News and Updates Chai Lights

From Nora’s Desk:

Reflections from the Head of School

As we get closer to the end of another school year at Rambam Day School, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredibly full and rewarding year for our community. Throughout the year, our students continued to grow not only academically but also as leaders, teammates, communicators, thinkers, and friends. It has been wonderful to watch them take on new challenges, celebrate achievements, and support one another along the way. None of that happens without the dedication of our faculty, staff, and families, whose partnership continues to shape the experience our students have every day at Rambam.

This spirit of partnership was especially evident during Teacher Appreciation Week. Our teachers and staff were surrounded by kindness and generosity throughout the week, and it was incredibly meaningful to see the outpouring of support from our parent community. The effort and thoughtfulness behind every detail served as a powerful reminder of how valued our educators are. Teaching requires patience, dedication, creativity, and heart, and we are fortunate to have faculty members who give so much of themselves to our students each and every day. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the many people who helped make the week so memorable, including the Teacher Appreciation Committee, our PATIO chairs, our room parents, and all of the volunteers who contributed their time and energy behind the scenes. Their efforts brought warmth and joy to our campus throughout the week.

We were also proud to celebrate Jackie Berney on receiving the Robert Hersh Professional Excellence Award. For 50 years, Jackie has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to education and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Her impact on Rambam and on generations of students and families is truly lasting, and we look forward to honoring her at next year’s auction on March 11, 2027. Please save the date!

As this is our final edition of Chai Lights for the year, I want to thank each of you for the role you played in making this year so successful and meaningful. Schools are built on relationships, trust, and shared values, and we are fortunate to have such a strong and supportive community.

I wish all of our families a relaxing and enjoyable summer, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall.

Shabbat Shalom!

Honoring others through what you say and do.

This month, our students will focus on the middah of kavod (respect), exploring what it means to honor the dignity and value of every person. Through meaningful conversations, classroom activities, and everyday interactions, students will learn that kavod is expressed not only through words, but through actions, listening attentively, showing kindness and patience, respecting boundaries, and being considerate of others’ feelings and perspectives. Rooted in Jewish teachings that emphasize honoring parents, teachers, elders, and one another, students will discover that kavod also extends to respecting themselves, their environment, and the world around them. As they practice recognizing the worth and potential in others, even during moments of disagreement, students will strengthen the skills needed to build compassionate relationships and a community where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to shine.

Second graders recently wrapped up an engaging, persuasive writing unit centered around the question: Should our classroom have a class pet? Students took a position on the issue and supported their opinions with clear reasoning and evidence. Using teacher-created, age-appropriate research resources shared through Toddle, students explored three possible classroom pets, gathered important information, and organized their thinking using graphic organizers.

Over the course of two weeks, students experienced the full writing process, from research and planning to teacher edits, rough drafts, and typing their final pieces. Along the way, they strengthened important literacy and communication skills, including research, critical thinking, organization, typing, and public speaking. To culminate the unit, students proudly presented their persuasive essays to their classmates, confidently sharing their ideas and supporting their viewpoints with evidence.

Kindergarten students recently embarked on an exciting field trip to the Frost Museum of Science, where curiosity and discovery came to life through hands-on learning experiences. Throughout the day, students explored a wide variety of interactive exhibits that immersed them in the fascinating world of science and nature.
One highlight of the trip was learning about the unique wildlife of the Everglades and gaining a deeper appreciation for Florida’s ecosystems and the animals that call them home. Students were especially thrilled to visit the aquarium, where they observed colorful marine life up close and discovered the wonders of underwater habitats. A favorite experience for many was the opportunity to gently pet stingrays, creating a memorable connection between classroom learning and real-world exploration.

From interactive exhibits to engaging scientific demonstrations, the day was filled with opportunities for students to ask questions, make observations, and experience science through discovery and play. The trip sparked excitement, wonder, and curiosity as our young learners explored, investigated, and deepened their understanding of the world around them.

Fourth-grade Judaic Studies students recently embarked on a meaningful virtual journey through Israel as they planned a special trip itinerary for Mr. Abe using their iPads. Students researched a variety of destinations across the country, exploring locations of historical, cultural, and religious significance, and thoughtfully designed day-by-day travel plans complete with suggested times for each stop.

As they investigated important landmarks, cities, and sites throughout Israel, students deepened their understanding of the country’s rich history and its central role in Jewish life and identity. The project encouraged students to think critically about geography, travel logistics, and the significance of each destination while making meaningful connections to their Judaic Studies learning.

In addition to strengthening their connection to Israel and Jewish heritage, students also developed valuable academic skills, including research, organization, collaboration, planning, and decision-making. By combining technology, creativity, and inquiry-based learning, the experience allowed students to engage with Israel in an interactive and personally meaningful way.

Third graders recently participated in an exciting flag football game that combined physical activity with valuable lessons in teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship. Throughout the game, students worked together to develop strategies, support one another, and make quick decisions as they navigated the fast-paced challenges of the sport.
As they ran plays, defended their teammates, and practiced good sportsmanship, students strengthened key physical education skills such as coordination, agility, balance, and spatial awareness. Beyond the physical benefits, the experience also encouraged perseverance, collaboration, and confidence as students learned the importance of working together toward a common goal.

Filled with energy, enthusiasm, and teamwork, the game provided a fun and engaging opportunity for students to stay active while building both athletic and social-emotional skills.

First-grade Hebrew students recently participated in a collaborative and creative language activity using flashcards featuring vocabulary they have been practicing throughout the year. Working together in small groups, students read and reviewed the Hebrew words, created original sentences, and even turned their vocabulary into fun, engaging songs.

