2018-04-13T19:13:25-05:00 2017-06-30 450250958 EIDE BAILLY LLP 1850 N CENTRAL AVE STE 400 PHOENIX AZ 850044624 990 2016-07-01 860969657 PARDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL INC PARD 4809911941 12753 N SCOTTSDALE RD SCOTTSDALE AZ 85254 JILL KESSLER CFO 4809911941 2018-03-31 1 BRENDA BLUNT P00075126 6022645844 2018-03-31 8.39.233.77 2018-03-31 13:01:48 US P D2361AF224C0E34A1EE3531DAFF6B4BAB3260431 7C9951DA9E4C3FB44EC4DD64E65C3691A63F8C50 2016 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z PARDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL PETER GORDON 12753 N SCOTTSDALE RD SCOTTSDALE AZ 85254 5452535 0 X PARDESSCHOOL.ORG X 1999 AZ PARDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL PREPARES STUDENTS TO BECOME OUTSTANDING MEMBERS OF (CON'T SCH O) SOCIETY THROUGH A RIGOROUS SECULAR AND JUDAIC EDUCATION, A NURTURING COMMUNITY, AND A FOUNDATION IN REFORM JUDAISM THAT WELCOMES ALL JEWISH TRADITIONS. 15 15 90 90 0 0 831668 1084718 4275004 4254932 789 1681 17892 8986 5125353 5350317 0 0 0 0 3295597 3491727 0 0 124226 1311980 1286657 4607577 4778384 517776 571933 4567252 5105513 850185 816512 3717067 4289001 X THE MISSION OF PARDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL IS TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO BECOME OUTSTANDING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY THROUGH A RIGOROUS SECULAR AND JUDAIC EDUCATION, A NURTURING COMMUNITY, AND A FOUNDATION IN REFORM JUDAISM THAT WELCOMES ALL JEWISH TRADITIONS. 0 0 3764427 4254932 PARDES HAD 295 STUDENTS ENROLLED AT THE END OF THE 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR, WITH OVER 50 MEMBERS OF THE PARDES FACULTY PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN SECULAR AND JEWISH STUDIES. WE GRADUATED 39 STUDENTS FROM 8TH GRADE, WHO WENT ON TO ATTEND HIGH SCHOOLS INCLUDING PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, BROPHY, PINNACLE HIGH SCHOOL, CHAPARRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND HORIZON HIGH SCHOOL.ACADEMIC LIFEPARDES CONTINUED TO SEND TEACHERS TO THE READING AND WRITING INSTITUTE AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. WE ALSO SENT A TEAM OF FACULTY TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION. PARDES ADOPTED A NEW ONLINE LANGUAGE PROGRAM (CON'T SCH O) (NO RED INK) THAT BEGINS IN GRADE 4 AND CONTINUES THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND EXPANDED OUR WILSON WORD STUDY PROGRAM THROUGH 3RD GRADE. THE ZERO HOUR MATH ENRICHMENT PROGRAM CONTINUED TO BE OFFERED BEFORE SCHOOL TO STUDENTS IN THIRD THROUGH FIFTH GRADES.PARDES FAMILIES WERE TREATED TO A DAZZLING INTERACTIVE DISPLAY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS AND MATHEMATICS PROJECTS AT THE ANNUAL STEAM NIGHT. MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE PROJECTS WERE ALL ON DISPLAY, AND PARENTS AND CHILDREN ALL PARTICIPATED IN FUN AND CHALLENGING STEAM ACTIVITIES. THE PHOENIX ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY WAS ON HAND FOR STARGAZING. THE PARDES 2ND ANNUAL LITERACY NIGHT CELEBRATED DR. SEUSS. "OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!" WAS AN INTERACTIVE EVENING WITH TEACHERS, PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN GRADES K THROUGH 8, AND OPEN TO PRESCHOOL FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL. OUR GOAL IS TO INSPIRE THE LOVE OF READING IN CHILDREN AND TO SUPPORT LITERACY DEVELOPMENT. LITERACY TEACHERS, SPANISH AND HEBREW TEACHERS WERE ALL INVOLVED IN PLANNING AND RUNNING THE STATIONS, ADMINISTRATORS DRESSED UP AS DR. SEUSS CHARACTERS AND THE SCHOOL ROCK BAND PERFORMED. FAMILIES WERE ASKED TO BRING TOILETRIES THAT WERE LATER DONATED TO A LOCAL CHARITY. 