Community Building – A Floor, But Not a Ceiling

Tu B’Shevat on Such a Winter’s Day

Today, the third “snow day” I have called in my eight years at OJCS, I gaze out at the snow-covered landscape, and think to myself that it’s almost whimsical to remember that today is Tu B’Shevat—the “New Year of the Trees.” While our trees are cozily hibernating under their white blankets, in Israel, the almond trees are beginning to bloom, signaling the start of a new growing season. This juxtaposition reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and growth, even when it seems distant.

Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai once said, “If you are holding a sapling in your hand and someone tells you, ‘Come quickly, the Messiah is here!’, first finish planting the tree and then go to greet the Messiah.” This teaching emphasizes the importance of nurturing growth and investing in the future, even amidst the promise of immediate fulfillment.

Similarly, Canadian farmer Nelson Henderson wisely noted, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” This sentiment captures the essence of selfless investment in the future, a principle that resonates deeply with our mission in education.

At OJCS, we view the admissions process as akin to planting an orchard. Each prospective student is a unique seed, brimming with potential. Our role is to provide the fertile soil, ample sunlight, and careful tending needed for these young saplings to grow into strong, vibrant members of the Jewish community.

Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to cultivate “Jewish joy” within our students. By nurturing these seeds in a protected environment—our very own Jewish orchard—we ensure they have the freedom and support to grow as they please, embracing their heritage with pride and happiness.

As we celebrate Tu B’Shevat on this wintry day, let’s remember that beneath the snow, the roots of our future are hard at work. Through our dedication to education and community, we’re planting the seeds of tomorrow’s Jewish leaders, thinkers, and dreamers.

So, here’s to the trees, the students, and the joyful journey of growth we embark upon together. Happy Tu B’Shevat!

Admissions are open! Please be in touch with our Admissions Director Jenn Greenberg ([email protected]) to schedule a private tour or to get more information about all things OJCS!

Celebrating Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM)

February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM) and OJCS is again excited to celebrate and engage its students in meaningful activities and conversations.

“Inclusion” is not simply an issue to discuss once a year, of course, and as part of our formal discussions of how we would celebrate JDAIM this year, we are pleased that this year’s JDAIM Committee prepared a wealth of ideas and resources to help us continue to take our school’s JDAIM to a new level.

We acknowledge that we are always trying to do better when it comes to issues like “inclusion” but never get all the way there. Because of our school’s personalized learning approach we’d like to say that, sure, “everyone has special needs” but then we focus only on who we presently serve and not who we are-not-yet-able-to and, thus, don’t spend time exploring why. We’d like to say that “every month is about inclusion” but without JDAIM we would miss a critical opportunity each year to reflect, to learn, to grow and to change. We want to acknowledge the daily, weekly, and yearly work that we do to incrementally become better able to meet the needs of current students and to increase the circle of inclusivity. But we also want to use JDAIM each year as a measuring stick and an inspiration – to have our thinking challenged, our minds opened and our hearts stirred. We are blessed to be part of an interconnected Jewish community with partners to lovingly push and support us on our journey.

Here are just a few examples of how we are gearing up to make JDAIM a special month at OJCS…

…this year, the theme for JDAIM 2025 is “Bringing ‘Invisible Disabilities’ into View”. We are challenged to look beyond the surface, to move past assumptions, and to deepen our understanding of those around us. As Pirkei Avot teaches, “Do not look at the container, but at what is inside it” (4:27). We are encouraging our students to approach their peers with kindness and curiosity, recognizing that what is unseen can be just as important as what is visible.

…as we shared with the teachers, “We are tying this theme in connection with one of our 7 Habits – Seek to Understand. We are encouraging being kind and curious of those around us and not judging a book by ‘stereotypical covers’. We are examining how we support all of our students with IEPs, ESL and students with different learning styles and abilities, including students with anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges. We are acknowledging that it is important to speak the same language, and provide the support our students need so everyone feels welcome and included.”

…the JDAIM Committee rolled out a set of “choice boards” for both Lower & Middle Schools, that includes a wealth of “challenges” for students and classes that focus on empathy, kindness, curiosity, and the power of words.

…Brigitte Ruel, our Librarian, has a post on “JDAIM Storytime”.

…Dina Medicoff, our Art Teacher, has a variety of JDAIM-themed art projects.

Classroom blogs and student blogfolios will be a great place to find examples of how OJCS lives JDAIM this year.

