New Ways of Doing School: What We've Learned From the ISACS Conference

Last Friday, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) held its annual conference at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Heilicher teachers and administrators attended this full day of professional development along with 700 other independent school educators from Minnesota and the Midwest. This was the first time since 2019 that this learning event was in person, and I found the conference to be invigorating and thought provoking. It was an opportunity to network with colleagues from peer schools as well as hear from speakers of distinction.

One of the best sessions I attended was presented by Alison Park, the founder of Blink Consulting, an educational consultancy that is critically rethinking diversity. Park has collaborated with schools and organizations to help create communities where all can thrive. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is challenging enough without worrying about ending up in the news, whether it’s because schools aren’t doing enough or because they’re doing too much. In her session we explored how communities are “going public” with concerns about DEI and how the definition of diversity is evolving.

One of my takeaways from the session comes from when we were examining trends in today's society. She asked, “When are we as a society going to move towards a counsel culture and move away from being a cancel culture?” How do we bring back a balance where there are opportunities for everyone to learn from feedback and authentic engagement with challenging issues that are actually indicators that things are progressing?

The conference’s keynote speaker was Dan Heath, the co-author of four international bestsellers: “Made to Stick,” “Switch,” “Decisive,” and “The Power of Moments.” Heath’s focus in his address was how moments can change a life, as outlined in his book. He highlighted how positive moments are dominated by four elements: elevation, insight, pride, and connection. If we embrace these elements, we can conjure more moments that matter. He shared how two educators developed a unit of study that students remembered many years later while weaving in other life-changing moments from the corporate and customer service world. As Heath said in his presentation and in his book, “Many of the defining moments in our lives are the result of accident or luck — but why would we leave our most meaningful, memorable moments to chance when we can create them?”

David Shaw

Music Specialist

Torah Thoughts from Doc

Read a brief message about this week's Torah portion, Parashat Vayeira. What does it mean to be a blessing?

Mark Your Calendars!

• TONIGHT! Thursday, November 10 - Heilicher Moms' Night Out, 6:30-8 p.m., Mainstream Boutique Golden Valley
• Friday, November 11 - Veterans Day Kabbalat Shabbat, 2:15 p.m., Heilicher — Veterans Invited!
• Friday, November 11 - Winter Friday Dismissal Time Begins (2:45 p.m.)
• Sunday, November 20 - Heilicher Annual Benefit, 5 p.m., Beth El Synagogue
• Tuesday, November 22 - Yom Dor l'Dor Grandparents/Special Persons Day, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Heilicher
• Wednesday, November 23-Friday, November 25 - NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break
• Tuesday, December 6 - Picture Retake Day
• Wednesday, December 14 - Parent Winter Soiree, 7:30-9:30 p.m., home of parents Shana and Michel Melendez

View the full Heilicher calendar online

Key Dates for 2022-2023

TONIGHT: Shop Fall Fashions and Support Heilicher!

Join us for a Heilicher moms' night out on Thursday, November 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at Mainstream Boutique in Golden Valley (679 Winnetka Avenue North). Come out for wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a chance to check out all the beautiful new fall styles! Mainstream Boutique will donate 15% of proceeds to Heilicher! 

Can't attend in the evening? Mainstream Boutique will also generously donate 15% of proceeds on items purchased that business day (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) — just mention Heilicher when you check out. 

See Mainstream Boutique's fun fashion lineup, and contact Beckie Skelton at 612.419.3290 with any questions.

Veterans Day Celebration

Tomorrow, we will honor veterans during Kabbalat Shabbat. All Heilicher family members who have served in the military are invited to join us for Kabbalat Shabbat services at 2:15 p.m. on Friday, November 11. RSVP to Wendy Goldberg.

Extracurricular Pickup Procedures

If you have student(s) in Heilicher's after-school programs, see the winter pickup procedures for pickup times and locations as well as contacts.

Please note that the JCC fitness entrance will be closed starting tomorrow, November 11, for renovations.

Upcoming ALICE Drill

Next week on Wednesday, November 16, we will run an ALICE Lockdown Drill. Ahead of Wednesday, teachers will tell students about the drill in an age-appropriate manner. Many students are already familiar with the drill from previous years. If you have any questions, please reach out to Security Liaison Mike Madigan.

Give to the Max on November 17!

Give to the Max Day is coming up on Thursday, November 17. Support Heilicher students and their future by making a gift to the Heilicher Annual Fund.

If you have questions about giving or wish to pledge by phone or email, please contact Institutional Advancement Director Beckie Skelton at 952.381.3503. Thank you for your generosity and support!

K-2 Speech Screeners

If you did the K-2 speech screener with your student, please return it to school. If you have any questions about the screener, contact Dana Provus.

RSVP for Yom Dor l'Dor

Yom Dor l'Dor is Heilicher's grandparent and special elders day. We invite students' special elders to join them for an afternoon of intergenerational programming and a preview of their work at school on Tuesday, November 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m. RSVP for your students' special persons.

Inclement Weather Policy and Communications

With winter weather on its way, please familiarize yourself with our Inclement Weather School Closure/Delay Communication Plan.

In the event of a school closing or delay, you will be notified by 6:15 a.m. You will receive an email and phone call, and an announcement will be made on the Heilicher Facebook page as well as on Heilicher Hallway Chat. We also will communicate any delay or closure information to local radio and news stations.

Fall Conferences Feedback

Please take a moment to help us evaluate Heilicher's fall conferences. Rate if you agree with the following statements. 5 means you fully agree; 1 means you do not agree at all.

If you have further feedback about fall conferences, please share your comments with us.

Volunteer Opportunities

Sign up to help at the November 20 Benefit, All-School Lunch, and/or All-School T'filah.

• Annual Benefit: Take a short shift during the Annual Benefit on Sunday, November 20. Click the link to see shift options and sign up.
• All-School Lunch: Help set up and clean up our all-school lunch on Wednesday(s) in the auditorium 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• All-School T'filah: Help us set up for all-school t'filah (prayer) Monday(s) in the theater 8:15-9 a.m.

Grade-level volunteer opportunities will be sent out by room parents.