Building on their learning, students are now developing their own illustrated books that showcase the words and sentences they have mastered. This hands-on project strengthens important language skills, including vocabulary recognition, reading comprehension, sentence building, and oral language development, while also encouraging creativity, teamwork, and self-expression.

Through music, storytelling, and collaboration, students are deepening their connection to the Hebrew language while building confidence, strengthening communication skills, and finding joy in the learning process.

Fifth-grade students recently combined artistic skill with outdoor observation to create stunning soft lead pencil value landscapes inspired by the newly landscaped areas on campus. Building on the easel drawings they completed the previous week, students returned outdoors to closely observe the natural environment, paying careful attention to light, shadow, texture, and perspective.

Using a range of pencil techniques, students explored the concept of value by experimenting with shading, contrast, blending, and depth to create realistic and expressive landscape compositions. As they sketched trees, pathways, plants, and surrounding scenery, students strengthened their understanding of how artists use light and dark tones to create dimension and mood in a work of art.

Working outside also encouraged students to slow down, observe details thoughtfully, and connect art with the beauty of the world around them. This meaningful experience blended creativity, technical skill-building, and appreciation for nature, resulting in impressive works of art that reflected both careful craftsmanship and personal expression.

Tool of the Month: Family Board Games

As families look for meaningful ways to connect and unwind together, board games offer a wonderful screen-free opportunity to strengthen important executive functioning skills while having fun. Whether enjoyed on a rainy afternoon or as part of a weekly family tradition, board games encourage children—and adults—to engage in thoughtful, interactive play that supports cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Through gameplay, children practice essential executive functioning skills such as problem solving, planning ahead, flexible thinking, and decision-making. Many games also help children develop self-regulation and impulse control as they learn to take turns, follow rules, wait patiently, and manage both winning and losing gracefully. These experiences help build resilience, perseverance, and emotional awareness in a supportive environment.

Research has also shown that playing board games can strengthen memory, attention span, and critical thinking skills. Beyond the academic benefits, lighthearted family play fosters communication, cooperation, and connection, supporting social-emotional growth and creating meaningful shared experiences. Most importantly, board games provide families with valuable opportunities to slow down, laugh together, and enjoy quality time without screens.

As part of our Early Childhood Project Approach curriculum, classrooms throughout the school have been celebrating their learning through special closing events that highlight the meaningful investigations students have explored over the past several weeks. Rooted in curiosity, hands-on discovery, and student-driven inquiry, the Project Approach encourages children to ask questions, conduct research, collaborate with peers, and deepen their understanding of topics that spark their interest.

These culminating celebrations provide students with the opportunity to share their knowledge, creativity, and growth with families, teachers, and classmates in engaging and interactive ways. From artistic displays and dramatic play experiences to presentations, models, and collaborative creations, each closing event reflects the class’s unique learning journey and showcases the incredible depth of thinking that can happen even among our youngest learners. Beyond celebrating the final products, these events honor the process of exploration, creativity, communication, and discovery that takes place every day in our early childhood classrooms.

In this 2s class, students concluded their exciting project on fruit with a vibrant and imaginative art gallery experience that highlighted both their creativity and their growing understanding of the world around them.

Inspired by renowned artists Andy Warhol and Kathleen Ryan, students explored fruit through color, texture, shape, and design, transforming everyday produce into extraordinary works of art. Using a variety of artistic techniques and materials, the children created bold, colorful pieces that reflected careful observation, creativity, and self-expression. Their innovative artwork filled the gallery with energy and excitement, leaving guests amazed by the thoughtfulness and originality behind each creation.

To make the experience even more special, students also prepared delicious fruit drinks to share with their guests, adding an interactive and sensory element to the celebration. The closing event beautifully captured the joy of hands-on learning and demonstrated how even our youngest learners can engage deeply in inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and artistic exploration.

As part of the 3s class Project Approach study on storytelling, each child had the opportunity to become an author, creator, and storyteller by developing their very own original story. Students explored different ways to share their ideas and express their creativity, with some creating handmade books while others designed imaginative movies or even their own television shows.

Throughout the project, students thoughtfully developed characters, storylines, settings, and creative details that reflected their unique personalities and ideas. By designing their own characters and incorporating them into their stories, students strengthened their language, communication, and early literacy skills while allowing their imaginations to flourish.

One especially meaningful part of the project was the opportunity for families to participate in the storytelling experience. Parents of the children who created books joined in by reading their children’s stories aloud to the class, making the experience even more engaging, memorable, and special for the students.

The closing event beautifully highlighted the confidence, creativity, and originality of our young learners. From inventive plots to expressive characters and thoughtful storytelling choices, the project showcased just how capable and imaginative these incredible children truly are.

As part of their exciting Project Approach study on bees, the 4s class held an engaging and informative virtual closing event that beautifully showcased the depth of their learning and creativity. Through a thoughtfully created video presentation sent home to families, students taught viewers all about bees, including their unique attributes, their role in pollination, and the critical importance of bees within our environment and ecosystems.

Dressed proudly in black and yellow, the students also performed a heartfelt song celebrating the many ways bees help our world and reminding everyone why protecting them is so important. Their enthusiasm, confidence, and growing understanding of environmental stewardship shone throughout the performance, leaving viewers with an important message about caring for our planet.

The video concluded with a slideshow highlighting the students’ extensive exploration throughout the project. From hands-on investigations and artistic creations to scientific observations and collaborative activities, the presentation beautifully captured the curiosity, creativity, and meaningful learning that unfolded throughout the study. Through this project, students not only developed a deeper understanding of bees and their importance, but also discovered how even small actions can help care for and protect our world.