At the Peoria Hebrew Day School, we feel it is critical to always take the whole child into account. Our focus, therefore, is not just academic. We strive to support students in becoming the best person they can be, not just the best student. By providing the opportunities described below in an atmosphere of respect, love, and caring, we encourage students to grow and learn in many ways.
Extra Curricular opportunities: Our school promotes a wide range of extra curricular activities offered in the greater Peoria area. We provide each family with a comprehensive list of opportunities to encourage students to broaden their interests. In conjunction with the Clubs at River City, we offer before and after care through the “Fun n Fit” program. Through Fun n Fit, students can participate in a wide range of athletic activities. Participation in extra curricular activities like sports clubs also allows our students to enlarge their circle of peers.
Leadership Development: Throughout the year, students are given opportunities to work on skills that will enable them to become leaders. Each class gives presentations to the whole school and parents at several programs held throughout the year, including our December fine arts fair, our Famous Person project, our talent show and our May performance. In addition, while each student says the daily blessings with a small group of children one older child is the Shamash, or leader in prayer. All of our children have opportunities to participate in Student government, hallway patrol and the student mentoring program. In the classroom, group projects and presentations encourage students to sharpen leadership skills as well.
Study/Organizational Skills: The design of our school day naturally bolsters students’ organizational skills. Our students are expected to arrive in class on time and prepared with the appropriate books, supplies and work. Our curriculum is designed to gradually introduce new study methods and skills ranging from games provided to flashcards, to memorization, to research.
Before and After School Care: Developed and sponsored by our school OPT, our After School Care Program is available from 3:30 to 5:30 pm each day, with an earlier availability of 3 pm on Fridays due to Shabbat. Our Before School Care Program is available from 6:30 – 8:30 am each morning. This program is held at the Clubs at River City and requires a separate per week fee for participants. River City provides the transportation back and forth from school. Fun n Fit, as the program is called, provides a supervised, structured environment for children to study, play, exercize and have an afternoon snack.
Community: Considered one of the greatest strengths of our school, our community is like an extended family. We take care of each other in hard times and celebrate with each other in joyous times. Our faculty, parents, and teachers volunteer time and energy to the school, participate in fund raising activities to benefit the school, and openly appreciate each other. Regular communication is a cornerstone to creating this sense of community.
Tzedakah & Tikkun Olam, “repairing the world”: Students participate in many programs throughout the year which educate them on the economic diversity of our world. They learn about human need locally, nationally, and globally and are given the opportunity to raise money and donate their own money to those in need. Our Student Government gives the experience of assessing needs, raising funds, and allocating the money raised.