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Vice-Principal's Message

 

Shalom and Shanah Tovah!

This past July I was privileged to study for two weeks in Israel with 31 other Jewish Day School Administrators at the Lookstein Center for Jewish School Leadership at Bar Ilan University. An intensive leadership seminar constituted a major part of the program. We learned to identify our individual Core Values and to reflect on how they are reflected in daily administrative decision-making. I identified my own Core Values as a Day School Administrator to be:

  1. Effective Communication
  2. Centrality of Hebrew Language
  3. Respect for Every Individual
  4. “To be more than we are.” Constantly pushing others and myself for improvement and growth.

We also were encouraged to create a metaphor that explains the way our school looks when it is at its best. I am sharing “my metaphor” below and invite your reactions and responses!

Todah Rabbah—A huge thanks to Solomon Schechter Day School, the Avi Chai Foundation, and my family for enabling me to participate in an outstanding program for professional growth during the summer.

My Metaphor

How the school looks when it is at its best:

I choose this metaphor because I associate both trees and SSDS with natural beauty, growth, change, seasons, loss and re-growth, deep roots, support and interconnectedness. Both are dependent upon the surrounding community/environment and both give and take. All parts of the organism are essential. Both trees and SSDS are welcoming to guests and provide protection. In both places, one can be “out on a limb” and still be part of the whole.

The central components of the metaphor and the way they represent the different parts of the school:

Roots—Jewish Tradition (We could not stand firmly without it. It holds us in place.)

Trunk—Sound educational practice of teachers and administrators.

Branches—Curriculum (knowledge, information, materials)

Leaves—Students (are nurtured as they develop and are ready to go off independently at different times)

Sun, Rain—Parents (use of energy as constructive means for nurturing growth)

Ground/Soil—Jewish Community (Federation and other institutions—also help to hold us in place, supports the roots and trunk)

Seeds—new growth that gives back to the community

 

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