By Danielle Wolkowicz ('09)

While the end of 2006-2007 school year is on the minds of students, parents and teachers, the school's administration is focused on the classes of 2011- 2014.

This past week, Rabbi Tirschwell held three Q&A sessions about WYHS with middle school parents in Boca and Hollywood. Though WYHS doesn't begin its recruitment until the fall of eighth grade, the purpose of these meetings was to give the parents, whose children are 1-3 years away from high school, the opportunity to allay their fears about the challenges that the future portends for their children and WYHS.

In the next five years, WYHS expects its student body to grow by 40%, from 185 to 255. Though WYHS is expecting its third consecutive freshman class numbering in the fifties this fall, it is preparing to welcome freshman classes in the sixties and seventies in the following two - three years.

Questions asked included the admissions process, gender separation, school schedule, Judaic and college prep curriculum, faculty selection and supervision, college guidance and admissions, class placement, campus plans and Hebrew language integration.

By LeeLee Borzak ('10)

This past Tuesday, the WYHS Student Council brought an amazing year to a close over a delicious celebratory dinner at Grill Time Steakhouse in Boca Raton. The dinner was to acknowledge, and to thank, all that the Student Council has done and all the effort shown.

After the fifteen members and Rabbi Josh Spodek, Program Director and staff advisor to Student Council, placed their orders, Rabbi Spodek presented each member with a gift of appreciation. Inspirational books such as Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree" were distributed to the Student Council, because of its meaningful message that Student Council embodies-- there is always more to give.

Senior members received Dr. Seuss' "Oh, The Places You'll Go" as they get ready to depart to Israel, college and beyond. After highlighting the accomplishments of every member on the council, Rabbi Spodek ended the night with a "bang," and gave presidents Raquel Amram ('07) and Avi Lasko ('07) personalized gavels to honor their dedication and accomplishments.

By Rabbi Perry Tirschwell, Principal

What's the sure fire way to create a great school? Studies show that the most frequent common denominator between great schools is a culture where teachers are constantly trying to improve themselves. Teachers don't become stale or burnout if they are always growing.

I feel that it is my responsibility to model this to our faculty. Therefore, I am devoting part of my month long summer vacation to doing my job better.

I am privileged to be one of twenty participants in the Ninth Annual Principals' Program at The Lookstein Center at Bar-Ilan University. The 10-day summer seminar in Israel will include focusing on content areas, related leadership skills and the development of an action research plan for implementation in school.

The program includes presentations by leading experts in the field, discussions, and workshops. Each principal is assigned a mentor. Participants learn from both academics and from other principals to benefit from each other's experience and expertise. Each participant selects a project to be implemented in his or her school and works with a mentor on the development of an action research plan.

Follow up is an important aspect of the program. A mid-winter follow-up seminar actually takes place in Miami. A mentor helps each principal implement his or her action research plan during the school year. The group continues a web-based discussion throughout the year.

By Daniella Greer ('09)

While some college students will spend their winter breaks relaxing, dozens of WYHS alumni spent their breaks from school involved in countless Chesed projects around the globe. One WYHS alumnus, Shira Roszler ('04) spent her winter vacation volunteering in Guatemala along with thirteen other students attending Yeshiva University, helping repair a school in a small village. Below, Shira discusses the time she spent with the school children in this life- changing experience.

How did you find out about the program and what encouraged you to participate?

Shira: I found about the program through an organization at Yeshiva University called the Center for the Jewish Future and I knew it was an opportunity that I couldn't miss. I felt that it was very important to not only help those in a Jewish community, but to help others worldwide as well. I knew how important it would be to reach out to others globally especially because I'm physically able and Jewish. I also wanted to be exposed to something that I was never exposed to before and learn more about the world around us.

Shira: I heard an extremely moving speech from a man who, as a child, survived the massacre in Guatemala which killed thousands of women and children. This man dedicates his life to children in Guatemala to try to improve their horrible living conditions. The organization he started, the "New Hope Foundation" was involved with the "Jewish World Service" which initially brought us here. The speech he gave to us about his life was extremely powerful and moving and gave me a whole new perspective on how to look at the world.

Shira: Definitely! These children were such happy uplifting people despite their horrible living standards and impoverishment. They were so thankful for the little they have, giving me a whole new appreciation for life. If they have so little and are still so happy, even more so should I be happy and thankful for everything I am blessed with in life. They taught me that I should take nothing for granted. Also, because education was so hard to get there, it made me feel extremely grateful for the education I received and continue to receive. Additionally, I got to improve my Spanish skills because the kids there only spoke Spanish.

Shira: While I was at WYHS, the teachers there instilled within us a passion for chesed which has remained with me. We would constantly volunteer at schools to help teach the students Torah studies. I also remember that when I was in 9th grade, my class packaged foods for the needy. All the opportunities WYHS gave us to do chesed really gave me a desire to continue to do it in the future.