קול “רמבם SUMMER 2015 dŠryz a`-fenz°oeiq KOL RAMBAM Cutting-Edge Science Package Blossoms Maimonides School is ready to launch an ence department coordinator Dr. ambitious seven-year enhanced instruc- Steven Stewart, following Mr. Mat- tional program of Middle and Upper School toon's assessment of all general science — defined as "a vision for our next- studies disciplines. He presented generation graduates." the details to Head of School Naty The multi-pronged approach will open with Katz and science faculty in Febru- expanded 90-minute weekly laboratory ses- ary, and they have been refining sions beginning with the 2015-16 academic the details since that time. year. Longer-range components include Mr. Mattoon defined the vision as upgrades in technology and physical infra- a blending of curricular and co- structure, selected elective opportunities, curricular lines into “a continuum and even online collaboration with stu- of knowledge, hands-on experi- dents and researchers at Technion in Haifa. ence, and application that goes Other goals are “fully-optimized” programs beyond our classroom walls.” in science, technology, engineering and This “robust blend of instructional mathematics (STEM); specialized electives efficacy in class with hands-on, for students in all the Middle and Upper experiential programs outside our School grades; internship programs in re- campus will build lasting scientific search labs for juniors and seniors; a visiting proficiency for 21st century Mai- instructor program “drawing on all sectors monides graduates,” Mr. Mattoon of scientific practice” in the region; and ad- said in his vision statement. ditional Advanced Placement options. Central to the proposal is a re- The proposal was designed by Scott Mat- vamped administrative structure toon, Middle and Upper School general that includes a science director. Brian Palm, Middle and Upper School science director. studies principal, in consultation with sci- This new position, a division-head- the Forefront of Science," an internship pro- level role, combines overall departmental gram that placed 35 students at prestigious supervision with responsibility for over- research labs, and was one of 32 teachers In This Issue: seeing the curricular and instructional nationally to win the Amgen Award for program, managing the development of excellence and innovation in the classroom. the other initiatives, and connecting these Commencement 2015 ...........2 ideas with work in academic areas across "Maimonides is doing the type of 'whole- the school. school thinking' that is required to generate Tefillahand Technology .........3 meaningful implementations in science “How we maximize these opportunities and technology," Mr. Palm said. "It was easy Center Prepares to Open .......4 is too much for a department chair in the to recognize the community's genuine en- traditional sense,” Mr. Mattoon explained. thusiasm for this direction, and it is exciting Reflecting on a Legacy ...........5 “So after developing this vision, I began to consider its significant potential as the looking for candidates — with the intent school begins this journey." Class Notes............................6 that we could shape the vision to leverage the strengths of individual candidates.” Mr. Palm met with science teachers in Graduation Photos ................7 June to explore some of the aspects of the After a nationwide search, Brian Palm, then proposal, particularly implementing the science department chair at Brooks School 90-minute lab block. "Student-directed, News Briefs ...........................8 in North Andover, was appointed to the position. Mr. Palm founded "Students on Continued on page 4 1 Class of ’15 Joins Ranks of Maimonides Alumni The 63rd graduating class of Maimonides must be right, or thinking that someone world and travel on many different journeys School celebrated with more than 450 who is older or more experienced must be to a variety of destinations. But we will parents, relatives, teachers and friends June right.” always have this journey, our first, as a foun- 14 at commencement exercises in Judge J. Each member of the class not only has dation for many more journeys to come,” John Fox Athletic Center. something valuable to receive but also Avital said. Forty-four members of the Class of 2015 ac- has something valuable to add, he told his Four seniors — Shifra Berg, Barak Durani, cepted diplomas with enthusiasm. Among classmates. There is “much to learn from Abigail Kosowsky and Hannah Stanhill those applauding were members of the people who are older or wiser, and from — presented excerpts from the writings Class of 1965, who led the processional as a those younger or less experienced. If you of Maimonides, continuing a graduation highlight of their 50-year reunion. listen judiciously, everyone has so much to honor long conferred on those with excep- David Schoenberg, class