It bears mentioning that our ability to meet existing needs is supported thanks to generous supplemental grants from Federation that provide flexible furniture, assistive technology, and diagnostic software to benefit learners of all kind.

This Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month, let us be reminded that “Beloved is humanity, for they were created in the image of God” (Pirkei Avot 3:14). To truly embrace this belief means committing to a lens of inclusivity—not just when it is easy or convenient, but as a fundamental obligation. The work of becoming more inclusive has no beginning and no ending. It is both a process and a journey, one that OJCS has proudly been on for a while and one that we intend to keep walking with our community into the future.

Ken y’hi ratzon.

Lighting the Lamp of Jewish Joy

Last week, I wrote about the vital role Jewish day schools play as safe havens of ruach during challenging times. This week, our school had the chance to embody that role through our Annual Chanukah Family Happening. In this second, post-October 7th public celebration of the miracle of Jewish survival, we had the opportunity to gather as a full OJCS community to light, to sing and to bask in the glow ruach.

Our theme for the program was “The Power of One Light to Transform the World,” which as our students explained:

We chose this theme as we believe in the power within each of us that can change the world, even in these difficult times. Just as the small jug of oil lasted eight days, each individual’s efforts, kindness, or good deeds can make a big difference.

This idea reflects the timeless wisdom of the menorah. As the Talmud teaches in Masechet Shabbat (21b),the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles embodies the principle of ma’alin bakodesh ve’ein moridin—increasing holiness by adding light each night. And just as we add one light each night, we are charged to add light to the world—through acts of kindness, compassion, and connection. We hope that this week’s program inspires us to see how even the smallest flame has the power to pierce the greatest darkness. Together, we become a beacon of light for one another, for our families, and for the world around us.

Of course, watching our amazing children sing and dance and recite poetry and tell stories and emcee is the main event – and they all performed beautifully. For me, however, for the second year in a row the emotional highlight / gut-punch came in the communal (ceremonial) candle-lighting when we ask all those in the room who have fought in the IDF to light a candle. Even knowing how many parents and teachers grew up in Israel and, thus, required a stint in the army, doesn’t prepare you for the emotional wallop of when so many people stand up and come forward. There’s a moment of stunned silence followed by a roar of applause fueled by gratitude and it is simply breathtaking. How fortunate are we that so many have sacrificed so much to ensure Israel’s survival. How lucky are we to live in a world where the miracle of Chanukah mingles with the miracle of Israel. How grateful are we that we have an opportunity to create and share meaningful Jewish experiences for Jewish children and families.

When Chanukah finally arrives (so late this year!), let’s not forget our Jewish values of tzedakah (charity) and kehillah (community). Along with your normal gift-giving, consider donating a night or two of your family’s celebration to Israel whose light of courage amplifies and enhances this Holiday of Lights. As we light our candles this year, may we remember the power of small acts to transform the world, the courage of those who safeguard our heritage, and the responsibility we share to amplify this light through generosity and community.

Chag urim sameach from my family to yours.

REVISED TIME:

A Safe Haven for Jewish Joy

Our school has six North Stars—enduring values that guide us on our journey from where we are to becoming the best version of ourselves. While some of these values may overlap with those of other schools—Jewish or secular, independent or public—it’s the unique combination of these six that defines us. When we meet new families, we take care to describe our North Stars, sharing stories of how these values come alive in our classrooms, highlighting alumni who embody them in their successes, and helping families discern whether the Ottawa Jewish Community School is the right place to entrust their children’s education and Jewish journey. Different North Stars naturally resonate with different families in different seasons. But this season, one North Star feels especially profound.

We define the Hebrew word ruach as joyfulness or spirit, but neither translation fully captures its depth. At OJCS, ruach conveys something more—a sense of belonging and authenticity best exemplified by the atmosphere of a Jewish summer camp, where you can be your truest self. It’s in the warmth of our walls, the joy in our students’ smiles, and the energy in their singing. Ruach has always been central to who we are.

But in the aftermath of October 7th and the rise in anti-Semitism across schools and communities, ruach feels bigger than a guiding principle. It feels like a lifeboat. Because OJCS isn’t just a place where Jewish children can explore their identities—it has become one of the few places where they can do so freely and safely.

I know what you might be thinking. Truly, I do.

