May 2012

Message from Chief Administrative Officer

…ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS AT JPPS-BIALIK

As my association with JPPS-Bialik approaches its first anniversary, I would like to offer a few insights and observations that I have made over the past year.

During my ten-year tenure as Director General of Riverside School Board, I had a strong fascination and preoccupation with the factors that contributed to student success. There is abundant research and evidence that exists that reveals what truly makes a difference in student achievement and explains why certain schools and school systems have higher levels of success than others.

While I will not delve into all of those reasons in this short essay, I would like to look at three of the most important and comment on how they interplay at JPPS-Bialik.

The first factor that is widely recognized as being perhaps the most important contributor to student success is the quality of the teacher-student relationship and quality of classroom instruction. A teacher who has a passion for teaching and their particular subject area, who is continuously striving to improve the learning experience in the classroom, who genuinely enjoys and respects young people and inspires and challenges them to achieve to the extent they can, will have an incredible impact on a student’s learning experience. JPPS and Bialik are fortunate to have many such teachers, some of whom have many, many years of experience, others who are in the middle of their careers and yet others who are relatively new to teaching.

I am sure that you can identify many JPPS and Bialik who fit this description. Such teachers are what make a school great and the learning experience an exhilarating and memorable one for students. They are also the ones we never forget and for whom we harbor fond memories our entire lives.I would welcome hearing from anyone who would like to share their story about how a JPPS or Bialik teacher has positively impacted their lives or the lives of their children.

The second important contributor to student success that I would like to mention is the bond that students have with their school. There is no question that the formative years are a challenging time and school can be an important anchor in a young person’s life. At JPPS and Bialik, I see students who have a strong attachment to their school, who enjoy attending a Jewish school that celebrates its identity and who are well engaged in both learning and in a full array of school life possibilities. Many JPPS and Bialik students return to visit their school after graduation and maintain a bond as active and supportive alumni. Many parents I have encountered have been proud to say that they were former students themselves.

The third contributor to student success that I would like to highlight is the value placed on education by parents. It is no secret that students who are encouraged, accompanied and supported by their parents consistently reach higher levels of achievement. At JPPS and Bialik, parental commitment to education is in constant evidence. The schools are important institutions in the Montreal Jewish communityand are in turn very much supported by it. At JPPS and Bialik, not being successful is not an option. JPPS prepares students for success in high school and Bialik prepares students for success at the CEGEP and university levels. It is widely known that Bialik graduates attain high levels of success in post-secondary education and in future careers in business and the professions.

It has been a pleasure and privilege to be associated with JPPS-Bialik during the past year and I look forward to continuing to support our drive for excellence.

Kevin Lukian
Chief Administrative Officer 

À PROPOS DES ACCOMPLISSEMENTS ET DE LA RÉUSSITE DES ÉLÈVES À JPPS-BIALIK

Alors que le premier anniversaire de mon association avec JPPS-Bialik approche, j’aimerais vous offrir quelques commentaires, et vous faire part de quelques observations que j’ai fait au cours de l’année qui s’achève.

Au cours de mon mandat de 10 ans à titre de Directeur général de la Commission scolaire Riverside, j’ai acquis une grande fascination et préoccupation quant aux facteurs qui contribuent au succès des élèves. Il existe un nombre abondant de recherches et de preuves qui révèlent ce qui fait véritablement une différence dans la réussite d’un élève, et qui expliquent pourquoi certaines écoles et systèmes scolaires jouissent de meilleurs taux de réussite que d’autres.

Je ne vous présenterai pas en détail tous ces facteurs dans ce court essai, mais j’aimerais examiner trois des plus importants et offrir des commentaires sur leur influence sur JPPS-Bialik.

Le premier facteur, qui est largement reconnu comme étant potentiellement le facteur le plus important contribuant au succès de l’élève, est la qualité de la relation enseignant-élève et la qualité de l’enseignement en classe. Un enseignant passionné par l’enseignement et sa matière d’enseignement, qui s’efforce constamment d’améliorer l’expérience d’apprentissage en classe, qui aime et respecte vraiment les jeunes et qui les inspire et les incite à réussir dans la mesure où ils le peuvent, aura une influence incroyable sur l’expérience d’apprentissage d’un élève. JPPS et Bialik sont privilégiés de compter parmi ses effectifs un si grand nombre de ces enseignants. Certains d’entre eux possèdent de nombreuses années d’expérience tandis que d’autres en sont à mi-carrière ou enseignent depuis relativement peu de temps.

