1. Anita Norich Doris and Richard Jamron
It takes a community to support a school. Martha Oleinick Marilyn Jeffs
With deep gratitude we acknowledge the following contributions and pledges David Palan Joan and Yale Kamisar
Dina and Michael Pedersen Jan Katz
received July 1, 2008- June 30, 2009.
Sonja and S. Theodore Pinsky Aaron Kaufer
Allison and Benjamin Pollock Benjamin Kinzer
$10,000+ Ruth and Jacob Kaufman Harriet and Stanley Remer Dina and Keith Kurz
Judy and Todd Endelman Shira and Steve Klein Liora Rosen and Gary Rochman Smadar Karni and Doron Lamm
Susan and Barry Gross Kroger Community Rewards Program Rivka Siden and Ken Rorick Sarah and Seymour Lampert
Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor Pamela and Stephen Landau Jennifer and Eric Rosenberg Judie and Jerold Lax
Benard L. Maas Foundation Rickie and Armand Lauffer Marci and Andrew Rosenberg Dorit and Roby Lehavy
W.K. Kellogg Foundation Esther Lara and Jonathan Luntz Helen Levy and David Rosenfeld Joan and Joel Levitt
Ellen Gordon and Pamela Ramseyer Prudence and Amnon Rosenthal Amy Lorang
$5,000-9,999 Susan and Murray Rebner Kathleen and Robert Savit Yvette Mandell
Anonymous Ann Rosenbaum Lisa Scheiman Meira Miller
ADD Foundation (Wachovia Foundation matching funds) Adrienne and Steve Schiff Deborah Dash-Moore and MacDonald Moore
Stacey Lee and Evan Caminker Sue and Mike Samuels Liz Wierba and David Schmidt Yanik and Udi Naamani
Florence and Marvin Gerber Cindy and Mark Saper Sharon and James Schmidt Marsha and Larry Pacernick
Flora Endelman and Jonathan Margolis Monica and David E. Schteingart Lisa and Bruce Shapiro Beverly and Sherman Palan
Eve and Richard Primus Jennifer and Sam Siegel Rita Shtull Shelley and Warren Perlove
Ruth Winter and Steve Silverman Katharine Glassner-Shwayder Eileen and Herbert Pritzker
$2,500-4,999 Mindy and Avi Soclof and Walter Shwayder Barbara and Stephen Rosenfeld
Dorit Adler Elana and Ron Sussman Harriet Siden Patty and Adam Rubinstein
Harlene and Henry Appelman Charles Tait Marion and George Siegel Carole and Mitch Rycus
Sharon and Charles Newman
Nancy and Samuel Silver Ayelet and Uzi Sasson
Joan Hartman and John Rothchild $100-249 Rose and Robert Silver Andreina Castro-Seir and Ricardo Seir
James and Jamie Abelson
THE HEBREW DAY SCHOOL OF ANN ARBOR
$1000-2,499 Terry Silver Erika Levin and Jordan Shavit
Sallie Abelson Aviva Panush and Mitch Silverman Sari and Paul Shifrin
Anonymous (2)
Barbara Kramer and Steven Acker Margaret and Michael Singer Katherine and Marc Sholder
Paramjit Gill and Neil Alexander
Susan and Larry Adler
Annual Report 2008-09
Carol and Herbert Amster Lynne Avadenka and Marc Sussman Deborah and David Shtulman
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation A. Alfred Taubman Clara Silver
Progressive Jewish Giving Fund
Laurie and Jeffrey Barnett Carrie and Simon Thorpe Sharon Kileny and David Singer
Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah
Monica Vaisman and Yehuda Bechar Harriet Bakalar and Ed Tobes Brenda and Sandor Slomovits
Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Fdn.
Jeanne and Paul Berkowitz Joan Lowenstein and Jonathan Trobe Doris and Lawrence Sperling
Pat Binder
Rachel Bendit and Mark Bernstein Judy and Howard Weinblatt Zehava and Moshe Stauber
Emily and Avi Eisbruch
Gina and Michael Bernstein Lynn Gessner and Irwin Weingarten Phyllis and Walter Strauss
Gloria and Hyman Freedland
Linda and Paul Blumberg
FROM THE
Marlene and Zvi Gitelman Nathan Weinman Moira and Michael Tannenbaum
Beth Dwoskin and Bob Blumenthal Zelma Weisfeld Target Take Charge Of Education
Shifra Epstein and Miriam Greenberg
Eileen and Saul Hymans
Eden and Peter Burgard
Marjorie and Barry Checkoway
Susan Harris and David Zacks Mae and Myron Tupa Market, and the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Youth
Chris Hugly and Moises Kaplan Hadass and Dani Zaid Rochel and Jeff Urist
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dina Shtull and Steve Leber
Shirley and Leon Cooper Hediye Batu and Alan Zakalik Diane and Amiram Vinokur Concert supported by the Benard L. Maas Foundation.
