I recently met a lawyer who quit her job after the birth of her third baby. If she had to do it again she told me she would become a teacher, despite the low salary and status. She wants a profession that allows her to spend time with her children. There is a lot of talk of making teachers more … [Read more...]
Is the teacher’s strike kosher?
November 12, 2007 by
I promised to write about the high school teacher's strike, which has been going on now for a month. We're lucky; my eleventh-grader is in a private school, and my eighth-grader has only one striking teacher (but it's her best teacher). Her large school has enough substitutes and non-striking … [Read more...]
Six weeks late: Shalom Kitah Aleph
October 15, 2007 by
My son Y, 6, adjusted easily to kindergarten (gan hova) last September, and loved every minute. When I asked the ganenet (teacher) whether he was prepared for first grade, she dismissed the question with a wave of her hand. I see Y as the most even-tempered and least complicated of my children (not … [Read more...]
Marketing to First Graders
September 5, 2007 by
I just spent ten minutes explaining to my son that we are not interested in a children's magazine despite all the stories, puzzles and games it contains. He was shown a copy in class, and brought home an envelope. Direct marketing to first graders is assur (prohibited) in my book. I don't care how … [Read more...]
The New School Year and What I’m Not Blogging About
September 2, 2007 by
I won't be blogging about: My conversation with the principal about the school supply list. After she asked me twice whether I have a baaya kalkalit (financial issue) I said that I have permission to complain about unnecessary expenses even if I'm not desperate enough to ask for a … [Read more...]
School Supply Survival Guide
August 28, 2007 by
How can six-year-olds can keep track of all this stuff? (Of course I know the answer.) For first-grade in Israel you need the discipline of a first-year recruit.School supply list:Ten 40-page notebooks "esser shurot" (10 lines), a math notebook, and ten plastic covers (not eleven?) If you can find … [Read more...]
A Family Trait
April 26, 2007 by
Today my five-year-old son reached a milestone, exhibiting for the first time a traditional family trait that he shares with his siblings and some first cousins. Like their parents before them, the kids in my extended family never let their teachers get away with giving incorrect information in … [Read more...]
Starting a new school
February 6, 2007 by
When a new school opens, it usually involves a group of idealistic parents and educators. No matter what their hashkafa (religious/philosophical outlook), they are certain that this school will give each student individual attention and allow him or her to reach his/her full potential. And for a … [Read more...]
Kicking Ourselves in the Foot: Guide to Choosing a Religious Elementary School in Israel
January 23, 2007 by
It's that time of year, when parents are running around applying to elementary school. Most families only make the decision with their oldest, so they must consider carefully. In the religious Zionist school system, grade school options generally include: a) Government-sponsored, public … [Read more...]
Female JBlogger interview: Sephardi Lady
December 26, 2006 by
Since Jewish Blogmeister indicated here (check the comments) that he won't be interviewing any female Jbloggers, I decided to take up the gauntlet (only I don't promise to stay on my side of the mechitza!). I started with Sephardi Lady of Orthonomics, who discusses her hobbies, the tuition crisis, … [Read more...]
Recent Comments