Je suis convaincu que vous reconnaissez de nombreux enseignants de JPPS et de Bialik qui correspondent à cette description. De tels enseignants font en sorte que l’école est une excellente école et que l’expérience d’apprentissage soit passionnante et mémorable pour les élèves. Ce sont également eux que nous n’oublions jamais et pour qui nous conservons de bons souvenirs toute notre vie durant.  Je vous invite tous à nous raconter l’influence positive qu’un enseignant de JPPS et de Bialik a eue sur votre vie ou sur celle de vos enfants.

Le deuxième facteur important qui contribue au succès d’un élève, dont j’aimerais vous parler, est le lien que nouent les élèves avec leur école. Il n’y a aucun doute que les années de formation sont des années marquées de défis, et l’école peut être un point d’ancrage important dans la vie d’une jeune personne. À JPPS et Bialik, je rencontre des élèves qui ont un profond sentiment d’appartenance à leur école, qui aiment fréquenter une école juive célébrant leur identité, et qui sont très engagés à la fois dans l’apprentissage et dans une grande variété de possibilités d’activités scolaires.  Un grand nombre de personnes qui ont fréquenté JPPS et Bialik reviennent visiter l’école après avoir obtenu leur diplôme, et jouent un rôle actif et de soutien en tant qu’ancien élève. Un bon nombre de parents que j’ai rencontrés sont fiers de dire qu’ils ont eux-mêmes fréquenté l’école.

Le troisième facteur qui contribue au succès de l’élève que j’aimerais souligner est l’importance que les parents accordent à l’éducation. Ce n’est pas un secret que les élèves qui sont encouragés, accompagnés et soutenus par leurs parents atteignent toujours des niveaux de rendement plus élevés. À JPPS et Bialik, l’engagement parental envers l’éducation se manifeste constamment. Les écoles sont des établissements importants pour la communauté juive de Montréal, et celles-ci bénéficient du soutien de cette communauté. À JPPS et Bialik, l’échec n’est pas une option. JPPS prépare les élèves au succès à l’école secondaire, et Bialik les prépare pour réussir leurs études collégiales et universitaires. Il est généralement reconnu que les diplômés de Bialik atteignent un taux de succès élevé dans leurs études post-secondaires et dans leurs futures carrières en affaires et professionnelles.

Ce fut un plaisir et un privilège d’être associé à JPPS-Bialik au cours de l’année dernière, et je me réjouis à l’idée de continuer à mettre de l’avant notre mission vers l’excellence.

Kevin Lukian
Directeur général

Message from the Principal and Director of Education of JPPS

THE THREE RULES OF EDUCATION:
RELATIONSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPS

October and November were full of many creative and academic activities that kept us on our toes, and I am pleased to see our students exploring the many facets of learning.  As a staff, we continue to cultivate a professional learning community that places an emphasis on student learning, transfer of knowledge, collaborative discussion and continued improvements to the curriculum.

Our goal is to assist students to develop skills that will carry them through life such as patience, flexibility and understanding of others.  The school’s constant mission and challenge is to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of our students.

Preschool (Pre-K and Kindergarten) and the primary grades (1 & 2) are when children begin to develop and solidify friendships on their own.  Learning about friendship is just as important as learning math, French or Torah, especially at the elementary level.  At JPPS, we place emphasis on intellectual and social development for our students throughout their school years.

The social-cognitive theory asserts that observational learning is pertinent in actually comprehending and understanding a skill; therefore, modeling a behaviour influences students to follow suit.  Taking part in activities (games, role playing, and visualization) is a fun and interactive way for students to develop behavioural attributes that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

In a continuing effort to foster emotional, academic and social community within our school, Emily Takefman (School Counsellor) and Debbie Shizgal (Student Services Coordinator) are running social skills groups for Grades 3 & 4 during the lunchtime recess.  (See attached article)

Daniel Goleman, in “Emotional Intelligence”, argues that a high IQ is not a major predictor of success in life.  Rather, he says, emotional intelligence (self-awareness, mood management, self-motivation, impulse control and people skills) is more important.

“What is Chanukah?”

