MDS Head of School Opportunity Statement

August 2016 Manhattan, New York 550 students, Toddlers-8th Grade www.mdsweb.org ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

At Manhattan Day School/ Ohr Torah, we understand how to open a young mind to learning. We appreciate our students, both for who they are and who they are becoming, and we continuously celebrate their emerging selves while challenging them to reach their full potential. We do so with a rigorous curriculum rooted in compassion and warmth, innovation and technology, a love for Torah learning, mitzvot and chessed.

Our gifted faculty and meaningful programming instill a lifelong passion for learning among our 550 students (from toddlers through 8th grade). We boast a diverse and cosmopolitan student body, drawing from many backgrounds and nationalities, including Sephardi, Ashkenazi, American, South American, Israeli, and French families.

Established in 1943, MDS has long been a vital part of the Upper West Side Jewish To learn more about MDS, community. While rooted in the neighborhood, please view: MDS also draws students from the Upper East Side, lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, www.mdsweb.org Riverdale and elsewhere in the N.Y. area. Please also click on links below MDS offers the next Head of School the to see some of our students in exceptional opportunity to take a vibrant, action as well as alumni profiles. Modern Orthodox, Zionist school to the Video #1 next level and prepare hundreds of students Video #2 for a joyful life of Torah, meaning, and Video #3 purpose.

Historical Enrollment

School Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Early Childhood 166 163 179 187 175 167 174 175

Grades 1-8 350 350 364 359 377 385 369 375

Total 516 513 543 546 552 552 543 550 1 ABOUT OUR SCHOOL CONTINUED

Early Childhood Lower School Known for its warm and nurturing environ- Each child in our Lower School is educated ment, the Early Childhood Department is a and inspired with Torah learning and is welcoming place for our youngest students encouraged to develop a love of Medinat (Toddlers through Kindergarten). A walk Yisrael. Our students explore both General through the second floor hallway offers a and Judaic Studies through unique, inter- complete sensory experience: the sight of disciplinary, hands-on experiences. Ivrit children bonding with teachers and making is used in all Judaic Studies classes and new friends, the sounds of singing voices, throughout the school day in other activities. the smell of challah baking, and the sense of excitement that comes with learning In 1st grade through 5th grade, our goal is to new things. develop students’ skills in reading, language arts, math, science, social studies, music Children in the Early Childhood Department and the arts. The approach caters to the become familiar with the alphabet and differentiated needs of each student so that numbers in Hebrew and English and gain all learners can gain competency in the an early appreciation for art, music, books Common Core curriculum as mandated by and technology. They learn Ivrit and Parsha. the New York State Department of Education. They celebrate Jewish holidays and life cycle events. Most notably, classroom communities Students integrate learning experiences are created under the watchful and expert with art, music, song and hands-on scientific eyes of licensed Early Childhood educators. experimentation. Shakespeare Day, STEM activities, trips to Lincoln Center, creative Special programs include the Parshat Noach poetry writing, math fairs, computer learning, petting zoo, our own Thanksgiving Day museum education and outreach into the parade, the raising and hatching of baby community are all integral parts of the chicks, the 100th day of school, siyumim, and curriculum. celebrations of Jewish and secular holidays.

2 ABOUT OUR SCHOOL CONTINUED

Junior High School Special Education Our Junior High School emphasizes critical Our Special Education Department is thinking through research projects, collaborative committed to the philosophy of addressing work and blended learning. Teaching and individual learning styles and implementing learning are enhanced in both Judaic and differentiated instruction for all of its General Studies through the use of technology, students. including iPads provided by MDS. Interactive learning is taken to new dimensions as The program is comprised of leveled, students study traditional texts and apply self-contained classes for students in 1st their knowledge through game-based web grade through 6th grade. In Junior High sites, real-time apps and other digital programs. School, every attempt is made to provide They learn to analyze, work independently, “push-in” support for our students as they develop technological expertise and perfect are integrated into the mainstream classes. their laboratory skills. We believe in full inclusion for all non- academic subjects and programs and Special events, guest lectures and field trips inclusion in subjects where students help enhance our students’ interest in learning. show a particular strength. Extra curricular activities abound, including after-school math and science (E2K), National We are proud of our impressive results: History Day, chess club, sports activities and 90% of our Special Education students a weekly Mishmar program. Visits to the are mainstreamed by 7th grade. The Museum of Jewish Heritage, the Museum overwhelming majority attend Yeshiva High of Tolerance and other area institutions are Schools as mainstream students. part of our ongoing Senior Seminar/ Holocaust curriculum.

