schools

School year has begun

Head of school Russ Klein welcomes back King David High School students. (photo from facebook.com/kdhsvancouver)

Metro Vancouver’s five Jewish day schools are officially in session – student orientation began the week of Sept. 8. But, while the schools are working hard to create a “normalized” and consistent atmosphere for learning, the new procedures set in place by the Ministry of Education’s Back to School program will likely take a bit to get used to.

In July, the Ministry of Education announced new guidelines for class sizes and safe attendance as it prepared to return students to the classroom. Elementary and middle school cohorts are limited to 60 persons each, while high school learning groups are capped at 120 students. The province requires masks to be used at middle and high schools whenever social distancing cannot be maintained.

King David High School’s head of school, Russ Klein, acknowledged that having to wear a mask at school may be awkward for many. As well, the two-metre social distancing requirements will, at times, be difficult, forcing students to study on their own, rather than buddying-up for group assignments. That means, said Klein, “you are also then reducing opportunities for group work. You’re not facing the kids together, you are not sitting them in bunches,” methods that have often proven to be effective approaches in large classrooms. Teachers, he added, “really like to help their kids and needing to stay six feet away from them at all times changes how you help somebody and how you interact with them.”

Many schools began implementing changes to classrooms, common rooms and lesson plans last school year when it became evident that social distancing would affect how classes were taught. Rabbi Don Pacht, who oversees the Vancouver Hebrew Academy daily operations, said the move to a brand-new building last spring helped with that transition.

The larger building, he said, “gives us a very desirable ratio of space per student. Keeping distance between learning groups and allowing for distance between desks will be easily achieved.”

Like other schools in the area, VHA has also implemented see-through “sneeze guards” and other preventive measures to reduce chances of transmission. “We have also invested in Plexiglass screens and additional hand sanitizing stations throughout the school,” said the rabbi.

Vancouver Talmud Torah began making changes to the curriculum last school year as well. Jennifer Schecter, who serves as the communications and admissions director for VTT, said the speed with which the school began implementing changes to address the coronavirus threat appears to have paid off.

“Our retention was at an all-time high this past year because I believe parents value our product and the sense of community we provide more now than ever. This is a testament to our faculty’s superb skill in pivoting and offering a robust remote learning program last spring,” Schecter said.

Technology plays an oversized role in teaching modules this year. All of the schools the Jewish Independent spoke with said they are prepared for a return to remote learning, should it occur.

“Every single faculty member has a VTT-issued MacBook Air to use at school and at home and each classroom is equipped with screencasting technologies,” said Schecter. “Our IT department is incredibly responsive, knowledgeable and stays ahead of the curve with respect to tools that can facilitate instruction, especially if VTT needs to go remote again.

“Last year, we put a solid infrastructure in place that allowed us to pivot quickly to remote learning,” she said. “We will be able to lean on this structure this year. Teachers are planning in anticipation of a potential shift to remote and will be acquainting their students with many of the same tools they did last year, such as Google Classroom.”

Meira Federgrun, who runs Shalhevet Girls High School, said students are outfitted to work either in-class or at home, when necessary. “All our students have personal laptops … and, in case students are self-quarantining/isolating, they have that as a resource to Zoom into classes on their regular schedule.”

KDHS’s Klein said teachers and administration are also preparing for increased absenteeism. “Because, when people are not feeling well, they are supposed to not come to school. And that could be the student or the teacher,” he said.

According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, children in this province have a lower rate of infection than adults. Still, preparing for the chance that some students may have to study from home while they are quarantining has required some out-of-the box thinking when it comes to lesson planning.

“Managing to keep the educational program uninterrupted and keep students that are absent in the educational flow, I think that’s going to be the challenge,” Klein said.

Pacht said parents will be expected to keep the school informed about students’ health status on a regular basis. “We know that there is stress on the parents as well,” said Pacht. “There will be questionnaires, waivers and health checks. If a child has as much as a sniffle, they will not be allowed to attend school until seen by a healthcare professional.”

Provincial COVID-19 health and safety guidelines require schools to maintain daily health checks for all students, staff, administrators and visitors, and parents’ participation with that process helps reduce the chance of an accidental infection at school.

