Open Forum Minutes

Educational Excellence Committee
Open Forum # 1 - Monday, December 19, 2005

Reports from Groups

Group 1

• Inclusivity issue – wording of embrace the diversity of backgrounds – didn’t expand enough, not just denominations but diversity in other areas – cultural, sexual preferences – change wording or include more wording to expand on diversity component

Group 2

• How are we going to do it? A true community day school that embraces everyone?

• Arts integrated into curriculum – want more of it – not so academic – arts into classroom and visa versa – more of an exchange – not such a disconnect

• Question of how issues like kashrut will be kept given it is not strict at ASDS

Group 3

• Klal Yistrael – what does Jewish culture mean? Words that didn’t appear – observance, halacha etc. core things in Judaism not mentioned

• Neshama – some felt it was great and beautiful and wonderful as it might bring people into the school – others said it might turn off people who are interested in an intellectual level of the school

• Dayat section – differed from the tone of the rest of the statement – got into educational jargon not clear to general audience – needs to be more clear

Group 4

• Statement sound like ASDS but adds all denominations

• Pluralistic school is appealing but diversity – what does it mean? Need details

• More interaction within middle school

• How will diversity of perspective going to be handled

• Want other models from day schools

• Document tough to get your hands around – too cut up – some concepts are mentioned in different areas

• Too general no specifics

Group 5

• Whole focus should be to train future Jewish leaders – Hebrew language skills important and emphasis on Israel – question on how this would impact curriculum and how would it change

• Two concepts on Klal Yisrael – language be distinguished – Klal Yisrael – creating community around culture vs. sense of community – language not clear and needs to be clarified –

• Lateral entry students – no day school experience – from public schools – two issues – into middle school and lower school – how to handle students who don’t have the background in language and history – how to implement that? How does curriculum address that?

• Public school entry – can there be beginner Hebrew in 5th grade? Will curriculum address those issues?

• Neshama – recognize and support each students individuality – include background to recognize from where everyone comes

• Inquisitive learners – not there – suggestion to include this phase as it is important to Jewish learning

• Add derech eretz – not leave it to the kehilah statement

Group 6

• What is the purpose of the document we are working on? One purpose was a tool for discussion or a document for parents to look at and get a feeling of the school and some legal/constitution to avoid going off course

• Differences from ASDS – inclusive nature in new school

• Inclusion of cultural and secular Jews – are we trying to attract these people?

• How to define standards and academic excellence?

• Intuition on all forms of learning – examine choice of word

• How do you integrate Judaic and general studies?

Back to Open Forum Page