The Talmudic tractate Shabbat begins with the above words: “What is Chanukah?”

Our sages knew the history of events well but what they wanted to convey to us was that although the Greeks issued harsh decrees against the Jews and caused them great anguish, causing many Jews to take their own lives, the military victory was something beyond a natural victory.  Still, it appears that the emphasis and the focus were placed on a relatively minor miracle; the jar of pure oil that was enough to burn for only one day lasted for eight.

In Judaism, we see a lot of symbolism in candles and light, particularly their unique attributes; the flame of a candle continuously strives to go upward and a small amount of light pushes away a large amount of darkness.  There is a great lesson to be learned from this.  The Chanukah candles teach us that we need not be satisfied with current accomplishments.  Instead, we should continuously strive to grow. 

Our Grade 4 students publicized the miracle of the oil by displaying their unique creations (menorahs) in the lobby of the school.  These fabulous menorahs are an expression of creativity, imagination, resourcefulness, inventiveness and most of all, the beauty and warmth of our spiritual heritage.

 

Grade Three and Four Boys are Having Fun!

In a continuing effort to foster a strong emotional, academic and social community within our school, we would like to share what is happening with some of the Grade Three and Four boys during their lunch time. We had a very positive response to the social skills group we proposed to the boys and their parents back in October. What a nice surprise! In fact, we have had 27 boys sign up, forcing us to split the boys into 4 groups, meeting once every two weeks and running two groups per week. This is just one wonderful example of the supportive and eager school community at JPPS to take advantage of a learning opportunity for our boys.

We started running the groups in November. The boys have been participatory, respectful, and even more important, excited. There are only two rules in the group: to be respectful of each other, the games and space and to not share others’ difficulties and behaviours to boys outside of the group. We have both been impressed with the extremely positive response from the boys, and they have been respectful as well as expressive in appropriate ways.

Other boys have approached us to join a group because they have heard positive things from their friends. This in itself is the first step to garnering social skills. The division of the groups was done carefully and meticulously. We were careful of putting like and different personalities together, while still giving the boys a chance to expand their regular social circle. The first step in forming appropriate and meaningful friendships is learning to accept and respect all people, whether we are personally friends with them or not, and the boys have been modeling this concept beautifully.

Traditionally, boys have been seen to physically work out their problems. Because many boys also enjoy being competitive at this age, the forum of board games is the perfect media through which to demonstrate solutions to these problems without them having to be ashamed of hurt feelings or mixed emotions.

We have begun to bond as groups, have shared a few good laughs together over some team games and are getting to know each other’s likes and dislikes. We practice looking at people we want to ask a question to, asking appropriate questions, controlling the urge to not tell the other person the answer, or give hints, and most of all  we practiced having patience with others.

The games we play have and will continue to tackle other social issues relevant to boys including; team work, use of logic and conflict resolution, and elimination and competition using good sportsmanship. We are giving the boys time at the end of each session to debrief about the difficult aspects of each game, and the easy ones as well. Again, they come away learning skills from the game, but more so value the experience because it is fun for them. We are confident that the boys will continue to respond to the program and learn to come together as a united group. It is our hope that the respect we have seen from the boys will translate to the playground and classrooms, a hello to someone when passing in the hallways, or the planning of a recess activity with peers outside of the group.

The social skills group is just a small component of the Student Services Department. This department is integral to the well-being of the school. From educational and emotional support to learning to exercise self control, making good decisions, and being a positive school citizen. Making good choices is not simply a catch phrase at JPPS. It is shown through this department and its programs that it is not simply a page in the agenda, but a practical skill that is at the core of our students' wellness. It is deeply reinforced both from policy and practical perspectives. We educate, comfort, mediate, and support the students as needed.

Please do not hesitate to contact Emily Takefman or Debbie Shizgal formore information.

Debbie Shizgal and Emily Takefman

Adina Matas
Principal and Director of Education, JPPS

Message from the JPPS Home and School Association

On behalf of the entire JPPS Home and School Executive, we would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2012!!!  Time is passing by so quickly. Who can believe that we are already into the second half of the school year?

Thanks to Eileen Gluz and Barbara Dalfen ‘85, co-chairs of the JPPS Home and School Chanukah party, and a dedicated group of hard-working moms, JPPS students had the opportunity to celebrate Chanukah at a school party held on Sunday, December 11th. There were many fun arts and crafts activities, treats, and a raffle full of wonderful prizes. The party was a huge success, and was enjoyed by all who attended.

