Philosophy of the School

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Mispallelim Religious School was established to provide Jewish young people with an education integrating the intellectual rigor, ethical norms and spiritual warmth of the Jewish tradition with the values of the American democratic heritage and the wisdom of the western intellectual tradition. The school's goal is to produce graduates who are well grounded in Judaic studies and prepared to pursue study at more advanced levels, are sensitive to ethical and moral demands in their dealings with all persons, are committed to the religious traditions and Zionist aspirations of the Jewish people are loyal to the American democratic way of life, and possessed of a keen sense of civic responsibility toward the various communities-- American, Jewish and universal--in which they will participate as adults.

An intense love of learning for its own sake has long characterized the Jewish life style. The Mispallelim Religious School strives to develop this devotion in its students and to see it applied to all learning. The Mispallelim Religious School's curriculum is designed to transmit these values.

The Mispallelim Religious School seeks to attract faculty members not only for their skills in conveying information, but also for their ability to serve as role models. Classes at the Mispallelim Religious School are small, allowing for an intimate teacher-student relationship. In this way, the school's sense of community, strong as it is, does not override its respect for the individual.

Dream, Little Children

This is the heritage we bequeath to you.

This school was not established to leave you untouched, uninspired.

Ours is more than an institution devoted to pursuing excellence in Hebraica.

We have built this school so that you can dream dreams, see visions and do wonders .

Statement of Educational Philosophy by Joan Joseph

The goal of any school is provide the best possible educational experience of every individual student that it serves. We are now very aware that intelligence can be defined in many ways. Since children come to the classroom with unique talents, skills, interests, and learning styles. It is crucial to establish a flexible learning environment where an effort is made to allow each child to realize his/her intellectual strengths. A wide variety of lessons, assignments, activities, and special events must be planned with this in mind.

A school must never lose sight of its influence in the development of the whole child. School is not only a place where a child learns, it must also be a place where a positive self-image is fostered and reinforced. While it is important for children to be challenged in their learning environment, it is equally important for them to feel comfortable and successful. The most effective assignment is one that can challenge each child at his or her own level and result in a wide range of responses. Students need to learn to meet challenges without fear of failure; they must learn that making mistakes is an acceptable part of the learning process. In addition, they also should learn to appreciate, respect, and celebrate the uniqueness of every individual. Everyone deserves the opportunity to shine!

The role of a teacher is no longer simply to impart information to students. Although formal instruction is necessary at times, teachers today must be creative in providing opportunities for learning. They must guide their students and help them to develop the tools necessary for them to learn and discover on their own. They must also encourage them to seek the answers to their own questions using whatever resources are available to them.

While all children should develop an understanding of their own areas of relative strength and weakness, they also need to learn to appreciate the natural connections between different areas of study. Art, music, and drama also need to be woven naturally into the general curriculum whenever possible. Of course, Jewish values and perspectives must be integrated continuously as well. A primary goal of a Jewish school is to reinforce the notion that Judaism is very much a regular part of our lives and that our Jewish identity is not a separate entity.

Finally, it is impossible to understate the importance of establishing and maintaining a partnership between the school and the home. A child's education does not begin and end inside the classroom. Lines of communication must remain open to ensure that everyone working with a particular student is on the same page. Parents and professional staff need to share with each other information that might be useful in order to maximize the effectiveness of a child's educational experience.