Weekly Newsletter – October 19, 2018

October 19, 2018 / 10 Cheshvan 5779

Shabbat Begins: 5:56 p.m. Shabbat Ends: 7:00 p.m.

Parsha: Lech Lecha: Genesis 12:1-17:27

HANDS-ON LEARNING

Grade 12 students Zoe Shnier, Ally Lutrin, Jacob Wiseman, and Avichai Mattuck

show off their biomolecule projects

In Mr. Mymko’s Grade 12 Biology classes, students are sharing their love of science by building model biomolecules of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These models include an item where you will find these biomolecules in everyday life. From light-up lactose ice cream cones (flickering lights optional), candy carbohydrates, Styrofoam steroids, and amazing amino acids, the classes were excited to share and present their work!

On Thursday, Mr. Mymko’s Grade 8 Science class presented their Edible Cells projects, which challenges students to create a model of a cell out of completely edible materials. The results were very impressive – and looked delicious!

GREAT BC SHAKEOUT

On Thursday at 10:18 a.m., King David staff and students participated in the Great BC ShakeOut, an initiative that helps individuals and organizations practice how to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" when dealing with an earthquake, and allows us to be prepared to survive and recover quickly, wherever we are.

To learn more about what to do in the event of an earthquake, visit ShakeOut BC’s website at dontbeleftout.ca.

LEARNING FROM OUR COMMUNITY

The presentation may be over but the questions continue!

On Friday, September 28, the Psychology class welcomed Dr. Gary Lazar, an adolescent psychiatrist. After our unit on Nature and Nurture, Dr. Lazar answered our questions and spoke about how theories of nature and nurture are seen in everyday life. Throughout his presentation, the class welcomed his wealth of knowledge and appreciated his sense of humor.

~ Hannah Casseres, Grade 11

POST-SECONDARY PLANNING

Each year, our Post-Secondary Counsellors ensure that our senior students have the opportunity to hear from many post-secondary institutions through visits to our school where they share what they have to offer. Making decisions about life beyond high school is both exciting and stressful. Whether continuing their studies or taking a gap year there are many choices students and their families will make. By providing the opportunity for university and college personnel to talk directly to students and parents, we hope to help offer some clarity on the many options available.

This year we will host 16 different schools from across Canada at King David. They will provide information about their programs, admission requirements, and what makes them unique. As the Grade 12 students begin the application process, these presentations provide invaluable information and an opportunity to ask questions.

Grade 12 students were asked about why it’s beneficial to them to attend these presentations, and here’s what they had to say:

"They are important because it gives us more insight on the individual university and what programs they offer. Also, communication with a representative is important to have an insider’s perspective on the school and more clarification on the admission process."

~ Yael Toyber

"They provide a personal connection with someone that works at the university, so if you haven’t had a chance to visit there, it gives you something to have in your mind when you are applying other than the prerequisites that are on the website."

~ Taylor Williams

"It helps educate you about the different types of universities, and you could possibly be interested in one you have not thought about yet."

~ Jacob Wiseman

There are still many schools that are coming to present at King David, all of which are marked in our school calendar. We encourage all interested Grade 11 and 12 students and parents to attend.

A WEEK OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CAIS Heads and Chairs Conference

Liza and Naomi enjoyed a fun evening out for dinner with Russ.

This past weekend, Head of School, Russ Klein, and Board Treasurer, Neville Israel, attended the annual Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Heads and Chairs Conference in Calgary. The conference offers an excellent opportunity for the leaders in the Canadian independent school system to gather in one place to learn and share with colleagues. Attending as well were VTT partners, Cathy Lowenstein and Shawn Lewis. Russ received a Recognition of Service Award for his 10 years as Head of a CAIS school and Cathy Lowenstein was honoured for her contribution to CAIS as a retiring Head of School. King David is currently a CAIS Candidate school and we are preparing for our Accreditation team visit, which will take place over four days in January 2019. We are truly looking forward to this learning opportunity, and it is good for us re-experience what it is like to work hard to "pass an external test" so that we understand how our students feel.

While in Calgary, the night before the conference started, Russ connected with King David alumni, Liza Mintz, Class of 2013, and Naomi Shaw, Class of 2015. They spent time catching up over dinner. This is an aspect of his job that Russ enjoys, as it provides an opportunity to hear directly from the young adults where their journey has taken them post high school and to see how well they are doing!

FISA Conference

On Friday, King David hosted a day-long professional development session for teachers from across Vancouver who are part of the Federation of Independent Schools Association (FISA). The Provincial Outreach professional learning session engaged educators in a day of authenticity, considering what it takes to nurture individual and system-level growth and achievement through learning-centred design. The session

modeled effective research-based practice for learning, while paying close attention to building capacity within students, staff, and school communities.

ISABC Language Teachers’ Meeting

Also on Friday, as part of the province-wide professional development day, our French Teacher, Ashley Miller-Bouchard, hosted a meeting with the Language teachers of various Vancouver schools who are part of the Independent Schools Association of British Columbia (ISABC). The purpose of the meeting was to plan French and Language sessions for an upcoming ISABC Professional Development Day in February. The Ministry of Education’s new Languages curriculum presents many opportunities to explore various subjects of interest; however, the curriculum’s broadness is a challenge for educators due to the lack of prescribed resources. The February workshop seeks to bring Languages programs to life through a discussion of the curriculum’s possibilities, followed by sharing resources and best practices.

DISCOVER KING DAVID AT OUR OPEN HOUSE!