Our Stories

Kids Delve into the Issues – An Election Project Update

October 6, 2016 by Janet Collier (Faculty and Staff)

As the JPDS-NC Election Project 2016 continues, students in all grades have been conducting research on their grade’s assigned topic and engaging in deep conversations with guest speakers, with students in other grades and at other schools, and with each other. Sixth Grade – Political Messaging: Sixth Grade students produced videos summarizing the positions of the major […]


Student Tefilah Committee Presents New School Ark

October 6, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

The Tefilah Committee is a volunteer group of students in Grades 3 to 6 whose goal is to make Tefilah (prayer) a better and more meaningful experience for all the students. This fall, the Committee presented the newly restored ark, which will be used by third, fourth, and fifth graders during tefilah. The ark was unveiled to the 3rd-6th grade students during Big […]


Starting the New Year Like an Aleph – Cultivating a Growth Mindset in 5777

October 5, 2016 by Arielle Derby (Faculty and Staff)

I have been spending time visiting classrooms, getting to know the students, and telling them a story about why Aleph is the first letter of the aleph-bet: the print Aleph (א) is the only letter that is “open” on all sides, with many access points. After the story, we talk about being open to new […]


Torah Talk for Parashat Vayelech

October 5, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, Moshe concludes his speech to the Bnei Yisrael, blesses Yehoshua, and instructs the community to gather every seven years to read publicly from the Torah; Hashem predicts the eventual straying of Bnei Yisrael. Parashat Vayelech is the second-to-last portion of the Torah that we read on Shabbat. The beginning of the parasha […]


Rosh HaShanah Video 5777

September 30, 2016 by Hannah Seidel (Faculty and Staff)

Enjoy the JPDS-NC Rosh HaShanah Video for 5777! Special thanks to the first grade students for lending their beautiful voices to the video. We wish you and your family a happy and sweet new year!


Students Speak Out – An Election Project Update

September 29, 2016 by Janet Collier (Faculty and Staff)

As students delve into their grade-specific issues for our Election Project, they’ve also been exploring the question of whether adults should listen to the opinions of children when it comes to these important issues and the election in general. We asked the children: “You can’t vote, but should you have a voice in this process?” […]


Rosh Hashanah STEM Story Hour

September 29, 2016 by Sindy Udell (Faculty and Staff)

What does Rosh Hashanah have to do with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)? Last Sunday, thirty children from the greater Washington, DC area came to JPDS-NC to find out. Kindergarten teacher Xani Pollakoff and Admission Associate Lindsey Marks led an innovative program that uniquely combined Rosh Hashanah teachings with STEM and design thinking. Children […]


Sixth Graders Study Political Advertising as part of JPDS-NC Election Project

September 29, 2016 by Adina S (’17) (Students) Ana S (’17) (Students)

Sixth graders at the Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital have a special opportunity this year – we are the oldest children in the school and it’s an election year. We are in charge of coordinating a “voter’s guide” for students throughout the school, and even get to listen to guest speakers about […]


Literacy for the 21st Century Student: Foundational Computer Languages and Programming in Middle School Curriculum

September 27, 2016 by Lisa Schopf (Faculty and Staff)

Computer literacy is becoming an expectation and a necessity, a critical skill for engaging with and contributing to the world in the 21st Century. In our middle school, all students will become more familiar and experienced with the foundations of computer programming through required and elective courses. Our courses in computer languages and programming will […]


Torah Talk for Parashat Nitzavim

September 27, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, Moshe describes the brit (covenant) between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael, urging Bnei Yisrael to uphold the brit and honor the Torah so that they may be rewarded with life in the land of Israel. Chapter 30, verses 11-14, says: “For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not too […]