School Energized by New Students, Leadership Team, and Strategic Plan

At 99%, Gray Academy of Jewish Education is experiencing its highest retention rate in three years. There are currently 501 students enrolled at the school. There were 506 students enrolled last year at this time.

“The fact that our numbers are virtually identical to last year’s speaks well to the community’s enthusiasm for Jewish education and for what we do here at Gray Academy,” said Lori Binder, Gray Academy’s new Head of School and CEO.

“The renewed enthusiasm for Gray Academy is very exciting. Many new families are choosing our school, and we have a large number of students who are children of alumni,” said Binder, herself an alumna of Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate (Class of ’91). “So far this year we are hearing excellent feedback from our students and their parents. We are very optimistic about our future growth and development.”

Gray Academy is in its first full school year under its new leadership team and its new Strategic Plan. The administrative team, led by Binder, consists of Tracy White (High School Principal), Joyce Kerr (Elementary School Principal), and Rob Dalgliesh (Director of Teaching and Learning). They are supported by Dr. Ruth Ashrafi as Judaic Studies Advisor and Judi Price-Rosen as the Director of Admissions.

“Our team is dynamic and experienced,” said Binder. “Together with our outstanding faculty and staff, we are committed to delivering excellence in General and Judaic studies featuring inspired Jewish learning and Jewish experiences. What we do here shapes our youth and develops our community’s future leaders.”

Gray Academy is guided by a new and substantive Strategic Plan that speaks to best practices in contemporary education, Jewish values, financial sustainability, and other essential elements of the school’s success. The Plan can be downloaded from http://www.grayacademy.ca/page.cfm?p=1661

 “The new Strategic Plan is a living, breathing document that was informed by many stakeholders – including our parent body,” said Sean Shore, newly elected President of the Winnipeg Board of Jewish Education. “It is a vibrant blueprint for the success of Gray Academy and we hope that members of the community will download it and share their comments and questions with us.”

Joining Shore on the new Executive of the WBJE are Evan Roitenberg (Vice-President, Class of ‘84), Diane Shindleman (Treasurer), Bruce Caplan (Secretary), and Tracy Kasner Greaves (Past-President, Class of ’94).

“There is a remarkable energy throughout the school,” said Binder. “We currently have students visiting from our twin school in Israel with the Partnership2Gether program; our ‘Parents as Partners’ series has begun; we are looking forward to hosting 18 teams from across Canada for the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools Varsity Boys’ Basketball tournament in November; we’re celebrating Sukkot; and we are gearing up for a visit from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra next week.”

Community members wanting to learn more about the school and arrange a visit are invited to call Lori Binder, Head of School and CEO. Families of prospective students are encouraged to contact Judi Price-Rosen, Director of Admissions, for a tour and enrolment information.

“Gray Academy is a shining example of the outstanding accomplishments of our community,” said Binder. “Thanks to the support of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, our strength and permanence as a leading Jewish day school in North America will ensure the continuity of our community for many generations.”

Gray Academy of Jewish Education is a JK to grade 12, co-educational post-secondary preparatory school that places equal value on Jewish and general academic programs.

Gray Academy is one of three Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) in Manitoba and a member of RAVSAK, the North American Jewish Day School Network and MFIS, the Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools.

Phone: 204.477.7425

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.grayacademy.ca