125 PEOPLE ATTENDED. A PARDES EIGHTH GRADER MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO ROUND THREE OF THIS YEAR'S REGIONAL SPELLING BEE. TWO EIGHTH GRADERS SCORED 4 OUT OF 5 AT THE MATH OLYMPIAD, AND ONE EIGHTH GRADER SCORED A 3 OUT OF 5 ON AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT EXAM. PARDES HAD GREAT SUCCESS IN THE SCIENCE FAIR. 13 STUDENTS IN GRADES 5-7 RECEIVED FIRST PLACE AWARDS. 25 STUDENTS RECEIVED SECOND PLACE AWARDS AND 22 STUDENTS RECEIVED THIRD PLACE AWARDS. TWO PARDES STUDENTS WON THE PHOENIX ELK'S LODGE ESSAY CONTEST ON "WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO VOTE." THERE WERE 300 ESSAYS AND ONLY SIX WINNERS.NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER AEROSPACE ENGINEER AARON BROWN SPOKE TO A CAPTIVATED AUDIENCE OF MIDDLE SCHOOLERS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE AT PARDES. HIS TOPIC WAS THE ORION" PROGRAM, THE MARS PREPARATION AND HOW HE INTEGRATES ALL OF IT WITH HIS LIFE AS AN ORTHODOX JEW. THE PRESENTATION INCLUDED VIDEOS, ARTIFACTS AND A Q&A SESSION.THE ENTREPRENEUR FAIR ON MAY 19 MARKED THE END OF A YEAR-LONG MIDDLE SCHOOL ELECTIVE PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS WORKED TO CREATE THEIR OWN COMPANIES. THEY BEGAN WITH A RAW IDEA. WORKING IN PAIRS, THEY WROTE BUSINESS PLANS, CREATED THEIR PRODUCTS AND MARKETED THEM. THE ENTREPRENEUR FAIR WAS THE CULMINATING EVENT WHERE EACH BUSINESS SET UP A BOOTH TO MARKET AND SELL THEIR PRODUCT. THIS YEAR'S BUSINESSES INCLUDING THERMO SENSITIVE DESIGNER MUGS, CUSTOM DESIGNER PADDLE BALLS, CREATIVE SLIME, JEWELRY AND STRESS BALL DIY KITS, CUSTOM WATER BOTTLES, PERSONALIZED FIDGET DEVICES AND A TIE-DYE APPAREL ACCESSORY COMPANY. PROFITS WERE DONATED TO CHARITIES PERSONALLY SELECTED BY THE ENTREPRENEURS.PARDES PROVIDES UNIQUE RESOURCES TO FAMILIES AND STUDENTS. EDUCATION NEXT GENERATION ONLINE FORUM IS STOCKED WITH INCREDIBLE PARENTING, BEHAVIORAL AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERTS. STUDENTS NOW ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO JOHN HOPKINS CENTER FOR TALENTED YOUTH.JEWISH STUDIES AND JEWISH LIFEPARDES HELD A SPECIAL CEREMONY FOR ALL THE STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL TO WELCOME THE NEW KINDERGARTENERS. WE ALSO HELD A KINDERGARTEN CONSECRATION CEREMONY TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THEIR JEWISH LEARNING. THE SCHOOL CONCLUDED ITS THIRD YEAR OF A SUBSTANTIAL GRANT TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE HEBREW AND JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAMS AT PARDES, DEVELOPING AND DOCUMENTING CURRICULUM, PROVIDING ENHANCED FACULTY TRAINING, OPPORTUNITIES TO VISIT OTHER JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS AND PARTICIPATION IN A VARIETY OF FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. FOR STUDENTS, THERE WERE SPECIAL GRADE-, DIVISION- AND SCHOOL-LEVEL PROGRAMS, LESSONS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR ALL THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS DURING THE YEAR. SOME SPECIAL EXAMPLES INCLUDE SUKKOT UNDER THE STARS, WHICH PROVIDED STUDENTS AND FAMILIES A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE DINNER IN THE SUKKAH, WITH SINGING, STORIES AND ART PROJECTS; PURIM ACTIVITIES WITH LOTS OF TREATS; YOM HASHOAH, WHEN THE SCHOOL HELD A MEMORIAL CEREMONY AND BROUGHT IN A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR TO ADDRESS THE CHILDREN; AND A CELEBRATION OF ISRAEL ON YOM HA'ATZMAUT. 