The Senesh Experience

Lower School at Senesh

Kindergarten through 4th Grade

Our lower school offers a rich and rigorous curriculum in both Jewish and general studies. From the very beginning, students cultivate a keen appetite for learning and critical thinking skills. They work individually, in small groups, and as a class asking questions, learning to listen to each other’s answers, and solving problems. Whether reflecting on a story from the Torah or learning to understand their surroundings through the scientific method, our youngest students are equipped with the skills to develop a deep and meaningful understanding of the world around them. Their lively conversations fill the classroom. Their stories spill across the pages of their notebooks. Their artistic expressions cover our walls.

Students do their best learning with teachers who know them. Senesh teachers come to really know their students due to small class sizes. Through this relationship, teachers are able to engage individually with children, ensuring that students attain an intrinsic understanding of curriculum and are appropriately challenged in their learning.
It’s not just what you learn, but who you become. Senesh embraces the whole child. We believe that attending to the development of social and emotional skills is an essential part of cultivating competent learners and social beings. Students learn what it means to take care of themselves, others, their community and environment. These concepts are woven into learning experiences inside the classroom and out. Each class participates in community service (“areivut”) projects and trips that expand students’ concept of community responsibility, and are integrated into classroom learning..
Students guide and support one another. The Senesh learning community is steeped in collaboration and leadership opportunities. Throughout each day, students work together on classwork, rotating responsibilities, forming joyful bonds, and problem solving. These relationships extend beyond each class through our mixed-grade buddy program which empowers younger and older students to learn and grow togethers. Every child entering kindergarten is matched with a fourth grade buddy—attending special events together, celebrating holidays, and developing a relationship that often lasts to graduation and beyond.

Sample Lower School Schedule

8:15-8:30 Arrival

8:30-8:45 Morning Meeting

8:45-9:30 Math

9:30-10:15 Reading

10:15-10:30 Snack

10:30-11:15 Science

11:15-12:00 Writing

12:00-12:30 LUNCH

12:30-12:45 RECESS

12:45-1:15 Tefilla

1:15-2:00 Hebrew Instruction

2:00-2:45 Judaic Studies

2:45-3:30 PE

Dismissal

Middle School at Senesh

5th through 8th Grade

We believe every student deserves a great teacher, a great learning environment, a great experience—not by chance, but by design. At Senesh we strive to challenge as we nurture, giving students the fundamental tools for lifelong learning early on, and continuing to reinforce and expand those tools at every grade level.

Greater independence and critical thinking. Close relationships with teachers help students navigate increasingly complex academics and embrace assignments that require rigor and independence. Our middle schoolers enjoy weekly mixed-grade electives (“chugim”) and Friday afternoon advisory groups to reflect on their week with a peer group and teacher mentor.
Nurturing social emotional growth. Middle school is a time of tremendous cognitive and emotional development. As concrete thinking expands to include more abstract approaches to problem solving and changes in social life, Senesh supports each student in navigating the transition.
Trips offer indelible learning experiences.
- 5th grade: One day-long adventure exploring New York City
- 6th grade: Four days at Teva, a Jewish environmental retreat in Connecticut where students experience nature and learn about sustainability
- 7th grade: Three days in Washington D.C., where students tour the Capitol Building, perform at the Shakespeare Folger Library, and experience the Holocaust Museum
- 8th grade: A two-week trip to Israel, where students experience a profound culmination of so much they have studied in Hebrew, Judaic Studies, and humanities at Senesh.
Seizing opportunities to lead. Students develop a stronger sense of themselves as learners, thinkers, and leaders of a greater community by mentoring younger students through after-school activities, special events, and inter-grade programs.

Sample Middle School Schedule

Here is sample text for what the schedule could be for a middle school session.

Academics

Weaving together the best of both Jewish and general studies, a Senesh education cultivates intellectual curiosity in a rigorous and joyful academic environment that teaches the whole child. Based on a model of critical thinking and open inquiry, our curriculum is constantly enhanced by teacher-developed materials that aim to fold contemporary issues and themes into each subject and level of study.

