MESSAGE FROM THE

MIDDLE SCHOOL DEAN 

Think back to the last all-day meeting that you attended. Did you find your mind wandering back to a conversation that you had the night before? Did a word that you heard remind you of something important that you had to do? Did you "space out" for a few minutes and get caught not knowing what was being discussed? What percent of the time do you think that you were actively focused? Sometimes, school can feel a bit like that all day meeting. We ask students to concentrate on a variety of subjects all day long. While we provide opportunities for academic choices and project-based work, students are expected to be active participants from 8:30 until 3:30 with only a few breaks throughout the day. All students have trouble concentrating at some point -- some are just better at hiding it or have more effective tools.  

What do you do to stay present in a meeting? I like to have something in my hand like a paperclip or pen. I find that keeping my hand occupied allows me to listen more closely. Brain research supports that strategy. The trick is that I'm not looking at what I'm fidgeting with; I'm keeping my body occupied so that my brain can focus on the auditory and visual information around me. Brains are not able to multi-task; if I was actively focused on bending a paperclip to make a butterfly, then I would not be able to simultaneously learn the rules of exponents. Our teachers are dedicated to helping each student figure out how they learn best and what tools help them be more effective learners. Seat cushions, lap pads, tactile pencil grips, exercise bands, silly putty, stress balls and various fidgets can be helpful tools as long as they are used appropriately.  

Unfortunately, the biggest craze in fidgets right now are used more as toys than as tools. Has your child asked you to get them a fidget spinner? Available on-line and in many stores, they seem to be everywhere. While fun to play with, these spinners are more often a distraction than a tool to help improve focus. Helpful fidgets aren't seen nor are they passed from one student to another; I have yet to see a spinner used in a consistently helpful manner. Just like bottle flipping and Pokemon cards, the spinner fad will pass. Let's use this opportunity to help our students understand which tools are beneficial for their learning, and what toys are better left at home.

Kol Tuv,

Cindy Schlesinger

AR T WALK - ANNUAL MEETING - ICE CREAM SOCIAL 

Mon. May 22, 5:45pm-8:30pm

LAG B'OMER FIELD DAY

On Monday, Yavneh celebrated Field Day and Lag B'Omer.  

M ore photos and video.  

STUDENTS IN ACTION 

This week, Student Council set up a fun Spirit Week including tie dye and animal day.  Tie dyed items will be sent home soon.

Kitah Gimel visited Our City Forest today and planted  trees.

Bob, a scuba diving instructor (and Yavneh Grandparent), came to visit Kitah Gan to teach about his underwater explorations.  Students led

the Lag B'Omer group Shabbat last week in the  classrooms.

Kitah Dalet experienced what it was like to live as 49ers on their Gold Rush Trip last week. They panned for gold, dressed in their 1800's attire, warmed their hands on the hot water pot, and experienced morning shaves.