CESJDS Links Blog

Something I have always valued and embraced as an educator is student voice and the perspective adolescents have about the world around them. It may not always be easy to hear our students’ feedback and their thoughts about how things are going, but we need to. Students’ perception is their reality. We need to acknowledge that and work with it, even if it does not align with our own perceptions of what takes place. Only then, will we begin to understand how best to address students’ academic, social, and emotional needs at school. At CESJDS, student empowerment is also an important aspect of our School’s educational philosophy.

Our goals of a phone-free school day, then and now, are to improve the lives of our students and to better support their learning in school while promoting Torah Lishmah/love of learning.

Research shows that children thrive in environments where they feel secure and know what to expect. Predictable routines can significantly reduce anxiety in children, allowing them to focus better on learning and social interactions. When children know what comes next in their day, they can allocate their mental energy to exploration and learning rather than worrying about uncertainty.

What joy was felt as we welcomed our high school students back to campus on August 27 with an Opening Day Assembly filled with energy and framed by our CESJDS core values.

Head of School Rabbi Mitch Malkus and Lower School Principal Matthew Bellas addressed the Class of 2031 at their Aba Marcus and Sara Marcus 5th Grade Siddur Ceremony and Siyyum on June 7, 2024.

Head of School Mitch Malkus and Middle School Principal Ms. Cassandra Batson addressed the Class of 2028 at their 8th Grade Siyyum on June 6, 2024. 

As we approach the end of the 2023-2024 school year, I have been reflecting on my first year as the Middle School Principal here at CESJDS. Though I have been at this school since February 2016, this past year was by far the most eye opening as a leader. There were obstacles and challenges that I never anticipated - with the biggest being on October 7.

We have an extraordinary array of artistic interest and talent in the CESJDS High School, one that is pointedly cultivated by our dedicated arts faculty who provide numerous opportunities to engage in the arts inside and outside the classroom. In a difficult year filled with loss, sadness, and uncertainty, the arts have provided space for students to express themselves.

In watching students navigate the different challenges associated with being leaders, I realized that there is a lot of learning taking place above and beyond the formal curriculum. We call this a “hidden curriculum” – the lessons, norms, and values learned in school beyond the classroom.

Dean of Students Roz Landy's speech about why she will remember the Class of 2024 as the "Class with Laser Focus."