Warriors' Week in Review

Dear Parents,

What a fantastic week it has been at MDYHS!  It is an honor to share a glimpse of some of the events and programs of the past few days with you.

Over the course of the year, I have been writing about our exciting developments in the world of Educational Technology, under the wonderful guidance and leadership of our EdTech Director, Rabbi Michael Bitton.  As part of our commitment to make MDYHS the shining star in the use of technology in the classroom and beyond, Rabbi Bitton - together with our new, incoming Chief Academic Officer of General Studies, Mrs. Jennifer Levy, designed a grant proposal for BOLD - Blended Online Learning Day schools - a pioneering program of innovative educational technology.  (For information about BOLD, please check their website at http://www.bolddayschools.org/).  This highly selective program, to which numerous schools across the country applied, announced that they would choose no more than 8 schools to explore a major funding opportunity - designed to infuse blended learning and differentiated instruction throughout the schools that would be selected.  In the end, the BOLD program selected only 5 schools in the entire USA for this extremely prestigious honor.  I am so proud to announce that MDYHS was the only high school in the entire country chosen for this coveted position, and the only school in the state of NY to be selected!  We are extremely excited to be at the cutting edge of educational technology and to be recognized for the excellence of our programs.  I had the pleasure of meeting yesterday with a representative of Education Elements, the organization with which we will be partnering to enhance our extensive program, and I look forward to being in touch with you every step of the way as we develop this further over the months ahead.

Educational technology took another form at MDYHS this week, as students who had expressed an interest in ourComputer Coding and Programming course for next year had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a seminar on robotics at our school.  On Wednesday, the students saw a demonstration of NAO, the most widely used humanoid robot for academic purposes worldwide.  The seminar focused on a fusion of the fields of computer science, engineering, and mathematics.  As part of their workshop, our young engineers created and entered computer coding to the robot's database, getting NAO to perform tasks that ranged from simple to complex.  The 22nd century has already arrived at MDYHS, and our students are at the forefront of its progress and design!  (Please see the attached photos from this exciting program).

Rounding out the extraordinary EdTech accomplishments at MDYHS this week, a team of our administrators and department heads met to plan the details of our E-Portfolio program for the coming year.  In this amazing program, students will be mentored in the design of an e-portfolio, starting in the 9th and 10th grades when specific teachers will give students special portfolio assignments, such as research and reflective essays, group video projects, artwork, etc.  The student's faculty mentor will review these assignments on a regular basis, helping the student to find his or her unique "voice."  In the 11th and 12th grades, the e-portfolio will shift focus, to center on the student's college and career resume.  By the time the student is ready to apply to college, he or she will have a digital compilation that reflects his or her talents, creativity, accomplishments, skills, and personality.  Each student will be armed with all of the elements necessary for success as the bright future and the wide world beckon.

And while on the subject of preparation for college, our 10th grade students experienced the wonderful talents ofMourad Kattan, ably assisted by Morris Kishk, as he led them in an extensive tutorial on SAT verbal skills preparation.  Mourad and Morris distributed their latest vocabulary prep book, and worked with the students on building a strong and expanded vocabulary base.  This alone would be of great note - but the really fantastic news is that our English department, under the supervision of Chairperson Mrs. Rachel Harari, is coordinating the curriculum with the SAT prep work, having Mourad and Morris work together with the department to help ensure the greatest results for our students.  I spoke to a number of students after the program, and they were actually enthused about doing vocabulary work!

This preparation for success in and beyond MDYHS continues with the outstanding work of our dedicated Writing Center coordinator Ms. Katie Chabbott.  Ms. Chabbott has completed a full round of work with the 11th grade classes for their college essays, and is working with individual students on their final drafts.  In addition, she has started working with 9th graders on form, style, and structures of essay writing, so that when these students advance through the grades, they will be ready to give Ernest Hemingway a serious run for his money!  From time to time Ms. Chabbott has shared some of the beautiful, poignant essays of our students, and their depth and eloquence is so moving.  I can tell you that reading some of those essays opens a dimension of the student that is sometimes otherwise not revealed.  Our students are indeed fortunate to have this guidance as they begin to think about what lies ahead in their future.

