YULA High School Girls Division - New Parent 9th Grade Toolkit 2022 - 2023

YULA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS DIVISION

NEW PARENT

9TH GRADE TOOLKIT

2024-2025

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Welcome to YULA HIGH SCHOOL!

Excitement is in the air as we begin this new chapter in partnership with you. YULA strives to provide a safe and nurturing environment filled with opportunities for each student to meet their individual needs and reach her unique potential. Our mission is to imbue all students with a strong foundation that holds a deep passion for Torah study, refined middot tovot, and love of Medinat Yisrael.

As your daughter begins this important journey into high school, we recognize that you may be feeling a lot of different emotions ranging from excitement and enthusiasm, to anxiety and uncertainty. To help ensure a smooth transition into high school, we have created a parent toolkit to serve as a guide to understanding what to expect when your daughter begins at YULA High School. This toolkit was created based on valuable feedback and discussions with parents like you, and it is our sincere hope that this serves as the opening of what will be an ongoing dialogue and partnership between all of us.

Please use the parent toolkit for assistance regarding who to contact in each department, learn about academic requirements and important information on extra curricular opportunities at YULA. Additionally, the toolkit provides our high school transition guide, so together we can set your daugther up for success.

Thank you for the opportunity and privilege to be part of educating, inspiring, and helping your daughter blossom and reach her unique potential at YULA. As always, if you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions, feel free to contact me directly at asufrin@yula.org.

Bi’veracha,

Rabbi Arye Sufrin Head of School

YULA HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

YULA is a Modern Orthodox Yeshiva High School, dedicated to cultivating an unwavering commitment to Halacha, Torah values, outstanding academic achievement, and exemplary moral conduct.

YULA HIGH SCHOOL

THE THREE PILLARS

MISSION STATEMENT

YULA’s mission and underlying principle, laid out in the Three Pillars of a YULA Education, is that we stress the PRIMACY & RELEVANCY OF TORAH, an UNCOMPROMISING GENERAL STUDIES curriculum, and CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT at the highest level. As a proud Yeshiva high school, our aim is to instill within our students a passion for Torah learning, refined middot tovot, and love for Medinat Yisrael.

OUR VISION

YULA High School Graduates:

• Possess Ahavat Hashem and have built personal relationships with Hashem through Torah study, Tefillah, and reflection

• Can see the relevancy of Torah in their lives and are proud to be part of our Mesorah

• Exhibit self-respect and respect for others as they collaborate and communicate effectively

• Live the values of Torah U’Maddah and strive for academic excellence and intellectual curiosity in both Judaic and General Studies

• Have developed their potential as Bnei and Bnot Torah, prepared for their unique roles in their personal and professional lives, and the Jewish and global community

• Appreciate different paths of Avodat Hashem, grounded in Shmirat HaMitzvot and Chessed

• Stress the importance of Middot, Tzniut and Derech Eretz

• Display a love of Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael

• Live by the American democratic ideals of freedom, justice, and human dignity

• Are confident, self-disciplined and independent as leaders ready to engage in our rapidly changing world

EXPECTED SCHOOLWIDE LEARNING RESULTS

YULA High School will graduate students who are:

1. TORAH OBSERVANT JEWS who demonstrate a commitment to a Torah lifestyle

2. SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS who:

• Lead lives committed to Jewish law, ethics and morals

• Plan and implement projects that improve the spiritual and physical quality of life in both the school community and the larger civic community

3. 21ST CENTURY LEARNERS who:

• Can synthesize interdisciplinary knowledge from Torah and secular studies curricula

• Are digitally literate

• Are prepared for post high school education

4. DEVELOPING HABITS OF MIND including:

• Clear communication

• Creation and innovation

• Collaboration

5. SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY LEADERS who:

• Volunteer for leadership roles in the classroom, co-curricular activities, and in the community at-large

