Authority: 9633 The Calgary Jewish Academy Three Year Education Plan 2019-2022 Annual Education Results Report December 30, 2019 Page 1 Authority: 9633 The Calgary Jewish Academy Message from the Board Chair Accountability Statement from the Board Chair The Annual Education Results Report for the 2018-19 school year and the Education Plan for the three years commencing September 1, 2019. The Calgary Jewish Academy Annual Education Results Report was prepared under the direction of the Board in accordance with its responsibilities under the Private Schools Regulation and the Education Grants Regulation. This document was developed in the context of the provincial government’s business and fiscal plans. The Board has used the results reported in the document, to the best of its abilities, to develop the Education Plan and is committed to implementing the strategies contained within the Education Plan to improve student learning and results. The Board approved January 7, 2020 Signed _______________________________________ Bryant Frydberg, Shannon Smith-Albert: Co-Chairs CJA Board of Directors Board of Directors Shannon Smith-Albert/ Bryant Frydberg – Co-Chairs Shapiro, Randy – Past Chair Jeremy Thal – Treasurer Directors: Raber, Earl Silverstone, Andrea Stoffman, Sharla Conn, Max Belostotski, Gregory Labell, Malka Hadley, Jennifer Pavlov, Michael Terrance Crohn Cheryl Nordoft School Administration Leadership Team Brenda English – Head of School Serena Seeger – GAIN Coordinator – Vice Principal - Administrative Support Moshe Oren –Coordinator Judaic Studies/Jewish Life - Grades 1-9/Administrative Support Jill Morgan – Alberta Curriculum Coordinator Middle Years Traci Wamsteeker – Alberta Curriculum Coordinator – Division 1 Annette Kaminer – Coordinator – Early Years 3yr old – ECS Jeff Warner – Coordinator of Technology Integration and Support Page 2 Authority: 9633 The Calgary Jewish Academy Message from the Board The documents included in this report celebrate the vision, mission and history of the Calgary Jewish Academy. CJA has a strong community that provides ongoing support, education and values to Jewish youth in Calgary and surrounding areas. The analysis of data and information provided in the three year Education Results Report will provide a direction for continued improvement at The Calgary Jewish Academy. Historically, our students’ perform exceptionally well on Provincial Achievement Tests, and this is one indicator of the ability of our faculty to inspire learning and provide an engaging curriculum. The increased learning opportunities, experiential offsite trips, STEM learning programs, enhanced Fine Arts activities and extra-curricular opportunities have surpassed expectations, and we are pleased with the ongoing increase in enrolment in grades kindergarten to grade 9. The critical thinking initiatives, technological innovations, parent and student feedback, facility enhancements and success of our students, are all reflected in the results of the Accountability Pillar Survey. With a rich curriculum in Judaic Studies and Alberta Studies, our students continue to excel in character, personal, social, athletic and academic endeavors. This success is the result of the combined efforts of our dedicated staff, hard-working students, very supportive families and committed and involved parent volunteers, including a dedicated Board. Our faculty have embarked on a professional learning journey over the past three years with a focus on inclusive education, innovation and integrated curricular opportunities. This learning and professional work will be ongoing as we prepare our students for their future as Jewish citizens who characterize and model the vision and mission of the CJA. Within this work is embedded the reminders to our students of their role as Mensch’s in a local, national and global context. The CJA acknowledges and appreciates a long history of positive parental involvement in their children’s education and the increased involvement throughout the past three year is highlighted as a strength of the community. This involvement continues to be instrumental for students and teachers to succeed in a competitive educational climate. We continue to honour the past at the CJA, and we look forward to the implementation of the new Alberta program of studies as we continue on a path of future-oriented learning opportunities for this generation of learners. Sincerely, Co-Chairs, CJA Board Bryant Frydberg and Shannon Smith-Albert Page 3 Authority: 9633 The Calgary Jewish Academy Foundation Statements Our Mission The CJA fosters: Community, character and confidence Jewish values (Tzedakah, Tikun Olam), Identity (Heritage) and Traditions (Strong connection to Israel and the Jewish people – Ahavat