TGIF April 14, 2010

And I really mean it this time.  I mean it because this Friday is the big Friday after the big Thursday.  Our school has a new name, and now everyone knows the name, and the name game insane can stop.

For months, I have been touring USDS and telling prospective parents all about our wonderful school.  Several weeks ago, I began to drop the news that we would soon be re-branding and that the school would have a new name.

The inevitable question would be, of course, what is the name going to be?

And, the inevitable answer would be, “of course, I can’t tell you.”  It was an exciting secret shared by few.  A secret in the school hallways, in the neighbourhood bagel shop, in the carpool line up and, for me, even at my own kitchen table.

“Really”, my kids (who are students in the school) would say to me, “mom, you can tell us.”  I never did.

Now, we all know.  We are Miriam & Larry Robbins Hebrew Academy.  And believe me, I will tell the story of our new name to anyone who wants to listen.  My job is to show the school and what a gift I – and we all – have been given.

Now when I tour the halls and talk about our curriculum, our critical thinking, our amazing school gym, our menschlichkeit and all that we have to offer, I can also say we will go forward from a place of strength like never before.

As I walk the halls with the future of our school, I will tell them about the families who have come before them. The families who set the tone for what USDS was – a school rich in Judaism and learning, and what the Robbins Hebrew Academy will continue to be.  Our past will come with us into our future.

And while there is much to say about the wonderful man himself, Mr. Larry Robbins, I know he would much rather I talk about Jewish education and how important and vital it is to teach our kids our history and to teach it well.  At the end of the day, that is what we do.  Teach kids.  Jewish kids who will one day join the 21st century global community and make us all proud.

So, yes, TGIF, and Shabbat Shalom.  I can’t wait for Monday.

Shalom from Robbins Hebrew Academy April 13, 2010

It is hard to believe that on March 1^st I celebrated my first anniversary at Robbins Hebrew Academy (continuing in a proud USDS tradition).  It feels like the time has flown by and I’ve only been here for a couple of months.  You are a warm and welcoming community and I am so excited to have the honour of being Head of this great school.

 As I look back over the accomplishments of our first year, I am overwhelmed by the amount of progress we have made.  This is in a large part a tribute to our dedicated and hard working staff and of course our amazing Parent community.

After all, we all know the adage that “it takes a village to raise a child”.  We are so fortunate to have a community that works together to help enhance the educational experience of our children.

How many people start a new position and shortly thereafter have a large endowment, new name, and 21^st Century Learning Power?  Our profile of a RHA 21^st Century Graduate portrays a lifelong learner, steeped in Jewish culture and traditions, who embraces critical thinking and uses technology to further enhance their abilities; confident and achievement oriented, but with a focus on understanding the context not just the content, a nurturer of self and others, committed to Israel, globally aware, culturally sensitive and engaged with peers, the community and the world around them.

We are hard at work on our Strategic Plan and are working together diligently to make us the best Jewish Day School in Canada.  We are committed to our three campuses – south, midtown and the north in the near future. 

Students are building “relationships” for their future.  At RHA children’s “relationships” are the foundation for their learning.  Each student’s unique blend of needs, interests and talents are met with a ‘made-to-measure’ learning experience through critical inquiry of our general and Judaic studies.

This philosophy provides the groundwork for children to learn, explore and flourish in the Portfolio Program – the five identified areas of a RHA education: Academic Excellence, Tikkun Olam, Jewish Life, Menschlichkeit and Creative and Healthy Lifestyles.

On our new RHA website, we have created two new videos about our School.  Please check out what our students have to say about “Learning Power” and what our Parents have to say about ‘Why you should choose a RHA Education for your child’.

Please remember that my door is always open.

Shalom,

Claire Sumerlus

Congratulations to Robbins Hebrew Academy.