Hebrew

Hebrew language is not just a part of the curriculum at Senesh, but integrated into everyday life. Students are exposed to Hebrew from the moment they enter our school building, as greetings of “boker tov” mingle with wishes of “good morning.” Our Hebrew language classes are immersive. Instructors teach almost exclusively in the language, critically supporting the development of all four skills of second-language acquisition: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. From the early years of letter recognition and simple words to the later years of complex dialogues, stories, and essays, we aim to prepare students to function in real-life situations with comfort and confidence.

Middle school students are assigned one of four tracks of Hebrew language learning according to their level of proficiency:

Bridge Program, for students new to Hebrew
General Hebrew
Accelerated Hebrew
Hebrew Heritage program, also offered in lower school, for native Hebrew speakers

Israel

Israel education and advocacy at Senesh provides a positive connection with one’s Jewish heritage, culture, religion, language, and community—ensuring enduring relationships between learners and the land, State, and people of Israel.

Senesh is proud to be a Zionist school that supports Israel as a Jewish democratic homeland. We understand Zionism to constitute a wide variety of political, religious, social, and cultural viewpoints, and pride ourselves on presenting this multiplicity to students in a developmentally and age-appropriate way. We welcome diverse ideas and perspectives from students in our classrooms and our teachers are trained in critical inquiry, exploring varied perspectives, and in how to lead thoughtful and respectful conversations. Israeli/Palestinian history and ongoing conflicts are a part of our middle school curriculum as we prepare our students to leave Senesh feeling connected to Israel, appreciating its value as a Jewish homeland, its many accomplishments, and the complexity of its challenges.

Senesh students enjoy first-hand experiences of Israel and Israelis. Our community welcomes many Israeli teachers, students and families. We are fortunate to have Israeli shinshinim, or emissaries, spend a full year with us—infusing Israeli culture into our students’ learning. The eighth grade Israel trip is a wonderful culmination of the Senesh journey. Students apply what they have learned at Senesh, whether it is ordering ice cream in Hebrew, exploring a place mentioned in the Bible, saying the shema as the sun rises on Masada, or hearing the siren on Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day.

Tefillah

Senesh students come together daily for tefilah, or prayer. At Senesh, tefilah is:

A time and space to reflect, question, and wonder about the world; to check in with oneself and those around you.
A place to engage in open and respectful dialogue about Jewish practices, values, and beliefs.
A balance of tradition and skills acquisition with fostering personal connections and the experience of joy.
A means of creating leaders and participants for the future Jewish community.
A place to belong, connect and grow.
A framework for coping with life experiences both now and in the future.

Text Study

The ancient teachings of Judaic studies are brought to life by our teachers and students. Torah stories and Rabbinic texts are framed by fundamental Jewish values such as acts of kindness (g’milut chasadim) and the importance of debate (machloket) in a way that is personally relevant and developmentally appropriate.

Our students are encouraged to read closely, question deeply, and use evidence from the text to support their opinions. The wide range of thought found in our community provides students with opportunities to encounter different perspectives and to clarify their own positions. By fostering a personal relationship with Jewish studies, we help our students embrace the study of Biblical and Rabbinic texts as a source of wisdom and meaning for their own lives.

Reading & Writing

Beginning in kindergarten, our reading and writing curriculum adheres closely to The Science of Reading, a body of multi-disciplinary, scientific research that demonstrates the methods best suited to helping students learn to read; and The Writing Revolution, a methodology that rests on explicit, carefully sequenced instruction that builds from sentences to compositions.

Walk into any English language arts class at Senesh and you will find students engaging in lively discussions about literature. In the early grades, students explore language arts through read-alouds, independent reading, partner reading, word work, and writing workshop. As they advance, students learn how to articulate ideas clearly and confidently, to employ a range of writing forms from research papers and persuasive essays to poetry and short stories, and to be sensitive readers and interpreters of text.

