Add a Post

Scheck Hillel Enhances Student Experience: Intensive Faculty Training, Program Additions

Scheck Hillel Program Additions

The summer “command center” at Scheck Hillel Community School is abuzz with activity. From planning campus logistics and sanitization measures to intensive professional development and installation of new technologies, Scheck Hillel is prepared to deliver on its pillars: providing a rigorous college preparatory education steeped in Jewish values and community. All the while, the health of our students, faculty and staff is the priority.

The command center is in itself a community of constant learning led by Head of School Vanessa Donaher and Rabbinic Head Dr. Ezra Levy. Members of the school’s leadership team, faculty, staff and volunteers rotate in and out of the center, ensuring that each decision made meets the highest quality standards. “No single person or entity has all the answers in this situation. A unique and ever-changing landscape requires collaboration and a healthy amount of listening,” remarked Mrs. Donaher.

On campus or online, Scheck Hillel’s key area of focus is the educational product to be offered in the fall.

  • Academics will kick off with an optional, free of charge Academic Boot Camp for Kindergarten-Grade 12 for the two weeks immediately before the start of school. Students will refresh skills and make connections online; 240 students registered for this incredible value-added opportunity.
  • A comprehensive Student Orientation program will aid the transition to school for students who return in-person or online.
  • To reinforce the connection between school and home, Scheck Hillel will provide every student entering Kindergarten-Grade 5 with a brand new Chromebook for the school year.
  • School supplies and printouts also will be provided by the school for all PK2-Grade 5 students.
  • Taking lessons and feedback from spring’s swift move to its Hillel @ Home model, the online offer is strengthened in both quality and quantity:
    • Increased live daily instructional time
    • Developmentally-appropriate schedules
    • Enhanced Class Pages with easier user experience as the point of access to all classes, including specials like art, music and PE
    • New flat-panel interactive displays in all classrooms to enhance in-class instruction and deliver a strong online concurrent learning experience
    • Essential supplies, print outs and textbook packages for all students (in addition to Lower School school supplies)
    • Expanded faculty office hours to include further opportunities for one-to-one connection.
    • Counseling groups to bolster social-emotional learning
    • A vibrant Student Life program to maintain ruach and community

The cornerstone of a strengthened online component is intensive faculty training. Led by Chief Academic Officer Craig Carpentieri, and designed by I LAB Instructor and Lower School Technology Coordinator Nancy Penchev, the program is personalized and self-paced. In the first week of training, Scheck Hillel teachers completed 200 classes. “I know how much our teachers love our children. I know how much they love teaching. And they wanted to improve their skills in using specific technology tools,” Ms. Penchev said.

Scheck Hillel has been a model of collaboration and problem-solving this summer, when committed educators have learned from each other, from peers in other schools and from national leaders. Mrs. Donaher recently met with Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho for an exchange of ideas and experiences.

Scheck Hillel is fully in the “doing” phase of what will be an extraordinary year of learning and coming together. As Lions we roar, as students we soar!

About Scheck Hillel Community School
Scheck Hillel Community School educates and inspires students 18 months-Grade 12 to become exemplary global citizens with enduring Jewish identity and values through an individualized college preparatory curriculum highlighted by Design/STEM, Capstone, college dual enrollment, arts, athletics and community service. Its 14-acres include a 115,000-sq.-ft athletic complex with academic expansion plans. Set within a nurturing, diverse community, Scheck Hillel is one of the world's largest Jewish community day schools and a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. For more information about Scheck Hillel Community School or to arrange a visit to the school, please contact our Admissions office at 305.931.2831x173 or write to [email protected].

Comments

There are no comments.

Leave a Comment

Preview

Title
Comment

Formatting Help

You Type You See
## Header Text

Header Text

### Sub-Header Text

Sub-Header Text

*italics* italics
**bold** bold
[text to display](http://google.com) text to display
+ item 1
+ item 2
+ item 3
  • item 1
  • item 2
  • item 3
1. item 1
2. item 2
3. item 3
  1. item 1
  2. item 2
  3. item 3
> a really cool quote from a nice person
a really cool quote from a nice person
To embed an image
![Alt text for image](http://thedomain.com/folder/filename.jpg)

The "Alt text for image" should be replaced with a word or short description of the image, in case a visitor does not view images.
To embed a video (from YouTube or Vimeo)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEJy2q27hVk]
[https://vimeo.com/5002547]

* Required information