acharai אחראיthe central leadership experience

leadership opportunities in senior year

Created By: Shani Malitzky, YUHSG Director of Student Activities 2012

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Student leadership programs are rooted in the power of social and educational advocacy. Student leaders attempt, on daily basis, to speak the many languages of the individuals within the groups they represent. Through the trials and tribulations of managing and working with others, student leaders are constantly growing and learning. Moreover, providing fellow students with inspiration and developing a positive learning climate are central to a student leader’s goals. Student leadership promotes intrinsic motivation—student leaders become naturally motivated when planning rosh chodesh assemblies, or programs surrounding the chagim, or coordinating a chesed initiative, or publishing the school newspaper. Student leaders are forced to formulate a solid vision, act with persistence, and expand their creative minds. Peter Drucker described the essence of leadership. “The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say “I.” And that’s not because they have trained themselves not to say “I.” They don’t think “I.” They think “we;” they think “team.” They understand their job is to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don’t sidestep it, but “we” gets the credit...This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done.” In terms of leadership, the word “we” is strong; it epitomizes the exact purpose of student leadership. Leadership isn’t about you or me. It is about all of us.

In thinking about and discussing the various opportunities for leadership roles during your Senior Year at Central, remember that leadership is an “action” and not a “position.” As a student leader and member of the inaugural “Acharai Experience,” you will be expected to participate in two Leadership Training Seminars and to contribute to a new student newsletter featuring student leadership and achievement in school. In this booklet you will find information and applications for various leadership opportunities here at Central, some specifically available to seniors. Please take the time to review the packet in its entirety to determine your interests. If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with me via email (malitzky@yuhsg.org) or in person. Looking forward to a productive and exciting experience with all of you! Shani Malitzky Director of Student Activities

I can honestly say that I was never affected by the question of the

success of an undertaking. If I felt it was the right thing to do, I was for it

regardless of the possible outcome. ~ golda meir

value statement

Many students credit their co-curricular experiences in High School as a great source of their growth and development. The Acharai Leadership Experience is designed to foster

both leadership qualities and a sense of responsibility for the community.

Leaders are not born or made. What differentiates leaders is the choices they make. Everyone has talents, strengths, and abilities that make them unique. Leadership is the

choice we make about what we do with our gifts. It exemplifies taking our best efforts and putting it to work for others.

Leadership is about action, doing, supporting, cooperating. It is thoughtful positioning,

thinking, preparing ahead, and watching. It is being in the ready position to make positive contributions to our school community.

program description

The Acharai Leadership Experience is a program that gives student leaders an

opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, develop and share new ideas about leadership with their peers, and learn from others. All students in leadership positions will automatically be included as participants in the Acharai Experience. Participants

will benefit from the insights of Jewish Community Leader Professionals and engage in meaningful discussions about motivation and teamwork.

participation requirements

Each semester, Acharai participants are required to attend three co-curricular programs

of their choosing and write a reflection on the experience. (Examples: after-school mishmar, sports game, lecture, etc.) In this way, Acharai participants increase their

visibility while supporting their fellow classmates.

In addition, Acharai participants are required to attend two Leadership Training Seminars, one per semester.

To culminate the “Acharai Experience,” all participants will create an Impact Project.

Impact Projects present an opportunity for the student leader to hone a particular skill. Participants will target something that they want to improve in the area of leadership-

organizational skill, public speaking, written communication, spontaneity, working more cooperatively, mentoring others. Projects will include a written testimonial and an

original presentation. Each participant will be assigned a mentor to advise her on her project.

A Certificate of Program Completion will be awarded to all qualifying Acharai

participants at the end of the school year.