History

By engaging with primary sources and venturing into field trips, activities and inquiry learning, students embark on a journey that prepares them to be critical, independent thinkers capable of reflecting on the past and deriving lessons for the present. Our social studies curriculum begins with understanding the self and culminates with a call to consider one’s responsibility and commitment to our communities and to the larger world. It is designed to help students gain and practice essential skills for understanding, engaging and becoming the future leaders of an inclusive, fair and equitable society.

Math

At Senesh we use the Singapore Math curriculum, which focuses on problem solving and training students to think mathematically. Students gain fluency in the program’s base ten-number system and bar models that help them derive the equations needed to solve word problems. From kindergarten through middle school, students explore math through concrete, pictorial, and abstract language, and move towards algebraic and geometric thinking and reasoning. Teachers connect math concepts to real-world scenarios and students work to understand the value and importance of mathematical language.

Science

Children naturally express wonder and seek out information about the world around them. In Science, we tap into this innate curiosity as students conduct laboratory experiments, make observations, record scientific information, and draw conclusions. Engineering, mathematics, and technology are woven into every science unit. Whether exploring the scientific method through rocks and minerals (third grade), or engineering a prototype of complex machines to execute simple tasks (seventh grade), laboratory work develops students’ skills in classifying, defining and solving problems

Tech

Our curriculum ensures all students develop the technological literacy needed to advance their academic work and understand the fundamental concepts of digital citizenship and safety for the 21st century. Students in the lower school use Google Classroom and Book Creator, among other digital tools, to enhance learning and practice typing. Older students learn best practices for using the internet as a research tool and use iPads to create work that synthesizes and reflects on material learned in class. Further enrichment in robotics, computer animation, and computer programming is offered in our afterschool program, where students explore engineering and design.

We are intentional about balancing the use of technology in the classroom with students’ need to engage in learning away from screens.

Art

Art education at Senesh introduces students to a wide variety of visual media and integrates creative expression with academic learning—from collage inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, to tapestry weaving inspired by Native American art. Each unit starts with reviewing content integrated from social studies, science or Judaics, and viewing artwork by contemporary and historic professional artists and peers.

Our curriculum also covers performing art, including dance, music, and drama. Our middle school musical is led by the eighth grade as actors. Props, costumes, sets, stage crew and the orchestra involve the whole middle school.

Music

At Senesh, music is a source of pleasure and joy, a way to build community and a window into understanding and celebrating the world. Students develop listening and focusing skills through musical mindfulness practices. We integrate musical explorations into math, science,

language and Jewish studies curriculum to complement and reinforce academic coursework. From a young age, students are immersed in the concepts of rhythm, beat, melody, pitch and harmony.

Physical Education

Fitness, skill acquisition, teamwork, and sportsmanship are at the core of our physical education program. In the early grades, children begin building cardiovascular endurance and learn how to respect others when engaging in play. As students grow, they are introduced to skill-based activities and strategies for playing as a team. Units of focus throughout the year might include soccer, climbing wall, fitness testing, basketball, dance, volleyball, and badminton or floor hockey.

Middle school students can participate in basketball teams and soccer teams as well as intramural sports. Senesh participates in the New York City Middle School Athletics League. Home games draw enthusiastic crowds!

Jewish Life & Social Action

Like Hannah Senesh, the intrepid woman for whom our school is named, students here are guided by Jewish values, grounded by Jewish rituals, and challenged to be agents of change toward a more just world.

Service Learning

Senesh empowers students to root themselves in the wisdom of our traditions and find their place in the pursuit of justice in our local communities, Israel, and the world beyond. Our students acquire an innate understanding that giving back is integral to living a Jewish life and performing mitzvot (good deeds) is a point of pride in Jewish identity. The morals of tikkun olam (repairing the world) are reflected in classroom discussions of history, literature and current events and in each grade’s service learning project. Students are taught to embrace empathy and lead by listening, learning, and thinking critically as they navigate shaping the world.