Israel) Academic excellence, Hebrew fluency and Innovation Our Vision To be the leader in engaging, educating and empowering Calgary's Jewish youth. To become a nationally renowned Canadian Independent School. המשימה שלנו המשימה של בית הספר היהודי האקדמי בקלגרי הוא לטפח קהילה יהודית, פלורליסטית ושוויונית זהות יהודית, ערכים )צדקה, תיקון עולם( ומסורת יהודית קשר חזק לישראל ולעם היהודי – אהבת ישראל מצויינות אקדמית, עברית רהוטה וחדשנות החזון שלנו להיות המנהיג המוביל בחינוך והעצמת הנוער היהודי של קלגרי לקבל הכרה ארצית כבית ספר יהודי עצמאי CJA “A Community of Learners, Sharing our Jewish Identity” Page 4 Authority: 9633 The Calgary Jewish Academy CJA Students take part in the Matzah Baking at Chabbad Lubovich Synagogue Grade Two Students Perform at the Menorah Lighting at City Hall Page 5 Authority: 9633 The Calgary Jewish Academy A Profile of the School Authority The Calgary Jewish Academy is an accredited private school offering programs ranging from two years prior to ECS through grade 9. Our Grade 1-9 population is 218 students with the addition of 32 kindergarten students, we have a total K-9 enrolment of 250 students. Our Early Years program currently has 49 children in the 3 year old and the 4 year old classes combined, with a vibrant full day program option for 5, 4 and 3 year old children with 96 children in attendance. The Calgary Jewish Academy provides an excellent and well-rounded Jewish and Alberta Program of Studies Education. This dual curriculum program provides students with opportunities to be connected to their Jewish cultural and identity through their learning. The Calgary Jewish Academy is firmly rooted in the Calgary Jewish community. In its present and previous forms, it has been in existence for 105 years, serving some families for as many as five generations. The Calgary Jewish Academy strives to be a leader within the Calgary Jewish Community, working closely with the Calgary Jewish Federation, The Calgary Jewish Centre, multiple synagogues, the Akiva Academy, Jewish National Federation and The Canada Israel Experience. Page 6 Authority: 9633 The Calgary Jewish Academy Trends and Issues CJA students continue to excel on Provincial Achievement tests with 38 percent of students in grade six and grade nine achieving the Standard of Excellence CJA parents continue to be actively involved in school events and activities The CJA’s overall summary of the Accountability Pillar Survey showcases Excellence in six out of nine categories. Student Learning Opportunities and programming changes have increased; however, due to the complexity of a dual curriculum program the results from the Accountability Survey still state that this is an area of issue. Celebrating Success Innovation and access continue to be at the forefront of our dual curriculum programs with integration of blended programs in Judaic Studies, coding, robotics and project based learning across all grades at CJA Enhancement of our character mensch programming for students with the utilization of language related to Tikkun Olam and Jewish Character and Citizenship. Students volunteered at the Calgary Food Bank, Trinity Lodge, presented at a Seniors Centre and shared their Science Fair Projects with the JCC. Three Grade Nine students completed Math 10C CJA students achieved the Excellence result in 15 out of 16 provincial achievement tests based upon the Acceptable and Excellent Standards Grade Nine Judaic Studies students achieved 5 Credits for Hebrew Language and Culture 10 as a result of their academic excellence The Calgary Jewish Academy continues to excel academically on Provincial Achievement Tests at grade six and grade nine The Standard of Excellence in grade six is 25% percent higher than the province in three of the four PATs exams Boston University Model United Nations Trip – Grade 9 Students attended this competition in Boston for the first time in CJA history Grade One – Seder Celebration – supported and sponsored by Frydberg Family. Each student received their own Seder Replacement and upgrades to Emergency Panel Technology enhancement continues to be a part of learning programs. Ipads for grades one to five, One to One devices grades 6-9 with MacBook, iPad, Chromebook and the option to bring your own device. Increase in access to Robotics and Coding from grades 1-9 Musical Production of Aladdin with two sold out shows Excellence in Art and Music programming Mental Health Supports and program increases CJA Student Council held their first Pink Shirt Day and students engaged in Dare to Care Sessions Social Skills and Resiliency Programs started by Counselor Increase in French Language Programming with implementation in grade three French Language Program students engaged in AIM French Language Program and performed