Inaugural Minimester Program

Dear Students,

As you take your midterms this week, I am excited to officially share with you the details of our inaugural Minimester program!

Our Minimester, which will take place from January 4th through January 6th, is built on the Jewish value of Torah Lishma, learning for its own sake. This program will give you the opportunity to take short, targeted courses in areas in which you have a passion, are unfamiliar with or want to study further. The courses are diverse and taught both by our own faculty and professionals in the community.

There are no tests or grades accompanying these courses. We want you to explore the ideas and areas that spark your interest and expand your base of knowledge.

As part of the program, we are offering over 40 courses coming from a range of disciplines. There are courses in Business, Science/Technology, Healthy Living, Life Skills, Pop Culture/Media, Social Sciences, Theater Arts, Visual Arts and Jewish Studies. Please click HERE to access the course catalog.

Although this is a new program with its own schedule, these days are counted as regular school days and our absence policy remains the same. All students are expected to be in school. We will return to our regular schedule of courses on Thursday, January 7th.

On behalf of the Minimester Committee, our faculty and our guest teachers, I look forward to welcoming you back to school on January 4th and to your participation in this new and exciting program for our school.

B’shalom,

Rabbi Marshall Lesack

Living History at Rosenblatt High School

Last Friday, Donna Klein Jewish Academy High School students had the distinct pleasure of listening to a presentation conducted by Vincent Koch, a World War II veteran and liberator of the Landsberg concentration camp. Mr. Koch provided an interesting discussion regarding the lead up to war and his time in the service. He opened the floor up for questions, and provided even more insightful and thought provoking historical moments. 

Following the large group presentation, Mr. Koch spoke to the 11th grade AP United States History class, which provided the students with an opportunity to explore the past with someone who lived it.

Nick Belotto,

Faculty Member, History Department

Park and Learn for DKJA Parents

Spirit Week 2015

This week at Rosenblatt High School we enjoyed a fun filled time of great spirit, themed attire, and special activities. Last night we had a record attendance of "skating" EAGLES at Glacier Ice Rink for a night of ice skating, snacks, and socializing. We will definitely be organizing more evening activities as everyone had a blast!!  Today the high schoolers arrived in red carpet attire, camera ready for class pictures. What a great week at RHS!!!

Shabbat Shalom,
Sydney Moed

College Counseling Update: Looking Ahead to Summer

As we move into the month of December, exciting things are happening in the college counseling world!

Seniors who have applied to colleges with early deadlines or rolling deadlines have begun to hear from those schools. Several of our students are already celebrating their acceptances and we are looking forward to receiving decisions from Florida State and other colleges over the next two weeks.

Juniors are planning their SAT/ACT testing strategies and beginning to visit colleges, while sophomore parents kick off their preparation with a college counseling program later this month. All students are also working on summer plans; applications to most programs have opened and there are an incredible number of options for students. 

Take a look at some of the summer options by following the links listed below. Remember, it’s not what you do this summer; it’s what you do with it! Learn, experience new things, explore new places and ideas, and think about how what you are doing affects who you are. 

As always, please contact Jackie Rockman at rockmanj@dkja.net with any questions.


Summer Programs for High School Students on College Campuses
These cover a wide range of disciplines (humanities, arts, sciences, etc.). 

http://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/top-summer-pre-college-programs/1761/ 
http://www.brown.edu/academics/pre-college/
http://summersession.duke.edu/high-school-students/summer-college-for-high-school-students
http://www.summer.harvard.edu/high-school-students
http://scs.georgetown.edu/departments/21/summer-programs-for-high-school-students/
http://miami.edu/dcie/index.php/ssp
https://www.sce.cornell.edu/sc/
http://summersession.duke.edu/high-school-students/summer-college-for-high-school-students 
http://www.bu.edu/summer/high-school-programs/
http://summer.uchicago.edu/high-school 
http://www.summer.ucla.edu/ushsstudent
http://summer.berkeley.edu/student-types/high-school-students
http://www.brandeis.edu/highschool/
http://www.nyu.edu/admissions/high-school-programs/precollege.html 