Ronald Davidoff
Laurie and Jeff Leflein
Margaret and Mark Eichner
Karen and Sy Zivan
Deborah Zivan
Elena and Nancy Weissman
Cheryl Rush and Michael Wodka
At school, students welcomed visitors from the commu-
Audrey Newell and Greg Saltzman
Daniel Schultz
Rachel Portnoy and Adam Eichner
Judith Elkin
Ruth and Irwin Wright nity, the University of Michigan, and Nahalal (our sister
Segaloff Family Philanthropic Fund
Jack Fagin
$5-99 Eileen Zirin Dear Friends, community in Israel) who brought symphonic music,
Carey and David Sherman Marianne and Ron Aaron
Donnalee Grey-Farquharson and
Anita and Kenneth Volk
Michael Farquharson
Yuni and Richard Aaron
Aura and Aaron Ahuvia
Organizations, Foundations and Corporations
who have supported HDS ~ 7/1/08-10/30/09 During the 2008-2009 academic year, HDS weathered professional story telling, drum circles, and lessons on
$500-999 Happy and Louis Feigelson
Joanna and Richard Friedman
Helen and David Aminoff Anonymous
the effects of the world-wide recession that hurt many the Constitution and the human body. Ari Weinzweig,
Anonymous Ann Arbor Downtown Kiwanis Club ADD Foundation
Susan Blitz Elaine Friedman Ruth Kraut and Michael Appel Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation non-profit institutions and most private investments. founder of Food Gatherers (and Zingerman’s) spoke to
Dennie and Bob Carbeck Barbra Mazie and Arthur Gershowitz
Angela and David Chernin Irene and Arthur Gordon
Yael and Hagay Bamberger
Bryan Beresh
Ann Arbor Downtown Kiwanis Club
Benard L. Maas Foundation The school planned effectively and trimmed the budget the students about kindness. “Kindness is free,” he said
Lisbeth and Michael Fried Hilary Haftel and Dan Green
Robert Green
Shelly Kovacs Berman and Harvey Berman Ford Palmer Motor
without cutting key staff or core services. We are very as he encouraged them in their own pursuits of hesed
Linda Jo Doctor and Elliot Ginsburg Lisa and Jeffrey Bernstein Hiller Incorporated
(W.K. Kellogg Foundation matching funds) Laurie and Jayson Greenberg Karen Freedland and James Berry Jewish Federation Of Greater Ann Arbor proud that, despite the poor economy, academic progress and tzedakah.
Joseph Helman Limor and Aaron Gutnick Ruth and Michael Brooks Kroger Community Rewards Program
Phyllis and Leonard Horwitz Marti Walsh and Samuel Hirsch Iraida Burman Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Foundation and strategic initiatives remained strong. Community service was an important part of the
Heidi and Alon Kahana Anat and Israel Hodish Gerald Byer Motorola Foundation
Rivka and Emanuel Kahana Ziva Stauber and Lawrence Hudson
Ethan Kahana
Melanie and Steve Calef Progressive Jewish Giving Fund of the Ann Arbor
On the academic front, the school scored in the 99th HDS experience. Students sang for seniors at Sunrise
(Motorola matching funds) Florence Calef Reconstructionist Havurah
Nancy and Irving Leon Caroline Helton and Matthew Kaplan Marlene Cassidy Rita Poretsky Foundation
percentile on standardized tests in all categories for both Senior Home and Glacier Hills Retirement Center, and
Douglas Moffat Jane and Herbert Kaufer Iris Kredi-Chernin and Gil Chernin Target Take Charge Of Education Program
Helen Newpol Lisa Wolf and Aron Kaufman Deborah Keller-Cohen and Evan Cohen Todd’s Services language arts and math. The advanced language program delivered their donated stuffed animals to Mott Hospi-
Rita Poretsky Foundation Leah and Paul Kileny
Myra and Richard Klarman
Carl Cohen W.K. Kellogg Foundation
for native Hebrew speakers was expanded, thanks to tal. Fifth graders received two Ann Arbor Community
Lorraine Rothchild A.Z. and Simi Cutler Wachovia Foundation Matching Gifts Program
Arlette Snyder Erika and Seth Kopald Susan Grubb and Robert Davidow
grants from the Federation and the ADD Foundation, in Youth Foundation grants to buy food for Jewish Family
Terri Ginsburg and Jeffrey Spoon Judy and Mitchell Kramer Milka and Yaron Eliav
Tamar Springer and Steve Stancroff Marilyn and Samuel Krimm Carol Lessure and Jon Engelbert
