Using What We Learned

Randi Sher, Director of Education

TBEeducator@bethelsp.org

Time flies by even faster in the summer! Torah School starts at the end of the month, and we are very excited. Our first day of Torah School will be Sunday, August 29th, beginning at 9:00 am for both students and parents. The day is structured to have time for students to meet with teachers, parents to meet with me and all of us to participate in learning stations as families.

If you have not yet registered, please do so as soon as possible. You can use this link to reach the registration forms. I need the registration numbers to finish ordering textbooks and supplies so feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

All students in Torah School will meet in person on Sundays. Classes are in session from 9:00am to noon and include time in music, tefillot and monthly chuggim (electives) topics. There will be time inside and outdoors and we will have snack and recess time as well. Masks will be required for everything but snacks.

Hebrew time on Thursdays will remain virtual this year. The teachers will divide the students into dyads and triads based upon Hebrew knowledge and friendships and work with parents to figure out a schedule that works for everyone. The groups will meet for 30 minutes each week. We found last year that the students learned more this way and were absent less, and the parents and teachers were less stressed not having to drive fighting traffic. It is also possible to meet at a different day or time if it works for the teacher and the students.

We will be reinstating our student Torah reading program and Family Education programs by class after High Holy Days. I am eager to see the Torah reading in person as I have been hearing about it for more than a decade and it sounds amazing! The Family Education programs will be opportunities for parents to share the learning with your child. Both programs will start after the High Holy days and more details will be available at the Opening Day Program.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you in person at our Opening Day Program and hope I can recognize everyone with masks on! Feel free to help me, and anyone else who seems to need it, we all do best as a community when we help each other.