Thanks to Beth Tannenbaum ‘85, the Friendship Lists have been updated and class moms have been assigned to most of the classes. Under the supervision of Alyssa Anzarut, Shari Lester, and Beth Tannenbaum, the Home and School Association held an Archie Comic book sale.

Students were able to purchase popular Archie Comic book novels. Proceeds from this sale went directly to the JPPS Home & School Association.  More than 70 books were purchased!!

Our last project in 2011 was our hot lunch program. Parents had the opportunity to order hot lunches for their children (up to three meals per week), served to the students by parent volunteers.

We are always looking for new people to join us at Home and School. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to get involved.

We wish you all the best in 2012!

Marnie Cohen JPPS '78  and Alyssa Glazer
mmitnick@sympatico.ca               alyssaglazer@videotron.ca
Co-presidents, JPPS Home and School

JPPS-BIALIK SPORTS

JPPS Sports

THE PUGS ARE BACK !!!!

JPPS-Bialik welcomes everyone back for what hopes to be another exciting season in PUGS basketball history.

Bialik Sports

Hello again sports fans, and welcome to 2012!!

As expected, the winter season is in full swing with a number of Bialik teams competing on a number of different levels.

The Bialik Bulldogs basketball program is better that ever with eight teams competing in the GMAA and CAIS city leagues. From Bantam Girls and Bantam Boys right up to Juvenile Girls and Boys, the Bulldogs are making a name for themselves.

To the hardwood!!!

Without a doubt, title for “Most ExcitingTeam” goes out to our Midget Girls Division 1 team. From the get-go, this team was predicted to be a frontrunner in the league. They have not disappointed. With a perfect 8-0 record, the girls are positioning themselves to do what no other Bialik team has ever done… win a Division 1 GMAA championship.

Coached by Michael Sochaczevski and Brian Young, the team is practicing hard as their pre-season goal is now within reach. Do not miss the chance to see these girls in action. Bialik High School will once again play host to the GMAA Div 1 Girls Championships, being held on Feb 29, 2012.

Also worth mentioning are the efforts of our Juvenile Girls and Juvenile Boys’ teams, who both sit comfortably near the top of their respective pools as the end of the regular season approaches. With only a handful of games remaining, both squads have a very good chance of seeing some post-season playoff action.

As for our remaining teams, there is still a lot of work to be done, but the playoffs are not out of sight. All of the teams will have to buckle down and pull out all of the stops!

On to wrestling…

It has been a successful year for the Wrestling team as Bialik has managed to field its largest team to date. Players are practicing regularly and are making great strides. One notable performer is Secondary III’s Shawn Gordon, whose love for the sport should be commended. He is a dedicated and passionate wrestler, a great teammate, and a fantastic ambassador for the sport and for the school. We wish him and all of the wrestlers continued success.

To the water…

Bialik swimmers are set to take to the pool as the GMAA Swim season gets underway. With a team that continues to grow every year, Bialik is hoping to create some waves!

And finally to the ice …

Things have been tough for this year’s squad as Bialik’s lineup lacks size and experience, but the effort is there. With a handful of games remaining on the schedule, it is going to take a huge effort to make the playoffs. Good luck!!

So there you have it. After a record setting Fall, the Winter has definitely set in with temperatures dropping down to the minus 20’s. Brrr, but before you know it, the spring will be here. So for all you skiers, skaters, and snowboarders, enjoy the winter wonderland that is Montreal because touch football, track & field, and tennis are just around the corner.

Go Bulldogs!!!

Emerson Thomas
Coordinator of Athletics and Student Life

message from bialik's head of judaic studies

Our return to school after the winter break coincides with the start of a new book of the Torah in the cycle of Shabbat Torah readings in the synagogue, the Book of Exodus. Among the many themes in the Book - Exile and Redemption, a commitment to civil rights and a condemnation of slavery and religious oppression, the centrality of the Torah as the constitution of the Jewish nation, and more  - one of the topics that really stand out for me is the possibility of, and belief in, change. Exodus is about transformations. The hero of the book, Moshe, begins his life as an abandoned Jewish baby, the child of slaves, whose very life is threatened by the Egyptian decree to drown all the Israelite boys in the Nile.