25 STUDENTS BECAME BAR OR BAT MITZVAH. IN ADDITION TO WEEKLY KABBALAT SHABBAT, AT TIMES GRANDPARENTS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE WITH THEIR GRANDCHILDREN, HELPING WITH BLESSINGS, SONGS AND ACTIVITIES. THE SCHOOL ALSO CONTINUED TO OFFER DAVENING BEFORE SCHOOL FOR THOSE INTERESTED, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 8:25 A.M. DAILY.ALSO NEW THIS YEAR WAS THE PARDES FIRST ANNUAL CHANUKIYAH CONTEST. STUDENTS WERE ENCOURAGED TO USE THEIR CREATIVITY TO CREATE A CHANUKAH MENORAH FROM ITEMS IN THEIR HOMES.PARDES COLLABORATED WITH A VARIETY OF JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS IN THE VALLEY. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE LOCAL PRESCHOOLS, PJ LIBRARY, THE BUREAU OF JEWISH EDUCATION, FAMILIES GIVING BACK, COMMUNITY BRIDGES, VALLEY BEIT MIDRASH AND THE DESERT GATHERING JEWISH MUSIC FEST. STUDENTS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS TIKKUN OLAM PROJECTS DURING THE YEAR. BEFORE THANKSGIVING, MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WENT OFF-CAMPUS TO PARTICIPATE IN TIKKUN OLAM (CHARITABLE PROJECTS.) STUDENTS ALSO HELPED SUPPORT FAMILIES GIVING BACK BY COLLECTING PARTICIPATING IN THEIR THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE & MEAL BAG ASSEMBLY PROJECT. FOOD ITEMS WERE DONATED AND BAGS ASSEMBLED BY THE CHILDREN, AND THE BAGS WERE DELIVERED TO FAMILIES AT THE GRANADA PRIMARY SCHOOL, AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE STUDENT POPULATION LIVES BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.PARDES RESPECTS THE VALUES OF KASHRUT WHICH MEANS OUR PARDES FAMILIES AND THE ENTIRE JEWISH COMMUNITY CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE IN KNOWING EVERYTHING OUR KITCHEN PREPARES IS UNDER KOSHER SUPERVISION OF THE VAAD. PARDES STUDENTS AND FAMILIES PARTICIPATED IN THE CINDERELLA AFFAIR, A VOLUNTEER PROJECT FOR AREA HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR AND SENIORS THAT PROVIDES NEW AND GENTLY-USED FORMAL WEAR ABSOLUTELY FREE, HELPING MAKE PROM AN AFFORDABLE AND MEMORABLE EVENT!STUDENT LIFEPARDES STUDENT COUNCIL HELD VARIOUS EVENTS DURING THE YEAR, INCLUDING AN OFF-CAMPUS WELCOME BACK EVENT, ICE SKATING, SCHOOL DANCES, MOVIE NIGHTS AND AN END-OF-THE-YEAR PARTY. STUDENTS IN GRADES 4 THROUGH 8 PARTICIPATE IN OFF-CAMPUS FIELD TRIPS. THE ACTIVITIES RANGE FROM AN OVERNIGHT AT A JEWISH CAMP TO A FULL WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THE 8TH GRADE STUDENTS ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN RAISING THE FUNDS FOR THEIR DC TRIP, INCLUDING A LARGE YARD SALE AND A SPRING TIME CAR WASH.PARDES PROVIDES A MULTITUDE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO BUILD HEALTHY, LIFETIME PEER RELATIONSHIPS, BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM. THE SCHOOL YEAR KICKED OFF IN AUGUST WITH A POOL PARTY AT THE VALLEY OF THE SUN JCC FOR GRADES K-4, WHILE STUDENTS IN GRADES 5-8 ENJOYED THE DAY AT AMAZING JAKE'S. PANTHERS UNDER THE STARS WAS HELD IN THE FALL, OFFERING MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AN EVENING OF FUN WITH COMPETITIVE GAMES, LASER TAG, GAME TRUCKS, FOOD AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. OTHER EVENTS INCLUDED THE PANTHER CLASSIC, A SCHOOL-WIDE FUNDRAISING PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE PARDES ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT. 148 PARENTS AND CHILDREN CYCLED, RAN, WALKED AND BIKED FOR FITNESS, FOR COMMUNITY AND TO HELP FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT PARDES. 