Pacht added that the students’ sense of safety is important, too, as they adjust to this new environment. “This will be stressful for students, too, and we will focus on social and emotional support for students,” he said. “They will have to adapt to a new way of experiencing school (again!), and we want to ease that transition.

“I know that if we work together we can provide an exceptional experience for our children.”

image - Dr. Lara Aknin says kids may need extra support this year to prepare them for new learning experiences — Dr. Lara Aknin says kids may need extra support this year to prepare them for new learning experiences. *(photo from sfu.ca/vpresearch/Research50/abundance.html)*

Dr. Lara Aknin, a social psychologist at Simon Fraser University, said kids may need extra support this year to prepare them for new learning experiences.

“Helping kids feel safe and secure during the pandemic is important as we return to school this fall,” she said, offering the following research-proven ways to help young students gain confidence in today’s “new normal” classroom.

Encourage gratitude. “The pandemic has exacted a large toll on many,” said Aknin. “When possible, try reflecting on what you are grateful for.” Help students “focus on what’s good, rather than what’s lost.”
Be kind and help others. Research has shown that we feel good when we help others. It can be as simple as donating tzedakah to a special charity or comforting another student, she said, “but finding ways to help others can make you feel grateful and boost your mood.”
Maintain a daily routine that kids can follow. Doing so provides predictability and structure during challenging times.
Keep up that exercise regimen. It’s a known fact that exercise helps boost serotonin and elevate mood. Aknin pointed out that exercise doesn’t have to be a workout. It can be a dance party, a family stroll after dinner or a favourite game.
And don’t forget to socialize. “Distant socializing,” even when it’s virtually or two metres apart, reinforces kids’ social connections with their friends, extended family, schoolmates and new acquaintances,” said Aknin. “[Ensuring] physical distance from others doesn’t mean we should cut off all contact with others. Find creative ways to stay connected and have meaningful contact with friends and family with Zoom, FaceTime, or distanced visits outside.”

Jan Lee’s articles and blog posts have been published in B’nai B’rith Magazine, Voices of Conservative and Masorti Judaism, Times of Israel, as well as a number of business, environmental and travel publications. Her blog can be found at multiculturaljew.polestarpassages.com.

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New Hebrew school opens

B.C. Regional Hebrew Schools, run by Lubavitch BC, has launched a new Hebrew school for elementary students in the East Vancouver area. The Mount Pleasant location will be Lubavitch BC’s third school in the Lower Mainland.

“This program has been created uniquely for children who attend public school or non-Jewish private schools, and aims to present a comprehensive curriculum, including Hebrew language, reading and writing; Jewish pride and sense of community; Jewish holidays and customs,” said a press release announcing the opening. Rabbi Dovid and Chaya Rosenfeld serve as the directors for the three schools in the Lower Mainland. Riki Oirechman will be the new school’s principal.

Classes will take place Wednesdays, 3:45 to 5:30 p.m., at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, accompanied by a complimentary kosher meal.

The organization said it is abiding by all COVID-19 protocols and, as such, asks that parents understand they will not be able to accompany their children inside during classes or drop-offs. Parents can inquire about classes by calling 778-878-2025 or emailing [email protected]. The class schedule can be found at ganisraelbc.com.

– JL

VTT campus officially opens

Vancouver Talmud Torah head of school Cathy Lowenstein at the Sept. 25 ceremony that officially opened the school’s new building. (photo by Lara Shecter)

Vancouver Talmud Torah recently completed a comprehensive redevelopment and renovation of its campus and, on Sept. 25, a ceremony was held in the new double gymnasium of the school to officially open the new building.

Members from all parts of the community came out to see the space the school has been touting as embodying “the concepts of 21st-century learning.” The event included an introduction by Cathy Lowenstein, head of school, as well as words from the campaign chairs, Dan Pekarsky and Alan Shuster. While thrilled at having reached the goal of $20 million in their first campaign, they hope that enthusiasm for the new school will spur the community to give additional financial support.

