Our sixth graders just received a heartfelt thank-you note from Nitzan L’Zichram, an Israeli therapeutic farm supporting youth through tough times. Back in fifth grade, these amazing students made a donation with funds they raised by selling candy and stationery and even washing cars — all to make a difference. 

What a delicious way to return from break! Today our students experienced the Moroccan Jewish tradition of Mimouna—a joyful celebration marking the end of Passover. They got to enjoy moufleta, a delicious, crepe-like pancake, topped with sugar, syrup, or honey.  Celebrating culture, tradition, and community—one bite at a time! 

[Williston Park, NY, March 12, 2025] – In celebration of Purim, Schechter School of Long Island is excited to announce the release of our special Purim parody video, "Unstoppable." The video, featuring our students, offers an uplifting and empowering message that embodies the spirit of Purim.

In this video, our students take center stage to showcase their creativity and joy, sharing a story of strength, perseverance, and unity. The video celebrates the timeless theme of overcoming challenges and embracing resilience.

Watch the video here: tinyurl.com/ssliunstoppable

We invite you to join us in the Purim spirit by watching and sharing "Unstoppable" with friends, family, and anyone who would appreciate its powerful message of hope and empowerment.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
Ilana Lax, SSLI Director of Marketing and Communications
516.359.3881
ilax@schechterli.org

Recognized for Improving Female Representation in AP Computer Science Principles

[Williston Park, NY]─Schechter School of Long Island has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP), for the second consecutive year. Schools honored with an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded access to AP computer science courses for female students in their communities. 

During the 2023-24 school year, 1,153 institutions achieved an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for CSA, CSP or both courses. Award contenders must either have reached 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or have achieved a percentage of female computer science exam takers that meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population. Schechter School of Long Island was one of only 847 recognized for improving female representation in AP CSP.

“I am thrilled that we won this award for a second consecutive year. Not only are we convincing a more diverse group to give Computer Science a try, but we are also retaining that diversity in the highest levels of Computer Science offered here at Schechter,” said Pablo Garcia, Schechter’s Mathematics & Computer Science Chair. “Our Senior-level course has a perfect 50% split of boys and girls this year, which is a dramatic improvement from how computer science electives looked ten years ago.”  

“Computer science is a way for me to solve problems and build things that make a real impact,” said Shir Levenson, SSLI ‘26). “Receiving an award for our hard work is a beautiful way to be recognized and is a true motivation to keep striving for excellence. I am honored to be a part of a growing community of women in tech who are shaping the future.”

AP Computer Science Principles, which first launched in the 2016-17 school year, continues to grow. In 2024:  
175,261 students took the AP CSP Exam—almost 4 times the number of exam takers in the course’s first year.
60,259 female students took the AP CSP Exam, approximately 4 1/2 times the number who tested in 2017. 
Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 161% since 2017, which has broadened STEM career opportunities for more students.

Providing young women with access to computer science courses is necessary to ensure gender equity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and representation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for computer and mathematical occupations was $104,200 in 2023. However, women represent just 26.9% of the 6.5 million people employed in the same fields.

“Computer science is the source code of our economy and much of the career landscape,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP Program. “In the seven years since we began the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award, it’s been heartening to see schools like Schechter School of Long Island welcome so many more young women into this vital field.”

That’s why College Board research about AP CSP is so encouraging. According to the data, female students who take AP CSP in high school are more than five times as likely to major in computer science in college, compared to female students of similar background and academic preparation who didn’t take AP CSP.  The study also finds AP Computer Science Principles students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP Computer Science A (CSA), and that for most students, AP CSP serves as a stepping stone to other advanced AP STEM coursework.

These findings highlight the importance of schools nationwide achieving gender equity in AP computer science classrooms. Overall, female students remain underrepresented in computer science classes. They account for just 34% of AP CSP participants and 26% of AP CSA participants. The 1,153 schools that receive this year’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award serve as inspiration and are models for all U.S. high schools. 

“Computer science is a field that shapes the world and drives innovation,” said Natalie Khaimov, SSLI ‘26. “It offers endless opportunities to solve real-world problems with creativity and critical thinking. For me, being part of this diverse and dynamic field is not only empowering but essential to ensuring that technology is inclusive.” - February 2025
 

Schechter News Live! Our Middle School students hosted an incredible talk show in tefillah, featuring a special guest... Rabbi Shimshon ben Ray v'Rachel, the Rashbarr! Rabbi Shimshon, played by our Madrich Ruach/12th Grader, Samson Mildron, shared deep insights into Asara B'Tevet, the Fast Day coming up this Friday. 

Did you know? The 10th of Tevet marks the beginning of the tragic chain of events that led to the destruction of the Temple on Tisha B'Av. It all began with the siege of Jerusalem in 586 BCE by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Bavel. Though the fast is short, it’s significant — a day of reflection and remembrance. 

In modern Israel, it's also observed as a Yahrzeit for all those whose actual Yahrzeit we do not know. This Friday, we will commemorate this important day with a fast day Shacharit and Torah reading. 

Our Lower School Robotics team had a blast at the CIJE Robotics Competition! Using the VEX-Go robots they built themselves, our students joined forces with other schools, collaborating and competing for shared points. Their teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills shined through the event! We're so proud of how they came together and represented our school with energy and enthusiasm. 

Our second Tomim Hashnayim (Two are Better) program of the year was a hit! The eighth grade Hebrew classes enjoyed visiting the first grade to teach the students about the miracle of Hanukkah and help them decorate beautiful chanukiyot. There was so much joy in the air as the students paired up, shared laughs, and sang their favorite Hanukkah songs together. 

Eleventh grade Rabbinics students and Morah Shelly’s 3A class kicked off the first Tovim HaShnayim joyful, Jewish, shared experience! “Tovim Hashnayim” (two are better) is an initiative in which students share joyful Jewish learning across grade levels. The classes shared what they have learned about Sukkot, especially the meaning of its name “Z’man Simchateinu” (the season of our rejoicing). Then they created artwork together about what makes them feel joy!
 

AP Psychology students learned about the nervous system by making candy neurons! Each student brought in a variety of different shapes of candy to represent a neuron’s various parts and functions. After they sent in a photo of their work, they had fun eating their creation!

The fifth-graders held a publishing party to celebrate their culminating piece of narrative fiction writing. Over two months, students developed their skills of telling a story bit-by-bit, using description, dialogue and drama, while incorporating a clear beginning, middle and end. In groups of four, students read their final work to fourth-grade students who are currently midway through their own narrative writing unit. Fourth-grade students practiced the skills of giving feedback using prompting phrases such as "I like when you ..." and "It was easy for me to picture ____ because ____."
 

Members of the SSLI Israel Club hosted a pop-up catering event for Shabbat this week! All proceeds will go to a Dedication Fund in honor of Omer Neutra z"l, who was an active member and leader of this club during his time at Schechter.

Lower School Broadway students dazzled family and friends with their talent and creativity in their original play, Pele Paz! Written by the cast, this inspiring production of acting and singing celebrated the students’ Jewish faith and connection to the Land of Israel. The evening culminated in a joyous sing-along of Chanukah songs followed by delicious sufganiyot to kickstart the holiday spirit!

Congratulations to Schechter Robotics for finishing qualifiers in fifth place out of 33 teams in the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE) Robotics High School Competition! This mid year competition is a crucial opportunity for our robotics teams to put their robots to the test. But more importantly, it is an opportunity for them to meet with other teams and exchange ideas for how to approach this year's challenges.