Learning Specialist Information

September 26, 2008

Dear Parents,

Supporting children’s different learning styles and needs is an important part of the learning environment at Wornick.  Our Learning Specialist, Ranai Friedman, provides extra support for students, enabling them to progress more comfortably in those academic areas where this additional support is needed. She works in the areas of the language arts and math to provide additional classroom support. The classroom teachers work with the Learning Specialist to identify students who will profit from this attention. Parents are notified when we feel their children will benefit from this program.

This year, to strengthen our program, we are expanding the number of children served by having our Learning Specialist push into classrooms for grades 1-4.  She will observe other classes as requested by staff or administration.  Generally, the class will be in a small group format during push-in. The program is coordinated with the classroom teacher to ensure that the needs of and expectations for the child are being updated and that there is regular reinforcement of the skills addressed.

Ms. Friedman will be a resource for all teachers and will be in contact with parents to help describe their children's progress. The Learning Specialist also works with individuals who provide outside support for the student. This assures continuity and maximum assistance for the children. Comments are written by teachers with the input from the Learning Specialist twice a year as part of our Progress Reports and the specialist is available to speak with parents on an as-needed basis.

The Learning Specialist is part of the Student Success Team (SST), which includes our Middle School, Lower School and Judaic Studies Principals and the Head of School.  The SST meets weekly to review the needs of all students as individuals and as a class. These discussions help us improve support for students and teachers.  Teachers participate in SST meeting which concern their students, and all of us partner to make the classroom learning experience the best possible for each child.

 

Feel free to contact me with any questions that you may have.

 

Susan Weintrob

Head of School

 

Susan Weintrob

Head of School

Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School

800 Foster City Boulevard

Foster City, CA 94404

650-378-2602

 

Minimum Day Monday!

Dear Parents,

 

As you all know Monday is a minimum day.

 

12pm dismissal for Kindergarten and 12:15 for 1-8^th grades.

 

If your child is staying for Gesher, please remember to pack a lunch as there will not be hot lunch served on Monday.

 

Gesher is until 4pm on Monday.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

Pupils' Express Volume VI Issue 6

Volume VI Issue 6 September 26, 2008 • 26 Elul, 5768

Mark Your Calendars! The Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School Family The Naches Column "Ve Ahavta Le Re'achah Kamocha" Afterschool Programs Walk-a-thon News School Photo Days Tzedakah Project Israeli Dancing Sibling Admissions This Week's Flyers Click Here to view this week's issue of the Pupils' Express Dear Parent, I attended a meeting this week at the San Francisco Federation for the heads of all Bay Area Jewish agencies. It was quite a gathering of the leaders of agencies that provide superb resources available to us on the Peninsula. Rabbi Marv Goodman delivered a D’var Torah which included a wonderful Chassidic story about the Rebbe of Zans.  He is said to have told others, “In my youth, when I was on fire with the love of God, I thought I would save the whole world, and so I tried but did not succeed. “When I grew older, I discovered that it would be wiser to begin with my own town and I tried that for along time too, but did not succeed. “Older yet, I thought to begin to repair the world with my own family and myself. I regret nothing of these decisions; I only wish I had begun with myself.” Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are gifts in time and space that we are given.  They are opportunities, as shown in the story of the Rabbi of Zans, to reflect on where we are and where we wish to be by Rosh Hashanah of the following year. Beginning with ourselves and our school is a goal of our 7th graders as this week, they begin their Tzedakah project.  Working as individuals and as a class, these students learn what it means to be philanthropists, to research worthy causes, to find out the needs that exist in the world. They are then empowered to begin change, to begin the repair of the world, always growing in the process. This Tzedakah project is just one of the many exciting projects and activities that your children have begun this year.  I was in Ms. Vici Blackman’s third grade class this week (Ms. Diana Kennedy’s class is also doing this same project) and saw their projects illustrating the many landforms that exist in our area—from peninsulas, to bays to mountains.  They were so visually attractive I asked if I could have one to frame for my office!  The creativity in combining geography with an understanding of our own physical area and an artistic display shows the best that exists in our school.  Later in the year, the 4th graders will research similar geographic landforms in Israel. Morah Kaylee’s fourth graders visited the PJCC’s Early Childhood Program to read storiesand played games with the 3 and 4 year old children.  Our partnership with all campus programs is strengthening, adding to our resources.  Our 4th graders learned wonderful skills themselves by reading to these pre-schoolers and gave so much to these young children who share our campus. We will be doing many more programs which bring our two schools together. During the month of Elul, we blow the shofar at every morning service during the week. We are blessed to have so many young shofar blowers who contribute to our holiday spirit.  Kol ha-kavod especially to Emily Izenson, who can do the tekiya gedolah with the best of adult shofar blowers! On behalf of the Board of Trustees and our staff, I want to wish all of you a L’Shana Tova Umetuka, a good and sweet year.  To add to your sweetness, the school is most happy to present to each family a jar of honey, with its own honey dipper and decorative apple. Thank you, Dana Spanger, for organizing our Rosh Hashanah/New Year greeting to each family. From my family to yours, the happiest, healthiest and most fulfilling New Year. Shabbat Shalom, 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 26, 2008

Pupils' Express Volume VI Issue 6

This week's issue of the Pupils' Express is online.

