JUDAICS.COMMUNICATIONS
In the Talmud, a beautiful story is found of an eccentric teacher named Honi the Circle Drawer, a miracle worker who lived 2,000 years ago. One day Honi saw an elderly man planting a tree and he asked him, “What are you planting?”
The elderly gardener answered, “A Carob tree.”
“In how many years will it bear fruit?” asked Honi.
“70 years,” the old man responded.
“But you are very old,” Honi continued. “Will you live to see it bear fruit?”
The old man answered by saying, “When I came I found trees planted by those who lived before me. I am only doing for future generations what was done for me.”
In this spirit of this story, Wednesday, February 6 marked the first tree planting ritual to honor our seniors who began at Cardin when it was just a seed. As they have grown, they have helped to grow Cardin. Without them, we would never have arrived at this place where we are ready to build a new building, nor would we have had our first sports teams, trip to Israel, musicals, interim weeks, nor would the word have spread throughout the community about all the good things happening at our school.
Dr. Peter Shulman, the Andrew W. Mellon Post Doctoral Fellow in the Humanities at the Johns Hopkins University, opened the program with a talk on learning from Martin Buber on the spirituality of relating to nature.
The members of the freshman class said a few words about each senior and presented them with tree certificates. How appropriate, in anticipation of our trip to the south, that the trees were planted in the Coretta Scott King Forest in the Galilee Region of Northern Israel.
Ms. Leslie Rosen concluded the ceremony with a meditation on Martin Luther King: “To Dream and To Do.”
Rabbi Stuart Seltzer
CLASSES IN ACTION
Spanish IV
Students used commands such as “open the coffee can” and “cut the cheese into small cubes” to have their peers prepare parts of a meal. Students were not allowed to move without being explicitly commanded to do so in the Spanish language. Students prepared salad, dessert, and coffee and then ate the fruits of their labor.
Judy Frumin
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Israel In My Eyes
“Israel in My Eyes,” a project based on imagination and initiated in honor of Israel’s 60th birthday, is currently on display at the CJE (Center for Jewish Education) at the Park Heights JCC. The project was created by members of Morah Zohara Chaban’s Hebrew II class, including: Yoshi Robinson, Yoella Diamant-Cohen, Allison Waskow, Amanda-Megan Levin, Molly Lipton, MariAnne Skolnik, and Le’Anna Block (all students in the Cardin class of 2010) in conjunction with Ms. Diane Wittner.
Zohara Chaban and Diane Wittner
“In my eyes Israel is a home. I can’t really say what Israel is purely from my mind since I did live there and, therefore, the facts are part of my vision, too. Israel is where I was born and is a beautiful place which I will never forget. When I think of Israel, I think of the playgrounds I used to play on, the friends I used to hang out with, and the house I used to live in.”
Yoella Diamant-Cohen ’10
A Houston Basketball Tournament Wrap-up
 After traveling 1,400 miles by bus, plane, and van, The Cardin School basketball teams arrived in Houston, Texas to participate in a six-school tournament at The Emery/Weiner School. Other schools participating in the tournament included: Tannenaum CHAT (Toronto, ON), The Heschel School (New York, NY), The Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (Philadelphia, PA), Robert M. Beren Academy (Houston, TX), and Emery/Weiner.
Over the duration of the tournament, our teams’ play improved remarkably. From the first game to the last, the Cardin athletes gave their all. The competition was, by far, the best our teams have yet faced and the exposure to such a high level of play will undoubtedly benefit our program. Most importantly, our teams showed class and mental perseverance, even in tough physical defeat. Our good sportsmanship did not go unnoticed; the athletic director from The Barrack School remarked that our team played admirably, and The Beren Academy invited our boys’ team to their gym on Sunday morning for an unscheduled game.
The games aside, the boys and girls all enjoyed the energetic tournament atmosphere and camaraderie with other teams. While spectators at the tournament, we cheered for the schools that were still playing. We are very proud of Byron McKenney-Powell ’08 and Allyson Richmond ’11 who received medals for being named to the All-Tournament Team!
I would like to thank the players from both of our teams for the overall manner in which they conducted themselves. I would also like to thank the students’ parents for their support and trust. Finally, I want to thank the faculty and staff at The Shoshana S. Cardin School for their support and flexibility.
Foye C. Minton, Jr.
What Do They Do On Professional Day?
 Last Wednesday, the faculty and staff relished the chance to get an extra hour of sleep. Starting at 8:30am, we had the opportunity to spend the day learning together in a variety of ways as we took part in professional day activities!
We were honored to have Rabbi Joel Zaiman, Rabbi Emeritus from Chizuk Amuno Congregation, join us for a morning of learning and reflection. Prior to meeting with Rabbi Zaiman, the faculty and staff previewed the story of Cain and Abel - yes, even teachers can have homework! Rabbi Zaiman challenged us to look at the text in a literary fashion, forcing each one of us to move to higher levels of thought.
