Congratulations to the Class of 2016!
Today's graduation and aliyah was both a joyful and a tear-filled celebration. The Class of 2016—the first graduating class of The Brandeis School of San Francisco—was addressed by Head of School Dr. Dan Glass, Head of Middle School Neal Biskar, Board Chair Russell Cohen, and Rabbi Danny Gottlieb of Congregation Beth Israel Judea. Middle school language arts teacher and advisor David Jefferies (the class's chosen faculty speaker) reflected on the unique character of the class. Mr. Jefferies's spoke of two trophies sitting on tables beside the podium: one trophy earned by the Class of 1996—being the first ever for Brandeis; the other trophy being the latest one earned by the Class of 2016, almost exactly 20 years after the first. Appropriately titled "A Tale of Two Trophies," the speech focused on the qualities of the individuals who earned the trophies. Mr. Jefferies commented, "The Class of 1996 was a class filled with adventurous thinkers, but not quite as adventurous as these folks. They were a class filled with creativity, but there was not as much creativity as sits on this stage." Laughter filled the room as Mr. Jefferies concluded his speech by donning Minnie Mouse ears and singing, “Now it’s time to say goodbye to all our graduates. M-I-C, we hope to see you around. K-E-Y, why? Because we love you. M-O-U-S-E.”
Following the "Faces of the Class of 2016" slideshow came the aliyah of each grade, with each student in turn taking a pledge administered by Dr. Glass—"to be a leader in this community, to be a role model for kids younger than me," to "make every day matter by trying my best," and to "act kindly, with a courageous heart, toward a better world."
Before the full student body arrived for the graduation ceremony, the eighth graders gave their Chain addresses before their families, guests, and the sixth and seventh grades. The Chain is a tradition in which each student addresses a classmate, reminiscing on the experiences they have shared over the years at Brandeis.
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Before the full student body arrived for the graduation ceremony, the eighth graders gave their Chain addresses before their families, guests, and the sixth and seventh grades. The Chain is a tradition in which each student addresses a classmate, reminiscing on the experiences they have shared over the years at Brandeis.
MORE PHOTOS
