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It has always been our practice to keep up with the latest neuroscientific research on learning. How does the brain learn best? What strategies help students succeed academically? How can we as teachers provide an environment that maximizes learning capacity?
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I was fortunate to attend a conference on “Learning and the Brain” in November. For three riveting days, we learned about “calming anxious brains,” and I soaked in the research of leading neuroscientists who presented on ways their findings should impact schools.
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The overwhelming focus was on the impact of trauma, fear and anxiety on the brain. The increased presence of all three during the pandemic impacts much of what we do at school. There are specific strategies that scientists know help our brains to move from “fight or flight” to a place where we can learn, think, plan and behave rationally. Being intentional about making them part of your child’s school day is our goal. Here are a few:
- Exercise: moving our bodies is like a bubble bath of happy chemicals for our brain
- Mindfulness: the simple act of self-awareness and metacognition helps us make choices that are healthy and productive
- Gratitude: thankfulness leads to happiness
- Empathy: interpersonal interaction leads to being curious, not furious
- Awe: reducing our multitasking and allowing our brains to take in our surroundings and reduce stress
- Community, sense of belonging: feeling part of a community and with sense of purpose reduces anxiety
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While these have always been a part of the Mirowitz experience, you can feel certain that your students will experience more of them as we move into the winter months. When we know something to be good for children, Mirowitz educators implement it without delay. |
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I’ll be reading the book The Body Keeps the Score by one of the phenomenal presenters from the conference. Would anyone like to join me to discuss the first few chapters and possibly more? Let me know!
Happy Chanukah and Shabbat Shalom,
Cheryl
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Tuesday, December 7: Middle School Open House at 7 p.m.
December 18-January 2: Winter Vacation
January 14: Teacher Recording Day - NO SCHOOL
January 15: Financial Aid Applications Due
January 17: MLK Drive Thru Social Action Event -
NO SCHOOL: MLK Day
February 18: Professional Development - NO SCHOOL
February 21: Presidents' Day - NO SCHOOL
March 17: Purim
March 24: Parent Teacher Conferences - Noon dismissal
March 25: Parent Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL
March 28: Professional Development - NO SCHOOL
April 15-22: Passover Break - NO SCHOOL
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Do you have a child in 4th or 5th grade, or a friend who is curious about Mirowitz for their child? We've planned a moment of exploration for parents and children on December 7 @ 7 p.m.
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Thank you to all of you who helped us welcome Raquel Scharf-Anderson, a candidate who spent three days at Mirowitz.
The search committee values your comments and feedback about interactions you or your children have with our candidates. The survey below (YELLOW LINK) offers parents, lay leaders, donors and community members to share your thoughts. (Faculty, you will be receiving a separate survey.)
Thank you for caring so deeply about Mirowitz!
Happy Chanukah,
Paul and Diane
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The past couple of weeks at Mirowitz have been positively illuminated by Hanukkah joy and miracles—from learning about and exploration of the concept of "נס" (miracle), to a proliferation of festive
Hanukkah sweaters, a riot of
Hanukkiyah lightings, a whirlwind of
dreidel games, and a symphony of singing.
Try this dreidel game with your family. Spin the
dreidel as usual. Follow these directions depending on how it falls:
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This week, your children are exploring their own passions through the Chanukah Tamchui project.
Have you contributed to the the collective Tamchui (tzedakah pot)? Many families choose to give up a night of Chanukah presents in order to give rather than receive. Some will empty family tzedakah jars, or do household chores and donate their earnings.
We will divide our group Tamchui collection based on the distribution of votes (pompon tokens) each receives. (Click the links below to learn more about them.)
Earthdance Farms
The International Institute
The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry
Herzliya Loves Animals
Jewish Charitable Services
Please send your cash or check (payable to Mirowitz) donations by Wednesday, Dec. 8. That will be Tamchui Math Day, and your children will count the group collection, the pompon tokens and determine how your children voted to allocate our 2021 Tamchui.
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A thank you note from
Marianne Chervitz, Director of Development |
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Many thanks to everyone who participated in Giving Tuesday. We raised $9,610...and told our story in meaningful ways on social media!
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If you did not have a chance to say #thankyoumirowitz but want to help us prepre children to lead with competence, compassion 💓 and a moral compass 🧭, it's not too late! Your gift is the best way to ensure a bright ☀️ Jewish tomorrow.