65 PERCENT OF THE ELIGIBLE STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN AFTER SCHOOL ATHLETICS FOR THE YEAR, AND A THIRD OF THOSE PARTICIPATED IN ALL THREE SEASONS OF SPORTS OFFERED. THE STUDENTS COMPETED IN SOCCER, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL AND VOLLEYBALL. THERE WERE TEAMS FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS. THE PANTHER'S BOOSTER CLUB RAISED MONEY FOR THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AND BROUGHT SCHOOL SPIRIT TO THE CAMPUS AT THE SAME TIME. MUSIC AND THE ARTS ARE INTEGRAL TO THE PARDES EXPERIENCE. A LOWER SCHOOL CHOIR WAS FORMED FOR GRADES K-4 AND OUR STUDENT ROCK BAND "THE GREEN SHEET SHREDDERS" PERFORMED FOR OUR STUDENTS AS WELL. A SPECIAL CHANUKAH SHOW WAS PUT ON BY ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL, WITH OVER 800 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL HELD FOUR PERFORMANCES OF FIDDLER ON THE ROOF FOR ITS ANNUAL SPRING MUSICAL. WE ALSO HELD AN END-OF-THE-YEAR TALENT SHOW TO FEATURE BOTH CLASS AND INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES BY THE STUDENTS. 3764427 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 19 0 1 90 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 15 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 AZ X PATTI EVANS 4809919141 12753 NORTH SCOTTSDALE ROAD SCOTTSDALE AZ 85254 MARI CHERNOW DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 NESTOR GUZMAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PENELOPE KARP ABAD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH LEONARD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DIANE OZER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 GREG SIR DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BERYL SWEET DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CRAIG WEISS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOEL ZOLONDEK DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TODD WEISS TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JON BRODSKY IMMEDIATE PAST CO-PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 TIM ECKSTEIN PRESIDENT 2.00 X X 0 0 0 GERALD ELGARTEN SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 DAN KRAVETS VICE PRESIDENT 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JENNIFER RAWICZ IMMEDIATE PAST CO-PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JILL KESSLER HEAD OF SCHOOL 50.00 X 227497 0 24690 PATTI EVANS CFO 50.00 X 152754 0 18152 380251 0 42842 2 0 1 0 0 140011 944707 48364 1084718 TUITION REVENUE 611710 4041525 4041525 LUNCH MONEY REVENUE 611710 89788 89788 SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS 611710 48797 48797 ATHLETIC FEES 611710 35670 35670 PTO RECEIPTS 611710 32296 32296 6856 6856 4254932 2265 2265 25491 19629 5862 5862 5862 584 -584 -584 -584 85129 140011 82005 3124 3124 5350317 4254932 0 10667 438384 142302 252244 43838 2690218 2295026 333192 62000 8840 6634 2206 125626 102578 20915 2133 228659 178977 44939 4743 10824 10824 7300 7300 102579 17252 85327 40562 40562 142215 129632 12583 28255 24467 3202 586 486670 442870 43800 657 657 55736 48679 7057 168472 167378 1094 34863 31725 3138 LUNCH EXPENSES 48945 48945 REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE 43571 39650 3921 TRIPS AND SPECIAL FUNCT 35335 28409 6926 ATHLETICS EVENTS EXPENS 18170 18170 62503 41076 10501 10926 4778384 3764427 889731 124226 166162 203587 1218649 1820255 64612 40250 33634 11197 18034 29570 3481920 