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An Internal Periodical of Chabad-Lubavitch Educational News
Kislev, 5769 - Vol 3, Issue 1
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Dear Rivkah,
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The objective of this newsletter is to give exposure to the kind of things of which חז"ל say: קנאת סופרים תרבה חכמה with the hope that we will indeed see the fulfillment of those words. This will only be possible if Mechanchim and Mechanchos will forward their news items to the Chinuch Office. You are cordially urged to submit your own items for publication in the next issue.
Rabbi Nochem Kaplan
Director
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The Tragic Martyrdom of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg HY"D
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 Helping Our Children Cope
As this newsletter was being prepared, we learned of the tragic murder of HaKedoshim, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg OB"M. As shluchim of the Rebbe and part of the family of Chabad (Chassidim Ein Mishpacha), their martyrdom touches the lives of not only adults, but our children as well.
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4MAT Conference Taking Place in Chicago
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At the Kinusim this past summer, there were outstanding presentations made by the 4MAT program. The overwhelming response to this amazing program called for an in-depth follow-up seminar dedicated to the 4MAT program; a seminar that would not only teach about, but also how.
Thus, the Merkos Chinuch Office has arranged a three-day 4MAT seminar for teachers and administrators to become proficient in the innovative 4MAT learning approach. The seminar will take place in Chicago from Monday, January 12th to Wednesday, January 14th. Attendance is limited. If you want to have a 4MAT-trained expert in your school, please call The Chinuch Office to find out about reservations. Click here to find more about the 4MAT program.
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Timely Information and Ideas
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Keeping Up Our Numbers
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 Maintaining and Improving School Enrollment
In these difficult financial times, how can you convince parents of the importance of laying out the extra money for a Jewish private school? How do you effectively advertise to increase your enrollment? This was the focus of Rabbi Noach Kosofsky, principal of Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy in Massachusetts, who presented at one of the sessions at the recent Kinnus Hashluchim. Rabbi Kosofsky has developed an interesting approach to registration. Early each spring, he schedules an entire week of events dedicated to registration. (Click here to see his schedule from Spring, 2008.) He also offers tuition reductions to parents who register by the spring deadline. Most of the parent body gets involved and undecided parents and new registrants are then targeted. Rabbi Kosofsky's efforts work. Today, the school has a growing attendance.
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Hakhel @ Your School
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 Schools across the country are working with the staff of Tzivos Hashem on an extensive Hakhel program. The new Tzivos Hashem magazine HaChayal is but one component. You can find a complete brochure on the Hakhel program here and a sample Student Report can be seen here. All Chabad schools would be well advised to stay in close contact with Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum of Tzivos Hashem, who directs this program. You can find out more by emailing CTH@tzivoshashem.org or calling Rochie at (718)907-8884.
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New Gemara Curriculum Created
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 A new elementary school Gemara curriculum based on the principles of the Gemara Berura has been implemented in a number of mosdos, thanks to the leadership of Rabbi Yosef Y. Rosenblum, principal of Yeshiva Schools Boys' Elementary Division in Pittsburgh, PA. The program has been adopted by Oholei Menachem, Brooklyn, NY, Cheder Menachem, Los Angeles, CA, Rabbinical College of Canada Elementary School, Montreal, Canada, and the Hillel Academy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The skills-based curriculum, pioneered in Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh last year, has generated a great deal of enthusiasm. The success of the program is evidenced by the improved skills proficiency of the students, their eagerness to tackle new passages and their success at doing so.
For more information about this curriculum please contact The Chinuch Office, or contact Rabbi Rosenblum directly by email: info@yeshivaschools.com or by calling (412)422-7300 ext. 1219.
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Stay Tuned...
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 Meaningful curriculum development is a prerequisite to accreditation. A number of schools who are either in an accreditation protocol or have just completed one are doing serious curriculum work. Among them are Rabbi Menachem M. Greenbaum in Los Angeles, CA, and Rabbi Yosef Chaiton in Portland, Oregon.
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Merkos Chinuch Office News
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Accreditation News
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 The National Accreditation Board of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch is working on a revision of its standards and protocols for Spring, 2009, when the NABMLC will be going through its five year review. In preparation for the review by the N.C.P.S.A., the umbrella organization for private school accreditation agencies, the Merkos N.A.B. will update its standards and bring them into synch with the latest revisions of the US regional angencies and CITA. The Early Childhood Standards, which were rewritten two years ago, dovetail completely with those of CITA and they will not need to be rewritten.
None of this affects any of the school currently in an accreditation process.
The following schools are currently involved in accreditation:
Maimonides Jewish Day School, Portland, Oregon
Cheder Menachem, Seattle, Washington
South Florida Jewish Academy, Coconut Creek, Florida
Cheder Lubavitch, Chicago, Illinois
Torah Tots Preschool, Alpharetta, Georgia
Chaya Mushka Children's Home, Atlanta, Georgia
Gan Gani Preschool, San Antonio, Texas
The Chinuch Office wishes them the best of luck as they proceed.
To find out more about how to get your school accredited please contact The Chinuch Office.
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New School Directory and Statistics
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 The new International Directory of English Speaking Schools for 5769-2009 was readied in time for the International Kinnus HaShluchim. The new statistics show the extraordinary growth of Chabad early childhood centers; sixteen new early childhood centers have opened this year, bringing the total to 191 Chabad preschools worldwide. Three elementary schools have opened, bringing the total to 99. The number of mesivtas, and higher learning mosdos remained constant.
To obtain a copy of the Directory please contact the Chinuch Office.
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Teaching Sensitivity
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By Rabbi Nochem Kaplan
 Mendel, my fourth grade grandson, was asked to announce a Father-Son study project to his class. As he was about to begin, his teacher asked him,
"Have you thought about Donny? Donny's father passed away last year."
"Should I say Adult-Student study project?" he asked
"Think about what will feel natural," was the response.
Mendel announced...
Click here to read more!
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Your comments, ideas, and especially news from you school are most welcome.
Sincerely,
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Rabbi Nochem Kaplan
Director
The Merkos Chinuch Office
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The Chinuch Office | 705 Montgomery St. | Brooklyn | NY | 11213
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