valedictorian, teach you.” tional scholastic achievement. referred to appropriate Torah portions in his In her English address, Avital Fried, the Scott Mattoon, Middle and Upper School remarks, which were delivered in Hebrew. salutatorian, declared that “what we should general studies principal, delivered the Noting that advice from Korach and from be celebrating here today is the journey opening address. the 12 spies had disastrous consequences, we’ve taken together at Maimonides, not “For those of you who find your paths at David’s translation said, “It is always appro- the destination of graduation. On our university, know that while you always have priate to listen to advice. The problem only Maimonides journey, we learned a lot; we a sense of the person you are becoming lies when you follow your heart or your eyes built a community; and we came away with down your path, bear in mind that – just as in doing so, instead of your mind.” many great memories.” at Maimo — your professors and mentors “We must use our intellectual capabilities “We built a community,” she continued. “As can see in you what you cannot…Allow to sift through the emotion, sift through everyone knows, we spend a lot of time at them to push you to become people you the rhetoric, and sift through other people’s school. Sometimes we spend even more did not think you could become.” and our own goals,” he continued. “There time here than we do at home. So we made “A teacher can know a discipline as deeply are many ways for advice to be faulty, but ourselves a home away from home…. We as anyone in the world, but if the teacher there are also many ways for someone studied together, procrastinated together, and you are not mutually invested, you as else’s opinion to help us. Only if we carefully and laughed together. We went on our a student may learn a lot of material and investigate, weighing risks and compar- journey together.” skill, but you will not be inspired or curious ing advice, can we be sure to find the best Avital thanked her teachers and classmates or feel the relevance of what you know, and path.” for “memories from our years together,” that knowledge and skill, as a result, will not “We are now utterly responsible for our including the AIPAC Policy Conference in stick over time,” he continued. own decisions. We must be very careful to March. The Maimonides Class of 2015 was “But through all of your experiences with sift through all the advice we are given: not the first from any school to participate in professors, mentors, and others in your to follow it blindly, but also not to throw it the conference as a unit. young adult lives, you — most crucially of away blindly. It is easy to fall into either trap “Our high school journey is about to end. all — you also need to lean on yourselves… — believing that what we think is correct Soon we are going to head out into the to remind yourselves of the excellence with- Continued on page 7 2 2 Tefillah Teams with Technology Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik, z”tl Founder A tefillah curriculum augmented by classroom “With the right training and investment of time, Rabbi M.J. Cohn, z”l technology is about to begin its second full year teachers can make something like this part of Principal Emeritus for students in fifth grade. Rabbi David Saltzman, their classrooms,” Rabbi Saltzman said. “It really Abraham Levovitz, z”l Elementary School principal, designed the cur- delivers a double benefit: the individualized President Emeritus riculum and is optimistic that it is serving as a learning that we talk about, and the technical model for future instruction. skills they are going to need for tomorrow and Sam Wald ‘92 Chairman, Board of Directors The Google-based format presents three the next century." components for exploration: development of the Although there are no quantifiable results, “I do Jeffrey Swartz Shemoneh Esrei; traditional movements during feel that they are learning about tefillah,” Rabbi Chairman Emeritus this prayer; and the individual brachot — what Saltzman said. “At the end of class they have to they mean and the larger messages they deliver. write three things they have learned during that Nathan Katz ’73 Head of School This is all material that Rabbi Saltzman used to period, so I can see what they felt was impor- cover in classroom presentations. The technol- tant…There are goals and assessments, but the Barry Ehrlich ogy provides a big advantage, he said: “Every kid kids can learn at their own pace. They can go Director of Curriculum and Instruction is engaged with the learning just about every more into depth in topics they want to learn more about, and pace their own learning.” Robin Meyerowitz second of class. They are reading and investigat- Early Childhood Director ing on their own.” The program includes individu- “The kids told me they look forward to it,” Rabbi alized listening and recording.