24 Tammuz 5766
July 20, 2006

Dear Parents and Community Members

Our summer vacation started almost a month ago, and we would like to update you on all the exciting things that are happening at the school. Summer is a very important time for us. This is when we prepare, think and create everything that must be done to incorporate the changes and new programs that will guarantee a great year for our children. Here are a few things that have happened since the school year ended:

• We have been awarded two very important grants.

• We have finalized the new administrative team and faculty.

• We are finalizing a new schedule, programs and curriculum for next year.

• Construction has begun at 85 Taft Avenue to create our new lobby and entrance and to renovate most of our classrooms!

• September 5th opening events are being planned.

• Our new and updated web site is waiting for you at www.jcdsri.org!
  

Approval of Two Grants:

We are very happy and proud to announce two important grants that have been awarded to JCDSRI. They are:

JFRI $1.225 million five-year matching grant for interim construction and operational support for educational excellence. After a year of intensive discussions, a five year business plan was created. This plan excited the community, and the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, lead by Herb Stern, approved an extensive five year financial support grant to our school. We see this support from the JFRI as a clear message to all of us: We believe in you! We believe in inclusive Jewish education! This is a huge commitment for us – to create excellence in Jewish education and a vibrant community surrounding the school. The challenge is also to raise the matching money from our supporters. We are creating a development plan that will help us to accomplish these goals.

PEJE Grant for New Schools – The Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, after a six month process and a site visit, has awarded our school a $60,000 grant and twenty days of consulting and mentoring support. Their approval is evidence that we are on the right track in our mission to create a school of educational excellence.

New Administrative Team and Faculty

We are very excited to welcome ten new faculty and staff members for the coming year! This group of highly motivated, experienced professionals will join our veteran faculty and staff to inspire us, lead us and educate our students. Our entire staff is committed to our educational vision, and are good team players and will strive with us toward excellence. We will create different opportunities for all of you to learn more about our new members – on our web site, and during meetings and events next year. We are already working and planning for next year with all the new professionals that have joined our staff.

Finalizing New Schedule, Programs and Plans for September

During the summer, we are constructing our plan for the coming year that will implement our new vision and main principle document. We have created a new schedule, hired some new teachers and created a new parent handbook. A new student and teacher assessment process is in place and all of our events have been incorporated into a new calendar, including increased staff meetings and updated staff development plans. This is only a portion of the work that has been done. Each and every teacher and administrator is preparing a detailed plan that will state expectations and goals for the year. A new supervision process between the administrative team and our faculty will begin in September. We will find opportunities throughout the year to explain the details of all of these new plans and policies.

Summer Constructions at 85 Taft Avenue

After numerous discussions and intensive research, we decided that the JCDSRI will remain in our facility on Taft Avenue for a couple of years until a permanent facility is ready. We think that we have an opportunity to improve this facility and make it a great and attractive place until we select our final destination. A few days ago, we started a major construction and re-organization in the building: all the classrooms are completely empty waiting to be redesigned according to our new educational vision, a new Faculty Lounge is being built that will provide the best meeting space and work area possible for our teachers, and a new reception area and new offices have been designed to make it a more welcoming and comfortable place for our parents and students. We apologize for the inconvenience any of the construction may cause but we assure you that we will all be happier in this space when this work is completed.

September 5th Opening Events

Soon you will receive an invitation to the JCDSRI Opening Celebration scheduled for September 5th. This event will be one of the most exciting community events that has happened at JCDS in many years. There will be music, a picnic, media attention, surprises and much more! Save the date!
We wish peace for Israel, and a great summer to all,

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