School briefs

Two make-up snow days have been scheduled for Friday, March 13, and Friday, May 22. These were previously noted on the Mercer Island School District calendar as “built-in snow days.” Both Fridays will now become regular school days. In total, Island students were out of school for three days due to the recent snow storm. But because the school calendar is a mandatory subject of bargaining, the district will discuss with the MIEA how to make up the third school closure day.

January 20, 2009 3:46 pm

Snow days

Two make-up snow days have been scheduled for Friday, March 13, and Friday, May 22. These were previously noted on the Mercer Island School District calendar as “built-in snow days.” Both Fridays will now become regular school days. In total, Island students were out of school for three days due to the recent snow storm. But because the school calendar is a mandatory subject of bargaining, the district will discuss with the MIEA how to make up the third school closure day.

MIHS AP scholars named

The Mercer Island School Board acknowledged more than a dozen AP Scholars during its Jan. 8 meeting. The honor is granted to MIHS students who receive a grade of 3 (out of 5) or higher on three or more AP exams. This year’s AP scholars are: Tamara Babenko, Peyton Bell, Michael Chien, David Clausen, Matthew Ellis, Ji Soo Kim, Brian Lee, Ladan Mozaffarian, Michael Rudokas, Michio Taya, Saul Tilden, Paula Trepman, Matthew Vincent and Brian Wang. Three students — Edward Jiranek, Renata Smith and Inar Zhang — were recognized as AP Scholars with Honor, which means that they earned an average grade of 3.25 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or more AP exams. Two students — Murad Ulityonok and Michele Zemplenyi — were celebrated for earning AP Scholar with Distinction status.

Talmudic law class at CCMV

In response to the successful turnout in 2006 for “You Be The Judge,” an interactive course allowing students to explore the Talmud’s thinking about civil law, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute is launching “You Be the Judge II,” which will begin at the Community Center at Mercer View on Feb. 10. The course is CLE accredited by the Washington State Bar Association for nine credits. However, even those who do not have a background in law are invited to attend. The class includes six Talmudic case studies that allow participants to “pit their wits against some of the best minds in history.” Those who take the course will learn more about the beit din, the court system of Jewish law. The class also compares Talmudic analysis with the contemporary approach taken in United States courts. Topics include business ethics, property rights and employment practices. Each lesson provides an opportunity to question, discuss and argue, based on principle and precedent. For more information or to register, contact: Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky at (206) 290-6301 or bogomilsky@msn.com.