He then is transformed by the kindness of Pharaoh's daughter, who saves and adopts him, into a prince in Pharaoh's palace. Choosing to identify with the Israelites, he stands up for his birth-nation, attacks an Egyptian taskmaster, and is forced to flee from Pharaoh's to the land of Median, becoming a fugitive. He is then chosen by God to return to Egypt to lead his people out of slavery.

Interestingly, this final transformation is the most difficult of all: In his conversation with God at the burning bush, Moshe, again and again, refuses to make this last, greatest,  transformation: "I am inarticulate, tongue-tied, Pharaoh's will not listen to me, the Jewish people will not listen to me, choose someone else".  It takes God quite a well - He even has to get nasty - to convince Moshe to make this transformation and embrace this final, ultimate role. Moshe's initial refusal to accept his destiny actually seems to parallel what happens with the Jewish people themselves in the Book of Exodus: they find it difficult to transition from being slaves to becoming free, autonomous people. From the moment Moshe encourages them to challenge Pharaoh's, and demand their freedom, to the very end of the Torah, they seem unable to embrace this new, obviously better role of free men and women. They constantly complain about their new condition,  miss Egypt, and threaten to return there whenever they are faced with the slightest difficulty.

Clearly, the Torah is teaching us that people often find it hard to step up, embrace change, transform themselves, and become the person they are really able to be, really meant to be. Here at JPPS-Bialik, we are now engaged in just such a transformation. We recently began a process in which we will be  taking a long, hard look at how Bialik needs to build on its accomplishments and transform itself, in order to  become the school it needs to be now and in the future. In consultation with parents, teachers, students, and experts, we hope to accomplish the difficult task of transforming the school into the best it can be. As we learn from the Book of Exodus, transformation is difficult, people naturally resist it, and this will not be an easy task.

However, with your support, we are extremely optimistic about our ultimate success, and look forward to a school which will soon be as relevant, challenging, enjoyable, and meaningful for our students as it can possibly be.

Rabbi Shimon Felix
Head of Judaic Studies

jpps chanukah party

Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah,  We had a great party!

What do you get when you combine fabulous inflatables, piping hot latkes, sweet sufganyiot ,amazing activities and all around superb school spirit?  Our annual Chanukah party sponsored by Home and School!

This year’s party, held once again in our beloved gym at JPPS, was enhanced by a number of additional activities: we played a few nail-biting rounds of “Minute to Win It”, made artistic candles and sand art, and as always, were amazed by Circus Arts courtesy of Diane from B.E.A.R productions.

Prizes were won, TCBY and cotton candy was consumed and it was no “miracle” that everyone went home happy!

We thank our party co-chairs Barbara Dalfen Trasler ‘85 and Eileen Gluz, and their band of outstanding volunteers for putting this terrific event together.

Beth Tannenbaum ’85 

Tzedaka, a family affair !

Robin and Sandor Steinberg felt a tremendous sense of pride when theirchildren, Bialik’s Secondary V's Henry and Bialik graduate Jonah ’11 recently designated JPPS-Bialik as the recipient of gifts from their B’nai Tzedek Funds, kept at the Jewish Community Foundation.  What a beautiful gesture! 

While they are not the only youngsters who contribute in this way, it is remarkable that they are following the example of their parents, who have shown their support of JPPS-Bialik in so many ways over the years, including financial. In fact, many of their gifts have been contributed in honour of their children or other family members. Cards were sent to them with their personal messages. With our very full lives, we often miss out on opportunities to tangibly honour our loved ones in spite of our best intentions. We are only too glad to help you fulfill your heartfelt wishes, as you might imagine!

So, if you have yet to contribute to the 2011-2012 Annual Giving Campaign and wish to do so, on-line donations http://www.jppsbialik.ca/en/support-jpps-bialik are gratefully accepted, in addition to those received through the mail, or you can always give me a call at: 514-731-2944, ext. 220.

To the many of you – parents, parents of alumni, our graduates, grandparents and even staff – who have already contributed, thank you! An alphabetical listing of those who have contributed since our last newsletter is found at the end of this newsletter. Our annual report lists donors for the entire year according to their cumulative giving levels. In fact, check out on-line our most recent 2010-2011 Annual Report that includes the Class of 2011 Valedictorian messages. And, if you would like to receive a hard-copy of the report, I will be glad to put one in the mail for you. Just let me know at: elizabeth.k@jppsbialik.ca.