• Participate in activities that teach and foster leadership skills

• Initiate student activities based on student interest and need

ADMINISTRATION

Rabbi Arye Sufrin, Head of School

Mrs. Rochel Gargir, Chief Operating Officer

Mrs. Racheli Luftglass, Judaic Studies Principal

Ms. Yehudis Benhamou , General Studies Principal

Dr. Natalie Williams, Principal

Ms. Rachel Shandalov, Assistant Principal and Dean of College Guidance

Mrs. Samira Miller, Director of Admissions

Mr. Michael Burton , Director of Technology

Dr. Elianna Rome , Director of Counseling Services

Ms. Victoria Hanlon , Director of Academic Support

Mrs. Miriam Piliavin , Dean of Underclassmen

Mrs. Shira Hershoff, Co-Director of Israel Guidance

Mrs. Orit Faguet , Director of Student Life and Leadership

Mr. Sy Litwin , Director of Finance

Mrs. Mindy Sroka , Academic Registrar and Director of Operations

Ms. Alex Novak , Director of Athletics

Mrs. Shterny Fishman , Front Office and Executive Assistant

Mrs. Tali Halpern, 9th & 10th Grade Student Coordinator of L’Eila

Mrs. Emunah Tsaidi, Co-Director of Israel Guidance, 11th & 12th Grade Student Coordinator of L’Eila

Ms. Yaelle Shaye, 9th Grade Student Coordinator

WHOM TO CONTACT FOR WHAT?

Limudei Kodesh Classes, Curriculum, Student Placement, Grades

Mrs. Racheli Luftglass , rluftglass@yula.org

General Studies Classes, Curriculum, Student Placement, Grades

Ms. Yehudis Benhamou , ybenhamou@yula.org

Student Related/Non-Academic (Guidance, Discipline, Attendance, Performing Arts, Athletics and CoCurriculars)

Dr. Natalie Williams, nwilliams@yula.org

Academic Advising, 11th-12th Grade College Guidance, Senior Programming

Ms. Rachel Shandalov, rshandalov@yula.org

Student Recruitment, Marketing

Mrs. Samira Miller, smiller@yula.org

STEAM Dept. and Technology

Mr. Michael Burton , mburton@yula.org

Social/Emotional Guidance and Support

Dr. Elianna Rome , erome@yula.org

Educational Support Services

Ms. Victoria Hanlon , vhanlon@yula.org

9th/10th Grade Transition Program, Tefillah

Mrs. Miriam Piliavin , mpiliavin@yula.org

Israel Gap Year/Seminary, Judaic Studies Faculty

Mrs. Shira Hershoff, shershoff@yula.org

Israel Guidance, Judaic Studies Faculty, 11th/12th Grade L’Eila

Mrs. Emunah Tsaidi, etsaidi@yula.org

9th/10th Grade L’Eila

Mrs. Tali Halpern, thalpern@yula.org

9th Grade Student Life

Ms. Yaelle Shaye, yshaye@yula.org

Student Life, Chessed, Clubs

Mrs. Orit Faguet , ofaguet@yula.org

Tuition Contracts, Financial Aid

Mrs. Sarah Yashar, syashar@yula.org

Registration, Transcripts, Schedules

Mrs. Mindy Sroka , msroka@yula.org

Athletics

Ms. Alex Novak , anovak@yula.org

Sign In/Out of School, Schedule Meetings with Admin

Mrs. Shterny Fishman , sfishman@yula.org

COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHERS

If you have questions about the courses your daughter is taking or concerns about her academic performance, we strongly recommend that you check your daughter’s PowerSchool Learning page for that class. You can access PowerSchool Learning from the top of the YULA website or go to https://yulagirls.learning.powerschool.com. There you will find the syllabus for the course, recent assignments, test information, and the grades for the class. The information available through PowerSchool Learning will help you ask the right questions. To reach the teachers directly, please contact each teacher via their YULA email.

You will receive a full tutorial on how to access and utilize your daughter’s Powerschool Learning page at the Parent Technology Orientation for parents of incoming students.

If your communication with your daughter’s teacher is not satisfactory for any reason, please contact the following administrators with your concerns: For Judaic Studies classes, contact Mrs. Racheli Luftglass, Judaic Studies Principal, at rluftglass@yula.org. For General Studies classes, contact Ms. Yehudis Benhamou, General Studies Principal, at ybenhamou@yula.org.