The afternoon was spent learning in a completely different way After a delicious lunch made by Ms. Linde, the faculty and staff moved to Cardin West for an afternoon session with Avi Gross, Director of Project Ascent, where we worked together on communication, teambuilding, and problem solving skills. These diverse modalities of learning allow us, as professionals and as educators, to reflect on ourselves and continue to be effective instructors for our students.
Barbie Prince
CAPTS Is Making a BIG Megillah About Purim
CAPTS is sponsoring a Cardin School Purim Dinner/Social on Sunday, March 23. The event will feature dinner, karaoke, costumes, and a chance for kids to hang-out with kids and parents to socialize with parents.
CAPTS is looking for either individual(s) or area business(s) to help sponsor the event. If you know someone who we could call to do this, please email the contact information to rgart@verizon.net.
COUNSELING CORNER
If Your Child is Bullied...www.BalanceEducation.net
Bullying: when a person or group uses power - such as physical, verbal, or social - to hurt or intimidate someone or a group who has less power.
Listen & be empathetic - Be an active listener and let your child lead the conversation. Occasionally, rephrase the information your child gives you and repeat the information back to your child in your own words.
Listen for the '5 Ws' - Listen for the who, what, when, where, and why - but be aware, your child may be sensitive to being asked a lot of questions at one time. Plan on multiple conversations to get the information you need to help your child.
Make changes / Build skills - Based on the '5 Ws’, discuss ideas on how to safely and effectively stop the bullying. Role-play different approaches and responses with your child so that he or she will be prepared to stop the bullying but not get into a physical or verbal fight. Also, brainstorm ways to increase friendships by developing physical and social skills that are appreciated by other children.
Discuss emotional expression - Being bullied can create feelings of anger, frustration, sadness, depression, or vengeance. Teach your child how to relieve these feelings without being violent to themselves or others. Ideas may include talking with other adults and trusted friends, writing in a journal, creating art, doing physical activities, and deep-breathing.
Work with the school - If the bullying is happening at school, speak to your child's classroom teacher or advisor so they can help.
For more information or to further discuss bullying prevention and coping skills, please contact Jackie Villet at 410-585-1400 ext. 211.
Jackie Villet
COLLEGE SCENE
The class of 2009 has begun their college search process. Juniors and their families began to meet with Ms. Schein to plan for standardized testing, spring college visits, and their post-high school opportunities. All juniors should register to take at least one sitting of the spring 2008 SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. Please see Ms. Schein for registration materials.
Juniors, mark your calendars! The AIMS College Fair will be on Thursday, May 1 at the Hunt Valley Marriott. More information will follow.
The senior class is anxiously awaiting admissions decisions. Seniors and their parents should remember that no college can require an enrollment deposit before May 1. This will give you time in the spring to revisit certain schools and negotiate financial aid packages. If you are planning on applying for financial aid, you MUST submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible! Please check individual college websites for specific deadlines.
Hallie Schein
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Lowe's College Scholarships
Once again, Lowe's Home Improvement Stores are providing almost half a million dollars in scholarships to high school seniors in communities where Lowe's does business. There are Three hundred fifty-two $1,000 national awards available, twenty-two $5,000 awards to the best candidate from each region, and a $15,000 scholarship for the best overall applicant. Winners are selected based on academic performance, leadership qualities, and community involvement. High school seniors planning to attend an accredited 2 or 4 year college in the United States are eligible. The online application process began January 1 and closes on March 15. For application details, log onto http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=Scholarship/lowesfoundation_120606.html and scroll towards the bottom of the page.
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Maya Diamant-Cohen ’07 |
ALUMNI UPDATE
After much cajoling, Maya Diamant-Cohen ’07, has finally allowed us to share pictures! Maya is currently serving in the IDF.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
The Institute for Advanced Professional Training at OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services presents, “How to Keep Our Children Safe,” Wednesday, February 20.
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
Beth Tfiloh Camps
Beth Tfiloh Camps is looking for 10th graders and older to be counselors, lifeguards, and instructional aides in nature, singing, arts and crafts, dance, and ropes course this summer. Starting salary for a 10th grader is $1000, incentives and bus counselor pay can add $600, and lifeguards earn an additional $500. Juniors and seniors earn even more. Current 9th graders are eligible for Beth Tfiloh Camps’ Leadership Training Program. This program balances responsibility and learning with time for fun. The LT gains experience by assisting in bunks and instructional areas under close supervision, and develops self-confidence and leadership skills.
Go to www.btcamps.org or call 410-517-3451 for an application to your best summer yet!
The JCC’s Camp Milldale
The JCC’s Camp Milldale is in need of summer staff from June 23-August 15. Camp Milldale is searching for individuals to be part of the camp team. Email ehawthorn@jcc.org with any questions. Staff benefits include a free summer JCC membership and staff’s children attend camp for half-price!
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