We thank those who have established the
memory of Anna and David Dunietz. Ceramics was added Services and Food Gatherers. A Gan (kindergarten)
to the art curriculum due to the generosity of Garry Turner student donated her long hair to Locks of Love bringing
Anna Gilbert and Martin Strauss Syma and Phillip Kroll Jean and Sidney Fine
Stephanie and Dan Wechsler Marina Kuznetsov Margot and Ernest Fontheim following funds in support of HDS:
Anita Liberman-Lampear and Alan Lampear Paula Bockenstedt and David Fox Ted Adler Memorial Fund for Computers and
and Denise Garden, Harriet Siden, the Federation, and her mitzvah (and her hairdresser!) into the classroom
$250-499 Pauline and Sam Leber Ilana and Ari Gafni Technology, Marlene Gitelman Scholarship Fund,
Judy and Bob Ahronheim Raina and William Leflein Lorraine Gaynor Wendy Greenes Memorial Fund for Human Biology the JCC who supported the purchase of a kiln. HDS was for everyone to observe. Our Klez Kids Band performed
Rachel and Tom Akiva
Stephen and Levana Aronson
Alfred Lessure
Stephanie and Barry Levin
Joyce and Steven Gerber and Health Eduation, Sunnie Tait Memorial Library
recognized as a State of Michigan “Green School” for recy- for the community on Yom Ha’atzmaut. Through
Lesley G. Mathews and Robert Glidden, Jr. Fund, Shelly Monica Volk Memorial Fund.
Stephanie and Ron Chervin Elizabeth and Ira Levy Nehama and Rabbi Rod Glogower
cling paper, batteries and cartridges; adopting endangered monthly themes and the Giborei HaChodesh Jewish
Amy and Ken Colton Nancy and Philip Margolis Iris and Natan Gluck
Ellen and Rabbi Robert Dobrusin Abby Weinberg and Rabbi Nathan Martin Mickey Greenfield
We thank the following individuals who have
species; planting trees native to Michigan; and building Hero program, students talked about such values
made legacy and endowment gifts:
Louise and Alan Fligiel
Eileen and Gary Freed
Keren McGinity
Lisa and Paul Metler
Gloria and Joseph Gurt Maurice Budow, Rita z”l and Ronald Davidoff, Judith
bird houses to attract native birds. as courage, care of one’s body, responsibility for the
Harry Haber Endelman and Bill Epstein, Samuel z”l and Jean
Dahlia Weinman and Aaron Fried Barry Miller Janet and Bruno Harris Frankel, Florence and Marvin Gerber, Gloria and
environment, freedom of religion and speech, and
Lauren and Noah Gallagher Sybil and Sheldon Mintz Lior and Michael Hassoun
Beverly Gershowitz Elaine Moffat HDS Gan Students
Joseph Gurt, Mervin Hartman, Jane and Herbert Ann Arbor served as a living laboratory for our students perseverance. They heard stories about historical
Jennifer Merritt Hackel and Richard Hackel Ellyne and Arnold Monto Kaufer, Steven Merritt, Douglas Moffat, Amnon and
Amy and David Hamermesh Regina Morantz-Sanchez
Phyllis and David Herzig
Prudence Rosenthal. who participated in field trips to Cobblestone Farms, figures such as Edmond de Rothchild, Abe Saperstein,
Hiller Incorporated
Barbara Heller Michael and Leslie Morris Carol and Gideon Hoffer Detroit Science Center, a maple syrup farm, the Farmers’ Estee Lauder, Gal Friedman,
Doreen Hermelin Debbie and Alan Muskovitz photos courtesy of www.davidmeyerphoto.com,
Sharon Homeyer
Laura and Peretz Hirshbein Sherri and Jonathan Newpol Frederick Horowitz www.myraklarman.com and Aron Kaufman

2. FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL INCOME 08-09 08-09 STATISTICS
continued from pg. 1 Gifts, Grants, Fundraisers (7%)
Net Tuition/Fees (84%)
Enrollment: 94
Yehuda HaLevi, Isaac Mayer Wise, Natan Sharansky, and Federation Allocation (8%)
Average Class Size: 16
Simon Wiesenthal. Bank Interest,
Endowment Draw (1%) 23% of students on financial assistance
Students participated in lunchtime and after-school
chugim (clubs) for chess, Israeli dancing, juggling,
technology, publishing the school newspaper HDS Times, Affiliation of Students:
and Klez Kids band performance. They also participated
Conservative – 44%
in Google’s drawing contest, Doodle for Google.
