IN THE NEWS
Have you read the latest?
A recent Jewish Times article on camps included a conversation with Mrs. Jan Schein about our financial literacy requirement: http://www.jewishtimes.com/specialissues/camps2_2009_38-39.pdf
The Owings Mills Times ran an article discussing the current Rosewood facility in Owings Mills: http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/7589/jewish-school-advances-plans-build-rosewood-center/
JUDAICS.COMMUNICATIONS
The Purim Diversion
After the Scud missile crisis, I happened to be Israel on a Federation mission. One day, I was standing on Ben Yehuda Street, when a boy of about ten years old approached and handed me a card and a piece of candy. He remained standing there while I read the card. “When the month of Adar arrives, happiness increases!” it said. I reached into my pocket to give the boy a few shekels. “I don’t want any money,” he said. “The card and the candy are a Purim gift, just enjoy them and have a happy Purim.” Now it became obvious to me why the boy stood there as I read the card – he was waiting to see the smile on my face, especially during those troubling times. I thanked him and wished him a happy Purim as well.
I will always remember this experience. Those were challenging times for Israel, but this young boy wanted me, if only for a few seconds, to smile and to believe that everything will be okay. We are also living during challenging times: the economy is in a full blown crisis, people are losing their jobs every day, missiles are still falling on Sderot, and the list goes on. But now, as the boy on Ben Yehuda Street reminded me, we need to allow ourselves a respite from trouble, and some diversion. “When the month of Adar arrives, happiness increases.” If not for an entire month, then maybe for one day or just a few hours, we need to remember to give ourselves the permission to enjoy, be happy, even go a little crazy, and to believe, even in these dark times, that everything is going to be okay. Isn’t this one of the lessons of Purim? No one knows the future, but this year especially, we need to let the spirit of Purim enter our hearts.
Rabbi Stuart Seltzer
Dean of Judaic Studies
CLASSES IN ACTION
Western Civilization II
Students in Honors History 10 have been exploring the rise of modern nation states in the 19th Century through national anthems. These patriotic songs tell much about the society they represent and about which ideals a particular nation holds dear. Students have heard and sung “La Marseillaise” (in French); “God Save the Tsar” (in Russian) and “God Save the King/Queen” and “O Canada” (in English). The students really enjoyed singing and as we learn more, we might entertain the entire student body at an all-school minyan. Up next: “Fratelli d’Italia” (in Italian).
Mr. Mark Hotz
Personal Finance
As all of us struggle to understand the current climate of economic uncertainty, the students in Personal Finance turned their attention to the topic of investments. We analyzed the relationship between risk and reward, and examined several types of investments including CDs, mutual funds, municipal bonds, and publicly traded stocks. Students discussed why it is risky to depend on volatile investments for short-term needs. Viewing asset allocation pie charts helped to emphasize the importance of diversification as protection against market fluctuations. Hopefully, this insight will help students make wise decisions as they transition into adulthood.
Mrs. Jan Schein
Mikra: Exodus and Numbers
Both Ms. Czopnik and Rabbi Chaitovsky brought the Lincoln Center Institute workshops into their classroom, having students use art to express their opinions. After studying about the last days in Egypt and various laws partaking to the future Passover celebration, the students created artistic interpretations of the relationship between family and the sacrificial lamb.
Ms. Rochel Czopnik & Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky
  
Mikra: Prophets and Social Justice
The students in both of the Mikra classes have been working on an in-depth understanding of individual prophets. Each student was assigned one of the Later Prophets - from Jeremiah to Malachi. After intensive study where each student became an expert on one book of the Tanach, the audience, made up of the other members of the class, Ms. Czopnik, Rabbi Seltzer and Mrs. Prince, listened intently as each student presented their own unique interpretation of Tanach. We learned about prophets' lives and historical backgrounds, rhetoric styles and often passionate calls for Social Justice, reform and repentance, as well as messages of hope and renewal.
Ms. Rochel Czopnik
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Faculty Student Basketball Game
A competitive, and often comical, game of basketball occurred on Tuesday as our teams finished up the season by challenging the faculty to a three period game. The faculty team, consisting of Ms. Schein, Mr. Whitfield, Mr. Cantor, Ms. Fink, Ms. Sims, Mr. Neft, Rabbi Chaitovsky, Mr. Minton, Coach Marvin and Coach Minton who were up to the challenge, beating the combined strength of the students by a score of 25-21. Congratulations to all!
  
Presidents’ Day in the Presidential City
 On Presidents’ Day, February 16th more than half the junior class bundled up to go to on an optional field trip to Washington, DC with Ms. Fink and Ms. Czopnik. We carpooled down to the metro and rode the metro into D.C. The morning was devoted to visiting the Smithsonian museum of American History. We then walked to the Washington Monument at which point Shachar explained to us the purpose of each of the buildings we could see from the monument. Several members of the group visited the National Gallery while the rest of the group walked together to the capitol building where we watched an interesting movie and took a tour. It was awesome to see where Congress meets! We were sad to leave after having such a wonderful experience in our nation’s capital and can’t wait for another visit.
