Greetings!

How would you fill in the blanks to this sentence? 

“________   ________ provides the most important evidence of student growth and learning and of the effectiveness of teachers’ own practices.” 

As it turns out, the answer very simply, but also very profoundly, is: Student Work. 

That case is laid out powerfully in one of the field's great books, Looking Together at Student Work, by leading scholars of education, Tina Blythe, David Allen and Barbara Schieffelin Powell (1999, New York, New York: Teachers College Press) 

Put plainly, the proof is in the pudding. If we want the most accurate and richest information about what students are working on, struggling with, excelling at, we must look at what matters most. And that is not standardized tests, but their actual work. Standardized tests, when used well and thoughtfully, can provide parents and educators with valuable longitudinal data to provide a tool for comparing students, for institutions to make decisions about acceptance to their programs, and more.

But, as Mark Twain once said, “Never let your schooling interfere with your education.” Indeed, it is only when we study students’ actual performance, unmediated by multiple choice tests or other constructs, that we can learn most clearly and most richly about what kinds of learning students are doing...and therefore, critically, how we might best help each student grow.

So we need to look at what matters most: authentic assessments. These are the tasks that students do that adults do regularly in the larger world, beyond schooling. Problem solving of all kinds. Intellectually, socially, and emotionally. We want to know how our learners think, across (and in the intersections of) the curriculum. And what kinds of tools they have at their disposal to perform complex, multi-faceted tasks, which are the most reflective of real life.

This week, the faculty launched one such school-wide study in one of the most important of all life skills: writing. In the coming weeks, faculty will meet in cross grade and interdisciplinary teams to examine the writing samples together using specially designed protocols for looking at, and learning deeply from, student work.

Below, you are treated to one teacher’s exhilarating reflections upon making some initial key discoveries from her examination of the writing samples that her students produced. 

I hope to see many of you on February 10th for the Fourth grade environmental themed Kabbalat Shabbat in honor of Tu B’Shevat! 

Wishing you and your families a warm and wonderful Shabbat,

“Once there was a baby crocodile. But she did not know where her home was. Was she lost?”This student applies what we had learned in our previous fairy tale unit by beginning her story with once upon a time. 

“The guitar sat all day nobody came for the guitar.” 

This student came in with no letter sounds and is now sounding out words and listening to the beginning middle and end sounds. 

“We light candles on Shabbat we play guitars.“

This child came in with some sound letter recognition but he is now applying it to his writing as well as using correct spelling of known words.

"My children attend a school that gives them a gift no other school can give: they are becoming confident, curious change agents, fueled by Jewish values and bonded by a community that is like a warm, passionate extended family. The academic rigor is matched only by the warmth of the community.  It is a place that has a magical quality to it—students leave CJDS ready to change the world and create a rich Jewish future. Bat-Ami and I believe that CJDS is the single most important investment we can make in the future of the Jewish community."

Jay Moses, Parent of CJDS 1st and 3rd Graders

Come and join Eran, Gina and Jenny this Sunday, at the Franklin Park Conservatory with PJ Library Columbus for storytelling, music, crafts and more at as we celebrate Tu B'shevat.

February 5, from 10am–12pm at Franklin Park Conservatory. Adult non members $12, kids & members are FREE.

You'll plant parsley seeds, build a tree sculpture, hear stories and search for unique trees on a scavenger hunt through the Conservatory.

We are thrilled to introduce you all to CJDS’ new Development Officer, Julie Jacobson! 

Julie brings with her to CJDS over 25 years of professional experience in corporate sponsorship sales, and has 15 years of volunteer fundraising and event planning experience. Her work has been recognized by numerous awards over the years. She attended Ohio University and majored in Communications.  Her intense satisfaction from working with people, combined with a true passion for the art of fundraising, along with a core value of Jewish education, make CJDS an ideal place to realize both personal and professional joys. After living in New York for two decades, Julie was thrilled to return to her roots in Columbus and became active with the Columbus International Program and Congregation Tifereth Israel, planning their fundraisers and securing donors.  In her free time, Julie enjoys attending movies, traveling and loves to dance.  She also is passionate about children and is very excited to work at a school where she is surrounded by them.  Julie is thrilled to assist CJDS with its strategic planning goals and to expand the school’s resources. 

Please join me in offering a warm CJDS welcome to our new friend and colleague Julie Jacobson!

Out of the Fall Wine and Cheese evenings emerged the following wonderful group of Parent Liaisons for each grade. Please know that you can reach out to them with ideas, concerns, or questions.

And thank them when you see them for stepping forward to strengthen our school and its community! 

CJDS 2016-2017 Parent Liaisons by Grade: 

Kindergarten: Stefanie Zelkind 

Grade 1-2:    Rayna Weiner and Adam Davis            

Grade 3:       Merav Dill and Bat-Ami Moses         

Grade 4:       Maggie Saracheck and Sara Zeigler 

Grade 5:       Alan Bassik

Grade 6:       Ruth Rubin and Jennifer Wasserstrom

Alumna, Rose Clubok will be in Bexley Middle School's production of The Lion King Jr. this weekend! Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and a matinee on Saturday at 2 pm.

Tickets to the show are $12 for kids and $15 for adults.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Bexley Middle school.