Focus on new programs

Jewish Press, September 2005

Noa Millison is reading a Tal Am workbook

The new school year at Hillel school of Tampa started with a great deal of excitement and a host of new programs: a new lab-based physical science course for eighth grade, a total immersion Hebrew program for first and second grade, new math course offerings in middle school, robotics in seventh grade, and an enhanced fine arts program that will include a choir, a play, and weekly Hebrew music lessons.

 Mrs. Basham, Hillel’s middle school science teacher, spent a rigorous two weeks this summer at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.  She attended an Introduction to Physical Science workshop, a program focused on teaching physical science as a lab-based, hands-on class. “The workshop was conducted by the doctors of chemistry and physics who authored the textbook and designed the program,” says Ms. Basham. “The students will learn high level physical science and valuable lab skills and have an opportunity to receive high school credit. I am eager to begin teaching this exciting course.” Hillel is only the second school in Tampa to offer this challenging course. 

 The Tal Am program is a nationally renowned total immersion Hebrew program. Both Mazi Goldenberg and Vered Deutsch, Hebrew teachers at Hillel, traveled to Los Angeles, California and to Atlanta, Georgia to train in teaching the program.  “The program focuses on teaching Hebrew as a spoken language with minimal or no English instructions,” says Ms. Goldenberg.  “The curriculum includes writing, reading and Judaic studies taught in Hebrew in addition to spoken Hebrew,” adds Ms. Deutsch. “We incorporate many of the same techniques into our kindergarten classes.”

The middle school math curriculum has expanded to offer more challenging and individualized courses to the students.  “We revamped the curriculum to allow us to offer more courses to meet the needs of our students,” says Mr. Daniel Williams, middle school math teacher.  “With five math teachers our groups are small which allow us to meet many individual needs.  In addition, qualified students will be able to take algebra I in seventh grade and geometry in eighth.  This way we can best prepare our students for the high school of their choice.”

“The seventh graders will learn robotics this year,” says Mr. Michael Gamson.  “The curriculum is designed to teach a number of skills: programming, engineering and teamwork.  Each team will learn to build a robot and program it. A number of robotics competitions will be held.”

The fine arts program is expanding a great deal this year. Hillel students will not only have an opportunity to take drama and participate in an end-of-the-year play, they will also be able to join a choir and receive weekly Hebrew music lessons as an addition to the music class that has always been part of the curriculum.  Ms. Patti Rinner and Ms. Laurin Jacobson, both vocalists, will lead the choir. “We plan to have a music festival in December,” says Ms. Rinner. “Students will learn proper vocal technique, diction, and beginning repertoire. I have heard so many wonderful voices in music class that it will be a tremendous joy to showcase our singers in school performances.” Ms. Jacobson will also teach a school-wide Hebrew music course.  “While learning songs the students will expand their vocabulary and work on grammar,” says Ms. Jacobson.

Hillel School welcomes all prospective families who wish to visit and view these and other programs first hand.