Post-October 7th, we’ve been cautious in emphasizing the value of Jewish day school. We understand that Jewish day school isn’t every family’s preferred choice. (I, myself, am a proud product of public school.) We know it may not be the best fit for every learner and that tuition, even with OJCS priced below other independent schools in our market and offering nearly $1 million in scholarships annually, is still a significant consideration. We respect all these factors.

At the same time, we must speak to the reality: it is critical—now, more than ever—that Jewish children have a place where they can express their full selves without fear or sanction. Celebrating Chanukah at OJCS isn’t a “trigger for genocide”; it’s a celebration of the miracle of Jewish existence. And that miracle could not feel more relevant or powerful in this time and place.

You don’t have to choose Jewish day school for your family. But let this Jewish day school be clear: we are here. We are open. We are safe. We are a place where Jewish children can live proud, joyful Jewish lives. And we are also preparing students for life beyond our walls. Our graduates excel as advocates for themselves, and their communities in high schools, and on university campuses. (It is no coincidence that Noah Shack, the new Interim President of CIJA, is an OJCS alumnus.)

If you’re curious about what makes us who we are, we’d love to show you. This year, we’re opening our annual “Taste of Middle School” to all students and families in Grades 5-7. Come visit us, see the spirit of ruach in action, and discover what OJCS is all about.

More Than a Moment of Silence: Why Remembrance Day Matters More Now

I learned something new this year. It came from the podcast below that I hope you will listen to. Despite being just 1% of the population, Jews make up 3% of Canadian Armed Forces. As proud Canadians we would, of course, care deeply about Remembrance Day, but as Jewish Canadians we have an extra measure of pride and care knowing that we are overrepresented amongst those brave and selfless folk who place country first.

Remembrance Day is always planned and commemorated with great seriousness and reverence at OJCS. This year, considering all the things…

…October 7th and all that is happening in Israel.

…turbulence in the States regardless of your personal political views.

…the hijacking of Remembrance Day in our local public schools and spaces…

…perhaps even more so.

There are three aspects of our commemoration that I would like to highlight in this post…

On November 6th, the students in Grade 7 visited the Jewish Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The students met with representatives from the cemetery to learn about their important work within our community. They also read narratives of local Ottawa Jewish veterans who served our country in various ways. Students were then broken into groups and were provided with 15-20 gravesites to mark with Canadian flags. The students had the opportunity to pay their respects to these veterans who risked their lives for our freedoms. This was one of the many Remembrance Day activities our students engaged in throughout the week and is an annual Rabbi Bulka Kindness Project.

Speaking of whom…

For anyone who grew up in Ottawa, the National Remembrance Day Ceremony will always be closely linked to the venerable Rabbi Bulka.

His speeches, delivered in that same blue suit no matter the weather and the fact that everyone else dressed in warm coats, were a source of wisdom and instilled me with so much pride.

On this Remembrance Day, the Canadian Jewish News (The CJN)’s Ellin Bessner offered a glimpse into the Rabbi’s legacy with a timely conversation with me, Congregation Machzikei Hadas Rabbi Idan Scher and Canadian Armed Forces Rabbi Noteh Glogauer. Topics ranged from the launch of the Rabbi Bulka Kindness Project for OJCS Middle School students to a reflection on how Rabbi Bulka would’ve responded to the horrors of October 7th.

You can listen to the podcast here:

For Remembrance Day itself, we were blessed to host David Kirk who served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 14 years and is currently a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He shared powerful words with our students closed his remarks by saying, “All peoples should be able to live together in peace. This is why we have a Canadian Armed Force; to defend our peace, freedom and others as need be. Students – please care and remember those who gave so much for our way of life, you are the future.” Students shared thoughts, prayers and songs in English, Hebrew & French and – as we do each year – laid wreaths to honour those who gave their lives serving and protecting our country.

For OJCS, marking this day was, and is, a powerful opportunity to reflect on the values that underpin our community: resilience, remembrance, and a commitment to peace. In a world that feels increasingly fractured, we come together to not only honor the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom but also to reaffirm our role as a Jewish school in nurturing compassionate, justice-minded citizens. More than ever, our students need to understand both the historical costs of war and the enduring need for solidarity, empathy, and resolve. This Remembrance Day was a moment to remind ourselves and our students of the vital importance of standing together—against hatred, for peace, and with a renewed sense of purpose in building a better world.

Goal-Setting Conferences 2.0

The weather may have just finally turned, although still unseasonably warm for Ottawa, and we had a noon dismissal followed by a pupil-free day. That could only mean one thing here at the Ottawa Jewish Community School, it was time for Goal-Setting Conferences 2.0!

