Creating Wonder at Robbins Hebrew Academy

Your child has infinite potential.

Robbins Hebrew Academy helps them reach it.

Explore the wonder within...

RHA’s Mission:

Through an integrated General and Judaic Studies Program, students at Robbins Hebrew Academy engage in meaningful relationships with educators, parents, peers and the community, as they acquire critical thinking skills to open their minds to: a future of lifelong Jewish learning academic excellence global responsibility respect for themselves and others creative and healthy lifestyles

growing

into the future...

Open the doors to your child’s future by creating the foundation for infinite possibilities. Welcome to RHA, where boundless growth and a bright future awaits.

Here at RHA, we believe in creating wonder within your child that will lead to a future bursting with success and accomplishment.

Welcoming you and your child into our RHA family, we provide a warm, nurturing environment that focuses on the four C’s: Creativity, Collaboration, Curiosity and Critical Thinking.

Our recipe for success includes the following ingredients:

engaging beyond the imagination with a dual track program connecting to our roots with rich Jewish and cultural study engaging global citizens through a community experience promoting awareness and action nurturing creativity, health and wellness by exercising minds, bodies and hearts inspiring meaningful values to create well-rounded, loving human beings We provide an innovative education, enhanced by technology, creativity and meaningful relationships—all the tools your child will need to succeed.

Together with you, we look forward to creating the wonder that will cultivate and inspire a rich future for your child.

1

engaging

beyond imaginations...

Imagination leads to innovation and creation. It is not enough today to simply know; our children need to know how to think.

We give them an education worthy of their infinite potential.

We believe in stimulating your child’s potential in order to achieve academic excellence here at RHA. By integrating General and Judaic studies, engaging beyond the imagination and using technology, the possibilities for your child are endless!

Each student is unique. Our curriculum is designed to both guide and challenge our students. We offer resources for those who require extra support and enrichment. Your child’s unique blend of needs, interests and talents are met with a personalized educational experience. Curiosities and interests are piqued in a variety of learning environments that encourage children to develop big ideas.

Beginning in Junior Kindergarten, your child will be in a room equipped with Smart Boards, iPads, toys and art. Harnessing the power of digital technology allows us to train our students to be the innovators of tomorrow. Your child will learn in a digitally enhanced environment which will groom them for success in our complex global world.

At every turn, your child will learn critical thinking skills, using effective problem-solving strategies to draw thoughtful conclusions. Critical thinking isn’t just about knowledge. It’s about teaching for understanding and stimulating your child’s mind for application in the real world. It is being able to make good judgments based on criteria and supported by evidence.

With a rich learning environment that extends beyond the classroom, your child will feel the power to dream big and achieve beyond their wildest imagination.

3

connecting

to our roots...

Our students gain a deep understanding of what it means to be a Jew and to live a Jewish life, with a strong love and connection to the State of Israel. We are proudly passing on the torch!

At RHA our students live and learn Judaism, acquiring a strong foundation and sense of pride that comes with being a Jew. Our partnership with synagogues enhances the integration of prayer into our learning structure. T’fillot (prayers) and mitzvot (commandments) are key components in the core values and approach that RHA proudly fosters.

Through fun, engaging activities, your child is immersed into the culture and traditions of Judaism, including all of its holidays and celebrations. Our students participate in Chanukah and Purim plays with parents proudly watching, and Canada-Israel days where children experience a sense of patriotism and pride.

We focus on building a meaningful relationship with Israel through our integrated progam. Understanding our common roots allows our students to see that, as Jews, we are an extension of our past and closely connected to each other.

Incorporating a rich sense of the Judaic tradition, we model the importance of Seders and Shabbat dinners. We also encourage critical discussion, helping your child develop their own positive relationship with Judaism and its traditions.

With an academic integrated outlook, we delve into the study of the Hebrew language. You can expect your child to learn to read stories and poetry in Hebrew. Other areas of Judaic studies include Bible studies, culture, traditions and Israel.

By creating a cohesive learning environment, we are able to develop in our students a stronger connection to Israel and to our Jewish history.

Your child will graduate with a mind equipped for the future and the power of lifelong learning as a Jewish student in a global community.

5

encouraging

global citizens...

We pride ourselves on building a community of love, support and positive influences—within RHA and around the world.

Our students get involved to make the world a better place.

An RHA student summed it up best when she said, “You give back a little of yourself to others.” Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) is an integral part of our students’ learning here at RHA. Mentored by a caring community of staff, your child has the opportunity to be personally involved in social responsibility at both a local and global level. This instills a sense of gratitude within children by giving back through social causes, such as Israel (One Family), Project Giveback, Mitzvah Day and other tzedakah initiatives. Our students connect with our community by packing Passover boxes for needy families, collecting books for Toronto schools, and presenting siddur books to Baycrest residents. By rolling up their sleeves and opening their hearts, they become engaged on many levels through volunteering in our community and beyond.

Through our shinshinim program, we host young Israeli men and women at RHA to create an exchange of culture and a closer connection to Israel. Through informal education in the classroom and through school activities, your child will build relationships with these Israelis and develop a real, personal connection to our shared land. We also encourage all students to visit our special wall where messages from our young emissaries are posted.