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Lauren and Jeffrey Abraham
Marian Aronon
Jennifer Baer
Jennifer and Scott Bernstein
Sherri and Mike Besmer
Barbara Bianco
Patty and Jonathan Bloom
Rebecca Bloom
Betti Blumoff
Susan Bosse
Mariel Brechner and Itzik Shoghi
Marianne and Steve Chervitz
Susan and Bob Cohen
Bobbie Crabtree
Dana and Vince Deblasi
Betsy & Joel Dennis
Beca Dennis
Alex Dyer
Marci Mayer Eisen and Rick Eisen
Ann Mayer Eisen and Jack Eisen
Felicia Abatgis-Flynn
Laura and Scot Fowler
Mark Gersten and Laura Shapiro
Margaret Gillerman
Jen & Brad Goldenberg
Sarah and Alex Haimann
Amy and Zach Hammerman
Lynn Harris
Noa and Guy Hazan
Julie and David Hoffman
Mindy and Brad Horowitz
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Rhiannon Kaye
Lee'at and Mike Koertel
Nicki and Warren Kruger
Kushnir Family
Sara Lander and Robert Bernstein
Sue and Marc Lapp
Cyndee and Ken Levy
Shirley & David Lieb
Cheryl and Jon Maayan
Fran Milsk
Alana and Mike Minoff
Robin and AJ Moll
Andrea Newstead
Dani and Jay Pliskow
Marshall Reiss
Carol Richards-Bernstein
Janet Amitin Roberts and Family
Shannon and Joe Rohlman
Michelle and Mike Rosch
Gail Rose & Mark Ragin
Sharon and Jeffrey Rosenblum
Joshua and Michelle Rosenfield
Barbara & Bob Rosenfield
Rabbi Scott Slarskey & Rabbi Tracy Nathan
Val and Paul Toskin
Mike Vredenburgh and Rebecca Rubin-Schlansky
Mary and Mark Wagoner
Gale Wagoner
Jessica & Jeffrey Wax
Jeff and Lori Weintrop
Sherri Frank Weintrop and Daniel Weintrop
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In Honor of
Samantha G
“Happy 11th Birthday.
You have grown up too fast. We love you!”
Love, Gay and Larry G. (Gigi and Pop)
In Honor of
Emily B
“Emily, we are so proud of you
and the amazing job you did on your Bat Mitzvah!”
Love, Mom, Dad, and Lucas
In Honor of
Max & Amos
“Mazel tov to Max & Amos on an amazing job reading Torah! And a big thank you to Reb Scott for being their awesome teacher!”
Love, Alana & Mike Minoff
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Watch our K-5 students and MS Show Choir perform a medley of
Chanukkah tunes! |
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Kindergartners shared their understanding and excitement for Bereishit this afternoon! |
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To Max and Amos who chanted Torah and led a discussion in the lower school this week. |
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to
Shauni K
who will become a bat mitzvah this weekend,
(Photo is a throw back to when she was in 5th grade.) |
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Our hearts go out to
Josh and Michelle Rosenfeld
and their daughter
Sophie
who are morning the loss of Josh's
grandmother
Leah Cohen
Beth and Mark Manlin
and their children
Ben, Sam and Max
who are mourning the loss of Beth's mom,
Audrey Gershenson
May the Rosenfeld and Manlin families be remembered among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. |
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Thanks to these mamas who made
Light up the Night so delicious:
to everyone who made Light Up the Night a success:
Lauren Abraham
Alana Minoff
Jacque Siegler
Janet Amitin-Roberts
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Thanks to
Sherri Besmer
Donna Spector
Cyndee Levy
for serving lunch
this week
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Can you help serve lunch next week? We need volunteers for Tuesday and Friday. You can sign up by logging onto the Mirowitz App on your computer here. |
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Nikki Patterson
Brittany Barrett
Alice Handelman
The Mirowitz family prays for their speedy and complete recovery. |
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Help Celebrate Our Staff
While Supporting The 8th Grade Israel Trip
To send a cookie gram email Chef A.J. He will then prepare and deliver your message with 3 chocolate chip cookies to the Staff member of your choice.
The cost is $5 and all proceeds benefit the 8th grade trip to Israel. Payments are through Venmo @Robin-Moll or PayPal robinlmoll80@gmail.com
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Your lovingkindness, envelop it in Your peace, and bestow Your light and truth upon its leaders, ministers, and advisors, and grace them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend our holy land, grant them deliverance, and adorn them in a mantle of victory. Ordain peace in the land and grant its inhabitants eternal happiness.
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