Binational School for Jewish and Palestinian kids

Voices for Change

Holding their voter registration cards, the pupils of the Primary School eagerly stood in line as they awaited their turn to cast their vote for the new chairs of the student committee. The student election process introduces the importance and impact of letting their voices be heard about what they believe in. This year, the winning candidates ran on platforms of increasing extracurricular activities like swimming lessons, time for activity breaks, implementing a ‘student teaching teachers’ week, and of course something all the pupils agree on, longer recess times.

Another avenue for letting students’ voices be heard is a visual communications class taught by Roy Etinger, a new addition to the NSWAS family. Roy joined the school with the goal of teaching the Primary School pupils a new way to express themselves. Calling his class, “Creative thinking with your mobile phone,” he believes that teaching kids to use their phones as something more than a selfie or gaming instrument will open up limitless possibilities. Kids can use the, “language of moving images as a bridge” to get their messages across. By the end of the year, the kids will have produced a one minute short film about themselves and their home, all while learning about framing, storytelling and editing.

Every student has a story to tell and it is our duty to give them the skills and tools to act on their ideas.  As a result, the Primary School aims to create programs that develop civically minded students who recognize the importance and responsibility of finding common ground and using that space to become role models and leaders for other students outside of the NSWAS Primary School. Close communication with our families and attention to ongoing research helps ensure we stay focused on cutting-edge educational practices and that are part of an inclusive plan. Because of your own commitment, NSWAS Primary School students learn to take part in shaping their world and become ambassadors of peace, one year at a time

With the recent conflict on the minds of many of their students, the teachers at the Primary School of NSWAS work hard to instill in them a sense of optimism and encourage them to keep working for a brighter future.  Students are beginning to take interest in new communications and space studies programs and are preparing to be leaders of their social groups, communities, and futures. 

The students are able to re-direct their attention away from war and to engage in an exploration of their universe from a place of interest and curiosity. By focusing on building a more peaceful future, they learn to communicate more effectively in their individual relationships, while working and dreaming beyond our world to gain an understanding of the larger picture.

Looking towards the future and with your much appreciated support, the Primary School will be evaluating its available spaces and strengthening its experimental learning focus in the form of a new science lab based on the needs of each grade level. The school continues to build relations with other bilingual schools in order to provide the students with the most effective approach to bilingual education.