Created By: Shani Malitzky,

Director of Student Activities 2012

acharaiאחראי the central leadership experience

Student leadership programs have their fingers on the pulse of the school.

ohr hamercaz

Ohr Hamercaz is a weekly parsha sheet written, edited and produced by members of the Arista Honor Society. While all

students are invited to submit material to this publication and to participate in the layout, formatting and design, it is preferred that the Editor in Chief be a member of Arista.

haggadah

One of the highlight publications of the school year is the

Central Haggadah. It is a collection of articles researched and written by our students. Editorial positions are usually

held by members of Arista but there are layout, art, and design positions which are available to any of our talented students.

the courier

The Courier is Central’s school newspaper. It is published four times per year, and focuses on events and issues of interest

to the school and to the wider community. The Courier welcomes submissions about news, opinion, culture, religious

issues, and humor.

continued The Courier…

The Editor-in-Chief of the paper is ultimately responsible for all issues relating to the paper’s publication,

including, but not limited to: assigning articles, determining themes, setting

deadlines, and copy-editing.

The Assistant Editor of the paper serves as the liason between writers and the Editor-in-Chief. The Assistant Editor

also assists with copy-editing and layout.

Both editor positions are decided by

the newspaper faculty advisor, Ms. Rothstein, based on both the skill of

the individuals involved and their long-term commitment to the

newspaper.

If you are interested in becoming more involved in The Courier, please contact

Ms. Rothstein.

avenues of expression Avenues of Expression, the literature-

art journal, highlights the creative writing and artistic creations of the

students.

All students are invited to submit entries to the journal and to work on

the publication of the journal itself.

Students type, format, and illustrate the journal.

The positions of literature and art

editors and associate editors are filled by students who have worked on the

journal, are familiar with the requirements of the tasks, have

demonstrated their abilities, and are responsible and trustworthy.

If you are interested in becoming more involved in Avenues of Expression,

please contact Mrs. Tiger.

big sister/little sister program

Our Big Sister Leadership Program links our freshmen to Senior Mentors in

order to provide them with an extra layer of support and to help ease their

transition into high school. The Big Sisters are involved in the planning of many exciting activities for the ninth grade in an effort to give their Little

Sisters a positive, successful experience in high school. Freshman Retreat is a wonderful opportunity for friendships

to form, as our Big Sisters join in activities and lead sessions. Throughout

the year, the Big Sisters participate in leadership training activities and

seminars to maximize their potential as mentors.

*Please see the attached Big Sister Leadership Program Application form.

If you have any questions regarding the Big Sister/Little Sister Program,

please contact Mrs. Wyner.

yearbook staff Please refer to the materials handed

out at the yearbook meeting.

If you have any questions regarding the Yearbook, please see Mrs. Anziska.

If your actions inspire others to dream more,

learn more, do more and become more, you are a

leader.

~ john quincy adams

g.o.

All members of the G.O. help to coordinate , plan, and execute program,ming for the sudent body. Programming events include Rosh Chodesh Chagigas, the school-wide Shabbaton, and special events for Purim, Chanukah among other events on the school calendar. The G.O. is required to attend bi-monthly meetings

with the Grade Representatives and the Director of Student Activities about upcoming programs and ways to enhance

school spirit. G.O. members must keep up with their schoolwork despite event planning.

*Please see the attached G.O. Application for Election form for

more information and the specific positions available.

grade representatives

All Grade Representatives will be integrally involved in G.O. activities, especially those pertaining to their grade-level:

Grade-Level Shabbaton, outings, luncheons, special programs, chesed opportunities, and more. In addition, each Grade

Representative wil l help to plan one Rosh Chodesh Chagiga together with the G.O. and a Chanukah Party for their grade.

Each grade will elect two Grade Representatives. Grade Representatives are required to attend monthly meetings with the G.O. and Director of Student Activities in addition to any other sessions run by their Grade Level Coordinator. Grade Representatives must keep up with their schoolwork despite

event planning.

*Please see the attached G.O. Application for Election form for more information.

Please Note: Grade Representatives will run for election during

the regularly scheduled G.O. election time, but are ONLY elected by their OWN grade.

chesed squad

The Chesed Squad is a group of dedicated volunteers who are seeking greater involvement in chesed opportunities. Squad members will work closely with Ms. Borenstein to coordinate

chesed activities, programming, and opportunities for the squad and the entire student body. Two seniors will lead the squad.

