The Importance of Tzedakah Park East Day School Back Rabbi Arthur Schneier, After by Ivory D
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RABBI ARTHUR SCHNEIER PARK EAST DAY SCHOOL Parents and School Continued from cover wonderful bond between Park East Day School and its parents. Our Parent Association Board members continually meet and work toward our common goals. Events such as the Champagne & Sushi Social and Family Fun Day were festive and enjoyable occasions for families to come together and share more than simple, daily school routines. Special events create a school spirit, and desire to play a part in “the Park East Family.” Pathways WINTER 2014 | VOLUME 5 | 5774 Our beautiful new playground is a tribute to the outstanding work of our Parent Association, and its dedication to making this long-awaited addition to our school a reality. The gleeful faces of the children, in all grades, as they run out to recess onto the bright new space, mirror sheer delight every recess. The significance of having families that are devoted to our institution is invaluable. The presence of mothers and fathers, grandparents, extended family members, and our students, at specially planned events throughout the year, brings Park East to the forefront of city institutions- educational establishments that are so much more than simply places to learn New York State curriculum. We exemplify the essence of a large family that worships, learns, plays, and grows together. We are so very fortunate, and grateful to have the continued support of our amazing Parent Association, and look forward to all the wonderful contributions that this group affords the members of the Park East Day School I Rabbi Schneier’s Message: community all year long. Remembering What is Important A couple of weeks ago, the students of Park East Day Rabbi Arthur Schneier School were delighted to welcome The Importance of Tzedakah Park East Day School back Rabbi Arthur Schneier, after by Ivory D. Rios, Coordinator for Development Operations Parent Association his extended absence. Board They greeted him with cheers, banners, songs, and a CHARITABLE GIVING AT YEAR END: As the year draws to a close, celebratory cake. The Rabbi, whose eloquent words 2013-2014 WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW we would like to express our gratitude for always teach and inspire, spoke from his heart. He all that you have done for our school and reminded children, faculty and assembled staff that Charitable donations are an excellent way to reduce your tax burden for the Jennifer Krug Aliza Licht sometimes it takes illness to remember what matters We urge all parents, our children. Please help us to continue year, all while doing something for the greater good. Sharon Makhlin most. We should be grateful for eyes that see, ears that grandparents and alumni to consider, along with their tax advisors, ways to make educating students of promise with a CO8 PRESIDENTS hear, and that all parts of our bodies function as they a charitable donation to Park East Synagogue in the most tax advantageous way. stellar educational program that will enrich should. What an important lesson for us all- to appreciate Anna Claire Salama-Caro TIMING OF GIFT: the lives of many deserving children. Frances Zelazny-Ganz the gift of good health and the wisdom to express Hakarat ha’Tov to G-d Determining the date of delivery is important because: (1) it determines the tax Your contribution of any size is appreciated. Erin Haas who created us. year in which the gift is deductible; (2) for assets that fluctuate in value (e.g., stock), We hope we can count on your support. Estee Lieberman The Rabbi asked everyone to join him in the recitation of Modeh Ani, our it determines the value of the gift. VICE PRESIDENTS daily prayer thanking Hashem for having awoken another day Welcoming Checks - A check that you mail to a charity is considered delivered on the date Erin Rudensky Rabbi Schneier back home was a very happy occasion. The Park East family I you mail it (the postmark date). In order to take advantage of a tax deduction in Mary Shela feels incomplete without his warmth, wisdom, and inspiration. 2013 your contribution must be postmarked by Deember 31, 2013. TREASURERS Credit card - Contributions charged on your credit card are deductible in the year Debra Alvo you make the charge. RECORDING SECRETARY Parents ABOUT GIVING SECURITIES: Diana Mann CHESED COMMITTEE While cash is the most common form of charitable gifts, gifts of appreciated assets CHAIR and School such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other securities not only make a convenient gift but can provide you with significant tax benefits as well. Ilana Yunis Erin Haas an Essential Partnership Stock certificate - The gift of a stock certificate is completed on the date of CLASS MOM LIAISONS In every good educational institution, mailing or other delivery to the charity or to the charity's agent. However, if you give a stock certificate to