Family Focus

Homework Woes

For solutions, talk to teacher
and check after-school events.

I am con-
cerned about
the amount
of homework my child
gets. My child seems
overwhelmed. Often,
he isn't clear about
the assignment so I'm
unable to help him.
Any suggestions?

Q

so they make fun of
that, too. I don't want
to hurt my mom's feel-
ings, but I am tired of
being teased for things
I can't do anything
about. I need help!

A: It sounds like you're
feeling really upset and
frustrated by what's hap-
Suzi E pstein
pening to you at school.
A: The first step is to
Special to the
talk to the teacher. Arrange
Often other kids can be very
Jewish News
a meeting, letting the
mean, especially when they
teacher know ahead of
don't know anything about
time what your concerns
your situation. It is a good
are. It is important that you identify
idea to share these concerns with
the problem so that the teacher can
your mom, explaining to her how you
address it when you meet.
are being teased at school. You might
Many times the teacher may be able suggest to mom that you'd like to be a
to suggest some strategies that can
part of choosing some of your clothes.
help eliminate the problem. Secondly,
If you suggest working together on
check your child's after-school com-
this, maybe mom will let you make
mitments. Often children are involved
some of these decisions. It might also
in so many extracurricular activi-
be fun for you and mom to be able to
ties that they feel overwhelmed with
shop together for some of your school
whatever else they might have to do,
clothes so she can get an idea of what
including schoolwork.
kinds of things you like and clothes
Sometimes it is wise to change or
make you feel comfortable.
adjust after school/weekend commit-
As far as what you bring for lunch,
ments to meet their current homework as long as you like what mom is pack-
demands. If that is the case, sit down
ing for you, what you might want
with your child and discuss which,
to say something like this to those
if any, activities can be moved or
students who are teasing you: "I really
dropped to take the pressure off your
like what I've brought. It really makes
child. When you talk with your child
me feel badly when you tease me
and prioritize together, it makes the
about it. I know it's different than what
decision-making process much easier.
you have, and if you'd like to try a
taste, I'd be more than happy to share."
Q: I am constantly being teased
If the teasing continues, talk to your
about what I wear and what I
teacher or your school counselor. ❑

bring for lunch. I am a fifth-
grade girl, and I am not really
allowed to pick out my school
clothes. My mom also packs
my lunch, and although I do
like what I bring, it's different
than what the other girls eat,

also has a private practice. Direct ques-
tions to SuziEpstein@gmail.com

Hadassah Rummage Sale
The Greater Detroit Chapter of
Hadassah will host its annual rummage
sale at the Sarah & Ralph Davidson
Hadassah House, 5030 Orchard Lake
Road, West Bloomfield, on Wednesday
and Thursday, Nov. 12-13, 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., and Friday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 3
p.m. Bag day will be on Sunday, Nov. 16,
from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Payment may be made by cash or

MasterCard/Visa.
Gently used women's, men's and
children's clothing, toys, books, games,
and household goods will be for sale.
Linens, bedding, jewelry (genuine and
costume), purses, furs, ladies' lingerie,
coats, suits and scarves will also be
sold. Proceeds help fund Hadassah's
many healthcare, educational and
social programs.
Call Hadassah at (248) 683-5030.

C22

November 6 • 2008

Suzi Epstein of West Bloomfield is a

longtime elementary counselor in the
Birmingham Public Schools. She earned a

master's in guidance and counseling and

Hillel Day School
Presents Seussical Jr.

T

he Who's are coming to
Hillel!
Along with Horton the
Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude
McFuzz, and a whole menagerie of Dr.
Seuss favorites, when Hillel Day School
of Metropolitan Detroit in Farmington
Hills presents Seussical Jr. next week.
The one-hour show will be per-
formed Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m.
and Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. in Hillel's
Blumenstein Auditorium. Featuring
Hillel Day School fifth- through eighth-
grade students, the musical produc-
tion follows Horton the Elephant as
he attempts to rescue the Who's of
Whoville when he discovers their tiny
planet, the size of a speck of dust, float-
ing dangerously through the air.
In Dr. Seuss's books, Horton never
met Gertrude McFuzz, who dreamt
of an extravagantly feathered tail, or
Yertle the Turtle, who imagined him-
self King of the World; but in Seussical
Jr. these and other whimsical charac-
ters come together as they travel from

the Jungle of Nool to McEligott's Pool
to Palm Beach.
This "junior" version of the play
Seussical is one in a series of abridged
Broadway favorites. The Tony Award-
winning team of Lynn Ahrens and
Stephen Flaherty have created a world
where anything is possible, where
trouble-making monkeys rule the day
and an elephant can live in a tree and
hatch an egg.
Hillel students have been at work
since September learning their lines,
practicing choreography and dream-
ing up scenery and props. "It has a
been a joy working with these talented
young people said Robin Lash, the
school's director of musical theater.
"They put their hearts and souls into
our production. The audience won't be
able to resist the enthusiasm on stage."
Tickets for Seussical Jr. cost $7 for
reserved seats; contact Robin Lash,
(248) 539-1318 or rlash@hillelday.org ,
for tickets or information about the
show.

❑

JCC Names
Family Educator

ewish Family Education
isn't new to the Jewish
Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit — but Kimberly
Ford's position is.
For the past year, Ford has worked
with the families of the JCC's Child
Development Center (CDC), organiz-
ing Shabbat dinners and family pro-
grams, creating hands-on art projects
and welcoming new families.
This month, Ford was named the
JCC's Jewish family educator, a part-
nership project between the JCC and
the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit. While the CDC remains a
priority, Ford said, her responsibili-
ties will include enhancing current
programs and developing events with
other JCC departments. She will work
with local synagogues and Jewish
agencies to establish new programs
that target Jewish families of all ages.
"JCC programs are for all ages, not
just preschoolers, so we wanted to
expand the position',' said JCC Executive
Director Mark Lit. "Our goal is to build

till

our lewishness' into
every aspect of JCC
life. "
Ford, who has
taught the Tot
Shabbat class at
Congregation B'nai
Moshe in West
Kimberly Ford
Bloomfield for eight
years, holds a master's degree from
Wayne State University in Detroit.
"Once you meet Kimberly Ford, you
will be impressed by her exuberance
said Lisa Soble Siegmann, associate
director of Jewish Experiences For
Families and Informal Education
at Federation's Alliance for Jewish
Education. "Kimberly has energy and
drive and has committed herself to
the Jewish community with her whole
heart and soul."
Ford said that among her first projects
is reviewing all the JCC's programmatic
areas and looking to see where Jewish
Family Education (JFE) would fit.
Contact Kimberly Ford at (248) 432-
5430 or at kford@jccdet.org .

❑