Reform – 23%
HDS chose a new mascot – the lion! The process paral- Unaffiliated American – 12%
leled the presidential elections and included both a
primary and a final election. An artistic rendition of the Unaffiliated Israeli – 7%
lion was chosen by a jury of community artists and now Orthodox – 10%
appears on a wide range of apparel available for purchase. Reconstructionist/Renewal – 4%
Our first legacy student, Eli Thorpe, son of HDS alumna
Carrie Fried Thorpe (HDS ‘82) completed his first year at Net Tuition/Fees $1,088,113.34
Federation Allocation $98,888.00
HDS.
Gifts/Grants/Fundraisers $87,295.69
Bank Interest/Endowment Draw $15,530.54
Teachers and staff attended conferences on education
and technology, high-ability learners, relational Total $1,289,827.57*
aggression, kindergarten education, and management
of small schools. The school’s consulting psychologist *Endowment Loss $54,387.67
and learning specialist presented at the Jewish Educators’
Council community-wide workshop.
EXPENSES 08-09
HDS made great strides in planning for its long-term
08-09 viability. We worked with a market research firm to
Educational Program (6%)
MEMBERS, BOARD OF TRUSTEES design and conduct a comprehensive parent survey, and Personnel (78%)
Administrative Costs (5%)
held focus groups to identity areas of strength and areas
for improvement. A newly activated Development
Pamela Ramseyer President
Committee increased annual campaign pledges by close
David Hamermesh Secretary Rent (11%)
to 30%. To support the campaign, the school published
Rick Mintz Treasurer
an eight-page case statement and its first formal Annual
Peretz Hirshbein
Report. With a grant from Partnership for Excellence
Matt Kaplan
in Jewish Education (PEJE), the committee participated
Barbara Kramer
in an all-day development workshop with an outside
Sharon Newman
consultant. HDS LOGO T-SHIRTS
Jerry Rosenberg
John Rothchild Development Committee Chair Despite the economy, there were many opportunities can be purchased at www.brodysonline.com.
and accomplishments.
HDS LOGO KIPPOT
HDS thanks its teachers, staff, parents, students, Board, can be purchased by calling the school at 971-4633.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US: and members of the larger community for being superb
Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor partners in another year of achievements. Personnel (includes admin) $951,268.27
2937 Birch Hollow Drive
Do you shop at Hiller’s, Busch’s, Meijer, Kroger,
Rent $134,745.76
Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Together we go forward in strength. Educational Program $78,326.80 Whole Foods or Plum Market? If so, you can support
info@hdsaa.org (734) 971-4633 Administrative costs (includes audit) $63,820.66 HDS while you shop. A percentage of your purchase
www.hdsaa.org will be donated to the school.
Total $1,228,161.49
The Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor For more information email Laurie Greenberg at
is a beneficiary of the
laurieremer@yahoo.com.

3. ALUMNI NEWS NEW GRANTS
High School Graduates: HDS Class of 2003
Recruitment and Marketing Financial Planning
HANNAH ALEXANDER (top left) is graduating from Pioneer High
School. After being a competitive gymnast, Hannah is now coaching
W.K. Kellogg Foundation Non-Profit Financial Fund (NFF)
gymnastics at Michigan Academy of Gymnastics. Hannah enjoys being HDS received a $10,000 grant from the Kellogg Through the Non-Profit Financial Fund (NFF), HDS
a DJ and dance leader for the Klezmer Fusion Band. She is Vice President
Foundation’s Kellogg Action Lab (KAL), a program received consultation advice worth $17,000 to assist
of the Tree Society at Pioneer and active in the Young Judaea movement,
serving on the regional mazkirut (leadership board). Hannah plans to be that works to enhance the non-profit sector. The with its long-term financial strategic planning. NFF
a counselor at Camp Young Judaea Midwest this summer and then spend grant allowed the school to hire a consultant to assist helped refine the school’s financial planning tools, and
the following year in Israel. with market research and recruitment. Through an analyzed the school’s short- and long-term financial
ROBERT AXELROD (top middle) is graduating from Huron High on-line survey disseminated by Temple Beth Emeth, health relative to industry standards, school histori-
School. He has been involved in theater with Huron Players, Young Beth Israel Congregation, JCC’s Early Childhood cal data, and schools in similar communities. “We are
People’s Theater, and Pioneer Theatre Guild, often playing lead roles. Center, and the Federation’s Young Adult Division, proud that, despite a difficult economy, we have kept a
Robert sings in and serves as President of Huron’s A Capella Choir.
