Summary of January 29, 2020 Education Committee Meeting
The Yeshiva Har Torah Education Committee is a group of lay leaders representing various communities and grade levels within the school. They meet regularly during the school year with the administration in an advisory capacity, to discuss matters impacting students’ educational experience. The current list of members is here:
https://www.hartorah.org/apps/pages/educationcommittee
The Education Committee met last week and addressed the following topics:
2019-2010 Professional Development Theme: Rigor at YHT
Led by Ms. Kletenik, teachers are implementing new strategies to bring academic rigor at YHT to an even higher level. They are using several models to help students assimilate the knowledge they've learned and use it in real-world situations.
Math Curriculum Night for Parents
Members of the Education Committee are forming a sub-committee to plan a Math Curriculum Night to help parents understand how math is taught at YHT. Stay tuned for more details about this event, which IY”H will take place in April.
Advisability of Educating 8th Graders Proactively About Issues They May Confront in High School
Dr. Feinberg and Rabbi Menchel moderated a lively discussion about whether and how to introduce 8th graders to sensitive issues they may encounter in high school. Due to the internet and social media, students are being exposed to these issues at a younger age, so it may be beneficial to proactively prepare students in a healthy, age-appropriate way while they're still in the safe and familiar environment of YHT. The committee also learned how some other yeshiva middle schools in the area approach sensitive topics.
Hebrew Literacy in the Elementary School
Mrs. Duani gave a presentation about the goals and structure of the Ivrit units in the lower school. She explained that the units “spiral” – i.e., the same themes and topics are taught in each grade level, but each successive grade learns them with greater sophistication and depth than they did the previous year. The overarching goal is language immersion, using both the TalAm program and YHT’s own curriculum.
Ramapo for Children in Early Childhood
This year, YHT Early Childhood teachers have been working with a consultant from Ramapo for Children, a service group that provides professional development and coaching to teachers to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to learn, to feel valued and to experience success. Through their work together, our teachers have developed effective systems and procedures for the classroom, including creating visuals to show the children the schedule of the day and classroom rules, illustrated with pictures of the children themselves. The Ramapo consultant will come to observe, give feedback and provide further training several times this year.
Walk to Israel Initiative
Dr. Roya Samuels continues to spearhead the wellness initiative at YHT in partnership with Cohen Children’s Hospital. This year, the initiative is focused on physical activity. Pedometers were distributed to teachers and students, and the goal is to collectively take enough steps by the end of the year to “walk” to Israel.