Lowenstein clarified the need for a second fundraising campaign in an email interview. “Twenty million dollars was the amount we knew we would need to be able to finish any project we started, including the underground parkade,” she explained. “By proceeding when we did, we were able to develop the parkade jointly with the BI [Congregation Beth Israel]. That saved us over $2 million and the disruption of excavating beneath the school that we would have faced if we had waited. In the meantime, we completed the final program design, engineering and budgeting for the new school and, once we had that information, set a final budget and campaign goal of $27.5 million.”

photo - Vancouver Talmud Torah Rabbi Marc Kasten looks on as Gordon and Leslie Diamond, lead donors, affix a mezuzah to the school — Vancouver Talmud Torah Rabbi Marc Kasten looks on as Gordon and Leslie Diamond, lead donors, affix a mezuzah to the school. *(photo by Lara Shecter)*

Those present at the opening event were impressed by the beauty, modernity and scope of the new campus. In addition, Andrew Merkur, a parent with two children currently attending VTT, was awed by the spirit of generosity and community. “I’m kvelling inside!” he said. “There are so many people who don’t even have children here and they still give of their time and money. It’s so wonderful to see how multi-generational the caring for the kids is.”

Lowenstein acknowledged two audience members from the first graduating class of VTT in 1954, who now have grandchildren in the school. And Marcy Schwartzman and Larry Vinegar arrived with their children, who are in their 20s. “I’m a VTT grad and both of my kids went here,” said Schwartzman. “We all wanted to see what the building is like.”

Rose and Fred Mikelberg came to scout the space with their 2-year-old granddaughter. “She’ll be here next year. It’s exciting and such a beautiful building,” said Rose Mikelberg.

One of the hallmarks of this modern building is the flexibility of space both for school purposes and potential rental. The spacious common areas, flooded with natural light, include a dining area adjacent to the kosher kitchen. It overlooks the gym and can be used as a viewing area for sports events or as a secondary area if someone wanted to host a large party. Open spaces between classroom “pods” (age-related clusters of rooms) serve as informal meeting places for students as well as places to engage in class group work.

The synagogue area is called a “sanctified space and multi-purpose room.” It bears the following inscription: “Robert and Marilyn Krell and Family – Dedicated to Robert’s Christian family, Albert and Violette Munnik, and their daughter, Nora, whose lives defined righteousness, having risked their lives to save his during the Holocaust in the Hague.” Pekarsky said, “The school community will be reminded of the heroism of this family and this story will continue to inspire VTT for generations to come.”

photo - Keren Katz, class of 2016 graduate and one of the Hallelujah Singers, points to the mezuzah she made as part of a class project to leave a legacy to the school. The project, facilitated by VTT parent and artist Dina Sacks, will continue with future graduating classes to fill the Glassman Gallery with original, student-created mezuzot containing a special Jewish-themed wish — Keren Katz, class of 2016 graduate and one of the Hallelujah Singers, points to the mezuzah she made as part of a class project to leave a legacy to the school. The project, facilitated by VTT parent and artist Dina Sacks, will continue with future graduating classes to fill the Glassman Gallery with original, student-created mezuzot containing a special Jewish-themed wish. *(photo by Jennifer Shecter-Balin)*

“Judaic offerings is an area that we know we must improve,” acknowledged Lowenstein, saying that having a new school rabbi, Rabbi Marc Kasten is a step in that direction. A trip that Grade 7 students will take to the Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg for the first time this year is another. “We are the first elementary school in Canada to do a trip like this and we’re very grateful to the Asper Foundation, Diamond Foundation and Federation for their financial support, without which it wouldn’t be possible,” said Lowenstein.

Other new programs the expanded school will be able to support include after-school basketball, floor gymnastics, musical theatre, mixed media art, hip-hop and jazz for girls, floor hockey, badminton, field hockey and STEM Lego robotics. All of these programs are offered at market cost to students interested in these extracurricular activities. The learning commons area is open after school until 4:30 p.m. for what Lowenstein described as parents needing after-school options at low or zero cost.

The new school can accommodate up to 650 students. Although exact numbers were not available about current enrolment, Lowenstein said “enrolment is up slightly” and reported growth in the early years programming, which serves as a feeder for the regular school. “Early years enrolment is really thriving!” she said. “Of the 70 students in preschool (age 3) and junior kindergarten (age 4), 35 students are in the full-day licensed programs.”

The new classrooms are enormous, with some of the latest educational technology. Students have access not only to two full-sized gyms but also a turf-covered playing field that covers the entire roof of the new building.

