Pupils' Express Volume VI Issue 5

Volume VI Issue 5 September 19, 2008 • 19 Elul, 5768

Mark Your Calendars! The Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School Family The Naches Column This Week's Flyers Gesher Homework Club Rams 2008 Football Schedule School Photo Days Click Here to view this week's issue of the Pupils' Express Dear Parent, This Friday night night, Isaac Buchwald becomes a Bar Mitzvah.  At our Thursday morning Minyan, he read from the Torah. His parents became the first to take out the Torah and then hand it to their son, before he read from his Torah portion. Becoming a Bar (or Bat) Mitzvah is a change.  It is an assumption of “adulthood” in the Jewish community and a community celebration for families and friends.  It is a bit challenging, as many children do, to lead the service, to read from the Torah and to give a D’var Torah.  It also gives our young people a sense of accomplishment. I asked our staff during our pre-school in service days to describe a perfect class.  There were many wonderful answers, reflecting the personality of our teachers.  One that has remained with me is the one that Matt Harris described, a class of struggle, hard work and then achievement.  I particularly like that concept.  Often that which we treasure the most has come about because of hard work, experimentation, mistakes and then success. Transition and change also need hard work, experimentation, mistakes and then, together, we achieve success.  Change is difficult for all of us. It creates an instability, an ambiguity and a defamiliarization of all we hold dear.  Change also creates an opportunity to take a fresh look at who we are and who we want to be.  I have had the opportunity to listen to many parents who have shared their concerns with me.  There have been a few changes this year, and parent questions show a wish to know what will come and what changes there will be.  The values that are held dear by Wornick parents are ones that I share:  community, love of learning, commitment to Israel and commitment to tikkun olam, helping the world improve. You have given me the charge to take this school to the next level in all.  We do this slowly and as a community, thoughtfully and with open communication.  Much will not be changed, as this is a wonderful school with a strong staff and challenging programs.  I am learning about the school during the next few months.  I invite you to visit with me, share your vision for Wornick and for your children.  Shabbat Shalom to you and your families, Head of School

© 2002-2007 Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School 830 Foster City Blvd • Foster City, CA 94404 • (650) 378-2600 • www.wornickjds.org Published on September 19, 2008