We have spent the last day-and-a-half welcoming parents and students to the second iteration of our Goal-Setting Conferences. What are “Goal-Setting Conferences” you ask?

North Star alert! At OJCS, our students own their own learning, which means learning to goal-set is of paramount importance to their growth and development – now and throughout their lives. Our conferencing opportunity to sit together with you and your child to discuss personalised goals is swiftly approaching on Thursday, November 7th & Friday, November 8th, and so we are sending along some much needed information to support you and your child through this growth process.

[We launched this last year as a pilot and you can revisit this post if you want all the possible background and context.]

What’s new this year?

We iterated a new process for this year that comes in response to student, parent and teacher feedback. We believe strongly that it helped everyone more easily connect the dots with regard to what was prioritised for each child, with their voice and their parents a part of the conversation. One major change that took place prior to the conferences themselves, was that with the transition back to semesters and with Goal-Setting Conferences sitting on the calendar where first trimester Parent-Teacher Conferences used to live, we decided to add first and third quarter Progress Reports so that parents could be in the know on all matters academic and otherwise. First quarter reports went out earlier this week and teachers facilitated any related conversations so that the deck was cleared to focus on goal-setting.

Here’s how we prepped:

A grade-level appropriate lesson was taught to help children understand the benefits of setting personal goals (whether academic, social skills-related, social-emotional and/or spiritual).
Our teachers met individually with each student to help them think about what goals would be most beneficial for them at this time.
We encouraged parents to discuss their own goals for their child(ren) with them, or to bring those ideas with them to Goal-Setting Conferences to add with the teacher.
Parents booked Goal-Setting Conferences to meet with the classroom teachers to have meaningful discussions about the goals selected and to make a plan to help invite success.

For those who are curious, here is how we templated the different kinds of goals students, teacher and parents could be reaching towards:

And for our older students, we focused on helping them create SMART Goals:

We worked really hard this year to upgrade the preparation and the experience, and the view from the lobby as families have come in and out these last two days seems to validate that the hard work paid off. From here, we have a responsibility to be explicit about how and where these goals will live throughout this school year – including meaningful updates on future progress reports, report cards, and parent-teacher conferences. Additionally, as is true with all pilots and prototypes, we will seek feedback now that this round of conferences is complete so we can further refine things.

Here’s to helping our students get…

OJCS @ 75: A Night to Remember…and to Build Upon.

We are still riding high from the tremendous success and warm community vibes from Wednesday night’s 75th Anniversary Gala. Whether you were there or not, please be on the lookout for pictures and videos and copies of the beautiful Tribute Journal. Regardless of your relationship with OJCS, this milestone is of and for all of Jewish Ottawa – this school does not exist in a vacuum; it took and takes a community dedicated to Jewish education and the “Jewish Future” to ensure day school is a viable option for Jewish families. Before we start look forward to the next 75 years, let me take one last opportunity to look back by sharing the words here that I was privileged to share at the event itself. Let us go from strength to strength…

I stand before you tonight with immense gratitude and deep humility. I am now in my eighth year, standing on the shoulders of giants like Rabbi Kravetz, Rabbi Kaploun, Stan Katz, and Doris Bronstein—just to name a few of my predecessors—who made this extraordinary evening possible. It is but a quirk of the calendar that brings me to the dais as head of this special school during its 75th anniversary year. Without the monumental collective gifts of talent, time, and love from all those who have held this position, this milestone could not have been reached. I may be the one standing on stage tonight, but they are the ones who built it.

What a true blessing this year of celebrations has been! The anniversary was 75 years in the making; the planning for it has taken almost a full year. We have, and will continue to, thank the volunteers and staff who dedicated countless hours of care to ensure we could celebrate this historic event in the life of our school and our Jewish community. I would like to take a moment of personal prerogative, however, to express my deep gratitude to Randi Sherman, Leiba Metz and Julie Ross – our Gala Chairs – who willed this miracle of an evening into existence and my deep appreciation for a person for whom no words of praise are sufficient. Joanne Gorenstein has been my rock and my partner these past two years, and never has a lay leader worked or cared more. No one, except perhaps Sacha, will ever know how much dedication she has shown to ensure that the next seventy-five years of our school will match, if not exceed, the seventy-five glorious years we are honoring tonight.

