The “SITE Plan”

In order for children to reach their potential, they need both values and habits.

Values are like seeds — we may not see the results immediately, but when they are nurtured properly they sprout and grow. We plant by teaching values and ideals to our children, and we nurture these seeds when they see us — their parents and teachers — modeling those behaviors.

“Building,” on the other hand, is a conscientious process: the actions, habits and external behaviors we accustom our children to on a daily basis — brushing their teeth, eating a healthy breakfast, getting to bed on time. Habits are the external structure that supports our seedlings so they can grow upward. Good values need good habits to support them.

Our program is comprised of three divisions based on this Building and Planting paradigm. Jewish holidays, Hebrew reading and comprehension are seamlessly woven into each and every unit in all three divisions, and personalized review lessons are provided to each student to continue learning at home.

In the BUILD division students begin to see how the values they learned in SPROUT are supported and reaffirmed through action. Jewish holidays and rituals come alive as they are connected to the value that lies at the heart of each one — so they come alive instead of being isolated, random practices. Students are given the tools to actively participate in all of the Jewish holidays throughout the year.

A hallmark of this year is a unit called “Torah Town” where each week we BUILD a new establishment in our “town” to teach Jewish life fundamentals. As we build the Supermarket we focus on brachot and gratitude. The Hospital teaches us about guarding our health and doing kindness. In the Pet Shop we learn about tzar baalei chaim — the prohibition against hurting animals. In the Post Office we send thank-you cards to family that lives far away. We build a synagogue that teaches us how to pray, and most importantly we build a home — the focal point of Jewish life.

Hebrew is a large focus of our day in the BUILD division: students begin blending sounds and reading Hebrew words from the very first week of school! Conversational Hebrew is introduced and new vocabulary is added each week, with interactive opportunities to review at home with a customized app (parents do not need a Hebrew background).