And speaking of good fortune and eloquence, I was privileged to receive an invitation from Mrs. Frieda Cattan's Jewish History class to attend a special presentation of their own creative design.  The students in this class created a beautiful book - on 1,000 years of Jewish History: from 586 BCE to 600 CE.  Each student had designed at least 2 sections of the book, focusing on a historical theme or figure, such as The Destruction of the Temple, The Career of Josephus, and The Seleucid Empire.  These sections contained original text and stunning artwork.  I sat amazed, watching and listening to each student presenting her own section of the book.  When the presentations were complete, I had the joyous honor of accepting the book on behalf of the school - the class had donated it to our library.  What a fantastic testament to our students' scholarly and artistic talents and their spirit of "giving back" to the community!  (Please see the attached photo from this great presentation).

As our students know so well, the best learning is really not all that meaningful unless it is guided by Torah values andmiddot, touching the neshamah of the student.  Toward that end, we had two powerful events this week that were designed to reinforce that message to our student body.  During his weekly sihah to our boys, Rabbi Joey Haberspoke about using every opportunity one has to "build up" friends rather than intentionally or unintentionally "bringing them down."  Rabbi Haber's vital message was complemented by a special video presentation - designed by our own students, under the leadership of Elliot Shrem.  In this amusing, but meaningful video, students saw different scenarios how they - during the summer - can boost their friends' and their own spirits.  This is a great way to cap off a year of strong learning and great accomplishments in Torah!  And... while that was taking place, our 9th grade girls, under the direction of Mrs. Beth Goldberg, together with Mrs. Shara Netkin, Mrs. Laurie Michaels, and Mrs. Dahlia Dabah, conducted a spirited Minhah Celebration.  Rachel Sardar and Marilyn Terzi had created a beautiful invitation to set this special program in motion.  The entire grade was addressed by Mrs. Jackie Bitton - a much-in-demand speaker at schools and programs across the country, (and wife of our own Rabbi Elinatan Bitton).  Her inspirational speech, containing moving stories and messages, mesmerized the students.  The event was capped off with delicious ice cream desserts and with the distribution of Birkot HaShahar cards to each student.  (Please see the attached photo from this joyous celebration).  The students in both of these events left feeling the warmth and hizzukimparted to them by our caring and devoted faculty.

Finally, as today is the last day of regular classes for the school year, and next week, b'ezrat HaShem, begins the period of final exams and Regents, I know you join me in wishing all of our students the greatest success on their tests.  We have full confidence that they will excel and shine!  As we look to the days and weeks ahead, we have the privilege on Sunday of marching in the Celebrate Israel Parade - I hope you will be able to cheer the MDYHS contingent as we march pridefully up Fifth Avenue, showing solidarity and support for our beloved State of Israel.  Thiscoming Tuesday evening we will honor our glorious seniors at the MDYHS Commencement Exercises at the Walt Whitman Auditorium in Brooklyn College.  (Our 12th graders returned last night from their wonderful Senior Trip to Florida - please see the attached photo of our smiling students at Universal Studios).  And the faculty and administration will be meeting over the weeks ahead to discuss exciting and important programs that will be put in place over the course of the summer and next year such as: plans for a Summer Institute in Deal, NJ for all students interested in taking next year's Behinah Yerushalmit given by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for college credit, and plans for our Middle States Association of Schools & Colleges' Accreditation Steering Committee.  (More on these last two points in next week's letter...).

As always, please accept my warmest wishes for a Shabbat Shalom and for a great week ahead!

The Flame: Last Issue of the Year!!!

Issue 12 4

Warriors' Week in Review

Dear Parents,

What a wonderful, exciting week it has been at MDYHS!  It is a pleasure for me to share a glimpse of some of the programs and events of the past few days with you.

On Monday evening, parents of our entering junior and senior classes were treated to a special workshop on The College Admissions Process: What You Need to Know, How You Can Reach Your Goals - presented by Dr. Susan Greenbaum, former Associate Dean of the NYU Stern School of Business Undergraduate College.  Dr. Greenbaum, using a detailed PowerPoint presentation along with clear, practical handouts, spoke to parents about such important issues as strategic course selection for students, the importance of extra-curricular activities on the student's resume, and how to use a visit to the college campus of your choice to best advantage in the college application process - all with the goal of ensuring a successful admission for the student.  Dr. Greenbaum was followed by our own Mr. Steven Harris, of the Department of College Guidance & Career Counseling Services, who spoke about Naviance, the "Rolls Royce" of college guidance software - which we use at MDYHS for all students.  Rounding out the program was Assistant Principal Mrs. Esther Tokayer, who spoke about the various extra-curricular opportunities at MDYHS.  The evening was so informative and helpful that one parent emailed me after it was over, saying, "...this was really fantastic; it made a huge difference in how I look at the entire experience...I will be more on top of the whole process with my son...tonight, already, we are doing Naviance together."  Dr. Greenbaum has graciously accepted our invitation to return for another workshop in September as part of our Parent Orientation seminars for parents.