Kayla Reisman, ’10 & Allison Waskow, ’10
First Year of Lincoln Center Institute Programs Completed
 Thank you to all of the Cardin educators, especially Rabbi Stuart Seltzer, for making our first collaboration with Lincoln Center so successful. The following is an excerpt from a letter received recently by Rabbi Stuart Seltzer from Ms. Heidi Miller, Program Manager, Teaching Artists and Strategic Alliances.
I wanted to share how much I appreciated working with you and your teachers and how moved I was by everyone’s enthusiasm, sense of ownership, and creativity that seemed to build as each of our four sessions progressed.
 With each visit, our teaching artists and I were impressed with the atmosphere of the Cardin School—the level of student engagement, participation, and thoughtful learning we observed, as well as the deep regard the faculty and administration have for their students.
It was lovely also to witness, even within the relatively short time we worked with the kids, an increase in their ability and willingness to enter the art experience; to notice deeply and articulate their noticings; to analyze a work of art and their own artistic process; and, ultimately, to express themselves through their own art making.
 Stuart, it was truly a joy to be part of your learning community. Your creative contribution and passion for bringing aesthetic education to your school is apparent, and I want to thank you for your insightful leadership.
On behalf of Lincoln Center Institute, we look forward to opportunities for future work with the Cardin School. Should funding become available to support this work for next year, I know you will be in touch with Cathryn Williams.
Kudos to Dr. Prentiss
Read an interesting conversation with Dr. Prentiss on his newest role at Cemetery Dance Magazine - http://www.cemeterydance.com/page/CDP/BreakingNews
COLLEGE SCENE
Looking ahead for 9th-11th graders
It is never too early to start building up your college portfolio. One way for 9th, 10th and 11th graders to do this is by taking the SAT Subject tests in the spring. According to the College Board website, the “SAT Subject Tests are the only national admissions tests that measure students' knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, and their ability to apply that knowledge. They are closely linked to the high school curriculum and have a proven track record of providing colleges with a highly reliable, objective assessment of student readiness for college-level work. The SAT Subject Tests give students an additional opportunity to distinguish themselves and showcase their skills in a particular subject area.” Many students opt to take the Subject Tests that correspond to each year’s course material. For example, US History students often take the US History subject exam in May or June of 11th grade to correspond to their course work. Registration materials can be found online at www.collegeboard.com or in the college counseling office in the modulars.
Virtual College Fair
CollegeWeek Live is a one-of-a-kind virtual college fair full of information and special workshops. This free event features interactive chats with college admissions professionals, virtual booths for 200+ colleges and universities, live video presentations from leading admissions and financial aid experts, as well as chats with current college students about their experiences. This year’s virtual fair will be held on March 25th and 26th. To register for the fair and to get more information, visit www.collegeweeklive.com.
Ms. Hallie Schein
JEREMY’S JOURNAL
The SGA has been hard at work on several activities. This week we held the first ever SGA Teacher-Student raffle. In total 17 prizes were raffled, and many students and teachers bought tickets. We hope that the SGA raffle will remain a Cardin tradition well into the future! Secondly, SGA has a tentative date of March 21 for our annual movie night. We anticipate that it will be very successful as in years past. We are planning movie night excitedly and are currently in the process of selecting several movies from which to choose. We hope to see everyone there!
Jeremy Hiken, ‘09
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
MASA grants and scholarships
This year, over 9,000 young adults (18-30) are participating in the 160+ gap year, academic, volunteer, internship, and Jewish studies programs (5-10 months) offered by MASA Israel Journey. Many of them have found their programs by filling out our easy-to-use online Israel Program Request form: http://masa.convio.net/ipr. To apply for a MASA grant or scholarship, please visit http://www.masaisrael.org/.
To enable more young adults to experience MASA programs, MASA Israel Journey has changed its grant policy for 2009-2010, effective for programs beginning in September 2009.
ALUMNI UPDATE
Congratulations to Max Vidaver, ’07, for being named to the Harpur College Dean's List for the Fall 2008 semester at Binghamton University. For more information see http://www2.binghamton.edu/harpur/docs/deans-list-fall-2008.pdf.
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
Maryland Summer Centers for Gifted and Talented Students
The Goal of the Maryland Summer Centers is to provide opportunities for Maryland’s gifted and talented students to work with like-minded peers in an area of ability and interest. Many participants have reported these programs to be a life-changing experience, meeting for the first time others with interests and abilities like their own and forming lasting friendships. For more information visit www.marylandpublicschools.org/summercenters
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