Thank you!

Elizabeth Kennell
Director of Advancement

stacey levy jackson '86 named this year's concert gala honoree!

A graduate from 1986, she recalls assisting her mother Florrie Levy, Concert Co-chair in 1979 and 1980, with presenting flowers at Place des Arts to performers on stage. Now a singer/songwriter in her own right with four U.K. hits as well as four kids, she is adding a Montreal stop to her North American tour this spring just for us! With a well-established profile in the U.K. and now residing in London, she is eager to return to North America – to her roots, “to show us what she has”! She has certainly come a long way from her high school band, Cold Front, that included fellow graduate Irwin Cohen ’85.  In 2011, Stacey burned up the U.K. Commercial Pop Chart with empowering self-penned uptempo anthem “Live it Up,” which includes a rap from iconic hip-hop pioneer Snoop Dogg.

What is perhaps less known is that Stacey has been performing since childhood, raising money at the age of 11 for the Jerry Lewis Telethon through a neighborhood variety show she assembled and hosted which led to an invitation to sing on Montreal TV.

She decided at that moment that she wanted to be a pop star, Jackson recalls! Fast-forward to her teen years, where she joined a hard rock band, writing, singing and touring Canada—playing “just-this-side-of-the-highway” joints, she says—before college and then career opportunities as a publicist for CBS and Lifetime networks in New York. That allowed Jackson to soak up show business savvy from the likes of clients Tim Robbins, Quentin Tarantino, Rowan Atkinson and Debbie Reynolds. Today, her tag line is: “Soccermom, rockermom”!

It is so appropriate to have Stacey Jackson as our honouree with Bialik Theatre performing Moulin Rouge. Her pop music, dance, videos, and performances in venues such as Las Vegas just smack of Moulin Rouge. In fact, there is a rumour that those attending the gala will be treated with a performance of her own!  Reserve your tickets now by clicking here.

Check out her videos and music on her website: http://www.staceyjackson.com/

Rob Gold ’84 was more than willing to have Beyond The Rack (co-owned by alumnus Yona Shtern ’79) on board as a principal event sponsor for Gala 2012 given that he is good friends and a classmate of Stacey Jackson. Beyond the Rack joins returning sponsor Olymbec! Thank you to parents Marnie and Richard ’87 Stern for their loyal support!  As well, thanks go to the tireless efforts of Bialik teacher Audrey Abessera, who secured Point Zero as our Bialik Theatre Sponsor for the evening!  There are still some sponsorship opportunities available at the $1,800-$5,000 level.  For more information, please contact Elizabeth Kennell, Director of Advancement, at 514-731-2944 x220.

Looking forward to seeing you on March 25th at Gala 2012!

Robin Alexander Schwartz ‘86 and Ruth Bensimon Choueke

Concert Gala 2012 Co-chairs

music studio

Bialik’s Music Studio was initiated in memory of Josh Roskies ’77 z”l  and made possible thanks to the generosity and dedication of many supporters and friends.

November 2011
Heshvan 5772

This is how the plaque reads that was formally installed in Bialik’s new Music Studio at a Wine & Cheese reception held on November 7th, 2011. Many supporters were present, including members of Josh Roskies’ family and his classmates.  Music Advisory Committee Co-chairs, Joseph Abramowitz ’77 and Jaime Roskies ’83 each spoke, as did Josh’s mother Louise Roskies Goldstein. Appropriately, they were thanked profusely by JPPS-Bialik president Neil Creme and Bialik principal Ken Scott.  Rabbi Shimon Felix affixed the mezzuzot  with the participation of family members, making the studio formally open for business!

This is not to say that music hasn’t been heard – loud and clear – in the studio beginning after Passover 2011, under the leadership of Music Director John Dodge. In fact, he was able to give our guests a taste of the open-jamming lunch hour sessions in the music studio with students performing a few numbers from their recent Bands on the Run II event (click here to see article). And, Lia Elbaz performed a beautiful solo number with her ukulele on the adjacent stage.

It was truly a remarkable evening that celebrated much hard work and dedication over the last two years by Music Advisory Committee members.  Interestingly, they include not just parents, but also alumni, even parents of alumni and students, as well as representatives from the music industry and professional musicians.