YULA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS DIVISION

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Curriculum Overview

2024-25

Chumash Shemot (A, CP or H)

Nach Yehoshua/Shoftim (A) Melachim (CP or H)

Halacha

Tefillah Brachot Bein Adam l’Chaveiro

Machshava Machshava from the Parsha Yediot Klaliot

Jewish History Classical Era (A, CP or H)

Talmud Talmud (CP or H)

Math Algebra I (A or CP) Geometry (CP or H)

Science Biology (A, CP or H)

English World Literature (CP or H)

Social Studies Global History I (CP or H)

Hebrew Language Hebrew Language (A, CP, or H)

STEAM

Sem. 1 - Computer Science Sem. 2 - Photo/Video, Studio Art, or Graphic Design

Bamidbar (A, CP or H)

Shmuel I (A) Yeshayahu (CP or H)

Kashrut Chagim

Pirkei Avot Kivun

Medieval Jewish History (CP or H) (See Social Studies)

Talmud (H) Toshba (CP)

Geometry (A, CP or H) Algebra II (CP or H)

Chemistry (A, CP or H)

British Literature (CP or H)

Sem. 1 - Global History II (CP or H) Sem. 2 - Medieval Jewish History (CP or H) AP European History

Hebrew Language (A, CP, or H)

Sem. 1 - Engineering Sem. 2 - Photo/Video, Studio Art, or Graphic Design

Devarim (A, CP, H or HH)

Shmuel II (A) Yirmiyahu (CP or H)

Nashim

Mishlei/Kohelet 5 Megillot

Modern Era (CP or H) Holocaust Studies

Talmud (H)

Algebra II (A, CP or H) PreCalculus (CP or H)

Marine Biology (A) Physics (CP or H) AP Biology

American Literature (CP or H) AP English Language

US History (CP or H) AP US History

Hebrew Language (CP or H)

Bereishit (A, CP, H or HH)

Shivat Tzion (CP or H)

Shabbat

Mesilat Yesharim

Israel Advocacy (CP or H)

Talmud (H)

Math for College Readiness (A) PreCalculus (CP or H) Calculus (H) AP Calculus AB

Anatomy & Physiology (CP) AP Physics AP Chemistry AP Statistics

Thematic Literature (CP or H) AP English Literature

Sem. 1 - US Gov. (CP or H) AP Government Sem. 2 - Economics (CP or H) AP Psychology

Hebrew Language (H)

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, August 26th - 9th Grade Orientation

Monday, August 26th - New Parent Tech Night

Wednesday, August 28th - First Day of School

????? - Freshman Retreat

Student schedules will be distributed at Orientation.

Please note that all orientation programs are vital for providing critical information for the upcoming school year and are therefore required.

FreshmanRetreat

Wednesday, September 4th

$95

From Cubs to Panthers Your Journey Starts Here!

Your daughter will have the opportunity to experience our Torah Learning and Programming, Athletics, STEAM, Leadership Opportunites, Chessed and so much more.

RELIGIOUS INSPIRATION

Our programming includes:

• Kinnus Teshuvah

• Teshuvah Talks

• Selichot Program

• Friday Kumzitzes

• Weekly Derachim Classes

• Friday Parsha in the Plaza

• School-wide and Grade-level Shabbatonim

• Personal and Small Group Tefilah Program

• Inspiring Speaker Series

• Weekly “Lunch n’ Learns”

• Shabbat Onegs and Melava Malkas

• Chanukah and Purim Chagigahs

• Rosh Chodesh Guest Speaker Series

• Dr. Leila Leah Bronner z”l Women’s Midrasha

• Derachim

MECHANECHET PROGRAM

Our Mechanechet/Advisory Program is an opportunity for students to build meaningful relationships with role models and mentors on and off campus. Meetings with Mechanchot take place in small groups or individual settings. These meetings facilitate open discussions about religious growth.

• Torah Journal

• Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron Commemorations

• Yom HaAtzmaut Celebration

• Chessed Day

• Yimei Iyun

• Tefillah Club

• Midrasha

• YU High School Gemara Bekiut Program

• Chidon HaTanach

• Mechanechet Events & One-on-One Meetings

• Chanukah Mesibot

• Pre-Pesach Alumni Yom Iyun

• Summer Evening Learning Series

• L’Eila Program

• Mishmar

STEAM

• Over 65% of our student body is enrolled in an engineering, coding, or robotics class, elective or club

• We offer 11 STEAM classes, electives and clubs each semester

• Beautiful new Schlesinger Innovation STEAM Lab equipped with state of the art fabrication tools, designed with 21st century learning in mind. It is a collaberative space where our students can create, design, experiment, tinker, and code

• Our robotics team has designed and built their own robot, then competed, qualified and placed in the top half of the regional league

• Our faculty and staff receive hands on training in STEAM related topics and equipment, now incorporated into their classes

• Our students enjoy visits, lectures and demonstrations from inspiring engineers and designers