To promote cultural diversity, your child will forge connections with students of other religious and socio-economic backgrounds through inter-school activities. We also encourage children to be a part of our Peacemaker Program, where they are given an opportunity to be leaders among their peers in the playground. By exploring different cultures and encouraging responsibility, your child gains the foundation to building a better world.

By learning to give back, participate, understand and connect, your child will grow to become a true global citizen.

7

nurturing

creativity and health...

We believe a healthy body fuels the mind. We promote an environment fueled by health and boundless inspiration by exercising our students’ creative minds and active hearts.

Creative Arts Creativity is part of everything we do at RHA. Research shows that the arts are closely linked to academic achievement and social and emotional development, with gains in math, reading, critical thinking and verbal skills. We’ve found that creative learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence and teamwork. By interweaving creativity and the arts into all of our General and Jewish studies, your child will expand their skills and knowledge, while deepening their understanding.

As added creative outlets, we offer dance, music, theatre, multimedia and visual arts programs both during and after school, providing healthy avenues and productive means of self-expression.

Healthy Lifestyles y exercising the hearts and bodies of our students, RHA B promotes physical fitness at every level—with recess breaks on the playground, P.E. class in our beautifully built gym facilities, sports leagues and our daily physical activity program.

To integrate healthy lifestyles into our daily learning experience, we have set up a leadership program for Grade 5 students to lead Grades 1–4 in morning exercises. This not only creates a fun start to the day, but also builds a strong community, promotes social development and teaches responsibility.

Your child can also explore team sports in a fun and safe environment, including basketball, ice hockey, soccer, volleyball, cross-country running and softball. As an alternative to traditional athletics, our students can also register in our Academy of Lunch & After School Programs which offers yoga, Kangoo and a variety of other activities that support health and wellness while having fun.

9

inspiring

meaningful values...

We strive to build a better future by nurturing our students. We work with parents to help them grow into well-rounded individuals, instilling kindness, ethical behaviour and a respect for others.

We will teach your child menschlichkeit and instill in them a foundation of core values. We will help them build meaningful relationships and make a positive impact at school and within the world around them. We focus on helping your child make thoughtful decisions today and every day beyond their years at RHA. We integrate menschlichkeit into everyday learning by using a variety of tools. For example, the Tribes TLC速 system is a step-by-step learning process we use that focuses on creating a positive environment where students: feel included and appreciated by peers and teachers are respected for their different abilities, cultures, gender, interests and dreams are actively involved in their own learning respond positively to high expectations We encourage our students to empower each other, allowing them to truly understand and practice menschlichkeit. We have reading buddies, recess buddies, Peacemakers and more.

These special relationships nurture patience, friendship and responsibility.

In addition, we are proud to incorporate our unique Buddy Program, where every child joining RHA is assigned a buddy.

Buddies are like instant friends; they call each other by name in the hallways and participate in special buddy days.

We believe that every child is unique and deserves to let their true magnetic qualities shine. Working together with you, we provide a solid foundation of Jewish values, helping your child to become the amazing human being we know they can be.

11

building

relationships for the future...

Children’s relationships are the foundation for their future learning—always changing, always growing in RHA’s creative and multi-faceted learning environment.

Children’s ability to think creatively and critically increases as they build relationships with other children, their family, their school and the global community. At RHA, we promote these meaningful relationships and experiences as building blocks and tools for learning at all levels and in all subjects.

Our well-rounded educational system is designed to provide the highest quality in academic, cultural and ethical values. We infuse love, creativity, support and encouragement through every aspect of our interactive learning facility and empower your child to be the best they can be.

Our dedicated and caring faculty will go the extra mile for your child, helping them blossom into global citizens. We believe learning is power. Through collaboration and critical inquiry, RHA students acquire an appetite for excellence. Your child has infinite possibilities and we will help them reach for the stars!

We’d love to tell you more and show you our school!

Michele Viner | 416.224.8737 x 137 | mviner@rhacademy.ca

www.rhacademy.ca

Book your personal RHA tour today: Michele Viner 416.224.8737 x 137 mviner@rhacademy.ca

Rest Assured with CAIS...

Bathurst Campus: 1700 Bathurst Street Toronto, ON M5P 3K3 P: 416.781.5658 F: 416.787.9632

Bayview Campus: 3080 Bayview Avenue Toronto, ON M2N 5L3 P: 416.225.1143 F: 416.225.0659

RHA is the only Jewish Day School in Toronto that is a candidate school for CAIS accreditation. As a community of independent schools, CAIS explores and pursues exemplary leadership, training, research and international standards of educational excellence.

Why should this matter to you as a parent? We know all parents seek and expect the best for their children. You want your child to grow, learn and thrive, to be exposed to great teaching and learning opportunities, and to reach their potential in every area of academic and social development.

As a CAIS accredited school, you can be assured that your child is going to receive all this and more at RHA. We are committed to continuous improvement.

More about RHA...

Founded in 1957, Robbins Hebrew Academy (formerly USDS) has a rich history of over fifty years. We are the largest school in the Schechter Day School Network, the educational arm of the United Synagogue Conservative Judaism, and we are sponsored by four Conservative Synagogues across the GTA. RHA provides a fully integrated Judaic and General studies program to more than 500 students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8 on two campuses. Learn more about us online.

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