April 29, 2025 by
In early April, students from Pre-K to Middle School celebrated Pesach in creative and often interdisciplinary ways. Check out our roundup below:
December 17, 2015 by
At our school, we have been exploring a seemingly obvious notion that actually has profound implications. When I first began to explore the concept that “Children are competent/capable,” I thought, “Of course, what’s so new about that insight? I have always believed children are capable, and I support them to see themselves that way….” But […]
December 16, 2015 by
The Fifth Graders at the Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital have just finished their Colonial History unit. For a few months, the students learn about the founding of the colonies and about famous figures such as John Winthrop, John Smith, and the Kings of England. Then, each student chooses a colonial profession […]
December 16, 2015 by
In this parasha, Yosef reveals his identity to his brothers, prompting the entire family to move to Egypt, where Yosef reunites with his father, Yaakov. Yaakov’s story comes full circle in chapter 46, verses 2-4, a passage with many intriguing parallels to a text that we read five weeks ago, about Yaakov starting out on […]
December 15, 2015 by
On the last day of Chanukah, the whole school gathered for a powerful, light-filled ceremony marking the culmination of the Rabin Curriculum on Conflict Resolution. The program centered on the idea of “light” and the “light within” each person. We built a large artistic chanukiah that filled the back wall of the stage. Each grade, from […]
December 10, 2015 by
Chanukah evokes images of sanctity and strength, renewal and dedication. It also brings to the fore the value of giving. This has been a big year of giving at JPDS-NC… and continues to be. From last weekend’s article in The New York Times contrasting the movement of “effective altruism” with emotional and empathetic roots of […]
December 10, 2015 by
Rachel (Levitt) Federowicz can be dubbed a woman of firsts. During the week, she is often the first one in the JPDS-NC South Campus carpool line to pick up her son, David. On Fridays, she is one of the first faces many staff members and students see as she sorts and delivers challahs to the classrooms. […]
December 9, 2015 by
In this parasha, Yosef interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and is appointed to implement Egypt’s anti-famine plan, which brings him into contact with his brothers again, as they come to Egypt to buy food. Within three verses, we encounter two different cases of hapax legomenon, a word which occurs only once within a written context – in this case, […]
December 8, 2015 by
JPDS-NC’s strength is due, in part, to the dedication of a cadre of talented and energetic parent volunteers. To learn first-hand about what motivates and inspires our volunteers, read the interview with parent Steven Aftergood. What is your volunteer role? Steven: I have volunteered with the JPDS-NC Ru’ach Campaign, which raises funds to help cover the school’s […]
December 3, 2015 by
The Sixth Grade and Kindergarten classes at JPDS-NC participate in a program called iBuddies. Every Kindergartener is assigned to a Sixth Grade buddy who uses technology to help them research the projects they work on in class. On their last visit, buddy teams worked on finding and creating patterns for the Kindergarten math unit, and […]
December 3, 2015 by
Nearly two hundred JPDS-NC students, parents, grandparents, alumni and staff gathered together last night to be a part of the Rokdim B’Ahava (Dancing with Love) Dance-a-thon! It was an unforgettable night of dancing, community building, family fun, and mitzvot in support of Anne Frank House. The Gottesman Auditorium was filled with the joy and energy […]