• Three parallel art tracks allow our students to explore and develop their creative passions in fine arts, graphic design, and photography & videography

• Students showcase their work throughout the year in communitywide events and exhibitions

ATHLETICS

• Over 80% of our student body are athletes

• YULA Athletic Leadership Council for Captains & Managers

• Team managers for all sports

• Independence League Champions Basketball

• Qualified in Tennis for CIF playoffs

• Panther Athletes recruited to Yeshiva University Athletic Program

FALL:

Varsity Cross Country

Varsity Flag Football

Varsity Tennis

Frosh/Soph Volleyball

JV Volleyball

Varsity Volleyball

Fencing

WINTER:

JV Basketball

Varsity Basketball

Varsity Soccer Fencing

SPRING:

JV Swim

Varsity Swim

Varsity Track & Field Fencing

LEADERSHIP

Weekly Clubs & Committees

• Debate Club

• Environmental Club

• ETTA Israel

• Fashion Club

• Girl Up

• Girls Who Code

• Robotics

• iShine/Chai Lifeline

• Israel Committee

• Mock Trial

• Model UN (YUNMUN)

• Moot Beit Din

• NASA

• STEAM Research Club

YULA Girls Leaders

• 38 Clubs and Committees

• 5 Model UN Award Recipients

• 2 NCSY Regional Board Members

• 5 Yachad Board Members

• 15 iShine/Chai Lifeline Counselors

• Student Council

• Videography & Photography

• Women in Science

• YIAC Club - Pro Israel Action Club

• Animal Support Club

• Women’s Rights Club

• Book Club

• Dance Team

• Choir

• Drama

• Chessed Committee

• Harvard Model Congress

• JOWMA

• OBKLA

• and more!

Publications

• Literary Magazine

• Komemiyut Torah Newsletter

• Paw Print

• Yearbook

• Panther Post

CHESSED

Our Chessed/community service program at YULA Girls High School aims to encourage students to be meaningfully engaged in Chessed in ways that foster their own independence. All Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are required to perform Chessed throughout the school year. The school will provide a list of approved Chessed activities.

In addition, our students participate in school led Chessed trips and our student led Chessed Committee organizes various Chessed opportunities on campus throughout the year.

Our students proudly volunteer with:

• ETTA

• Friendship Circle

• Tomchei Shabbos

• iShine/Chai Lifeline

• Yachad

• SCATCH Tutoring

• Sharsheret

• Shabbat Kits

• Global Kindness

• Bikur Cholim

• Cedars Sinai Teen Volunteer

• and more!

TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT

Welcome to YULA Girls

WHERE YOUR GROWTH IS OUR PASSION.

We recognize that the transition to high school is challenging, and we want to make sure that you have the tools you need to be successful here. The 9th Grade Transition to High School Program is designed to address these specific areas:

Inspiring Passion & Self Discovery

Team Building Stress Management & Self Care

Goal Setting

Study Habits & Note Taking Skills

Communication Skills & Self Advocacy

Sensitivity Training & Cultivating Kindness

Time Management & Organizational Skills

Leadership Training

Our 9th Grade Transition Team

Dr. Natalie Williams

• Dr. Elianna Rome • Ms. Victoria Hanlon

Mrs. Miriam Piliavin • 9th Grade Mechanchot

It is our goal through this program to empower students to:

• SELF-ADVOCATE & PROBLEM SOLVE

• BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

• BUILD SELF CONFIDENCE & PURSUE PERSONAL GROWTH

To prepare our Freshmen to succeed academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally, we have created 5 modules of support that will run at various times ongoing throughout the year.

5 Modules of Support

MODULE

High School Survival Skills

Learning Dynamics

Who am I?

Building Relationships and Getting Involved

Safe and Healthy Decisions

DESCRIPTION WHEN

Learn how to navigate PowerSchool, Google Drive, class schedules, and who to contact for assistance Orientation

Learn how to get organized, take notes, manage time, and prepare for academic success

Learn how to monitor your personal growth, both socially and spiritually

Learn how to come together as a grade and take part in the various clubs, athletics, and school programs

Learn how to make healthy decisions in areas that directly affect teenagers, such as substance abuse and peer pressure

Ongoing throughout the year

Ongoing throughout the year with our Mechanchot and Grade Dean

First days of school and ongoing throughout the year

Ongoing throughout the year