Sixth and 7th grades are enhanced by meaningful Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs for both students and their parents. Our 8th grade “Stand with Israel” advocacy team has presented to Yahoo News, MTV and the Upper West Side community.

3 ABOUT OUR SCHOOL CONTINUED

General Studies Limudei Kodesh Our General Studies curriculum includes a At MDS, we instill in our students a love for well-balanced language arts program rooted Torah and mitzvot, and we emphasize in the Common Core standards, a collaborative the importance of being charitable and history and social studies program, and a respectful to others. We are known for our robust STEM program that incorporates stellar Judaic Studies classes, including hands-on experiential projects. There is Chumash, Navi, Mishnah, Gemara, and Dinim. also an active cultural component to the We offer the unique experience of learning students’ learning, including music, dance, with traditional Rebbeim who help students drama and art. unravel the mysteries of the age-old commentaries, while supplementing NYC = New York as the classroom classes with modern technology MDS takes advantage of being situated in and real-time feedback. the heart of the Jewish and cultural capital of the country. Our faculty and students use Israel & Hebrew as our cultural laboratory, Love of Israel is a consistent thread in the attending performances, visiting museums fiber of our school. We have a strong team and listening to guest speakers. In Limudei of native Israeli teachers who continuously Kodesh, we make an annual trip to the introduce Hebrew programs, projects, and Orthodox Union for hands-on learning about events in their classes. The Sherut Leumi kashrut, meet with Roshei Yeshiva at Y.U. and and Shelichim programs infuse the daily learn in the Beit Midrash with Kollel members. lives of our students with the customs and Our Big Apple address has also allowed us culture of Israel. We strive to emphasize the opportunity to host several noteworthy our timeless connection to our land and our guest speakers. people through projects, plays, assemblies, and observances such as Rosh Chodesh, Yom Athletics Ha’atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim. We believe that physical education plays an important role in nurturing the whole student. We have Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball teams, a Boys Hockey team, and an array of after school activities, many of which center around sports.

4 ALUMNI & AWARDS

Alumni • Blackboard Award for Outstanding Middle One hundred percent of MDS graduates are School and NYC Outstanding Teacher accepted to yeshiva high schools. These Award Finalist include: • Project Shine Chessed Project Finalist • Bruriah High School for Girls • Numerous Individual/School Tri-State Chess • The Tournament Winners • Ilan High School • Manhattan Award Program Honor • Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls for Excellent Elementary School • Magen David Yeshivah High School • Champion Team of Junior Torah Bowl • Manhattan High School for Girls (MHS) Yeshiva Competition • North Shore Hebrew Academy High School • Winner of LEKET Israeli Parade • Ramaz Float Contest for Creativity and Design • SAR High School • Gruss Award for Outstanding Teaching • Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC) in Mathematics • Westchester Hebrew High School • Winner of JEP Spelling Bee • Yeshiva Ohavei Torah of Riverdale • Former students in the Jewish Week • Yeshivat Darche Eres (YDE) “36 under 36” – Jewish Leaders • High School • Finalist in the National Bible Contest • High School for Boys (MTA) • Winner of the Emunah Poetry Contest • Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) • Finalist in E2K Math/Science Competition • Mathematics and Verbal Talent Search, Awards/Recognitions Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, • JEIC Grant for the recognition for support of students with “Tefillah Re-Imagined” Program high academic potential • National History Day Competition Winners • City of New York Proclamation honoring • Better Together Essay Contest Winner, Rabbi Besser for sterling contribution to The Legacy Fund The City of New York and The Rabbi Isaac • 2nd Place World-Wide 7th Grade Elchanan Theological Seminary Science Virtual Competition CIJE

