Jewish Ledger | June 8, 2012

Ledger intern Eli Freund for compiled this report  ~
With school doors getting ready to close for summer, we wondered how Connecticut’s Jewish day schools had fared this year.
So we asked.  Here is what 10 day schools (elementary schools and high schools) all across the state had to say about the year that was.

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Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Gr. Hartford

Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford
53 Gabb Road, Bloomfield
(860) 243-8333
www.sigelacademy.org
Rabbi Mordechai, Weiss, Principal
Sharon Budkofsky, Assistant Principal:
Enrollment 2011-2012: Approx. 100
Grade: Nursery – 8
Of note this year:
The Hebrew Academy pre-school has been designated by the Connecticut Association of Private Schools (CAIS) as an exemplary program. The general report commented on the warm and loving environment and the dedication of the staff and the outstanding program that is provided for all the children in attendance.
The performing arts program presentation of two full-length musicals and one drama — a remarkable achievement given the size of our school.

Bi-Cultural Day School

Bi-Cultural Day School
2186 High Ridge Road, Stamford
(203) 329-2186
www.bcds.org
Jacqueline Herman, Principal and Head of School
Rabbi David Israel , Dean of Rabbinics
Joanne Karow, Director of Admissions
Enrollment 2011-2012: 353
Grades: Pre-K – 8
Of note this Year: Dedication of Sefer Torah

Carmel Academy

Carmel Academy
270 Lake Avenue, Greenwich
(203) 863-9663
www.carmelacademy.com
Nora Anderson, Head of School
Enrollment 2011-2012: 230
Grades: K – 8
Of note this year:
The girls’ varsity basketball team captured first place at the Seder Plate, the four-school basketball tournament hosted by Carmel Academy
that also included Bi-Cultural Day School, Ezra Academy and Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford. The varsity teams from each of these schools played in boys’ and girls’ games throughout the day, culminating with an MVP all-tournament game.

Ezra Academy

Ezra Academy
75 Rimmon Road, Woodbridge
(203) 389-5500
www.ezraacademy.net
Melanie Waynik, Head of School
Jill S. Schaefer, Director of Admissions
Enrollment 2011-2012:
142
Grades:  K – 8
Of note this year:
Students sang at the Jewish Home in Bridgeport and at the State Capitol (Yom Hashoah presentation)
Many students won awards for writing, math, mitzvah hero presentations, and more.

Jewish High School of Connecticut

Jewish High School of Connecticut (JHSC)
2710 Park Avenue, Bridgeport
(203) 275-8448
www.jhsct.org
Dr. Yonatan Yussman, Head of School
Enrollment 2011-2012:  30
Grades: 9 – 12
Of note this year:
Students took part this year in  the Exploravision Competition, organized by the National Science Teachers Association and sponsored by Toshiba.  Of over 5,000 entries, JHSC made the top 10% nationwide — one of only two Connecticut high schools to reach this level of distinction.
Students participated this year in the Team America Rocketry Challenge, Moot Beit Din, New England  Math League Competition, AIPAC Summit and  Model UN, and more.
JHSC sponsored a Power of One Lecture Series, trips to Boston and New York, college admissions workshops, community service days, Giants of Science project, anti-bullying workshop and a Cultural Exchange Day.

Hebrew High School of New England

Hebrew High School of New England
300 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford
(860) 231-0317
www.hhne.org
Rabbi Daniel Loew, Head of School
Edlyn Blitzer, Vice Principal
Rabbi Shimmy Trencher, Dean of Students
Grades: 9 – 12
Enrollment 2011-2012: 70
Of note this year:
Rabbi Shimmy Trencher, Dean of Students, won the Harold Grinspoon Foundation 2012 Professional Leadership Award
Heather Page of the English Department won the Harold Grinspoon Foundation 2012 Educator Award
The Israel Young Emissaries visited the school weekly to run an exclusively Hebrew-speaking lunch table aimed at helping students improve their Hebrew language skills

Solomon Schechter Academy of New London

Solomon Schechter Academy New London
660 Ocean Ave., New London
(860) 443-5589
www.ssa-newlondon.org
Karen Rosenberg, Head of School
Enrollment 2011-2012: 38
Grades: Nursery – 8

Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford

Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford (SSDS)
26 Buena Vista Road, West Hartford
(860)561-0700
www.learnthinkdo.org
Rabbi Elliot Goldberg,Head of School
Dr. Karen Trager, Principal
Sara Steiner, Admissions Director
Enrollment 2011-2012: 149
Grades: Nursery – 8
Of note this year:
Welcomed new Head of School
100% of middle schoolers will be returning next year.

Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy

Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy (SCHA)
(Formerly New Haven Hebrew Day School)
261 Derby Avenue, Orange
(203) 795-5261
www.schacademy.org
Rabbi Sheya Hecht, Headmaster
Rabbi Enan Francis, Principal
Enrollment 2011-2012: 200
Grades: Nursery (18 months old) – 8
Of note this year:
Students participated in chessed activities (acts of kindness): delivering hand-made scarves to the elderly, collecting eyeglasses for the Lions Club, and donating food to the JFS food pantry.
Middle school students gained insight into their personal histories during a field trip to Ellis Island by learning about the journey many of their own ancestors made to become Americans.
Middle school students competed in the CT State Science Fair, taking home several awards, including three for first place.
The school’s entry into the Christopher Columbus Awards was chosen as one of 30 semifinalists out of more than 225 entries nationwide.
Student artwork was displayed at an Art Show and Auction coordinated by the PTO.

Yeshiva K’tana Of Waterbury Bike-A-Thon

Yeshiva K’tana Of Waterbury
32 Hillside Avenue, Waterbury
(203) 756-1800
www.waterburyyeshiva.org
Rabbi Yehuda Brecher, Principal
Enrollment 2011-2012: 298
Grades: Nursery – 8
Of note this year:
Annual Bike-A-Thon fundraiser.