Community Magazine May 2013

the individual needs of each student. Large administrative offices give faculty members the space necessary to brainstorm and devise curricula and lesson plans. The building is themodel setting for a superb educational environment, and each classroom, feature, and fixture fuse together to give the students of BYJS the greatest chance for educational success. A Place to Learn and Grow Parents and administrators describe how the students of BYJS look forward to attending school, and how they enjoy learning and growing in the ideal learning environment that has been lovingly created by the devoted faculty members. “Bet Yaakov of the Jersey Shore is doing something great for the Sephardic Community,” says a parent of several daughters currently enrolled in BYJS, noting that several families have relocated from the Brooklyn area specifically to enroll their children in the school. “These families have moved from Brooklyn in order to become a part of Bet Yaakov of the Jersey Shore because they admire what the school has to offer.” Rabbi Shmuel Choueka, renowned rabbinical leader in the Jersey Shore community and Dean of BYJS, observes the major role the school has played in the growth of the community. “There cannot be a summer community without a strong winter infrastructure,” he says, adding that BYJS is one of the pillars of that infrastructure. Indeed, the school has given community girls on the Jersey Shore a place not only to learn, but to thrive. The dedication and skill of the professionally-trained teachers , coupled with the girls’ drive to succeed, creates an ambiance of educational excellence and scholastic achievement. Bet Yaakov is a place where success breeds success, where students and teachers feed off each other’s enthusiasm, resulting in an environment of ambition and fruitful learning. Whereas the words “school” and “learning” often conjure up images of bleary-eyed, uninspired children counting down the minutes to recess, students at BYJS are thrilled to attend school and approach their studies with joy and rigor. Walking through the hallways at Bet Yaakov, one hears the happy voices of community children and senses the palpable enthusiasm and excitement. Mrs. Leah Frankel, Hebrew Elementary School Principal, proudly describes the school as “a very happy place to be…where every girl has the chance to shine.” “At Bet Yaakov of the Jersey Shore, we believe in the innate intelligence and ability of every girl,” says Mrs. Sarah Smith, the General Studies Elementary principal. “We know that each girl can accomplish and succeed. The girls really enjoy coming to school. On more than one occasion, I have received a phone call from a school mother who has shared that her daughter is excited to attend school. In one case, a parent called and said that even though her daughter was not feeling well, she did not want tomiss school. BetYaakov is a warmand happy place to be. Each girl is encouraged to use her strengths in the learning environment, and they are driven and motivated to succeed. The girls feel that they are part of one big family, and they know that the teachers and administrators iYAR - SIVAN 5773 MAY 2013 43