As Ken Scott and Neil Creme expressed, we are so grateful to all who through their hard work and dedication have brought about this enhancement to Bialik’s Performing Arts Centre, a natural partner to its flagship program, Bialik Theatre, which will undoubtedly attract more students to Bialik. It also builds on JPPS’ strength in music as seen by their choir and the Bertha and Nathan Gillman Music Festival, not to mention their participation in the Zimria.

We also saw the benefit of having Music Director John Dodge involved in Bialik’s Glee Club this year (see Glee article in this newsletter), and can’t wait to have Bialik’s Yiddish Choir perform a rock number in next year’s Bands on the Run!

Knowing the added benefit that music has on students’ academic performance, Ken Scott is determined to get music into the curriculum, as early as this fall! Stay tuned!

Elizabeth Kennell
Director of Advancement

Note: A special thank you must go to Louise Roskies Goldstein who provided the wine and other goodies, and together with the support of Andrea Elbaz and Advancement Manager, Amy Finkelstein, took care of the many details that made the evening a beautiful event.  

message from the prime minister of bialik

This year Bialik has implemented an innovative new idea for our student council. In the past, Bialik had a President of Student Council, who was elected from Secondary V. However this year, we established a student government based on our very own Canadian government system.  

We based the electoral process on the set of principles put forth by Elections Canada. We divided all grades into different ridings, with a representative from each of the two parties.

Just like Canadian government, each party has representatives from all different grades in our parliament. We meet on a monthly basis to discuss school issues and new ideas.

The elections had an amazing turnout. It was a lot of fun for all the students, and was a great opportunity to learn through experience about the way in which Canadians get to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Darby Routtenberg, Secondary V
Prime Minister, Bialik Student Council

Bialik glee win

Bialik's Glee Team took first place at the 2nd annual TNT / Just for Kids G!ee High School Showdown on Sunday, November 13th.

The Bialik team of Michaela Elhadad, Samantha Leibgott, Jacky Shiff, Jordana Singer, Alizee Znaty, Levana Znaty, Rachel Korman, Brandon Schwartz, Sarah Shtern and Nikki Sochaczevski performed an original Michael Jackson Medley by Kurt Schneider.  Team coordinators Diane Dupuis Kallos and Samantha Druzin were assisted by John Dodge on vocals and Andree Aiza Styles with the choreography. 

The Bialik team also won first place for being the team that raised the most money - bringing in over $7,300 for the Just for Kids Foundation!

bialik alumni sing for the holidays!

Bialik Alumni Geordie Buch-Frohlich '07, Richard Kallos '08 and Shy Shalev '07 performed five times over the holiday season with The Lyric Theatre Singers. 

Three performances were held at the Tudor Hall at Ogilivy's on December 2nd, 3rd and 4th. They joined the EMSB Junior and Senior Choirs on December 10th at the Mountainside United Church, which raised $1,900 for the Salvation Army. Their final show, Sing Noel, was performed in the Rialto Theatre on Park Avenue to a sold-out crowd.

Please click on the link below to hear their Hannukah Tonight song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jODmdit-0gQ

JPPS-bialik annual general meetings are far from being pro forma!

Rita Guindi made us proud! That is what really came through at our recent annual general meeting on November 21st. Rita Guindi was this year's recipient of the Nachum Wilchesky Memorial Educational Leadership Award, and past president Arnold Cohen ’82 spoke eloquently about Rita's many accomplishments over more than 40 years of teaching French at JPPS (see his speech in this newsletter).  Bronee Wilchesky, Nachum Wilchesky's widow, represented the family and conveyed how pleased they were that Rita was chosen. In fact, upon learning of the news, Marc Wilchesky JPPS ‘65 wrote, “Rita holds a special place in our hearts because of her close relationship with our late mother Evelyn and  of course her association with our late father Nachum.  I have never seen Rita as a teacher in action, but I can only imagine how terrific she must be based on how highly valued she was by both our parents and my own observations of what a fabulous human being that she is.”

Arnold Cohen chaired the selection committee that included members from in the community: Dr. Karen Gazith, Director of the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning at the Bronfman Jewish Educational Centre, Merle Frankel Wolofsky, Executive Director Emeritus, and Edmond Elbaz, Directeur des Études Françaises Emérite.