We have spent the year reliving and celebrating both the past and the present, and as we’ve seen tonight, there is much to be proud of. Our alumni’s achievements astound; our volunteers’ passion is unmatched; and our faculty’s love is unparalleled. Eight consecutive years of enrollment growth validate that our present is fulfilling the promise of our past.

When you walk through the halls of nearly every synagogue and Jewish organization in this community and peruse the pictures of former lay chairs and executives, you will find our alumni. This legacy of leadership and service is just as significant as the collective academic and professional success of so many generations of Hillel Academy and OJCS Alumni. But tonight isn’t just about celebrating the past; it’s about charting the course for the future. Just as those pioneers seventy-five years ago bravely created a day school despite the obstacles, we pledge tonight to follow in their footsteps and dream in bold and vibrant colors. Like them, we will need the ongoing support of our community to make those dreams a reality.

Because this is not merely a celebration of, or for, the Day School. This is an achievement that required the vision and courage of the leaders of this community to found a Jewish day school in Ottawa, Ontario, in 1949. This moment is possible because of a Jewish community that continues to believe in the power of Jewish education. It is a dream fulfilled because of the support of a generous and forward-thinking Jewish Federation. Our hearts overflow with gratitude for the outpouring of support this anniversary has generated.

Yes, we have surpassed our expectations in this magical year in terms of fundraising but let no one think that the work of supporting Jewish education is done or even on hold. We continue to live in challenging economic times. The Generations Trust endowment for Jewish Day Schools in Ottawa, along with both Federation’s and our own Annual Campaigns, remain our most important source of funding. We hope you will be inspired to continue supporting these funds each year as a key component in sustaining the future of all our schools and Jewish Ottawa.

As Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks famously said, “To defend a country, you need an army. To defend a civilization, you need education.” So now, more than ever, the work of graduating Jewishly literate and committed young men and women, with a love and passion for the People, Land, and State of Israel, is critical. Tonight, we pause to take pride in what has been, and to prepare for what is to come. As it says in the Mishnah: “Lo alecha ha’mlacha ligmor…” – “It is not incumbent upon you to finish the work, but neither are you free to exempt yourself from it” (Mishnah: Avot, 2.16).

As the proud head of the Ottawa Jewish Community School, I am inspired to do my part—alongside all of you—to carry this dream forward into the next seventy-five years.

Thank you.

The 2024 OJCS Middle School Retreat: Disconnect to Reconnect

We had to pivot to a new location this year (Todah Rabbah Camp Shomria!), but it was worth it in order to return a full experience at our Seventh Annual OJCS Middle School Retreat! Our theme for The 2024 Middle School Retreat was the same as it was for our Faculty Pre-Planning Week as it will be for the whole school and the whole year: Disconnect to Reconnect. Over three days, we had all kinds of community-building experiences and programs and we engaged in three different peulot (informal Jewish educational programs) where our students, by class, by grade, and as a full middle school had a chance to review and lean into the permanent values embodied in our North Stars and the “7 Habits” while learning about the value of “disconnecting” and how our reliance on technology can sometimes get in the way of our “connecting” with our community, our school, our classmates, our friends…and ourselves. I was very impressed by the level of engagement and the quality of conversation – whether we were inside, outside, sleepy or wide awake – that our students contributed to this part of the experience.

Here’s a snapshot (or many) of our experience:

Day #1

We arrived mid-morning, settled in, went over rules and boundaries, and unpacked.
Then we had lunch together.
Next up, Moreh David organized a Jewish Studies-Themed Scavenger Hunt that took us all around the camp while reviewing our basic Bible and Holiday Facts.
Then, our very own OJCS Parent, Steve Papai (thank you!) came up to supervise our canoeing and kayaking on Otty Lake. Those who weren’t interested in the waterfront, were able to read and do arts and crafts with Miss M.
After that, we came together for our first peulah (activity) on the topic of “Disconnect to Reconnect”. We learned what it meant to be a “Hokie” and a “Pokie”, explored what it mean to work collaboratively with those who have different norms, talked about the kind of MIddle School community we want to create and sustain, “crossed a wild river” and – of course, ended with…the Hokie-Pokie.
We finished with hanging out, watching a movie, playing night volleyball or ga-ga, reading, relaxing, etc., and then…lailah tov!

