Primary
Morah Naomi Franco
Primary Hebrew is led by Morah Naomi Franco. Morah Naomi is most known for her overwhelming warmth, patience and attention to detail. She loves teaching and helping transform the girls from preschoolers, to mature school-ready primary students. Morah Naomi is highly attentive on instilling and teaching the proper middot and values in the classroom through her lessons and by example.
Mrs. Adina Saffer
Primary English Mrs. Adina Saffer. Equipped with a master’s degree in Special Education and BA in Science and Liberal Arts, Mrs. Saffer brings along a unique ability of simplifying difficult concepts with patience, warmth, and attentiveness. She is also a certified early childhood teacher in NY and NJ and has previously taught at STARS preschool in Lakewood and Gesher Yehuda in Brooklyn.
First grade
Mrs. Yael Bussu
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Mrs. Yael Bussu
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Second grade
Morah Naomi Franco
Primary Hebrew is led by Morah Naomi Franco. Morah Naomi is most known for her overwhelming warmth, patience and attention to detail. She loves teaching and helping transform the girls from preschoolers, to mature school-ready primary students. Morah Naomi is highly attentive on instilling and teaching the proper middot and values in the classroom through her lessons and by example.
Mrs. Adina Saffer
Primary English Mrs. Adina Saffer. Equipped with a master’s degree in Special Education and BA in Science and Liberal Arts, Mrs. Saffer brings along a unique ability of simplifying difficult concepts with patience, warmth, and attentiveness. She is also a certified early childhood teacher in NY and NJ and has previously taught at STARS preschool in Lakewood and Gesher Yehuda in Brooklyn.
Third grade
Mrs. Yael Bussu
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Mrs. Yael Bussu
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
fourth grade
Morah Naomi Franco
Primary Hebrew is led by Morah Naomi Franco. Morah Naomi is most known for her overwhelming warmth, patience and attention to detail. She loves teaching and helping transform the girls from preschoolers, to mature school-ready primary students. Morah Naomi is highly attentive on instilling and teaching the proper middot and values in the classroom through her lessons and by example.
Mrs. Adina Saffer
Primary English Mrs. Adina Saffer. Equipped with a master’s degree in Special Education and BA in Science and Liberal Arts, Mrs. Saffer brings along a unique ability of simplifying difficult concepts with patience, warmth, and attentiveness. She is also a certified early childhood teacher in NY and NJ and has previously taught at STARS preschool in Lakewood and Gesher Yehuda in Brooklyn.
Skill based learning
keriah
We use the well known program Kriability to teach our girls how to read Lashon Hakodesh. With each new letter the girls learn its shape, sound and function. The girls learn to blend sounds and the correct Havarah according to our Mesorah. We also work independently with each girl to ensure that every girl absorbs the lesson and is ready to progress in her Keriah skills.
Chumash
Learning Chumash is the cornerstone of our students’ textual learning skills for life. We use the Tzemichah Chumash Program, an all-inclusive, skill based, integrated Chumash curriculum that also reinforces their Hebrew reading fluency, grammar, writing, and reading comprehension. It fosters a connection to the Torah and empowers students to be independent learners. Each unit culminates with a reflective activity in which students apply the lessons to their own lives and grow from their Torah learning.
Middot
Middot are an all inclusive aspect of the Bnot Shirah learning experience. Our teachers weave Hashkafah and Middot into their classroom lessons and throughout the day. There is also a schoolwide emphasis on treating others with kindness and respect. Each year the school introduces a theme to learn a Middah in a nuanced way from many different angles. This year the school is imbuing the Middah of Hakarat Hatov. The girls learn to recognize their blessings and to thank Hashem, their parents, and others.
We also collaborate with SBH to give the girls opportunities to do chessed. On Chanukah, the girls wrote personalized letters to Seniors in the Community, as well as produced a video presentation.
