January 31, 2011

Random Song Quote:

“The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I’ve seen that road before
It always leads me here
Lead me to your door”

- The Beatles (one of my favorite Beatles tunes and we have yet to have a Beatles song)

Electives for next year:

Although it seems very early to be thinking about next year, February marks the beginning of the teacher recruitment season, and with all of our changes for next year, the school will start to identify needs for the 2011-2012 school year. The most announced change comes in the Foreign Language Department where Spanish will be offered to our 7th and 8th grade students. Hebrew will continue to be offered and will be required of all incoming 6th graders. Fine arts electives will continue to be offered as in the past. Art, Theater, and Instrument Ensemble will all be offered to the 7th and 8th graders, and incoming 6th graders will again take a semester of rotating electives then choose an elective for the second semester.

This week Dr. Bishop and I will conduct meetings with the 6th and 7th graders separately to help them navigate the changes and requirements. After our meeting, each student will receive an Elective Selection Form that will include each student’s current fine art elective and current Hebrew placement. On the form, students will choose a fine art elective for the next year (they will still have the opportunity to change at mid-year, as long as class size and schedule allow). Also on the form is a place to choose Hebrew or Spanish as the foreign language elective for next year. At the bottom of the form is a space for student and parent signatures. We will not accept any forms without a parent’s signature. It is our goal to have a good idea of how many students are enrolling for each elective. Although these decisions do not necessarily have to be final, they are going to be fairly binding. Please take time with the decision, and think carefully about which elective your child will choose prior to turning in the form. Please don’t wait too long; the forms are due back Monday, February 7th.

Below you will find the requirements and the choices for both Fine Arts and Foreign Language Electives:

ELECTIVES:
Rising Grade 6:
Fine Arts:
First semester – Students rotate according to a predetermined schedule.
Second Semester – Students choose one elective for the entire semester

2010 - 2011 Course Offerings – Instrumental Music, Art, Theater, and Vocal Music
2011 – 2012 Course Offerings – No expected changes

Foreign Language:
Hebrew is required of all 6th grade students

2010 - 2011 Course Offerings - Hebrew I-III
2011 - 2012 Course Offerings – Hebrew I-III

Rising Grade 7:

Fine Arts:
Students choose an elective for the year.

2010 – 2011 Course Offerings – Instrumental Ensemble, Art I-II, Theater (First semester), Film Appreciation (Second Semester)
2011 – 2012 – No Changes expected

Foreign Language:
Hebrew is optional for returning 7th grade students who have passed one year of Hebrew.
Hebrew is required for all new students.
***Students must complete one additional year of Hebrew after 6th grade and prior to graduating high school. It can be taken in any year, 7-12.

2010 – 2011 Course Offerings: Hebrew II-IV (Hebrew I was available to new EWS students)
2011 – 2012 Course Offerings: Hebrew II-IV (Hebrew I will be available to new EWS students)

Introduction to Spanish – Grade 7 and 8 will all receive the same introduction course, regardless of prior experience or proficiency in Spanish Language (8th graders in year 2 of Spanish for school year 2012-2013 will take Introduction to Spanish II, rather than the same course again).

Rising Grade 8:

Fine Arts:
Students choose an elective for the year.
2010 – 2011 Course Offerings – Instrumental Ensemble, Art III-IV, Theater (First semester), Film Appreciation (Second Semester)
2011-2012 – Theater II may be offered for students who completed theater in their 7th grade year, subject to demand and scheduling.

Foreign Language:
Rising 8th graders who have passed 2 years of Hebrew have completed their Hebrew requirement for Emery/Weiner. No further Hebrew is required to graduate in good standing.

2010 - 2011 Course Offerings: Hebrew II-V (Hebrew I will be available to new students to the school)

Introduction to Spanish – Grade 7 and 8 will all receive the same introduction course regardless of prior experience or proficiency in Spanish Language.

***If you have any questions regarding electives, please give me a call or drop me an email. Please look for Elective Selection Forms on Monday and Tuesday.

Thanks and have a great week!

Athletic Events this week:
• The Spring Athletic season begins Monday with practices in MS boys baseball, MS girls softball, and co-ed track.

Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating birthdays this week:
• Sarah Stein and Marlo Olifant – February 1st
• Gal Egozi – February 4th
• Kyra Goren – February 5th
• Ariella Teller – February 6th

Mazel Tov to the following students celebrating their Bar/Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, February 5th:
• Joseph Schwartzberg
• Ariella Teller

Kallah and Advisory:
• Monday –
6th – Schedules and electives for next year
7th – Havurah
8th – Cereal Sessions with the upper school (for one advisory); all other students report to advisory
• Tuesday
6th – Havurah
7th – Schedules and electives for next year
8th – Cereal Sessions and advisory
• Wednesday
Clubs
• Thursday
6th/7th – Torah Service for Joseph Schwartzberg and Ariella Teller
8th – US Cereal Sessions
• Friday
Kallah

Calendar Events:
• January 31st –February 1st – Dr. Bishop will speak to 6th and 7th grade students regarding schedules for next year. Fine Arts and Foreign Language Elective selections will commence that week.

Looking Ahead:
• 8th Grade Cereal Sessions during advisory with Upper School Administration began last week and continue one advisory at a time into February.
• Friday, February 11th – 8th Grade Shabbat Dinner @ Rabbi Masri’s residence - This event is optional, but it is for students only.
• February 14th – Grandparent’s Day
• February 18th – 12:30 dimissal
• February 21 – School closed for President’s Days