For more information regarding chesed at Central, please speak to Ms. Borenstein.

*Please see the attached Chesed Squad Head Application.

g.o.

All members of the G.O. help to coordinate , plan, and execute program,ming for the sudent body. Programming events include Rosh Chodesh Chagigas, the school-wide Shabbaton, and special events for Purim, Chanukah among other events on the school calendar. The G.O. is required to attend bi-monthly meetings

with the Grade Representatives and the Director of Student Activities about upcoming programs and ways to enhance

school spirit. G.O. members must keep up with their schoolwork despite event planning.

*Please see the attached G.O. Application for Election form for

more information and the specific positions available.

grade representatives

All Grade Representatives will be integrally involved in G.O. activities, especially those pertaining to their grade-level:

Grade-Level Shabbaton, outings, luncheons, special programs, chesed opportunities, and more. In addition, each Grade

Representative wil l help to plan one Rosh Chodesh Chagiga together with the G.O. and a Chanukah Party for their grade.

Each grade will elect two Grade Representatives. Grade Representatives are required to attend monthly meetings with the G.O. and Director of Student Activities in addition to any other sessions run by their Grade Level Coordinator. Grade Representatives must keep up with their schoolwork despite

event planning.

*Please see the attached G.O. Application for Election form for more information.

Please Note: Grade Representatives will run for election during

the regularly scheduled G.O. election time, but are ONLY elected by their OWN grade.

musical theater head,

cultural arts production

Heads will direct and block musical theater scenes for the annual Cultural Arts production. Heads will hold auditions at

the beginning of the school year and manage all necessary props and costumes. Theater Heads will work closely with Ms.

Riback and with the Dance Heads.

*Please see the attached Cultural Arts Production Application.

drama head, cultural arts production

Heads will direct and block non-musical drama scenes. Heads

will hold auditions at the beginning of the school year and manage all necessary props and costumes. Drama Heads will

work closely with Ms. Riback

*Please see the attached Cultural Arts Production Application.

musical theater head, cultural arts production

Heads will direct and block musical theater scenes for the

annual Cultural Arts production. Heads will hold auditions at the beginning of the school year and manage all necessary

props and costumes. Theater Heads will work closely with Ms. Riback and with the Dance Heads.

*Please see the attached Cultural Arts Production Application.

choir head,

cultural arts production

Heads will write and teach the musical arrangements. Heads will hold auditions at the beginning of the school year and run

practices on their own.

*Please see the attached Cultural Arts Production Application.

dance head, cultural arts production

Heads will choreograph and teach the dances. Heads will hold

auditions at the beginning of the school year. Dance heads will work closely with Musical Theatre heads.

*Please see the attached Cultural Arts Production Application.

As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.

~ bill gates

stomp head, cultural arts production

Heads will choreograph and teach the stomp. Heads will hold

auditions at the beginning of the school year and manage all necessary materials and costumes.

*Please see the attached Cultural Arts Production Application.

production head,

cultural arts production

Heads will organize the back-stage elements of the show. They will direct the back stage crew and coordinate with lighting

and sound professionals. They will be responsible for managing props and costumes, and they will guide participants from one

scene into the next.

*Please see the attached Cultural Arts Production Application.

script writing head, cultural arts production

Script-Writing: Heads will spearhead the writing of the script for

Cultural Arts, which take place over the summer. Students interested in script-writing should submit their ideas for topics with their applications. Script writers will work closely with Ms.

Riback.

*Please see the attached Cultural Arts Production Application.

scenery & set design head, cultural arts

Heads will design the set(s) for Cultural Arts and will lead

members of the club in painting the scenery. They will be responsible for ordering paint and other necessary supplies.

*Please see the attached Cultural Arts Production Application

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. ! ~ john f. kennedy

acharaiאחראי the central leadership experience

Created By: Shani Malitzky, YUHSG Director of Student Activities 2012