Day #2

We began our day with a delicious group breakfast and an outdoor Tefillah, which set the tone for the adventures ahead. After fueling up, we made our way to Marked, where students tested their strength and endurance through a series of challenging outdoor obstacle courses and showcased their precision and accuracy during thrilling games of laser tag.
In the late afternoon, we returned to camp where the fun continued. Students cooled off with a refreshing swim in the lake and enjoyed relaxing canoe rides. Others took advantage of the many amenities the camp offers, including basketball and tetherball.
As evening approached, we gathered for a delicious BBQ dinner. Following dinner, we engaged in our second peulah focusing on “mindfulness” and shifting one’s attitude by reimagining daily school experiences through a new lens (i.e. “Math” as “Brain Exercise” and “Eating” as “Mindful Eating”).
We ended our day on a high note with a cozy bonfire. Students ate roasted marshmallows and sang songs, creating a perfect end to an action-packed day.

Day #3

We got up early, ate, did Tefillah, cleaned up and packed up!
We did our final peulah, this time focused on trust and how to carry forward the conversations and the relationships from the retreat back to school.
We finished up with a great survival skills training with Mr. Ray & Mr. C. and then it was time to load the busses and head back to OJCS!

Please be sure to join us tomorrow for “Back to School Night” from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. We can’t wait to show you the new spaces, to go deeper into The Anxious Generation, and to share with all you need to know to be great partners during this exciting 75th anniversary year!

Coming Attractions

I have used the metaphor of “building the plane while flying it” before, but I have never experienced it quite as literally as these last weeks! This has been quite the reopening for school and each day we get closer to realizing the dream of this first phase of the renovation.

If I had more bandwidth, creativity and money, I would love to shoot one of those “Coming this season…” trailers that shows often use at the end of the first episode of a new season. “This season at the Ottawa Jewish Community School…” And I could provide tantalizing tidbits and foreshadowing of all the exciting things coming for the 2024-2025 school year at OJCS, and there are quite a lot of them. Instead, the best I can do is what you will find below…

Coming soon on The Ottawa Jewish Community School…

…we actually do finish the first phase of our amazing $2 million classroom renovation! As of this writing, nearly all furniture, millwork, interactive whiteboards, lighting, flooring, painting, etc., of all the spaces covered in this first phase are now in, working and complete. What is left to do? We have whiteboards and cork boards coming in next week and new storage units for upstairs. That should be it…for now! Can’t wait to show them to you at…
…Back to School Night! Come join us on September 17th at 7:00 PM where in addition to the normal things, you will, 1) Hear from Vice Principal Melissa Thompson about how OJCS is building upon big ideas from The Anxious Generation and, 2) See the new classrooms!
…we relaunch our OJCS PTA under the leadership of Chelsea Levine who is bringing all her energy and ideas to the table! (And we thank Tracy Hartman for her leadership these last few years!) Want to help Chelsea infuse our school with ruach and joy and friend-raising to enhance the experience of being at OJCS? Email her at [email protected] and get involved!
…Middle School is prototyping longer blocks of academic time for selected courses and a new Study Skills course. What will be the impact? We’ll see!
…we finally officially dedicate a Vimy Oak at Beechwood Cemetary on October 10th in loving memory of Rabbi Bulka Z”l and to officially kick off this year’s work of the Rabbi Bulka Kindness Project, generously sponsored by Kind Canada.

Coming this season on The Ottawa Jewish Community School

- …OJCS turns 75! Don’t miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity celebrate this historic milestone on October 30th!

…we complete our three-year journey as a CAIS Candidate School and host an accreditation team in February 2025 with the hope of becoming the third CAIS-accredited independent school in Ottawa (joining Ashbury & Elmwood).

There is so much more, but I am really trying to be more parsimonious in the hope that by writing less, it is easier and more enjoyable to read. Next week? Middle School Retreat!

Things I Know Parents Want To Know

Update on Meat-Dairy days is coming very soon. We’ve heard you.
Clarification on parking rules for both drop-off and pickup is also coming soon. Safety trumps convenience. Please and Thank You.
Plans for how the school – and Campus – plan to navigate the anniversary of October 7th.

It is my pleasure to introduce you to our newest “Friend of OJCS”!

Lidia Kaia is an Ottawa-born artist with Down Syndrome, whose work is renowned for its innovative pouring techniques and its use of colour therapy to foster psychological wellbeing. Her art has been thoughtfully designed to positively influence emotional and mental states, helping to alleviate stress and enhance mood. Lidia’s artwork has been featured in exhibitions and private galleries across Europe and is now garnering attention within the Canadian art scene.

