Visiting the Schools

Shalom Every One,

Before I share with you about my time in the schools the last couple of days, I want to share one last experience that I had this morning regarding the attack in Jerusalem. Ronin, Noa’s husband is an attorney and works for the city of Jerusalem. It took him longer than usual to get home yesterday due to increased security around the city. This morning I asked him if he expected any difficulty getting to work. Ronin looked at me and very calmly said “Today is a new day.” He did not need to say anything further. His message was clear. What happened was yesterday and it can not stop life from happening. Ronin is not a man with his head in the clouds. He is just a few years younger than me and a former Israeli Navy Seal. He is in touch with the realities of living in Israel, but again, he has simply adopted a mind set and perspective on life that does not stop him from living. For those that have not kept up with the news Hamas continues to fire rockets from Gaza into towns to the south.

On Wednesday I had the opportunity to visit two schools, Ironi Aleph School and The Democratic School. Ironi Aleph is a public Junior High/High School, grades 7 – 12, with about 1400 students in total. This was the first HS in Modiin. In many ways the curriculum and the requirements for graduation are not drastically different from ours. That being said, Ironi Aleph does present with some interesting differences from our schools. Class size is up to 40 and the teachers move from class to class, not the students. All of the teachers have a small space in the teachers’ lounge to store their materials. In Israel, all students call their teachers by their first name. If any of you are reacting to that thinking that it is a bit too informal, please also know that after each period, students stand when their teachers enter the room.

What is unique about this school is that it offers “majors” to its students in the areas of dance, music, science, computer science, and translation skills. Between 7^th grade and 12^th grade all students must complete two majors. This is in addition to mandatory classes and the availability of advanced studies ( our AP classes). The piece that I found so interesting is that in addition to a strong academic program, there is an equal emphasis on assisting students in strengthening their Jewish, Zionist, and Israeli identity. There is a strong emphasis on social values and a 60 hour volunteer requirement in 10^th grade. There are classes later in HS that prepare students for their army involvement and the school strongly encourages participation in youth activities around the city ( one being the Youth Council that I saw last night). A major project takes place in 7^th grade. It is called the “Roots Project.” Students spend several months questioning their parents and grandparents about their origin and life experiences. As described to us, this is a very powerful experience for most students, with generations often learning things about other generations for the first time. During HS, all students also visit Poland as well as participating in other activities that support and increase their sense of community, national and Jewish connection.

I think I might have already mentioned this, so if I have please accept my apologies. In Israeli schools, there is not bell between periods. Soft, soothing music is played announcing the end of each period.

We were also told that in addition to looking at standardized test scores and graduation statistics, the National Education Ministry also assesses how students are feeling about their schools. They are surveyed about issues like sense of safety and their perspective on their relationships with their teachers.

In the afternoon, we visited the Democratic School. This is a private school that is truly alternative. The school is K through 12 and has no more than 25 students in each grade. From kindergarten on up, students get to choose what classes they take. There are no mandatory classes. So yes, a student could potentially graduate HS and never take math. In Israel, all students at the end of 12^th grade must take a series of exams that if they pass, they earn a Bagrut Certificate. Essentially, they need to pass these exams to graduate. Without the Bagrut Certificate, students job prospects are greatly diminished. While they can still go onto service their army requirement, their choices of service related positions are also limited. This appears to serve as a strong reinforcement for students at the Democratic School to take the courses needed to pass the Bagrut exams. This school has a “Parliament” that is made up of teachers and students who make most of the decisions about the running of the school. There is a disciplinary committee that is comprised on 1 student from the elementary grades, 1 HS student, and one teacher. If any students feels that they have been wronged by another student…hit…made fun of…etc. they can take that student to this committee and present their case. The committee is empowered to hand down a consequence. And yes, a student can take a teacher to this committee if they feel they have been wronged by that adult! One aspect of this school that I thought was really great is that every student can choose a “Honech,” a mentor. This is an adult in the school who they develop a close relationship with. The students we spoke with said that while they can choose someone different each year, they often remain with the adult that they chose when they were younger. The students all described this relationship as highly intimate and extremely important and valuable to them. We had an opportunity to speak with most of the students in 11^th grade. They presented as quite bright, highly personable, and strongly committed to academic excellence. When visiting the Ironi Aleph School today I met one of their teachers who happens to be the parents of one of the students who met with us at the Democratic School. She made a very interesting comment to me about the issue of the students getting total choice about what to take. She told me that there is another force in the universe that does have significant  impact on the types of classes students at this school choose to take in terms of adequately preparing themselves to graduate from HS………the Jewish Mother! Maybe this specific aspect of the Democratic School, within the reality of Israeli Jewish family life, is not quite as democratic as it looks on the outside J.

Today I had the opportunity to return to The Ironi Aleph School and speak to a class of 9^th graders and a class of 7^th and 8^th graders. What a wonderful experience for me!!!!!! Both classes were filled with students who were eager to hear about life in the states, especially for Jewish teens. We discussed some of the differences between their culture and ours as well as some of the challenges. We explored how many of them differentiate their Jewish identity from their Israeli identity. They asked me some pointed questions such as “How come you haven’t made aliyah (move to Israel permanently) yet,” and “what would you do if your daughter wanted to marry a non Jewish boy” (we had been discussing the issue in the states of interfaith marriages). Both classes were just a joy to spend some time with. Eager to teach me about their culture as well as so curious about ours. Their English was advanced and we had no difficulty communicating. This was such an uplifting experience!

My day at Ironi Aleph concluded with a 45 minute conversation with the Principal of the school, Dr. Dvir Sholmi. Dvir and I discussed some ideas on how we might be able to create a bridge between our schools. The education bridge that sponsors this trip has created relationships between Israeli schools and, for the most part, Hebrew schools back in Rochester. Much of the school to school relationship is based on the common Jewish connection. In this case, we do not have that as Webster Schroeder HS does not have much of a Jewish student population. Dvir and I were able to generate several exciting ideas that I will share with my colleagues upon my return that could generate a more general cultural exchange connection between the two high schools. Dvir is clearly very interested in making this happen as am I. There is much our students and staff could learn from one another.

Dvir also shared with me that the latest research on graduation rates shows that the graduation rate (students who pass the Bagrut) is presently 80%. Of the 20% who do not pass the Bagrut, almost all of them will pass the exams either prior to entering the army or after. As I mentioned, not possessing this certificate significantly limits post HS vocational and academic options.

This evening, our delegations began the process of saying good-bye. We met for dinner and then went out to O’Sullivan’s Pub. Yes Rochester, there is an Irish Pub in Modiin, Israel! While I am looking so forward to returning home…..I miss Carol and the kids tremendously…..I will have trouble saying good-bye. In fact I just teared up typing the last sentence…lol!!!!......oy!!!!!! I have been doing just too much crying during this trip!!!!!    J    

Tomorrow we travel to the south to visit the Dead Sea and surrounding area.

I trust you all are thoroughly enjoying your recent snow fall!!!! Ahhh!!! Spring time in Rochester!!!.....Ain’t it grand!!!!

I love you and miss you all.

Keith