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Enhanced Structured Literacy Instruction

General Studies teachers and learning specialists continued their learning and implementation of structured literacy in order to build foundational literacy and phonemic awareness skills in a systematic and predictable way. Multisensory strategies were used to build the foundational concepts to move students from recognizing sounds in speech and then in print. 

Expanded After-School Enrichment from The Center for STEM in Jewish Education

The Center for STEM in Jewish Education expanded its offerings of after-school clubs for Lower School students of all ages led by CESJDS STEM Center Fellows and faculty. Clubs included a Tinkerspace club for early childhood students, robotics clubs for students in grades 2-5, and 3D printing and Coding clubs for students in grades 4-5.

Robotics Integrated into the Science Curriculum

Robotics was introduced in Lower School science with the use of Lego Robotics materials and lessons in grades 1-5. In early childhood, new robotics specific to this age group were evaluated and purchased as well as creating a fully developed curriculum connecting robotics to social-emotional learning in the science classroom.

Excellence in Electives

Our 5^th graders spend a weekly session pursuing a topic of interest to them. This may be a new passion for travel in Geo Games or a long standing love of art in the Art Studio.  A new favorite has been our Shark Tank elective during which students learn to hone research skills and develop early business development and marketing skills to present their idea to the school “sharks.”  The scope and variety of the electives has been enriched over the years and we are excited for the future of our elective program!

JDS Proposal Project

Building on the research and interviewing skills that were introduced in the 6th grade, students in 7th grade chose an issue that affects the school community, and they developed proposals for solutions which they present to faculty and administrators in a "Shark Tank" style panel. This project allows students to build persuasive writing and presentation skills while asking them to think carefully about the school community and their roles as changemakers in that community. This past year, students proposed initiatives around curriculum, sports, facilities, and more.

Innovation Minimester

The CESJDS Middle School Innovation Minimester is a 6 day program fostering creative thinking and real-world problem solving skills. Students engage in passion projects and explore them through the design process. Additionally they hear from innovators from a wide variety of fields to ignite and encourage inspiration. This year, students learned from and engaged with over 20 professionals from a wide range of different fields. Innovation Minimester amplifies our commitment to our CESJDS values of Torah L'Shmah/learning for the sake of learning and Tikkun Olam/Improving our world. 

Middle School Bridges Capstone Trip

The Middle School Bridges Capstone trip to Atlanta and Montgomery is a culmination of the CESJDS Middle School thematic curriculum. In 6th and 7th grade, our students examined their identity and community with an eye towards using the language of and thinking about their Universe of Obligation. This trip, which focuses heavily on civil rights and taking action, is an extension of the work that the students have completed during their time in the Middle School. We follow the trail of identity to community to action and how this affects their Jewish American experience past and present. The trip includes a fully integrated curriculum that incorporates skills and concepts from the Humanities, STEM, Arts, and Experiential Learning disciplines.

Visual Arts Trips

Our classroom extends beyond the walls of the School.  Each year, every student in the Middle School visits an art museum to learn more about how artists interpret the world around them. This year, 6th graders traveled to Baltimore to tour the American Visionary Art Museum and participate in hands-on art-making workshops. 7th graders learned about social justice through significant works of art at the American Art Museum.  And 8th graders supplemented their Atlanta trip by studying artistic representations of Civil Rights History at the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Israel Support, Engagement, and Learning

Processing the tragedy of October 7th, supporting the state of Israel, and educating the High School community about the ongoing war were key priorities in the High School. Dr. Dan Rosenthal, Evonne and Elliot Schnitzer Family Jewish History Department Chair, and his department led the effort to support students, faculty, staff, and parents as they processed the events of October 7th by offering spaces outside the traditional classroom for discussion and further education. These spaces included lunch and learn opportunities for students, professional development sessions for teachers, and the CESJDS Adult Learning sessions co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. High School students organized an Israel Aid Concert in December during the athletic games with Milton and Berman. Visitors to the games and the concert donated to Federation's Israel Crisis Relief Fund during the concert. We were also honored to welcome three guest speakers in May from the Israeli Embassy in a lunch-and-learn series for students, faculty, grandparents, and special friends. They included: Efrat Hochstetler, Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of Israel, who spoke about combatting antisemitism, LTC Moti Dayan, IDF Home Front Command Liaison Officer to the US National Guard, addressed the war in Gaza and the role of the Home Front in Israel, Lt. Col. Aviv Levi, Israeli Missile Defense Liaison Officer, spoke about the Iron Dome, Hetz-3, and Kela David (David's Sling) that protects Israel against outside attacks from terrorist organizations and state actors.

Into the Woods Wows the Crowd!

This past December, the cast and crew of the CESJDS Joan and Marvin Rosenberg Musical High School Musical put on an outstanding production of Into the Woods to sold out crowds. This well-loved, sophisticated musical by Stephen Sondheim follows the stories of fairytale characters: Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and her Prince, Jack of Beanstalk fame, the Witch, Rapunzel, and a childless Baker and his wife, each wishing for a happy ending to their stories. Shiri Cohen '24, who played the Witch, was one of five regional actresses nominated for the National Theatre's Brandon Dixon Victor Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre. 

Health and Wellness Experts Share Their Wisdom

Last fall “Wellness Wednesdays” were introduced to spotlight one core dimension of health and wellness each month. Led by professionals such as sleep doctors,  substance abuse specialists, exercise physiologists, nutritionists, urologists, neuropsychologists, and more, Wellness Wednesdays offered students a variety and introduced them to knowledge and best practices from experts in their respective fields. Topics this year included: cultivating happiness, stress and anxiety management, substance abuse prevention and Narcan first aid, healthy relationships and sexuality, and digital wellbeing.

Israeli Artist-in-Residence Hanoch Piven

To celebrate Yom Ha-atzma-ut/Israel's 76th Birthday, Israeli artist and educator, Hanoch Piven, visited CESJDS in-person to do a special art project, the creation of beautiful portraits of Jewish/Israeli leaders and heroes using unconventional materials. Please visit the following link to view the creations.  Students spent time in advisory planning and creating their portraits before noshing on an Israeli picnic lunch and practicing one last time for their Zimriyah song competition. This year’s theme was Faces and Names and featured songs about individuals.  Mazal tov to the Class of 2025 for winning the competition!