COMMUNITY SERVICE—Portland Jewish Academy middle school students Grace Richmond and Anna Oliver-Steinberg, center, work with PJA Early Childhood Learning Center student Bella Phillips to beautify their school community. Middle school students at PJA spent the first of four service-learning days helping their school community. “Our middle school staff is committed to providing our students opportunities to plan, work and reflect on ways in which we can participate in tikkum olam, repair of the world,” said middle school teacher Tracy Wygant, who oversees the service learning program. Throughout the day, middle school students all rotated through three service projects: weeding and planting native plants and bulbs to beautify the campus; grounds maintenance including removal of invasive species such as blackberries and ivy; and helping elementary students in a variety of projects. Third-grade teacher Sharon Singer said the interaction with middle schoolers gives her students a personal relationship with older students and allows the older students to be a role model and develop leadership skills.The day concluded with t’fillah lead by Erica Goldman who lead students in prayer and discussion of how the day’s activities related to mitzvot.

PJA slates open house Nov. 4

By Jewish Review

Portland Jewish Academy, a community day school serving children in preschool through eighth grade, will host its first open house of the school year, Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m.

PJA was the only school in Oregon to receive the Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Dept. of Education. It is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Schools and Colleges.

PJA is located on the campus of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center at 6651 SW Capitol Highway.
   
In an effort to be more available to those who might want to learn more about PJA, the school also has launched a program called First Tuesday. Each First Tuesday of the month, Middle School Administrator Michael Hulshof-Schmidt and Director of Admission Linda Singer will be available at PJA to meet and greet any parents who might want to stop by on their way to work or perhaps after dropping off their children elsewhere.
   
They will have information about PJA available as well as coffee and a nosh to send folks on their way.
   
Prospective parents also are welcome to call for a personal tour at their convenience.
   
Whether parents of prospective students come to the open house, First Tuesday or a personal tour, Singer said they will have the opportunity to tour the school and learn about PJA’s general studies and Judaic curriculum, which includes an emphasis on service learning (see photo above).
   
For a tour or application information, call Admissions Director Linda Nemer Singer at 503-535-3599.