Holiday learning & celebrations

Holidays tell the story of who we are, where we come from, how we live, and what we believe. Our Senesh community has so many fascinating stories to tell, and what better way to share the stories than through holiday celebrations? Holidays at Senesh offer an opportunity for all our students to come together and learn as a community. Holiday curriculum and community rituals are interwoven to tie past to present, bringing new meaning and dimension to each holiday for our students, year after year. We welcome family members and special friends to join us at holiday assemblies (tekesim) and share these moments with our students. Senesh also hosts Community Holiday Celebrations open to anyone in the larger NYC community—Senesh families are invited and encouraged to attend!

B-mitzvah preparation & celebration

The b-mitzvah experience is a testimony to the many different ways Senesh families express their Jewish identities. Senesh sixth graders take a b-mitzvah class to prepare them for this critical tradition. In the class, students:

Explore what it means to take responsibility for one’s individual actions as a Jewish adult
Have a “mini-b-mitzvah” where they practice reading Torah and reciting prayers
Delivering their own Dvar Torah (reflection on Torah)
Every child will have an in-school b-mitzvah celebration, showcasing the rich diversity of Jewish tradition and practice within our school.

Social Emotional Learning & Health

A Senesh education teaches the whole child, with programming designed to cultivate healthy social, emotional, and physical growth. Through morning meetings, advisory, and responsive classrooms, we help students develop the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for success in school, work, and life.

Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting in lower school is an engaging way to start each day, build a strong sense of community and set children up for success socially, emotionally, and academically. By taking time each day to greet and share with one another, teachers and students co-create a climate of trust, setting the tone for respectful learning and cultivating a sense of belonging, dignity, and self-worth for all classroom participants.

Advisory

Each grade in middle school has a team of advisors who work with the student support team to provide social-emotional support for their advisees. In middle school, our advising system is the cornerstone of social-emotional support. The advising curriculum addresses the social-emotional needs of students at each grade level. The advising program includes weekly advising meetings as well as morning meetings and individual check-ins. Advisors are the bridge between school and family as we partner to support students.

Responsive Classroom

Responsive Classroom philosophy is the cornerstone of our approach to building community and connection. All teachers have been trained in the Responsive Classroom model, which weaves social-emotional practices into the structure of the school day. Responsive Classroom morning meetings build a strong sense of community and set students up for academic and social success.

Health

Health is a semester-long, weekly course that gives students the opportunity to explore and practice health-enhancing behaviors and reduce health risks. The goal of the class is to give students the information necessary to make informed decisions about their personal health while acknowledging the wide developmental range of all middle school students.

Throughout the course, students are exposed to a broad range of physical, social and emotional health information and are asked to analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on personal health. As a values-based Jewish day school, health class is also a space through which to build community and to define together how we demonstrate respect, practice acceptance, and uphold dignity for self and others.

Extracurriculars

We believe classroom learning is just one facet of a well-rounded, whole-child education. Senesh offers opportunities for students to collaborate, grow, and explore their passions outside the classroom through afterschool enrichment and athletic programs.

Afterschool

From martial arts to musical theater, to portfolio development for high school applications, Senesh offers a robust array of afterschool programs for students at all grade levels to explore new interests, learn new skills, and cultivate their passions in an environment that is as nurturing as it is challenging.

Athletics

Senesh Middle School fields four basketball teams and one soccer team. All teams have weekly after school practices and games against other NYC independent schools. Students learn fundamentals and how to work together as a team. Home games draw enthusiastic crowds to cheer on our Senesh ‘Chuters. (If you are wondering why we are called the “Parachuters,” read about Hannah Senesh, our namesake, who was a famous paratrooper!)

Learn more about the Senesh Experience

The Senesh Experience