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Preliminary Roster/Challah Sale

Hi Parents,

 

The preliminary roster is being sent home this week. The cover letter states the deadline for any necessary changes are due by this Friday the 26^th.

We have extended that deadline until next Friday October 3^rd.

 

Again, please review the roster for your class or classes and make sure the information name, address, phone numbers and emails are correct.

 

Please email any updates to Dorian by October 3^rd at dpape@wornickjds.org.

 

The Roster/Resource Guide for school year 2008-2009 will go to print the following Monday October 6^th. Once it has been sent we cannot change information at that point.

 

However, in the future any contact information changes will be sent to the community via the Pupils' Express.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

 

Day School Office Staff!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

We were just informed that there will NOT be a Challah delivery on Monday, which is Erev Rosh Hashana.   Round Challot will be available for sell FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

 

PLEASE call TODAY to reserve your Round Challah and Honey Cake for Rosh Hashana.

(We will have a sign-up sheet available for Yom Kippur orders.)

  

ORDER YOUR ROUND CHALLAH!!!!

Rosh Hashana begins Monday night!

 

לשנה  טובה  ומתוקה

 

 

WE WILL BE SELLING  ROUND CHALLAH

from Grand Kosher Bakery this FRIDAY!

 

 

PLAIN & WHOLE WHEAT  -  $5.00 per round

RAISIN & MIXED  FRUIT  -  $5.50 per round

 

HONEY CAKE from  GRAND KOSHER BAKERY

$ 6.00 1 pound

$ 4.50 ½ pound

 

PLEASE call TODAY with any questions or to reserve your round Challah & Honey Cake:

 

Michelle Booth    341-1305

Walk/Bike-A-Thon News!

Thank you to all of our wonderful Walk/Bike-a-thon participants and volunteers!!   We had a great turn out at our event this past Sunday. The kids walked, broke boards, jumped, rode, ate cookies and had a fun time.   Thank you to everyone who came and who helped our children have a great day.   Please remember to turn in your sponsor money by Monday, October 6th. All funds raised go directly to help our student’s educational experience.   Even if you were unable to participate in the actual Walk/Bike-a-thon don’t worry, you can still collect donations and be entered into our contests and raffles!   Walk/Bike-a-thon Prizes   Hillsdale Gift Card for the student with the most money collected for Grades K through 4 and for the student with the most money collected for Grades 5 through 8.   Everyone who turns in at least $100 by October 6th will also be entered into a drawing for a Hillsdale Gift Card and other prizes!! For every additional $50 received in donations, the student will receive an additional entry into the drawing.   Pizza party for the classes (K through 4 and 5 through 8) that have the highest participation (participation means that the students in the class participate in the Walk/Bike-a-thon AND turn in their money by Oct 6th).    Thank you for all of your continued contribution and support to our school!

 

Kindergarten Sibling Applications!

Dear Parents,

 

Please see a flyer attached from our Admission Director Judy Thalheimer.

 

Kindergarten Sibling Applications Now Being Accepted!!

 

Carolyn McConnell

Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School

Administrative Assistant to Head of School/Office Manager

650.378.2602

650.378.2669 Fax

 

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

Pupils' Express Volume VI Issue 5

This week's issue of the Pupils' Express is online.

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Susan's Open House begins Friday, September 19

Dear Parents,

 

Susan’s Open House begins Friday, September 19.

 

Each Friday, join me from 8:30-9:30 am at my Open House.

 

I look forward to getting to know you and to hear your hopes and vision for Wornick.

 

Send an email to CMcconnell@wornickjds.org to sign up. There is room for 5 individuals.

 

 

See you on Fridays!

 

Susan Weintrob

Head of School

 

Walk/Bike-a-thon Reminders! This Sunday, Sept 21st

Dear Parents,

Don't forget to get your Walk/Bike-a-thon sponsors!

The 'Stride with Pride' Walk/Bike-a-thon is THIS Sunday, Sept 21st from 9:30
- 11:00am at Wornick. The walking route is around the PJCC campus. There
will be fun stations along the way, including a Gold Medal Martial Arts area
where the kids can break real boards and practice other martial arts
skills!!

The Cookie bake-off is also happening this Sunday at the Walk-a-thon!

Please bake 3 dozen of your favorite cookies and bring them with you to the
walk-a-thon on Sunday. There is no prior registration. Just show up with the
cookies by 9:50am. You will not have to list ingredients. Instead you will
just check off a form with common allergens. This means that in a pinch you
can cheat and use a mix, just be aware of what's in it.

If your child does most of the work they can enter into the student category
 We will give out separate prizes for the kids.

Please make sure that they do not include gelatin or marshmallows. We are keeping them vegetarian and kosher.