506719 3040358 2975201 25803 25453 4567252 5105513 164833 167724 685352 648788 850185 816512 X 3645636 4256255 71431 32746 3717067 4289001 4567252 5105513 571933 0 X 0 0 0 X 0.84950 0.01370 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 2496494 192353 2304141 537334 238797 298537 448092 75569 372523 2975201 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 SCHEDULE E, PART I, LINE 3 PUBLISHED IN THE JEWISH NEWS COMMUNITY DIRECTORY IN THE FALL OF 2016 AND AZ JEWISH LIFE IN FEBRUARY 2016. SCHEDULE E, PART I, LINE 6 THE SCHOOL RECEIVES TITLE II FUNDS THROUGH THE PARADISE VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR TEACHER TRAINING. GALA 195238 119792 75446 688 1150 53263 10101 PANTHER CLASSIC 15105 15105 854 460 716 789 2807 1 14797 5114 9683 11177 225140 140011 85129 1542 12787 53979 789 12908 82005 3124 X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 JILL KESSLER HEAD OF SCHOOL 212497 0 15000 0 0 0 15124 0 9566 0 252187 0 0 0 PATTI EVANS CFO 152754 0 0 0 0 0 10900 0 7252 0 170906 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 7 EVERY EMPLOYEE OF THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED A SMALL BONUS AT THE REQUEST OF THE PARENT/TEACHER GROUP. IN ADDITION, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD, THE HEAD OF SCHOOL RECEIVED A BONUS FOR EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP OF THE SCHOOL. X 5114 SALE PROCEEDS X AUCTION ITEMS 121 43250 SALES PROCEEDS 0 0 1 0 PART I, COLUMN (B): NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTIONS IS THE NUMBER OF ITEMS RECEIVED FOR SALE AT AUCTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS AND MAY EXERCISE THE POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BETWEEN MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BUT DOES NOT POSSESS ANY AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROHIBITED TO IT BY LAW. FURTHER, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MAY NOT (A) AUTHORIZE DISTRIBUTIONS, (B) FILL ANY VACANCY ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR ANY OF ITS COMMITTEES, OR (C) ADOPT, AMEND, OR REPEAL THESE BYLAWS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE BOARD WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE COPY OF THE 990 RETURN BEFORE IT IS SUBMITTED. THE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE COPY OF THE 990 IS IDENTICAL TO THE COPY OF THE 990 THAT IS FILED BUT FOR THE FACT THAT THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE MAJOR DONORS ARE NOT INCLUDED. THE DRAFT WILL BE CIRCULATED TO THE BOARD, REQUESTING APPROVAL AND AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO SIGN FULL 990. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ALL KEY EMPLOYEES (I.E., EMPLOYEES WHO EXERCISE SUBSTANTIAL INFLUENCE OVER THE AFFAIRS OF THE SCHOOL) ARE SUBJECT TO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. ALL COVERED INDIVIDUALS HAVE A DUTY TO DISCLOSE AN ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO THE BOARD. ONCE REPORTED, THE BOARD DETERMINES WHAT ACTION TO TAKE UNDER THE POLICY. MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO REVIEW AND SIGN THE POLICY ANNUALLY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SETS COMPENSATION FOR THE HEAD OF SCHOOL. THAT COMPENSATION FIGURE WAS ARRIVED AT BY REVIEWING COMPARABLE SALARIES AND REVIEWING THE HEAD OF SCHOOL'S PERFORMANCE, ALONG WITH A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT. THIS IS REVIEWED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST COPIES, CALL OR WRITE TO THE PHONE