MOChassid

The rambling thoughts of a Modern Orthodox Chassid (whatever that means). Contact me at emansouth @ aol.com

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Graduation

OYS graduates from his high school, DRS, next Monday, IYH.

It is a good time to offer words of hakoras hatov. Simply put, DRS has been great for OYS in many, many ways.

From a goofy 9th grader (is there any other kind?) OYS has grown to be a solid young man. He has excelled in sports, made wonderful friends, forged deep and important relationships with his teachers, rabbeim and Menahel and, acquired a love of learning and Yiddishkeit. MHW, of course, is mostly responsible but you cannot underestimate the impact of his school.

This is not accidental. The school, under the steady but inspired direction of the Menahel and his staff, has created an environment that is designed to achieve these kinds of results. But the results are not achieved through a cookie cutter methodology. There are different kinds of outlets for all types of kids, whether they are athletic, artistic, musical, creative, techno-geeky or studious. Each boy is encouraged to reach his potential in his own unique way.

And, importantly, there is a very big emphasis on personal relationships and mentoring and this, IMHO, pays huge dividends, because, as I have said before, mentoring relationships for teenagers are so, so important.

I am very busy at work and have not really had time to articulate clearly how pleased we are with DRS and why we think it is such a special place. But it would be wrong to let this milestone pass without at least letting the hanhalah and staff of the school know how much they have meant to OYS and us. Rock on.

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8 Comments:

  • At 6:49 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    thank you for the kind words. it all starts with the menahel...

     
  • At 9:50 AM, Blogger MoChassid said…

    Ah, the heiligah 11th grade Rebbe. You were the turning point!

     
  • At 11:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I looked at the webpage for the school--and the accompanying school for girls. Wow. Such different emphases for the education of boys and girls. Such different fields of study. Such different approaches.

    I've been reading your blog from the beginning. I respect your opinions, and often agree with what you write. Sometimes I feel like we could belong to the same shul--like you're someone with whom I'd love to share a meal. And then I look at the education you choose for your children...and realize how different it is from what I choose for mine. And I realize how far apart our worlds are.

     
  • At 10:48 AM, Blogger MoChassid said…

    anon 11:52

    I don't really get your point. I'm actually quite good company at lunch despite my choice of schools.

    And, can you be more specific...what do you choose for your children?

     
  • At 2:48 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    "He has excelled in sports, made wonderful friends, forged deep and important relationships with his teachers, rabbeim and Menahel and, acquired a love of learning and Yiddishkeit."

    Sounds like summer camp.

     
  • At 3:33 PM, Blogger MoChassid said…

    anon 2:48

    Isn't that the trick? If you create an environment where kids are happy and excited, they are much more likely to learn and grow.

    The bais medrash at DRS is full most nights. The kids don't HAVE to be there. They WANT to be there.

     
  • At 3:37 PM, Blogger The Anchorite said…

    Ignorant bumpkin here, (i.e. out of towner) what is DRS?
    anyway, congrats on YYS's graduation, another landmark on the journey of life. where to next year, Israel? college?
    soooo, only 14 more years until TT graduates, right?

     
  • At 3:49 PM, Blogger MoChassid said…

    anchorite

    DRS is the high school affiliated with the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach.

    OYS is going to Sha'alvim next year, IYH.

     

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