Rashi Builds Jerusalem at it Celebrates Israel at ... - The Rashi School

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LEARNING New Computers Enhance Learning From reseaching the history of gun control to writing reports on Native Americans, the new system of networked computers and traveling carts of laptops is in constant use at Rashi. Thanks to Peerless Excellence funding, the school purchased 70 new computers for use in two computer labs and multiple classrooms. This is a leap forward in technological capacity for the school. Computer labs on the second and third floors are each equipped with fourteen flat-panel desktops, networked through a new server. Also linked to the server are four rolling carts, each carrying ten laptops. Each machine is equipped with an array of software that includes PowerPoint, Word, and Mellel, a Hebrew writing program. The specially designed and equipped cart also hosts a printer, LCD projector, and wireless hub. Using computers leads to a rise in student energy and motivation. This has vastly increased students’ access to computers. Students can begin a project on one computer and later access it from any other machine. The computers come to the students in the classroom, where they can be utilized in many flexible ways to maximize teaching time. “It is amazing to have these great resources in our classrooms,” said Middle School science teacher Ali Fine. Her students have New computer purchases are giving students increased access to technology in their classrooms. used the computers to research evolution topics, create Power Point presentations on the kingdoms of living organisms, and do pre-lab work on a worm dissection. Other teachers have used the computers to enhance writing workshops, visit websites with interactive lessons, access the internet in Hebrew, and guide students in creating graphs in Excel and assessing web-based sources of information. Students are using their computer skills to process and analyze information and to think critically. “Students today automatically think about incorporating technology in their learning,” stated Marshall Carter, Middle School Director. “Using computers so fluidly at school results in a rise in student engagement and increased motivation to take projects to the next level. At Rashi, we have the capacity to match our students’ computer literacy to our educational goals.” Awards for Rashi CHESS TEAM WINS TROPHY The Rashi Royals Chess team took third place in the Massachusetts Chess Association Holiday Team Challenge. Rashi competed in the K-6 section, winning ten games and ending in a draw (tie) with a tough opponent. Second place was determined by a computer tie-breaker between Rashi and the Sage School. The team’s accomplishment was even more impressive because its highest rated player was unable to attend the tournament and a second grader, who had only competed in one other tournament, stepped up and and helped the team earn critical points. Congratulations! PEJE MARKETING AWARDS Rashi was presented with three Marketing Awards at this month’s national Assembly for Jewish Education convened by PEJE, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education. The PEJE awards were for: Student Recruitment – Excellence in Integration of Package and in Communication of Mission in the Admissions Info Packet. Fundraising – Overall Excellence for the Annual Report. Technology – Overall Excellence for the website. Rashi staff attended the Marketing Awards Winners Showcase at the Assembly to share their award-winning materials with representatives of Jewish day schools from throughout the country. 2 On the Inside – Spring 2008/Nisan 5768
Teacher Spotlight Batshi Flint: Motivating Children to Love Hebrew “Self-confidence is a key ingredient in learning Hebrew,” says Batsheva (Batshi) Flint, who teaches Hebrew to Rashi students in grades 1-3. “The best way for students to learn Hebrew is to feel comfortable and safe to experiment with the language. When learning is done through games, songs, dramatic dialogs, puppets and stories, students feel more motivated to participate.” Students in Batshi’s classes certainly feel comfortable and motivated. One of Rashi’s most beloved teachers, Batshi infuses each class with enthusiasm, love for the subject, and genuine caring for each student. In her classes, Batshi emphasizes all four language skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing – and adjusts activities to meet the readiness and skill levels of different students. “Batshi is an innovative and creative teacher, who constantly looks for different ways to make the learning in her classroom exciting and challenging,” says Shlomit Lipton, Hebrew Coordinator. “Anyone entering her classroom will witness her great energy, her skillful teaching, and her love for her students.” “Batshi comes to the children and the language with complete delight,” says parent Deborah Freed. “She loves kids and teaching and it shows. She uses Hebrew all the time in class, and has a good sense of how much to challenge each child.” Deborah’s daughter Shoshana, a third grader, notes that “Batshi is always there to help you and if you still don’t understand something she’ll explain it until you do.” Originally from Israel, Batshi came to Rashi three years ago, after teaching in a synagogue supplementary school. She believes that language acquisition starts from the moment the students step into a classroom with a creative Hebrew environment that includes interactive boards, a computer center, a reading station, and Israeli music playing in the background. “Students need to be exposed to authentic language as much as possible,” she emphasizes, “as well as to the cultural aspects of the language – songs and children’s literature, dialogs, etc. – as they are used by native speakers.” Lower School students love learning Hebrew in Batshi Flint’s classroom. “Batshi comes to the children and the language with complete delight.” – Deborah Freed, parent Batshi, in turn, is “truly honored” to teach at Rashi. “It is a wonderful school with an outstanding staff of professionals who are passionate about educating the next generation of Jews in creative and innovative ways. There is a feeling of collaboration and support among all the teachers – it’s just like a big family.” The Rashi family is blessed to have Batshi as a member, an inspiring teacher who every day accomplishes her own goal: that her students “will love learning Hebrew and begin to see the relevance of Hebrew to their own Jewish lives.” ANNUAL DINNER continued from page 1 for many years. She was the national Chair of College Youth and on the Women’s Division Board of United Jewish Appeal. Bert was the Chairman of CJP’s Russian Resettlement Program, President of the Jewish Vocational Service, Board member of the Jewish Community Council, Fellow of Brandeis University, and Chairman and National Commissioner of ADL. The Paleys have transmitted their love of Judaism and civic engagement to their four children and eleven grandchildren, eight of whom attended Jewish Day Schools in Israel, New York and at Rashi. The Paleys expect that the youngest, Henry, will attend the new Rashi School campus in Dedham! This year’s Dinner is being chaired by Dena and Michael Rashes and Rhoda and Bill Sapers. Honorary Chairs are Barbara and Malcolm L. Sherman. Proceeds of the evening, which will include a live auction, will benefit Rashi’s Annual Appeal, providing essential funds to bridge the gap between revenue and the school’s operating expenses. For more information about the Dinner, contact Karen Backner at 617-969-7300 x 238 or kbackner@rashi.org, or go to www. rashi.org/dinner. www.rashi.org 3
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Rashi Builds Jerusalem at it Celebrates Israel at ... - The Rashi School

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