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 […]
Continue ReadingRosh 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 […]
Continue ReadingOur 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 […]
Continue ReadingOur 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 […]
Continue ReadingHead 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 […]
Continue ReadingOur 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 […]
Continue ReadingWorking, 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 […]
Continue ReadingPesach 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 […]
Continue ReadingRecess 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 […]
Continue ReadingThis 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 […]
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