basic study habits, test Kerri G. Vizena at the beginning of the 2018/2019 school taking, active listening, cooperative Head of School Welcome, New Trustees Susie Golbiw, Lisa Niemkiewicz, and Stacey Sitarek have been Moving forward, Frank Edwards will continue as board elected to serve for three school years beginning with 2018/2019. president, Sheila Chaps as vice-president, Jay Schmitt as treasurer, and Bruce Kasl as secretary. Susie Auten, Dan Susie Golbiw is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Commer, Denise Deane, Esther Dusenberry, Cheryl Haithco, has worked for AT&T, owned a catering business, and after a and Martha Moyer complete the full Board of Trustees for successful career at Xerox Corporation, she is happy to be at 2018/2019. A brief biography of each trustee is on our website. home with her two children. Susie is an active volunteer for her church and currently serves as the librarian in the Birmingham The Japhet community joins the board in extending sincere Christian Science Reading Room. Susie is the parent of both a gratitude to Don Button, Erik Golbiw, Victoria Lehman, and Japhet alumnus and a current student. Dr. John White who have completed their terms. Lisa Niemkiewicz, a current Japhet School parent, is a partner at T.V.N. Inc., a meetings and events consulting company. She Alumni Legacy Grant studied theatre arts at NYU, U of D Greece, and the University of London, culminating in a BA from MSU with strengths in Deaf A Japhet School trustee has said, “Japhet School Education. She has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild students are prepared to be world citizens through for 25 years, a board member for A Mission of Hope, an American understanding, honoring, and demonstrating character. Sign Language interpreter, and active with Mentor Michigan. They have been cultivated to wonder.” The Alumni Legacy Grant, which is $1,000 annually for full-time Stacey Sitarek is the parent of a Japhet alumna, former president students and $500 annually for part-time students, is a of our Parent Support Group, and a registered nurse. She holds a special scholarship from Japhet School to the children BSN from the University of Detroit Mercy and currently works at of Japhet alumni, and/or the grandchildren of Japhet Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak doing cancer research. She has School faculty and staff (current and former). The also worked as a consultant for start-up healthcare companies. ANNOUNCING! grant will be automatically applied toward tuition Stacey enjoys baking, traveling, gardening, and volunteering for every year that the grant continues to be available. charity and community events. 2 | SUMMER/FALL 2018 | japhetschool.org | 248-585-9150 L-R: Devan Edwards, Santino Giglio, Annabelle Sitarek, Katelyn Homes, Lily Honner, Keiffer Button, and Grace Wasiluk. Our Fantastic 45th Class “Every graduate earned a place on Japhet’s Special Honor Roll this year with at least a 93% average, and had high marks in attitude, effort, and character,” Cathy Mohan said as she introduced the class of 2018. “These students prioritize their academics but also know what it means to lead with character.” KEIFFER BUTTON techy, and as a big-picture thinker and as confident, brave, hard-working, Keiffer joined Japhet in Preschool. Keiffer problem solver. Devan’s parents feel he courageous, intelligent, outgoing, and as loves to be outside in all types of weather displays good judgment and initiative in a talented actress. The character quality and enjoys boating, skiing, and playing everything he decides to do. Devan will of justice is important to Katelyn; she ice hockey. Teachers describe Keiffer as be attending Roeper for high school. talks about what is right and notices creative, funny, outgoing, thoughtful, when someone is treated unfairly. Katelyn energetic, light-hearted, and accepting. SANTINO GIGLIO brings issues to the forefront. She believes Keiffer plays the piano, and says he hopes Santino came to Japhet in 3rd grade. we cannot ignore them; rather, we must to be a scientist or a cook (or both!). Santino is honest, sincere, and address them. Her family shared they are Keiffer’s parents would like to thank all considerate. He has a knack for talking grateful for what Japhet has done for the individuals who nurtured, influenced, with people of all ages as a friend to Katelyn, and feel Katelyn has become a inspired and taught him over the years everyone and a loving big brother. better person. Katelyn plans to attend at Japhet.