|
Myth #1 |
Greenfield Day School is not
really a “community” school… |
|
Fact: |
The student body at GDS is
truly reflective of the diversity of the south Miami-Dade
County community. Family affiliations are as follows:
Conservative 41%, Reform 32%, Orthodox 5% and unaffiliated
22%. |
|
Myth #2 |
Parents must know Hebrew in
order for their child to be successful in school… |
|
Fact: |
Parental knowledge of Hebrew is
not necessary. Students are able to complete all homework
independently. |
|
Myth #3 Myth #3 |
My children will think that
I am not a good person if I don’t observe all the
traditions… |
|
Fact: |
We don’t present Judaic
concepts and traditions in a judgmental way. The children
learn about Judaica from a positive perspective. At GDS,
children are taught that each family has complete autonomy
in their religious practices. |
|
Myth # 4 |
You must keep a kosher home
in order to send your child to GDS… |
|
Fact: |
Keeping a kosher home is not a
requirement of the school. However, all food products
brought into the school should adhere to our kashrut
(kosher) policy. Just like with any other Jewish tradition,
the decision whether or not to keep a kosher home is a
decision left up to the parents. |
|
Myth #5 |
Girls at GDS have to wear
long skirts and sleeves that cover their elbows… |
|
Fact: |
GDS children dress as they
would at any other school. Our school dress code is based
on the dress codes of other schools (public and private) in
Miami. |
|
Myth #6 |
Boys are required to wear
tzitzit… |
|
Fact: |
Boys are required to wear
kippot (yarmulkes) but are not required to wear tzitzit. |
|
Myth #7 |
Boys
and girls are separated in classes and for activities… |
|
Fact: |
There is no gender separation
in any classes / activities, Judaic or Secular. |
|
Myth #8 |
There
are very few boys at Greenfield Day School… |
|
Fact: |
The current school-wide
percentage of girls versus boys is 45% to 55%. The ratio in
individual classrooms varies. |
|
Myth #9 |
The children are taught that
men are superior to women… |
|
Fact: |
We do not endorse any
particular inclinations or areas of interest as being
appropriate for either boys or girls exclusively. Children
are encouraged to pursue their interests and dreams. |
|
Myth #10 |
Patriotism is
discouraged at Greenfield Day School... |
|
Fact: |
GDS children learn about
American holidays like Thanksgiving and Martin Luther King
Day. Children learn songs like “The Star Spangled Banner”
and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”. Every four years
(corresponding to a national presidential election) the
students take part in a school-wide voting event.
Individual classes learn and say
The Pledge of Allegiance
in their rooms. |
|
Myth #11 |
Mashiach (the Messiah) is a
non-Jewish belief… |
|
Fact: |
The concept of Mashiach is one
that may naturally arise while the children are translating
prayers that contain references to redemption. Mashiach is
a Jewish concept, and as such, is incorporated into both
Conservative and Orthodox/Traditional prayer books. The
children are taught that during the time of Mashiach, there
will be a better world – a world of peace, kindness and
caring. We explain to the children that each one of us can
contribute to that better world through our actions. |