Driven by her love for people, Lidia remains dedicated to creating new collections that reflect her unique perspective and passion for therapeutic art. Lidia and her family are deeply appreciative of the opportunity to showcase her work within our school.

Please feel free to visit Jennifer and Yulia’s office on our first floor where you can view her stunning pieces. You may also view her work – and meet her – and buy some for yourself at Back to School Night! Here is a link to her full portfolio.

Interested in becoming “Friend of OJCS”? Contact Yulia Elgin at [email protected].

OJCS Faculty Pre-Planning 2024: Disconnect to Reconnect

This is normally the post where we provide a peek behind the curtain of what happens at school the week before students arrive; the week that teachers return, engage in meaningful professional growth opportunities, plan together for the start of school, organize their rooms and spaces, etc. This year, of course, with a renovation racing at breakneck speed towards the first day of school, we shifted the balance of Pre-Planning Week towards that last task – giving all the time needed to open these brand-new classrooms on the first day of school.

One advantage to a nearly 100% returning faculty and staff is that we can seamlessly move forward on work we have been doing these last few years to help OJCS reach ever-closer towards our North Stars. And with enrollment still coming in (classic Ottawa), we are on track for a seventh consecutive year of growth. As we prepare to (literally) open our doors next week to house students in classrooms which are now as excellent as the quality of teaching and learning contained therein, and as you prepare to enjoy the last holiday weekend marking the end of summer, let me paint a little picture of how we are preparing to make 2024-2025 the best year yet.

Here’s a curated selection from our activities…

The “Learned Helplessness” Cafe

Each year (17 years, 8 at OJCS and counting!), I begin “Pre-Planning Week” with an updated version of the “World Café”. It is a collaborative brainstorming activity centered on a key question. Each year’s question is designed to encapsulate that year’s “big idea”. This year’s big idea? Disconnect to Reconnect!

As a segue to this one big idea, we started the World Café by exploring the notion of “learned helplessness” and whether or not our use of technology in school contributes to it.

Here’s what connected collaboration looks like…

The Anxious Generation

Beginning with last year’s prototype of a “Middle School Cell Phone Detox,” we are building upon this key idea:

It is always the right time to do what is necessary to ensure the wellbeing of our students. A number of us on our Educational Leadership Team (beginning with Vice Principal Melissa Thompson) have been reading The Anxious Generation and following the discussion on one of its big ideas, “Wait Until 8th“. Both deal with the negative impacts of constant and chronic use of smartphones, in particular, on young and developing minds.

This will be the ONE BIG IDEA for 2024-2025. Parents will have an opportunity to learn more at this year’s “Back to School Night”, as well as through parent education sessions and a series of cohorted book groups. It will also be the theme of this year’s Middle School Retreat. We are looking forward to sharing more…once we launch the start of school.

Behaviour Support @ OJCS 2.0

We took significant strides last year in the way in which we navigate behaviour, evidence of which can be found in our parent and faculty feedback data. That doesn’t mean that we don’t continue to refine and revise our framework. We do and we did.

Here is a reminder about the big idea that underpins our approach:

Here is our framework-at-a-glance:

Again, it cannot be understated how helpful it is having almost 100% returning faculty when it comes to these matters. We can spend all our bandwidth on growing and improving. We saw the impact of the framework last year; we look forward to greater impact with a second year under our collective parent-school collaborative belts.

Did we take a Shehekhiyanu Moment when we (finally!) were able to show our teachers their new classrooms?

Did I do one of my spiritual check-ins on the topic of the “Discomforting Comfort”? Sure did!

Did Moreh David inject some ruach (North Star Alert!) into Pre-Planning Week with some all-staff shirah? Yup!

Did Ms. Gordon go over all the guidelines and protocols and procedures and rules and mandates to keep us all in the know? No doubt!

Did Josh Max train all our teachers on how to use our amazing new interactive whiteboards installed in all our classrooms and prepare our Lower School Teachers to use our 60 new iPads? Yessiree!

Did our teachers have lots of time to meet and prepare and collaborate and organize and do all the things needed to open up school on Tuesday? And then some!

All that and much more took place during this week of planning. We are prepared to provide a rigorous, creative, innovative, personalised, and ruach-filled learning experience for each and every one of our precious students who we cannot wait to greet in person on the first day of school!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday weekend and a successful launch to the 2024-2025 school year…