The A-B-Cs of Early Literacy

In two classrooms, just a few minutes walk from each other, a JK and a Grade 8 student are putting the beginning and ending touches on their literacy journeys. In the JK classroom, Rachel is meeting another new friend — Oscar Orange — who is introducing her to the letter sounds that will later translate […]

The Courage of Heroes

Dear Bialik Community Members, Each year, when our students learn about Chanukah, we focus on the themes of bravery, courage and heroism. Particularly during the pandemic, these themes have great resonance in our modern lives. It is interesting that students can understand the themes differently as they progress through the grades and grow in maturity. […]

From Remote to In-Person…Executive Functioning Reboot

A favourite part of my day occurs when students knock on my door and want to give me an update of how they are feeling and what they are up to. The latest chatter was amusing: “I have to wake up so early, just to eat breakfast, get dressed and get here on time.” A […]

The Search for Questions: An Introduction to Moreshet

Much of my workday is spent seeking answers to questions like, are our learners accomplishing all the goals we have set out for them? What’s the status of this new unit, and where are we with the implementation of that new curriculum? In the fast-moving school environment, it is easy to become absorbed in the […]

Every Child Matters – A Canadian Jewish Perspective

On September 30, Bialik students and staff commemorated Canada’s first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation or Orange Shirt Day, as it is known. This was a day to celebrate and honour Canada’s Indigenous peoples and develop a greater appreciation for Indigenous culture, customs, beliefs and traditions. One might think that in sending our children […]

Teaching the Whole Child

Throughout this past summer, I often found myself ruminating over the same question, “What will this upcoming school year look like at Bialik?” As the warm days passed and more information from public health authorities emerged, it became increasingly clear that we would be returning to in-person learning on September 9. After two years of […]

Rosh Hashanah Reflection and Renewal

Dear Bialik Community Members, The first thing that many of us do when we open the calendar for a new school year is to check the dates of the High Holidays — Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. We want to know if they come “early” or “late”, and when we […]

Our Parents’ Farewell Address

At our Pre-Graduation Zoom Ceremonies, we were privileged to hear from two alum parents, Joanna Sugar’84 at our Viewmount Branch and Melita Sager’95 at our Himel Branch. Both their heartfelt addresses to the Class of 2021 spoke of the impact Bialik has made on their lives and those of their families. ———————– Viewmount Branch Good […]

Our 2021 Valedictorians Speeches

As a school that teaches four languages, it is a treasured Bialik graduation tradition to hear addresses in each language from our four valedictorians at our Graduation Ceremonies. Kol Hakavod to Katie Ossip, Yiddish Valedictorian, Corey Bensky, French Valedictorian, Jacob Mann, Hebrew Valedictorian and Abby Mandelcorn, English Valedictorian. We are proud to share excerpts of […]

Head of School’s Graduation Address

Dear Bialik Graduates of 2021, Mazal tov to you all! .כל הכבוד על המאמץ, העבודה, הנחישות, והאכפתיות שהביאו אתכם לרגע הזה Completing your time at Bialik represents a wonderful accomplishment, one which should give you and your families a tremendous sense of pride. This is true of every graduating class, of course, but all the […]