JCAL Update January 2021

January 6, 2021

Despite the most unusual year in memory, I’m proud of what we accomplished in JCAL so far this year.

Online Learning Excellence:
- An award-winning values curriculum, Shalom Learning. Units so far have been

3^rd – 6^th

- - Teshuvah (apologizing/making amends/returning to the right path)
  - B’tzelem Elohim (honoring God in each person)
  - Gevurah (internal strength)
  - And classes have started Achrayut, responsibility
  - Kindergarten – 2^nd graders have learned about the Jewish fall holidays and Shabbat and related mitzvot (good deeds/commandments) including tzedakah (righteous giving), slichah (apologizing), hakarat hatov (recognizing the good), hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests) and todah (saying “thank you”)
- JCAL Online teachers meet after every JCAL session to collaboratively tackle challenges and share best practices
Community Building:
- Our dedicated teachers and madrichim work hard to foster friendships and nurture a sense of community in each JCAL Online class. These include
  - ice breakers
  - scavenger hunts
  - using breakout rooms for small-group projects and discussions
  - carefully constructed questions that get children to think deeply and share meaningfully with each other.
Hebrew Groups
- 3^rd – 7^th graders meet weekly in our small Hebrew groups. Students have made great strides in learning. These small groups have allowed for individualized learning and for the development of friendships
Chag and Mitzvah Boxes
- We love seeing families for Chag and Mitzvah Box Pick-Up once a month, and we hear families are loving the activities and depth of learning. We are proud that we have maintained a consistent level of excellence in these boxes, giving families the opportunity to explore Jewish values and holidays together with hands-on activities and discussions
- We’ve also listened to parent feedback that so much good stuff at once can be overwhelming. So, we are simplifying the program to one box a month. See below for the revised schedule. You can always find out more about the schedule here.