And while that special workshop was taking place, across the river in Manhattan two of our students - Leon Betesh and Lisa Chakkalo - were further advancing their careers as radio stars.  Leon and Lisa - together with our esteemed Rosh Yeshivah Rabbi Harold Sutton and me - were the featured guests on TalkLine Radio, hosted by Zev Brenner.  Our young stars were interviewed by Mr. Brenner about the wonderful Sephardic community and about their experiences in MDYHS.  The show featured live call-in questions from various listeners, and our students spoke with passion, sincerity, grace, and eloquence.  The hour-long segment focused entirely on our community and school, and I have heard from listeners how proud they were to hear our students speak of MDYHS with such joy and excitement.  When the archived record of the show is available, I will forward the link.  In the meantime, look for the Leon & Lisa Show soon to be featured on the FM dial!  (Please see the attached photo from this enjoyable visit to the radio studio).

On Tuesday evening, close to a hundred people - students and parents - attended the Sixth Annual MDYHS Entrepreneurship Dinner, designed and led byMr. Joe Naftaly and Mr. Daniel Kamelhar.  A while ago, students in the Entrepreneurship and Business classes presented their various projects in a competition judged by our own Dr. Abe Tawil, Dr. Edward Rogoff, (Professor of Management, and Director of the Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship at Baruch College), and Mr. Irwin Dayan (Executive Director of the Sephardic Angel Fund).  The projects were judged based on Concept, Presentation, and Business Plan - and the following teams were announced as winners of the competition: 1st Place - Judy Chalouh for her product Roll-A-Roof; 2nd Place - Lorraine Franco and Victoria Zalta for their product JackPack; and 3rd Place - Lorry Louzeh and Stella Sadaka for their product Smart Cushion.  Everybody present that evening was truly a winner, and the talent, perseverance, and commitment of all the teams really shone through.  The next great product that you buy may well be the result of the genius and production values of a young MDYHS entrepreneur!  (Please see the attached photos from this wonderful event).

Last week I wrote about the exciting, new Academic Majors Program to begin for all entering freshmen at MDYHS this coming September.  After Tuesdayevening's Entrepreneurship Dinner, the Atrium was all abuzz with entering freshmen and their parents - who came to experience the inaugural Academic Majors Fair.  Each of the 13 Majors fields had its own booth hosted by a representative of that discipline.  Parents and students circulated, visiting each of the booths, collecting informative handouts, listening to what each Academic Major entails, discussing, and then enrolling online in their elective choices for this coming September, using iPads provided for the registration.  It was absolutely wonderful to see the students and parents absorbing, probing, circulating, and smiling as they begin the fantastic journey of their successful future!  (Please see the attached photo from this historic program).

While one wonderful group is poised to enter MDYHS, another wonderful group is getting ready to leave - to make their great mark on the world.  On Wednesdayevening, our glorious seniors and their parents gathered together for the Senior Awards and Arista - National Honor Society Induction Ceremonies. Rachel Naftali and Sarah Kabariti, our General Excellence awardees, spoke to the audience, representing the class and delivering eloquent messages of hope and inspiration.  Quite a number of students received well deserved recognition for academic performance, leadership, improvement in their studies, middotand hessed.  Looking around I could clearly see the parents, grandparents, faculty, and the students' own peers glowing with pride as each awardee was called to the podium.  What a great way to recognize the stellar accomplishments of our students!  (Please see the attached photo from this inspirational evening).