He has varsity letters in both theater and choir. Robert has received
as well as personal interviews and a focus group, balanced budget. Our school continues to be financially
numerous awards as best actor and best supporting actor, most recently appeared in multiple shows put on by Young People’s Theater, Ann Marshall Platt Consulting is helping the school strong,” says Aaron Fried, HDS Treasurer.
receiving the Interlochen Center for the Arts Maddy Summer Artist Arbor Civic Theater and the Pioneer Theatre Guild where she was identify market segments with the most potential for
Award in Musical Theatre, the highest honor given to a summer student. a dance soloist in the production of Future Stars. Shira also taught enrollment at HDS, and develop messaging and
Robert is Vice President of the National Honor Society and Co-President at Beth Israel Religious School and volunteered at the Israel 60th
of Huron’s Jewish Student Union. He is active in the Class of 2010 Execu- celebration at the Detroit State Fairgrounds. She studied musical
outreach activities for each market segment.
tive Board and in Young Judaea. He was President of the Student Body theater at Interlochen Center for the Arts.
when at Emerson Middle School.
NOAH TOBES (bottom right) is graduating from Huron High SMART Board
MICHELE FREED (top right) is graduating from Huron High School School where he sings in two A Cappella choirs. He plays on the Legacy Heritage Fund Limited
where she is a leader in Student Government; President of the Jewish Stu- Junior Varsity soccer team, serves on the Executive Board of Student
dent Union; and Treasurer of the National Honor Society. She is a varsity Government, and on the tech crew for Huron Players. Noah taught at HDS has new SMART Board equipment generously
basketball player and captain of the varsity soccer team. She also plays Beth Israel Religious School and worked as a counselor at Tamarack donated by The Legacy Heritage Fund Limited. SMART
club soccer with the Novi Jaguars. Michele is active in Young Judaea, Camps where he was a camper for nine years. He volunteered for
currently serving on the National board with responsibility for planning Detroit’s Summer in the City and for the Jewish Federation of Greater
Boards are interactive whiteboards. The user’s finger is
national conventions. She also teaches at Beth Israel Religious School. Ann Arbor. the mouse; by touching the screen the teacher or student
controls the information which is projected on the screen
OMER NOAM (picture unavailable) moved back to Israel after gradu- from the attached computer. Graphics, video, sound, and
ating from HDS. In high school he majored in physics and Arabic and
took Chinese for two years. He plays the piano and the drums, loves the images can be manipulated on the screen, and anything
Beatles, enjoys reading fantasy novels, and practices Krav Maga (Israeli Student Honored in National Competition written on the Board can be saved as a file on the computer.
martial arts). “Our students are digital natives, and the SMART Board is
WILL SCHEIMAN (bottom left) is graduating from Huron High an important technological tool to effectively reach them,”
School where he has been a leader in Student Government; captain of says teacher Aron Kaufman.
the Freshmen and Junior Varsity Soccer teams; facilitator for Intercul-
tural Group Relations; founder of the model United Nations team; and
a freshmen mentor. He is a member of National Honor Society and also
“It’s totally useful,” says student Zachary Bernstein. “You
plays Varsity Lacrosse and Varsity Soccer. Will attended the University don’t have to worry that your homework is erased from
of Michigan’s Ross School of Business academy. He taught at Beth Israel the board; it is saved on the computer!” explained Jane
Religious School, and serves as a peer educator with Planned Parenthood,
Mintz. Students have had SMART Board lessons in topics
which involves speaking in health classes across Ann Arbor. He was also
a Michigan representative for a Planned Parenthood national conference. ranging from government to grammar. They have learned
Will is a National Merit Commended student. to use the SMART Board themselves as a tool for presenting
their individual projects to their classmates. Hebrew Day
DAVID SCOTT (picture unavailable) is graduating from Greenhills
where he has been a student since graduating from HDS. This year he School has received national recognition for its use of the
was elected Class Secretary. He has been involved in athletic teams until SMART Board to create a virtual classroom for students sick
DANIEL ROTHCHILD (second from left), HDS ’06, was
an injury kept him from playing. David has been active with Science at home. Students call in using the program Skype; their
Olympiad and has won first and second place in state competitions.
