Our Attitude Determines Our Outcome

We were so stimulated and impressed by the finalists at our Grade 8 English Public Speaking Competition. Our students worked extremely hard to research, write and deliver their speeches with confidence and poise. We are proud to share the first-prize-winning speech from Abby Mandelcorn, who as the judges said, “Took a year-and-a-half and summed it […]

Working, Living, Learning — All from Home

Here we are again — over one year later — in lockdown. The phrases “stay at home,” “flatten the curve” and “physical distancing” have become all too familiar. “Languishing” has become the new buzz word to explain how many parents are feeling and COVID-19 fatigue has permeated all of our households. This emotional burnout is […]

Pesach is Coming!

!שמחה רבה שמחה רבה אביב הגיע פסח בא Great joy, great joy, spring is here, Pesach is coming! This classic Pesach song is just one of many that ring through Bialik’s hallways, most years, as Pesach approaches. In fact, we begin hearing these songs almost as soon as the Purim costumes are put away! These […]

Recess Matters

Like many of our students, one of my favourite “subjects” at school was — and remains — recess. As a kid, recess was both “me time,” an opportunity to literally and figuratively shake off the morning, and “we time,” a much-needed opportunity to build friendships. Recess was the class where I was the one who […]

This Tu Bishvat, What Will You Plant?

Tu Bishvat — the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat — is a perfect holiday for educators! It is a one-day festival on the Jewish calendar that can become the focus of an entire unit in the classroom. Tu Bishvat lends itself readily to teaching about how and why we celebrate birthdays, how […]

Helping Your Child Gain Independence while Learning Remotely

One of my favourite lines about child development comes from Dr. Alex Russell, a psychologist who specializes in supporting families and educators. He says — and I’m paraphrasing slightly — children need a healthy dose of “non-catastrophic, painful failure.” Now, I should note that the last few times I attended a speaking function where he […]

Grateful Beyond Words: Reflections on the Day of Giving

While there is much that we don’t know this year, there is one thing we do know, and that is that the Bialik community is one of a kind. What a Day of Giving we have just had! We are absolutely inspired by the 791 families who donated to our 26-hour fundraiser, bringing in a […]

Chanukah Greetings from Our Head of School

As our Chanukah celebrations draw near, I’ve been thinking about the challenges Jewish educators have in teaching children about our holidays. And specifically, how can we make the story of the Maccabees and ancient Chanukah rituals relevant to our young students, living in secular society in the 21st century? This year, of course, there is […]

The Adaptability and Flexibility of Children: A Lesson for Adults

When reading through the extensive literature and research on best practices in educational administration, there is, of course, very little available on global pandemics and educating children during extreme moments of uncertainty. Throughout these past nine months, educational leaders have been forced to learn on the job, using their systems management understandings, interpersonal skills and […]

On Becoming a New Bialik Parent…

The start of school felt very different this year for me personally. In my role as Vice Principal, Primary Division, I always look forward to welcoming the students on the first day of school, in particular our new JK students. This September, I saw it from another perspective when I sent my own child off […]