Shuster said, “VTT is poised and ready to embrace the next chapter in its story.”

Michelle Dodek is a freelance writer living in Vancouver.

Making mensches at KDHS

During the afternoon of Character Day, King David High School hosted a fair at which students could learn about – and sign up for – volunteer positions in the Jewish community and around the city. (photo from KDHS)

On Sept. 22, King David High School students celebrated Character Day. It was a day for both quiet introspection and animated group discussions about what makes human beings tick, and how we can reach our full potential, individually and as members of society.

KDHS is “committed to integrating tikkun olam into all students’ experiences, both during the school day and beyond,” said visual arts teacher Wendy Oberlander. And Character Day dovetails neatly with the school vision for students’ social-emotional learning.

Character Day began 10 years ago as the brainchild of San Francisco filmmaker Tiffany Shlain, whose work in film and technology has been recognized with numerous nominations and awards. Her new mission is Let It Ripple, which uses film as the medium to educate and inspire children to become activists pushing for positive social change. The program is massive, reaching 24 countries as far-flung as Mexico, India and Australia. Approximately 75,000 events were hosted, worldwide.

“Character Day presented us with a frame within which to launch this year’s service program,” said Oberlander.

At KDHS, the day started with three of Let It Ripple’s videos, which were seen by every student.

Lu Winters is the school’s social-emotional counselor. She is leading the school in a year-long project based on middot (character traits).

According to Winters, the Let It Ripple videos – The Science of Character, The Adaptable Mind and The Making of a Mensch – nurture self-knowledge, encouraging students to take what she calls “an inventory of themselves.” The films ask, “What are your strengths and which do you want to develop?” exploring qualities like creativity, humility, self-control and gratitude.

According to KDHS’s e-newsletter, “The central idea of character traits that is described in the film The Making of a Mensch will form the basis for TAG [teacher advisory groups] this year.”

Character Day is now an established fixture for the students of KDHS. It has grown and evolved over the six years that Winters has taught at the school. Since joining the staff, she has seen a move toward a richer and more inclusive and varied program of offerings. She described an array of sporting, spiritual and drama activities, as well as support groups for LGBTQ students.

photo - Inbar ben Moshe — Inbar ben Moshe *(photo from KDHS)*

This Character Day, Winters sat in with two classes to see how the activities were being received by the students. “They were really engaged,” she said.

“They said it is always easy to dismiss buzz words, but instead of brushing off words like honesty and generosity, they talked about being self-aware, about being a better person; they responded sincerely and thoughtfully,” said Winters.

During the afternoon, the school hosted a volunteer fair organized by Ellia Belson, director of Jewish life and events. At the fair, students could learn about – and sign up for – positions in the Jewish community and around the city. Booths were hosted by the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Ronald McDonald House, Louis Brier Home and Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital, Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee and the Walking School Bus.

The impact of the program came across loud and clear, in conversation with the kids themselves. They expressed their enthusiasm and drive for positive change. Inbar ben Moshe, in Grade 11, said the day was “inspiring!”

“It opened our minds to how we can improve our lives and the lives of others,” she said, and spoke of a determination to “really work on myself, to embrace the different aspects of myself.” She wants to volunteer by mentoring children, helping them to resist peer pressure and make good decisions.

photo - Sappir Gini — Sappir Gini *(photo from KDHS)*

A Grade 10 student, who chose to remain anonymous, spoke about his own struggle with stress and the importance of learning to regulate one’s emotions. “It was interesting and it really influenced me,” he said. “It encourages people to think beyond what they already know; to get rid of stress by focusing on what you are good at.”

Sappir Gini (Grade 10) already reads to her nine-year-old brother and spoke of her ambitions in forensic science. She found the videos “inspiring, they made me want to learn more…. We saw how a bunch of people can come together and change things, people who are so eager, so curious – they can really make a difference.”

Sappir’s goals have crystalized as a result of participating in Character Day. She talked about her love of reading history books, and how she aims to be a reading mentor in inner city schools. Summing up the spirit of Character Day, she said, “Your imagination can take you anywhere – once you can read, you can do anything.”

Shula Klinger is an author, illustrator and journalist living in North Vancouver. Find out more at niftyscissors.com.