Please contact Alisa Spivak with any questions at alisas@pacbell.net.

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL, THANK YOU.

Revised Back to School Night schedule

Revised Back to School Night Schedule

The elementary school “Back to School” evening is scheduled for this coming Thursday, September 18.
 
The program is as follows:

7:00 pm:     Classroom presentations for parents in grades K – 2.
  
7:30 pm:    Presentations in the multi-purpose room (ulam gadol) for parents of grades 3 - 5.  (Change of start time)

8:00 pm:     The presentations in the multi-purpose room will be repeated for parents of grades K – 2.
 
8:00 pm:     Presentations in classrooms for grades 3 – 5.
 
We look forward to welcoming you warmly on Thursday evening.

re Walk-a-thon

 

Attention all Bike-a-thon Participants!!! Sunday, Sept 21st   9:30 – 11:00am Yes, that’s THIS Sunday!! The route this year will be a complete loop, starting and ending at school. The riders will travel – from the school (cross at light to rec-center side of street) - up Hillsdale (along Ryan Park) to Edgewater.  Left on Edgewater (there are only 3 driveways – no thru streets – a parent rider will stay until all kids pass) to Beachpark.  Left on Beachpark and over the bridge (it is a separate lane for walkers/bikers separate from the bridge) to Catamaran - (again no thru streets on Catamaran) to the Shell Blvd Bridge (again – separate bike overpass) and back to the rec-center.   That route is a 3-mile route.  Students can do it once, twice, or thrice.   Please remember the ride is open to all middle schoolers and 5th graders, and any other graders providing they have an adult rider with them (designated family member or other).

Walk-A-Thon This Sunday!

 

Attention all Bike-a-thon Participants!!! Sunday, Sept 21st   9:30 – 11:00am Yes, that’s THIS Sunday!!   The route this year will be a complete loop, starting and ending at school. The riders will travel – from the school (cross at light to rec-center side of street) - up Hillsdale (along Ryan Park) to Edgewater.  Left on Edgewater (there are only 3 driveways – no thru streets – a parent rider will stay until all kids pass) to Beachpark.  Left on Beachpark and over the bridge (it is a separate lane for walkers/bikers separate from the bridge) to Catamaran - (again no thru streets on Catamaran) to the Shell Blvd Bridge (again – separate bike overpass) and back to the rec-center.   That route is a 3-mile route.  Students can do it once, twice, or thrice.   Please remember the ride is open to all middle schoolers and 5th graders, and any other graders providing they have an adult rider with them (designated family member or other).   With any questions please contact alises@pacbell.net PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Thank you!

 

Israeli Folk Dancing- September 17

 

Dear Parents,

 

I was notified that some families have not received the evite to register for Wednesday's afternoon activity. Please email me at elinoar@comcast.net  to sign up.

 

Update:

kindergarten-4 more spots open.

1st- 7 spots open

2nd - 4 more spots open

3rd - 7 spots open

4th- 13 spots open

5th - 7 spots open

 

we need parents for supervising 2nd and 4th

thanks!

Elinoar

elinoar@comcast.net

 

evite text:

Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School- Wednesday, September 17, 12:05PM

Register your child (name, grade) for a fun afternoon celebrating Israel's 60th birthday with traditional Israeli Folk Dancing!

 

2+ parents per grade are needed to lead the kids to the rooms and supervise. If you can help, please add your name and email elinoar@comcast.net. The program is based on parents' help and the time will count for Chai hours. (and it's fun!)

 

Please bring lunch and a water bottle (no hot lunch that day).

1-2pm: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd grades (pickup at 2 from lunch area)

2-3pm: 3rd, 4th, 5th grades (pickup at 3 from lunch area)

Middleschoolers are invited to join and/or help. Exact locations will be announced!

 

Thanks!

Elinoar Almagor

PTO's Afternoons of Arts and Sciences

elinoar@comcast.net

Pupils' Express Volume VI Issue 4

This week's issue of the Pupils' Express is online.

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Hot Lunch Update!!

HOT LUNCH UPDATE:

 

Tuesdays Hot Lunch Day with hotdogs have been big a hit but we have received some feedback that the nitrite free dogs are "just ok"!  We promised you kosher/nitrite free dogs but we CAN change them to Hebrew National basic Kosher Dogs if parents/kids prefer them. 

 

We need your feedback if your child GETS lunch on Tuesday and ONLY if you or they would be UNHAPPY if we change them.  This would enable us to provide larger hotdogs and possibly seconds but we want to provide the quality that you want. 

 

Please email me personally at pbodin@thebodingroup.com. It would not change until October if we decide to do it.

 

Also- drop in lunches will be served after the subscribing children have been fed usually.  If a child forgets a lunch we will provide a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with fruit free of charge.  Hot lunches will be invoiced to you directly and due upon receipt of the invoice. 

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

 

Pam, Judy and Rachel

 

 

 

 

Pupils' Express Volume VI Issue 3

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