J CC M ACC A B I G A M E S ® & A R T S F E ST ® such as which wireless plan to pur- chase or which university to attend. Other chapters show how to use mathematical principals to solve real problems, such as determining the right blend for gasoline, sched- uling the workforce in a pizzeria, flipping houses and finding the best location for a hot dog stand. The program uses Microsoft Excel so students can spend their time modeling and analyzing deci- sions without having to worry about computation. The creators promote the pro- gram though workshops offered to teachers without charge. This year they have led workshops in Michigan, Orlando, New York and Nashville. “Students and their parents immediately see the difference” with the new curriculum, Chelst said. Students who have had limited success in math before find they can enjoy it, he said. They also love that they are building their Excel skills. John Barr started using AMP 21 in the 2014-15 school year in an operations research class he teaches at Farber Hebrew Day School. He said his students “absolutely love it” and frequently comment on the real-world mathematical conun- drums they encounter in the class. “The students are much more engaged with the content, especially because there is rarely only one cor- rect answer. It may take us three or more days to fully move through a problem. The students love this as it allows them to think outside of the box.” In addition to Farber and Frankel, AMP 21 is used at Birmingham Seaholm High School, Troy and Troy Athens high schools, St. Clair Shores Lakeview High School, Ann Arbor Community High School and Ypsilanti New Tech High School. “The students buy in very quickly to this curriculum because of its directly applicable nature,” said Anna Barnett, who first taught AMP 21 to Frankel Academy seniors in 2011. She now teaches at Jones College Prep in Chicago. “Every concept is explored in the context of a very real-world scenar- io,” Barnett said. She said students feel refreshed using material that is not theoretical but shows how math is used in business, industry and government. “I’m a big fan of Dr. Chelst’s cur- riculum, and he has been very sup- portive and available as a mentor in this field,” she said. * Forum To Focus On Sexuality And Autism Attention Jewish athletes and artists! J ARC, an organization serving people with disabilities, will hold a community-wide forum on autism, disabilities and sexuality at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. The goal of the forum is to recognize that individuals with autism spectrum dis- order (ASD) and other developmental disabili- ties may face challenges throughout their lives related to understand- Dr. Jan Graetz ing their bodies, physi- cal urges and sexuality. From young chil- dren’s issues, such as discovering their anat- omy, to puberty and beyond, families often have questions. How can you explain appro- Dr. Chaturi priate vs. inappropriate Edrisinha behaviors? How do you discuss dating and relationships? How can you help your loved one maintain his or her dignity when it comes to issues of sexuality? “These are such important topics as young people with ASD and other developmental disabilities are expe- riencing the same peer pressure and issues with their sexuality as those without disabilities, yet many do not talk about it,” said Melissa Garrett, JARC’s philanthropy and outreach coordinator. Keynote speakers are Drs. Jan Graetz and Chaturi Edrisinha from the Oakland University School of Education, who will discuss these top- ics and offer useful strategies. A dessert reception will follow. Guests also can visit resource tables from other community sponsors, including Adat Shalom Synagogue, Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, JFamily, Jewish Family Service and the Opening the Doors program. This event is designed for educa- tors, social workers, parents, caregivers and community members interested in learning how to address issues of autism, disabilities and sexuality. The forum is free because of a grant from the Teen Board of the Jewish Fund. Please join us for informational meetings about the 2017 JCC MACCABI GAMES ® & ARTSFEST ® ! Meetings will be held at the Jewish Community Center Team Sports ArtsFest 1-2 p.m. Sunday, December 11, or 6-7 p.m. Thursday, December 15 3-4 p.m. Sunday, December 11, or 8-9 p.m. Thursday, December 15 Individual Sports Meet the coaches, receive a tryout/ audition schedule and learn about host locations and other important information.* 2-3 p.m. Sunday, December 11, or 7-8 p.m. Thursday, December 15 The 2017 JCC Maccabi Games ® will be July 30-August 4 in Birmingham, Al. The 2017 JCC Maccabi Games ® & ArtsFest ® will be August 6-11 in Miami, Fla. For more information: 248.432.5480 or j ccmaccabi@jccdet.org * Parents with a child trying out for more than one sport, and families with more than one child participating in the JCC Maccabi Games ® & ArtsFest ® need to attend just one meeting. Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus 6600 W. Maple Road West Bloomfield, MI 48322 jccdet.org * For details or reservations, which are encouraged, contact Melissa Garrett at melissagarrett@jarc.org or call (248) 488-7549. 2128690 November 17 • 2016 25