awarded a $2,000 college scholarship when his team of Detroit-
David is a National Merit semifinalist, and is currently enrolled in two area high school students won second place out of 25 teams in voices are heard and their faces seen on the large screen.
math classes at the University of Michigan. a national website programming competition sponsored by the “I’ve never met a board that was smarter,” remarked student
Black Data Processing Associates. The competition was held Miriam Siegel.
SHIRA STEINER (bottom middle) is graduating from Pioneer High at the 32nd National Technology Conference in Raleigh, N.C.,
School where she has been active in dance, choir, and theater. Shira August 2009.
takes several dance classes a week, performs in a dance troupe, teaches
dance at Swing City, and helped choreograph a dance performance
for Israel’s 60th birthday celebration. She sings in two choirs, and has

4. HDS ADOPTS STANDARDS
OF EXCELLENCE
This year, the HDS faculty adopted six characteristics of professional
excellence. The standards guide their teaching and are used as the
foundation for professional growth. They were expanded from standards
initially developed at the New Teacher Center, University of California,
Santa Cruz.
ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING STUDENTS PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
• Connect with all students using a variety of
strategies that promote autonomy and choice, EXPLORATORY AND INDIVIDUALIZED
encourage problem solving and reflection, and
make learning personally relevant. Previously the hallmark of the fifth grade curriculum, leen Nadler. “Our different methods of instruction reach
• Integrate values and nurture civic responsibility.
this year, project-based learning has expanded to the third a greater variety of learning styles.” “The cooperation that
and fourth grades. In project-based learning, each student the students observe among teachers serves as a model for
EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENT
chooses a unique project to explore. After conferencing positive teamwork,” says teacher Carol Gannon.
• Create an environment that promotes fairness,
respect, group responsibility, cooperative learning, and with teachers, students take responsibility for their own
joy of learning. learning, assessing their own progress relative to agreed- HDS is using a powerful tool for individualized instruction
• Use time effectively, listen attentively, and communicate upon outcomes. “It’s exciting to do this ourselves,” says based on the notion that education is not one size fits all
mindfully to children, parents, and staff. Mira Kaufman as she examines a blue print of the build- and that students learn in many different ways. In project-
• Embody pride in the Jewish heritage and respect for
all cultural and religious expressions.
ing and cuts up cardboard boxes for constructing an based learning, students are placed at the center of their own
architectural model of the school. Student projects can education. They learn not only the concepts in the project,
ORGANIZING SUBJECT MATTER be in any academic discipline. “I’m studying paleontol- but also how to organize and present their thoughts, and how
• Organize lessons that interrelate ideas across subjects ogy,” says fifth grader Miriam Siegel. “It’s not just about to manage a complex project in a limited amount of time.
and use multiple resources to achieve understanding. bones and dinosaurs; paleoanthropology, for example, These are skills that will become increasingly important as
includes the study of fossilized pores and pollen,” she they get older.
PLANNING adds. Fourth grader Arianna Seir is experimenting with
• Establish clear short- and long-term goals with effective fabric dyes made from the juices of vegetables, and fifth
sequencing.
grader Zachary Bernstein is studying the concept of time
• Modify lessons to meet needs of each child.
in the Bible. Other projects include writing fictional
stories, producing movies, or making math board games.
ASSESSMENT
All students present their project results to the other
Education is not one size fits
• Use multiple sources of information to assess learning.
students. “I’m researching how the health of the brain
Encourage student self-assessment and use assessments
to guide instruction. is diagnosed, like with the MRI,” says third grader Lily
all; students learn in many
• Share progress with students, parents, and faculty.
Rosenberg. Lily interviewed an expert in the field and
presented her findings through a short iMovie.
different ways.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
• Reflect, self-monitor, and use available resources for
improvement. Students work on their projects, either alone or in small
• Collaborate, innovate, and demonstrate individuality. groups, a few times a week for 45 minutes. All of the
HDS grade-level teachers, both Hebrew and English, are
available during this time to assist the students. This
“team-teaching” has many benefits, explains teacher Ei-