5 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Refine and articulate mission will communicate effectively so parents have in manner that inspires all a clear understanding of the philosophy and stakeholders purpose underpinning all that we do to maxi- MDS prides itself on being a close-knit school mize educational excellence. with a warm and welcoming atmosphere and a focus on developing strong middot in its Develop systematic approach to students. The Head of School will take the marketing and communications lead in working with the Board to translate The school has taken some key steps to these values and strengths into a clear mis- streamline and improve communications in sion that animates all facets of the school’s recent years. Now we must establish a clear, operations and inspires stakeholders. overarching communications and marketing strategy with measurable goals, instill clear Enhance educational excellence standards for consistency and professionalism, On many fronts our school is succeeding and put appropriate support and systems in in providing our students with an excellent place to execute our plans. The first priority education. The Head of School will ensure is to ensure we are effectively communicating that excellence is being achieved across the our mission to parents while keeping them board and in a manner that ensures future and other stakeholders informed of the excellence for decades to come. Our school school’s accomplishments and key leader will explore (and when appropriate developments. implement) innovative pedagogical approaches; put resources and strategies in place to retain and recruit world-class faculty; maintain a sense of collaboration and satisfaction among faculty and administration; and work with faculty to develop enhanced staff- development programs. The Head of School will build on the successful launch of our technology and STEM program and ensure we have a plan in place for achieving excellence in Hebrew language instruction. In leading these efforts, our school leader

6 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES CONTINUED

Develop and implement excellence in all spheres while continuing to institutional development strategy serve a wide range of Orthodox families and MDS deserves and requires a comprehen- the Upper West Side’s increasingly diverse sive institutional development strategy with set of nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. clear goals, a commitment to implementing We must also develop and implement a best practices, and an integrated approach strategic plan for serving students with to fundraising, marketing and recruitment. special needs that accounts for a rapidly The Head of School must ensure a proper changing competitive landscape, clearly and professional team is in place and board transparently identifies the types of families members are being effectively leveraged to that we will be able to serve, and ensures take fundraising to the next level. We must that we have the resources in place to do so develop a stronger culture of philanthropy effectively. Over time, the Head of School among all stakeholders, while broadening must work with the Board to determine and deepening our base of donor support. whether neighborhood demographic trends Immediate, unique opportunities include a and growing enrollment requires a significant matching campaign for our endowment and expansion of space. the school’s 75th anniversary.

Ensure we are effectively living up to our mission to serve as a community school serving a diverse range of families Living up to our aspirations as a community school means maintaining and building on our successes. First and foremost, we must maintain our hashkafa and commitment to

7 WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Dedicated academic leader and • Ability to focus on the big picture while knowledgeable educator delegating appropriately • Ability to recognize and promote excellence • Collaborative leader dedicated to in all aspects of the educational program maintaining the team-oriented approach • Knowledgeable about contemporary best of the faculty practices in teaching and learning in both • Supports and develops excellence in Judaic and General Studies teaching and promotes the continual • Appreciation of data as a tool for evaluation, professional growth of the faculty decision-making and continuous improvement • Advocate of technology as a vital Effective communicator who values component of education, including transparency and open communication STEM integration with all school constituents • Dedication to strengthening the • Compelling public presence who can Hebrew language program enthusiastically articulate a vision for the school Confident leader who can maintain • Skilled and comfortable in public speaking unity within the school community and writing • Respect for the existing hashkafa and • Effective communicator with multiple audiences values of the school • Enthusiasm to serve as forceful advocate for • Appreciation of the contributions and the school in marketing and fundraising varying perspectives of all constituencies • Comfortable communicating in Hebrew • Understanding of the role of MDS as a community school and sensitivity to Inspiring and savvy leader who will preserving the culture motivate others through energy, • Commitment to maintaining the school’s enthusiasm, and intelligence emphasis on good middot • Good listener with high levels of emotional intelligence, compassion and empathy Skilled manager and administrator • Open leader who demonstrates genuine with demonstrated ability to recruit, appreciation for the work of faculty and staff retain, and develop high-quality staff • Readiness to work effectively and cooperatively • Ability to manage senior staff in all areas with an engaged Board of Directors (including finance, development, marketing), • Serve as a role model of kindness, integrity while establishing and communicating and middot for staff members and school clear lines of responsibility and authority, families 8 goal setting and accountability

SUBMITTING YOUR RESUME

Interested?

Candidates are encouraged to contact our search consultant at Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools, Rabbi Maccabee Avishur ([email protected])

or

To confidentially discuss the opportunity and the process, please contact our search committee co-chairs: Yitzchok Rosenthal, [email protected] Robyn Samuels, [email protected]

Applicants should submit the following materials to Rabbi Avishur:

• A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in serving as Head of School at MDS • A current résumé

These materials should be transmitted via email attachment to Rabbi Avishur at [email protected].

9