Naturally, a strong contingent of her colleagues from JPPS was present as were many of her family members including the youngest, a grandson, Joshua.  Rita was filled with emotion as she spoke with both humility and pride in being there for each and every child that comes through her classroom door. 

The Annual General Meeting was also the occasion for Co-presidents Neil Creme and David Shapiro to officially sign two endowment agreements, one with Nina Baker JPPS ‘35, who has set up a planned gift in support of Judaic Studies.  It reflects the appreciation she and her family have for JPPS-Bialik, and the need to ensure that JPPS-Bialik can continue offering a rich curriculum of Judaic Studies critical to strengthening students’ Jewish identity, as it was to her three children, all JPPS-Bialik graduates.  Nina Baker, a Peretz Shule graduate and probably among the oldest of our living alumni, was co-chair of Concert for two years following Clara Balinsky z”l, Concert’s founder. She is also the sister of JPPS-Bialik trustee and former JPPS teacher-librarian Bebe Shtull, who would have been present had she been well enough, especially as it coincided with her birthday! Happy Birthday Bebe! As we can all appreciate, celebrating such milestones and initiatives such as the one Nina Baker has undertaken is far more fun to do while alive and well, so if you are considering such a bequest, please check with your accountants or financial advisors and most importantly, be sure to share the good news now with us, and allow us to sing it from the rooftops without delay!

The other endowment agreement was with Florence Rozen Miller ’79 and her husband Sheldon Miller, parents of two recent graduates: Marissa ’08 and Michelle ’11, who were also in attendance. The establishment of the Florence Rozen Miller’79 and Sheldon Miller Family Fund for Arts and Sciences at Bialik reflects Marissa and Michelle’s strong academic performance and success at Bialik, made possible at least in part, thanks to their dedicated teachers, some of whom were present at the meeting.

These are important initiatives ensuring the long term future of JPPS-Bialik, and building on the legacies of past donors, including parents and alumni, those who have come before them, whose generous contributions continue to generate important ongoing support of JPPS-Bialik. 

Certificates were presented to JPPS-Bialik Board members whose mandates came to an end on June 30th, 2011. Their numerous varied contributions on behalf of JPPS-Bialik, including some of their more high profile positions were highlighted, as per below. 

• Shelley Cohen JPPS ’69 was President of Bialik and of JPPS-Bialik; she remains a Trustee.
• Michael Eliesen was President of Bialik as well as Co-chair of the Bialik Expansion Cabinet.
• Amy Katz was Vice-president of JPPS-Bialik and Chair of the Executive Committee.
• Len Lewkowict ‘81 was Co-chair of the Governance Committee.
• Richard Rubin was Chair of Bialik’s Safety & Security Committee, Vice-president of the Bialik Executive and Co-chair of Bialik Parent Council.
• Michael Savelson z”l, was Vice-president of JPPS-Bialik, as well as Co-chair of Concert Gala and President of JPPS’ Parent Council.
• Liz Brinberg, was Co-chair of Concert Gala and Vice-president of the Executive Committee.

For each, Neil Creme expressed, on behalf of the school, their heartfelt gratitude for the critical role each played, and how indebted we are for the extraordinary amount of time they dedicated to their mandates.

Neil Creme then moved on to pay special recognition and respect to
Arnold Cohen, immediate past President and Chair of Executive

Arnold’s contribution to the school as President over the last four years was acknowledged as being quite extraordinary. Under his leadership the school has begun the long road to mapping out its future for the 21st century, and fortunately for the school Arnold will continue to contribute on the board as past president. Arnold received a standing ovation from all those present in thanks for his outstanding contribution to the school.

The printed annual report for the year that ended June 30th, 2011 was distributed to all present and subsequently by mail to all current families. It is an important document that includes our financial statements and captures the highlights of JPPS-Bialik as well as recognizes our many generous donors, and this year includes for the first time all four valedictorian speeches.  If you would like your personal copy, please contact me at: elizabeth.k@jppsbialik.ca.

It is also available on-line at: www.jppsbialik.ca. It was accompanied by messages from Co-presidents David Shapiro and Neil Creme as well as from the Leadership Council who took this opportunity to share their vision for the future of the JPPS-Bialik.

Elizabeth Kennell
Director of Advancement