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21st-Century Learning

Hillel Day School completes
update of its facilities.

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Hillel 1-2 Commons

Stacy Gittleman | Contributing Writer

T

aking cues from educational
studies that show how learning
environments impact student
engagement, motivation and achieve-
ment, this summer, Hillel Day School of
Metropolitan Detroit in Farmington Hills
continued renovations with complete
updates of its facilities for students in
grades K-6.
The $4.84 million overhaul — $2.64
million for the K-2 David and Nanci
Farber Learning Community and $2.2
million for the 3-6 William Davidson
Learning Community — continues the
school’s transformation into a place
equipped to educate for the 21st century.
Two major gifts in 2015 made way
for the completion of Hillel’s complete
renovation. They followed an initial gift
in 2014 for the first phase of Hillel’s reno-
vation, which included an “Innovation
Hub,” maker space, greenhouse, and new
art, science and music rooms to teach
across disciplines of science, technology,
engineering, the arts and mathematics
(STEAM).
Just as in previous phases of the school
renovation, care has been taken to use
energy-efficient LED lighting, maximize
natural lighting and use materials that
are recycled and recyclable, according
to James Seaman, principal at Fielding
Nair International, the architecture firm
responsible for the renovation
That first gift was followed by another
to renovate the upstairs 7-8 wing where
static cinderblock classrooms gave way
to open-plan and interchangeable learn-
ing studios to encourage student collabo-
ration. With each phase of the renova-
tion, Hillel officials stress that it recog-
nizes the days of kids sitting in straight
rows with worksheets while a teacher
lectures from up front are becoming a
thing of the past.
“An innovative environment is con-
ducive to teaching lifelong skills that
students will need to collaborate effec-
tively and solve problems with others,”
said Head of School Steve Freedman.
“These environments promote creativity,
are warm, welcoming and comfortable.
They are a necessity. The luxury is to be
in a community that makes these things

Because We Care offers fun and fulfilling

volunteer opportunities for busy b’nai mitzvah
students.

Have a group you’d like to help or an idea for a
project? We’ll help make it happen with step-by-
step guides and ongoing support. Give back on
your own schedule or join us for one (or more!)
of our Monthly Mitzvot such as:

Playing with a Purpose

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Make the JFS Play Therapy Room even more welcoming
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Decorate the JFS sukkah so families coming to the
agency for services will have a sukkah to visit during
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Visit jfsdetroit.org/becausewecare to learn
about upcoming Monthly Mitzvot.

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For more information or to register for a
monthly mitzvot contact Natalie Kahn at
248.592.2264 or nkahn@jfsdetroit.org.

u s e We C

a

2040400

40 August 25 • 2016

possible.”
This is the first major update to the
kindergarten classes since 1996. When
they start, schoolchildren in the earliest
grades can practice reading beneath the
“Learning Tree” on beanbags and climb
in an indoor play structure when the
weather turns colder. Upper elementary
students can try out a math concept
by getting messy with a project in the
Davinci Studio.
Melissa Michaelson, K-8 principal,
said that throughout the summer,
teachers have been preparing to teach
in the new spaces and have been meet-
ing on how to best put in place creative
approaches to learning.
“A teacher’s mind never stops, even in
the summer,” Michaelson said. “Our new
learning communities add additional
excitement to our curriculum as well as
increasing our faculty’s collective desire
to learn and grow as educators. We will
devote time to this as well during profes-
sional development weeks before the stu-
dents return to school after Labor Day,”
Michaelson said.
Gabriella Burman, communica-
tions director for Hillel, said that the
new facilities will take into account the
problem-solving focus of educating in
the 21st century where “the learning and
honing of skills begins at conquering the
obstacle.”
“The 21st century takes a more ener-
gized approach to learning, and Hillel is
evolving right along with these trends,”
Burman said. “Today’s educational theo-
ries understand there is more than one
way to learn something. It is not just the
content children absorb, but how they
will use it to hone problem-solving and
creative skills. In this way, the learning
actually starts at the obstacle.”

*

details

Hillel will be dedicating its new
learning communities at a ceremony
at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at
the school on 32200 Middlebelt in
Farmington Hills. Open to all, RSVP
to Ariella Shaffren at ashaffren@
hillelday.org.