Lion's Share - May 2016

LION May 2016 Nissan-Iyar 5776

Curriculum Technion Challenge

College Is Your Child Ready?

Community HBO TV Series Exec

Juda and Maria Diener Lower School | Samuel and Henrietta Scheck Middle School | Ben Lipson Upper School

LION’S SHARE

Welcome to Lion’s Share: Scheck Hillel Community School’s Grade 6-12 bulletin covering news about curriculum, college counseling and our community. Connect with the names, faces and initiatives that make Scheck Hillel a college preparatory school that develops global citizens with enduring Jewish identity and values. For more school information, please visit eHillel.org.

Curriculum

Technion Day School Challenge: The Road to First Place

Meet the Winning Team Scheck Hillel made history April 18 when it placed first in the 2016 Technion Jewish Day School Challenge, created by RAVSAK and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, competing alongside peers from 41 day schools around the globe. Led by faculty advisors Dr. Athena Hadjixenofontos (STEM*/computer science) and Mr. Charles Mahoney (STEM/Design), Grade 6 students Zachary Lemmer, Hannah Stern, Sadie Slomovitz and Malvina Dimitri (pictured, l to r) demonstrated a range of mechanical and engineering systems that connected to the symbols of Pesach. “The challenge represents Scheck Hillel’s mission, vision and values,” said Dr. Ezra Levy, Scheck Hillel’s Head of School. “An experience like this reinforces 21st century day school education as the source of promise for a bright Jewish future.” Mazal tov to these inventive *STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

thinkers! Watch the machine in action at eHillel.org/Technion.

College Counseling Is Your Child Ready for College?

Written by Vanessa Donaher Many parents of younger children may be asking themselves if it’s too early to be thinking about college readiness. If you are a recipient of this newsletter, you really have no other option!

I look back at my school days with nostalgia. I enjoyed school and was a strong student. The topic of college didn’t surface until Grade 10, and we had plenty of time to pursue our interests and to be kids.

The truth is, today is different. No matter how much I would like to buck the system and refuse to play the game, I can’t. I can’t because the college admissions game is real– very real.

Community

So how do we allow our children to enjoy the gifts of childhood while becoming college-ready? It’s about helping them develop good academic habits and urging them to chase their dreams. It’s about teaching them that when they work hard, more opportunities will open up to them. It’s about balance and moderation. If we can teach our children the skills necessary for success, without focusing on the “why” behind the lessons, we can sow the seeds for success without amping up an already anxiety-laced process.

Ultimately, a wide range of skills will contribute to college readiness, but from my experience in education

and the college admissions process, I offer these suggestions: Encourage your children to: 1. Read often (Read with them!)

2. Always work hard 3. Give back 4. Stick with activities they love even when they become challenging 5. Learn from mistakes; failure can be a good teacher 6. Set the groundwork now; strong work in Lower School can lead to honors courses in Middle School and AP courses in High School Vanessa Donaher is Head of Ben Lipson Upper School and Director of College Counseling. You may contact her at: 305.931.2831 x132 or donaher@eHillel.org.

Stephanie Osin Cohen ‘08 Get to know Scheck Hillel alumna Stephanie Cohen, Fulbright scholar and art clearance coordinator on HBO series One key quality someone in your field should have: The ability to think creatively

Courtesy of Stephanie Cohen

Where do you work and what is your title?

I am the art clearance coordinator for HBO’s TV show “Girls.” In this position I find artwork to use in our show and connect with artists to obtain the rights to use their work. I also make sure that we have the rights to use all props and costumes pieces on screen.

How long have you been in the field?

I’ve worked in theater, television and film for three years.

One major mistake and what you learned: In my first job I was just so grateful to have a position that I didn’t even consider negotiating for a higher pay rate. I later realized that others at my level were getting paid more. I learned the importance of negotiating in order to get what you believe you deserve, and I never made that mistake again.

One major success and what you learned: In my senior year of college I decided to apply for a Fulbright fellowship. It was admittedly a last minute decision, as the deadline was fast approaching, and other students had been working on their applications with the fellowship adviser for months.

The adviser tried to discourage me from applying, questioning my commitment. But I genuinely cared about the fellowship and knew that I would do everything in my power to submit the highest quality application

I could. In the process, I learned the importance of persevering when you feel passionately about something, and, ultimately, I was awarded the fellowship!

One essential skill or tool you learned from attending Scheck Hillel: At Hillel I learned to put equal effort into all of my classes, despite enjoying some subjects more than others. By doing so, I developed an important work ethic that was essential in college and at work: the ability to approach any task handed to me with equal care and attention.

Your advice to Scheck Hillel students: Follow your interests, but be openminded about trying new things along the way. Try new classes, take on new hobbies, and meet new people. These simple things will inform and expand your interests and will help clear a path for yourself moving forward.

This just in: Stephanie has been accepted to Yale University, where she will pursue a Master of Fine Arts in scenic design.

Mazal tov!

Share with us! Please email your comments, questions and ideas for future editions of Lion’s Share to news@eHillel.org.