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AROUND THE MISRAD

Now into its second year of operation, the Misrad HaChinuch has made major inroads in the field of school accreditation and is exploring possibilities for programs for children with
special needs, while continuing to conduct multi-school programs, teacher training and Chinuch
publications.

DIRECTORY OF
CHABAD SCHOOLS

The Misrad has recently published a directory of Chabad Schools in the English-Speaking World, including listings from the United States, Canada, England, Australia, South Africa and South America. With the cooperation of more than 160 schools, the Misrad has taken utmost care to provide accurate information to the Directory users.

Available at the Chinuch Office, the directory sorts the schools by location with a separate section for 38 preschools which operate independently from elementary schools. Together with each school, is the name of the principal and the grades which the school teaches. There is an index of schools sorted by name, at the back of the directory.

Notwithstanding the painstaking, detail-saturated work that went into preparing the Directory, there are bound to be mistakes. Kindly send corrections to [email protected] or fax 718-771-2848.

DIRECTORY OF
MECHANCHIM AND MECHANCHOS

Upon completion of the Directory of Chabad Schools, the Misrad is now in the process of collecting information about Mechanchim and Mechanchos in order to compile a directory of Chabad Educators. We encourage all educators to send us the information asked for on our registration form. The form can be faxed to you by Naomi, call 718-771-3930 or emailed. The form is now posted on our website www.chinuchoffice.org.

CHINUCH SESSIONS AT THE KINUS HASHLUCHIM
DRAW LARGE CROWDS

Two major presentations were made on Friday Cheshvan 26, November 1st, at the Chinuch Sessions of the annual Kinus Hashluchim in Crown Heights.

Dr. Aaron H. Fried spoke about School - Home Communication. He reviewed the psychological underpinnings of such communication, which permits the classroom and family to work in tandem as they pursue the best interest of each child. Dr. Fried discussed forms of communication and how best to achieve the desired outcomes.

Rabbi Yekutiel Green, who came especially from Eretz Yisroel to present at the Kinus, delivered a lecture on KLolei Chinuch VHadracha, which was dictated by the Rebbe Rashab and penned by his son the Rebbe Rayatz. It is a slim volume containing no more than 17 small chapters. It is however a treasure trove of educational direction and advice. Rabbi Green demonstrated that this volume cannot merely be read, it must be carefully studied and each word analyzed in order for one to fully benefit from this incomparable masterpiece.
 
Participants in both lectures included teachers, principals, and Shluchim. All came away inspired.

PEN-PAL PROJECT
With the goal of increasing Ahavas Yisroel and Achdus, the Misrad HaChinuch and the Association of Chabad Educators have undertaken to initiate a Pen-Pal Program.

The Misrad is now taking names of schools, and the particulars about their students, who want to participate in the program. Classes will be paired up and guidelines for the program will be set.

Pen-pal letter writing is a tried and true way to make a close connection between children who live in distant places. Children enjoy meeting other children through letter writing and telling about themselves on paper through their own words. It encourages creativity in both writing and drawing. Often children like to decorate their letters and envelopes and even tape on a lollipop for their new found friend.

After Pesach, the children will be asked to write a letter to the Misrad HaChinuch expressing their likes and/or dislikes about having a pen pal. Selected essays will be posted on the Misrad website. 

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The much awaited website forum where teachers will be able to post their ideas, frustrations and seek advice and Chizuk, is under construction. We have been promised by our web designers that it will be ready by Hey Teves 5763.