NUMBER/ADDRESS LISTED ON PAGE ONE. PART III, LINE 4A CONTINUATION OF PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: THIS YEAR ISRAELI ARTIST HANOCH PIVEN, WHOSE WORKS HAVE BEEN FEATURED ON HUNDREDS OF MAGAZINE COVERS AROUND THE WORLD, TAUGHT OUR STUDENTS AND PARENTS HOW TO CREATE AN INCREDIBLE WORK FROM A HOST OF FOUND MATERIALS - AND UNUSUAL JUNK- THEY BROUGHT IN. TO HELP PREPARE PARDES STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT CITIZENSHIP, ALL THE CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN KIDS VOTING FOR THE NATIONAL ELECTION. STUDENTS RECEIVED PERSONAL ID NUMBERS, WITH CHILDREN IN GRADES K-4 COMPLETING PAPER BALLOTS. STUDENTS IN GRADES 5-8 USED COMPUTERS DESIGNED TO SIMULATE THE REAL VOTING EXPERIENCE. THIS YEAR THEY VOTED FOR PRESIDENT, THE US SENATE AND AZ SUPREME COURT JUDGE RETENTION. THE ARIZONA FOUNDATION FOR LEGAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION SUPPLIED THE ELECTION ACTIVITY BOOKLETS AND BALLOTS. THE VOTING RESULTS WERE SHARED WITH STUDENTS THE DAY AFTER THE NATIONAL ELECTION. FAMILY EXPERIENCE BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHTS WERE HELD FOR LOWER SCHOOL FAMILIES AND MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILIES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, TO HELP PARENTS UNDERSTAND IN-DEPTH THE PLANS FOR THEIR CHILDREN FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR. THE SCHOOL HOSTED A HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT, WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS PROVIDING DETAILS ABOUT THEIR SCHOOLS AS WELL AS HELPING PARENTS UNDERSTAND KEY ISSUES IN THE TRANSITION FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL ALSO HOSTED AN INTERNET SAFELY NIGHT, WITH A DETECTIVE FROM THE SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT OF THE SCOTTSDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE DETECTIVE DISCUSSED HOW TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ONLINE DANGERS. WE OFFERED FUN EXPERIENCES AS WELL, SUCH AS THE PANCAKE BREAKFAST THAT BRINGS PARENTS AND STUDENTS TOGETHER FOR A DELICIOUS BREAKFAST BEFORE SCHOOL. PARDES INAUGURATED AN EVENING OF CABARET FOR THE SCHOOL, FEATURING BROADWAY, TELEVISION AND MOVIE PERFORMERS NATHAN LEE GRAHAM AND CATHERINE FRIES VAUGHN. 80 PEOPLE ATTENDED, ENJOYING A TREMENDOUS PERFORMANCE AND RAISING MONEY FOR THE THEATER PROGRAM AT PARDES. THE ANNUAL PARDES GRANDPARENTS' BREAKFAST WAS A WONDERFULLY ATTENDED EVENTS, BRING GRANDPARENTS TO THE CAMPUS WITH THEIR GRANDCHILDREN. PARDES HAS AN OUTSTANDING PARENT ORGANIZATION, KESHER. KESHER, SERVES A PRIMARY GOAL OF CONNECTING OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, FACULTY, STAFF AND GREATER COMMUNITY. THE GROUP IS ENGAGED WITH THE SCHOOL SUPPORTING THE JEWISH HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THEY ALSO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY WITH THEIR SOCIAL OUTREACH, SUPPORTING FAMILIES EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT LIFECYCLE EVENTS SUCH AS BIRTHS, MAJOR ILLNESSES AND DEATHS. THEY WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, ORGANIZING FOOD DRIVES AND GIFT DRIVES TO SUPPORT AREA FAMILIES IN NEED, THEY LOVE AND SUPPORT OUR STAFF THROUGH STAFF APPRECIATION EVENTS ALONG WITH BIRTHDAY AND OTHER GIFTS OR SURPRISES AS SMALL GESTURES OF THEIR ONGOING GRATITUDE. KESHER IS LED BY TWO CO-CHAIRS WHO CONTRIBUTE ROUGHLY 200 VOLUNTEER HOURS PER SCHOOL YEAR, AND THRIVES THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF DOZENS OF ENGAGED PARDES PARENTS.