Mesorah
Our students experience a sense of excitement and appreciation for each Yom Tov and it’s Minhagim through our immersive learning model. Rosh Chodesh assemblies are a highlight for the girls as we connect to and celebrate each month. Weekly Parashah lessons are brought to life through our centers, stories, and projects. Through every lesson we strive to impart a warm, positive connection to our Mesorah.
Reading
Our Literacy Specialist oversees the reading curriculum to ensure it is taught properly and at age level. The Literacy Curriculum is designed to develop independent readers with a balanced approach towards literacy that includes a comprehensive hierarchy of phonics skills and a strong emphasis on reading comprehension; students learn to think deeply about reading and gain strong literary analysis skills.
Academic models
Center based
learning
Our classrooms are designed for our girls’ best learning. Center based learning allows for personal attention, and a diverse, fun learning experience for the girls. It allows us to challenge the girls on their individual levels allowing both gifted and challenged students to grow and shine.
On premise
prep-time
In order for our teachers to have their lessons fully crafted and planned, they need time and resources to prepare in advance. At Bnot Shirah, we support our teachers with on premise daily prep time along with materials and office support to come fully prepared for every lesson.
Diverse Learning
Initiative
Bnot Shirah participates in Torah Umesorah’s Diverse Learning Initiative, a cutting edge program created to engage every single child in classroom learning. This program connects principals, teachers, parents and students into a collaborative learning environment with one-on-one, group, and classroom learning models.
Student
assessments
Our Educational Director conducts regular assessments of each student to ensure that every student grasps the material and is actively learning and developing grade level skills in the classroom. These assessments ensure our curriculum stays on par with the students abilities with a goal towards mastery of every subject.
Our children’s success is Bnot Shirah’s success
Social/Emotional Health
Parent support
Mrs. Mindy Rosenthal, M.S. – BCBA/LBA is available to guide our parent body and faculty with strategies to properly address behavioral, social or emotional issues that a child may display. She also conducts parenting classes for the ‘Bnot Shirah Family’ to address typical child development stages and concerns. In this way, each student is equipped with a circle of support – at home and in school – to assist her social and emotional growth in a sensitive, caring and healthy manner.
Social Skills Curriculum
Through our weekly Social Skills Curriculum, our students learn to connect with their own emotions, as well as how to interact appropriately with others. Our curriculum utilizes a host of mediums from stories, art, role playing, and more, to impart these vital life skills to our children in a way that is fun, exciting, and enjoyable.
Teacher support
We support our teachers in creating and maintaining a warm, encouraging and disciplined classroom. The procedures and routines are clearly implemented in a positive manner that enables our students to feel safe and secure. The structured environment with clear and high expectations combined with scaffolding levels of support and emotional attunement provide an optimal environment for student learning and emotional development.
Extracurricular Activities
Computers
Bnot Shirah partners with CIJE (The Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education) to incorporate their ‘Success Maker’ computer programs for our students. These interactive, individualized programs in Math and Reading allow teachers to track individual student’s progress and pinpoint areas of student strengths and weaknesses.
Physical Education
The benefits of Physical Education in school are far reaching, including increased student health and better academic performance. Our Physical Education program strengthens gross motor skills and encourages teamwork, physical activity, and how to compete in a fun atmosphere.
School Library
Our beautiful new library was built to house a vast array of books and to be a serene, pleasant place for our students. Every book is read and screened to ensure only the right messages are imparted to our students. The library is built with collaborative spaces so that students can work in groups or independently.
Indoor/Outdoor Gyms
Huge indoor and outdoor spaces are set up with bikes, scooters, plasma cars, hopscotch, hula hoops, jump ropes, and more. With large open areas for the girls to run around both indoor and outdoor, as well as two beautiful updated outdoor playgrounds, our girls can get their energy out in every weather.
After School programs
The girls benefit from a myriad of choices in our after school program. Activities include ballet, swim instruction, painting and drawing classes, dance, arts and crafts, sports, and music. Our girls enjoy a good time with their friends in a wholesome supervised environment.