Open Forum Minutes

Educational Excellence Committee
Open Forum #2 - January 9, 2006

• What did we mean by prayer? Once a day – spiritual opportunity – weekly communal experience or monthly – include d’var during this time

Kehila

• Neshama – same as group 2

• Hebrew connection to part – Torah and who we are as a people

What is Excellence?

• Social skills – connection to Jewish values and addressing it as a class

• Reinforcement of everyone needs to be professional and more communication

Group 4

Tefilah

• Length, rigidity and need for choice by kids – key – put meaning into the service

Kehila

• Who is a Jew? Baseline decided by policy committee

What is Excellence?

• Dependent on community – grades beginning in middle school and what assessments might look like

Group 5

Tefilah

• Daily to begin with – service within each class and school wide service, reaching out to parents and community

• Older class with younger class together to teach younger students

• Older – multi tracks

Kehila

• What is a Jew? From Jewish household and define themselves as a Jew should be allowed to attend the school

• Inclusion to have Judaics intertwined with all aspects

• Stronger path of Jewish studies in older grades

What is Excellence?

• Boundaries set by school – create community before school starts – teach parents

• Handbooks with policies written out

Group 6

Tefilah

• Parent education for families who need it to keep up with child’s education

• Daily prayer necessary – expose children to Judaism, all aspects – on a class level and some community service

Kehila

• How much Judaism? – all teacher want more time -

• Trying to limit what people do and not do very difficult – teach effect of behavior on others -

What is Excellence?

• Liked idea of parent education - include parents

Group 7

Tefilah

• Come in earlier and have prayers before school

Kehila

What is Excellence?

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