These accomplishments - and more - are attained through hard work and commitment.  I am proud to inform you that this week sees the culmination of our students' Advanced Placement exams - well over 100 exams were taken - as well as the completion of our seniors' Behinah Yerushalmit Exam - a 7 hour test administered to our students by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem - after which successful completion can result in up to 6 college credits in Hebrew Language & Literature.  Last year's class scored an average of over 90 on the exam - an outstanding achievement - and I anticipate a repeat performance in this year's exam as well.  And speaking of outstanding achievements, I was so proud and happy to hear the following from our own Rabbi Joey Haber: during the Senior Internship Program, the 12th graders were asked to continue their Torah studies by participating in various shiurim.  Well... even after the program was over, a huge contingent of young ladies decided to continue their classes with Rabbi Haber, eagerly absorbing the beautiful Torah lessons that have become such an integral part of their lives.  This is not to mention the great number of our senior boys who attend daily and weeklyshiurim at various shuls and classes in the community.  Our graduating seniors are doing us - and more importantly, themselves - really proud!

Yesterday, in a beautiful combination of academic excellence, character, and service, our 11th grade  Brooklyn College Credit Class in Nutrition, led by Ms. Shaindy Judowitz, designed and presented an original program, Be Healthy at MDY Preschool.  Our students, in 4 different groups, went to the preschool to teach the younger generation about how to "eat healthy" every day.  The MDYHS delegation presented a puppet show that they wrote themselves and whose puppets and stage were fashioned entirely by the 11th graders - on the theme of nutrition and health.  They then worked with the preschoolers together on projects such as laminated placemats and fruit-and-vegetable artwork.  The entire program was a huge hit with the preschool students and staff - and I am not quite sure who had a better time, the MDYHS class of 2014 or the MDYHS class of 2026.  What a great way to take what one has learned, and give back to the community!  (Please see the attached photos from this wonderful program).

And while on the subject of making learning experiential, some of our 9th and 10th grade classes traveled to Manhattan on Wednesday to participate in a phone-based Educational Scavenger Hunt.  Led by Ms. Audrey Nasar, Ms. Sally Mishanieh, Mrs. Shara Netkin, and Mrs. Beth Goldberg, the students were divided into groups, and were tasked with solving 31 different puzzles that took them all over the city.  They explored statues in Bryant Park, studied the artwork and architecture of the New York Public Library, gleaned information from plaques in the historic Theater District, and interviewed police officers.  All the while, our sleuths learned fascinating facts about the history of New York City.  While the winners of the event were Esty Ammach, Celia Cohen, Gitta Cohen, Lorry Louzeh, and Stella Sadaka, every student returned from this wonderful odyssey with a huge smile.  (Please see the attached photos from this enjoyable and informative competition).

Finally, I just want to present an update on the amazing Forensics Project which our students are about to conclude.  Our "detectives" have interviewed all the witnesses, and have collaborated in discussions on their findings.  As a result of those discussions, the suspect list has been narrowed down to three people:Mr. Alan Arbesfeld, Ms. Audrey Nasar, and Mr. Steven Bonica.  Please do not approach these suspects directly; they may be dangerous!  The students are continuing to look at and compare evidence this week - hair, fibers, fingerprints, and handwriting samples. (Please see the attached photo of our students working in their crime lab).  Ms. Laura Pritchard, Forensic Science teacher at MDYHS, hopes to announce the solution to the crime next week.  For stories such as these, along with all of the news at MDYHS, please see the latest issue of The Flame, our student newspaper, which is being distributed today.

As always, please accept my warmest wishes for a Shabbat Shalom, a relaxing Memorial Day weekend, and for a great week ahead!

Sincerely yours,

Rabbi Saul Zucker

Israeli Day Parade Info

Students are to report to MDYHS at 10:15AM on Sunday, June 2nd.

Students should wear black skirts or pants (no jeans); they will be given a t-shirt at school that morning.

 

We should be returning the high school at approximately 3:00PM on Sunday.

 

The Celebrate Israel Parade is a mandatory school day.

 

Students wishing to remain in the city on their own should fill out and return the attached form signed by a parent no later than Wednesday, May29th to the main office.  Parents who do not sign the form but wish to pick up their child from the parade may do so.  Students will not be released to any adult aside from a parent without the required form submitted in advance.

 

11th graders:  We know that many of you are taking the SAT.  Obviously, you can't be in two places at one time - if you submitted your registration form to Ms. Nasar you will be excused from the parade.

Permission Slip to Stay in the City 2013

Finals Schedule

June 2013 Complete