My little one twirls around the living room in her ballet leotard, declaring, "When I grow up, I want to be a ballet teacher.” Meanwhile, her sister sits cross-legged with her fashion design kit, carefully pinning material to a mannequin, confident that she’s destined to be a designer.
At their ages, the world feels limitless and full of possibilities. While their dreams may shift over time (and even minute by minute), one thing is certain — the more we see, do and learn, the more we discover what truly excites and fulfills us.
All parents want what is best for their children. Understanding each child’s unique learning style, preferences and interests allows us as parents — and educators — to foster holistic development. One way we can support them is by setting the stage to help them discover their passions early on.
If you ask me, Learn In is truly the highlight of the year in the Senior Division and a standout feature of the Bialik experience. To say this is a career day would be an oversimplification. Rather, Learn In involves hearing from an inspirational keynote speaker, meeting professionals from various fields, and then giving back to the community. This annual event pushes the pause button on regular programming and exposes students to future possibilities.
Introducing our students to a variety of careers can ignite curiosity and help them discover what is intriguing. We invite our students to sign up for Learn In sessions that are meaningful to them and encourage them to be open-minded by picking at least one “fun” or “out-of-the-box” option. On the day of Learn In, students follow customized timetables based on their selections. The sessions include many small groups, with students from different grades learning together.
At our Learn In yesterday, speakers did an incredible job of giving students hands-on exposure to their fields of work by way of practical tasks and simulations. Some of the fun for students included: listening to a heartbeat with a doppler, cooking food with a seasoned chef, crafting an article under the supervision of a journalist, participating in a mock trial, and creating a vision board for one’s own brand.
Today’s career landscape is changing, and so too are the relevant skills. With the wide range of career presentations at Learn In, some transferrable skills and habits that were emphasized across careers included: the importance of being flexible, clear communication, cooperation and critical thinking. Intentionally, our Senior Division staff weave these skills into their units across subject matter on a daily basis.
At Learn In, students were encouraged to find meaning and purpose through Tikkun Olam and volunteering. Students spent the afternoon at Baycrest enjoying a variety of Jewish-themed activities with residents. This special intergenerational experience allowed students to bring joy to the residents, further develop their Jewish identities and contribute to the community. We were so proud of our students’ empathy and kindness as they sang Hebrew and Yiddish songs, created crafts and mingled with their elders.
Although Learn In is just a single day of the year, the key elements of what makes the day a resounding success are woven into the Jewish and General programming our students experience each day, from JK through to Grade 8:
- Honouring the Whole Child: Our teachers are invested in supporting each student and providing a customized experience based on what they need. As students develop, they become more aware of their strengths, interests and values.
- Growth: We support students in setting goals and working towards achieving their desired outcomes. We help students see the world around them as having limitless and inspiring possibilities. As students move through Bialik, we foster resilience by motivating them to embrace challenges and try something new.
- Sense of Purpose: We want students to lead fulfilling lives and understand their impact on those around them. We emphasize the importance of cooperation, self advocacy and contributing to the broader community. Whether it is our Student Council Car Wash, the Bialik Bonding With Israel Program, or Project Giveback to name a few, there is always something happening where our students see how their actions make a difference.
I am so proud of all our Senior Division students! They truly leaned into the possibilities ahead and stepped outside of their comfort zones. To paraphrase Dr. Seuss, “Oh the places our Bialik grads will go!”