Summer Programs for High School Students for Travel/Service

https://www.experiencegla.com/
http://ngstudentexpeditions.com/
http://rusticpathways.com/
http://www.afsusa.org/study-abroad/summer-abroad/
http://www.goabroad.com/highschool-study-abroad
https://www.theroadlesstraveled.com/summer-service-programs
http://goputney.com/

Summer Programs for High School Students for Theater/Music

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/extracurricular/tp/summer-programs-performing-arts.htm
http://camp.interlochen.org/high-school-theatre-summer-programs
http://www.drama.cmu.edu/32
http://summer.yale.edu/find-your-program/drama/summer-conservatory-actors
https://www.berklee.edu/summer
http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/summer
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/extracurricular/tp/summer-programs-music.htm
http://www.juilliard.edu/youth-adult-programs/summer-programs
http://www.studenteducationprograms.com/music/

Summer Programs for High School Students for Science/Medicine

http://www.jkcp.com/program/penn-medicine-summer-program-for-high-school-students.php
http://www.envisionexperience.com/explore-our-programs/nylf-medicine
http://www.cpet.ufl.edu/students/sstp/
http://www.bu.edu/summer/high-school-programs/academic-immersion/medicine.shtml

Summer Programs for High School Students for Business

https://www.sce.cornell.edu/sc/programs/index.php?v=166
https://www.nyu.edu/employees/life-wellness/family-care/child-care/summer-camp/business-entrepreneurship-summer-camps.html
https://www.wharton.upenn.edu/pre-college-programs/
http://ce.columbia.edu/high-school/nyc/junior-senior-courses/introduction-business-finance-and-economics
http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/BBA/Academics/Summer-High-School-Programs
http://scs.georgetown.edu/programs/108/fundamentals-of-business-leadership-in-a-global-economy/
http://ufyoungentrepreneurs.org/

Cyber Safety Workshop

I would like to take the opportunity to thank those of you who attended our parent workshop on Monday night on cyber safety. Our speaker, Gregory Schiller, an Assistant State Attorney in the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, provided some very helpful information on keeping our children safe online.

Through firsthand accounts of cases he has prosecuted, Mr. Schiller was able to help the audience members understand that communication with our children is critical. Mr. Schiller shared information about the CyberTipline, an important resource for you and your children. Should your child receive any photos or videos containing obscene content, be asked to meet in person from someone online, or be spoken to online by someone in a sexual manner, please call 1-800-843-5678 or send an e-mail to CyberTipline.com. All calls are anonymous.

As Mr. Schiller reminded us, our smartphones are “computers that happen to make phone calls.” When looking at it in this way, it is imperative for our children to understand both the benefits and dangers of online behavior. Children and young adults often do not understand the long-term impact of their digital footprint on their future. Talking openly and often about the potential legal ramifications, as well as the potential harm to their reputation is crucial.

I have included an article from ADL entitled “The Grown Folks Guide to Popular APPS in Social Media.  I highly recommend you take the time to read through the list for your own knowledge and discuss them with your children. Knowledge is power.    Click here to access this very useful resource.

Sydney Siegel, LCSW

Director of Student Services, K-12

Are You Ready for Midterms?

Midterm examinations require each student to develop an effective method of studying for a variety of midterm exams. Here are some helpful tips:

1)  Review notes, text-based annotations, teacher-handouts, tests already taken and homework assignments that have been completed. What do you know? What do you need to study?

2)  Determine the best way that you learn. For example, many students "rewrite" their notes in some type of graphic organizer, and emphasize what is important to know. Other students might use the computer to write outlines, and then utilize them to "fill in the details" as they read.  

3)  Anticipate that the test will require critical thinking! Be sure to read test directions carefully, and develop a familiarity with the various formats in which a test can be presented. For example, a multiple choice question might encourage the test-taker to use process of elimination if the correct answer doesn't "jump out." Other questions might require a written response. Be sure to quickly plan a written response before generating one! Always remember that key, relevant examples, facts and details are inherent to success.

4)  Organize a "study timetable." Don't wait to the very last minute to learn new material or to correct old mistakes! Set aside time to study each subject area. Create a favorable and pleasing work space to enhance learning and review.

5)  Before time ticks away, report for extra help! DKJA teachers are eager to help students make the important "connections!"  

Claudia Marcus,

English Department Chair