your agent or to the issuing corporation for Debbie there must be a strong partnership between transfer to the name of the charity, your gift is not completed until the Lewittes Eigen parents and faculty. Children are nurtured in both date the stock is transferred on the books of the organization. I GRANDPARENT settings, and it is vital that each play an interactive role with the LIAISON other to the end of creating the strongest springboard from which to launch our Thank you for considering us as you make your children’s education and overall care. philanthropic decisions this year. Rabbi Arthur Schneier This is especially true in a private, religious school environment, which intrinsically fosters a warmth and closeness Park East Day School that is unique and deep. We all strive together for the same purpose- to help raise our children up as high as they POLLY GOLTCHE, Writer and Editor 164 East 68th Street may go, in every sense of the word. This autumn has once again seen a ...continued on back cover GHILA KRAJZMAN, Photographer New York , NY 10065 CANTOR BENNY ROGOSNITZKY, Director REUVEN ELSON, ATELIER INDUSTRIES, Design and Printing 212.737.7330 WWW.PARKEASTDAYSCHOOL.ORG Life as a Teacher at Park East: What’s Essential by Barbara T. Etra, Principal Staff development is an integral part of a teacher’s professional life at Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School. This year we are studying “Essential Questions”, a topic of multiple tangents and important concepts. In September, Dr. Norman Blumenthal, child psychologist and prominent speaker, addressed thorny questions that often confront the classroom teacher. Which questions do we wish to encourage, which to deflect, and how to answer questions in an age and grade appropriate manner was discussed. For example, why is someone else smarter, faster, more powerful than I am? Why is something so hard for me to learn? Why are my parents angry with me? How come mom, dad, grandma, my friend, etc… is really sick? Why do bad things happen when I’m being good? How do you know there is a G-d?... A remarkable, intense, informative session made every adult in the room think about The Essentials our words, their power to heal or harm, encourage or deflate. The teachers also began opening sessions with a study of essential questions, based on the work of Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins and their impressive study on “Understanding by Design” and “Curriculum of Successful Parenting by Design.” Collaboratively teachers practiced creating overarching and topical essential questions, which honed by Dr. Sherry Wiener, Director of Student Services their skills on selecting what is being taught and for what purpose be it academic content, skill or strategy. As questions are a teacher’s stock and trade, it is imperative that the design of questions be thoughtful, planned, In order to drive a car one must study and pass a written exam in Although there is no written manual on “The Essentials of and directed as well as motivational and purposeful. Additional sessions were held developing the essentials of order to secure a license. Likewise, a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher - as Parenthood,” let me offer some thoughts and suggestions: provide all types of questions to maximize learning and understanding for all students. all professionals, must successfully complete a course of study and unconditional love and acceptance- it is important for a child to feel pass a multitude of written examinations in order to work in their that the parents’ love is unconditional. Children, like their parents, Judaic Studies teachers have spent extensive time with Paula Weber, Judaic Studies Curriculum Coordinator, respective field. are not perfect. They each have strengths and weaknesses. debating and evaluating which portions of each chapter in the Torah portions they are teaching need to be studied in greater depth than others. The “essence” of finding what is or primary importance in terms of knowledge and enrichment for students Have patience- remember that your son/daughter does not wake up at different grade levels was emphasized as part of an on-going curriculum development and refinement. in the morning and ask him/her self, “How can I annoy my parents What about parenting? today?” Children look to their parents for guidance and their intent Additionally, a CIJE (Center for Initiative in Jewish Education) staff developer has worked with our teachers on the bells and whistles of is not to upset you, but rather to please you. Smart board interactive technology. Separate sessions were held for general and Judaic staff as language and resources differ though There is not a more important job, methodology and teaching techniques are the same. yet there are no prerequisites, no required Setting limits- this does more than help children learn right and wrong. By using positive strategies, such as natural and logical All teachers at Park East are life-long learners.